PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
XXXXXX XXXXXXX UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.,
XXXXXX XXXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXXX, LLP
AND
UNITED LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
DATED AS OF
JANUARY 30, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I. Purchase of Fund Shares
ARTICLE II Representations and Warranties
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses, Reports to Shareholders
and Proxy Statements, Voting
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
ARTICLE V Fees and Expenses
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
ARTICLE X. Termination
ARTICLE XI. Notices
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
SCHEDULE A Separate Accounts and Contracts
SCHEDULE B Portfolios of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Universal Funds, Inc.
SCHEDULE C Proxy Voting Procedures
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 30th day of
January, 1998 by and among UNITED LIFE & ANNUITY COMPANY (hereinafter
the "Company"), a Louisiana corporation , on its own behalf and on
behalf of each separate account of the Company set forth on Schedule A
hereto as may be amended from time to time (each such account
hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), and XXXXXX XXXXXXX UNIVERSAL
FUNDS, INC. (hereinafter the "Fund"), a Maryland corporation, and
XXXXXX XXXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. and XXXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXXX,
LLP (hereinafter collectively the "Advisers" and individually the
"Adviser"), a Delaware corporation and a Pennsylvania limited liability
partnership, respectively.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is available to act as (i) the investment vehicle for
separate accounts established by insurance companies for individual and group
life insurance policies and annuity contracts with variable accumulation and/or
pay-out provisions (hereinafter referred to individually and/or collectively as
"Variable Insurance Products") and (ii) the investment vehicle for certain
qualified pension and retirement plans (hereinafter "Qualified Plans"); and
WHEREAS, insurance companies desiring to utilize the Fund as an
investment vehicle under their Variable Insurance Contracts enter into
participation agreements with the Fund and the Advisers (the "Participating
Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, shares of the Fund are divided into several series of shares,
each representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities
and other assets, any one or more of which may be made available under this
Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the
parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred to as a "Portfolio"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission, dated September 19, 1996 (File No. 812-10118), granting
Participating Insurance Companies and Variable Insurance Product separate
accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and
15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (hereinafter the "1940
Act"), and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent
necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by Variable
Annuity Product separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life
insurance companies and Qualified Plans (hereinafter the "Shared Funding
Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, each Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state
securities laws; and
WHEREAS, each Adviser manages certain Portfolios of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated (the "Underwriter") is
registered as a broker/dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), is a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (hereinafter "NASD") and serves
as principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain Variable
Insurance Products under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution or under authority of the Board of
Directors of the Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A
hereto, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid Variable
Insurance Product; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase, on behalf of each Account, shares
in the Portfolios set forth in Schedule B attached to this Agreement, to fund
certain of the aforesaid Variable Insurance Products and the Underwriter is
authorized to sell such shares to each such Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
1.1. The Fund agrees to make available for purchase by the Company
shares of the Fund and shall execute orders placed for each Account on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its
designee of such order. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company shall be
the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from each Account and
receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the
Fund receives notice of such order by 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on the next
following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.2. The Fund, so long as this Agreement is in effect, agrees to make
its shares available indefinitely for purchase at the applicable net asset value
per share by the Company and its Accounts on those days on which the Fund
calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net asset
value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the Fund (hereinafter
the "Board") may refuse to permit the Fund to sell shares of any Portfolio to
any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if
such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction
or is, in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of
their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in
the best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.3. The Fund agrees that shares of the Fund will be sold only to
Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to certain
Qualified Plans. No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.4. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any
full or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such
requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this
Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Fund, provided that the Fund receives notice of such
request for redemption on the next following Business Day.
1.5. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Portfolio
shares offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be made in
accordance with the provisions of such prospectus. The Variable Insurance
Products issued by the Company, under which amounts may be invested in the Fund
(hereinafter the "Contracts"), are listed on Schedule A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference, as such Schedule A may be amended from time to
time by mutual written agreement of all of the parties hereto. The Company will
give the Fund and the Adviser 45 days written notice of its intention to make
available in the future, as a funding vehicle under the Contracts, any other
investment company.
1.6. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day
after an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the provisions
of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire.
For purposes of Section 2.10 and 2.11, upon receipt by the Fund of the federal
funds so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company
and shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.7. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account.
Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each
Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.8. The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone,
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Fund's shares. The Company hereby
elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as
are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. The
Company reserves the right to revoke this election and to receive all such
income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify
the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions.
1.9. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each
Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated (normally by 6:30
p.m. Eastern time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value
per share available by 7:00 p.m.
Eastern time.
ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will
be registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established each
Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account
under Louisiana Statute RS22:1500 and has registered or, prior to any issuance
or sale of the Contracts, will register each Account as a unit investment trust
in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated
investment account for the Contracts.
2.2. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Maryland and all
applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall
remain registered under the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall amend the registration
statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time
as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund
shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of
the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund.
2.3. The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), and that it will make every effort to maintain such
qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and
that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in
the future.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated as
life insurance policies or annuity contracts, under applicable provisions of the
Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it
will notify the Fund immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing
that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so
treated in the future.
2.5. The Fund represents that to the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund
undertakes to have a board of directors, a majority of whom are not interested
persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states
except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies, fees and
expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of the
State of Maryland and the Fund represents that their respective operations are
and shall at all times remain in material compliance with the laws of the State
of Maryland to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
2.7. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.8. Each Adviser represents and warrants that it is and shall remain
duly registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that it will perform its obligations for the Fund in
compliance in all material respects with the laws of its state of domicile and
any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.9. The Fund represents and warrants that its directors, officers,
employees, and other individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or
securities of the Fund are and shall continue to be at all times covered by a
blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an
amount not less than the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1)
of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time.
The aforesaid blanket fidelity bond shall include coverage for larceny and
embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
2.10. The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing
with the money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity
bond or similar coverage, in an amount not less $5 million. The aforesaid
includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement is issued by a reputable bonding
company. The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond
or another bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to
notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer
applies.
ARTICLE III. PROSPECTUSES, REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND PROXY STATEMENTS; VOTING
3.1. The Fund or its designee shall provide the Company with as many
printed copies of the Fund's current prospectus and statement of additional
information as the Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company,
in lieu of providing printed copies the Fund shall provide camera-ready film or
computer diskettes containing the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional
information, and such other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for
the Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus and/or
statement of additional information for the Fund is amended during the year) to
have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together
in one document, and to have the statement of additional information for the
Fund and the statement of additional information for the Contracts printed
together in one document. Alternatively, the Company may print the Fund's
prospectus and/or its statement of additional information in combination with
other fund companies' prospectuses and statements of additional information.
3.2. Except as provided in this Section 3.2., all expenses of printing
and distributing Fund prospectuses and statements of additional information
shall be the expense of the Company. For prospectuses and statements of
additional information provided by the Company to its existing owners of
Contracts who currently own shares of one or more of the Fund's Portfolios, in
order to update disclosure as required by the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the
cost of printing shall be borne by the Fund. If the Company chooses to receive
camera-ready film or computer diskettes in lieu of receiving printed copies of
the Fund's prospectus, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an amount equal to
the product of x and y where x is the number of such prospectuses distributed to
owners of the Contracts who currently own shares of one or more of the Fund's
Portfolios, and y is the Fund's per unit cost of typesetting and printing the
Fund's prospectus. The same procedures shall be followed with respect to the
Fund's statement of additional information. The Company agrees to provide the
Fund or its designee with such information as may be reasonably requested by the
Fund to assure that the Fund's expenses do not include the cost of printing any
prospectuses or statements of additional information other than those actually
distributed to existing owners of the Contracts.
3.3. The Fund's statement of additional information shall be obtainable
from the Fund, the Company or such other person as the Fund may designate, as
agreed upon by the parties.
3.4. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of
its proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other communications (except
for prospectuses and statements of additional information, which are covered in
section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably
require for distributing to Contract owners.
3.5. If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with
instructions received from Contract owners; and
(iii) vote Fund shares for which no instructions
have been received in the same proportion as
Fund shares of such Portfolio for which
instructions have been received,
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges
for variable contract owners. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares
held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted
by law. The Fund and the Company shall follow the procedures, and shall have the
corresponding responsibilities, for the handling of proxy and voting instruction
solicitations, as set forth in Schedule C attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for
ensuring that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth
on Schedule C, which standards will also be provided to the other Participating
Insurance Companies.
3.6. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund
is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with
Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in
accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's interpretation of the
requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of directors
and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.
3.7. The Fund shall use reasonable efforts to provide Fund
prospectuses, reports to shareholders, proxy materials and other Fund
communications (or camera-ready equivalents) to the Company sufficiently in
advance of the Company's mailing dates to enable the Company to complete, at
reasonable cost, the printing, assembling and/or distribution of the
communications in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
ARTICLE IV. SALES MATERIAL AND INFORMATION
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which the Fund or the Adviser(s) is named, at least ten Business
Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its
designee reasonably objects to such use within ten Business Days after receipt
of such material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund,
or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its
designee, except with the permission of the Fund.
4.3. The Fund or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or
other promotional material in which the Company and/or its separate account(s)
is named at least ten Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be
used if the Company or its designee reasonably objects to such use within ten
Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.4. The Fund and the Advisers shall not give any information or make
any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, each
Account, or the Contracts, other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain
or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, which are relevant
to the Company or the Contracts.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the investment
in the Fund under the Contracts.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials.
ARTICLE V. FEES AND EXPENSES
5.1. The Fund shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company
under this Agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts and
implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, then
the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter for the
Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this
Agreement shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its
shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable
federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in
accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear
the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's
shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting
in type and printing the proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including
the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the
preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal or state law,
and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Fund's
prospectus, proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts issued by the
Company.
ARTICLE VI. DIVERSIFICATION
6.1. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such
a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts
under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope
of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the
Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the diversification
requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and
any amendments or other modifications to such Section or Regulations. In the
event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable
steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the
Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation
817-5.
ARTICLE VII. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by Variable Insurance Product owners; or (f) a decision by a Participating
Insurance Company to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners. The
Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an irreconcilable
material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying
out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by providing
the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider
any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of
its disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested directors), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance policy
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision
by the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account
(at the Company's expense); provided, however that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with
respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs the Company in
writing that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable
material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall
be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Underwriter and Fund shall
continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and
redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.5 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any
proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in
no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict.
7.7. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the
1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and
conditions materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies,
as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules
6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such
rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of
this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms and
conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such
Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. INDEMNIFICATION
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
8.1(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and
each member of the Board and officers, and each Adviser and each director and
officer of each Adviser, and each person, if any, who controls the Fund or the
Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of
this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company)
or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or
acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts or
contained in the Contracts or sales literature for the Contracts
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to the Company by or
on behalf of the Fund for use in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts or sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales literature of the
Fund not supplied by the Company, or persons under its control
and other than statements or representations authorized by the
Fund or an Adviser) or unlawful conduct of the Company or persons
under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution of
the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii)arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, or sales literature of the Fund or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading if such a statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund by
or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Company, as limited by and in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c)
hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the
Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation of the
Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by the Advisers
8.2(a). Each Adviser agrees, with respect to each Portfolio that it
manages, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors
and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"
and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of this Section 8.2) against
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in
settlement with the written consent of the Adviser) or litigation (including
legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof)
or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of shares of the Portfolio
that it manages or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
the registration statement or prospectus or sales literature
of the Fund (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Fund by or on
behalf of the Company for use in the registration statement
or prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature (or any
amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection
with the sale of the Contracts or Portfolio shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales literature for
the Contracts not supplied by the Fund or persons under its
control and other than statements or representations
authorized by the Company) or unlawful conduct of the Fund,
Adviser(s) or Underwriter or persons under their control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or
Portfolio shares; or
(iii)arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a
registration statement, prospectus, or sales literature
covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Company by or on
behalf of the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Adviser in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Adviser; as limited by and
in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and
8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). An Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred
or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.2(c). An Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Adviser in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not
relieve the Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Adviser will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Adviser also shall be entitled to assume
the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Adviser to such party of the Adviser's election to assume
the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of
any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser will not be liable to
such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Adviser of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of each Account.
8.3. Indemnification by the Fund
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and
each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (hereinafter
collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party,"
for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Fund) or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof,
are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred
or assessed against an Indemnified Party as may arise from such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not
relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Fund of the commencement
of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its respective officers or
directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the
Contracts, with respect to the operation of either Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. APPLICABLE LAW
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934
and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including
such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and
Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in
accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. TERMINATION
10.1. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the
first to occur of:
(a) termination by any party for any reason by sixty (60) days advance
written notice delivered to the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio based upon the Company's determination
that shares of such Portfolio is not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the Portfolio's shares
are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or
federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio ceases to
qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code or
under any successor or similar provision, or if the Company reasonably believes
that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio falls to
meet the diversification requirements specified in Article VI hereof; or
(f) termination by either the Fund by written notice to the Company if the
Fund shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the
Company and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change
in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of
this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity, or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that either the Fund or the Adviser has suffered a material adverse
change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the
date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
(h) termination by the Fund or the Adviser by written notice to the
Company, if the Company gives the Fund and the Adviser the written notice
specified in Section 1.5 hereof and at the time such notice was given there was
no notice of termination outstanding under any other provision of this
Agreement; provided, however any termination under this Section 10.1(h) shall be
effective forty five (45) days after the notice specified in Section 1.5 was
given.
10.2. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Fund shall at
the option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of the
Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts
in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter
referred to as "Existing, Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the
owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to direct reallocation of
investments in the Fund, redemption of investments in the Fund and/or investment
in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing
Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any
terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations
shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement.
10.3. The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the
Contracts (as distinct from Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets
held in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner
initiated or approved transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal
laws or regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption") or (iii) as
permitted by an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act. Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish
to the Fund the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Fund) to the effect that any redemption pursuant
to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in
cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company shall not
prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that was
otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving the Fund 90 days
prior written notice of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. NOTICES
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party.
If to the Fund:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Universal Funds, Inc.
c/o Morgan Xxxxxxx Asset Management Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
If to Adviser:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Asset Management Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
If to Adviser:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx, LLP
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
If to the Company:
United Life & Annuity Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Executive Vice President
ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS
12.1. All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of
the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the
Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for
obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
12.2. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
12.3. 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.
12.4. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
12.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities
Dealers and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the California Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the insurance operations
of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the California
Insurance Regulations and any other applicable law or regulations.
12.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
12.8. This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not
be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties
hereto; provided, however, that an Adviser may assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common
control with the Adviser, if such assignee is duly licensed and registered to
perform the obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement.
12. 9 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee copies of the following reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement (prepared under statutory accounting
principles) and annual report (prepared under generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), if any), as soon as practical and in any event within 90
days after the end of each fiscal year;
(b) the Company's quarterly statements (statutory) (and GAAP, if any), as
soon as practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each
quarterly period:
(c) any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or report of the
Company sent to stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon as practical after
the delivery thereof to stockholders;
(d) any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial reports of
the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state
insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the filing thereof;
(e) any other report submitted to the Company by independent accountants in
connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books
of the Company, as soon as practical after the receipt thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative
and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date specified above.
UNITED LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
By: ______________________________
NAME:
TITLE:
XXXXXX XXXXXXX UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.
By: ______________________________
NAME:
TITLE:
XXXXXX XXXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
By: ______________________________
NAME:
TITLE:
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXXX, LLP
By: ______________________________
NAME:
TITLE:
SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND CONTRACTS
NAME OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT AND FORM NUMBER AND NAME OF CONTRACT
FUNDED BY SEPARATE
DATE ESTABLISHED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACCOUNT
United Life and Aunniuty UCV-AN-6000 Master Contract
Separate Account I UCV-AN-6001 Master Contract
Established November 2, 1994 UCV-AN-6002 SpectraDirect Group
UCV-AN-6003 SpectraSelect Group
UCV-AN-6004 SpectraDirect Individual
UCV-AN-6005 SpectraSelect Individual
ULV-AN-6008 IntegraPreferred Individual
ULV-AN-6009 IntegraGold Individual
A-1
SCHEDULE B
PORTFOLIOS OF XXXXXX XXXXXXX
UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.
EQUITY GROWTH
VALUE
GLOBAL EQUITY
HIGH YIELD
EMERGING MARKETS DEBT
B-1
SCHEDULE C
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities for the
handling of proxies and voting instructions relating to the Fund. The defined
terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the Participation Agreement
except that the term "Company" shall also include the department or third party
assigned by the Company to perform the steps delineated below.
. The proxy proposals are given to the Company by the Fund as early as
possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder meeting to
enable the Company to consider and prepare for the solicitation of
voting instructions from owners of the Contracts and to facilitate the
establishment of tabulation procedures. At this time the Fund will
inform the Company of the Record, Mailing and Meeting dates.
This will be done verbally approximately two months before meeting.
. Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape run",
or other activity, which will generate the names, addresses and number
of units which are attributed to each contract owner/policyholder (the
"Customer") as of the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account
adjustments made after this date that could affect the status of the
Customers' accounts as of the Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities
described in this Step #2. The Company will use its best efforts to
call in the number of Customers to the Fund , as soon as possible, but
no later than two weeks after the Record Date.
. The Fund's Annual Report must be sent to each Customer by the Company
either before or together with the Customers' receipt of voting,
instruction solicitation material. The Fund will provide the last
Annual Report to the Company pursuant to the terms of Section 3.3 of
the Agreement to which this Schedule relates.
. The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or
"Card") is provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its
expense, shall produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards.
The Fund or its affiliate must approve the Card before it is printed.
Allow approximately 2-4 business days for printing information on the
Cards. Information commonly found on the Cards includes:
C-1
. name (legal name as found on account registration)
. address
. fund or account number
. coding to state number of units
. individual Card number for use in tracking and verification of
votes (already on Cards as printed by the Fund).
(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due to
possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
. During this time, the Fund will develop, produce and pay for the Notice
of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document). Printed and folded
notices and statements will be sent to Company for insertion into
envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided and paid for by
the Company). Contents of envelope sent to Customers by the Company
will include:
. Voting Instruction Card(s)
. One proxy notice and statement (one document)
. return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to the
Company or its tabulation agent
. "urge buckslip" - optional, but recommended. (This is a small,
single sheet of paper that
requests Customers to vote as quickly as possible and that
their vote is important. One copy will be supplied by the
Fund.)
. cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and reviewed and
approved in advance by the Fund.
. The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5
business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews
and approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness
and completeness. Copy of this approval sent to the Fund.
. Package mailed by the Company.
* The Fund must allow at least a 15-day solicitation time to the
Company as the shareowner. (A 5-week period is recommended.)
Solicitation time is calculated as calendar days from (but not
including,) the meeting, counting backwards.
. Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes
place in another department or another vendor depending on process
used. An often used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal
into vote categories of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin
data entry.
C-2
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information would
be due to an insurance company's internal procedure and has not been required by
the Fund in the past.
Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration which was
printed on the Card. Note: For Example, if the account registration is under
"Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Trustee," then that is the exact legal name to be printed on the
Card and is the signature needed on the Card.
If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not signed
properly, they are sent back to Customer with an explanatory letter and a new
Card and return envelope. The mutilated or illegible Card is disregarded and
considered to be not received for purposes of vote tabulation. Any Cards that
have been "kicked out" (e.g. mutilated, illegible) of the procedure are "hand
verified," i.e., examined as to why they did not complete the system. Any
questions on those Cards are usually remedied individually.
There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation of votes
and accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort the Cards as they
first arrive into categories depending upon their vote; an estimate of how the
vote is progressing may then be calculated. If the initial estimates and the
actual vote do not coincide, then an internal audit of that vote should occur.
This may entail a recount.
The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then converted to
shares. (It is very important that the Fund receives the tabulations stated in
terms of a percentage and the number of shares.) The
Fund must review and approve tabulation format.
Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to the Fund on the
morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. The Fund may
request an earlier deadline if reasonable and if required to calculate the vote
in time for the meeting.
A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will be required
from the Company as well as an original copy of the final vote. The Fund will
provide a standard form for each Certification.
C-3
The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from the
Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise necessary
for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, the Fund will be permitted
reasonable access to such Cards.
All approvals and "signing-off' may be done orally, but must always be followed
up in writing.
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.,
UNITED LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY,
ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
ITS SEPARATE ACCOUNTS,
AND
UNITED VARIABLE SERVICES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION PAGE
Section 1. Available Funds.......................................................................................2
1.1 Availability....................................................................................2
1.2 Addition, Deletion or Modification of Funds.....................................................2
1.3 No Sales to the General Public..................................................................2
Section 2. Processing Transactions...............................................................................2
2.1 Timely Pricing and Orders.......................................................................2
2.2 Timely Payments.................................................................................3
2.3 Applicable Price................................................................................3
2.4 Dividends and Distributions.....................................................................4
2.5 Book Entry......................................................................................4
Section 3. Costs and Expenses....................................................................................4
3.1 General.........................................................................................4
3.2 Registration....................................................................................4
3.3 Other (Non-Sales-Related).......................................................................5
3.4 Other (Sales-Related)...........................................................................5
3.5 Parties To Cooperate............................................................................5
Section 4. Legal Compliance......................................................................................5
4.1 Tax Laws........................................................................................5
4.2 Insurance and Certain Other Laws................................................................8
4.3 Securities Laws.................................................................................8
4.4 Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances...........................................9
4.5 LIFE COMPANY To Provide Documents; Information About AVIF......................................10
4.6 AVIF To Provide Documents; Information About LIFE COMPANY......................................11
Section 5. Mixed and Shared Funding.............................................................................12
5.1 General........................................................................................12
5.2 Disinterested Directors........................................................................13
5.3 Monitoring for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts...............................................13
5.4 Conflict Remedies..............................................................................14
5.5 Notice to LIFE COMPANY.........................................................................15
5.6 Information Requested by Board of Directors....................................................15
5.7 Compliance with SEC Rules......................................................................15
5.8 Other Requirements.............................................................................16
Section 6. Termination..........................................................................................16
6.1 Events of Termination..........................................................................16
6.2 Notice Requirement for Termination.............................................................17
6.3 Funds To Remain Available......................................................................17
6.4 Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications....................................................18
6.5 Continuance of Agreement for Certain Purposes..................................................18
Section 7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination..........................................................18
Section 8. Assignment...........................................................................................18
Section 9. Notices..............................................................................................18
Section 10. Voting Procedures...................................................................................19
Section 11. Foreign Tax Credits.................................................................................20
Section 12. Indemnification.....................................................................................20
12.1 Of AVIF by LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER........................................................20
12.2 Of LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER by AVIF........................................................22
12.3 Effect of Notice...............................................................................24
12.4 Successors.....................................................................................25
Section 13. Applicable Law......................................................................................25
Section 14. Execution in Counterparts...........................................................................25
Section 15. Severability........................................................................................25
Section 16. Rights Cumulative...................................................................................25
Section 17. Headings............................................................................................25
Section 18. Confidentiality.....................................................................................26
Section 19. Trademarks and Fund Names...........................................................................26
Section 20. Parties to Cooperate................................................................................28
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the ____ day of _________,
1998 ("Agreement"), by and among AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc., a Maryland
corporation ("AVIF"); United Life & Annuity Insurance Company, a Louisiana life
insurance company (ALIFE COMPANY@), on behalf of itself and each of its
segregated asset accounts listed in Schedule A hereto, as the parties hereto may
amend from time to time (each, an "Account," and collectively, the "Accounts");
and United Variable Services, Inc., an affiliate of LIFE COMPANY and the
principal underwriter of the Contracts ("UNDERWRITER") (collectively, the
AParties@).
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, AVIF is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, AVIF currently consists of nine separate series ("Series"),
shares ("Shares") of each of which are registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and are currently sold to one or more separate
accounts of life insurance companies to fund benefits under variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance contracts; and
WHEREAS, AVIF will make Shares of each Series listed on Schedule A
hereto as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time (each a "Fund";
reference herein to "AVIF" includes reference to each Fund, to the extent the
context requires) available for purchase by the Accounts; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will be the issuer of certain variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance contracts ("Contracts") as set forth on
Schedule A hereto, as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time, which
Contracts (hereinafter collectively, the "Contracts"), if required by applicable
law, will be registered under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will fund the Contracts through the Accounts,
each of which may be divided into two or more subaccounts ("Subaccounts";
reference herein to an "Account" includes reference to each Subaccount thereof
to the extent the context requires); and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will serve as the depositor of the Accounts, each
of which is registered as a unit investment trust investment company under the
1940 Act (or exempt therefrom), and the security interests deemed to be issued
by the Accounts under the Contracts will be registered as securities under the
1933 Act (or exempt therefrom); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase Shares in one or more of the Funds
on behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts; and
WHEREAS, UNDERWRITER is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and a member in good standing of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits and promises
contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AVAILABLE FUNDS
1.1 .....AVAILABILITY.
AVIF will make Shares of each Fund available to LIFE COMPANY for
purchase and redemption at net asset value and with no sales charges, subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of AVIF may
refuse to sell Shares of any Fund to any person, or suspend or terminate the
offering of Shares of any Fund if such action is required by law or by
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the
Directors acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under
federal and any applicable state laws, such action is deemed in the best
interests of the shareholders of such Fund.
1.2 .....ADDITION, DELETION OR MODIFICATION OF FUNDS.
The Parties hereto may agree, from time to time, to add other Funds to
provide additional funding media for the Contracts, or to delete, combine, or
modify existing Funds, by amending Schedule A hereto. Upon such amendment to
Schedule A, any applicable reference to a Fund, AVIF, or its Shares herein shall
include a reference to any such additional Fund. Schedule A, as amended from
time to time, is incorporated herein by reference and is a part hereof.
1.3......NO SALES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
AVIF represents and warrants that no Shares of any Fund have been or
will be sold to the general public.
SECTION 2. PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS
2.1......TIMELY PRICING AND ORDERS.
(a) .....AVIF or its designated agent will use its best efforts to
provide LIFE COMPANY with the net asset value per Share for each Fund by 5:30
p.m. Central Time on each Business Day. As used herein, "Business Day" shall
mean any day on which (i) the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular
trading, (ii) AVIF calculates the Fund's net asset value, and (iii) LIFE COMPANY
is open for business.
(b) .....LIFE COMPANY will use the data provided by AVIF each Business
Day pursuant to paragraph (a) immediately above to calculate Account unit values
and to process transactions that receive that same Business Day's Account unit
values. LIFE COMPANY will perform such Account processing the same Business Day,
and will place corresponding orders to purchase or redeem Shares with AVIF by
9:00 a.m. Central Time the following Business Day; provided, however, that AVIF
shall provide additional time to LIFE COMPANY in the event that AVIF is unable
to meet the 5:30 p.m. time stated in paragraph (a) immediately above. Such
additional time shall be equal to the additional time that AVIF takes to make
the net asset values available to LIFE COMPANY.
(c)......With respect to payment of the purchase price by LIFE COMPANY
and of redemption proceeds by AVIF, LIFE COMPANY and AVIF shall net purchase and
redemption orders with respect to each Fund and shall transmit one net payment
per Fund in accordance with Section 2.2, below.
(d) .....If AVIF provides materially incorrect Share net asset value
information (as determined under SEC guidelines), LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled
to an adjustment to the number of Shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the
correct net asset value per Share. Any material error in the calculation or
reporting of net asset value per Share, dividend or capital gain information
shall be reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY.
2.2......TIMELY PAYMENTS.
LIFE COMPANY will wire payment for net purchases to a custodial account
designated by AVIF by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the order for
Shares is placed, to the extent practicable. AVIF will wire payment for net
redemptions to an account designated by LIFE COMPANY by 1:00 p.m. Central Time
on the same day as the Order is placed, to the extent practicable, but in any
event within five (5) calendar days after the date the order is placed in order
to enable LIFE COMPANY to pay redemption proceeds within the time specified in
Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act or such shorter period of time as may be required
by law.
2.3......APPLICABLE PRICE.
(a)......Share purchase payments and redemption orders that result from
purchase payments, premium payments, surrenders and other transactions under
Contracts (collectively, AContract transactions@) and that LIFE COMPANY receives
prior to the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on a
Business Day will be executed at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds
next computed after receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the orders. For
purposes of this Section 2.3(a), LIFE COMPANY shall be the designated agent of
AVIF for receipt of orders relating to Contract transactions on each Business
Day and receipt by such designated agent shall constitute receipt by AVIF;
provided that AVIF receives notice of such orders by 9:00 a.m. Central Time on
the next following Business Day or such later time as computed in accordance
with Section 2.1(b) hereof.
(b) All other Share purchases and redemptions by LIFE COMPANY will
be effected at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed after
receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the order therefor, and such orders
will be irrevocable.
2.4......DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
AVIF will furnish notice by wire or telephone (followed by written
confirmation) on or prior to the payment date to LIFE COMPANY of any income
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Shares of any Fund. LIFE
COMPANY hereby elects to reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions
in additional Shares of the corresponding Fund at the ex-dividend date net asset
values until LIFE COMPANY otherwise notifies AVIF in writing, it being agreed by
the Parties that the ex-dividend date and the payment date with respect to any
dividend or distribution will be the same Business Day. LIFE COMPANY reserves
the right to revoke this election and to receive all such income dividends and
capital gain distributions in cash.
2.5......BOOK ENTRY.
Issuance and transfer of AVIF Shares will be by book entry only. Stock
certificates will not be issued to LIFE COMPANY. Shares ordered from AVIF will
be recorded in an appropriate title for LIFE COMPANY, on behalf of its Account.
SECTION 3. COSTS AND EXPENSES
3.1......GENERAL.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, each Party will bear
all expenses incident to its performance under this Agreement.
3.2......REGISTRATION.
(a)......AVIF will bear the cost of its registering as a management
investment company under the 1940 Act and registering its Shares under the 1933
Act, and keeping such registrations current and effective; including, without
limitation, the preparation of and filing with the SEC of Forms N-SAR and Rule
24f-2 Notices with respect to AVIF and its Shares and payment of all applicable
registration or filing fees with respect to any of the foregoing.
(b)......LIFE COMPANY will bear the cost of registering, to the extent
required, each Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act and
registering units of interest under the Contracts under the 1933 Act and keeping
such registrations current and effective; including, without limitation, the
preparation and filing with the SEC of Forms N-SAR and Rule 24f-2 Notices with
respect to each Account and its units of interest and payment of all applicable
registration or filing fees with respect to any of the foregoing.
3.3......OTHER (NON-SALES-RELATED).
(a)......AVIF will bear, or arrange for others to bear, the costs of
preparing, filing with the SEC and setting for printing AVIF's prospectus,
statement of additional information and any amendments or supplements thereto
(collectively, the "AVIF Prospectus"), periodic reports to shareholders, AVIF
proxy material and other shareholder communications.
(b) .....LIFE COMPANY will bear the costs of preparing, filing with the
SEC and setting for printing each Account's prospectus, statement of additional
information and any amendments or supplements thereto (collectively, the
"Account Prospectus"), any periodic reports to Contract owners, annuitants,
insureds or participants (as appropriate) under the Contracts (collectively,
"Participants"), voting instruction solicitation material, and other Participant
communications.
(c)......LIFE COMPANY will print in quantity and deliver to existing
Participants the documents described in Section 3.3(b) above and the prospectus
provided by AVIF in camera ready or computer diskette form. AVIF will print the
AVIF statement of additional information, proxy materials relating to AVIF and
periodic reports of AVIF.
3.4......OTHER (SALES-RELATED).
LIFE COMPANY will bear the expenses of distribution. These expenses
would include by way of illustration, but are not limited to, the costs of
distributing to Participants the following documents, whether they relate to the
Account or AVIF: prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy
materials and periodic reports. These costs would also include the costs of
preparing, printing, and distributing sales literature and advertising relating
to the Funds, as well as filing such materials with, and obtaining approval
from, the SEC, the NASD, any state insurance regulatory authority, and any other
appropriate regulatory authority, to the extent required.
3.5......PARTIES TO COOPERATE.
Each Party agrees to cooperate with the others, as applicable, in
arranging to print, mail and/or deliver, in a timely manner, combined or
coordinated prospectuses or other materials of AVIF and the Accounts.
SECTION 4. LEGAL COMPLIANCE
4.1......TAX LAWS.
(a)......AVIF represents and warrants that each Fund is currently
qualified as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and represents that it
will use its best efforts to qualify and to maintain qualification of each Fund
as a RIC. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so
qualify in the future.
(b)......AVIF represents that it will use its best efforts to comply
and to maintain each Fund's compliance with the diversification requirements set
forth in Section 817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of the regulations
under the Code. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so comply or that a
Fund might not so comply in the future. In the event of a breach of this Section
4.1(b) by AVIF, it will take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the
Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Section
1.817-5 of the regulations under the Code.
(c) ....LIFE COMPANY agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service
("IRS") asserts in writing in connection with any governmental audit or review
of LIFE COMPANY or, to LIFE COMPANY=s knowledge, of any Participant, that any
Fund has failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section
817(h) of the Code or LIFE COMPANY otherwise becomes aware of any facts that
could give rise to any claim against AVIF or its affiliates as a result of such
a failure or alleged failure:
(i) LIFE COMPANY shall promptly notify AVIF of such
assertion or potential claim (subject to the
Confidentiality provisions of Section 18 as to any
Participant);
(ii) LIFE COMPANY shall consult with AVIF as to how to
minimize any liability that may arise as a result of
such failure or alleged failure;
(iii) LIFE COMPANY shall use its best efforts to minimize
any liability of AVIF or its affiliates resulting
from such failure, including, without limitation,
demonstrating, pursuant to Treasury Regulations
Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to the Commissioner of the IRS
that such failure was inadvertent;
(iv) LIFE COMPANY shall permit AVIF, its affiliates and
their legal and accounting advisors to participate in
any conferences, settlement discussions or other
administrative or judicial proceeding or contests
(including judicial appeals thereof) with the IRS,
any Participant or any other claimant regarding any
claims that could give rise to liability to AVIF or
its affiliates as a result of such a failure or
alleged failure; provided, however, that LIFE COMPANY
will retain control of the conduct of such
conferences discussions, proceedings, contests or
appeals;
(v) any written materials to be submitted by LIFE COMPANY
to the IRS, any Participant or any other claimant in
connection with any of the foregoing proceedings or
contests (including, without limitation, any such
materials to be submitted to the IRS pursuant to
Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2)), (a) shall
be provided by LIFE COMPANY to AVIF (together with any
supporting information or analysis); subject to the
confidentiality provisions of Section 18, at least ten
(10) business days or such shorter period to which the
Parties hereto agree prior to the day on which such
proposed materials are to be submitted, and (b) shall
not be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to any such person
without the express written consent of AVIF which shall
not be unreasonably withheld;
(vi) LIFE COMPANY shall provide AVIF or its affiliates and
their accounting and legal advisors with such
cooperation as AVIF shall reasonably request
(including, without limitation, by permitting AVIF
and its accounting and legal advisors to review the
relevant books and records of LIFE COMPANY) in order
to facilitate review by AVIF or its advisors of any
written submissions provided to it pursuant to the
preceding clause or its assessment of the validity or
amount of any claim against its arising from such a
failure or alleged failure;
(vii)LIFE COMPANY shall not with respect to any claim of
the IRS or any Participant that would give rise to a
claim against AVIF or its affiliates (a) compromise or
settle any claim, (b) accept any adjustment on audit,
or (c) forego any allowable administrative or judicial
appeals, without the express written consent of AVIF or
its affiliates, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld, provided that LIFE COMPANY shall not be
required, after exhausting all administrative
penalties, to appeal any adverse judicial decision
unless AVIF or its affiliates shall have provided an
opinion of independent counsel to the effect that a
reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal; and
provided further that the costs of any such appeal
shall be borne equally by the Parties hereto; and
(viii) AVIF and its affiliates shall have no liability as a
result of such failure or alleged failure if LIFE
COMPANY fails to comply with any of the foregoing
clauses (i) through (vii), and such failure could be
shown to have materially contributed to the
liability.
Should AVIF or any of its affiliates refuse to give its written consent
to any compromise or settlement of any claim or liability hereunder, LIFE
COMPANY may, in its discretion, authorize AVIF or its affiliates to act in the
name of LIFE COMPANY in, and to control the conduct of, such conferences,
discussions, proceedings, contests or appeals and all administrative or judicial
appeals thereof, and in that event AVIF or its affiliates shall bear the fees
and expenses associated with the conduct of the proceedings that it is so
authorized to control; provided, that in no event shall LIFE COMPANY have any
liability resulting from AVIF's refusal to accept the proposed settlement or
compromise with respect to any failure caused by AVIF. As used in this
Agreement, the term "affiliates" shall have the same meaning as "affiliated
person" as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act.
(d)......LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Contracts
currently are and will be treated as annuity contracts or life insurance
contracts under applicable provisions of the Code and that it will use its best
efforts to maintain such treatment; LIFE COMPANY will notify AVIF immediately
upon having a reasonable basis for believing that any of the Contracts have
ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
(e)......LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that each Account is a
"segregated asset account" and that interests in each Account are offered
exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable contract,"
within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and the
regulations thereunder. LIFE COMPANY will use its best efforts to continue to
meet such definitional requirements, and it will notify AVIF immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that such requirements have ceased to be
met or that they might not be met in the future.
4.2......INSURANCE AND CERTAIN OTHER LAWS.
(a)......AVIF will use its best efforts to comply with any applicable
state insurance laws or regulations, to the extent specifically requested in
writing by LIFE COMPANY, including, the furnishing of information not otherwise
available to LIFE COMPANY which is required by state insurance law to enable
LIFE COMPANY to obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts in any
applicable state.
(b)......LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) it is an
insurance company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Louisiana and has full corporate power, authority and
legal right to execute, deliver and perform its duties and comply with its
obligations under this Agreement, (ii) it has legally and validly established
and maintains each Account as a segregated asset account under Lousiana law and
the regulations thereunder, and (iii) the Contracts comply in all material
respects with all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
(c)......AVIF represents and warrants that it is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Maryland and has full power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver, and
perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
4.3......SECURITIES LAWS.
(a)......LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) interests in
each Account pursuant to the Contracts will be registered under the 1933 Act to
the extent required by the 1933 Act, (ii) the Contracts will be duly authorized
for issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws,
including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and
Louisiana law, (iii) each Account is and will remain registered under the 1940
Act, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iv) each Account does and will
comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder, to the extent required, (v) each Account's 1933 Act
registration statement relating to the Contracts, together with any amendments
thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements
of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder, (vi) LIFE COMPANY will amend the
registration statement for its Contracts under the 1933 Act and for its Accounts
under the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the
continuous offering of its Contracts or as may otherwise be required by
applicable law, and (vii) each Account Prospectus will at all times comply in
all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules
thereunder.
(b)......AVIF represents and warrants that (i) Shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by
the 1933 Act and duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with
Maryland law, (ii) AVIF is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to the
extent required by the 1940 Act, (iii) AVIF will amend the registration
statement for its Shares under the 1933 Act and itself under the 1940 Act from
time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its
Shares, (iv) AVIF does and will comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, (v) AVIF's 1933 Act
registration statement, together with any amendments thereto, will at all times
comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and rules
thereunder, and (vi) AVIF=s Prospectus will at all times comply in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(c)......AVIF will at its expense register and qualify its Shares for
sale in accordance with the laws of any state or other jurisdiction if and to
the extent reasonably deemed advisable by AVIF.
(d)......AVIF currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise,
although it reserves the right to make such payments in the future. To the
extent that it decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1,
AVIF undertakes to have its Board of Directors, a majority of whom are not
Ainterested@ persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule
12b-1 to finance distribution expenses.
(e)......AVIF represents and warrants that all of its trustees,
officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities having
access to the funds and/or securities of the Fund are and continue to be at all
times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of
the Fund in an amount not less than the minimal coverage as required currently
by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from
time to time. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement
and is issued by a reputable bonding company.
4.4......NOTICE OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
(a)......AVIF will immediately notify LIFE COMPANY of (i) the issuance
by any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or
other similar order with respect to AVIF's registration statement under the 1933
Act or AVIF Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such
registration statement or AVIF Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares
of AVIF, (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any
other purpose relating to the registration or offering of AVIF's Shares, or (iv)
any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of
Shares of any Fund in any state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation,
any circumstances in which (a) such Shares are not registered and, in all
material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state and
federal law, or (b) such law precludes the use of such Shares as an underlying
investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE COMPANY. AVIF
will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance, with respect to any
Fund, of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar order and, if
any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible
time.
(b)......LIFE COMPANY will immediately notify AVIF of (i) the issuance
by any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or
other similar order with respect to each Account's registration statement under
the 1933 Act relating to the Contracts or each Account Prospectus, (ii) any
request by the SEC for any amendment to such registration statement or Account
Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares of AVIF, (iii) the initiation
of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating to the
registration or offering of each Account's interests pursuant to the Contracts,
or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or
sale of said interests in any state or jurisdiction, including, without
limitation, any circumstances in which said interests are not registered and, in
all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state and
federal law. LIFE COMPANY will make every reasonable effort to prevent the
issuance of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar order and, if
any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible
time.
4.5......LIFE COMPANY TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS; INFORMATION ABOUT AVIF.
(a)......LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at
least one (1) complete copy of all SEC registration statements, Account
Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and final voting instruction solicitation
material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all
amendments to any of the above, that relate to each Account or the Contracts,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
(b) .....LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at
least one (1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which AVIF or any of its affiliates is named, at least
five (5) Business Days prior to its use or such shorter period as the Parties
hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. No such material shall be used if
AVIF or its designated agent objects to such use within five (5) Business Days
after receipt of such material or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may,
from time to time, agree upon. AVIF hereby designates AIM as the entity to
receive such sales literature, until such time as AVIF appoints another
designated agent by giving notice to LIFE COMPANY in the manner required by
Section 9 hereof.
(c)......Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates, will give any
information or make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning
AVIF or its affiliates in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than
(i) the information or representations contained in the registration statement,
including the AVIF Prospectus contained therein, relating to Shares, as such
registration statement and AVIF Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or
(ii) in reports or proxy materials for AVIF; or (iii) in published reports for
AVIF that are in the public domain and approved by AVIF for distribution; or
(iv) in sales literature or other promotional material approved by AVIF, except
with the express written permission of AVIF.
(d) ....LIFE COMPANY shall adopt and implement procedures reasonably
designed to ensure that information concerning AVIF and its affiliates that is
intended for use only by brokers or agents selling the Contracts (i.e.,
information that is not intended for distribution to Participants) ("broker only
materials") is so used, and neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates shall be
liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such
broker only materials.
(e)......For the purposes of this Section 4.5, the phrase Asales
literature or other promotional material@ includes, but is not limited to,
advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper,
magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording,
videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media,
(e.g., on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages),
sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials and any other material constituting sales literature or
advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act.
4.6......AVIF TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS; INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE COMPANY.
(a) .....AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY at least one (1) complete
copy of all SEC registration statements, AVIF Prospectuses, reports, any
preliminary and final proxy material, applications for exemptions, requests for
no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to AVIF
or the Shares of a Fund, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with
the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
(b)......AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY camera ready or computer
diskette copies of all AVIF prospectuses and printed copies, in an amount
specified by LIFE COMPANY, of AVIF statements of additional information, proxy
materials, periodic reports to shareholders and other materials required by law
to be sent to Participants who have allocated any Contract value to a Fund. AVIF
will provide such copies to LIFE COMPANY in a timely manner so as to enable LIFE
COMPANY, as the case may be, to print and distribute such materials within the
time required by law to be furnished to Participants.
(c)......AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent at
least one (1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which LIFE COMPANY, or any of its respective affiliates
is named, or that refers to the Contracts, at least five (5) Business Days prior
to its use or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time,
agree upon. No such material shall be used if LIFE COMPANY or its designated
agent objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such
material or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time,
agree upon. LIFE COMPANY shall receive all such sales literature until such time
as it appoints a designated agent by giving notice to AVIF in the manner
required by Section 9 hereof.
(d)......Neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates will give any
information or make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning
LIFE COMPANY, each Account, or the Contracts other than (i) the information or
representations contained in the registration statement, including each Account
Prospectus contained therein, relating to the Contracts, as such registration
statement and Account Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or (ii) in
published reports for the Account or the Contracts that are in the public domain
and approved by LIFE COMPANY for distribution; or (iii) in sales literature or
other promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates, except
with the express written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
(e) ....AVIF shall cause its principal underwriter to adopt and
implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning
LIFE COMPANY, and its respective affiliates that is intended for use only by
brokers or agents selling the Contracts (i.e., information that is not intended
for distribution to Participants) ("broker only materials") is so used, and
neither LIFE COMPANY, nor any of its respective affiliates shall be liable for
any losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only
materials.
(f) ....For purposes of this Section 4.6, the phrase Asales literature
or other promotional material@ includes, but is not limited to, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media, (e.g.,
on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials and any other material constituting sales literature or
advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act.
SECTION 5. MIXED AND SHARED FUNDING
5.1......GENERAL.
The SEC has granted an order to AVIF exempting it from certain
provisions of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder so that AVIF may be available
for investment by certain other entities, including, without limitation,
separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance
contracts, separate accounts of insurance companies unaffiliated with LIFE
COMPANY, and trustees of qualified pension and retirement plans (collectively,
"Mixed and Shared Funding"). The Parties recognize that the SEC has imposed
terms and conditions for such orders that are substantially identical to many of
the provisions of this Section 5. Sections 5.2 through 5.8 below shall apply
pursuant to such an exemptive order granted to AVIF. AVIF hereby notifies LIFE
COMPANY that, in the event that AVIF implements Mixed and Shared Funding, it may
be appropriate to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Contract is
offered disclosure regarding the potential risks of Mixed and Shared Funding.
5.2......DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS.
AVIF agrees that its Board of Directors shall at all times consist of
directors a majority of whom (the "Disinterested Directors") are not interested
persons of AVIF within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder and as modified by any applicable orders of the SEC, except
that if this condition is not met by reason of the death, disqualification, or
bona fide resignation of any director, then the operation of this condition
shall be suspended (a) for a period of forty-five (45) days if the vacancy or
vacancies may be filled by the Board;(b) for a period of sixty (60) days if a
vote of shareholders is required to fill the vacancy or vacancies; or (c) for
such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by order upon application.
5.3......MONITORING FOR MATERIAL IRRECONCILABLE CONFLICTS.
AVIF agrees that its Board of Directors will monitor for the existence
of any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the
Participants in all separate accounts of life insurance companies utilizing AVIF
("Participating Insurance Companies"), including each Account, and participants
in all qualified retirement and pension plans investing in AVIF ("Participating
Plans"). LIFE COMPANY agrees to inform the Board of Directors of AVIF of the
existence of or any potential for any such material irreconcilable conflict of
which it is aware. The concept of a "material irreconcilable conflict" is not
defined by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder, but the Parties recognize that
such a conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including, without
limitation:
(a) ....an action by any state insurance or other regulatory
authority;
(b) ....a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax or
securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling,
no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax or
securities regulatory authorities;
(c) ....an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant
proceeding;
(d) ....the manner in which the investments of any Fund are being managed;
(e) ....a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity
contract and variable life insurance contract Participants or by Participants of
different Participating Insurance Companies;
(f) ....a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the
voting instructions of Participants; or
(g) .....a decision by a Participating Plan to disregard the voting
instructions of Plan participants.
Consistent with the SEC's requirements in connection with exemptive
orders of the type referred to in Section 5.1 hereof, LIFE COMPANY will assist
the Board of Directors in carrying out its responsibilities by providing the
Board of Directors with all information reasonably necessary for the Board of
Directors to consider any issue raised, including information as to a decision
by LIFE COMPANY to disregard voting instructions of Participants. LIFE COMPANY=s
responsibilities in connection with the foregoing shall be carried out with a
view only to the interests of Participants.
5.4......CONFLICT REMEDIES.
(a)......It is agreed that if it is determined by a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the Disinterested Directors
that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, LIFE COMPANY will, if it is a
Participating Insurance Company for which a material irreconcilable conflict is
relevant, at its own expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by a majority of the Disinterested Directors), take whatever steps
are necessary to remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable conflict, which
steps may include, but are not limited to:
(i) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of
the Accounts from AVIF or any Fund and reinvesting
such assets in a different investment medium,
including another Fund of AVIF, or submitting the
question whether such segregation should be
implemented to a vote of all affected Participants
and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any
particular group (e.g., annuity Participants, life
insurance Participants or all Participants) that
votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to
the affected Participants the option of making such a
change; and
(ii) establishing a new registered investment company of
the type defined as a "management company" in Section
4(3) of the 1940 Act or a new separate account that
is operated as a management company.
(b)......If the material irreconcilable conflict arises because of LIFE
COMPANY's decision to disregard Participant voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, LIFE
COMPANY may be required, at AVIF's election, to withdraw each Account's
investment in AVIF or any Fund. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result
of such withdrawal. Any such withdrawal must take place within six (6) months
after AVIF gives notice to LIFE COMPANY that this provision is being
implemented, and until such withdrawal AVIF shall continue to accept and
implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and redemption of Shares of
AVIF.
(c)......If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a
particular state insurance regulator's decision applicable to LIFE COMPANY
conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then LIFE COMPANY will
withdraw each Account's investment in AVIF within six (6) months after AVIF's
Board of Directors informs LIFE COMPANY that it has determined that such
decision has created a material irreconcilable conflict, and until such
withdrawal AVIF shall continue to accept and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY
for the purchase and redemption of Shares of AVIF. No charge or penalty will be
imposed as a result of such withdrawal.
(d)......LIFE COMPANY agrees that any remedial action taken by it in
resolving any material irreconcilable conflict will be carried out at its
expense and with a view only to the interests of Participants.
(e)......For purposes hereof, a majority of the Disinterested Directors
will determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any
material irreconcilable conflict. In no event, however, will AVIF or any of its
affiliates be required to establish a new funding medium for any Contracts. LIFE
COMPANY will not be required by the terms hereof to establish a new funding
medium for any Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a
majority of Participants materially adversely affected by the material
irreconcilable conflict.
5.5......NOTICE TO LIFE COMPANY.
AVIF will promptly make known in writing to LIFE COMPANY the Board of
Directors' determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable conflict,
a description of the facts that give rise to such conflict and the implications
of such conflict.
5.6......INFORMATION REQUESTED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
LIFE COMPANY and AVIF (or its investment adviser) will at least
annually submit to the Board of Directors of AVIF such reports, materials or
data as the Board of Directors may reasonably request so that the Board of
Directors may fully carry out the obligations imposed upon it by the provisions
hereof or any exemptive order granted by the SEC to permit Mixed and Shared
Funding, and said reports, materials and data will be submitted at any
reasonable time deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. All reports
received by the Board of Directors of potential or existing conflicts, and all
Board of Directors actions with regard to determining the existence of a
conflict, notifying Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Plans of
a conflict, and determining whether any proposed action adequately remedies a
conflict, will be properly recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors or
other appropriate records, and such minutes or other records will be made
available to the SEC upon request.
5.7......COMPLIANCE WITH SEC RULES.
If, at any time during which AVIF is serving as an investment medium
for variable life insurance Contracts, 1940 Act Rules 6e-3(T) or, if applicable,
6e-2 are amended or Rule 6e-3 is adopted to provide exemptive relief with
respect to Mixed and Shared Funding, AVIF agrees that it will comply with the
terms and conditions thereof and that the terms of this Section 5 shall be
deemed modified if and only to the extent required in order also to comply with
the terms and conditions of such exemptive relief that is afforded by any of
said rules that are applicable.
5.8......OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
AVIF will require that each Participating Insurance Company and
Participating Plan enter into an agreement with AVIF that contains in substance
the same provisions as are set forth in Sections 4.1(b), 4.1(d), 4.3(a), 4.4(b),
4.5(a), 5, and 10 of this Agreement.
SECTION 6. TERMINATION
6.1......EVENTS OF TERMINATION.
Subject to Section 6.4 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a
Fund:
(a)......at the option of any party, with or without cause with respect
to the Fund, upon six (6) months advance written notice to the other parties,
or, if later, upon receipt of any required exemptive relief from the SEC, unless
otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties; or
(b)......at the option of AVIF upon institution of formal proceedings
against LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates by the NASD, the SEC, any state insurance
regulator or any other regulatory body regarding LIFE COMPANY's obligations
under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of
each Account, or the purchase of Shares, if, in each case, AVIF reasonably
determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would
be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences
on the Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(c)......at the option of LIFE COMPANY upon institution of formal
proceedings against AVIF, its principal underwriter, or its investment adviser
by the NASD, the SEC, or any state insurance regulator or any other regulatory
body regarding AVIF's obligations under this Agreement or related to the
operation or management of AVIF or the purchase of AVIF Shares, if, in each
case, LIFE COMPANY reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the facts on
which such proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing
material adverse consequences on LIFE COMPANY, or the Subaccount corresponding
to the Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(d)......at the option of any Party in the event that (i) the Fund's
Shares are not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in
accordance with any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) such law precludes
the use of such Shares as an underlying investment medium of the Contracts
issued or to be issued by LIFE COMPANY; or
(e)......upon termination of the corresponding Subaccount's investment in
the Fund pursuant to Section 5 hereof; or
(f)......at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund ceases to qualify as
a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or under successor or similar provisions,
or if LIFE COMPANY reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(g)......at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund fails to comply with
Section 817(h) of the Code or with successor or similar provisions, or if LIFE
COMPANY reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so comply; or
(h)......at the option of AVIF if the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY
cease to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code
(other than by reason of the Fund's noncompliance with Section 817(h) or
Subchapter M of the Code) or if interests in an Account under the Contracts are
not registered, where required, and, in all material respects, are not issued or
sold in accordance with any applicable federal or state law; or
(i)......upon another Party's material breach of any provision of this
Agreement.
6.2......NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR TERMINATION.
No termination of this Agreement will be effective unless and until the
Party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to the other Party
to this Agreement of its intent to terminate, and such notice shall set forth
the basis for such termination. Furthermore:
(a)......in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions
of Sections 6.1(a) or 6.1(e) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least six (6) months in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto;
(b)......in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions
of Sections 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least ninety (90) days in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto; and
(c)......in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions
of Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, such prior written
notice shall be given as soon as possible within twenty-four (24) hours after
the terminating Party learns of the event causing termination to be required.
6.3......FUNDS TO REMAIN AVAILABLE.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, AVIF will, at the
option of LIFE COMPANY, continue to make available additional shares of the Fund
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in
effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter
referred to as AExisting Contracts@). Specifically, without limitation, the
owners of the Existing Contracts will be permitted to reallocate investments in
the Fund (as in effect on such date), redeem investments in the Fund and/or
invest in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the
Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 6.3 will not apply to
any terminations under Section 5 and the effect of such terminations will be
governed by Section 5 of this Agreement.
6.4......SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES AND INDEMNIFICATIONS.
All warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of
this Agreement.
6.5......CONTINUANCE OF AGREEMENT FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.
If any Party terminates this Agreement with respect to any Fund
pursuant to Sections 6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i)
hereof, this Agreement shall nevertheless continue in effect as to any Shares of
that Fund that are outstanding as of the date of such termination (the "Initial
Termination Date"). This continuation shall extend to the earlier of the date as
of which an Account owns no Shares of the affected Fund or a date (the "Final
Termination Date") six (6) months following the Initial Termination Date, except
that LIFE COMPANY may, by written notice shorten said six (6) month period in
the case of a termination pursuant to Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or
6.1(i).
SECTION 7. PARTIES TO COOPERATE RESPECTING TERMINATION
The Parties hereto agree to cooperate and give reasonable assistance to
one another in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the purpose of
ensuring that an Account owns no Shares of a Fund after the Final Termination
Date with respect thereto, or, in the case of a termination pursuant to Section
6.1(a), the termination date specified in the notice of termination. Such steps
may include combining the affected Account with another Account, substituting
other mutual fund shares for those of the affected Fund, or otherwise
terminating participation by the Contracts in such Fund.
SECTION 8. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except with the
written consent of each other Party.
SECTION 9. NOTICES
Notices and communications required or permitted by Section 9 hereof
will be given by means mutually acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each other
notice or communication required or permitted by this Agreement will be given to
the following persons at the following addresses and facsimile numbers, or such
other persons, addresses or facsimile numbers as the Party receiving such
notices or communications may subsequently direct in writing:
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
UNITED LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
UNITED VARIABLE SERVICES, INC.
000 X.X. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xx. Xxxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
SECTION 10. VOTING PROCEDURES
Subject to the cost allocation procedures set forth in Section 3
hereof, LIFE COMPANY will distribute all proxy material furnished by AVIF to
Participants to whom pass-through voting privileges are required to be extended
and will solicit voting instructions from Participants. LIFE COMPANY will vote
Shares in accordance with timely instructions received from Participants. LIFE
COMPANY will vote Shares that are (a) not attributable to Participants to whom
pass-through voting privileges are extended, or (b) attributable to
Participants, but for which no timely instructions have been received, in the
same proportion as Shares for which said instructions have been received from
Participants, so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret
the 1940 Act to require pass through voting privileges for Participants. Neither
LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates will in any way recommend action in
connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for the
Shares held for such Participants. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to vote
shares held in any Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law.
LIFE COMPANY shall be responsible for assuring that each of its Accounts holding
Shares calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with that of other
Participating Insurance Companies or in the manner required by the Mixed and
Shared Funding exemptive order obtained by AVIF. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY
of any changes of interpretations or amendments to Mixed and Shared Funding
exemptive order it has obtained. AVIF will comply with all provisions of the
1940 Act requiring voting by shareholders, and in particular, AVIF either will
provide for annual meetings (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16
of the 1940 Act not to require such meetings) or will comply with Section 16(c)
of the 1940 Act (although AVIF is not one of the trusts described in Section
16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable,
16(b). Further, AVIF will act in accordance with the SEC=s interpretation of the
requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of directors
and with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate with respect thereto.
SECTION 11. FOREIGN TAX CREDITS
AVIF agrees to consult in advance with LIFE COMPANY concerning any
decision to elect or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass
through the benefit of any foreign tax credits to its shareholders.
SECTION 12. INDEMNIFICATION
12.1.....OF AVIF BY LIFE COMPANY AND UNDERWRITER.
(a)......Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.1(b) and 12.1(c),
below, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER agree to indemnify and hold harmless AVIF,
its affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls AVIF or its affiliates
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective
directors and officers, (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of
this Section 12.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of LIFE COMPANY
and UNDERWRITER) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent
reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise;
provided, the Account owns shares of the Fund and insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the
Contracts, or sales literature or advertising for the Contracts
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; provided, that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY or
UNDERWRITER by or on behalf of AVIF for use in any Account's 1933
Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the
Contracts, or sales literature or advertising or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not supplied for
use therein by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their
respective affiliates and on which such persons have reasonably
relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent conduct of LIFE
COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates or persons
under their control (including, without limitation, their
employees and "Associated Persons," as that term is defined in
paragraph (m) of Article I of the NASD's By-Laws), in connection
with the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Shares; or
(iii)arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising of AVIF, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading if such a statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to AVIF or its affiliates by or on behalf
of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates for
use in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus,
sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER
to perform the obligations, provide the services and furnish the
materials required of them under the terms of this Agreement, or
any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by
LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER in this Agreement or arise out of or
result from any other material breach of this Agreement by LIFE
COMPANY or UNDERWRITER; or
(v) arise as a result of failure by the Contracts issued by LIFE
COMPANY to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance
contracts under the Code, otherwise than by reason of any Fund's
failure to comply with Subchapter M or Section 817(h) of the
Code.
(b)......Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under
this Section 12.1 with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
actions to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that
Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of that Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations or duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to
AVIF.
(c)......Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under
this Section 12.1 with respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless
AVIF shall have notified LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the action shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER of any such action shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER
from any liability which they may have to the Indemnified Party against whom
such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section 12.1. Except as
otherwise provided herein, in case any such action is brought against an
Indemnified Party, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER shall be entitled to
participate, at their own expense, in the defense of such action and also shall
be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel approved by the
Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. After notice from LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER to such Indemnified
Party of LIFE COMPANY=s or UNDERWRITER=s election to assume the defense thereof,
the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER and
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and
neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER will be liable to such Indemnified Party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such Indemnified Party independently in connection with the defense thereof,
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
12.2.....OF LIFE COMPANY AND UNDERWRITER BY AVIF.
(a)......Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and
12.2(e), below, AVIF agrees to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER, their respective affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls
LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective directors and officers,
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 12.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of AVIF) or actions in respect thereof
(including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law, or otherwise; provided, the Account owns shares of the Fund and insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus or sales literature
or advertising of AVIF (or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; provided, that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to AVIF or its
affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their
respective affiliates for use in AVIF's 1933 Act registration
statement, AVIF Prospectus, or in sales literature or advertising
or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of Contracts or
Shares (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing);
or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any
Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising for the
Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on behalf of AVIF
or its affiliates and on which such persons have reasonably
relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent conduct of AVIF
or its affiliates or persons under its control (including,
without limitation, their employees and "Associated Persons" as
that term is defined in Section (n) of Article I of the NASD
By-Laws), in connection with the sale or distribution of AVIF
Shares; or
(iii)arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales
literature or advertising covering the Contracts, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to LIFE
COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates by or on
behalf of AVIF for use in any Account's 1933 Act registration
statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising covering the Contracts, or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by AVIF to perform the
obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials
required of it under the terms of this Agreement, or any material
breach of any representation and/or warranty made by AVIF in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by AVIF.
(b)......Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and
12.2(e) hereof, AVIF agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified
Parties from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement thereof with, the written consent of AVIF)
or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and
other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject directly or
indirectly under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions directly or indirectly result
from or arise out of the failure of any Fund to operate as a regulated
investment company in compliance with (i) Subchapter M of the Code and
regulations thereunder, or (ii) Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations
thereunder, including, without limitation, any income taxes and related
penalties, rescission charges, liability under state law to Participants
asserting liability against LIFE COMPANY pursuant to the Contracts, the costs of
any ruling and closing agreement or other settlement with the IRS, and the cost
of any substitution by LIFE COMPANY of Shares of another investment company or
portfolio for those of any adversely affected Fund as a funding medium for each
Account that LIFE COMPANY reasonably deems necessary or appropriate as a result
of the noncompliance.
(c)......AVIF shall not be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect
to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an Indemnified
Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of its duties or
by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER, each
Account or Participants.
(d)......AVIF shall not be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect
to any action against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified Party shall
have notified AVIF in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or
other first legal process giving information of the nature of the action shall
have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party
shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure
to notify AVIF of any such action shall not relieve AVIF from any liability
which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of this Section 12.2. Except as otherwise provided
herein, in case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, AVIF
will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such
action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof (which shall
include, without limitation, the conduct of any ruling request and closing
agreement or other settlement proceeding with the IRS), with counsel approved by
the Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. After notice from AVIF to such Indemnified Party of
AVIF's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will
cooperate fully with AVIF and shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel retained by it, and AVIF will not be liable to such Indemnified Party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such Indemnified Party independently in connection with the defense thereof,
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
(e) ....In no event shall AVIF be liable under the indemnification
provisions contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity, including,
without limitation, LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any other Participating
Insurance Company or any Participant, with respect to any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses that arise out of or result from (i) a breach
of any representation, warranty, and/or covenant made by LIFE COMPANY or
UNDERWRITER hereunder or by any Participating Insurance Company under an
agreement containing substantially similar representations, warranties and
covenants; (ii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any Participating Insurance
Company to maintain its segregated asset account (which invests in any Fund) as
a legally and validly established segregated asset account under applicable
state law and as a duly registered unit investment trust under the provisions of
the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom); or (iii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or
any Participating Insurance Company to maintain its variable annuity or life
insurance contracts (with respect to which any Fund serves as an underlying
funding vehicle) as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under
applicable provisions of the Code.
12.3.....EFFECT OF NOTICE.
Any notice given by the indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party
referred to in Sections 12.1(c) or 12.2(d) above of participation in or control
of any action by the indemnifying Party will in no event be deemed to be an
admission by the indemnifying Party of liability, culpability or responsibility,
and the indemnifying Party will remain free to contest liability with respect to
the claim among the Parties or otherwise.
12.4.....SUCCESSORS.
A successor by law of any Party shall be entitled to the benefits of
the indemnification contained in this Section 12.
SECTION 13. APPLICABLE LAW
This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with Maryland law, without regard for that state's
principles of conflict of laws.
SECTION 14. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together will constitute one and the same
instrument.
SECTION 15. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not
be affected thereby.
SECTION 16. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state
laws.
SECTION 17. HEADINGS
The Table of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for
purposes of reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the
provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 18. CONFIDENTIALITY
AVIF acknowledges that the identities of the customers of LIFE COMPANY
or any of its affiliates (collectively, the ALIFE COMPANY Protected Parties@ for
purposes of this Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers,
and all computer programs and procedures or other information developed by the
LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection
with LIFE COMPANY=s performance of its duties under this Agreement are the
valuable property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties. AVIF agrees that if it
comes into possession of any list or compilation of the identities of or other
information about the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties= customers, or any other
information or property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties, other than such
information as may be independently developed or compiled by AVIF from
information supplied to it by the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties= customers who
also maintain accounts directly with AVIF, AVIF will hold such information or
property in confidence and refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of
such information or other property except: (a) with LIFE COMPANY=s prior written
consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial process. LIFE COMPANY
acknowledges that the identities of the customers of AVIF or any of its
affiliates (collectively, the AAVIF Protected Parties@ for purposes of this
Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers, and all computer
programs and procedures or other information developed by the AVIF Protected
Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection with AVIF=s
performance of its duties under this Agreement are the valuable property of the
AVIF Protected Parties. LIFE COMPANY agrees that if it comes into possession of
any list or compilation of the identities of or other information about the AVIF
Protected Parties= customers or any other information or property of the AVIF
Protected Parties, other than such information as may be independently developed
or compiled by LIFE COMPANY from information supplied to it by the AVIF
Protected Parties= customers who also maintain accounts directly with LIFE
COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY will hold such information or property in confidence and
refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or other
property except: (a) with AVIF=s prior written consent; or (b) as required by
law or judicial process. Each party acknowledges that any breach of the
agreements in this Section 18 would result in immediate and irreparable harm to
the other parties for which there would be no adequate remedy at law and agree
that in the event of such a breach, the other parties will be entitled to
equitable relief by way of temporary and permanent injunctions, as well as such
other relief as any court of competent jurisdiction deems appropriate.
SECTION 19. TRADEMARKS AND FUND NAMES
(a)......A I M Management Group Inc. (AAIM@ or Alicensor@), an
affiliate of AVIF, owns all right, title and interest in and to the name,
trademark and service xxxx AAIM@ and such other tradenames, trademarks and
service marks as may be set forth on Schedule B, as amended from time to time by
written notice from AIM to LIFE COMPANY (the AAIM licensed marks@ or the
Alicensor=s licensed marks@) and is authorized to use and to license other
persons to use such marks. LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates are hereby granted a
non-exclusive license to use the AIM licensed marks in connection with LIFE
COMPANY=s performance of the services contemplated under this Agreement, subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 19.
(b)......The grant of license to LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates ( the
Alicensee@) shall terminate automatically upon termination of this Agreement.
Upon automatic termination, the licensee shall cease to use the licensor=s
licensed marks, except that LIFE COMPANY shall have the right to continue to
service any outstanding Contracts bearing any of the AIM licensed marks. Upon
AIM=s elective termination of this license, LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates
shall immediately cease to issue any new annuity or life insurance contracts
bearing any of the AIM licensed marks and shall likewise cease any activity
which suggests that it has any right under any of the AIM licensed marks or that
it has any association with AIM, except that LIFE COMPANY shall have the right
to continue to service outstanding Contracts bearing any of the AIM licensed
marks.
(c)......The licensee shall obtain the prior written approval of the
licensor for the public release by such licensee of any materials bearing the
licensor=s licensed marks. The licensor=s approvals shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
(d)......During the term of this grant of license, a licensor may
request that a licensee submit samples of any materials bearing any of the
licensor=s licensed marks which were previously approved by the licensor but,
due to changed circumstances, the licensor may wish to reconsider. If, on
reconsideration, or on initial review, respectively, any such samples fail to
meet with the written approval of the licensor, then the licensee shall
immediately cease distributing such disapproved materials. The licensor=s
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and the licensor, when requesting
reconsideration of a prior approval, shall assume the reasonable expenses of
withdrawing and replacing such disapproved materials. The licensee shall obtain
the prior written approval of the licensor for the use of any new materials
developed to replace the disapproved materials, in the manner set forth above.
(e)......The licensee hereunder: (i) acknowledges and stipulates that,
to the best of the knowledge of the licensee, the licensor=s licensed marks are
valid and enforceable trademarks and/or service marks and that such licensee
does not own the licensor=s licensed marks and claims no rights therein other
than as a licensee under this Agreement; (ii) agrees never to contend otherwise
in legal proceedings or in other circumstances; and (iii) acknowledges and
agrees that the use of the licensor=s licensed marks pursuant to this grant of
license shall inure to the benefit of the licensor.
SECTION 20. PARTIES TO COOPERATE
Each party to this Agreement will cooperate with each other party and
all appropriate governmental authorities (including, without limitation, the
SEC, the NASD and state insurance regulators) and will permit each other and
such authorities reasonable access to its books and records (including copies
thereof) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized
officers signing below.
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
Attest: ________________________ By: ______________________________________
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Assistant Secretary Title: President
UNITED LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE
COMPANY, on behalf of itself and its separate
accounts
Attest: ________________________ By: ______________________________________
Name: ________________________ Name: ______________________________________
Title: ________________________ Title: ______________________________________
UNITED VARIABLE SERVICES, INC.
Attest: ________________________ By: ______________________________________
Name: ________________________ Name: ______________________________________
Title: ________________________ Title: ______________________________________
SCHEDULE A
FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund
AIM V.I. Growth Fund
AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund
AIM V.I. International Equity Fund
AIM V.I. Diversified Income Fund
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS UTILIZING THE FUNDS
United Life & Annuity Separate Account One
FORM NUMBERS AND CONTRACTS FUNDED BY THE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
UCV-AN-6000 - Master Contract UCV-AN-6001 - Master Contract UCV-AN-6002
- SpectraDirect (Group) UCV-AN-6003 - SpectraSelect (Group) UCV-AN-6004
- SpectraDirect (Individual) UCV-AN-6005 - SpectraSelect (Individual)
ULV-AN-6008 - IntegraPreferred (Individual)
ULV-AN-6009 - IntegraGold (Individual)
SCHEDULE B
$ AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
AIM Fund
$ AIM and Design
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AND
WARBURG, XXXXXX TRUST
AND
WARBURG PINCUS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
AND
COUNSELLORS SECURITIES INC.
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this day of _____________, 1998,
by and among ______________________ organized under the laws of ________________
(the "Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate account of the
Company named in Schedule 1 to this Agreement as may be amended from time to
time (each account referred to as the "Account"), Warburg, Xxxxxx Trust, an
open-end management investment company and business trust organized under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the "Fund"); Warburg Pincus Asset
Management, Inc. a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware
(the "Adviser"); and Counsellors Securities Inc., a corporation organized under
the laws of the State of New York ("CSI").
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and was established for the purpose of serving as the
investment vehicle for separate accounts established for variable life insurance
contracts and variable annuity contracts to be offered by insurance companies
that have entered into participation agreements similar to this Agreement (the
"Participating Insurance Companies"), and
WHEREAS, beneficial interests in the Fund are divided into several
series of shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed
portfolio of securities and other assets (the "Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund has received an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") granting Participating Insurance Companies and
variable annuity separate accounts and variable life insurance separate accounts
relief from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and Rules
6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit
shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable annuity separate accounts
and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and
unaffiliated Participating Insurance Companies and qualified pension and
retirement plans outside of the separate account context (the "Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order"). The parties to this Agreement agree that the
conditions or undertakings specified in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive
Order and that may be imposed on the Company, the Fund, the Adviser and/or CSI
by virtue of the receipt of such order by the SEC will be incorporated herein by
reference, and such parties agree to comply with such conditions and
undertakings to the extent applicable to each such party; and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable
annuity contracts (the "Contracts") under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company under the insurance laws of ______________, to set aside and invest
assets attributable to the Contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered the Account as a unit investment trust
under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, CSI, the Fund's distributor, is registered as a broker-dealer
with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and is a
member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(the "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares of the Portfolios named in
Schedule 2, as such schedule may be amended from time to time (the "Designated
Portfolios"), on behalf of the Account to fund the Contracts, and the Fund is
authorized to sell such shares to unit investment trusts such as the Account at
net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund, the Adviser and CSI agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. SALE OF FUND SHARES
1.1. The Fund agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the Designated
Portfolios that each Account orders, executing such orders on a daily basis at
the net asset value next computed after receipt and acceptance by the Fund or
its designee of the order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of this
Section 1.1, the Company will be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such
orders from each Account and receipt by such designee will constitute receipt by
the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such order by 9:00 a.m.
Eastern Time on the next following Business Day ("T+1"). "Business Day" will
mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE") is open for
trading and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the
rules of the SEC.
1.2. The Company will pay for Fund shares on T+1 in each case that an order to
purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with Section 1.1 above. Payment will
be in federal funds transmitted by wire. This wire transfer will be initiated by
12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
1.3. The Fund agrees to make shares of the Designated Portfolios available
indefinitely for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by
Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts on those days on
which the Fund calculates its Designated Portfolio net asset value pursuant to
rules of the SEC and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net
asset value on each day the NYSE is open for trading; provided, however, that
the Fund, the Adviser or CSI may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any
person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such
action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or
is, in its or their sole discretion acting in good faith, necessary in the best
interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.4. On each Business Day on which the Fund calculates its net asset value, the
Company will aggregate and calculate the net purchase or redemption orders for
each Account maintained by the Fund in which contract owner assets are invested.
Net orders will only reflect orders that the Company has received prior to the
close of regular trading on the NYSE currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on that
Business Day. Orders that the Company has received after the close of regular
trading on the NYSE will be treated as though received on the next Business Day.
Each communication of orders by the Company will constitute a representation
that such orders were received by it prior to the close of regular trading on
the NYSE on the Business Day on which the purchase or redemption order is priced
in accordance with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act. Other procedures relating to
the handling of orders will be in accordance with the prospectus and statement
of information of the relevant Designated Portfolio or with oral or written
instructions that CSI or the Fund will forward to the Company from time to time.
1.5. The Fund agrees that shares of the Fund will be sold only to Participating
Insurance Companies and their separate accounts, qualified pension and
retirement plans or such other persons as are permitted under applicable
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal
Revenue Code"), and regulations promulgated thereunder, the sale to which will
not impair the tax treatment currently afforded the Contracts. No shares of any
Portfolio will be sold to the general public except as set forth in this Section
1.5.
1.6. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, upon the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt and acceptance by
the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this
Section 1.6, the Company will be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee will
constitute receipt by the Fund, provided the Fund receives notice of request for
redemption by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next following Business Day.
Payment will be in federal funds transmitted by wire to the Company's account as
designated by the Company in writing from time to time, on the same Business Day
the Fund receives notice of the redemption order from the Company. The Fund
reserves the right to delay payment of redemption proceeds, but in no event may
such payment be delayed longer than the period permitted by the 0000 Xxx. The
Fund will not bear any responsibility whatsoever for the proper disbursement or
crediting of redemption proceeds; the Company alone will be responsible for such
action. If notification of redemption is received after 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time,
payment for redeemed shares will be made on the next following Business Day.
1.7. The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of the Designated
Portfolios offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund in accordance with
the provisions of such prospectus.
1.8. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Purchase
and redemption orders for Fund shares will be recorded in an appropriate title
for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9. The Fund will furnish same day notice (by telecopier, followed by written
confirmation) to the Company of the declaration of any income, dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on each Designated Portfolio's shares. The
Company hereby elects to receive all such dividends and distributions as are
payable on the Designated Portfolio shares in the form of additional shares of
that Designated Portfolio. The Fund will notify the Company of the number of
shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions. The Company
reserves the right to revoke this election upon reasonable prior notice to the
Fund and to receive all such dividends and distributions in cash.
1.10. The Fund will make the net asset value per share for each Designated
Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated and will use its
best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 6:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, but in no event later than 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, each Business
Day.
1.11. In the event adjustments are required to correct any error in the
computation of the net asset value of the Fund's shares, the Fund or CSI will
notify the Company as soon as practicable after discovering the need for those
adjustments that result in an aggregate reimbursement of $150 or more to any one
Account maintained by a Designated Portfolio unless notified otherwise by the
Company (or, if lesser, results in an adjustment of $10 or more to each
contractowner's account). Any such notice will state for each day for which an
error occurred the incorrect price, the correct price and, to the extent
communicated to the Fund's shareholders, the reason for the price change. The
Company may send this notice or a derivation thereof (so long as such derivation
is approved in advance by CSI or the Adviser) to contractowners whose accounts
are affected by the price change. The parties will negotiate in good faith to
develop a reasonable method for effecting such adjustments.
ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act and that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including state insurance
suitability requirements. The Company further represents and warrants that it is
an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under applicable law
and that it has legally and validly established each Account as a separate
account under applicable state law and has registered the Account as a unit
investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a
segregated investment account for the Contracts, and that it will maintain such
registration for so long as any Contracts are outstanding. The Company will
amend the registration statement under the 1933 Act for the Contracts and the
registration statement under the 1940 Act for the Account from time to time as
required in order to effect the continuous offering of the Contracts or as may
otherwise be required by applicable law. The Company will register and qualify
the Contracts for sale in accordance with the securities laws of the various
states only if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Company.
2.2. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently and at the time of
issuance will be treated as annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code, and that it will make every effort to maintain such
treatment and that it will notify the Fund and the Adviser immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so
treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.3. The Company represents and warrants that it will not purchase shares of the
Designated Portfolios with assets derived from tax-qualified retirement plans
except, indirectly, through Contracts purchased in connection with such plans.
2.4. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares of the Designated
Portfolios sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act
and duly authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable law and that the
Fund is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act for as long as such shares
of the Designated Portfolios are outstanding. The Fund will amend the
registration statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from
time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its
shares or as may otherwise be required by applicable law. The Fund will register
and qualify the shares of the Designated Portfolios for sale in accordance with
the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the
Fund.
2.5. The Fund represents that each Designated Portfolio is currently qualified
as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such qualification (under
Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and that it will notify the
Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a
Designated Portfolio has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in
the future.
2.6. The Fund represents and warrants that in performing the services described
in this Agreement, the Fund will comply with all applicable laws, rules and
regulations. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies, objectives and restrictions) complies with the insurance laws and
regulations of any state. The Fund and CSI agree that upon request they will use
their best efforts to furnish the information required by state insurance laws
so that the Company can obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts in
the various states.
2.7. The Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, although it
reserves the right to make such payments in the future. To the extent that it
decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 the Fund
undertakes to have its Fund Board formulate and approve any plan under Rule
12b-1 to finance distribution expenses in accordance with the 1940 Act.
2.8. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing
under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.
2.9. CSI represents and warrants that it will distribute the Fund shares of the
Designated Portfolios in accordance with all applicable federal and state
securities laws including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and
the 0000 Xxx.
2.10. CSI represents and warrants that it is and will remain duly registered
under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that it will perform
its obligations for the Fund in accordance in all material respects with any
applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.11. The Fund represents and warrants that all of its trustees, officers,
employees, and other individuals/entities having access to the funds and/or
securities of the Fund are and continue to be at all times covered by a blanket
fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not
less than the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940
Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid
bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and is issued by a reputable
bonding company. CSI and the Fund's investment advisers represent and warrant
that they are and continue to be at all times covered by policies similar to the
aforesaid bond.
ARTICLE III. PROSPECTUSES AND PROXY STATEMENTS; VOTING
3.1. The Fund or CSI will provide the Company, at the Fund's or its affiliate's
expense, with as many copies of the current Fund prospectus for the Designated
Portfolios as the Company may reasonably request for distribution, at the
Company's expense, to prospective contractowners and applicants. The Fund or CSI
will provide, at the Fund's or its affiliate's expense, as many copies of said
prospectus as necessary for distribution, at the Company's expense, to existing
contractowners. The Fund or CSI will provide the copies of said prospectus to
the Company or to its mailing agent. If requested by the Company, the Fund or
CSI will provide such documentation, including a computer diskette of the
Company's specification or a final copy of a current prospectus set in type at
the Fund's or its affiliate's expense, and such other assistance as is
reasonably necessary in order for the Company at least annually (or more
frequently if the Fund prospectus is amended more frequently) to have the Fund's
prospectus, the prospectus for the Contracts and the prospectuses of other
mutual funds in which assets attributable to the Contracts may be invested
printed together in one document (the "Multifund Prospectus"), in which case the
Fund or its affiliate will bear its reasonable share of expenses as described
above, allocated based on the proportionate number of pages of the Fund's and
other fund's respective portions of the document.
3.2. The Fund or CSI will provide the Company, at the Fund's or its affiliate's
expense, with as many copies of the statement of additional information as the
Company may reasonably request for distribution, at the Company's expense, to
prospective contractowners and applicants. The Fund or CSI will provide, at the
Fund's or its affiliate's expense, as many copies of said statement of
additional information as necessary for distribution, at the Company's expense,
to any existing contractowner who requests such statement or whenever state or
federal law otherwise requires that such statement be provided. The Fund or CSI
will provide the copies of said statement of additional information to the
Company or to its mailing agent.
3.3. To the extent that the Fund or CSI desires to change (whether by revision
or supplement) any of the information contained in any form of Fund prospectus
or statement of additional information provided to the Company for inclusion in
a Multifund Prospectus, the Company agrees to make such changes within a
reasonable period of time after receipt of a request to make such change from
the Fund or CSI, subject to the following limitation. To the extent that the
Fund is legally required to make a change to a Fund prospectus or statement of
additional information provided to the Company for inclusion in a Multifund
Prospectus, the Company agrees to make any such change as soon as possible
following receipt of the form of revised prospectus and/or statement of
additional information or supplement, as applicable, but in no event later than
five days following receipt. To the extent that the Fund is required by law to
cease selling shares of a Designated Portfolio, the Company agrees to cease
offering shares of the Designated Portfolio until the Fund or CSI notifies the
Company otherwise.
3.4. The Fund or CSI, at the Fund's or its affiliate's expense, will provide the
Company or its mailing agent with copies of its proxy material, if any, reports
to shareholders and other communications to shareholders in such quantity as the
Company will reasonably require. The Company will distribute this proxy
material, reports and other communications to existing contract owners and
tabulate the votes.
3.5. If and to the extent required by law the Company will:
(a) solicit voting instructions from contractowners;
(b) vote the shares of the Designated Portfolios held in the
Account in accordance with instructions received from contractowners; and
(c) vote shares of the Designated Portfolios held in the
Account for which no timely instructions have been received, as well as shares
it owns, in the same proportion as shares of such Designated Portfolio for which
instructions have been received from the Company's contractowners;
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the
1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for variable contractowners.
Except as set forth above, the Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares
held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted
by law. The Company will be responsible for assuring that each of its separate
accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting privileges in a manner
consistent with all legal requirements, including the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order.
3.6. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting
by shareholders, and in particular, the Fund either will provide for annual
meetings (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not
to require such meetings) or, as the Fund currently intends, will comply with
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund is not one of the trusts
described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if
and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in accordance with the
SEC's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to
periodic elections of trustees and with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate
with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. SALES MATERIAL AND INFORMATION
4.1. CSI will provide the Company on a timely basis with investment performance
information for each Designated Portfolio in which the Company maintains an
Account, including total return for the preceding calendar month and calendar
quarter, the calendar year to date, and the prior one-year, five-year, and ten
year (or life of the Designated Portfolio) periods. The Company may, based on
the SEC mandated information supplied by CSI, prepare communications for
contractowners ("Contractowner Materials"). The Company will provide copies of
all Contractowner Materials concurrently with their first use for CSI's internal
recordkeeping purposes. It is understood that neither CSI nor any Designated
Portfolio will be responsible for errors or omissions in, or the content of,
Contractowner Materials except to the extent that the error or omission resulted
from information provided by or on behalf of CSI or the Designated Portfolio.
Any printed information that is furnished to the Company pursuant to this
Agreement other than each Designated Portfolio's prospectus or statement of
additional information (or information supplemental thereto), periodic reports
and proxy solicitation materials is CSI's sole responsibility and not the
responsibility of any Designated Portfolio or the Fund. The Company agrees that
the Portfolios, the shareholders of the Portfolios and the officers and
governing Board of the Fund will have no liability or responsibility to the
Company in these respects.
4.2. The Company will not give any information or make any representations or
statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with the
sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in
the registration statement, prospectus or statement of additional information
for Fund shares, as such registration statement, prospectus and statement of
additional information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in
reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in published reports for the Fund
which are in the public domain or approved by the Fund or CSI for distribution,
or in sales literature or other material provided by the Fund, the Adviser or by
CSI, except with permission of CSI. The Company will furnish, or will cause to
be furnished, to the Fund, the Adviser or CSI, each piece of sales literature or
other promotional material in which the Company or its Account is named, at
least ten (10) business days prior to its use. No such sales literature or other
promotional material which requires the permission of CSI prior to use will be
used if CSI reasonably objects to such use within five (5) business days after
receipt.
Nothing in this Section 4.2 will be construed as preventing the Company
or its employees or agents from giving advice on investment in the Fund.
4.3. The Fund, the Adviser and CSI will not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Company or concerning the
Company, each Account, or the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in a registration statement, prospectus or statement
of additional information for the Contracts, as such registration statement,
prospectus and statement of additional information may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in published reports for each Account or the
Contracts which are in the public domain or approved by the Company for
distribution to contractowners, or in sales literature or other material
provided by the Company, except with permission of the Company. The Company
agrees to respond to any request for approval on a prompt and timely basis. The
Fund, the Adviser or CSI will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to the
Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which the Company or its Account is named at least ten (10) business
days prior to its use. No such material will be used if the Company reasonably
objects to such use within five (5) business days after receipt of such
material.
4.4. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additions information,
reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, contemporaneously
with the filing of such document with the SEC, the NASD or other regulatory
authority.
4.5. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or
each Account, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC,
the NASD or other regulatory authority.
4.6. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as
material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other
periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display,
signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media (e.g., on-line
networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages)), sales literature
(i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to
customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports,
market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other
advertisements sales literature, or published article), educational or training
materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to
some or all agents or employees, registration statements, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, shareholder reports, proxy materials and
any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under the NASD
rules, the 1933 Act or the 0000 Xxx.
4.7. The Fund and CSI hereby consent to the Company's use of the names Warburg,
Xxxxxx Trust Post-Venture Capital Portfolio, or other Designated Portfolio, and
Warburg, Xxxxxx Counsellors, Inc. in connection with the marketing of the
Contracts, subject to the terms of Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of this Agreement. Such
consent will continue only as long as any Contracts are invested in the relevant
Designated Portfolio.
ARTICLE V. FEES AND EXPENSES
5.1. The Fund, the Adviser and CSI will pay no fee or other compensation to the
Company (other than as set forth in the administrative services letter agreement
between CSI and the Company) except if the Fund or any Designated Portfolio
adopts and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to
finance distribution expenses, then, subject to obtaining any required exemptive
orders or other regulatory approvals, the Fund may make payments to the Company
or to the underwriter for the Contracts if and in such amounts agreed to by the
Fund in writing.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund of this Agreement will be
paid by the Fund to the extent permitted by law. The Fund will bear the expenses
for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's shares; preparation
and filing of the Fund's prospectus, statement of additional information and
registration statement, proxy materials and reports; setting in type and
printing the Fund's prospectus; setting in type and printing proxy materials and
reports by it to contractowners (including the costs of printing a Fund
prospectus that contains an annual report); the preparation of all statements
and notices required by any federal or state law; all taxes on the issuance or
transfer of the Fund's shares; any expenses permitted to be paid or assumed by
the Fund pursuant to a plan, if any, under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and
all other expenses set forth in Article III of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI. DIVERSIFICATION
6.1. The Adviser will ensure that the Fund will at all times invest money from
the Contracts in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated
as variable annuity contracts under the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the
Fund will comply with Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury
Regulation 1.817-5, as amended from time to time, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulation. In the event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will
take all reasonable steps: (a) to notify the Company of such breach; and (b) to
adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Treasury Regulation 1.817-5.
ARTICLE VII. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
7.1. The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the "Fund Board") will monitor the Fund
for the existence of any irreconcilable material conflict among the interests of
the contractowners of all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An
irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including:
(a) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in
applicable federal or state insurance, tax or securities laws or regulations, or
a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or
any similar action by insurance, tax or securities regulatory authorities; (c)
an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the
manner in which the investments of any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a
difference in voting instructions given by Participating Insurance Companies or
by variable annuity and variable life insurance contractowners; or (f) a
decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contractowners.
The Fund Board will promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is
aware to the Fund Board. The Company agrees to assist the Fund Board in carrying
out its responsibilities, as delineated in the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, by providing the Fund Board with all information reasonably
necessary for the Fund Board to consider any issues raised. This includes, but
is not limited to, an obligation by the Company to inform the Fund Board
whenever contractowner voting instructions are to be disregarded. The Company's
responsibilities hereunder will be carried out with a view only to the interest
of contractowners.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Fund Board, or a majority of its
disinterested trustees, that an irreconcilable material conflict exists, the
Company will, at its expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by a majority of the disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are
necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and
including: (a) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts
from the Fund or any Designated Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a
different investment medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of
the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation should be
implemented to a vote of all affected contractowners and, as appropriate,
segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e., variable annuity
contractowners or variable life insurance contractowners of one or more
Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or
offering to the affected contractowners the option of making such a change; and
(b) establishing a new registered management investment company or managed
separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by the
Company to disregard contractowner voting instructions, and the Company's
judgment represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the
Company may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected
subaccount of the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement
with respect to such subaccount; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination will be limited to the extent required by the foregoing
irreconcilable material conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested trustees of the Fund Board. No charge or penalty will be imposed
as a result of such withdrawal.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state
insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with the
majority of other state insurance regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
affected subaccount of the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such subaccount; provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination will be limited to the extent required by the
foregoing irreconcilable material conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested directors of the Fund Board. No charge or penalty will be imposed
as a result of such withdrawal.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a majority of
the disinterested members of the Fund Board will determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the Fund or the Adviser (or any other investment adviser to the Fund) be
required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts. The Company will
not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of
contractowners materially affected by the irreconcilable material conflict.
7.7. The Company will at least annually submit to the Fund Board such reports,
materials or data as the Fund Board may reasonably request so that the Fund
Board may fully carry out the duties imposed upon it as delineated in the Mixed
and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, and said reports, materials and data will be
submitted more frequently if deemed appropriate by the Fund Board.
7.8. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule
6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940 Act
or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding (as
defined in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially different from those contained in the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, then: (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance
Companies, as appropriate, will take such steps as may be necessary to comply
with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the
extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4,
and 7.5 of this Agreement will continue in effect only to the extent that terms
and conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such
Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. INDEMNIFICATION
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the
Adviser, CSI, and each person, if any, who controls or is associated with the
Fund, the Adviser or CSI within the meaning of such terms under the federal
securities laws and any director, trustee, officer, partner, employee or agent
of the foregoing (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company)
or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements:
(1) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or statement of additional information for the Contracts
or contained in the Contracts or sales literature or other promotional material
for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing),
including any prospectuses or statements of additional information of the Fund
to which the Company has made any changes to the information provided to the
Company or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make such
statements not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made;
provided that this agreement to indemnify will not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to
the Company by the Fund, the Adviser or CSI for use in the registration
statement, prospectus or statement of additional information for the Contracts
or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares;
or
(2) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations by or on behalf of the Company or wrongful conduct of the
Company or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution
of the Contracts or Fund shares (other than statements or representations
contained in the Fund registration statement, Fund prospectus, Fund statement of
additional information, sales literature or other promotional material of the
Fund not supplied by the Company or persons under its control); or
(3) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Fund registration statement,
prospectus, statement of additional information or sales literature or other
promotional material of the Fund (or amendment or supplement) or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make such statements not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, if such a statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund by or
on behalf of the Company or persons under its control; or
(4) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to
provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(5) arise out of any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of or result
from any other material breach by the Company of this Agreement, including, but
not limited to, a failure to comply with the provisions of Section 3.3;
except to the extent provided in Sections 8.1(b) and 8.3
hereof. This indemnification will be in addition to any liability that the
Company otherwise may have.
(b) No party will be entitled to indemnification under Section 8.1(a)
to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or litigation is due to the
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
party's duties under this Agreement, or by reason of such party's reckless
disregard of its obligations or duties under this Agreement by the party seeking
indemnification.
(c) The Indemnified Parties promptly will notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation, proceedings, complaints or actions by regulatory
authorities against them in connection with the issuance or sale of the Fund
shares or the Contracts or the operation of the Fund.
8.2. Indemnification By The Adviser, the Fund and CSI
(a) The Adviser, the Fund and CSI, in each case solely to the extent
relating to such party's responsibilities hereunder, agree to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company and each person, if any, who controls or is associated with
the Company within the meaning of such terms under the federal securities laws
and any director, trustee, officer, partner, employee or agent of the foregoing
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Adviser) or
litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements:
(1) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or statement of additional information for the Fund or
sales literature or other promotional material of the Fund (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing) or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated or necessary to make such statements not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which they were made (in each case substantially as transmitted
to you by the Fund or CSI), provided that this agreement to indemnify will not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Adviser, CSI or the Fund by or on behalf of the
Company for use in the registration statement, prospectus or statement of
additional information for the Fund or in sales literature of the Fund (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) or otherwise for use in connection with the
sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(2) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations or wrongful conduct of the Adviser, the Fund or CSI or persons
under the control of the Adviser, the Fund or CSI respectively, with respect to
the sale of the Fund shares (other than statements or representations contained
in a registration statement, prospectus, statement of additional information,
sales literature or other promotional material covering the Contracts not
supplied by CSI or persons under its control); or
(3) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus,
statement of additional information or sales literature or other promotional
material covering the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated or necessary to make such statement or statements not misleading in light
of the circumstances in which they were made, if such statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to
the Company by the Adviser, the Fund or CSI or persons under the control of the
Adviser, the Fund or CSI; or
(4) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund, the Adviser
or CSI to provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or
otherwise, to comply with the diversification requirements and procedures
related thereto specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(5) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Adviser, the Fund or CSI in this
Agreement, or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Adviser the Fund or CSI;
except to the extent provided in Sections 8.2(b) and 8.3
hereof. These indemnifications will be in addition to any liability that the
Fund, Adviser or CSI otherwise may have.
(b) No party will be entitled to indemnification under Section 8.2(a)
to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or litigation is due to the
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
party's duties under this Agreement, or by reason of such party's reckless
disregard of its obligations or duties under this Agreement by the party seeking
indemnification.
(c) The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Adviser, the Fund
and CSI of the commencement of any litigation, proceedings, complaints or
actions by regulatory authorities against them in connection with the issuance
or sale of the Contracts or the operation of the account.
8.3. Indemnification Procedure
Any person obligated to provide indemnification under this Article VIII
("Indemnifying Party" for the purpose of this Section 8.3) will not be liable
under the indemnification provisions of this Article VIII with respect to any
claim made against a party entitled to indemnification under this Article VIII
("Indemnified Party" for the purpose of this Section 8.3) unless such
Indemnified Party will have notified the Indemnifying Party in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim will have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such party will have received notice of such service
on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Indemnifying Party of any
such claim will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which it
may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise
than on account of the indemnification provision of this Article VIII, except to
the extent that the failure to notify results in the failure of actual notice to
the Indemnifying Party and such Indemnifying Party is damaged solely as a result
of failure to give such notice. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Indemnifying Party also will be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified
Party of the Indemnifying Party's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party will bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation, unless: (a) the Indemnifying Party and the
Indemnified Party will have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel; or
(b) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties)
include both the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party and representation
of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. The Indemnifying Party will not be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
but if settled with such consent or if there is a final judgment for the
plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Party from
and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. A
successor by law of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled to the
benefits of the indemnification contained in this Article VIII. The
indemnification provisions contained in this Article VIII will survive any
termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX. APPLICABLE LAW
9.1. This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
9.2. This Agreement will be subject to the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934
Act and the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC
may grant (including, but not limited to, the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive
Order) and the terms hereof will be interpreted and construed in accordance
therewith.
ARTICLE X. TERMINATION
10.1. This Agreement will terminate:
(a) at the option of any party, with or without cause, with respect to
some or all of the Designated Portfolios, upon ninety (90) days' advance written
notice to the other parties; or
(b) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, with respect to any Designated Portfolio if shares
of the Designated Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts as determined in good faith by the Company; or
(c) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, with respect to any Designated Portfolio in the
event any of the Designated Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued or
sold in accordance with applicable state and/or Federal law or such law
precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the
Contracts issued or to be issued by Company; or
(d) at the option of the Fund, upon receipt of the Fund's written
notice by the other parties, upon institution of formal proceedings against the
Company by the NASD, the SEC, the insurance commission of any state or any other
regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under this Agreement or related
to the sale of the Contracts, the administration of the Contracts, the operation
of the Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares, provided that the Fund
determines in its sole judgment, exercised in good faith, that any such
proceeding would have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to
perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, upon institution of formal proceedings against the
Fund, Adviser or CSI by the NASD, the SEC, or any state securities or insurance
department or any other regulatory body, provided that the Company determines in
its sole judgment, exercised in good faith, that any such proceeding would have
a material adverse effect on the Fund's, Adviser's or CSI's ability to perform
its obligations under this Agreement; or
(f) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, with respect to any Designated Portfolio if the
Designated Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, or under any successor or similar
provision, or if the Company reasonably and in good faith believes that the
Designated Portfolio may fail to so qualify; or
(g) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, with respect to any Designated Portfolio if the
Designated Portfolio fails to meet the diversification requirements specified in
Article VI hereof or if the Company reasonably and in good faith believes the
Designated Portfolio may fail to meet such requirements; or
(h) at the option of any party to this Agreement, upon written notice
to the other parties, upon another party's material breach of any provision of
this Agreement which material breach is not cured within thirty (30) days of
said notice; or
(i) at the option of the Company, if the Company determines in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that either the Fund, the Adviser or CSI has
suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations or financial
condition since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity which is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the business
and operations of the Company, such termination to be effective sixty (60) days'
after receipt by the other parties of written notice of the election to
terminate; or
(j) at the option of the Fund or CSI, if the Fund or CSI respectively,
determines in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Company has
suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations or financial
condition since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity which is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the business
and operations of the Fund or the Adviser, such termination to be effective
sixty (60) days' after receipt by the other parties of written notice of the
election to terminate; or
(k) at the option of the Company or the Fund upon receipt of any
necessary regulatory approvals and/or the vote of the contractowners having an
interest in the Account (or any subaccount) to substitute the shares of another
investment company for the corresponding Designated Portfolio shares of the Fund
in accordance with the terms of the Contracts for which those Designated
Portfolio shares had been selected to serve as the underlying investment media.
The Company will give sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Fund of the
date of any proposed vote or other action taken to replace the Fund's shares; or
(l) at the option of the Company or the Fund upon a determination by a
majority of the Fund Board, or a majority of the disinterested Fund Board
members, that an irreconcilable material conflict exists among the interests of:
(1) all contractowners of variable insurance products of all separate accounts;
or (2) the interests of the Participating Insurance Companies investing in the
Fund as set forth in Article VII of this Agreement; or
(m) at the option of the Fund in the event any of the Contracts are not
issued or sold in accordance with applicable federal and/or state law.
Termination will be effective immediately upon such occurrence without notice.
10.2. Notice Requirement
Except as specified in Section 10.1(m), no termination of this
Agreement will be effective unless and until the party terminating this
Agreement gives prior written notice to all other parties of its intent to
terminate, which notice will set forth the basis for the termination.
10.3. Effect of Termination
In the event of any termination of this Agreement other than pursuant
to subsection (d), (j), (l) or (m) of Section 10.1, the Fund and CSI will, at
the option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of the
Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts
in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement ( hereinafter
referred to as "Existing Contracts.") . Specifically, without limitation, the
owners of the Existing Contracts will be permitted to reallocate investments in
the Designated Portfolios (as in effect on such date), redeem investments in the
Designated Portfolios and/or invest in the Designated Portfolios upon the making
of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts.
10.4. Surviving Provisions
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each party's
obligations under Article VIII to indemnify other parties will survive and not
be affected by any termination of this Agreement. In addition, each party's
obligations under Section 12.6 will survive and not be affected by any
termination of this Agreement. Finally, with respect to Existing Contracts, all
provisions of this Agreement also will survive and not be affected by any
termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XI. NOTICES
11.1. Any notice will be deemed duly given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other parties.
If to the Company: If to the Fund, the Adviser and/or CSI:
_______________ 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
_______________ 10th Floor
_______________ Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: __________ Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
_______________ Senior Vice President
ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS
12.1. The Fund, the Adviser and CSI acknowledge that the identities of the
customers of the Company or any of its affiliates (collectively the "Company
Protected Parties" for purposes of this Section 12.1), information maintained
regarding those customers, and all computer programs and procedures or other
information developed or used by the Company Protected Parties or any of their
employees or agents in connection with the Company's performance of its duties
under this Agreement are the valuable property of the Company Protected Parties.
The Fund, the Adviser and CSI agree that if they come into possession of any
list or compilation of the identities of or other information about the Company
Protected Parties' customers, or any other information or property of the
Company Protected Parties, other than such information as is publicly available
or as may be independently developed or compiled by the Fund, the Adviser or CSI
from information supplied to them by the Company Protected Parties' customers
who also maintain accounts directly with the Fund, the Adviser or CSI, the Fund,
the Adviser and CSI will hold such information or property in confidence and
refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or other
property except: (a) with the Company's prior written consent; or (b) as
required by law or judicial process. The Company acknowledges that the
identities of the customers of the Fund, the Adviser, CSI or any of their
affiliates (collectively the "Adviser Protected Parties" for purposes of this
Section 12.1), information maintained regarding those customers, and all
computer programs and procedures or other information developed or used by the
Adviser Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection with
the Fund's, the Adviser's or CSI's performance of their respective duties under
this Agreement are the valuable property of the Adviser Protected Parties. The
Company agrees that if it comes into possession of any list or compilation of
the identities of or other information about the Adviser Protected Parties'
customers, or any other information or property of the Adviser Protected
Parties, other than such information as is publicly available or as may be
independently developed or compiled by the Company from information supplied to
them by the Adviser Protected Parties' customers who also maintain accounts
directly with the Company, the Company will hold such information or property in
confidence and refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such
information or other property except: (a) with the Fund's, the Adviser's or
CSI's prior written consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial process. Each
party acknowledges that any breach of the agreements in this Section 12.1 would
result in immediate and irreparable harm to the other parties for which there
would be no adequate remedy at law and agree that in the event of such a breach,
the other parties will be entitled to equitable relief by way of temporary and
permanent injunctions, as well as such other relief as any court of competent
jurisdiction deems appropriate.
12.2. 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.
12.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.
12.4. If any provision of this Agreement will be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement will not be
affected thereby.
12.5. This Agreement will not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior
written consent of all the parties.
12.6. Each party to this Agreement will maintain all records required by law,
including records detailing the services it provides. Such records will be
preserved, maintained and made available to the extent required by law and in
accordance with the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Each party to this
Agreement will cooperate with each other party and all appropriate governmental
authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the NASD and state insurance
regulators) and will permit each other and such authorities reasonable access to
its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating
to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Upon request by the
Fund or CSI, the Company agrees to promptly make copies or, if required,
originals of all records pertaining to the performance of services under this
Agreement available to the Fund or CSI, as the case may be. The Fund agrees that
the Company will have the right to inspect, audit and copy all records
pertaining to the performance of services under this Agreement pursuant to the
requirements of any state insurance department. Each party also agrees to
promptly notify the other parties if it experiences any difficulty in
maintaining the records in an accurate and complete manner. This provision will
survive termination of this Agreement.
12.7. Each party represents that the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate or board action, as applicable, by such
party and when so executed and delivered this Agreement will be the valid and
binding obligation of such party enforceable in accordance with its terms.
12.8. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all liabilities
of the Fund arising, directly or indirectly, under this agreement, will be
satisfied solely out of the assets of the Fund and that no trustee, officer,
agent or holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund will be personally
liable for any such liabilities. No Portfolio or series of the Fund will be
liable for the obligations or liabilities of any other Portfolio or series.
12.9. The parties to this Agreement may amend the schedules to this Agreement
from time to time to reflect changes in or relating to the Contracts, the
Accounts or the Designated Portfolios of the Fund or other applicable terms of
this Agreement.
12.10. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized
representative as of the date specified below.
By:_____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:____________________________________
WARBURG, XXXXXX TRUST
By:_____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:____________________________________
WARBURG PINCUS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:_____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:____________________________________
COUNSELLORS SECURITIES INC.
By:_____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:____________________________________
SCHEDULE 1
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
-------------------------------
AND
WARBURG, XXXXXX TRUST
AND
WARBURG PINCUS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
AND
COUNSELLORS SECURITIES INC.
The following separate accounts of __________________________ are permitted in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement to invest in Designated
Portfolios of the Fund shown in Schedule 2:
SCHEDULE 2
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AND
WARBURG, XXXXXX TRUST
AND
WARBURG PINCUS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
AND
COUNSELLORS SECURITIES INC.
The Separate Account(s) shown on Schedule 1 may invest in the following
Designated Portfolios of the Warburg, Xxxxxx Trust:
============================
============================
============================
FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 1st day of February, 1998 by and between
NEUBERGER&BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST ("TRUST"), a Delaware business trust,
ADVISERS MANAGERS TRUST ("MANAGERS TRUST"), a New York common law trust,
NEUBERGER&BERMAN MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED ("N&B MANAGEMENT"), a New York
corporation, and UNITED LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY ("LIFE COMPANY"), a
life insurance company organized under the laws of the State of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, TRUST and MANAGERS TRUST are registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("40 Act") as open-end, diversified management investment companies; and
WHEREAS, TRUST is organized as a series fund comprised of several
portfolios ("Portfolios"), the currently available of which are listed on
Appendix A hereto; and
WHEREAS, MANAGERS TRUST is organized as a series fund, comprised of
several portfolios ("Series"), the currently operational of which are listed on
Appendix A hereto; and
WHEREAS, each Portfolio of TRUST will invest all of its net investable
assets in a corresponding Series of MANAGERS TRUST; and
WHEREAS, TRUST was organized to act as the funding vehicle for certain
variable life insurance and/or variable annuity contracts ("Variable Contracts")
offered by life insurance companies through separate accounts of such life
insurance companies ("Participating Insurance Companies") and also offers its
shares to certain qualified pension and retirement plans; and
WHEREAS, TRUST has received an order from the SEC, dated May 5,1995
(File No. 812-9164), granting Participating Insurance Companies and their
separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a)
and 15(b) of the '40 Act, and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder,
to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Portfolios of the TRUST to be
sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate
accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies and
certain qualified pension and retirement plans (the "Order"); and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY has established or will establish one or more
separate accounts ("Separate Accounts") to offer Variable Contracts and is
desirous of having TRUST as one of the underlying funding vehicles for such
Variable Contracts; and
WHEREAS, N&B MANAGEMENT is registered with the SEC as an investment
adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and as a broker-dealer under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
WHEREAS, N&B MANAGEMENT is the administrator and distributor of the
shares of each Portfolio of TRUST and investment manager of the corresponding
Series of MANAGERS TRUST; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase shares of TRUST to fund the
aforementioned Variable Contracts and TRUST is authorized to sell such shares to
LIFE COMPANY at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, LIFE
COMPANY, TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST and N&B MANAGEMENT agree as follows:
Article I. SALE OF TRUST SHARES
1.1 TRUST agrees to make available to the Separate Accounts of LIFE
COMPANY shares of the selected Portfolios as listed in Appendix B for investment
of proceeds from Variable Contracts allocated to the designated Separate
Accounts, such shares to be offered as provided in TRUST's Prospectus.
1.2 TRUST agrees to sell to LIFE COMPANY those shares of the selected
Portfolios of TRUST which LIFE COMPANY orders, executing such orders on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by TRUST or its
designee of the order for the shares of TRUST. For purposes of this Section 1.2,
LIFE COMPANY shall be the designee of TRUST for receipt of such orders from LIFE
COMPANY and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by TRUST; provided
that TRUST receives notice of such order by 8:30 a.m. New York time on the next
following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which TRUST calculates its net asset
value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.3 TRUST agrees to redeem for cash, on LIFE COMPANY's request, any
full or fractional shares of TRUST held by LIFE COMPANY, executing such requests
on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by TRUST or
its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this Section 1.3,
LIFE COMPANY shall be the designee of TRUST for receipt of requests for
redemption from LIFE COMPANY and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by TRUST; provided that TRUST receives notice of such request for
redemption by 8:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business Day.
1.4 TRUST shall furnish, on or before the ex-dividend date, notice to
LIFE COMPANY of any income dividends or capital gain distributions payable on
the shares of any Portfolio of TRUST. LIFE COMPANY hereby elects to receive all
such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on a
Portfolio's shares in additional shares of the Portfolio. TRUST shall notify
LIFE COMPANY of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions.
1.5 TRUST shall make the net asset value per share for the selected
Portfolio(s) available to LIFE COMPANY on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practicable after the net asset value per share is calculated but shall use its
best efforts to make such net asset value available by 6:30 p.m. New York time.
If TRUST provides LIFE COMPANY with materially incorrect share net asset value
information through no fault of LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY on behalf of the
Separate Accounts, shall be entitled to an adjustment to the number of shares
purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct share net asset value. Any material
error in the calculation of net asset value per share, dividend or capital gain
information shall be reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY.
1.6 At the end of each Business Day, LIFE COMPANY shall use the
information described in Section 1.5 to calculate Separate Account unit values
for the day. Using these unit values, LIFE COMPANY shall process each such
Business Day's Separate Account transactions based on requests and premiums
received by it by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock
Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. New York time) to determine the net dollar amount
of TRUST shares which shall be purchased or redeemed at that day's closing net
asset value per share. The net purchase or redemption orders so determined shall
be transmitted to TRUST by LIFE COMPANY by 8:30 a.m. New York Time on the
Business Day next following LIFE COMPANY's receipt of such requests and premiums
in accordance with the terms of Sections 1.2 and 1.3 hereof.
1.7 If LIFE COMPANY's order requests the purchase of TRUST shares, LIFE
COMPANY shall pay for such purchase by wiring federal funds to TRUST or its
designated custodial account on the day the order is transmitted by LIFE
COMPANY. If LIFE COMPANY's order requests a net redemption resulting in a
payment of redemption proceeds to LIFE COMPANY, TRUST shall wire the redemption
proceeds to LIFE COMPANY by the next Business Day, unless doing so would require
TRUST to dispose of portfolio securities or otherwise incur additional costs,
but in such event, proceeds shall be wired to LIFE COMPANY within seven days and
TRUST shall notify the person designated in writing by LIFE COMPANY as the
recipient for such notice of such delay by 3:00 p.m. New York Time the same
Business Day that LIFE COMPANY transmits the redemption order to TRUST. If LIFE
COMPANY's order requests the application of redemption proceeds from the
redemption of shares to the purchase of shares of another fund administered or
distributed by N&B MANAGEMENT, TRUST shall so apply such proceeds the same
Business Day that LIFE COMPANY transmits such order to TRUST.
1.8 Notwithstanding Section 1.7, TRUST reserves the right to suspend
the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment or satisfaction upon
redemption consistent with Section 22(e) of the 40 Act and any rules thereunder.
1.9 TRUST agrees that all shares of the Portfolios of TRUST will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies which have agreed to participate
in TRUST to fund their Separate Accounts and/or to certain qualified pension and
other retirement plans, all in accordance with the requirements of Section
817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") and Treasury
Regulation 1.817-5. Shares of the Portfolios of TRUST will not be sold directly
to the general public.
1.10 TRUST may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or
suspend or terminate the offering of the shares of any Portfolio if such action
is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in
the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees of TRUST, acting in good faith and
in light of its fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws,
deemed necessary and in the best interests of the shareholders of such
Portfolios.
Article II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that it is an insurance
company duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Louisiana and that it has legally and validly established each Separate Account
as a segregated asset account under such laws, and that United Variable Services
Inc., the principal underwriter for the Variable Contracts, is registered as a
broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
2.2 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that it has registered or,
prior to any issuance or sale of the Variable Contracts, will register each
Separate Account as a unit investment trust ("UIT") in accordance with the
provisions of the '40 Act and cause each Separate Account to remain so
registered to serve as a segregated asset account for the Variable Contracts,
unless an exemption from registration is available.
2.3 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Variable Contracts
will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "`33 Act") unless an
exemption from registration is available prior to any issuance or sale of the
Variable Contracts and that the Variable Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
and further that the sale of the Variable Contracts shall comply in all material
respects with state insurance law suitability requirements.
2.4 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Variable Contracts
are currently and at the time of issuance will be treated as life insurance,
endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code, that it
will maintain such treatment and that it will notify TRUST immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that the Variable Contracts have ceased
to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.5 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that it shall deliver such
prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and
periodic reports of the Trust as required to be delivered under applicable
federal or state law and interpretations of federal and state securities
regulators thereunder in connection with the offer, sale or acquisition of the
Variable Contracts.
2.6 TRUST represents and warrants that the Portfolio shares offered and
sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the '33 Act and sold in
accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, and TRUST shall be
registered under the '40 Act prior to and at the time of any issuance or sale of
such shares. TRUST shall amend its registration statement under the '33 Act and
the '40 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous
offering of its shares. TRUST shall register and qualify its shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed
advisable by TRUST.
2.7 TRUST represents and warrants that each Portfolio will comply with
the diversification requirements set forth in Section 817(h) of the Code, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, including without limitation Treasury
Regulation 1.817-5, and will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing any Portfolio has ceased to comply or might not
so comply and will immediately take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify
the Portfolio to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by
Regulation 1.817-5.
2.8 TRUST represents and warrants that each Portfolio invested in by
the Separate Account is currently qualified as a "regulated investment company"
under Subchapter M of the Code, that it will make every effort to maintain such
qualification and will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing it has ceased to so qualify or might not so qualify in the
future.
Article III. PROSPECTUS AND PROXY STATEMENTS
3.1 TRUST shall prepare and be responsible for filing with the SEC and
any state regulators requiring such filing all shareholder reports, notices,
proxy materials (or similar materials such as voting instruction solicitation
materials), prospectuses and statements of additional information of TRUST.
TRUST shall bear the costs of registration and qualification of shares of the
Portfolios, preparation and filing of the documents listed in this Section 3.1
and all taxes to which an issuer is subject on the issuance and transfer of its
shares.
3.2 TRUST will bear the printing costs (or duplicating costs with
respect to the statement of additional information) and mailing costs associated
with the delivery of the following TRUST (or individual Portfolio) documents,
and any supplements thereto, to existing Variable Contract owners of LIFE
COMPANY:
(i) prospectuses and statements of additional information;
(ii) annual and semi-annual reports; and
(iii) proxy materials.
LIFE COMPANY will submit any bills for printing, duplicating
and/or mailing costs, relating to the TRUST documents described above, to TRUST
for reimbursement by TRUST. LIFE COMPANY shall monitor such costs and shall use
its best efforts to control these costs. LIFE COMPANY will provide TRUST on a
semi-annual basis, or more frequently as reasonably requested by TRUST, with a
current tabulation of the number of existing Variable Contract owners of LIFE
COMPANY whose Variable Contract values are invested in TRUST. This tabulation
will be sent to TRUST in the form of a letter signed by a duly authorized
officer of LIFE COMPANY attesting to the accuracy of the information contained
in the letter. If requested by LIFE COMPANY, the TRUST shall provide such
documentation (including a final copy of the TRUST's prospectus as set in type
or in camera-ready copy) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in
order for LIFE COMPANY to print together in one document the current prospectus
for the Variable Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY and the current prospectus for
the TRUST. Should LIFE COMPANY wish to print any of these documents in a format
different from that provided by TRUST, LIFE COMPANY shall provide Trust with
sixty (60) days' prior written notice and LIFE COMPANY shall bear the cost
associated with any format change.
3.3 TRUST will provide, at its expense, LIFE COMPANY with the following
TRUST (or individual Portfolio) documents, and any supplements thereto, with
respect to prospective Variable Contract owners of LIFE COMPANY:
(i) camera-ready copy of the current prospectus for printing by the
LIFE COMPANY;
(ii) a copy of the statement of additional information suitable for
duplication;
(iii) camera-ready copy of proxy material suitable for printing; and
(iv) camera-ready copy of the annual and semi-annual reports for
printing by the LIFE COMPANY.
3.4 TRUST will provide LIFE COMPANY with at least one complete copy of
all prospectuses, statements of additional information, annual and semi-annual
reports, proxy statements, exemptive applications and all amendments or
supplements to any of the above that relate to the Portfolios promptly after the
filing of each such document with the SEC or other regulatory authority. LIFE
COMPANY will provide TRUST with at least one complete copy of all prospectuses,
statements of additional information, annual and semi-annual reports, proxy
statements, exemptive applications and all amendments or supplements to any of
the above that relate to a Separate Account promptly after the filing of each
such document with the SEC or other regulatory authority.
Article IV. SALES MATERIALS
4.1 LIFE COMPANY will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to TRUST
and N&B MANAGEMENT, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material
in which TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT is named, at least fifteen (15)
Business Days prior to its intended use. No such material will be used if TRUST,
MANAGERS TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT objects to its use in writing within ten (10)
Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2 TRUST and N&B MANAGEMENT will furnish, or will cause to be
furnished, to LIFE COMPANY, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which LIFE COMPANY or its Separate Accounts are named, at least
fifteen (15) Business Days prior to its intended use. No such material will be
used if LIFE COMPANY objects to its use in writing within ten (10) Business Days
after receipt of such material.
4.3 TRUST and its affiliates and agents shall not give any information
or make any representations on behalf of LIFE COMPANY or concerning LIFE
COMPANY, the Separate Accounts, or the Variable Contracts issued by LIFE
COMPANY, other than the information or representations contained in a
registration statement or prospectus for such Variable Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in reports of the Separate Accounts or reports prepared for
distribution to owners of such Variable Contracts, or in sales literature or
other promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its designee, except with
the written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
4.4 LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates and agents shall not give any
information or make any representations on behalf of TRUST or concerning TRUST
other than the information or representations contained in a registration
statement or prospectus for TRUST, as such registration statement and prospectus
may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales literature or
other promotional material approved by TRUST or its designee, except with the
written permission of TRUST.
4.5 For purposes of this Agreement, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" or words of similar import include, without
limitation, advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use, in
a newspaper, magazine or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape
recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures or other
public media), sales literature (such as any written communication distributed
or made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures,
circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, or
reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published
article), educational or training materials or other communications distributed
or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, registration
statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder
reports and proxy materials, and any other material constituting sales
literature or advertising under National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
rules, the '40 Act or the '33 Act.
Article V. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
5.1 The Board of Trustees of TRUST and MANAGERS TRUST (the "Boards")
will monitor TRUST and MANAGERS TRUST, respectively, (collectively the "Funds"),
for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests
of the Variable Contract owners of Participating Insurance Company Separate
Accounts investing in the Funds. A material irreconcilable conflict may arise
for a variety of reasons, including: (a) state insurance regulatory authority
action; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or
securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, or
any similar action by insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c)
an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the
manner in which the investments of the Funds are being managed; (e) a difference
in voting instructions given by variable annuity and variable life insurance
contract owners or by contract owners of different Participating Insurance
Companies; or (f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard
voting instructions of Variable Contract owners.
5.2 LIFE COMPANY will report any potential or existing conflicts to the
Boards. LIFE COMPANY will be responsible for assisting each appropriate Board in
carrying out its responsibilities under the Conditions set forth in the notice
issued by the SEC for the Funds on April 12, 1995 (the "Notice") (Investment
Company Act Release No. 21003), which LIFE COMPANY has reviewed, by providing
each appropriate Board with all information reasonably necessary for it to
consider any issues raised. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to,
an obligation by LIFE COMPANY to inform each appropriate Board whenever Variable
Contract owner voting instructions are disregarded by LIFE COMPANY. These
responsibilities will be carried out with a view only to the interests of the
Variable Contract owners.
5.3 If a majority of the Board of a Fund or a majority of its
disinterested trustees or directors, determines that a material irreconcilable
conflict exists, affecting the LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY, at its expense and to
the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of disinterested
trustees or directors), will take any steps necessary to remedy or eliminate the
irreconcilable material conflict, including: (a) withdrawing the assets
allocable to some or all of the Separate Accounts from the Funds or any series
thereof and reinvesting those assets in a different investment medium, which may
include another series of TRUST or MANAGERS TRUST, or another investment company
or submitting the question as to whether such segregation should be implemented
to a vote of all affected Variable Contract owners and, as appropriate,
segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e., Variable Contract owners
of one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such
segregation, or offering to the affected Variable Contract owners the option of
making such a change; and (b) establishing a new registered management
investment company or managed separate account. If a material irreconcilable
conflict arises because of LIFE COMPANY's decision to disregard Variable
Contract owner voting instructions, and that decision represents a minority
position or would preclude a majority vote, LIFE COMPANY may be required, at the
election of the relevant Fund, to withdraw its Separate Account's investment in
such Fund, and no charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such
withdrawal. The responsibility to take such remedial action shall be carried out
with a view only to the interests of the Variable Contract owners.
For the purposes of this Section 5.3, a majority of the disinterested
members of the applicable Board shall determine whether or not any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the relevant Fund or N&B MANAGEMENT (or any other investment adviser of the
Funds) be required to establish a new funding medium for any Variable Contract.
Further, LIFE COMPANY shall not be required by this Section 5.3 to establish a
new funding medium for any Variable Contract if any offer to do so has been
declined by a vote of a majority of Variable Contract owners materially affected
by the irreconcilable material conflict.
5.4 Any Board's determination of the existence of an irreconcilable
material conflict and its implications shall be made known promptly and in
writing to LIFE COMPANY.
5.5 No less than annually, LIFE COMPANY shall submit to the Boards such
reports, materials or data as such Boards may reasonably request so that the
Boards may fully carry out the obligations imposed upon them by these
Conditions. Such reports, materials, and data shall be submitted more frequently
if deemed appropriate by the applicable Boards.
Article VI. VOTING
6.1 LIFE COMPANY will provide pass-through voting privileges to all
Variable Contract owners so long as the SEC continues to interpret the '40 Act
as requiring pass-through voting privileges for Variable Contract owners. This
condition will apply to UITSeparate Accounts investing in TRUST and to managed
separate accounts investing in MANAGERS TRUST to the extent a vote is required
with respect to matters relating to MANAGERS TRUST. Accordingly, LIFE COMPANY,
where applicable, will vote shares of a Fund held in its Separate Accounts in a
manner consistent with voting instructions timely received from its Variable
Contract owners. LIFE COMPANY will be responsible for assuring that each of its
Separate Accounts that participates in any Fund calculates voting privileges in
a manner consistent with other participants as defined in the Conditions set
forth in the Notice ("Participants"). The obligation to calculate voting
privileges in a manner consistent with all other Separate Accounts investing in
a Fund will be a contractual obligation of all Participants under the agreements
governing participation in the Funds. Each Participant will vote shares for
which it has not received timely voting instructions, as well as shares it owns,
in the same proportion as its votes those shares for which it has received
voting instructions.
6.2 If and to the extent Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or
Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the '40
Act or the rules thereunder with respect to mixed and shared funding on terms
and conditions materially different from any exemptions granted in the Order,
then TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST and/or the Participants, as appropriate, shall take
such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T), as
amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such Rules are applicable.
Article VII. INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Indemnification by LIFE COMPANY. LIFE COMPANY agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST, N&B MANAGEMENT and each of their
Trustees, directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who
controls TRUST or MANAGERS TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT within the meaning of Section
15 of the '33 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Article VII) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of LIFE COMPANY, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or litigation (including legal and
other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any
statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements
are related to the offer, sale or acquisition of TRUST's shares or the Variable
Contracts and:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the
Registration Statement or prospectus for the Variable Contracts
or contained in the Variable Contracts (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to LIFE COMPANY by or on behalf of TRUST
for use in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Variable Contracts or in the Variable Contracts or sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of the Variable Contracts or TRUST
shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales literature of TRUST
not supplied by LIFE COMPANY, or persons under its control) or
wrongful conduct of LIFE COMPANY or persons under its control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of the Variable
Contracts or TRUST shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature of TRUST or any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to TRUST for inclusion therein by or on behalf of LIFE
COMPANY; or
(d) arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY to substantially
provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of
this Agreement; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by LIFE COMPANY in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by LIFE COMPANY.
7.2 LIFE COMPANY shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
TRUST, whichever is applicable.
7.3 LIFE COMPANY shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified LIFE COMPANY in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify LIFE COMPANY of any
such claim shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY from any liability which it may have
to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against an Indemnified Party, LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled to participate at
its own expense in the defense of such action. LIFE COMPANY also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from LIFE COMPANY to such party of LIFE
COMPANY's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and LIFE
COMPANY will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
7.4 Indemnification by N&B MANAGEMENT. N&B MANAGEMENT agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY and each of its directors, officers,
employees, and agents and each person, if any, who controls LIFE COMPANY within
the meaning of Section 15 of the '33 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for the purposes of this Article VII) against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of N&B MANAGEMENT which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld) or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, or regulation, at
common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the
offer, sale or acquisition of TRUST's shares or the Variable Contracts and:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus or sales literature of TRUST
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to N&B MANAGEMENT or
TRUST by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY for use in the registration
statement or prospectus for TRUST or in sales literature (or any
amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with
the sale of the Variable Contracts or TRUST shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales literature for the
Variable Contracts not supplied by N&B MANAGEMENT or persons
under its control) or wrongful conduct of TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT
or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Variable Contracts or TRUST shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature covering the Variable Contracts,
or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY for inclusion therein
by or on behalf of TRUST; or
(d) arise as a result of (i) a failure by TRUST to substantially
provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of
this Agreement; or (ii) a failure by a Portfolio(s) invested in
by the Separate Account to comply with the diversification
requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code; or (iii) a failure by
a Portfolio(s) invested in by the Separate Account to qualify as
a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code;
or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by N&B MANAGEMENT in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by N&B MANAGEMENT.
7.5 N&B MANAGEMENT shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
LIFE COMPANY.
7.6 N&B MANAGEMENT shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified N&B MANAGEMENT in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify N&B MANAGEMENT of
any such claim shall not relieve N&B MANAGEMENT from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, N&B MANAGEMENT shall be entitled to participate
at its own expense in the defense thereof. N&B MANAGEMENT also shall be entitled
to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in
the action. After notice from N&B MANAGEMENT to such party of N&B MANAGEMENT's
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and N&B MANAGEMENT
will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with
the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
Article VIII. TERM; TERMINATION
8.1 This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall
continue in force until terminated in accordance with the provisions herein.
8.2 This Agreement shall terminate in accordance with the following
provisions:
(a) At the option of LIFE COMPANY or TRUST at any time from the date
hereof upon 180 days' notice, unless a shorter time is agreed to
by the parties;
(b) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, if TRUST shares are not reasonably
available to meet the requirements of the Variable Contracts as
determined by LIFE COMPANY. Prompt notice of election to
terminate shall be furnished by LIFE COMPANY, said termination to
be effective ten days after receipt of notice unless TRUST makes
available a sufficient number of shares to reasonably meet the
requirements of the Variable Contracts within said ten-day
period;
(c) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, upon the institution of formal
proceedings against TRUST by the SEC, or any other regulatory
body, the expected or anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome of
which would, in LIFE COMPANY's reasonable judgment, materially
impair TRUST's ability to meet and perform Trust's obligations
and duties hereunder. Prompt notice of election to terminate
shall be furnished by LIFE COMPANY with said termination to be
effective upon receipt of notice;
(d) At the option of TRUST, upon the institution of formal
proceedings against LIFE COMPANY by the SEC, the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or any other regulatory
body, the expected or anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome of
which would, in TRUST's reasonable judgment, materially impair
LIFE COMPANY's ability to meet and perform its obligations and
duties hereunder. Prompt notice of election to terminate shall be
furnished by TRUST with said termination to be effective upon
receipt of notice;
(e) In the event TRUST's shares are not registered, issued or sold in
accordance with applicable state or federal law, or such law
precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment
medium of Variable Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE
COMPANY. Termination shall be effective upon such occurrence
without notice;
(f) At the option of TRUST if the Variable Contracts cease to qualify
as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts, as applicable,
under the Code, or if TRUST reasonably believes that the Variable
Contracts may fail to so qualify. Termination shall be effective
upon receipt of notice by LIFE COMPANY;
(g) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, upon TRUST's breach of any
material provision of this Agreement, which breach has not been
cured to the satisfaction of LIFE COMPANY within ten days after
written notice of such breach is delivered to TRUST;
(h) At the option of TRUST, upon LIFE COMPANY's breach of any
material provision of this Agreement, which breach has not been
cured to the satisfaction of TRUST within ten days after written
notice of such breach is delivered to LIFE COMPANY;
(i) At the option of TRUST, if the Variable Contracts are not
registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable federal
and/or state law. Termination shall be effective immediately upon
such occurrence without notice;
(j) In the event this Agreement is assigned without the prior written
consent of LIFE COMPANY, TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST and N&B
MANAGEMENT, termination shall be effective immediately upon such
occurrence without notice.
8.3 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.2 hereof, TRUST at its option may elect to continue to make available
additional TRUST shares, as provided below, for so long as TRUST desires
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Variable
Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement
(hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without
limitation, if TRUST so elects to make additional TRUST shares available, the
owners of the Existing Contracts or LIFE COMPANY, whichever shall have legal
authority to do so, shall be permitted to reallocate investments in TRUST,
redeem investments in TRUST and/or invest in TRUST upon the payment of
additional premiums under the Existing Contracts. In the event of a termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof, TRUST and N&B MANAGEMENT, as
promptly as is practicable under the circumstances, shall notify LIFE COMPANY
whether TRUST elects to continue to make TRUST shares available after such
termination. If TRUST shares continue to be made available after such
termination, the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect and
thereafter either TRUST or LIFE COMPANY may terminate the Agreement, as so
continued pursuant to this Section 8.3, upon sixty (60) days prior written
notice to the other party.
8.4 Except as necessary to implement Variable Contract owner initiated
transactions, or as required by state insurance laws or regulations, LIFE
COMPANY shall not redeem the shares attributable to the Variable Contracts (as
opposed to the shares attributable to LIFE COMPANY's assets held in the Separate
Accounts), and LIFE COMPANY shall not prevent Variable Contract owners from
allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under the
Variable Contracts, until thirty (30) days after the LIFE COMPANY shall have
notified TRUST of its intention to do so.
Article IX. NOTICES
Any notice hereunder shall be given by registered or certified mail
return receipt requested to the other party at the address of such party set
forth below or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify
in writing to the other party.
If to TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT:
Neuberger&Berman Management Incorporated
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, General Counsel
If to LIFE COMPANY:
Marketing One
000 XX Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Executive Vice President
cc: Xxx Xxxx
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
Notice shall be deemed given on the date of receipt by the addressee as
evidenced by the return receipt.
Article X. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 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.
10.2 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
10.3 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid
by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
10.4 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. It
shall also be subject to the provisions of the federal securities laws and the
rules and regulations thereunder and to any orders of the SEC granting exemptive
relief therefrom and the conditions of such orders.
10.5 The parties agree that the assets and liabilities of each Series
are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Series.
No Series shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or
liability of any other Series. No Trustee, officer or agent shall be personally
liable for such debt, obligation or liability of any Series or Portfolio and no
Portfolio or other investor, other than the Portfolio or other investors
investing in the Series which incurs a debt, obligation or liability, shall be
liable therefor.
10.6 Each party shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and state insurance regulators)
and shall permit such authorities reasonable access to its books and records in
connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
10.7 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement
are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under
state and federal laws.
10.8 No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by TRUST,
MANAGERS TRUST, N&B MANAGEMENT and the LIFE COMPANY.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers to
execute this Fund Participation Agreement as of the date and year first above
written.
NEUBERGER&BERMAN
ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
ADVISERS MANAGERS TRUST
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
NEUBERGER&BERMAN
MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
UNITED LIFE & ANNUITY
INSURANCE COMPANY
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
APPENDIX A
Neuberger&Berman Advisers Corresponding Series of
Management Trust and its Series (Portfolios) Advisers Managers Trust (Series)
Guardian Portfolio AMT Guardian Investments
Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio AMT Limited Maturity Bond Investments
Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio AMT Mid-Cap Growth Investments
Partners Portfolio AMT Partners Investments
APPENDIX B
Separate Accounts Selected Portfolios
