TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT Between THE GUARDIAN STOCK FUND, INC. And STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

Exhibit h(ii)(a)

January 2, 1987

Between

THE GUARDIAN STOCK FUND, INC.

And

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE 1	TERMS OF APPOINTMENT; DUTIES OF THE BANK	3

ARTICLE 2	FEES AND EXPENSES	6

ARTICLE 3	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BANK	6

ARTICLE 4	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE FUND	7

ARTICLE 5	INDEMNIFICATION	7

ARTICLE 6	COVENANTS OF THE FUND AND THE BANK	10

ARTICLE 7	TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT	11

ARTICLE 8	ASSIGNMENT	11

ARTICLE 9	AMENDMENT	12

ARTICLE 10	MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY	12

ARTICLE 11	MERGER OF AGREEMENT	12

TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made as of the 2nd day of January, 1987, by and between THE GUARDIAN STOCK FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation, having its principal office and place of business at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (the “Fund”), and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts corporation having its principal office and place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 (the “Bank”).

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint the Bank as its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and agent in connection with certain other activities, and the Bank desires to accept such appointment;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of the Bank

1.01 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints the Bank to act as, and the Bank agrees to act as its transfer agent for the Fund’s authorized and issued shares of its common stock, $.10 par value, (“Shares”), dividend disbursing agent and agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar plans provided to the shareholders of the Fund (“Shareholders”) and set out in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information (“prospectus”) of the Fund, including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program.

1.02 The Bank agrees that it will perform the following services:

(a) In accordance with procedures established from time to time by agreement between the Fund and the Bank, the Bank shall:

(i) Receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares, and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation therefor to the Custodian of the Fund authorized pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund (the “Custodian”);

(ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares and hold such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder account;

(iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and redemption directions and deliver the appropriate documentation therefor to the Custodian;

(iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause to be paid over in the appropriate manner such monies as instructed by the redeeming Shareholders;

(v) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon receipt of appropriate instructions;

(vi) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Fund;

(vii) Maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and its Shareholders as to the foregoing; and

(viii) Record the issuance of shares of the Fund and maintain pursuant to SEC Rule 17 Ad-10(e) a record of the total number of shares of the Fund which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. Bank shall also provide the Fund on a regular basis with the total number of shares which are authorized and issued and outstanding

and shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of shares, to monitor the issuance of such shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund.

(b) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth in the above paragraph (a), the Bank shall: (i) perform all of the customary services of a transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant, agent in connection with accumulation, open-account or similar plans (including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program), including but not limited to: maintaining all Shareholder accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing proxies, receiving and tabulating proxies, mailing Shareholder reports and prospectuses to current Shareholders, withholding taxes on non-resident alien accounts, preparing and filing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate forms required with respect to dividends and distributions by federal authorities for all Shareholders, preparing and mailing confirmation forms and statements of account to Shareholders for all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirmable transactions in Shareholder accounts, preparing and mailing activity statements for Shareholders, and providing Shareholder account information and (ii) provide a system which will enable the Fund to monitor the total number of Shares sold in each State. The Fund shall (i) identify to the Bank in writing those transactions and assets to be treated as exempt from blue sky reporting for each State and (ii) verify the establishment of transactions for each State on the system prior to activation and thereafter monitor the daily activity for each State. The responsibility of the Bank for the Fund’s blue sky State registration status is solely limited to the initial establishment of transactions

subject to blue sky compliance by the Fund and the reporting of such transactions to the Fund as provided above.

Procedures applicable to certain of these services may be established from time to time by agreement between the Fund and the Bank.

Article 2 Fees and Expenses

2.01 For performance by the Bank pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund agrees to pay the Bank an annual maintenance fee for each Shareholder account as set out in the initial fee schedule attached hereto. Such fees and out-of-pocket expenses and advances identified under Section 2.02 below may be changed from time to time subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund and the Bank.

2.02 In addition to the fee paid under Section 2.01 above, the Fund agrees to reimburse the Bank for out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by the Bank for the items set out in the fee schedule attached hereto. In addition, any other expenses incurred by the Bank at the request or with the consent of the Fund, will be reimbursed by the Fund.

2.03 The Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within five days following the mailing of the respective billing notice. Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other mailings to all shareholder accounts shall be advanced to the Bank by the Fund at least seven (7) days prior to the mailing date of such materials.

Article 3 Representations and Warranties of the Bank

The Bank represents and warrants to the Fund that:

3.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

3.02 It is duly qualified to carry on its business in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

3.03 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and by-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.

3.04 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

3.05 It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

Article 4 Representations and Warranties of the Fund

The Fund represents and warrants to the Bank that;

4.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Maryland.

4.02 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.

4.03 All corporate proceedings required by said Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

4.04 It is an open-end and diversified management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

4.05 A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.

Article 5 Indemnification

5.01 The Bank shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall indemnify and hold the Bank harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to:

(a) All actions of the Bank or its agent or subcontractors required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct.

(b) The Fund’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or which arise out of the Fund’s lack of good faith, negligence or willful misconduct or which arise out of the breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund hereunder.

(c) The reliance on or use by the Bank, or its agents or subcontractors of information, records and documents which (i) are received by the Bank or its agents or subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf of the Fund, and (ii) have been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund or any other person or firm on behalf of the Fund.

(d) The reliance on, or the carrying out by the Bank, or its agents or subcontractors of any instructions or requests of the Fund.

(e) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or any state with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state.

5.02 The Bank shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure or omission to act by the Bank as a result of the Bank’s lack of good faith, negligence or willful misconduct.

5.03 At any time the Bank may apply to any officer of the Fund for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel with respect to any matter arising in connection

with the services to be performed by the Bank under this Agreement, and the Bank and its agents or subcontractors shall not he liable and shall be indemnified by the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. The Bank, its agents and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon any paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Fund, reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or documents provided the Bank or its agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or other similar means authorized by the Fund, and shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund. The Bank, its agents and subcontractors shall also be protected and indemnified in recognizing stock certificates which are reasonably believed to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the Fund, and the proper countersignature of any former transfer agent or registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or co-registrar.

5.04 In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes.

5.05 Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any act or failure to act hereunder.

5.06 In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may be required to indemnify the

other, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the other party’s prior written consent.

Article 6 Covenants of the Fund and the Bank

6.01 The Fund shall promptly furnish to the Bank the following:

(a) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund authorizing the appointment of the Bank and the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

(b) A copy of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto.

6.02 The Bank hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of stock certificates, check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such certificates, forms and devices.

6.03 The Bank shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable. To the extent required by Section 31 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Rules thereunder, the Bank agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by the Bank relating to the services to be performed by the Bank hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section and Rules, and will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with its request.

6.04 The Bank and the Fund agree that all books, records, information and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except as may be required by law. The Bank or its agents or subcontractors shall submit to all regulatory and administrative bodies having jurisdiction over services provided pursuant to this Agreement, present or future, any information, reports or other materials which any such body by reason of this Agreement may request or require pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.

6.05 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the Shareholder records of the Fund, the Bank will endeavor to notify the Fund and to secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Fund as to such inspection. The Bank reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.

6.06 Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, the fund retains the ultimate responsibility and authority for direction and control of the services provided pursuant to this Agreement.

Article 7 Termination of Agreement

7.01 This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon ninety (90) days written notice to the other.

7.02 Should the Fund exercise its right to terminate, all out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Fund. Additionally, the Bank reserves the right to charge for any other reasonable expenses associated with such termination and/or a charge equivalent to the average of three (3) months’ fees.

Article 8 Assignment

8.01 Except as provided in Section 8.03 below, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the written consent of the other party.

8.02 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

8.03 The Bank may, without further consent on the part of the Fund, subcontract for the performance hereof with (i) Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“BPDS”) which is duly registered as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Section l7A(c)(1)”), or (ii) a BFDS subsidiary duly registered as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A(c)(1); provided, however, that the Bank shall be as fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions.

Article 9 Amendment

9.01 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund.

Article 10 Massachusetts Law to Apply

10.01 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Article 11 Merger of Agreement

11.01 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf under their seals by and through their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

	THE GUARDIAN STOCK FUND, INC.


	BY:	/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx

		Vice President


ATTEST:


/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
Counsel


	STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY


	BY:	/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]

		Vice President


ATTEST:

National Financial Data Services

A Subsidiary of Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.

000 Xxxx 0xx Xxxxxx

Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000

September 4, 2002

Xxxx Xxxxxxxx

Guardian Investor Services Corporation

00 Xxxxxxxx Xxx. X-000

Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000

Dear Rich:

STATE STREET BANK & TRUST CO (the “Transfer Agent”) and the undersigned entities are parties to an agreement or agreements (the “Agreement”) under which the Transfer Agent performs certain transfer agency and/or record keeping services for the Fund. In connection with the enactment of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, (collectively, the “Patriot Act”), the Fund has requested and the Transfer Agent has agreed to amend the Agreement as of thedate hereof in the manner set forth below:

WHEREAS, the Patriot Act imposes new anti-money laundering requirements on financial institutions, including mutual funds;

WHEREAS, the Fund recognizes the importance of complying with the Patriot Act and the Fund has developed and implemented a written anti-money laundering program, which is designed to satisfy the requirements of the Patriot Act, (the “Fund’s Program”);

WHEREAS, the Patriot Act authorizes a mutual fund to delegate to a service provider, including its transfer agent, the implementation and operation of aspects of the fund’s anti-money laundering program, and

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to delegate to the Transfer Agent the implementation and operation of certain aspects of the Fund’s Program and the Transfer Agent desires to accept such delegation.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereby agree to amend the Agreement, pursuant to the terms thereof, as follows

1. Delegation; Duties

1.1. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, the Fund hereby delegates to the Transfer Agent those aspects of the Fund’s Program that are set forth on Exhibit A, attached hereto. The duties set forth on Exhibit A may be amended, from time to time, by mutual agreement of the parties upon the execution by both parties of

a revised Exhibit A bearing a later date than the date hereof.

1.2. The Transfer Agent agrees to perform such delegated duties, with respect to the ownership of shares in the Fund for which the Transfer Agent maintains the applicable shareholder information, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

2. Consent to Examination

2.1. In connection with the performance by the Transfer Agent of the above-delegated duties, the Transfer Agent understands and acknowledges that the Fund remains responsible for assuring compliance with the Patriot Act and that the records the Transfer Agent maintains for the Fund relating to theFund’s Program may be subject, from time to time, to examination and/or inspection by federal regulators in order that the regulators may evaluate such compliance. The Transfer Agent hereby consents to such examination and/or inspection and agrees to cooperate with such federal examiners in connection with their review. For purposes of such examination and/or inspection, the Transfer Agent will use its best efforts to make available, during normal business hours, all required records and information for reviewby such examiners.

3. Limitation on Delegation.

3.1. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that in accepting the delegation hereunder, the Transfer Agent is agreeing to perform only those aspects of the Fund’s Program that have been expressly delegated hereby and is not undertaking and shall not be responsible for any other aspect of the Fund’s Program or for the overall compliance by the Fund with the Patriot Act. Additionally, the parties acknowledge and agree thattheTransfer Agentshall onlybe responsible for performing the delegated duties with respect to the ownership of shares in the Fund for which the Transfer Agent maintains the applicable shareholder information.

4. Expenses.

4.1. In consideration of the performance of the foregoing duties, the Fund agrees to pay the Transfer Agent for the reasonable administrative expense that may be associated with such additional duties. The terms of the Agreement shall apply with respect to the payment of such expense in the same manner and to the same extent as any other expenses incurred under the Agreement.

5. Miscellaneous.

5.1. In all other regards, the terms and provisions of the Agreement shall continue to apply with full force and effect.

5.2. Each party represents to the other that the execution and delivery of this Amendment has been duly authorized.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executedin its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

WITNESSED BY:

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST CO

By:

/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx

Name:

Name: Xxxxx Xxxx

Title:

Title: Vice President

WITNESSED BY:

THE GUARDIAN CASH FUND, INC.

By:

/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

Name:

Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

Title:

Title: Vice President

WITNESSED BY:

THE GUARDIAN STOCK FUND, INC.

By:

/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

Name:

Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

Title:

Title: Vice President

WITNESSED BY:

THE GUARDIAN BOND FUND, INC.

By:

/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

Name:

Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

Title:

Title: Vice President

WITNESSED BY:

THE GUARDIAN U.S. GOVERNMENT TRUST

By:

/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

Name:

Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

Title:

Title: Vice President

WITNESSED BY:	THE GUARDIAN CASH MANAGEMENT
	TRUST


By:	By:	/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name:	Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title:	Title: Vice President


WITNESSED BY:	THE PARK AVENUE PORTFOLIO


By:	By:	/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name:	Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title:	Title: Vice President

Exhibit A

Delegated Duties

With respect to the ownership of shares in the Fund for which the Transfer Agent maintains the applicable shareholder information, the Transfer Agent shall:

· Follow the Fund’s third party check policies (which may change from time to time).

· Submit all financial and non-financial transactions through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC’’) database and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Control Lists.

· Review redemption transactions that occur within thirty (30) days of account establishment or maintenance.

· Review wires sent to banking instructions other than those on file.

· Review a shareholder’s account for unusual activity when purchases and redemptions by the shareholder (based on social security number within the Funds) hit the $100,000 threshold that has been set on the “Unusual Activity Warning System.”

· Review accounts to identity those established by known offenders attempting fraud and once identified, freeze such accounts.

· Monitor and track cash equivalents under $ 10,000 for a rolling twelve-month period and file Form 8300 as necessary.

· File suspicious activity torts as necessary.

In the event that the Transfer Agent detects suspicious activity as a result of the foregoing procedures, which necessitates the filing by the Transfer Agent of a suspicious activity report, a Form 8300 or other similar report or notice to OFAC or other regulatory agency, then the TransferAgentshall alsoimmediately notify the Fund, unless prohibited by applicable law.

STATE STREET BANK & TRUST CO		THE GUARDIAN CASH FUND, INC.


By:	/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx	By:	/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx		Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President		Title: Vice President

Date: 9-19-02

XXXXX XXXXXX XXXX XXX XXXXX XX		THE GUARDIAN STOCK FUND, INC.


By:	/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx	By:	/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx		Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President		Title: Vice President

Date: 0-00-00

XXXXX XXXXXX XXXX & XXXXX XX		THE GUARDIAN BOND FUND, INC.


By:	/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx	By:	/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx		Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President		Title: Vice President
Date: 0-00-00

XXXXX XXXXXX XXXX & XXXXX XX		THE GUARDIAN U.S. GOVERNMENT
		TRUST


By:	/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx	By:	/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx		Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President		Title: Vice President

Date: 0-00-00

XXXXX XXXXXX XXXX & XXXXX XX		THE GUARDIAN U.S. CASH
		MANAGEMENT TRUST


By:	/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx	By:	/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx		Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President		Title: Vice President

Date: 0-00-00

XXXXX XXXXXX XXXX & XXXXX XX		THE PARK AVENUE PORTFOLIO


By:	/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx	By:	/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx		Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President		Title: Vice President

Date: 9-19-02

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (“Assignment Agreement”) is entered into as of October 9, 2006, between The Guardian Variable Contract Funds, Inc. (formerly known as The Guardian Stock Fund, Inc.), a Maryland corporation, on behalf of each of its series, separately (each, an “Assignor”), and RS Variable Products Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, on behalf of each of its series identified on Appendix A hereto, separately (each, an “Assignee”).

RECITALS

Assignors and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, are parties to a certain Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated January 2, 1987, as amended from time to time (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”).

Each Assignor and its corresponding Assignee, as designated on Appendix A, is a party to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated August 15, 2006 (“Agreement and Plan”), pursuant to which each Assignor will transfer all of its assets to its corresponding Assignee in exchange solely for shares of such Assignee and the assumption by the Assignee of identified liabilities of the Assignor (each, a “Reorganization”). In connection with the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan, Assignee shall assume the identified obligations of Assignor pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, all on the terms and conditions set forth in this Assignment Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and of the mutual covenants set forth herein and in the Transfer Agency Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

Assignment of Transfer Agency Agreement. Assignor hereby assigns, conveys, and otherwise transfers to Assignee all of its rights, benefits, title, and interest in, to, and under the Transfer Agency Agreement; provided, however, that this Agreement shall only be effective upon the Closing Date (as defined in the Agreement and Plan) of the applicable Reorganization.

Acceptance and Assumption of Transfer Agency Agreement. Assignee hereby accepts from Assignor the foregoing assignment of Assignor’s rights, title, and interest in, to and under the Transfer Agency Agreement from Assignor and assumes and agrees to pay, perform, and discharge any and all terms, obligations, covenants, conditions and provisions under the Transfer Agency Agreement arising on or after the Closing Date. It is intended that the Transfer Agency Agreement take effect with respect to each of the Assignees as if a separate and new transfer agency agreement had been entered into by each Assignee with State Street Bank and Trust Company as of the Closing Date.

Amendments. No provision of this Assignment Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived except by written agreement duly executed by a duly authorized representative of each of the parties hereto.

Consent. By its signature below, State Street Bank and Trust Company hereby consents to this assignment and assumption and agrees to be bound by the Transfer Agency Agreement, as assigned, from and after the Closing Date in accordance with the foregoing.

Headings. The section headings used in this Assignment Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be used or construed to define, interpret, expand, or limit any provision hereof.

Counterparts. This Assignment Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Facsimile signatures may be relied upon as originals.

Governing Law. This Assignment Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal substantive laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to its conflict of law rules.

Entire Agreement. This Assignment Agreement, together with the Transfer Agency Agreement and the agreements, documents and instruments executed in connection therewith, represent the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede and cancel any prior oral or written agreement, letter of intent or understanding with respect to such subject matter.

Binding Agreement. This Assignment Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of each of the parties.

Miscellaneous. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust RS Variable Products Trust is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this Assignment Agreement is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Assignee as Trustees and not individually, and that the obligations arising out of this Assignment Agreement are not binding upon the Trustees, officers, or holders of the shares of the series of the Assignee individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the series in question.

[Signature Page to Follow]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Assignor and Assignee have executed this Assignment and Assumption Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

		ASSIGNOR:


		The Guardian Variable Contract Funds, Inc. (formerly known as The Guardian Stock Fund, Inc.) on behalf of each of its series set forth on Appendix A, separately


		By:	/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Name:	Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Title:	Vice President and Treasurer


		ASSIGNEE:


		RS Variable Products Trust, on behalf of each of its series set forth on Appendix A, separately


		By:	/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
		Name:	Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
		Title:	Treasurer


		AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED:


		State Street Bank and Trust Company


		By:	/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Name:	Xxxxx Xxxxxx
		Title:	Vice President

APPENDIX A

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

Assignors:		Assignees:

The Guardian Stock Fund		RS Core Equity VIP Series
The Guardian VC 500 Index Fund		RS S&P 500 Index VIP Series
The Guardian VC Asset Allocation Fund		RS Asset Allocation VIP Series
The Guardian VC High Yield Bond Fund		RS High Yield Bond VIP Series
The Guardian VC Low Duration Bond Fund		RS Low Duration Bond VIP Series
The Guardian UBS VC Large Cap Value Fund		RS Large Cap Value VIP Series
The Guardian UBS VC Small Cap Value Fund		RS Partners VIP Series

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TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT Between THE GUARDIAN STOCK FUND, INC. And STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

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