Exhibit k.1
TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of ________________, 2002 by and between
PFPC INC., a Massachusetts corporation ("PFPC"), and PIMCO MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
III, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a closed-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC to serve as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and PFPC
wishes to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. Definitions. As Used in this Agreement:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c) "Authorized Person" means any officer of the Fund and any other
person duly authorized by the Fund's Board of Trustees to give
Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund.
An Authorized Person's scope of authority may be limited by
limited by setting forth such limitation in a written document
signed by both parties hereto.
(d) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.
(e) "Oral Instructions" mean oral instructions received by PFPC from
an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by
PFPC to be an Authorized Person.
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PFPC may, in its sole discretion in each separate instance,
consider and rely upon instructions it receives from an
Authorized Person via electronic mail as Oral Instructions.
(f) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(g) "Securities Laws" mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act
and the CEA.
(h) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest of any series or
class of the Fund.
(i) "Written Instructions" mean (i) written instructions signed by an
Authorized Person and received by PFPC or (ii) trade instructions
transmitted (and received by PFPC) by means of an electronic
transaction reporting system access to which requires use of a
password or other authorized identifier. The instructions may be
delivered by hand, mail, tested telegram, cable, telex or
facsimile sending device.
2. Appointment. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC to serve as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to
the Fund in accordance with the terms set forth in this Agreement. PFPC
accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such services.
3. Delivery of Documents. The Fund has provided or, where applicable, will
provide PFPC with the following:
(a) At PFPC's request, certified or authenticated copies of the
resolutions of the Fund's Board of Trustees, approving the
appointment of PFPC or its affiliates to provide services to the
Fund and approving this Agreement;
(b) A copy of the Fund's most recent effective registration
statement;
(c) A copy of the advisory agreement with respect to the Fund;
(d) A copy of the distribution/underwriting agreement with respect to
each class of Shares of the Fund;
(e) A copy of the Fund's administration agreements if PFPC is not
providing the
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Fund with such services;
(f) Copies of any distribution and/or shareholder servicing plans and
agreements made in respect of the Fund;
(g) A copy of the Fund's organizational documents, as filed with the
state in which the Fund is organized; and
(h) Copies (certified or authenticated where applicable) of any and
all amendments or supplements to the foregoing.
4. Compliance with Rules and Regulations. PFPC undertakes to comply with
all applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and any laws, rules
and regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction with
respect to the duties to be performed by PFPC hereunder. Except as
specifically set forth herein, PFPC assumes no responsibility for such
compliance by the Fund or any other entity.
5. Instructions.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC shall act only
upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instruction or
Written Instruction it receives from an Authorized Person (or
from a person reasonably believed by PFPC to be an Authorized
Person) pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC may assume that any Oral
Instruction or Written Instruction received hereunder is not in
any way inconsistent with the provisions of organizational
documents or this Agreement or of any vote, resolution or
proceeding of the Fund's Board of Trustees or of the Fund's
shareholders, unless and until PFPC receives Written Instructions
to the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Written Instructions
confirming Oral Instructions so that PFPC receives the Written
Instructions by the close of
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business on the same day that such Oral Instructions are
received. The fact that such confirming Written Instructions are
not received by PFPC or differ from the Oral Instructions shall
in no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the
transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions or PFPC's
ability to rely upon such Oral Instructions. Where Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions reasonably appear to have
been received from an Authorized Person, PFPC shall incur no
liability to the Fund in acting in conformance with such Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions provided that PFPC's actions
comply with the other provisions of this Agreement.
6. Right to Receive Advice.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PFPC is in doubt as to any action it
should or should not take, PFPC may request directions or advice,
including Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, from the
Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PFPC shall be in doubt as to any question
of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take,
PFPC may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may
be counsel for the Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or PFPC,
at the option of PFPC).
(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions
or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC
receives from the Fund, and the advice it receives from counsel,
PFPC may rely upon and follow the advice of counsel. Reliance on
such advice, however, does not excuse PFPC from its duties under
this Agreement.
(d) Protection of PFPC. PFPC shall be protected in any action it
takes or does not
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take in reliance upon directions or advice or Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions it receives from the Fund or from counsel
and which PFPC believes, in good faith, to be consistent with
those directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions. Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to
impose an obligation upon PFPC (i) to seek such directions or
advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, or (ii) to
act in accordance with such directions or advice or Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions unless, under the terms of
other provisions of this Agreement, the same is a condition of
PFPC's properly taking or not taking such action.
7. Records; Visits. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, which
are in the possession or under the control of PFPC, shall be the
property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and
maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities
laws, rules and regulations. The Fund and Authorized Persons shall have
access to such books and records at all times during PFPC's normal
business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any
such books and records shall be provided by PFPC to the Fund or to an
Authorized Person, at the Fund's expense.
8. Confidentiality. Each party shall keep confidential any information
relating to the other party's business ("Confidential Information").
Confidential Information shall include (a) any data or information that
is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the
public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans,
marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships,
customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and
internal performance results relating to the past, present or future
business activities of the Fund or PFPC, their respective subsidiaries
and
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affiliated companies and the customers, clients and suppliers of any of
them; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process,
procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret
in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Fund or PFPC a
competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or
proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications,
computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases,
inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or
copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, information shall not be subject to such confidentiality
obligations if it: (a) is already known to the receiving party at the time
it is obtained and was obtained through some means other than through the
performance of an agreement between PFPC and an affiliate of the Fund; (b)
is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the
receiving party; (c) is rightfully received from a third party who, to the
best of the receiving party's knowledge, is not under a duty of
confidentiality; (d) is released by the protected party to a third party
without restriction; (e) is required to be disclosed by the receiving party
pursuant to a requirement of a court order, subpoena, governmental or
regulatory agency or law (provided the receiving party will provide the
other party written notice of such requirement, to the extent such notice
is permitted); (f) is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of
action asserted against the receiving party; or (g) has been or is
independently developed or obtained by the receiving party. In addition,
PFPC agrees that it will not, at any time during the term of this Agreement
or after its termination, reveal, divulge, or make known to any person or
entity, unless required by law, any list of shareholders of the Fund or any
personal information relating to such shareholders.
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9. Cooperation with Accountants. PFPC shall cooperate with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable actions in the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement to ensure that the
necessary information is made available to such accountants for the
expression of their opinion, as required by the Fund.
10. PFPC System. PFPC shall retain title to and ownership of any and all data
bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive
design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or
copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, patents, copyrights, trade
secrets, and other related legal rights utilized by PFPC in connection with
the services provided by PFPC to the Fund.
11. Disaster Recovery. PFPC shall enter into and shall maintain in effect with
appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for
emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent
appropriate equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures,
PFPC shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to
minimize service interruptions. PFPC shall have no liability with respect
to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure,
provided such loss or interruption is not caused by PFPC's own willful
misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or
obligations under this Agreement.
12. Compensation. As compensation for services rendered by PFPC during the term
of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to PFPC a fee or fees as may be agreed
to from time to time in writing by the Fund and PFPC. The Fund acknowledges
that PFPC may receive float benefits and/or investment earnings in
connection with maintaining certain accounts required to provide services
under this Agreement.
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13. Indemnification. The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless
PFPC and its affiliates, including their respective officers, directors,
agents and employees, from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments,
claims and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and
disbursements and liabilities arising under the Securities Laws and any
state and foreign securities and blue sky laws) arising directly or
indirectly from any action or omission to act which PFPC takes in
connection with the provision of services to the Fund. Neither PFPC, nor
any of its affiliates, shall be indemnified against any liability (or any
expenses incident to such liability) caused by PFPC's or its affiliates'
own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, provided that in the
absence of a finding to the contrary the acceptance, processing and/or
negotiation of a fraudulent payment for the purchase of Shares shall be
presumed not to have been the result of PFPC's or its affiliates own
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
such duties and obligations. The provisions of this Section 13 shall
survive termination of this Agreement.
14. Responsibility of PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder on behalf of
the Fund except as specifically set forth herein or as may be
specifically agreed to by PFPC and the Fund in a written amendment
hereto. PFPC shall be obligated to exercise customary care and
diligence in the performance of its duties hereunder and to act in
good faith in performing services provided for under this Agreement.
PFPC shall be liable only for any damages arising out of PFPC's
failure to perform its duties under this Agreement to the extent such
damages arise out of PFPC's
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willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of
such duties.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other
provision of this Agreement, (i) PFPC shall not be liable for losses
beyond its control, including without limitation (subject to Section
11), delays or errors or loss of data occurring by reason of
circumstances beyond PFPC's control, provided that PFPC has acted in
accordance with the standard set forth in Section 14(a) above and has
otherwise fulfilled its obligation under this Agreement; and (ii) PFPC
shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall
not be liable for the validity or invalidity or authority or lack
thereof of any Oral Instruction or Written Instruction, notice or
other instrument which conforms to the applicable requirements of this
Agreement, and which PFPC reasonably believes to be genuine.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i)
neither party nor its affiliates shall be liable for any
consequential, special or indirect losses or damages, whether or not
the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by the party or its
affiliates and (ii) excluding fees owed by the Fund under this
Agreement for services rendered by PFPC, a party's cumulative
liability for all losses, claims, suits, controversies, breaches or
damages for any cause whatsoever (including but not limited to those
arising out of or related to this Agreement) and regardless of the
form of action or legal theory shall not exceed $100,000 plus
reasonable attorney's fees.
(d) Each party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other
party may become responsible.
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(e) The provisions of this Section 14 shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
15. Description of Services.
(a) Services Provided on an Ongoing Basis, If Applicable.
(i) Maintain shareholder registrations;
(ii) Provide toll-free lines for shareholder and broker-dealer use;
(iii) Provide periodic shareholder lists and statistics;
(iv) Mailing of year-end tax information; and
(v) Periodic mailing of shareholder dividend reinvestment plan
account information and Fund financial reports.
(b) Dividends and Distributions. PFPC must receive Written Instructions
authorizing the declaration and payment of dividends and
distributions. Upon receipt of the resolution, PFPC shall issue the
dividends and distributions in cash, or, if the resolution so
provides, pay such dividends and distributions in Shares. Such
issuance or payment shall be made after deduction and payment of the
required amount of funds to be withheld in accordance with any
applicable tax laws or other laws, rules or regulations. PFPC shall
timely send to the Fund's shareholders tax forms and other
information, or permissible substitute notice, relating to dividends
and distributions, paid by the Fund as are required to be filed and
mailed by applicable law, rule or regulation.
PFPC shall maintain and file with the United States Internal Revenue
Service and other appropriate taxing authorities reports relating to
all dividends above a stipulated amount (currently $10.00 accumulated
yearly dividends) paid by the Fund to its shareholders as required by
tax or other law, rule or regulation.
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In accordance with the Prospectus and such procedures and
controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time by and
among the Fund, PFPC and the Fund's Custodian, PFPC shall
process applications from Shareholders relating to the Fund's
Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("Dividend Reinvestment Plan") and
will effect purchases of Shares in connection with the
Dividend Reinvestment Plan. As the dividend disbursing agent,
PFPC shall, on or before the payment date of any such dividend
or distribution, notify the fund accounting agent of the
estimated amount required to pay any portion of said dividend
or distribution which is payable in cash, and on or before the
payment date of such distribution, the Fund shall instruct the
custodian to make available to the dividend disbursing agent
sufficient funds for the cash amount to be paid out. If a
shareholder is entitled to receive additional Shares, by
virtue of any distribution or dividend, appropriate credits
will be made to his or her account and/or certificates
delivered where requested, all in accordance with the Dividend
Reinvestment Plan.
(c) Communications to Shareholders. Upon timely written
instructions, PFPC shall mail all communications by the Fund
to its shareholders, including:
(i) Reports to shareholders;
(ii) Monthly or quarterly dividend reinvestment plan
statements;
(iii) Dividend and distribution notices;
(iv) Proxy material; and
(v) Tax form information.
PFPC will receive and tabulate the proxy cards for the
meetings of the Fund's shareholders.
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(d) Records. PFPC shall maintain records of the accounts for each
shareholder showing the following information:
(i) Name, address and United States Tax Identification
or Social Security number;
(ii) Number and class of shares held and number and class
of shares for which certificates, if any, have been
issued, including certificate numbers and
denominations;
(iii) Historical information regarding the account of each
shareholder, including dividends and distributions
paid and the date and price for all transactions on
a shareholder's account;
(iv) Any stop or restraining order placed against a
shareholder's account;
(v) Any correspondence relating to the current
maintenance of a shareholder's account;
(vi) Information with respect to withholdings; and
(vii) Any information required in order for the transfer
agent to perform any calculations contemplated or
required by this Agreement.
(e) Shareholder Inspection of Stock Records. Upon requests from
Fund shareholders to inspect stock records, PFPC will notify
the Fund and require instructions granting or denying each
such request. Unless PFPC has acted contrary to the Fund's
instructions, the Fund agrees to release PFPC from any
liability for refusal of permission for a particular
shareholder to inspect the Fund's shareholder records.
16. Duration and Termination. This Agreement shall continue until
terminated by the Fund or by PFPC on sixty (60) days' prior written
notice to the other party. In the event the Fund gives notice of
termination, all expenses associated with movement (or duplication)
of records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor
transfer agent
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or other service provider, and all trailing expenses incurred by
PFPC directly attributable to termination, will be borne by the
Fund.
17. Notices. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC, at 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention:
President; (b) if to the Fund, at ______________, Attention:
_____________ or (c) if to neither of the foregoing, at such
other address as shall have been given by like notice to the
sender of any such notice or other communication by the other
party. If notice is sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex or
facsimile sending device, it shall be deemed to have been given
immediately. If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be
deemed to have been given three days after it has been mailed. If
notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been
given on the day it is delivered.
18. Amendments. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed
or waived only by a written amendment, signed by the party
against whom enforcement of such change or waiver is sought.
19. Delegation; Assignment. PFPC may assign its rights and delegate
its duties hereunder to any majority-owned direct or indirect
subsidiary of PFPC or of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.,
provided that PFPC gives the Fund 30 days prior written notice of
such assignment or delegation. In addition, PFPC may, in its sole
discretion, engage subcontractors to perform any of the
obligations contained in this Agreement to be performed by PFPC,
provided, however, PFPC shall remain responsible for the acts or
omissions of any such sub-contractors.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all
of which together shall constitute one and the
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same instrument.
21. Further Actions. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the
purposes hereof.
22. Miscellaneous.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement
and understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter
hereof, provided that the parties may embody in one or more
separate documents their agreement, if any, with respect to
delegated duties.
(b) No Changes that Materially Affect Obligations. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees
not to make any modifications to its registration statement or
adopt any policies which would affect materially the
obligations or responsibilities of PFPC hereunder without the
prior written approval of PFPC, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(c) Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit
any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their
construction or effect.
(d) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract
made in Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to
principles of conflicts of law.
(e) Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or
otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected
thereby.
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(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
(g) No Representations or Warranties. Except as expressly provided
in this Agreement, each party hereby disclaims all
representations and warranties, express or implied, made to
the other party or any other person, including, without
limitation, any warranties regarding quality, suitability,
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise
(irrespective of any course of dealing, custom or usage of
trade), of any services or any goods provided incidental to
services provided under this Agreement. Each party disclaims
any warranty of title or non-infringement except as otherwise
set forth in this Agreement.
(h) Facsimile Signatures. The facsimile signature of any party to
this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding
execution hereof by such party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed as of the day and year first above written.
PFPC INC.
By:
Title:
PIMCO MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND III
By:
Title:
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