TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
Exhibit (g)(2)
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 1st day of July, 2010, by and between STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a trust company chartered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts having its principal office and place of business at Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 (“State Street” or the “Transfer Agent”), and the INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY & INVESTMENT registered investment companies listed on Schedule A hereto (each a “Fund”), each having its principal office and place of business at 00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx.
WHEREAS, each Fund is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”);
WHEREAS, Schedule A may be amended in writing by the parties from time to time to add registered investment companies established after the date of this Agreement and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 12 (such registered investment companies, together with each of the Funds listed on Schedule A of even date herewith, being herein referred to collectively as the “Funds”);
WHEREAS, each Fund desires to appoint the Transfer Agent as its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, and agent in connection with certain other activities, and the Transfer Agent desires to accept such appointment;
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
|
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
|
1.1
|
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Fund hereby employs and appoints the Transfer Agent to act as, and the Transfer Agent agrees to act as, transfer agent for the Fund’s authorized and issued Shares, dividend disbursing agent, and agent in connection with any accumulation or similar plans provided to shareholders (“Shareholders”) of each of the respective Fund and set out in the currently effective prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund (the “Prospectus”), including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program.
|
1.2
|
Transfer Agency Services. In accordance with procedures established from time to time by agreement between the respective Fund, as applicable, and the Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent shall:
|
(i)
|
Receive orders for the purchase of Shares from the Fund, and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation thereof to the custodian of the Fund as identified by the Fund (the “Custodian”);
|
(ii)
|
Pursuant to such purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares and book such Share issuance to the appropriate Shareholder account;
|
(iii)
|
Receive redemption requests and redemption directions from the Fund and deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to the Custodian;
|
(iv)
|
with respect to the transactions in items (i) and (iii) above, the Transfer Agent shall process transactions received directly from broker-dealers or other intermediaries authorized by the Fund who shall thereby be deemed to be acting on behalf of the Fund;
|
(v)
|
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;
|
(vi)
|
process transfer of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon receipt of proper instruction and approval by the Fund;
|
(vii)
|
process and transmit payments for any dividends and distributions declared by the Fund; and
|
(viii)
|
record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-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; and provide the Fund on a regular basis with the total number of Shares of the Fund which are issued and outstanding but Transfer Agent shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares to determine if there are authorized Shares available for issuance or to take cognizance of any laws relating to, or corporate actions required for, the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund.
|
1.3
|
Additional Services. In addition to, and neither in lieu of nor in contravention of the services set forth in Section 1.2 above, the Transfer Agent shall perform the following services:
|
(i)
|
Other Customary Services. Perform certain customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, including, but not limited to: maintaining Shareholder accounts, maintaining on behalf of the Fund such bank accounts as the Transfer Agent shall deem necessary for the performance of its duties under this Agreement, withholding taxes on U.S. resident and 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
|
2
|
mailing activity statements for Shareholders, and providing Shareholder account information];
|
(ii)
|
State Transaction (“Blue Sky”) Reporting. The Fund shall be solely responsible for its “blue sky” compliance and state registration requirements. [The Transfer Agent’s responsibility for state transaction reporting is solely limited to providing a third-party vendor with the total number of Shares sold in each State];
|
(iii)
|
Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”)/National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”). If applicable, the Transfer Agent shall: (a) accept and effectuate the registration and maintenance of accounts with DTCC/NSCC, and the purchase and redemption of Shares in such accounts, in accordance with instructions transmitted to and received by the Transfer Agent by transmission from DTCC or NSCC (acting on behalf of its members); and (b) issue instructions to the Fund’s banks for the settlement of transactions between the Fund and DTCC or NSCC (acting on behalf of its members and bank participants).
|
(iv)
|
Performance of Certain Services by the Fund or Affiliates or Agents. New procedures as to who shall provide certain of these services described in this Section 1 may be established in writing from time to time by agreement between the Fund and the Transfer Agent. If agreed to in writing by the Fund and the Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent may at times perform only a portion of these services, and the Fund or its agent may perform these services on the Fund’s behalf.
|
1.4
|
Authorized Persons. Each Fund hereby agrees and acknowledges that the Transfer Agent may rely on the current list of authorized persons, as provided or agreed to by the Fund and as may be amended from time to time, in receiving instructions to issue or redeem the Shares. Each Fund, agrees and covenants for itself and each such authorized person that any order, sale or transfer of, or transaction in the Shares received by it after the close of the market shall be effectuated at the net asset value determined on the next business day or as otherwise required pursuant to the applicable Fund’s then-effective Prospectus, and the Fund or such authorized person shall so instruct the Transfer Agent of the proper effective date of the transaction.
|
1.5
|
Anti-Money Laundering and Client Screening. With respect to the Fund’s offering and sale of Shares at any time, and for all subsequent transfers of such interests, the Fund or its delegate shall, directly or indirectly and to the extent required by law: (i) conduct know your customer/client identity due diligence with respect to potential investors and transferees in the Shares and shall obtain and retain due diligence records for each investor and transferee; (ii) use its best efforts to ensure that each investor’s and any transferee’s funds used to purchase Shares shall not be derived from, nor the product of, any criminal activity; (iii) if requested, provide periodic written verifications that such investors/transferees
|
3
|
have been checked against the United States Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control database for any non-compliance or exceptions; and (iv) perform its obligations under this Section in accordance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations. In the event that the Transfer Agent has received advice from counsel that access to underlying due diligence records pertaining to the investors/transferees is necessary to ensure compliance by the Transfer Agent with relevant anti-money laundering (or other applicable) laws or regulations, the Fund shall, upon receipt of written request from the Transfer Agent, provide the Transfer Agent copies of such due diligence records.
|
1.6
|
Tax Law. The Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on a Fund, the Shares, a Shareholder or the Transfer Agent in connection with the services provided by the Transfer Agent hereunder by the tax laws of any country or of any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the Fund to notify the Transfer Agent of the obligations imposed on the Fund, the Shares, a Shareholder or the Transfer Agent in connection with the services provided by the Transfer Agent hereunder by the tax law of countries, states and political subdivisions thereof, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting.
|
2. FEES AND EXPENSES
2.1
|
Fee Schedule. For the performance by the Transfer Agent of services provided pursuant to this Agreement, each Fund agrees to pay the Transfer Agent the fees and expenses set forth in the fee schedule (the “Fee Schedule”). Such fees and any out of pocket expenses and advances identified under Section 2.2 below may be changed from time to time, subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund and the Transfer Agent. The parties agree that the fees set forth in the Fee Schedule shall apply with respect to each Fund set forth on Schedule A hereto as of the date hereof and to any newly created Funds added to this Agreement that have requirements consistent with services then being provided by the Transfer Agent under this Agreement. In the event that a Fund is to become a party to this Agreement as a result of an acquisition or merger, then the parties shall confer diligently and negotiate in good faith, and agree upon fees applicable to such Fund.
|
2.2
|
Out of Pocket Expenses. In addition to the fees paid under Section 2.1 above, each Fund agrees to reimburse the Transfer Agent for out of pocket expenses, including but not limited to, confirmation production, postage, forms, telephone, microfilm, microfiche, records storage, or advances incurred by the Transfer Agent for the items set out in the fee schedule attached hereto. In addition, any other expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent at the request or with the consent of a Fund will be reimbursed by such Fund.
|
2.3
|
Invoices. Each Fund agrees to pay all fees and out of pocket expenses due hereunder within thirty (30) days following the receipt of the respective invoice.
|
4
|
Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other mailings to all shareholder accounts shall be advanced to the Transfer Agent by the Fund at least seven (7) days prior to the mailing date of such materials.
|
3.
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE TRANSFER AGENT
|
The Transfer Agent represents and warrants to each Fund that:
3.1
|
It is a trust company duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
|
3.2
|
It is duly registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A(c)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), it will remain so registered for the duration of this Agreement, and it will promptly notify the Funds in the event of any material change in its status as a registered transfer agent.
|
3.3
|
It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
|
3.4
|
It is empowered under applicable laws and by its organizational documents to enter into and perform the services contemplated in this Agreement.
|
3.5
|
All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
|
3.6
|
It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
|
3.7
|
It is in compliance with all material federal and state laws, rules and regulations applicable to its transfer agency business and the performance of its duties, obligations and services under this Agreement.
|
3.8
|
The various procedures and systems which it has implemented with regard to safeguarding from loss or damage attributable to fire, theft or any other cause, the Fund’s records and other data and the Transfer Agent’s records, data equipment facilities and other property used in the performance of its obligations hereunder are adequate and that it will make such changes therein from time to time as it may deem reasonably necessary for the secure performance of its obligations hereunder.
|
4.
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH FUND
|
Each Fund represents and warrants to the Transfer Agent that:
4.1
|
The Fund is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland.
|
5
4.2
|
The Fund is empowered under applicable laws and by its organizational documents to enter into and perform this Agreement.
|
4.3
|
All requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize the Fund to enter into, perform and receive services pursuant to this Agreement.
|
4.4
|
The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company.
|
4.5
|
A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), is currently effective and will remain effective, and all 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.
|
5.
|
DATA ACCESS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
|
5.1
|
Each Fund acknowledges that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals furnished to the Fund by the Transfer Agent as part of the Fund’s ability to access certain Fund-related data maintained by the Transfer Agent or another third party on databases under the control and ownership of the Transfer Agent (“Data Access Services”) constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, “Proprietary Information”) of substantial value to the Transfer Agent or another third party. In no event shall Proprietary Information be deemed Customer Information (as defined below) or the confidential information of the Fund. The Fund agrees to treat all Proprietary Information as proprietary to the Transfer Agent and further agrees that it shall not divulge any Proprietary Information to any person or organization except as may be provided hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the Fund agrees for itself and its officers and directors, and its agents, to:
|
(i)
|
use such programs and databases solely on the Fund’s, or such agents’ computers, or solely from equipment at the location(s) agreed to between the Fund and the Transfer Agent, and solely in accordance with the Transfer Agent’s applicable user documentation;
|
(ii)
|
refrain from copying or duplicating in any way the Proprietary Information;
|
(iii)
|
refrain from obtaining unauthorized access to any portion of the Proprietary Information, and if such access is inadvertently obtained, to inform the Transfer Agent in a timely manner of such fact and dispose of such information in accordance with the Transfer Agent’s instructions;
|
(iv)
|
refrain from causing or allowing Proprietary Information transmitted from the Transfer Agent’s computers to the Fund’s, or such agents’ computer to be retransmitted to any other computer facility or other location, except with the prior written consent of the Transfer Agent;
|
6
(v)
|
allow the Fund or such agents to have access only to those authorized transactions agreed upon by the Fund and the Transfer Agent;
|
(vi)
|
honor all reasonable written requests made by the Transfer Agent to protect at the Transfer Agent’s expense the rights of the Transfer Agent in Proprietary Information at common law, under federal copyright law and under other federal or state law.
|
5.2
|
Proprietary Information shall not include all or any portion of any of the foregoing items that are or become publicly available without breach of this Agreement; that are released for general disclosure by a written release by the Transfer Agent; or that are already in the possession of the receiving party at the time of receipt without obligation of confidentiality or breach of this Agreement.
|
5.3
|
If a Fund notifies the Transfer Agent that any of the Data Access Services do not operate in material compliance with the most recently issued user documentation for such services, the Transfer Agent shall endeavor in a timely manner to correct such failure. Organizations from which the Transfer Agent may obtain certain data included in the Data Access Services are solely responsible for the contents of such data, and the Fund agrees to make no claim against the Transfer Agent arising out of the contents of such third-party data, including, but not limited to, the accuracy thereof. DATA ACCESS SERVICES AND ALL COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS, AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. THE TRANSFER AGENT EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES EXCEPT THOSE EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
|
5.4
|
If the transactions available to the Fund include the ability to originate electronic instructions to the Transfer Agent in order to effect the transfer or movement of cash or Shares, Shareholder information or other information, then in such event the Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely on the validity and authenticity of such instruction without undertaking any further inquiry as long as such instruction is undertaken in conformity with security procedures established by the Transfer Agent from time to time.
|
5.5
|
Each party shall take reasonable efforts to advise its employees of their obligations pursuant to this Section. The obligations of this Section shall survive any earlier termination of this Agreement.
|
6.
|
WIRE TRANSFER OPERATING GUIDELINES
|
6.1
|
Obligation of Sender. The Transfer Agent is authorized to promptly debit the appropriate Fund account(s) upon the receipt of a payment order in compliance with the selected security procedure (the “Security Procedure”) chosen for funds transfer in the Funds Transfer Addendum to the Custody Agreement between
|
0
|
Xxxxx Xxxxxx and the Fund and in the amount of money that the Transfer Agent has been instructed to transfer. The Transfer Agent shall execute payment orders in compliance with the Security Procedure and with the Fund’s instructions on the execution date, provided that such payment order is received by the customary deadline for processing such a request, unless the payment order specifies a later time. All payment orders and communications received after the customary deadline will be deemed to have been received the next business day.
|
6.2
|
Security Procedure. The Fund acknowledges that the Security Procedure it has designated on the Funds Transfer Addendum was selected by the Fund from security procedures offered. The Fund shall restrict access to confidential information relating to the Security Procedure to authorized persons as communicated to the Transfer Agent in writing. The Fund must notify the Transfer Agent immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such information or of any change in the Fund’s authorized personnel. The Transfer Agent shall verify the authenticity of all instructions received from the Fund according to the Security Procedure.
|
6.3
|
Account Numbers. The Transfer Agent shall process all payment orders on the basis of the account number contained in the payment order. In the event of a discrepancy between any name indicated on the payment order and the account number, the account number shall take precedence and govern.
|
6.4
|
Rejection. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to decline to process or delay the processing of a payment order which (i) is in excess of the collected balance in the account to be charged at the time of the Transfer Agent’s receipt of such payment order; (ii) if initiating such payment order would cause the Transfer Agent, in the Transfer Agent’s sole judgment, to exceed any volume, aggregate dollar, network, time, credit or similar limits which are applicable to the Transfer Agent; or (iii) if the Transfer Agent, in good faith is unable to satisfy itself that the transaction has been properly authorized.
|
6.5
|
Cancellation Amendment. The Transfer Agent shall use reasonable efforts to act on all authorized requests to cancel or amend payment orders received in compliance with the Security Procedure, provided that such requests are received in a timely manner affording the Transfer Agent reasonable opportunity to act. However, the Transfer Agent assumes no liability if the request for amendment or cancellation cannot be satisfied.
|
6.6
|
Errors. The Transfer Agent shall assume no responsibility for failure to detect any erroneous payment order provided that the Transfer Agent complies with the payment order instructions as received and the Transfer Agent complies with the Security Procedure. The Security Procedure is established for the purpose of authenticating payment orders only and not for the detection of errors in payment orders.
|
8
6.7
|
Interest. The Transfer Agent shall assume no responsibility for lost interest with respect to the refundable amount of any unauthorized payment order, unless the Transfer Agent is notified of the unauthorized payment order within thirty (30) days of notification by the Transfer Agent of the acceptance of such payment order.
|
6.8
|
ACH Credit Entries/Provisional Payments. When a Fund initiates or receives Automated Clearing House credit and debit entries pursuant to these guidelines and the rules of the National Automated Clearing House Association and the New England Clearing House Association, the Transfer Agent will act as an Originating Depository Financial Institution and/or Receiving Depository Financial Institution, as the case may be, with respect to such entries. Credits given by the Transfer Agent with respect to an ACH credit entry are provisional until the Transfer Agent receives final settlement for such entry from the Federal Reserve Bank. If the Transfer Agent does not receive such final settlement, the Fund agrees that the Transfer Agent shall receive a refund of the amount credited to the Fund in connection with such entry, and the party making payment to the Fund via such entry shall not be deemed to have paid the amount of the entry.
|
6.9
|
Confirmation. Confirmation of the Transfer Agent’s execution of payment orders shall ordinarily be provided within twenty four (24) hours notice of which may be delivered through the Transfer Agent’s proprietary information systems, or by facsimile or call-back. The Fund must report any objections to the execution of an order within thirty (30) calendar days.
|
7.
|
STANDARD OF CARE / LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
|
The Transfer Agent shall at all times act in good faith in its performance of all services performed under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors, including encoding and payment processing errors, unless said errors are caused by its gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its employees or agents. The parties agree that any encoding or payment processing errors shall be governed by this standard of care, and that Section 4-209 of the Uniform Commercial Code is superseded by this Section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transfer Agent’s aggregate liability during any term of this Agreement with respect to, arising from or arising in connection with this Agreement, or from all services provided or omitted to be provided by the Transfer Agent to a Fund under this Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed, the aggregate of the amounts actually received from the respective Fund hereunder by the Transfer Agent as fees and charges, but not including reimbursable expenses, during the twelve (12) calendar months immediately preceding the event for which recovery from the Transfer Agent is being sought. In no event shall the Transfer Agent be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages, regardless of the form of action and even if the same were foreseeable.
8.
|
INDEMNIFICATION
|
|
8.1
|
The Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for, and each Fund shall indemnify and hold the Transfer Agent harmless from and against, any and all losses,
|
9
|
damages, costs, charges, counsel fees (including the defense of any lawsuit in which the Transfer Agent or affiliate is a named party), payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to:
|
(i)
|
all actions of the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in good faith and without gross negligence or willful misconduct;
|
(ii)
|
the Fund’s breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of the Fund hereunder;
|
(iii)
|
the Fund’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct;
|
(iv)
|
reliance upon, and any subsequent use of or action taken or omitted, by the Transfer Agent, or its agents or subcontractors on: (a) any information, records, documents, data, stock certificates or services, which are received by the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, facsimile, CRT data entry, electronic instructions or other similar means authorized by the Fund, and which have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Fund or any other person or firm on behalf of the Fund, including but not limited to any broker-dealer, third party administrator or previous transfer agent; (b) any instructions or requests of the Fund or its officers, or the Fund’s agents or subcontractors or their officers or employees; (c) any instructions or opinions of legal counsel to the Fund with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by the Transfer Agent under this Agreement which are provided to the Transfer Agent after consultation with such legal counsel; or (d) any paper or document, reasonably believed to be genuine, authentic, or signed by the proper person or persons;
|
(v)
|
the offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the federal or state securities laws or regulations requiring that such Shares be registered, or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal or state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares;
|
(vi)
|
the negotiation and processing of any checks, wires and ACH transmissions, including without limitation, for deposit into, or credit to, the Fund’s demand deposit accounts maintained by the Transfer Agent;
|
(vii)
|
all actions relating to the transmission of Fund or Shareholder data through the NSCC clearing systems, if applicable; and
|
(viii)
|
any tax obligations under the tax laws of any country or of any state or political subdivision thereof, including taxes, withholding and reporting requirements, claims for exemption and refund, additions for late payment, interest, penalties and other expenses (including legal expenses) that may
|
10
|
be assessed, imposed or charged against the Transfer Agent as transfer agent hereunder.
|
|
8.2
|
At any time the Transfer Agent 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 Transfer Agent under this Agreement, and the Transfer Agent and its agents or subcontractors shall not be 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 Transfer Agent, 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 Transfer Agent 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 Transfer Agent, 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 former registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
|
8.3
|
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which the Fund may be required to indemnify the Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent shall notify the Fund of such assertion, and shall keep the Fund advised with respect to all material developments concerning such claim. The Fund shall have the option to participate with the Transfer Agent in the defense of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own name. The Transfer Agent shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the Fund may be required to indemnify the Transfer Agent except with the Fund’s prior written consent which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
|
9.
|
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF EACH FUND AND THE TRANSFER AGENT
|
9.1
|
Each Fund shall promptly furnish to the Transfer Agent the following:
|
(i)
|
A certificate of the Secretary of the Fund certifying the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund authorizing the appointment of the Transfer Agent and the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
|
(ii)
|
A copy of the Charter and By-Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto.
|
9.2
|
The Transfer Agent hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and procedures for safekeeping of stock certificates, check forms and facsimile
|
11
|
signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such certificates, forms and devices.
|
9.3
|
Records. The Transfer Agent 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 1940 Act and the Rules thereunder, the Transfer Agent agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by the Transfer Agent relating to the services to be performed by the Transfer Agent 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.
|
10.
|
CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY
|
10.1
|
The Transfer Agent and each Fund agree that each shall treat confidentially all information provided by each party to the other party regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by the other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering or receiving services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party. Neither party will use or disclose confidential information for purposes other than the activities contemplated by this Agreement or except as required by law, court process or pursuant to the lawful requirement of a governmental agency, or if the party is advised by counsel that it may incur liability for failure to make a disclosure, or except at the request or with the written consent of the other party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party acknowledges that the other party may provide access to and use of confidential information relating to the other party to the disclosing party’s employees, contractors, sub-contractors, agents, professional advisors, auditors or persons performing similar functions.
|
The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (i) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (ii) that is independently derived by a party hereto without the use of any information provided by the other party hereto in connection with this Agreement, (iii) that is required in any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other similar process, or by operation of law or regulation, or (iv) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Furthermore, and notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, the Transfer Agent may aggregate Fund data with similar data of other customers of the Transfer Agent (“Aggregated Data”) and may use Aggregated Data for purposes of constructing statistical models so long as such Aggregated Data represents a sufficiently large sample that no Fund data can be identified either directly or by inference or implication.
12
The undertakings and obligations contained in this Section 10.1 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years.
10.2
|
The Transfer Agent affirms that it has, and will continue to have throughout the term of this Agreement, procedures in place that are reasonably designed to protect the privacy of non-public personal consumer/customer financial information to the extent required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
|
10.3
|
The Transfer Agent will implement and maintain a written information security program that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal information of the Funds’ shareholders, employees, directors and/or officers that the Transfer Agent receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. For these purposes, “personal information” shall mean (i) an individual’s name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (a) social security number, (b) drivers license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number or (f) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person’s account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual’s account. Notwithstanding the foregoing “personal information” shall not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.
|
11
|
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
|
11.1
|
Termination. This Agreement shall become effective on the date of its execution and shall remain in full force and effect for a period of two (2) years from the effective date (the “Initial Term”) and shall automatically continue in full force and effect after the Initial Term. Either party or the Board may terminate this Agreement at any time after the Initial Term upon at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party.
|
11.2
|
Bankruptcy. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement by notice to the other party, immediately or effective at any time specified therein, in the event that (a) the other party ceases to carry on its business or (b) an action is commenced by or against the other party under Title 11 of the United States Code or a receiver, conservator or similar officer is appointed for the other party and such suit, conservatorship or receivership is not discharged within thirty (30) days.
|
11.3
|
Out of Pocket Expenses. All out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Fund. Additionally, the Transfer Agent 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 in the event the Fund terminates the Agreement under this Section.
|
13
In the event that a registered investment company in addition to the Funds listed on the attached Schedule A, with respect to which such registered investment company desires to have the Transfer Agent render services as transfer agent under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Transfer Agent in writing, and if the Transfer Agent agrees in writing to provide such services, such registered investment company shall become a Fund hereunder.
13. ASSIGNMENT
13.1
|
Except as provided in Section 14 below, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the written consent of the other party.
|
13.2
|
Except as explicitly stated elsewhere in this Agreement, nothing under this Agreement shall be construed to give any rights or benefits in this Agreement to anyone other than the Transfer Agent and the Fund, and the duties and responsibilities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Transfer Agent and the respective Fund. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
|
13.3
|
This Agreement does not constitute an agreement for a partnership or joint venture between the Transfer Agent and the Fund. Other than as provided in Section 14, neither party shall make any commitments with third parties that are binding on the other party without the other party’s prior written consent.
|
14. SUBCONTRACTORS
The Transfer Agent 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 (“BFDS”) which is duly registered as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A(c)(2) of the 1934 Act (“Section 17A(c)(2)”), (ii) a BFDS subsidiary duly registered as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A(c)(2), (iii) a BFDS affiliate duly registered as a transfer agent or (iv) other affiliated or unaffiliated third party duly registered as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A(c)(2); provided, however, that the Transfer Agent shall remain liable to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor under this Section as it is for its own acts and omissions under this Agreement.
15. MISCELLANEOUS
15.1
|
Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement executed by both parties.
|
15.2
|
Massachusetts Law to Apply. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
|
14
15.3
|
Force Majeure. 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.
|
15.4
|
Survival. All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability, and limits thereon, and confidentiality and/or protections of proprietary rights and trade secrets shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
|
15.5
|
Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
|
15.6
|
Priorities Clause. In the event of any conflict, discrepancy or ambiguity between the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and any schedules or attachments hereto, the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement shall take precedence.
|
15.7
|
Waiver. No waiver by either party or any breach or default of any of the covenants or conditions herein contained and performed by the other party shall be construed as a waiver of any succeeding breach of the same or of any other covenant or condition.
|
15.8
|
Merger of Agreement. This Agreement and any schedules, exhibits, attachments or amendments hereto constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
|
15.9
|
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
|
15.10
|
Reproduction of Documents. This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
|
15.11
|
Notices. All notices and other communications as required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows or to such other address or addresses of which the respective party shall have notified the other.
|
15
(a)
|
If to Transfer Agent, to:
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx XxXxxxxx, Transfer Agent Vice President
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
With a copy to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
0 Xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx (XXX/0)
Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx Zeven, Esq.
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
(b)
|
If to the Funds, to:
|
ISI, Inc.
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
|
15.12
|
The parties acknowledge that the obligations of the Funds hereunder are several and not joint, that no Fund shall be liable for any amount owing by another Fund and that the Funds have executed one instrument for convenience only.
|
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
|
||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
|
Senior Vice President
|
ON BEHALF OF THE INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY & INVESTMENT FUNDS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO
|
||
By:
|
/s/ R. Xxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|
Name:
|
R. Xxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
|
President
|
17
Schedule A
LIST OF INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY & INVESTMENT FUNDS
Total Return U.S. Treasury Fund, Inc.
Managed Municipal Fund, Inc.
North American Government Bond Fund, Inc.
ISI Strategy Fund, Inc.