SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This
Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) executed as of December 1, 2006, is between
DELAWARE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a series of Delaware Management Business Trust,
a
Delaware statutory trust (the “Adviser”), and CLEARBRIDGE ADVISORS, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability corporation (the “Sub-Adviser”).
WHEREAS,
Lincoln Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the Core
Fund (the “Fund”) has entered into an Investment Management Agreement with the
Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser has agreed to provide certain investment
management services to the Fund; and
WHEREAS,
the Sub-Adviser is an investment adviser registered under the Investment
Advisors Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”);
WHEREAS,
the Adviser desires to appoint Sub-Adviser as investment sub-adviser to provide
the investment advisory services to the Fund specified herein, and Sub-Adviser
is willing to serve the Fund in such capacity.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and each
of the parties hereto intending to be legally bound, it is agreed as follows:
1. SERVICES
TO BE RENDERED BY SUB-ADVISER TO THE FUND.
(a)
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”)
of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, at its expense, will furnish continuously an
investment program for the Fund which shall at all times meet the
diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code
of
1986 (the “Code”). The Sub-Adviser will make investment decisions on behalf of
the Fund and place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser, at its expense, will furnish (i) all necessary investment and
management facilities, including salaries of personnel, required for it to
execute its duties faithfully and (ii) administrative facilities, including
bookkeeping, clerical personnel and equipment necessary for the efficient
conduct of the investment affairs of the Fund (excluding determination of net
asset value per share, portfolio accounting and shareholder accounting
services).
(c)
The
Sub-Adviser shall vote proxies relating to the Fund’s investment securities in
accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and
shall review its proxy voting activities on a periodic basis with the Trustees.
Upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser, the Trustees may
withdraw the authority granted to the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Section.
(d)
The
Sub-Adviser shall exercise conversion or subscription rights, and respond to
tender offers and other consent solicitations (“Corporate Actions”) with respect
to the issuers of securities held in the Fund in the manner in which the
Sub-Adviser believes to be in the best interests of the Fund, provided materials
relating to such Corporate Actions have been timely received by the Sub-Adviser.
Upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser may
withdraw the authority granted to the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this
Section.
(e)
In
the selection of brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants and the
placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for the
Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain for the Fund the
most
favorable price and execution available, except to the extent it may be
permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions for brokerage and research
services as described below. In using its best efforts to obtain for the Fund
the most favorable price and execution available, the Sub-Adviser, bearing
in
mind the Fund’s best interests at all times, shall consider all factors it deems
relevant, including by way of illustration: price; the size of the transaction;
the nature of the market for the security; the amount of the commission; the
timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends; the
reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker, dealer, or futures
commission merchant involved; and the quality of service rendered by the broker,
dealer or futures commission merchant in other transactions. Subject to such
policies as the Trustees may determine, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed
to
have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement
or
otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a broker, dealer
or futures commission merchant that provides brokerage and research services
to
the Sub-Adviser an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio investment
transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker, dealer or
futures commission merchant would have charged for effecting that transaction,
if the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission
was
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by such broker, dealer or futures commission merchant, viewed in terms
of either that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s over-all
responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other clients of the
Sub-Adviser as to which the Sub-Adviser exercises investment
discretion.
(f)
The
Sub-Adviser will provide advice and assistance to the Adviser as to the
determination of the fair value of certain investments where market quotations
are not readily available for purposes of calculating net asset value of the
Fund in accordance with valuation procedures and methods established by the
Trustees.
(g)
The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Adviser and the Trustees with such information
and
reports regarding the Fund’s investments as the Adviser deems appropriate or as
the Trustees shall reasonably request. The Sub-Adviser shall make its officers
and employees available to the Adviser from time to time at such reasonable
times as the parties may agree to review investment policies of the Fund and
to
consult with the Adviser regarding the investment affairs of the Fund.
(h)
The
Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Fund or a
sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Fund concerning
the assets of the Fund, except as permitted by the policies and procedures
of
the Fund.
(i) In
the
performance of its duties, the Sub-Adviser shall be subject to, and shall
perform in accordance with, the following: (i) provisions of the organizational
documents of the Trust that are applicable to the Fund; (ii) the stated
investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund; (iii) the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); (iv) any written instructions and
directions of the Trustees, the Adviser or Fund management; and (v) its general
fiduciary responsibility to the Fund; and (vi) the Trust’s compliance policies
and procedures adopted from time to time by the Trustees for compliance by
the
Trust with the Federal Securities Laws (as that term is defined in rule
38a-1(e)(1) under the 0000 Xxx) and any other Trust policies and procedures
adopted from time to time by the Trustees (“Trust Procedures”). The Adviser has
furnished or will furnish the Sub-Adviser with copies of the Fund’s Registration
Statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), Articles of
Incorporation, Bylaws and Trust Procedures as currently in effect and agrees
during the continuance of this Agreement to furnish promptly the Sub-Adviser
with copies of any amendments or supplements thereto before or at the time
the
amendments or supplements become effective. Until the Adviser delivers any
such
amendment or supplement to the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall be fully
protected in relying on the Prospectus, SAI, and Trust’s Procedures and any
supplements thereto previously furnished to the Sub-Adviser.
(j)
The
Sub-Adviser shall assist the Fund in the preparation of its registration
statement, prospectus, shareholder reports, marketing materials and other
regulatory filings, or any amendment or supplement thereto (collectively,
“Regulatory Filings”) and shall provide the Fund with complete and accurate
disclosure for use in the Fund’s Regulatory Filings, including, without
limitation, any requested disclosure related to the Sub-Adviser’s investment
management personnel, portfolio manager compensation, Codes of Ethics, firm
description, investment management strategies and techniques, and proxy voting
policies. The Sub-Adviser shall be allowed a reasonable period of time to
perform the tasks described in this paragraph.
(k)
The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Adviser, the Board of Trustees and/or the Chief
Compliance Officer of the Trust and/or the Adviser with such information,
certifications and reports as such persons may deem appropriate or may request
from the Sub-Adviser regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Rule 206(4)-7
of the Advisers Act and the Federal Securities Laws. Such information,
certifications and reports shall include, without limitation, those regarding
the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, Title V of the
Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, the Code of Ethics of the Sub-Adviser and the Trust
and
certifications as to the validity of certain information relating to the
Sub-Adviser or the Fund that is included in the Fund’s Regulatory Filings. The
Sub-Adviser shall make its officers and employees (including its Chief
Compliance Officer) available to the Adviser and/or the Chief Compliance Officer
of the Trust and/or the Adviser from time to time to examine and review the
Sub-Adviser’s compliance program and its adherence thereto.
(l)
Except as expressly provided under this Agreement, neither the Sub-Adviser
nor
any of its officers or employees shall act upon or disclose to any person any
material non-public information with respect to the Fund, the Trust or the
Adviser, including, without limitation, the portfolio holdings of the
Fund.
2. OTHER
AGREEMENTS.
The
investment management services provided by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement
are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to render
similar or different services to others so long as its ability to render the
services provided for in this Agreement shall not be impaired thereby.
3. COMPENSATION
TO BE PAID BY THE ADVISER TO THE SUB-ADVISER.
(a)
As
compensation for the services to be rendered by the Sub-Adviser under the
provisions of this Agreement, the Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser a fee
each
month based on the average daily net assets of the Fund during the month. Such
fee shall be calculated in accordance with the fee schedule applicable to the
Fund as set forth in Schedule
A
attached
hereto.
(b)
The
fee shall be paid by the Adviser, and not by the Fund, and without regard to
any
reduction in the fees paid by the Fund to the Adviser under its management
contract as a result of any statutory or regulatory limitation on investment
company expenses or voluntary fee reduction assumed by the Adviser. Such fee
to
the Sub-Adviser shall be payable for each month within 10 business days after
the end of such month. If the Sub-Adviser shall serve for less than the whole
of
a month, the foregoing compensation shall be prorated.
4. AUTOMATIC
TERMINATION.
This
Agreement shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty,
in
the event of its assignment or in the event that the investment advisory
contract between the Adviser and the Fund shall have terminated for any reason.
5. EFFECTIVE
PERIOD; TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
(a)
This
Agreement shall become effective upon its execution, and shall remain in full
force and effect continuously thereafter (unless terminated automatically as
set
forth in Section 4) until terminated as set forth below. Termination of this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 5 shall be without the payment of any
penalty.
(b)
This
Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from
the
date hereof only so long as continuance is specifically approved at least
annually in conformance with the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this
Agreement may be terminated at any time:
(i)
by
the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund;
(ii)
by
the Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser; or
(iii)
by
the Sub-Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser.
(c)
This
Agreement shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty,
in
the event of its assignment or in the event that the investment advisory
contract between the Fund and the Adviser shall have terminated.
(d)
No
amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless (i) there is written
consent of the parties to this Agreement and (ii) the amendment is approved
in a
manner consistent with the 1940 Act as interpreted or permitted by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and/or its staff.
6.
CERTAIN
INFORMATION.
The
Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser in writing of the occurrence
of
any of the following events: (a) the Sub-Adviser shall fail to be registered
as
an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and under the laws of any
jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an
investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement,
(b)
the Sub-Adviser has a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased
to
qualify or might not qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter
M of the Code (c) the Sub-Adviser shall have been served or otherwise have
notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or
in
equity, before or by any court, public board or body, involving the affairs
of
the Fund, and (d) the principal officers of the Sub-Adviser or any portfolio
manager of the Fund shall have changed.
7. NONLIABILITY
OF SUB-ADVISER.
(a)
In
the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part
of
the Sub-Adviser, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder,
the Sub-Adviser shall not be subject to any liability to the Fund or to any
shareholder of the Fund, for any act or omission in the course of, or connected
with, rendering services hereunder.
(b)
Failure by the Sub-Adviser to assure that the investment program for the Fund
meets the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code, as
required by Section 1 of this Agreement, shall constitute gross negligence
per
se under sub-paragraph 7(a) above.
8.
INDEMNIFICATION.
The
Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify the Adviser and the Fund for, and hold them
harmless against, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Sub-Adviser) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Adviser or the
Fund
may become subject as a result of:
(a)
any
failure by the Sub-Adviser, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to adequately diversify the investment program of the Fund pursuant to the
requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code, and the regulations issued
thereunder; or
(b)
any
untrue statement of a material fact contained in disclosure provided by the
Sub-Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s Registration Statement or any omission
of a material fact required to be stated necessary to make such disclosure
not
misleading;
provided
that the Sub-Adviser shall have been given written notice concerning any matter
for which indemnification is claimed under this Section.
9. CONFIDENTIALITY.
The
Adviser and the Fund agree that they will not disclose the securities holdings
of the Fund to third parties, except (i) as required by applicable law or
regulation; (ii) as required by state or federal regulatory authorities; or
(iii) pursuant to the Trust’s portfolio holdings policy, which may be amended by
the Trust from time to time.
The
Sub-Adviser agrees that in the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement, it will provide certain proprietary materials to the Adviser such
as
the Sub-Adviser’s compliance procedures, approved lists of Fund investments, and
other materials or information that Sub-Adviser shall prominently label or
otherwise describe as “Confidential” (“Confidential Information”). The Adviser
agrees that it will not disclose such Confidential Information, except (i)
as
required by applicable law or regulation; (ii) as required by state or federal
regulatory authorities; (iii) to any of the following parties or as otherwise
reasonably agreed to by the Sub-Adviser in writing:
· |
Trustees
and officers of the Fund;
|
· |
Officers
and employees of the Adviser and the Administrator;
|
· |
Counsel
to any of the Fund, Adviser, Administrator or the Independent Trustees;
or
|
· |
The
independent accountants and any other agent or service provider of
the
Fund.
|
10.
REPRESENTATIONS
The
Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a)
The
Sub-Adviser: (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers
Act
and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains
in
effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act or other law,
regulation or order from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement;
(iii) to the best of its knowledge, has met and will seek to continue to meet
for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal
or
state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry
self-regulatory agency necessary to be met in order to perform the services
contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has the authority to enter into and perform
the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (v) will promptly notify the
Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser
from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to
Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser has adopted policies and procedures and a written code of ethics
complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1
under the Advisers Act, and will provide the Adviser and the Trustees with
copies of such policies and procedures and code of ethics, together with
evidence of its adoption. In accordance with the requirements of Rule 17j-1,
the
Sub-Adviser shall certify to the Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied
in
all material respects with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 during the previous
year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Advisers’s code of
ethics relating to the services the Sub-Adviser performs under this Agreement
or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was
taken
in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Adviser, its employees or its agents all
information required by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) relating to the approval by the Fund’s
Trustees of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics relating to the services the
Sub-Adviser performs under this Agreement.
11. RECORDS;
RIGHT TO AUDIT.
(a)
The
Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain in the form and for the period required by Rule
31a-2 under the 1940 Act, all records relating to the Fund’s investments made by
the Sub-Adviser that are required to be maintained by the Fund pursuant to
the
requirements of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser agrees that
all
records that it maintains on behalf of the Fund are the property of the Fund,
and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon
the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of
such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser
shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act
any
such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement
and shall transfer all such records to any entity designated by the Adviser
upon
the termination of this Agreement.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser agrees that all accounts, books and other records maintained and
preserved by it as required hereby will be subject at any time, and from time
to
time, to such reasonable periodic, special and other examinations by the SEC,
the Fund’s auditors, any representative of the Fund, the Adviser, or any
governmental agency or other instrumentality having regulatory authority over
the Fund.
12. MARKETING
MATERIALS.
(a)
The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Fund, prior to its use, each piece of
advertising, supplemental sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Fund, the Adviser or any of the Adviser’s affiliates is named. No such
material shall be used except with prior written permission of the Fund or
its
delegate. The Fund agrees to respond to any request for approval on a prompt
and
timely basis. Failure by the Fund to respond within ten (10) calendar days
to
the Sub-Adviser shall relieve the Sub-Adviser of the obligation to obtain the
prior written permission of the Fund. If the Sub-Adviser makes an unauthorized
use of the names, derivatives, logos, trademarks, service marks or trade names
of the Fund or the Adviser, the parties acknowledge that these entities shall
suffer irreparable hardship for which monetary damages are inadequate and thus,
the Fund or the Adviser, as applicable, will be entitled to injunctive relief.
(b)
The
Fund shall furnish to the Sub-Adviser, prior to its use, each piece of
advertising, supplemental sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates is named. No such material shall
be used except with prior written permission of the Sub-Adviser or its delegate.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to respond to any request for approval on a prompt and
timely basis. Failure by the Sub-Adviser to respond within ten (10) calendar
days to the Fund shall relieve the Fund of the obligation to obtain the prior
written permission of the Sub-Adviser. If the Adviser or the Fund makes an
unauthorized use of the Sub-Adviser’s names, derivatives, logos, trademarks,
service marks or trade names, the parties acknowledge that the Sub-Adviser
shall
suffer irreparable hardship for which monetary damages are inadequate and thus,
the Sub-Adviser will be entitled to injunctive relief.
(c)
The
parties agree that the name of the Sub-Adviser, the names of any affiliates
of
the Sub-Adviser and any derivative, logo, trademark, service xxxx or trade
name
are the valuable property of the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. Upon
termination of this Agreement, the Adviser and the Fund shall as soon as
practicable cease to use such name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks, service
marks or trade names.
(d)
The
parties agree that they shall have no responsibility to ensure the adequacy
of
the form or content of such advertising, supplemental sales literature or other
promotional material for purposes of the 1940 Act or other applicable laws
and
regulations; provided, however, that each party is responsible for the accuracy
of any information that it gives to the other party which is included in such
advertising, supplemental sales literature or other promotional material.
13.
GOVERNING
LAW.
This
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard
to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall
be
construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.
14.
SEVERABILITY/INTERPRETATION.
If
any
provision of this Agreement is held invalid by a court decision, statute, rule
or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors. Where the effect of a
requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is
altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general
application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such
rule, regulation or order.
15.
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS.
For
the
purposes of this Agreement, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities,” “interested persons,” and “assignment” shall have the
meaning defined in the 1940 Act, and subject to such orders or no-action letters
as may be granted by the SEC and/or its staff.
16. COUNTERPARTS.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed to be an original and, all of which, when taken together, shall consist
of one and the same instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be signed by their
duly authorized representatives, all as of the day and year first above written.
/s/
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Assistant Secretary
CLEARBRIDGE
ADVISORS, LLC
/s/
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title:
Chief Administrative Officer
Accepted
and agreed to
as
of the
day and year
first
above written:
CORE
FUND, a series of
/s/
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
SCHEDULE
A
Fee
Schedule
The
Adviser shall pay to the Sub-Adviser compensation at an annual rate as
follows:
.40%
on
the first $500 million; and
.35%
on
the amount in excess of $500 million
Sub-Advisory
Agreement (“Agreement”) dated September 1, 2006, is by and between Delaware
Management Company, a series of Delaware Management Business Trust, a Delaware
statutory trust (the “Adviser”) and Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company (the “Sub-Adviser”).
Witnesseth:
That
in
consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed as
follows:
1. |
SERVICES
TO BE RENDERED BY SUB-ADVISER TO THE
FUND.
|
a. |
The
Equity-Income Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of the Lincoln Variable
Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust. The
Fund is an eligible investment fund for Lincoln National Variable
Annuity
Account C (the “Separate Account”). Subject always to the control of the
Trustees of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, at its expense, will furnish
continuously an investment program for the Fund which shall at all
times
meet the diversification requirements of Section 817 (h) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Sub-Adviser will make
investment decisions on behalf of the Fund and place all orders for
the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities in accordance with the
provisions of the organizational documents and By-laws of the Trust
and
the stated investment objective, policies and restrictions of the
Fund as
set forth in the Fund’s prospectus. Adviser will provide the Sub-Adviser
with copies of the organizational documents of the Trust and the
Fund’s
prospectus, and any amendments to those items as may occur from time
to
time. Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to safeguard and promote
the
welfare of the Fund, and to comply with other policies which the
Trustees
or the Adviser may from time to time determine and communicate in
writing
to the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall make its officers and employees
available to the Adviser from time to time, at such reasonable times
as
the parties may agree, to review investment policies of the Fund
and to
consult with the Adviser regarding the investment affairs of the
Fund.
|
Sub-Adviser
understands and agrees that in addition to the Separate Account, the Fund
may
also be used as an eligible investment fund for other variable annuity and/or
variable life insurance separate accounts.
b. |
The
Sub-Adviser, at its expense, will furnish (i) all necessary investment
and
management facilities, including salaries of personnel, required
for it to
execute its duties faithfully and (ii) administrative facilities,
including bookkeeping, clerical personnel and equipment necessary
for the
efficient conduct of the investment affairs of the Fund (excluding
determination of net asset value per share and shareholder accounting
services).
|
As
a
particular service to be rendered by Sub-Adviser, but not by way of limitation,
Sub-Adviser shall vote proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities.
c. |
In
the selection of brokers and dealers and the placing of orders for
the
purchase and sale of portfolio investments for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser
shall use its best efforts to obtain for the Fund the most favorable
price
and execution available, except to the extent it may be permitted
to pay
higher brokerage commissions for brokerage and research services
as
described below. In using its best efforts to obtain for the Fund
the most
favorable price and execution available, the Sub-Adviser, bearing
in mind
the Fund’s best interests at all times, shall consider all factors it
deems relevant, including by way of illustration: price, the size
of the
transaction; the nature of the market for the security; the amount
of the
commission; the timing of the transaction taking into account market
prices and trends; the reputation, experience and financial stability
of
the broker or dealer involved; and the quality of service rendered
by the
broker or dealer in other transactions. Subject to such policies
as the
Trustees of the Trust may determine, the Sub-Adviser shall not be
deemed
to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by
this
Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the
Fund to
pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage and research services
to
the Sub-Adviser an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio
investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another
broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction,
if the
Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission
was
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services
provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that
particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s over-all responsibilities with
respect to the Fund and to other clients of the Sub-Adviser as to
which
the Sub-Adviser exercises investment
discretion.
|
d. |
The
Sub-Adviser shall not be obligated to pay any expenses of or for
the Fund
not expressly assumed by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to Section 1 other
than
as provided in Section 3.
|
2. |
OTHER
AGREEMENTS, ETC.
|
It
is
understood that any of the shareholders of the Fund or Trustees, officers
and
employees of the Trust may be a shareholder, director, trustee, officer or
employee of, or be otherwise interested in, the Sub-Adviser, and in any person
controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Adviser; and that the
Sub-Adviser and any person controlled by or under common control with the
Sub-Adviser may have an interest in the Fund or the Variable Annuity, or
any
other investment vehicle for which the Fund is an eligible investment
fund.
3. |
COMPENSATION
TO BE PAID BY THE ADVISER TO THE
SUB-ADVISER
|
The
Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s
services rendered and for the expenses born by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to
Section 1, a fee, computed and paid at the annual rate of:
0.45%
on
the first $250,000,000
0.40%
on
the next $500,000,000
0.35%
on
the excess over $750,000,000
Such
fee
shall be paid by the Adviser, and not by the Fund, and without regard to
any
reduction in the fees paid by the Fund to the Adviser under its management
contract as a result of any statutory or regulatory limitation on investment
company expenses or voluntary fee reduction assumed by the Adviser. Such
fee
shall be payable for each month within ten (10) business days after the end
of
such month.
If
the
Sub-Adviser shall serve for less than the whole of a month, the foregoing
compensation shall be prorated.
4. |
ASSIGNMENT
TERMINATES THIS AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS OF THIS
AGREEMENT.
|
This
Agreement shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty,
in
the event of its assignment or in the event that the investment advisory
contract between the Adviser and the Fund shall have terminated for any reason;
and this Agreement shall not be amended unless such amendment be approved
at a
meeting by affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the
Fund
and by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on
such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested
persons of the Trust or the Adviser or of the Sub-Adviser.
5. |
EFFECTIVE
PERIOD AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
|
This
Agreement shall become effective as of September 1, 2006 and shall remain
in
full force and effect continuously thereafter (unless terminated automatically
as set forth in Section 4) until terminated as follows:
a. |
The
Fund may at any time terminate this Agreement by not less than sixty
(60)
days’ written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage
prepaid, to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser; or
|
b. |
If
(i) the Trustees of the Trust or the shareholders by the affirmative
vote
of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund and (ii) a majority
of
the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the
Adviser
or of the Sub-Adviser, by vote cast in person at a meeting called
for the
purpose of voting on such approval, do not specifically approve at
least
annually the continuance of the Agreement, then this Agreement shall
automatically terminate at the close of business on the second anniversary
of its execution, or upon the expiration of one year from the effective
date of the last such continuance, whichever is later; provided,
however,
that if the continuance of this Agreement is submitted to the shareholders
of the Fund for their approval and such shareholders fail to approve
such
continuance of this Agreement as provided herein, the Sub-Adviser
may
continue to serve hereunder in a manner consistent with the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder; or
|
c. |
The
Adviser may at any time terminate this Agreement by not less than
ninety
(90) days’ written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage
prepaid, to the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser may at any time
terminate
this Agreement by not less than ninety (90) days’ written notice delivered
or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the
Adviser.
|
Action
by
the Fund under (a) above may be taken either (i) by vote of a majority of
its
Trustees, or (ii) by affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares
of
the Fund.
Termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 5 shall be without the payment of any
penalty.
6. |
CERTAIN
INFORMATION
|
The
Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser in writing of the occurrence
of
any of the following events:
a. |
The
Sub-Adviser shall fail to be registered as an investment adviser
under the
1940 Act and under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser
is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to
perform
its obligations under this Agreement;
|
b. |
The
Sub-Adviser shall have been served or otherwise have notice of any
action,
suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity,
before or
by any court, public board or body, involving the affairs of the
Fund;
|
c. |
The
ownership of more than 51% of the common stock of the Sub-Adviser,
or any
of the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio managers for the Fund shall have changed.
|
d. |
The
Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President of the
Sub-Adviser, or
any of the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio managers for the Fund shall have
changed.
|
7. |
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
|
For
the
purpose of this Agreement, the “affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares” means the affirmative vote, at a duly called and held
meeting of shareholders, (a) of the holders of 67% or more of the shares
of the
Fund present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at such meeting,
if
the holders of more that 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled
to
vote at such meeting are present in person or by proxy, or (b) of the holders
of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at such
meeting, whichever is less.
For
the
purposes of this Agreement, the terms “affiliated person,” “control,”
“interested person” and “assignment” shall have their respective meanings
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations
thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act; the term “specifically
approve at least annually” shall be construed in a manner consistent with the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder;
and the
term “brokerage and research services” shall have the meaning given in the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Rules and Regulations
thereunder.
8. |
NONLIABILITY
OF SUB-ADVISER
|
In
the
absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part
of the
Sub-Adviser, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder,
the
Sub-Adviser shall not be subject to any liability to the Fund or to any
shareholder of the Fund, for any act or omission in the course of, or connected
with, the rendering of services hereunder.
Sub-Adviser,
its directors, trustees, officers or employees shall not be liable to the
Lincoln Entities defined in Section 9 for any loss suffered solely as a
consequence of any action or inaction of any custodian of the Fund in failing
to
observe the instructions of the Sub-Adviser.
9. |
EXCEPTIONS
TO NON-LIABILITY
|
Notwithstanding
Section 8 above, Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify the Fund, the Adviser, the
Separate Account and the Depositor of the Separate Account (the “Lincoln
Entities”) for, and hold them harmless against, any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of the Sub-Adviser) and litigation (including legal and other expenses)
to which the Lincoln Entities, or any of them, may become subject under any
statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as those losses, claims damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements arise
as
a result of any failure by the Sub-Adviser, whether unintentional or in good
faith or otherwise:
a. |
To
adequately diversify the investment program of the Fund, pursuant
to the
requirements of the Section 817(h) of the Code, and the regulations
issued
thereunder (including, but not by way of limitation, Reg. Sec. 1.817-5),
relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity,
endowment, and life insurance contracts.
|
b. |
To
supply the Lincoln Entities, or any of them, with the accurate information
by which they, or any of them, may properly calculate the accumulation
and/or annuity unit values, or provide other information to the public,
to
its clients or prospects, or to any regulatory body, all as may be
mandated by law or required pursuant to the relevant Prospectuses
and
Registration Statements for the Fund and for the Separate Account
and any
other separate accounts it may serve.
|
10. |
USE
OF SUB-ADVISER’S NAME
|
Adviser
will not use Sub-Adviser’s name (nor that of any affiliate) in its marketing or
sales literature, without prior review and approval by Sub-Adviser, which
approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
11. |
RIGHT
OF AUDIT
|
The
Fund
shall own and control all the pertinent records pertaining to transactions
under
this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall permit employees or legal representatives
of the Lincoln Entities (including independent auditors), or any of them,
at the
Lincoln Entities’ reasonable discretion, to audit the books and records
(including, but not by way of limitation, electronic data files, and e-mail,
whether on-line or in storage) of Sub-Adviser which relate to transactions
which
are the subject of this Agreement. Any audit will be conducted during normal
business hours of the Sub-Adviser and on the Sub-Adviser’s premises. Sub-Adviser
agrees to provide to the Lincoln Entities, without charge, reasonable access
to
its facilities and personnel during the conduct of any audit. Sub-Adviser
may
charge a reasonable fee for photocopying and other out-of-pocket costs
associated with an audit conducted under this Section.
12. |
ALTERNATIVE
RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES
|
Prior
to
commencing litigation over any dispute arising out of or relating to this
agreement the parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute
by the
following means:
a. |
Negotiation.
Any party may give the other party(ies) written notice of any dispute
not
resolved in the normal course of business. Within twenty (20) days
after
delivery of that notice, executives from those parties involved in
the
dispute and who have authority to settle the controversy shall meet
at a
mutually acceptable time and place, and thereafter as often as they
reasonably deem necessary, to exchange relevant information and to
attempt
to resolve the dispute. If the matter has not been resolved within
120
days of the disputing party’s notice, or if the parties fail to meet
within the twenty (20) days, any of the disputing parties may initiate
a
minitrial of the controversy or claim as provided in Paragraph (b).
If a
negotiator intends to be accompanied at a meeting by an attorney,
the
other negotiator(s) shall be given at least three (3) working days’ notice
of that intention and may also be accompanied by an attorney.
|
b. |
Minitrial.
If
the dispute has not been resolved by negotiation as provided herein,
the
disputing parties shall endeavor to settle the dispute by minitrial
under
the then current Center For Public Resources (“CPR”) Model Minitrial
Procedure, assisted by a neutral third party who will be selected
by the
disputing parties from the CPR Panels of Neutrals. If the disputing
parties encounter difficulty in agreeing on a neutral third party,
they
will seek the assistance of CPR in the selection
process.
|
c. |
Extension
of Deadlines.
Any or all of the deadlines set forth in this Section 12 may be extended
by mutual agreement of the disputing parties.
|
d. |
Confidentiality.
All negotiations pursuant to this Section 12 are confidential and
shall be
treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of
the
Federal Rules of Evidence and applicable State Rules of Evidence.
|
e. |
No
Waiver.
Nothing in this Section 12 shall be construed to constitute a waiver
of
any right provided by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to any
party to
this agreement.
|
13. |
CHOICE
OF LAW
|
This
agreement shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the law of
the
State of Indiana.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, DELAWARE MANAGEMENT COMPANY and PYRAMIS GLOBAL ADVISORS,
LLC
have each caused this Instrument to be signed in duplicate on its behalf
by its
duly authorized representative, all as of the day and year first above written.
DELAWARE
MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a series of Delaware Management Business Trust
By:
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Assistant Vice President
PYRAMIS
GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
Accepted
and Agreed to By:
EQUITY-INCOME
FUND,
a
series
of Lincoln Variable Insurance
Products
Trust
By:
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
This
Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) executed as of December 1, 2006 is by and
between Lincoln Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of
the Growth Fund, a series of the Trust, Delaware Management Company, a series
of
Delaware Management Business Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Adviser”),
and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(the “Sub-Adviser”).
WHEREAS,
the Lincoln Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the
Growth Fund (the “Fund”), has entered into an Investment Management Agreement,
effective May 1, 2005, with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser has
agreed to provide certain investment management services to the Fund;
and
WHEREAS,
the Adviser desires to appoint Sub-Adviser as investment sub-adviser to provide
the investment advisory services to the Fund specified herein, and Sub-Adviser
is willing to serve the Fund in such capacity.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and
each
of the parties hereto intending to be legally bound, it is agreed as follows:
1. SERVICES
TO BE RENDERED BY SUB-ADVISER TO THE FUND.
(a)
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”)
of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, at its expense, will furnish continuously
an
investment program for the Fund which shall at all times meet the
diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code
of
1986 (the “Code”). The Sub-Adviser will make investment decisions on behalf of
the Fund and place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser, at its expense, will furnish (i) all necessary investment and
management facilities, including salaries of personnel, required for it to
execute its duties faithfully and (ii) administrative facilities, including
bookkeeping, clerical personnel and equipment necessary for the efficient
conduct of the investment affairs of the Fund (excluding determination of
net
asset value per share, portfolio accounting and shareholder accounting
services). The Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for other expenses of
the
Fund, including, without limitation, fees of the Fund’s independent public
accountants, transfer agent, custodian and other service providers who are
not
employees of the Sub-Adviser; brokerage commissions and other
transaction-related expenses; tax reporting; taxes levied against the Fund
or
any of its assets; and interest expenses of the Fund.
(c)
The
Sub-Adviser shall vote proxies relating to the Fund’s investment securities in
the manner in which the Sub-Adviser believes to be in the best interests
of the
Fund, and shall review its proxy voting activities on a periodic basis with
the
Trustees. Upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser, the Trustees
may withdraw the authority granted to the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Section.
(d)
The
Sub-Adviser will consult with the Adviser, at Adviser’s request, regarding
conversion or subscription rights, tender offers, or other consent solicitations
(“Corporate Actions”) with respect to the issuers of securities held in the
Fund. The Sub-Adviser will also consult with the Adviser, at Adviser’s request,
regarding any claim or potential claim in any bankruptcy proceedings, class
action securities litigation, or other litigation or proceedings affecting
securities held at any time in the Fund (“Litigation”). The Sub-Adviser agrees
that it shall provide the Adviser with any documentation relating to the
Corporate Actions or Litigation as the Adviser may reasonably request.
(e)
In
the selection of brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants and the
placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for
the
Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain for the Fund the
most
favorable price and execution available, except to the extent it may be
permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions for brokerage and research
services as described below. In using its best efforts to obtain for the
Fund
the most favorable price and execution available, the Sub-Adviser, bearing
in
mind the Fund’s best interests at all times, shall consider all factors it deems
relevant, including by way of illustration: price; the size of the transaction;
the nature of the market for the security; the amount of the commission;
the
timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends; the
reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker, dealer, or
futures
commission merchant involved; and the quality of service rendered by the
broker,
dealer or futures commission merchant in other transactions. Subject to such
policies as the Trustees may determine, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed
to
have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement
or
otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a broker,
dealer
or futures commission merchant that provides brokerage and research services
to
the Sub-Adviser an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio investment
transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker, dealer
or
futures commission merchant would have charged for effecting that transaction,
if the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission
was
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by such broker, dealer or futures commission merchant, viewed in
terms
of either that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s over-all
responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other clients of the
Sub-Adviser as to which the Sub-Adviser exercises investment
discretion.
To
the
extent consistent with applicable law, the Sub-Adviser may aggregate purchase
or
sell orders for the Fund with contemporaneous purchase and sell orders of
other
clients of the Sub-Adviser or its affiliated persons. In such event, allocation
of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred
in the
transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner the Sub-Adviser
determines to be equitable and consistent with its and its affiliates’ fiduciary
obligations to the Fund and to such other clients. The Adviser hereby
acknowledges that such aggregation of orders may not result in more favorable
pricing or lower brokerage commissions in all instances.
(f)
The
Sub-Adviser will provide advice and assistance to the Investment Adviser
as to
the determination of the fair value of certain investments where market
quotations are not readily available for purposes of calculating net asset
value
of the Fund in accordance with valuation procedures and methods established
by
the Trustees.
(g)
The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Adviser and the Board of Trustees with such
information and reports regarding the Fund’s investments as the Adviser deems
appropriate or as the Board of Trustees shall reasonably request. The
Sub-Adviser shall make its officers and employees available to the Adviser
from
time to time at such reasonable times as the parties may agree to review
investment policies of the Fund and to consult with the Adviser regarding
the
investment affairs of the Fund.
(h)
The
Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Fund or a
sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Fund concerning
the assets of the Fund, except as permitted by the policies and procedures
of
the Fund.
(i) In
the
performance of its duties, the Sub-Adviser shall be subject to, and shall
perform in accordance with, the following: (i) provisions of the organizational
documents of the Trust that are applicable to the Fund; (ii) the stated
investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund; (iii) the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); (iv) any written instructions and directions of
the Trustees, the Adviser or Fund management; and (v) its general fiduciary
responsibility to the Fund. Adviser agrees to provide to the Sub-Adviser
on an
on-going basis copies of all amendments and supplements to the Fund’s current
Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, and copies of any
procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees that are applicable to the
Sub-Adviser and the Fund and any amendments thereto. Until the Adviser delivers
to the Sub-Adviser any supplements or amendments to the documents described
in
the foregoing sentence, the Sub-Adviser shall be fully protected in relying
on
the most recent versions of such documents previously furnished to the
Sub-Adviser. In addition, Adviser shall furnish the Sub-Adviser with copies
of
any financial statements or reports that the Trust files with the Securities
and
Exchange Commission and provides to shareholders. Adviser further agrees
to
furnish the Sub-Adviser with any materials or information that the Sub-Adviser
may reasonably request to enable it to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.
(j)
The
Sub-Adviser shall provide reasonable assistance to the Fund in the preparation
of its registration statement, prospectus, shareholder reports, marketing
materials and other regulatory filings, or any amendment or supplement thereto
(collectively, “Regulatory Filings”) and upon reasonable request shall provide
the Fund with disclosure for use in the Fund’s Regulatory Filings, including,
without limitation, any requested disclosure related to the Sub-Adviser’s
investment management personnel, portfolio manager compensation, Codes of
Ethics, firm description, investment management strategies and techniques,
and
proxy voting policies.
(k)
The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Adviser, the Board of Trustees and/or the Chief
Compliance Officer of the Trust and/or the Adviser with such information,
certifications and reports as such persons may deem appropriate or may request
from the Sub-Adviser regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Rule 206(4)-7
of the Advisers Act and the Federal Securities Laws, as defined in Rule 38a-1
under the 1940 Act. Such information, certifications and reports shall include,
without limitation, those regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, Title V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, the Code
of
Ethics of the Sub-Adviser and the Trust and certifications as to the validity
of
certain information included in the Fund’s Regulatory Filings. The Sub-Adviser
shall make its officers and employees (including its Chief Compliance Officer)
available to the Adviser and/or the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust
and/or
the Adviser from time to time to examine and review the Sub-Adviser’s compliance
program and its adherence thereto.
(l)
Except as expressly provided under this Agreement, neither the Sub-Adviser
nor
any of its officers or employees shall act upon or disclose to any person
any
material non-public information with respect to the Fund, the Trust or the
Adviser, including, without limitation, the portfolio holdings of the
Fund.
(m)
Each
of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will provide the other party with a list,
to
the best of each party’s respective knowledge, of each affiliated person (and
any affiliated person of such an affiliated person) of Adviser or the
Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, and each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser
agrees to promptly update such list whenever the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser
becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from the
list of
affiliated persons.
2. OTHER
AGREEMENTS.
The
investment management services provided by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement
are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to render
similar or different services to others so long as its ability to render
the
services provided for in this Agreement shall not be impaired thereby.
3. COMPENSATION
TO BE PAID BY THE ADVISER TO THE SUB-ADVISER.
(a)
As
compensation for the services to be rendered by the Sub-Adviser under the
provisions of this Agreement, the Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser a fee
each
month based on the average daily net assets of the Fund during the month.
Such
fee shall be calculated in accordance with the fee schedule applicable to
the
Fund as set forth in Schedule
A
attached
hereto.
(b)
The
fee shall be paid by the Adviser, and not by the Fund, and without regard
to any
reduction in the fees paid by the Fund to the Adviser under its management
contract as a result of any statutory or regulatory limitation on investment
company expenses or voluntary fee reduction assumed by the Adviser. Such
fee to
the Sub-Adviser shall be payable for each month within 10 business days after
the end of such month. If the Sub-Adviser shall serve for less than the whole
of
a month, the foregoing compensation shall be prorated.
4. AUTOMATIC
TERMINATION.
This
Agreement shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty,
in
the event of its assignment or in the event that the investment advisory
contract between the Adviser and the Fund shall have terminated for any reason.
5. EFFECTIVE
PERIOD; TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
(a)
This
Agreement shall become effective upon its execution, and shall remain in
full
force and effect continuously thereafter (unless terminated automatically
as set
forth in Section 4) until terminated as set forth below. Termination of this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 5 shall be without the payment of any
penalty.
(b)
This
Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from
the
date hereof only so long as continuance is specifically approved at least
annually in conformance with the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this
Agreement may be terminated at any time:
(i)
by
the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund;
(ii)
by
the Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser; or
(iii)
by
the Sub-Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser.
(c)
No
amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless (i) there is written
consent of the parties to this Agreement and (ii) the amendment is approved
in a
manner consistent with the 1940 Act as interpreted or permitted by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and/or its staff.
6.
CERTAIN
INFORMATION.
(a)
The
Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser in writing of the occurrence
of
any of the following events: (i) the Sub-Adviser shall fail to be registered
as
an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and under the laws of any
jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an
investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(ii) the Sub-Adviser has a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has
ceased to qualify or might not qualify as a regulated investment company
under
Subchapter M of the Code; (iii) the Sub-Adviser shall have been served or
otherwise have notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation,
at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, involving
the
affairs of the Fund; and (iv) the principal officers of the Sub-Adviser or
any
portfolio manager of the Fund shall have changed.
(b)
The
Adviser shall promptly notify the Sub-Adviser in writing of the occurrence
of
any of the following events: (i) the Adviser shall fail to be registered
as an
investment adviser under the Advisers Act and under the laws of any jurisdiction
in which the Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser
in
order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) the Adviser
has
a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to qualify or might
not qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.
7. NONLIABILITY
OF SUB-ADVISER.
(a)
In
the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the
part of
the Sub-Adviser (and its officers, directors, agents and employees), or reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder, the Sub-Adviser shall
not be
subject to any liability to the Fund or to any shareholder of the Fund, for
any
act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services
hereunder.
(b)
Failure by the Sub-Adviser to assure that the investment program for the
Fund
meets the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code, as
required by Section 1 of this Agreement, shall constitute gross negligence
per
se under sub-paragraph 7(a) above.
(c)
Failure by the Sub-Adviser to assure that any disclosure provided by the
Sub-Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s Regulatory Filings does not (i) contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or (ii) omit to state a material
fact
required to be stated necessary to make such disclosure not misleading, shall
constitute gross negligence per se under sub-paragraph 7(a) above.
8.
INDEMNIFICATION.
The
Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify the Adviser and the Fund for, and hold them
harmless against, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Sub-Adviser) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Adviser or the
Fund
may become subject as a result of:
(a)
any
failure by the Sub-Adviser, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to adequately diversify the investment program of the Fund pursuant to the
requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code, and the regulations issued
thereunder; or
(b)
any
untrue statement of a material fact contained in disclosure provided by the
Sub-Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s Regulatory Filings or any omission of a
material fact required to be stated necessary to make such disclosure not
misleading;
provided
that the Sub-Adviser shall have been given written notice concerning any
matter
for which indemnification is claimed under this Section.
9. RECORDS;
RIGHT TO AUDIT.
(a)
The
Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain in the form and for the period required by
Rule
31a-2 under the 1940 Act, all records relating to the Fund’s investments made by
the Sub-Adviser that are required to be maintained by the Fund pursuant to
the
requirements of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser agrees that
all
records that it maintains on behalf of the Fund are the property of the Fund,
and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any such records
upon
the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of
such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser
shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act
any
such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement
and shall transfer all such records to any entity designated by the Adviser
upon
the termination of this Agreement.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser agrees that all accounts, books and other records maintained
and
preserved by it as required hereby will be subject at any time, and from
time to
time, to such reasonable periodic, special and other examinations by the
SEC,
the Fund’s auditors, any representative of the Fund, the Adviser, or any
governmental agency or other instrumentality having regulatory authority
over
the Fund.
10. MARKETING
MATERIALS.
(a)
The
Fund shall furnish to the Sub-Adviser, prior to its use, each piece of
advertising, supplemental sales literature or other promotional material
in
which the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates is named. No such material
shall
be used except with prior written permission of the Sub-Adviser or its delegate.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to respond to any request for approval on a prompt
and
timely basis. Failure by the Sub-Adviser to respond within ten (10) calendar
days of receipt of such promotional material to the Fund shall relieve the
Fund
of the obligation to obtain the prior written permission of the Sub-Adviser.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the names “BlackRock
Investment Management” and “BlackRock” and any derivative name, logo or
trademark, service xxxx or trade name (collectivity, “Name”) are the valuable
property of the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates and may not be used by the
Fund
or the Adviser without the Sub-Adviser’s prior written approval. Failure by the
Sub-Adviser to respond within three (3) business days of receipt of a request
to
use the Name shall relieve the Fund or the Adviser of the obligation to obtain
the prior written permission of the Sub-Adviser.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Fund, prior to its use, each piece of
advertising, supplemental sales literature or other promotional material
in
which the Fund, the Adviser or any of the Adviser’s affiliates is named. No such
material shall be used except with prior written permission of the Fund or
its
delegate. The Fund agrees to respond to any request for approval on a prompt
and
timely basis. Failure by the Fund to respond within ten (10) calendar days
of
receipt of such promotional material to the Sub-Adviser shall relieve the
Sub-Adviser of the obligation to obtain the prior written permission of the
Fund.
11. REPRESENTATIONS
AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
(a)
The
Adviser hereby represents and warrants to the Sub-Adviser that (i) this
Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on
behalf
of the Adviser and is a valid and binding agreement of the Adviser enforceable
in accordance with its terms; and (ii) it has received a copy of the
Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV at least 48 hours prior to the execution of this
Agreement and has delivered a copy of the same to the Fund.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants to the Adviser that this Agreement
has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of
the
Sub- Adviser and is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser enforceable
in accordance with its terms.
12.
GOVERNING
LAW.
This
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without
regard
to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall
be
construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.
13.
SEVERABILITY/INTERPRETATION.
If
any
provision of this Agreement is held invalid by a court decision, statute,
rule
or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors. Where the effect of a
requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement
is
altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or
general
application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of
such
rule, regulation or order.
14.
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS.
For
the
purposes of this Agreement, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities,” “interested persons,” and “assignment” shall have the
meaning defined in the 1940 Act, and subject to such orders or no-action
letters
as may be granted by the SEC and/or its staff.
15.
NOTICES.
All
notices required to be given pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement shall
be
(i) delivered or mailed to the business address of the applicable party as
set
forth below in person or by registered mail or a private mail or delivery
service providing the sender with notice of receipt or (ii) sent by facsimile
transmission to the other party at the following facsimile numbers and followed
by written confirmation of such notice delivered in accordance with clause
(i)
of this section. Notice shall be deemed given on the date delivered, mailed
or
sent by facsimile transmission in accordance with this paragraph.
If
to
Adviser:
Delaware
Management Company, a series of
Delaware
Management Business Trust
0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn:
General Counsel
If
to
Sub-Adviser:
BlackRock
Investment Management, LLC
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx (0X)
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
General Counsel
16. COUNTERPARTS.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed to be an original and, all of which, when taken together, shall consist
of one and the same instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be signed by
their
duly authorized representatives, all as of the day and year first above written.
DELAWARE
MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a series of Delaware Management Business Trust
/s/
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx Title:
Assistant Secretary
BLACKROCK
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT,
LLC
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
Managing Director
Accepted
and agreed to
as
of the
day and year
first
above written:
GROWTH
FUND, a series of
/s/
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
SCHEDULE
A
Fee
Schedule
The
Adviser shall pay to the Sub-Adviser compensation at an annual rate as
follows:
.40%
of
the first $500 million
.35%
of
the excess over $500 million
This
Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) executed as of December 1, 2006, is between
DELAWARE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a series of Delaware Management Business Trust,
a
Delaware statutory Trust (the “Adviser”), and BAMCO, INC., a New York
corporation (the “Sub-Adviser”).
WHEREAS,
Lincoln Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the Growth
Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) has entered into an Investment Management
Agreement, effective May 1, 2005, with the Adviser (the “Investment Management
Agreement”), pursuant to which the Adviser has agreed to provide certain
investment management services to the Fund; and
WHEREAS,
the Adviser desires to appoint Sub-Adviser as investment sub-adviser to provide
the investment advisory services to the Fund specified herein, and Sub-Adviser
is willing to serve the Fund in such capacity.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and
each
of the parties hereto intending to be legally bound, it is agreed as follows:
1. SERVICES
TO BE RENDERED BY SUB-ADVISER TO THE FUND.
(a)
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”)
of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, at its expense, will furnish continuously
an
investment program for the Fund which shall meet the diversification
requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
“Code”). The Sub-Adviser will make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund
and place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser, as the Adviser’s agent and
attorney in fact, is duly authorized without further approval with respect
to
the Fund, except as otherwise required by law: (i) to make all investment
decisions; (ii) to buy, sell and otherwise trade in securities; and (iii)
in
furtherance of the foregoing, to do anything which Sub-Adviser shall deem
requisite, appropriate or advisable, including, without limitation, the
submission of instructions to the custodian of the Fund, and the selection
of
such brokers or dealers as the Sub-Adviser shall determine.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser, at its expense, will furnish (i) all necessary investment and
management facilities, including salaries of personnel, required for it to
execute its duties hereunder.
(c)
The
Sub-Adviser shall vote proxies relating to the Fund’s investment securities in
the manner in which the Sub-Adviser believes to be in the best interests
of the
Fund, and shall review its proxy voting activities on a periodic basis with
the
Trustees. Upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser, the Trustees
may withdraw the authority granted to the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Section
1(c).
(d)
In
the selection of brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants and the
placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for
the
Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain for
the
Fund the most favorable price and execution available, except to the extent
it
may be permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions for brokerage and research
services as described below. In using its reasonable best efforts to obtain
for
the Fund the most favorable price and execution available, the Sub-Adviser,
bearing in mind the Fund’s best interests at all times, shall consider all
factors it deems relevant, including by way of illustration: price; the size
of
the transaction; the nature of the market for the security; the amount of
the
commission; the timing of the transaction taking into account market prices
and
trends; the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker,
dealer, or futures commission merchant involved; and the quality of service
rendered by the broker, dealer or futures commission merchant in other
transactions. Subject to such policies as the Trustees may determine and
deliver
in writing to the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have
acted
unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise
solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a broker, dealer or
futures commission merchant that provides brokerage and research services
to the
Sub-Adviser an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio investment
transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker, dealer
or
futures commission merchant would have charged for effecting that transaction,
if the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission
was
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by such broker, dealer or futures commission merchant, viewed in
terms
of either that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s over-all
responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other clients of the
Sub-Adviser as to which the Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion.
(e)
The
Sub-Adviser will provide advice and assistance to the Investment Adviser
as to
the determination of the fair value of certain investments where market
quotations are not readily available for purposes of calculating net asset
value
of the Fund in accordance with valuation procedures and methods established
by
the Trustees.
(f)
The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Adviser and the Board of Trustees with such
information and reports regarding the Fund’s investments as the Board of
Trustees or Adviser shall reasonably request. The Sub-Adviser shall make
its
officers and employees available to the Adviser from time to time upon
reasonable notice at such reasonable times as the parties may agree to review
investment policies of the Fund and to consult with the Adviser regarding
the
investment affairs of the Fund.
(g)
The
Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Fund or a
sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Fund concerning
the assets of the Fund, except as permitted by the policies and procedures
of
the Fund.
(h) In
the
performance of its duties, the Sub-Adviser shall be subject to, and shall
perform in accordance with, the following: (i) provisions of the organizational
documents of the Trust that are applicable to the Fund; (ii) the stated
investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund; (iii) the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and (iv) its general fiduciary responsibility to
the Fund. Subject to the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall also perform its
duties hereunder subject to any written instructions of the Trustees, the
Adviser or an officer of the Fund.
(i)
The
Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund with disclosure regarding the Sub-Adviser
or
the Fund for use in the Fund’s registration statement, prospectus, shareholder
reports, marketing materials and other regulatory filings, or any amendment
or
supplement thereto (collectively, “Regulatory Filings”), including, without
limitation, disclosure related to the Sub-Adviser’s investment management
personnel, portfolio manager compensation, Codes of Ethics, firm description,
investment management strategies and techniques, and proxy voting policies.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to disclosure regarding the Fund,
the Sub-Adviser shall be required to provide disclosure regarding the Fund
to
the extent such information is directly or indirectly related to the performance
of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement or is otherwise reasonably
available to the Sub-Adviser.
(j)
The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Adviser, the Board of Trustees and/or the Chief
Compliance Officer of the Trust and/or the Adviser with such information,
certifications and reports as such persons may reasonably deem appropriate
or
may reasonably request from the Sub-Adviser regarding the Sub-Adviser’s
compliance with Rule 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act and the Federal Securities
Laws, as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Such information,
certifications and reports shall include, without limitation, those regarding
the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, Title V of the
Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, the Code of Ethics of the Sub-Adviser and the Trust
and
certifications as to the validity of certain information included in the
Fund’s
Regulatory Filings. The Sub-Adviser shall make its officers and employees
(including its Chief Compliance Officer) available to the Adviser and/or
the
Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust and/or the Adviser from time to time
upon
reasonable notice and at reasonable times to discuss and review the
Sub-Adviser’s compliance program.
(k)
Except as expressly provided under this Agreement, neither the Sub-Adviser
nor
any of its officers or employees shall act upon or disclose to any person
any
material non-public information with respect to the Fund, the Trust or the
Adviser, including, without limitation, the portfolio holdings of the
Fund.
2. OTHER
AGREEMENTS.
(a) The
investment management services provided by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement
are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Sub-Adviser (and any of its directors,
officers, or employees) shall be free to render similar or different services
to
others so long as its ability to render the services provided for in this
Agreement shall not be materially impaired thereby.
(b) The
Adviser understands and agrees that: (a) the Sub-Adviser is affiliated with
Baron Capital Management, Inc., a registered investment adviser; (b) the
Sub-Adviser and/or its affiliates will manage accounts and perform advisory
services for others; (c) depending upon investment objectives and cash
availability and requirements, the Sub-Adviser and/or its affiliates may
direct
the sale of a particular security for certain accounts and direct the purchase
of such security for other accounts, and, accordingly, transactions in
particular accounts may not be consistent with transactions in other accounts;
(d) where there is a limited supply of a security, the Sub-Adviser in
conjunction with its affiliates will allocate investment opportunities in
a
manner deemed equitable by the Sub-Adviser; (e) the Sub-Adviser and/or its
affiliates, principals and employees may from time to time have an interest,
direct or indirect, in a security which is purchased, sold or otherwise traded
for the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser and/or its affiliates may effect transactions
in such security for the Fund, which may be the same as or different from
the
action which the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates or such other persons may take
with
respect thereto for its or their accounts.
3. COMPENSATION
TO BE PAID BY THE ADVISER TO THE SUB-ADVISER.
(a)
As
compensation for the services to be rendered by the Sub-Adviser under the
provisions of this Agreement, the Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser a fee
each
month based on the average daily net assets of the Fund during the month.
Such
fee shall be calculated in accordance with the fee schedule applicable to
the
Fund as set forth in Schedule
A
attached
hereto.
(b)
The
fee shall be paid by the Adviser, and not by the Fund, and without regard
to any
reduction in the fees paid by the Fund to the Adviser under its management
contract as a result of any statutory or regulatory limitation on investment
company expenses or voluntary fee reduction assumed by the Adviser. Such
fee to
the Sub-Adviser shall be payable for each month within 10 business days after
the end of such month. If the Sub-Adviser shall serve for less than the whole
of
a month, the foregoing compensation shall be prorated.
4. AUTOMATIC
TERMINATION.
This
Agreement shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty,
in
the event of its assignment or in the event that the investment advisory
contract between the Adviser and the Fund shall have terminated for any reason.
5. EFFECTIVE
PERIOD; TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
(a)
This
Agreement shall become effective upon its execution, and shall remain in
full
force and effect continuously thereafter (unless terminated automatically
as set
forth in Section 4) until terminated as set forth below. Termination of this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 5 shall be without the payment of any
penalty.
(b)
This
Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from
the
date hereof only so long as continuance is specifically approved at least
annually in conformance with the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this
Agreement may be terminated at any time:
(i)
by
the Fund at any time by the vote of a majority of Trustees of the Trust or
by
the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund;
(ii)
by
the Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser; or
(iii)
by
the Sub-Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser.
(c)
No
amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless (i) there is written
consent of the parties to this Agreement and (ii) the amendment is approved
in a
manner consistent with the 1940 Act as interpreted or permitted by the SEC
and/or its staff.
6.
CERTAIN
INFORMATION.
(a)
The
Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, acknowledges receipt of Part II of the
Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV which is filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”), and which contains information concerning the
Sub-Adviser’s services and fees.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser in writing of the occurrence
of
any of the following events: (i) the Sub-Adviser shall fail to be registered
as
an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and under the laws of any
jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an
investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement,
(ii) the Sub-Adviser has a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has
ceased to qualify or might not qualify as a regulated investment company
under
Subchapter M of the Code, (iii) the Sub-Adviser shall have been served or
otherwise have notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation,
at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, involving
the
affairs of the Fund, and (iv) the principal investment officers of the
Sub-Adviser or any portfolio manager of the Fund shall have
changed.
(c)
The
Fund has delivered to the Sub-Adviser copies of each of the following documents
and will deliver to it all future amendments and supplements, if
any:
(i) Declaration
of Trust of the Trust, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from
time
to time;
(ii) By-laws
of the Trust, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to
time;
(iii)
Certified resolutions of the Trustees authorizing the appointment of the
Adviser
and approving the form of the Investment Management Agreement;
(iv) Certified
resolutions of the Trustees authorizing the appointment of the Sub-Adviser
and
approving the form of this Agreement;
(v) Registration
statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
as
filed with the SEC relating to the Fund and Fund’s shares and all amendments
thereto;
(vi) Notification
of registration of the Fund under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed with
the
SEC and all amendments thereto; and
(vii) Prospectus
and statement of additional information of the Trust, as currently in effect
and
as amended or supplemented from time to time.
7. NONLIABILITY
OF SUB-ADVISER.
Except
as
provided in Section 8(a), in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith
or
gross negligence on the part of the Sub-Adviser, or reckless disregard of
its
obligations and duties hereunder, the Sub-Adviser shall not be subject to
any
liability to the Adviser, the Fund or to any shareholder of the Fund, for
any
act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services
hereunder.
8.
INDEMNIFICATION.
(a)
The
Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify the Adviser and the Fund for, and hold them
harmless against, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Sub-Adviser) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Adviser or the
Fund
may become subject as a result of:
(i)
any
failure by the Sub-Adviser, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to adequately diversify the investment program of the Fund pursuant to the
requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code, and the regulations issued
thereunder; unless the failure has been corrected within the 30-day period
provided in U.S. Treasury Regulation 1.817-5(c)(1) (or within any other
applicable grace period provided in the Code or the regulations issued
thereunder); or
(ii)
any
untrue statement of a material fact contained in disclosure provided by the
Sub-Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s Regulatory Filings or any omission of a
material fact required to be stated and necessary to make such disclosure
not
misleading;
provided
that, in either case the Sub-Adviser shall have promptly been given written
notice concerning any matter for which indemnification is claimed under this
Section 8(a).
(b)
The
Adviser agrees to indemnify the Sub-Adviser for, and hold it harmless against,
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in
settlement with the written consent of the Adviser) or litigation (including
legal and other expenses) to which the Sub-Adviser may become subject as
a
result of:
(i)
any
untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Fund’s Regulatory Filings
or any omission of a material fact required to be stated and necessary to
make
such Regulatory Filings not misleading (except for such misstatements and
omissions contained, or required to be contained, in disclosure provided
by the
Sub-Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s Regulatory Filings);
provided
that the Adviser shall have promptly been given written notice concerning
any
matter for which indemnification is claimed under this Section
8(b).
9. RECORDS;
RIGHT TO AUDIT.
(a)
The
Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain in the form and for the period required by
Rule
31a-2 under the 1940 Act, all records relating to the Fund’s investments made by
the Sub-Adviser that are required to be maintained by the Fund pursuant to
the
requirements of Rule 31a-1(b)(5), (6), (7), (9) and (10) and 31a-1(f) under
the
1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser agrees that such records that it maintains on behalf
of the Fund are the property of the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser will surrender
promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Fund’s request; provided,
however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition,
for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the
periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are
required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement and shall transfer
all such records to any entity designated by the Adviser upon the termination
of
this Agreement; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy
of
such records.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser agrees that all accounts, books and other records maintained
and
preserved by it as required hereby will be subject at any time, and from
time to
time, to such reasonable periodic, special and other examinations by the
SEC,
the Fund’s auditors, any representative of the Fund, the Adviser, or any
governmental agency or other instrumentality having regulatory authority
over
the Fund. Any such examination conducted by the Fund’s auditors, a Fund
representative or the Adviser shall be preceded by reasonable notice to the
Sub-Adviser.
10. MARKETING
MATERIALS.
(a)
The
Fund shall furnish to the Sub-Adviser (at its principal office), prior to
its
use, all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, sales
literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of
the
Fund or to the public, in which the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates
is
named. No such material relating to the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates shall
be
used except with prior written permission of the Sub-Adviser or its delegate.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to respond to any request for approval on a prompt
and
timely basis. Failure by the Sub-Adviser to respond within ten (10) calendar
days to any request by the Fund to approve any materials shall be deemed
to
constitute the consent of the Sub-Adviser to such materials. In the event
of
termination of this Agreement, the Fund will continue to furnish to the
Sub-Adviser copies of any of the above-mentioned materials which refer in
any
way to the Sub-Adviser.
(b)
The
Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Fund, prior to its use, each piece of
advertising, supplemental sales literature or other material prepared for
distribution to third parties or to the public in which the Fund, the Adviser
or
any of the Adviser’s affiliates is named. No such material relating to the Fund,
the Adviser or any of the Adviser’s affiliates shall be used except with prior
written permission of the Fund or its delegate. The Fund agrees to respond
to
any request for approval on a prompt and timely basis. Failure by the Fund
to
respond within ten (10) calendar days to any request to approve any materials
shall be deemed to constitute the consent of the Fund to such materials.
11.
GOVERNING
LAW.
This
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without
regard
to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall
be
construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.
12.
SEVERABILITY/INTERPRETATION.
If
any
provision of this Agreement is held invalid by a court decision, statute,
rule
or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors. Where the effect of a
requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement
is
altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or
general
application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of
such
rule, regulation or order.
13. NOTICES.
Any
notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement
shall be deemed duly given if delivered by courier service or overnight mail
or
mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the following:
The
Sub-Adviser:
BAMCO,
Inc.
Attn:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
To
the
Adviser:
Delaware
Management Company,
a
series
of Delaware Management Business Trust
Attn:
Xxxxx X. X’Xxxxxx
0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
14.
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS.
For
the
purposes of this Agreement, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities,” “interested persons,” and “assignment” shall have the
meaning defined in the 1940 Act, and subject to such orders or no-action
letters
as may be granted by the SEC and/or its staff.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be signed by
their
duly authorized representatives, all as of the day and year first above written.
DELAWARE
MANAGEMENT BUSINESS COMPANY, a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust
/s/
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx Title:
Assistant Vice President
BAMCO,
INC.
/s/
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
Chief Operating Officer
Accepted
and agreed to
as
of the
day and year
first
above written:
GROWTH
OPPORTUNITIES FUND, a series of
/s/
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
SCHEDULE
A
Fee
Schedule
The
Adviser shall pay to the Sub-Adviser compensation at an annual rate as
follows:
.65
% of
the average daily net assets of the Fund
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, cash in the Fund (including short-term, cash-equivalent
investments in which cash in the Fund is invested) over which the Sub-Adviser
has no responsibility shall not be included for purposes of calculating the
sub-advisory fee.
SECOND
AMENDMENT TO
THIS
SECOND AMENDMENT, made as of April 3, 2006, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement
made
as of January 1, 2004 (the “Agreement”), is by and between DELAWARE MANAGEMENT
COMPANY, a series of Delaware Management Business Trust, a Delaware statutory
trust (the “Adviser”) and X. XXXX PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC., a Maryland corporation
(the “Sub-Adviser”).
WHEREAS,
the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser have entered into the Agreement with respect
to
the Aggressive Growth Fund (the “Fund”);
WHEREAS,
Fund Management and the Adviser have determined that it is in the best interest
of the Fund and the Fund’s shareholders that the Adviser - rather than the
Sub-Adviser - manage the uninvested assets (i.e., the cash portion) of the
Fund’s portfolio;
WHEREAS,
the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser desire to amend the Agreement to modify the
Sub-Adviser’s services to no longer include the Fund’s cash management;
WHEREAS,
the parties view this Amendment as a non-material change to the Agreement
because, among other reasons:
(a) |
The
Amendment will not change the advisory fee charged to the
Fund;
|
(b) |
The
quality and quantity of services provided to the Fund will not be
reduced;
|
and
(c) |
The
Amendment will be effected, except for the shareholder
approval
|
requirement,
in accordance with Section 15(a) of the Investment Company
Act.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1.
Section 1 (a) (iv) of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety.
2.
Schedule A to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and Schedule
A
attached hereto is substituted in its place.
3.
Except
as expressly amended hereby, all provisions of the Agreement remain in full
force and effect and are unchanged in all other respects.
4.
This
Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed to be an original and, all of which, when taken together, shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto intending to be legally bound have caused
this Amendment to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the
day
and year first above written.
DELAWARE
MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a series of Delaware Management Business Trust
/s/
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx
Title:
Assistant Vice President/Assistant Secretary
X.
XXXX
PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Vice President
Accepted
and agreed to
as
of the
date first above written:
AGGRESSIVE
GROWTH FUND, a series of
/s/
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
SCHEDULE
A
Fee
Schedule
The
Adviser shall pay to the Sub-Adviser compensation at an annual rate
as
follows:
.50%
of
the first $250,000,000 of average daily net assets of the Fund;
.45%
of
the next $500,000,000 of average daily net assets of the Fund; and
.40%
of
the excess of average daily net assets of the Fund over $750,000,000.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, cash in the Fund (including short-term, cash-equivalent
investments in which cash in the Fund is invested) over which Sub-Adviser
has no
responsibility shall not be included for purposes of calculating the
sub-advisory fee.