The Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between X. Xxxx
Price Services, Inc. and X. Xxxx Price Funds, dated January 1,
1997.
PAGE 1
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
between
X. XXXX PRICE SERVICES, INC.
and
EACH OF THE PARTIES INDICATED ON APPENDIX A
PAGE 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article A Terms of Appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Article B Duties of Price Services . . . . . . . . . . 3
1. Receipt of Orders/Payments . . . . . . . 3
2. Redemptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3. Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4. Confirmations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5. Returned Checks and ACH Debits . . . . . 6
6. Redemption of Shares under Ten Day Hold 7
7. Dividends, Distributions and Other
Corporate Actions . . . . . . . . . . . 9
8. Unclaimed Payments and Certificates . . 9
9. Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . 10
10. Authorized Issued and Outstanding Shares 11
11. Tax Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
12. Information to be Furnished to the Fund 12
13. Correspondence . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
14. Lost or Stolen Securities . . . . . . . 13
15. Telephone Services . . . . . . . . . . . 13
16. Collection of Shareholder Fees . . . . . 13
17. Form N-SAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
18. Cooperation With Accountants . . . . . . 14
19. Blue Sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
20. Other Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
21. Fees and Out-of-Pocket Expenses . . . . 14
Article C Representations and Warranties of the Price
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Article D Representations and Warranties of the Fund . 17
Article E Standard of Care/Indemnification . . . . . . 17
Article F Dual Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Article G Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Article H References to Price Services . . . . . . . . 21
Article I Compliance with Governmental Rules and
Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article J Ownership of Software and Related Material . 21
PAGE 3
Article K Quality Service Standards . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article L As of Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article M Term and Termination of Agreement . . . . . . 25
Article N Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article O Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article P Amendment/Interpretive Provisions . . . . . . 25
Article Q Further Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article R Maryland Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article S Merger of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article T Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article U The Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article V Directors, Trustees, Shareholders and
Massachusetts Business Trust . . . . . . . . 27
Article W Captions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
PAGE 4
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the first day of January, 1997, by and
between X. XXXX PRICE SERVICES, INC., a Maryland corporation
having its principal office and place of business at 000 Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 ("Price Services"), and
EACH FUND WHICH IS LISTED ON APPENDIX A (as such Appendix may be
amended from time to time) and which evidences its agreement to
be bound hereby by executing a copy of this Agreement (each such
Fund individually hereinafter referred to as "the Fund", whose
definition may be found in Article U);
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint Price Services as its
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and agent in connection
with certain other activities, and Price Services desires to
accept such appointment;
WHEREAS, Price Services represents that it is registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Transfer Agent
under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("'34
Act") and will notify each Fund promptly if such registration is
revoked or if any proceeding is commenced before the Securities
and Exchange Commission which may lead to such revocation;
WHEREAS, Price Services has the capability of providing
shareholder services on behalf of the Funds for the accounts of
PAGE 5
shareholders in the Funds, including banks and brokers on behalf
of underlying clients;
WHEREAS, certain of the Funds are named investment options
under various tax-sheltered retirement plans including, but not
limited to, individual retirement accounts, Sep-XXX s, SIMPLE
plans, deferred compensation plans, 403(b) plans, and profit
sharing, thrift, and money purchase pension plans for self-
employed individuals and professional partnerships and
corporations, (collectively referred to as "Retirement Plans");
WHEREAS, Price Services also has the capability of providing
special services, on behalf of the Funds, for the accounts of
shareholders participating in these Retirement Plans ("Retirement
Accounts").
WHEREAS, Price Services may subcontract or jointly contract
with other parties, on behalf of the Funds to perform certain of
the functions and services described herein including services to
Retirement Plans and Retirement Accounts;
WHEREAS, Price Services may also enter into, on behalf of
the Funds, certain banking relationships to perform various
banking services including, but not limited to, check deposits,
check disbursements, automated clearing house transactions
("ACH") and wire transfers.
PAGE 6
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
A. Terms of Appointment
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints Price Services to
act, and Price Services agrees to act, as the Fund's transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent and agent in connection with:
(1) the Fund's authorized and issued shares of its common stock
or shares of beneficial interest (all such stock and shares to be
referred to as "Shares"); (2) any dividend reinvestment or other
services provided to the shareholders of the Fund
("Shareholders"), including, without limitation, any periodic
investment plan or periodic withdrawal program; and (3) certain
Retirement Plan and Retirement Accounts as agreed upon by the
parties.
The parties to the Agreement hereby acknowledge that from
time to time, Price Services and X. Xxxx Price Trust Company may
enter into contracts ("Other Contracts") with employee benefit
plans and/or their sponsors for the provision of certain plan
participant services to Retirement Plans and Retirement Accounts.
Compensation paid to Price Services pursuant to this Agreement
is with respect to the services described herein and not with
respect to services provided under Other Contracts.
PAGE 7
B. Duties of Price Services
Price Services agrees that it will perform the following
services:
1. Receipt of Orders/Payments
Receive for acceptance, orders/payments for the
purchase of Shares and promptly deliver payment and
appropriate documentation thereof to the authorized
custodian of the Fund (the "Custodian"). Upon receipt of
any check or other instrument drawn or endorsed to it as
agent for, or identified as being for the account of, the
Fund, Price Services will process the order as follows:
o Examine the check to determine if the check conforms to
the Funds' acceptance procedures (including certain
third-party check procedures). If the check conforms,
Price Services will endorse the check and include the
date of receipt, will process the same for payment, and
deposit the net amount to the parties agreed upon
designated bank account prior to such deposit in the
Custodial account, and will notify the Fund and the
Custodian, respectively, of such deposits (such
notification to be given on a daily basis of the total
amount deposited to said accounts during the prior
business day);
PAGE 8
o Subject to guidelines mutually agreed upon by the Funds
and Price Services, excess balances, if any, resulting
from deposit in these designated bank accounts will be
invested and the income therefrom will be used to
offset fees which would otherwise be charged to the
Funds under this Agreement;
o Ensure that any documentation received from Shareholder
is in "good order" and all appropriate documentation is
received to establish an account.
o Open a new account, if necessary, and credit the
account of the investor with the number of Shares to be
purchased according to the price of the Fund's Shares
in effect for purchases made on that date, subject to
any instructions which the Fund may have given to Price
Services with respect to acceptance of orders for
Shares;
o Maintain a record of all unpaid purchases and report
such information to the Fund daily;
o Process periodic payment orders, as authorized by
investors, in accordance with the payment procedures
mutually agreed upon by both parties;
PAGE 9
o Receive monies from Retirement Plans and determine the
proper allocation of such monies to the Retirement
Accounts based upon instructions received from
Retirement
Plan participants or Retirement Plan administrators
("Administrators");
o Process orders received from recordkeepers and banks
and brokers for omnibus accounts in accordance with
internal policies and procedures established in
executed agency agreements and other agreements
negotiated with banks and brokers; and
o Process telephone orders for purchases of Fund shares
from the Shareholder's bank account (via wire or ACH)
to the Fund in accordance with procedures mutually
agreed upon by both parties.
Upon receipt of funds through the Federal Reserve Wire
System that are designated for purchases in Funds which declare
dividends at 12:00 p.m. (or such time as set forth in the Fund's
current prospectus), Price Services shall promptly notify the
Fund and the Custodian of such deposit.
2. Redemptions
Receive for acceptance redemption requests, including
telephone redemptions and requests received from
Administrators for distributions to participants or their
PAGE 10
designated beneficiaries or for payment of fees due the
Administrator or such other person, including Price
Services, and deliver the appropriate documentation thereof
to the Custodian. Price Services shall receive and stamp
with the date of receipt, all requests for redemptions of
Shares (including all certificates delivered to it for
redemption) and shall process said redemption requests as
follows, subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof:
o Examine the redemption request and, for written
redemptions, the supporting documentation, to determine
that the request is in good order and all requirements
have been met;
o Notify the Fund on the next business day of the total
number of Shares presented and covered by all such
requests;
o For those Funds that impose redemption fees, calculate
the fee owed on the redemption in accordance with the
guidelines established between the Fund and Price
Services;
o As set forth in the prospectus of the Fund, and in any
event, on or prior to the seventh (7th) calendar day
succeeding any such request for redemption, Price
Services shall, from funds available in the accounts
PAGE 11
maintained by Price Services as agent for the Funds,
pay the applicable redemption price in accordance with
the current prospectus of the Fund, to the investor,
participant, beneficiary, Administrator or such other
person, as the case may be;
o Instruct custodian to wire redemption proceeds to a
designated bank account of Price Services. Subject to
guidelines mutually agreed upon by the Funds and Price
Services, excess balances, if any, resulting from
deposit in these bank accounts will be invested and the
income therefrom will be used to offset fees which
would otherwise be charged to the Funds under this
Agreement;
o If any request for redemption does not comply with the
Fund's requirements, Price Services shall promptly
notify the investor of such fact, together with the
reason therefore, and shall effect such redemption at
the price in effect at the time of receipt of all
appropriate documents;
o Make such withholdings as may be required under
applicable Federal tax laws;
PAGE 12
o In the event redemption proceeds for the payment of
fees are to be wired through the Federal Reserve Wire
System or by bank wire, Price Services shall cause such
proceeds to be wired in Federal funds to the bank
account designated by Shareholder; and
o Process periodic redemption orders as authorized by the
investor in accordance with the periodic withdrawal
procedures for Systematic Withdrawal Plan ("SWP") and
systematic ACH redemptions mutually agreed upon by both
parties.
Procedures and requirements for effecting and accepting
redemption orders from investors by telephone, Tele*Access,
computer, or written instructions shall be established by
mutual agreement between Price Services and the Fund
consistent with the Fund's current prospectus.
3. Transfers
Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners
thereof upon receipt of appropriate instructions and
documentation and examine such instructions for conformance
with appropriate procedures and requirements. In this
regard, Price Services, upon receipt of a proper request for
transfer, including any transfer involving the surrender of
certificates of Shares, is authorized to transfer, on the
records of the
PAGE 13
Fund, Shares of the Fund, including cancellation of
surrendered certificates, if any, to credit a like amount of
Shares to the transferee.
4. Confirmations
Mail all confirmations and other enclosures requested
by the Fund to the shareholder, and in the case of
Retirement Accounts, to the Administrators, as may be
required by the Funds or by applicable Federal or state law.
5. Returned Checks and ACH Debits
In order to minimize the risk of loss to the Fund by
reason of any check being returned unpaid, Price Services
will promptly identify and follow-up on any check or ACH
debit returned unpaid. For items returned, Price Services
may telephone the investor and/or redeposit the check or
debit for collection or cancel the purchase, as deemed
appropriate. Price Services and the Funds will establish
procedures for the collection of money owed the Fund from
investors who have caused losses due to these returned
items.
6. Redemption of Shares under Ten Day Hold
o Uncollected Funds
Shares purchased by personal, corporate, or
governmental check, or by ACH will be considered
uncollected until the
PAGE 14
tenth calendar date following the trade date of the
trade ("Uncollected Funds");
o Good Funds
Shares purchased by treasurer's, cashier, certified, or
official check, or by wire transfer will be considered
collected immediately ("Good Funds"). Absent
information to the contrary (i.e., notification from
the payee institution), Uncollected Funds will be
considered Good Funds on the tenth calendar day
following trade date.
o Redemption of Uncollected Funds
o Shareholders making telephone requests for
redemption of shares purchased with Uncollected
Funds will be given two options:
1. The Shareholder will be permitted to exchange
to a money market fund to preserve principal until
the payment is deemed Good Funds;
2. The redemption can be processed utilizing the
same procedures for written redemptions described
below.
o If a written redemption request is made for shares
where any portion of the payment for said shares
is in Uncollected Funds, and the request is in
good order, Price Services will promptly obtain
the
PAGE 15
information relative to the payment necessary to
determine when the payment becomes Good Funds.
The redemption will be processed in accordance
with normal procedures, and the proceeds will be
held until confirmation that the payment is Good
Funds. On the seventh (7th) calendar day after
trade date, and each day thereafter until either
confirmation is received or the tenth (10th)
calendar day, Price Services will call the paying
institution to request confirmation that the check
or ACH in question has been paid. On the tenth
calendar day after trade date, the redemption
proceeds will be released, regardless of whether
confirmation has been received.
o Checkwriting Redemptions.
o Daily, all checkwriting redemptions $10,000 and
over reported as Uncollected Funds or insufficient
funds will be reviewed. An attempt will be made
to contact the shareholder to make good the funds
(through wire, exchange, transfer). Generally by
12:00 p.m. the same day, if the matter has not
been resolved, the redemption request will be
rejectedand the check returned to the Shareholder.
PAGE 16
o All checkwriting redemptions under $10,000
reported as Uncollected or insufficient funds will
be rejected and the check returned to the
Shareholder. The Funds and Services may agree to
contact shareholders presenting checks under
$10,000 reported as insufficient to obtain
alternative instructions for payment.
o Confirmations of Available Funds
The Fund expects that situations may develop whereby it
would be beneficial to determine if a person who has
placed an order for Shares has sufficient funds in his
or her checking account to cover the payment for the
Shares purchased. When this situation occurs, Price
Services may call the bank in question and request that
it confirm that sufficient funds to cover the purchase
are currently credited to the account in question.
Price Services will maintain written documentation or a
recording of each telephone call which is made under
the procedures outlined above. None of the above
procedures shall preclude Price Services from inquiring
as to the status of any check received by it in payment
for the Fund's Shares as Price Services may deem
appropriate or necessary to protect both the Fund and
Price Services. If
PAGE 17
a conflict arises between Section 2 and this Section 6,
Section 6 will govern.
7. Dividends, Distributions and Other Corporate Actions
o The Fund will promptly inform Price Services of the
declaration of any dividend, distribution, stock split
or any other distributions of a similar kind on account
of its Capital Stock.
o Price Services shall act as Dividend Disbursing Agent
for the Fund, and as such, shall prepare and make
income and capital gain payments to investors. As
Dividend Disbursing Agent, Price Services will on or
before the payment date of any such dividend or
distribution, notify the Custodian of the estimated
amount required to pay any portion of said dividend or
distribution which is payable in cash, and the Fund
agrees that on or about the payment date of such
distribution, it shall instruct the Custodian to make
available to Price Services sufficient funds for the
cash amount to be paid out. If an investor is entitled
to receive additional Shares by virtue of any such
distribution or dividend, appropriate credits will be
made to his or her account.
PAGE 18
8. Unclaimed Payments and Certificates
In accordance with procedures agreed upon by both
parties, report abandoned property to appropriate state and
governmental authorities of the Fund. Price Services shall,
90 days prior to the annual reporting of abandoned property
to each of the states, make reasonable attempts to locate
Shareholders for which (a) checks or share certificates have
been returned; (b) for which accounts have aged outstanding
checks; or (c) accounts with unissued shares that have been
coded with stop mail and meet the dormancy period guidelines
specified in the individual states. Price Services shall
make reasonable attempts to contact shareholders for those
accounts which have significant aged outstanding checks and
those checks meet a specified dollar threshold.
9. Books and Records
Maintain records showing for each Shareholder's
account, Retirement Plan or Retirement Account, as the case
may be, the following:
o Names, address and tax identification number;
o Number of Shares held;
PAGE 19
o Certain historical information regarding the
account of each Shareholder, including dividends
and distributions distributed in cash or invested
in Shares;
o Pertinent information regarding the establishment
and maintenance of Retirement Plans and Retirement
Accounts necessary to properly administer each
account;
o Information with respect to the source of
dividends and distributions allocated among income
(taxable and nontaxable income), realized short-
term gains and realized long-term gains;
o Any stop or restraining order placed against a
Shareholder's account;
o Information with respect to withholdings on
domestic and foreign accounts;
o Any instructions from a Shareholder including, all
forms furnished by the Fund and executed by a
Shareholder with respect to (i) dividend or
distribution elections, and (ii) elections with
respect to payment options in connection with the
redemption of Shares;
PAGE 20
o Any correspondence relating to the current
maintenance of a Shareholder's account;
o Certificate numbers and denominations for any
Shareholder holding certificates;
o Any information required in order for Price
Services to perform the calculations contemplated
under this Agreement.
Price Services shall maintain files and furnish
statistical and other information as required under this
Agreement and as may be agreed upon from time to time by
both parties or required by applicable law. However, Price
Services reserves the right to delete, change or add any
information to the files maintained; provided such
deletions, changes or additions do not contravene the terms
of this Agreement or applicable law and do not materially
reduce the level of services described in this Agreement.
Price Services shall also use its best efforts to obtain
additional statistical and other information as each Fund
may reasonably request for additional fees as may be agreed
to by both parties.
Any such records maintained pursuant to Rule 31a-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("the Act") will be
preserved for the periods and maintained in a manner
PAGE 21
prescribed in Rule 31a-2 thereunder. Disposition of such
records after such prescribed periods shall be as mutually
agreed upon by the Fund and Price Services. The retention
of such records, which may be inspected by the Fund at
reasonable times, shall be at the expense of the Fund. All
records maintained by Price Services in connection with the
performance of its duties under this Agreement will remain
the property of the Fund and, in the event of termination of
this Agreement, will be delivered to the Fund as of the date
of termination or at such other time as may be mutually
agreed upon.
All books, records, information and data pertaining to
the business of the other party which are exchanged or
received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of
this Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be
voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except after
prior notification to and approval by the other party
hereto, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld
and may not be withheld where Price Services or the Fund may
be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for
failure to comply; when requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted governmental authorities; or
after so requested by the other party hereto.
PAGE 22
10. Authorized Issued and Outstanding Shares
Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain,
pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) of the '34 Act, a record of the
total number of Shares of the Fund which are authorized,
issued and outstanding, based upon data provided to it by
the Fund. Price Services shall also provide the Fund on a
regular basis the total number of Shares which are
authorized and issued and outstanding. Price Services shall
have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares,
to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance
of any laws relating to the issuance or sale of such Shares.
11. Tax Information
Prepare and file with the Internal Revenue Service and
with other appropriate state agencies and, if required, mail
to investors, those returns for reporting dividends and
distributions paid as required to be so filed and mailed,
and shall withhold such sums required to be withheld under
applicable Federal income tax laws, rules, and regulations.
Additionally, Price Services will file and, as applicable,
mail to investors, any appropriate information returns
required to be filed in connection with Retirement Plan
processing, such as 1099R, 5498, as well as any other
appropriate forms that the Fund or Price Services may deem
PAGE 23
necessary. The Fund and Price Services shall agree to
procedures to be followed with respect to Price Services'
responsibilities in connection with compliance with back-up
withholding and other tax laws.
12. Information to be Furnished to the Fund
Furnish to the Fund such information as may be agreed
upon between the Fund and Price Services including any
information that the Fund and Price Services agree is
necessary to the daily operations of the business.
13. Correspondence
Promptly and fully answer correspondence from
shareholders and Administrators relating to Shareholder
Accounts, Retirement Accounts, transfer agent procedures,
and such other correspondence as may from time to time be
mutually agreed upon with the Funds. Unless otherwise
instructed, copies of all correspondence will be retained by
Price Services in accordance with applicable law and
procedures.
14. Lost or Stolen Securities
Pursuant to Rule 17f-1 of the '34 Act, report to the
Securities Information Center and/or the FBI or other
appropriate person on Form X-17-F-1A all lost, stolen,
missing or counterfeit securities. Provide any other
services
PAGE 24
relating to lost, stolen or missing securities as may be
mutually agreed upon by both parties.
15. Telephone Services
Maintain a Telephone Servicing Staff of representatives
("Representatives") sufficient to timely respond to all
telephonic inquiries reasonably foreseeable. The
Representatives will also effect telephone purchases,
redemptions, exchanges, and other transactions mutually
agreed upon by both parties, for those Shareholders who have
authorized telephone services. The Representatives shall
require each Shareholder effecting a telephone transaction
to properly identify himself/herself before the transaction
is effected, in accordance with procedures agreed upon
between by both parties. Procedures for processing
telephone transactions will be mutually agreed upon by both
parties. Price Services will also be responsible for
providing Tele*Access, PC*Access and such other Services as
may be offered by the Funds from time to time. Price
Services will maintain a special Shareholder Servicing staff
to service certain Shareholders with substantial
relationships with the Funds.
PAGE 25
16. Collection of Shareholder Fees
Calculate and notify shareholders of any fees owed the
Fund, its affiliates or its agents. Such fees include the
small account fee XXX custodial fee and wire fee.
17. Form N-SAR
Maintain such records, if any, as shall enable the Fund
to fulfill the requirements of Form N-SAR.
18. Cooperation With Accountants
Cooperate with each Fund's independent public
accountants and take all reasonable action in the
performance of its obligations under the Agreement to assure
that the necessary information is made available to such
accountants for the expression of their opinion without any
qualification as to the scope of their examination,
including, but not limited to, their opinion included in
each such Fund's annual report on Form N-SAR and annual
amendment to Form N-1A.
19. Blue Sky
Provide to the Fund or its agent, on a daily, weekly,
monthly and quarterly basis, and for each state in which the
Fund's Shares are sold, sales reports and other materials
for blue sky compliance purposes as shall be agreed upon by
the parties.
PAGE 26
20. Other Services
Provide such other services as may be mutually agreed
upon between Price Services and the Fund.
21. Fees and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Each Fund shall pay to Price Services and/or its agents
for its Transfer Agent Services hereunder, fees computed as
set forth in Schedule A attached. Except as provided below,
Price Services will be responsible for all expenses relating
to the providing of Services. Each Fund, however, will
reimburse Price Services for the following out-of-pocket
expenses and charges incurred in providing Services:
o Postage. The cost of postage and freight for
mailing materials to Shareholders and Retirement
Plan participants, or their agents, including
overnight delivery, UPS and other express mail
services and special courier services required to
transport mail between Price Services locations
and mail processing vendors.
o Proxies. The cost to mail proxy cards and other
material supplied to it by the Fund and costs
related to the receipt, examination and tabulation
of returned proxies and the certification of the
vote to the Fund.
PAGE 27
o Communications
o Print. The printed forms used internally and
externally for documentation and processing
Shareholder and Retirement Plan participant,
or their agent's inquiries and requests;
paper and envelope supplies for letters,
notices, and other written communications
sent to Shareholders and Retirement Plan
participants, or their agents.
o Print & Mail House. The cost of internal
and third party printing and mail house
services, including printing of statements
and reports.
o Voice and Data. The cost of equipment
(including associated maintenance), supplies
and services used for communicating to and
from the Shareholders of the Fund and
Retirement Plan participants, or their
agents, the Fund's transfer agent, other Fund
offices, and other agents of either the Fund
or Price Services. These charges shall
include:
o telephone toll charges (both incoming
and outgoing, local, long distance and
mailgrams); and
PAGE 28
o data and telephone lines and associated
equipment such as modems, multiplexers,
and facsimile equipment.
o Record Retention. The cost of maintenance
and supplies used to maintain, microfilm,
copy, record, index, display, retrieve, and
store, in microfiche or microfilm form,
documents and records.
o Disaster Recovery. The cost of services,
equipment, facilities and other charges
necessary to provide disaster recovery for
any and all services listed in this
Agreement.
Out-of-pocket costs will be billed at cost to the Funds.
Allocation of monthly costs among the Funds will generally be
made based upon the number of Shareholder and Retirement Accounts
serviced by Price Services each month. Some invoices for these
costs will contain costs for both the Funds and other funds
serviced by Price Services. These costs will be allocated based
on a reasonable allocation methodology. Where possible, such as
in the case of inbound and outbound WATS charges, allocation will
be made on the actual distribution or usage.
C. Representations and Warranties of Price Services
Price Services represents and warrants to the Fund that:
PAGE 29
1. It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of Maryland;
2. It is duly qualified to carry on its business in
Maryland, California and Florida;
3. It is empowered under applicable laws and by its
charter and by-laws to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
4. All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement;
5. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as a Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 17A of
the '34 Act; and
6. It has and will continue to have access to the
necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its
duties and obligations under this Agreement.
D. Representations and Warranties of the Fund
The Fund represents and warrants to Price Services that:
1. It is a corporation or business trust duly organized
and existing and in good standing under the laws of Maryland
or Massachusetts, as the case may be;
2. It is empowered under applicable laws and by its
Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the
case may be, and By-Laws to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
PAGE 30
3. All proceedings required by said Articles of
Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the case may be,
and By-Laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into
and perform this Agreement;
4. It is an investment company registered under the Act;
and
5. A registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933 ("the '33 Act") is currently effective and will remain
effective, and appropriate state securities law filings have
been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all
Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
E. Standard of Care/Indemnification
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:
1. Price Services shall not be liable to any Fund for any
act or failure to act by it or its agents or subcontractors
on behalf of the Fund in carrying or attempting to carry out
the terms and provisions of this Agreement provided Price
Services has acted in good faith and without negligence or
willful misconduct and selected and monitored the
performance of its agents and subcontractors with reasonable
care.
2. The Fund shall indemnify and hold Price Services
harmless from and against all losses, costs, damages,
claims, actions and expenses, including reasonable expenses
for legal counsel, incurred by Price Services resulting
from: (i) any action or
PAGE 31
omission by Price Services or its agents or subcontractors
in the performance of their duties hereunder; (ii) Price
Services acting upon instructions believed by it to have
been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Fund; or
(iii) Price Services acting upon information provided by the
Fund in form and under policies agreed to by Price Services
and the Fund. Price Services shall not be entitled to such
indemnification in respect of actions or omissions
constituting negligence or willful misconduct of Price
Services or where Price Services has not exercised
reasonable care in selecting or monitoring the performance
of its agents or subcontractors.
3. Except as provided in Article L of this Agreement,
Price Services shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund
from all losses, costs, damages, claims, actions and
expenses, including reasonable expenses for legal counsel,
incurred by the Fund resulting from the negligence or
willful misconduct of Price Services or which result from
Price Services' failure to exercise reasonable care in
selecting or monitoring the performance of its agents or
subcontractors. The Fund shall not be entitled to such
indemnification in respect of actions or omissions
constituting negligence or willful misconduct of such Fund
or its agents or subcontractors; unless such negligence or
misconduct is attributable to Price Services.
PAGE 32
4. In determining Price Services' liability, an isolated
error or omission will normally not be deemed to constitute
negligence when it is determined that:
o Price Services had in place "appropriate procedures;"
o the employee(s) responsible for the error or omission
had been reasonably trained and were being
appropriately monitored; and
o the error or omission did not result from wanton or
reckless conduct on the part of the employee(s).
It is understood that Price Services is not obligated to
have in place separate procedures to prevent each and every
conceivable type of error or omission. The term
"appropriate procedures" shall mean procedures reasonably
designed to prevent and detect errors and omissions. In
determining the reasonableness of such procedures, weight
will be given to such factors as are appropriate, including
the prior occurrence of any similar errors or omissions when
such procedures were in place and transfer agent industry
standards in place at the time of the occurrence.
5. In the event either party is unable to perform its
obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of
acts of God, strikes or other causes reasonably beyond its
control, such party shall not be liable to the other party
for any
PAGE 33
loss, cost, damage, claim, action or expense resulting from
such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes.
6. In order that the indemnification provisions contained
in this Article E shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim
for which either party may be required to indemnify the
other, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly
notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the
other party advised with respect to all developments
concerning such claim. The party who may be required to
indemnify shall have the option to participate with the
party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim,
or to defend against said claim in its own name or in the
name of the other party. The party seeking indemnification
shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in
any case in which the other party may be required to
indemnify it except with the other party's prior written
consent.
7. Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the
other party for consequential damages under any provision of
this Agreement.
F. Dual Interests
It is understood that some person or persons may be
directors, officers, or shareholders of both the Funds and Price
Services (including Price Services's affiliates), and that the
existence of
PAGE 34
any such dual interest shall not affect the validity of this
Agreement or of any transactions hereunder except as otherwise
provided by a specific provision of applicable law.
G. Documentation
o As requested by Price Services, the Fund shall promptly
furnish to Price Services the following:
o A certified copy of the resolution of the
Directors/Trustees of the Fund authorizing the
appointment of Price Services and the execution
and delivery of this Agreement;
o A copy of the Articles of Incorporation or
Declaration of Trust, as the case may be, and By-
Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto;
o As applicable, specimens of all forms of
outstanding and new stock/share certificates in
the forms approved by the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the Fund with a certificate
of the Secretary of the Fund as to such approval;
o All account application forms and other documents
relating to Shareholders' accounts;
PAGE 35
o An opinion of counsel for the Fund with respect to
the validity of the stock, the number of Shares
authorized, the status of redeemed Shares, and the
number of Shares with respect to which a
Registration Statement has been filed and is in
effect; and
o A copy of the Fund's current prospectus.
The delivery of any such document for the purpose of any
other agreement to which the Fund and Price Services are or were
parties shall be deemed to be delivery for the purposes of this
Agreement.
o As requested by Price Services, the Fund will also
furnish from time to time the following documents:
o Each resolution of the Board of Directors/Trustees of
the Fund authorizing the original issue of its Shares;
o Each Registration Statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and amendments and orders
thereto in effect with respect to the sale of Shares
with respect to the Fund;
o A certified copy of each amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, and the By-Laws
of the Fund;
PAGE 36
o Certified copies of each vote of the Board of
Directors/Trustees authorizing officers to give
instructions to the Transfer Agent;
o Such other documents or opinions which Price Services,
in its discretion, may reasonably deem necessary or
appropriate in the proper performance of its duties;
and
o Copies of new prospectuses issued.
Price Services hereby agrees to establish and maintain
facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for
safekeeping of stock certificates, check forms and facsimile
signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or
use, and for keeping account of, such certificates, forms and
devices.
H. References to Price Services
Each Fund agrees not to circulate any printed matter which
contains any reference to Price Services without the prior
approval of Price Services, excepting solely such printed matter
that merely identifies Price Services as agent of the Fund. The
Fund will submit printed matter requiring approval to Price
Services in draft form, allowing sufficient time for review by
Price Services and its legal counsel prior to any deadline for
printing.
PAGE 37
I. Compliance With Governmental Rules and Regulations
Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement and except for
the accuracy of information furnished to the Fund by Price
Services, each Fund assumes full responsibility for the
preparation, contents and distribution of its prospectuses and
compliance with all applicable requirements of the Act, the '34
Act, the '33 Act, and any other laws, rules and regulations of
governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the Fund.
Price Services shall be responsible for complying with all laws,
rules and regulations of governmental authorities having
jurisdiction over transfer agents and their activities.
J. Ownership of Software and Related Material
All computer programs, magnetic tapes, written procedures
and similar items purchased and/or developed and used by Price
Services in performance of the Agreement shall be the property of
Price Services and will not become the property of the Fund.
K. Quality Service Standards
Price Services and the Fund may from time to time agree to
certain quality service standards, as well as incentives and
penalties with respect to Price Services' hereunder.
L. As Of Transactions
For purposes of this Article L, the term "Transaction" shall
mean any single or "related transaction" (as defined below)
PAGE 38
involving the purchase or redemption of Shares (including
exchanges) that is processed at a time other than the time of the
computation of the Fund's net asset value per Share next computed
after receipt of any such transaction order by Price Services.
If more than one Transaction ("Related Transaction") in the Fund
is caused by or occurs as a result of the same act or omission,
such transactions shall be aggregated with other transactions in
the Fund and be considered as one Transaction.
o Reporting
Price Services shall:
1. Utilize a system to identify all Transactions, and
shall compute the net effect of such Transactions upon
the Fund on a daily, monthly and rolling 365 day basis.
The monthly and rolling 365 day periods are hereafter
referred to as "Cumulative".
2. Supply to the Fund, from time to time as mutually
agreed upon, a report summarizing the Transactions and
the daily and Cumulative net effects of such
Transactions both in terms of aggregate dilution and
loss ("Dilution") or gain and negative dilution
("Gain") experienced by the Fund, and the impact such
Gain or Dilution has had upon the Fund's net asset
value per Share.
PAGE 39
3. With respect to any Transaction which causes
Dilution to the Fund of $25,000 or more, immediately
provide the Fund: (i) a report identifying the
Transaction and the Dilution resulting therefrom, (ii)
the reason such Transaction was processed as described
above, and (iii) the action that Price Services has or
intends to take to prevent the reoccurrence of such as
of processing ("Report").
o Liability
1. It will be the normal practice of the Funds not to
hold Price Services liable with respect to any
Transaction which causes Dilution to any single Fund of
less than $25,000. Price Services will, however,
closely monitor for each Fund the daily and Cumulative
Gain/Dilution which is caused by Transactions of less
than $25,000. When the Cumulative Dilution to any Fund
exceeds 3/10 of 1% per share, Price Services, in
consultation with counsel to the Fund, will make
appropriate inquiry to determine whether it should take
any remedial action. Price Services will report to the
Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund ("Board") any
action it has taken.
PAGE 40
2. Where a transaction causes dilution to a Fund
greater than $25,000 and less than $100,000
("Significant Transaction"), Price Services will review
with Counsel to the Fund the circumstances surrounding
the underlying transaction to determine whether the
transaction was caused by or occurred as a result of a
negligent act or omission by Price Services. If it is
determined that the dilution is the result of a
negligent action or omission by Price Services, Price
Services and outside counsel for the Fund will
negotiate settlement. All such Significant
Transactions will be reported to the Audit Committee at
its annual meeting (unless the settlement fully
compensates the Fund for any dilution). Any "as of"
transaction, however, causing dilution in excess of the
lesser of $100,000 or a xxxxx per share will be
promptly reported to the Board and resolved at the next
scheduled Board Meeting. Settlement for "as of"
transactions causing dilution of $100,000 or more will
not be entered into until approved by the Board. The
factors the Board would be expected to consider in
making any determination regarding the settlement of a
Significant Transaction would include but not be
limited to:
PAGE 41
o Procedures and controls adopted by Price Services
to prevent "As Of" processing;
o Whether such procedures and controls were being
followed at the time of the Significant
Transaction;
o The absolute and relative volume of all
transactions processed by Price Services on the
day of the Significant Transaction;
o The number of Transactions processed by Price
Services during prior relevant periods, and the
net Dilution/Gain as a result of all such
transactions to the Fund and to all other Price
Funds;
o The prior response of Price Services to
recommendations made by the Funds regarding
improvement to the Transfer Agent's "As Of"
Processing Procedures.
3. In determining Price Services' liability with respect
to a Significant Transaction, an isolated error or
omission will normally not be deemed to constitute
negligence when it is determined that:
o Price Services had in place "appropriate
procedures".
PAGE 42
o the employee(s) responsible for the error or
omission had been reasonably trained and were
being appropriately monitored; and
o the error or omission did not result from wanton
or reckless conduct on the part of the
employee(s).
It is understood that Price Services is not obligated
to have in place separate procedures to prevent each
and every conceivable type of error or omission. The
term "appropriate procedures" shall mean procedures
reasonably designed to prevent and detect errors and
omissions. In determining the reasonableness of such
procedures, weight will be given to such factors as are
appropriate, including the prior occurrence of any
similar errors or omissions when such procedures were
in place and transfer agent industry standards in place
at the time of the occurrence.
M. Term and Termination of Agreement
o This Agreement shall run for a period of one (1) year from
the date first written above and will be renewed from year
to year thereafter unless terminated by either party as
provided hereunder.
PAGE 43
o This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund upon one
hundred twenty (120) days' written notice to Price Services;
and by Price Services, upon three hundred sixty-five (365)
days' writing notice to the Fund.
o Upon termination hereof, the Fund shall pay to Price
Services such compensation as may be due as of the date of
such termination, and shall likewise reimburse for out-of-
pocket expenses related to its services hereunder.
N. Notice
Any notice as required by this Agreement shall be
sufficiently given (i) when sent to an authorized person of the
other party at the address of such party set forth above or at
such other address as such party may from time to time specify in
writing to the other party; or (ii) as otherwise agreed upon by
appropriate officers of the parties hereto.
O. Assignment
Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations
hereunder may be assigned either voluntarily or involuntarily, by
operation of law or otherwise, by either party without the prior
written consent of the other party, provided this shall not
preclude Price Services from employing such agents and
subcontractors as it deems appropriate to carry out its
obligations set forth hereunder.
PAGE 44
P. Amendment/Interpretive Provisions
The parties by mutual written agreement may amend this
Agreement at any time. In addition, in connection with the
operation of this Agreement, Price Services and the Fund may
agree from time to time on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their
joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this
Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions are to
be signed by all parties and annexed hereto, but no such
provision shall contravene any applicable Federal or state law or
regulation and no such interpretive or additional provision shall
be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
Q. Further Assurances
Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute
such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the
purposes hereof.
R. Maryland Law to Apply
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of Maryland.
S. Merger of Agreement
This Agreement, including the attached Appendices and
Schedules supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the
subject hereof, whether oral or written.
PAGE 45
T. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any
number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken
together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same
instruments.
U. The Parties
All references herein to "the Fund" are to each of the Funds
listed on Appendix A individually, as if this Agreement were
between such individual Fund and Price Services. In the case of
a series Fund or trust, all references to "the Fund" are to the
individual series or portfolio of such Fund or trust, or to such
Fund or trust on behalf of the individual series or portfolio, as
appropriate. The "Fund" also includes any X. Xxxx Price Funds
which may be established after the execution of this Agreement.
Any reference in this Agreement to "the parties" shall mean Price
Services and such other individual Fund as to which the matter
pertains.
V. Directors, Trustees and Shareholders and Massachusetts
Business Trust
It is understood and is expressly stipulated that neither
the holders of Shares in the Fund nor any Directors or Trustees
of the Fund shall be personally liable hereunder.
PAGE 46
With respect to any Fund which is a party to this Agreement
and which is organized as a Massachusetts business trust, the
term "Fund" means and refers to the trustees from time to time
serving under the applicable trust agreement (Declaration of
Trust) of such Trust as the same may be amended from time to
time. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of any such
Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the trustees,
shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the
Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust,
as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement has been authorized by
the trustees and signed by an authorized officer of the Trust,
acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees
nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed
to have been made by any of them, but shall bind only the trust
property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of Trust.
W. Captions
The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or
effect.
PAGE 47
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf under
their seals by and through their duly authorized officers.
X. XXXX PRICE SERVICES, INC. X. XXXX PRICE FUNDS
/s/Xxxxx X. Xxxxx /s/Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
BY: ________________________ BY: ________________________
DATED: _____________________ DATED: _____________________
PAGE 48
APPENDIX A
X. XXXX PRICE BALANCED FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE BLUE CHIP GROWTH FUND
X. XXXX PRICE CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE
INCOME TRUST
California Tax-Free Bond Fund
California Tax-Free Money Fund
X. XXXX PRICE CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
X. XXXX PRICE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE CORPORATE INCOME FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND
X. XXXX PRICE EQUITY SERIES, INC.
X. Xxxx Price Equity Income Portfolio
X. Xxxx Price New America Growth Portfolio
X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Balanced Portfolio
X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
X. XXXX PRICE FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE FIXED INCOME SERIES, INC.
X. Xxxx Price Limited-Term Bond Portfolio
X. Xxxx Price Prime Reserve Portfolio
X. XXXX PRICE GNMA FUND
X. XXXX PRICE GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE GROWTH STOCK FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE INDEX TRUST, INC.
X. Xxxx Price Equity Index Fund
PAGE 49
INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY FUNDS, INC.
Mid-Cap Equity Growth Fund
INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
Foreign Equity Fund
X. XXXX PRICE INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
X. Xxxx Price International Bond Fund
X. Xxxx Price International Discovery Fund
X. Xxxx Price International Stock Fund
X. Xxxx Price European Stock Fund
X. Xxxx Price New Asia Fund
X. Xxxx Price Global Government Bond Fund
X. Xxxx Price Japan Fund
X. Xxxx Price Latin America Fund
X. Xxxx Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund
X. Xxxx Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund
X. Xxxx Price Global Stock Fund
X. XXXX PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC.
X. Xxxx Price International Stock Portfolio
X. XXXX PRICE MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE MID-CAP VALUE FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE NEW AMERICA GROWTH FUND
X. XXXX PRICE NEW ERA FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE NEW HORIZONS FUNDS, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE NEW INCOME FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE OTC FUND, INC.
X. Xxxx Price OTC Fund
X. XXXX PRICE PERSONAL STRATEGY FUNDS, INC.
X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Balanced Fund
X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Growth Fund
X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Income Fund
X. XXXX PRICE PRIME RESERVE FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE SHORT-TERM BOND FUND, INC.
PAGE 50
X. XXXX PRICE SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE SMALL-CAP VALUE FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE SPECTRUM FUND, INC.
Spectrum Growth Fund
Spectrum Income Fund
Spectrum International Fund
X. XXXX PRICE STATE TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST
Maryland Tax-Free Bond Fund
Maryland Short-Term Tax-Free Bond Fund
New York Tax-Free Bond Fund
New York Tax-Free Money Fund
New Jersey Tax-Free Bond Fund
Virginia Tax-Free Bond Fund
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx-Term Tax-Free Bond Fund
Florida Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund
Georgia Tax-Free Bond Fund
X. XXXX PRICE TAX-EXEMPT MONEY FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE TAX-FREE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE TAX-FREE INCOME FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE TAX-FREE SHORT-INTERMEDIATE FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE TAX-FREE INSURED INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND, INC.
X. XXXX PRICE U.S. TREASURY FUNDS, INC.
U.S. Treasury Intermediate Fund
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Fund
U.S. Treasury Money Fund
X. XXXX PRICE SUMMIT FUNDS, INC. on behalf of the:
X. Xxxx Price Summit Cash Reserves Fund
X. Xxxx Price Summit Limited-Term Bond Fund
X. Xxxx Price Summit GNMA Fund
X. XXXX PRICE SUMMIT MUNICIPAL FUNDS, INC. on behalf of the:
X. Xxxx Price Summit Municipal Money Market Fund
X. Xxxx Price Summit Municipal Intermediate Fund
X. Xxxx Price Summit Municipal Income Fund
X. XXXX PRICE VALUE FUND, INC.
