FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the _____st day of _____ 1998, by and among BT
Insurance Funds Trust ("TRUST"), a Massachusetts business trust, Bankers
Trust Company ("ADVISER"), a New York banking corporation, and Lincoln Life &
Annuity Company of New York ("LIFE COMPANY"), a life insurance company
organized under the laws of the State of New York.
WHEREAS, TRUST is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "40 Act"),
as an open-end, diversified management investment company; and
WHEREAS, TRUST is comprised of several series funds (each a
"Portfolio"), with those Portfolios currently available being listed on
Appendix A hereto; and
WHEREAS, TRUST was organized to act as the funding vehicle for certain
variable life insurance and/or variable annuity contracts ("Variable
Contracts") offered by life insurance companies through separate accounts
("Separate Accounts") of such life insurance companies ("Participating
Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, TRUST may also offer its shares to certain qualified pension and
retirement plans ("Qualified Plans"); and
WHEREAS, TRUST has received an order from the SEC, granting Participating
Insurance Companies and their separate accounts exemptions from the provisions
of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the '40 Act, and Rules 6e-2(b)(15)
and 6e-3(T)(b)(1 5) thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the
Portfolios of the TRUST to be sold to and held by Variable Contract Separate
Accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated Participating Insurance Companies
and Qualified Plans ("Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY has established or will establish one or more
Separate Accounts to offer Variable Contracts and is desirous of having TRUST as
one of the underlying funding vehicles for such Variable Contracts; and
WHEREAS, ADVISER is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act") and as such is excluded from the
definition of "Investment Adviser" and is not required to register as an
investment adviser pursuant to the Advisers Act; and
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WHEREAS, ADVISER serves as the TRUST's investment adviser; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase shares of TRUST to fund the
aforementioned Variable Contracts and TRUST is authorized to sell such shares to
LIFE COMPANY at such shares' net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, LIFE COMPANY,
TRUST, and ADVISER agree as follows:
Article 1. SALE OF TRUST SHARES
1.1 TRUST agrees to make available to the Separate Accounts of LIFE
COMPANY shares of the selected Portfolios as listed on Appendix B for
investment of purchase payments of Variable Contracts allocated to the
designated Separate Accounts as provided in TRUST's Registration Statement.
1.2 TRUST agrees to sell to LIFE COMPANY those shares of the selected
Portfolios of TRUST which LIFE COMPANY orders, executing such orders on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by TRUST or its
designee of the order for the shares of TRUST. For purposes of this Section
1.2, LIFE COMPANY shall be the designee of TRUST for receipt of such orders
from the designated Separate Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by TRUST; provided that LIFE COMPANY receives the order by
4:00 p.m. New York time and TRUST receives notice from LIFE COMPANY by
telephone or facsimile (or by such other means as TRUST and LIFE COMPANY may
agree in writing) of such order by 9:00 a.m. New York time on the next Business
Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange
is open for trading and on which TRUST calculates its net asset value pursuant
to the rules of the SEC.
1.3 TRUST agrees to redeem on LIFE COMPANY's request, any full or
fractional shares of TRUST held by LIFE COMPANY, executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by TRUST or its
designee of the request for redemption, in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement and TRUST's Registration Statement. (in the event of a conflict
between the provisions of this Agreement and the Trust's Registration Statement,
the provisions of the Registration Statement shall govern.) For purposes of this
Section 1.3, LIFE COMPANY shall be the designee of TRUST for receipt of requests
for redemption from the designated Separate Account and receipt by such designee
shall constitute receipt by TRUST; provided that LIFE COMPANY receives the
request for redemption by 4:00 p.m. New York time and TRUST receives notice from
LIFE COMPANY by telephone or facsimile (or by such other means as TRUST and LIFE
COMPANY may agree in
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writing) of such request for redemption by 9:00 a.m. New York time on the next
Business Day.
1.4 TRUST shall furnish, on or before each ex-dividend date, notice to
LIFE COMPANY of any income dividends or capital gain distributions payable on
the shares of any Portfolio of TRUST. LIFE COMPANY hereby elects to receive all
such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on a
Portfolio's shares in additional shares of the Portfolio. LIFE COMPANY reserves
the right to change such election. TRUST shall notify LIFE COMPANY or its
designee of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions.
1.5 TRUST shall make the net asset value per share for the selected
Portfolio(s) available to LIFE COMPANY on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practicable after the net asset value per share is calculated but shall use its
best efforts to make such net asset value available by 6:30 p.m. New York time.
If TRUST provides LIFE COMPANY with materially incorrect share net asset value
information through no fault of LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY on behalf of the
Separate Accounts, shall be entitled to an adjustment to the number of shares
purchased or redeemed on each day for which such incorrect information was
provided to reflect the correct share net asset value. Any material error in
the calculation of net asset value per share, dividend or capital gain
information shall be reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY.
1.6 At the end of each Business Day, LIFE COMPANY shall use the
information described in Section 1.5 to calculate Separate Account unit values
for the day. Using these unit values, LIFE COMPANY shall process each such
Business Day's Separate Account transactions based on requests and premiums
received by it by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock
Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. New York time) to determine the net dollar amount
of TRUST shares which shall be purchased or redeemed at that day's closing net
asset value per share. The net purchase or redemptiion orders so determined
shall be transmitted to TRUST by LIFE COMPANY by 9:00 a.m. New York Time on the
Business Day next following LIFE COMPANY's receipt of such requests and
premiums in accordance with the terms of Sections 1.2 and 1.3 hereof.
1.7 If LIFE COMPANY's order requests the purchase of TRUST shares,
LIFE COMPANY shall pay for such purchase by wiring federal funds to TRUST or
its designated custodial account by 2:00 p.m. on the day the order is
transmitted by LIFE COMPANY. If LIFE COMPANY's order requests a net redemption
resulting in a payment of redemption proceeds to LIFE COMPANY, TRUST shall wire
the redemption proceeds to LIFE COMPANY by 2:00 p.m. that day, unless doing so
would require TRUST to dispose of Portfolio securities or otherwise incur
additional costs'. In any event, proceeds shall be wired to LIFE COMPANY within
the time period permitted by the '40 Act or the rules, orders or regulations
thereunder, and TRUST shall notify the
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person designated in writing by LIFE COMPANY as the recipient for such notice
of such delay by 3:00 p.m. New York Time on the same Business Day that LIFE
COMPANY transmits the redemption order to TRUST. If LIFE COMPANY's order
requests the application of redemption proceeds from the redemption of shares
to the purchase of shares of another Fund advised by ADVISER, TRUST shall so
apply such proceeds on the same Business Day that LIFE COMPANY transmits such
order to TRUST.
1.8 TRUST agrees that all shares of the Portfolios of TRUST will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies which have agreed to participate
in TRUST to fund their Separate Accounts and/or to Qualified Plans, all in
accordance with the requirements of Section 817(h)(4) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5. Shares of
the TRUST's Portfolios will not be sold directly to the general public.
1.9 TRUST may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or
suspend or terminate the offering of the shares of or liquidate any Portfolio
of TRUST if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having
jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees of the
TRUST (the "Board"), acting in good faith and in light of its duties under
federal and any applicable state laws, deemed necessary, desirable or
appropriate and in the best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolios.
1.10 Issuance and transfer of Portfolio shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to LIFE COMPANY or the Separate
Accounts. Shares ordered from Portfolio will be recorded in appropriate book
entry titles for the Separate Accounts.
Article 11. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that it is an insurance
company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of New
York and that it has legally and validly established each Separate Account as a
segregated asset account under such laws, and that LINCOLN FINANCIAL ADVISORS
CORPORATION, the principal underwriter for the Variable Contracts, is
registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
... 34 Act").
2.2 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that it has registered or,
prior to any issuance or sale of the Variable Contracts, will register each
Separate Account as a unit investment trust ("UIT") in accordance with the
provisions of the '40 Act and cause each Separate Account to remain so
registered to serve as a segregated asset account for the Variable Contracts,
unless an exemption from registration is available.
2.3 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Variable Contracts
will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the -33 Act") unless an
exemption from
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registration is available prior to any issuance or sale of the Variable
Contracts, and that the Variable Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
(including all applicable blue sky laws and further that the sale of the
variable contracts shall comply in all material respects with applicable state
insurance law suitability requirements).
2.4 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Variable Contracts
are currently and at the time of issuance will be treated as life insurance
policies, endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the
Code, that it will maintain such treatment and that it will notify TRUST
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Variable
Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in
the future.
2.5 TRUST represents and warrants that the Fund shares offered and
sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the '33 Act and sold
in accordance with all applicable federal laws, and TRUST shall be registered
under the '40 Act prior to and at the time of any issuance or sale of such
shares. TRUST, subject to Section 1.9 above, shall amend its registration
statement under the '33 Act and the '40 Act from time to time as required in
order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. TRUST shall register and
qualify its shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states
only if and to the extent deemed advisable by TRUST.
2.6 TRUST and ADVISER each represents and warrants that each Portfolio
will comply with the diversification requirements set forth in Section 817(h)
of the Code, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including without
limitation Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, and will notify LIFE COMPANY
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing any Portfolio has
ceased to comply and will immediately take all reasonable steps to adequately
diversify the Portfolio to achieve compliance.
2.7 TRUST represents and warrants that each Portfolio invested in by
the Separate Account will be treated as a "regulated investment company" under
Subchapter M of the Code, and will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having
a reasonable basis for believing it has ceased to so qualify or might not so
qualify in the future.
2.8 ADVISER represents and warrants that it shall perform its
obligations hereunder in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable state and federal laws.
2.9 TRUST and ADVISER each represents and warrants that all officers,
employees and agents of the TRUST having access to securities or funds of any
Portfolio shall be covered by a blanket fidelity bond in such minimum amount as
the SEC may prescribe under Section 17 (g) of the '40 act.
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Article Ill. PROSPECTUS AND PROXY STATEMENTS
3.1 TRUST shall prepare and be responsible for filing with the SEC and
any state regulators requiring such filing all shareholder reports, notices,
proxy materials (or similar materials such as voting instruction solicitation
materials), prospectuses and statements of additional information of TRUST.
TRUST shall bear the costs of registration and qualification of shares of the
Portfolios, preparation and filing of the documents listed in this Section 3.1
and all taxes and filing fees to which an issuer is subject on the issuance and
transfer of its shares.
3.2 TRUST or its designee shall provide LIFE COMPANY, free of charge,
with as many copies of the current prospectus (or prospectuses), statements of
additional information, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements for
the shares of the Portfolios as LIFE COMPANY may reasonably request for
distribution to existing. Variable Contract owners whose Variable Contracts are
funded by such shares. TRUST or its designee shall provide LIFE COMPANY, at
LIFE COMPANY's expense, with as many copies of the current prospectus (or
prospectuses) for the shares as LIFE COMPANY may reasonably request for
distribution to prospective purchasers of Variable Contracts. If requested by
LIFE COMPANY, TRUST or its designee shall provide such documentation [including
a "camera ready" copy of the current prospectus (or prospectuses) for the
Portfolios used in LIFE COMPANY'S Variable Contracts as set in type or, at the
request of LIFE COMPANY, as a diskette in the form sent to the financial
printer] and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the
parties hereto once a year [or more frequently if the prospectus (or
prospectuses), for such Portfolios for the shares is supplemented or amended]
to have the prospectus for the Variable Contracts and the prospectus (or
prospectuses) for the TRUST shares printed together in one document. The
expenses of such printing will be apportioned between LIFE COMPANY and TRUST in
proportion to the number of pages of the Variable Contract and TRUST
prospectus, taking account of other relevant factors affecting the expense of
printing, such as covers, columns, graphs and charts; TRUST shall bear the cost
of printing the TRUST prospectus portion of such document for distribution only
to owners of existing Variable Contracts funded by the TRUST shares and LIFE
COMPANY shall bear the expense of printing the portion of such documents
relating to the Separate Account; provided, however, LIFE COMPANY shall bear
all printing expenses of such combined documents where used for distribution to
prospective purchasers or to owners of existing Variable Contracts not funded
by the shares. In the event that LIFE COMPANY requests that TRUST or its
designee provide TRUST's prospectus in a "camera ready" or diskette format,
TRUST shall be responsible for providing the prospectus (or prospectuses) in
the format in which it is accustomed to formatting prospectuses and shall bear
the expense of providing the prospectus (or prospectuses) in such format (e.g.
typesetting expenses), and LIFE
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COMPANY shall bear the expense of adjusting or changing the format to conform
with any of its prospectuses.
3.3 TRUST will provide LIFE COMPANY with at least one complete copy of
all prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements,
exemptive applications and all amendments or supplements to any of the above
that relate to the Portfolios and any other material constituting sales
literature or advertising under NASD rules, the 40 Act or the 33 Act within 20
days of the date of such material and annual and semi-annual reports and any
amendments or supplements thereto within 80 days of the date of such report or
amendment or supplement thereto. LIFE COMPANY will provide TRUST with at least
one complete copy of all prospectuses, statements of additional information,
proxy statements, exemptive applications and all amendments or supplements to
any of the above that relate to a Separate Account and any other material
constituting sales literature or advertising under NASD rules, the 40 Act or
the 33 Act within 20 days of the date of such material and annual and
semi-annual reports-and any amendments within 80 days of the date of such
report or amendment or supplement thereto.
Article IV. SALES MATERIALS
4.1 LIFE COMPANY will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to TRUST
and ADVISER, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which TRUST or ADVISER is named, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its
intended use. No such material will be used if TRUST or ADVISER objects to its
use in writing within seven (7) Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2 TRUST and ADVISER will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to
LIFE COMPANY, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which LIFE COMPANY or its Separate Accounts are named, at least ten (10)
Business Days prior to its intended use. No such material will be used if LIFE
COMPANY objects to its use in writing within seven (7) Business Days after
receipt of such material.
4.3 TRUST and its affiliates and agents shall not give any information
or make any representations on behalf of LIFE COMPANY or concerning LIFE
COMPANY, the Separate Accounts, or the Variable Contracts issued by LIFE
COMPANY, other than the information or representations contained in a
registration statement or prospectus for such Variable Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in reports of the Separate Accounts or reports prepared for
distribution to owners of such Variable Contracts, or in sales literature or
other promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its designee, except
with the written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
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4.4 LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates and agents shall not give any
information or make any representations on behalf of TRUST or concerning TRUST
other than the information or representations contained in a registration
statement or prospectus for TRUST, as such registration statement and
prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by TRUST or its designee,
except with the written permission of TRUST or ADVISER.
4.5 For purposes of this Agreement, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" or words of similar import include, without
limitation, advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use, in
a newspaper, magazine or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape
recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures or other
public media), sales literature (such as any written communication distributed
or made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures,
circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, or
reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published
article), educational or training materials or other communications distributed
or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, registration
statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder
reports and proxy materials, and any other material constituting sales
literature or advertising under National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD") rules, the '40 Act, the '33 Act or rules thereunder.
Article V. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
5.1 The parties acknowledge that TRUST has received an order from the
SEC granting relief from various provisions of the '40 Act and the rules
thereunder to the extent necessary to permit TRUST shares to be sold to and
held by Variable Contract separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated
Participating Insurance Companies and Qualified Plans. The Exemptive Order
requires TRUST and each Participating Insurance Company to comply with
conditions and undertakings substantially as provided in this Article V. The
TRUST will not enter into a participation agreement with any other
Participating Insurance Company unless it imposes substantially the same
conditions and undertakings as are imposed on LIFE COMPANY by this Article V.
5.2 The Board will monitor TRUST for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of Variable Contract owners of
all separate accounts and with participants of Qualified Plans investing in
TRUST. An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety of reasons,
which may include: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority;
(b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or securities laws
or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling or any similar action
by insurance, tax or securities regulatory authorities: (c) an administrative
or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which
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the investments of TRUST are being managed; (e) a difference in voting
instructions given by Variable Contract owners; (f) a decision by a
Participating Insurance Company to disregard the voting instructions of
Variable Contract owners and (g) if applicable, a decision by a Qualified Plan
to disregard the voting instructions of plan participants.
5.3 LIFE COMPANY will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it becomes aware to the Board. LIFE COMPANY will be responsible for
assisting the Board in carrying out its duties in this regard by providing the
Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider any
issues raised. The responsibility includes, but is not limited to, an
obligation by the LIFE COMPANY to inform the Board whenever it has determined
to disregard Variable Contract owner voting instructions. These
responsibilities of LIFE COMPANY will be carried out with a view only to the
interests of the Variable Contract owners.
5.4 If a majority of the Board or majority of its disinterested
Trustees, determines that a material irreconcilable conflict exists affecting
LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY, at its expense and to the extent reasonably
practicable (as determined by a majority of the Board's disinterested
Trustees), will take any steps necessary to remedy or eliminate the
irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including; (a) withdrawing the
assets allocable to some or all of the Separate Accounts from TRUST or any
Portfolio thereof and reinvesting those assets in a different investment
medium, which may include another Portfolio of TRUST, or another investment
company; (b) submitting the question as to whether such segregation should be
implemented to a vote of all affected Variable Contract owners and as
appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e., variable
annuity or variable life insurance Contract owners of one or more Participating
Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to
the affected Variable Contract owners the option of making such a change; and
(c) establishing a new registered management investment company (or series
thereof) or managed separate account. If a material irreconcilable conflict
arises because of LIFE COMPANY's decision to disregard Variable Contract owner
voting instructions, and that decision represents a minority position or would
preclude a majority vote, LIFE COMPANY may be required, at the election of
TRUST, to withdraw the Separate Account's investment in TRUST, and no charge or
penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal. The responsibility to
take such remedial action shall be carried out with a view only to the
interests of the Variable Contract owners.
For the purposes of this Section 5.4, a majority of the disinterested
members of the Board shall determine whether or not any proposed action
adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event will
TRUST or ADVISER (or any other investment adviser of TRUST) be required to
establish a new funding medium for any Variable Contract. Further, LIFE COMPANY
shall not be required by this Section 5.4 to establish a new funding medium for
any Variable Contracts [if any offer to do so has
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been declined by a vote of a majority of Variable Contract owners materially
and adversely affected by the irreconcilable material conflict.]
5.5 The Board's determination of the existence of an irreconcilable
material conflict and its implications shall be made known promptly and in
writing to LIFE COMPANY.
5.6 LIFE COMPANY shall from time to time submit to the Board such
reports, materials or data as the Board may reasonably request so that the
Board may fully carry out its obligations under this Article V.
Article V1. VOTING
6.1 LIFE COMPANY will provide pass-through voting privileges to all
Variable Contract owners so long as and to the extent the SEC continues to
interpret the '40 Act as requiring pass-through voting privileges for Variable
Contract owners. Accordingly, LIFE COMPANY, where applicable, will vote shares
of the Portfolio held in its 40 Act registered Separate Accounts in a manner
consistent with voting instructions timely received from its Variable Contract
owners. LIFE COMPANY will be responsible for assuring that each of its Separate
Accounts that participates in TRUST calculates voting privileges in a manner
consistent with other Participating Insurance Companies. LIFE COMPANY will vote
shares in a registered Separate Account for which it has not received timely
voting instructions in the same proportion as it votes those shares in that
Separate Account for which it has received voting instructions.
6.2 If and to the extent Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or if
Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the '40
Act or the rules thereunder with respect to mixed and shared funding on terms
and conditions materially different from any exemptions granted in the
Exemptive Order, then TRUST, and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as
appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rule 6e-2
and Rule 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such
Rules are applicable.
Article VII. INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Indemnification by LIFE COMPANY. LIFE COMPANY agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless TRUST, ADVISER and each of their Trustees, directors,
principals, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who
controls TRUST or ADVISER within the meaning of Section 15 of the '33 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of LIFE COMPANY, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or
litigation or threatened litigation (including reasonable legal and other
expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any
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statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or
settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of TRUST's shares or the
Variable Contracts and:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the
Registration Statement or prospectus or sales literature for the
Variable Contracts or contained in the Variable Contracts (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of
or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party
if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished in writing to LIFE COMPANY by or on behalf of TRUST for
use in the registration statement or prospectus for the Variable
Contracts or in the Variable Contracts or sales literature (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of the Variable Contracts or TRUST
shares; or
(b) arise out of or result from (i) untrue statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement. prospectus or sales literature of TRUST not
supplied by LIFE COMPANY, or persons under its control) or
(ii) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of LIFE
COMPANY or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Variable Contracts or TRUST shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or
sales literature of TRUST or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading if such statement or omission or
such alleged statement or omission was MADE IN RELIANCE upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing to TRUST by or on
behalf of LIFE COMPANY; or
(d) arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY to provide
substantially the services and furnish the materials required under
the terms of this Agreement; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and /or warranty made by LIFE COMPANY in this
Agreement or arise out of
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or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by LIFE
COMPANY.
7.2 LIFE COMPANY shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party to the extent that
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation are attributable to
such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in
the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such
Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this
Agreement.
7.3 LIFE COMPANY shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified LIFE COMPANY in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice
of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify LIFE COMPANY of
any such claim shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action 'is brought otherwise
than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is
brought against an Indemnified Party, LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled to
participate at its own expense in the defense of such action. LIFE COMPANY also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from LIFE COMPANY to such party of
LIFE COMPANY's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and
LIFE COMPANY will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
7.4 Indemnification by TRUST and ADVISER. TRUST and ADVISER each agree
to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY and each of its directors,
officers, employees, and agents and each person, if any, who controls LIFE
COMPANY within the meaning of Section 15 of the '33 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties") against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
TRUST or ADVISER (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or
litigation or threatened litigation (including reasonable legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any
statute, or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or
settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of TRUST's shares for the
Variable Contracts and:
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(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration
statement or prospectus or sales literature of TRUST (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, provided that this agreement
to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to ADVISER or TRUST by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY for use
in the registration statement or prospectus for TRUST or in sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing)
or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Variable
Contracts or TRUST shares; or
(b) arise out of or result from (i) untrue statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in the registration Statement, prospectus or sales
literature for the Variable Contracts not supplied by ADVISER
or TRUST or persons under its control) or (ii) gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misfeasance of TRUST or
ADVISER or persons under its control, with respect to the sale
or distribution of the Variable Contracts or TRUST shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature covering the Variable
Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or
the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to LIFE COMPANY for inclusion therein by or on behalf
of TRUST; or
(d) arise as a result of (i) a failure by TRUST or ADVISER to
provide substantially the services and furnish the materials
required under the terms of this Agreement; or (ii) a failure
by a Portfolio(s) invested in by the Separate Account to
comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h)
of the Code; or (iii) a failure by a Portfolio(s) invested in
by the Separate Account to
13
qualify as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of
the Code; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by TRUST or ADVISER in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach
of this Agreement by TRUST or ADVISER.
7.5 TRUST and ADVISER shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party to the extent that
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation are attributable to
such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in
the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such
Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this
Agreement.
7.6 TRUST and ADVISER shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified TRUST and ADVISER in writing within
a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice
of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify TRUST and
ADVISER of any such claim shall not relieve TRUST and ADVISER from any
liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action
is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case
any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, TRUST and ADVISER
shall be entitled to participate at their own expense in the defense thereof.
TRUST and ADVISER also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from TRUST
or ADVISER to such party of TRUST's or ADVISER's election to assume the defense
thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and TRUST and/or ADVISER as the case may be
will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with
the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
Article VIII. TERM: TERMINATION
8.1 This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall
continue in force until terminated in accordance with the provisions herein.
8.2 This Agreement shall terminate in accordance with the following
provisions:
14
(a) At the option of LIFE COMPANY or TRUST at any time from the date
hereof upon 180 days' written notice, unless a shorter time is
agreed to by the parties;
(b) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, if TRUST shares are not
reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Variable
Contracts as determined by LIFE COMPANY. Prompt notice of
election to terminate shall be furnished by LIFE COMPANY, said
termination to be effective ten days after receipt of notice
unless TRUST makes available a sufficient number of shares to
reasonably meet the requirements of the Variable Contracts
within said ten-day period;
(c) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, upon the institution of formal
proceedings against TRUST or ADVISER or any sub-adviser by the SEC,
the NASD, or any other regulatory body, the expected or anticipated
ruling, judgment or outcome of which would, in LIFE COMPANY's
reasonable judgment, after affording TRUST and ADVISER reasonable
opportunity for consultation with LIFE COMPANY, materially impair
TRUST's ability to meet and perform TRUST's obligations and duties
hereunder, or result in material harm to the Separate Accounts, LIFE
COMPANY, or owners of Variable Contracts. Prompt notice of election
to terminate shall be furnished by LIFE COMPANY with said
termination to be effective upon receipt of notice;
(d) At the option of TRUST or ADVISER, upon the institution of
formal proceedings against LIFE COMPANY by the SEC, the NASD,
or any other regulatory body, the expected or anticipated
ruling, judgment or outcome of which would, in TRUST's or
ADVISER's reasonable judgment, after affording LIFE COMPANY
reasonable opportunity for consultation with TRUST and
ADVISER, materially impair LIFE COMPANY's ability to meet and
perform its obligations and duties hereunder. Prompt notice of
election to terminate shall be furnished by TRUST with said
termination to be effective upon receipt of notice-,
(e) In the event TRUST's shares are not registered, issued or sold
in accordance with applicable state or federal law, or such
law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
investment medium of Variable Contracts issued or to be issued
by LIFE COMPANY. Termination shall be effective upon such
occurrence without notice;
15
(f) At the option of TRUST if the Variable Contracts cease to
qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts, as
applicable, under the Code, or if TRUST reasonably believes
that the Variable Contracts may fail to so qualify.
Termination shall be effective upon receipt of notice by LIFE
COMPANY;
(g) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, upon TRUST's or ADVISER's
breach of any material provision of this Agreement, which
breach has not been cured to the reasonable satisfaction of
LIFE COMPANY within ten days after written notice of such
breach is delivered to TRUST;
(h) At the option of TRUST or ADVISER, upon LIFE COMPANY's breach
of any material provision of this Agreement, which breach has
not been cured to the satisfaction of TRUST within ten days
after written notice of such breach is delivered to LIFE
COMPANY;
(i) At the option of TRUST or ADVISER, if the Variable Contracts
are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with
applicable federal and/or state law. Termination shall be
effective immediately upon such occurrence without notice;
(j) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, upon 75 days written notice of
a vote of Variable Contract owners having an interest in a
Portfolio and upon written approval of LIFE COMPANY, to
substitute the shares of another investment company for the
corresponding shares of a Portfolio in accordance with the
terms of the Variable Contracts;
(k) In the event this Agreement is assigned without the prior
written consent of LIFE COMPANY, TRUST, and ADVISER,
termination shall be effective immediately upon such
occurrence without notice.
8.3 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.2 hereof, TRUST at LIFE COMPANY'S option shall continue to make
available additional TRUST shares, as provided below, for so long as TRUST
desires pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all
Variable Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this
Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts").
Specifically, without limitation, if TRUST makes additional TRUST shares
available, the owners of the Existing Contracts or LIFE COMPANY, whichever
shall have legal
16
authority to do so, shall be permitted to reallocate investments in TRUST,
redeem investments in TRUST and/or invest in TRUST upon the payment of
additional premiums under the Existing Contracts. If TRUST shares continue to
be made available after such termination, the provisions of this Agreement
shall remain in effect and thereafter either TRUST or LIFE COMPANY may
terminate the Agreement, as so continued pursuant to this Section 8.3, upon
sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other party.
8.4 Except as necessary to implement Variable Contract owner initiated
transactions, or as required by state insurance laws or regulations, LIFE
COMPANY shall not redeem the shares attributable to the Variable Contracts (as
opposed to the shares attributable to LIFE COMPANY's assets held in the
Separate Accounts), and LIFE COMPANY shall not prevent Variable Contract owners
from allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under the
Variable Contracts until thirty (30) days after the LIFE COMPANY shall have
notified TRUST of its intention to do so.
Article IX. NOTICES
Any notice hereunder shall be given by registered or certified mail
return receipt requested to the other party at the address of such party set
forth below or at such other address as such party may from time to time
specify in writing to the other party.
If to TRUST:
BT Insurance Funds Trust
c/o First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.
One Exchange Place
53 State Street, Mail Stop BOS865
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
AND
c/o BT Xxxx Xxxxx
One South Street, Mail Stop 1-18-6
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
If to ADVISER:
Bankers Trust Company
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Mail Stop 2355
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn.: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
17
If to LIFE COMPANY:
Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxx, X.X. 13202
Attn: Xxxxxx 0. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
With a copy to :
Lincoln National Life Insurance
0000 X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Notice shall be deemed given on the date of receipt by the addressee
as-evidenced by the return receipt.
Article X. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof
or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
10.2 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
10.3 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid
by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
10.4 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. It
shall also be subject to the provisions of the federal securities laws and the
rules and regulations thereunder and to any orders of the SEC granting
exemptive relief therefrom and the conditions of such orders.
10.5 It is understood and expressly stipulated that neither the
shareholders of shares of any Portfolio nor the Trustees or officers of TRUST
or any Portfolio shall be personally liable hereunder. No Portfolio shall be
liable for the liabilities of any other Portfolio. All persons dealing with
TRUST or a Portfolio must look solely to the property of TRUST or that
Portfolio, respectively, for enforcement of any claims against TRUST or that
Portfolio. It is also understood that each of the Portfolios shall be
deemed to be
18
entering into a separate Agreement with LIFE COMPANY so that it is as if each
of the Portfolios had signed a separate Agreement with LIFE COMPANY and that a
single document is being signed simply to facilitate the execution and
administration of the Agreement.
10.6 Each party shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
10.7 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement
are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to
under state and federal laws.
10.8 If the Agreement terminates, the parties agree that Article 7 and
Sections 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 shall remain in effect after termination.
10.9 No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by TRUST,
ADVISER and the LIFE COMPANY.
10.10 No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right or remedy
under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof and no single or partial
exercise of rights shall preclude a further or subsequent exercise. The rights
and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies provided by law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized "
officers to execute this Fund Participation Agreement as of the date and year
first above written.
BT INSURANCE FUNDS TRUST
BY:
Name:
Title:
19
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
Vice President
LINCOLN LIFE & ANNUITY COMPANY
OF NEW YORK
By:
Name:
Title:
20
Appendix A
BT Insurance Funds Trust Portfolios
Equity 500 Index Fund
Appendix B
Separate Accounts
1) Lincoln Life & Annuity Flexible Premium Variable Life Account M
2) LLANY Separate Account R for Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance
