PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
[ NAME OF FUND(s) ],
X. XXXX PRICE INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.,
and
[ NAME OF INSURANCE COMPANY ]
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this day of , 2004 by and
among (hereinafter, the "Company"), a [NAME OF STATE] insurance company, on its
own behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset account of the Company set
forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from time to time (each account
hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), and the undersigned funds, each, a
corporation organized under the laws of Maryland (each hereinafter referred to
as the "Fund") and X. Xxxx Price Investment Services, Inc. (hereinafter the
"Underwriter"), a Maryland corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is or will be available to act as the investment vehicle
for separate accounts established for variable life insurance and variable
annuity contracts (the "Variable Insurance Products") to be offered by insurance
companies which have entered into participation agreements with the Fund and
Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several
series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio" and representing the interest in
a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") granting Participating Insurance Companies and
variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts exemptions from
the provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules
6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T) (b)(15) thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit
shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life
insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance
companies (hereinafter the "Shared Funding Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and shares of the Portfolios are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, certain of such Funds have issued multiple classes of shares
for the purpose of paying the Company for its distribution expenses pursuant to
the a plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, X. Xxxx Price Associates, Inc. and X. Xxxx Price International,
Inc. (each hereinafter referred to as the "Adviser") are each duly registered as
an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and
any applicable state securities laws; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable
life insurance or variable annuity contracts supported wholly or partially by
the Account (the "Contracts") under the 1933 Act, and said Contracts are listed
in Schedule A hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by mutual written
agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Account is duly established and maintained as a segregated
asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set aside
and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid Contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with the SEC
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "1934
Act"), and is a member in good standing of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (hereinafter "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios listed in
Schedule A hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by mutual written
agreement (the "Designated Portfolios") on behalf of the Account to fund the
aforesaid Contracts, and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to
unit investment trusts such as the Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1 The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the
Designated Portfolios which the Account orders, executing such orders on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its
designee of the order for the shares of the Designated Portfolios.
1.2 The Fund agrees to make shares of the Designated Portfolios
available for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the
Company and the Account on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset
value pursuant to rules of the SEC, and the Fund shall use its best efforts to
calculate such net asset value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the
Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell shares of any Designated
Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any
Designated Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction, or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such Designated Portfolio.
1.3 The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts. No
shares of any Designated Portfolios will be sold to the general public. The Fund
and the Underwriter will not sell Fund shares to any insurance company or
separate account unless an agreement containing provisions substantially the
same as Articles I, III and VII of this Agreement is in effect to govern such
sales.
1.4 The Fund agrees to redeem, on the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Designated Portfolios held by the Company, executing
such requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after
receipt by the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption, except that
the Fund reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption or postpone the
date of payment or satisfaction upon redemption consistent with Section 22(e) of
the 1940 Act and any sales thereunder, and in accordance with the procedures and
policies of the Fund as described in the then current prospectus.
1.5 For purposes of Sections 1.1 and 1.4, the Company shall be the
designee of the Fund for receipt of purchase and redemption orders from the
Account, and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund;
provided that the Company receives the order by 4:00 p.m. Baltimore time and the
Fund receives notice of such order by 9:30 a.m. Baltimore time on the next
following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.6 The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of each
Designated Portfolio offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund and in
accordance with the provisions of such prospectus.
1.7 The Company shall pay for Fund shares one Business Day after
receipt of an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1.5 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted
by wire by 3:00 p.m. Baltimore time. If payment in Federal Funds for any
purchase is not received or is received by the Fund after 3:00 p.m. Baltimore
time on such Business Day, the Company shall promptly, upon the Fund's request,
reimburse the Fund for any charges, costs, fees, interest or other expenses
incurred by the Fund in connection with any advances to, or borrowings or
overdrafts by, the Fund, or any similar expenses incurred by the Fund, as a
result of portfolio transactions effected by the Fund based upon such purchase
request. For purposes of Section 2.8 and 2.9 hereof, upon receipt by the Fund of
the federal funds so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of
the Company and shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.8 Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account.
Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each
Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9 The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone,
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Designated Portfolios' shares. The
Company hereby elects to receive all such income, dividends, and capital gain
distributions as are payable on Designated Portfolio shares in additional shares
of that Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to revoke this election and to
receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The
Fund shall notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of
such dividends and distributions.
1.10 The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each
Designated Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as
reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is calculated (normally
by 6:30 p.m. Baltimore time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net
asset value per share available by 7 p.m. Baltimore time. If the net asset value
is materially incorrect through no fault of the Company, the Company on behalf
of each Account, shall be entitled to an adjustment to the number of shares
purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct net asset value in accordance with
Fund procedures. Any material error in the net asset value shall be reported to
the Company promptly upon discovery. Any administrative or other costs or losses
incurred for correcting underlying Contract owner accounts shall be at Company's
expense.
1.11 The Parties hereto acknowledge that the arrangement contemplated
by this Agreement is not exclusive; the Fund's shares may be sold to other
insurance companies (subject to Section 1.3 and Article VI hereof) and the cash
value of the Contracts may be invested in other investment companies.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1 The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will
be registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws,
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established the Account
prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account under the [
STATE ] insurance laws and has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of
the Contracts, will register the Account as a unit investment trust in
accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated
investment account for the Contracts.
2.2 The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the state of [STATE] and all
applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall
remain registered under the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall amend the Registration
Statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time
as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund
shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of
the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund or the
Underwriter.
2.3 The X. Xxxx Price Equity Series, Inc. (the "Equity Fund") currently
is authorized to issue a class of shares with respect to which the Equity Fund
has adopted a plan for purposes of paying for distribution services under Rule
12b-1 of the 1940 Act. To the extent that another Fund decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund will undertake to have
the Board, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, formulate
and approve any plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to finance
distribution expenses.
2.4 The Fund makes no representations as to whether any aspect of its
operations, including but not limited to, investment policies, fees and
expenses, complies with the insurance and other applicable laws of the various
states, except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies,
fees and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws
of the state of [ STATE ] to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
2.5 The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.6 The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good
standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The
Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund shares
in accordance with the laws of the State of [ STATE ] and any applicable state
and federal securities laws.
2.7 The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is and
shall remain duly registered under all applicable federal and state securities
laws and that the Adviser shall perform its obligations for the Fund in
compliance in all material respects with the laws of the State of [ STATE ] and
any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.8 The Fund and the Underwriter represent and warrant that all of
their directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals
or entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are and shall
continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the minimum
coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act or related
provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond shall
include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable
bonding company.
2.9 The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees, and other individuals/entities employed or controlled by
the Company dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by
a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage in an amount not less than $5
million. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and
is issued by a reputable bonding company. The Company agrees that any amounts
received under such bond in connection with claims that arise from the
arrangements described in this Agreement will be held by the Company for the
benefit of the Fund. The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see
that this bond or another bond containing these provisions is always in effect,
and agrees to notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such
coverage no longer applies. The Company agrees to exercise its best efforts to
ensure that other individuals/entities not employed or controlled by the Company
and dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund maintain a similar bond
or coverage in a reasonable amount.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information,
and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1 The Underwriter shall provide the Company (at the Company's
expense) with as many copies of the Fund's current prospectus (describing only
the Designated Portfolios listed on Schedule A) as the Company may reasonably
request. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide
such documentation (including a final copy of the new prospectus as set in type
or on a diskette, at the Fund's expense) and other assistance as is reasonably
necessary in order for the Company (at the Company's expense) once each year (or
more frequently if the prospectus for the Fund is amended) to have the
prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together in one
document (such printing to be at the Company's expense).
3.2 The Fund's prospectus shall state that the current Statement of
Additional Information ("SAI") for the Fund is available from the Company (or,
in the Fund's discretion, from the Fund), and the Underwriter (or the Fund), at
its expense, shall print, or otherwise reproduce, and provide sufficient copies
of such SAI free of charge to the Company for itself, and for any owner of a
Contract who requests such SAI. The Company shall send an SAI to any such
Contract owner within 3 business days of the receipt of a request.
3.3 The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of
its proxy material, reports to shareholders, and other communications to
shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for
distributing to Contract owners in the Fund. The Underwriter (at the Company's
expense) shall provide the Company with copies of the Fund's annual and
semi-annual reports to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall
reasonably request for use in connection with offering the Variable Contracts
issued by the Company. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the
Underwriter shall provide such documentation (which may include a final copy of
the Fund's annual and semi-annual reports as set in type or on diskette) and
other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company (at the
Company's expense) to print such shareholder communications for distribution to
Contract owners. The Company shall send a copy of the Fund's annual or
semi-annual report within 3 business days of the receipt of a request by a
Contract owner.
3.4 The Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions
received from Contract owners; and
(iii) vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been
received in the same proportion as Fund shares of
such Designated Portfolio for which instructions have
been received,
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to
require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners or to the
extent otherwise required by law. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund
shares held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent
permitted by law.
3.5 Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring
that each of their separate accounts participating in a Designated Portfolio
calculates voting privileges as required by the Shared Funding Exemptive Order
and consistent with any reasonable standards that the Fund may adopt.
3.6 The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund
is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with
Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in
accordance with the SEC's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a)
with respect to periodic elections of directors or trustees and with whatever
rules the SEC may promulgate with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material that the Company develops or uses and in which the Fund (or a Portfolio
thereof) or the Adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least ten calendar days
prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its designee
reasonably object to such use within ten calendar days after receipt of such
material. The Fund or its designee reserves the right to reasonably object to
the continued use of such material, and no such material shall be used if the
Fund or its designee so object.
4.2 The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus or SAI for
the Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus or SAI may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for
the Fund, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the
Fund or its designee or by the Underwriter, except with the permission of the
Fund or the Underwriter or the designee of either.
4.3 The Fund, Underwriter, or its designee shall furnish, or shall
cause to be furnished, to the Company, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Company, and/or its Account, is named at least
ten calendar days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Company reasonably objects to such use within ten calendar days after receipt of
such material. The Company reserves the right to reasonably object to the
continued use of such material and no such material shall be used if the Company
so objects.
4.4. The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or
make any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the
Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or SAI for the Contracts, as
such registration statement, prospectus or SAI may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, or in published reports for the Account which are in the
public domain or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or
in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5 The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, proxy statements,
sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions,
requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that
relate to the Fund or its shares, within a reasonable time after the filing of
such document(s) with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.6 The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, solicitations for
voting instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or the Account, within a
reasonable time after the filing of such document(s) with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
4.7 For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature and
other promotional materials" includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: 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 (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, reports,
market letters, form letters, seminar texts, 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, and registration statements, prospectuses,
SAIs, shareholder reports, proxy materials, and any other communications
distributed or made generally available with regard to the Funds.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1 The Underwriter shall pay a fee to the Company or to the
underwriter for the Contracts pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance service
expenses as set forth in the Letter Agreement entered into between
[Company Name] and X. Xxxx Price Investment Services, Inc. dated [date].
5.2 All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this
Agreement shall be paid by the Fund, except as otherwise provided herein. The
Fund shall see to it that all its shares are registered and authorized for
issuance in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent
deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with applicable state laws prior to
their sale. The Fund shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration and
qualification of the Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's
prospectus and registration statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the
prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the proxy materials and reports
to shareholders (including the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes
an annual report), the preparation of all statements and notices required by any
federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's
shares.
5.3 The Company shall bear the expenses of printing the Fund's
prospectus (in accordance with 3.1) and of distributing the Fund's prospectus,
proxy materials, and reports to Contract owners and prospective Contract owners.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification and Qualification
6.1 The Fund will invest the assets of each Designated Portfolio in
such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as annuity,
endowment, or life insurance contracts, whichever is appropriate, under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the regulations
issued thereunder (or any successor provisions). Without limiting the scope of
the foregoing, each Designated Portfolio of the Fund will comply with Section
817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation ss.1.817-5, and any Treasury
interpretations thereof, relating to the diversification requirements for
variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts, and any amendments or
other modifications or successor provisions to such Section or Regulations. In
the event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all
reasonable steps (a) to notify the Company of such breach and (b) to adequately
diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded
by Regulation 817.5.
6.2 The Fund represents that each Designated Portfolio is or will be
qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code, and
that it will make every effort to maintain such qualification (under Subchapter
M or any successor or similar provisions) and that it will notify the Company
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to
so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
6.3 The Company represents that the Contracts are currently, and at the
time of issuance shall be, treated as life insurance, endowment contracts, or
annuity insurance contracts, under applicable provisions of the Code, and that
it will make every effort to maintain such treatment, and that it will notify
the Fund and the Underwriter immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be
so treated in the future. The Company agrees that any prospectus offering a
contract that is a "modified endowment contract" as that term is defined in
Section 7702A of the Code (or any successor or similar provision), shall
identify such contract as a modified endowment contract.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts.
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7.1 The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (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, no-action or interpretative letter, 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 the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f)
a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract
owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying
out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by providing
the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider
any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever Contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded.
7.3 If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of
its disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Board members), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1),
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2), establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision
by the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account
provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the
extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined
by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Any such withdrawal and
termination must take place within six (6) months after the Fund gives written
notice that this provision is being implemented, and until the end of that six
month period the Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the
Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.5 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with
respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs the Company in
writing that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable
material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall
be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Fund shall continue to
accept and implement orders by the company for the purchase (and redemption) of
shares of the Fund.
7.6 For purposes of Section 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any
proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in
no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contract if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the Board determines that
any proposed action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material
conflict, then the Company will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund
and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs the
Company in writing of the foregoing determination; provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board.
7.7 If and to the extent Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or
Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940
Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding
(as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order,
then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate,
shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T),
as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable;
and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.1., 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of this Agreement
shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms and conditions
substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such Rule(s) as so
amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1 Indemnification By the Company
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and the
Underwriter and each of their officers and directors and each person, if
any, who controls the Fund or the Underwriter within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of
this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the
Company) or litigation (including 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 the Fund's shares or the Contracts
and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue
statements of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement,
prospectus, or statement of additional information ("SAI") for the
Contracts or contained in the Contracts or sales literature or other
promotional material for the 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 to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in the
Registration Statement, prospectus or SAI for the Contracts or in the
Contracts or sales literature or other promotional material (or any
amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale
of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the Registration Statement,
prospectus or sales literature or other promotional material of the Fund
not supplied by the Company or persons under its control) or wrongful
conduct of the Company or persons under its authorization or control, with
respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
(iii)arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus, SAI, or
sales literature or other promotional material of the Fund 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 a statement or omission was
made in reliance upon information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of
the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any material failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to comply with the qualification requirements specified in Article VI of
this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of or
result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company,
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and
8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
subject by reason of 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 its obligations or
duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The 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 the 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 the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the 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, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action and to settle the claim at its own expense; provided,
however, that no such settlement shall, without the Indemnified Parties' written
consent, include any factual stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or
their conduct. After notice from the Company to such party of the 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 the 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.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the
Company of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in
connection with the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the Contracts or the
operation of the Fund.
8.2 Indemnification by the Underwriter
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company and each of it directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation
(including 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 the Fund's
shares or the Contracts; and
(i) 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 SAI or sales literature or other promotional material of the
Fund (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 to the Underwriter or Fund by
or on behalf of the Company for use in the Registration Statement or
prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature or other promotional
material (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the Registration Statement,
prospectus or sales literature or other promotional material for the
Contracts not supplied by the Underwriter or persons under its control) or
wrongful conduct of the Fund or Underwriter or persons under their control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares;
or
(iii)arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus, SAI, or
sales literature or other promotional material of the 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 statement or statements therein not misleading, if
such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished
to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any material failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to comply with the diversification and other qualification requirements
specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Underwriter;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and
8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance or such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties
under this Agreement or to the Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter 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 the Underwriter 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 the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter 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 Party, the Underwriter will be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action and to settle the claim at its own expense; provided,
however, that no such settlement shall, without the Indemnified Parties' written
consent, include any factual stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or
their conduct. After notice from the Underwriter to such party of the
Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and
the Underwriter 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.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts
or the operation of the Account.
8.3 Indemnification By the Fund
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3)
against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may be
required to pay or may become subject under any statute or regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements, are related to the
operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any material failure by
the Fund to provide the services and furnish
the materials under the terms of this
Agreement (including a failure, whether
unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to comply with the diversification and other
qualification requirements specified in
Article VI of this Agreement); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material
breach of any representation and/or warranty
made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and
8.3(c) hereof.
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
subject by reason of 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 or to the Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or the
Account, whichever is applicable.
8.3(c). The Fund 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 the Fund 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 the Fund of any
such claim shall not relieve the Fund 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, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to
assume the expense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action and to settle the claim at its own expense; provided, however, that no
such settlement shall, without the Indemnified Parties' written consent, include
any factual stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or their conduct.
After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund 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.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to
notify the Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it
or any of its respective officers or directors in connection with the Agreement,
the issuance or sale of the Contracts, the operation of the Account, or the sale
or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.
9.2 This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934
and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including
such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant
(including, but not limited to, any Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the
terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1 This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first
to occur of:
(a) termination by any party, for any reason with respect
to some or all Designated Portfolios, by six (6)
months' advance written notice delivered to the other
parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the
Fund and the Underwriter with respect to any
Designated Portfolio based upon the Company's
determination that shares of the Fund are not
reasonably available to meet the requirements of the
Contracts; provided that such termination shall apply
only to the Designated Portfolio not reasonably
available; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the
Fund and the Underwriter in the event any of the
Designated Portfolio's shares are not registered,
issued or sold in accordance with applicable state
and/or federal law or such law precludes the use of
such shares as the underlying investment media of the
Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Fund or Underwriter in the event
that formal administrative proceedings are instituted
against the Company by the NASD, the SEC, the
Insurance Commissioner or like official of any state
or any other regulatory body regarding the Company's
duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of
the Contracts, the operation of any Account, or the
purchase of the Fund shares; provided, however, that
the Fund or Underwriter determines in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that any such
administrative proceedings will have a material
adverse effect upon the ability of the Company to
perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) termination by the Company in the event that formal
administrative proceedings are instituted against the
Fund or Underwriter by the NASD, the SEC, or any
state securities or insurance department or any other
regulatory body; provided, however, that the Company
determines in its sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that any such administrative proceedings will
have a material adverse effect upon the ability of
the Fund or Underwriter to perform its obligations
under this Agreement; or
(f) termination by the Company by written notice to the
Fund and the Underwriter with respect to any
Designated Portfolio in the event that such
Designated Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M or fails to
comply with the Section 817(h) diversification
requirements specified in Article VI hereof, or if
the Company reasonably believes that such Designated
Portfolio may fail to so qualify or comply; or
(g) termination by the Fund or Underwriter by written
notice to the Company in the event that the Contracts
fail to meet the qualifications specified in Section
6.3 hereof; or if the Fund or Underwriter reasonably
believes that such Contracts may fail to so qualify;
or
(h) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by
written notice to the Company, if either one or both
of the Fund or the Underwriter respectively, shall
determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that the Company has suffered a material
adverse change in its business, operations, financial
condition, or prospects since the date of this
Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity; or
(i) termination by the Company by written notice to the
Fund and the Underwriter, if the Company shall
determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that the Fund or the Underwriter has suffered
a material adverse change in its business,
operations, financial condition or prospects since
the date of this Agreement or is the subject of
material adverse publicity.
10.2 Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of this
Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter shall, at the option of the Company,
continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective
date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing
Contracts"). Specifically, the owners of the Existing Contracts may be permitted
to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem investments in the Fund and/or
invest in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the
Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to
any termination under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII termination
shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement. The parties further agree
that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any termination under Section 10.1(g)
of this Agreement.
10.3 The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the
Contracts (as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held
in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract owner initiated or
approved transactions, (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or
regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption"), or (iii) pursuant
to the terms of a substitution order issued by the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b)
of the 1940 Act. Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and
the Underwriter the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter) to the effect that any
redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption.
Furthermore, except in cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts,
the Company shall not prevent Contract owners from allocating payments to a
Portfolio that was otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving
the Fund or the Underwriter 90 days notice of its intention to do so.
10.4 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each party's
obligation under Article VIII to indemnify the other parties shall survive.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail 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 the Fund:
X. Xxxx Price Associates, Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
If to the Company:
If to Underwriter:
X. Xxxx Price Investment Services
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
12.1 All references herein to the Fund are to each of the undersigned
Funds as if this agreement were between such individual Fund and the Underwriter
and the Company. All references herein to the Adviser relate solely to the
Adviser of such individual Fund, as appropriate. All persons dealing with a Fund
must look solely to the property of such Fund, and in the case of a series
company, the respective Designated Portfolio listed on Schedule A hereto as
though such Designated Portfolio had separately contracted with the Company and
the Underwriter for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund. The parties
agree that neither the Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any
personal liability or responsibility for obligations entered into by or on
behalf of the Fund.
12.2 Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information without the express written consent
of the affected party until such time as such information may come into the
public domain.
12.3 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.
12.4 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.5 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.
12.6 Each party hereto 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.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the [ STATE ] Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the variable annuity
operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with [
STATE ] variable annuity laws and regulations and any other applicable law or
regulations.
12.7 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.
12.8 This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may
not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties
hereto.
12.9 The Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its
designee copies of the following reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement (prepared under statutory accounting
principles) and annual report (prepared under generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), if any), as soon as practical and in any event within
90 days after the end of each fiscal year.
(b) the Company's quarterly statements (statutory) (and GAAP, if any), as soon
as practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each
quarterly period.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified below.
COMPANY: [ COMPANY ]
By its authorized officer
By:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND: X. XXXX PRICE [ ]
By its authorized officer
By:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND: X. XXXX PRICE [ ]
By its authorized officer
By:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND: X. XXXX PRICE [ ]
By its authorized officer
By:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNDERWRITER: X. XXXX PRICE INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By its authorized officer
By:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:
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A-1
SCHEDULE A
Name of Separate Account and Contracts Funded by
Date Established by Board of Directors Separate Account Designated Portfolios
-------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------------------
