FUND ADMINISTRATION SERVICING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the last day written on the signature page by and between NIAGARA INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”) and U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC d/b/a U.S. BANK GLOBAL FUND SERVICES, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“Fund Services”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company; and
WHEREAS, Fund Services is, among other things, in the business of providing fund administration services for the benefit of its customers; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain Fund Services to provide fund administration services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1.Appointment of Fund Services as Administrator
The Fund hereby appoints Fund Services as administrator of the Fund on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and Fund Services hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The services and duties of Fund Services shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against Fund Services hereunder.
2.Services and Duties of Fund Services
Fund Services shall provide the following administration services to each Fund:
A.General Fund Management:
(1)Act as liaison among Fund service providers.
(2)Supply:
a.Non-investment-related statistical and research data as requested.
(3)Coordinate the Fund’s board of trustees (the “Board of Trustees” or the “Trustees”) communications, such as:
a.Prepare meeting agendas and resolutions, with the assistance of Fund counsel.
b.Prepare reports for the Board of Trustees based on financial and administrative data.
c.Assist with the selection of the independent auditor.
d.Secure and monitor fidelity bond and director and officer liability coverage, and make the necessary Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filings relating thereto.
e.Prepare minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees and Fund shareholders.
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f.Recommend dividend declarations to the Board of Trustees and prepare and distribute to appropriate parties notices announcing declaration of dividends and other distributions to shareholders.
g.Attend Board of Trustees meetings and present materials for the Trustees’ review at such meetings.
(4)Audits:
a.For the annual Fund audit, prepare appropriate schedules and materials. Provide requested information to the independent auditors, and facilitate the audit process.
b.For SEC or other regulatory audits, provide requested information to the SEC or other regulatory agencies and or the Fund to assist the audit process.
(5)Pay Fund expenses upon written authorization from the Fund.
(6)Keep the Fund’s governing documents, including its charter, bylaws and minute books, but only to the extent such documents are provided to Fund Services by the Fund or its representatives for safe keeping.
B.Compliance:
(1)Regulatory Compliance:
a.Monitor compliance with the 1940 Act requirements, including:
(i) Calculation of asset and diversification tests on a quarterly basis.
(ii) Calculation of total return and SEC yields.
(iii) Maintenance of books and records under Rule 31a-3.
(iv) Code of ethics requirements under Rule 17j-1 for the disinterested Trustees, if requested to provide such service by the Fund.
b.After each quarter-end and on a post-trade basis, monitor Fund's compliance with the policies and investment limitations as set forth in its prospectus (the “Prospectus”) and statement of additional information (the “SAI”) (or similar disclosure documents) included in its registration statement on Form N-2 filed with the SEC (“Registration Statement”).
c.Perform its duties hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably requested by the Fund in connection with (i) any certification required of the Fund pursuant to the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”) or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and (ii) the operation of Fund Services’ compliance program as it relates to the Fund, provided the same shall not be deemed to change Fund Services’ standard of care as set forth herein.
d.In order to assist the Fund in satisfying the requirements of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Rule”), Fund Services will provide the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer with reasonable access to Fund Services’ fund records relating to the services provided by it under this Agreement, and will provide quarterly compliance reports and related certifications regarding any Material Compliance Matter (as defined in the Rule) involving Fund Services that affect or could affect the Fund.
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(2)Private Offering and Blue Sky Compliance:
a.File with the SEC prepared Form D filings, and arrange filings with appropriate state securities authorities (e.g., Form D and “blue sky” filings) relating to the qualification of the securities of the Fund so as to enable the Fund to make a continuous offering of its shares in all states and applicable U.S. territories.
b.Monitor status and maintain registrations in each state and applicable U.S. territories.
(3)SEC Registration and Reporting:
a.Assist Fund counsel in annual update of the Registration Statement.
b.Prepare and file annual and semiannual shareholder reports, Form N-CEN, Form N-CSR, Form N-PORT and Rule 24f-2 notices. As requested by the Fund, prepare and file Form N-PX filings.
c.Coordinate the printing, filing and mailing of Prospectuses and shareholder reports, and amendments and supplements thereto.
d.File fidelity bond under Rule 17g-1.
e.Monitor sales of Fund shares and ensure that such shares are properly registered or qualified, as applicable, with the SEC and the appropriate state authorities.
(4)IRS Compliance:
a.Monitor the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), including without limitation, review of the following:
(i) Diversification requirements on a quarterly basis.
(ii) Qualifying income requirements.
(iii) Distribution requirements.
b.Calculate required annual excise distribution amounts for the review and approval of Fund management and/or its independent accountant.
C.Financial Reporting:
(1)Provide financial data required by the Registration Statement.
(2)Prepare financial reports for officers, shareholders, tax authorities, performance reporting companies, the Board of Trustees, the SEC, and the independent auditor.
(3)Supervise the Fund’s custodian and fund accountants in the maintenance of the Fund’s general xxxxxx and in the preparation of the Fund’s financial statements, including oversight of expense accruals and payments, and the declaration and payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders.
(4)Compute the yield, total return, expense ratio and portfolio turnover rate of the Fund.
(5)Monitor expense accruals and make adjustments as necessary; notify the Fund’s management of adjustments expected to materially affect the Fund’s expense ratio.
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(6)Prepare financial statements, which include, without limitation, the following items:
a.Schedule of Investments.
b.Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
c.Statement of Operations.
d.Statement of Changes in Net Assets.
e.Statement of Cash Flows (if applicable).
f.Financial Highlights.
D.Tax Reporting:
(1)Prepare for the review of the independent accountants and/or Fund management the federal and state tax returns including without limitation, Form 1120 RIC and applicable state returns including any necessary schedules. Fund Services will prepare annual Fund federal and state income tax return filings as authorized by and based on the instructions received by Fund management and/or its independent accountant. File on a timely basis appropriate federal and state tax returns including, without limitation, Forms 1120/8613, with any necessary schedules.
(2)Provide the Fund’s management and Fund’s independent accountant with tax reporting information pertaining to the Fund and available to Fund Services as required in a timely manner.
(3)Prepare Fund financial statement tax footnote disclosures for the review and approval of Fund management and/or the Fund’s independent accountant.
(4)Prepare and file on behalf of Fund management Form 1099 MISC for payments to disinterested directors and other qualifying service providers.
(5)Monitor wash sale losses.
(6)Calculate Qualified Dividend Income (“QDI”) for qualifying Fund shareholders.
E.If the Fund so elects, Fund Services shall provide additional services that are further described in the fee schedule Exhibit B.
3.License of Data; Warranty; Termination of Rights
A. Fund Services has entered into agreements with various data service providers (each, a “Data Provider”), including, without limitation, MSCI index data services (“MSCI”), Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC (“S&P”), Morningstar, Broadridge, FTSE, and ICE to provide data services that may include, without limitation, index returns and pricing information (collectively, the “Data”) to facilitate the services provided by Fund Services to the Fund. These Data Providers have required Fund Services to include certain provisions regarding the use of the Data in this Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Data is being licensed, not sold, to the Fund. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that certain Data Providers may also require the Fund to enter into an agreement directly with the Data Provider for the use of that Data Provider’s Data.
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B. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Fund Services, its Data Providers, and any other third party involved in or related to the making or compiling of the Data, their affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, as incurred, arising in and any manner out of the Fund’s or any third party’s use of, or inability to use, the Data or any breach by the Fund of any provision contained in this Agreement regarding the Data. The immediately preceding sentence shall not have any effect upon the standard of care and liability of Fund Services as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.
C. Fund Services has entered into agreements with Bloomberg Finance L.P. (“Bloomberg”) to provide data (the “N-PORT Data”) for use in or in connection with the reporting requirements under the Rule, including preparation and filing of Form N-PORT. In connection with the provision of the N-PORT Data, Bloomberg requires certain provisions to be included in the Agreement.
The Fund agrees that it shall (a) comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to accessing and using the N-PORT Data, (b) not extract the N-PORT Data from the view-only portal, (c) not use the N-PORT Data for any purpose independent of complying with the requirements of Rule 30b1-9 (which prohibition shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, use in risk reporting or other systems or processes (e.g., systems or processes made available enterprise-wide for the Fund’s internal use)), (d) permit audits of its use of the N-PORT Data by Bloomberg, its affiliates or, at the Fund’s request, a mutually agreed upon third-party auditor (provided that the costs of an audit by a third party shall be borne by the Fund), (e) exculpate Bloomberg, its affiliates and their respective suppliers from any liability or responsibility of any kind relating to the Fund’s receipt or use of the N-PORT Data (including expressly disclaiming all warranties). The Fund further agrees that Xxxxxxxxx shall be a third-party beneficiary of the Agreement solely with respect to the foregoing provisions (a) – (e).
4.Compensation
Fund Services shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit B hereto (as amended from time to time). Fund Services shall also be reimbursed for such miscellaneous expenses as set forth on Exhibit B hereto as are reasonably incurred by Fund Services in performing its duties hereunder. The Fund shall pay all such fees and reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of the billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute. The Fund shall notify Fund Services in writing within 30 calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Fund is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Fund shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid. With the exception of any fee or expense the Fund is disputing in good faith as set forth above, unpaid invoices shall accrue a finance charge of 1½% per month after the due date.
5.Representations and Warranties
A.The Fund hereby represents and warrants to Fund Services, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
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(1) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(2) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
(3) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
(4) A registration statement under the 1940 Act and, if applicable, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, will be made effective prior to the effective date of this Agreement and will remain effective during the term of this Agreement, and appropriate state securities law filings will be made prior to the effective date of this Agreement and will continue to be made during the term of this Agreement as necessary to enable the Fund to make a continuous public offering of its shares; and
(5) All records of the Fund provided to Fund Services by the Fund or by a prior service provider of the Fund are accurate and complete and Fund Services is entitled to rely on all such records in the form provided.
B.Fund Services hereby represents and warrants to the Fund, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
(1) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(2) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Fund Services in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Fund Services, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
(3) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
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6.Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
A.Fund Services shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Neither Fund Services nor any of its affiliates or suppliers shall be liable for any error of judgment; mistake of law; fraud or misconduct by the Fund, the adviser or any other service provider to the Fund, or any employee of the foregoing; or for any loss suffered by the Fund, or any third party in connection with Fund Services’ duties under this Agreement, including losses resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond Fund Services’ reasonable control, except a loss arising out of or relating to Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than where such compliance would violate applicable law) or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Fund Services has exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless Fund Services and its affiliates and suppliers from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that Fund Services or its affiliates and suppliers may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against Fund Services or its affiliates and suppliers by any person arising out of or related to (X) any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to Fund Services by any duly authorized officer of the Fund, as approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, or (Y) the Data, or any information, service, report, analysis or publication derived therefrom, except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than where such compliance would violate applicable law) or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund Services” shall include Fund Services’ directors, officers and employees.
B.Fund Services shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that the Fund may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against the Fund by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by Fund Services as a result of Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or from Fund Services’ bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of Fund Services, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund” shall include the Fund’s directors, officers and employees.
In no case shall either party be liable to the other for (i) any special, indirect or consequential damages, loss of profits or goodwill (even if advised of the possibility of such); or (ii) any delay by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, mechanical breakdown, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, or failure beyond its control of transportation or power supply.
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In the event of a mechanical breakdown or failure of communication or power supplies beyond its reasonable control, Fund Services shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues. Fund Services will make every reasonable effort to restore any lost or damaged data and correct any errors resulting from such a breakdown at the expense of Fund Services. Fund Services agrees that it shall, at all times, have reasonable business continuity and contingency plans with appropriate parties, making reasonable provision for emergency use of electrical data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. Representatives of the Fund shall be entitled to inspect Fund Services’ premises and operating capabilities at any time during regular business hours of Fund Services, upon reasonable notice to Fund Services. Moreover, Fund Services shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, copies of reports rendered by independent accountants on the internal controls and procedures of Fund Services relating to the services provided by Fund Services under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the above, Fund Services reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative errors at its own expense.
C.In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
D.The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 6 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.
E.If Fund Services is acting in another capacity for the Fund pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve Fund Services of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
F.In conjunction with the tax services provided to the Fund by Fund Services hereunder, Fund Services shall not be deemed to act as an income tax return preparer for any purpose including as such term is defined under Section 7701(a)(36) of the IRC, or any successor thereof. Any information provided by Fund Services to a Fund for income tax reporting purposes with respect to any item of income, gain, loss, or credit will be performed solely in Fund Services’ administrative capacity. Fund Services shall not be required to determine, and shall not take any position with respect to whether, the reasonable belief standard described in Section 6694 of the IRC has been satisfied with respect to any income tax item. Each Fund, and any appointees thereof, shall have the right to
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inspect the transaction summaries produced and aggregated by Fund Services, and any supporting documents thereto, in connection with the tax reporting services provided to each Fund by Fund Services. Fund Services shall not be liable for the provision or omission of any tax advice with respect to any information provided by Fund Services to a Fund. The tax information provided by Fund Services shall be pertinent to the data and information made available to Fund Services, and is neither derived from nor construed as tax advice.
7.Data Necessary to Perform Services
The Fund or its agent shall furnish to Fund Services the data necessary to perform the services described herein at such times and in such form as mutually agreed upon.
8.Proprietary and Confidential Information
A.Fund Services agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund, all records and other information relative to the Fund and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Fund (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Fund Services may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so requested by the Fund. Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of Fund Services or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of Fund Services prior to receipt thereof from the Fund or its agents or service providers, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
Further, Fund Services will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Fund pursuant to Title V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, as may be modified from time to time. In this regard, Fund Services shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to the Fund and its shareholders.
B.The Fund agrees on behalf of itself and its trustees, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of Fund Services, all non-public information relative to Fund Services (including, without limitation, the Data and information regarding Fund Services’ pricing, products, services, customers, suppliers, financial statements, processes, know-how, trade secrets, market opportunities, past, present or future research, development or business plans, affairs, operations, systems, computer software in source code and object code form, documentation, techniques, procedures, designs, drawings, specifications, schematics, processes and/or intellectual property), and not to use such information for any purpose other than in connection with the services provided under this Agreement, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by Fund Services, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Fund may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so requested by the Fund Services. Information which has become known to the public through no wrongful act of the Fund or any of its employees, agents or
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representatives, and information that was already in the possession of the Fund prior to receipt thereof from Fund Services, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
C.Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Fund shall be permitted to disclose the identity of Fund Services as a service provider, redacted copies of this Agreement, and such other information as may be required in the Trust’s registration or offering documents, or as may otherwise be required by applicable law, rule, or regulation, and (ii) Fund Services shall be permitted to include the name of the Fund in lists of representative clients in due diligence questionnaires, RFP responses, presentations, and other marketing and promotional purposes.
9.Records
Fund Services shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Fund, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Fund Services agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by Fund Services relating to the services to be performed by Fund Services hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Fund or its designee on and in accordance with its request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Fund Services may retain such copies of such records in such form as may be required to comply with any applicable law, rule, regulation, or order of any governmental, regulatory, or judicial authority of competent jurisdiction.
10.Compliance with Laws
A.The Fund has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund, including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Code, the SOX Act, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its Registration Statement. Fund Services’ services hereunder shall not relieve the Fund of its responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of Trustee’s oversight responsibility with respect thereto. Further, the Fund agrees that it complies with any and all applicable local, state, federal, and international data protection laws, and confirms necessary and appropriate consents, disclosures and notices are in place to enable collection and processing of personal data by Fund Services. Fund Services’ functions hereunder shall not relieve the Fund of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance.
B.The Fund shall immediately notify Fund Services if the investment strategy of the Fund materially changes or deviates from the investment strategy disclosed in the current prospectus, or if it becomes subject to any new law, rule, regulation, or order of a governmental or judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that materially impacts the operations of the Fund or the services provided under this Agreement.
11.Terms of Agreement; Amendment
A.This Agreement shall become effective as of the last date written on the signature page and will continue in effect for a period of three (3) years. Following the initial term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year terms unless either party
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provides written notice at least 90 days prior to the end of the then current term that it will not be renewing the Agreement.
B.Subject to Section 16, this Agreement may be terminated by either party (in whole or with respect to one or more Funds) upon giving 90 days’ prior written notice to the other party or such shorter notice period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties.
C.Fund Services may terminate this Agreement immediately if the continued service of the Fund would cause Fund Services or any of its affiliates to be in violation of any applicable law, rule, regulation, or order of any governmental, regulatory or judicial authority of competent jurisdiction, or if the Fund commits any act, or becomes involved in any situation or occurrence, tending to bring itself into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, or ridicule, or such that the continued association with the Fund would reflect unfavorably upon Fund Services’ reputation, provided that in such event Fund Services shall, to the extent it is legally permitted and able to do so, provide reasonable assistance to transition the Fund to a successor service provider.
D.This Agreement may be terminated by any party upon the breach of the other party of any material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of such breach to the breaching party.
E.This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by Fund Services and the Fund, and authorized or approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
12.Early Termination
In the absence of any material breach of this Agreement, should the Fund elect to terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the then current term, the Fund agrees to pay the following fees with respect to each Fund subject to the termination:
a.all monthly fees through the remaining term of the Agreement, including the repayment of any negotiated discounts (provided that no such fees shall be paid following the liquidation of the Fund);
b.all fees associated with converting services to successor service provider;
c.all fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the conversion to a successor service provider;
d.all miscellaneous costs associated with a. to c. above.
13.Duties in the Event of Termination
In the event that, in connection with termination, a successor to any of Fund Services’ duties or responsibilities hereunder is designated by the Fund by written notice to Fund Services, Fund Services will promptly, upon such termination and at the expense of the Fund, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence and other data established or maintained by Fund Services under this Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Fund (if such form differs from the form in which Fund Services has maintained the same, the Fund shall pay any expenses associated with transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from Fund Services’ personnel in the
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establishment of books, records and other data by such successor. If no such successor is designated, then such books, records and other data shall be returned to the Fund. The Fund shall also pay any fees associated with record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that Fund Services is obligated under applicable law, regulation, or rule to continue following the termination.
14.Assignment
This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent of Fund Services, or by Fund Services without the written consent of the Fund accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
15.Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without regard to conflicts of law principles. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Wisconsin, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the SEC thereunder.
16.No Agency Relationship
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this Agreement.
17.Services Not Exclusive
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict Fund Services from providing services to other parties that are similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder.
18.Invalidity
Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.
19.Legal-Related Services
Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to appoint Fund Services or any of its officers, directors or employees as the Fund’s attorneys, form attorney-client relationships or require the provision of legal advice. No work performed by employees of Fund Services or its affiliates (whether relating to the preparation or filing of regulatory materials, compliance with applicable laws, rules, or regulations, or otherwise) shall constitute legal advice. The Fund acknowledges that employees of Fund Services and its affiliates who are attorneys do not represent the Fund and rely on outside counsel
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retained by the Fund to review all services provided by Fund Services and to provide independent judgment on the Fund’s behalf. The Fund acknowledges that because no attorney-client relationship exists between the Fund and Fund Services (or any employee of Fund Services or its affiliates), any information provided may not be privileged and may be subject to compulsory disclosure.
20.Notices
Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address set forth below:
Notice to Fund Services shall be sent to:
U.S. Bancorp Global Fund Services, LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attn: President
Notice to the Fund shall be sent to:
Liquid Strategies, LLC
0000 Xxxxx Xxxx XX, Xxxxx 0000,
Atlanta, GA 30326
21.No Third Party Rights
Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any third party (including, without limitation, shareholders of the Fund) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement.
22.Multiple Originals
This Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date last written below.
By: _/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx_________
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Trustee
Date: 11/21/2023
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
By: /s/Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Sr. Vice President
Date: November 21, 2023
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Exhibit A
REQUIRED PROVISIONS OF DATA SERVICE PROVIDERS
•The Fund shall use the Data solely for internal purposes and will not redistribute the Data in any form or manner to any third party, except as may otherwise be expressly agreed to by the Data Provider.
•The Fund will not use or permit anyone else to use the Data in connection with creating, managing, advising, writing, trading, marketing or promoting any securities or financial instruments or products, including, but not limited to, funds, synthetic or derivative securities (e.g., options, warrants, swaps, and futures), whether listed on an exchange or traded over the counter or on a private-placement basis or otherwise or to create any indices (custom or otherwise).
•The Fund will treat the Data as proprietary to the Data Provider. Further, the Fund shall acknowledge that the Data Provider is the sole and exclusive owners of the Data and all trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights in or to the Data.
•The Fund will not (i) copy any component of the Data, (ii) alter, modify or adapt any component of the Data, including, but not limited to, translating, decompiling, disassembling, reverse engineering or creating derivative works, or (iii) make any component of the Data available to any other person or organization (including, without limitation, the Fund’s present and future parents, subsidiaries or affiliates) directly or indirectly, for any of the foregoing or for any other use, including, without limitation, by loan, rental, service bureau, external time sharing or similar arrangement.
•The Fund shall reproduce on all permitted copies of the Data all copyright, proprietary rights and restrictive legends appearing on the Data.
•The Fund shall assume the entire risk of using the Data and shall agree to hold the Data Providers harmless from any claims that may arise in connection with any use of the Data by the Fund.
•The Fund acknowledges that the Data Providers may, in their sole and absolute discretion and at any time, terminate Fund Services’ right to receive and/or use the Data.
•The Fund acknowledges and agrees that the Data Providers are third party beneficiaries of the agreements between the Data Providers and Fund Services with respect to the provision of the Data, entitled to enforce all provisions of such agreement relating to the Data.
•THE DATA IS PROVIDED TO THE FUND ON AN "AS IS" BASIS. FUND SERVICES, ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS, AND ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN OR RELATED TO THE MAKING OR COMPILING OF THE DATA MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE DATA (OR THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE USE THEREOF). FUND SERVICES, ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS AND ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN OR RELATED TO THE MAKING OR COMPILING OF THE DATA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
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Exhibit B
Fund Administration Servicing Agreement Fee Schedule
(certain fee amounts have been excluded because they are not material and would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed)
Fund Administration & Fund Accounting Services Fee Schedule
Annual Fee Based Upon Average Net Assets Per Fund*
Basis Points
on the first $250 million
on the next $250 million
on the balance
$ per fund - Minimum Annual Fee
■$ additional fee for each additional class, Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC), and/or sub-advisor
■$ additional fee of for each intraday NAV calculations in excess of one strike per day
*Subject to annual CPI increase - All Urban Consumers - U.S. City Average" index, provided that the CPI adjustment will not decrease the base fees (even if the cumulative CPI rate at any point in time is negative).
NOTE: Conversion, master/feeder, and extraordinary services quoted separately.
The fees above include the following core tax services: M-1 book-to-tax adjustments at fiscal and excise year-end, prepare tax footnotes in conjunction with fiscal year-end audit, Prepare Form 1120-RIC federal income tax return and relevant schedules, Prepare Form 8613 and relevant schedules, Prepare Form 1099-MISC Forms, Prepare Annual TDF FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Reporting) filing, Prepare state returns (Limited to two) and Capital Gain Dividend Estimates (Limited to two).
All schedules subject to change depending upon use of unique security type requiring special pricing or accounting arrangements.
Chief Compliance Officer Support Fee
■$ per year
Data Services
■$ - Listed Instruments and rates which may include but are not limited to: Domestic Equities, Options, ADRs, Foreign Equities, Futures, Forwards, Currency Rates, Total Return Swaps,
■$ - Lower Tier Cost Fixed Income Instruments which may include but are not limited to: Domestic Corporate Governments and Agency Bonds, Mortgage Backed Securities, and Municipal Bonds
■$ - Higher Tier Cost Fixed Income Instruments which may include but are not limited to: CMOs and Asset Backed Securities, Money Market Instruments, Foreign Corporates, Governments and Agency Bonds, High Yield
■$ Bank Loans
■$ - Intraday money market funds pricing, up to 3 times per day
■$ per Month Manual Security Pricing (>25per day)
■Derivative Instruments are generally charged at the following rates:
●$ - Interest Rate Swaps, Foreign Currency Swaps
●$ - Swaptions
●$ Credit Default Swaps
NOTE: Prices above are based on using U.S. Bank primary pricing service which may vary by security type and are subject to change. Use of alternative and/or additional sources may result in additional fees. Pricing vendors may designate certain securities as hard to value or as a non-standard security type, such as CLOs and CDOs, which may result in additional fees.
Corporate Action and Factor Services (security paydown)
■$ per Foreign Equity Security per Month
■$ per Domestic Equity Security per Month
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■$ per CMOs, Asset Backed, Mortgage Backed Security per Month
Third Party Administrative Data Charges (descriptive data for each security)
■$ per security per month for fund administrative data (based upon U.S. Bancorp standard data services and are subject to change)
SEC Modernization Requirements
■$ per year, per Fund - Form N-PORT
■$ per year, per Fund - Form N-CEN
Miscellaneous Expenses
All other miscellaneous fees and expenses, including but not limited to the following, will be separately billed as incurred:
Fair Value Services, SWIFT processing, customized reporting, third-party data provider costs,(including Bloomberg, S&P, Moody's, Morningstar, GICS, MSCI, Lipper, etc.), postage, stationery, programming, special reports, proxies, insurance, XXXXX/XBRL filing, tax e-filing, PFIC monitoring, wash sale reporting (Gainskeeper), retention of records, federal and state regulatory filing fees, expenses from Board of directors meetings, third party auditing and legal expenses, and conversion expenses (if necessary).
Additional services not included above shall be mutually agreed upon at the time of the service being added. In addition to the fees described above, additional fees may be charged to the extent that changes to applicable laws, rules or regulations require additional work or expenses related to services provided (e.g., compliance with new liquidity risk management and reporting requirements).
Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly.
Fund Administration & Compliance Portfolio Services Supplemental Fee Schedule
Section 18 Compliance Testing
■$ set up fee per fund complex
■$ per fund per month
Section 15(c) Reporting
■Additional 15c reporting is subject to additional charges
■$ per fund per standard reporting package*
*Standard reporting packages for annual 15(c) meeting
●Expense reporting package: 2 peer comparison reports (adviser fee) and (net expense ratio w classes on one report) OR Full 15(c) report
●Performance reporting package: Peer Comparison Report
Optional Tax Services
■$ per year - Prepare book-to-tax adjustments & Form 5471 for Controlled Foreign Corporations (CFCs)
■$ per additional estimate - Additional Capital Gain Dividend Estimates - (First two included in core services)
■$ per additional return - State tax returns - (First two included in core services)
Fees for Special Situation:
■Fee will be accessed.
Rule 2a-5 Reporting (valuation reporting and support):
■$ per fund
Customized delivery of data:
■TBD
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Tax Reporting - MLP C-Corporations
Federal Tax Returns
■$ - Prepare corporate Book to tax calculation, average cost analysis and cost basis role forwards, and federal income tax returns for investment fund (Federal returns & 1099 Breakout Analysis)
■Included in the return fees - Prepare Federal and State extensions (If Applicable)
■$ Per estimate - Prepare provision estimates
State Tax Returns
■$ per fund - State tax notice consultative support and resolution
■$ per state return - Prepare state income tax returns for funds and blocker entities
●$ per state return - Sign state income tax returns
●Included with preparation of returns - Assist in filing state income tax returns
Extraordinary Services
Extraordinary services are duties or responsibilities of an unusual nature, including termination, but not provided for in the governing documents or otherwise set forth in this schedule. A reasonable charge will be assessed based on the nature of the service and the responsibility involved. At our option, these charges will be billed at a flat fee or at our hourly rate then in effect.
*Subject to annual CPI increase - All Urban Consumers - U.S. City Average" index, provided that the CPI adjustment will not decrease the base fees (even if the cumulative CPI rate at any point in time is negative).
Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly. Account approval is subject to review and qualification. Fees are subject to change at our discretion and upon written notice. Fees paid in advance will not be prorated. The fees set forth above and any subsequent modifications thereof are part of your agreement. Finalization of the transaction constitutes agreement to the above fee schedule, including agreement to any subsequent changes upon proper written notice. In the event your transaction is not finalized, any related out-of-pocket expenses will be billed to the client directly. Absent your written instructions to sweep or otherwise invest, all sums in your account will remain uninvested and no accrued interest or other compensation will be credited to the account. Payment of fees constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth.
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