PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.,
SECURITY FIRST LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
ITS SEPARATE ACCOUNTS,
AND
SECURITY FIRST FINANCIAL, INC.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION PAGE
----------- ----
Section 1. Available Funds............................................... 2
1.1 Availability................................................ 2
1.2 Addition, Deletion or Modification of Funds................. 2
1.3 No Sales to the General Public.............................. 2
Section 2. Processing Transactions....................................... 2
2.1 Timely Pricing and Orders................................... 2
2.2 Timely Payments............................................. 3
2.3 Applicable Price............................................ 3
2.4 Dividends and Distributions................................. 4
2.5 Book Entry.................................................. 4
Section 3. Costs and Expenses............................................ 4
3.1 General..................................................... 4
3.2 Parties To Cooperate........................................ 4
Section 4. Legal Compliance.............................................. 4
4.1 Tax Laws.................................................... 4
4.2 Insurance and Certain Other Laws............................ 7
4.3 Securities Laws............................................. 7
4.4 Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances....... 8
4.5 LIFE COMPANY To Provide Documents; Information About AVIF... 9
4.6 AVIF To Provide Documents; Information About LIFE COMPANY... 10
Section 5. Mixed and Shared Funding...................................... 11
5.1 General..................................................... 11
5.2 Disinterested Directors..................................... 11
5.3 Monitoring for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts............ 12
5.4 Conflict Remedies........................................... 12
5.5 Notice to LIFE COMPANY...................................... 14
5.6 Information Requested by Board of Directors................. 14
5.7 Compliance with SEC Rules................................... 14
5.8 Other Requirements.......................................... 14
Section 6. Termination................................................... 14
6.1 Events of Termination....................................... 14
6.2 Notice Requirement for Termination.......................... 15
6.3 Funds To Remain Available................................... 16
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DESCRIPTION PAGE
----------- ----
6.4 Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications................. 16
6.5 Continuance of Agreement for Certain Purposes............... 16
Section 7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination................... 16
Section 8. Assignment.................................................... 17
Section 9. Notices....................................................... 17
Section 10. Voting Procedures............................................ 18
Section 11. Foreign Tax Credits.......................................... 18
Section 12. Indemnification.............................................. 18
12.1 Of AVIF by LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER..................... 18
12.2 Of LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER by AVIF..................... 20
12.3 Effect of Notice............................................ 23
12.4 Successors.................................................. 23
Section 13. Applicable Law............................................... 23
Section 14. Execution in Counterparts.................................... 23
Section 15. Severability................................................. 23
Section 16. Rights Cumulative............................................ 24
Section 17. Headings..................................................... 24
Section 18. Confidentiality.............................................. 24
Section 19. Trademarks and Fund Names.................................... 25
Section 20. Parties to Cooperate......................................... 25
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PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 14th day of June, 1999
("Agreement"), by and among AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc., a Maryland
corporation ("AVIF"). Security First Life Insurance Company, a Delaware life
insurance company ("LIFE COMPANY"), on behalf of itself and each of its
segregated asset accounts listed in Schedule A hereto, as the parties hereto
may amend from time to time (each, an "Account," and collectively, the
"Accounts"); and Security First Financial, Inc., an affiliate of LIFE COMPANY
and the principal underwriter of the Contracts ("UNDERWRITER") (collectively,
the "Parties").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, AVIF is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, AVIF currently consists of thirteen separate series ("Series"),
shares ("Shares") of each of which are registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and are currently sold to one or more
separate accounts of life insurance companies to fund benefits under variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance contracts; and
WHEREAS, AVIF will make Shares of each Series listed on Schedule A hereto as
the Parties hereto may amend from time to time (each a "Fund"; reference herein
to "AVIF" includes reference to each Fund, to the extent the context requires)
available for purchase by the Accounts; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will be the issuer of certain variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance contracts ("Contracts") as set forth on
Schedule A hereto, as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time, which
Contracts (hereinafter collectively, the "Contracts"), if required by
applicable law, will be registered under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will fund the Contracts through the Accounts, each of
which may be divided into two or more subaccounts ("Subaccounts"; reference
herein to an "Account" includes reference to each Subaccount thereof to the
extent the context requires); and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will serve as the depositor of the Accounts, each of
which is registered as a unit investment trust investment company under the
1940 Act (or exempt therefrom), and the security interests deemed to be issued
by the Accounts under the Contracts will be registered as securities under the
1933 Act (or exempt therefrom); and
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WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase Shares in one or more of the
Funds on behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts; and
WHEREAS, UNDERWRITER is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and a member in good standing of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits and promises
contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AVAILABLE FUNDS
__________________________
1.1 AVAILABILITY.
____________
AVIF will make Shares of each Fund available to LIFE COMPANY for purchase
and redemption at net asset value and with no sales charges, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of AVIF may
refuse to sell Shares of any Fund to any person, or suspend or terminate the
offering of Shares of any Fund if such action is required by law or by
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the
Directors acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under
federal and any applicable state laws, such action is deemed in the best
interests of the shareholders of such Fund.
1.2 ADDITION, DELETION OR MODIFICATION OF FUNDS.
___________________________________________
The Parties hereto may agree, from time to time, to add other Funds to
provide additional funding media for the Contracts, or to delete, combine, or
modify existing Funds, by amending Schedule A hereto. Upon such amendment to
Schedule A, any applicable reference to a Fund, AVIF, or its Shares herein
shall include a reference to any such additional Fund. Schedule A, as amended
from time to time, is incorporated herein by reference and is a part hereof.
1.3 NO SALES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
______________________________
AVIF represents and warrants that no Shares of any Fund have been or will be
sold to the general public.
SECTION 2. PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS
__________________________________
2.1 TIMELY PRICING AND ORDERS.
_________________________
(a) AVIF or its designated agent will use its best efforts to provide LIFE
COMPANY with the net asset value per Share for each Fund by 6:00 p.m. Central
Time on each Business Day. As used herein, "Business Day" shall mean any day on
which (i) the New York Stock Exchange is
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open for regular trading, (ii) AVIF calculates the Fund's net asset value, and
(iii) LIFE COMPANY is open for business.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will use the data provided by AVIF each Business Day
pursuant to paragraph (a) immediately above to calculate Account unit values
and to process transactions that receive that same Business Day's Account unit
values. LIFE COMPANY will perform such Account processing the same Business
Day, and will place corresponding orders to purchase or redeem Shares with AVIF
by 9:00 a.m. Central Time the following Business Day; PROVIDED, however, that
AVIF shall provide additional time to LIFE COMPANY in the event that AVIF is
unable to meet the 6:00 p.m. time stated in paragraph (a) immediately above.
Such additional time shall be equal to the additional time that AVIF takes to
make the net asset values available to LIFE COMPANY.
(c) With respect to payment of the purchase price by LIFE COMPANY and of
redemption proceeds by AVIF, LIFE COMPANY and AVIF shall net purchase and
redemption orders with respect to each Fund and shall transmit one net payment
per Fund in accordance with Section 2.2, below.
(d) If AVIF provides materially incorrect Share net asset value information
(as determined under SEC guidelines), LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled to an
adjustment to the number of Shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct
net asset value per Share. Any material error in the calculation or reporting
of net asset value per Share, dividend or capital gain information shall be
reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY.
2.2 TIMELY PAYMENTS.
_______________
LIFE COMPANY will wire payment for net purchases to a custodial account
designated by AVIF by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the order for
Shares is placed, to the extent practicable. AVIF will wire payment for net
redemptions to an account designated by LIFE COMPANY by 1:00 p.m. Central Time
on the same day as the Order is placed, to the extent practicable, but in any
event within five (5) calendar days after the date the order is placed in order
to enable LIFE COMPANY to pay redemption proceeds within the time specified in
Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act or such shorter period of time as may be required
by law.
2.3 APPLICABLE PRICE.
________________
(a) Share purchase payments and redemption orders that result from purchase
payments, premium payments, surrenders and other transactions under Contracts
(collectively, "Contract transactions") and that LIFE COMPANY receives prior to
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on a Business Day
will be executed at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed
after receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the orders. For purposes of
this Section 2.3(a), LIFE COMPANY shall be the designated agent of AVIF for
receipt of orders relating to Contract transactions on each Business Day and
receipt by such designated agent shall constitute receipt by AVIF; PROVIDED
that AVIF receives notice of such orders by 9:00 a.m. Central Time on the next
following Business Day or such later time as computed in accordance with
Section 2.1(b) hereof.
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(b) All other Share purchases and redemptions by LIFE COMPANY will be
effected at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed after
receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the order therefor, and such orders
will be irrevocable.
2.4 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
___________________________
AVIF will furnish notice by wire or telephone (followed by written
confirmation) on or prior to the payment date to LIFE COMPANY of any income
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Shares of any Fund. LIFE
COMPANY hereby elects to reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions
in additional Shares of the corresponding Fund at the ex-dividend date net
asset values until LIFE COMPANY otherwise notifies AVIF in writing, it being
agreed by the Parties that the ex-dividend date and the payment date with
respect to any dividend or distribution will be the same Business Day. LIFE
COMPANY reserves the right to revoke this election and to receive all such
income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash.
2.5 BOOK ENTRY.
__________
Issuance and transfer of AVIF Shares will be by book entry only. Stock
certificates will not be issued to LIFE COMPANY. Shares ordered from AVIF will
be recorded in an appropriate title for LIFE COMPANY, on behalf of its Account.
SECTION 3. COSTS AND EXPENSES
______________________________
3.1 GENERAL.
_______
Except as otherwise specifically provided in Schedule B, attached hereto and
made a part hereof, each Party will bear, or arrange for others to bear, all
expenses incident to its performance under this Agreement.
3.2 PARTIES TO COOPERATE.
____________________
Each Party agrees to cooperate with the others, as applicable, in arranging
to print, mail and/or deliver, in a timely manner, combined or coordinated
prospectuses or other materials of AVIF and the Accounts.
SECTION 4. LEGAL COMPLIANCE
___________________________
4.1 TAX LAWS.
________
(a) AVIF represents and warrants that each Fund is currently qualified as a
regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and represents that it will use its best
efforts to qualify and to maintain qualification of each Fund as a RIC. AVIF
will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that a Fund has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify
in the future.
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(b) AVIF represents that it will use its best efforts to comply and to
maintain each Fund's compliance with the diversification requirements set forth
in Section 817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of the regulations under
the Code. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so comply or that a Fund might
not so comply in the future. In the event of a breach of this Section 4.1(b) by
AVIF, it will take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Fund so as
to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Section 1.817-5 of
the regulations under the Code.
(c) LIFE COMPANY agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
asserts in writing in connection with any governmental audit or review of LIFE
COMPANY or, to LIFE COMPANY's knowledge, of any Participant, that any Fund has
failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the
Code or LIFE COMPANY otherwise becomes aware of any facts that could give rise
to any claim against AVIF or its affiliates as a result of such a failure or
alleged failure:
(i) LIFE COMPANY shall promptly notify AVIF of such assertion or
potential claim (subject to the Confidentiality provisions of
Section 18 as to any Participant);
(ii) LIFE COMPANY shall consult with AVIF as to how to minimize any
liability that may arise as a result of such failure or alleged
failure;
(iii) LIFE COMPANY shall use its best efforts to minimize any
liability of AVIF or its affiliates resulting from such failure,
including, without limitation, demonstrating, pursuant to
Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to the Commissioner
of the IRS that such failure was inadvertent;
(iv) LIFE COMPANY shall permit AVIF, its affiliates and their legal
and accounting advisors to participate in any conferences,
settlement discussions or other administrative or judicial
proceeding or contests (including judicial appeals thereof) with
the IRS, any Participant or any other claimant regarding any
claims that could give rise to liability to AVIF or its
affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged failure;
PROVIDED, however, that LIFE COMPANY will retain control of the
conduct of such conferences discussions, proceedings, contests
or appeals;
(v) any written materials to be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to the
IRS, any Participant or any other claimant in connection with
any of the foregoing proceedings or contests (including, without
limitation, any such materials to be submitted to the IRS
pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2)),
(a) shall be provided by LIFE COMPANY to AVIF (together with any
supporting information or analysis); subject to the
confidentiality provisions of Section 18, at least ten
(10) business days or such shorter period to which the Parties
hereto agree prior to the day on which such proposed materials
are to be submitted, and (b) shall not be submitted by LIFE
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COMPANY to any such person without the express written consent
of AVIF which shall not be unreasonably withheld:
(vi) LIFE COMPANY shall provide AVIF or its affiliates and their
accounting and legal advisors with such cooperation as AVIF
shall reasonably request (including, without limitation, by
permitting AVIF and its accounting and legal advisors to review
the relevant books and records of LIFE COMPANY) in order to
facilitate review by AVIF or its advisors of any written
submissions provided to it pursuant to the preceding clause or
its assessment of the validity or amount of any claim against
its arising from such a failure or alleged failure;
(vii) LIFE COMPANY shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or
any Participant that would give rise to a claim against AVIF or
its affiliates (a) compromise or settle any claim, (b) accept
any adjustment on audit, or (c) forego any allowable
administrative or judicial appeals, without the express written
consent of AVIF or its affiliates, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, PROVIDED that LIFE COMPANY shall not be
required, after exhausting all administrative penalties, to
appeal any adverse judicial decision unless AVIF or its
affiliates shall have provided an opinion of independent counsel
to the effect that a reasonable basis exists for taking such
appeal; and PROVIDED FURTHER that the costs of any such appeal
shall be borne equally by the Parties hereto; and
(viii) AVIF and its affiliates shall have no liability as a result of
such failure or alleged failure if LIFE COMPANY fails to comply
with any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii), and such
failure could be shown to have materially contributed to the
liability.
Should AVIF or any of its affiliates refuse to give its written consent to
any compromise or settlement of any claim or liability hereunder, LIFE COMPANY
may, in its discretion, authorize AVIF or its affiliates to act in the name of
LIFE COMPANY in, and to control the conduct of, such conferences, discussions,
proceedings, contests or appeals and all administrative or judicial appeals
thereof, and in that event AVIF or its affiliates shall bear the fees and
expenses associated with the conduct of the proceedings that it is so
authorized to control; PROVIDED, that in no event shall LIFE COMPANY have any
liability resulting from AVIF's refusal to accept the proposed settlement or
compromise with respect to any failure caused by AVIF. As used in this
Agreement, the term "affiliates" shall have the same meaning as "affiliated
person" as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act.
(d) LIFE COMPANY represent and warrants that the Contracts currently are
and will be treated as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under
applicable provisions of the Code and that it will use its best efforts to
maintain such treatment; LIFE COMPANY will notify AVIF immediately upon having
a reasonable basis for believing that any of the Contracts have ceased to be so
treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
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(e) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that each Account is a "segregated
asset account" and that interests in each Account are offered exclusively
through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable contract," within the
meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and the regulations
thereunder. LIFE COMPANY will use its best efforts to continue to meet such
definitional requirements, and it will notify AVIF immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that such requirements have ceased to be met or
that they might not be met in the future.
4.2 INSURANCE AND CERTAIN OTHER LAWS.
________________________________
(a) AVIF will use its best efforts to comply with any applicable state
insurance laws or regulations, to the extent specifically requested in writing
by LIFE COMPANY, including, the furnishing of information not otherwise
available to LIFE COMPANY which is required by state insurance law to enable
LIFE COMPANY to obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts in any
applicable state.
(b) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) it is an insurance
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Delaware and has full corporate power, authority and legal right
to execute, deliver and perform its duties and comply with its obligations
under this Agreement, (ii) it has legally and validly established and maintains
each Account as a segregated asset account under Delaware Insurance Law and the
regulations thereunder, and (iii) the Contracts comply in all material respects
with all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
(c) AVIF represents and warrants that it is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland
and has full power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver, and perform
its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
4.3 SECURITIES LAWS.
_______________
(a) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) interests in each Account
pursuant to the Contracts will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent
required by the 1933 Act, (ii) the Contracts will be duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws,
including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and
Delaware law, (iii) each Account is and will remain registered under the 1940
Act, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iv) each Account does and will
comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder, to the extent required, (v) each Account's 1933 Act
registration statement relating to the Contracts, together with any amendments
thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder, (vi) LIFE COMPANY will
amend the registration statement for its Contracts under the 1933 Act and for
its Accounts under the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to
effect the continuous offering of its Contracts or as may otherwise be required
by applicable law, and (vii) each Account Prospectus will at all times comply
in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules
thereunder.
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(b) AVIF represents and warrants that (i) Shares sold pursuant to this
Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by the
1933 Act and duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with Maryland
law, (ii) AVIF is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to the extent
required by the 1940 Act, (iii) AVIF will amend the registration statement for
its Shares under the 1933 Act and itself under the 1940 Act from time to time
as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Shares, (iv) AVIF
does and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940
Act and the rules thereunder, (v) AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement,
together with any amendments thereto, will at all times comply in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and rules thereunder, and
(vi) AVIF's Prospectus will at all times comply in all material respects with
the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(c) AVIF will at its expense register and qualify its Shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of any state or other jurisdiction if and to the
extent reasonably deemed advisable by AVIF.
(d) AVIF currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise,
although it reserves the right to make such payments in the future. To the
extent that it decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1,
AVIF undertakes to have its Board of Directors, a majority of whom are not
"interested" persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule
12b-1 to finance distribution expenses.
(e) AVIF represents and warrants that all of its trustees, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities having access to
the funds and/or securities of the Fund are and 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 minimal 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 includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement
and is issued by a reputable bonding company.
4.4 NOTICE OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
_____________________________________________________
(a) AVIF will immediately notify LIFE COMPANY of (i) the issuance by any
court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other
similar order with respect to AVIF's registration statement under the 1933 Act
or AVIF Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such
registration statement or AVIF Prospectus that may affect the offering of
Shares of AVIF (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for
any other purpose relating to the registration or offering of AVIF's Shares, or
(iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or
sale of Shares of any Fund in any state or jurisdiction, including, without
limitation, any circumstances in which (a) such Shares are not registered and,
in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state
and federal law, or (b) such law precludes the use of such Shares as an
underlying investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE
COMPANY. AVIF will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance, with
respect to any Fund, of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar
order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the
earliest possible time.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will immediately notify AVIF of (i) the issuance by any
court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other
similar order with respect to each
PA-SFG.AGR
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Account's registration statement under the 1933 Act relating to the Contracts
or each Account Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to
such registration statement or Account Prospectus that may affect the offering
of Shares of AVIF, (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or
for any other purpose relating to the registration or offering of each
Account's interests pursuant to the Contracts, or (iv) any other action or
circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of said interests in
any state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any circumstances in
which said interests are not registered and, in all material respects, issued
and sold in accordance with applicable state and federal law. LIFE COMPANY will
make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order,
cease and desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to
obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
4.5 LIFE COMPANY TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS; INFORMATION ABOUT AVIF.
_________________________________________________________
(a) LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at least one
(l) complete copy of all SEC registration statements, Account Prospectuses,
reports, any preliminary and final voting instruction solicitation material,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to each Account or the Contracts,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at least one
(1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which AVIF or any of its affiliates is named, at least five
(5) Business Days prior to its use or such shorter period as the Parties hereto
may, from time to time, agree upon. No such material shall be used if AVIF or
its designated agent objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after
receipt of such material or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from
time to time, agree upon. AVIF hereby designates AIM as the entity to receive
such sales literature, until such time as AVIF appoints another designated
agent by giving notice to LIFE COMPANY in the manner required by Section 9
hereof.
(c) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates, will give any
information or make any representations or statements on behalf of or
concerning AVIF or its affiliates in connection with the sale of the Contracts
other than (i) the information or representations contained in the registration
statement, including the AVIF Prospectus contained therein, relating to Shares,
as such registration statement and AVIF Prospectus may be amended from time to
time; or (ii) in reports or proxy materials for AVIF; or (iii) in published
reports for AVIF that are in the public domain and approved by AVIF for
distribution; or (iv) in sales literature or other promotional material
approved by AVIF, except with the express written permission of AVIF.
(d) LIFE COMPANY shall adopt and implement procedures reasonably designed
to ensure that information concerning AVIF and its affiliates that is intended
for use only by brokers or agents selling the Contracts (I.E., information that
is not intended for distribution to Participants) ("broker only materials") is
so used, and neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates shall be liable for any
losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only
materials.
(e) For the purposes of this Section 4.5, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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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, (E.G., on-line networks such as the Internet
or other electronic messages), sales literature (I.E., any written
communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the
public, including brochures, circulars, research 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, registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional
information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material
constituting sales literature or advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act
or the 0000 Xxx.
4.6 AVIF TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS; INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE COMPANY.
_________________________________________________________
(a) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY at least one (1) complete copy of all
SEC registration statements, AVIF Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and
final proxy material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to AVIF or the
Shares of a Fund, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the
SEC or other regulatory authorities.
(b) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY a camera ready copy of all AVIF
prospectuses and printed copies, in an amount specified by LIFE COMPANY, of
AVIF statements of additional information, proxy materials, periodic reports to
shareholders and other materials required by law to be sent to Participants who
have allocated any Contract value to a Fund. AVIF will provide such copies to
LIFE COMPANY in a timely manner so as to enable LIFE COMPANY, as the case may
be, to print and distribute such materials within the time required by law to
be furnished to Participants.
(c) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent at least one
(1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which LIFE COMPANY, or any of its respective affiliates is named,
or that refers to the Contracts, at least five (5) Business Days prior to its
use or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree
upon. No such material shall be used if LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent
objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such
material or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time,
agree upon. LIFE COMPANY shall receive all such sales literature until such
time as it appoints a designated agent by giving notice to AVIF in the manner
required by Section 9 hereof.
(d) Neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates will give any information or
make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning LIFE COMPANY,
each Account, or the Contracts other than (i) the information or
representations contained in the registration statement, including each Account
Prospectus contained therein, relating to the Contracts, as such registration
statement and Account Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or (ii) in
published reports for the Account or the Contracts that are in the public
domain and approved by LIFE COMPANY for distribution; or (iii) in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its
affiliates, except with the express written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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(e) AVIF shall cause its principal underwriter to adopt and implement
procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning LIFE
COMPANY, and its respective affiliates that is intended for use only by brokers
or agents selling the Contracts (I.E., information that is not intended for
distribution to Participants) ("broker only materials") is so used, and neither
LIFE COMPANY, nor any of its respective affiliates shall be liable for any
losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only
materials.
(f) For purposes of this Section 4.6, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, 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, (E.G., on-line
networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales literature
(I.E., any written communication distributed or made generally available to
customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research 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, registration statements, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials
and any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under the
NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act.
SECTION 5. MIXED AND SHARED FUNDING
___________________________________
5.1 GENERAL.
_______
The SEC has granted an order to AVIF exempting it from certain provisions of
the 1940 Act and rules thereunder so that AVIF may be available for investment
by certain other entities, including, without limitation, separate accounts
funding variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance contracts,
separate accounts of insurance companies unaffiliated with LIFE COMPANY, and
trustees of qualified pension and retirement plans (collectively, "Mixed and
Shared Funding"). The Parties recognize that the SEC has imposed terms and
conditions for such orders that are substantially identical to many of the
provisions of this Section 5. Sections 5.2 through 5.8 below shall apply
pursuant to such an exemptive order granted to AVIF. AVIF hereby notifies LIFE
COMPANY that, in the event that AVIF implements Mixed and Shared Funding, it
may be appropriate to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Contract is
offered disclosure regarding the potential risks of Mixed and Shared Funding.
5.2 DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS.
_______________________
AVIF agrees that its Board of Directors shall at all times consist of
directors a majority of whom (the "Disinterested Directors") are not interested
persons of AVIF within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder and as modified by any applicable orders of the SEC, except
that if this condition is not met by reason of the death, disqualification, or
bona fide resignation of any director, then the operation of this condition
shall be suspended (a) for a period of forty-five (45) days if the vacancy or
vacancies may be filled by the Board;(b) for a period
PA-SFG.AGR
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of sixty (60) days if a vote of shareholders is required to fill the vacancy or
vacancies; or (c) for such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by order upon
application.
5.3 MONITORING FOR MATERIAL IRRECONCILABLE CONFLICTS.
________________________________________________
AVIF agrees that its Board of Directors will monitor for the existence of
any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the Participants
in all separate accounts of life insurance companies utilizing AVIF
("Participating Insurance Companies"), including each Account, and participants
in all qualified retirement and pension plans investing in AVIF ("Participating
Plans"), LIFE COMPANY agrees to inform the Board of Directors of AVIF of the
existence of or any potential for any such material irreconcilable conflict of
which it is aware. The concept of a "material irreconcilable conflict" is not
defined by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder, but the Parties recognize that
such a conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including, without
limitation:
(a) an action by any state insurance or other 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 Fund are being managed;
(e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity contract
and variable life insurance contract Participants or by Participants of
different Participating Insurance Companies;
(f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the voting
instructions of Participants; or
(g) a decision by a Participating Plan to disregard the voting instructions
of Plan participants.
Consistent with the SEC's requirements in connection with exemptive orders
of the type referred to in Section 5.1 hereof, LIFE COMPANY will assist the
Board of Directors in carrying out its Responsibilities by providing the Board
of Directors with all information reasonably necessary for the Board of
Directors to consider any issue raised, including information as to a decision
by LIFE COMPANY to disregard voting instructions of Participants. LIFE
COMPANY's responsibilities in connection with the foregoing shall be carried
out with a view only to the interests of Participants.
5.4 CONFLICT REMEDIES.
_________________
(a) It is agreed that if it is determined by a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors or a majority of the Disinterested Directors that a
material irreconcilable conflict exists, LIFE COMPANY will, if it is a
Participating Insurance Company for which a material irreconcilable conflict is
relevant, at its own expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by a
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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majority of the Disinterested Directors), take whatever steps are necessary to
remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable conflict, which steps may
include, but are not limited to:
(i) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts
from AVIF or any Fund and reinvesting such assets in a different
investment medium, including another Fund of AVIF, or submitting
the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a
vote of all affected Participants and, as appropriate,
segregating the assets of any particular group (E.G., annuity
Participants, life insurance Participants or all Participants)
that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the
affected Participants the option of making such a change; and
(ii) establishing a new registered investment company of the type
defined as a "management company" in Section 4(3) of the 1940
Act or a new separate account that is operated as a management
company.
(b) if the material irreconcilable conflict arises because of LIFE
COMPANY's decision to disregard Participant voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, LIFE
COMPANY may be required, at AVIF's election, to withdraw each Account's
investment in AVIF or any Fund. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a
result of such withdrawal. Any such withdrawal must take place within six
(6) months after AVIF gives notice to LIFE COMPANY that this provision is being
implemented, and until such withdrawal AVIF shall continue to accept and
implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and redemption of Shares of
AVIF.
(c) If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state
insurance regulator's decision applicable to LIFE COMPANY conflicts with the
majority of other state regulators, then LIFE COMPANY will withdraw each
Account's investment in AVIF within six (6) months after AVIF's Board of
Directors informs LIFE COMPANY that it has determined that such decision has
created a material irreconcilable conflict, and until such withdrawal AVIF
shall continue to accept and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase
and redemption of Shares of AVIF. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a
result of such withdrawal.
(d) LIFE COMPANY agrees that any remedial action taken by it in resolving
any material irreconcilable conflict will be carried out at its expense and
with a view only to the interests of Participants.
(e) For purposes hereof, a majority of the Disinterested Directors will
determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any material
irreconcilable conflict. In no event, however, will AVIF or any of its
affiliates be required to establish a new funding medium for any Contracts.
LIFE COMPANY will not be required by the terms hereof to establish a new
funding medium for any Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Participants materially adversely affected by the material
irreconcilable conflict.
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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5.5 NOTICE TO LIFE COMPANY.
______________________
AVIF will promptly make known in writing to LIFE COMPANY the Board of
Directors' determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable
conflict, a description of the facts that give rise to such conflict and the
implications of such conflict.
5.6 INFORMATION REQUESTED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
___________________________________________
LIFE COMPANY and AVIF (or its investment adviser) will at least annually
submit to the Board of Directors of AVIF such reports, materials or data as the
Board of Directors may reasonably request so that the Board of Directors may
fully carry out the obligations imposed upon it by the provisions hereof or any
exemptive order granted by the SEC to permit Mixed and Shared Funding, and said
reports, materials and data will be submitted at any reasonable time deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors. All reports received by the Board of
Directors of potential or existing conflicts, and all Board of Directors
actions with regard to determining the existence of a conflict, notifying
Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Plans of a conflict, and
determining whether any proposed action adequately remedies a conflict, will be
properly recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors or other appropriate
records, and such minutes or other records will be made available to the SEC
upon request.
5.7 COMPLIANCE WITH SEC RULES.
_________________________
If, at any time during which AVIF is serving as an investment medium for
variable life insurance Contracts, 1940 Act Rules 6e-3(T) or, if applicable,
6e-2 are amended or Rule 6e-3 is adopted to provide exemptive relief with
respect to Mixed and Shared Funding, AVIF agrees that it will comply with the
terms and conditions thereof and that the terms of this Section 5 shall be
deemed modified if and only to the extent required in order also to comply with
the terms and conditions of such exemptive relief that is afforded by any of
said rules that are applicable.
5.8 OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
__________________
AVIF will require that each Participating Insurance Company and
Participating Plan enter into an agreement with AVIF that contains in substance
the same provisions as are set forth in Sections 4.1(b), 4.1(d), 4.3(a),
4.4(b), 4.5(a), 5, and 10 of this Agreement.
SECTION 6. TERMINATION
______________________
6.1 EVENTS OF TERMINATION.
_____________________
Subject to Section 6.4 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a Fund:
(a) at the option of any party, with or without cause with respect to the
Fund, upon six (6) months advance written notice to the other parties, or, if
later, upon receipt of any required exemptive relief from the SEC, unless
otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties; or
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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(b) at the option of AVIF upon institution of formal proceedings against
LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates by the NASD, the SEC, any state insurance
regulator or any other regulatory body regarding LIFE COMPANY's obligations
under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of
each Account, or the purchase of Shares, if, in each case, AVIF reasonably
determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would
be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences
on the Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(c) at the option of LIFE COMPANY upon institution of formal proceedings
against AVIF, its principal underwriter, or its investment adviser by the NASD,
the SEC, or any state insurance regulator or any other regulatory body
regarding AVIF's obligations under this Agreement or related to the operation
or management of AVIF or the purchase of AVIF Shares, if, in each case, LIFE
COMPANY reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such
proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material
adverse consequences on LIFE COMPANY, or the Subaccount corresponding to the
Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(d) at the option of any Party in the event that (i) the Fund's Shares are
not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance
with any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) such law precludes the use of
such Shares as an underlying investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be
issued by LIFE COMPANY; or
(e) upon termination of the corresponding Subaccount's investment in the
Fund pursuant to Section 5 hereof; or
(f) at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund ceases to qualify as a RIC
under Subchapter M of the Code or under successor or similar provisions, or if
LIFE COMPANY reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(g) at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund fails to comply with
Section 817(h) of the Code or with successor or similar provisions, or if LIFE
COMPANY reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so comply; or
(h) at the option of AVIF if the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY cease to
qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code (other
than by reason of the Fund's noncompliance with Section 817(h) or Subchapter M
of the Code) or if interests in an Account under the Contracts are not
registered, where required, and, in all material respects, are not issued or
sold in accordance with any applicable federal or state law; or
(i) upon another Party's material breach of any provision of this Agreement.
6.2 NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR TERMINATION.
__________________________________
No termination of this Agreement will be effective unless and until the
Party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to the other Party
to this Agreement of its intent to terminate, and such notice shall set forth
the basis for such termination. Furthermore:
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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(a) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(a) or 6.1(e) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least six (6) months in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto;
(b) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least ninety (90) days in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto; and
(c) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, such prior written
notice shall be given as soon as possible within twenty-four (24) hours after
the terminating Party learns of the event causing termination to be required.
6.3 FUNDS TO REMAIN AVAILABLE.
_________________________
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, AVIF will, at the option
of LIFE 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, without limitation, the
owners of the Existing Contracts will be permitted to reallocate investments in
the Fund (as in effect on such date), 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 6.3 will not apply to
any terminations under Section 5 and the effect of such terminations will be
governed by Section 5 of this Agreement.
6.4 SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES AND INDEMNIFICATIONS.
___________________________________________
All warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of this
Agreement.
6.5 CONTINUANCE OF AGREEMENT FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.
_____________________________________________
If any Party terminates this Agreement with respect to any Fund pursuant to
Section 6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, this
Agreement shall nevertheless continue in effect as to any Shares of that Fund
that are outstanding as of the date of such termination (the "Initial
Termination Date"). This continuation shall extend to the earlier of the date
as of which an Account owns no Shares of the affected Fund or a date (the
"Final Termination Date") six (6) months following the Initial Termination
Date, except that LIFE COMPANY may, by written notice shorten said six
(6) month period in the case of a termination pursuant to Section 6.1(d),
6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i).
SECTION 7. PARTIES TO COOPERATE RESPECTING TERMINATION
______________________________________________________
The Parties hereto agree to cooperate and give reasonable assistance to one
another in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the purpose of
ensuring that an Account owns no Shares of a Fund after the Final Termination
Date with respect thereto, or, in the case of a termination pursuant
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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to Section 6.1(a), the termination date specified in the notice of termination.
Such steps may include combining the affected Account with another Account,
substituting other mutual fund shares for those of the affected Fund, or
otherwise terminating participation by the Contracts in such Fund.
SECTION 8. ASSIGNMENT
_____________________
This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except with the written
consent of each other Party.
SECTION 9. NOTICES
__________________
Notices and communications required or permitted will be given by means
mutually acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each other notice or
communication required or permitted by this Agreement will be given to the
following persons at the following addresses and facsimile numbers or such
other persons, addresses or facsimile numbers as the Party receiving such
notices or communications may subsequently direct in writing:
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
SECURITY FIRST LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SECURITY FIRST FINANCIAL, INC.
00000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attn: President
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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SECTION 10. VOTING PROCEDURES
_____________________________
Subject to the cost allocation procedures set forth in Section 3 hereof,
LIFE COMPANY will distribute all proxy material furnished by AVIF to
Participants to whom pass-through voting privileges are required to be extended
and will solicit voting instructions from Participants. LIFE COMPANY will vote
Shares in accordance with timely instructions received from Participants. LIFE
COMPANY will vote Shares that are (a) not attributable to Participants to whom
pass-through voting privileges are extended, or (b) attributable to
Participants, but for which no timely instructions have been received, in the
same proportion as Shares for which said instructions have been received from
Participants, so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret
the 1940 Act to require pass through voting privileges for Participants.
Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates will in any way recommend action
in connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for
the Shares held for such Participants. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to vote
shares held in any Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law.
LIFE COMPANY shall be responsible for assuring that each of its Accounts
holding Shares calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with that of
other Participating Insurance Companies or in the manner required by the Mixed
and Shared Funding exemptive order obtained by AVIF. AVIF will notify LIFE
COMPANY of any changes of interpretations or amendments to Mixed and Shared
Funding exemptive order it has obtained. AVIF will comply with all provisions
of the 1940 Act requiring voting by shareholders, and in particular, AVIF
either will provide for annual meetings (except insofar as the SEC may
interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not to require such meetings) or will
comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although AVIF 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, AVIF will act in accordance with
the SEC's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to
periodic elections of directors and with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate
with respect thereto.
SECTION 11. FOREIGN TAX CREDITS
_______________________________
AVIF agrees to consult in advance with LIFE COMPANY concerning any decision
to elect or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass through
the benefit of any foreign tax credits to its shareholders.
SECTION 12. INDEMNIFICATION
___________________________
12.1 OF AVIF BY LIFE COMPANY AND UNDERWRITER.
_______________________________________
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.1(b) and 12.1(c), below,
LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER agree to indemnify and hold harmless AVIF, its
affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls AVIF, or its affiliates
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective
directors and officers, (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes
of this Section 12.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of LIFE COMPANY
and UNDERWRITER) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent
reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at
common law or otherwise; PROVIDED, the Account owns shares of the Fund and
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the
Contracts, or sales literature or advertising 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 LIFE COMPANY or
UNDERWRITER by or on behalf of AVIF for use in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the
Contracts, or sales literature or advertising or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not supplied
for use therein by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or
their respective affiliates and on which such persons have
reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent
conduct of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective
affiliates or persons under their control (including, without
limitation, their employees and "persons associated with a
member," as that term is defined in paragraph (q) of Article I
of the NASD's By-Laws), in connection with the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising of AVIF, or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing, 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 and in
conformity with information furnished to AVIF, or its affiliates
by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective
affiliates for use in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement,
AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing; or
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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(iv) arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER
to perform the obligations, provide the services and furnish the
materials required of them under the terms of this Agreement, or
any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER; or
(v) arise as a result of failure by the Contracts issued by LIFE
COMPANY to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance
contracts under the Code, otherwise than by reason of any Fund's
failure to comply with Subchapter M or Section 817(h) of the
Code.
(b) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this Section
12.1 with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to
which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that
Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of that Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations or duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii)
to AVIF.
(c) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this Section
12.1 with respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless AVIF shall
have notified LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER in writing within a reasonable time
after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature
of the action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice
of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify LIFE COMPANY
and UNDERWRITER of any such action shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER from any liability which they may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section
12.1. Except as otherwise provided herein, in case any such action is brought
against an Indemnified Party, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER shall be entitled to
participate, at their own expense, in the defense of such action and also shall
be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel approved by the
Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. After notice from LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER to such Indemnified
Party of LIFE COMPANY's or UNDERWRITER's election to assume the defense
thereof. The Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER and shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER will be liable to such
Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in connection
with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation.
12.2 OF LIFE COMPANY AND UNDERWRITER BY AVIF.
_______________________________________
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and 12.2(e),
below, AVIF agrees to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER,
their respective affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls LIFE
COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective directors and officers,
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 12.2)
PA-SFG.AGR
050799 (1) mt
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against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of AVIF) or actions in respect
thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to
which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation,
at common law, or otherwise; PROVIDED, the Account owns shares of the Fund and
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus or sales literature
or advertising of AVIF (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 AVIF or its affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE
COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates for use in
AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, or in
sales literature or advertising or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any
Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising for the
Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on behalf of AVIF,
or its affiliates and on which such persons have reasonably
relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent conduct of AVIF,
or its affiliates or persons under its control (including,
without limitation, their employees and "persons associated with
a member" as that term is defined in Section (q) of Article I of
the NASD By-Laws), in connection with the sale or distribution
of AVIF Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales
literature or advertising covering the Contracts, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates by or
on behalf of AVIF or AIM for use in any Account's 1933 Act
registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature
or advertising covering the Contracts, or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing; or
PA-SFG.AGR
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(iv) arise as a result of any failure by AVIF to perform the
obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials
required of it under the terms of this Agreement, or any
material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by
AVIF in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by AVIF.
(b) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and 12.2(e)
hereof, AVIF agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement thereof with, the written consent of AVIF) or actions in
respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses)
to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject directly or indirectly
under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or actions directly or indirectly result from or arise out
of the failure of any Fund to operate as a regulated investment company in
compliance with (i) Subchapter M of the Code and regulations thereunder, or
(ii) Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations thereunder, including, without
limitation, any income taxes and related penalties, rescission charges,
liability under state law to Participants asserting liability against LIFE
COMPANY pursuant to the Contracts, the costs of any ruling and closing
agreement or other settlement with the IRS, and the cost of any substitution by
LIFE COMPANY of Shares of another investment company or portfolio for those of
any adversely affected Fund as a funding medium for each Account that LIFE
COMPANY reasonably deems necessary or appropriate as a result of the
noncompliance.
(c) AVIF shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an Indemnified Party
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of its duties or
by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER, each
Account or Participants.
(d) AVIF shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any action
against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified Party shall have notified
AVIF in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal
process giving information of the nature of the action 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
AVIF of any such action shall not relieve AVIF from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise
than on account of this Section 12.2. Except as otherwise provided herein, in
case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party. AVIF will be
entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action and
also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof (which shall include,
without limitation, the conduct of any ruling request and closing agreement or
other settlement proceeding with the IRS), with counsel approved by the
Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. After notice from AVIF to such Indemnified Party of AVIF's or AIM's
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will cooperate
fully with AVIF and shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and AVIF will not be liable to such Indemnified Party
independently in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable
costs of investigation.
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(e) In no event shall AVIF be liable under the indemnification provisions
contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity, including, without
limitation, LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any other Participating Insurance
Company or any Participant, with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses that arise out of or result from (i) a breach of any
representation, warranty, and/or covenant made by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER
hereunder or by any Participating Insurance Company under an agreement
containing substantially similar representations, warranties and covenants;
(ii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any Participating Insurance Company to
maintain its segregated asset account (which invests in any Fund) as a legally
and validly established segregated asset account under applicable state law and
as a duly registered unit investment trust under the provisions of the 1940 Act
(unless exempt therefrom); or (iii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any
Participating Insurance Company to maintain its variable annuity or life
insurance contracts (with respect to which any Fund serves as an underlying
funding vehicle) as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under
applicable provisions of the Code.
12.3 EFFECT OF NOTICE.
_________________
Any notice given by the indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party referred
to in Sections 12.1(c) or 12.2(d) above of participation in or control of any
action by the indemnifying Party will in no event be deemed to be an admission
by the indemnifying Party of liability, culpability or responsibility, and the
indemnifying Party will remain free to contest liability with respect to the
claim among the Parties or otherwise.
12.4 SUCCESSORS.
__________
A successor by law of any Party shall be entitled to the benefits of the
indemnification contained in this Section 12.
SECTION 13. APPLICABLE LAW
__________________________
This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under
and in accordance with Maryland law, without regard for that state's principles
of conflict of laws.
SECTION 14. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
_____________________________________
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.
SECTION 15. SEVERABILITY
________________________
If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not
be affected thereby.
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SECTION 16. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE
_____________________________
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, that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state
laws.
SECTION 17. HEADINGS
____________________
The Table of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for purposes
of reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the provisions
of this Agreement.
SECTION 18. CONFIDENTIALITY
___________________________
AVIF acknowledges that the identities of the customers of LIFE COMPANY or
any of its affiliates (collectively, the "LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties" for
purposes of this Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers,
and all computer programs and procedures or other information developed by the
LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in
connection with LIFE COMPANY's performance of its duties under this Agreement
are the valuable property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties. AVIF agrees
that if it comes into possession of any list or compilation of the identities
of or other information about the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties' customers, or
any other information or property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties, other
than such information as may be independently developed or compiled by AVIF
from information supplied to it by the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties'
customers who also maintain accounts directly with AVIF, AVIF will hold such
information or property in confidence and refrain from using, disclosing or
distributing any of such information or other property except: (a) with LIFE
COMPANY's prior written consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial process.
LIFE COMPANY acknowledges that the identities of the customers of AVIF or any
of its affiliates (collectively, the "AVIF Protected Parties" for purposes of
this Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers, and all
computer programs and procedures or other information developed by the AVIF
Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection with AVIF's
performance of its duties under this Agreement are the valuable property of the
AVIF Protected Parties. LIFE COMPANY agrees that if it comes into possession of
any list or compilation of the identities of or other information about the
AVIF Protected Parties' customers or any other information or property of the
AVIF Protected Parties, other than such information as may be independently
developed or compiled by LIFE COMPANY from information supplied to it by the
AVIF Protected Parties' customers who also maintain accounts directly with LIFE
COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY will hold such information or property in confidence and
refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or other
property except: (a) with AVIF's prior written consent: or (b) as required by
law or judicial process. Each party acknowledges that any breach of the
agreements in this Section 18 would result in immediate and irreparable harm to
the other parties for which there would be no adequate remedy at law and agree
that in the event of such a breach, the other parties will be entitled to
equitable relief by way of temporary and permanent injunctions, as well as such
other relief as any court of competent jurisdiction deems appropriate.
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SECTION 19. TRADEMARKS AND FUND NAMES
_____________________________________
(a) Except as may otherwise be provided in a License Agreement among A I M
Management Group Inc., LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER, neither LIFE COMPANY nor
UNDERWRITER or any of their respective affiliates, shall use any trademark,
trade name, service xxxx or logo of AVIF, AIM or any of their respective
affiliates, or any variation of any such trademark, trade name, service xxxx or
logo, without AVIF's or AIM's prior written consent, the granting of which
shall be at AVIF's or AIM's sole option.
(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, neither AVIF,
its investment adviser, its principal underwriter, or any affiliates thereof
shall use any trademark, trade name, service xxxx or logo of LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER or any of their affiliates, or any variation of any such trademark,
trade name, service xxxx or logo, without LIFE COMPANY's or UNDERWRITER's prior
written consent, the granting of which shall be at LIFE COMPANY's or
UNDERWRITER's sole option.
SECTION 20. PARTIES TO COOPERATE
________________________________
Each party to this Agreement will cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including, without limitation, the SEC,
the NASI) and state insurance regulators) and will permit each other and such
authorities reasonable access to its books and records (including copies
thereof) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
-----------------
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in
their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers
signing below.
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------- ----------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title Assistant Secretary Title: President
SECURITY FIRST LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY, on behalf of itself and its
separate accounts
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------- ----------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------- ----------------------------
Title: ASST. Secretary Title: President
------------------- ----------------------------
SECURITY FIRST FINANCIAL, INC.
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------- ----------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------- ----------------------------
Title: ASST. Secretary Title: President
------------------- ----------------------------
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SCHEDULE A
FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS
___________________________________
.. AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
AIM V.I. Balanced Fund
AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund
AIM V.I. International Equity Fund
AIM V.I. Value Fund
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS UTILIZING THE FUNDS
_____________________________________
Security First Life Separate Account A
CONTRACTS FUNDED BY THE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
_________________________________________
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SCHEDULE B
EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS
LIFE COMPANY AVIF / AIM
------------ ----------
preparing and filing the Account's preparing and filing the Fund's
registration statement registration statement
text composition for Account text composition for Fund prospectuses
prospectuses and supplements and supplements
text alterations of prospectuses text alterations of prospectuses (Fund)
(Account) and supplements (Account) and supplements (Fund)
printing Account and Fund a camera ready Fund prospectus,
prospectuses and supplements printing costs of Fund Prospectuses to
existing policy owners with amounts
allocated to the Fund*
text composition and printing Account text composition and printing Fund SAIs
SAIs
mailing and distributing Account SAIs mailing and distributing Fund SAIs to
to policy owners upon request by policy owners upon request by policy
policy owners owners
mailing and distributing prospectuses
(Account and Fund) and supplements
(Account and Fund) to policy owners
of record as required by Federal
Securities Laws and to prospective
purchasers
text composition (Account), printing, text composition of annual and
mailing, and distributing annual and semi-annual reports (Fund)
semi-annual reports for Account (Fund
and Account as, applicable)
text composition, printing, mailing, text composition, printing, mailing,
distributing, and tabulation of proxy distributing and tabulation of proxy
statements and voting instruction statements and voting instruction
solicitation materials to policy solicitation materials to policy owners
owners with respect to proxies with respect to proxies related to the
related to the Account Fund
preparation, printing and
distributing sales material and
advertising relating to the Funds,
insofar as such materials relate to
the Contracts and filing such
materials with and obtaining approval
from, the SEC, the NASD, any state
insurance regulatory authority, and
any other appropriate regulatory
authority, to the extent required
* With respect to any AVIF material printed in combination with any non-AVIF
materials, the total costs of typesetting and printing shall be prorated as
between AIM/AVIF on the one hand and LIFE COMPANY on the other based on the
ratio of the number of pages of the combined prospectus, report, or other
document, for each Fund listed on Schedule A hereto to the total number of
pages in such combined prospectus report, or other documents.
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