PROPOSED AGREEMENT
SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL
[Name of Investment Company]
[Names of Portfolio(s)]
SHAREHOLDERS SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the ____ day of _________, 199_ by and
between [Name of Investment Company] ("Fund"), a Maryland corporation, for the
[Names of Portfolio(s)] series (together, the "Series"), and DELAWARE SERVICE
COMPANY, INC. ("DSC"), a Delaware corporation.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Investment Management Agreements between the Fund on
behalf of the Series and Delaware Management Company, Inc. provide that the Fund
shall conduct its own business affairs and shall bear the expenses and salaries
necessary and incidental thereto including, but not in limitation of the
foregoing, the costs incurred in: the maintenance of its corporate existence;
the maintenance of its own books, records and procedures; dealing with its own
shareholders; the payment of dividends; transfers of stock, including issuance,
redemption and repurchase of shares; preparation of share certificates; reports
and notices to stockholders; calling and holding of stockholders' meetings;
miscellaneous office expenses; brokerage commissions; custodian fees; legal and
accounting fees; taxes; and federal and state registration fees; and
WHEREAS, the FUND and DSC desire to have a written agreement concerning
the performance of the foregoing services and providing compensation therefor;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter
set forth, and intending legally to be bound, it is agreed:
I. APPOINTMENT AS AGENT
1.1 The Fund hereby appoints DSC Shareholder Services Agent for the
Series to provide as agent for the Fund services as Transfer Agent, Dividend
Disbursing Agent and Shareholder Servicing Agent and DSC hereby accepts such
appointment and agrees to provide the Fund, as its agent, the services described
herein.
1.2 The Fund shall pay DSC and DSC shall accept, for the services
provided hereunder, the compensation provided for in Section VIII hereof. The
Fund also shall reimburse DSC for expenses incurred or advanced by it for the
Fund in connection with its services hereunder.
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II. DOCUMENTATION
2.1 The Fund represents that it has provided or made available to DSC
(or has given DSC an opportunity to examine) copies of, and DSC represents that
it has received from the Fund (or is otherwise familiar with), the following
documents:
(a) The Articles of Incorporation or other documents
evidencing the Fund's form of organization and any current amendments or
supplements thereto;
(b) The By-Laws of the Fund;
(c) Any resolution or other action of the Fund or the Board of
Directors of the Fund establishing or affecting the rights, privileges or other
status of each class or series of shares of the Fund, including those relating
to the Series, or altering or abolishing such class or series;
(d) A certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors
of the Fund appointing DSC as Shareholder Services Agent for the Series and
authorizing the execution of this Agreement;
(e) The forms of share certificates for the Series in the form
approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund;
(f) A copy of the Fund's currently effective Prospectuses and
Statement of Additional Information under the Securities Act of 1933, if
effective;
(g) Copies of all account application forms and other
documents relating to stockholder accounts in the Series;
(h) Copies of documents relating to Plans of the Fund for the
purchase, sale or repurchase of its shares, including
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periodic payment or withdrawal plans, reinvestment plans or retirement plans, if
any;
(i) Any opinion of counsel to the Fund relating to the
authorization and validity of the shares of the Series issued or proposed to be
issued under the law of the State of the Fund's organization, including the
status thereof under any applicable securities laws;
(j) A certified copy of any resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Fund authorizing any person to give instructions to DSC under
this Agreement (with a specimen signature of such person if not already
provided), setting forth the scope of such authority; and
(k) Any amendment, revocation or other documents altering,
adding, qualifying or repealing any document or authority called for under this
Section 2.1.
2.2 The Fund and DSC may consult as to forms or documents that may be
required in performing services hereunder.
2.3 The Fund shall provide or make available to DSC a certified copy of
any resolution of the stockholders or the Board of Directors of the Fund
providing for a dividend, capital gains distribution, distribution of capital,
stock dividend, stock split or other similar action affecting the authorization
or issuance of shares of the Series or the payment of dividends.
2.4 In the case of any recapitalization or other capital adjustment
requiring a change in the form of stock certificates or
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the books recording the same, the Fund shall deliver or make available to DSC:
(a) A certified copy of any document authorizing or effecting
such change;
(b) Written instructions from an authorized officer
implementing such change; and
(c) An opinion of counsel to the Fund as to the validity of
such action, if requested by DSC.
2.5 The Fund warrants the following:
(a) The Fund is, or will be, a properly registered investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any and all Series shares
which it issues will be properly registered and lawfully issued under applicable
federal and state laws.
(b) The provisions of this Agreement do not violate the terms
of any instrument by which the Fund is bound; nor do they violate any law or
regulation of any body having jurisdiction over the Fund or its property.
2.6 DSC warrants the following:
(a) DSC is and will be properly registered as a transfer agent
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is duly authorized to serve, and
may lawfully serve as such.
(b) The provisions of this Agreement do not violate the terms
of any instrument by which DSC is bound; nor do they violate any law or
regulation of any body having jurisdiction over DSC or its property.
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III. STOCK CERTIFICATES
3.1 The Fund shall furnish or authorize DSC to obtain, at the Fund's
expense, a sufficient supply of blank stock certificates for the Series, and
from time to time will replenish such supply upon the request of DSC. The Fund
agrees to indemnify and exonerate, save and hold DSC harmless, from and against
any and claims or demands that may be asserted against DSC concerning the
genuineness of any stock certificate supplied to DSC pursuant to this Section.
3.2 DSC shall safeguard, and shall account to the Fund, upon its demand
for, all such stock certificates: (a) as issued, showing to whom issued, or (b)
as unissued, establishing the safekeeping, cancellation or destruction thereof.
3.3 The Fund shall promptly inform DSC in writing of any change in the
officers authorized to sign stock certificates or in the form thereof. If an
officer whose manual or facsimile signature is affixed to any blank share
certificate shall die, resign or be removed prior to the issuance of such
certificate, DSC may nevertheless issue such certificate notwithstanding such
death, resignation or removal, and the Fund shall with respect thereto promptly
provide to DSC any approval, adoption or ratification as may be required by DSC.
IV. TRANSFER AGENT
4.1 As Transfer Agent for the Fund, DSC shall issue, redeem and
transfer shares of the Series, and, in connection therewith but not in
limitation thereof, it shall:
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(a) Upon receipt of authority to issue shares, determine the
total shares to be issued and issue such shares by crediting shares to accounts
created and maintained in the registration forms provided; as applicable,
prepare, issue and deliver stock certificates.
(b) Upon proper transfer authorization, transfer shares by
debiting transferor-stockholder accounts and crediting such shares to accounts
created and/or maintained for transferee- stockholders; if applicable, issue
and/or cancel stock certificates.
(c) Upon proper redemption authorization, determine the total
shares redeemed and to be redeemed; determine the total redemption payments made
and to be made; redeem shares by debiting stockholder accounts; as applicable,
receive and cancel stock certificates for shares redeemed; and remit or cause to
be remitted the redemption proceeds to stockholders.
(d) Create and maintain accounts; reconcile and control cash
due and paid, shares issued and to be issued, cash remitted and to be remitted
and shares debited and credited to accounts; provide such notices, instructions
or authorizations as the Fund may require.
4.2 DSC shall not be required to issue, transfer or redeem Series
shares upon receipt of DSC from the Fund, or from any federal or state
regulatory agency or authority, written notice that the issuance, transfer or
redemption of Series shares has been suspended or discontinued.
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V. DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
5.1 As Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Fund, DSC shall disburse and
cause to be disbursed to stockholders of each Series dividends, capital gains
distributions or any payments from other sources as directed by the Fund. In
connection therewith, but not in limitation thereof, DSC shall:
(a) Calculate the total disbursement due and payable and the
disbursement to each stockholder as to shares owned, in accordance with the
Fund's authorization.
(b) Calculate the total disbursements for each stockholder, as
aforesaid, to be disbursed in cash; prepare and mail checks therefor.
(c) Calculate the total disbursement for each stockholder of
each Series, as aforesaid, for which shares are to be issued and authorized and
instruct the issuance of such shares in accordance with Section IV hereof.
(d) Prepare and mail or deliver such forms and notices
pertaining to disbursements as required by federal or state authority.
(e) Create and maintain records, reconcile and control
disbursements to be made and made, both as to cash and shares, as aforesaid;
provide such notices, instruction or authorization as the Fund may require.
5.2 DSC shall not be required to make any disbursement upon the receipt
of DSC from the Fund, or from any federal or state
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agency or authority, written notice that such disbursement shall not be made.
VI. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
6.1 As Shareholder Servicing Agent for the Fund, DSC shall provide
those services ancillary to but in implementation of the services provided under
Sections I through V hereof, and those generally defined and accepted as
shareholder services. In connection therewith, but not in limitation thereof,
DSC shall:
(a) Except where instructed in writing by the Fund not to do
so, and where in compliance with applicable law, accept orders on behalf of the
Fund; receive and process investments and applications; remit to the Fund or its
custodian payments for shares acquired and to be issued; and direct the issuance
of shares in accordance with Section IV hereof.
(b) Receive, record and respond to communications of
stockholders and their agents.
(c) As instructed by the Fund, prepare and mail stockholder
account information, mail Series stockholder reports and Series prospectuses.
(d) Prepare and mail proxies and material for Fund stockholder
meetings, receive and process proxies from stockholders, and deliver such
proxies as directed by the Fund.
(e) Administer investment plans offered by the Fund to
investors and stockholders of each Series, including retirement plans, including
activities not otherwise provided in Sections I through V of this Agreement
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VII. PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES
7.1 The parties hereto intend that Series stockholders and their
stockholdings shall be confidential, and any information relating thereto shall
be released by DSC only to those persons or authorities who DSC has reason to
believe are authorized to receive such information; or, as instructed by the
Fund.
7.2 DSC may, in performing this Agreement, require the Fund or the
Fund's distributor to provide it with an adequate number of copies of
prospectuses, reports or other documents required to be furnished to investors
or stockholders.
7.3 DSC may request or receive instructions from the Fund and may, at
the Fund's expense, consult with counsel for the Fund or its own counsel with
respect to any matter arising in connection with the performance of its duties
hereunder, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith in accordance with such instructions or opinions of counsel.
7.4 DSC shall maintain reasonable insurance coverage for errors and
omissions and reasonable bond coverage for fraud.
7.5 Upon notice thereof to the Fund, DSC may employ others to provide
services to DSC in its performance of this Agreement.
7.6 Personnel and facilities of DSC used to perform services hereunder
may be used to perform similar services to other funds of the Delaware Group and
to others, and may be used to perform other services for the Fund, the other
funds of the Delaware Group and others.
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7.7 DSC shall provide its services as transfer agent hereunder in
accordance with Section 17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules
and regulations thereunder. Further, the parties intend that the processes,
procedures, safeguard and controls employed should be those generally applied
and accepted for the type services provided hereunder by other institutions
providing the same or similar services, and, those which should provide
efficient, safe and economical services so as to promote promptness and accuracy
and to maintain the integrity of the Fund's records.
7.8 The Fund and DSC may, from time to time, set forth in writing
Guidelines For Selective Procedures to be applicable to the services hereunder.
VIII. COMPENSATION
8.1 The Fund and DSC acknowledge that because DSC has common ownership
and close management ties with the Fund's investment advisor and the Fund's
distributor and serves the other funds of the Delaware Group (DSC having been
originally established to provide the services hereunder for the funds of the
Delaware Group), advantages and benefits to the Fund in the employment of DSC
hereunder can be available which may not generally be available to it from
others providing similar services.
8.2 The Fund and DSC further acknowledge that the compensation by the
Fund to DSC is intended to induce DSC to provide services under this Agreement
of a nature and quality which the Board of Directors of the Fund, including a
majority who are
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not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of the parties hereto, has
determined after due consideration to be necessary for the conduct of the
business of the Fund, in the best interests of the Fund, the Series and their
stockholders.
8.3 Compensation by the Fund to DSC hereunder shall be determined in
accordance with Schedule A hereto as it shall be amended from time to time as
provided for herein and which is incorporated herein as a part hereof.
8.4 Compensation as provided in Schedule A shall be reviewed and
approved in the manner set forth in Section 10.1 hereof by the Board of
Directors of the Fund at least annually and may be reviewed and approved more
frequently at the request of either party. The Board may request, and DSC shall
provide, such information as the Board may reasonably require to evaluate the
basis of and approve the compensation.
IX. STANDARD OF CARE
9.1 The Fund acknowledges that DSC shall not be liable for, and in the
absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the performance of its duties under this Agreement, agrees to
indemnify DSC against, any claim or deficiency arising from the performance of
DSC's duties hereunder, including DSC's costs, counsel fees and expenses
incurred in investigating or defending any such claim or any administrative or
other proceeding, and acknowledges that any risk of loss or damage arising from
the conduct of the Fund's affairs in accordance
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herewith or in accordance with Guidelines or instructions given hereunder, shall
be borne by the Fund.
X. CONTRACTUAL STATUS
10.1 This Agreement shall be executed and become effective on the date
first written above if approved by a vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund,
including an affirmative vote of a majority of the non-interested members of the
Board, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval. It shall continue in effect for an indeterminate period, and is
subject to termination on sixty (60) days notice by either party unless earlier
terminated or amended by agreement among the parties. Compensation under this
Agreement shall require approval by a majority vote of the Board of Directors of
the Fund, including an affirmative vote of the majority of the non-interested
members of the Board cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
10.2 This Agreement may not be assigned without the approval of the
Fund.
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10.3 This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC.
Attest: By:
------------------- --------------------------
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
[Name of Investment Company]
for the [Name(s) of Portfolio(s)]
series
Attest: By:
------------------- --------------------------
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
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SCHEDULE A
[Name of Investment Company]
SHAREHOLDERS SERVICES AGREEMENT
COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
1. Delaware Service Company, Inc. ("DSC") will determine and
report to the Fund, at least annually, the compensation
for services to be provided to the Fund for DSC's
forthcoming fiscal year or period.
2. In determining such compensation, DSC will fix and report a
fee to be charged per account and/or transaction, as may be
applicable, for services provided. DSC will xxxx, and the Fund
will pay, such compensation monthly.
3. For the period commencing on _________ __, 199_, the charge
will consist of two charges, an annual charge and a per
transaction charge for each account on DSC's records and each
account on an automated retirement processing system. These
charges are as follows:
A. ANNUAL CHARGE
Daily Dividend Funds $11.00 Per Annum
Non-Daily Dividend Funds $ 5.50 Per Annum
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx - Omnibus Accounts:
Regular Accounts $11.00 Per Annum
Accounts with a Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge $14.00 Per Annum
Networked Accounts $3.00-$6.00 Per Annum
SCHEDULE A
[Name of Investment Company]
SHAREHOLDERS SERVICES AGREEMENT
COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
PAGE 2
B. TRANSACTION CHARGE
Transaction Charge
1. Dividend Payment $ 0.25
2. New Account $ 6.00
3. Purchase:
a. Wire $ 8.00
b. Automated $ 1.50
c. Other $ 2.60
4. Transfer $ 8.00
5. Certificate Issuance $ 4.00
6. Liquidations
a. Wires $12.25
b. Drafts $ 0.75
c. Money Market Regular $ 4.50
d. Other Regular $ 4.50
7. Exchanges
a. Dividend Exchanges $ 3.00
b. Other $10.00
