Sub -Administration and Fund Accounting Services Agreement
EX 99.28(h)(2)
Sub -Administration and
Fund Accounting Services Agreement
This Agreement is made and entered into as of January 1, 2012, by and between Curian Capital, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company (“Curian” or “Administrator”), and Xxxxxxx Fund Services (“JFS” or “Sub-Administrator”), a division of Xxxxxxx National Asset Management, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Michigan (“JNAM”).
Whereas, Curian is the investment adviser and administrator to Curian Variable Series Trust (“Funds”) that are registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and is authorized by the Funds to contract its administrative duties to a third party; and
Whereas, Curian desires to retain JFS to provide fund accounting and sub-administration services to the Funds, and JFS wishes to furnish such services.
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein made, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Appointment
Curian hereby appoints JFS to provide fund accounting and administrative services to the Funds in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and JFS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in Exhibit A of this Agreement in consideration of the compensation provided for herein.
2. Regulatory Compliance/Representations of the Parties
A. JFS acknowledges that it is a service provider to the Funds as that term is used in connection with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 38a-1”), and represents that it has established and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent, identify and correct violations of the Federal Securities Laws, as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 and applies to a service provider. JFS agrees to cooperate with Curian and the Funds to the extent reasonably requested in connection with the Funds fulfilling their obligations to monitor JFS’s operations to assure itself that JFS has established and implemented the required policies and procedures.
B. Curian represents and warrants that the Funds have granted it the authority to retain JFS to act on behalf of itself and the Funds.
C. Curian represents as Administrator and on behalf of the Funds that the policies and procedures maintained by the Funds immediately prior to the effective date hereof were designed to prevent, identify, and correct any material violations of the Federal Securities Laws, as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 and applies to a registered management investment company. JFS agrees that it is responsible for drafting and maintaining policies and procedures that are designed to comply with Rule 38a-1 for review and consideration by Curian and the Funds and will inform Curian and the Funds if additional procedures or revisions to the procedures are necessary to comply with Rule 38a-1.
3. Changes in Accounting Procedures
Any changes by Curian or the Funds that affect accounting practices and procedures under this Agreement and that have not been initiated by JFS shall only become effective upon written receipt and acceptance by JFS.
4. Changes in Equipment, Systems, Service, Etc.
JFS reserves the right to make changes from time to time, as it deems advisable, relating to its services, systems, programs, rules, operating schedules and equipment, so long as such changes do not adversely affect the services provided to Curian and the Funds under this Agreement.
5. Compensation
Curian shall compensate JFS $1,595,000 in 2012 for providing the services set forth in Exhibit A for the Funds in Exhibit Band as mutually agreed upon and as may be amended from time to time by the parties. Expenses for security valuations from third party pricing vendors will be charged to Curian based on the costs of those pricing services.
Except as hereinafter set forth, compensation shall be calculated and paid monthly. Upon termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the compensation for such part of a month shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the effective date of termination of this Agreement.
Curian shall notify JFS in writing within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of each invoice if Curian disputes any amounts in good faith. Curian shall settle such disputed amounts within ten (10) calendar days of the day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid.
6. Performance of Services; Limitation of Liability
A. JFS shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. JFS shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by Curian or the Funds in connection with matters to which this Agreement relates, including losses resulting from the occurrence of any virus, as defined in Section 15, notwithstanding JFS' reasonable standard of care in preventing such intrusion, mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond JFS’ control, except a loss arising out of or relating to JFS’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from bad faith, gross negligence, or willful misconduct on its part in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
B. Curian, on behalf of itself and the Funds, shall indemnify JFS and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred by JFS that result from (i) any claim, action, suit or proceeding arising in connection with JFS’ entry into or performance of this Agreement; (ii) any action taken or omission to act committed by JFS in the performance of its obligations hereunder; or (iii) any action of JFS taken upon instructions believed in good faith by it to have been executed by a duly authorized officer or representative of Curian or the Funds; provided, that JFS shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of actions or omissions constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, misconduct or reckless disregard of its duties on the part of JFS or its employees, agents or contractors.
C. JFS shall indemnify and hold Curian and the Funds harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses, incurred by such indemnified party which results from (i) JFS’s failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement; (ii) JFS’s lack of good faith in performing its obligations hereunder; or (iii) JFS’s negligence or misconduct or its employees, agents or contractors in connection herewith; provided, that an indemnified party shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of actions or omissions constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, misconduct or reckless disregard of its duties on the part of such party, or its employees, agents or contractors.
D. JFS represents that it has in place, and covenants to maintain in place during the term of this Agreement, a reasonable back-up, business continuity and disaster recovery plan. In the event of a mechanical breakdown or failure of communication or power supplies due to events beyond its control, JFS shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues. JFS shall have no liability with respect to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure provided such loss or interruption is not caused by JFS’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement, including this Section 6.
Notwithstanding the above, JFS reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative errors at its own expense.
E. In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. Indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
F. The indemnification obligations set out in this Section 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
7. No Agency Relationship
Except as provided in the Agreement, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower JFS to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name of, or for the account of, the other party to this Agreement.
8. Records
JFS shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner, and for such period as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Funds but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), and the rules thereunder. JFS agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by JFS relating to the services to be performed by JFS hereunder are the property of the Funds and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Funds on and in accordance with its request. Upon the reasonable request of Curian on behalf of the Funds, copies of any such records in the form reasonably requested (if such form differs from the form in which JFS has maintained the same, the Funds shall pay reasonable expenses associated with transferring the same to such form), shall be provided by JFS to the Funds.
9. Data Necessary to Perform Services
Curian on behalf of the Funds shall furnish to JFS the data and provide such documentation as is reasonably necessary to perform the services described herein at such times and in such form as mutually agreed upon. If JFS is also acting in another capacity for the Funds, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve JFS of any of its obligations in such capacity.
10. Cooperation Necessary to Perform Services
Curian represents that it shall take all actions to cause the Board of Trustees of the Funds to authorize the Funds’ officers, investment adviser(s) and sub-advisers, legal counsel, independent accountants, transfer agent, custodian and other service providers and agents, past or present, for the Funds to cooperate with JFS and to provide JFS with such information, documents and advice relating to the Funds as necessary and/or appropriate or as requested by JFS, in order to enable JFS to perform its duties hereunder. Fees charged by such persons shall be an expense of the Funds. JFS shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any officer, agent, representative or employee of the Funds, investment adviser(s) or service provider until receipt of written notice thereof from the Funds. As used in this Agreement, the term “investment adviser” includes all sub-advisers or persons performing similar services.
11. Instruction Necessary to Perform Services
JFS may apply to Curian to obtain from an officer of the Funds written instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with JFS’ performance hereunder for such Fund, and JFS shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with such instructions. Such application shall include a description of the action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by JFS with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken, and JFS shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, JFS has received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
12. Securities Valuation
It is understood that in determining security valuations, JFS shall employ one or more pricing services, as directed by Curian on behalf of the Funds, to determine valuations of portfolio securities for purposes of calculating net asset values of the Funds. JFS shall recommend to Curian a list of pricing vendors for Curian’s review and Curian will make a recommendation to the Funds’ Board of Trustees for approval. JFS shall price the securities and other holdings of the Funds for which market quotations or prices are available by the use of such services. For those securities where prices are not provided by the pricing service(s) utilized by JFS, JFS shall provide to Curian, without any determination of the resulting fair value, prices and related information that may be utilized by Curian, in the course of its authority delegated to it by the Board of Trustees to establish the fair value prices employing the method approved by the Board.
The Funds are responsible for approving, in good faith, the method for determining the fair value of the securities, which such responsibility the Funds have delegated to Curian. Curian shall determine or obtain the valuation of the securities in accordance with those procedures and shall deliver to JFS the resulting prices for use in its calculation of net asset values. JFS is authorized to rely on the prices provided by such service(s) or by the Funds’ investment adviser(s) or other authorized representative of the Funds without investigation or verification.
13. Counsel Necessary to Perform Services
JFS may consult with counsel to Curian, the Funds or its own counsel, at JFS’ expense, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the reasonable advice or opinion of such counsel.
14. Notification of Error
JFS shall notify Curian of any error caused by JFS within twenty-four (24) hours after discovery of any error or omission.
Curian will notify JFS of any discrepancy between the records of JFS and the records of the Funds, including, but not limited to, failing to account for a security position in the Fund’s portfolio, by the later of: within three (3) business days after receipt of any reports rendered by JFS; within three (3) business days after discovery of any error or omission not covered in the balancing or control procedure; or within three (3) business days of receiving notice from any shareholder.
15. Systems
JFS shall exercise reasonable care to prevent the occurrence of any virus. JFS agrees that any corrections needed due to a virus shall be corrected by JFS at no additional cost to the Funds. “Virus” shall mean: (i) program code or programming instruction or set of instructions intentionally designed to disrupt, disable, harm, interfere with or otherwise adversely affect computer programs, data files or operations; or (ii) other code typically described as a virus or by similar terms, including Trojan horse, worm or backdoor.
16. Proprietary and Confidential Information
JFS, on behalf of itself and its directors, officers and employees, agrees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Funds all records and other information relative to the Funds and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Funds, and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Funds, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where JFS may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Funds.
17. Term of Agreement
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and will continue in effect until terminated under the provisions set forth in this section, and according to all other terms and conditions thereof. This Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time upon 120 days’ prior written notice to the other party or such shorter period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. This Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent of the parties. The provisions of Sections 6, 8, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 20 shall survive the termination of the agreement.
18. Notices
Notices of any kind to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service, or three (3) days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address set forth below:
Notice to JFS shall be sent to:
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Xxxx Xxxxx
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President & Chief Executive Officer
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Xxxxxxx Fund Services
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000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
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Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
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And notice to Curian and the Funds shall be sent to:
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Xxxxxxx Xxxx
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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Curian Capital, LLC
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0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxx
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Xxxxxx, XX 00000
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19. Assignment
This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party.
20. Duties in the Event of Termination
Upon termination of this Agreement, JFS shall, at Curian’s reasonable prior request and expense, promptly deliver the relevant books, records, correspondence and other data (or copies thereof) of the terminating Funds that are in the possession or under control of JFS, to Curian or any other person designated by Curian. If such form differs from the form in which JFS has maintained the same, Curian, on behalf of itself and the Funds, may elect either to pay reasonable expenses associated with transferring the same to such form, or accept the relevant books, records, correspondence and other data (or copies thereof) in the form maintained by JFS. JFS will further cooperate in the transfer of the duties and responsibilities established hereunder during a reasonable transition period to such successor as Curian or the Funds may appoint, including the provision of assistance from JFS’ personnel in the establishment of books, records and other data by such successor. During the course of the reasonable transition period, JFS shall be compensated pursuant to the terms of Section 5, plus the additional expenses specified above.
21. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan without regard to conflicts of law principles. However, nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or regulation promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
22. Amendment
This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by JFS and Curian to be bound thereby.
23. Severability
In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.
24. No Waiver
Each and every right granted to JFS hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of JFS to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by JFS of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer or one or more counterparts as of the day and year first written above. If executed in counterpart, such counterparts together shall constitute only one instrument.
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Attest:
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Curian Capital, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx |
By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx | ||
| Xxxxxx Xxxx |
Name:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx | |||
| SVP, General Counsel |
Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
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Attest:
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Xxxxxxx Fund Services, a division of Xxxxxxx National Asset Management, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
By:
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/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
| Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
Name:
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Xxxx X. Xxxxx
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| Senior Paralegal |
Title:
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President and CEO
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Exhibit A
Duties and Responsibilities:
Fund Officers:
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Provide qualified officers to each Fund including Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Treasurer and Secretary; and
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Provide Principal Financial Officer (PFO) for Fund Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx certifications.
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Fund Accounting:
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Maintain portfolio records on a trade date basis using security trade information communicated from each Fund’s investment adviser;
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Maintain a general ledger and other accounts, books, and financial records for each Fund in the form as agreed upon;
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Determine the net asset value on a daily basis according to each Fund’s accounting policies provided to JFS;
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Daily reconciliation of cash and securities to the Funds’ custodian;
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Daily reconciliation of capital shares and transactions to the Funds’ transfer agent;
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Daily reconciliation of shares to the each Fund’s investment adviser; and
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Determine dividends and distributions.
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Fund Administration:
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Prepare and file organizational documents for the Funds in the state of organization, maintain and file any updates to such documents, file any required state filings (such as annual form MT-1 in Massachusetts);
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Prepare and file annual and semi-annual reports;
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Prepare and file Forms N-Q, N-SAR, N-PX, N-CSR and 24f-2 with the SEC; maintain filings calendar;
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Draft and coordinate initial registration, prospectus and statement of additional information updates, review and file documents via XXXXX;
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Coordinate the printing and mailing of required disclosure to the owners of variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies with account values allocated to the Fund (“Contractowners”);
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Prepare each fund’s budget, review invoices and process payments;
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Coordinate annual audit by Funds’ independent public accountants and any regulatory inspections or inquiries;
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Prepare and file federal and excise tax returns;
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Provide tax information for year-end tax reporting;
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Calculate each Fund’s performance;
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Coordinate participation in class action lawsuits (but the class actions are administered by the Custodian pursuant to a separate fee schedule in the custody agreement); and
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Maintain all records of the Trust required to be maintained under the 1940 Act or other applicable law.
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Board Support:
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Prepare Board agenda and materials, attend and record minutes of meetings, including initial organizational materials; and
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Obtain fidelity bond and D&O insurance coverage.
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Compliance Support:
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Monitor the investment adviser’s compliance with the 1940 Act requirements as it relates to the Funds, with the restrictions under Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code as related to the Funds, and with each Fund’s policies and limitations; and
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Create and maintain each Fund’s compliance policies and procedures;
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Service Provider Oversight:
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Oversee and coordinate other service providers, including custodian, securities lending agent etc., and (subject to the oversight of the Trust’s Investment Adviser), the sub-advisers.
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Exhibit B
Funds
Curian Guidance--Maximize Income Fund
Curian Guidance--Balanced Income Fund
Curian Guidance--Rising Income Fund
Curian Guidance--Moderate Growth Fund
Curian Guidance--Maximum Growth Fund
Curian Guidance--Tactical Maximum Growth Fund
Curian Guidance--Institutional Alt 65 Fund
Curian Guidance--Institutional Alt 100 Fund
Curian Tactical Advantage 35 Fund
Curian Tactical Advantage 60 Fund
Curian Tactical Advantage 75 Fund
Curian Dynamic Risk Advantage--Diversified Fund
Curian Dynamic Risk Advantage--Aggressive Fund
Curian Dynamic Risk Advantage--Income Fund
Curian/American Funds® Growth Fund
Curian/AQR Risk Parity Fund
Curian/EPOCH Global Shareholder Yield Fund
Curian/FAMCO Flex Core Covered Call Fund
Curian/Franklin Xxxxxxxxx Natural Resources Fund
Curian/Invesco Balanced-Risk Commodities Fund
Curian/Xxxxxxxx Convertible Arbitrage Fund
Curian/PIMCO Credit Income Fund
Curian/PineBridge Merger Arbitrage Fund
Curian/The Boston Company Equity Income Fund
Curian/The Boston Company Multi-Alpha Market Neutral Equity Fund
