Exhibit k.1
TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of ___________, 2002 by and between PFPC
INC., a Massachusetts corporation ("PFPC"), and PIMCO CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL
INCOME FUND III, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a closed-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC to serve as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and PFPC
wishes to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. Definitions. As Used in this Agreement:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c) "Authorized Person" means any officer of the Fund and any other
person duly authorized by the Fund's Board of Trustees to give
Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund.
An Authorized Person's scope of authority may be limited by
setting forth such limitation in a written document signed by
both parties hereto.
(d) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.
(e) "Oral Instructions" mean oral instructions received by PFPC from
an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC
to be an Authorized Person.
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PFPC may, in its sole discretion in each separate instance,
consider and rely upon instructions it receives from an
Authorized Person via electronic mail as Oral Instructions.
(f) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(g) "Securities Laws" mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act
and the CEA.
(h) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest of any series or
class of the Fund.
(i) "Written Instructions" mean (i) written instructions signed by an
Authorized Person and received by PFPC or (ii) trade instructions
transmitted (and received by PFPC) by means of an electronic
transaction reporting system access to which requires use of a
password or other authorized identifier. The instructions may be
delivered by hand, mail, tested telegram, cable, telex or
facsimile sending device.
2. Appointment. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC to serve as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to
the Fund in accordance with the terms set forth in this Agreement. PFPC
accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such services.
3. Delivery of Documents. The Fund has provided or, where applicable, will
provide PFPC with the following:
(a) At PFPC's request, certified or authenticated copies of the
resolutions of the Fund's Board of Trustees, approving the
appointment of PFPC or its affiliates to provide services to the
Fund and approving this Agreement;
(b) A copy of the Fund's most recent effective registration
statement;
(c) A copy of the advisory agreement with respect to the Fund;
(d) A copy of the distribution/underwriting agreement with respect to
each class of Shares of the Fund;
(e) A copy of the Fund's administration agreements if PFPC is not
providing the
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Fund with such services;
(f) Copies of any distribution and/or shareholder servicing plans and
agreements made in respect of the Fund;
(g) A copy of the Fund's organizational documents, as filed with the
state in which the Fund is organized; and
(h) Copies (certified or authenticated where applicable) of any and
all amendments or supplements to the foregoing.
4. Compliance with Rules and Regulations. PFPC undertakes to comply with
all applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and any laws, rules
and regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction with
respect to the duties to be performed by PFPC hereunder. Except as
specifically set forth herein, PFPC assumes no responsibility for such
compliance by the Fund or any other entity.
5. Instructions.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC shall act only
upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instruction or
Written Instruction it receives from an Authorized Person (or
from a person reasonably believed by PFPC to be an Authorized
Person) pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC may assume that any Oral
Instruction or Written Instruction received hereunder is not in
any way inconsistent with the provisions of organizational
documents or this Agreement or of any vote, resolution or
proceeding of the Fund's Board of Trustees or of the Fund's
shareholders, unless and until PFPC receives Written Instructions
to the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Written Instructions
confirming Oral Instructions so that PFPC receives the Written
Instructions by the close of
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business on the same day that such Oral Instructions are
received. The fact that such confirming Written Instructions are
not received by PFPC or differ from the Oral Instructions shall
in no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the
transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions or PFPC's
ability to rely upon such Oral Instructions. Where Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions reasonably appear to have
been received from an Authorized Person, PFPC shall incur no
liability to the Fund in acting in conformance with such Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions provided that PFPC's actions
comply with the other provisions of this Agreement.
6. Right to Receive Advice.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PFPC is in doubt as to any action it
should or should not take, PFPC may request directions or advice,
including Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, from the
Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PFPC shall be in doubt as to any question
of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take,
PFPC may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may
be counsel for the Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or PFPC,
at the option of PFPC).
(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions
or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC
receives from the Fund, and the advice it receives from counsel,
PFPC may rely upon and follow the advice of counsel. Reliance on
such advice, however, does not excuse PFPC from its duties under
this Agreement.
(d) Protection of PFPC. PFPC shall be protected in any action it
takes or does not
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take in reliance upon directions or advice or Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions it receives from the Fund or from counsel and
which PFPC believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those
directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to impose an
obligation upon PFPC (i) to seek such directions or advice or Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance
with such directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions unless, under the terms of other provisions of this
Agreement, the same is a condition of PFPC's properly taking or
not taking such action.
7. Records; Visits. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, which
are in the possession or under the control of PFPC, shall be the
property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and
maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities
laws, rules and regulations. The Fund and Authorized Persons shall have
access to such books and records at all times during PFPC's normal
business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any
such books and records shall be provided by PFPC to the Fund or to an
Authorized Person, at the Fund's expense.
8. Confidentiality. Each party shall keep confidential any information
relating to the other party's business ("Confidential Information").
Confidential Information shall include (a) any data or information that
is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the
public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans,
marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships,
customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and
internal performance results relating to the past, present or future
business activities of the Fund or PFPC, their respective subsidiaries
and
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affiliated companies and the customers, clients and suppliers of any of
them; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process,
procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and
secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Fund or PFPC a
competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or
proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications,
computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases,
inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or
copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, information shall not be subject to such
confidentiality obligations if it: (a) is already known to the
receiving party at the time it is obtained and was obtained through
some means other than through the performance of an agreement between
PFPC and an affiliate of the Fund; (b) is or becomes publicly known or
available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (c) is
rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the
receiving party's knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality;
(d) is released by the protected party to a third party without
restriction; (e) is required to be disclosed by the receiving party
pursuant to a requirement of a court order, subpoena, governmental or
regulatory agency or law (provided the receiving party will provide the
other party written notice of such requirement, to the extent such
notice is permitted); (f) is relevant to the defense of any claim or
cause of action asserted against the receiving party; or (g) has been
or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party. In
addition, PFPC agrees that it will not, at any time during the term of
this Agreement or after its termination, reveal, divulge, or make known
to any person or entity, unless required by law, any list of
shareholders of the Fund or any personal information relating to such
shareholders.
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9. Cooperation with Accountants. PFPC shall cooperate with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable actions in
the performance of its obligations under this Agreement to ensure that
the necessary information is made available to such accountants for the
expression of their opinion, as required by the Fund.
10. PFPC System. PFPC shall retain title to and ownership of any and all
data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats,
interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions,
discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise,
patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and other related legal rights
utilized by PFPC in connection with the services provided by PFPC to
the Fund.
11. Disaster Recovery. PFPC shall enter into and shall maintain in effect
with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable
provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to
the extent appropriate equipment is available. In the event of
equipment failures, PFPC shall, at no additional expense to the Fund,
take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. PFPC 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 PFPC's own willful misfeasance, bad
faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations
under this Agreement.
12. Compensation. As compensation for services rendered by PFPC during the
term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to PFPC a fee or fees as may
be agreed to from time to time in writing by the Fund and PFPC. The
Fund acknowledges that PFPC may receive float benefits and/or
investment earnings in connection with maintaining certain accounts
required to provide services under this Agreement.
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13. Indemnification. The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless
PFPC and its affiliates, including their respective officers,
directors, agents and employees, from all taxes, charges, expenses,
assessments, claims and liabilities (including, without limitation,
attorneys' fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under the
Securities Laws and any state and foreign securities and blue sky laws)
arising directly or indirectly from any action or omission to act which
PFPC takes in connection with the provision of services to the Fund.
Neither PFPC, nor any of its affiliates, shall be indemnified against
any liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) caused by
PFPC's or its affiliates' own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under
this Agreement, provided that in the absence of a finding to the
contrary the acceptance, processing and/or negotiation of a fraudulent
payment for the purchase of Shares shall be presumed not to have been
the result of PFPC's or its affiliates own willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such duties and
obligations. The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive
termination of this Agreement.
14. Responsibility of PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder on
behalf of the Fund except as specifically set forth herein or
as may be specifically agreed to by PFPC and the Fund in a
written amendment hereto. PFPC shall be obligated to exercise
customary care and diligence in the performance of its duties
hereunder and to act in good faith in performing services
provided for under this Agreement. PFPC shall be liable only
for any damages arising out of PFPC's failure to perform its
duties under this Agreement to the extent such damages arise
out of PFPC's
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willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of
such duties.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other
provision of this Agreement, (i) PFPC shall not be liable for losses
beyond its control, including without limitation (subject to Section
11), delays or errors or loss of data occurring by reason of
circumstances beyond PFPC's control, provided that PFPC has acted in
accordance with the standard set forth in Section 14(a) above and
has otherwise fulfilled its obligation under this Agreement; and
(ii) PFPC shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into
and shall not be liable for the validity or invalidity or authority
or lack thereof of any Oral Instruction or Written Instruction,
notice or other instrument which conforms to the applicable
requirements of this Agreement, and which PFPC reasonably believes
to be genuine.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i)
neither party nor its affiliates shall be liable for any
consequential, special or indirect losses or damages, whether or not
the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by the party or
its affiliates and (ii) excluding fees owed by the Fund under this
Agreement for services rendered by PFPC, a party's cumulative
liability for all losses, claims, suits, controversies, breaches or
damages for any cause whatsoever (including but not limited to those
arising out of or related to this Agreement) and regardless of the
form of action or legal theory shall not exceed $100,000 plus
reasonable attorney's fees.
(d) Each party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other
party may become responsible.
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(e) The provisions of this Section 14 shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
15. Description of Services.
(a) Services Provided on an Ongoing Basis, If Applicable.
(i) Maintain shareholder registrations;
(ii) Provide toll-free lines for shareholder and broker-dealer use;
(iii) Provide periodic shareholder lists and statistics;
(iv) Mailing of year-end tax information; and
(v) Periodic mailing of shareholder dividend reinvestment plan
account information and Fund financial reports.
(b) Dividends and Distributions. PFPC must receive Written Instructions
authorizing the declaration and payment of dividends and
distributions. Upon receipt of the resolution, PFPC shall issue the
dividends and distributions in cash, or, if the resolution so
provides, pay such dividends and distributions in Shares. Such
issuance or payment shall be made after deduction and payment of the
required amount of funds to be withheld in accordance with any
applicable tax laws or other laws, rules or regulations. PFPC shall
timely send to the Fund's shareholders tax forms and other
information, or permissible substitute notice, relating to dividends
and distributions, paid by the Fund as are required to be filed and
mailed by applicable law, rule or regulation.
PFPC shall maintain and file with the United States Internal Revenue
Service and other appropriate taxing authorities reports relating to
all dividends above a stipulated amount (currently $10.00
accumulated yearly dividends) paid by the Fund to its shareholders
as required by tax or other law, rule or regulation.
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In accordance with the Prospectus and such procedures and controls
as are mutually agreed upon from time to time by and among the Fund,
PFPC and the Fund's Custodian, PFPC shall process applications from
Shareholders relating to the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan
("Dividend Reinvestment Plan") and will effect purchases of Shares
in connection with the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. As the dividend
disbursing agent, PFPC shall, on or before the payment date of any
such dividend or distribution, notify the fund accounting agent of
the estimated amount required to pay any portion of said dividend or
distribution which is payable in cash, and on or before the payment
date of such distribution, the Fund shall instruct the custodian to
make available to the dividend disbursing agent sufficient funds for
the cash amount to be paid out. If a shareholder is entitled to
receive additional Shares, by virtue of any distribution or
dividend, appropriate credits will be made to his or her account
and/or certificates delivered where requested, all in accordance
with the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
(c) Communications to Shareholders. Upon timely written instructions,
PFPC shall mail all communications by the Fund to its shareholders,
including:
(i) Reports to shareholders;
(ii) Monthly or quarterly dividend reinvestment plan
statements;
(iii) Dividend and distribution notices;
(iv) Proxy material; and
(v) Tax form information.
PFPC will receive and tabulate the proxy cards for the meetings of
the Fund's shareholders.
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(d) Records. PFPC shall maintain records of the accounts for each
shareholder showing the following information:
(i) Name, address and United States Tax Identification or
Social Security number;
(ii) Number and class of shares held and number and class of
shares for which certificates, if any, have been issued,
including certificate numbers and denominations;
(iii) Historical information regarding the account of each
shareholder, including dividends and distributions paid
and the date and price for all transactions on a
shareholder's account;
(iv) Any stop or restraining order placed against a
shareholder's account;
(v) Any correspondence relating to the current maintenance of
a shareholder's account;
(vi) Information with respect to withholdings; and
(vii) Any information required in order for the transfer agent
to perform any calculations contemplated or required by
this Agreement.
(e) Shareholder Inspection of Stock Records. Upon requests from Fund
shareholders to inspect stock records, PFPC will notify the Fund and
require instructions granting or denying each such request. Unless
PFPC has acted contrary to the Fund's instructions, the Fund agrees
to release PFPC from any liability for refusal of permission for a
particular shareholder to inspect the Fund's shareholder records.
16. Duration and Termination. This Agreement shall continue until terminated
by the Fund or by PFPC on sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the
other party. In the event the Fund gives notice of termination, all
expenses associated with movement (or duplication) of records and
materials and conversion thereof to a successor transfer agent
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or other service provider, and all trailing expenses incurred by PFPC
directly attributable to termination, will be borne by the Fund.
17. Notices. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC, at 000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: President; (b) if to the
Fund, at _____________, Attention:___________ or (c) if to neither of the
foregoing, at such other address as shall have been given by like notice
to the sender of any such notice or other communication by the other
party. If notice is sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile
sending device, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately. If
notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given
three days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by messenger, it
shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered.
18. Amendments. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or waived
only by a written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement
of such change or waiver is sought.
19. Delegation; Assignment. PFPC may assign its rights and delegate its duties
hereunder to any majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PFPC or
of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., provided that PFPC gives the
Fund 30 days prior written notice of such assignment or delegation. In
addition, PFPC may, in its sole discretion, engage subcontractors to
perform any of the obligations contained in this Agreement to be performed
by PFPC, provided, however, PFPC shall remain responsible for the acts or
omissions of any such sub-contractors.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the
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same instrument.
21. Further Actions. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.
22. Miscellaneous.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof,
provided that the parties may embody in one or more separate
documents their agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties.
(b) No Changes that Materially Affect Obligations. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees not to
make any modifications to its registration statement or adopt any
policies which would affect materially the obligations or
responsibilities of PFPC hereunder without the prior written
approval of PFPC, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed.
(c) Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of
the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or
effect.
(d) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made
in Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to
principles of conflicts of law.
(e) Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
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(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
(g) No Representations or Warranties. Except as expressly provided in
this Agreement, each party hereby disclaims all representations and
warranties, express or implied, made to the other party or any other
person, including, without limitation, any warranties regarding
quality, suitability, merchantability, fitness for a particular
purpose or otherwise (irrespective of any course of dealing, custom
or usage of trade), of any services or any goods provided incidental
to services provided under this Agreement. Each party disclaims any
warranty of title or non-infringement except as otherwise set forth
in this Agreement.
(h) Facsimile Signatures. The facsimile signature of any party to this
Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by
such party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PFPC INC.
By:
Title:
PIMCO CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND III
By:
Title:
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