Contract
Exhibit
23H (1)
43
This
Master Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of ____________, 2006,
(the “Effective Date”) between BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“BISYS”), an Ohio
corporation having a place of business at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx
00000 and The Blue Fund Group (the
“Company”), a Massachusetts Business Trust, having a place of business at 000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000.
WHEREAS,
the Company desires that BISYS perform administration, fund accounting and
transfer agency services for the investment portfolios of the Company listed
on
Schedule A to this Agreement, as well as such additional investment portfolios
as hereafter may be established by the Company from time to time (collectively,
the “Funds”);
WHEREAS,
BISYS is willing to perform such services on the terms and conditions set
forth
in this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in exchange for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Company and BISYS hereby agree
as
follows:
1.
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Retention
of BISYS.
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The
Company hereby retains BISYS to act as administrator, fund accountant and
transfer agent of the Company and the Funds, and to furnish the Company and
the
Funds with administrative, fund accounting and transfer agency services as
set
forth in Sections 2(a) through (c) below. In addition, the Company hereby
appoints BISYS Fund Services, Inc. (“BFI”), an affiliate of BISYS, as the
non-bank trustee/custodian to the XXX Accounts of the Company (as defined
in
Section 2(d) below). The Company hereby retains BISYS to provide the non-bank
trustee/custodian services as set forth in Section 2(d) below. BISYS will
perform the services upon the terms set forth in this Agreement and the
Schedules to this Agreement.
BISYS
shall, for all purposes herein, be deemed to be an independent contractor
and,
except as otherwise expressly provided or authorized, shall have no authority
to
act for or represent the Company or Funds in any way, and shall not be deemed
an
agent of the Company or any Funds.
2.
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Services.
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(a)
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Administration
Services.
BISYS shall perform the administrative services set forth in Schedule
B to
this Agreement and, on behalf of the Company, shall investigate,
and
conduct relations with, custodians, depositories, underwriters,
brokers
and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and persons
in any
other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable for the Company’s
operations. BISYS shall provide the Board of Trustees of the Company
(the
“Board”) with such reports regarding the Fund’s investment performance as
it may reasonably request, but shall have no responsibility for
supervising the performance by any investment adviser or sub-adviser
of
its responsibilities. BISYS shall perform such other administration
services, and furnish such reports, for the Company and each of
the Funds
that are mutually agreed upon by the parties from time to time,
for which
the Company will pay BISYS the amounts agreed upon between them.
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1
(b)
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Fund
Accounting Services.
BISYS shall perform for the Company the fund accounting services
set forth
in Schedule C to this Agreement. BISYS shall also perform such
special
accounting services, and furnish such reports, for the Company
and the
Funds to the extent agreed upon by the parties from time to time,
for
which the Company will pay BISYS the amounts agreed upon between
them.
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(c)
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Transfer
Agency Services.
BISYS shall perform for the Company the transfer agency services
set forth
in Schedule D to this Agreement. BISYS also agrees to perform for
the
Company such special transfer agency services, and furnish such
reports,
for the Company and the Funds to the extent agreed upon by the
parties
from time to time, for which the Company will pay BISYS the amounts
agreed
upon between them.
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(d)
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Trustee/Custodian
Services.
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(i)
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BFI
has obtained a non-bank Trustee/Custodian Notice of Approval letter
from
the Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, dated December
31,
2003. BFI, together with BISYS, has the knowledge and capabilities
to act
as a passive non-bank trustee/custodian of Traditional XXX, Xxxx
XXX, and
SIMPLE XXX accounts offered by the Company (collectively, “XXX Accounts”).
BISYS has the knowledge and capabilities to perform the services
undertaken by BISYS under Schedule D-1.
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(ii)
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BISYS
agrees that BFI shall act as a non-bank trustee/custodian for the
XXX
Accounts and BISYS shall perform the services undertaken by BISYS
under
Schedule D-1, but only as long as (x) BISYS continues to act as
transfer
agent to the Funds and retains all legal qualifications to act
as such and
(y) BFI retains all legal qualifications to act as non-bank
trustee/custodian. In this capacity, BFI will act only as a passive
non-bank trustee (within the meaning of Section 1.408-2(e)(6)(i)(A)
of the
IRS regulations), and neither BFI nor BISYS will have any discretion
to
direct investments within any of the XXX Accounts.
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2
(iii)
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BISYS
and BFI shall have the right to review and comment upon the plan
agreements and other documentation relating to or affecting its
services
hereunder, and shall have no liability for any modifications made
thereto
without its express written consent. BISYS and BFI may rely upon
the most
recent versions of the plan agreement and such other documentation
provided to it, and shall render its services hereunder in a manner
consistent with the terms of such plan agreement and such other
documentation.
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(iv)
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In
relation to the XXX Accounts, BISYS will perform the functions
described
in Schedule D-1 to this Agreement.
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BISYS
shall provide the Company with all necessary office space, equipment, personnel
and facilities (including facilities for shareholders’ and Board meetings) for
handling the affairs of the Company and Funds and such other services as
BISYS
shall, from time to time, reasonably determine to be necessary to perform
its
obligations under this Agreement. In addition, at the request of the Board,
BISYS shall make reports to the Board concerning the performance of its
obligations hereunder.
BISYS
shall perform such other services for the Company or the Funds that are mutually
agreed upon by the parties from time to time, for which the Company will
pay
BISYS the amounts agreed upon between them, from time to time. Except as
explicitly set forth herein, BISYS shall only perform additional services
as are
set forth in an amendment to this Agreement, in consideration of such fees
as
the parties agree.
BISYS
may
use
one or
more third parties to perform some or all of its obligations under this
Agreement. BISYS shall be fully responsible for the acts of such third parties
and shall not be relieved of any of its responsibilities under this Agreement
by
virtue of the use of such third parties.
3.
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Allocation
of Charges and Expenses.
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BISYS
shall furnish at its own expense the executive, supervisory and clerical
personnel necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement. BISYS
shall
pay all compensation, if any, of officers and trustees of the Company who
are
affiliated persons of BISYS or any affiliated entity of BISYS; provided,
however, that unless otherwise specifically provided, BISYS shall not
be
obligated to pay the compensation of any employee or agent of the Company
(who
is
not a BISYS employee) retained
by the Board to perform services on behalf of the Company.
The
Company assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other expenses of the
Company not otherwise allocated herein, including, without limitation,
organization costs, taxes, expenses for
Company
legal
and auditing services, the expenses of preparing (including typesetting),
printing and mailing reports, prospectuses, statements of additional
information, proxy solicitation material and notices to existing
Shareholders (as defined below), all expenses incurred in connection with
issuing and redeeming shares of beneficial interest in the Funds (“Shares”), the
cost of custodial services, the cost of initial and ongoing registration
of the
Shares under Federal and state securities laws, fees and out-of-pocket expenses
of trustees who are not affiliated persons of BISYS or any affiliate of BISYS
(fees for other “interested trustees” may be paid by parties other than the
Company), insurance, interest, brokerage costs, litigation and other
extraordinary or nonrecurring expenses, and all fees and charges of investment
advisers.
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4.
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Fees
and Expenses.
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(a)
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The
Company shall pay BISYS for the services to be provided by BISYS
under
this Agreement in accordance with, and in the manner set forth
in,
Schedule E to this Agreement. Fees for any additional services
to be
provided by BISYS pursuant to an amendment to any of Schedules
B, C or D
shall be subject to mutual agreement at the time such amendment
is
proposed.
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(b)
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In
addition to paying BISYS the fees set forth in Schedule E, the
Company
agrees to reimburse BISYS for all of its actual out-of-pocket expenses
reasonably incurred in providing services hereunder, including
without
limitation:
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(i)
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All
direct telephone, telephone transmission and telecopy or other
electronic
transmission expenses incurred in communication with the Company
or the
Company’s investment adviser or custodian, broker-dealers, shareholders
or
others as required for BISYS to perform the services to be provided
hereunder;
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(ii)
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The
cost of microfilm or microfiche of records or other electronic
storage of
Company records and other
materials;
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(iii)
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All
freight and other delivery and bonding charges incurred in delivering
materials to and from the Company, its investment advisers and
custodian;
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(iv)
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All
printing, production (including graphics support, copying, and
binding)
and distribution expenses incurred in relation to Board meeting
materials;
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(v)
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Check
and payment processing fees;
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(vi)
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Fulfillment;
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(vii)
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XXX
custody and other related fees;
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4
(viii)
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NSCC
and related costs;
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(ix)
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Sales
taxes;
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(x)
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Costs
of tax forms;
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(xi)
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Costs
of shareholder correspondence;
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(xii)
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Costs
of tax data services;
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(xiii)
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Costs
of rating agency services;
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(xiv)
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All
out of pocket costs incurred in connection with BISYS’ provision (if
applicable, under Section 23 of this Agreement) of Company officers
and in
connection with administration services, including, without limitation,
travel
and lodging expenses incurred by officers and employees of BISYS
in
connection with attendance at Board meetings and any other meetings
for
which such attendance is requested or agreed upon by the parties;
and
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(xv)
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Any
expenses incurred at the written direction of an officer of the
Company;
provided however, that such officer is not an officer or employee
of BISYS
or its affiliates.
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(c)
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In
addition, BISYS shall be entitled to receive the following miscellaneous
fees and charges:
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(i)
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Ad
hoc reporting fees billed, when mutually
agreed upon, according to applicable rate schedules;
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(ii)
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Fees
for pricing information used in connection with pricing the securities
and
other investments of each Fund, provided that the Fund shall not
be
charged an amount greater than the amount the Fund would be charged
if it
obtained the information directly from the relevant vendor or vendors,
including costs incurred by BISYS to Fair Value Information Vendors
(as
defined in Schedule C) with respect to the provision of fair value
pricing
information to BISYS for use in valuing the portfolio holdings
of a
specific Fund or Funds that the Company designates as being subject
to
fair value determinations and for which services are to be provided
by
BISYS hereunder (such costs shall be incurred at the discounted
group rate
made available to BISYS clients, if applicable);
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(iii)
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A
fee for managing and overseeing the report, print and mail functions
performed by BISYS using third-party vendors, not
to exceed $.04 per page for Board meeting materials, tax forms
and
statements of average cost, and $.03 per page for daily confirmations,
periodic statements, new account letters and maintenance
letters;
fees for programming in connection with creating or changing the
forms of
statements, billed at a mutually agreed upon rate; and costs for
postage,
couriers, stock computer paper, computer disks, statements, labels,
envelopes, checks, reports, letters, tax forms, proxies, notices
or other
forms of printed material (including the costs of preparing and
printing
all printed materials) which shall be required for the performance
of the
services to be provided hereunder;
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5
(iv)
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Fees
and expenses associated with providing the “AML Services,” as defined in
Section 23 of this Agreement, and as set forth in further detail
on
Schedule E;
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(v)
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System
development fees, billed at a mutually agreed upon rate as approved
by the
Company, and all systems-related expenses, as agreed upon in advance,
associated with the provision of special reports and
services;
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(vi)
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Fees
for development of any custom interfaces, billed at a mutually
agreed upon
rate;
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(vii)
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Interactive
Voice Response System fees, charged according to BISYS’ standard rate
schedule, and applicable to the level of service (e.g., basic,
transaction, premium) selected; and
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(viii)
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In
the event that BISYS is requested or authorized by the Company
or is
required by governmental regulation, summons, subpoena, investigation,
examination or other legal or regulatory process to produce documents
or
personnel with respect to services provided by BISYS to the Company
or any
Fund, the Company will, so long as BISYS is not the subject of
the
investigation or proceeding in which the information is sought,
pay BISYS
for its professional time (at its standard billing rates) and reimburse
BISYS for its out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys
fees)
incurred in responding to such requests or
requirements.
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All
rights of compensation under this Agreement for services performed and for
expense reimbursement and for payment of miscellaneous fees and charges shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.
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5.
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Effective
Date.
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This
Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date.
6.
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Term;
Liquidated Damages.
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(a) This
Agreement shall continue in effect for an initial term of three years from
the
Effective Date (the “Initial Term”). Thereafter, unless otherwise terminated
pursuant to this Agreement, this Agreement shall be renewed automatically
for
successive one year periods (“Rollover Periods”). This Agreement may be
terminated only (i) by provision of a written notice of non-renewal provided
at
least 60 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Rollover Period
(which
notice of non-renewal will cause this Agreement to terminate as of the end
of
the Initial Term or such Rollover Period, as applicable), (ii) by mutual
agreement of the parties, or (iii) for “cause,” as defined below, upon the
provision of 60 days advance written notice by the party alleging cause.
(b) For
purposes of this Section 6, “cause” shall mean (a) a material breach of this
Agreement that has not been remedied within 30 days following written notice
of
such breach from the non-breaching party; (b) a final, unappealable judicial,
regulatory or administrative ruling or order in which the party to be terminated
has been found guilty of criminal or unethical behavior in the conduct of
its
business; or (c) financial difficulties on the part of the party to be
terminated which are evidenced by the authorization or commencement of, or
involvement by way of pleading, answer, consent or acquiescence in, a voluntary
or involuntary case under Title 11 of the United States Code, as from time
to
time is in effect, or any applicable law, other than said Title 11, of any
jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or reorganization of debtors or
to the
modification
or alteration of the rights of creditors.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing termination provisions, following any such termination, in
the
event that BISYS in fact continues to perform any one or more of the services
contemplated by this Agreement (or any Schedule or exhibit to this Agreement)
with the consent of the Company, the provisions of this Agreement, including
without limitation the provisions dealing with compensation and indemnification,
shall continue in full force and effect. Fees and out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by BISYS but unpaid by the Company upon such termination shall be
immediately due and payable upon and notwithstanding such termination. The
Company shall pay to BISYS, in addition to the fees and expenses provided
in
Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement, the amount of all of BISYS’ reasonable
cash
disbursements in connection with BISYS’ activities in effecting such
termination, including without limitation, the delivery to the Company, its
investment adviser and/or other parties of the Company’s property, records,
instruments and documents, such amount to be paid on or before the date of
such
termination.
(d) If,
for
any reason other than (i) non-renewal, (ii) mutual agreement of the parties
or
(iii) “cause”, the Company terminates this Agreement, or the Company terminates
BISYS’ services, or BISYS is replaced as service provider to the Company or some
or all of the Funds, then the Company shall make a one-time cash payment
to
BISYS, in consideration of the fee structure and services to be provided
under
this Agreement, equal to: (A) if the event that triggers such payment occurs
on
or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the balance that would
be
due BISYS for its services under this Agreement during the 12 months following
such event; or (B) if the event that triggers such payment occurs after the
first anniversary of the Effective Date, the balance that would be due BISYS
for
its services under this Agreement during the 6 months following such event.
The
calculation of such one-time payment will be based on the average fees payable
to BISYS monthly during the 6 months before the date of such event, or, if
less
than 6 months, the period from the Effective Date to the date of such
event.
7
(e) In
the
event that the Company or any Fund is, in part or in whole, liquidated,
dissolved, merged into a third party, acquired by a third party, or involved
in
any other transaction that materially reduces the assets and/or accounts
serviced by BISYS pursuant to this Agreement, the liquidated damages provision
set forth above shall be applicable.
(f) If
one of
the events described above is partial (e.g., a termination of BISYS as provider
of some but not all of the services set forth in this Agreement, or a
liquidation of some but not all of the Funds), the liquidated damages amount
payable by the Company shall be appropriately adjusted on a pro rata basis.
(g) Any
liquidated damages amount payable to BISYS shall be paid by the Company on
or
before the date of the event that triggers the payment obligation.
(h) The
parties further acknowledge and agree that, upon the occurrence of any of
the
events described above: (i) a determination of actual damages incurred by
BISYS
would be extremely difficult, and (ii) the liquidated damages payment described
above is intended to adequately compensate BISYS for damages incurred and
is not
intended to constitute any form of penalty.
7.
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Standard
of Care; Force Majeure; Limitation of
Liability.
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(a) BISYS
shall use reasonable professional diligence in the performance of services
under
this Agreement, but shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken
or
omitted by BISYS in the absence of bad faith, willful misfeasance, negligence
or
reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties. The duties of BISYS
shall be confined to those expressly set forth in this Agreement, and no
implied
duties are assumed by or may be asserted against BISYS under this
Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, BISYS assumes no responsibility
hereunder, and shall not be liable for, any damage, loss of data, delay or
any
other loss whatsoever caused by events beyond BISYS’ control. Events beyond
BISYS’ control include, without limitation, force majeure events, such as
natural disasters, actions or decrees of governmental bodies, and communication
lines failures that are not the fault of either party. In the event of force
majeure, computer or other equipment failures or other events beyond its
control, BISYS shall follow applicable procedures in its disaster recovery
and
business continuity plan and use all commercially reasonable efforts to minimize
any service interruption.
8
(c) BISYS
shall provide the Company, at such times as the Company may reasonably request,
copies of reports rendered by independent auditors on the internal controls
and
procedures of BISYS relating to the services provided by BISYS under this
Agreement.
(d) NOTWITHSTANDING
ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL BISYS, ITS
AFFILIATES OR ANY OF ITS OR THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS
OR
SUBCONTRACTORS BE LIABLE FOR EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST REVENUE, LOST PROFITS, AND LOST
OR
DAMAGED DATA, EACH OF WHICH IS HEREBY EXCLUDED BY AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES,
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES WERE FORESEEABLE OR WHETHER A PARTY HAS
BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
8.
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Legal
Advice.
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BISYS
may
notify the Company if BISYS reasonably determines that it is in need of the
advice of counsel to the Company with regard to BISYS’ responsibilities and
duties pursuant to this Agreement. BISYS may rely upon the advice of counsel
to
the Company; however, this Agreement shall not obligate counsel to the Company
to render such advice. After so notifying the Company, if BISYS does not
obtain
the advice of counsel to the Company within a reasonable period of time,
BISYS
shall be entitled to seek, receive and act upon advice of legal counsel of
its
reasonable
choosing
at the
reasonable
expense
of the
Company unless relating to a matter involving BISYS’ willful misfeasance, bad
faith, negligence or reckless disregard of BISYS’ responsibilities and duties
hereunder. BISYS shall in no event be liable to the Company or any Fund or
any
shareholder or beneficial owner of the Company for any action reasonably
taken
pursuant to legal advice rendered in accordance with this
paragraph.
9.
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Instructions
/ Certain Procedures, etc.
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(a) BISYS
shall be protected in acting upon any document that it reasonably believes
to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented
by the proper person or persons. BISYS will not be held to have notice of
any
change of authority of any officers, employees or agents of the Company until
receipt of actual notice thereof from the Company.
(b) Subject
to Section 23(b) of this Agreement, whenever
BISYS is
requested or authorized to take action hereunder pursuant to instructions
from a
shareholder, or a properly authorized agent of a shareholder (“shareholder’s
agent”), concerning an account in a Fund, BISYS shall be entitled to rely upon
any certificate, letter or other instrument or communication (including
electronic mail), reasonably believed by BISYS to be genuine and to have
been
properly made, signed or authorized by an officer or other authorized agent
of
the Company or by the shareholder or shareholder’s agent, as the case may be,
and shall be entitled to receive as conclusive proof of any fact or matter
required to be ascertained by it hereunder a certificate signed by an officer
of
the Company or any other person authorized by the Board or by the shareholder
or
shareholder’s agent, as the case may be.
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(c) As
to the
services to be provided hereunder, BISYS may rely conclusively upon the terms
of
the relevant then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information
of
the Company, to the extent that such services are described therein unless
BISYS
receives written instructions to the contrary in a timely manner from the
Company.
(d) The
parties may amend any procedures adopted, approved or set forth herein by
written agreement as may be appropriate or practical under the circumstances,
and BISYS may reasonably assume that any special procedure which has been
approved by an executive officer of the Company (other than an officer or
employee of BISYS or its affiliates) does not conflict with or violate any
requirements of the Company’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws or
then-current Prospectus.
(e) The
Company acknowledges receipt of a copy of BISYS’ policy related to the
acceptance of trades for prior day processing (the “BISYS As-of Trading
Policy”). BISYS may amend the BISYS As-of Trading Policy from time to time in
its sole discretion, but will provide
prompt
notice
to the Company
of such
amendment. BISYS may apply the BISYS As-of Trading Policy whenever applicable,
unless BISYS agrees in writing to process trades according to such other
as-of
trading policy as may be adopted by the Company and furnished to BISYS by
the
Company.
(f) The
Company acknowledges and agrees that deviations from BISYS’ written transfer
agent compliance procedures may involve a substantial risk of loss. In the
event
an authorized representative of the Company (other than an officer or employee
of BISYS or its affiliates) requests that an exception be made from any written
compliance or transfer agency procedures adopted by BISYS, or any requirements
of the AML Program (as defined in Section 16 of this Agreement), BISYS may
in
its sole discretion determine whether to permit such exception. In the event
BISYS determines to permit such exception, the same shall become effective
when
set forth in a written instrument executed by an authorized representative
of
the Company (other than an officer or employee of BISYS or its affiliates)
and
delivered to BISYS (an “Exception”); provided that an Exception concerning the
requirements of the Company’s AML Program shall also be authorized by the
Company’s AML Compliance Officer (as defined in Section 16 of this Agreement).
An Exception shall be deemed to remain effective until the relevant instrument
expires according to its terms (or if no expiration date is stated, until
BISYS
receives written notice from the Company that such instrument has been
terminated and the Exception is no longer in effect). Notwithstanding any
provision in this Agreement that expressly or by implication provides to
the
contrary, as long as BISYS acts in good faith, BISYS shall have no liability
for
any loss, liability, expenses or damages to the Company resulting from the
Exception, and the Company shall indemnify BISYS and hold BISYS harmless
from
any loss, liability, expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) and damages
resulting to BISYS therefrom.
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(g) The
Company instructs and authorizes BISYS to provide information pertaining
to the
Funds’ investments to Fair Value Information Vendors (as defined in Schedule C)
in connection with the fair value determinations made under the Company’s
Valuation Procedures (as defined in Schedule C) and other legitimate purposes
related to the services to be provided hereunder. The Company acknowledges
that
while BISYS’ services related to fair value pricing are intended to assist the
Company and its Board in its obligations to price and monitor pricing of
Fund
investments, BISYS does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or
appropriateness of pricing information or methodologies, including any fair
value pricing information or adjustment factors.
10.
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Indemnification.
|
(a) The
Company shall indemnify and hold harmless BISYS, BFI, and their employees,
agents, directors, officers and nominees from and against any claims, demands,
actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges,
counsel
fees and other expenses including reasonable investigation expenses
(collectively, “Losses”) resulting directly and proximately from BFI’s
appointment as non-bank trustee/custodian, BISYS’ performance of services under
this Agreement or based, if applicable, upon BISYS’ or BFI’s reasonable reliance
on information, records, instructions or requests pertaining to services
hereunder, that are given or made to BISYS or BFI by the Company, the investment
adviser, or other authorized agents of the Company; provided that this
indemnification shall not apply to actions or omissions of BISYS or BFI
involving bad faith, willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard
by
BISYS or BFI of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(b) BISYS
and
BFI shall indemnify, defend, and hold the Company, and its trustees, officers,
agents and nominees harmless from and against Losses resulting directly and
proximately from BISYS’ or BFI’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in
the performance of, or the reckless disregard of, its duties or obligations
hereunder; provided that this indemnification shall not apply to actions
or
omissions of the Company involving bad faith, willful misfeasance, negligence
or
reckless disregard by the Company of its obligations and duties.
(c) In
order
that the indemnification provisions contained herein shall apply, if in any
case
a party may be asked to indemnify or hold the other party harmless, the other
party shall fully and promptly advise the indemnifying party in writing of
all
pertinent facts concerning the situation in question. The party seeking
indemnification will use all reasonable care to identify and notify the
indemnifying party in writing promptly concerning any situation which presents
or appears likely to present the probability of such a claim for indemnification
against the indemnifying party, but failure to do so in good faith shall
not
affect the rights hereunder except to the extent the indemnifying party is
materially prejudiced thereby. As to any matter eligible for indemnification,
an
indemnified party shall act reasonably and in accordance with good faith
business judgment and shall not effect any settlement or confess judgment
without the consent of the indemnifying party, which consent shall not be
withheld or delayed unreasonably.
11
(d) The
indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in at its own expense
or, if
it so elects, to assume the defense of any claim or suit subject to this
indemnity provision. If the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense
of
any such claim, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. In the event that the
indemnifying party elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel,
the indemnified party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel
retained by it. An indemnifying party shall not effect any settlement without
the consent of the indemnified party (which shall not be withheld or delayed
unreasonably by the indemnified party) unless such settlement imposes no
liability, responsibility or other obligation upon the indemnified party
and
relieves it of all fault. If the indemnifying party does not elect to assume
the
defense of suit, it will reimburse the indemnified party for the reasonable
fees
and expenses of counsel retained by the indemnified party and reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnifying party. The indemnity and defense provisions
set
forth herein shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
(e) The
provisions of this Section 10 are subject to the provisions of Section 9
and
Section 23(c) of this Agreement.
11.
|
Record
Retention and Confidentiality.
|
BISYS
shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Company all books and records which
are
customary or which are required to be kept in connection with BISYS’ services
pursuant to applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including without
limitation Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as
amended (the “1940 Act”). BISYS further agrees that all such books and records
shall be the property of the Company and to make such books and records
available for inspection by the
Company at
reasonable times or
by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) promptly.
BISYS
shall otherwise keep confidential all books and records relating to the Fund
and
its shareholders, except
when (i) disclosure is required by law, (ii) BISYS is advised by counsel
that it
may incur liability for failure to make a disclosure, (iii) BISYS is requested
to divulge such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process,
(iv) BISYS is requested to make a disclosure by a shareholder or shareholder’s
agent with respect to information concerning an account as to which such
shareholder has either a legal or beneficial interest
and a
legal right to such information at such time consistent with the Company’s
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, Prospectus and applicable law,
or (v)
as requested or authorized by the Company (including pursuant to its policies
and procedures). BISYS shall provide the Company with reasonable advance
notice
of disclosure pursuant to items (i)
- (iii)
of the previous sentence, to the extent reasonably practicable. The provisions
of this Section 11 are subject to the provisions of Section 23(b) of this
Agreement (Anti-Money Laundering Provisions).
12
12.
|
Reports.
|
BISYS
shall furnish to the Company and to its properly-authorized auditors, investment
advisers, examiners, distributors, broker-dealers, underwriters, salesmen,
insurance companies and others designated by the Company in writing, such
reports at such times as are prescribed pursuant to this Agreement (or schedules
to this Agreement), or as subsequently agreed upon by the parties pursuant
to an
amendment to this Agreement (or schedules to this Agreement). The Company
agrees
to examine each such report or copy
provided
to it promptly
and will report or cause to be reported to BISYS any errors or
discrepancies
therein.
13.
|
Rights
of Ownership.
|
All
computer programs, systems and procedures employed or developed by BISYS,
or on
behalf of BISYS by system providers or vendors used by BISYS, to perform
services required to be provided by BISYS under this Agreement are the property
of BISYS. All records and other data maintained hereunder, excepting such
computer programs, systems and procedures, are the exclusive property of
the
Company. All such records and other data which is the property of the Company
shall be furnished to the Company in appropriate form as soon as practicable
after termination of this Agreement for any reason.
14.
|
Return
of Records.
|
BISYS
shall promptly upon the Company’s demand, turn over to the Company and cease to
retain BISYS’ files, records and documents created and maintained by BISYS
pursuant to this Agreement which are no longer needed by BISYS in the
performance of its services or for its legal protection. If not so turned
over
to the Company, such documents and records shall be retained by BISYS, at
the
expense of the Company, for six (6) years from the date of creation. At the
end
of such six-year period, such records and documents shall be turned over
to the
Company unless the Company authorizes in writing the destruction of such
records
and documents.
15.
|
Bank
Accounts.
|
BISYS
is
hereby granted such power and authority as may be necessary to establish
one or
more bank accounts for the Company with such bank or banks as are acceptable
to
the Company, as may be necessary or appropriate from time to time in connection
with the transfer agency services to be performed hereunder. The Company
shall
be deemed to be the customer of such bank or banks for purposes of such
accounts. To the extent that the performance of such services hereunder shall
require BISYS to disburse amounts from such accounts in payment of dividends,
redemption proceeds or for other purposes hereunder, the Company shall provide
such bank or banks with all instructions and authorizations necessary for
BISYS
to effect such disbursements.
13
16.
|
Representations
and Warranties of the Company.
|
The
Company represents and warrants to BISYS that:
(a)
|
It
is a business trust duly formed and validly existing under the
laws of the
jurisdiction of its formation, and has full capacity and authority
to
enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder;
|
(b)
|
It
has all necessary authorizations, licenses and permits to carry
out its
business as currently conducted;
|
(c)
|
It
is in compliance in all material respects with all laws and regulations
applicable to its business and operations;
|
(d)
|
This
Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed
and
delivered by the Company, will constitute a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the
right and
remedies of creditors and secured
parties;
|
(e)
|
By
virtue of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, shares of each
Fund
which are redeemed by the Company may be resold by the Company;
and
|
(f)
|
(i)
The Company has adopted a written anti-money laundering program,
which has
been provided to BISYS pursuant to Section 19 of this Agreement
(the “AML
Program”), and has appointed an officer of the Company as the Company’s
anti-money laundering compliance officer (“AML Compliance Officer”), (ii)
the AML Program and the designation of the AML Officer have been
approved
by the Board, (iii) the delegation of certain services thereunder
to
BISYS, as provided in Section 23 of this Agreement, has been approved
by
the Board, and (iv) the Company will submit any material amendments
to the
AML Program to BISYS for BISYS’ review and consent prior to adoption, in
accordance with Section 21 of this Agreement.
|
17.
|
Representations
and Warranties of BISYS.
|
BISYS
represents and warrants to the Company that:
(a)
|
It
is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the
laws of
the state of Ohio, and has full capacity and authority to enter
into this
Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder;
|
14
(b)
|
It
has all necessary authorizations, licenses and permits to carry
out its
business as currently conducted;
|
(c)
|
It
is, and shall continue to be, in compliance in all material respects
with
all provisions of law applicable to it in connection with its services
hereunder, including Section 17A(c) of the Securities Exchange
Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”);
|
(d)
|
The
various procedures and systems which it has
implemented with regard to safekeeping from loss or damage attributable
to
fire, theft or any other cause of the blank checks, records, and
other
data of the Company and BISYS’ equipment, facilities,
and
other property used in the performance of its obligations hereunder
are
reasonable and adequate and that it will make such changes therein
from
time to time as are reasonably required for
the secure performance of its obligations hereunder;
and
|
(e)
|
This
Agreement has been duly authorized by BISYS and, when executed
and
delivered by BISYS, will constitute a legal, valid and binding
obligation
of BISYS, enforceable against BISYS in accordance with its terms,
subject
to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other
laws of
general application affecting the right and remedies of creditors
and
secured parties.
|
EXCEPT
AS
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES,
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) CONCERNING THE SERVICES
OR ANY
GOODS PROVIDED INCIDENTAL TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT BY
BISYS
ARE COMPLETELY DISCLAIMED.
18.
|
Insurance.
|
BISYS
shall maintain a fidelity bond covering larceny and embezzlement and an
insurance policy with
respect to directors and officers errors and omissions coverage, in amounts
that
are appropriate in light of its duties and responsibilities hereunder. Upon
the
request of the Company, BISYS shall provide evidence that coverage is in
place.
BISYS shall notify the Company should its insurance coverage with respect
to
professional liability or errors and omissions coverage be reduced or canceled.
Such notification shall include the date of cancellation or reduction and
the
reasons therefore.
BISYS
shall notify the Company promptly of any material claims against it with
respect
to services performed under this Agreement, whether or not they may be covered
by insurance, and shall notify the Company promptly should the total outstanding
claims made by BISYS under its insurance coverage materially impair, or threaten
to materially impair, the adequacy of its coverage.
15
19.
|
Information
to be Furnished by the Company and
Funds.
|
The
Company agrees to furnish to BISYS the following, upon BISYS’ request, each as
amended and current as of the Effective Date:
(a)
|
A
copy of the Company’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and any
amendments thereto;
|
(b)
|
A
copy of the Company’s By-laws and any amendments
thereto;
|
(c)
|
A
copy of the resolutions of the Board regarding (i) approval of
this
Agreement and authorization of a specified officer of the Company
to
execute and deliver this Agreement and authorization for specified
officers of the Company to instruct BISYS hereunder; and (ii)
authorization of BISYS to act as administrator, fund accountant
and
transfer agent for the Company;
|
(d)
|
A
certified list of all officers of the Company, with the Company’s AML
Compliance Officer included among the officers therein, and any
other
persons (who may be associated with the Company or its investment
advisor), together with specimen signatures of those officers and
other
persons who (except as otherwise provided herein to the contrary)
shall be
authorized to instruct BISYS in all
matters;
|
(e)
|
Copies
of each of the following documents employed by the
Company:
|
(i)
|
Prospectus
and Statement of Additional
Information;
|
(ii)
|
Distribution
Agreement; and
|
(iii)
|
All
other forms commonly used by the Company or its distributor with
regard to
their relationships and transactions with shareholders of the
Funds.
|
(f)
|
A
certificate as to shares of the Company authorized, issued, and
outstanding as of the Effective Date and as to receipt of full
consideration by the Company for all shares
outstanding;
|
(g)
|
A
copy of the Company’s written AML Program, including any related policies
and procedures;
|
(h)
|
A
copy of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Funds (“Fund DCPs”)
as contemplated in Item 22 of Schedule B;
and
|
(i)
|
The
Company’s Valuation Procedures as defined in Schedule
C.
|
16
20.
|
Information
Furnished by BISYS.
|
BISYS
agrees to furnish to the Company, upon its request, evidence of the
following:
(a)
|
Approval
of this Agreement by BISYS, and authorization of a specified officer
of
BISYS to execute and deliver this
Agreement;
|
(b)
|
Authorization
of BISYS to act as Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Administrator
for
the Company;
|
(c)
|
The
current BISYS As-of Trading Policy;
and
|
(d)
|
The
current version of BISYS written polices and procedures with respect
to
its provision on AML Services (as defined in Section 23
below).
|
Upon
request, BISYS shall furnish a copy of the relevant provisions of its internal
policies on service of employees as executive officers of funds ("BISYS
Policies"), and any material amendments thereto, to the Company.
21.
|
Amendments
to Documents.
|
The
Company will provide BISYS with advance notice of any material amendments
to the
items set forth in Section 19 of this Agreement. BISYS will not be responsible
for changing or conforming its services to any such amendments until BISYS
has
reviewed and accepted responsibility for the relevant changes in services.
BISYS
will consider such changes in good faith. In the event that any such amendment,
or change in laws applicable to the Company would require BISYS to make specific
changes to its service model, BISYS will use reasonable good faith efforts
to
inform the Company of the changes that would be necessary, and set out the
estimated costs and estimated implementation timetable for any additional
services. The parties shall then in good faith agree to mutually agreeable
terms
applicable to such additional service. BISYS
shall furnish the Company with written copies of any amendments to, or changes
in, any of the items referred to in this Section 21.
22.
|
Reliance
on Amendments.
|
BISYS
may
rely on any amendments to or changes in any of the documents and other items
to
be provided by the Company pursuant to Sections 19 and 21 of this Agreement
and
the indemnification provisions of Section 10 hereof are applicable to BISYS’
reasonable reliance upon such amendments and/or changes. Although BISYS is
authorized to rely on the above-mentioned amendments to and changes in the
documents and other items to be provided pursuant to Sections 19 and 21 of
this
Agreement, in the event the same relate to services provided by BISYS hereunder,
BISYS shall have no liability for failure to comply with or take any action
in
conformity with such amendments or changes except as provided in Section
21 of
this Agreement or as otherwise agreed upon in writing.
17
23.
|
Compliance
with Laws.
|
(a) Prospectus
and Public Offering.
Except
for information which is the obligation of BISYS as set forth in Section
11 of
this Agreement, and except as provided in the services listed in the schedules
to this Agreement which call for information to be provided by BISYS for
inclusion in the Prospectus, the Company assumes full responsibility for
the
preparation, contents, and distribution of each Prospectus of the Company
in
compliance with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
as
amended (the “1933 Act”), the 1940 Act, and any other laws, rules and
regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction. Subject to its
obligations herein with respect to “blue sky” filings, BISYS shall have no
obligation to take cognizance hereunder of laws relating to the sale of the
Funds’ shares. The Company represents and warrants that all shares of the Funds
that are offered to the public are covered by an effective registration
statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.
(b)
Anti-Money
Laundering Provisions.
The
Company acknowledges that it is a financial institution subject to the law
entitled Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools
Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (“USA PATRIOT”) Act of 2001 and the
Bank Secrecy Act (collectively, the “AML Acts”) and shall comply with the AML
Acts and applicable regulations adopted thereunder (collectively, the
“Applicable AML Laws”) in all relevant respects, subject to the delegation of
certain responsibilities to BISYS, as provided in the next paragraph below.
The
Company hereby delegates to BISYS the performance, on behalf of the Company,
of
the anti-money laundering services set forth under Item 6 of Schedule D (the
“AML Services”) with respect to the shareholder accounts maintained by BISYS
pursuant to this Agreement, and BISYS agrees to the foregoing delegation
and
agrees to perform such services in accordance with the Company’s AML Program for
the fee set forth on Schedule E to this Agreement. In connection therewith,
BISYS agrees to maintain policies and procedures, and related internal controls,
that are consistent with the Company’s AML Program and the requirement that the
Company employ procedures reasonably designed to achieve compliance with
the
Applicable AML Laws. BISYS’ obligations under this delegation shall be subject
to Sections 19 and 21 of this Agreement, which require that the AML Program
and
any material amendments thereto be submitted to BISYS for its review and
consent
prior to adoption.
The
Company agrees and acknowledges that, notwithstanding the delegation provided
for in the foregoing paragraph, the Company maintains full responsibility
for
ensuring that its AML Program is, and shall continue to be, reasonably designed
to ensure compliance with the Applicable AML Laws, in light of the particular
business of the Company, taking into account factors such as its size, location,
activities and risks or vulnerabilities to money laundering.
In
connection with the foregoing delegation, the Company also acknowledges that
the
performance of the AML Services involves the exercise of discretion which
in
certain circumstances may result in consequences to the Company and its
shareholders (such as in the case of the reporting of suspicious activities
and
the freezing of shareholder accounts). In this regard, (i) under circumstances
in which the AML Program authorizes the taking of certain actions, BISYS
is
granted the discretion to take any such action as may be authorized under
the
AML Program, and consultation with Company shall not be required in connection
therewith unless specifically required under the AML Program, and (ii) the
Company instructs BISYS that it may avail the Company of any safe harbor
from
civil liability that may be available under Applicable AML Laws for making
a
disclosure or filing a report thereunder.
18
As
concerns Networked Level III accounts and omnibus accounts, the AML Services
performed by BISYS are subject to a more limited scope, as discussed in the
Release concerning the final rule of the Department of the Treasury, 31 CFR
103
and of the Commission, 17 CFR 270, entitled Customer Identification Programs
for
Mutual Funds issued on May 9, 2003 and subsequent guidance issued jointly
by
such agencies entitled Question and Answer Regarding the Mutual Fund Customer
Identification Program Rule (31 CFR 103.131) issued on August 11,
2003.
(c)
|
Provision
of Certifying Officers.
|
Subject
to the provisions of this Section 23(c) and Section 23(d) of this Agreement,
BISYS shall make BISYS employees available to the Company to serve, upon
designation as such by the Board, as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company
or under such other title to perform similar functions (each, a “Certifying
Officer”). BISYS’ obligation in this regard shall be met by providing an
appropriately qualified employee of BISYS (or its affiliates) who, in the
exercise of his or her duties to the Company, shall act in good faith and
in a
manner reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company. BISYS
shall select, and may replace, the specific employee that it makes available
to
serve in the designated capacities as a Certifying Officer, in BISYS' reasonable
discretion, taking into account each such person's responsibilities concerning,
and familiarity with, the Company's operations (but the designation of any
such
person as a Certifying Officer shall be subject to the approval of the Company).
The
obligation of BISYS to provide an employee to serve in such capacity is also
subject to, and conditioned upon, the provisions of Item 19 of Schedule B
to
this Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Section 23(c)
have the respective meanings ascribed to them in Item 19 of Schedule B.
The
Fund
DCPs shall contain (or the Company and BISYS shall otherwise establish) mutually
agreeable procedures governing the certification process, and the parties
shall
comply with such procedures in all material respects. Among other things,
the
procedures shall provide as follows:
The
Company shall establish and maintain a Fund DCP Committee comprised of persons
including (at a minimum) the Company's Principal Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Chief Legal Officer (if any), at least one BISYS
representative other than the CFO or Chief Compliance Officer, (if such officers
are provided by BISYS), at least one representative of the investment adviser,
and such other individuals as may be necessary or appropriate for the Fund
DCP
Committee to ensure the cooperation of, and to oversee, each of the Company's
agents that records, processes, summarizes, or reports information contained
in
Company Reports (or other information from which such information is derived),
including BISYS and the Other Service Providers to the Company, such as the
investment adviser and custodian. In connection therewith, the Fund DCP
Committee shall assist the Certifying Officers by requiring that
sub-certifications acceptable to the Certifying Officers be provided by the
Other Service Providers.
19
The
Fund
DCP Committee shall meet prior to the filing date of each Report to review
the
accuracy and completeness of the relevant Report and record its considerations
and conclusions in a written memorandum sufficient to support conclusions
pertaining to Fund DCPs as required by the instructions to Form N-CSR and
Form
N-Q. In conducting its review and evaluations, the Fund DCP Committee
shall:
(i) establish
a schedule to ensure that all required disclosures in Form N-CSR and Form
N-Q,
including the financial statements, for the Company are identified and prepared
in a timeframe sufficient to allow review;
(ii) review
SAS 70 Reports pertaining to BISYS and Other Service Providers, if applicable,
or in the absence of any such reports, consider the adequacy of the
sub-certifications supplied by the service provider. In cases where the SAS
70
Report is dated more than 90 days prior to the issuance of a Report, the
DCP
Committee shall request a written representation from the service provider
regarding the continued application and effectiveness of internal controls
described in the report, or descriptions of any changes in internal control
structure, as of the date of the representation;
(iii) consider
whether there are any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in
the
design or operation of the Fund DCPs and internal control over financial
reporting that could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process,
summarize, and report financial information, and in the event that any such
weaknesses or deficiencies are identified, disclose them to the Company’s
Certifying Officers, the Company's audit committee and its
auditors;
(iv) consider
whether, to the knowledge of each member of the Fund DCP Committee, there
has
been or may have been any fraud, whether or not material, and in the event
that
any such occurrence is identified, ensure that this has been disclosed to
the
Certifying Officers, so that Certifying Officers may inform the Company's
audit
committee and its auditors; and
(v) determine
whether there was any change in internal control over financial reporting
that
occurred during the Company’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by the
Report (for Reports on Form N-CSR) or during the most recent fiscal quarter
(for
Reports on Form N-Q) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely
to
materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting.
20
A
Certifying Officer shall have the full discretion to decline to certify a
particular Report that fails to meet the standards set forth in the
Certification, and to report matters involving fraud or other failures to
meet
the standards of applicable law to the audit committee of the
Board.
(d) Additional
Provisions Concerning Executive Officers.
It
is
mutually agreed and acknowledged by the parties that Certifying Officers
provided by BISYS under the provisions of this Section 23 will constitute
executive officers of the Company (“Executive Officers”). The provisions of
Section 23(c) of this Agreement are subject to the internal policies of BISYS
concerning the activities of its employees and their service as officers
of
funds (the "BISYS Policies"), a copy of which shall be provided to the Company
upon request.
The
Company's governing documents (including its Agreement and Declaration of
Trust
and By-Laws) and/or resolutions of the Board shall contain mandatory
indemnification provisions that are applicable to each Executive Officer,
that
are designed and intended to have the effect of fully indemnifying him or
her
and holding him or her harmless with respect to any claims, liabilities and
costs arising out of or relating to his or her service in good faith in a
manner
reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, except to
the
extent he or she would otherwise be liable to the Company by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his or her office.
The
Company shall provide coverage to each Executive Officer under its directors
and
officers liability policy that is appropriate to the Executive Officer's role
and title, and consistent with coverage applicable to other officers holding
positions of executive management.
In
appropriate circumstances, each Executive Officer shall have the discretion
to
resign from his or her position, in the event that he or she reasonably
determines that there has been or is likely to be (a) a violation of
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx, Applicable AML Laws or other Federal securities laws applicable
to the Company (the “Applicable Securities Laws”) by the Company, or (b) a
material deviation by the Company from the terms of this Agreement governing
the
services of such Executive Officer, which (in either case) is not primarily
caused by the failure of such Executive Officer or BISYS to meet obligations
under applicable laws and this Agreement. In addition, each Executive Officer
shall have reasonable discretion to resign from his or her position in the
event
that he or she determines that he or she has not received sufficient
information
or cooperation from the Company or its other service providers to appropriately
perform his or her duties.
Each
Executive Officer may, and the Company shall, promptly notify BISYS of any
issue, matter or event that would be reasonably likely to result in any claim
by
the Company, the Company's shareholders or any third party which involves
an
allegation that any Executive Officer failed to exercise his or her obligations
to the Company in a manner consistent with applicable laws (including but
not
limited to any claim that a Report failed to meet the standards of
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx and other applicable laws).
21
Notwithstanding
any provision of this Agreement that expressly or by implication provides
to the
contrary, (a) it is expressly agreed and acknowledged that BISYS cannot ensure
that the Company complies with Applicable AML Laws, the Applicable Securities
Laws or Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx, and (b) whenever an employee or agent of BISYS serves
as
an Executive Officer of the Company, as long as such Executive Officer acts
in
good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in the best interests
of
the Company (and would not otherwise be liable to the Company by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
the
duties involved in the conduct of his or her office), the Company shall
indemnify the Executive Officer and BISYS and hold the Executive Officer
and
BISYS harmless from any loss, liability, expenses (including reasonable
attorneys fees) and damages incurred by them arising out of or resulting
to the
service of such Employee/Executive Officer as an Executive Officer of the
Company.
24.
|
Notices.
|
Any
notice provided hereunder shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered
or
certified mail to the party required to be served with such notice at the
following address, or at such other address as such party may from time to
time
specify in writing to the other party pursuant to this Section 24:
If
to the
Company:
The
Blue
Fund Group
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
President
If
to
BISYS:
BISYS
Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
President
with
a
copy to:
The
BISYS
Group, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
General Counsel
22
25.
|
Assignment.
|
This
Agreement and the rights and duties hereunder shall not be assignable by
either
of the parties without the prior written consent of the other party; provided,
however, that either party may assign this Agreement to an affiliate of such
party without the need for such consent. This Section 25 shall not limit
or in
any way affect BISYS’ right to use a third party to perform obligations pursuant
to Section 2 of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and
shall
inure to the benefit of, the parties and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
26.
|
Governing
Law.
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the
State of New York, without
regard to New York’s conflicts of laws principles,
and the
applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the laws of the
State
of New York conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the
applicable provisions of 1940 Act shall control.
27.
|
Activities
of BISYS.
|
The
services of BISYS rendered to the Company hereunder are not to be deemed
to be
exclusive. BISYS is free to render such services to others and to have other
businesses and interests. It is understood that trustees, officers, employees
and Shareholders of the Company and/or Fund are or may be or become interested
in BISYS, as officers, employees or otherwise and that partners, officers
and
employees of BISYS and its counsel are or may be or become similarly interested
in the Company and/or Fund, and that BISYS may be or become interested in
the
Company and/or Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.
28.
|
Privacy.
|
Nonpublic
personal financial information relating to consumers or customers of the
Company
provided by, or at the direction of the Company to BISYS,
or
collected or retained by BISYS in the course of performing its duties as
transfer agent, shall be considered confidential information. BISYS shall
not
give, sell or in any way transfer such confidential information to any person
or
entity, other than affiliates of BISYS
involved
in servicing the Company
except
at the direction of the Company or as required or permitted by law (including
Applicable AML Laws). BISYS represents, warrants and agrees that it has in
place
and will maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards
reasonably
designed
to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent
unauthorized access to or use of records and information relating to consumers
or customers of the Company. The Company represents to BISYS that it has
adopted
a Statement of its privacy policies and practices as required by the
Commission’s Regulation S-P and agrees to provide BISYS with a copy of that
statement annually.
23
29.
|
Miscellaneous.
|
(a)
|
Paragraph
headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and
are not
to be used to construe or interpret this
Agreement.
|
(b)
|
This
Agreement constitutes the complete agreement of the parties as
to the
subject matter covered by this Agreement, and supersedes all prior
negotiations, understandings and agreements bearing upon the subject
matter covered herein.
|
(c)
|
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall
be an
original but all of which, taken together, shall constitute one
and the
same agreement.
|
(d)
|
No
amendment to this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing
and
executed by both parties.
|
(e)
|
If
any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal,
in
conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion
or
portions shall be considered severable and not be affected, and
the rights
and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced
as if this Agreement did not contain such part, term or
provision.
|
30.
Matters
Relating to the Company as a Massachusetts Business Trust.
It
is
expressly agreed that the obligations of the Company hereunder shall not
be
binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents
or
employees of the Company personally, but shall bind only the trust property
of
the Company. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized
by the Trustees, and this Agreement has been signed and delivered by an
authorized officer of the Company, acting as such, and neither such
authorization by the Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer
shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose
any
liability on them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the
Company as provided in the Company’s Declaration of Trust.
[Signature
page follows.]
24
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed
all
as of the date first above written.
The
Blue Fund Group
By:
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title:
President
BISYS
Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
By:
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title:
President
For
purposes of acknowledging and agreeing to its obligations under this Agreement
as a non-bank trustee/custodian for XXX Accounts
BISYS
Fund Services, Inc.
By:
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxx XxxxxxxTitle:
President
25
**
SCHEDULE
A
TO
THE MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
BISYS
FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC. AND
THE BLUE FUND GROUP
FUNDS
THE
BLUE
LARGE CAP FUND
THE
BLUE SMALL CAP FUND
26
SCHEDULE
B
TO
THE MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
BISYS
FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC. AND THE BLUE FUND GROUP
ADMINISTRATION
SERVICES
1.
|
Calculate
contractual Fund expenses
and make
and control
all disbursements for the Funds, subject to review and approval
of an
officer of the Company or other authorized person (designated on
the list
of authorized persons approved by the Board), including administration
of
trustee
and vendor fees and
compensation on behalf of the Company, and as
appropriate;
|
2.
|
Coordinate
and prepare, with the assistance and approval of the Funds’ investment
adviser,
counsel
and officers, drafts
of
communications to shareholders of record of the Funds (“Shareholders”),
including the annual report to Shareholders; prepare drafts of
the
certified semi-annual report for each Fund; prepare and file the
final
certified versions thereof on Form N-CSR; prepare and file the
Fund’s Form
N-SAR; and file all required notices pursuant to Rule
24f-2;
|
3.
|
Manage
the process of printing and initial delivery of prospectuses and
prospectus supplements, including reviewing printer’s proof of prospectus
before print, and manage the prospectus mailing process;
|
4.
|
Coordinate
with the Company’s transfer agent with respect to the payment of dividends
and other distributions to
Shareholders;
|
5.
|
Calculate
performance data of the Funds for dissemination to up to 15 information
services covering the investment company industry;
|
6.
|
Assist
with the layout and printing of prospectuses and assist with and
coordinate layout and printing of the Funds’ semi-annual and annual
reports to Shareholders;
|
7.
|
Assist
with the design, development, and operation of the Funds, including
new
portfolios or classes, investment objectives, policies and structure,
and
provide regulatory consultation related to agreed-upon aspects
of the
establishment, maintenance, and liquidation or dissolution of
Funds;
|
8.
|
Make
available appropriate individuals to serve as officers of the Company
(to
serve only in ministerial or administrative capacities relevant
to BISYS’ services hereunder, except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement),
upon
designation as such by the Board;
|
27
9.
|
Obtain
and maintain fidelity bonds and directors and officers/errors and
omissions insurance policies for the Company in accordance
with Rules 17g-1 and 17d-1 under this 1940 Act at the expense
(except as otherwise provided in this Agreement)
of
the Company and Funds and
file the fidelity bonds and any notices with the Commission as
required
under the 1940 Act, to the extent such bonds and policies are approved
by
the Board;
|
10.
|
Monitor
and advise the Company and its Funds on their regulated investment
company
status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In
connection
with the foregoing, prepare and send quarterly reminder letters
related to
such status, and prepare quarterly compliance checklist for use
by
investment adviser(s) if requested;
|
11.
|
Assist
the Company in developing portfolio
compliance procedures for each Fund, and provide daily
and periodic compliance
monitoring services incorporating certain of those procedures,
which will
include, among other matters, compliance with
investment restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act,
each Fund’s investment objective, defined investment policies, and
restrictions, tax diversification, and distribution and income
requirements, provided such are determinable based upon the Fund’s
accounting records. In connection with the foregoing, review quarterly
compliance reports that are prepared by the investment adviser(s),
if any,
and notify appropriate Fund officers and advisor of xxxx-to-market
issues
pursuant to Board-approved procedures. BISYS will also provide
the Board
with quarterly results of compliance
reviews;
|
12.
|
Provide
assistance and guidance to the Company with respect to matters
governed by
or related to regulatory requirements and developments including:
monitoring regulatory and legislative developments which may affect
the
Company, and assisting in strategic planning in response thereto;
assisting the Company and
providing on-site personnel in
responding
to
and providing documents for routine regulatory examinations or
investigations; and coordinating with and taking instructions from
counsel
to the Company in response to such routine or non-routine regulatory
matters. The assistance to be provided with respect to Commission
inspections includes (i) rendering advice regarding proposed responses
(ii) compiling data and other information in response to Commission
requests for information and (iii) communicating with Fund management
and
portfolio managers to provide status updates. In addition, BISYS
will
provide appropriate assistance with respect to audits conducted
by the
Funds’ independent auditors including compiling data and other information
as necessary;
|
13.
|
Manage
the preparation for Board meetings by: (i) coordinating Board book
preparation, production and distribution, (ii) preparing the relevant
sections of the Board materials required
to be prepared by BISYS as transfer agent, fund accountant and
distributor, so long as BISYS serves in such capacities,
and (iii) performing such other Board meeting functions as shall
be agreed
by the parties in writing;
|
28
14.
|
Furnish
advice and recommendations with respect to other aspects of the
business
and affairs of the Funds as the Company shall request and the parties
shall agree in writing; and
|
15.
|
Assist
the Company in connection with its obligations under Sections 302
and 906
of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and Rules 30a-2 and Rule 30a-3
under the
1940 Act (collectively, with such other related regulatory provisions
applicable to the Company, "Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx"), BISYS will internally
establish and maintain controls and procedures ("BISYS internal
controls")
designed to ensure that information recorded, processed, summarized,
or
reported by BISYS and its affiliates on behalf of the Company and
included
in financial information certified by Company officers (“Certifying
Officers”) on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q ("Reports") is (a) recorded,
processed, summarized, and reported by BISYS within the time periods
specified in the Commission's rules and forms and corresponding
disclosure
controls and procedures of the Funds ("Fund DCPs"), and (b) accumulated
and communicated to the relevant Certifying Officers consistent
with the
Fund DCPs.
|
If
requested by Certifying Officers with respect to a fiscal period during which
BISYS serves or served as financial administrator, BISYS will provide a
sub-certification consistent with the requirements of Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx pertaining
to BISYS' services, solely for the purpose of providing a basis of support
(as
to information which has been prepared, processed and reported by BISYS,
and as
to BISYS internal controls) for the Certifying Officers to render the
certifications required by Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx (or, if applicable with respect
to a
Report, inform the Certifying Officers of the reasons why the statements
in such
a certification would not be accurate). In rendering such sub-certifications
concerning Company Reports, BISYS may (a) limit its representations to
information prepared, processed and reported by BISYS; (b) rely upon and
assume
the accuracy of the information provided by officers and other authorized
agents
of the Company, including all Other Service Providers to the Company, and
compliance by such officers and agents with the Fund DCPs, including but
not
limited to, the Company’s investment adviser(s) and custodian; and (c) assume
that the Company has selected the appropriate accounting policies for
the
Fund(s).
The
Company shall assist and cooperate with BISYS (and shall use
its
best efforts to cause
its
officers, investment advisers and other service providers to assist and
cooperate with BISYS) to facilitate
the
delivery of information requested by BISYS in connection with the preparation
of
the Company's Form N-CSR and Form N-Q, including Company financial
29
statements,
so that BISYS may submit a draft Report to the Company's Disclosure Controls
and
Procedures Committee (“Fund DCP Committee”) prior to the date the relevant
Report is to be filed. The Certifying Officers and the Chief Legal Officer
(if
any) of the Company shall be deemed to constitute the Fund DCP Committee
in
cases in which no other Fund DCP Committee has been designated or is operative.
In connection with its review and evaluations, the Fund DCP Committee shall
establish a schedule to ensure that all required disclosures in Form N-CSR
and
in the financial statements for each Fund are identified and prepared in
a
timeframe sufficient to allow review by the Fund DCP Committee before the
date
the relevant report is to be filed. At the request of the Company or its
Certifying Officers, BISYS shall provide reasonable administrative assistance
to
the Company in connection with obtaining service provider sub-certifications,
SAS-70 reports on internal controls, and any applicable representations to
bring
such certifications current to the end of the reporting period, and in preparing
summaries of issues raised in such documents.
The
Company shall, in its own capacity, take all reasonably necessary and
appropriate measures to comply with its obligations under Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx.
Without limitation of the foregoing, except for those obligations which are
expressly delegated to or assumed by BISYS in this Agreement, the Company
shall
maintain responsibility for, and shall support and facilitate the role of
each
Certifying Officer and the Fund DCP Committee in, designing and maintaining
the
Fund DCPs in accordance with applicable laws, including (a) ensuring that
the
Fund DCP Committee and/or Certifying Officers obtain and review
sub-certifications and reports on internal controls from the Company's
investment adviser(s) and other service providers, if any, sufficiently in
advance of the date upon which the relevant financial statements must be
finalized by BISYS (in order to print, distribute and/or file the same
hereunder), (b) evaluating of the effectiveness of the design and operation
of
the Fund DCP, under the supervision, and with the participation of, the
Certifying Officers, within the requisite timeframe prior to the filing of
each
Report, and (c) ensuring that its Certifying Officers render the requisite
certifications or take such other actions as may be permitted or required
under
applicable laws.
20.
|
File
holdings reports on Form N-Q as required at the end of the first
and third
fiscal quarters of each year.
|
21.
|
Prepare
quarterly brokerage allocation compliance checklist and supporting
documentation for use by investment adviser(s), as
requested.
|
22.
|
Oversee/coordinate
Trustee compensation.
|
23.
|
Monitor
wash sales.
|
30
SCHEDULE
C
TO
THE MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
BISYS
FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC. AND THE BLUE FUND GROUP
FUND
ACCOUNTING SERVICES
(a)
|
BISYS
will keep and maintain the
following books and records of each Fund pursuant to Rule 31a-1
(the
“Rule”) under the 1940 Act:
|
1.
|
Journals
containing an itemized daily record in detail of all purchases
and sales
of securities, all receipts and disbursements of cash and all other
debits
and credits, as required by subsection (b)(1) of the
Rule;
|
2.
|
General
and auxiliary ledgers reflecting all asset, liability, reserve,
capital,
income and expense accounts, including interest accrued and interest
received, as required by subsection (b)(2)(i) of the
Rule;
|
3.
|
Separate
ledger accounts required by subsection (b)(2)(ii) and (iii) of
the Rule;
and
|
4.
|
A
monthly trial balance of all ledger accounts (except shareholder
accounts)
as required by subsection (b)(8) of the
Rule.
|
(b)
|
In
addition to the maintenance of the books and records specified
above,
BISYS shall perform the following accounting services for each
Fund:
|
1.
|
Allocate
income and expense and calculate
the net
asset value per share (“NAV”)
of each class of shares offered by each Fund in accordance with
the
relevant provisions of the applicable Prospectus of each Fund and
applicable regulations under the 1940
Act;
|
2.
|
Apply
securities pricing information as required or authorized under
the terms
of the valuation policies and procedures of the Company (“Valuation
Procedures”), including (A) pricing information from independent pricing
services, with respect to securities for which market quotations
are
readily available, (B) if applicable to a particular Fund or Funds,
fair
value pricing information or adjustment factors from independent
fair
value pricing services or other vendors approved by the Company
(collectively, “Fair Value Information Vendors”) with respect to
securities for which market quotations are not readily available,
for
which a significant event has occurred following the close of the
relevant
market but prior to the Fund’s pricing time, or which are otherwise
required to be made subject to a fair value determination under
the
Valuation Procedures, and (C) prices obtained from each Fund’s investment
adviser or other designee, as approved by the
Board;
|
31
3.
|
Coordinate
the preparation of reports that are prepared or provided by Fair
Value
Information Vendors which help the Company to monitor and evaluate
its use
of fair value pricing information under its
Valuation Procedures;
|
4.
|
Verify
and reconcile with the Funds’ custodian all daily trade
activity;
|
5.
|
Compute,
as appropriate, each Fund’s net income and capital gains, dividend
payables, dividend factors, 7-day yields, 7-day effective yields,
30-day
yields, and weighted average portfolio maturity;
(and other yields or standard or non-standard performance information
as
mutually agreed);
|
6.
|
Review
daily the net asset value calculation and dividend factor (if any)
for
each Fund prior to release to shareholders, check and confirm the
net
asset values and dividend factors for reasonableness and deviations,
and
distribute net asset values and yields to NASDAQ;
and as agreed, in certain cases, to
newspapers;
|
7.
|
If
applicable, report to the Company the periodic market pricing of
securities in any money market funds, with the comparison to the
amortized
cost basis;
|
8.
|
Determine
and
report unrealized
appreciation and depreciation on securities held in variable net
asset
value funds;
|
9.
|
Amortize
premiums and accrete discounts on fixed income securities purchased
at a
price other than face value, if requested by the
Company;
|
10.
|
Update
fund accounting system to reflect rate changes, as received from
a Fund’s
investment adviser, on variable interest rate
instruments;
|
11.
|
Post
Fund transactions to appropriate
categories;
|
12.
|
Accrue
expenses of each Fund according to instructions received from the
Company’s Administrator, and submit changes to accruals and expense items
to authorized officers of the Company (who are not BISYS employees)
for
review and approval;
|
32
13.
|
Determine
the outstanding receivables and payables for all (1) security trades,
(2)
Fund share transactions and (3) income and expense
accounts;
|
14.
|
Provide
accounting reports in connection with and
coordinate with independent auditors concerning the
Company’s regular annual audit,
and other audits and examinations by regulatory agencies;
and
|
15.
|
Provide
such periodic reports as the parties shall agree upon, as set forth
in a
separate schedule.
|
16.
|
Provide
a representative (in a non-voting capacity) for the Company’s Pricing
Committee, if any; and
|
17.
|
Assist
the Company in identifying instances where market prices are not
readily
available, or are unreliable, within parameters set forth in the
Company’s
Valuation Procedures.
|
(c)
|
BISYS
shall also perform the following additional accounting services
for each
Fund:
|
1.
|
Provide
monthly a hard copy of the unaudited financial statements described
below,
upon request of the Company. The unaudited financial statements
will
include the following items:
|
A.
|
Unaudited
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities,
|
B.
|
Unaudited
Statement of Operations,
|
C.
|
Unaudited
Statement of Changes in Net Assets,
and
|
D.
|
Unaudited
Condensed Financial Information
|
2.
|
Provide
accounting information for the following
|
A.
|
federal
and state income tax returns and federal excise tax
returns;
|
B.
|
the
Company’s semi-annual reports with the Commission on Form N-SAR and Form
N-CSR;
|
C.
|
the
Company’s schedules of investments for filing with the Commission on Form
N-Q;
|
D.
|
the
Company’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and quarterly Board
meetings;
|
E.
|
registration
statements on Form N-1A and other filings relating to the registration
of
shares;
|
33
F.
|
BISYS’
monitoring of each Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended;
|
G.
|
annual
audit by the Company’s auditors; and
|
H.
|
examinations
performed by the Commission.
|
3.
|
Calculate
turnover and expense ratio.
|
4.
|
Prepare
schedule of Capital Gains and
Losses.
|
5.
|
Provide
daily cash report.
|
6.
|
Maintain
and report security positions and transactions in accounting
system.
|
7.
|
Prepare
Broker Commission Report.
|
8.
|
Monitor
expense limitations.
|
9.
|
Maintain
list of failed trades.
|
10.
|
Provide
unrealized gain/loss report.
|
34
SCHEDULE
D
Transfer
Agency Services
1.
|
Shareholder
Transactions
|
(a)
|
Process
shareholder purchase and redemption
orders.
|
(b)
|
Set
up account information, including address, dividend option, taxpayer
identification numbers and wire
instructions.
|
(c)
|
Issue
confirmations in compliance with Rule 10b-10 under the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
|
(d)
|
Issue
periodic statements for
shareholders.
|
(e)
|
Process
transfers and exchanges.
|
(f)
|
Process
dividend payments, including the purchase of new shares, through
dividend
reimbursement.
|
2.
|
Shareholder
Information Services
|
(a)
|
Make
information available to shareholder servicing unit and other remote
access units regarding trade date, share price, current holdings,
yields,
and dividend information.
|
(b)
|
Produce
detailed history of transactions through duplicate or special order
statements upon request.
|
(c)
|
Provide
mailing labels for distribution of financial reports, prospectuses,
proxy
statements or marketing material to current shareholders, upon
request.
|
35
3.
|
Compliance
Reporting
|
(a)
|
Provide
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and the states in which
the Fund
is registered.
|
(b)
|
Prepare
and distribute appropriate Internal Revenue Service forms for
corresponding Fund and shareholder income and capital
gains.
|
(c)
|
Issue
tax withholding reports to the Internal Revenue
Service.
|
4.
|
Dealer/Load
Processing (if applicable)
|
(a)
|
Where
appropriate information is available, provide reports for tracking
rights
of accumulation and purchases made under a Letter of
Intent.
|
(b)
|
Calculate
fees due under 12b-1 plans for distribution and marketing
expenses.
|
(c)
|
Provide
for payment of commission on direct shareholder purchases in a
load
fund.
|
(d)
|
Calculate
redemption fees, as appropriate.
|
5.
|
Shareholder
Account Maintenance
|
(a)
|
Maintain
all shareholder records for each account in the
Company.
|
(b)
|
Issue
customer statements on scheduled cycle, providing duplicate second
and
third party copies if required.
|
(c)
|
Record
shareholder account information
changes.
|
(d)
|
Maintain
account documentation files for each
shareholder.
|
36
6.
|
Anti-Money
Laundering Services
|
(a)
|
Where
appropriate and information is available, verify shareholder identity
upon
opening new accounts.
|
(b)
|
Monitor,
identify and report shareholder transactions and identify and report
suspicious activities that are required to be so identified and
reported,
and provide other required reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue
Service or
each agency's designated agent, in each case consistent with the
Company’s
AML Program.
|
(c)
|
Place
holds on transactions in shareholder accounts or freeze assets
in
shareholder accounts, as provided in the Company’s AML
Program.
|
(d)
|
Create
documentation to provide a basis for law enforcement authorities
to trace
illicit funds.
|
(e)
|
Maintain
all records or other documentation related to shareholder accounts
and
transactions therein that are required to be prepared and maintained
pursuant to the Company’s AML Program, and make the same available for
inspection by (i) the Company’s AML Compliance Officer, (ii) any auditor
of the Company’s AML Program or related procedures, policies or controls
that has been designated by the Company in writing, or (iii) regulatory
or
law enforcement authorities, and otherwise make said records or
other
documents available at the direction of the Company’s AML Compliance
Officer.
|
7. Blue
Sky
Services
Prepare
such reports, applications and documents (including reports regarding the
sale
and redemption of shares in the Company as may be required in order to comply
with Federal and state securities laws) as may be necessary or desirable
to
register the shares in the Company (“Shares”) with state securities authorities,
monitor the sale of Shares for compliance with state securities laws, and
file
with the appropriate state securities authorities the registration statements
and reports for the Company and the Shares and all amendments thereto, as
may be
necessary or convenient to register and keep effective the registration of
the
Company and the Shares with state securities authorities to enable the Company
to make a continuous offering of its Shares. State securities (“Blue Sky”)
exemption services are made available at a standard fee which is earned by
BISYS
based on exemptions obtained by the Company.
37
Transfer
Agency Representation
Following
each quarterly period, BISYS will provide a representation to the following
effect pertaining to the AML Services rendered by BISYS hereunder during
such
quarterly period:
1.
|
Performance
of good order review for all new and reregistered accounts;
|
2.
|
Performance
of acceptance review for all monetary instruments
received;
|
3.
|
Administration
of signature guarantee policy in accordance with prospectus
requirements;
|
4.
|
If
applicable, administration of escrow hold policy in accordance
with
prospectus requirements;
|
5.
|
Verification
of customer address changes;
|
6.
|
Verification
of customer identification for all new accounts and all name changes
on
existing accounts;
|
7.
|
Monitoring
of all purchase transactions made with cash equivalents totaling
in excess
of $10,000. The number of Form 8300 reports filed during the period
will
be reported;
|
8.
|
Monitoring
of all accounts for suspicious activity. The number of Form SAR
reports
filed during the period will be
reported;
|
9.
|
Review
of shareholder names against lists of suspected terrorist and terrorist
organizations supplied by various governmental organizations, such
as the
Office of Foreign Asset Control. The number of accounts frozen
and
otherwise reported to authorities during the period will be
reported;
|
10.
|
Creation
of the documentation necessary to provide a basis for law enforcement
authorities to trace illicit funds;
and
|
11.
|
Maintenance
all records and other documentation related to shareholder accounts
and
transactions required to be prepared and maintained pursuant to
the
Company’s AML program for all BISYS transfer agent
services.
|
The
following will be provided in such representation if the Company falls under
the
related USA PATRIOT
Act of
2001 provisions:
12.
|
Performance
of the required due diligence to help prevent the opening of any
accounts
for foreign shell banks during the period either directly or through
correspondent accounts.
|
38
13.
|
Performance
of the required due diligence on any new correspondent accounts
opened
during the period.
|
39
SCHEDULE
D-1
Additional
Services Related to XXX Accounts
BISYS
shall act as the XXX custodian for the Funds’ XXX Accounts, and will perform the
additional recordkeeping and administrative functions listed below with respect
to those accounts.
Account
Processing
1.
Opening
new Traditional XXX, Xxxx XXX, and SIMPLE IRAs
2.
Processing
purchases and redemptions of shares for the holders of XXX Accounts (the
“Account Holders”)
3.
Processing
dividends and capital gain distributions
4.
Notification
of distribution requirements related to age 70½
5.
Maintaining
beneficiary information on system
6.
Calculating
distributions, withdrawals, required withholding and other payment to Account
Holders
Account
Maintenance
1.
Maintaining
Account Holder records
2.
Changing
addresses for Account Holders
3.
Preparing
periodic reports on accounts, number of shares, etc.
4.
Preparation
and filing of federal tax forms (1099-R, 5498)
5.
Replying
to shareholder correspondence and inquiries
6.
Responding
to all telephone inquiries about XXX Accounts
40
SCHEDULE
E
FEES
In
consideration of the services set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall
pay
BISYS on the first business day of each month, or as otherwise set forth
below,
the following fees:
Fund
Accounting Annual Fees:
0.03%
of
the first $250 million in aggregate net assets of the Funds; plus
0.02%
of
aggregate net assets of the Funds from in excess of $250 million to $500
million; plus
0.015%
of
aggregate net assets of the Funds in excess of $500 million.
The
Fund
Accounting Fees are subject to an annual minimum equal to $37,500 for the
first
Fund, plus $32,500 for the second Fund, plus $37,500 for each Fund in excess
of
two Funds.
Fund
Administration Annual Fees:
0.10%
of
the first $250 million in aggregate net assets of the Funds; plus
0.08%
in
aggregate net assets of the Funds from in excess of $250 million to $500
million; plus
0.06%
of
aggregate net assets of the Funds in excess of $500 million.
The
Fund
Administration Fees are subject to an annual minimum equal to $45,000 for
the
first Fund, plus $35,000 for the second Fund, plus $45,000 for each Fund
in
excess of two Funds.
Transfer
Agency Annual Fees:
$17,000
Per CUSIP; plus
The
following per-account fees, applied to each shareholder account (open or
closed)
on BISYS’ transfer agency system:
Per
Direct Account
|
$20.00
|
Per
NSCC Account
|
$15.00
($12.50 for accounts over 50,000)
|
Per
Closed Account
|
$2.00
|
41
For
these
purposes, the following categories constitute an open account on the BISYS
system in any one month: open account with balance, open account with zero
balance, or open account with negative balance and closed account with activity.
Closed accounts with no activity in the month are considered a closed account
for billing purposes.
Annual
Minimum Fee:
The
Fund
Accounting, Fund Administration, and Transfer Agency fees set forth above
are
subject to an aggregate annual minimum of $165,000. Other fees payable to
BISYS
with respect to the Company (for distribution services, compliance services,
etc.) will not count towards this minimum.
AML
Fees:
Annual
Fees
Program
servicing:
|
$4,500
for the first 50,000 accounts, plus
|
$2,500
for accounts in excess of 50,000
|
|
(to
be billed in equal monthly
installments)
|
Early
Warning annual fee:
|
$575.00
|
Early
Warning per record cost:
|
$0.22
|
Early
Warning searches for all accounts except Networked Level III accounts are
conducted and fees applied every three weeks.
Equifax
- per request cost:
|
$5.00
|
Fair
Value Support Services:
As
compensation for Fair Value Support Services (the services set forth in
subsections (b)2 and (b)3 (as they relate to fair value determinations) of
Schedule C to this Agreement). BISYS shall receive the following annual
servicing fee for each Fund that the Company designates as being subject
to fair
value determinations and for which Fair Value Support Services are to be
provided by BISYS hereunder, as follows:
One-time
Development Fee, due upon the execution of
this
Agreement:
|
$10,000
|
Annual
Fee for Fair Value Support Services to be provided by BISYS:
For
each Fund with less than 200 securities:
|
$5,000
|
For
each Fund with at least 200 securities:
|
$7,500
|
(The
Annual Fee is to be billed in equal monthly installments)
42
The
foregoing BISYS fee(s) do not include out of pocket costs. BISYS will also
be
reimbursed by the Company for the actual costs charged by Fair Value Information
Vendors with respect to the provision of fair value pricing information to
BISYS
for use in valuing the portfolio holdings of a specific Fund or
Funds.
Form
N-Q Filing Fees:
Per
Fund per filing:
|
$3,000
|
Trustee/Custodian
Services:
In
addition, as provided in Section 4(a) of this Agreement, BISYS shall be entitled
to $15 per social security number, for each plan or account type, per year
(the
“Custodial Fee”), to be paid within the month prior to December 31 of each such
year (or, if an XXX Account is closed prior to the closing of such XXX Account),
for the services provided to the XXX Account or XXX Accounts (or, if an XXX
Account is closed, prior to the closing of such XXX Account). BISYS will
collect
the Custodial Fee from each XXX Account.
Annual
Fee Adjustment:
Commencing
on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date, BISYS may annually increase
the fixed fees and other fees expressed as stated dollar amounts in this
Agreement by up to an amount equal to the greater of: (a) the most recent
annual
percentage increase in consumer prices for services as measured by the United
States Consumer Price Index entitled “All Services Less Rent of Shelter” or a
similar index should such index no longer be published, and (b)
10%.
43