TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of June 4, 1998 by and between PFPC INC., a
Delaware corporation ("PFPC"), and E.I.I. Realty Securities Trust, a Delaware
business trust (the "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC to serve as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to its
investment portfolios listed on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part
hereof, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time (each a "Portfolio"),
and PFPC wishes to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS AGREEMENT:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(c) "Authorized Person" means any officer of the Fund and any
other person duly authorized by the Fund's Board of Trustees to give Oral
Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund and listed on the
Authorized Persons Appendix attached hereto and made a part hereof or any
amendment thereto as may be received by PFPC. An Authorized Person's
scope of authority may be limited by the Fund by setting forth such limitation
in the Authorized Persons Appendix.
(d) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.
(e) "Oral Instructions" mean oral instructions received by
PFPC from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC to
be an Authorized Person.
(f) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(g) "Securities Laws" mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the
1940 Act and the CEA.
(h) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest of any
series or class of the Fund.
(i) "Written Instructions" mean written instructions signed by
an Authorized Person and received by PFPC. The instructions may be delivered by
hand, mail, tested telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC to serve as transfer
agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to
the Fund in accordance with the terms set forth in this Agreement. PFPC accepts
such appointment and agrees to furnish such services.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Fund has provided or, where applicable,
will provide PFPC with the following:
(a) Certified or authenticated copies of the resolutions of
the Fund's Board of Trustees, approving the appointment of PFPC or its
affiliates to provide services to the Fund and approving this Agreement;
(b) A copy of the Fund's most recent effective registration
statement;
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(c) A copy of the advisory agreement with respect to each
investment Portfolio of the Fund (each, a Portfolio);
(d) A copy of the distribution agreement with respect to each
class of Shares of the Fund;
(e) A copy of each Portfolio's administration agreements if
PFPC is not providing the Portfolio with such services;
(f) Copies of any shareholder servicing agreements made in
respect of the Fund or a Portfolio; and
(g) Copies (certified or authenticated where applicable) of
any and all amendments or supplements to the foregoing.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS. PFPC undertakes to comply
with all applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and any laws, rules and
regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect to the
duties to be performed by PFPC hereunder. Except as specifically set forth
herein, PFPC assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund or any of
its investment portfolios.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC shall
act only upon Oral Instructions and Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instructions
and Written Instructions it receives from an Authorized Person (or from a person
reasonably believed by PFPC to be an Authorized Person) pursuant to this
Agreement. PFPC may assume that any Oral Instruction or Written Instruction
received hereunder is not in any way inconsistent with the provisions of
organizational documents or this Agreement or of any vote, resolution or
proceeding of the Fund's Board of Trustees or of the Fund's shareholders, unless
and until
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PFPC receives Written Instructions to the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Written Instructions
confirming Oral Instructions so that PFPC receives the Written Instructions by
the close of business on the same day that such Oral Instructions are received.
The fact that such confirming Written Instructions are not received by PFPC
shall in no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the
transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions. Where Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions reasonably appear to have been received from an Authorized
Person, PFPC shall incur no liability to the Fund in acting upon such Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions provided that PFPC's actions comply with
the other provisions of this Agreement.
6. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PFPC is in doubt as to any action
it should or should not take, PFPC may request directions or advice, including
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, from the Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PFPC shall be in doubt as to any
question of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, PFPC may
request advice at its own cost from such counsel of its own choosing (who may be
counsel for the Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or PFPC, at the option of
PFPC).
(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between
directions, advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC receives
from the Fund, and the advice it receives from counsel, PFPC may rely upon and
follow the advice of counsel. In the event PFPC so relies on the advice of
counsel, PFPC remains liable for any action or omission on the part of PFPC
which constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
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disregard by PFPC of any duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in
this Agreement.
(d) Protection of PFPC. PFPC shall be protected in any action
it takes or does not take in reliance upon directions, advice or Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions it receives from the Fund or from counsel
and which PFPC believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those directions,
advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. Nothing in this section
shall be construed so as to impose an obligation upon PFPC (i) to seek such
directions, advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, or (ii) to act
in accordance with such directions, advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions unless, under the terms of other provisions of this Agreement, the
same is a condition of PFPC's properly taking or not taking such action. Nothing
in this subsection shall excuse PFPC when an action or omission on the part of
PFPC constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard by PFPC of any duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in
this Agreement.
7. RECORDS; VISITS. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, which
are in the possession or under the control of PFPC, shall be the property of the
Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the
1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. The Fund
and Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records at all times
during PFPC's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund,
copies of any such books and records shall be provided by PFPC to the Fund or to
an Authorized Person, at the Fund's expense.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY. PFPC agrees to keep confidential all records of the
Fund and information relating to the Fund and its shareholders, unless the
release of such records or
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information is otherwise consented to, in writing, by the Fund. The Fund agrees
that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld
where PFPC may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings or when
required to divulge such information or records to duly constituted authorities.
9. COOPERATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS. PFPC shall cooperate with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable actions in the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement to ensure that the necessary
information is made available to such accountants for the expression of their
opinion, as required by the Fund.
10. DISASTER RECOVERY. PFPC shall enter into and shall maintain in
effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable
provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the
extent appropriate equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures,
PFPC shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to
minimize service interruptions. PFPC shall have no liability with respect to the
loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure, provided such
loss or interruption is not caused by PFPC's own willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this
Agreement.
11. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services rendered by PFPC during
the term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to PFPC a fee or fees as may be
agreed to from time to time in writing by the Fund and PFPC.
12. INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
PFPC and its affiliates from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims
and liabilities (including, without limitation, liabilities arising under the
Securities Laws and any state and foreign securities and
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blue sky laws, and amendments thereto), and expenses, including (without
limitation) attorneys' fees and disbursements, arising directly or indirectly
from (i) any action or omission to act which PFPC takes (a) at the request or on
the direction of or in reliance on the advice of the Fund or (b) upon Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions or (ii) the acceptance, processing and/or
negotiation of checks or other methods utilized for the purchase of Shares.
Neither PFPC, nor any of its affiliates, shall be indemnified against any
liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) arising out of PFPC's or
its affiliates' own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, provided that in
the absence of a finding to the contrary the acceptance, processing and/or
negotiation of a fraudulent payment for the purchase of Shares shall be presumed
not to have been the result of PFPC's or its affiliates own willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such duties and
obligations.
13. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf
of the Fund except as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically
agreed to by PFPC in writing. PFPC shall be obligated to exercise care and
diligence in the performance of its duties hereunder, to act in good faith and
to use its best efforts, within reasonable limits, in performing services
provided for under this Agreement. PFPC shall be liable for any damages arising
out of PFPC's failure to perform its duties under this Agreement to the extent
such damages arise out of PFPC's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of such duties.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any
other provision of this Agreement, (i) PFPC, shall not be liable for losses
beyond its control, provided that PFPC
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has acted in accordance with the standard of care set forth above; and (ii) PFPC
shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall not be
liable for (A) the validity or invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any
Oral Instruction or Written Instruction, notice or other instrument which
conforms to the applicable requirements of this Agreement, and which PFPC
reasonably believes to be genuine; or (B) subject to Section 10, delays or
errors or loss of data occurring by reason of circumstances beyond PFPC's
control, including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies,
labor difficulties, fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war,
riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, neither PFPC nor its affiliates shall be liable to the Fund for any
consequential, special or indirect losses or damages which the Fund may incur or
suffer by or as a consequence of PFPC's or its affiliates' performance of the
services provided hereunder, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or
damages was known by PFPC or its affiliates.
14. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
(a) Services Provided on an Ongoing Basis, If Applicable.
(i) Calculate 12b-1 payments;
(ii) Maintain proper shareholder registrations;
(iii) Review new applications and correspond with
shareholders to complete or correct information;
(iv) Direct payment processing of checks or wires;
(v) Prepare and certify stockholder lists in con-
junction with proxy solicitations;
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(vi) Countersign share certificates;
(vii) Prepare and mail to shareholders confirmation of
activity;
(viii) Provide toll-free lines for direct shareholder use,
plus customer liaison staff for on-line inquiry
response;
(ix) Mail duplicate confirmations to broker-dealers of
their clients' activity, whether executed through
the broker-dealer or directly with PFPC;
(x) Provide periodic shareholder lists and statistics to
the clients;
(xi) Provide detailed data for underwriter/broker
confirmations;
(xii) Prepare periodic mailing of year-end tax and
statement information;
(xiii) Notify on a timely basis the investment adviser,
accounting agent, and custodian of fund activity;
and
(xiv) Perform other participating broker-dealer
shareholder services as may be agreed upon from time
to time.
(b) Services Provided by PFPC Under Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions.
(i) Accept and post daily Fund purchases and
redemptions;
(ii) Accept, post and perform shareholder transfers and
exchanges;
(iii) Pay dividends and other distributions;
(iv) Solicit and tabulate proxies; and
(v) Issue and cancel certificates (when requested in
writing by the shareholder).
(c) Purchase of Shares. PFPC shall issue and credit an account
of an investor, in the manner described in the Fund's prospectus, once it
receives:
(i) A purchase order;
(ii) Proper information to establish a shareholder
account; and
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(iii) Confirmation of receipt or crediting of funds for
such order to the Fund's custodian.
(d) Redemption of Shares. PFPC shall redeem Shares only if
that function is properly authorized by the certificate of incorporation or
resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees. Shares shall be redeemed and payment
therefor shall be made in accordance with the Fund's prospectus, when the
recordholder tenders Shares in proper form and directs the method of redemption.
If Shares are received in proper form, Shares shall be redeemed before the funds
are provided to PFPC from the Fund's custodian (the "Custodian"). If the
recordholder has not directed that redemption proceeds be wired, when the
Custodian provides PFPC with funds, the redemption check shall be sent to and
made payable to the recordholder, unless:
(i) the surrendered certificate is drawn to the order of
an assignee or holder and transfer authorization is
signed by the recordholder; or
(ii) Transfer authorizations are signed by the
recordholder when Shares are held in book-entry
form.
When a broker-dealer notifies PFPC of a redemption desired by
a customer, and the Custodian provides PFPC with funds, PFPC shall prepare and
send the redemption check to the broker-dealer and made payable to the
broker-dealer on behalf of its customer.
(e) Dividends and Distributions. Upon receipt of a resolution
of the Fund's Board of Trustees authorizing the declaration and payment of
dividends and distributions, PFPC shall issue dividends and distributions
declared by the Fund in Shares, or, upon shareholder election, pay such
dividends and distributions in cash, if provided for in the Fund's prospectus.
Such issuance or payment, as well as payments upon redemption as described
above, shall be made after deduction and payment of the required amount of funds
to be withheld in accordance
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with any applicable tax laws or other laws, rules or regulations. PFPC shall
mail to the Fund's shareholders such tax forms and other information, or
permissible substitute notice, relating to dividends and distributions paid by
the Fund as are required to be filed and mailed by applicable law, rule or
regulation. PFPC shall prepare, maintain and file with the IRS and other
appropriate taxing authorities reports relating to all dividends above a
stipulated amount paid by the Fund to its shareholders as required by tax or
other law, rule or regulation.
(f) Shareholder Account Services.
(i) PFPC may arrange, in accordance with the prospectus,
for issuance of Shares obtained through:
- Any pre-authorized check plan; and
- Direct purchases through broker wire orders, checks
and applications.
(ii) PFPC may arrange, in accordance with the prospectus,
for a shareholder's:
- Exchange of Shares for shares of another fund with
which the Fund has exchange privileges;
- Automatic redemption from an account where that
shareholder participates in a automatic redemption
plan; and/or
- Redemption of Shares from an account with a
checkwriting privilege.
(g) Communications to Shareholders. Upon timely Written
Instructions, PFPC shall mail all communications by the Fund to its
shareholders, including:
(i) Reports to shareholders;
(ii) Confirmations of purchases and sales of Fund shares;
(iii) Monthly or quarterly statements;
(iv) Dividend and distribution notices;
(v) Proxy material; and
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(vi) Tax form information.
In addition, PFPC will receive and tabulate the proxy cards
for the meetings of the Fund's shareholders.
(h) Records. PFPC shall maintain records of the accounts for
each shareholder showing the following information:
(i) Name, address and United States Tax Identification
or Social Security number;
(ii) Number and class of Shares held and number and class
of Shares for which certificates, if any, have been
issued, including certificate numbers and
denominations;
(iii) Historical information regarding the account of each
shareholder, including dividends and distributions
paid and the date and price for all transactions on
a shareholder's account;
(iv) Any stop or restraining order placed against a
shareholder's account;
(v) Any correspondence relating to the current
maintenance of a shareholder's account;
(vi) Information with respect to withholdings; and
(vii) Any information required in order for the transfer
agent to perform any calculations contemplated or
required by this Agreement.
(i) Lost or Stolen Certificates. PFPC shall place a stop
notice against any certificate reported to be lost or stolen and comply with all
applicable federal regulatory requirements for reporting such loss or alleged
misappropriation. A new certificate shall be registered and issued only upon:
(i) The shareholder's pledge of a lost instrument bond
or such other appropriate indemnity bond issued by a
surety company approved by PFPC; and
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(ii) Completion of a release and indemnification
agreement signed by the shareholder to protect PFPC
and its affiliates.
(j) Shareholder Inspection of Stock Records. Upon a request
from any Fund shareholder to inspect stock records, PFPC will notify the Fund
and the Fund will issue instructions granting or denying each such request.
Unless PFPC has acted contrary to the Fund's instructions, the Fund agrees and
does hereby, release PFPC from any liability for refusal of permission for a
particular shareholder to inspect the Fund's stock records.
(k) Withdrawal of Shares and Cancellation of Certificates.
Upon receipt of Written Instructions, PFPC shall cancel outstanding certificates
surrendered by the Fund to reduce the total amount of outstanding shares by the
number of shares surrendered by the Fund.
15. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall be effective on the
date first above written and shall continue in effect for an initial period of
one (1) year. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue automatically for
successive terms of one (1) year; provided, however, that this Agreement may be
terminated by either party upon 120 days' prior written notice to the other
party.
16. NOTICES. All notices and other communications, including Written
Instructions, shall be in writing or by confirming telegram, cable, telex or
facsimile sending device. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC, at 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000; (b) if to the Fund, at 000 Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000; (c) if to neither of the foregoing, at
such other address as shall have been given by like notice to the sender of any
such notice or other communication by the other party. If notice is
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sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device, it shall
be deemed to have been given immediately. If notice is sent by first-class mail,
it shall be deemed to have been given three days after it has been mailed. If
notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it
is delivered.
17. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or
waived only by a written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement
of such change or waiver is sought.
18. DELEGATION; ASSIGNMENT. PFPC may assign its rights and delegate its
duties hereunder to any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PNC Bank,
National Association or PNC Bank Corp., provided that (i) PFPC gives the Fund
thirty (30) days' prior written notice; (ii) the delegate (or assignee) agrees
with PFPC and the Fund to comply with all relevant provisions of the 1940 Act;
and (iii) PFPC and such delegate (or assignee) promptly provide such information
as the Fund may request, and respond to such questions as the Fund may ask,
relative to the delegation (or assignment), including (without limitation) the
capabilities of the delegate (or assignee).
19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20. FURTHER ACTIONS. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.
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21. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, provided
that the parties may embody in one or more separate documents their agreement,
if any, with respect to delegated duties and Oral Instructions.
(b) Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a
contract made in Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to
principles of conflicts of law.
(d) Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement
shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise,
the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.
(f) Facsimile Signatures. The facsimile signature of any party
to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by
such party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
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PFPC INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Vice President
E.I.I. REALTY SECURITIES TRUST
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT A
THIS EXHIBIT A, dated as of June 4, 1998, is Exhibit A to that certain
Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated as of June 4, 1998 between PFPC Inc.
and E.I.I. Realty Securities Trust.
PORTFOLIOS
E.I.I. Realty Securities Fund
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AUTHORIZED PERSONS APPENDIX
NAME (TYPE) SIGNATURE
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