FUND ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.(j)(i)
FUND ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of , by and between the investment company listed on the signature page hereto (the “Fund”, or if multiple investment companies, collectively the “Funds”), and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“BNY Mellon”).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Fund is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain BNY Mellon to provide for the portfolios identified on Exhibit A hereto (as applicable, each, a “Series”) the services described herein, and BNY Mellon is willing to provide such services, all as more fully set forth below;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Whenever used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:
“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“Authorized Person” shall mean each person, whether or not an officer or an employee of a Fund, duly authorized by the Board to execute this Agreement and to give Instructions on behalf of such Fund as set forth in Exhibit B hereto and each Authorized Person’s scope of authority may be limited by setting forth such limitation in a written document signed by both parties hereto. From time to time each Fund may deliver a new Exhibit B to add or delete any
person and BNY Mellon shall be entitled to rely on the last Exhibit B actually received by BNY Mellon.
“BNY Mellon Affiliate” shall mean any office, branch, or subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
“Board” shall mean a Fund’s board of directors, board of trustees, general partner or manager, as applicable.
“Confidential Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 21 of this Agreement.
“Documents” shall mean such other documents, including but not limited to, Board resolutions, including resolutions of the Fund’s Board authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Fund, and opinions of outside counsel, as BNY Mellon may reasonably request from time to time, in connection with its provision of services under this Agreement.
“Instructions” shall mean Oral Instructions or written communications actually received by BNY Mellon by S.W.I.F.T., tested telex, letter, facsimile transmission, or other method or system specified by BNY Mellon as available for use in connection with the services hereunder, from an Authorized Person or person believed in good faith to be an Authorized Person.
“Investment Advisor” shall mean the entity identified by the Funds to BNY Mellon as the entity having investment responsibility with respect to the Funds.
“Net Asset Value” shall mean the per share value of a Fund, calculated in the manner described in the Funds’ Offering Materials.
“Offering Materials” shall mean the Funds’ currently effective prospectus and most recently filed registration statement with the SEC relating to shares of the Fund.
“Organizational Documents” shall mean certified copies of a Fund’s articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation or organization, certificate of limited partnership, bylaws, limited partnership agreement, memorandum of association, limited
liability company agreement, operating agreement, confidential offering memorandum, material contracts, Offering Materials, all SEC exemptive orders issued to a Fund, required filings or similar documents of formation or organization, as applicable, delivered to and received by BNY Mellon.
“Oral Instructions” shall mean oral instructions received by BNY Mellon under permissible circumstances specified by BNY Mellon, in its sole discretion, as being from an Authorized Person or person believed in good faith by BNY Mellon to be an Authorized Person.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Laws” means the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act.
“Shares” means the shares of beneficial interest of any series or class of the Fund.
2. Appointment.
Each Fund hereby appoints BNY Mellon as its agent for the term of this Agreement to perform the services described herein. BNY Mellon hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the duties hereinafter set forth.
3. Representations and Warranties.
Each Fund hereby represents and warrants to BNY Mellon, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing, that:
(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Fund in accordance with all requisite action of the Board and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of such Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(c) The Fund’s Investment Advisor is in good standing and qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature or conduct of its business requires such qualification.
(d) It is conducting its business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, has made and will continue to make all necessary filings including tax filings and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its Organizational Documents, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
(e) The method of valuation of securities and the method of computing the Net Asset Value shall be as set forth in the Offering Materials of the Funds. To the extent the performance of any services described in Schedule I attached hereto by BNY Mellon in accordance with the then effective Offering Materials for the Fund would violate any applicable laws or regulations, the Fund shall immediately so notify BNY Mellon in writing and thereafter shall either furnish BNY Mellon with the appropriate values of securities, Net Asset Value or other computation, as the case may be, or, instruct BNY Mellon in writing to value securities and/or compute Net Asset Value or other computations in a manner the Fund specifies in writing, and either the furnishing of such values or the giving of such instructions shall constitute a representation by the Fund that the same is consistent with all applicable laws and regulations and with its Offering Materials, all subject to confirmation by BNY Mellon as to its capacity to act in accordance with the foregoing;
(f) The terms of this Agreement, the fees and expenses associated with this Agreement and any benefits accruing to BNY Mellon or to the Investment Advisor to or sponsor of a Fund in connection with this Agreement, including but not limited to any fee waivers, conversion cost reimbursements, upfront payments, signing payments or periodic payments made or to be made by BNY Mellon to such Investment Advisor or sponsor or any affiliate of a Fund relating to this Agreement have been fully disclosed to the Board of each Fund and that, if required by applicable law, such Board has approved or will approve the terms of this Agreement, any such fees and expenses and any such benefits;
(g) Each person named on Exhibit B hereto is duly authorized by such Fund to be an Authorized Person hereunder;
(h) The Funds shall promptly notify BNY Mellon in writing of any and all government proceedings or securities investigations filed or commenced against any Fund, the Investment Advisor or the Board; and [THIS IS A PUBLICLY FILED DOCUMENT, SO THE DELETED SECTION SHOULD NOT APPLY.]
(j) The Fund acknowledges for itself and its users that certain information provided by BNY Mellon on its websites may be protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks and/or other intellectual property rights, and as such, agrees that all such information provided is for the sole and exclusive use of the Fund and its users. Certain information is supplied to BNY Mellon pursuant to third party licensing agreements which restrict the use of such information and protect the proprietary rights of the appropriate licensor (“Licensor”) with respect to such information. Therefore, the Fund, on behalf of itself and its users, further agrees not to disclose, disseminate, reproduce, redistribute or republish information provided by BNY Mellon on its websites in any way without the express written permission of BNY Mellon and the Licensor. (Licensor permission to be obtained by BNY Mellon prior to BNY Mellon providing its permission.)
(i) BNY Mellon hereby represents and warrants to the Funds, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing that:
I. It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
II. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BNY Mellon in accordance with all requisite corporate action and constitute valid and legally binding obligation of BNY Mellon enforceable in accordance with its terms;
III. BNY Mellon has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as currently conducted; there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on BNY Mellon and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on BNY Mellon or affecting its property which would prohibit the execution or performance by BNY Mellon of this Agreement; and
IV. To the extent the performance of any services described in Schedule II attached hereto by BNY Mellon in accordance with the then effective Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) for the Fund would violate any applicable laws or regulations, BNY Mellon shall so notify the Fund in writing as soon as practicable, to the extent that the BNY Mellon personnel responsible for the performance of such services have knowledge, or should reasonably have knowledge, of such violation.
4. Delivery of Documents.
Each Fund shall promptly provide, deliver, or cause to be delivered from time to time, to BNY Mellon the Fund’s Organizational Documents, Documents and other materials used in the distribution of Shares and all amendments thereto as may be necessary for BNY Mellon to perform its duties hereunder. BNY Mellon shall not be deemed to have notice of any information (other than information supplied by BNY Mellon) contained in such Organizational Documents, Documents or other materials until they are actually received by BNY Mellon.
5. Duties and Obligations of BNY Mellon.
(a) Subject to the direction and control of each Fund’s Board and the provisions of this Agreement, BNY Mellon shall provide to each Fund the administrative
services and the valuation and computation services listed on Schedule I attached hereto.
(b) In performing hereunder, BNY Mellon shall provide, at its expense, office space, facilities, equipment and personnel.
(c) BNY Mellon shall not provide any services relating to the management, investment advisory or sub-advisory functions of any Fund, distribution of shares of any Fund, maintenance of any Fund’s financial records or other services normally performed by the Funds’ respective counsel or independent auditors and the services provided by BNY Mellon do not constitute, nor shall they be construed as constituting, legal advice or the provision of legal services for or on behalf of the Fund or any other person, and each Fund acknowledges that BNY Mellon does not provide public accounting or auditing services or advice and will not be making any tax filings, or doing any tax reporting on its behalf, other than those specifically agreed to hereunder. The scope of services provided by BNY Mellon under this Agreement shall not be increased as a result of new or revised regulatory or other requirements that may become applicable with respect to the Fund, unless the parties hereto expressly agree in writing to any such increase in the scope of services.
(d) Each Fund shall cause its officers, advisors, sponsor, distributor, legal counsel, independent auditors and accountants, transfer agent, and any other service provider to cooperate with BNY Mellon and to provide BNY Mellon, upon request, with such information, documents and advice relating to such Fund as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, and which in the opinion of BNY Mellon, is necessary in order to enable BNY Mellon to perform its duties hereunder. In connection with its duties hereunder, BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for, under any duty to inquire into, or be deemed to make any assurances with respect to the accuracy, validity or propriety of any information, documents or advice provided to BNY Mellon by any of the aforementioned persons. BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from or arising out of the failure of the Fund to cause any information, documents or advice to be provided to BNY Mellon as provided herein and shall be held harmless by each Fund when acting in reliance upon such information, documents or advice relating to such Fund. All fees or costs charged by such persons shall be borne by the appropriate Fund, and BNY Mellon shall have no liability with respect to such fees or charges, including any increases in, or additions to, such fees or charges related directly or indirectly to
the services described herein or the performance by BNY Mellon of its duties hereunder. BNY Mellon shall not bear, or otherwise be responsible for, any fees, costs or expenses charged by any third party service providers engaged by a Fund, or by any affiliate of such Fund or by any other third party service provider to such Fund. In the event that any services performed by BNY Mellon hereunder rely, in whole or in part, upon information obtained from a third party service utilized or subscribed to by BNY Mellon which BNY Mellon in its reasonable judgment deems reliable, BNY Mellon shall not have any responsibility or liability for, be under any duty to inquire into, or be deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy or completeness of such information.
(e) Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict BNY Mellon, any BNY Mellon Affiliate or any officer or employee thereof from acting for or with any third parties, and providing services similar or identical to same or all of the services provided hereunder.
Each Fund shall furnish BNY Mellon with any and all instructions, explanations, information, specifications and documentation deemed necessary by BNY Mellon in the performance of its duties hereunder, including, without limitation, the amounts or written formula for calculating the amounts and times of accrual of Fund liabilities and expenses, and the value of any securities lending related collateral investment account(s). BNY Mellon shall not be required to include as Fund liabilities and expenses, nor as a reduction of Net Asset Value, any accrual for any federal, state, or foreign income taxes unless the Fund shall have specified to BNY Mellon in Instructions the precise amount of the same to be included in liabilities and expenses or used to reduce Net Asset Value. Each Fund shall also furnish BNY Mellon with bid, offer, or market values of securities if BNY Mellon notifies such Fund that same are not available to BNY Mellon from a security pricing or similar service utilized, or subscribed to, by BNY Mellon which the Fund directs BNY Mellon to utilize, and which BNY Mellon in its judgment deems reliable at the time such information is required for calculations hereunder. At any time and from time to time, the Fund also may furnish BNY Mellon with bid, offer, or market values of securities and instruct BNY Mellon in Instructions to use such information in its calculations hereunder. BNY Mellon may, if required by a Fund’s valuation procedures and at such Fund’s cost and expense, but shall at no time be required or obligated to, commence or maintain utilization of, or subscriptions to, particular securities pricing or similar services provided however, that BNY Mellon will promptly notify the applicable Fund if BNY Mellon is unable to commence or maintain utilization of or subscription to, any particular securities pricing or similar service which is required pursuant to such Fund’s valuation procedures. In no event shall BNY Mellon be required to determine, or have any obligations with respect to, whether a market price represents any fair or true value, nor to adjust any price to reflect any events or announcements, including, without limitation, those with respect to the issuer thereof, it being agreed that all such determinations and considerations shall be solely for the Fund.
(f) BNY Mellon may apply to an Authorized Person of any Fund for
Instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with BNY Mellon’s performance hereunder for such Fund, and BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith without gross negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with such Instructions. Such application for Instructions may, at the option of BNY Mellon, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken. BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, BNY Mellon has received Instructions from an Authorized Person in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
(g) BNY Mellon may consult with counsel to the appropriate Fund with the prior consent of the Investment Adviser, or its own counsel, at such Fund’s expense, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement or Schedule I attached hereto, BNY Mellon shall have no duty or obligation with respect to, including, without limitation, any duty or obligation to determine, or advise or notify any Fund of: (i) the taxable nature of any distribution or amount received or deemed received by, or payable to, a Fund, (ii) the taxable nature or effect on a Fund or its shareholders of any corporate actions, class actions, tax reclaims, tax refunds or similar events, (iii) the taxable nature or taxable amount of any distribution or dividend paid, payable or deemed paid, by a Fund to its shareholders; or (iv) the effect under any federal, state, or foreign income tax laws of a Fund making or not making any distribution or dividend payment, or any election with respect thereto. Further, BNY Mellon is not responsible for the identification of securities requiring U.S. tax treatment that differs from treatment under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. BNY Mellon is solely responsible for processing such securities, as identified by the Fund or its Authorized Persons, in accordance with U.S. tax laws and regulations.
(i) BNY Mellon shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and Schedule I
attached hereto, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against BNY Mellon in connection with this Agreement.
(j) BNY Mellon, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall be entitled to rely fully on the accuracy and validity of any and all Instructions, explanations, information, specifications, Documents and documentation furnished to it by a Fund and shall have no duty or obligation to review the accuracy, validity or propriety of such Instructions, explanations, information, specifications, Documents or documentation, including, without limitation, evaluations of securities; the amounts or formula for calculating the amounts and times of accrual of Funds’ or Series’ liabilities and expenses; the amounts receivable and the amounts payable on the sale or purchase of securities; and amounts receivable or amounts payable for the sale or redemption of Fund Shares effected by or on behalf of a Fund. In the event BNY Mellon’s computations hereunder rely, in whole or in part, upon information, including, without limitation, bid, offer or market values of securities or other assets, or accruals of interest or earnings thereon, from a pricing or similar service utilized, or subscribed to, by BNY Mellon which the Fund directs BNY Mellon to utilize, and which BNY Mellon in its judgment deems reliable, BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for, under any duty to inquire into, or deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy or completeness of such information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, BNY Mellon shall not be required to inquire into any valuation of securities or other assets by a Fund or any third party described in this sub-section (k) even though BNY Mellon in performing services similar to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement for others may receive different valuations of the same or different securities of the same issuers.
(k) BNY Mellon, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall not be responsible for determining whether any interest accruable to a Fund is or will be actually paid, but will accrue such interest until otherwise instructed by such Fund.
(l) BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for damages (including without limitation damages caused by delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data) which occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, including, without limitation, labor difficulties
within or without BNY Mellon, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, failures of transportation, interruptions, loss, or malfunctions of utilities, action or inaction of civil or military authority, national emergencies, public enemy, war, terrorism, riot, sabotage, non-performance by a third party, failure of the mails, communications, computer (hardware or software) services, or functions or malfunctions of the internet, firewalls, encryption systems or security devices caused by any of the above. Nor shall BNY Mellon be responsible for delays or failures to supply the information or services specified in this Agreement where such delays or failures are caused by the failure of any person(s) other than BNY Mellon to supply any instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation deemed necessary by BNY Mellon in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. [MAKE THE SAME CHANGES AS IN THE CUSTODY AGREEMENT RE: FORCE MAJEURE AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY.]
(n) BNY Mellon 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, BNY Mellon shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. BNY Mellon 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 BNY Mellon’s own intentional misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
6. Allocation of Expenses.
Except as otherwise provided herein, all costs and expenses arising or incurred in connection with the performance of this Agreement shall be paid by the appropriate Fund, including but not limited to, organizational costs and costs of maintaining corporate existence, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and commissions, insurance premiums, compensation and expenses of such Fund’s trustees, directors, officers or employees, legal, accounting and audit expenses, management, advisory, sub-advisory, administration and shareholder servicing fees, charges of custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents, expenses (including clerical expenses) incident to the issuance, redemption or repurchase of Fund shares or membership interests, as applicable, fees and expenses incident to the registration or qualification under the
Securities Laws, state or other applicable securities laws of the Fund or its shares or membership interests, as applicable, costs (including printing and mailing costs) of preparing and distributing Offering Materials, reports, notices and proxy material to such Fund’s shareholders or members, as applicable, all expenses incidental to holding meetings of such Fund’s trustees, directors and shareholders, and extraordinary expenses as may arise, including litigation affecting such Fund and legal obligations relating thereto for which the Fund may have to indemnify its trustees, directors, officers, managers, and/or members, as may be applicable.
7. Portfolio Compliance Services.
(a) If Schedule I contains a requirement for BNY Mellon to provide the Fund with portfolio compliance services, such services shall be provided pursuant to the terms of this Section 7 (the “Portfolio Compliance Services”). The precise compliance review and testing services to be provided shall be as directed by each Fund and as mutually agreed between BNY Mellon and such Fund, and the results of BNY Mellon’s Portfolio Compliance Services shall be detailed in a portfolio compliance summary report (the “Compliance Summary Report”) prepared on a periodic basis as mutually agreed. Each Compliance Summary Report shall be subject to review and approval by the Fund. BNY Mellon shall have no responsibility or obligation to provide Portfolio Compliance Services other that those services specifically listed in Schedule I.
(b) The Fund will examine each Compliance Summary Report delivered to it by BNY Mellon and notify BNY Mellon of any error, omission or discrepancy within ten (10) days of its receipt or within 10 days prior to a Fund’s meeting of its Board of Trustees. The Fund agrees to notify BNY Mellon promptly in writing if it fails to receive any such Compliance Summary Report. The Fund further acknowledges that unless it notifies BNY Mellon of any error, omission or discrepancy, such Compliance Summary Report shall be deemed final and shall not be reissued. In addition, if the Fund learns of any out-of-compliance condition before receiving a Compliance Summary Report reflecting such condition, the Fund will notify BNY Mellon of such condition promptly after discovery thereof.
(c) While BNY Mellon will endeavor to identify out-of-compliance conditions, BNY Mellon does not make any guarantees, representations or warranties with respect to its ability to identify all such conditions. The Fund acknowledges that it has adopted a compliance program
pursuant to the requirements of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act and that the Fund is not solely reliant on the Compliance Services to fulfill its obligations thereunder.
8. Rule 38a-1 and Regulatory Administration Services.
(a) If Schedule I contains a requirement for BNY Mellon to provide the Fund with compliance support services related to Rule 38a-1 promulgated under the 1940 Act and/or Regulatory Administration services, such services shall be provided pursuant to the terms of this Section 8 (such services, collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Regulatory Support Services”).
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Regulatory Support Services provided by BNY Mellon under this Agreement are administrative in nature and do not constitute, nor shall they be construed as constituting, legal advice or the provision of legal services for or on behalf of the Fund or any other person.
(c) All work product produced by BNY Mellon as outlined at Schedule I in connection with its provision of Regulatory Support Services under this Agreement is subject to review and approval by the Fund and by the Fund’s legal counsel. The Regulatory Support Services performed by BNY Mellon under this Agreement will be at the request and direction of the Fund and/or its chief compliance officer (the “Fund’s CCO”), as applicable. BNY Mellon disclaims liability to the Fund, and the Fund is solely responsible, for the selection, qualifications and performance of the Fund’s CCO and the adequacy and effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program.
9. Standard of Care; Indemnification.
Except as otherwise provided herein, BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees) incurred by or asserted against a Fund, except those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arising out of BNY Mellon’s own bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct. BNY Mellon shall indemnify and hold harmless each Fund from and against any and all direct costs, expenses, damages, liabilities and claims, and reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees relating thereto (“Losses”) where such Losses have been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) to have arisen out of BNY Mellon’s failure to discharge its duties in accordance with its standard of care as set forth
hereunder. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of BNY Mellon, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
(a) Each Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, liabilities and claims (including claims asserted by a Fund), and reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees relating thereto, which are sustained or incurred or which may be asserted against BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate, by reason of or as a result of any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate without bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct, or in reliance upon (i) any law, act, regulation or interpretation of the same even though the same may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed, (ii) such Fund’s Offering Materials or Documents (excluding information provided by BNY Mellon), (iii) any Instructions, or (iv) any opinion of legal counsel for such Fund or BNY Mellon (subject to subsection III below), or arising out of transactions or other activities of such Fund which occurred prior to the commencement of this Agreement; provided, that no Fund shall indemnify BNY Mellon nor any BNY Mellon Affiliate for costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims for which BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate is liable under the preceding sub-section 9(a). This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of each Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Fund shall indemnify BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate against and save BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate harmless from any loss, damage or expense, including counsel fees and other costs and expenses of a defense against any claim or liability, arising from any one or more of the following:
I. Errors in records or instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation of any kind, as the case may be, supplied to BNY Mellon by any third party described above or by or on behalf of a Fund;
II. Action or inaction taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate pursuant to Instructions of the Fund or otherwise without gross negligence or willful misconduct;
III. Any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon in good faith in accordance with the advice or opinion of counsel for a Fund provided that any such
action or omission by BNY Mellon in conformity with such advice or opinion of its own counsel is consistent with BNY Mellon’s rights and responsibilities under this Agreement;
IV. Any improper use by a Fund or its agents, distributor or investment advisor of any valuations or computations supplied by BNY Mellon pursuant to this Agreement;
V. The method of valuation of the securities and the method of computing each Series’ Net Asset Value; or
VI. Any valuations of securities, other assets, or the Net Asset Value provided by a Fund.
(b) Actions taken or omitted in reliance on Instructions or upon any information, order, indenture, stock certificate, membership certificate, power of attorney, assignment, affidavit or other instrument reasonably believed by BNY Mellon in good faith to be from an Authorized Person, or upon the opinion of legal counsel for a Fund or its own counsel, shall be conclusively presumed to have been taken or omitted in good faith.
10. Compensation.
For the services provided hereunder, each Fund agrees to pay BNY Mellon such compensation as is mutually agreed to in writing by each Fund and BNY Mellon from time to time and such out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., telecommunication charges, postage and delivery charges, costs of independent compliance reviews, record retention costs, reproduction charges and transportation and lodging costs) as are incurred by BNY Mellon in performing its duties hereunder. Except as hereinafter set forth, compensation shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly. Each Fund authorizes BNY Mellon to debit such Fund’s custody account for all amounts due and payable hereunder. BNY Mellon shall deliver to each Fund invoices for services rendered after debiting such Fund’s custody account with an indication that payment has been made. Upon termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the compensation for such part of a month shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the effective date of termination of this Agreement. For the purpose of determining compensation payable to BNY Mellon, each Fund’s Net Asset Value shall be computed at the times and in the manner specified in the Fund’s Offering Materials.
11. Records; Visits.
(a) The books and records pertaining to each Fund and such Fund’s Series which are in the possession or under the control of BNY Mellon shall be the property of the Fund. The Fund and Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records at all times during BNY Mellon’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by BNY Mellon to the Fund or to an Authorized Person, at the Fund’s expense.
(b) BNY Mellon shall keep all books and records with respect to each Series’ books of account, records of each Series’ securities transactions and all other books and records as BNY Mellon is required to maintain pursuant to Rule 31a-1 of the 1940 Act in connection with the services provided hereunder.
12. Term of Agreement.
(a) This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above and, unless terminated pursuant to its terms, shall continue until 11:59 PM on the date which is the third anniversary of such date (the “Initial Term”), at which time this Agreement shall terminate, unless renewed in accordance with the terms hereof.
(b) This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive terms of one (1) year each (each, a “Renewal Term”), unless the Fund or BNY Mellon gives written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew and such notice is received by the other party not less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term (a “Non-Renewal Notice”). In the event a party provides a Non-Renewal Notice, this Agreement shall terminate at 11:59 PM on the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.
(c) If a party materially breaches this Agreement (a “Defaulting Party”) the other party (the “Non-Defaulting Party”) may give written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party (“Breach Notice”), and if such material breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after the Breach Notice is given, then the Non-Defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice of termination to the Defaulting Party (“Breach Termination Notice”), in which case this Agreement shall terminate as of 11:59 PM on the 30th day following the date the Breach Termination Notice is given, or such later date as may be specified in the Breach Termination Notice (but not later than the last day of the Initial Term or then-current
Renewal Term, as appropriate). In all cases, termination by the Non-Defaulting Party shall not constitute a waiver by the Non-Defaulting Party of any other rights it might have under this Agreement or otherwise against the Defaulting Party.
(d) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) if in connection with a Change in Control (defined below) the Fund gives notice to BNY Mellon terminating this Agreement or terminating it as the provider of any of the services hereunder or (ii) if the Fund otherwise terminates this Agreement, except for a termination by the Fund pursuant to Section 12(c) above, or terminates any of such services before the expiration of, as appropriate, the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term (“Early Termination”), the following terms shall apply:
(i) [THIS IS TOO PUNITIVE. ALLOW FOR A 120-DAY NOTICE AFTER ONE YEAR INSTEAD.]
(ii) The Fund expressly acknowledges and agrees that the Early Termination Fee is not a penalty but reasonable compensation to BNY Mellon for the termination of services before the expiration of, as appropriate, the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term.
(iii) For the purposes of this Section 12(d), “Change in Control” means a merger, consolidation, adoption, acquisition, change in control, re-structuring, or re-organization of or any other similar occurrence involving the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund.
(iv) If the Fund gives notice of Early Termination (or an Early Termination without such notice occurs) after expiration of the notice period specified in Section 12(b), the references above to “expiration of, as appropriate, the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term” shall be deemed to mean “expiration of the Renewal Term immediately following, as appropriate, the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term.”
(v) If any of the Fund’s assets serviced by BNY Mellon under this Agreement are removed from the coverage of this Agreement (“Removed Assets”) and are subsequently serviced by another service provider (including the Fund or an affiliate of the Fund): (i) the Fund will be deemed to have caused an Early Termination with respect to such Removed Assets as of the day immediately preceding the first such removal of assets and owe BNY Mellon an Early Termination Fee calculated as if the Removed Assets constituted a “Fund”; and, (ii) at, BNY
Mellon’s option, either (a) the Fund will also be deemed to have caused an Early Termination with respect to all non-Removed Assets as of a date selected by BNY Mellon resulting in the Fund owing BNY Mellon the Early Termination Fee, or (b) this Agreement will remain in full force and effect with respect to all non-Removed Assets.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, BNY Mellon may in its sole discretion terminate this Agreement immediately by sending notice thereof to the Fund upon the happening of any of the following: (i) the Fund commences as debtor any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or there is commenced against the Fund any such case or proceeding; (ii) the Fund commences as debtor any case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for the Fund or any substantial part of its property or there is commenced against the Fund any such case or proceeding; (iii) the Fund makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) the Fund admits in any recorded medium, written, electronic or otherwise, its inability to pay its debts as they come due. BNY Mellon may exercise its termination right under this Section 12(e) at any time after the occurrence of any of the foregoing events notwithstanding that such event may cease to be continuing prior to such exercise, and any delay in exercising this right shall not be construed as a waiver or other extinguishment of that right. Any exercise by BNY Mellon of its termination right under this Section 12(e) shall be without any prejudice to any other remedies or rights available to BNY Mellon and shall not be subject to any fee or penalty, whether monetary or equitable. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 18, notice of termination under this Section 12(e) shall be considered given and effective when given, not when received.
13. Amendment.
This Agreement may not be amended, changed or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by BNY Mellon and the Fund to be bound thereby, and authorized or approved by such Fund’s Board.
14. Assignment; Subcontracting.
(a) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable or delegable by any Fund without the written consent of BNY Mellon, or by BNY
Mellon without the written consent of the affected Fund.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) BNY Mellon may assign or transfer this Agreement to any BNY Mellon Affiliate that BNY Mellon gives the Funds thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such assignment or transfer and such assignment or transfer does not impair the provision of services under this Agreement in any material respect, and the assignee or transferee agrees to be bound by all terms of this Agreement in place of BNY Mellon; (ii) BNY Mellon may subcontract with, hire, engage or otherwise outsource to any BNY Mellon Affiliate with respect to the performance of any one or more of the functions, services, duties or obligations of BNY Mellon under this Agreement but any such subcontracting, hiring, engaging or outsourcing shall not relieve BNY Mellon of any of its liabilities hereunder; (iii) BNY Mellon may subcontract with, hire, engage or otherwise outsource to an unaffiliated third party with respect to the performance of any one or more of the functions, services, duties or obligations of BNY Mellon under this Agreement but any such subcontracting, hiring, engaging or outsourcing shall (A) require the prior written consent of the Fund and (B) limit BNY Mellon’s liability such that BNY Mellon shall only be liable for failure to reasonably select such unaffiliated third party, and BNY Mellon shall have no liability for any acts or omissions to act of such unaffiliated third party; and (iv) BNY Mellon, in the course of providing certain additional services requested by a Fund, including but not limited to, Typesetting, Money Market Fund, or eBoard Book services (“Vendor Eligible Services”) as further described in Schedule I, may in its sole discretion, enter into an agreement or agreements with a financial printer, or electronic services provider (“Vendor”) to provide BNY Mellon with the ability to generate certain reports or provide certain functionality. BNY Mellon shall not be obligated to perform any of the Vendor Eligible Services unless an agreement between BNY Mellon and the Vendor for the provision of such services is then-currently in effect, and shall only be liable for the failure to reasonably select the Vendor. Upon request, BNY Mellon will disclose the identity of the Vendor and the status of the contractual relationship, and a Fund is free to attempt to contract directly with the Vendor for the provision of the Vendor Eligible Services.
(c) As compensation for the Vendor Eligible Services rendered by BNY Mellon pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund will pay to BNY Mellon such fees as may be agreed to in writing by the Fund and BNY Mellon. In turn, BNY Mellon will be responsible for paying the Vendor’s fees. For the avoidance of doubt, BNY Mellon anticipates that the fees it charges
hereunder will be more than the fees charged to it by the Vendor, and BNY Mellon will retain the difference between the amount paid to BNY Mellon hereunder and the fees BNY Mellon pays to the Vendor as compensation for the additional services provided by BNY Mellon in the course of making the Vendor Eligible Services available to the Fund.
15. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof. Each Fund hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder, and waives to the fullest extent permitted by law its right to a trial by jury. To the extent that in any jurisdiction any Fund may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, such Fund irrevocably agrees not to claim, and it hereby waives, such immunity.
16. Severability; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances. A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no rights to enforce any provision of this Agreement. BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for any costs or fees charged to the Fund or an affiliate of the Fund by consultants, counsel, auditors, public accountants or other service providers retained by the Fund or any such affiliate.
17. No Waiver.
Each and every right granted to either Party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of either Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by either Party of any right preclude any other or future exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right.
18. Notices.
All notices, requests, consents and other communications pursuant to this Agreement in writing shall be sent as follows:
if to a Fund, at
Four Wood Capital Advisors LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
if to BNY Mellon, at
BNY Mellon
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Head of U.S. Fund Accounting
with a copy to:
The Bank of New York Mellon
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Legal Dept. — Asset Servicing
or at such other place as may from time to time be designated in writing. Notices hereunder shall be effective upon receipt.
19. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts together shall constitute only one instrument.
20. Several Obligations.
The parties acknowledge that the obligations of the Funds hereunder are several and not joint, that no Fund shall be liable for any amount owing by another Fund and that the Funds have executed one instrument for convenience only.
21. Confidentiality.
Each party shall keep confidential any information relating to the other party’s business (“Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall include (a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of a Fund or BNY Mellon and their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords a Fund or BNY Mellon a competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information shall not be Confidential Information and shall not be subject to such confidentiality obligations if it: (a) is already known to the receiving party by means that do not constitute a breach of any confidentiality obligation at the time it is obtained; (b) is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (c) is rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving party’s knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (d) is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (e) is requested or required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency request or law; (f) is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; (g) is Fund information provided by BNY Mellon in connection with an independent third party compliance or other review; (h) is released in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement; or (i) has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party. The provisions of this Section 21 shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of one (1) year after such termination.
22. Non-Solicitation.
During the term of this Agreement and for one (1) year thereafter, neither Party shall (with the exceptions noted in the immediately succeeding sentence) knowingly solicit or recruit for employment or hire any of the other Party’s employees, and the Fund shall cause the Fund’s sponsor and any affiliates of the Fund to not (with the exceptions noted in the immediately succeeding sentence) knowingly solicit or recruit for employment or hire any of BNY Mellon’s employees. To “knowingly” solicit, recruit or hire within the meaning of this provision does not include, and therefore does not prohibit, solicitation, recruitment or hiring of a BNY Mellon employee by the Fund, the Fund’s sponsor or an affiliate of the Fund if the BNY Mellon employee was identified by such entity solely as a result of the BNY Mellon employee’s response to a general advertisement by such entity in a publication of trade or industry interest or other similar general solicitation by such entity.
[Signature page follows.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers and their seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.
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on behalf of the Fund and each portfolio/series identified on Exhibit A attached hereto | |
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BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC. | ||
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EXHIBIT A
List of Funds/Portfolios
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EXHIBIT B
I, [Name] , of [Fund Name] , a [State] [corporation/trust] (the “Fund”), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals serve in the following positions with the Fund, and each has been duly elected or appointed by the Board of the Fund to each such position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund’s Organizational Documents, and the signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their true and correct signatures. Each such person is designated as an Authorized Person under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement dated as of , 201 , between the Fund and [The Bank of New York Mellon][BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.].
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SCHEDULE I
Schedule of Services
All services provided in this Schedule of Services are subject to the review and approval of the appropriate Fund officers, Fund counsel and accountants of each Fund, as may be applicable. The services included on this Schedule of Services may be provided by BNY Mellon or a BNY Mellon Affiliate, collectively referred to herein as “BNY Mellon”.
VALUATION SUPPORT AND COMPUTATION ACCOUNTING SERVICES
BNY Mellon shall provide the following valuation support and computation accounting services for each Fund:
· Journalize investment, capital share and income and expense activities;
· Maintain individual ledgers for investment securities;
· Maintain historical tax lots for each security;
· Reconcile cash and investment balances of each Fund with the Fund’s custodian and provide a Fund’s investment adviser, as applicable, with the beginning cash balance available for investment purposes upon request;
· Calculate various contractual expenses;
· Calculate capital gains and losses;
· Calculate daily distribution rate per share;
· Determine net income;
· Obtain security market quotes and currency exchange rates from pricing services approved by a Fund’s investment adviser, or if such quotes are unavailable, then obtain such prices from the Fund’s investment adviser, and in either case, calculate the market value of each Fund’s investments in accordance with the Fund’s valuation policies or guidelines; provided, however, that BNY Mellon shall not under any circumstances be under a duty to independently price or value any of the Fund’s investments, including securities lending related cash collateral investments, itself or to confirm or validate any information or valuation provided by the investment adviser or any other pricing source, nor shall BNY Mellon have any liability relating to inaccuracies or otherwise with respect to such information or valuations;
· Calculate Net Asset Value in the manner specified in the Fund’s Offering Materials (which, for the service described herein, shall include the Fund’s Net Asset Value error policy);
· Transmit or make available a copy of the daily portfolio valuation to a Fund’s investment adviser;
· Calculate yields and portfolio average dollar-weighted maturity as applicable; and
· Calculate portfolio turnover rate for inclusion in the annual and semi-annual shareholder reports.
FINANCIAL REPORTING
BNY Mellon shall provide the following financial reporting services for each Fund:
· Financial Statement Preparation & Review
· Prepare the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports(1) for shareholder delivery and for inclusion in Form N-CSR;
· Prepare the Fund’s quarterly schedule of portfolio holdings(1) for inclusion in Form N-Q;
· Prepare, circulate and maintain the Fund’s financial reporting production calendar;
· Prepare and file (or coordinate the filing of) a Fund’s Form N-SAR;
· Prepare and file (or coordinate the filing of) a Fund’s Form 24f-2; and
· Prepare and coordinate the filing of the Fund’s monthly website files and Form N-MFP, as applicable to money market funds.
· Typesetting Services
· Create financial compositions for the applicable financial report and related XXXXX files;
· Maintain country codes, industry class codes, security class codes and state codes;
· Map individual general ledger accounts into master accounts to be displayed in the applicable financial reports;
· Create components that will specify the proper grouping and sorting for display of portfolio information;
· Create components that will specify the proper calculation and display of financial data required for each applicable financial report (except for identified manual entries, which BNY Mellon will enter);
· Process, convert and load security and general ledger data;
· Include data in financial reports provided from external parties to BNY Mellon which, includes, but is not limited to: shareholder letters, “Management Discussion and Analysis” commentary, notes on performance, notes to financials, report of independent auditors, Fund management listing, service providers listing and Fund spectrums;
· Document publishing, including the output of print-ready PDF files and XXXXX html files (such XXXXX html files will be limited to one per the applicable financial report and unless mutually agreed to in writing between BNY Mellon and a Fund, BNY Mellon will use the same layout for production data for every successive reporting period);
· Generate financial reports using the Vendor’s capabilities which include the following:
· front/back cover;
· table of contents;
· shareholder letter;
· Management Discussion and Analysis commentary;
· sector weighting graphs/tables;
· disclosure of Fund expenses;
· schedules of investments;
· statement of net assets;
· statements of assets and liabilities;
· statements of operation;
· statements of changes;
(1) Requires “Typesetting Services” as described herein.
· statements of cash flows;
· financial highlights;
· notes to financial statements;
· report of independent registered public accounting firm;
· tax information; and
· additional Fund information as mutually agreed in writing between BNY Mellon and a Fund.
· Unless mutually agreed in writing between BNY Mellon and a Fund, BNY Mellon will use the same layout and format for every successive reporting period for the typeset reports. At the request of a Fund and upon the mutual written agreement of BNY Mellon and the Fund as to the scope of any changes and additional compensation of BNX Xxxxxx, XXX Xxxxxx xill, or will cause the Vendor to change format or layout of reports from time to time.
· Money Market Fund Services
· Prepare, on a monthly basis, Form N-MFP, subject to BNY Mellon’s timely receipt of all necessary information related thereto;
· Prepare, on a monthly basis, an electronic file of the portfolio holdings information required by Rule 2a-7(c)(12) promulgated under the 1940 Act for public website disclosure, subject to BNY Mellon’s timely receipt of all necessary information related thereto;
· File Form N-MFP with the SEC; and
· Provide the electronic file of the portfolio holdings information to the Fund or, at the Fund’s written direction, to an indentified third party.
· Neither BNY Mellon nor the Vendor, in connection with a particular Money Market Fund Services report, will: (i) access, post reports to or perform any service on a Fund’s website; or (ii) prepare, provide or generate any reports, forms or files not specifically agreed to by BNY Mellon in advance.
· The applicable Fund acknowledges that it shall be responsible for the retention of any Money Market Fund Services reports in accordance with Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act or any other applicable rule or regulation.
· Unless mutually agreed in writing between BNY Mellon and a Fund, BNY Mellon will use the same layout and format for every successive reporting period for the Money Market Fund Services reports. At the request of a Fund and upon the mutual written agreement of BNY Mellon and the Fund as to the scope of any changes and additional compensation of BNX Xxxxxx, XXX Xxxxxx xill, or will cause the Vendor to, customize Money Market Fund Services reports from time to time.
TAX SERVICES
BNY Mellon shall provide the following tax services for each Fund:
· Tax Provision Preparation
· Prepare fiscal year-end tax provision analysis;
· Process tax adjustments on securities identified by a Fund that require such treatment;
· Prepare ROCSOP adjusting entries; and
· Prepare financial statement footnote disclosures.
· Excise Tax Distributions Calculations
· Prepare calendar year tax distribution analysis;
· Process tax adjustments on securities identified by a Fund that require such treatment; and
· Prepare annual tax-based distribution estimate for each Fund.
· Other Tax Services
· Prepare for execution and filing, the federal and state income and excise tax returns;
· Prepare year-end Investment Company Institute broker/dealer reporting and prepare fund distribution calculations disseminated to broker/dealers; and
· Coordinate U.S.C. Title 26 Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) §855 and excise tax distribution requirements.
· Uncertain Tax Provisions
· Documentation of all material tax positions taken by a Fund with respect to specified fiscal years and identified to BNY Mellon (“Tax Positions”);
· Review of a Fund’s: (i) tax provision work papers, (ii) excise tax distribution work papers, (iii) income and excise tax returns, (iv) tax policies and procedures, and (v) Subchapter M compliance work papers;
· Determine as to whether or not Tax Positions have been consistently applied, and documentation of any inconsistencies;
· Review relevant statutory authorities;
· Review tax opinions and legal memoranda prepared by tax counsel or tax auditors to a Fund;
· Review standard mutual fund industry practices, to the extent such practices are known to, or may reasonably be determined by, BNY Mellon; and
· Delivery of a written report to the applicable Fund detailing such items.
FUND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
BNY Mellon shall provide the following fund administration services for each Fund:
· In accordance with Instructions received from a Fund, and subject to portfolio limitations as provided by such Fund to BNY Mellon in writing from time to time, monitor such Fund’s compliance, on a post-trade basis, with such portfolio limitations, provided that BNY Mellon maintains in the normal course of its business all data necessary to measure the Fund’s compliance;
· Monitor the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the IRC and Subchapter L of the IRC (if required).
· Establish appropriate expense accruals and compute expense ratios, maintain expense files and coordinate the payment of Fund approved invoices;
· Calculate Fund approved income and per share amounts required for periodic distributions to be made by the applicable Fund;
· Calculate total return information;
· Coordinate a Fund’s annual audit;
· Supply various normal and customary portfolio and Fund statistical data as requested on an ongoing basis; and
· If the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of a Fund is required to provide a certification as part of a Fund’s Form N-Q or Form N-CSR filing pursuant to regulations promulgated by the SEC under Section 302 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, provide a sub-certification in support of certain matters set forth in the aforementioned certification. Such sub-certification is to be in such form and relating to such matters as agreed to by BNY Mellon in advance. BNY Mellon shall be required to provide the sub-certification only during the term of the Agreement and only if it receives such cooperation as it may request to perform its investigations with respect to the sub-certification. For clarity, the sub-certification is not itself a certification under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 or under any other law, rule or regulation.
REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
BNY Mellon shall provide the following regulatory administration services for each Fund:
· Maintain a regulatory calendar for each Fund listing various SEC filing and Board approval deadlines;
· Assemble and distribute board materials for quarterly meetings of the Board, including the drafting of agendas and resolutions for such quarterly meetings of the Board (with final selection of agenda items made by Fund counsel);
· Attend (in-person or telephonically) quarterly Board meetings and draft minutes thereof;
· Prepare and coordinate the filing of annual post-effective amendments to a Fund’s registration statement (not including the initial registration statement or related to the addition of one or more classes of shares or series);
· Prepare and coordinate the filing of Forms N-CSR, N-Q, and N-PX, as applicable (with the Fund supplying the voting records in the format required by BNY Mellon);
· Assist the Fund in the handling of SEC examinations by providing requested documents in the possession of BNY Mellon that are on the SEC examination request list;
· Assist in the preparation of notices of annual or special meetings of shareholders and proxy materials relating to such meetings; and
· Assist with and/or coordinate such other filings, notices and regulatory matters on such terms and conditions as the parties hereto may mutually agree upon in writing from time to time.
· eBoard Book Services:
· Permit persons or entities entering a valid password to have electronic access, via an Internet-based secure website, to current quarterly board meeting materials and such other board meeting materials as may be agreed between BNY Mellon and a Fund.
· 38a-1 Compliance Support Services
· Provide compliance policies and procedures related to services provided by BNY Mellon and, if mutually agreed, certain of the BNY Mellon Affiliates; summary procedures thereof; and periodic certification letters.
· Annually host CCO group meetings on regulatory issues and industry best practices.
APPENDIX I
ELECTRONIC ACCESS SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Electronic Access Services Agreement (“EASA”) between The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”) and (“Client”) made this day of , 20 , sets forth terms and conditions by which BNYM will provide the Electronic Delivery Mechanism, as defined below, to Client and those of its Affiliates identified on Schedule A to this Agreement (on whose behalf Client is legally authorized to contract and bind).
1. As used herein, “Electronic Delivery Mechanism” means the electronic mechanisms used by Client and its Authorized Users (e.g., BNYM Web Sites, Proprietary Software, related support services provided by Third Party Service Providers) through which BNYM provides to Client and its Authorized Users (a) Proprietary Information and Client Data, (b) other services set forth or referenced in an addendum to the EASA, if any, and (c) the support of those mechanisms. This EASA provides Client and its Authorized Users with read-only access to Proprietary Information and Client Data. Clients wishing to perform transactions through the Electronic Delivery Mechanism must execute a separate supplemental agreement covering such services.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall be defined as set forth in the Electronic Access Terms and Conditions.
2. The parties hereby incorporate by reference, as though fully set forth herein, the Electronic Access Terms and Conditions in effect as of the date of this EASA (“Electronic Access Terms and Conditions” or “EATC”). The Electronic Access Terms and Conditions can be found at the following website: xxxx://xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxx.xxx/xxxxxx/XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxx_00-00-00.xxx and can be provided upon the Client’s reasonable request.
3. This EASA pertains to Electronic Delivery Mechanism only; other services provided by BNYM to Client shall be governed by separate agreements or by terms and conditions applicable to those services. Where there is any conflict between this EASA and any other agreement by and between Client and BNYM (inclusive of any predecessors) relating to Electronic Delivery Mechanism, the terms of this EASA shall prevail, unless expressly stated otherwise in such other agreement.
4. The term of this EASA commences on the date set forth above and continues until terminated as provided herein or in the EATC. Either BNYM or Client may terminate this EASA upon sixty (60) days written notice to the other party or as otherwise provided in the EATC.
5. This EASA, the EATC and any other supplements or addenda specifically agreed upon by the parties to this EASA, contain the entire agreement between the parties relating to the Electronic Delivery Mechanism and the provision through such Electronic Delivery Mechanism of Proprietary Information and Client Data, and supersede all prior written or oral communications between the parties on this subject.
6. If any provision of this EASA or the EATC is for any reason held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and enforceable, and the unenforceable provision shall be deemed to have been modified as appropriate to carry out, to the full extent possible, the intent of such provision.
7. This EASA may be amended by the parties through a written notice by BNYM to the Client, together with written acceptance by the Client of such amendment to this EASA. This Agreement is not assignable by either party without the prior written consent of the other, except that BNYM may assign this EASA to any Affiliate of BNYM without such prior consent. In addition to being subject to BNYM’s approval, any proposed assignment of this EASA by Client may be subject to further licensing requirements of Information Providers and Client agrees to take appropriate actions with respect to any such requirements. Any assignment in violation of this provision shall be void. This EASA and the EATC shall be binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
8. This EASA is governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York without regard to its choice of law provisions. Each party waives the right to trial by jury in any action arising out of or relating to this EASA.
SCHEDULE A to APPENDIX I
Affiliates of Client
