ACCOUNTING SERVICING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this _____ day of _________, 2008, by and between ROCHDALE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FIXED INCOME FUND, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”) and U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“USBFS”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company, and is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, the investment portfolio of the Fund is managed by Rochdale Investment Management LLC (in such capacity, the “Advisor”);
WHEREAS, USBFS is, among other things, in the business of providing fund accounting services for the benefit of its customers; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain USBFS to provide fund accounting services to the Fund(s) listed on Exhibit A hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1.
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Appointment of USBFS as Accountant
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The Fund hereby appoints USBFS as accountant of the Fund on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and USBFS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The services and duties of USBFS shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against USBFS hereunder.
2. Services and Duties of USBFS as Accountant
A. Portfolio Accounting:
1)
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Maintain portfolio records as of trade date (trade date for the last day of a fiscal year if required by the Fund’s auditors) basis using security trade information communicated from the Advisor.
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2)
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Identify interest and dividend accrual balances as of each valuation date and calculate gross earnings on investments for each accounting period.
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3)
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Determine gain/loss on security sales in accordance with the Fund’s Prospectus (“Governing Documents”) and identify them as short-term or long-term; account for periodic distributions of gains or losses to Shareholders of the Fund (the “Shareholders”) and maintain undistributed gain or loss balances as of each valuation date.
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4)
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Calculate the Management Fee (as those terms are defined in the Governing Documents), any sub-advisory fee, sales charge and monitor for compliance with the expense limitation arrangement as set forth in the Governing Documents.
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5)
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As of the last business day of each month within ten (10) business days of the last day of the month, calculate the expense accrual amounts in accordance with the Governing Documents or otherwise as directed by the Company as to methodology, rate or dollar amount.
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6)
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Process and record payments for Fund expenses upon receipt of written authorization from the Fund.
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7)
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As of the last business day of each month within ten (10) business days of the last day of the month, determine the net asset value of the Fund according to the accounting policies and procedures set forth in the Governing Documents.
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8)
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Reconcile cash and investment balances of the Fund with the Fund’s custodian.
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9)
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Prepare monthly reports which document the adequacy of the accounting detail to support month-end ledger balances.
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10)
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Prepare and provide various statistical data relating to the Fund as requested on an ongoing basis, including security transactions listings and portfolio valuations.
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B. Unitized Company Accounting:
1)
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Account for Fund capital contributions and withdrawals on a timely basis in accordance with the Governing Documents.
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2)
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Calculate per Share net asset value, per Share net earnings, and other per Share amounts reflective of the Fund’s operations at such time as required by the nature and characteristics of the Fund (or as specified in the Governing Documents).
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3)
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Communicate, within ten (10) business days of the last day of the month, the per Share price for the last business day of the month.
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4)
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Record each dividend accrual amount for ex-dividend date purposes and based upon such amount, calculate accrued dividends per share.
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4.
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3. License of Data; Warranty; Termination of Rights
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A.
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The valuation information and evaluations being provided to the Fund by USBFS pursuant hereto (collectively, the “Data”) are being licensed, not sold, to the Fund. The Fund has a limited license to use the Data only for purposes necessary to valuing the Fund’s assets and reporting to regulatory bodies (the “License”). The Fund does not have any license nor right to use the Data for purposes beyond the intentions of this Agreement including, but not limited to, resale to other users or use to create any type of historical database. The License is non-transferable and not sub-licensable. The Fund’s right to use the Data cannot be passed to or shared with any other entity.
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The Fund acknowledges the proprietary rights that USBFS and its suppliers have in the Data.
B.
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THE FUND HEREBY ACCEPTS THE DATA AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE OR ANY OTHER MATTER.
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C.
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USBFS may stop supplying some or all Data to the Fund if USBFS’s suppliers terminate any agreement to provide Data to USBFS. Also, USBFS may stop supplying some or all Data to the Fund if USBFS reasonably believes that the Fund is using the Data in violation of the License, or breaching its duties of confidentiality provided for hereunder, or if any of USBFS’s suppliers demand that the Data be withheld from the Fund. USBFS will provide notice to the Fund of any termination of provision of Data as soon as reasonably possible.
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4. Pricing of Securities
For the last business day of each month date, USBFS shall obtain prices from a pricing source recommended by USBFS and approved by the Fund and apply those prices to the portfolio positions the Fund, consistent with the provisions of the Governing Documents. For those securities where market quotations are not readily available, the Advisor shall approve, in good faith, procedures for determining the fair value for such securities.
If the Advisor desires to provide a price that varies from the price provided by the pricing source, the Advisor shall promptly notify and supply USBFS with the price of any such security on each valuation date. All pricing changes made by the Company will be in writing and must specifically identify the securities to be changed by CUSIP, name of security, new price or rate to be applied, and, if applicable, the time period for which the new price(s) is/are effective.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9 below, as more fully provided in this paragraph, USBFS shall reimburse the Fund and its Shareholders for losses due to NAV Differences (as defined below) arising out of, or relating to, USBFS’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Specifically, USBFS shall reimburse for any net losses during each NAV Error Period (as defined below) resulting from an NAV Difference that is at least $0.01 per Fund Share and that, as a percentage of Recalculated NAV (as defined below) of such Fund, is at least ½ of 1%; provided, however, that USBFS shall not be responsible for reimbursing any Fund Shareholder experiencing a loss during any such NAV Error Period of less than $25. In providing reimbursement to the Fund and any Fund Shareholder, USBFS shall, at its option, in good faith but in consultation with the Fund, either make direct payment limited to the amount of the NAV Differences for the applicable Fund and any Fund Shareholder, or will reprocess the Shareholder transactions affected by the NAV Differences. NAV Differences and any liability of USBFS therefrom are to be calculated each time the Fund’s net asset value per Share is calculated.
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4. Changes in Accounting Procedures
Any changes to the Governing Documents that affect accounting practices and procedures under this Agreement shall be effective upon written receipt of notice and acceptance by USBFS.
5. Changes in Equipment, Systems, Etc.
USBFS reserves the right to make changes from time to time, as it deems advisable, relating to its systems, programs, rules, operating schedules and equipment, so long as such changes do not adversely affect the services provided to the Fund under this Agreement.
6. Compensation
USBFS shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit B hereto (as amended from time to time). USBFS shall also be compensated for such out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., telecommunication charges, postage and delivery charges, and reproduction charges) as are reasonably incurred by USBFS in performing its duties hereunder. The Fund shall pay all such fees and reimbursable expenses within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of the billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute. The Fund shall notify USBFS in writing within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Fund is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Fund shall pay such disputed amounts within ten (10) calendar days of the day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid. With the exception of any fee or expense the Fund is disputing in good faith as set forth above, unpaid invoices shall accrue a finance charge of 1½% per month after the due date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Fund to USBFS shall only be paid out of the assets and property of the particular Fund involved.
7. Representations and Warranties
A.
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The Fund hereby represents and warrants to USBFS, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
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(1)
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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;
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(2)
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This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
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(3)
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It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
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B.
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USBFS hereby represents and warrants to the Fund, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
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(1)
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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;
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(2)
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This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by USBFS in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of USBFS, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
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(3)
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It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
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8. Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
A.
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USBFS shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Neither USBFS nor its suppliers shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund or any third party in connection with its duties under this Agreement, including losses resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond USBFS’s control, except a loss arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if USBFS has exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless USBFS and its suppliers from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that USBFS or its suppliers may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against USBFS or its suppliers by any person arising out of or related to (X) any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to USBFS by any duly authorized officer of the Fund, as approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, or (Y) the Data, or any information, service, report, analysis or publication derived therefrom, except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “USBFS” shall include USBFS’s directors, officers and employees.
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USBFS shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that the Fund may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against the Fund by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by USBFS as a result of USBFS’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of USBFS, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund” shall include the Fund’s directors, officers and employees.
Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for consequential, special or punitive damages under any provision of this Agreement.
In the event of a mechanical breakdown or failure of communication or power supplies beyond its control, USBFS shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues. USBFS will make every reasonable effort to restore any lost or damaged data and correct any errors resulting from such a breakdown at the expense of USBFS. USBFS agrees that it shall, at all times, have reasonable contingency plans with appropriate parties, making reasonable provision for emergency use of electrical data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. Representatives of the Fund shall be entitled to inspect USBFS’ premises and operating capabilities at any time during regular business hours of USBFS, upon reasonable notice to USBFS. Moreover, USBFS shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, copies of reports rendered by independent accountants on the internal controls and procedures of USBFS relating to the services provided by USBFS under this Agreement.
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Notwithstanding the above, USBFS reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative errors at its own expense.
A.
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In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
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B.
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The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 10 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.
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C.
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If USBFS is acting in another capacity for the Fund pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve USBFS of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
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D.
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Any amounts owed by the Fund to USBFS under this Section 10 shall only be paid out of the assets and property of the particular Fund involved.
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9. Notification of Error
The Fund will notify USBFS of any balancing or control errors caused by USBFS upon the later to occur of: (i) three (3) business days after receipt of any reports rendered by USBFS to the Fund; (ii) three (3) business days after discovery of any error or omission not covered in the balancing or control procedure; or (iii) three (3) business days after receiving notice from any Shareholder regarding any such balancing or control error.
10. Data Necessary to Perform Services
The Fund or its agent shall furnish to USBFS the data necessary to perform the services described herein at such times and in such form as mutually agreed upon.
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11. Proprietary and Confidential Information
USBFS agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund, all records and other information relative to the Fund and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Fund (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where USBFS may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so requested by the Fund. Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of USBFS or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of USBFS prior to receipt thereof from the Fund or its agent, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
Further, USBFS will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Fund pursuant to Title V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, as may be modified from time to time. In this regard, USBFS shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to the Fund and its shareholders.
12. Records
USBFS shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Fund, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. USBFS agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by USBFS relating to the services to be performed by USBFS hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Fund or its designee on and in accordance with its request.
13. Compliance with Laws
The Fund has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund, including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Code, the SOX Act, the USA Patriot Act of 2002 and the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its Governing Documents. USBFS’ services hereunder shall not relieve the Fund of its responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of Trustee’s oversight responsibility with respect thereto.
14. Term of Agreement; Amendment
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A.
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This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above (or, if later, that date as of which this Agreement may be first approved by a vote of the Fund’s Board of Trustees), and shall continue for an initial term of three (3) years (the “Initial Term”) unless otherwise terminated as provided below. Thereafter, unless otherwise terminated earlier as provided below, this Agreement automatically renews for additional one year terms (each a “Renewal Term”) unless either party notifies the other, in writing, of its intention to terminate at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or the then current Renewal Term.
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B.
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Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving the other party a written notice not less than ninety (90) days prior to the date the termination is to be effective.
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C.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by any party upon the breach of the other party of any material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within fifteen (15) days of notice of such breach to the breaching party.
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D.
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This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by USBFS and the Fund, and authorized or approved by the Board of Trustees.
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15. Duties in the Event of Termination
In the event that, in connection with termination, a successor to any of USBFS’ duties or responsibilities hereunder is designated by the Fund by written notice to USBFS, USBFS will promptly, upon such termination and at the expense of the Fund, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence, and other data established or maintained by USBFS under this Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Fund (if such form differs from the form in which USBFS has maintained the same, the Fund shall pay any expenses associated with transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from USBFS’ personnel in the establishment of books, records, and other data by such successor. If no such successor is designated, then such books, records and other data shall be returned to the Fund.
16. Early Termination
In the absence of any material breach of this Agreement, should the Fund elect to terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the term, the Fund agrees to pay the following fees:
a.
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all monthly fees through the life of the contract, including the rebate of any negotiated discounts;
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b.
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all fees associated with converting services to successor service provider;
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c.
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all fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the conversion to a successor service provider;
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d.
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all out-of-pocket costs associated with a-c above.
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17. Assignment
This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent of USBFS, or by USBFS without the written consent of the Fund accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
18. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without regard to conflicts of law principles. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Wisconsin, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the SEC thereunder.
19. No Agency Relationship
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this Agreement.
20. Services Not Exclusive
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict USBFS from providing services to other parties that are similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder.
21. Invalidity
Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.
22. Notices
Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address set forth below:
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Notice to USBFS shall be sent to:
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
and notice to the Fund shall be sent to:
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Fax: 000-000-0000
23. Multiple Originals
This Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date first above written.
ROCHDALE INTERNATIONAL TRADE
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U.S. BANCORP FUND
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FIXED INCOME FUND
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SERVICES, LLC
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By:____________________________ By:_____________________________
Name:__________________________ Name:___________________________
Title:___________________________ Title:____________________________
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Exhibit A
to the
Fund Names
C-1
Exhibit B
to the
Fee Schedule
Administration Services: (Administration, Portfolio Valuation, Financial Reporting, Taxation, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agency). Fund to be priced monthly.
Administration, Fund Accounting & Transfer Agency (TA):
8 basis points on the first $150 million (3 Admin., 3.5 Accounting and 1.5 for TA)
6 basis points on the next $250 million (2.25 Admin., 2.5 Accounting and 1.25 for TA)
4 basis points on the balance above $400 million (1.5 Admin., 1.75 Accounting and .75 for TA)
Complex minimum annual fee: $95,000* ($35,000 for Admin. & Tax, $40,000 for Fund Accounting and $20,000 for TA)
* The minimum annual fee for the first year shall be: $76,000 ($28,000 for Admin. & Tax, $32,000 for Fund Accounting and $16,000 for TA)
Blue Sky Compliance Filings:
· $200 per initial and renewal filings
· $100 per amendment and termination filings
· $225 per amendment filing if USBFS provides assistance in completing
*These fees are in addition to any fees charged by the jurisdiction.
Extraordinary services - quoted separately
Internet access to shareholder accounts
Global custody
Leverage/Lending
Plus out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to:
Statements
Printing/Postage, Stationery
Programming /customization
Retention of records
Special reports
Federal and state regulatory filing fees
Edgarization
Expenses from U.S. Bancorp participation in client meetings
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B-1
Auditing and legal expenses
Offshore registration
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