SERVICES AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
(H)(29)
THIS
AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 18th day of November,
2008, by and between XXXXXXXX
XXXXX FUNDS, INC., a Wisconsin corporation, (the
“Corporation”) and U.S. BANCORP
FUND SERVICES, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company
(“USBFS”).
WHEREAS, the Corporation is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an
open-end 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, USBFS is, among other things,
in the business of providing certain administration services for the benefit of
its customers; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to
retain USBFS to prepare a Financial Interpretation No. 48 Analysis and Report
(“FIN 48” and such Analysis and Report, the “FIN 48 Report”) to each series of
the Corporation listed on Exhibit
A hereto (as amended from
time to time) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the
promises and mutual covenants contained herein, 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 the Service Provider for FIN 48 Support Documentation and
Analysis
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The
Corporation hereby appoints USBFS as the service provider for preparation of FIN
48 documentation and support under 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.
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Services
and Duties of USBFS
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USBFS
shall provide the following services to the Funds:
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A.
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USBFS
Tax Services Group (“Tax Group”) shall meet with the Funds’ management
team, as mutually agreed upon, to discuss and document the policies and
procedures required for USBFS to complete the documentation required for
the FIN 48 Report.
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B.
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USBFS
Tax Group will submit to the Corporation and the Corporation’s auditor
(“Auditor”) an initial draft of the FIN 48 Report no later than Tuesday,
December 9, 2008.
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C.
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USBFS
Tax Group will clear and incorporate any Auditor comments received in the
final FIN 48 Report prior to the issuance of an audit opinion on the
November 30, 2009 Annual Report for the
Funds.
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D.
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USBFS
Tax Group will update and maintain the Funds’ FIN 48 Report as
documentation and support for financial statement FIN 48 footnote
disclosures in future annual
reports.
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3.
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Duties
and Responsibilities of the
Corporation
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A.
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The
Corporation will provide applicable federal and state tax returns filed
for the Funds for the fiscal years ending November 30, 2007, November 30,
2006 and November 30, 2005.
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B.
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The
Corporation will provide tax year-end diversification testing reports for
the November 30, 2007, November 30, 2006 and November 30, 2005 fiscal
year-ends, as applicable, for each
Fund.
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C.
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The
Corporation will provide tax diversification work papers for the August
31, 2008 quarter-end for each Fund.
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D.
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The
Corporation will provide any processes or procedures documented for the
Funds relating to all book/tax adjustments such as wash sales and
organization costs applicable to the current and prior three tax
year-ends.
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4.
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Compensation
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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 Corporation shall pay all such
fees and reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of the
billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith
dispute. The Corporation shall notify USBFS in writing within 30
calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Corporation is disputing
any amounts in good faith. The Corporation shall pay such disputed amounts
within 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 Corporation is
disputing in good faith as set forth above, unpaid invoices shall accrue a
finance charge of 1½% simple interest per month after the due date.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Corporation to
USBFS shall only be paid out of the assets and property of the particular Fund
to which USBFS is providing services pursuant to this Agreement.
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5.
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Representations
and Warranties
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A.
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The
Corporation 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
Corporation in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a
valid and legally binding obligation of the Corporation, 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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To
the Corporation’s knowledge 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 Corporation, 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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6.
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Standard
of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
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A.
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USBFS
shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement. USBFS shall not be liable for any error of judgment
or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Corporation in
connection with its duties under this Agreement, including losses
resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or
power supplies beyond USBFS’ control, except a loss 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. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, if USBFS has exercised reasonable
care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the
Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless USBFS from and against any
and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and
every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that USBFS may sustain
or incur or that may be asserted against USBFS by any person arising out
of 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 Corporation, as approved by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation, except for any and all claims, demands,
losses, expenses, and liabilities 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. This indemnity shall be a
continuing obligation of the Corporation, its successors and assigns,
notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in
this paragraph, the term “USBFS” shall include USBFS’ directors, officers
and employees.
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USBFS
shall indemnify and hold the Corporation harmless from and against any and all
claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature
(including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that the Corporation may sustain or incur
or that may be asserted against the Corporation 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 “Corporation” shall
include the Corporation’s directors, officers and employees.
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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 Corporation 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 Corporation, at such times
as the Corporation 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.
Notwithstanding
the above, USBFS reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative
errors at its own expense.
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B.
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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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C.
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The
indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 5 shall
indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this
Agreement.
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D.
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If
USBFS is acting in another capacity for the Corporation 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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7.
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Data
Necessary to Perform Services
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The
Corporation 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.
8.
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Proprietary
and Confidential Information
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USBFS
agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Corporation, all records
and other information relative to the Corporation and prior, present, or
potential shareholders of the Corporation (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 Corporation, 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 Corporation. 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 Corporation or its
agent, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
Further,
USBFS will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Corporation 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 Corporation and its
shareholders.
9.
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Records
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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 Corporation, 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 Corporation 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 Corporation or its designee on
and in accordance with its request.
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10.
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Compliance
with Laws
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The
Corporation has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters
relating to the Fund, including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act,
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002,
the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the policies and limitations of the Fund
relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its Prospectus and
SAI. USBFS’ services hereunder shall not relieve the Corporation of
its responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of Directors’
oversight responsibility with respect thereto.
11.
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Term
of Agreement; Amendment
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This
Agreement shall become effective as of December 1, 2008 and will continue in
effect for a period of three (3) years. Subsequent to the initial three-year
term, this Agreement may be terminated by either party upon giving 90 days prior
written notice to the other party or such shorter period as is mutually agreed
upon by the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be
terminated at any time by any party upon the breach of the other party of any
material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days of
notice of such breach to the breaching party. This Agreement may not
be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by
USBFS and the Corporation, and authorized or approved by the Board of
Directors.
12.
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Duties
in the Event of Termination
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In the
event that, in connection with termination of this Agreement, a successor to any
of USBFS’ duties or responsibilities hereunder is designated by the Corporation
by written notice to USBFS, USBFS will promptly, upon such termination and at
the expense of the Corporation, 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 Corporation (if such form
differs from the form in which USBFS has maintained the same, the Corporation
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
Corporation.
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13.
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Assignment
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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 Corporation without the written consent of USBFS, or by
USBFS without the written consent of the Corporation accompanied by the
authorization or approval of the Corporation’s Board of
Directors. Such written consent of the Corporation or of USBFS,
respectively, shall not be unreasonably withheld.
14.
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Governing
Law
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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.
15.
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No
Agency Relationship
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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.
16.
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Services
Not Exclusive
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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.
17.
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Invalidity
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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.
18.
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Legal-Related
Services
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Nothing
in this Agreement shall be deemed to appoint USBFS and its officers, directors
and employees as the Fund attorneys, form attorney-client relationships or
require the provision of legal advice. The Fund acknowledges that
in-house USBFS attorneys exclusively represent USBFS and rely on outside counsel
retained by the Fund to review all services provided by in-house USBFS attorneys
and to provide independent judgment on the Fund’s behalf. Because no
attorney-client relationship exists between in-house USBFS attorneys and the
Fund, any information provided to USBFS attorneys may not be privileged and may
be subject to compulsory disclosure under certain
circumstances. USBFS represents that it will maintain the
confidentiality of information disclosed to its in-house attorneys except to the
extent that disclosure is required by law or regulation.
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19.
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Notices
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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:
Notice to
USBFS shall be sent to:
U.S.
Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
000 Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
and
notice to the Corporation shall be sent to:
Xxxxxxxx Investment Management,
Inc.
1200 Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
20.
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Multiple
Originals
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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.
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.
XXXXXXXX
PLUMB FUNDS, INC.
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U.S.
BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
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By:________________________________
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By:______________________________
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Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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Name:
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxx
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Title: Chief
Executive Officer
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Title: Executive
Vice President
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9
Exhibit
A
to
the
Services
Agreement – Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Funds, Inc.
Fund
Names
Separate
Series of Xxxxxxxx Plumb Funds, Inc.
Name of Series
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Date Added
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Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Growth
Fund
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2/10/92
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Xxxxxxxx Plumb Bond
Fund
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2/10/92
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Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx XxxXxx
Fund
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3/31/08
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10
Exhibit
B
to
the
Services
Agreement – Xxxxxxxx Plumb Funds, Inc. - Fee Schedule
(Fee schedule below is inclusive of
specified services for all Funds listed in Exhibit A.)
For the period from December 1st, 2008
through November 30th, 2009 - $45,000
$7,500 for each November 30th year-end
thereafter
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