ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of March __, 2004 by and between PFPC INC.,
a Massachusetts corporation ("PFPC"), and MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL
INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND, a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Fund").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a closed-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC to provide administration and
accounting services and PFPC wishes to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS AGREEMENT:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
(c) "Authorized Person" means any officer of the Fund and any other
person duly authorized by the Fund to give Oral Instructions and
Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund. An Authorized
Person's cope of authority may be limited by setting forth such
limitation in a written document signed by both parties hereto.
(d) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund.
(e) "Oral Instructions" mean oral instructions received by PFPC
from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed
by PFPC to be an Authorized Person. PFPC may, in its sole
discretion in each separate instance, consider and rely upon
instructions it receives from an Authorized Person via
electronic mail as Oral Instructions.
(f) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(g) "Securities Laws" means the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940
Act.
(h) "Written Instructions" mean (i) written instructions signed by
an Authorized Person and received by PFPC or (ii) trade
instructions transmitted (and received by PFPC) by means of an
electronic transaction reporting system access to which
requires use of a password or other authorized identifier. The
instructions may be delivered by hand, mail, tested telegram,
cable, telex or facsimile sending device.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC to provide administration
and accounting services to the Fund, in accordance with the terms set
forth in this Agreement. PFPC accepts such appointment and agrees to
furnish such services.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Fund has provided or, where applicable, will
provide PFPC with the following:
(a) at PFPC's request, certified or authenticated copies of the
resolutions of the Fund's board of directors, approving the
appointment of PFPC or its affiliates to provide services to the
Fund and approving this Agreement;
(b) a copy of Fund's most recent effective registration statement;
(c) a copy of the Fund's advisory agreement or agreements;
(d) a copy of the distribution/underwriting agreement with respect
to each class of Interests representing an interest in the
Fund;
(e) a copy of each additional administration agreement with
respect to the Fund;
(f) a copy of each distribution and/or shareholder servicing plan
and agreement made in respect of the Fund; and
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(g) copies (certified or authenticated, where applicable) of any
and all amendments or supplements to the foregoing.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS.
PFPC undertakes to comply with all applicable requirements of the
Securities Laws, and any laws, rules and regulations of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction with respect to the duties to be
performed by PFPC hereunder. Except as specifically set forth herein,
PFPC assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund or other
entity.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC shall act only
upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instruction or
Written Instruction it receives from an Authorized Person (or
from a person reasonably believed by PFPC to be an Authorized
Person) pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC may assume that any
Oral Instruction or Written Instruction received hereunder is
not in any way inconsistent with the provisions of
organizational documents or this Agreement or of any vote,
resolution or proceeding of the Fund's board of directors or of
the Fund's shareholders, unless and until PFPC receives Written
Instructions to the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Written Instructions
confirming Oral Instructions (except where such Oral
Instructions are given by PFPC or its affiliates) so that PFPC
receives the Written Instructions by the close of business on
the same day that such Oral Instructions are received. The
fact that such confirming Written Instructions are not
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received by PFPC or differ from the Oral Instructions shall in
no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the
transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions or PFPC's
ability to rely upon such Oral Instructions.
6. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PFPC is in doubt as to any action it
should or should not take, PFPC may request directions or
advice, including Oral Instructions or Written Instructions,
from the Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PFPC shall be in doubt as to any
question of law pertaining to any action it should or should
not take, PFPC may request advice from counsel of its own
choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund's
investment adviser or PFPC, at the option of PFPC).
(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between
directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions PFPC receives from the Fund and the advice PFPC
receives from counsel, PFPC may rely upon and follow the
advice of counsel.
(d) Protection of PFPC. PFPC shall be indemnified by the Fund and
without liability for any action PFPC takes or does not take
in reliance upon directions or advice or Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions PFPC receives from or on behalf of the
Fund or from counsel and which PFPC believes, in good faith,
to be consistent with those directions or advice and Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions. Nothing in this section
shall be construed so as to impose an obligation upon PFPC (i)
to seek such directions or advice or Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with such
directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions.
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7. RECORDS; VISITS.
(a) The books and records pertaining to the Fund which are in the
possession or under the control of PFPC shall be the property
of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and
maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable
securities laws, rules and regulations. The Fund and
Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records
at all times during PFPC's normal business hours. Upon the
reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and
records shall be provided by PFPC to the Fund or to an
Authorized Person, at the Fund's expense.
(b) PFPC shall keep the following records:
(i) all books and records with respect to the Fund's books of
account;
(ii) records of the Fund's securities transactions; and
(iii) all other books and records as PFPC is required to
maintain pursuant to Rule 31a-1 of the 1940 Act in
connection with the services provided hereunder.
8. 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 the Fund
or PFPC, their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies and the
customers, clients and suppliers of any of them; (b) any scientific or
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technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or
improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that
its confidentiality affords the Fund or PFPC 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 subject to
such confidentiality obligations if: (a) release of such information
is necessary or desirable in connection with PFPC's provision of
services under this Agreement; (b) it is already known to the
receiving party at the time it is obtained; (c) it is or becomes
publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving
party; (d) it is rightfully received from a third party who, to the
best of the receiving party's knowledge, is not under a duty of
confidentiality; (e) it is released by the protected party to a third
party without restriction; (f) it is required to be disclosed by the
receiving party pursuant to a requirement of a court order, subpoena,
overnmental or regulatory agency or law (provided the receiving party
will provide the other party written notice of such requirement, to the
extent such notice is permitted); (g) it is relevant to the defense of
any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; or
(h) it has been or is independently developed or obtained by the
receiving party.
9. LIAISON WITH ACCOUNTANTS. PFPC shall act as liaison with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall provide account analyses,
fiscal year summaries, and other audit-related schedules with respect
to the Fund. PFPC shall take all reasonable action in the performance
of its duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary
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information is made available to such accountants for the expression of
their opinion, as required by the Fund.
10. PFPC System. PFPC shall retain title to and ownership of any and all
data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats,
interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions,
discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise,
patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and other related legal rights
utilized by PFPC in connection with the services provided by PFPC to
the Fund.
11. DISASTER RECOVERY. PFPC shall enter into and shall maintain in effect
with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable
provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to
the extent appropriate equipment is available. In the event of
equipment failures, PFPC shall, at no additional expense to the Fund,
take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. PFPC shall
have no liability with respect to the loss of data or service
interruptions caused by equipment failure, provided such loss or
interruption is not caused by PFPC's own willful misfeasance, bad
faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations
under this Agreement.
12. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services rendered by PFPC during the
term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to PFPC a fee or fees as may
be agreed to in writing by the Fund and PFPC.
13. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless PFPC and
its affiliates, including their respective officers, directors,
agents and employees, from all taxes, charges, expenses,
assessments, claims and liabilities (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements and
liabilities arising under the
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Securities Laws and any state and foreign securities and blue
sky laws) ("Claims") arising directly or indirectly from any
action or omission to act which PFPC takes in connection with
the provision of services to the Fund. Neither PFPC, nor any of
its affiliates, shall be indemnified against any liability (or
any expenses incident to such liability) caused by PFPC's or its
affiliates' own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or
reckless disregard in the performance of PFPC's activities under
this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive
termination of this Agreement.
(b) INDEMNIFICATION OF THE FUND. PFPC agrees to defend, indemnify
and hold the Fund and its officers, directors and employees
harmless from any and all Claims arising directly or indirectly
from the negligence, bad faith or willful misfeasance of PFPC in
the performance of its duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Fund shall not be indemnified against any Claim
caused by the Fund's or the Fund's other service providers'
willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence.
(c) INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURE.
(i) Notice of the Action. A party that seeks indemnification
under this Agreement must promptly give the other party
notice of any legal action; provided, however, that a
delay in notice does not relieve an indemnifying party of
any liability to an indemnified party, except to the
extent the indemnifying party shows that the delay
prejudiced the defense of the action.
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(ii) Participating in or Assuming the Defense. The indemnifying
party may participate in the defense at any time or it may
assume the defense by giving notice to the other party.
After assuming the defense, the indemnifying party:
(1) must select an attorney that is satisfactory to
the other party;
(2) is not liable to the other party for any later
attorney's fees or for any other later expenses that
the other party incurs, except for reasonable
investigation costs;
(3) must not compromise or settle the action without
the other party's consent (but the other party must
not unreasonably withhold its consent); and
(4) is not liable for any compromise or settlement
made without its consent.
(iii) Failing to Assume the Defense. If the indemnifying party
fails to participate in or assume the defense within 15
days after receiving notice of the action, the
indemnifying party is bound by any determination made in
the action or by any compromise or settlement made by the
other party.
14. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder on
behalf of the Fund except as specifically set forth herein or
as may be specifically agreed to by PFPC and the Fund in a
written amendment hereto. PFPC shall be obligated to exercise
care and diligence in the performance of its duties hereunder
and to act in good faith in performing services provided for
under this Agreement. PFPC shall be liable only for any
damages arising out of PFPC's failure to perform its duties
under this Agreement to the extent such damages arise out of
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PFPC's willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless
disregard of such duties.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
(i) PFPC shall not be liable for losses, delays, failure,
errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or
indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable
control, including without limitation acts of God; action or
inaction of civil or military authority; public enemy; war;
terrorism; riot; fire; flood; sabotage; epidemics; labor
disputes; civil commotion; interruption, loss or malfunction of
utilities, transportation, computer or communications
capabilities; insurrection; elements of nature; or
non-performance by a third party; and (ii) PFPC shall not be
under any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall not be
liable for the validity or invalidity, authority or lack
thereof, or truthfulness or accuracy or lack thereof, of any
instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other information
which PFPC reasonably believes to be genuine.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither PFPC nor its affiliates shall be liable for any
consequential, special or indirect losses or damages, whether
or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by
PFPC or its affiliates.
(d) Each party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the
other party may become responsible. (e) The provisions of this
Section 14 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
15. DESCRIPTION OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.
PFPC will perform the following accounting services with respect to the
Fund:
(i) Journalize investment, capital share and income and expense
activities;
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(ii) Verify investment buy/sell trade tickets when received from
the investment adviser for the Fund (the "Adviser") and
transmit trades to the Fund's custodian (the "Custodian") for
proper settlement;
(iii) Maintain individual ledgers for investment securities;
(iv) Maintain historical tax lots for each security;
(v) Reconcile cash and investment balances of the Fund with the
Custodian, and provide the Adviser with the beginning cash
balance available for investment purposes;
(vi) Update the cash availability throughout the day as required by
the Adviser;
(vii) Post to and prepare the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
and the Statement of Operations;
(viii) Calculate various contractual expenses (e.g., advisory and
custody fees);
(ix) Monitor the expense accruals and notify an officer of the Fund
of any proposed adjustments;
(x) Control all disbursements and authorize such disbursements
upon Written Instructions;
(xi) Calculate capital gains and losses;
(xii) Determine net income;
(xiii) Obtain security market quotes from independent pricing
services approved by the Adviser, or if such quotes are
unavailable, then obtain such prices from the Adviser, and in
either case calculate the market value of the Fund's
Investments;
(xiv) Transmit or mail a copy of the daily portfolio valuation to
the Adviser;
(xv) Compute net asset value; and
(xvi) As appropriate, compute yields, total return, expense ratios,
portfolio turnover rate, and, if required, portfolio average
dollar-weighted maturity.
16. DESCRIPTION OF ADMINISTRATION SERVICES ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.
PFPC will perform the following administration services with respect to
the Fund:
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(i) Prepare quarterly broker security transactions summaries;
(ii) Prepare monthly security transaction listings;
(iii) Supply various normal and customary Fund statistical data as
requested on an ongoing basis;
(iv) Prepare for execution and file the Fund's Federal and state tax
returns;
(v) Monitor the Fund's status as a regulated investment company
under Sub-chapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended;
(vi) Prepare the Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports;
(vii) Prepare and coordinate with the Fund's counsel post-effective
amendments to the Fund's registration statement on Form N-2,
as needed, and coordinate with the Fund's financial printer to
file such amendments; and prepare and file semi-annual reports
on Form N-SAR, subject to the review of Fund management;
(viii) Assist in the preparation of notices of annual or special
meetings of shareholders and proxy materials relating to such
meetings;
(ix) Assist in obtaining the fidelity bond and directors' and
officers'/errors and omissions insurance policies for the Fund
in accordance with the requirements of Rule 17g-1 and
17d-1(d)(7) under the 1940 Act as such bond and policies are
approved by the Fund's board of directors;
(x) Monitor the Fund's assets to assure adequate fidelity bond
coverage is maintained;
(xi) Draft agendas, resolutions and materials for quarterly and
special board meetings and draft written consents of the
board;
(xii) Coordinate the preparation, assembly and mailing of board
materials;
(xiii) Attend board meetings and draft minutes thereof;
(xiv) Maintain a calendar to assure compliance with various SEC
filing and board approval deadlines;
(xv) Assist the Fund in the handling of SEC examinations and
responses thereto;
(xvi) If the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of
the Fund is required to provide a certification as part of the
Fund's Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR filing pursuant to regulations
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 302 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, PFPC will
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provide (to such person or entity as agreed between the Fund
and PFPC) a sub-certification in support of certain
matters set forth in the aforementioned certification, such
sub-certification to be in such form and relating to such
matters as agreed between the Fund and PFPC from time to time.
PFPC 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
regulatory requirement; and
(xvii) Coordinate contractual relationships and communications
between the Fund and its contractual service providers.
17. DURATION AND TERMINATION.
(a) This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written
above and shall continue until June 12, 2008 (the
"Initial Term").
(b) Upon the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall
automatically renew for successive terms of one (1) year
("Renewal Terms") each, unless the Fund or PFPC provides
written notice to the other of its intent not to renew. Such
notice must be received not less than ninety (90) days prior
to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then current
Renewal Term.
(c) In the event a termination notice is given by the Fund, all
expenses associated with movement of records and materials and
conversion thereof to a successor accounting and
administration services agent(s) (and any other service
provider(s)), and all trailing expenses incurred by PFPC, will
be borne by the Fund.
(d) If a party hereto is guilty of a material failure to perform
its duties and obligations hereunder (a "Defaulting Party")
the other party (the "Non-Defaulting Party") may give written
notice thereof to the Defaulting Party, and if such material
breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days
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after such written notice is given, then the Non-Defaulting
Party may terminate this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days
written notice of such termination to the Defaulting Party. 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.
18. NOTICES. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC, at 000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: President; (b) if to
the Fund, at 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx, XX 00000, Attention: W.
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx or (c) if to neither of the foregoing, at such other
address as shall have been given by like notice to the sender of any
such notice or other communication by the other party. If notice is
sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device,
it shall be deemed to have been given immediately. If notice is sent by
first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given three days
after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by messenger, it shall be
deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered.
19. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or
waived only by written amendment, signed by the party against whom
enforcement of such change or waiver is sought.
20. ASSIGNMENT. PFPC may assign its rights hereunder to any majority-owned
direct or indirect subsidiary of PFPC or of The PNC Financial Services
Group, Inc., provided that PFPC gives the Fund 30 days prior written
notice of such assignment.
21. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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22. FURTHER ACTIONS. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the
purposes hereof.
23. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
the Fund agrees not to make any modifications to its
registration statement or adopt any policies which would
affect materially the obligations or responsibilities of PFPC
hereunder without the prior written approval of PFPC, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(b) Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, PFPC hereby
disclaims all representations and warranties, express or
implied, made to the Fund or any other person, including,
without limitation, any warranties regarding quality,
suitability, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose
or otherwise (irrespective of any course of dealing, custom or
usage of trade), of any services or any goods provided
incidental to services provided under this Agreement. PFPC
disclaims any warranty of title or non-infringement except as
otherwise set forth in this Agreement.
(c) This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, provided
that the parties may embody in one or more separate documents
their agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties. The
captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or
effect. Notwithstanding any provision hereof, the services of
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PFPC are not, 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.
(d) This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in
Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to
principles of conflicts of law.
(e) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
(f) The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall
constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such
party.
(g) The Fund and PFPC agree that the obligations of the Fund
under the Agreement shall not be binding upon any of the
directors, shareholders, nominees, officers, employees or
agents, whether past, present or future, of the Fund
individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property
of the Fund (or applicable series thereof), as provided in
the Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement have been authorized by the directors of the Fund,
and signed by an authorized officer of the Fund, acting as
such, and neither such uthorization by such directors nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have
been made by any of them or any shareholder of the Fund
individually or to impose any liability on any of them or any
shareholder of the Fund personally, but shall bind only the
assets and property of the Fund (or applicable series thereof),
as provided in the Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of
Trust.
(h) To help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism
and money laundering activities, U.S. Federal law requires
each financial institution to obtain, verify, and record
certain information that identifies each person who initially
opens an account with that financial institution on or after
October 1, 2003. Certain of PFPC's affiliates are financial
institutions, and PFPC may, as a matter of policy, request (or
may have already requested) the Fund's name, address and
taxpayer identification number or other government-issued
identification number, and, if such party is a natural person,
that party's date of birth. PFPC may also ask (and may have
already asked) for additional identifying information, and PFPC
may take steps (and may have already taken steps) to verify the
authenticity and accuracy of these data elements.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PFPC INC.
By:
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Title:
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MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL
INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND
& INCOME FUND
By:
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Title:
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