EXHIBIT 1.A.8(c)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
XXXXXXXXXXX VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS,
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.
and
LIFE INVESTORS INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made and entered into as of
the 19TH day of October, 1999 by and among Life Investors Insurance Company of
America (hereinafter the "Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each
separate account of the Company named in Schedule 1 to this Agreement, as may be
amended from time to time by mutual consent (hereinafter collectively the
"Accounts"), Xxxxxxxxxxx Variable Account Funds (hereinafter the "Fund") and
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (hereinafter the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end management investment company
and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts now in
existence or to be established at any date hereafter for variable life insurance
policies, variable annuity contracts and other tax-deferred products
(collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") offered by insurance companies
(hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into
several series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio", and each representing
the interests in a particular managed pool of securities and other assets;
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WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities
and Exchange Commission, dated July 16, 1986 (File No. 812-6324) granting
Participating Insurance Companies and variable annuity and variable life
insurance separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a),
13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
(hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15)
thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to
and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of
both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies (hereinafter the
"Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order");
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser is duly registered as an investment
adviser under the federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain
variable annuity and/or life insurance contracts under the 1933 Act (hereinafter
"Contracts") (unless an exemption from registration is available);
WHEREAS, the Accounts are or will be duly organized, validly
existing segregated asset accounts, established by resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Company, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the
aforesaid variable contracts (the Contract(s) and the Account(s) covered by the
Agreement are specified in Schedule 1 attached hereto, as may be modified by
mutual consent from time to time);
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the
Accounts as unit investment trusts under the 1940 Act (unless an exemption from
registration is available);
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WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws
and regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios (the
Portfolios covered by this Agreement are specified in Schedule 2 attached hereto
as may be modified by mutual consent from time to time), on behalf of the
Accounts to fund the Contracts named in Schedule 1, as may be amended from time
to time by mutual consent, and the Fund is authorized to sell such shares to
unit investment Funds such as the Accounts at net asset value; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the
Fund, the Adviser and the Company agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
1.1. The Fund agrees to sell to the Company those shares of
the Fund which the Company orders on behalf of the Account, executing such
orders on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of the order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes
of this Section 1.1, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt
of such orders from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives written (or facsimile)
notice of such order by 9:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business
Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant
to the rules of the SEC.
1.2. The Company shall pay for Fund shares by 2:00 p.m. New
York time on the next Business Day after it places an order to purchase Fund
shares in accordance with Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds
transmitted by wire or by a credit for any shares redeemed.
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1.3. The Fund agrees to make Fund shares available for
purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company for their
separate Accounts listed in Schedule 1 on those days on which the Fund
calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC; provided, however,
that the Board of Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Trustees") may refuse
to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the
offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the
Trustees, acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under
federal and any applicable state laws, in the best interests of the shareholders
of any Portfolio.
1.4. The Fund agrees to redeem, upon the Company's request,
any full or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such
requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this
Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by
the Fund; provided that the Fund receives written (or facsimile) notice of such
request for redemption by 9:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business
Day. Payment shall be made within the time period specified in the Fund's
prospectus or statement of additional information, in federal funds transmitted
by wire to the Company's account as designated by the Company in writing from
time to time.
1.5. The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of
the Portfolios named in Schedule 2 offered by the then current prospectus and
statement of additional information of the Fund in accordance with the
provisions of such prospectus and statement of additional information. The
Company shall not permit any person other than a Contract owner to
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give instructions to the Company which would require the Company to redeem or
exchange shares of the Fund.
1.6. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for
each portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated (normally by 6:00
p.m. central time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value
per share available by 5:00 p.m. central time.
ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts
are or will be registered under the 1933 Act; or that the Contracts are not
registered in proper reliance on an exemption from registration under the 1933
Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable Federal and State laws and that the sale of the
Contracts shall comply in all material respects with state insurance suitability
requirements. The Company further represents and warrants that it is an
insurance company duly organized and in good standing under applicable law and
that it has legally and validly established each Account prior to any issuance
or sale thereof as a segregated asset account under Section 508A.1 of the Iowa
Insurance Code and has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the
Contracts, will register each Account as a unit investment trust in accordance
with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated investment account
for the Contracts, or that the Company will not register the Account in proper
reliance upon an exclusion from registration under the 0000 Xxx.
2.2. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold
pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly
authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall
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remain registered under the 0000 Xxx.
2.3. The Fund represents that it intends to qualify as a
Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 ("the Code"), as amended, and that it will make every effort to maintain
such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision)
and that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis
for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify
in the future.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently
treated as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under applicable
provisions of the Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such
treatment and that it will notify the Fund immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they
might not be so treated in the future.
2.5. The Fund represents that each Plan adopted under Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act to finance distribution expenses of Class 2 shares of
the Fund has been approved by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund
who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of the Fund or the
Adviser.
2.6. The Fund and the Adviser each represent and warrant that
all of their respective Trustees, directors, officers, employees, investment
advisers, and other individual/entities dealing with the money and/or securities
of the Fund are and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket
fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not
less than the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940
Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid
Bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by
a reputable bonding company.
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ARTICLE III. SALES MATERIAL, PROSPECTUSES AND OTHER REPORTS
3.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Fund or the Adviser is named, at least ten
Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or
its designee reasonably object to such use within ten Business Days after
receipt of such material. "Business Day" shall mean any day in which the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading and in which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
3.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund,
or in sale literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its
designee, except with the permission of the Fund.
3.3. The Fund and the Adviser shall furnish, or shall cause to
be furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or
other promotional material in which the Company is named, at least ten Business
Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Company or its
designee reasonably object to such use within ten Business Days after receipt of
such material. "Business Day" shall mean any day in which the New York Stock
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Exchange is open for trading and in which the Fund calculates its net asset
value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
3.4. The Fund and the Adviser shall not give any information
or make any representations or statements on behalf of the Company or concerning
the Company other than the information or representations contained in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Company shares, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Company, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
3.5. For purposes of this Article III, the phrase "sales
literature or other promotional material" means advertisements (such as material
published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical,
radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or
billboard or electronic media), and sales literature (such as brochures,
circulars, market letters and form letters), distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public.
3.6. The Fund shall provide a copy of its current prospectus
within a reasonable period of its filing date, and provide other assistance as
is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more
frequently if the prospectus for the Fund is supplemented or amended) to have
the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together in
one document (such printing to be at the Company's expense). The Adviser shall
be permitted to review and approve the typeset form of the Fund's Prospectus
prior to such printing.
3.7. The Fund or the Adviser at its expense shall provide the
Company with either: (i) a copy of the Fund's proxy material, reports to
shareholders, other information relating
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to the Fund necessary to prepare financial reports, and other communications to
shareholders for printing and distribution to Contract owners, or (ii) camera
ready and/or printed copies, if appropriate, of such material for distribution
to Contract owners, within a reasonable period of the filing date for definitive
copies of such material. The Adviser shall be permitted to review and approve
the typeset form of such proxy material, shareholder reports and communications
prior to such printing provided such materials have been provided within a
reasonable period.
3.8. If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
3.8(a). solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
3.8(b). vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions
received from Contract owners; and
3.8(c). vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been
received in a particular separate account in the same proportion as Fund shares
of such portfolio for which instructions have been received in that separate
account, so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the
1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners.
The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares held in any segregated asset
account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law. The Company shall be
responsible for assuring that each if its separate accounts participating in the
Fund calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the voting
provisions set forth in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order.
3.9 The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act
requiring voting by shareholders.
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ARTICLE IV. FEES AND EXPENSES
4.1. The Fund and Adviser shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Company under this agreement, and the Company shall pay no
fee or other compensation to the Fund or Adviser, except as provided herein.
4.2. All expenses incident to performance by each party of its
respective duties under this Agreement shall be paid by that party. The Fund
shall see to it that all its shares are registered and authorized for issuance
in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent advisable by
the Fund, in accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund
shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the
Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, and the preparation of all statements
and notices required by any federal or state law. The Fund or the Adviser shall
bear the expenses of setting the Fund's prospectus in type, setting in type and
printing the Fund's proxy materials and the Fund's reports to shareholders
(including the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual
report), the preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal
or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares.
4.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the
Fund's prospectus, proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts issued by
the Company.
4.4. In the event the Fund adds one or more additional
Portfolios and the parties desire to make such Portfolios available to the
respective Contract owners as an underlying investment medium, a new Schedule 2
or an amendment to this Agreement shall be executed by the parties authorizing
the issuance of shares of the new Portfolios to the particular Account. The
amendment may also provide for the sharing of expenses for the establishment of
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new Portfolios among Participating Insurance Companies desiring to invest in
such Portfolios and the provision of funds as the initial investment in the new
Portfolios.
ARTICLE V. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
5.1. The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the "Board") will
monitor the Fund for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict
between the interests of the Contract owners of all separate accounts investing
in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety of
reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority;
(b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or securities laws
or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or
interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax, or securities
regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial decision in any
relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of any Portfolio
are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable
annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f) a decision
by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of Contract owners. The Board
shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an irreconcilable
material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
5.2. The Company has reviewed a copy of the Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order, and in particular, has reviewed the conditions to the
requested relief set forth therein. The Company agrees to be bound by the
responsibilities of a participating insurance company as set forth in the Mixed
and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, including without limitation the requirement
that the Company report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware
to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its
responsibilities in monitoring such conflicts under the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, by providing the Board in a timely manner with all information
reasonably necessary for the Board to consider
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any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever Contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded and by confirming in writing, at the Fund's request, that the
Company is unaware of any such potential or existing material irreconcilable
conflicts.
5.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a
majority of its disinterested Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict
exists, the Company shall, at its expense and to the extent reasonably
practicable (as determined by a majority of the disinterested trustees), take
whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material
conflict, up to an including: (1) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or
all of the separate accounts from the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such
assets in a different investment medium, including (but not limited to) another
Portfolio of the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation
should be implemented to a vote of all affected Contract owners and, as
appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate group (I.E., annuity
contract owners, life insurance contract owners, or variable contract owners of
one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such
segregation, or offering to the affected Contract owners the option of making
such a change; and (2) establishing a new registered management investment
company or managed separate account.
5.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a
decision by the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that
decision could conflict with the majority of Contract owner instructions, the
Company may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement; provided, however, that
such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by the
foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board. Any such withdrawal and termination must
take place within six (6)
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months after the Fund gives written notice that this provision is being
implemented, and until the end of the six month period the Fund shall continue
to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase and redemption of
shares of the Fund, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
5.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a
particular state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company
conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will
withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement
within six months after the Board informs the Company in writing that it has
determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable material conflict;
provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the
extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined
by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Until the end of the
foregoing six month period, the Fund shall continue to accept and implement
orders by the Company for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund,
subject to applicable regulatory limitation.
5.6. For purposes of Sections 5.3 through 5.6 of this
Agreement, a majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine
whether any proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material
conflict, but in no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding
medium for the Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 5.3 to
establish a new funding medium for Contracts if an offer to do so has been
declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected
by the irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the Board determines
that any proposed action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material
conflict, then the Company will withdraw the particular Account's investment in
the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board
informs the Company in writing of the foregoing determination,
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provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the
extent required by any such material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
ARTICLE VI. INDEMNIFICATION
6.1. Indemnification by The Company
6.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Adviser and the Fund, each member of their Board of Trustees or Board of
Directors, each of their respective Officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 6.1)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation (including
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof)
or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or
the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or prospectus for the Contracts or contained in the Contracts or sales
literature for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
Agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company by or
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on behalf of the Fund for use in the Registration Statement or prospectus for
the Contracts or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or
Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or representations contained in the
Registration Statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied
by the Company, or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Company
or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the
Contracts or Fund Shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus,
or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if
such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to
the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Company, as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of sections 6.1(b)
and 6.1 (c) hereof.
6.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as
such may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties
under this Agreement or to the Fund, whichever is applicable.
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6.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the
Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
6.1(d). The indemnified Parties will promptly notify the
Company of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in
connection with the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the Contracts or the
operation of the Fund.
6.2. Indemnification by the Adviser
6.2(a). The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 6.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
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in settlement with the written consent of the Adviser) or litigation (including
legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect of) or
settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the
Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or prospectus or sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the
Adviser or Fund by or on behalf of the Company for use in the Registration
Statement or prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or
Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or representations contained in the
Registration Statement, prospectus or sale literature for the Contracts not
supplied by the Adviser or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the
Fund, Adviser or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus,
or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement
or
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statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund;
or
(iv) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Adviser in this Agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Adviser; as limited by and in accordance with the provision of Sections 6.2(b)
and 6.2(c) hereof.
6.2(b). The Adviser shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties
under this Agreement or to each Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.
6.2(c). The Adviser shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Adviser in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any
such claim shall not relieve the Adviser from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Adviser will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Adviser also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Adviser to such party of the Adviser's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
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fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser will
not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
6.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Adviser of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts
or the operation of each Account.
6.3. Indemnification by the Fund.
6.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 6.3)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof)
or settlements result from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct
of the Board or any member thereof, are related to the operations of the Fund
and arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any
other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund; as limited by and in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 6.3(b) and 6.3(c) hereof.
6.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an
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Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the Company, the
Fund, the Adviser or each Account, whichever is applicable.
6.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of such
claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to the
Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account
of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against
the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund shall also be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
6.3(d). The Company and the Adviser agree promptly to notify
the Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any
of its respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the
issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either
Account, or sale or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
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ARTICLE VII. APPLICABLE LAW
7.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions
hereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
7.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the
1933, 1934 and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the
Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be
interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE VIII. TERMINATION
8.1. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to some or
all Portfolios: 8.1(a). at the option of any party upon six
month's advance written notice to the other
parties;
8.1(b). at the option of the Company to the extent that shares
of Portfolios are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of its
Contracts or are not appropriate funding vehicles for the Contracts, as
determined by the Company reasonably and in good faith. Prompt notice of the
election to terminate for such cause and an explanation of such cause shall be
furnished by the Company; or
8.1(c). as provided in Article V.
8.2. It is understood and agreed that the right of any party
hereto to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(a) may be exercised
for cause or for no cause.
8.3. Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of
this Agreement, the Fund and the Adviser shall at the option of the Company,
continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement,
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for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this
Agreement for which shares of the Fund serve as the underlying investment medium
(hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without
limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to
reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem investments in the Fund and/or invest
in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing
Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 8.3 shall not apply (i) to any
terminations under Article V and the effect of such Article V terminations shall
be governed by Article V if this Agreement, or (ii) if the further sale of
additional shares of the Fund to the contracts is prohibited by law or by
regulatory authorities.
ARTICLE X. NOTICES
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered
or certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth
below or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify to
the other party.
If to the Fund:
Xxxxxxxxxxx Variable Account Fund
0000 X. Xxxxxx Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Treasurer
If to the Adviser:
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, General Counsel
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If to the Company:
Life Investors Insurance Company of America
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xx. XX
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Individual Division General Counsel
ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS
11.1. Subject to the requirements of legal process and
regulatory authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names
and addresses of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably
identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as
permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such
names and addresses and other confidential information without the express
written consent of the affected party until such time as it may come into the
public domain.
11.2. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
11.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or
more counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
11.4. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
11.5. Each party hereto shall cooperate with, and promptly
notify each other party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including
without limitation the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and state insurance regulators) and
shall permit such authorities reasonable access to its books and records in
connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
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11.6. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this
Agreement are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under
state and federal laws.
11.7. It is understood by the parties that this Agreement is
not an exclusive arrangement in any respect.
11.8. The Company and the Adviser each understand and agree
that the obligations of the Fund under this Agreement are not binding upon any
shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and the Fund's
property; the Company and the Adviser each represent that it has notice of the
provisions of the Declaration of Fund of the Fund disclaiming shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
11.9. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party hereto
without the prior written consent of all the parties.
11.10. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between
the parties and supercedes all prior communications, agreements and
understandings, oral or written, between the parties regarding the subject
matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the date specified
below.
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LIFE INVESTORS INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
By: S/XXXX XXXXXXX
Title: V.P.
Date: OCT. 14, 1999
XXXXXXXXXXX VARIABLE ACCOUNT
FUNDS
By: S/______________________
Title: SECRETARY AND VICE PRESIDENT
Date: OCTOBER 19, 1999
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.
By: S/_______________________
Title: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Date: OCTOBER 19, 1999
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SCHEDULE 1
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS POLICY
Life Investors Variable Life Account A Variable Protector
-- Established by the Board of Directors Policy Form No. APUL0600 699
on July 1, 1999 (including successor forms,
addenda, and endorsements - may
vary by state)
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SCHEDULE 2
PORTFOLIOS COVERED BY THE AGREEMENT
Xxxxxxxxxxx Main Street Growth and Income Fund/VA
Xxxxxxxxxxx Multiple Strategies Fund/VA
Xxxxxxxxxxx Bond Fund/VA
Xxxxxxxxxxx Strategic Bond Fund/VA
Xxxxxxxxxxx High Income Fund/VA
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