DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS
AGREEMENT made as of August 1, 2007 between COMMONWEALTH INTERNATIONAL SERIES
TRUST (the “Trust”), having an office at 0000 Xxx Xxxxxx #000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx
00000, and Foreside Distribution Services, L.P. (“Distributor”), having an
office at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000.
WHEREAS,
the Trust is an open-end management investment company, organized as a
Massachusetts Business Trust, and registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Commission”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS,
the Trust desires that the Distributor perform certain compliance services
and
the Distributor is willing to provide those services on the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement;
WHEREAS,
it is intended that Distributor act as the distributor of the shares of
beneficial interest (“Shares”) of each series of the Trust, as listed on
Schedule A, and such series as are hereafter created (all of the foregoing
series individually referred to herein as a “Fund” and collectively as the
“Funds”).
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and covenants herein set
forth, the parties agree as follows:
1.
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Services
as Distributor.
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1.1 The
Trust
hereby appoints the Distributor, and the Distributor hereby agrees, to provide
an Anti-Money Laundering Officer to the Trust for the period and on the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement and, subject to the approval of
the
Board, make available a qualified person to act as the Trust’s Anti-Money
Laundering Officer who is competent and knowledgeable regarding the anti-money
laundering rules and regulations applicable to the Trust.
1.2 Distributor
will act as agent of Trust on behalf of each Fund for the distribution of the
Shares covered by the registration statement of Trust then in effect under
the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and the 1940 Act. As
used in this Agreement, the term “registration statement” shall mean the
registration statement of the Trust and any amendments thereto, then in effect,
including Parts A (the Prospectus), B (the Statement of Additional Information)
and C of each registration statement, as filed on Form N-1A, or any successor
thereto, with the Commission, together with any amendments thereto. The term
“Prospectus” shall mean the then-current form of Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information used by the Funds, in accordance with the rules of the
Commission, for delivery to shareholders and prospective shareholders after
the
effective dates of the above-referenced registration statements, together with
any amendments and supplements thereto. The Trust will notify Distributor in
advance of any proposed changes to Schedule A to this Agreement.
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1.3 Consistent
with the understanding between the Funds and the Distributor, Distributor may
solicit orders for the sale of the Shares and may undertake such advertising
and
promotion as it believes is reasonable in connection with such solicitation.
The
Trust understands that Distributor is now and may in the future be the
distributor of the shares of many other investment companies or series,
including investment companies having investment objectives similar to those
of
the Trust. The Trust further understands that shareholders and potential
shareholders in the Trust may invest in shares of such other investment
companies. The Trust agrees that Distributor’s obligations to other investment
companies shall not be deemed in conflict with its obligations to the Trust
under this Section 1.2.
1.4 Consistent
with the understanding between the Funds and the Distributor, and subject to
the
last sentence of this Section 1.3, Distributor may engage in such activities
as
both parties deem appropriate in connection with the promotion and sale of
the
Shares, including without limitation entering into dealer agreements and other
selling agreements with broker-dealers and other intermediaries; advertising;
compensation of underwriters, dealers and sales personnel; the printing and
mailing of Prospectuses to prospective shareholders other than current
shareholders; and the printing and mailing of sales literature. Distributor
shall have no obligation to make any payments to any third parties, whether
as
financing of commissions, sales concessions or similar payments; finder’s fees;
compensation; or otherwise, unless: (i) Distributor has received a corresponding
payment from the applicable Fund’s Distribution Plan (as defined in Section 2 of
this Agreement), the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”) or from another
source as may be permitted by applicable law, and (ii) such corresponding
payment has been approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”).
1.5 In
its
capacity as distributor of the Shares, all activities of the Distributor and
its
partners, agents, and employees shall comply with all applicable laws, rules
and
regulations, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act, all applicable rules
and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder, and all applicable
rules and regulations adopted by any securities association registered under
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. During the term of this Agreement, Distributor
shall maintain its legal status as a distributor and shall comply with
applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) (the successor organization to the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.),
applicable to it. Distributor shall review written advertisements and sales
literature for compliance with FINRA requirements.
1.6 Whenever
in their judgment such action is warranted by unusual market, economic or
political conditions or by abnormal circumstances of any kind, the Trust’s
officers may upon reasonable notice instruct the Distributor to decline to
accept any orders for or make any sales of the Shares until such time as those
officers deem it advisable to accept such orders and to make such sales.
1.7 The
Trust
agrees to inform the Distributor from time to time of the states in which the
Fund or its administrator has registered or otherwise qualified Shares for
sale,
and the Trust agrees at its own expense to execute any and all documents and
to
furnish any and all information and otherwise to take all actions that may
be
reasonably necessary in connection with the qualification of the Shares for
sale
in such states as the Distributor may designate.
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1.8 The
Trust
shall furnish from time to time, for use in connection with the sale of the
Shares, such supplemental information with respect to the Funds and the Shares
as Distributor may reasonably request; and the Trust warrants that the
statements contained in any such supplemental information will fairly show
or
represent what they purport to show or represent. The Trust shall also furnish
Distributor upon request with: (a) unaudited semi-annual statements of the
Funds’ books and accounts prepared by the Trust, and (b) from time to time such
additional information regarding the Funds as the Distributor may reasonably
request.
1.9 The
Trust
represents and warrants to Distributor that: (a) all registration statements,
and each Prospectus, filed by the Trust with the Commission under the Securities
Act and the 1940 Act shall be prepared in conformity with requirements of said
Acts and rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; (b) all Trust
related advertisement or sales literature shall be prepared in conformity with
requirements of applicable laws and regulations; (c) the registration statement
and Prospectus and advertisement or sales literature shall contain all
statements required to be stated therein in conformity with said Acts, laws
and
regulations and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or other
applicable regulatory authority, and all statements of fact contained in any
such registration statement, Prospectus and advertisement or sales literature
are true and correct in all material respects; (d) neither any registration
statement nor any Prospectus nor any advertisement or sales literature includes
an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading to a purchaser of the Shares; (e) no portfolio securities
transactions of the Funds, or commissions in connection therewith, shall be
directed to any dealer by the Funds, the Adviser, or any of their respective
affiliates, in connection with any fees that are not permitted by Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act (“Non-Rule 12b-1 Fees”) payable to any dealer; (f) each Fund
or the Adviser has implemented policies and procedures required by Rule
12b-1(h)(2)(ii) under the 1940 Act and has determined that the criteria used
to
select broker-dealers that both execute Fund portfolio transactions and promote
or sell the Shares is reasonable; (g) each Fund’s Prospectus contains such
disclosure with respect to fees paid and charges imposed in connection with
the
sale of the Shares as is necessary to comply with all laws, rules and
regulations, including, without limitation, disclosure of all Non-Rule 12b-1
Fees as required by Rule 2830(l) of the FINRA Conduct Rules, as well as the
nature and extent of the Non-Rule 12b-1 Fees, or such Non-Rule 12b-1 fees and
charges will be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the FINRA,
including, without limitation, Rule 2830 of the FINRA Conduct Rules, as they
may
be amended from time to time and (h) the Anti-Money Laundering Officer shall
be
covered by the Trust’s Directors & Officers/Errors & Omissions Policy
(the “Policy”), and the Trust shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that such
coverage be reinstated should the Policy be cancelled.. The Trust shall provide
the Distributor with proof of current coverage, including a copy of the Policy,
and shall notify the Distributor immediately should the Policy be cancelled
or
terminated.
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The
foregoing representations and warranties shall continue throughout the term
of
this Agreement and be deemed to be of a continuing nature, applicable to all
Shares distributed hereunder. The Distributor may, but shall not be obligated
to, request from time to time such amendment or amendments to any registration
statement and such supplement or supplements to any Prospectus as, in the light
of future developments, may, in the opinion of the Distributor’s counsel, be
necessary or advisable. If the Trust shall not propose any amendment or
amendments and/or supplement or supplements within 45 days after receipt by
the
Trust of a written request from Distributor to do so, Distributor may, at its
option, terminate this Agreement, provided such request is consistent with
the
obligations of the Trust under any applicable laws or regulations or other
agreements by which it is bound. In such case, the Distributor will be held
harmless from, and indemnified by Trust for, any liability or loss resulting
from the failure to implement such amendment. The Trust shall not file any
amendment to any registration statement or supplement to any Prospectus without
giving Distributor reasonable notice thereof in advance; provided, however,
that
nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to
file at any time such amendments to any registration statement and/or
supplements to any Prospectus, of whatever character, as the Trust may deem
advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and
unconditional.
1.10 The
Trust
authorizes the Distributor and dealers to use any then current Prospectus in
the
form furnished by the Trust from time to time in connection with the sale of
the
Shares.
1.11 The
Distributor may utilize agents in its performance of its services and, with
prior notice to the Trust, appoint in writing other parties qualified to perform
specific administration services reasonably acceptable to the Trust
(individually, a “Sub-Agent”) to carry out some or all of its responsibilities
under this Agreement; provided, however, that a Sub-Agent shall be the agent
of
the Distributor and not the agent of the Trust, and that the Distributor shall
be fully responsible for the acts of such Sub-Agent and shall not be relieved
of
any of its responsibilities hereunder by the appointment of a
Sub-Agent.
1.12 The
Distributor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or
for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which
this
Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith
or gross negligence on the Distributor’s part in the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement, from reckless disregard by the Distributor
of
its obligations under this Agreement, or from the Distributor’s failure to
comply with laws, rules and regulations applicable to it in connection with
its
activities hereunder. So long as Distributor acts in good faith, the Trust
agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Distributor, its officers,
partners, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, and any person who controls
the
Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act,
(collectively, “Distributor Indemnitees”), from and against any and all claims,
demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of
investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any
reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively,
“Claims”) which the Distributor Indemnitees may incur under the Securities Act,
or under common law, or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (a) the
Distributor acting as distributor of the Funds; (b) the Distributor or any
subsidiary or affiliate of the Distributor acting as a member of the National
Securities Clearing Corporation (or any successor or other entity performing
similar functions) (“NSCC”) on behalf of the Trust; (c) the Distributor or any
subsidiary or affiliate of the Distributor entering into selling agreements,
dealer agreements, participation agreements, NSCC Trust SERV or Networking
agreements or similar agreements (collectively, “Dealer Agreements”) with
financial intermediaries on behalf of the Trust; (d) any of the following:
(i)
any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact contained
in any registration statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged
omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any registration
statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, or (iii) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of
a
material fact in any Trust-related or provided advertisement or sales
literature, or any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact
required to be stated therein to make the statements therein not misleading,
in
either case notwithstanding the exercise of reasonable care in the preparation
or review thereof by the Distributor, (e) the breach by the Trust of any
provision of this Agreement, including without limitation a breach by the Trust
of its obligations with respect to any Fund’s transfer agent as set forth in
Section 1.15 of this Agreement, to the extent applicable; or (f) the electronic
processing of orders over the internet at the Trust’s request; provided,
however, that the Trust’s agreement to indemnify the Distributor Indemnitees
pursuant to this Section 1.11 shall not be construed to cover any Claims (A)
pursuant to subsection (d) above to the extent such untrue statement, alleged
untrue statement, omission, or alleged omission, was furnished in writing,
or
omitted from the relevant writing furnished, as the case may be, to the Trust
by
the Distributor for use in the registration statement or in corresponding
statements made in the Prospectus, advertisement or sales literature; (B)
arising out of or based upon the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence of the Distributor in the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement or the Distributor’s reckless disregard of its obligations under this
Agreement; or (C) arising out of or based upon the Distributor’s failure to
comply with laws, rules and regulations applicable to it in connection with
its
activities hereunder.
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In
the
event of a Claim for which the Distributor Indemnitees may be entitled to
indemnification hereunder, the Distributor shall fully
and promptly advise the Trust in writing of all pertinent facts concerning
such
Claim, including
the identification of the parties against whom the Claim is made but failure
to
do so in good faith shall not affect the Trust’s indemnification obligation
under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Trust is materially
prejudiced thereby. The Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any
suit
brought to enforce any such Claim if such defense shall be conducted by counsel
of good standing chosen by the Trust and approved by the Distributor, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event any such suit is
not
based solely on an alleged untrue statement, omission, or wrongful act on the
Trust’s part, the Distributor shall have the right to participate in the
defense. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit
and retain counsel of good standing so approved by the Distributor, the
Distributor Indemnitees in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by any of them, but in any case where the Trust
does
not elect to assume the defense of any such suit or in case the Distributor
reasonably withholds approval of counsel chosen by the Trust, the Trust will
reimburse the Distributor Indemnitees named as defendants in such suit, for
the
reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them to the extent
related to a Claim covered under this Section 1.11. The Trust’s indemnification
agreement contained in this Section 1.11 shall remain operative and in full
force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the
Distributor Indemnitees, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares.
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1.13 The
Distributor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trust, its
officers, trustees, directors, employees, and any person who controls the Trust
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (collectively, “Trust
Indemnitees”), from and against any and all Claims which the Trust Indemnitees
may incur under the Securities Act or under common law or otherwise, arising
out
of or based upon (a) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of
a
material fact contained in any registration statement, Prospectus, or
Trust-related advertisement or sales literature, or upon any omission, or
alleged omission, to state a material fact in such materials that would be
necessary to make the information therein not misleading, which untrue
statement, alleged untrue statement, omission, or alleged omission, was
furnished in writing, or omitted from the relevant writing furnished, as the
case may be, to the Trust by the Distributor for use in the registration
statement or in corresponding statements made in the Prospectus, or
advertisement or sales literature; (b) the willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence of the Distributor in the performance of its obligations under
this Agreement, or the Distributor’s reckless disregard of its obligations under
this Agreement, or (c) the Distributor’s failure to comply with laws, rules and
regulations applicable to it in connection with its activities hereunder (other
than in respect of Fund-related advertisements or sales literature that fail
to
comply with applicable laws despite the Distributor’s exercise of reasonable
care in the preparation and review thereof); provided, however, that the
Distributor’s agreement to indemnify the Trust Indemnitees pursuant to this
Section 1.12 shall not be construed to cover any Claims (A) arising out of
or
based upon the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of the Trust
in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or the Trust’s
reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement; or (B) arising
out
of or based upon the Trust’s failure to comply with laws, rules and regulations
applicable to it in connection with its activities hereunder.
In
the
event of a Claim for which the Trust Indemnitees may be entitled to
indemnification hereunder, the Trust shall fully
and promptly advise the Distributor in writing of all pertinent facts concerning
such Claim, but
failure to do so in good faith shall not affect the Distributor’s
indemnification obligations under this Agreement except to the extent that
the
Distributor is materially prejudiced thereby. The Distributor will be entitled
to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Claim if such
defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by the Distributor
and approved by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
In
the event any such suit is not based solely on an alleged untrue statement,
omission, or wrongful act on the Distributor’s part, the Trust shall have the
right to participate in the defense. In the event the Distributor elects to
assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing so
approved by the Trust, the Trust Indemnitees in such suit shall bear the fees
and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them, but in any
case
where the Distributor does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit
or
in case the Trust reasonably withholds approval of counsel chosen by the
Distributor, the Distributor will reimburse the Trust Indemnitees named as
defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel
retained by them to the extent related to a Claim covered under this Section
1.12. The Distributor’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section 1.12
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Trust Indemnitees, and shall survive
the delivery of any Shares.
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1.14 No
Shares
shall be offered by either the Distributor or the Trust under any of the
provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of Shares
hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long as the effectiveness
of
the registration statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto
shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the Securities Act or if
and
so long as a current Prospectus as required by Section 10(b)(2) of said
Securities Act is not on file with the Commission; provided, however, that:
(a)
the Distributor will not be obligated to cease offering shares until it has
received from the Trust written notice of such events, and (b) nothing contained
in this Section 1.13 shall in any way restrict or have an application to or
bearing upon the Trust’s obligation to repurchase Shares from any shareholder in
accordance with the provisions of the Trust’s Prospectus, Agreement and
Declaration of Trust, or By-laws.
1.15 The
Trust
agrees to advise the Distributor as soon as reasonably practical by a notice
in
writing delivered to the Distributor:
(a)
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of
any request by the Commission for amendments to the registration
statement
or Prospectus then in effect or for additional
information;
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(b)
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in
the event of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the registration statement or Prospectus then
in
effect or the initiation by service of process on the Trust of any
proceeding for that purpose;
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(c)
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of
the happening of any event that makes untrue any statement of a material
fact made in the registration statement or Prospectus then in effect
or
which requires the making of a change in such registration statement
or
Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading;
and
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(d)
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of
any other event which could reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse impact upon the offering of Shares or the Distributor’s provision
of services under this Agreement.
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For
purposes of this section, informal requests by or acts of the Staff of the
Commission shall not be deemed actions of or requests by the Commission unless
they would reasonably be expected to have a material negative impact upon the
offering of Shares.
1.15 During
any period for which a party other than Distributor or one of its affiliates
acts as any Fund’s transfer agent (“Transfer Agent”), the following provisions
shall apply:
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(a)
The
Trust
shall ensure that the Transfer Agent complies with all requirements of law
and
all provisions of Dealer Agreements that are applicable to the Transfer Agent
or
the services provided by Transfer Agent, or that are within the control of
the
Transfer Agent, including without limitation laws and Dealer Agreement
provisions with respect to: (i) providing shareholder account data to the dealer
or other third parties; (ii) facilitating the transfer of Shares held directly
with the Transfer Agent; (iii) indemnifying a dealer against claims to which
the
dealer may become subject insofar as any Claim arises out of or is based on
any
error or alleged error made in the calculation of any Fund’s net asset value per
Share, to the extent that the Transfer Agent is responsible for such error
or
alleged error; (iv) providing to Distributor such information required by
Distributor to facilitate payment of Rule 12b-1 fees to dealers in a timely
and
accurate manner; (v) transmitting purchase and redemption orders for Shares
through the NSCC Fund/SERV system (“Fund/SERV”) or in certain circumstances
through such other means; (vi) making payment for purchases and redemptions
of
Shares on the settlement date and as otherwise required by the dealer through
Fund/SERV; (vii) notifying the dealer whenever an error is made in the
calculation of any Fund’s net asset value; (viii) rejecting transactions in
Shares originating in states or jurisdictions in which the Fund shares are
not
qualified for sale; and (ix) complying with applicable escheatment requirements.
(b) The
Trust
will ensure that the Transfer Agent provides to Distributor at least quarterly
(or more frequently to the extent required by law applicable to the Distributor)
certifications of the Transfer Agent in a form reasonably acceptable to the
Distributor with respect to the Funds’ compliance with anti-money laundering
laws, sales caps, breakpoints, and such other certifications as Distributor
shall reasonably request from time to time.
1.16 The
Trust
will ensure that any service provider to the Trust and/or the Funds other than
Distributor or one of its affiliates provides to Distributor such cooperation
and information as the Distributor shall reasonably request from time to time,
including, without limitation, information to facilitate the Distributor’s
compliance with federal securities laws, as defined within Rule 38a-1(e)(1)
under the 1940 Act..
1.17 NOTWITHSTANDING
ANY PROVISION IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL
EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SIMILAR DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST REVENUE, LOST PROFITS
OR LOST OR DAMAGED DATA, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OR LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH DAMAGES.
2.
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Fees.
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2.1 (a) Attached
as Schedule B to this Agreement are all plans of distribution under Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act approved by the Funds and in effect (collectively, the
“Distribution Plan”). The Funds will deliver to Distributor promptly after any
changes thereto updated copies of the Distribution Plan. For its services under
this Agreement, the Distributor shall be compensated and reimbursed for its
expenses as set forth on Schedules C and D to this Agreement. If the Funds
have
a Distribution Plan that permits and authorizes them to compensate and reimburse
the Distributor and required Board approvals have been given, then the Funds
shall be responsible for all such compensation and reimbursements or such
portions of it as have been permitted and authorized under the Distribution
Plan. It is contemplated by the Distributor that the Adviser shall compensate
and reimburse the Distributor for its provision to the Funds of any distribution
services for which the Funds are not authorized to compensate and reimburse
the
Distributor, provided that compensation and reimbursements other than the base
fee and FINRA fees and expenses (allocable to the Trust), have been mutually
agreed to in writing by the Adviser and the Distributor. The fees set forth
on
Schedules C and D are subject to change by Distributor upon 90 days advance
notice.
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(b) It
is
expected as of the date of this Agreement that the services to be provided
by
the Distributor under this Agreement may be provided at "less than cost" (i.e.,
the compensation and reimbursements paid to the Distributor will be less than
the cost of providing such services). The Distributor has estimated its
costs based on certain assumptions about the level of service that will be
provided to the Company and the Funds, and there can be no guarantee that
Distributor's estimate will be accurate. The Distributor will review its costs
to provide services under this Agreement periodically, and the Distributor
reserves the right to adjust its compensation and reimbursements, after the
initial term, if the Distributor determines that such compensation and
reimbursements are not approximately equal to the cost of providing such
services.
2.2 In
the
event that the Distributor is requested or authorized by the Trust or is
required by governmental regulation, summons, subpoena, investigation,
examination or other legal or regulatory process to produce documents or
personnel with respect to services provided by the Distributor to the Trust
or
any Fund, the Trust will, so long as the Distributor is not the subject of
the
investigation or proceeding in which the information is sought, pay the
Distributor for its professional time (at its standard billing rates) and
reimburse the Distributor for its out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable
attorneys fees) incurred in responding to such requests or
requirements.
2.3
In
the
event that the Trust is requested or authorized by the Distributor or is
required by governmental regulation, summons, subpoena, investigation,
examination or other legal or regulatory process to produce documents or
personnel with respect to services rendered by the Distributor to the Trust
or
any Fund under this Agreement, the Distributor will, so long as the Trust is
not
the subject of the investigation or proceeding in which the information is
sought, pay the Trust for its professional time (at its standard billing rates
not to exceed the Distributor’s’ standard rates) and reimburse the Trust for its
out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) incurred in
responding to such requests or requirements.
3.
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Sale
and Payment.
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3.1 As
of the
date of this Agreement, there are no Shares subject to a sales load. To the
extent Shares do become subject to a sales load, this Section 3 shall be
applicable. Shares of a Fund may be subject to a sales load and may be subject
to the imposition of a distribution fee pursuant to the Distribution Plan
referred to above. To the extent that Shares of a Fund are sold at an offering
price which includes a sales load or subject to a contingent deferred sales
load
with respect to certain redemptions (either within a single class of Shares
or
pursuant to two or more classes of Shares), such Shares shall hereinafter be
referred to collectively as “Load Shares” (and in the case of Shares that are
sold with a front-end sales load, “Front-end Load Shares”, or Shares that are
sold subject to a contingent deferred sales load, “CDSL Shares”). It is
specifically understood and agreed that redemption fees payable by frequent
traders to the Fund to compensate for the expenses of trading activity do not
represent a contingent deferred sales load. Funds that issue Front-End Load
Shares shall hereinafter be referred to collectively as “Front-End Load Funds.”
Funds that issue CDSL Shares shall hereinafter be referred to collectively
as
“CDSL Funds.” Front-end Load Funds and CDSL Funds may individually or
collectively be referred as “Load Funds.” Under this Agreement, the following
provisions shall apply with respect to the sale of, and payment for, Load
Shares.
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3.2 The
Distributor shall have the right to offer Load Shares at their net asset value
and to sell such Load Shares to the public against orders therefor at the
applicable public offering price, as defined in Section 4 hereof. The
Distributor shall also have the right to sell Load Shares to dealers against
orders therefor at the public offering price less a concession determined by
the
Distributor, which concession shall not exceed the amount of the sales charge
or
underwriting discount, if any, referred to in Section 4 below.
3.3 Prior
to
the time of delivery of any Load Shares by a Load Fund to, or on the order
of,
the Distributor, the Distributor shall pay or cause to be paid to the Load
Fund
or to its order an amount in same-day funds equal to the applicable net asset
value of such Shares. The Distributor may retain so much of any sales charge
or
underwriting discount as is not allowed by the Distributor as a concession
to
dealers.
3.4 With
respect to CDSL Funds, the following provisions shall be
applicable:
(a) The
Distributor shall be entitled to receive all contingent deferred sales load
charges, 12b-1 payments and all distribution and service fees set forth in
the
Distribution Plan adopted by a CDSL Fund (collectively, the “CDSL Payments”)
with respect to CDSL Shares. The Distributor may assign or sell to a third
party
(a “CDSL Financing Entity”) all or a part of the CDSL Payments on CDSL Shares
that the Distributor is entitled to receive under this Agreement. The
Distributor’s right to the CDSL Payments on such CDSL Shares, if assigned or
sold to a CDSL Financing Entity, shall continue after termination of this
Agreement.
(b) Unless
the Distributor is legally entitled to receive such fees as the financing
entity, the right to receive all CDSL Payments in respect of periods subsequent
to the termination of this Agreement shall terminate upon termination of this
Agreement. In the event Distributor assigns or sells all or a part of the CDSL
Payments to a CDSL Financing Entity and this Agreement is subsequently
terminated, Distributor shall have no obligation to assist the CDSL Financing
Entity in connection with such CDSL Financing Entity’s right to receive such
CDSL Payments subsequent to such termination.
10
(c) The
Distributor shall not be required to offer or sell CDSL Shares of a CDSL Fund
unless and until it has received a binding commitment (a “Commitment”) from the
Trust or a CDSL Financing Entity satisfactory to the Distributor, which
Commitment shall cover all initial and ongoing expenses and fees related to
the
offer and sale of such CDSL Shares including, but not limited to, dealer
reallowances, financing commitment fees, and legal fees. If at any time during
the term of this Agreement the then-current CDSL financing is terminated through
no fault of the Distributor, the Distributor shall have the right to immediately
cease offering or selling CDSL Shares until substitute financing becomes
effective.
(d) The
Distributor and the Trust hereby agree that the terms and conditions set forth
herein regarding the offer and sale of CDSL Shares may be amended upon approval
of both parties in order to comply with the terms and conditions of any
agreement with a CDSL Financing Entity to finance the costs for the offer and
sale of CDSL Shares so long as such terms and conditions are in compliance
with
the Distribution Plan.
4.
|
Public
Offering Price.
|
The
public offering price of a Load Share shall be the net asset value of such
Load
Share next determined, plus any applicable sales charge, all as set forth in
the
current Prospectus of the Load Fund. The net asset value of Load Shares shall
be
determined in accordance with the then-current Prospectus of the Load
Fund.
5.
|
Issuance
of Shares.
|
The
Trust
reserves the right to issue, transfer or sell Load Shares at net asset values
(a) in connection with the merger or consolidation of the Trust or the Load
Fund(s) with any other investment company or the acquisition by the Trust or
the
Load Fund(s) of all or substantially all of the assets or of the outstanding
Shares of any other investment company; (b) in connection with a pro rata
distribution directly to the holders of Shares in the nature of a stock dividend
or split; (c) upon the exercise of subscription rights granted to the holders
of
Shares on a pro rata basis; (d) in connection with the issuance of Load Shares
pursuant to any exchange and reinvestment privileges described in any
then-current Prospectus of the Load Fund; and (e) otherwise in accordance with
any then-current Prospectus of the Load Fund.
6.
|
Term,
Duration and Termination.
|
This
Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Fund as of the date first
written above (the “Effective Date”) (or, if a particular Fund is not in
existence on such date, on the earlier of the date an amendment to Schedule
A to
this Agreement relating to that Fund is executed or the Distributor begins
providing services under this Agreement with respect to such Fund) and, unless
sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue through February 26, 2008.
Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue with respect to
a
particular Fund automatically for successive one-year terms, provided that
such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a
majority of those members of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement
or
interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting for the
purpose of voting on such approval and (b) by the vote of the Board or the
vote
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund. This Agreement
is terminable without penalty with 60 days’ prior written notice, by the Board,
by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or
by
the Distributor. This Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event
of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the
outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons” and “assignment” shall have
the same meaning as ascribed to such terms in the 1940 Act.)
11
7.
|
Privacy.
|
Nonpublic
personal financial information relating to consumers or customers of the Funds
provided by, or at the direction of, the Trust to the Distributor, or collected
or retained by the Distributor to perform its obligations as distributor, shall
be considered confidential information. The Distributor shall not disclose
or
otherwise use any nonpublic personal financial information relating to present
or former shareholders of the Funds other than for the purposes for which that
information was disclosed to the Distributor, including use under an exception
in Rules 13, 14 or 15 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-P
in
the ordinary course of business to carry out those purposes. The Distributor
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 consumers and customers of the Funds. The Trust represents to the
Distributor that it has adopted a Statement of its privacy policies and
practices as required by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-P
and
agrees to provide the Distributor with a copy of that statement
annually.
8.
|
Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance.
|
8.1 Each
of
Distributor and the Trust acknowledges that it is a financial institution
subject to the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the Bank Secrecy Act (collectively,
the “AML Acts”), which require, among other things, that financial institutions
adopt compliance programs to guard against money laundering. Each represents
and
warrants to the other that it is in compliance with and will continue to comply
with the AML Acts and applicable regulations in all relevant respects. The
Distributor shall also provide written notice to each person or entity with
which it entered an agreement prior to the date hereof with respect to sale
of
the Trust’s Shares, such notice informing such person of anti-money laundering
compliance obligations applicable to financial institutions under applicable
laws and, consequently, under applicable contractual provisions requiring
compliance with laws.
8.2 The
Distributor shall include specific contractual provisions regarding anti-money
laundering compliance obligations in agreements entered into by the Distributor
with any dealer that is authorized to effect transactions in Shares of the
Trust.
12
8.3 Each
of
Distributor and the Trust agrees that it will take such further steps, and
cooperate with the other as may be reasonably necessary, to facilitate
compliance with the AML Acts, including but not limited to the provision of
copies of its written procedures, policies and controls related thereto (“AML
Operations”). Distributor undertakes that it will grant to the Trust, the
Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Officer and regulatory agencies, reasonable access
to copies of Distributor’s AML Operations, books and records pertaining to the
Trust only. It is expressly understood and agreed that the Trust and the Trust’s
compliance officer shall have no access to any of Distributor’s AML Operations,
books or records pertaining to other clients of Distributor.
9.
|
Notices.
|
Any
notice provided hereunder shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered
or
certified mail, or by nationally recognized overnight courier, to the party
required to be served with such notice at the following address: if to the
Trust, to it at 0000 Xxx Xxxxxx #000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, Attention: President
with a copy to Fund Counsel at Rabil & Ropka, 000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000; and if to Distributor, to it at 000 Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Broker Dealer Chief Compliance
Officer, with a copy to such other address as such party may from time to time
specify in writing to the other party pursuant to this Section.
10. Confidentiality.
During
the term of this Agreement, the Distributor and the Trust may have access to
confidential information relating to such matters as either party’s business,
trade secrets, systems, procedures, manuals, products, contracts, personnel,
and
clients. As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information
belonging to the Distributor or the Trust which is of value to such party and
the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage
to
either party, including, without limitation, financial information, business
practices and policies, know-how, trade secrets, market or sales information
or
plans, customer lists, business plans, and all provisions of this Agreement.
Confidential Information includes information developed by either party in
the
course of engaging in the activities provided for in this Agreement, unless:
(i)
the information is or becomes publicly known without breach of this Agreement,
(ii) the information is disclosed to the other party by a third party not under
an obligation of confidentiality to the party whose Confidential Information
is
at issue of which the party receiving the information should reasonably be
aware, or (iii) the information is independently developed by a party without
reference to the other’s Confidential Information. Each party will protect the
other’s Confidential Information with at least the same degree of care it uses
with respect to its own Confidential Information, and will not use the other
party’s Confidential Information other than in connection with its obligations
hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party may disclose the other’s
Confidential Information if (i) required by law, regulation or legal process
or
if requested by any Agency; (ii) it is advised by counsel that it may incur
liability for failure to make such disclosure; (iii) requested to by the other
party; provided that in the event of (i) or (ii) the disclosing party shall
give
the other party reasonable prior notice of such disclosure to the extent
reasonably practicably and cooperate with the other party (at such other party’s
expense) in any efforts to prevent such disclosure.
13
11. Governing
Law .
This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, without regard to Delaware’s conflicts of laws principles and the
applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.
12. Prior
Agreements.
This
Agreement constitutes the complete agreement of the parties as to the subject
matter covered by this Agreement, and supersedes all prior negotiations,
understandings and agreements bearing upon the subject matter covered by this
Agreement.
13. Amendments.
No
amendment to this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and executed
by both parties hereto.
14. Matters
Relating to the Trust as a Massachusetts Business Trust.
It
is
expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents
or
employees of the Trust personally, but shall bind only the property of the
Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by
the
Trust, and this Agreement has been signed and delivered by authorized officers
of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by the Trust nor
such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made
by
any of them individually or to impose any liability on them personally, but
shall bind only the property of the Trust.
[REMAINDER
OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
14
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed
by their officers designated below as of the day and year first written
above.
COMMONWEALTH
INTERNATIONAL
SERIES
TRUST
By: /s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Title: President
Foreside
Distribution Services, L.P.
By:
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Name: Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxx
Title: Chief
Compliance Officer
15
SCHEDULE
A
FUNDS
Commonwealth
Japan Fund
Commonwealth
Australia/New Zealand Fund
Commonwealth
Global Fund
Commonwealth
Real Estate Securities Fund
16
SCHEDULE
B
DISTRIBUTION
PLAN
[Trust
to insert copies]
17
SCHEDULE
C
COMPENSATION
OF THE DISTRIBUTOR
1.
BASIC
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES.
For
providing the distribution entity and related infrastructure and platform,
including requisite registrations and qualifications, premises, personnel,
compliance, ordinary Board meeting preparation, maintenance of selling
agreements, clearance of advertising and sales literature with regulators,
ordinary supervisory services, and overhead as well as an individual qualified
to serve as Anti-Money Laundering Officer, the Distributor shall receive an
annual fee of $20,000 (base fee), billed monthly.
2.
SPECIAL
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES.
For
special distribution services mutually agreed to in writing between the parties
and the Adviser, including those set forth on Schedule D to this Agreement,
such
as filing appropriate documentation for advisory representatives to qualify
as
registered representatives of the Distributor (provided that the Adviser is
solely responsible for its representatives’ meeting examination requirements)
and their related registrations and fees, additional personnel, registrations,
marketing services, printing and fulfillment, website services, proprietary
distribution expertise for particular circumstances, and any other services
in
addition to the basic distribution services covered by Paragraph 1 above, the
Distributor shall be reimbursed promptly upon invoicing its fees and expenses
for such services, including: (a) all mutually agreed to costs to support
additional personnel; (b) regulatory fees including FINRA CRD costs associated
with marketing materials; and (c) printing, postage and fulfillment costs
mutually agreed to in writing between the parties and the Adviser, and (d)
amounts payable under additional agreements mutually agreed to in writing
between the parties and the Adviser to which Distributor is a
party.
3.
SPECIAL
CONDUIT SITUATIONS.
If the
Distribution Plan, or any other Fund plans of distribution under Rule 12b-1
that
contemplate up front and/or recurring commission and/or service payments to
broker dealers, retirement plan administrators or others by the Distributor
with
respect to back-end loads, level loads, or otherwise, unless expressly agreed
otherwise in writing between the parties, all such payments shall be made to
the
Distributor, which shall act as a conduit for making such payments to such
broker-dealers, retirement plan administrators or others.
4.
OTHER
PAYMENTS BY THE DISTRIBUTOR.
If the
Distributor is required to make any payments to third parties in respect of
distribution, which payments are contemplated and agreed to by the parties
to
this Agreement or otherwise arise in the ordinary course of business, the
Distributor shall be promptly reimbursed for such payments upon invoicing
them.
5.
FEE
ADJUSTMENTS. The
fixed
fees and other fees expressed as stated dollar amounts in this Schedule C and
in
this Agreement are subject to annual increases, commencing on the one-year
anniversary date of the date of this Agreement, in an amount equal to the
percentage increase in consumer prices for services as measured by the United
States Consumer Price Index entitled “All Services Less Rent of Shelter,” or a
similar index should such index no longer be published, since such one-year
anniversary or since the date of the last fee increase, as
applicable.
18
SCHEDULE
D
SPECIAL
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AND FEES
Services
|
Fees
|
|
1.
Wholesaling Personnel Services
Wholesaling
Personnel may be external wholesalers and/or internal wholesalers.
Services
include soliciting support of the Funds with selling broker dealers;
participating in promotional meetings, presentations, conferences
and
other forums; identifying high potential personnel of the Adviser
and
selling broker dealers; and assisting with mail solicitations and
literature fulfillment.
|
Wholesaling
Personnel Services Fees
For
each individual constituting the Wholesaling Personnel employed by
the
Distributor pursuant to this Agreement, the Distributor shall receive
annually an amount equal to the sum of:
(i)
all compensation paid annually by the Distributor to the employee
attributable to services rendered to the Trust; plus
(ii)
a management oversight fee equal to:
(a) if
one to four Wholesaling Personnel are employed, 30% of the salary
compensation and 5% of the bonus or commission compensation, or
(b) if
five or more Wholesaling Personnel are employed, 25% of the salary
compensation and 5% of the bonus or commission compensation;
plus
(iii)
18% of the total compensation (covering costs of the Distributor’s
employee benefits that are provided by the Distributor) to the extent
related directly to services rendered to the Trust.
In
addition, the Distributor shall be reimbursed for all related costs
to
support, educate and train and maintain compliance oversight of
Wholesaling Personnel and other personnel such as sales management,
marketing and performance reporting personnel (including time and
expenses, continuing education, seminars, rent, supplies, phone,
computers, firm element, license, registration)
Upon
any termination of Wholesaling Personnel at the request of the Funds
or
upon termination of this Agreement by the Funds for any reason other
than
cause, the Distributor will be reimbursed its severance costs with
respect
to such terminated Wholesaling Personnel.
|
19
2.
Registration of Personnel:
Services
include filing appropriate documentation for advisory representatives
to
qualify as registered representatives of the Distributor (provided
that
the Adviser is solely responsible for its representatives’ meeting
examination requirements) and their related registrations and
fees.
|
Registration
of Personnel Fees:
$5,000
per registration per year, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
$5,000
per Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction per
year.
|
Expenses
Applicable to Distribution Services
Except
as
expressly set forth above and in Schedule C of this agreement, out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by Distributor in the performance of its services under this
Agreement are not included in the above fees. Such out-of-pocket expenses,
which
shall be paid by the Trust to the extent they are attributable to the Trust
and
have been mutually agreed upon (except as otherwise agreed herein, such as
FINRA
and audit fees and expenses), may include, without limitation
·
|
reasonable
travel and entertainment costs;
|
·
|
expenses
incurred by the Distributor in qualifying, registering and maintaining
the
registration of the Distributor and each individual comprising Wholesaling
Personnel as a registered representative of the Distributor under
applicable federal and state laws and rules of the FINRA, e.g., CRD
fees
and state fees;
|
·
|
Sponsorships,
Promotions, Sales Incentives;
|
·
|
any
and all compensation to be paid to a third party as paying agent
for
distribution activities (platform fees, finders fees, sub-TA fees,
12b-1
pass thru, commissions, etc.);
|
·
|
costs
and expenses incurred for telephone service, photocopying and office
supplies;
|
·
|
advertising
costs;
|
·
|
costs
for printing, paper stock and costs of other materials, electronic
transmission, courier, talent utilized in sales materials (e.g. models),
design output, photostats, photography, and illustrations;
|
·
|
packaging,
shipping, postage, and photocopies;
|
·
|
taxes
that are paid or payable by the Distributor or its affiliates in
connection with its services hereunder, other than taxes customarily
and
actually imposed upon the income that the Distributor receives hereunder;
and
|
·
|
amounts
paid to the FINRA based
on Distributor’s revenue and/or the number of Distributor’s registered
representatives attributable to the
Trust.
|
20