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EXHIBIT (m)(4)(a)
EXHIBIT D
AGENCY PRICING AGREEMENT
(THE AIM FAMILY OF FUNDS--Registered Trademark--)
This Agreement is entered into as of the ____ of _______________,
19___, between _______________________________ (the "Plan Provider") and A I M
Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor").
RECITAL
Plan Provider acts as a trustee and/or servicing agent for defined
contribution plans and/or deferred compensation plans (the "Plans") and invests
and reinvests such Plans' assets as specified by an investment advisor, sponsor
or administrative committee of the Plan (a "Plan Representative") generally
upon the direction of Plan beneficiaries (the "Participants").
Plan Provider and Distributor desire to facilitate the purchase and
redemption of shares (the "Shares") of the funds listed on Exhibit A hereto
which may be amended from time to time by Distributor (the "Fund" or "Funds"),
registered investment companies distributed by Distributor, on behalf of the
Plans, through one or more accounts (not to exceed one per Plan) in each Fund
(individually an "Account" and collectively the "Accounts"), subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement. Distributor shall, on behalf of the
Funds, pay to Plan Provider a fee in accordance with Exhibit A hereto.
AGREEMENT
1. SERVICES
Plan Provider shall provide shareholder and administration services
for the Plans and/or their Participants, including, without
limitation: answering questions about the Funds; assisting in changing
dividend options, account designations and addresses; establishing and
maintaining shareholder accounts and records; and assisting in
processing purchase and redemption transactions (the "Services"). Plan
Provider shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations,
including requirements regarding prospectus delivery and maintenance
and preservation of records. To the extent allowed by law, Plan
Provider shall provide Distributor with copies of all records that
Distributor may reasonably request. Distributor or its affiliate will
recognize each Plan as an unallocated account in each Fund, and will
not maintain separate accounts in each Fund for each Participant.
Except to the extent provided in Section 3, all Services performed by
Plan Provider shall be as an independent contractor and not as an
employee or agent of Distributor or any of the Funds. Plan Provider
and Plan Representatives, and not Distributor, shall take all
necessary action so that the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall not be "Prohibited Transactions" under section 406 of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or section 4975
of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. PRICING INFORMATION
Each Fund or its designee will furnish Plan Provider on each business
day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business ("Business
Day"), with (I) net asset value information as of the close of trading
(currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock
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Exchange or as at such later times at which a Fund's net asset value
is calculated as specified in such Fund's prospectus ("Close of
Trading"), (ii) dividend and capital gains information as it becomes
available, and (iii) in the case of income Funds, the daily accrual or
interest rate factor (mil rate). The Funds shall use their best
efforts to provide such information to Plan Provider by 6:00 p.m.
Central Time on the same Business Day.
Distributor or its affiliate will provide Plan Provider (a) daily
confirmations of Account activity within five Business Days after each
day on which a purchase or redemption of Shares is effected for the
particular Account, (b) if requested by Plan Provider, quarterly
statements detailing activity in each Account within fifteen Business
Days after the end of each quarter, and (c) such other reports as may
be reasonably requested by Plan Provider.
3. ORDERS AND SETTLEMENT
If Plan Provider receives instructions in proper form from
Participants or Plan Representatives before the Close of Trading on a
Business Day, Plan Provider will process such instructions that same
evening. On the next Business Day, Plan Provider will transmit orders
for net purchases or redemptions of Shares to Distributor or its
designee by 9:00 a.m. Central Time and wire payment for net purchases
by 2:00 p.m. Central Time. Distributor or its affiliate will wire
payment for net redemptions on the Business Day following the day the
order is executed for the Accounts. In doing so, Plan Provider will be
considered the Funds' agent, and Shares will be purchased and redeemed
as of the Business Day on which Plan Provider receives the
instructions. Plan Provider will record time and date of receipt of
instructions and will, upon request, provide such instructions and
other records relating to the Services to Distributor's auditors. If
Plan Provider receives instructions in proper form after the Close of
Trading on a Business Day, Plan Provider will treat the instructions
as if received on the next Business Day.
4. REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE DISTRIBUTOR AND THE FUNDS
Plan Provider and its agents shall limit representations concerning a
Fund or Shares to those contained in the then current prospectus of
such Fund, in current sales literature furnished by Distributor to
Plan Provider, in publicly available databases, such as those
databases created by Standard & Poor's and Morningstar, and in current
sales literature created by Plan Provider and submitted to and
approved in writing by Distributor prior to its use.
5. USE OF NAMES
Plan Provider and its affiliates will not, without the prior written
approval of Distributor, make public references to A I M Management
Group Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, or to the Funds. For purposes
of this provision, the public does not include Plan Providers'
representatives who are actively engaged in promoting the Funds. Any
brochure or other communication to the public that mentions the Funds
shall be submitted to Distributor for written approval prior to use.
Plan Provider shall provide copies of its regulatory filings that
include any reference to A I M Management Group Inc. or its
subsidiaries or the Funds to Distributor. If Plan Provider or its
affiliates should make unauthorized references or representations,
Plan Provider agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Funds, A I M
Management Group Inc. and its subsidiaries from any claims, losses,
expenses or liability arising in any way out of or connected in any
way with such references or representations.
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6. TERMINATION
(a) This Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Fund at
any time without any penalty by the vote of a majority of the
directors of such Fund who are "disinterested directors", as
that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "1940 Act"), or by a vote of a majority of
the Fund's outstanding shares, on sixty (60) days' written
notice. It will be terminated by any act which terminates
either the Fund's Distribution Plan, or any related agreement
thereunder, and in any event, it shall terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment as that term is
defined in the 1940 Act.
(b) Either party may terminate this Agreement upon ninety (90)
days' prior written notice to the other party at the address
specified below.
7. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) Plan Provider agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Distributor, its affiliates, the Funds, the Funds' investment
advisors, and each of their directors, officers, employees,
agents and each person, if any, who controls them within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), (the "Distributor Indemnitees") against
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to which
a Distributor Indemnitee may become subject insofar as those
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses or actions
in respect thereof, arise out of or are based upon (I) Plan
Provider's negligence or willful misconduct in performing the
Services, (ii) any breach by Plan Provider of any material
provision of this Agreement, or (iii) any breach by Plan
Provider of a representation, warranty or covenant made in
this Agreement; and Plan Provider will reimburse the
Distributor Indemnitee for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred, as incurred, by them in connection with
investigating or defending such loss, claim or action. This
indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability
which Plan Provider may otherwise have.
(b) Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Plan
Provider and its affiliates, and each of its directors,
officers, employees, agents and each person, if any, who
controls Plan Provider within the meaning of the Securities
Act (the "Plan Provider Indemnitees") against any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to which a Plan
Provider Indemnitee may become subject insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions
in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (I) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
fact contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus of
a Fund, or the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make statements therein not misleading, (ii) any
breach by Distributor of any material provision of this
Agreement, (iii) Distributor's negligence or willful
misconduct in carrying out its duties and responsibilities
under this Agreement, or (iv) any breach by Distributor of a
representation, warranty or covenant made in this Agreement;
and Distributor will reimburse the Plan Provider Indemnitees
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred, as
incurred, by them, in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim or action. This indemnity
agreement will be in addition to any liability which
Distributor may otherwise have.
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(c) If any third party threatens to commence or commences any
action for which one party (the "Indemnifying Party") may be
required to indemnify another person hereunder (the
"Indemnified Party"), the Indemnified Party shall promptly
give notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party. The
Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, at its own expense and
without limiting its obligations to indemnify the Indemnified
Party, to assume control of the defense of such action with
counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party which counsel
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. If
the Indemnifying Party assumes the control of the defense,
the Indemnified Party may participate in the defense of such
claim at its own expense. Without the prior written consent
of the Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be withheld
unreasonably, the Indemnifying Party may not settle or
compromise the liability of the Indemnified Party in such
action or consent to or permit the entry of any judgment in
respect thereof unless in connection with such settlement,
compromise or consent each Indemnified Party receives from
such claimant an unconditional release from all liability in
respect of such claim.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the State of Texas applicable to agreements fully
executed and to be performed therein.
9. ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
Each party represents that it is free to enter into this Agreement and
that by doing so it will not breach or otherwise impair any other
agreement or understanding with any other person, corporation or other
entity. Each party represents that it has full power and authority
under applicable law, and has taken all action necessary to enter into
and perform this Agreement and the person executing this Agreement on
its behalf is duly authorized and empowered to execute and deliver
this Agreement. Additionally, each party represents that this
Agreement, when executed and delivered, shall constitute its valid,
legal and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its
terms.
Plan Provider further represents, warrants, and covenants that:
(a) it is registered as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), or is not required to be registered as such;
(b) the arrangements provided for in this Agreement will be
disclosed to the Plan Representatives; and
(c) it is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act or any
applicable state securities laws, or, including as a result
of entering into and performing the services set forth in
this Agreement, is not required to be registered as such.
Distributor further represents, warrants and covenants, that:
(a) it is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and
any applicable state securities laws; and
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(b) the Funds' advisors are registered as investment advisors
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Funds are
registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act and
Fund Shares are registered under the Securities Act.
10. MODIFICATION
This Agreement and Exhibit A may be amended at any time by Distributor
without Plan Provider's consent by Distributor mailing a copy of an
amendment to Plan Provider at the address set forth below. Such
amendment shall become effective thirty (30) days from the date of
mailing unless this Agreement is terminated by the Plan Provider
within such thirty (30) days.
11. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement shall not be assigned by a party hereto, without the
prior written consent of the other parties hereto, except that a party
may assign this Agreement to an affiliate having the same ultimate
ownership as the assigning party without such consent.
12. SURVIVAL
The provisions of Sections 1, 5 and 7 shall survive termination of
this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement by their duly
authorized officers as of the date first above written.
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(PLAN PROVIDER)
By:
------------------------------------
Print Name:
----------------------------
Title:
---------------------------------
Address:
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A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
(DISTRIBUTOR)
By:
------------------------------------
Print Name:
----------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
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EXHIBIT A
For the term of this Agreement, Distributor, or its affiliates, shall
pay Plan Provider the following amounts for each of the following Funds with
respect to the average daily net asset value of the Class A Shares of the
Plans' balances for the prior quarter:
FUND ANNUAL FEE
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AIM Advisor Funds, Inc. (Class A Shares Only)
AIM Advisor Flex Fund .25%
AIM Advisor International Value Fund .25%
AIM Advisor Large Cap Value Fund .25%
AIM Advisor MultiFlex Fund .25%
AIM Advisor Real Estate Fund .25%
AIM Equity Funds, Inc. (Class A Shares Only)
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund .25%
AIM Blue Chip Fund .25%
AIM Capital Development Fund .25%
AIM Charter Fund .25%
AIM Constellation Fund .25%
AIM Xxxxxxxxxx Fund .25%
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund .25%
AIM Funds Group (Class A Shares Only)
AIM Balanced Fund .25%
AIM Global Utilities Fund .25%
AIM High Yield Fund .25%
AIM Income Fund .25%
AIM Intermediate Government Fund .25%
AIM Municipal Bond Fund .25%
AIM Select Growth Fund .25%
AIM Value Fund .25%
AIM Growth Series (Class A Shares Only)
AIM Basic Value Fund .25%
AIM Europe Growth Fund .25%
AIM International Growth Fund .25%
AIM Japan Growth Fund .25%
AIM Mid Cap Equity Fund .25%
AIM New Pacific Growth Fund .25%
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund .25%
AIM Worldwide Growth Fund .25%
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AIM International Funds, Inc. (Class A Shares Only)
AIM Asian Growth Fund .25%
AIM European Development Fund .25%
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund .25%
AIM Global Growth Fund .25%
AIM Global Income Fund .25%
AIM International Equity Fund .25%
AIM Investment Funds (Class A Shares Only)
AIM Developing Markets Fund .25%
AIM Emerging Markets Fund .25%
AIM Emerging Markets Debt Fund .25%
AIM Global Consumer Products and Services Fund .25%
AIM Global Financial Services Fund .25%
AIM Global Government Income Fund .25%
AIM Global Growth & Income Fund .25%
AIM Global Health Care Fund .25%
AIM Global Infrastructure Fund .25%
AIM Global Resources Fund .25%
AIM Global Telecommunications Fund .25%
AIM Latin American Growth Fund .25%
AIM Strategic Income Fund .25%
AIM Investment Securities Funds (Class A Shares Only)
AIM High Yield Fund II .25%
AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund .15%
AIM Series Trust (Class A Shares Only)
AIM Global Trends Fund .25%
AIM Special Opportunities Funds (Class A Shares Only)
AIM Small Cap Opportunities Fund .25%
Distributor or its affiliates shall calculate the amount of quarterly
payment and shall deliver to Plan Provider a quarterly statement showing the
calculation of the quarterly amounts payable to Plan Provider. Distributor
reserves the right at any time to impose minimum fee payment requirements
before any quarterly payments will be made to Plan Provider. Payment to Plan
Provider shall occur within 30 days following the end of each quarter. All
parties agree that the payments referred to herein are for record keeping and
administrative services only and are not for legal, investment advisory or
distribution services.
Minimum Payments: $50 (with respect to all Funds in the aggregate.)