DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 19th day of November, 2015 by and between Xxxxx Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Client”) and Foreside Fund Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal office and place of business at Three Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (the “Distributor”).
WHEREAS, the Client is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company, and is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Client desires to retain the Distributor as principal underwriter in connection with the offering of the Shares of each series listed on Exhibit A hereto (as amended from time to time) (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”); and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and is a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”); and
WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Client’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and the separate concurrence of a majority of its “disinterested” Trustees, in conformity with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is willing to act as principal underwriter for the Client on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by all parties, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. | Appointment
of Distributor. The Client hereby appoints the Distributor as its exclusive
agent for the sale and distribution of Shares of the Funds, on the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement, and the Distributor hereby accepts such exclusive appointment
and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. |
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2. | Services
and Duties of the Distributor. |
A. | The Distributor
agrees to act as agent of the Client for distribution of the Shares of the Funds,
upon the terms and at the current offering price (plus sales charges, if any), all
as described in the Client’s then current Prospectus. As used in this Agreement,
the term “Prospectus” shall mean each current prospectus, including the
statement of additional information, as amended or supplemented, relating to any
of the Funds and included in the currently effective registration statement(s) |
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or post-effective
amendment(s) thereto (the “Registration Statement”) of the Client under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and the 1940 Act. |
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B. | During the
continuous public offering of Shares of the Funds, the Distributor shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to distribute the Shares. All orders for Shares shall be made
through financial intermediaries or directly to the applicable Fund or its designated
agent. Such purchase orders shall be deemed effective at the time and in the manner
set forth in the Prospectus. The Client or its designated agent will confirm orders
and subscriptions upon receipt, will make appropriate book entries and, upon receipt
of payment therefor, will issue the appropriate number of Shares in uncertificated
form. |
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C. | The Distributor
shall maintain membership with the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) and any other similar successor organization to sponsor a participant number
for the Fund(s) so as to enable the Shares to be traded through NSCC’s FundSERV
system. The Distributor shall not be responsible for any operational matters associated
with FundSERV or Networking transactions. |
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D. | The Distributor
acknowledges and agrees that it is not authorized to provide any information or
make any representations regarding the Funds to any person or entity other than
as contained in the Prospectus and any sales literature and advertising materials
specifically approved by the Client. |
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E. | The Distributor
agrees to review all proposed advertising materials and sales literature for compliance
with applicable laws and regulations (and make compliance recommendations, as necessary),
and shall file with appropriate regulators those advertising materials and sales
literature it believes are in compliance with such laws and regulations. The Distributor
agrees to furnish to the Client any comments provided by regulators with respect
to such materials. |
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F. | The Client
agrees to redeem or repurchase Shares tendered by shareholders of the Funds in accordance
with the Client’s obligations in the Prospectus and the Registration Statement.
The Client reserves the right to suspend such repurchase right upon written notice
to the Distributor. |
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G. | The Distributor
may, in its discretion, and shall, at the request of the Client, enter into agreements
with such qualified broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries as the Distributor
and/or Client may select, in order that such broker-dealers and other intermediaries
also may sell Shares of the Funds. The form of any dealer agreement shall be approved
by the Client. The Distributor shall not be obligated to make any payments to any
broker-dealers, other financial intermediaries or other third parties, unless (i)
The Distributor has received a corresponding payment from the applicable Fund’s
plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“12b-1
Plan”) and (ii) such corresponding payment has been approved by the Client’s Board. The Distributor |
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shall include
in the forms of agreement with selling broker-dealers a provision for the forfeiture
by them of any sales charge or discount with respect to Shares sold by them and
redeemed, repurchased or tendered for redemption within seven business days after
the date of confirmation of such purchases. |
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H. | The Distributor
shall devote its best efforts to effect sales of Shares of the Funds but shall not
be obligated to sell any certain number of Shares. |
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I. |
The Distributor
shall prepare reports for the Board regarding its activities under this Agreement
as from time to time shall be reasonably requested by the Board, including reports
regarding the use of 12b-1 Plan payments received by the Distributor, if any. |
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J. |
The Distributor
may enter into agreements (“Subcontracts”) with qualified third parties
to carry out some or all of the Distributor’s obligations under this Agreement,
with the prior written consent of the Client, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld; provided that execution of a Subcontract shall not relieve the Distributor
of any of its responsibilities hereunder. |
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K. |
The services
furnished by the Distributor hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive and the Distributor
shall be free to furnish similar services to others so long as its services under
this Agreement are not impaired thereby. |
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L. |
The Distributor
shall be required to register as a broker or dealer in any jurisdiction and maintain
its registration in any jurisdiction in which any Fund is registered and has sold
Shares. |
3. |
Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of the Client. |
A. |
The Client
hereby represents and warrants to the Distributor, which representations and warranties
shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that: |
(i) |
it is duly
organized and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization
and is registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act; |
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(ii) |
this Agreement
has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Client and, when executed
and delivered, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Client,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies
of creditors and secured parties; |
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(iii) |
it is conducting
its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and
regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained |
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all regulatory
approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute,
rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter,
bylaws/operating agreement or any contract binding it or affecting its property
which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; |
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(iv) |
the Shares
are validly authorized and, when issued in accordance with the description in the
Prospectus, will be fully paid and nonassessable; |
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(v) |
the Registration
Statement and Prospectus included therein have been prepared in conformity with
the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder; |
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(vi) |
the Registration
Statement and Prospectus and any advertising materials and sales literature prepared
by the Client or its agent do not and shall not contain any untrue statement of
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that all statements
or information furnished to the Distributor pursuant to this Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects; and |
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(vii) |
the Client
owns, possesses, licenses or has other rights to use all patents, patent applications,
trademarks and service marks, trademark and service xxxx registrations, trade names,
copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how and other
intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary
for or used in the conduct of the Client’s business and for the offer, issuance,
distribution and sale of the Fund Shares in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus
and this Agreement, and such Intellectual Property does not and will not breach
or infringe the terms of any Intellectual Property owned, held or licensed by any
third party. |
B. |
The Client
shall take, or cause to be taken, all necessary action to register the Shares under
the federal and all applicable state securities laws and to maintain an effective
Registration Statement for such Shares in order to permit the sale of Shares as
herein contemplated. The Client authorizes the Distributor to use the Prospectus,
in the form furnished to the Distributor from time to time, in connection with the
sale of Shares. |
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C. |
The Client
agrees to advise the Distributor promptly in writing: |
(i) |
of any material
correspondence or other communication by the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) or its staff relating to the Fund(s), including requests by the
SEC for amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; |
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(ii) |
in the event
of the issuance by the SEC of any stop-order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement then in effect or the initiation of any proceeding for that
purpose; |
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(iii) |
of the happening
of any event which makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in the Prospectus
or which requires the making of a change in such Prospectus in order to make the
statements therein not misleading; |
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(iv) |
of all actions
taken by the SEC with respect to any amendments to any Registration Statement or
Prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the SEC; |
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(v) |
in the event
that it determines to suspend the sale of Shares at any time in response to conditions
in the securities markets or otherwise or to suspend the redemption of Shares of
any Fund at any time as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules of the SEC; and |
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(vi) |
of the commencement
of any litigation or proceedings against the Client or any of its officers or directors
in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares. |
D. |
The Client
shall file such reports and other documents as may be required under applicable
federal and state laws and regulations, including state blue sky laws, and shall
notify the Distributor in writing of the states in which the Shares may be sold
and of any changes to such information. |
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E. |
The Client
agrees to file from time to time such amendments to its Registration Statement and
Prospectus as may be necessary in order that its Registration Statement and Prospectus
will not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading. |
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F. |
The Client
shall fully cooperate in the efforts of the Distributor to sell and arrange for
the sale of Shares. In addition, the Client shall provide to the Distributor from
time to time copies of all information, financial statements, and other papers that
the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution
of Shares, including, without limitation, certified copies of any financial statements
prepared for the Client by its independent public accountants and such reasonable
number of copies of the most current Prospectus, statement of additional information
and annual and interim reports to shareholders as the Distributor may request. The
Client shall forward a copy of any SEC filings, including the Registration Statement,
to the Distributor within one business day of any such filings. The Client represents
that it will not use or authorize the use of any advertising or sales material unless
and until such materials have been approved and authorized for use by the Distributor. |
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G. |
The Client
shall provide, and cause each other agent or service provider to the Client, including
the Client’s transfer agent and investment adviser, to provide, to Distributor
in a timely and accurate manner all such information (and in such reasonable medium)
that the Distributor may reasonably request that may be necessary for the Distributor
to perform its duties under this Agreement. |
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H. |
The Client
shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that amends
any provision therein which pertains to Distributor, the distribution of the Shares
or the applicable sales loads or public offering price without giving Distributor
reasonable advance notice thereof; provided, however, that nothing contained in
this Agreement shall in any way limit the Client’s right to file at any time
such amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, of whatever character,
as the Client may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and
unconditional. |
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I. |
The Client
has adopted policies and procedures pursuant to Title V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx
Act, as may be modified from time to time. In this regard, the Client (and relevant
agents) shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards
reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and
to prevent the unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating
to the Client and the owners of the Shares. |
4. |
Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of the Distributor. |
A. |
The Distributor
hereby represents and warrants to the Client, which representations and warranties
shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that: |
(i) |
it is duly
organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with
full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement
and to perform its obligations hereunder; |
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(ii) |
this Agreement
has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Distributor and, when executed
and delivered, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Distributor,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies
of creditors and secured parties; |
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(iii) |
it is conducting
its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and
regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary
to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation,
order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, operating agreement
or any contract binding it
or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this
Agreement; and |
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(iv) |
it is registered
as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act, is a member in good standing of FINRA, and
shall maintain such registration for so long as this Agreement is in effect. |
B. |
In connection
with all matters relating to this Agreement, the Distributor will comply with the
applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, the regulations
of FINRA and all other applicable federal or state laws and regulations. |
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C. |
The Distributor
shall promptly notify the Client of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings
against the Distributor or any of its managers, officers or directors in connection
with the issue and sale of any of the Shares. |
5. |
Compensation. |
A. |
In consideration
of the Distributor’s services in connection with the distribution of Shares
of each Fund, The Distributor shall receive the compensation set forth in Exhibit
B. |
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B. |
Except as
specified in Section 5A, The Distributor shall be entitled to no compensation or
reimbursement of expenses for services provided by the Distributor pursuant to this
Agreement. The Distributor may receive compensation from Xxxxx Wealth Management,
LLC (“Adviser”) related to its services hereunder or for additional services
all as may be agreed to between the Adviser and the Distributor. |
6. |
Expenses. |
A. |
The Client
shall bear all costs and expenses in connection with registration of the Shares
with the SEC and the applicable states, as well as all costs and expenses in connection
with the offering of the Shares and communications with shareholders of its Funds,
including but not limited to (i) fees and disbursements of its counsel and independent
public accountants; (ii) costs and expenses of the preparation, filing, printing
and mailing of Registration Statements and Prospectuses and amendments thereto,
as well as related advertising and sales literature, (iii) costs and expenses of
the preparation, printing and mailing of annual and interim reports, proxy materials
and other communications to shareholders of the Funds; and (iv) fees required in
connection with the offer and sale of Shares in such jurisdictions as shall be selected
by the Client pursuant to Section 3(D) hereof. |
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B. |
The Distributor
shall bear the expenses of registration or qualification of the Distributor as a
dealer or broker under federal or state laws and the expenses of continuing
such registration or qualification. The Distributor does not assume responsibility
for any expenses not expressly assumed hereunder. |
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7. |
Indemnification. |
A. |
The Client
shall indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor, its affiliates and each of their
respective members, managers, directors, officers, employees, representatives and
any person who controls or previously controlled the Distributor within the meaning
of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Distributor Indemnitees”),
free and harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities,
damages and expenses (including the costs of investigating or defending any alleged
losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages or expenses and any reasonable counsel
fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, “Losses”) that any
Distributor Indemnitee may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act
any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder,
or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or relating to (i) the Distributor
serving as distributor of the Funds pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) the Client’s breach of any of its obligations, representations, warranties or covenants
contained in this Agreement; (iii) the Client’s failure to comply with any
applicable securities laws or regulations; or (iv) any claim that the Registration
Statement, Prospectus, shareholder reports, sales literature and advertising materials
or other information filed or made public by the Client (as from time to time amended)
include or included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law
any violation of any rule of FINRA or of the SEC or any other jurisdiction wherein
Shares of the Funds are sold, provided, however, that the Client’s obligation
to indemnify any of the Distributor Indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any
Losses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, Prospectus, annual or interim
report, or any such advertising materials or sales literature in reliance upon and
in conformity with information relating to the Distributor and furnished to the
Client or its counsel by the Distributor in writing and acknowledging the purpose
of its use. In no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect
the Distributor against any liability to the Client or its shareholders to which
the Distributor would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement
or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement. |
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The Client’s agreement to indemnify the Distributor Indemnitees with respect to any action
is expressly conditioned upon the Client being notified of such action or claim
of loss brought against any Distributor Indemnitee, 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 Distributor Indemnitee, |
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unless the
failure to give notice does not prejudice the Client. Such notification shall be
given by letter or by telegram addressed to the Client’s President, but the
failure so to notify the Client of any such action shall not relieve the Client
from any liability which the Client may have to the person against whom such action
is brought by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission,
or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of the Client’s indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 7(A). |
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B. |
The Client
shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so
elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Losses, but
if the Client elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel
chosen by the Client and approved by the Distributor, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. In the event the Client elects to assume the defense of any
such suit and retain such counsel, the Distributor Indemnitee(s) in such suit shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Client
does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Distributor
does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the
Client or, if under prevailing law or legal codes of ethics, the same counsel cannot
effectively represent the interests of both the Client and the Distributor Indemnitee(s),
the Client will reimburse the Distributor Indemnitee(s) in such suit, for the fees
and expenses of any counsel retained by Distributor and them. The Client’s
indemnification agreement contained in Sections 7(A) and 7(B) shall remain operative
and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf
of the Distributor Indemnitee(s), and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and
the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively
to the Distributor’s benefit, to the benefit of each Distributor Indemnitee. |
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C. |
The Client
shall advance attorney’s fees and other expenses incurred by a Distributor
Indemnitee in defending any claim, demand, action or suit which is the subject of
a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 7 to the maximum extent permissible
under applicable law. |
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D. |
The Distributor
shall indemnify, defend and hold the Client, its affiliates, and each of their respective
directors, officers, employees, representatives, and any person who controls or
previously controlled the Client within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the “Client Indemnitees”), free and harmless from and against
any and all Losses that any Client Indemnitee may incur under the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, the 1940 Act, any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule
or regulation thereunder, or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based
upon (i) the Distributor’s breach of any of its obligations, representations,
warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement; (ii) the Distributor’s
failure to comply with any applicable securities laws or regulations; or (iii) any
claim that the Registration Statement, Prospectus, sales literature and advertising
materials or other information filed or made public by the Client (as from time
to time amended) include or included an untrue statement |
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of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
in order to make the statements not misleading, insofar as such statement or omission
was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the
Client by the Distributor in writing. In no event shall anything contained herein
be so construed as to protect the Client against any liability to the Distributor
to which the Client would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement
or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement. |
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The Distributor’s agreement to indemnify the Client Indemnitees is expressly conditioned upon
the Distributor’s being notified of any action or claim of loss brought against
a Client Indemnitee, such notification to be given by letter or telegram addressed
to the Distributor’s President, 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 the Client Indemnitee, unless the failure to give notice does
not prejudice the Distributor. The failure so to notify the Distributor of any such
action shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability which the Distributor
may have to the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any such
untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, otherwise than on account of the
Distributor’s indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7(D). |
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E. |
The Distributor
shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so
elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Losses, but
if the Distributor elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted
by counsel chosen by the Distributor and approved by the Client Indemnitee, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Distributor elects
to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the Client Indemnitee(s)
in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained
by them. If the Distributor does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit,
or in case the Client does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve
of counsel chosen by the Distributor or, if under prevailing law or legal codes
of ethics, the same counsel cannot effectively represent the interests of both the
Distributor and the Client Indemnitee(s), the Distributor will reimburse the Client
Indemnitee(s) in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by
the Client and them. The Distributor’s indemnification agreement contained
in Sections 7(D) and (E) shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless
of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Client Indemnitee(s), and shall
survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This Agreement
of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Client’s benefit, to the benefit
of each Client Indemnitee. |
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F. |
No person
shall be obligated to provide indemnification under this Section 6 if such indemnification
would be impermissible under the 1940 Act, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or the rules
of the FINRA; provided, however, in such event indemnification
shall be provided under this Section 7 to the maximum extent so permissible. |
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8. |
Dealer
Agreement Indemnification. |
A. |
Distributor
acknowledges and agrees that certain large and significant broker-dealers, such
as (without limitation) Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, UBS and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx (all such brokers
referred to herein as the “Brokers”), require that Distributor enter into
dealer agreements (the “Non-Standard Dealer Agreements”) that contain
certain representations, undertakings and indemnification that are not included
in the Standard Dealer Agreement. |
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B. |
To the extent
that Distributor is requested or required by the Client to enter into any Non-Standard
Dealer Agreement, the Client shall indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor Indemnitees
free and harmless from and against any and all Losses that any Distributor Indemnitee
may incur arising out of or relating to (a) The Distributor’s actions or failures
to act pursuant to any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement; (b) any representations made
by The Distributor in any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement to the extent that The Distributor
is not required to make such representations in the Standard Dealer Agreement; or
(c) any indemnification provided by The Distributor under a Non-Standard Dealer
Agreement to the extent that such indemnification is beyond the indemnification
The Distributor provides to intermediaries in the Standard Dealer Agreement. In
no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect the Distributor
Indemnitees against any liability to the Client or its shareholders to which the
Distributor Indemnitees would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of Distributor’s obligations
or duties under the Non-Standard Dealer Agreement or by reason of Distributor’s
reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under the Non- Standard Dealer Agreement. |
9. |
Limitations
on Damages. Neither Party shall be liable for any consequential, special
or indirect losses or damages suffered by the other Party, whether or not the likelihood
of such losses or damages was known by the Party. |
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10. |
Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption
or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond
its reasonable control, including, without limitation, Acts of Nature (including
fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster); action or
inaction of civil or military authority; acts of foreign enemies; war; terrorism;
riot; insurrection; sabotage; epidemics; labor disputes; civil commotion; or interruption,
loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation, computer or communications capabilities;
provided, however, that in each specific case such circumstance shall be beyond
the reasonable control of the party seeking to apply this force majeure clause. |
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11. |
Duration
and Termination. |
A. |
This Agreement
shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Exhibit A hereof as of
the date hereof and, with respect to each Fund not in existence on that date, on
the date an amendment to Exhibit A to this Agreement relating to that Fund is executed.
Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect
for two years from the date hereof. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement
shall continue automatically in effect as to each Fund for successive one-year periods,
provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the
Client’s Board or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of a Fund, in accordance with Section 15 of the 1940 Act. |
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B. |
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated, without the payment of any penalty,
with respect to a particular Fund (i) through a failure to renew this Agreement
at the end of a term or (ii) upon mutual consent of the parties. Further, this Agreement
may be terminated upon no less than 60 days’ written notice, by either the
Client through a vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not interested
persons, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, and have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of this Agreement or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, or by the Distributor. |
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C. |
This Agreement
will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. |
12. |
Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance. |
A. |
Each of Distributor
and Client 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. |
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B. |
The Distributor
shall include specific contractual provisions regarding anti-money laundering compliance
obligations in agreements entered into by the Distributor with any broker-dealer
or other financial intermediary that is authorized to effect transactions in Shares
of the Funds. |
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C. |
Each of Distributor
and Client 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 Client, the Client’s anti-money laundering compliance
officer and appropriate regulatory agencies, reasonable access to copies of Distributor’s AML Operations, and related books and records to the extent they pertain
to the Distributor’s services hereunder. It is expressly understood
and agreed that the Client and the Client’s compliance officer shall have no
access to any of Distributor’s AML Operations, books or records pertaining
to other clients or services of Distributor. |
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13. |
Privacy. In accordance with Regulation S-P, the Distributor will not disclose any
non- public personal information, as defined in Regulation S-P, received from the
Client or any Fund regarding any Fund shareholder; provided, however, that the Distributor
may disclose such information to any party as necessary in the ordinary course of
business to carry out the purposes for which such information was disclosed to the
Distributor. 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. |
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The Client
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 to the Distributor a copy of that statement annually. The
Distributor agrees to use reasonable precautions to protect, and prevent the unintentional
disclosure of, such non-public personal information. |
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14. |
Confidentiality. During the term of this Agreement, the Distributor and the Client 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 Client 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 does not include: (i) information that was known to the
receiving Party before receipt thereof from or on behalf of the Disclosing Party;
(ii) information that is disclosed to the Receiving Party by a third person who
has a right to make such disclosure without any obligation of confidentiality to
the Party seeking to enforce its rights under this Section; (iii) information that
is or becomes generally known in the trade without violation of this Agreement by
the Receiving Party; or (iv) information that is independently developed by the
Receiving Party or its employees or affiliates without reference to the Disclosing
Party’s information. |
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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
practicable and cooperate with the other party (at such other party’s expense)
in any efforts to prevent such disclosure. |
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15. |
Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given by any party to the others
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered
personally or by courier service or 3 days after sent by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested or on the date sent and confirmed
received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address as set forth
below: |
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Notices to
the Distributor shall be sent to: |
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Foreside Fund
Services, LLC Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 Fax: (000) 000-0000 |
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Notices to
the Client shall be sent to: |
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Xxxxx Funds
Attn: Sander Read, CEO 000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, #000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 Fax: (000) 000-0000 |
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16. |
Modifications. The terms of this Agreement shall not be waived, altered, modified, amended
or supplemented in any manner whatsoever except by a written instrument signed by
the Distributor and the Client. If required under the 1940 Act, any such amendment
must be approved by the Client’s Board, including a majority of the Client’s Board who are not interested persons, as such term is defined in the 1940
Act, of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting for the
purpose of voting on such amendment. |
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17. |
Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof. |
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18. |
Entire
Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
Parties hereto and supersedes all prior communications, understandings and agreements
relating to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written. |
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19. |
Survival. The provisions of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 of this Agreement shall
survive any termination of this Agreement. |
|
20. |
Miscellaneous. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect
their construction or effect. Any provision of this Agreement which may be |
14
determined
by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall,
as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability
without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable
such provision in any other jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. |
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21. |
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the Parties hereto in any number of
counterparts, and all of the counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute
one and the same document. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date first above written.
FORESIDE FUND
SERVICES, LLC |
|
By: _________________________ |
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, President |
XXXXX FUNDS |
|
By: _______________________ |
|
Name: |
|
Title: |
15
EXHIBIT A
Fund Names
Xxxxx Small Cap Fund
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EXHIBIT B
Compensation
1. With respect to Class A Shares (i) that
part of the sales charge which is retained by the Distributor after reallowance
of discounts to dealers as set forth, if required, in the Registration Statement,
including the Prospectus, filed with the SEC and in effect at the time of the offering,
as amended.
2. With respect to Class C Shares (i) that
part of any front-end sales charge which is retained by the Distributor after allowance
of discounts to dealers as set forth, if required, in the Registration Statement,
including the Prospectus, filed with the SEC and in effect at the time of the offering,
as amended, and (ii) the contingent deferred sales charge payable with respect to
Class C Shares sold through the Distributor as set forth in the Registration Statement,
including the Prospectus, filed with the SEC and in effect at the time of sale of
such Class C Shares.
3. With respect to Class I Shares, if any,
the Distributor shall not be entitled to any compensation.
4. With respect to any future Class of Shares,
the Distributor shall be entitled to such consideration as the Fund and the Distributor
shall agree at the time such Class of Shares is established.
*All Sales Loads received by the Distributor shall be held to be used solely for distribution-related expenses and shall not be retained as profit.
12b-1 PAYMENTS:
Attached to this Exhibit B are all plans of distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act approved by the Funds and in effect (collectively, the “Distribution Plan”). If the Funds have a Board approved Distribution Plan that authorizes them to compensate and reimburse the Distributor for distribution services, then the Funds shall be responsible for all compensation and reimbursements pursuant to this Agreement, or such portions thereof as are authorized under the Distribution Plan.
17