Exhibit (h)(ix)
ADMINISTRATION, BOOKKEEPING AND
PRICING SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made
as of May 1, 2013, between Cullen Funds Trust, organized as a trust under the laws of the State of Delaware (the
“Fund”), and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“ALPS”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment
company, presently consisting of the portfolios listed in Appendix A (the “Portfolios”);
WHEREAS, Cullen Capital Management
LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser and is responsible for managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain
clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative and management services;
WHEREAS, ALPS provides certain
administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services to investment companies; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires
to appoint ALPS to perform certain administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services for the Fund, and ALPS has indicated its willingness
to so act, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration
of the premises and mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows.
1. | | ALPS Appointment and Duties. |
(a) | | The Fund hereby
appoints ALPS to provide the administrative, bookkeeping
and pricing services set forth in Appendix B
hereto, as amended from time to time, upon
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
ALPS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees
to furnish such specified services. ALPS shall
for all purposes be deemed to be an independent
contractor and shall, except as otherwise expressly
authorized in this Agreement, have no authority
to act for or represent the Fund in any way or
otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund. |
(b) | | ALPS may employ or associate itself with a person or persons or organizations as ALPS
believes to be desirable in the performance of its duties hereunder; provided that, in such event, the compensation of such person
or persons or organizations shall be paid by and be the sole responsibility of ALPS, and the Fund shall bear no cost or obligation
with respect thereto; and provided further that ALPS shall not be relieved of any of its obligations under this Agreement in such
event and shall be responsible for all acts of any such person or persons or organizations taken in furtherance of this Agreement
to the same extent it would be for its own acts. |
ALPS Form 110508
2. | | ALPS Compensation; Expenses. |
(a) | | In consideration
for the services to be performed hereunder by ALPS,
the Fund shall pay ALPS the fees listed in Appendix
C hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, fees billed for the services
to be performed by ALPS under this Agreement are
based on information provided by the Fund and such
fees are subject to renegotiation between the parties
to the extent such information is determined to
be materially different from what the Fund originally
provided to ALPS. During each year of the Term,
unless the parties shall otherwise agree and provided
that the service mix and volumes remain consistent
with those provided in the previous year of this
Agreement, the fee that would be charged for the
same services would be the base fee rate (as reflected
in Appendix C) subject to an annual cost of living
adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index for
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, for the
Denver-Boulder-Greeley area, as published bimonthly
by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau
of Labor Statistics, or, in the event that publication
of such index is terminated, any successor or substitute
index, appropriately adjusted, acceptable to all
parties. |
(b) | | ALPS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under
this Agreement, except as otherwise provided herein. ALPS will not bear any of the costs of Fund officers. Other Fund expenses
incurred shall be borne by the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser, including, but not limited to, initial organization
and offering expenses; subject to Section 4(b), litigation expenses; taxes; expenses of conducting repurchase offers for the purpose
of repurchasing Fund shares; transfer agency and custodial expenses; interest; Fund trustees’ fees; brokerage fees and commissions;
state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; Fund and investment advisory related
legal expenses; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the
Fund’s trustees; printing and mailing of shareholder reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information other offering
documents, supplements, proxy materials and other communications to shareholders; securities pricing data and expenses in connection
with electronic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). |
3. | | Right to Receive Advice. |
(a) | | Advice of the
Fund and Service Providers. If ALPS is in doubt
as to any action it should or should not take,
ALPS may request directions, advice or instructions
from the Fund or, as applicable, the Fund’s
investment adviser, custodian or other service
providers. |
(b) | | Advice of Counsel.
If ALPS is in doubt as to any question of law pertaining
to any action it should or should not take, ALPS
may request advice from counsel of its own choosing
(who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund’s
investment adviser or ALPS, at the option of ALPS).
If ALPS is relying on counsel that is not Fund
counsel or |
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adviser counsel, ALPS will
be responsible for cost of any counsel that does not represent the Fund.
(c) | | Conflicting
Advice. In the event of a conflict between
directions, advice or instructions ALPS receives
from the Fund or any service provider and the advice
ALPS receives from counsel, ALPS may in its sole
discretion rely upon and follow the advice of counsel.
ALPS will provide the Fund with prior written notice
of its intent to follow advice of counsel that
is materially inconsistent with directions, advice
or instructions from the Fund. Upon request, ALPS
will provide the Fund with a copy of such advice
of counsel. Fund should have right to object, based
on advice of its own counsel, if it disagrees on
advice given by ALPS’ counsel. |
4. | | Standard of Care; Limitation of Liability;
Indemnification. |
(a) | | ALPS shall be obligated to act in good faith and to exercise commercially reasonable
care and diligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. |
(b) | | In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard
by ALPS in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement, ALPS and its affiliates,
including their respective officers, trustees, agents and employees, shall not be liable for, and the Fund agrees to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless such persons from, all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and
liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from the following: |
(i) | | the inaccuracy of factual information furnished to ALPS by the Fund or the Fund’s
investment adviser, custodian or other service providers; |
(ii) | | any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in
connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates; |
(iii) | | losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or
indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God, action or inaction
of civil or military authority, war, terrorism, riot, fire, flood, sabotage, labor disputes, elements of nature or non-performance
by a third party; |
(iv) | | ALPS’ reliance on any instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other information
from any authorized person, as designated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees from time to time, of the Fund or its service
providers that ALPS reasonably believes to be genuine; |
(v) | | loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure; or |
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(vi) | | any other action or omission to act which ALPS takes in connection with the provision
of services to the Fund. |
(c) | | ALPS shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser
and their respective officers, Trustees, agents, and employees from and against any and all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements,
assessments, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’
fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from ALPS’
willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities
set forth in this Agreement. |
(d) | | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be
liable under this Agreement to the other party hereto for any punitive, consequential, special or indirect losses or damages.
Any indemnification payable by a party to this Agreement shall be net of insurance maintained by the indemnified party as of the
time the claim giving rise to indemnity hereunder is alleged to have arisen to the extent it covers such claim. |
5. | | Activities of ALPS. The services of ALPS
under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive,
and ALPS shall be free to render similar services
to others. The Fund recognizes that from time to
time trustees, officers and employees of ALPS may
serve as trustees, officers and employees of other
corporations or businesses (including other investment
companies) and that such other corporations and
businesses may include ALPS as part of their name
and that ALPS or its affiliates may enter into administrative,
bookkeeping, pricing agreements or other agreements
with such other corporations and businesses. |
6. | | Accounts and Records. The accounts and
records maintained by ALPS shall be the property
of the Fund. ALPS shall prepare, maintain and preserve
such accounts and records as required by the 1940
Act and other applicable securities laws, rules
and regulations. ALPS shall surrender such accounts
and records to the Fund, in the form in which such
accounts and records have been maintained or preserved,
promptly upon receipt of instructions from the Fund.
The Fund shall have access to such accounts and
records at all times during ALPS’ normal business
hours. Upon the reasonable notice from the Fund,
copies of any such books and records shall be provided
by ALPS to the Fund at the Fund’s expense.
ALPS shall assist the Fund, the Fund’s independent
auditors, or, upon approval of the Fund, any regulatory
body, in any requested review of the Fund’s
accounts and records and reports by ALPS or its
independent accountants concerning its accounting
system and internal auditing controls will be open
to such entities for audit or inspection upon reasonable
request. |
7. | | Confidential and Proprietary Information. ALPS agrees that it will, on behalf of itself
and its officers and employees, treat all transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and all records
and information relative to the Fund and its current
and former shareholders and other information germane
thereto, as confidential and as proprietary information
of the Fund and not to use, sell, transfer or divulge
such information or records to any person for |
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any purpose other than
performance of its duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing from the Fund, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld. Approval may not be withheld where ALPS may be exposed to civil, regulatory, or criminal proceedings
for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when requested by the Fund.
When requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, ALPS shall use reasonable commercial efforts to request
confidential treatment of such information. ALPS 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 the Fund and its current and former shareholders.
8. | | Compliance with Rules and Regulations.
ALPS shall comply (and to the extent ALPS takes
or is required to take action on behalf of the Fund
hereunder shall cause the Fund to comply) with all
applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended and other applicable
laws, rules, regulations, orders and code of ethics,
as well as all investment restrictions, policies
and procedures adopted by the Fund of which ALPS
has knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is
deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions,
policies or procedures set out in the Fund’s
public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS). Except
as set out in this Agreement, ALPS assumes no responsibility
for such compliance by the Fund. ALPS shall maintain
at all times a program reasonably designed to prevent
violations of the federal securities laws (as defined
in Rule 38a-1 under the 0000 Xxx) with respect to
the services provided, and shall provide to the
Fund a certification to such effect no less than
annually or as otherwise reasonably requested by
the Fund. ALPS shall make available its compliance
personnel and shall provide at its own expense summaries
and other relevant materials relating to such program
as reasonably requested by the Fund. |
Portfolio compliance with:
(i) the investment objective and certain policies and restrictions as disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus(es) and statement(s)
of additional information, as applicable; and (ii) certain SEC rules and regulations (collectively, “Portfolio Compliance”)
is required daily and is the responsibility of the Fund’s advisor or sub-advisor, as applicable. ALPS will perform Portfolio
Compliance testing (post-trade, daily on a T+2 basis) to test the Fund’s Portfolio Compliance (the “Portfolio Compliance
Testing”).
The frequency and nature
of the Portfolio Compliance Testing and the methodology and process in accordance with which the Portfolio Compliance Testing
are conducted, are mutually agreed to between ALPS and the Fund. ALPS will report violations, if any, to the Fund and the Fund’s
Chief Compliance Officer as promptly as practicable following discovery.
ALPS independently tests
Portfolio Compliance based upon information contained in the source reports received by ALPS’ fund accounting department
and supplemental data from certain third-party sources. As such, Portfolio Compliance Testing performed by ALPS is limited by
the information contained in the fund accounting source reports and supplemental data from third-party sources. The Fund agrees
and acknowledges that
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ALPS’ performance
of the Portfolio Compliance Testing shall not relieve the Fund or the Advisor of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring
such Portfolio Compliance, including on a pre-trade basis, and ALPS shall not be held liable for any act or omission of the Fund’s
advisor or sub-advisor, as applicable, with respect to Portfolio Compliance.
9. | | Representations and Warranties of ALPS.
ALPS represents and warrants to the Fund that: |
(a) | | It is duly organized and existing as a corporation and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Colorado. |
(b) | | It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
to enter into and perform this Agreement. |
(c) | | All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into
and perform this Agreement. |
(d) | | It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and
personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with industry standards. |
10. | | Representations and Warranties of the Fund.
The Fund represents and warrants to ALPS that: |
(a) | | It is a trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the
state of Delaware and is registered with the SEC as an open-end diversified management investment company. |
(b) | | It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
to enter into and perform this Agreement. |
(c) | | The Board of Trustees of the Fund has duly authorized it to enter into and perform
this Agreement. |
(d) | | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees not to
make any modifications to its registration statement or adopt any policies which would affect materially the obligations or responsibilities
of ALPS hereunder without the prior written approval or ALPS, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. |
(e) | | Fund hereby represents and warrants to ALPS that (a) the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement by Fund does not breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Fund
is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Fund is subject; (b) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by Fund has been duly authorized and approved by all |
6
necessary action; and (c)
upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by ALPS and Fund, this Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of Fund.
(f) | | Fund further represents and warrants to ALPS that the Fund Officer Positions filled
by ALPS, if any, shall be covered by the Fund’s Trustees & Officers/Errors & Omissions Policy (the “Policy”),
and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that such coverage be (a) reinstated should the Policy be cancelled; (b) continued
after such officers ceases to serve as the Fund on substantially the same terms as such coverage is provided for the Fund offices
after such persons are no longer officers of the Fund; or (c) continued in the event the Fund merges or terminates, on substantially
the same terms as such coverage is provided for the Fund officers (but for a period of no less than six years). The Fund shall
provide ALPS with proof of current coverage, including a copy of the Policy, and shall notify ALPS immediately should the Policy
be cancelled or terminated. |
(g) | | The Fund Officer Positions filled by ALPS, if any, are named officers in the Trust’s
corporate resolutions and subject to the provisions of the Trust’s Organizational Documents regarding indemnification of
its officers. |
11. | | Documents. The Fund has furnished or
will furnish, upon request, ALPS with copies of
the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, advisory
agreement, custodian agreement, transfer agency
agreement, administration agreement, current prospectus,
statement of additional information, periodic Fund
reports and all forms relating to any plan, program
or service offered by the Fund. The Fund shall
furnish, within a reasonable time period, to ALPS
a copy of any amendment or supplement to any of
the above-mentioned documents. Upon request, the
Fund shall furnish promptly to ALPS any additional
documents necessary or advisable to perform its
functions hereunder. As used in this Agreement
the terms “registration statement,”
“prospectus” and “statement of
additional information” shall mean any registration
statement, prospectus and statement of additional
information filed by the Fund with the SEC and
any amendments and supplements thereto that are
filed with the SEC. |
12. | | Consultation Between the Parties. ALPS
and the Fund shall regularly consult with each
other regarding ALPS’ performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. In connection
therewith, the Fund shall submit to ALPS at a reasonable
time in advance of filing with the SEC reasonably
final copies of any amended or supplemented registration
statement (including exhibits) under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act that
alter ALPS’ responsibilities hereunder and
shall consult with ALPs regarding any such changes;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this
Agreement shall in any way limit the Fund’s
right to file at any time such amendments to any
registration statement and/or supplements to any
prospectus or statement of additional information,
of whatever character, as the Fund may deem advisable,
such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional. |
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13. | | Liaison with Accountants. ALPS shall
act as a liaison with the Fund’s independent
public accountants and shall provide account analysis,
fiscal year summaries, and other audit-related
schedules with respect to the services provided
to the Fund. ALPS shall take all reasonable action
in the performance of its duties under this Agreement
to assure that the necessary information is made
available to such accountants as reasonably requested
or required by the Fund. |
14. | | Business Interruption Plan. ALPS shall
maintain in effect a business interruption plan,
and enter into any agreements necessary with appropriate
parties making reasonable provisions for emergency
use of electronic data processing equipment customary
in the industry. In the event of equipment failures,
ALPS shall, at no additional expense to the Fund,
take commercially reasonable steps to minimize
service interruptions. |
15. | | Duration and Termination of this Agreement. |
(a) | | Initial Term.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the
date first written above (the “Start Date”)
and shall continue thereafter throughout the period
that ends three (3) years after the Start Date
(the “Initial Term”). Until the end
of the Initial Term, this Agreement may be terminated
without penalty only by agreement of the parties
or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof. |
(b) | | Renewal Term.
If not sooner terminated, this Agreement shall
renew at the end of the Initial Term and shall
thereafter continue for successive annual periods
until terminated by either party upon not less
than sixty (60) days’ written notice prior
to the expiration of the then current renewal term
or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof. |
(c) | | Cause. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement,
the Fund may terminate this Agreement for cause
immediately at any time, without penalty, without
default and without the payment of any or other
liquidated damages. For purposes of this Section
15, “cause” shall mean: |
(i) | | willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard on the part of ALPS
in the performance of its duties, obligations and responsibilities set forth in this Agreement; |
(ii) | | in the event ALPS is no longer permitted to perform its duties, obligations, or responsibilities
hereunder pursuant to applicable law, or regulatory, administrative or judicial proceedings against ALPS which result in a determination
that ALPS has violated, or has caused the Fund to violate, in any material respect any applicable law, rule, regulation, order
or code of ethics, or any material investment restriction, policy or procedure adopted by the Fund of which ALPS had knowledge
(it being understood that ALPS is deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures set out in the
Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS); or |
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(iii) | | financial difficulties on the part of ALPS which may be evidenced by, among other
things, the authorization or commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer, consent or acquiescence in, a voluntary
or involuntary case under Title 11 of the United States Code, as from time to time in effect, or any applicable law other than
said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or reorganization of debtors or to the modification or alteration
of the rights of creditors. |
(d) | | Deliveries Upon
Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement,
ALPS agrees to cooperate in the orderly transfer
of administrative duties and shall deliver to the
Fund or as otherwise directed by the Fund (at the
expense of the Fund) all records and other documents
made or accumulated in the performance of its duties
for the Fund hereunder. In the event ALPS gives
notice of termination under this Agreement, it
will continue to provide the services contemplated
hereunder after such termination at the contractual
rate for up to 120 days, provided that the Fund
uses all reasonable commercial efforts to appoint
such replacement on a timely basis. |
(e) | | Fees and Expenses
Upon Termination. Should either party exercise
its right to terminate, all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses or costs associated with the movement
of records and material will be borne by the Fund.
Additionally, ALPS reserves the right to charge
a reasonable fee for its de-conversion services. |
16. | | Assignment. This Agreement shall extend
to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto
and their respective successors and permitted assigns;
provided, however, that this Agreement shall not
be assignable by the Fund without the prior written
consent of ALPS, or by ALPS without the prior written
consent of the Fund. |
17. | | Governing Law. The provisions of this
Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado
and the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. To the
extent that the laws of the State of Colorado conflict
with the 1940 Act or such rules, the latter shall
control. |
18. | | Names. The obligations of the Fund entered
into in the name or on behalf thereof by any director,
shareholder, representative, or agent thereof are
made not individually, but in such capacities,
and are not binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders,
representatives or agents of the Fund personally,
but bind only the property of the Fund, and all
persons dealing with the Fund must look solely
to the property of the Fund for the enforcement
of any claims against the Fund. |
19. | | Amendments to this Agreement. This Agreement
may only be amended by the parties in writing. |
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20. | | Notices. All notices and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed
to have been given when received or when sent by
telex or facsimile, and shall be given to the following
addresses (or such other addresses as to which
notice is given): |
To ALPS:
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel
Fax: (000) 000-0000
To the Fund:
Cullen Funds Trust
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Treasurer
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx; Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Fax:
With Copies to:
21. | | Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed by the parties hereto on any number of
counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken
together shall be deemed to constitute one and
the same instrument. |
22. | | Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies
the entire agreement and understanding among the
parties and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof;
provided, however, that ALPS may embody in one
or more separate documents its agreement, if any,
with respect to delegated duties and oral instructions. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
ALPS Form 110508
APPENDIX A
LIST OF PORTFOLIOS
Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund – Retail Shares
Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund – C Shares
Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund – I Shares
Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund – Rl Shares
Cullen High Dividend Equity Fund – R2 Shares
Cullen International High Dividend Fund – Retail Shares
Cullen International High Dividend Fund – C Shares
Cullen International High Dividend Fund – I Shares
Cullen International High Dividend Fund – Rl Shares
Cullen International High Dividend Fund – R2 Shares
Cullen Small Cap Value Fund – Retail Shares
Cullen Small Cap Value Fund – C Shares
Cullen Small Cap Value Fund – I Shares
Cullen Small Cap Value Fund – Rl Shares
Cullen Small Cap Value Fund – R2 Shares
Cullen Value Fund – Retail Shares
Cullen Value Fund – C Shares
Cullen Value Fund – I Shares
Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund – Retail Shares
Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund – C Shares
Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund – I Shares
ALPS Form 000000
XXXXXXXX X
SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
► Prepare annual and semi-annual financial statements
• Coordinate standard layout and printing
► Prepare and file Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and 24f-2
► File Form N-PX
► Host annual audits and SEC exams
► Provide daily investment restriction compliance monitoring support and reporting
► Calculate monthly SEC standardized total return performance figures
► Prepare required reports for quarterly Board meetings
► Monitor expense ratios
► Maintain budget vs. actual expenses
► Manage fund invoice approval and xxxx payment process
► Maintain and coordinate Blue Sky registration
► Assist with placement of Fidelity Bond and E&O insurance
► Coordinate reporting to outside agencies including Morningstar, etc.
FUND ACCOUNTING
► Calculate daily NAVs
► Transmit daily NAVs to NASDAQ, Transfer Agent and other third parties
► Compute yields, expense ratios, portfolio turnover rates, etc.
► Reconcile cash and investment balances with the custodian
► Support preparation of financial statements
► Prepare required Fund Accounting records in accordance with the 1940 Act
► Obtain security valuations from appropriate sources consistent with the Funds pricing and valuation policies
► AVA: Portfolio Data Access
LEGAL
► Review and update Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information annually
• Coordinate
standard layout and printing of Prospectus
• If the Funds’ elect to have ALPS prepare the Summary Prospectus additional fees will be charged
► Provide legal review of SEC financial filings
► Coordinate EDGARization and filing of documents
► Prepare, compile and mail board materials
► Attend board meetings and prepare minutes
► Review legal contracts
► Oversee Trust’s Code of Ethics reporting
TAX
► Calculate dividend and capital gain distribution rates, including distributions necessary
to avoid excise tax*
► Calculate tax disclosure information (ROCSOP) for the audited financial statements
► Prepare and file federal and state
income and excise tax returns (and appropriate extensions)*
► Monitor on a quarterly basis each Fund’s status as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
► Calculate and monitor applicable
book-to-tax differences and assist in identifying securities that give rise to book-to-tax differences**
► Calculate
year-end tax characterization for distributions paid during the calendar year
*Fund’s independent auditors provide review & sign-off on excise distributions and income and excise tax returns. ALPS shall not analyze or investigate information or returns for foreign tax filings. In the event the independent auditors require ALPS
to perform a foreign capital gain analysis, ALPS reserves the right to charge the Fund for the foreign capital gain analysis, subject to agreement by ALPS and Fund management. State income or franchise tax return preparation is limited to the initial
state of nexus and does not include additional state filing requirements that may be triggered by underlying investments of the Fund.
**Security classifications to be identified include but are not limited to passive foreign
investment company, real estate investment trust, master limited partnership, contingent debt obligations, trust preferred,
grantor trust, and stapled security. The ultimate determination of the classification of securities will be the
responsibility of Fund management or ALPS will use Ernst & Young LLP passive foreign investment company analyzer service,
or similar entity, as an out of pocket fee.
FUND CCO ASSURANCE & SUPPORT
► Provide Quarterly Compliance 38a-l Representations
► Provide Online Access to ALPS Policies and Procedures
► Perform Regulatory Monitoring and Updates
All out-of-pocket expenses are passed through to the client at cost, including but not limited to: third party security pricing and data fees, Bloomberg fees, Gainskeeper fees, PFIC Analyzer, bank loan sub-accounting fees, Blue Sky permit processing fees
and state registration fees, SSAE 16 control review reports, travel expenses to Board meetings and on-site reviews, printing, filing and mailing fees, customized programming/enhancements and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by ALPS in connection
with the performance of its duties under its Agreement with the Funds.
APPENDIX C
COMPENSATION
Greater of $475,000* annual minimum or the following basis point fee schedule:
|
|
Annual Net Assets |
Basis Points |
|
Between $0 - $1B |
3.5 |
$IB - $3B |
2.0 |
Above $3B |
1.0 |
LATE CHARGES: All invoices are due and payable upon receipt. Any invoices not paid within thirty (30) days of the invoice date are subject to a one percent (1%) per month financing charge on any unpaid balance but only to the extent permitted by
law.