INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NATIONS SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of May 1, 2001, by and between BANC OF
AMERICA ADVISORS, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company (the
"Adviser"), CHICAGO EQUITY PARTNERS LLC, a Delaware corporation (the
"Sub-Adviser"), and NATIONS SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST, a Delaware business trust
(the "Trust"), on behalf of those series of the Trust now or hereafter
identified on Schedule I (each a "Portfolio" and collectively, the
"Portfolios").
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") as an open-end management investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered with the Commission as an investment
adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers
Act");
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is also registered with the Commission as an
investment adviser under the Advisers Act;
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Trust have entered into an investment
advisory agreement (the "Investment Advisory Agreement"), pursuant to which the
Adviser manages the investment operations of each Portfolio and may delegate
certain duties of the Adviser to one or more investment sub-adviser(s); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust (the "Board"), including a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested persons" (defined herein) of any party to this Agreement, desires to
delegate to the Sub-Adviser the duty to manage the portfolio investments of the
Portfolios;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. Appointment of Sub-Adviser. The Adviser hereby appoints the
Sub-Adviser and the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees to manage the portfolio
investments of each Portfolio subject to the terms of this Agreement and subject
to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board.
2. Services of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall perform all
services necessary for the management of the portfolio investments of each
Portfolio, including but not limited to:
(a) Managing the investment and reinvestment of all assets, now
or hereafter acquired by each Portfolio, including
determining what securities and other investments are to be
purchased or sold for each Portfolio and executing
transactions accordingly, provided, however, that with
respect to Nations Asset Allocation Portfolio, the
Sub-Adviser will manage such Portfolio's equity investments,
as a percentage of such Portfolio as may be
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determined from time-to-time by Banc of America Capital
Management, LLC;
(b) Transmitting trades to each Portfolio's custodian for
settlement in accordance with each Portfolio's procedures
and as may be directed by the Trust;
(c) Assisting in the preparation of all shareholder
communications, including shareholder reports, and
participating in shareholder relations;
(d) Making recommendations as to the manner in which voting
rights, rights to consent to Portfolio action and any other
rights pertaining to each Portfolio's portfolio securities
shall be exercised;
(e) Making recommendations to the Adviser and the Board with
respect to Portfolio investment policies and procedures, and
carrying out such investment policies and procedures as are
approved by the Board or by the Adviser under authority
delegated by the Board to the Adviser;
(f) Supplying reports, evaluations, analyses, statistical data
and information to the Adviser, the Board or to the
Portfolios' officers and other service providers as the
Adviser or the Board may reasonably request from time to
time or as may be necessary or appropriate for the operation
of the Trust as an open-end investment company or as
necessary to comply with Section 3(a) of this Agreement;
(g) Maintaining all required books and records with respect to
the investment decisions and securities transactions for
each Portfolio;
(h) Furnishing any and all other services, subject to review by
the Board, that the Adviser from time to time determines to
be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under the
Investment Advisory Agreement or as the Board may reasonably
request from time-to-time.
3. Responsibilities of Sub-Adviser. In carrying out its obligations
under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser agrees that it will:
(a) Comply with all applicable law, including but not limited to
the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act, the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder, and the conditions of any
order affecting the Trust or a Portfolio issued thereunder;
(b) Use the same skill and care in providing such services as it
uses in providing services to other fiduciary accounts for
which it has investment responsibilities;
(c) Not make loans to any person for the purpose of purchasing
or carrying Portfolio shares;
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(d) Place, or arrange for the placement of, all orders pursuant
to its investment determinations for the Portfolios either
directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer
(including any affiliated broker or dealer). In executing
portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the
Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of
each Portfolio the best overall terms available. In
assessing the best overall terms available for any
transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that
it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in
the security, the price of the security, the financial
condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer,
and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for
the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In
evaluating the best overall terms available, and in
selecting the broker or dealer to execute a particular
transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider whether such
broker or dealer furnishes research and other information or
services to the Sub-Adviser; and
(e) Adhere to the investment objective, strategies and policies
and procedures of the Trust adopted on behalf of each
Portfolio.
4. Confidentiality of Information. Each party agrees that it will
treat confidentially all information provided by another party regarding such
other party's business and operations, including without limitation the
investment activities or holdings of a Portfolio. All confidential information
provided by a party hereto shall not be disclosed to any unaffiliated third
party without the prior consent of the providing party. The foregoing shall not
apply to any information that is public when provided or thereafter becomes
public or which is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority in the
lawful and appropriate exercise of its jurisdiction over a party, by any auditor
of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by
applicable law or regulation.
5. Services Not Exclusive. The services furnished by the Sub-Adviser
hereunder are deemed not to be exclusive, and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to
furnish similar services to others so long as its provision of services under
this Agreement is not impaired thereby. To the extent that the purchase or sale
of securities or other investments of the same issuer may be deemed by the
Sub-Adviser to be suitable for two or more accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser,
the available securities or investments may be allocated in a manner believed by
the Sub-Adviser to be equitable to each account. It is recognized that in some
cases this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a
Portfolio or the size of the position obtainable for or disposed of by a
Portfolio.
6. Delivery of Documents. The Trust will provide the Sub-Adviser with
copies, properly certified or authenticated, of each of the following:
(a) the Trust's Certificate of Trust, as filed with the
Secretary of State of Delaware, and Declaration of Trust
(such Declaration of Trust, as presently in effect and as
from time-to-time amended, is herein called the "Declaration
of Trust");
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(b) the Trust's Bylaws, if any;
(c) the most recent prospectus(es) and statement(s) of
additional information relating to each Portfolio (such
prospectus(es) together with the related statement(s) of
additional information, as presently in effect and all
amendments and supplements thereto, are herein called the
"Prospectus"); and
(d) any and all applicable policies and procedures approved by
the Board.
The Trust will promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser with copies of any and
all amendments of or additions or supplements to the foregoing.
7. Books and Records. In compliance with the requirements of Rule
31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records that it
maintains for each Portfolio under this Agreement are the property of the Trust
and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust or the Adviser any of such
records upon request. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods
prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be
maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
8. Expenses of the Portfolios. Except to the extent expressly assumed
by the Sub-Adviser and except to any extent required by law to be paid or
reimbursed by the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall have no duty to pay any
ordinary operating expenses incurred in the organization and operation of the
Portfolios. Ordinary operating expenses include, but are not limited to,
brokerage commissions and other transaction charges, taxes, legal, auditing,
printing, or governmental fees, other Portfolio service providers' fees and
expenses, expenses of issue, sale, redemption and repurchase of shares, expenses
of registering and qualifying shares for sale, expenses relating to Board and
shareholder meetings, and the cost of preparing and distributing reports and
notices to shareholders. The Sub-Adviser shall pay all other expenses incurred
by it in connection with its services under this Agreement.
9. Compensation. Except as otherwise provided herein, for the
services provided to each Portfolio and the expenses assumed pursuant to this
Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will accept
as full compensation therefor a fee determined in accordance with Schedule I
attached hereto. It is understood that the Adviser shall be solely responsible
for compensating the Sub-Adviser for performing any of the duties delegated to
the Sub-Adviser and the Sub-Adviser agrees that it shall have no claim against
the Trust or any Portfolio with respect to compensation under this Agreement. To
the extent that the advisory fee that the Trust would be obligated to pay to the
Adviser with respect to a Portfolio pursuant to the Investment Advisory
Agreement is reduced or reimbursed, the fee that the Sub-Adviser would otherwise
receive pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced or reimbursed
proportionately.
10. Liability of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for
any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Adviser
or the Trust in connection with the performance of its duties under this
Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect
to the receipt of compensation for services, from willful misfeasance, bad faith
or negligence on the part of the Sub-Adviser or any of its officers, directors,
employees or agents, in connection with the performance of their duties under
this Agreement, from reckless disregard by it or its officers, directors,
employees
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or agents of any of their obligations and duties under this Agreement, or from
any violations of securities laws, rules, regulations, statutes and codes,
whether federal or state, by the Sub-Adviser or any of its officers, directors,
employees or agents.
11. Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Portfolios and the Adviser from and against any and all direct or indirect
claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney's fees and
other related expenses) resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect
to the receipt of compensation for services, from willful misfeasance, bad faith
or negligence on the part of the Sub-Adviser or any of its officers, directors,
employees or agents, in connection with the performance of their duties under
this Agreement, from reckless disregard by it or its officers, directors,
employees or agents of any of their obligations and duties under this Agreement,
or resulting from any violations of securities laws, rules, regulations,
statutes and codes, whether federal or state, by the Sub-Adviser or any of its
officers, directors, employees or agents; provided, however, that the
Sub-Adviser shall not be required to indemnify or otherwise hold the Portfolios
or the Adviser harmless under this Section 11 where the claim against, or the
loss, liability or damage experienced by the Portfolios or the Adviser, is
caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Portfolios' or the Adviser's
own willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, or to the reckless disregard
by the Portfolios or the Adviser of their duties under this Agreement.
12. Term and Approval. This Agreement will become effective as of the
date set forth herein above, and shall continue in effect until the second
anniversary of its effective date. This Agreement will become effective with
respect to each additional Portfolio as of the date set forth on Schedule I when
each such Portfolio is added thereto. The Agreement shall continue in effect for
a Portfolio after the second anniversary of the effective date for successive
annual periods ending on each anniversary of such date, provided that the
continuation of the Agreement is specifically approved for the Portfolio at
least annually:
(a)(i) by the Board or (ii) by the vote of "a majority of
the outstanding voting securities" of the Portfolio
(as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 0000 Xxx);
and
(b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees
of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or
"interested persons" (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of
a party to this Agreement (other than as Trustees of
the Trust), by votes cast in person at a meeting
specifically called for such purpose.
13. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated without payment of
any penalty at any time by:
(a) the Trust with respect to a Portfolio, by vote of the Board
or by vote of a majority of a Portfolio's outstanding voting
securities, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the
other parties to this Agreement; or
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(b) the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser with respect to a Portfolio,
upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the other parties to
this Agreement.
Any party entitled to notice may waive the notice provided for herein.
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment,
unless an order is issued by the Commission conditionally or unconditionally
exempting such assignment from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the 1940 Act,
in which event this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect subject to
the terms of such order. For the purposes of this paragraph, the definitions
contained in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act and the applicable rules under the
1940 Act shall apply.
14. Code of Ethics. The Sub-Adviser represents that it has adopted a
written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the
1940 Act and will provide the Adviser or the Trust with a copy of such code, any
amendments or supplements thereto and its policies and/or procedures implemented
to ensure compliance therewith.
15. Insurance. The Sub-Adviser shall maintain for the term of this
Agreement and provide evidence thereof to the Trust or the Adviser a blanket
bond and professional liability (error and omissions) insurance in an amount
reasonably acceptable to Adviser.
16. Representations and Warranties. Each party to this Agreement
represents and warrants that the execution, delivery and performance of its
obligations under this Agreement are within its powers, have been duly
authorized by all necessary actions and that this Agreement constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms. The Sub-Adviser further represents and warrants that it is duly
registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.
17. Amendment of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, except by an instrument in
writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought.
18. Notices. Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to such address as may be
designated for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice, it is agreed
that the address of the Trust shall be c/o Stephens Inc., 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Secretary, that of the Adviser shall be
Xxx Xxxx xx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: President and that of the Sub-Adviser shall be 000
Xxxxx XxXxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Compliance
Director. The Sub-Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust in
writing of the occurrence of any event which could have a material impact on the
performance of its duties under this Agreement, including but not limited to (i)
the occurrence of any event which could disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving
as an investment adviser pursuant to Section 9 of the 1940 Act; (ii) any
material change in the Sub-Adviser's business activities; (iii) any event that
would constitute a change in control of the Sub-Adviser; (iv) any change in the
portfolio manager or portfolio management team of a Portfolio; (v) the existence
of any pending or threatened audit, investigation, examination, complaint or
other inquiry (other than routine audits or regulatory examinations or
inspections) relating to any Portfolio; and (vi) any material violation of the
Sub-Adviser's code of ethics.
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19. Release. The names "Nations Separate Account Trust" and "Trustees
of Nations Separate Account Trust" refer respectively to the Trust created by
the Declaration of Trust and the Trustees as Trustees but not individually or
personally. All parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any and all
liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement
will be satisfied solely out of the assets of the Trust and that no Trustee,
officer or shareholder shall be personally liable for any such liabilities. All
persons dealing with any Portfolio of the Trust must look solely to the property
belonging to such Portfolio for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.
20. Miscellaneous. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of
the parties hereto. Each provision of this Agreement is intended to be
severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
21. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, Delaware law and the federal securities laws, including the
1940 Act and the Advisers Act.
22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
23. Use of the Name "Nations Funds". The Sub-Adviser agrees that it
will not use the name "Nations Funds", any derivative thereof, or the name of
the Adviser, the Trust or any Portfolio except in accordance with such policies
and procedures as may be mutually agreed to in writing.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to
be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first
above written.
NATIONS SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST
on behalf of the Portfolios
By: A. Xxx Xxxxxx
----------------------------
A. Xxx Xxxxxx
President and Chairman of
the Board of Trustees
BANC OF AMERICA ADVISORS, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
President
CHICAGO EQUITY PARTNERS LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President
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SCHEDULE I
The Adviser shall pay the Sub-Adviser as, full compensation for
services provided and expenses assumed hereunder, a sub-advisory fee for each
Portfolio, computed daily and payable monthly at the annual rates listed below
as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio under the
Sub-Adviser's management:
Rate of
Portfolio Compensation Effective Date
--------- ------------ --------------
Nations Asset Allocation Portfolio
(equity portion) 0.25% 5/1/01
Approved: November 29, 2000
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