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FRANKLIN/XXXXXXXXX DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
DEALER AGREEMENT
Effective: XXXXX YY, 1995
Dear Securities Dealer:
Franklin/Xxxxxxxxx Distributors, Inc. ("we" or "us") invites you to
participate in the distribution of shares of the mutual funds in the Franklin
Xxxxxxxxx Group of Funds (the "Funds") for which we now or in the future serve
as principal underwriter, subject to the terms of this Agreement. We will notify
you from time to time of the Funds which are eligible for distribution and the
terms of compensation under this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any prior
dealer agreements between us, under paragraph 18, below.
1. LICENSING.
(a) You represent that you are a member in good standing of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and are presently licensed
to the extent necessary by the appropriate regulatory agency of each state
in which you will offer and sell shares of the Funds. You agree that
termination or suspension of such membership with the NASD, or of your
license to do business by any state or federal regulatory agency, at any
time shall terminate or suspend this Agreement forthwith and shall require
you to notify us in writing of such action. If you are not a member of the
NASD but are a dealer subject to the laws of a foreign country, you agree
to conform to the rules of fair practice of such association. This
Agreement is in all respects subject to Rule 26 of the Rules of Fair
Practice of the NASD which shall control any provision to the contrary in
this Agreement.
(b) You agree to notify us immediately in writing if at any time you are
not a member in good standing of the Securities Investor Protection
Corporation ("SIPC").
2. SALES OF FUND SHARES. You may offer and sell shares of each Fund and class
only at the public offering price which shall be applicable to, and in effect at
the time of, each transaction. The procedures relating to all orders and the
handling of them shall be subject to the terms of the then current prospectus
and statement of additional information (hereafter, the "prospectus") and new
account application, including amendments, for each such Fund, and our written
instructions from time to time. This Agreement is not exclusive, and either
party may enter into similar agreements with third parties.
3. DUTIES OF DEALER: IN GENERAL. You agree:
(a) To act as principal, or as agent on behalf of your
customers, in all transactions in shares of the Funds except as
provided in paragraph 4 hereof. You shall not have any
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authority to act as agent for the issuer (the Funds), for the Principal
Underwriter, or for any other dealer in any respect, nor will you represent
to any third party that you have such authority or are acting in such
capacity.
(b) To purchase shares only from us or from your customers.
(c) To enter orders for the purchase of shares of the Funds only from us
and only for the purpose of covering purchase orders you have already
received from your customers or for your own bona fide investment.
(d) To maintain records of all sales and redemptions of shares made through
you and to furnish us with copies of such records on request.
(e) To distribute prospectuses and reports to your customers in compliance
with applicable legal requirements, except to the extent that we expressly
undertake to do so on your behalf.
(f) That you will not withhold placing customers' orders for shares so as
to profit yourself as a result of such withholding or place orders for
shares in amounts just below the point at which sales charges are reduced
so as to benefit from a higher sales charge applicable to an amount below
the breakpoint.
(g) That if any shares confirmed to you hereunder are repurchased or
redeemed by any of the Funds within seven business days after such
confirmation of your original order, you shall forthwith refund to us the
full concession allowed to you on such orders. We shall forthwith pay to
the appropriate Fund our share, if any, of the "charge" on the original
sale and shall also pay to such Fund the refund from you as herein
provided. We shall notify you of such repurchase or redemption within a
reasonable time after settlement. Termination or cancellation of this
Agreement shall not relieve you or us from the requirements of this
subparagraph.
(h) That if payment for the shares purchased is not received within the
time customary or the time required by law for such payment, the sale may
be canceled forthwith without any responsibility or liability on our part
or on the part of the Funds, or at our option, we may sell the shares which
you ordered back to the Funds, in which latter case we may hold you
responsible for any loss to the Fund or loss of profit suffered by us
resulting from your failure to make payment as aforesaid. We shall have no
liability for any check or other item returned unpaid to you after you have
paid us on behalf of a purchaser. We may refuse to liquidate the investment
unless we receive the purchaser's signed authorization for the liquidation.
(i) That you shall assume responsibility for any loss to a Fund(s) caused
by a correction made subsequent to trade date, provided such correction was
not based on any error, omission
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or negligence on our part, and that you will immediately pay such loss to
the Fund(s) upon notification.
(j) That if on a redemption which you have ordered, instructions in proper
form, including outstanding certificates are not received within the time
customary or the time required by law, the redemption may be canceled
forthwith without any responsibility or liability on our part or on the
part of any Fund, or at our option, we may buy the shares redeemed on
behalf of the Fund, in which latter case we may hold you responsible for
any loss to the Fund or loss of profit suffered by us resulting from your
failure to settle the redemption.
4. DUTIES OF DEALER: RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. In connection with orders for the
purchase of shares on behalf of an Individual Retirement Account, Self-Employed
Retirement Plan or other retirement accounts, by mail, telephone, or wire, you
shall act as agent for the custodian or trustee of such plans (solely with
respect to the time of receipt of the application and payments) and shall not
place such order until you have received from your customer payment for such
purchase and, if such purchase represents the first contribution to such a plan,
the completed documents necessary to establish the plan. You agree to indemnify
us and Franklin Xxxxxxxxx Trust Company and/or Xxxxxxxxx Funds Trust Company as
applicable for any claim, loss, or liability resulting from incorrect investment
instructions received from you which cause a tax liability or other tax penalty.
5. CONDITIONAL ORDERS; CERTIFICATES. We will not accept from you any
conditional orders for shares of any of the Funds. Delivery of certificates for
shares purchased shall be made by the Funds only against constructive receipt of
the purchase price, subject to deduction for your concession and our portion of
the sales charge, if any, on such sale. No certificates will be issued unless
specifically requested.
6. DEALER COMPENSATION.
(a) On each purchase of shares by you from us, the total sales charges and
your dealer concessions shall be as stated in each Fund's then current
prospectus, subject to NASD rules and applicable state and federal laws.
Such sales charges and dealer concessions are subject to reductions under a
variety of circumstances as described in the Funds' prospectuses. To obtain
these reductions, we must be notified when the sale takes place which would
qualify for the reduced charge. If you fail to notify us of the
applicability of a reduction in the sales charge at the time the trade is
placed, neither we nor any of the Funds will be liable for amounts
necessary to reimburse any investor for the reduction which should have
been effected.
(b) In accordance with the Funds' prospectuses, we or our
affiliates may, but are not obligated to, make payments to
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dealers from our own resources as compensation for certain sales which are
made at net asset value and are not subject to any contingent deferred
sales charges ("Qualifying Sales"). If you notify us of a Qualifying Sale,
we may make a contingent advance payment up to the maximum amount available
for payment on the sale. If any of the shares purchased in a Qualifying
Sale are redeemed within twelve months of the end of the month of purchase,
we shall be entitled to recover any advance payment attributable to the
redeemed shares by reducing any account payable or other monetary
obligation we may owe to you or by making demand upon you for repayment in
cash. We reserve the right to withhold advances to any dealer, if for any
reason we believe that we may not be able to recover unearned advances from
such dealer.
7. REDEMPTIONS. Redemptions or repurchases of shares will be made at the net
asset value of such shares, less any applicable deferred sales or redemption
charges, in accordance with the applicable prospectuses. Except as permitted by
applicable law, you agree not to purchase any shares from your customers at a
price lower than the redemption or repurchase prices then computed by the Funds.
You shall, however, be permitted to sell shares for the account of the record
owner to the Funds at the repurchase price then currently in effect for such
shares and may charge the owner a fair commission for handling the transaction.
8. EXCHANGES. Telephone exchange orders will be effective only for shares in
plan balance (uncertificated shares) or for which share certificates have been
previously deposited and may be subject to any fees or other restrictions set
forth in the applicable prospectuses. You may charge the shareholder a fair
commission for handling an exchange transaction. Exchanges from a Fund sold with
no sales charge to a Fund which carries a sales charge, and exchanges from a
Fund sold with a sales charge to a Fund which carries a higher sales charge may
be subject to a sales charge in accordance with the terms of each Fund's
prospectus. You will be obligated to comply with any additional exchange
policies described in each Fund's prospectus, including without limitation any
policy restricting or prohibiting "Timing Accounts" as therein defined.
9. TRANSACTION PROCESSING. All orders are subject to acceptance by us and by
the Fund or its transfer agent, and become effective only upon confirmation by
us. If required by law, each transaction shall be confirmed in writing on a
fully disclosed basis and if confirmed by us, a copy of each confirmation shall
be sent simultaneously to you if you so request. All sales are made subject to
receipt of shares by us from the Funds. We reserve the right in our discretion,
without notice, to suspend the sale of shares or withdraw the offering of shares
entirely. Telephone orders will be effected at the price(s) next computed on the
day they are received from you if, as set forth in each Fund's current
prospectus, they are received prior to the time the price of its shares is
calculated. Orders received after that time will be
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effected at the price(s) computed on the next business day. All
orders must be accompanied by payment in U.S. dollars. Orders
payable by check must be drawn payable in U.S. dollars on a U.S.
bank, for the full amount of the investment.
10. MULTIPLE CLASSES. We may from time to time provide to you written
compliance guidelines or standards relating to the sale or distribution of Funds
offering multiple classes of shares with different sales charges and
distribution-related operating expenses. In addition, you will be bound by any
applicable rules or regulations of government agencies or self-regulatory
organizations generally affecting the sale or distribution of mutual funds
offering multiple classes of shares.
11. RULE 12B-1 PLANS. You are also invited to participate in
all Plans adopted by the Funds (the "Plan Funds") pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
To the extent you provide administrative and other services, including, but
not limited to, furnishing personal and other services and assistance to your
customers who own shares of a Plan Fund, answering routine inquiries regarding a
Fund, assisting in changing account designations and addresses, maintaining such
accounts or such other services as a Fund may require, to the extent permitted
by applicable statutes, rules, or regulations, we shall pay you a Rule 12b-1
servicing fee. To the extent that you participate in the distribution of Fund
shares which are eligible for a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee, we shall also pay
you a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee. All Rule 12b-1 servicing and distribution
fees shall be based on the value of shares attributable to customers of your
firm and eligible for such payment, and shall be calculated on the basis and at
the rates set forth in the compensation schedule then in effect. Without prior
approval by a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund, the aggregate annual
fees paid to you pursuant to each Plan shall not exceed the amounts stated as
the "annual maximums" in each Fund's prospectus, which amount shall be a
specified percent of the value of the Fund's net assets held in your customers'
accounts which are eligible for payment pursuant to this Agreement (determined
in the same manner as each Fund uses to compute its net assets as set forth in
its effective Prospectus).
You shall furnish us and each Fund with such information as shall reasonably
be requested by the Boards of Directors, Trustees or Managing General Partners
(hereinafter referred to as "Directors") of such Funds with respect to the fees
paid to you pursuant to the Schedule. We shall furnish to the Boards of
Directors of the Plan Funds, for their review on a quarterly
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basis, a written report of the amounts expended under the Plans and the purposes
for which such expenditures were made.
The Plans and provisions of any agreement relating to such Plans must be
approved annually by a vote of the Plan Funds' Directors, including such persons
who are not interested persons of the Plan Funds and who have no financial
interest in the Plans or any related agreement ("Rule 12b-1 Directors"). The
Plans or the provisions of this Agreement relating to such Plans may be
terminated at any time by the vote of a majority of the Plan Funds' Boards of
Directors, including Rule 12b-1 Directors, or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Plan Funds, on sixty (60) days' written notice,
without payment of any penalty. The Plans or the provisions of this Agreement
may also be terminated by any act that terminates the Underwriting Agreement
between us and the Plan Funds, and/or the management or administration agreement
between Franklin Advisers, Inc. or Xxxxxxxxx Investment Counsel, Inc. or their
affiliates and the Plan Funds. In the event of the termination of the Plans for
any reason, the provisions of this Agreement relating to the Plans will also
terminate.
Continuation of the Plans and provisions of this Agreement relating to such
Plans are conditioned on Rule 12b-1 Directors being ultimately responsible for
selecting and nominating any new Rule 12b-1 Directors. Under Rule 12b-1,
Directors of any of the Plan Funds have a duty to request and evaluate, and
persons who are party to any agreement related to a Plan have a duty to furnish,
such information as may reasonably be necessary to an informed determination of
whether the Plan or any agreement should be implemented or continued.
Parties to this Agreement who provide services to Plan Funds in the promotion
of shares of such Funds should be aware that under Rule 12b-1 Plan Funds are
permitted to implement or continue Plans or the provisions of this Agreement
relating to such Plans from year-to-year only if, based on certain legal
considerations, the board is able to conclude that the Plans will benefit the
Plan Funds. Absent such yearly determination the Plans and the provisions of
this Agreement relating to the Plans must be terminated as set forth above. In
addition, any obligation assumed by a Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall be
limited in all cases to the assets of such Fund and no person shall seek
satisfaction thereof from shareholders of a Fund.
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You agree to waive payment of any amounts payable to you by us under a Fund's
Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 until such time as we are in receipt
of such fee from the Fund.
The provisions of the Rule 12b-1 Plans between the Plan Funds and us, insofar
as they relate to Plans, shall control over the provisions of this Agreement in
the event of any inconsistency.
12. REGISTRATION OF SHARES. Upon request, we shall notify you of the states
or other jurisdictions in which Fund shares are currently registered or
qualified for sale to the public. We shall have no obligation to register or
qualify, or to maintain registration or qualification of, Fund shares in any
state or other jurisdiction. We shall have no responsibility, under the laws
regulating the sale of securities in any U.S. or foreign jurisdiction, for the
qualification or status of persons selling Fund shares or for the manner of sale
of Fund shares. Except as stated in this paragraph, we shall not, in any event,
be liable or responsible for the issue, form, validity, enforceability and value
of such shares or for any matter in connection therewith, and no obligation not
expressly assumed by us in this Agreement shall be implied. Nothing in this
Agreement, however, shall be deemed to be a condition, stipulation or provision
binding any person acquiring any security to waive compliance with any provision
of the Securities Act of 1933, or of the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or to relieve the parties hereto from any liability
arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
13. ADDITIONAL REGISTRATIONS. If it is necessary to register or qualify the
shares in any foreign jurisdictions in which you intend to offer the shares, it
will be your responsibility to arrange for and to pay the costs of such
registration or qualification; prior to any such registration or qualification
you will notify us of your intent and of any limitations that might be imposed
on the Funds and you agree not to proceed with such registration or
qualification without the written consent of the Funds and of ourselves.
14. FUND INFORMATION. No person is authorized to give any
information or make any representations concerning shares of the
Funds except those contained in the current prospectus, or
statement of additional information issued by the Fund or by us
as information supplemental to such prospectus or statement of
additional information. We will supply prospectuses, reasonable
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quantities of supplemental sale literature, sales bulletins, and additional
information as issued. You agree not to use other advertising or sales material
relating to the Funds except that which (a) conforms to the requirements of any
applicable laws or regulations of any government or authorized agency in the
U.S. or any other country, having jurisdiction over the offering or sale of
shares of the Funds, and (b) is approved in writing by us in advance of such
use. Such approval may be withdrawn by us in whole or in part upon notice to
you, and you shall, upon receipt of such notice, immediately discontinue the use
of such sales literature, sales material and advertising. You are not authorized
to modify or translate any such materials without our prior written consent.
15. INDEMNIFICATION. You further agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the Principal Underwriter, the Funds, their officers, directors and employees
from any and all losses, claims, liabilities and expenses, whether or not
resulting in any liability to any of the parties indemnified under this
subparagraph, arising out of (1) any alleged violation of any statute or
regulation (including without limitation the securities laws and regulations of
the United States or any state or foreign country) or any alleged tort or breach
of contract, in or related to the offer and sale by you of shares of the Funds
pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that our negligence or failure
to follow correct instructions received from you is the cause of such loss,
claim, liability or expense), (2) any redemption or exchange pursuant to
telephone instructions received from you or your agent or employees, or (3) the
breach by you of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
16. TERMINATION; SUCCESSION; AMENDMENT. Each party to this Agreement may
cancel its participation in this Agreement by giving written notice to the other
parties. Such notice shall be deemed to have been given and to be effective on
the date on which it was either delivered personally to the other parties or any
officer or member thereof, or was mailed postpaid or delivered to a telegraph
office for transmission to the other parties' Chief Legal Officers at the
addresses shown herein or in the most recent NASD Manual. This Agreement shall
terminate immediately upon the appointment of a Trustee under the Securities
Investor Protection Act or any other act of insolvency by you. The termination
of this Agreement by any of the foregoing means shall have no effect upon
transactions entered into prior to the effective date of termination. A trade
placed
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by you subsequent to your voluntary termination of this Agreement will not serve
to reinstate the Agreement. Reinstatement, except in the case of a temporary
suspension of a dealer will only be effective upon written notification by us.
Unless terminated, this Agreement shall be binding upon each party's successors
or assigns. This Agreement may be amended by us at any time by written notice to
you and your placing of an order or acceptance of payments of any kind after the
effective date and receipt of notice of any such Amendment shall constitute your
acceptance of such Amendment.
17. SETOFF; DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Should any of your concession accounts with
us have a debit balance, we may offset and recover the amount owed from any
other account you have with us, without notice or demand to you. In the event of
a dispute concerning any provision of this Agreement, either party may require
the dispute to be submitted to binding arbitration under the commercial
arbitration rules of the NASD or the American Arbitration Association. Judgment
upon any arbitration award may be entered by any state or federal court having
jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of California, not including any provision which would require the
general application of the law of another jurisdiction.
18. ACCEPTANCE; CUMULATIVE EFFECT. This Agreement is cumulative and
supersedes any agreement previously in effect. It shall be binding upon the
parties hereto when signed by us and accepted by you. If you have a current
dealer agreement with us, your first trade or acceptance of payments from us
after receipt of this Agreement, as it may be amended pursuant to paragraph 16,
above, shall constitute your acceptance of its terms. Otherwise, your signature
below shall constitute your acceptance of its terms.
Date:
FRANKLIN/XXXXXXXXX DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:
(Signature)
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: President
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000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chief Legal Officer (for legal notices only)
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
KEY PHONE NUMBERS FOR FRANKLIN XXXXXXXXX FUNDS
DEPARTMENT NAME
TELEPHONE NO.
HOURS OF OPERATION (PACIFIC
TIME) (MONDAY THROUGH
FRIDAY)SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
1-800/632-2301
6:00 A.M. TO 5:00 X.X.XXXXXX SERVICES
1-800/524-4040
6:00 A.M. TO 5:00 X.X.XXXX INFORMATION
1-800/DIAL BEN
6:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M., 8:30
A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. (SATURDAY)RETIREMENT PLANS
1-800/527-2020
6:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.TDD (HEARING IMPAIRED)
1-800/851-0637
6:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
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[Note to Graphics: Please put this on a different page with some
marking to indicate that it's part of one agreement. Our idea is
to send only the part above the page break to current dealers,
and to attach a signature page for new dealers.]
[DEALER NAME]
By:
(Signature)
Name:
Title:
Address:
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
Telephone:
NASD CRD #
Franklin Xxxxxxxxx Dealer # _________________________________
(Internal Use Only)
