SERVICES AGREEMENT
Exhibit
(H)(7)
This
SERVICES AGREEMENT (this "Agreement")
is
made as of this ____ day of ________, 2007 ("Effective
Date")
by and
between X.X. Xxxxxxx and Company ("BCZ" or "Distributor"), a Wisconsin
Corporation, and SEI Investments Distribution Co., a Pennsylvania corporation
("SIDCO").
WHEREAS,
BCZ serves as the Distributor to Xxxxxxx Exchange Traded Trust (the
"Trust"),
an
investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust;
WHEREAS,
NYSE Arca Tech 100 ETF ("ETF"),
an
exchange-traded fund, is currently the only existing portfolio of the
Trust;
WHEREAS,
the Distributor and SIDCO desire to enter into this Agreement pursuant to which
SIDCO will perform certain services for the Distributor with respect to shares
of beneficial interest ("Shares")
of the
ETF; and
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements herein
contained, and intending the parties agree as follows:
1.
Services
provided by SIDCO.
SIDCO
will provide trade order processing in accordance with its then current trade
order processing policies and procedures (the "Services"),
a
current copy of which will be provided to the Distributor upon request;
provided, however, that such trade order processing shall be provided only
to
the ETF portfolio of the Trust. In the event that the Distributor desires to
implement any changes related to the Services set forth herein (including,
without limitation, changes to the order cut-off times), the Distributor shall
provide written notice of such requested changes to SIDCO within a reasonable
period of time prior to the proposed effectiveness of such change to enable
SIDCO to evaluate the impact that such change will have on SIDCO's operating
procedures, if any. In the event that the proposed changes require modification
of SIDCO's operating procedures, SIDCO shall promptly notify the Distributor
with respect to the feasibility of such modifications and, if such modifications
are possible, of any corresponding changes to the Services or fees set forth
in
this Agreement.
2.
Responsibilities
of the Distributor.
In
furtherance of the Services to be provided by SIDCO under this Agreement, the
Distributor shall:
2.1 |
provide
SIDCO with copies of, or access to, any documents that SIDCO may
reasonably request and notify SIDCO as soon as possible of any matter
materially affecting SIDCO's performance of the Services under this
Agreement;
|
2.2 |
facilitate
SIDCO's receipt of a current and complete Authorized Trader Form
and a AP
Authorization Form, each substantially in the form attached hereto
as
Exhibit
A;
|
2.3 |
cause
the index receipt agent, transfer agent and/or Depository Trust Company
to
provide SIDCO with all necessary information so that SIDCO may perform
its
obligations under the Agreement;
|
2.4 |
support
or cause the Trust's index receipt agent and/or transfer agent to
support
the servicing of the shareholders; in connection therewith the index
receipt agent, transfer agent or the Distributor will provide an
adequate
number of persons during normal business hours to respond to telephone
inquiries concerning the Trust and/or the
Shares;
|
2.5 |
select
and identify persons who are authorized by the Distributor, consistent
with applicable law and the applicable prospectus, to create and
redeem
Shares (referred to herein as, an "Authorized
Participant") and
provide written notice to SIDCO in the event of a change in the status
of
any Authorized Participant;
|
1
2.6 |
report
to SIDCO any and all actions or inactions by any Authorized Participant
that (i) fail to comply with the terms of any Authorized Participant
Agreement (defined below), (ii) violate any applicable laws of any
governmental authorities, including the NASD's Conduct Rules, or
(iii) violate any other agreements or procedures with which such
Authorized Participant is required to
comply;
|
2.7 |
administer
on behalf of the Trust the Trust's creditworthiness standards for
Authorized Participants, which SIDCO can assume have been satisfied
before
the placement of an order by an Authorized Participant and upon which
SIDCO can rely without inquiry;
|
2.8 |
be
responsible for the costs of printing and mailing prospectuses to
the
Archipelago Exchange (and any other national stock exchange on which
the
Shares may be listed), an Authorized Participant or any agent of
an
Authorized Participant for the purposes of providing prospectuses
to
prospective Authorized Participants or purchasers of exchange traded
Shares in the secondary market.
|
2.9 |
use
best efforts to ensure that SIDCO is named as a third party beneficiary
to
the authorized participant agreements ("Authorized
Participant Agreements")
between the Trust and each Authorized Participant;
|
2.10 |
verify
the identify of each Authorized Participant and
maintain identification verification and transactional records in
accordance with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations
aimed
at the prevention and detection of money laundering and/or terrorism
activities;
and
|
2.11 |
notify
SIDCO promptly in writing in the event that the Authorized Participant
Agreements, the applicable prospectus or the terms of the Authorized
Participant Agreements are modified in a manner that materially impacts
the Services provided by SIDCO pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
3.
Compensation;
Reimbursement of Expenses.
3.1 |
Distributor
shall pay to SIDCO for its Services described in this Agreement the
fees
set forth in Exhibit
B
attached hereto, such fees to be paid monthly in arrears by the third
day
of each calendar month with the first payment to be delivered the
month
following the first sale of Shares of the Trust after effectiveness
of
this Agreement in a prorated amount.
|
3.2 |
The
fees paid to SIDCO for the Services are exclusive of out-of-pocket
costs.
Distributor agrees to reimburse SIDCO for its reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in providing the Services hereunder including,
but not
limited to, customized computer programming and development costs
specifically related to the services SIDCO provides to the Distributor
hereunder.
|
4. Term
and Termination.
4.1 |
The
term of this Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date and
continue in full force and effect, unless earlier terminated by either
party in accordance with the terms set forth in this Section 4,
for
one year (the "Initial
Term").
Thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive
periods of one year (each, a "Renewal
Term").
|
4.2 |
The
Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto on such date as
is
specified in written notice given by the terminating party, in the
event
of a material breach of this Agreement by the other party, provided
the
terminating party has notified the other party of such material breach
at
least 30 days prior to the specified date of termination and the
breaching
party has not remedied such breach by the specified
date.
|
4.3 |
SIDCO
may terminate this Agreement at any time, with or without cause,
upon
ninety days prior notice.
|
4.4 |
The
provisions of Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive termination of
this
Agreement and continue in full force and
effect.
|
2
5.Indemnification.
5.1 |
The
Distributor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SIDCO, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents,
and
each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning
of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act (each, an "SIDCO
Indemnified Party")
from and against any loss, liability, cost or expense incurred by
such
SIDCO Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking made by the Distributor
in this Agreement, (ii) a failure of the Distributor to perform any
obligations set forth in this Agreement (including any written procedures
prepared in connection with the performance of this Agreement),
(iii) any failure by the Distributor to comply with applicable laws,
including any failure to comply with the terms of any exemptive relief
with respect to the Trust, (iv) an action or omission of the
Distributor involving bad faith, gross negligence or fraud by the
Distributor, (v) the operation of a customer contact center or
similar call center by the Distributor or one of its affiliates or
agents,
(vi) an Authorized Participant's failure to initially or subsequently
fulfill the Trust's creditworthiness standards, (vii) the failure to
apply or the inaccurate application of the Trust's creditworthiness
standards; (viii) SIDCO's reliance on information contained in an
Authorized Trader Form; or (ix) any claim by an Authorized
Participant related to SIDCO's services; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 5.1 shall protect a
SIDCO Indemnified Party against any liability that the SIDCO Indemnified
Party would otherwise be subject to by reason of bad faith, gross
negligence or fraud in the performance of its duties hereunder.
|
5.2 |
SIDCO
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor, its subsidiaries,
affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents, and each person,
if
any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of
the
1933 Act (each, an "Distributor
Indemnified Party")
from and against any loss, liability, cost or expense incurred by
such
Distributor Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking made
by
SIDCO in this Agreement (including
any written procedures prepared in connection with the performance
of this
Agreement),
(ii) any failure by SIDCO to perform the Services, (iii) any
failure by SIDCO to comply with any applicable laws, including but
not
limited to the NASD Conduct Rules, or (iv) an action or omission of
SIDCO involving bad faith, gross negligence or fraud by SIDCO; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 5.2 shall protect an
Distributor Indemnified Party against any liability that the Distributor
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject to by reason of bad
faith,
gross negligence or fraud in the performance of its duties hereunder.
|
5.3 |
In
case any such action, suit, proceeding or claim for which indemnity
may be
payable hereunder shall be brought against an SIDCO Indemnified Party
or
an Distributor Indemnified Party, as applicable (an "Indemnified
Party"),
and such Indemnified Party shall notify the applicable indemnifying
party
of the commencement thereof, such indemnifying party shall be entitled
to
participate in, and to the extent that such indemnifying party shall
wish
to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory
to
such Indemnified Party, subject to the further provisions of this
paragraph. After written notice from such indemnifying party to such
Indemnified Party of its election to so assume the defense thereof,
such
indemnifying party shall not be liable to the applicable Indemnified
Parties for any additional attorneys' fees or other expenses of
litigation, other than reasonable costs of investigation subsequently
incurred by such Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense
thereof, unless (i) the employment of counsel by such Indemnified
Parties has been authorized in writing by such indemnifying party,
such
authorization not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; (ii) such
Indemnified Parties shall have obtained a written opinion of counsel
reasonably acceptable to such indemnifying party that there exists
a
conflict of interest between such Indemnified Parties and the relevant
party in the conduct of the defense of such action or that there
are one
or more defenses available to such Indemnified Parties that are
unavailable to such indemnifying party (in which case such indemnifying
party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action
on
behalf of such Indemnified Parties); or (iii) such indemnifying party
shall not in fact have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such
Indemnified Parties to assume the defense of such action, in each
of which
cases the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel utilized by such
Indemnified Parties shall be at the expense of such indemnifying
party, it
being understood, however, that such indemnifying party shall not,
in
connection with any one such action or separate but substantially
similar
or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable
fees
and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for an
Indemnified Party, which firm shall be designated in writing by the
Indemnified Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, under the circumstances
described in clause (ii) above, the applicable Indemnified Parties
shall be entitled to retain an additional law firm, in any one such
action
or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances,
provided such Indemnified Parties have obtained a written opinion
of
counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnifying party that a conflict
of
interest exists that would preclude the use of a single law firm,
in which
case the indemnifying party shall be liable for the reasonable fees
and
expenses of counsel designated by the Indemnified Parties in writing.
All
such fees and expenses which are at the expense of an indemnifying
party
hereunder shall be promptly paid by such indemnifying
party.
|
3
5.4 |
Nothing
in this Agreement shall be construed as limiting an Indemnified Party's
rights to employ counsel at its own expense or to obtain indemnification
for amounts reasonably paid to adverse claimants in satisfaction
of any
judgments or in settlement of any actions, suit, proceeding or claims,
except that no party hereto shall be liable for any settlement of
any
action, suit, proceeding or claim effected without its written consent.
None of the parties hereto shall settle or compromise any action,
suit,
proceeding or claim if such settlement or compromise provides for
an
admission of liability on the part of an Indemnified Party without
such
Indemnified Party's written
consent.
|
6.
Limitation
of Liability.
SIDCO
shall not be liable to the Distributor or any of its affiliates for any damages
arising out of (i) activities or statements of sales or wholesaler
personnel who are employed and supervised by the Distributor or its affiliates,
(ii) any act or omission of the Trust's transfer agent or index receipt
agent, (iii) any act or omission hereunder unless such act or omission is
the result of SIDCO's bad faith, gross negligence or fraud in the performance
of
its duties hereunder, (iv) any misstatement or omission in the Trust's
registration
statement, prospectus, shareholder report or other information filed or made
public by the Trust or the Distributor (as amended from time to time), provided
that such misstatement or omission was not made in reliance upon, and in
conformity with, information furnished to the Distributor by SIDCO,
(v) the
operation of a customer contact center or similar call center by the Distributor
or one of its affiliates or agents, (vi) mistakes
or errors in data provided to SIDCO by, or interruptions or delays or
communications with, any other service providers to the Trust, or
(vii) actions taken pursuant to any instruction (whether written or verbal)
which it reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been signed or given
by
the proper person or persons. Except with respect to SIDCO's breach of its
confidentiality obligations under this Agreement or fraud when providing the
Services, SIDCO's total liability to the Distributor for damages will not exceed
the greater of (i) the amount of the monthly fees payable pursuant to this
Agreement for the one month period immediately preceding the date of the first
claim under this Agreement and (ii) $15,000. In no event shall SIDCO or the
Distributor, their subsidiaries, affiliates or any of directors, officers,
employees or agents be liable for lost profits or consequential damages under
this Agreement.
7.
Confidentiality.
During
the term of this Agreement, SIDCO and the Distributor 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 one of the parties which is of value to such party
and
the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage
to
such party. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial
information, proposal and presentations, reports, forecasts; inventions,
improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs,
processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer
lists; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible
acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities). Confidential
Information includes information developed by either party in the course of
engaging in the activities provided for in this Agreement, unless: (i) the
information is or becomes publicly known through lawful means; (ii) at the
time of receipt the information was already actually known to the other party;
or (iii) the information is disclosed to the other party without a
confidential restriction by a third party who rightfully possesses the
information and did not obtain it, either directly or indirectly, from one
of
the parties, as the case may be, or any of their respective principals,
employees, affiliated persons, or affiliated entities. The parties understand
and agree that all Confidential Information shall be kept confidential by the
other both during and after the term of this Agreement. The parties further
agree that they will not, without the prior written approval by the other party,
disclose such Confidential Information, or use such Confidential Information
in
any way, either during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter,
except as required in the course of this Agreement and as approved by the other
party or as required by law.
4
8.
Record
Retention and Confidentiality.
SIDCO
shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Distributor all books and records
which
SIDCO is, or may be, required to keep and maintain in connection with the
Services to be provided hereunder pursuant to any applicable statutes, rules
and
regulations, including without limitation Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940
Act. SIDCO further agrees that all such books and records shall be the property
of the Distributor and to make such books and records available for inspection
by or upon the request of the Distributor or by the SEC at reasonable times
and
otherwise to keep confidential all books and records and other information
relative to the Trust and its shareholders; except when requested to divulge
such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process.
9.
Right
of Ownership.
All
computer programs and procedures developed by SIDCO (or at SIDCO's expense)
to
perform the Services to be provided by SIDCO under this Agreement are the
property of SIDCO unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties.
10.
Return
of Records.
SIDCO
shall promptly upon the demand of the Distributor, turn over to the Distributor
files, records and documents created and maintained by SIDCO pursuant to this
Agreement which are no longer needed by SIDCO in the performance of its Services
or for its legal protection. If not so turned over to Distributor, such
documents and records will be retained by SIDCO for six years from the year
of
creation. At the end of such six-year period, such records and documents will
be
turned over to the Distributor unless the Distributor authorizes in writing
the
destruction of such records and documents.
11.
Representations
of Distributor.
Distributor
represents, warrants and covenants that:
11.1 |
this
Agreement has been duly authorized by Distributor and, when executed
and
delivered by Distributor, will constitute a legal, valid and binding
obligation of Distributor, enforceable against Distributor 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.
|
11.2 |
it
has obtained all consents and given all notices (regulatory or otherwise),
made all required regulatory filings and is in compliance with all
applicable laws and regulations, including without limitation, the
terms
of any exemptive relief with respect to the
Trust.
|
11.3 |
it
will use best efforts to ensure that the
language set forth in Section __ of the attached form of Authorized
Participant Agreement is included in each Authorized Participant
Agreement
that Distributor enters into with an Authorized
Participant.
|
12.
Representations
of SIDCO.
SIDCO
represents, warrants and covenants that:
12.1 |
this
Agreement has been duly authorized by SIDCO and, when executed and
delivered by SIDCO, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation
of SIDCO, enforceable against SIDCO 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.
|
5
12.2 |
it
is a member of the NASD and agrees to abide by all of the rules and
regulations of the NASD, including, without limitation, its Conduct
Rules.
SIDCO agrees to comply with all applicable federal and state laws,
rules
and regulations as applicable to it. SIDCO agrees to notify the
Distributor immediately in the event of its expulsion or suspension
by the
NASD. Expulsion of SIDCO by the NASD will automatically terminate
this
Agreement immediately without notice. Suspension of SIDCO by the
NASD will
terminate this Agreement effective immediately upon written notice
of
termination to SIDCO from the
Distributor.
|
13.
Notices.
Any
notice provided hereunder shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered
or
certified mail to Distributor at the following address: 000 X Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxxxxx Exchange Traded Trust; and to
SIDCO at the following address: Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx
00000, Attention: General Counsel, or at such other address as either party
may
from time to time specify in writing to the other party pursuant to this
Section.
14.
Force
Majeure.
In
the
event a party is hereto unable to perform its obligations under the terms of
this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or transmission
failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably
beyond its control, such party shall not be liable to any other party for any
damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such
causes.
15.
Headings.
Paragraph
headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and are not to
be
used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
16.
Sole
Benefit.
This
Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Distributor and SIDCO and will not
be
deemed to be for the direct or indirect benefit of the clients or customers
of
Distributor or SIDCO. The clients or customers of Distributor and SIDCO will
not
be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement nor to have any
other contractual relationship with SIDCO by reason of this Agreement and each
party hereto agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party from any
claims of such party's clients or customers against the other party in
accordance with
and
to
the
extent
provided
in
Section 5 of this Agreement.
17.
Assignment.
The
Distributor may not assign, delegate or transfer,
by
operation of law or otherwise, this
Agreement (in whole or in part), or any of its obligations hereunder, without
the prior written consent of SIDCO, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. SIDCO may assign, delegate or transfer,
by
operation of law or otherwise,
all of
its rights under this Agreement to an affiliate of SIDCO or to any person or
entity who purchases all or substantially all of the business or assets of
SIDCO
to which this Agreement relates, provided that such affiliate, person or entity
agrees in advance and in writing to be bound by the terms, conditions and
provisions of this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, all of the terms,
conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of each party's successors and permitted assigns. Any
assignment, delegation, or transfer in violation of this provision shall be
void
and without legal effect.
18.
Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to any conflict of laws
or
choice of laws rules or principles thereof.
6
19.
Services
Not Exclusive.
The
Distributor hereby acknowledges that the services provided hereunder by SIDCO
are not exclusive. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict SIDCO's
right, or the right of any of SIDCO's officers, directors or employees to engage
in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or
other
aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or
to
render services of any kind to any other corporation, fund, firm, individual
or
association, as well as provide services to any other investment company,
including any investment company which may directly compete with or be similar
to the Trust.
20.
Severability.
If
any
part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict
with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall
be
considered severable and not be affected, and the rights and obligations of
the
parties shall be construed and enforced as if this Agreement did not contain
the
particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
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.
7
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed all as of the day and year first above written.
X.
X. XXXXXXX AND COMPANY
By:
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Senior Managing Director
|
SEI
INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
By:
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxx Xxxxxx
Title:
|
8
EXHIBIT
A
AUTHORIZED
TRADER FORM
The
following are the names, titles and signatures of all persons (each an
"Authorized
Person")
authorized to give instructions relating to any trade order processing activity
contemplated by this Agreement or any other notice, request or instruction
on
behalf of an Authorized Participant.
Name:
Title:
Signature:
______________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature:
______________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature:
______________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature:
______________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature:
______________________________
Name:
Title:
Signature:
______________________________
The
undersigned, __________, being the ___________ of __________________., does
hereby certify that the persons listed above have been duly elected or appointed
to the offices set forth beneath their names, that they presently hold such
offices, that they have been duly authorized to act as Authorized Persons and
that their signatures set forth above are their own true and genuine
signatures.
In
Witness Whereof, the undersigned has hereby set his/her hand.
Date:
____________________
By:
__________________________
Name:
Title:
9
EXHIBIT
B
FEES
Recurring
Fee:
Pursuant
to Section 3, the Distributor shall pay SIDCO a fee monthly for it's services
described in this Agreement at an annual rate set forth below calculated based
upon the aggregate average daily net assets of the ETF and any portfolio added
to this Agreement after the Effective Date plus a transaction based fee as
outlined below:
Asset
based fee:
.08%
on
assets up to $150,000,000
.04%
on
assets over $250,000,000
Transaction
based fees:
$20
for
each creation or redemption process performed by SIDCO.
The
asset
based fee schedule is subject to a minimum annual fee of $75,000. The minimum
annual fee shall be increased by $25,000 for any additional portfolio added
to
this Agreement after the Effective Date.
One-time
Fee:
Upon
execution of this Agreement, the Distributor shall pay to SIDCO a one-time
set
up fee in the amount of $10,000.
10