EXHIBIT (k)(2)
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AUCTION AGENT AGREEMENT
between
MUNIHOLDINGS NEW YORK INSURED FUND III, INC.
and
IBJ WHITEHALL BANK & TRUST COMPANY
Dated as of ___________ ___ , 1999
Relating to
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK(R)
("AMPS"(R)),
Series A
of
MUNIHOLDINGS NEW YORK INSURED FUND III, INC.
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(R) Registered trademark of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Inc.
THIS AUCTION AGENT AGREEMENT, dated as of __________ __, 1999, is between
MUNIHOLDINGS NEW YORK INSURED FUND III, INC., a Maryland corporation (the
"Company"), and IBJ WHITEHALL BANK & TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking
corporation.
The Company proposes to duly authorize and issue ________ shares of Auction
Market Preferred Stock(R), Series A ("Series A AMPS"), with a par value of $.10
per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal
to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared),
pursuant to the Company's Articles Supplementary (as defined below). The Series
A AMPS are sometimes herein referred to as the "AMPS." The Company desires that
IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company perform certain duties as agent in connection
with each Auction (as defined below) of shares of AMPS (in such capacity, the
"Auction Agent"), and as the transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing
agent and redemption agent with respect to the shares of AMPS (in such capacity,
the "Paying Agent"), upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the
Company hereby appoints IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company as said Auction Agent
and Paying Agent in accordance with those terms and conditions (hereinafter
generally referred to as the "Auction Agent," except in Sections 3 and 4 below).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein, the Company and the Auction Agent agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
1.1. Terms Defined by Reference to
Articles Supplementary.
Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
specified in the Articles Supplementary.
(R) Registered trademark of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Inc.
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1.2. Terms Defined Herein.
As used herein and in the Settlement Procedures (as defined below),
the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context
otherwise requires:
(a) "Affiliate" shall mean any Person, other xxxx Xxxxxxx Lynch,
Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated, made known to the Auction
Agent to be controlled by, in control of, or under common control
with, the Company or its successors.
(b) "Agent Member" of any Person shall mean such Person's agent
member of the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of a
Bidder.
(c) "Articles Supplementary" shall mean the Articles
Supplementary of the Company, establishing the powers,
preferences and rights of the AMPS, filed on _____________, 1999
with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the
State of Maryland.
(d) Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1
hereof.
(e) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures that
are set forth in Paragraph 10 of the Articles Supplementary.
(f) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Senior Vice President,
Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer, and
Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of the Auction Agent
assigned to its Corporate Trust and Agency Group and every other
officer or employee of the Auction Agent designated as an
"Authorized Officer" for purposes hereof in a communication to
the Company.
(g) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean each agreement between
the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(h) "Company Officer" shall mean the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, the President, each Vice President (whether or not
designated by a number or word or words added before or after the
title "Vice President"), the Secretary, the Treasurer, each
Assistant Secretary and each Assistant Treasurer of the Company
and every other officer or employee of the Company designated as
a "Company Officer" for purposes hereof in a notice from the
Company to the Auction Agent.
(i) "Holder" shall be a holder of record of one or more shares of
AMPS, listed as such in the stock register maintained by the
Paying Agent pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof.
(j) "Settlement Procedures" shall mean the Settlement Procedures
attached as Exhibit A to the Broker-Dealer Agreement.
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1.3. Rules of Construction.
Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or
intent, the following rules shall apply to the construction of this
Agreement:
(a) Words importing the singular number shall include the plural
number and vice versa.
(b) The captions and headings herein are solely for convenience
of reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement
nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.
(c) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereto," and other words of
similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole.
(d) All references herein to a particular time of day shall be to
New York City time.
II. THE AUCTION.
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2.1. Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction
Procedures and Settlement Procedures.
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(a) The Articles Supplementary provide that the Applicable Rate on
shares of AMPS for each Dividend Period therefor after the Initial
Dividend Period shall be the rate per annum that a commercial
bank, trust company or other financial institution appointed by
the Company advises results from implementation of the Auction
Procedures. The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a
resolution appointing IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company as
Auction Agent for purposes of the Auction Procedures. The Auction
Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees that, on each
Auction Date, it shall follow the procedures set forth in this
Section 2 and the Auction Procedures for the purpose of
determining the Applicable Rate for the AMPS for the next Dividend
Period therefor. Each periodic operation of such procedures is
hereinafter referred to as an "Auction."
(b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures and
in the Settlement Procedures are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part hereof to the
same extent as if such provisions were set forth fully herein.
2.2. Preparation for Each Auction; Maintenance
of Registry of Existing Holders.
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(a) Pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof, the Company shall not
designate any Person to act as a Broker-Dealer without the prior
written approval of the Auction Agent (which approval shall not be
withheld unreasonably). As of the date hereof, the Company shall
provide the Auction Agent with a list of the Broker-
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Dealers previously approved by the Auction Agent and shall cause
to be delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction
Agent a Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by each such Broker-Dealer.
The Auction Agent shall keep such list current and accurate and
shall indicate thereon, or on a separate list, the identity of
each Existing Holder, if any, whose most recent Order was
submitted by a Broker-Dealer on such list and resulted in such
Existing Holder continuing to hold or purchasing shares of AMPS.
Not later than five Business Days prior to any Auction Date for
which any change in such list of Broker-Dealers is to be
effective, the Company shall notify the Auction Agent in writing
of such change and, if any such change is the addition of a
Broker-Dealer to such list, the Company shall cause to be
delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction Agent
a Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by such Broker-Dealer. The
Auction Agent shall have entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement
with each Broker-Dealer prior to the participation of any such
Broker-Dealer in any Auction.
(b) In the event that the Auction Date for any Auction shall be
changed after the Auction Agent shall have given the notice
referred to in clause (vii) of Paragraph (a) of the Settlement
Procedures, the Auction Agent, by such means as the Auction Agent
deems practicable, shall give notice of such change to the Broker-
Dealers not later than the earlier of 9:15 A.M. on the new Auction
Date or 9:15 A.M. on the old Auction Date.
(c) The provisions contained in paragraph 2 of the Articles
Supplementary concerning Special Dividend Periods and the
notification of a Special Dividend Period will be followed by the
Company and, to the extent applicable, the Auction Agent, and the
provisions contained therein are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this
Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth
fully herein.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 2(f) of the Articles
Supplementary, whenever the Company intends to include any net
capital gains or other income subject to regular Federal income
tax in any dividend on shares of AMPS, the Company will notify the
Auction Agent of the amount to be so included at least five
Business Days prior to the Auction Date on which the Applicable
Rate for such dividend is to be established. Whenever the Auction
Agent receives such notice from the Company, in turn it will
notify each Broker-Dealer, who, on or prior to such Auction Date,
in accordance with its Broker-Dealer Agreement, will notify its
Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners believed to be
interested in submitting an Order in the Auction to be held on
such Auction Date. Whenever the Company includes any additional
amounts in a dividend as provided in paragraph 2(f) of the
Articles Supplementary, the Company will notify the Auction Agent
of such additional amounts to be so included in such dividend at
least five Business Days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment
Date. Whenever the Auction Agent receives such notice from the
Company, in turn it will notify the Securities Depository and each
Broker-
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Dealer, who, on or prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date,
in accordance with its Broker-Dealer Agreement, will notify its
Beneficial Owners.
(ii) If the Company makes a Retroactive Taxable Allocation, the
Company, within 90 days (and generally within 60 days) after the
end of its fiscal year for which a Retroactive Taxable Allocation
is made, will provide notice thereof to the Auction Agent and to
each Holder (initially the Securities Depository) during such
fiscal year at such Holder's address as the same appears or last
appeared on the stock books of the Company. The Company, within 30
days after such notice is given to the Auction Agent, will pay to
the Auction Agent (who then will distribute to such Holders), out
of funds legally available therefor, a cash amount equal to the
aggregate Additional Dividend with respect to all Retroactive
Taxable Allocations made to such Holders during the fiscal year in
question.
(e) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall determine the
Reference Rate and the Maximum Applicable Rate. If the Reference
Rate is not quoted on an interest basis but is quoted on a
discount basis, the Auction Agent shall convert the quoted rate to
an Interest Equivalent, as set forth in paragraph 1 of the
Articles Supplementary; or, if the rate obtained by the Auction
Agent is not quoted on an interest or discount basis, the Auction
Agent shall convert the quoted rate to an interest rate after
consultation with the Company as to the method of such conversion.
Not later than 9:30 A.M. on each Auction Date, the Auction Agent
shall notify the Company and the Broker-Dealers of the Reference
Rate so determined and of the Maximum Applicable Rate.
(ii) If the Reference Rate is the applicable "AA" Composite
Commercial Paper Rate and such rate is to be based on rates
supplied by Commercial Paper Dealers and one or more of the
Commercial Paper Dealers shall not provide a quotation for the
determination of the applicable "AA" Composite Commercial Paper
Rate, the Auction Agent immediately shall notify the Company so
that the Company can determine whether to select a Substitute
Commercial Paper Dealer or Substitute Commercial Paper Dealers to
provide the quotation or quotations not being supplied by any
Commercial Paper Dealer or Commercial Paper Dealers. The Company
promptly shall advise the Auction Agent of any such selection. If
the Company does not select any such Substitute Commercial Paper
Dealer or Substitute Commercial Paper Dealers, then the rates
shall be supplied by the remaining Commercial Paper Dealer or
Commercial Paper Dealers.
(iii) If, after the date of this Agreement, there is any change in
the prevailing rating of AMPS by either of the rating agencies (or
substitute or successor rating agencies) referred to in the
definition of the Maximum Applicable Rate, thereby resulting in
any change in the corresponding applicable percentage for the
AMPS, as set forth in said definition (the "Percentage"), the
Company shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of such change
in the Percentage prior to 9:00 A.M. on the Auction Date for AMPS
next succeeding such change. The Percentage for the AMPS on the
date of this Agreement is as specified in paragraph 10(a)(vii) of
the Articles Supplementary. The Auction Agent shall be entitled to
rely on the last
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Percentage of which it has received notice from the Company (or,
in the absence of such notice, the Percentage set forth in the
preceding sentence) in determining the Maximum Applicable Rate as
set forth in Section 2.2(e)(i) hereof.
(f) The Auction Agent shall maintain a current registry of the
Existing Holders of the shares of AMPS for purposes of each
Auction. The Company shall use its best efforts to provide or
cause to be provided to the Auction Agent within ten Business Days
following the date of the Closing a list of the initial Existing
Holders of the AMPS, and the Broker-Dealer of each such Existing
Holder through which such Existing Holder purchased such shares.
The Auction Agent may rely upon, as evidence of the identities of
the Existing Holders, such list, the results of each Auction and
notices from any Existing Holder, the Agent Member of any Existing
Holder or the Broker-Dealer of any Existing Holder with respect to
such Existing Holder's transfer of any shares of AMPS to another
Person.
(ii) In the event of any partial redemption of the AMPS, upon
notice by the Company to the Auction Agent of such partial
redemption, the Auction Agent promptly shall request the
Securities Depository to notify the Auction Agent of the
identities of the Agent Members (and the respective numbers of
shares) from the accounts of which shares have been called for
redemption and the person or department at such Agent Member to
contact regarding such redemption, and at least two Business Days
prior to the Auction preceding the date of redemption with respect
to shares of AMPS being partially redeemed, the Auction Agent
shall request each Agent Member so identified to disclose to the
Auction Agent (upon selection by such Agent Member of the Existing
Holders whose shares are to be redeemed) the number of shares of
AMPS of each such Existing Holder, if any, to be redeemed by the
Company, provided that the Auction Agent has been furnished with
the name and telephone number of a person or department at such
Agent Member from which it is to request such information. In the
absence of receiving any such information with respect to an
Existing Holder, from such Existing Holder's Agent Member or
otherwise, the Auction Agent may continue to treat such Existing
Holder as having ownership of the number of shares of AMPS shown
in the Auction Agent's registry of Existing Holders.
(iii) The Auction Agent shall register a transfer of the ownership
of shares of AMPS from an Existing Holder to another Existing
Holder, or to another Person if permitted by the Company, only if
(A) such transfer is made pursuant to an Auction or (B) if such
transfer is made other than pursuant to an Auction, the Auction
Agent has been notified of such transfer in writing in a notice
substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the Broker-Dealer
Agreements, by such Existing Holder or by the Agent Member of such
Existing Holder. The Auction Agent is not required to accept any
notice of transfer delivered for an Auction unless it is received
by the Auction Agent by 3:00 P.M. on the Business Day next
preceding the applicable Auction Date. The Auction Agent shall
rescind a transfer made on the registry of the Existing Holders of
any shares of AMPS if the Auction Agent has been notified in
writing, in a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the
Broker-Dealer Agreement, by the Agent Member or the Broker-
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Dealer of any Person that (i) purchased any shares of AMPS and the
seller failed to deliver such shares or (ii) sold any shares of
AMPS and the purchaser failed to make payment to such Person upon
delivery to the purchaser of such shares.
(g) The Auction Agent may request that the Broker-Dealers, as set
forth in Section 3.2(c) of the Broker-Dealer Agreements, provide
the Auction Agent with a list of their respective customers that
such Broker-Dealers believe are Beneficial Owners of shares of
AMPS. The Auction Agent shall keep confidential any such
information and shall not disclose any such information so
provided to any Person other than the relevant Broker-Dealer and
the Company, provided that the Auction Agent reserves the right to
disclose any such information if it is advised by its counsel that
its failure to do so would be unlawful.
2.3. Auction Schedule.
The Auction Agent shall conduct Auctions in accordance with the schedule
set forth below. Such schedule may be changed by the Auction Agent with the
consent of the Company, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. The
Auction Agent shall give notice of any such change to each Broker-Dealer. Such
notice shall be received prior to the first Auction Date on which any such
change shall be effective.
Time Event
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By 9:30 A.M. Auction Agent advises the
Company and the Broker-Dealers of
the Reference Rate and the Maximum
Applicable Rate as set forth in
Section 2.2(e)(i) hereof.
9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Auction Agent assembles information
communicated to it by Broker-Dealers
as provided in Paragraph 10(c)(i) of
the Articles Supplementary.
Submission deadline is 1:00 P.M.
Not earlier than Auction Agent makes determinations
1:00 P.M. pursuant to Paragraph 10(d)(i) of
the Articles Supplementary.
By approximately Auction Agent advises the Company
3:00 P.M. of the results of the Auction as
provided in Paragraph 10(d)(ii) of
the Articles Supplementary.
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell
Orders are accepted and rejected in
whole or in part and shares of AMPS
allocated as provided in Paragraph
10(e) of the Articles Supplementary.
Auction Agent gives notice of the
Auction results as set forth in
Section 2.4 hereof.
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2.4. Notice of Auction Results.
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On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify Broker-Dealers of the
results of the Auction held on such date by telephone or through the Auction
Agent's Auction Processing System as set forth in Paragraph (a) of the
Settlement Procedures.
2.5. Broker-Dealers.
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(a) Not later than 12:00 noon on each Auction Date, the Company
shall pay to the Auction Agent in Federal Funds or similar same-
day funds an amount in cash equal to (i) in the case of any
Auction Date immediately preceding a 7-Day Dividend Period or 28-
Day Dividend Period, the product of (A) a fraction the numerator
of which is the number of days in such Dividend Period (calculated
by counting the first day of such Dividend Period but excluding
the last day thereof) and the denominator of which is 360, times
(B) 1/4 of 1%, times (C) $25,000 times (D) the sum of the
aggregate number of Outstanding shares of AMPS for which the
Auction is conducted and (ii) in the case of any Special Dividend
Period, the amount determined by mutual consent of the Company and
the Broker-Dealers pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer
Agreements. The Auction Agent shall apply such moneys as set forth
in Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer Agreements and shall
thereafter remit to the Company any remaining funds paid to the
Auction Agent pursuant to this Section 2.5(a).
(b) The Company shall not designate any Person to act as a Broker-
Dealer, or permit a Existing Holder or a Potential Beneficial
Owner to participate in Auctions through any Person other than a
Broker-Dealer, without the prior written approval of the Auction
Agent, which approval shall not be withheld unreasonably. The
Company may designate an Affiliate or Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce,
Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated to act as a Broker-Dealer.
(c) The Auction Agent shall terminate any Broker-Dealer Agreement
as set forth therein if so directed by the Company.
(d) Subject to Section 2.5(b) hereof, the Auction Agent from time
to time shall enter into such Broker-Dealer Agreements as the
Company shall request.
(e) The Auction Agent shall maintain a list of Broker-Dealers.
2.6. Ownership of Shares of AMPS and Submission of Bids by the Company
and its Affiliates.
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Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company may submit any Sell
Order or Bid, directly or indirectly, in any Auction, except that an Affiliate
of the Company that is a Broker-Dealer may submit a Sell Order or Bid on behalf
of a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner. The Company shall notify
the Auction Agent if the Company or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, any
Affiliate of the Company becomes a Beneficial Owner of any shares of AMPS. Any
shares of AMPS redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired (i) by the Company
shall not be reissued, except in accordance with the requirements of the
Securities Act
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of 1933, as amended, or (ii) by its Affiliates shall not be transferred (other
than to the Company). The Auction Agent shall have no duty or liability with
respect to enforcement of this Section 2.6.
2.7. Access to and Maintenance of Auction Records.
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The Auction Agent shall afford to the Company, its agents, independent
public accountants and counsel, access at reasonable times during normal
business hours to review and make extracts or copies (at the Company's sole cost
and expense) of all books, records, documents and other information concerning
the conduct and results of Auctions, provided that any such agent, accountant or
counsel shall furnish the Auction Agent with a letter from the Company
requesting that the Auction Agent afford such person access. The Auction Agent
shall maintain records relating to any Auction for a period of two years after
such Auction (unless requested by the Company to maintain such records for such
longer period not in excess of four years, then for such longer period), and
such records, in reasonable detail, shall accurately and fairly reflect the
actions taken by the Auction Agent hereunder. The Company agrees to keep
confidential any information regarding the customers of any Broker-Dealer
received from the Auction Agent in connection with this Agreement or any
Auction, and shall not disclose such information or permit the disclosure of
such information without the prior written consent of the applicable
Broker-Dealer to anyone except such agent, accountant or counsel engaged to
audit or review the results of Auctions as permitted by this Section 2.7,
provided that the Company reserves the right to disclose any such information if
it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would (i) be unlawful or
(ii) expose it to liability, unless the Broker-Dealer shall have offered
indemnification satisfactory to the Company. Any such agent, accountant or
counsel, before having access to such information, shall agree to keep such
information confidential and not to disclose such information or permit
disclosure of such information without the prior written consent of the
applicable Broker-Dealer, provided that such agent, accountant or counsel may
reserve the right to disclose any such information if it is advised by its
counsel that its failure to do so would (i) be unlawful or (ii) expose it to
liability, unless the Broker-Dealer shall have offered indemnification
satisfactory to such agent, accountant or counsel.
III. THE AUCTION AGENT AS PAYING AGENT.
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3.1. The Paying Agent.
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The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a resolution
appointing IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company as transfer agent, registrar,
dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the Company in connection
with any shares of AMPS (in such capacity, the "Paying Agent"). The Paying Agent
hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with its
standard procedures and the provisions of the Articles Supplementary which are
specified herein with respect to the shares of AMPS and as set forth in this
Section 3.
3.2. The Company's Notices to the Paying Agent.
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Whenever any shares of AMPS are to be redeemed, the Company promptly
shall deliver to the Paying Agent a Notice of Redemption, which will be mailed
by the Company to each Holder at least five Business Days prior to the date such
Notice of Redemption is required to be
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mailed pursuant to the Articles Supplementary. The Paying Agent shall have no
responsibility to confirm or verify the accuracy of any such Notice.
3.3. The Company to Provide Funds for Dividends,
Redemptions and Additional Dividends.
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(a) Not later than noon on each Dividend Payment Date, the Company
shall deposit with the Paying Agent an aggregate amount of Federal
Funds or similar same-day funds equal to the declared dividends to
be paid to Holders on such Dividend Payment Date, and shall give
the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions to apply such funds to
the payment of such dividends on such Dividend Payment Date.
(b) If the Company shall give a Notice of Redemption, then by noon
of the date fixed for redemption, the Company shall deposit in
trust with the Paying Agent an aggregate amount of Federal Funds
or similar same-day funds sufficient to redeem such shares of AMPS
called for redemption and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the
Holders of shares of AMPS called for redemption upon surrender of
the certificate or certificates therefor.
(c) If the Company provides notice to the Auction Agent of a
Retroactive Taxable Allocation, the Company, within 30 days after
such notice is given and by noon of the date fixed for payment of
an Additional Dividend, shall deposit in trust with the Paying
Agent an aggregate amount of Federal Funds or similar same-day
funds equal to such Additional Dividend and shall give the Paying
Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Additional
Dividend to Holders (or former Holders) entitled thereto.
3.4. Disbursing Dividends, Redemption Price
and Additional Dividends.
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After receipt of the Federal Funds or similar same-day funds and
instructions from the Company described in Sections 3.3(a), (b) and (c) above,
the Paying Agent shall pay to the Holders (or former Holders) entitled thereto
(i) on each corresponding Dividend Payment Date, dividends on the shares of
AMPS, (ii) on any date fixed for redemption, the redemption price of any shares
of AMPS called for redemption and (iii) on the date fixed for payment of an
Additional Dividend, such Additional Dividend. The amount of dividends for any
Dividend Period to be paid by the Paying Agent to Holders will be determined by
the Company as set forth in Paragraph 2 of the Articles Supplementary. The
redemption price to be paid by the Paying Agent to the Holders of any shares of
AMPS called for redemption will be determined as set forth in Paragraph 4 of the
Articles Supplementary. The amount of Additional Dividends to be paid by the
Paying Agent in the event of a Retroactive Taxable Allocation to Holders will be
determined by the Company pursuant to paragraph 2(e) of the Articles
Supplementary. The Company shall notify the Paying Agent in writing of a
decision to redeem any shares of AMPS on or prior to the date specified in
Section 3.2 above, and such notice by the Company to the Paying Agent shall
contain the information required to be stated in a Notice of Redemption
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required to be mailed by the Company to such Holders. The Paying Agent shall
have no duty to determine the redemption price and may rely on the amount
thereof set forth in a Notice of Redemption.
IV. THE PAYING AGENT AS TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.
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4.1. Original Issue of Stock Certificates.
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On the Date of Original Issue for any share of AMPS, one certificate
for such series of AMPS shall be issued by the Company and registered in the
name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Securities Depository, and countersigned
by the Paying Agent. The Company will give the Auction Agent prior written
notice and instruction as to the issuance and redemption of AMPS.
4.2. Registration of Transfer or Exchange of Shares.
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Except as provided in this Section 4.2, the shares of AMPS shall be
registered solely in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee. If
the Securities Depository shall give notice of its intention to resign as such,
and if the Company shall not have selected a substitute Securities Depository
acceptable to the Paying Agent prior to such resignation, then upon such
resignation, the shares of AMPS, at the Company's request, may be registered for
transfer or exchange, and new certificates thereupon shall be issued in the name
of the designated transferee or transferees, upon surrender of the old
certificate in form deemed by the Paying Agent properly endorsed for transfer
with (a) all necessary endorsers' signatures guaranteed in such manner and form
as the Paying Agent may require by a guarantor reasonably believed by the Paying
Agent to be responsible, (b) such assurances as the Paying Agent shall deem
necessary or appropriate to evidence the genuineness and effectiveness of each
necessary endorsement and (c) satisfactory evidence of compliance with all
applicable laws relating to the collection of taxes in connection with any
registration of transfer or exchange or funds necessary for the payment of such
taxes. If the certificate or certificates for shares of AMPS are not held by the
Securities Depository or its nominee, payments upon transfer of shares in an
Auction shall be made in Federal Funds or similar same-day funds to the Auction
Agent against delivery of certificates therefor.
4.3. Removal of Legend.
-----------------
Any request for removal of a legend indicating a restriction on transfer
from a certificate evidencing shares of AMPS shall be accompanied by an opinion
of counsel stating that such legend may be removed and such shares may be
transferred free of the restriction described in such legend, said opinion to be
delivered under cover of a letter from a Company Officer authorizing the Paying
Agent to remove the legend on the basis of said opinion.
4.4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates.
--------------------------------------------
The Paying Agent shall issue and register replacement certificates for
certificates represented to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the
fulfillment of such requirements as shall be deemed appropriate by the Company
and by the Paying Agent, subject at all times to provisions of law, the By-Laws
of the Company governing such matters and resolutions adopted by the Company
with respect to lost, stolen or destroyed securities. The Paying Agent may issue
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new certificates in exchange for and upon the cancellation of mutilated
certificates. Any request by the Company to the Paying Agent to issue a
replacement or new certificate pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be deemed to
be a representation and warranty by the Company to the Paying Agent that such
issuance will comply with provisions of applicable law and the By-Laws and
resolutions of the Company.
4.5. Disposition of Canceled Certificates;
Record Retention.
-------------------------------------
The Paying Agent shall retain stock certificates which have been canceled
in transfer or in exchange and accompanying documentation in accordance with
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for
two calendar years from the date of such cancellation. The Paying Agent, upon
written request by the Company, shall afford to the Company, its agents and
counsel access at reasonable times during normal business hours to review and
make extracts or copies (at the Company's sole cost and expense) of such
certificates and accompanying documentation. Upon request by the Company at any
time after the expiration of this two-year period, the Paying Agent shall
deliver to the Company the canceled certificates and accompanying documentation.
The Company, at its expense, shall retain such records for a minimum additional
period of four calendar years from the date of delivery of the records to the
Company and shall make such records available during this period at any time, or
from time to time, for reasonable periodic, special, or other examinations by
representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company also
shall undertake to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon
demand, either at their principal office or at any regional office, complete,
correct and current hard copies of any and all such records. Thereafter, such
records shall not be destroyed by the Company without the approval of the Paying
Agent, which approval shall not be withheld unreasonably, but will be safely
stored for possible future reference.
4.6. Stock Register.
--------------
The Paying Agent shall maintain the stock register, which shall contain a
list of the Holders, the number of shares held by each Holder and the address of
each Holder. The Paying Agent shall record in the stock register any change of
address of a Holder upon notice by such Holder. In case of any written request
or demand for the inspection of the stock register or any other books of the
Company in the possession of the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will notify the
Company and secure instructions as to permitting or refusing such inspection.
The Paying Agent reserves the right, however, to exhibit the stock register or
other records to any person in case it is advised by its counsel that its
failure to do so would (i) be unlawful or (ii) expose it to liability, unless
the Company shall have offered indemnification satisfactory to the Paying Agent.
4.7. Return of Funds.
---------------
Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent by the Company for any reason
under this Agreement, including for the payment of dividends or the redemption
of shares of AMPS, that remain with the Paying Agent after 12 months shall be
repaid to the Company upon written request by the Company.
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V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
------------------------------
5.1. Representations and Warranties of the Company.
---------------------------------------------
The Company represents and warrants to the Auction Agent that:
(i) the Company is duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation
in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, and has full
power to execute and deliver this Agreement and to authorize, create and
issue the shares of AMPS;
(ii) the Company is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a closed-end, non-
diversified, management investment company;
(iii) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms, subject as to such enforceability to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating
to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equitable principles;
(iv) the form of the certificate evidencing the shares of AMPS complies
with all applicable laws of the State of Maryland;
(v) the shares of AMPS have been duly and validly authorized by the Company
and, upon completion of the initial sale of the shares of AMPS and receipt
of payment therefor, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;
(vi) at the time of the offering of the shares of AMPS, the shares offered
will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no
further action by or before any governmental body or authority of the
United States or of any state thereof is required in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or will be required in connection
with the issuance of the shares of AMPS, except such action as required by
applicable state securities or insurance laws, all of which action will
have been taken;
(vii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and
delivery of the shares of AMPS do not and will not conflict with, violate,
or result in a breach of, the terms, conditions or provisions of, or
constitute a default under, the Charter or the By-Laws of the Company, any
law or regulation applicable to the Company, any order or decree of any
court or public authority having jurisdiction over the Company, or any
mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or undertaking to which the
Company is a party or by which it is bound; and
(viii) no taxes are payable upon or in respect of the execution of this
Agreement or will be payable upon or in respect of the issuance of the
shares of AMPS.
14
5.2. Representations and Warranties of the Auction Agent.
---------------------------------------------------
The Auction Agent represents and warrants to the Company that the Auction
Agent is duly organized and is validly existing as a banking corporation in good
standing under the laws of the State of New York, and has the corporate power to
enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.
VI. THE AUCTION AGENT.
-----------------
6.1. Duties and Responsibilities.
---------------------------
(a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Company
hereunder and owes no fiduciary duties to any Person except as
provided by this Agreement.
(b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such
duties as are set forth specifically in this Agreement, and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the
Auction Agent.
(c) In the absence of bad faith or negligence on its part, the Auction
Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by
it or for any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its
duties under this Agreement. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for
any error of judgment made in good faith unless the Auction Agent
shall have been negligent in ascertaining (or failing to ascertain)
the pertinent facts.
6.2. Rights of the Auction Agent.
---------------------------
(a) The Auction Agent may rely upon, and shall be protected in acting
or refraining from acting upon, any communication authorized hereby
and any written instruction, notice, request, direction, consent,
report, certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or
document reasonably believed by it to be genuine. The Auction Agent
shall not be liable for acting upon any telephone communication
authorized hereby which the Auction Agent believes in good faith to
have been given by the Company or by a Broker-Dealer. The Auction
Agent may record telephone communications with the Company or with the
Broker-Dealers or with both.
(b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel of its choice, and the
written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered
or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk
its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial
liability in the performance of its duties hereunder. The Auction
Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received
by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the
Company.
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(d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its rights
hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys.
6.3. Auction Agent's Disclaimer.
--------------------------
The Auction Agent makes no representation as to the validity or the
adequacy of this Agreement, the Broker-Dealer Agreements or the AMPS.
6.4. Compensation, Expenses and Indemnification.
------------------------------------------
(a) The Company shall pay to the Auction Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it under this
Agreement and under the Broker-Dealer Agreements as shall be set forth
in a separate writing signed by the Company and the Auction Agent,
subject to adjustments if the AMPS no longer are held of record by the
Securities Depository or its nominee or if there shall be such other
change as shall increase materially the Auction Agent's obligations
hereunder or under the Broker-Dealer Agreements.
(b) The Company shall reimburse the Auction Agent upon its request for
all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made
by the Auction Agent in accordance with any provision of this
Agreement and of the Broker-Dealer Agreements (including the
reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its agents and
counsel), except any expense, disbursement or advance attributable to
its negligence or bad faith.
(c) The Company shall indemnify the Auction Agent for, and hold it
harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without
negligence or bad faith on its part arising out of or in connection
with its agency under this Agreement and under the Broker-Dealer
Agreements, including the costs and expenses of defending itself
against any claim of liability in connection with its exercise or
performance of any of its duties hereunder and thereunder, except such
as may result from its negligence or bad faith.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS.
-------------
7.1. Term of Agreement.
-----------------
(a) The term of this Agreement is unlimited unless it shall be
terminated as provided in this Section 7.1. The Company may terminate
this Agreement at any time by so notifying the Auction Agent, provided
that if any AMPS remain outstanding the Company shall have entered
into an agreement in substantially the form of this Agreement with a
successor auction agent. The Auction Agent may terminate this
Agreement upon prior notice to the Company on the date specified in
such notice, which date shall be no earlier than 60 days after
delivery of such notice. If the Auction Agent resigns while any shares
of AMPS remain outstanding, the Company shall use its best efforts to
enter into an agreement with a successor auction agent containing
substantially the same terms and conditions as this Agreement.
16
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.1(b), the
respective rights and duties of the Company and the Auction Agent
under this Agreement shall cease upon termination of this Agreement.
The Company's representations, warranties, covenants and obligations
to the Auction Agent under Sections 5 and 6.4 hereof shall survive the
termination hereof. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Auction
Agent shall (i) resign as Auction Agent under the Broker-Dealer
Agreements, (ii) at the Company's request, deliver promptly to the
Company copies of all books and records maintained by it in connection
with its duties hereunder, and (iii) at the request of the Company,
transfer promptly to the Company or to any successor auction agent any
funds deposited by the Company with the Auction Agent (whether in its
capacity as Auction Agent or as Paying Agent) pursuant to this
Agreement which have not been distributed previously by the Auction
Agent in accordance with this Agreement.
7.2. Communications.
--------------
Except for (i) communications authorized to be made by telephone
pursuant to this Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii)
communications in connection with Auctions (other than those expressly
required to be in writing), all notices, requests and other
communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including
telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given to such party at its
address or telecopier number set forth below:
If to the Company, MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund III, Inc.
addressed to: 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
If to the Auction IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company
Agent, addressed to: Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Auction Window Subcellar 1
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
or such other address or telecopier number as such party hereafter may specify
for such purpose by notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or
communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified herein.
Communications shall be given on behalf of the Company by a Company Officer and
on behalf of the Auction Agent by an Authorized Officer.
7.3. Entire Agreement.
----------------
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other
representations, endorsements, promises, agreements or
17
understandings, oral, written or inferred, between the parties relating to the
subject matter hereof, except for agreements relating to the compensation of the
Auction Agent.
7.4. Benefits.
--------
Nothing herein, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than
the Company, the Auction Agent and their respective successors and assigns, any
benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim hereunder.
7.5. Amendment; Waiver.
-----------------
(a) This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified,
amended, rescinded, canceled or waived, in whole or in part, except by
a written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the
party to be charged. The Company shall notify the Auction Agent of any
change in the Articles Supplementary prior to the effective date of
any such change. If any such change in the Articles Supplementary
materially increases the Auction Agent's obligations hereunder, the
Company shall obtain the written consent to the Auction Agent prior to
the effective date of such change.
(b) Failure of either party hereto to exercise any right or remedy
hereunder in the event of a breach hereof by the other party shall not
constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to any
subsequent breach.
7.6. Successors and Assigns.
----------------------
This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the
Company and the Auction Agent. This Agreement may not be assigned by either
party hereto absent the prior written consent of the other party, which consent
shall not be withheld unreasonably.
7.7. Severability.
------------
If any clause, provision or section hereof shall be ruled invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or
unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of
the remaining clauses, provisions or sections hereof.
7.8. Execution in Counterparts.
-------------------------
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall
be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.
7.9. Governing Law.
-------------
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed
in said State.
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the date first above written.
MUNIHOLDINGS NEW YORK INSURED
FUNDS III, INC.
By:___________________________________________
Name:
Title:
IBJ WHITEHALL BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By:___________________________________________
Name:
Title:
19
