FORESIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC DEALER AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.(8)(89)
FORESIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
| Re: | Driehaus Mutual Funds | Date: | 9/27/22 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As the distributor of the shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) of Driehaus Mutual Funds (the “Company”), Foreside Financial Services, LLC (“Distributor”) hereby invites you to participate in the selling group on the following terms and conditions. In this agreement, the terms “we,” “us,” and similar words refer to the Distributor, and the terms “you,” “your,” and similar words and “Dealer” refer to the dealer executing this agreement, including its associated persons.
1. Dealer. You hereby represent that you are a broker-dealer properly registered and qualified under all applicable federal, state and local laws to engage in the business and transactions described in this agreement, and that you are a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). You agree that it is your responsibility to determine the suitability of any Fund Shares as investments for your customers, and that we have no responsibility for such determination. You further agree to maintain all records required by Applicable Laws (as defined below) or that are otherwise reasonably requested by us relating to your transactions in Fund Shares. In addition, you agree to notify us immediately in the event your status as a member of FINRA or SIPC changes. You agree that you will at all times comply with (i) the provisions of this agreement related to compliance with all applicable rules and regulations; and (ii) the terms of each registration statement and prospectus for the Funds. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that Services furnished by you under this Agreement are of a recordkeeping and administrative nature only and are not intended to constitute legal, investment advisory or distribution services and are not in any way whatsoever intended to promote the sale of Shares.
2. Qualification of Shares. The Fund will make available to you a list of the states or other jurisdictions in which Fund Shares are registered for sale or are otherwise qualified for sale, which may be revised by the Fund from time to time. You will make offers of Shares to your customers only in those states, and you will ensure that you (including your associated persons) are appropriately licensed and qualified to offer and sell Shares in any state or other jurisdiction that requires such licensing or qualification in connection with your activities.
3. Orders. All orders you submit for transactions in Fund Shares shall reflect orders received from your customers or shall be for your account for your own bona fide investment, and you will date and time- stamp your customer orders and forward them promptly each day and in any event prior to the time required by the applicable Fund prospectus (the “Prospectus,” which for purposes of this agreement includes the Statement of Additional Information incorporated therein). As agent for your customers, you shall not withhold placing customers’ orders for any Shares so as to profit yourself or your customer as a result of such withholding. You are hereby authorized to: (i) place your orders directly with the Company for the purchase of Shares and (ii) tender Shares directly to the Company for redemption, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and any operating procedures and policies established by us or the Fund (directly or through its Transfer Agent) from time to time. All purchase orders you submit are subject to acceptance or rejection, and we reserve the right to suspend or limit the sale of Shares. You are not authorized to make any representations concerning Shares of any Fund except such representations as are contained in the Prospectus and in such supplemental written information that the Fund or the Distributor (acting on behalf of the Fund) may provide to you with respect to a Fund. All orders that are
1
accepted for the purchase of Shares shall be executed at the next determined public offering price per share (i.e., the net asset value per share plus the applicable sales load, if any) and all orders for the redemption of Shares shall be executed at the next determined net asset value per share and subject to any applicable redemption fee or contingent deferred sales load, in each case as described in the Prospectus.
4. Compliance with Applicable Laws; Distribution of Prospectus and Reports; Confirmations. In connection with its respective activities hereunder, each party agrees to abide by the Conduct Rules of FINRA and all other rules of self-regulatory organizations of which the relevant party is a member, as well as all laws, rules and regulations, including federal and state securities laws, that are applicable to the relevant party (and its associated persons) from time to time in connection with its activities hereunder (“Applicable Laws”). You are authorized to distribute to your customers the current Prospectus, as well as any supplemental sales material received from the Fund or the Distributor (acting on behalf of the Fund) (on the terms and for the period specified by us or stated in such material). You are not authorized to distribute, furnish or display any other sales or promotional material relating to a Fund without our prior written approval, but you may identify the Funds in a listing of mutual funds available through you to your customers. Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing, you shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each customer who purchases shares of any Funds from or through you, copies of all annual and interim reports, proxy solicitation materials, and any other information and materials relating to such Funds and prepared by or on behalf of the Funds or us. If required by Rule 10b-10 under the Securities Exchange Act or other Applicable Laws, you shall send or cause to be sent confirmations or other reports to your customers containing such information as may be required by Applicable Laws.
5. Sales Charges and Concessions. On each purchase of Shares by you (but not including the reinvestment of any dividends or distributions), you shall be entitled to receive such dealer allowances, concessions, sales charges or other compensation, if any, as may be set forth in the Prospectus. Sales charge reductions and discounts may be available as provided in the Prospectus. To obtain any such reductions, the Company or its transfer agent must be notified promptly when a transaction or transactions would qualify for the reduced charge and you must submit information that is sufficient (in the discretion of the Company) to substantiate qualification therefor. The foregoing shall include advising us of any Letter of Intent signed by your customer or of any Right of Accumulation available to such customer. If you fail to so advise the Fund, you will be liable for the return of any commissions plus interest thereon. Rights of Accumulation (including rights under a Letter of Intent) are available, if at all, only as set forth in the Prospectus, and you authorize any adjustment to your account (and will be liable for any refund) to the extent any allowance, discount or concession is made and the conditions therefor are not fulfilled. Each price is always subject to confirmation, and will be based upon the net asset value next determined after receipt of an order that is in good form. If any Shares purchased are tendered for redemption or repurchased by the Fund for any reason within seven business days after confirmation of the purchase order for such Shares, you agree to promptly refund the full sales load or other concession and you will forfeit the right to receive any compensation allowable or payable to you on such Shares. The Fund reserves the right to waive sales charges. You represent that you are eligible to receive any such sales charges and concessions paid to you under this section.
6. Transactions in Fund Shares. With respect to all orders you place for the purchase of Fund Shares, unless otherwise agreed, settlement shall be made with the Company within three (3) business days after acceptance of the order. If payment is not so received or made, the transaction may be cancelled. In this event or in the event that you cancel the trade for any reason, you agree to be responsible for any loss resulting to the Funds or to us from your failure to make payments as aforesaid. You shall not be entitled to any gains generated thereby. You also agree that, if any Shares sold under this Agreement are redeemed by a Fund or are tendered for redemption within seven business days after the date of confirmation of the initial purchase of such Shares, you shall forfeit and repay any fees paid with respect thereto. You understand that no conditional orders will be accepted by a Fund or its agent. You also assume
2
responsibility for any loss to a Fund caused by any order placed by you on an “as-of” basis subsequent to the trade date for the order, and will immediately pay such loss to the Fund upon notification or demand. Such orders shall be acceptable only as permitted by the Company and shall be subject to the Company’s policies pertaining thereto, which may include receipt of an executed Letter of Indemnity in a form acceptable to the Fund and /or to us prior to the Company’s acceptance of any such order.
7. Accuracy of Orders; Customer Signatures. You shall be responsible for the accuracy, timeliness and completeness of any orders transmitted by you on behalf of your customers by any means, including wire or telephone. In addition, you agree to guarantee the signatures of your customers when such guarantee is required by the Company and you agree to indemnify and hold harmless all persons, including us and the Funds’ transfer agent, from and against any and all loss, cost, damage or expense suffered or incurred in reliance upon such signature guarantee.
8. Indemnification. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless us and our officers, directors, agents, and employees, and the Funds, its officers, directors, shareholders and agents of the Funds, from and against any claims, liabilities, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) and losses resulting from (i) any failure by you to comply with Applicable Laws in connection with activities performed under this agreement, or (ii) any unauthorized representation made by you concerning an investment in Shares.
We agree to indemnify and hold harmless you and your officers, directors, agents and employees from and against any claims, liabilities, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) and losses resulting from (i) any failure by us to comply with Applicable Laws in connection with our activities as Distributor under this agreement, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact set forth in a Fund’s Prospectus or supplemental sales material provided to you by us (and used by you on the terms and for the period specified by us or stated in such material), or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein to make the statements therein not misleading.
9. Multi-Class Distribution Arrangements. You understand and acknowledge that the Funds may offer Shares in multiple classes, and you represent and warrant that you have established compliance procedures designed to ensure that your customers are made aware of the terms of each available class of Fund Shares, to ensure that each customer is offered only Shares that are suitable investments for him or her, to ensure that each customer is availed of the opportunity to obtain sales charge break points as detailed in the Prospectus, and to ensure proper supervision of your representatives in recommending and offering the Shares of multiple classes to your customers.
10. Anti-Money Laundering Compliance. Each party to this agreement acknowledges that it is a financial institution subject to the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and the Bank Secrecy Act (collectively, the “AML Acts”), which require, among other things, that financial institutions adopt compliance programs to guard against money laundering. Each party represents and warrants that it is in compliance and will continue to comply with the AML Acts and applicable rules thereunder (“AML Laws”), including FINRA Rule 3310, in all relevant respects. You agree to cooperate with us to satisfy AML due diligence policies of the Company and Distributor, which may include annual compliance certifications and periodic due diligence reviews and/or other requests deemed necessary or appropriate by us or the Company to ensure compliance with AML Laws. Dealer also agrees to provide for screening its own new and existing customers against the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) list and any other government list that is or becomes required under the AML Acts.
11. Privacy. The parties agree that any Non-Public Personal Information, as the term is defined in Regulation S-P (“Reg S-P”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission, that may be disclosed hereunder is disclosed for the specific purpose of permitting the other party to perform the services set forth in this agreement. Each party agrees that, with respect to such information, it will comply with Xxx S-P and that
3
it will not disclose any Non-Public Personal Information received in connection with this agreement to any other party, except to the extent required to carry out the services set forth in this agreement or as otherwise permitted by law.
12. Distribution and/or Service Fees. [Reserved]
13. Order Processing. In accordance with NASD Notice to Members 03-50 (reminding members of their responsibility to ensure that they have in place policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and prevent the occurrence of mutual fund transactions that would violate Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act, FINRA Rule 2010 and other applicable rules and regulations), you represent that you have reviewed your policies and procedures to ensure that they are adequate with respect to preventing violations of law and prospectus requirements related to timely order-taking and market timing activity, in that such policies and procedures (i) prevent the submission of any order received after the deadline for submission of orders in each day that are eligible for pricing at that day’s net asset value per share (“NAV”); and (ii) prevent the purchase of Fund Shares by an individual or entity whose stated objectives are not consistent with the stated policies of a Fund in protecting the best interests of longer-term investors, particularly where such investor may be seeking market timing or arbitrage opportunities through such purchase. Dealer agrees to cooperate with any reasonable request made by the Company to address any issue regarding market-timing or abusive, excessive frequent trading or arbitrary activity identified by Company in accordance with the applicable provisions of Rule 22c-2 of the 1940 Act. You represent that you will be responsible for the collection and payment to the Company of any Redemption Fees based upon the terms outlined in the Company’s prospectus.
14. Amendments. This agreement may be amended from time to time by the following procedure. We will mail a copy of the amendment to you at your address shown below or as registered as your main office from time to time with FINRA. If you do not object to the amendment within fifteen (15) days after its receipt, the amendment will become a part of this agreement. Your objection must be in writing and be received by us within such fifteen (15) days. All amendments shall be in writing and except as provided above shall be executed by both parties.
15. Termination. This agreement may be terminated by either party, without penalty, upon ten days’ prior written notice to the other party. Dealer’s expulsion from FINRA will automatically terminate this agreement without notice. Dealer’s suspension from FINRA or Dealer’s violation of Applicable Laws will terminate this agreement effective upon the date of Distributor’s mailing notice to Dealer of such termination. Any unfulfilled obligations hereunder, and all obligations of indemnification, shall survive the termination of this agreement.
16. Assignment. This agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No party may assign this agreement nor any rights, privileges, duties or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties, except that we may assign or transfer this agreement to any broker-dealer which becomes the underwriter of the Company without obtaining your written consent. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that a change of control of the Distributor shall not constitute an assignment of this agreement.
17. Notices. All notices and communications to us shall be sent to us at Three Canal Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attn: Legal Dept., or at such other address as we may designate in writing. All notices and other communication to you shall be sent to you at the address set forth below or at such other address as you may designate in writing. All notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to this agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery, by postage prepaid mail, electronic mail, or by facsimile or similar means of same-day delivery, with a confirming copy by mail.
4
18. Authorization. Each party represents to the other that all requisite corporate proceedings have been undertaken to authorize it to enter into and perform under this agreement as contemplated herein, and that the individual that has signed this agreement below on its behalf is a duly elected officer that has been empowered to act for and on behalf of such party with respect to the execution of this agreement.
19. Directed Brokerage Prohibitions. The Distributor and Dealer agree that neither of them shall direct Fund portfolio securities transactions or related remuneration to satisfy any compensation obligations under this agreement. The Distributor also agrees that it will not directly or indirectly compensate the Dealer executing this agreement in contravention of Rule 12b-1(h) of the 1940 Act.
20. Shareholder Information. The Dealer executing this agreement agrees to comply with the requirements set forth on Appendix B attached hereto regarding the provision of shareholder information pursuant to Rule 22c-2 of the 1940 Act.
21. Miscellaneous. This agreement supersedes any other agreement between the parties with respect to the offer and sale of Fund Shares and other matters covered herein. The invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other term or provision hereof. This agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflict of laws principles, and shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This agreement has been negotiated and executed by the parties in English. In the event any translation of this agreement is prepared for convenience or any other purpose, the provisions of the English version shall prevail.
[The Balance of this Page is Intentionally Left Blank]
* * * *
5
If the foregoing corresponds with your understanding of our agreement, please sign this document and the accompanying copies thereof in the appropriate space below and return the same to us, whereupon this agreement shall be binding upon each of us.
FORE SIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
| Name: | Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
| Title: | President |
Agreed to and Accepted:
ONE AMERICA SECURITIES INC
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
| Name: | Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
| Title: | President OAS |
Address of Dealer:
One America Square
P.O. Box 368
Indianapolis, IN 46206-0368
Operations Contact:
| Name: | Xxxx Xxxxx |
| Phone: | 000-000-0000 |
| Email: | xxxxxxxxxxx.xx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
6
APPENDIX A
[Reserved]
7
APPENDIX B
Information Regarding the Provision of Shareholder Information Pursuant to Rule 22c-2
(a). Agreement to Provide Information. Dealer agrees to provide the Fund, upon request, the taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), if known, (or in the case of a non U.S. shareholder, if the TIN is unavailable, the International Taxpayer Identification Number or other government issued identifier) of any or all Shareholder(s) who have purchased, redeemed, transferred, or exchanged fund shares held through an account with Dealer and the amount, date, name or other identifier of any investment professional(s) associated with the Shareholder(s) or account (if known), and transaction type (purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange) of every purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange of Shares held through an account maintained by the Dealer during the period covered by the request.
i. Period Covered by Request. Requests must set forth a specific period, not to exceed 90 days from the date of the request, for which transaction information is sought. The Fund may request transaction information older than 90 days from the date of the request as it deems necessary to investigate compliance with policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by the Fund.
ii. Form and Timing of Response. Xxxxxx agrees to transmit the requested information that is on its books and records to the Fund or its designee promptly, but in any event not later than five business days, after receipt of a request. If the requested information is not on the Dealer’s books and records, Dealer agrees to use best efforts to: (x) provide or arrange to provide to the Fund the requested information from shareholders who hold an account with an indirect intermediary, including a determination on whether any specific person about whom Dealer has received information, is itself a financial intermediary; or (y) if directed by the Fund, restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Fund Shares by a shareholder who has been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions of Fund shares (directly or indirectly) that violate policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding securities issued by the Fund. In such instance, Xxxxxx agrees to inform the Fund whether it plans to perform (x) or (y). Responses required by this paragraph must be communicated in writing and in a format mutually agreed upon by the parties. To the extent practicable, the format for any transaction information provided to the Fund should be consistent with the NSCC Standardized Data Reporting Format. For purposes of this provision, an “indirect intermediary” has the same meaning as in SEC Rule 22c-2 under the Investment Company Act.
iii. Limitations on Use of Information. The Fund agrees not to use the information received for marketing or any other similar purpose without the prior written consent of the Dealer.
(b) Agreement to Restrict Trading. Xxxxxx agrees to execute written instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Fund shares by a Shareholder who has been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions of the Fund’s Shares (directly or indirectly through the Dealer’s account) that violate policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding Shares issued by the Fund.
i. Form of Instructions. Instructions must include the TIN, if known, and the specific restriction(s) to be executed. If the TIN is not known, the instructions must include an equivalent identifying number of the Shareholder(s) or account(s) or other agreed upon information to which the instruction relates.
8
ii. Timing of Response. Xxxxxx agrees to execute instructions as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than five business days after receipt of the instructions by the Dealer.
iii. Confirmation by Dealer. Dealer must provide written confirmation to the Fund that instructions have been executed. Xxxxxx agrees to provide confirmation as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than ten business days after the instructions have been executed.
| (c) | Definitions. For purposes of this Appendix B: |
i. The term “Fund” includes the fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter and transfer agent. The term does not include any “excepted funds” as defined in SEC Rule 22c-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.1
ii. The term “Shares” means the interests of Shareholders corresponding to the redeemable securities of record issued by the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that are held by the Dealer.
iii. The term “Shareholder” means the beneficial owner of Shares, whether the Shares are held directly or by the Dealer in nominee name or, alternatively, for use with retirement plan recordkeepers, the term means the Plan participant notwithstanding that the Plan may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of Shares.
iv. The term “written” includes electronic writings and facsimile transmissions.
v. The term “Dealer” shall mean a “financial intermediary” as defined in SEC Rule 22c-2.
1. As defined in SEC Rule 22c-2(b), the term “excepted fund” means any: (1) money market fund; (2) fund that issues securities that are listed on a national exchange; and (3) fund that affirmatively permits short-term trading of its securities, if its prospectus clearly and prominently discloses that the fund permits short-term trading of its securities and that such trading may result in additional costs for the fund.
9
