Exhibit 23(d)(2)(mmm)
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement - TA IDEX Mellon Market Neutral Strategy
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN
TRANSAMERICA FUND ADVISORS, INC. AND FRANKLIN PORTFOLIO ASSOCIATES, LLC
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT, made as of the 2nd day of January, 2007 between
Transamerica Fund Advisors, Inc. (the "Investment Adviser"), a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Florida and Franklin
Portfolio Associates, LLC (the "Sub-Adviser"), a Massachusetts Limited Liability
Company.
WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory
Agreement dated as of January 2, 2007 ("Advisory Agreement") with Transamerica
IDEX Mutual Funds ("Transamerica IDEX"), a Delaware statutory trust which is
registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), to provide or procure investment advisory
services with respect to TA IDEX Mellon Market Neutral Strategy (the "Fund"), a
separate series of Transamerica IDEX; and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is engaged principally in the business of
rendering investment advisory services and is registered as an investment
adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser desires to retain the Sub-Adviser as
sub-adviser to assist the Investment Adviser in furnishing certain investment
advisory services with respect to the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser is willing to
furnish such services upon the terms and conditions and for the compensation set
forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual promises herein
set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT.
The Investment Adviser hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser as its investment
sub-adviser with respect to the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth
in this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render
the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided. The
Sub-Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractor
and shall, except as otherwise provided herein, have no authority to act for or
represent the Investment Adviser, Transamerica IDEX, or the Fund in any way or
otherwise be deemed the agent of any of them.
2. DUTIES AND SERVICES OF THE SUB-ADVISER.
A. Investment Sub-Advisory Services. Subject to the supervision of the
Transamerica IDEX Board of Trustees ("Board") and the Investment Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser shall act as the investment sub-adviser to, and shall manage the
day-to-day investment program of, the Fund in accordance with the Fund's
investment objective, policies, and restrictions as provided in the Transamerica
IDEX Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as currently in effect
and as amended or supplemented from time to time (hereinafter referred to as the
"Prospectus"), and such other limitations as directed by the appropriate
officers of the Investment Adviser or Transamerica IDEX by notice in writing to
the Sub-Adviser. In furtherance of this duty, the Sub-Adviser, on behalf of the
Fund, is authorized, in its discretion and without prior consultation with the
Board or the Investment Adviser, to (without limitation):
(1) provide investment research and analysis concerning the Fund's
investments and conduct a continuous investment program to the Fund;
(8) place orders and negotiate the commissions (if any) for all
purchases and sales of the investments made by the Fund with or
through such brokers, dealers, underwriters or issuers as the
Sub-Adviser may select;
(9) maintain the books and records required in connection with its
duties hereunder; and
(10) keep the Investment Adviser informed of developments materially
affecting the Fund and its investments.
B. Additional Duties of the Sub-Adviser. In addition to the above, the
Sub-Adviser shall:
(1) use the same skills and care in providing its services to the Fund
as it uses in providing investment services to other fiduciary
accounts;
(2) cause its officers to attend meetings, either in person or via
teleconference, of Transamerica IDEX and furnish oral or written
reports, as Transamerica IDEX of the Investment Adviser may reasonably
require, in order to keep Transamerica IDEX and its officers and Board
fully informed as to the condition of the investments of the Fund, the
investment recommendations of the Sub-Adviser, and the investment
considerations which provide the basis for those recommendations; and
(3) furnish such information and reports as may reasonably be required
by Transamerica IDEX or the Investment Adviser from time to time.
C. Further Duties of the Sub-Adviser. (1) In all matters relating to the
performance of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the
Transamerica IDEX Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as each may be amended or
supplemented, and currently effective Registration Statement (as defined below)
and with the written instructions and directions of Transamerica IDEX and the
Investment Adviser, and shall comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the rules thereunder, and all
other applicable laws and regulations.
(2) The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that the Fund may engage in
certain transactions in reliance on exemptions under Rule 10f-3, Rule 12d3-1,
Rule 17a-10 and Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, the Sub-Adviser
hereby agrees that it will not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Fund,
or an affiliated person of such other sub-adviser, concerning transactions for
the Fund in securities or other fund assets. The Sub-Adviser shall be limited to
providing investment advice with respect to only the discrete portion of the
Fund's portfolio as may be determined from time-to-time by the Investment
Adviser, and shall not consult with any other sub-adviser as to any other
portion of the Fund's portfolio concerning transactions for the Fund in
securities or other assets.
D. Custody. The Sub-Adviser shall have no responsibility with respect to
maintaining custody of the Fund's assets. The Sub-Adviser shall affirm security
transactions with central depositories and advise the custodian of the Fund (the
"Custodian") or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the
Custodian and the Investment Adviser promptly of each purchase and sale of a
security on behalf of the Fund, specifying the name of the issuer, the
description and amount or number of shares of the security purchased, the market
price, the commission and gross or net price, the trade date and settlement date
and the identity of the effecting broker or dealer. The Sub-Adviser shall from
time to time provide the Custodian and the Investment Adviser with evidence of
authority of its personnel who are authorized to give instructions to the
Custodian. The Fund shall instruct the Custodian to provide the Sub-Adviser with
such information as the Sub-Adviser may reasonably request relating to daily
cash levels held by the Fund.
E. Proxy Voting and Other Actions as a Fiduciary. Unless the Investment
Adviser advises the Sub-Adviser in writing that the right to vote proxies has
been expressly reserved to the Investment Adviser or Transamerica IDEX or
otherwise delegated to another party, the Sub-Adviser shall exercise voting
rights incident to any securities held by the Fund in accordance with its own
proxy voting policies and procedures without consultation with the Investment
Adviser or the Fund. The Sub-Adviser agrees to furnish a copy of its proxy
voting policies and procedures, and any amendments thereto, to the Investment
Adviser.
The Sub-Adviser shall further respond to all corporate action
matters incident to such securities held in the Fund including, without
limitation, proofs of claim in bankruptcy and class action cases and shelf
registrations. The Sub-Adviser agrees to keep the Fund informed about any such
litigation and the actions that it intends to take. In the case of class action
suits involving issuers held by the Fund, the Sub-Adviser may include
information about the Fund for purposes of participating in any settlements upon
written agreement by the Fund.
3. COMPENSATION.
For the services provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement,
the Sub-Adviser shall receive monthly an investment sub-advisory fee at the
annual rate (as a percentage of average daily net assets) as specified in
Schedule A of this Agreement. If this Agreement is not in effect for an entire
month, the amount of sub-advisory fee payable hereunder shall be pro-rated
accordingly.
4. EXPENSES.
During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will bear all expenses
incurred by it in the performance of its duties and its provision of services
hereunder, other than the cost of investments (including brokerage fees)
purchased and sold for the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser
shall not bear expenses related to the operation of the Fund, including but not
limited to, taxes, interests, brokerage fees and commissions, proxy voting
expenses and extraordinary Fund expenses.
5. DUTIES OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER.
A. The Investment Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all
services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall
oversee and review the Sub-Adviser's performance of its duties and services
under this Agreement.
B. The Investment Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies of each
of the following documents and will furnish to the Sub-Adviser at its principal
office all future amendments and supplements to such documents, if any, as soon
as practicable after such documents become available:
(1) The Transamerica IDEX Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as each is
in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time;
(2) Certified resolutions of the Board authorizing the appointment of
the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and approving this
Agreement;
(3) The Transamerica IDEX Registration Statement under the 1940 Act
and the Securities Act of 1933, on Form N-1A, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") relating to the Fund and
its shares and all amendments thereto ("Registration Statement"); and
(4) A certified copy of any publicly available financial statement or
report prepared for Transamerica IDEX by certified or independent
public accountants, and copies of any financial statements or reports
made by the Fund to its shareholders or to any governmental body or
securities exchange.
The Investment Adviser shall furnish the Sub-Adviser with any further
documents, materials or information that the Sub-Adviser may reasonably request
to enable it to perform its duties pursuant to this Agreement.
C. During the term of this Agreement, the Investment Adviser shall furnish
to the Sub-Adviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements,
reports to shareholders, sales documentation, promotional, marketing,
advertising and other written, printed or electronic material or performance
information or data prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Fund or the
public, which include the Xxxx or refer to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser or
investment companies or other advisory accounts advised or sponsored by the
Sub-Adviser in any way, prior to a use thereof which has not been previously
approved by the Sub-Adviser. The Investment Adviser shall not use any such
materials without the Sub-Adviser's prior written approval, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld; and the Investment Adviser shall not use any such
materials which do not include the Xxxx if the Sub-Adviser reasonably objects in
writing within ten (10) business days (or such other time as may be mutually
agreed upon) after the Sub-Adviser's receipt thereof.
6. BROKERAGE.
A. The Sub-Adviser agrees that, in placing orders with broker-dealers for
the purchase or sale of Fund securities, it will attempt to obtain the best
execution of its orders. Consistent with these obligations and the terms of
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sub-Adviser may,
subject to any procedures that the Board may adopt, agree to pay a broker-dealer
that furnishes brokerage or research services a higher commission than that
which might have been charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same
transactions, if the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission
is reasonable in relation to the brokerage and research services provided by the
broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the
overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund and its
other clients and that the total commissions paid by the Fund will be reasonable
in relation to the benefits provided to the Fund. In no instance will Fund
securities be purchased from or sold to the Sub-Adviser, or any affiliated
person thereof, except to the extent permitted by exemptive order of the SEC or
in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The Sub-Adviser shall not be
responsible for any acts or
omissions of any broker-dealer provided the Sub-Adviser was not negligent in the
selection of such broker-dealer
B. On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a
security to be in the best interest of the Fund, as well as other clients of the
Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and
regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities
to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower
brokerage commissions and efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the
securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the
transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner the Sub-Adviser
considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations
to the Fund and to its other clients.
7. OWNERSHIP OF RECORDS.
The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records required to be
maintained by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to transactions on behalf of the
Fund. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the
Sub-Adviser hereby agrees (i) to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule
31a-3 under the 1940 Act any records that it maintains for the Fund that are
required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and (ii) to provide
the Fund with access to or copies of any records that it maintains for the Fund
upon reasonable request by the Fund.
8. REPORTS.
The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Board or the Investment Adviser, or
both, as appropriate, such information, reports, evaluations, analyses and
opinions as the Sub-Adviser and the Board or the Investment Adviser, as
appropriate, may mutually agree upon from time to time.
9. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS.
To the extent consistent with the Sub-Adviser's duties and services under
this Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit or restrict (i)
the freedom of the Sub-Adviser, or any affiliated person thereof, to render
investment management and corporate administrative services to other investment
companies, to act as investment manager or investment counselor to other
persons, firms, or corporations, or to engage in any other business activities,
or (ii) the right of any director, officer, or employee of the Sub-Adviser, to
engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part
to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar
nature or a dissimilar nature.
10. THE SUB-ADVISER'S USE OF THE SERVICES OF OTHERS.
The Sub-Adviser may (at its cost except as contemplated by Section 6 of
this Agreement) employ, retain, or otherwise avail itself of the services or
facilities of other persons or organizations for the purpose of obtaining such
statistical and other factual information, such advice regarding economic
factors and trends, such advice as to occasional transactions in specific
securities, or such other information, advice, or assistance as the Sub-Adviser
may deem necessary, appropriate, or convenient for the discharge of its
obligations hereunder or otherwise helpful to the Sub-Adviser, as appropriate,
or in the discharge of the Sub-Adviser's overall responsibilities with respect
to the other accounts that it serves as investment manager or counselor,
provided that the Sub-Adviser shall at all times retain responsibility for
making investment recommendations with respect to the Fund.
11. LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF THE SUB-ADVISER.
The Sub-Adviser may rely on information reasonably believed by it to be
accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act,
neither the Sub-Adviser nor its officers, directors, employees or agents shall
be subject to any liability to the Investment Adviser, the Fund or any
shareholder of the Fund for any error of judgment, mistake of law or any loss
arising out of any investment or other act or omission in the course of,
connected with or arising out of any service to be rendered hereunder, except by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in its performance
of its obligations and duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investment Adviser,
the Fund and their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents
from any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligation and liabilities (including
reasonable attorneys fees) arising or resulting from the Sub-Adviser's willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in its performance of its obligations
and duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement.
12. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER.
The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants, and agrees as follows:
A. The Sub-Adviser: (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the
Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement
remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act
from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has met, and
will continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any
applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any
regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met in order to
perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has the authority to
enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (v) will
immediately notify the Investment Adviser of the occurrence of any event that
would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an
investment company pursuant to Section 9 (a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
B. The Sub-Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the
requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and 204A-1 under the Advisers Act
and will provide the Investment Adviser and Transamerica IDEX with a copy of
such code of ethics and any amendments thereto, together with evidence of
adoption for review and approval by the Board. The Sub-Adviser understands that
the Board is required to approve the Sub-Adviser's code of ethics and
acknowledges that the Agreement is conditioned upon such Board approval.
C. The Sub-Adviser has adopted proxy voting policies and procedures
reasonably designed to ensure that the proxies are voted in the best interests
of the Fund and its shareholders and complying with Rule 206(4)-6 under the
Advisers Act and will provide the Investment Adviser and Transamerica IDEX with
a copy of such policies and procedures and any amendments thereto, together with
evidence of adoption for review and approval by the Board. The Sub-Adviser
understands that the Board is required to approve the Sub-Adviser's proxy voting
policies and procedures and acknowledges that the Agreement is conditioned upon
such Board approval.
D. The Sub-Adviser has provided the Investment Adviser and Transamerica
IDEX with a copy of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will,
promptly after filing any material amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC,
furnish a copy of such amendment to the Investment Adviser.
E. The Sub-Adviser has adopted compliance policies and procedures
reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act and the rules
thereunder, has provided Transamerica IDEX and the Investment Adviser with a
copy of such compliance policies and procedures (and will provide them with any
amendments thereto), and agrees to assist the Fund in complying with the Fund's
compliance program adopted pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, to the
extent applicable. The Sub-Adviser understands that the Board is required to
approve the Sub-Adviser's compliance policies and procedures and acknowledges
that the Agreement is conditioned upon such Board approval.
F. The Sub-Adviser will manage the Fund so that the Fund will qualify as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code,
and will immediately notify the Investment Adviser and the Fund upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to so qualify or may not
so qualify in the future.
G. The Sub-Adviser shall notify the Investment Adviser and the Fund
immediately of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser relating to the
Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Registration Statement, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or of any statement contained therein that
becomes untrue in any material respect.
H. The Sub-Adviser shall not divert the Fund's portfolio securities
transactions to a broker or dealer in consideration of such broker or dealer's
promotion or sales of shares of the Fund, any other series of Transamerica IDEX,
or any other registered investment company.
13. TERM OF AGREEMENT.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date set forth above.
Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, it shall continue in effect for two
years from its effective date. Thereafter, if not terminated, it shall continue
for successive 12-month periods, provided that such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) or by the Board and
(b) by
the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose, of a majority of
the Trustees who are not interested persons (for regulatory purposes) of
Transamerica IDEX or the Investment Adviser. This Agreement may be terminated at
any time, without payment of any penalty, on 60 days' written notice to the
Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as appropriate, by (i) the Board, (ii) a
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, (iii) the
Investment Adviser, or (iv) the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined or interpreted for
regulatory purposes) or the termination of the Advisory Agreement. Termination
of this Agreement will not affect: (i) the validity of any action taken by the
parties prior to the termination of this Agreement, or (ii) liabilities or
obligations of the parties from transactions initiated prior to the termination
of this Agreement.
14. NOTICES.
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by certified U.S. mail,
national express delivery service, or facsimile to the parties at the address
below:
If to Transamerica IDEX:
Transamerica IDEX Mutual Funds
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
If to the Investment Adviser:
Transamerica Fund Advisors, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
If to the Sub-Adviser:
Franklin Portfolio Associates, LLC
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
15. AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT.
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged, or
terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party
against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge, or termination is
sought, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by
the Board and, solely to the extent required by the 1940 Act, regulations
thereunder and/or interpretations thereof, the shareholders of the Fund..
16. MISCELLANEOUS.
A. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws
principles thereof, and the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of
the State of Delaware conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act,
the latter shall control.
B. Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
C. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties hereto and shall supersede any prior agreements
between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and all such
prior agreements shall be deemed terminated upon the effectiveness of this
Agreement.
D. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this
Agreement shall not be affected, and to this extent, the provisions of this
Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
E. Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of
this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or
provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or
provision of the 1940 Act and to authoritative interpretations thereof.
F. Confidentiality. The Sub-Adviser will maintain the strictest confidence
regarding the business affairs of Transamerica IDEX and the Fund. Written
reports furnished by the Sub-Adviser to Transamerica IDEX and the Investment
Adviser will be treated as confidential, and for the exclusive use and benefit
of Transamerica IDEX and the Investment Adviser, except as disclosure may be
required by applicable law.
G. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original of the same agreement.
The parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their duly
authorized signatories as of the date and year first above written.
TRANSAMERICA FUND ADVISORS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President and Chief Executive
Officer
FRANKLIN PORTFOLIO ASSOCIATES, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxx
----------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxx
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Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
FUND SUB-ADVISER COMPENSATION*
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TA IDEX MELLON MARKET NEUTRAL STRATEGY 0.90% of the Fund's average daily net assets
* As a percentage of average daily net assets on an annual basis.
