Exhibit (h)(viii)
TRANSFER AGENT
SERVICING AGREEMENT
THIS
AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 17th day of December, 2003, by and between
FMI Mutual Funds, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”) and
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company
(“USBFS”).
WHEREAS,
the Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
“1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company, and is authorized to
issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with each such series representing
interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS,
USBFS is, among other things, in the business of administering transfer and dividend
disbursing agent functions for the benefit of its customers; and
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to retain USBFS to provide transfer and dividend disbursing agent
services to each series of the Company listed on Exhibit A hereto (as amended from
time to time) (each a “Fund”, collectively the “Funds”).
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. |
Appointment
of USBFS as Transfer Agent |
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The
Company hereby appoints USBFS as transfer agent of the Company on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, and USBFS hereby accepts such appointment and
agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. |
2. |
Services
and Duties of USBFS |
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USBFS
shall perform all of the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing
agent for the Funds, and as relevant, agent in connection with accumulation, open account
or similar plans (including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic
withdrawal program), including but not limited to: |
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A. |
Receive
and process all orders for the purchase, exchange, and/or redemption of shares
in accordance with Rule 22c-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“the
1940 Act”). |
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B. |
Process
purchase orders with prompt delivery, where appropriate, of payment and
supporting documentation to the Company’s custodian, and issue the
appropriate number of uncertificated shares with such uncertificated shares
being held in the appropriate shareholder account. |
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C. |
Arrange
for issuance of shares obtained through transfers of funds from Fund
shareholders’ accounts at financial institutions and arrange for the
exchange of shares for shares of other eligible investment companies, when
permitted by the Fund’s current prospectus (“Prospectus”). |
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D. |
Process
redemption requests received in good order and, where relevant, deliver
appropriate documentation to the Company’s custodian. |
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E. |
Pay
monies upon receipt from the Company’s custodian, where relevant, in
accordance with the instructions of redeeming shareholders. |
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F. |
Process
transfers of shares in accordance with the shareholder’s instructions. |
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G. |
Process
exchanges between Funds and/or classes of shares of Funds both within the same
family of funds and with a First American Money Market Fund, if applicable. |
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H. |
Prepare
and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Company
with respect to the Fund, after deducting any amount required to be withheld by
any applicable laws, rules and regulations and in accordance with shareholder
instructions. |
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I. |
Make
changes to shareholder records, including, but not limited to, address changes
in plans (e.g., systematic withdrawal, automatic investment, dividend
reinvestment). |
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J. |
Record
the issuance of shares of the Fund and maintain, pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e)
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”), a record of the total number of shares of the Fund which are
authorized, issued and outstanding. |
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K. |
Prepare
shareholder meeting lists and, if applicable, mail, receive and tabulate
proxies. |
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L. |
Mail
shareholder reports and Prospectuses to current shareholders. |
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M. |
Prepare
and file U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate information
returns required with respect to dividends and distributions for all
shareholders. |
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N. |
Provide
shareholder account information upon request and prepare and mail confirmations
and statements of account to shareholders for all purchases, redemptions and
other confirmable transactions as agreed upon with the Company. |
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O. |
Mail
requests for shareholders’ certifications under penalties of perjury and
pay on a timely basis to the appropriate federal authorities any taxes to be
withheld on dividends and distributions paid by the Company, all as required by
applicable federal tax laws and regulations. |
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P. |
Provide
a Blue Sky system that will enable the Company to monitor the total number of
shares of the Fund sold in each state. In addition, the Company or its agent,
including USBFS, shall identify to USBFS in writing those transactions and
assets to be treated as exempt from the Blue Sky reporting for each state. The
responsibility of USBFS for the Company’s Blue Sky state registration
status is solely limited to the initial compliance by the Company and the
reporting of such transactions to the Company or its agent. |
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Q. |
Answer
correspondence from shareholders, securities brokers and others relating to
USBFS’s duties hereunder and such other correspondence as may from time to
time be mutually agreed upon between USBFS and the Company. |
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R. |
Reimburse
the Fund each month for all material losses resulting from “as of” processing
errors for which USBFS is responsible in accordance with the “as of” processing
guidelines set forth on Exhibit C hereto. |
3. |
Representations
of USBFS |
USBFS represents and warrants to the
Company that:
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A. |
It
is a limited liability corporation duly organized, existing and in good
standing under the laws of Wisconsin; |
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B. |
It
is a registered transfer agent under the Exchange Act. |
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C. |
It
is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of Wisconsin; |
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D. |
It
is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and bylaws to enter into
and perform this Agreement; |
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E. |
All
requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter and
perform this Agreement; |
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F. |
It
has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and
personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and |
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G. |
It
will comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Exchange Act, the 1940 Act, and any laws, rules, and
regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction. |
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4. |
Representations
of the Company |
The Company represents and warrants
to USBFS that:
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A. |
The
Company is an open-end investment company under the 1940 Act; |
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B. |
The
Company is a Corporation organized, existing, and in good standing under the
laws of Wisconsin; |
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C. |
The
Company is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and
Bylaws to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
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D. |
All
necessary proceedings required by the Declaration of Trust have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
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E. |
The
Company will comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act, the 1940 Act, and any laws, rules and regulations of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction; and |
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F. |
A
registration statement under the Securities Act will be made effective and will
remain effective, and appropriate state securities law filings have been made
and will continue to be made, with respect to all shares of the Company being
offered for sale. |
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USBFS
shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement in accordance
with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit B hereto (as amended from time to time). The
Company shall pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within thirty (30) calendar days
following receipt of the billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good
faith dispute. The Company shall notify USBFS in writing within thirty (30) calendar days
following receipt of each invoice if the Company is disputing any amounts in good faith.
The Company shall settle such disputed amounts within ten (10) calendar days of the day
on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid. With the exception of any fee or
expense the Company is disputing in good faith as set forth above, unpaid invoices shall
accrue a finance charge of one and one-half percent (1½%) per month, after the due
date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Company to USBFS
shall only be paid out of assets and property of the particular Fund involved. |
6. |
Indemnification;
Limitation of Liability |
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A. |
USBFS
shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement. USBFS shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of
law or for any loss suffered by the Company in connection with matters to which
this Agreement relates, including losses resulting from mechanical breakdowns
or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond USBFS’s control,
except a loss arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to
comply with the terms of this Agreement or from bad faith, negligence, or
willful misconduct on its part in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if USBFS has
exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless USBFS from and against
any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every
nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) which USBFS may sustain or
incur or which may be asserted against USBFS by any person arising out of any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder,
except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities
arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with
the terms of this Agreement or from bad faith, negligence or from willful
misconduct on its part in performance of its duties under this Agreement, (i)
in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any
written or oral instruction provided to USBFS by any duly authorized officer of
the Company, such duly authorized officer to be included in a list of
authorized officers furnished to USBFS and as amended from time to time in
writing by resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Company (the “Board
of Trustees” or “Trustees”). |
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USBFS
shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless from and against any and all claims,
demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable
attorneys’ fees) that the Company may sustain or incur or that may be asserted
against the Company by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken
by USBFS as a result of USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct. |
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In
the event of a mechanical breakdown or failure of communication or power supplies beyond
its control, USBFS shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for
any period that such interruption continues beyond USBFS’s control. USBFS will make
every reasonable effort to restore any lost or damaged data and correct any errors
resulting from such a breakdown at the expense of USBFS. USBFS agrees that it shall, at
all times, have reasonable contingency plans with appropriate parties, making reasonable
provision for emergency use of electrical data processing equipment to the extent
appropriate equipment is available. Representatives of the Company shall be entitled to
inspect USBFS’s premises and operating capabilities at any time during regular
business hours of USBFS, upon reasonable notice to USBFS. |
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Notwithstanding
the above, USBFS reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative errors at its
own expense. |
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B. |
In
order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall
apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to
indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and
promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question,
and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care
to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or
appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The
indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim
that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the
indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the
indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee
shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which
it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no
case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the
indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s
prior written consent. |
7. |
Proprietary
and Confidential Information |
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USBFS
agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Company all records and other
information relative to the Company and prior, present, or potential shareholders (and
clients of said shareholders) and not to use such records and information for any purpose
other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after
prior notification to and approval in writing by the Company, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where USBFS may be exposed to civil or
criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply after being requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Company. |
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Further,
USBFS will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Company pursuant to Title V of
the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, as may be modified from time to time (the “Act”).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, USBFS will not share any nonpublic personal information
concerning any of the Company’s shareholders with any third party unless
specifically directed by the Company or allowed under one of the exceptions noted under
the Act. |
8. |
Anti-Money
Laundering Program |
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The
Company acknowledges that it has had an opportunity to review, consider and comment upon
the procedures provided by USBFS describing various tools designed to promote the
detection and reporting of potential money laundering activity by monitoring certain
aspects of shareholder activity (the “Monitoring Procedures”) as well as
written procedures for verifying a customer’s identity (the “Customer
Identification Procedures”), together referred to as the “Procedures,” and
the Company has determined that the Procedures, as part of the Company’s overall
anti-money laundering program, are reasonably designed to prevent the Fund from being
used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities and to achieve
compliance with the applicable provision of the Bank Secrecy Act and the implementing
regulations thereunder. |
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Based
on this determination, the Company hereby instructs and directs USBFS to implement the
Procedures on the Company’s behalf, as such may be amended or revised from time to
time. |
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It
is contemplated that these Procedures will be amended from time to time by the parties as
additional regulations are adopted and/or regulatory guidance is provided relating to the
Company’s anti-money laundering responsibilities. |
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USBFS
agrees to provide to the Company: |
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(a) |
Prompt
written notification of any transaction or combination of transactions
that USBFS believes, based on the Procedures, evidence money
laundering activity in connection with the Company or any shareholder
of the Fund; |
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(b) |
Prompt
written notification of any customer(s) that USBFS reasonably believes,
based upon the Procedures, to be engaged in money laundering
activity, provided that the Company agrees not to communicate this
information to the customer; |
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(c) |
Any
reports received by USBFS from any government agency or applicable industry
self-regulatory organization pertaining to USBFS’s anti-money
laundering monitoring on behalf of the Company; |
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(d) |
Prompt
written notification of any action taken in response to anti-money
laundering violations as described in (a), (b) or (c); and |
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(e) |
An
annual report of its monitoring and customer identification activities on
behalf of the Company. USBFS shall provide such other reports on the
monitoring and customer identification activities conducted at the
direction of the Company as may be agreed to from time to time by
USBFS and the Company. |
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The
Company hereby directs, and USBFS acknowledges, that USBFS shall (i) permit federal
regulators access to such information and records maintained by USBFS and relating to
USBFS’s implementation of the Procedures on behalf of the Company, as they may
request, and (ii) permit such federal regulators to inspect USBFS’s implementation
of the Procedures on behalf of the Company. |
9. |
Term
of Agreement; Amendment |
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This
Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above and will continue in
effect for a period of three years. Subsequent to the initial three-year term, this
Agreement may be terminated by either party upon giving ninety (90) days prior written
notice to the other party or such shorter period as is mutually agreed upon by the
parties. However, this Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent of the parties. |
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10. |
Duties
in the Event of Termination |
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In
the event that, in connection with termination, a successor to any of USBFS’s duties
or responsibilities hereunder is designated by the Company by written notice to USBFS,
USBFS will promptly, upon such termination and at the expense of the Company, transfer to
such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence, and other data established or
maintained by USBFS under this Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company
(if such form differs from the form in which USBFS has maintained, the Company shall pay
any expenses associated with transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in
the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from
USBFS’s personnel in the establishment of books, records, and other data by such
successor. |
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USBFS
shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder in the form and
manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Company,
but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government
authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. USBFS
agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by USBFS relating to the services to
be performed by USBFS hereunder are the property of the Company and will be preserved,
maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of
the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Company on and in accordance with
its request. Further, federal examiners shall have access to information and records
relating to anti-money laundering activities performed by USBFS hereunder and USBFS
consents to any inspection authorized by law or regulation in connection thereof. |
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This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin,
without regard to conflicts of law principles. To the extent that the applicable laws of
the State of Wisconsin, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable
provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be
construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. |
13. |
Data
Necessary to Perform Services |
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The
Company or its agent, which may be USBFS, shall furnish to USBFS the data necessary to
perform the services described herein at such times and in such form as mutually agreed
upon. If USBFS is also acting in another capacity for the Company, nothing herein shall
be deemed to relieve USBFS of any of its obligations in such capacity. |
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This
Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the
other party. |
15. Notices
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Any
notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier
service, or three (3) days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile
transmission to the other party’s address set forth below: Notice to USBFS shall be
sent to: |
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U.S.
Bancorp Fund Services, LLC 000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 |
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and
notice to the Company shall be sent to: |
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FMI
Mutual Funds, Inc. 000 X. Xxxxx Xx. Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 |
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly
authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date first above written.
FMI MUTUAL FUNDS, INC. |
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC |
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx |
Title: Vice President and Secretary |
Title: Vice President |
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Fund Names
Separate Series of FMI Mutual
Funds, Inc.
Name of Series |
Date Added |
FMI Provident Trust Strategy Fund |
2/1/1995 |
FMI Xxxxxxx Growth Fund |
6/30/1995 |
FMI Woodland Small Capitalization Value Fund |
9/15/1996 |
FMI Sasco Contrarian Value Fund |
9/17/1997 |
FMI Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Partners Growth Fund |
9/30/1999 |
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Exhibit B to the
Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement
TRANSFER AGENT & SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES
FIDUCIARY/FMI FUNDS
ANNUAL FEE SCHEDULE-EFFECTIVE 10/01/2003
Service Charges to the Fund* |
Service Charges to Investors |
Shareholder Account Fee (Subject to Minimum) |
Qualified Plan Fees (Billed to Investors) |
No-Load - $15.00 /account |
$15.00 /qualified plan acct (Cap at $30.00/SSN) |
Closed Accounts - $5.00 /account |
$15.00 /Xxxxxxxxx ESA acct (Cap at $30.00/SSN) |
Annual Minimum |
$25.00 /transfer to successor trustee |
$24,000 FMI Focus fund |
$25.00 /participant distribution (Excluding SWPs) |
$15,000 Large Cap, Common tock, |
$25.00 /refund of excess contribution |
Provident Trust, Xxxxxxx Growth, Woodland, Sasco |
Additional Shareholder Fees (Billed to Investors) |
Contrarian, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx |
$15.00 /outgoing wire transfer |
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$15.00 /overnight delivery |
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$ 5.00 /telephone exchange |
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$25.00 /return check or ACH |
Activity Charges |
$25.00 /stop payment |
Telephone Calls - $1.50 /call |
$ 5.00 /research request per account (Cap at |
E-mail Services |
$25.00/request) (For requested items of the second |
$200 /month administration |
calendar year [or previous] to the request) |
$3.00 /e-mail received |
Draft Check Processing - $1.00 /draft |
Daily Valuation Trades - $6.75 /trade |
Technology Charges |
Lost Shareholder Search - $5.00 /search |
1. Fund Group Setup (first cusip) - $2,000 /fund group |
XXX Xxxx Xxxxxxx (xxxx Xxxxx 0 accounts) |
2. Fund Setup - $1,500 /cusip (beyond first cusip) |
0-999 accounts - $500.00/year |
3. NSCC Service Interface - All NSCC Services |
1,000-4,999 accounts - $1,000/year |
Setup - $1,500 /fund group |
5,000-9,999 accounts - $2,500/year |
Annual - $1,400 /cusip/year |
10,000+ accounts - $5,000/year |
4. Telecommunications and Voice Services |
AML New Account Service - $1.00/new domestic |
Service Setup - $1,650 ATT transfer connect |
accounts and $2.00/new foreign account |
VRU Setup - $500 /fund group |
ACH/EFT Shareholder Services: |
VRU Maintenance - $100 /cusip/month |
$125.00 /month/fund group |
$.35 /voice response call |
$ .50 /ACH item, setup, change |
$.40 /voice recognition call |
$5.00 /correction, reversal |
5. Asset Allocation Services - $8.00 /account |
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group/year (4 reallocations) |
Out-of-pocket Costs - Including but not limited to: |
6. 12b-1 Aging - $1.50 /account/year |
Telephone toll-free lines, call transfers, etc |
7. Average Cost - $.18 /account/year 1--$.36 Effective |
Mailing, sorting and postage |
10/01/04 and thereafter |
Stationery, envelopes |
8. Development/Programming - $150 /hour |
Programming, special reports |
9. File Transmissions - subject to requirements |
Insurance, record retention, microfilm/fiche |
10. Selects - $300 per select |
Proxies, proxy services |
11. Extraordinary services - charged as incurred |
ACH fees, NSCC charges |
Conversion of Records (if necessary) - Estimate to |
All other out-of-pocket expenses |
be provided. |
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Custom processing, re-processing |
Fees are billed monthly |
All other extraordinary services |
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*
Subject to CPI increase. |
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As Of Processing Policy
USBFS
will reimburse each Fund for any net material loss that may exist on the Fund’s books
and for which USBFS is responsible, at the end of each calendar month. “Net Material
Loss” shall be defined as any remaining loss, after netting losses against any gains,
which impacts a Fund’s net asset value per share by more than ½ cent. Gains
and losses will be reflected on the Fund’s daily share sheet, and the Fund will be
reimbursed on a monthly basis for the amount necessary to bring the net material loss to a
level not more than $.0045.
USBFS
will reimburse each Fund immediately, to a level under the materiality threshold, for any
material loss which impacts a Fund’s net asset value per share by more than 1 cent.
USBFS
will notify the advisor to the Fund on the daily share sheet of any losses for which the
advisor may be held accountable.
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THIS
AMENDMENT dated as of ______ ___, 2004, to the Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement,
dated as of December 17, 2003 (the “Agreement”), is entered by and between
FMI Mutual Funds, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the “Corporation”) and
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company
(“USBFS”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the parties have entered into a Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the
Corporation intends to create additional funds; and
WHEREAS,
the Corporation and USBFS desire to extend said Agreement to apply to the recently added
funds; and
WHEREAS,
Paragraph 8 of the Agreement allows for its amendment by a written instrument executed by
both parties.
NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
Exhibit A
of the Agreement are hereby superceded and replaced with Exhibit A attached hereto.
Except to the extent supplemented
hereby, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by a
duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date and year first written
above.
FMI MUTUAL FUNDS, INC. |
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC |
By: ______________________________ |
By: ________________________________ |
Title: ______________________________ |
Title: ________________________________ |
Fund Names
Separate Series of FMI
Mutual Funds, Inc.
Name of Series |
Date Added |
FMI Provident Trust Strategy Fund |
FMI Xxxxxxx Growth Fund |
FMI Woodland Small Capitalization Value Fund |
FMI Sasco Contrarian Value Fund |
FMI Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Partners Emerging Growth Fund |
Cortina Small Cap Growth Fund |
Cortina Small Cap Opportunity Fund |