FORM OF AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS AMERICAN BEACON MILEAGE FUNDS AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS AMERICAN BEACON MASTER TRUST ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit (d)(iii)
FORM OF
AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON MILEAGE FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON MASTER TRUST
AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON MILEAGE FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON MASTER TRUST
This Agreement is made as of September 12 2008, by and among the American Beacon Funds, the
American Beacon Mileage Funds, the American Beacon Select Funds and the American Beacon Master
Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust (each a “Trust”), and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (“ABA”).
WHEREAS, each Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940
Act”), as an open-end, management investment company and may have established several separate
Series of shares (“Series”), with each Series having its own assets and investment policies, and
with each Trust and/or Series having one or more classes of shares (“Class”) as listed on Schedule
A hereto, as may be amended from time to time (referred to herein as “Series” and “Class”),
WHEREAS, each Trust desires to retain ABA to furnish administrative services to each Series
listed in Schedule A attached hereto (as it may be amended from time to time), and ABA is willing
to furnish such services,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, the
parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment. Each Trust hereby appoints ABA to serve as the administrator of the
Trust and each Series as listed in Schedule A on the terms set forth in this Agreement. ABA
accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth for the compensation as
set forth on Schedule A. ABA shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent
contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized (whether herein or otherwise),
have no authority to act for or represent a Trust or in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an
agent of a Trust.
2. Duties and Obligations of ABA.
(a) Subject to the general direction and control of each Trust’s Board and the provisions of
this Agreement, ABA shall supervise all aspects of the operations of the Trust and provide to the
Trust’s Series and its Classes all administrative and clerical services as deemed necessary or
advisable for the operation of such Series and their Classes, including without limitation those
services set forth on Schedule B attached hereto, as may be amended from time to time. ABA can use
any of the officers and employees of ABA to provide any of the services or reports required under
this Agreement.
(b) In performing its duties hereunder, ABA shall provide, at its expense, appropriate office
space (which may be space within the offices of ABA), office furnishings,
facilities, equipment, utilities and supplies as required for administering the operations and
conducting the business of each Series, and the secretarial, administrative and clerical personnel
required to provide or supervise the provision of services under this Agreement.
(c) Each Trust shall cause its officers, advisers, distributors, legal counsel, independent
accountants, transfer agent, and any other service provider to cooperate with ABA and to provide
ABA, upon its reasonable request, with such information, documents and advice relating to such
Trust and/or Series as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, and which in the
opinion of ABA, is necessary in order to enable it to perform its duties hereunder.
(d) ABA may consult with legal counsel to the appropriate Series, at such Series’ expense, and
shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith and with due care in
accordance with such instructions or with the advice or opinion of such legal counsel.
3. Compliance with Rule 38a-1. ABA shall maintain policies and procedures relating to
the services it provides pursuant to this Agreement that are reasonably designed to prevent
violations of the federal securities laws, and shall employ personnel to administer the policies
and procedures who have the requisite level of skill and competence required to effectively
discharge its responsibilities. ABA shall also provide each Trust’s chief compliance officer with
periodic reports regarding its compliance with the federal securities laws, and shall promptly
provide special reports in the event of any material violation of the federal securities laws.
4. Books and Records. ABA will maintain all accounts, books and records with respect
to each Series or Class relating to the services it provides pursuant to this Agreement and as are
required pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. In compliance with the requirements of
Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, ABA hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for each
Series are the property of such Series and further agrees to surrender promptly to a Series any of
such records upon the Series’ request. ABA further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed
by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the foregoing records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1
under the 1940 Act.
5. Reports to Administrator. Each Series shall furnish or otherwise make available to
ABA such copies of that Series’ Class prospectus, statement of additional information, financial
statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to its business and affairs
as ABA may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its
obligations under this Agreement.
6. Reports to each Series. ABA shall prepare and furnish to each Series such reports,
statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as such Series may
reasonably request.
7. Confidentiality. ABA shall be responsible for preserving the confidentiality of
information concerning the holdings, transactions, and business activities of each Series in
conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act, other applicable laws and regulations, and any
policies that are approved by the Board.
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9. Delegation. Any of the functions with respect to any or all of the Series may be
delegated by ABA, at ABA’s expense, to another appropriate party (including an affiliated party),
subject to such approval by the Board of Trustees. ABA shall oversee the performance of delegated
functions by any such party and shall furnish to each Trust quarterly evaluations and analyses
concerning the performance of delegated responsibilities by those parties.
8. Allocation of Expenses. ABA, at its expense, shall furnish each Series with all
necessary facilities, equipment, supplies and personnel. ABA shall also be responsible for paying
the salaries, expenses and fees of any personnel that it furnishes to any Series (including the
salaries, expenses and fees of Trustees, officers and employees of a Trust who are officers,
directors/trustees, partners, or employees of ABA or its affiliates) required for them to
faithfully perform their duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that the parties may agree
that a Trust may pay the compensation of the Trust’s chief compliance officer or any other officer
of the Trust. Expenses borne by the Series will include, but not be limited to, the following (or
each Series’s proportionate share of the following): brokerage commissions and issue and transfer
taxes relating to securities purchased or sold by the Series or any losses incurred in connection
therewith; expenses of organizing the Series; filing fees and expenses relating to the registration
and qualification of the Series’ shares under federal or state securities laws and maintaining such
registrations and qualifications; distribution and service fees; fees and salaries payable to the
Trustees and officers of a Trust who are not officers, directors/trustees, partners or employees of
ABA or its affiliates; taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; costs
of any liability, uncollectible items of deposit and other insurance (including directors’ and
officers’ errors and omissions insurance) or fidelity bonds; any costs, expenses or losses arising
out of any liability of or claim for damage or other relief asserted against a Trust or Series for
violation of any law; legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of counsel to
the Trusts or any Series for services rendered to a Trust or the Series and legal fees of special
counsel for the independent trustees; charges of custodians, transfer agents, proxy voting services
and expenses relating to proxy solicitation and tabulation services and services of other agents;
costs of preparing share certificates; expenses of printing and mailing prospectuses and
supplements thereto for shareholders, reports and statements to shareholders and proxy materials;
all expenses incidental to holding shareholder and Board meetings; costs incurred for any pricing
or valuation services; any expenses of ABA resulting from new services necessitated by regulatory
or legal changes affecting mutual funds occurring after the date of this Agreement; any
extraordinary expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by a Trust or Series;
and fees and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company
organizations.
9. Compensation. For the services provided hereunder, each Trust agrees that each
Series shall pay ABA an annualized fee, calculated and accrued daily and payable monthly as set
forth in Schedule A attached hereto, as may be amended from time to time. Each Trust acknowledges
that none of the compensation paid pursuant to this Agreement is compensation for portfolio
allocation or investment advisory functions performed by ABA pursuant to its separate Management
Agreement with each Trust; rather, ABA is compensated for those services pursuant to a separate
Management Agreement between the Trust and ABA. If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates
with respect to any Series before the end of any month, the fee for the period from the effective
date to the end of the month or from the beginning of such month to the
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date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion that
such period bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination occurs.
10. Services Not Exclusive. The services furnished by ABA hereunder are not to be
deemed exclusive and ABA shall be free to furnish similar services to others so long as its
services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or
restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of ABA, who may also be a Trustee, officer,
or employee of a Trust, 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 or
dissimilar nature.
11. Limitation of Liability of ABA. ABA shall not be liable for any error of judgment
or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Trust or any Series in connection with the matters
to which this Agreement relate except a loss resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of
its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though also an officer, partner,
employee, or agent of ABA, who may be or become an officer, Board member, employee or agent of a
Trust shall be deemed, when rendering services to any Trust or acting in any business of a Trust,
to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as an officer, partner,
employee, or agent or one under the control or direction of ABA even though paid by it.
12. Trust and Shareholder Liability. ABA is hereby expressly put on notice of the
limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Declaration of Trust of each Trust and
agrees that obligations assumed by a Trust and/or Series pursuant to this Agreement shall be
limited in all cases to that Trust and/or Series and its assets, and if the liability relates to
one or more Trust and/or Series, the obligations hereunder shall be limited to the respective
assets of that Trust and/or Series. ABA further agrees that it shall not seek satisfaction of any
such obligation from the shareholders or any individual shareholder of a Trust and/or Series, nor
from the Trustees or any individual Trustee of a Trust.
13. Force Majeure. ABA shall not be liable for delays or errors occurring by reason
of circumstances beyond its control, including but not limited to acts of civil or military
authority, national emergencies, work stoppages, fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God,
insurrection, war, riot, or failure of communication or power supply. In the event of equipment
breakdowns beyond its control, ABA shall take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions
but shall have no liability with respect thereto.
14. Duration and Termination. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date
first written above with respect to each Trust, Series and/or Class and shall continue in effect
with respect to each Trust, Series and/or Class subject to the termination provisions and all other
terms and conditions hereof. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by vote of the Board,
including a majority of the independent Board members, on 60 days’ written notice delivered or
mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to ABA. ABA may at any time terminate this Agreement
on 30 days’ written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to a Trust.
This Agreement automatically and immediately will terminate in the event of its assignment, as that
term is defined in the 1940 Act. Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Paragraph
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15 shall be without the payment of any penalty. Termination of this Agreement with respect to
a given Trust, Series or Class shall not affect the continued validity of this Agreement or the
performance thereunder with respect to any other Trust, Series or Class.
15. Non-Binding Agreement. This Agreement is executed by each Trust’s Trustees and/or
officers in their capacities as Trustees and/or officers and the obligations of this Agreement are
not binding upon any of them or the shareholders individually; rather, they are binding only upon
the assets and property of that Trust.
16. Amendments. 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 material amendment of
this Agreement as to a given Trust, Series and/or Class shall be effective until approved by the
Board.
17. Name of Trusts. Each Trust or any Fund may use the name “American Beacon Funds,”
“American Beacon Mileage Funds,” “American Beacon Select Funds,” or “American Beacon Master Trust”
for only so long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remains in effect,
including any similar agreement with any organization which shall have succeeded to the business of
ABA. At such time as such an agreement shall no longer be in effect, a Trust and each Series will
(to the extent that it lawfully can) cease to use any name derived from American Beacon Advisors,
Inc. or any successor organization.
18. The 1940 Act. Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any
provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of
special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such
rule, regulation or order.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior amendments and understandings relating to the
subject matter hereof.
20. Notices. All notices required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be
delivered or mailed to the last known business address of the Trust (attn: Secretary) or ABA (attn:
[resident) (or to such other address or contact as shall be designated by the Trust or ABA in a
written notice to the other party) in person or by registered or certified mail or a private mail
or delivery service providing the sender with notice of receipt. Notice shall be deemed given on
the date delivered or mailed in accordance with this Paragraph 20.
21. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Texas, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof, and in
accordance with the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Texas
conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
22. 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
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thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors.
22. Headings. The headings 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as
of the day and year first above written.
AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS | ||||
AMERICAN BEACON MILEAGE FUNDS | ||||
AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS | ||||
AMERICAN BEACON MASTER TRUST | ||||
Title: |
||||
AMERICAN BEACON ADVISORS, INC. | ||||
Title: |
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FORM OF
SCHEDULE A
Administrative Services Fees
As compensation pursuant to Paragraph 9 of the Administration Agreement for services rendered
pursuant to such Agreement, the American Beacon Funds shall pay to the ABA a fee, computed daily
and paid monthly, at the following annual rates as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net
assets:
1. | Balanced Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
Service Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
AMR Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
2. | Emerging Markets Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
AMR Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
3. | Enhanced Income Fund | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
4. | High Yield Bond Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
AMR Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
5. | Intermediate Bond Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
6. | International Equity Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
Service Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
AMR Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
7. | International Equity Index Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % |
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8. | Large Cap Growth Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
AMR Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
9. | Large Cap Value Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
Service Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
AMR Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
10. | Mid-Cap Value Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
AMR Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
11. | Money Market Fund | |||||
Cash Management | X.XX % | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
BBH — Comset Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
12. | S&P 500 Index Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
13. | Short-Term Bond Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
14. | Small Cap Index Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
15. | Small Cap Value Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
Service Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
AMR Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
16. | Small Cap Value Opportunity Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
17. | Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Fund | |||||
Institutional Class Shares | X.XX % |
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18. | U.S. Government Money Market Fund | |||||
Cash Management | X.XX % | |||||
PlanAhead Class Shares | X.XX % |
To the extent and for such periods of time that any of the American Beacon Fund invests all of
its investable assets (i.e., securities and cash) in another registered investment company pursuant
to a master-feeder arrangement, then the fee payable by such Fund pursuant to the foregoing fee
schedule shall be reduced as follows: by X.XX % with respect to each class of shares of the Money
Market Fund and the U.S. Government Money Market Fund; and by X.XX % with respect to the
International Equity Index Fund, the S&P 500 Index Fund and the Small Cap Index Fund.
B. American Beacon Mileage Funds
As compensation pursuant to Paragraph 9 of the Administration Agreement for services rendered
pursuant to such Agreement, the American Mileage Funds shall pay to the ABA a fee, computed daily
and paid monthly, at the following annual rates as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net
assets:
1. | Money Market Fund | |||||
Mileage Class Shares | X.XX % |
To the extent and for such periods of time that any of the American Beacon Mileage Funds
invests all of its investable assets (i.e., securities and cash) in another registered investment
company pursuant to a master-feeder arrangement, then the fee payable by such Fund pursuant to the
foregoing fee schedule shall be reduced by X.XX %.
C. American Beacon Select Funds
As compensation pursuant to Paragraph 9 of the Administration Agreement for services rendered
pursuant to such Agreement, the American Beacon Select Funds shall pay to the ABA a fee, computed
daily and paid monthly, at the following annual rates as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily
net assets:
1. | Money Market Select Fund | |||||
Select Class Shares | X.XX % | |||||
2. | U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund | |||||
Select Class Shares | X.XX % |
To the extent and for such periods of time that any of the American Beacon Select Funds
invests all of its investable assets (i.e., securities and cash) in another registered investment
company pursuant to a master-feeder arrangement, then the fee payable by such Fund pursuant to the
foregoing schedule shall be reduced by X.XX %.
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D. American Beacon Master Trust
As compensation pursuant to Paragraph 9 of the Administration Agreement for services rendered
pursuant to such Agreement, the American Beacon Master Trust shall pay to the ABA a fee, computed
daily and paid monthly, at the following annual rates as a percentage of each Portfolio’s average
daily net assets:
1. | Money Market Portfolio | X.XX % | ||
2. | U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio | X.XX % |
Dated: September 12, 2008
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SCHEDULE B
Administrative Services
ABA shall provide each Trust, its Series and its Classes the following services pursuant to
Paragraph 2 of the Administrative Services Agreement:
1. | Investigate and, with appropriate approval of the Board of Trustees, select and oversee necessary service companies to conduct certain operations of each Trust, including the Trust’s custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, distributor, independent public accountants and legal counsel; | |
2. | Maintain or supervise the maintenance of all internal bookkeeping, accounting and auditing services and records in connection with the Trust’s investment and business activities in compliance with the applicable 1940 Act requirements. | |
3. | Assist the Trust in complying with the securities, tax and other laws and regulations of the United States and the various states and other jurisdictions in which the Trust does business. | |
4. | Arrange, but not pay, for the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information and supplements thereto, proxy material, tax returns and reports to shareholders and the Securities and Exchange Commission; | |
5. | Make available and provide to the Trust: (a) financial, accounting and statistical information required by the Trust in the preparation of registration statements, reports and other documents required by federal securities laws and the securities laws of the states and other jurisdictions in which the Trust’s shares are sold; (b) such information as the Trust may reasonably request for use in the preparation of registration statements, reports and other documents required by federal securities laws and the securities laws of the states and other jurisdictions in which the Trust’s shares are sold; and (c) such information as the Trust may reasonably request for use in the preparation of such documents or of other materials necessary or helpful for the distribution of the Trust’s shares. | |
6. | Respond to shareholder inquiries, conduct correspondence and facilitate other communications with shareholders. | |
7. | Make available its officers and employees to the Trustees and officers of the Trust for consultation and discussions regarding the administration and management of the Trust and its investment activities. | |
8. | Prepare or oversee the preparation of materials relating to meetings of the Board of Trustees and its Committees. |
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9. | Oversee arrangements entered into by each Trust with third party platforms that provide omnibus account or similar arrangements and services to the Trusts or their beneficial shareholders and, in ABA’s sole discretion, make payments to such third parties from its own resources or fees as compensation for such arrangements. | |
10. | Such other administrative services as reasonably may be necessary for the effective operations of the Trusts. |
September 12, 2008
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