Exhibit 23 h (i) under Form N-1A
Exhibit 10 under Item 601/Reg. S-K
AGREEMENT
FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE
AND
TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES
AGREEMENT made as of September 15, 2000, by and between STRATEVEST
FUNDS, a Delaware business trust having its principal office and place of
business at 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (the
"Investment Company"), and FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY, a Pennsylvania
corporation having its principal office and place of business at Federated
Investors Tower, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779 on behalf of itself
and its subsidiaries (the "Company").
WHEREAS, the Investment Company consists of one or more portfolios
(such portfolios individually referred to herein as a "Fund" and
collectively as "Funds"), and operates and is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), with
authorized and issued shares of capital stock ("Shares");
WHEREAS, the Investment Company desires to appoint the Company as its
administrator to provide it with administrative services (as herein
defined), and the Company desires to accept such appointment;
WHEREAS, the Investment Company desires to appoint the Company as its
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent to provide it with transfer
agency services (as herein defined), and agent in connection with certain
other activities, and the Company desires to accept such appointment; and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
SECTION ONE: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
ARTICLE 1. APPOINTMENT.
The Investment Company hereby appoints the Company as Administrator for the
period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Company
hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services set forth in
Article 2 of this Agreement in return for the compensation set forth in Article
5 of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2. THE COMPANY'S DUTIES.
As Administrator, and subject to the supervision and control of the
Investment Company's board of trustees ("Board") and in accordance with Proper
Instructions (as defined hereafter) from the Investment Company,DirectorsERROR!
REFERENCE SOURCE NOT FOUND. the Company will provide facilities, equipment, and
personnel to carry out the following administrative services for operation of
the business and affairs of the Investment Company and each of its Funds:
A. prepare, file, and maintain the Investment Company's governing
documents and any amendments thereto, including theArticles of
IncorporationERROR! REFERENCE SOURCE NOT FOUND. Declaration of Trust
(which has already been prepared and filed), the By-laws and minutes
of meetings of the BoardDirectorsERROR! REFERENCE SOURCE NOT FOUND.
and Shareholders;
B. prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
appropriate state securities authorities the registration statements
for the Investment Company and the Investment Company's shares and
all amendments thereto, reports to regulatory authorities and
shareholders, prospectuses (together with related statements of
additional information, "Prospectuses"), proxy statements, and such
other documents all as may be necessary to enable the Investment
Company to make a continuous offering of its shares;
C. prepare, negotiate, and administer contracts (if any) on behalf of
the Investment Company with, among others, the Investment Company's
investment advisers, sub-advisers, custodians, fund accountants, and
distributors, subject to any applicable restrictions of the Board or
the 1940 Act;
D. coordinate the layout and printing of publicly disseminated
Prospectuses and reports;
E. perform internal audit examinations in accordance with a charter to
be adopted by the Company and the Investment Company;
F. assist with the design, development, and operation of the Investment
Company and the Funds;
G. provide individuals reasonably acceptable to the Board for
nomination, appointment, or election as trustees and officers of the
Investment Company, who will be responsible for the management of
certain of the Investment Company's affairs as determined by the
Investment Company's BoardDirectorsERROR! REFERENCE SOURCE NOT
found.; and
H. consult with the Investment Company and its Board DirectorsERROR!
REFERENCE SOURCE NOT FOUND.on matters concerning the Investment
Company and its affairs.
The foregoing, along with any additional services that the Company shall
agree in writing to perform for the Investment Company under Section Three,
shall hereafter be referred to as "Administrative Services."
ARTICLE 3. RECORDS.
The Company shall create and maintain all necessary books and records in
accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including but not
limited to records required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company act of
1940 and the rules thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time,
pertaining to the Administrative Services performed by it and not otherwise
created and maintained by another party pursuant to contract with the Investment
Company. Where applicable, such records shall be maintained by the Company for
the periods and in the places required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. The
books and records pertaining to the Investment Company which are in the
possession of the Company shall be the property of the Investment Company. The
Investment Company, or the Investment Company's authorized representatives,
shall have access to such books and records at all times during the Company's
normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Investment Company,
copies of any such books and records shall be provided promptly by the Company
to the Investment Company or the Investment Company's authorized
representatives.
ARTICLE 4. EXPENSES.
The Company shall be responsible for expenses incurred in providing office
space, equipment, and personnel as may be necessary or convenient to provide the
Administrative Services to the Investment Company, including the compensation of
the Company employees who serve as trustees DirectorsERROR! REFERENCE SOURCE NOT
FOUND. or officers of the Investment Company. The Investment Company shall be
responsible for all other expenses incurred by the Company on behalf of the
Investment Company, including without limitation postage and courier expenses,
printing expenses, travel expenses, registration fees, filing fees, fees of
outside counsel and independent auditors, or other professional services,
organizational expenses, insurance premiums, fees payable to
personsDirectorsERROR! REFERENCE SOURCE NOT FOUND. who are not the Company's
employees, trade association dues, and other expenses properly payable by the
Funds and/or the Classes.
ARTICLE 5. COMPENSATION.
For the Administrative Services provided, the Investment Company shall pay
and the Company hereby agrees to accept as full compensation for its services
rendered hereunder an administrative fee at an annual rate, as specified below.
The compensation and out of pocket expenses attributable to the Fund shall be
accrued daily by the Fund and paid to the Company no less frequently than
monthly, and shall be paid daily upon request of the Company. The Company will
maintain detailed information about the compensation and out of pocket expenses
by the Fund.
MAX. ADMIN. AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
FEE OF THE FUNDS
.15% on the first $500 million
.125% on the next $500 million
.11% on the next $1 billion
.10% on assets in excess of $2 billion
(Average Daily Net Asset break-points are on a complex-wide basis)
However, in no event shall the administrative fee received during any year of
the Agreement be less than, or be paid at a rate less than would aggregate
$75,000 per Fund and $30,000 per Class.
ARTICLE 6. RESPONSIBILITY OF ADMINISTRATOR.
A. The Company shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Investment Company in
connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except
a loss resulting from 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. The Company shall be entitled to rely on and may act
upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Investment
Company) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any
action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. Any
person, even though also an officer, director, trustee, partner,
employee or agent of the Company, who may be or become an officer,
director, trustee, partnerDirectorERROR! REFERENCE SOURCE NOT
found., employee or agent of the Investment Company, shall be deemed,
when rendering services to the Investment Company or acting on any
business of the Investment Company (other than services or business
in connection with the duties of the Company hereunder) to be
rendering such services to or acting solely for the Investment
Company and not as an officer, director, trustee, partner, employee
or agent or one under the control or direction of the Company even
though paid by the Company.
B. The Company shall be kept indemnified by the Investment Company and be
without liability for any action taken or thing done by it in
performing the Administrative Services in accordance with the above
standards. In order that the indemnification provisions contained in
this Article 6 shall apply, however, it is understood that if in any
case the Investment Company may be asked to indemnify or hold the
Company harmless, the Investment Company shall be fully and promptly
advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question,
and it is further understood that the Company will use all reasonable
care to identify and notify the Investment Company promptly concerning
any situation which presents or appears likely to present the
probability of such a claim for indemnification against the Investment
Company. The Investment Company shall have the option to defend the
Company against any claim which may be the subject of this
indemnification. In the event that the Investment Company so elects,
it will so notify the Company and thereupon the Investment Company
shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the Company shall
in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for
which it shall seek indemnification under this Article. the Company
shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case
in which the Investment Company will be asked to indemnify the Company
except with the Investment Company's written consent.
SECTION TWO: TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES.
ARTICLE 7. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Investment Company hereby appoints the Company to act as, and the Company
agrees to act as, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for each
Fund's Shares, and agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account
or similar plans provided to the shareholders of any Fund
("Shareholder(s)"), including without limitation any periodic investment
plan or periodic withdrawal program.
ARTICLE 8. DUTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company shall perform the following services in accordance with
Proper Instructions as may be provided from time to time by the Investment
Company as to any Fund:
A. Purchases
(1) The Company shall receive orders and payment for the purchase of
shares and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation
therefore to the custodian of the relevant Fund (the "Custodian").
The Company shall notify the Fund and the Custodian on a daily
basis of the total amount of orders and payments so delivered.
(2) Pursuant to purchase orders and in accordance with the Fund's
current Prospectus, the Company shall compute and issue the
appropriate number of Shares of each Fund and/or Class and hold
such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder accounts.
(3) In the event that any check or other order for the purchase of
Shares of the Fund and/or Class is returned unpaid for any reason,
the Company shall debit the Share account of the Shareholder by
the number of Shares that had been credited to its account upon
receipt of the check or other order, promptly mail a debit advice
to the Shareholder, and notify the Fund and/or Class of its
action. In the event that the amount paid for such Shares exceeds
proceeds of the redemption of such Shares plus the amount of any
dividends paid with respect to such Shares, the Fund and/the Class
or its distributor will reimburse the Company on the amount of
such excess.
B. Distribution
(1) Upon notification by the Funds of the declaration of any
distribution to Shareholders, the Company shall act as Dividend
Disbursing Agent for the Funds in accordance with the provisions
of its governing document and the then-current Prospectus of the
Fund. The Company shall prepare and mail or credit income, capital
gain, or any other payments to Shareholders. As the Dividend
Disbursing Agent, the Company shall, on or before the payment date
of any such distribution, notify the Custodian of the estimated
amount required to pay any portion of said distribution which is
payable in cash and request the Custodian to make available
sufficient funds for the cash amount to be paid out. The Company
shall reconcile the amounts so requested and the amounts actually
received with the Custodian on a daily basis. If a Shareholder is
entitled to receive additional Shares by virtue of any such
distribution or dividend, appropriate credits shall be made to the
Shareholder's account; and
(2) The Company shall maintain records of account for each Fund and
Class and advise the Investment Company, each Fund and Class and
its Shareholders as to the foregoing.
C. Redemptions and Transfers
(1) The Company shall receive redemption requests and redemption
directions and, if such redemption requests comply with the
procedures as may be described in the Fund Prospectus or set forth
in Proper Instructions, deliver the appropriate instructions
therefor to the Custodian. The Company shall notify the Funds on a
daily basis of the total amount of redemption requests processed
and monies paid to the Company by the Custodian for redemptions.
(2) At the appropriate time upon receiving redemption proceeds from
the Custodian with respect to any redemption, the Company shall
pay or cause to be paid the redemption proceeds in the manner
instructed by the redeeming Shareholders, pursuant to procedures
described in the then-current Prospectus of the Fund.
(3) The Company shall effect transfers of Shares by the registered
owners thereof.
(4) The Company shall identify and process abandoned accounts and
uncashed checks for state escheat requirements on an annual basis
and report such actions to the Fund.
D. Recordkeeping
(1) The Company shall record the issuance of Shares of each Fund,
and/or Class, and maintain pursuant to applicable rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a record of the total
number of Shares of the Fund and/or Class which are authorized,
based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and
outstanding. The Company shall also provide the Fund on a regular
basis or upon reasonable request with the total number of Shares
which are authorized and issued and outstanding, but shall have no
obligation when recording the issuance of Shares, except as
otherwise set forth herein, to monitor the issuance of such Shares
or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of
such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of
the Funds.
(2) The Company shall establish and maintain records pursuant to
applicable rules of the SEC relating to the services to be
performed hereunder in the form and manner as agreed to by the
Investment Company or the Fund to include a record for each
Shareholder's account of the following:
(a) Name, address and tax identification number (and whether
such number has been certified);
(b) Number of Shares held;
(c) Historical information regarding the account, including
dividends paid and date and price for all transactions;
(d) Any stop or restraining order placed against the account;
(e) Information with respect to withholding in the case of a
foreign account or an account for which withholding is
required by the Internal Revenue Code;
(f) Any dividend reinvestment order, plan application, dividend
address and correspondence relating to the current
maintenance of the account; and
(g) Any information required in order for the Company to perform
the calculations contemplated or required by this Agreement.
(3) The Company shall preserve any such records required to be
maintained pursuant to the rules of the SEC for the periods
prescribed in said rules as specifically noted below. Such record
retention shall be at the expense of the Company, and such records
may be inspected by the Fund at reasonable times. The Company may,
at its option at any time, and shall forthwith upon the Fund's
demand, turn over to the Fund and cease to retain in the Company's
files, records and documents created and maintained by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement, which are no longer needed by the
Company in performance of its services or for its protection. If
not so turned over to the Fund, such records and documents will be
retained by the Company for six years from the year of creation,
during the first two of which such documents will be in readily
accessible form. At the end of the six year period, such records
and documents will either be turned over to the Fund or destroyed
in accordance with Proper Instructions.
. Confirmations/Reports
(1) The Company shall furnish to the Fund periodically the following
information:
(a) A copy of the transaction register;
(b) Dividend and reinvestment blotters;
(c) The total number of Shares issued and outstanding in each
state for "blue sky" purposes as determined according to
Proper Instructions delivered from time to time by the Fund
to the Company;
(d) Shareholder lists and statistical information;
(e) Payments to third parties relating to distribution
agreements, allocations of sales loads, redemption fees, or
other transaction- or sales-related payments;
(f) Such other information as may be agreed upon from time to
time.
(2) The Company shall prepare in the appropriate form, file with the
Internal Revenue Service and appropriate state agencies, and, if
required, mail to Shareholders, such notices for reporting
dividends and distributions paid as are required to be so filed
and mailed and shall withhold such sums as are required to be
withheld under applicable federal and state income tax laws, rules
and regulations.
(3) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth above,
the Company shall:
(a) Perform all of the customary services of a transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent 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: maintaining all Shareholder accounts, transmitting
Shareholder reports and Prospectuses to current
Shareholders, withholding taxes on accounts subject to
back-up or other withholding (including non-resident alien
accounts), preparing and filing reports on U.S. Treasury
Department Form 1099 and other appropriate forms required
with respect to dividends and distributions by federal
authorities for all Shareholders, preparing and transmitting
confirmation forms and statements of account to Shareholders
for all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other
conformable transactions in Shareholder accounts, preparing
and transmitting activity statements for Shareholders, and
providing Shareholder account information; and
(b) provide a system which will enable the Fund to monitor the
total number of Shares of each Fund (and/or Class) sold in
each state ("blue sky reporting"). The Fund shall by Proper
Instructions (i) identify to the Company those transactions
and assets to be treated as exempt from the blue sky
reporting for each state and (ii) verify the classification
of transactions for each state on the system prior to
activation and thereafter monitor the daily activity for
each state. The responsibility of the Company for each
Fund's (and/or Class's) state blue sky registration status
is limited solely to the recording of the initial
classification of transactions or accounts with regard to
blue sky compliance and the reporting of such transactions
and accounts to the Fund as provided above.
F. Other Duties
(1) The Company shall answer correspondence from Shareholders relating
to their Share accounts and such other correspondence as may from
time to time be addressed to the Company;
(2) The Company shall prepare Shareholder meeting lists, transmit
proxy cards and other material supplied to it by the Fund in
connection with Shareholder meetings of each Fund; receive,
examine and tabulate returned proxies, and certify the vote of the
Shareholders;
(3) The Company shall establish and maintain facilities and procedures
for safekeeping of stock certificates, check forms and facsimile
signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or
use, and for keeping account of, such certificates, forms and
devices.
ARTICLE 9. DUTIES OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY.
A. Compliance
The Investment Company or Fund assume full responsibility for the
preparation, contents and distribution of their own and/or their
classes' Prospectus and statements of additional information and for
complying with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue
Code and any other laws, rules and regulations of government authorities
having jurisdiction.
B. Distributions
The Fund shall promptly inform the Company of the declaration of any
dividend or distribution on account of any Fund's shares.
ARTICLE 10. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES.
A. Annual Fee
For performance by the Company pursuant to Section Two of this
Agreement, the Investment Company and/or the Fund agree to pay the
Company an annual maintenance fee for each Shareholder account as set
forth on Schedule A to this Agreement and as may be added to or amended
from time to time by written agreement between the Investment Company
and the Company. Pursuant to information in the Fund Prospectus or other
information or instructions from the Fund, the Company may sub-divide
any Fund into Classes or other sub-components for recordkeeping
purposes. The Company will charge the Fund the same fees for each such
Class or sub-component the same as if each were a Fund.
B. Reimbursements
In addition to the fee paid under Article 10.A. above, the Investment
Company and/or Fund agree to reimburse the Company for out-of-pocket
expenses or advances incurred by the Company for the items agreed upon
between the parties, as may be added to or amended from time to time. In
addition, any other expenses incurred by the Company at the request or
with the consent of the Investment Company and/or the Fund, will be
reimbursed by the appropriate Fund.
C. Payment
The compensation and out-of-pocket expenses shall be accrued daily by
the Fund and shall be paid to the Company no less frequently than
monthly, and shall be paid daily upon request of the Company. The
Company will maintain detailed information about the compensation and
out-of-pocket expenses by Fund and Class.
D. Any schedule of compensation agreed to hereunder, as may be adjusted
from time to time, shall be dated and signed by a duly authorized
officer of the Investment Company and/or the Funds and a duly authorized
officer of the Company.
SECTION THREE: GENERAL PROVISIONS.
ARTICLE 11. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.
As used throughout this Agreement, a "Proper Instruction" means a
writing signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board
shall have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth
the specific transaction or type of transaction involved. Oral
instructions will be deemed to be Proper Instructions if (a) the Company
reasonably believes them to have been given by a person previously
authorized in Proper Instructions to give such instructions with respect
to the transaction involved, and (b) the Investment Company, or the Fund,
and the Company promptly cause such oral instructions to be confirmed in
writing. Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the
Investment Company, or the Fund, and the Company are satisfied that such
procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets. Proper
Instructions may only be amended in writing.
ARTICLE 12. ASSIGNMENT.
Except as provided below, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights
or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by either party
without the written consent of the other party.
A. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
B. With regard to Transfer Agency Services, the Company may without
further consent on the part of the Investment Company subcontract for
the performance of Transfer Agency Services with
(1) its subsidiary, Federated Shareholder Service Company, a Delaware
business trust, which is duly registered as a transfer agent
pursuant to Section 17A(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, or any succeeding statute ("Section 17A(c)(1)");
or
(2) such other provider of services duly registered as a transfer
agent under Section 17A(c)(1) as Company shall select.
The Company shall be as fully responsible to the Investment Company for
the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its own acts
and omissions.
C. With regard to Administrative Services the Company may without further
consent on the part of the Investment Company subcontract for the
performance of such services with Federated Administrative Services, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, or any other third-party service
provider. The Company shall be as fully responsible to the Investment
Company for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor performing
Administrative Services on behalf of the Company as it is for its own
acts and omissions.
D. The Company shall upon instruction from the Investment Company
subcontract for the performance of services under this Agreement with
an Agent selected by the Investment Company, other than as described
in B. and C. above; provided, however, that the Company shall in no
way be responsible for the acts and omissions of the Agent.
ARTICLE 13. DOCUMENTS.
A. In connection with the appointment of the Company under this
Agreement, the Investment Company shall file with the Company the
following documents:
(1) A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of
the Investment Company and all amendments thereto;
(2) A copy of the resolution of the Board of the Investment Company
authorizing this Agreement;
(3) All account application forms and other documents relating to
Shareholders accounts; and
(4) A copy of the current Prospectus for each Fund.
B. The Fund will also furnish from time to time the following documents:
(1) Each resolution of the Board of the Investment Company authorizing
the original issuance of each Fund's, and/or Class's Shares;
(2) Each Registration Statement filed with the SEC and amendments
thereof, including Prospectuses as amended from time to time, and
orders relating thereto in effect with respect to the sale of
Shares of any Fund, and/or Class;
(3) A certified copy of each amendment to the governing document and
the By-Laws of the Investment Company;
(4) Certified copies of each vote of the Board authorizing officers to
give Proper Instructions to the Custodian and agents for fund
accountant, custody services procurement, and shareholder
recordkeeping or transfer agency services; and
(5) Such other certifications, documents, or opinions which the
Company may, in its discretion, deem necessary or appropriate in
the proper performance of its duties.
ARTICLE 14. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
A. Representations and Warranties of the Company
The Company represents and warrants to the Fund that:
(1) it is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
(2) it is duly qualified to carry on its business in each jurisdiction
where the nature of its business requires such qualification;
(3) it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
(4) all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize
it to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(5) 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
(6) it is in compliance with federal securities law requirements and
in good standing as an administrator and transfer agent.
B. Representations and Warranties of the Investment Company
The Investment Company represents and warrants to the Company that:
(1) It is an investment company duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of its state of organization;
(2) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of
Trust and By-Laws to enter into and perform its obligations under
this Agreement;
(3) All corporate proceedings required by said Declaration of Trust
and By-Laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(4) The Investment Company is an open-end investment company
registered under the 1940 Act; and
(5) A registration statement under the 1933 Act will be effective, and
appropriate authorizations for state securities law filings have
been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares
of each Fund being offered for sale.
ARTICLE 15. STANDARD OF CARE AND INDEMNIFICATION.
A. Standard of Care
The Company shall be held to a standard of reasonable care in carrying
out the provisions of this Contract. The Company shall be entitled to
rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the
Investment Company) on all matters, and shall be without liability for
any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice, provided
that such action is not in violation of applicable federal or state laws
or regulations, and is in good faith and without gross negligence.
B. Indemnification by Investment Company
The Company shall not be responsible for and the Investment Company or
Fund shall indemnify and hold the Company, including its officers,
directors, shareholders and their agents, employees and affiliates,
harmless against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel
fees, payments, expenses and liabilities arising out of or attributable
to:
(1) The acts or omissions of any Custodian, Fund Accountant, Adviser,
Sub-adviser, or other party contracted by or approved by the
Investment Company or Fund,
(2) The reliance on or use by the Company or its agents or
subcontractors of information, records and documents in proper
form which:
(a) are received by the Company or its agents or subcontractors
and furnished to it by or on behalf of the Fund, its
Shareholders or investors regarding the purchase, redemption
or transfer of Shares and Shareholder account information;
(b) are received by the Company or its agents or subcontractors
from Advisers, Sub-advisers or other third parties
contracted by or approved by the Investment Company of Fund
for use in the performance of services under this Agreement;
or
(c) have been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund or its
affiliates or any other person or firm on behalf of the
Investment Company.
(3) The reliance on, or the carrying out by the Company or its agents
or subcontractors of Proper Instructions of the Investment Company
or the Fund.
(4) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under
the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws
or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such
state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or
ruling by any federal agency or any state with respect to the
offer or sale of such Shares in such state.
Provided, however, that the Company shall not be protected by this
Article 15.B. from liability for any act or omission resulting
from the Company's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or failure to meet
the standard of care set forth in 15.A. above.
C. Reliance
At any time the Company may apply to any officer of the Investment
Company or Fund for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel
with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be
performed by the Company under this Agreement, and the Company and its
agents or subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by
the Investment Company or the appropriate Fund for any action reasonably
taken or omitted by it in reliance upon such instructions or upon the
opinion of such counsel provided such action is not in violation of
applicable federal or state laws or regulations.
D. Notification
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article
15 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may
be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification
shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep
the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such
claim. The party who may be required to indemnify shall have the option
to participate with the party seeking indemnification in the defense of
such claim. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess
any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party
may be required to indemnify it except with the other party's prior
written consent.
ARTICLE 16. TERM AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.
A. The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof, and
extend for a period of three years following the first date upon which
each of the Investment Company's existing Funds have sufficient average
daily net assets, in each case, such that the Company will begin to earn a
sum not less than its minimum annualized administrative fee per existing
Fund, pursuant to Article 5 of this Agreement ("Initial Term").
B. During any term of this Agreement, each time the Investment Company adds a
new Fund, an additional term shall commence on the first date upon which
the new Fund has sufficient average daily net assets such that the Company
will begin to earn a sum not less than its minimum annualized
administrative fee in connection with the new Fund pursuant to Article 5
of this Agreement ("Additional Term"). Such Additional Term shall extend
to the later to occur of (i) the second anniversary of the commencement of
the Additional Term, or (ii) the expiration of the Initial Term.
C. During any term of this Agreement, each time the Investment Company adds a
Class to any Fund, an additional term shall commence on the later to occur
of (i) the first date upon which the relevant Fund has sufficient average
daily net assets such that the Company will begin to earn a sum not less
than its minimum annualized administrative fee pursuant to Article 5 of
this Agreement, or (ii) the effective date of the registration statement
or post-effective amendment registering the new Class ("Class Term"). Such
Class Term shall extend to the later to occur of (i) the second
anniversary of the commencement of the Class Term, or (ii) the expiration
of the Initial Term.
D. Upon the expiration of any term, this Agreement shall be automatically
renewed each year for an additional term of one year, unless the
Investment Company has delivered written notice of termination to the
Company no less than one year before the beginning of any such additional
term.
E. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time without penalty
upon 90 days' prior written notice.
F. In the event the Investment Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to
this Article 16, the Investment Company shall reimburse the Company for
all reasonable costs associated with such termination and all reasonable
expenses associated with movement of records and materials and conversion
thereof to a successor administrator.
ARTICLE 17. AMENDMENT.
This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written agreement
executed by both parties.
ARTICLE 18. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Company and the
Investment Company may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive
of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint
opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such
interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both
parties and shall be annexed hereto, PROVIDED that no such interpretive or
additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or state
regulations or any provision of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. No
interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence
shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 19. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
ARTICLE 20. NOTICES.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Notices and other
writings delivered or mailed postage prepaid to the Investment Company at
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000, or to the Company at
Federated Investors Tower, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-3779, or to
such other address as the Investment Company or the Company may hereafter
specify, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given
hereunder to the respective address.
ARTICLE 21. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and together
shall constitute one instrument.
ARTICLE 22. MERGER OF AGREEMENT.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject
hereof whether oral or written.
ARTICLE 23. SUCCESSOR AGENT.
If a successor agent for the Investment Company shall be appointed by
the Investment Company, the Company shall upon termination of this
Agreement deliver to such successor agent at the office of the Company all
properties of the Investment Company held by it hereunder. If no such
successor agent shall be appointed, the Company shall at its office upon
receipt of Proper Instructions deliver such properties in accordance with
such instructions.
In the event that no written order designating a successor agent or
Proper Instructions shall have been delivered to the Company on or before
the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Company
shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a
"bank" as defined in the 1940 Act, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $2,000,000, all properties held by the
Company under this Agreement. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall
be the successor of the Company under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 24. FORCE MAJEURE.
The Company shall have no liability for cessation of services hereunder
or any damages resulting therefrom to the Fund as a result of work
stoppage, power or other mechanical failure, natural disaster,
governmental action, communication disruption or other impossibility of
performance.
ARTICLE 25. ASSIGNMENT; SUCCESSORS.
This Agreement shall not be assigned by either party without the prior
written consent of the other party, except that either party may assign
all of or a substantial portion of its business to a successor, or to a
party controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such party.
Nothing in this Article 25 shall prevent the Company from delegating its
responsibilities to another entity to the extent provided herein.
ARTICLE 26. SEVERABILITY.
In the event any provision of this Agreement is held illegal, void or
unenforceable, the balance shall remain in effect.
ARTICLE 28. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by
the Board and signed by an authorized officer of the Investment Company,
acting as such, and neither such authorization by the Board nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made
by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them
personally, and the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any
of the Trustees or Shareholders of the Investment Company, but bind only
the property of the Fund, or Class, as provided in the Declaration of
Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed in their names and on their behalf under their seals by and
through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above
written.
STRATEVEST FUNDS
By: /S/ XXXX X. XXXXXXXXX
---------------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY
By: /S/ XXXXX XXXXXXX
---------------------------------
Senior Vice President
SCHEDULE A
STRATEVEST FUNDS
FEES AND EXPENSES
TRANSFER AGENCY
I. FEES
BASE FEE* Annual fee per fund, class or other subdivision. $18,000
ACCOUNT FEE* Annual account charge (includes system access
and funds control reconcilement)
o Daily dividend fund $16.00
o Non-daily dividend fund $10.00
OTHER ACCOUNT FEES* Services or features not covered above.
o Account Activity Processing (includes account establishment,
transaction and maintenance processing) $3.50
o Account Servicing (includes shareholder servicing
and corresondence) $4.50
o Contingent deferred sales charge (monthly and
quarterly funds only) $5.00
II. OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
Out-of-pocket expenses include but are not limited to postage (including
overnight courier service), statement stock, envelopes, telecommunication
charges (including Fax), travel, duplicating, forms, supplies, microfiche,
computer access charges, client specific enhancements, disaster recovery, closed
account fees, processing fees (including check encoding), and expenses incurred
at the specific direction of the fund. Postage for mass mailings is due seven
days in advance of the mailing date.
*All fees are annualized and will be prorated on a monthly basis for billing
purposes. Out-of-pocket expenses are not covered by these fees.
FSSC:_____
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FAS:______
