UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT Between FIRST FOCUS FUNDS, INC. and AQUARIUS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
Exhibit (e)(1)
Between
FIRST FOCUS FUNDS, INC.
and
AQUARIUS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
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INDEX
1. |
APPOINTMENT OF AFD AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS | 3 | ||||
2. |
EXCLUSIVE NATURE OF DUTIES | 4 | ||||
3. |
OFFERING OF SHARES | 4 | ||||
4. |
LICENSED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FUNDS | 5 | ||||
5. |
REPURCHASE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES | 6 | ||||
6. |
DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF AFD | 6 | ||||
7. |
DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF THE CORPORATION | 8 | ||||
8. |
INDEMNIFICATION OF AFD BY THE CORPORATION | 11 | ||||
9. |
INDEMNIFICATION OF THE CORPORATION BY AFD | 12 | ||||
10. |
NOTIFICATION BY THE CORPORATION | 13 | ||||
11. |
COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES | 14 | ||||
12. |
SELECTED DEALER AND SELECTED AGENT AGREEMENTS | 15 | ||||
13. |
CONFIDENTIALITY | 15 | ||||
14. |
EFFECTIVENESS AND DURATION | 15 | ||||
15. |
DISASTER RECOVERY | 16 | ||||
16. |
DEFINITIONS | 16 | ||||
17. |
MISCELLANEOUS | 17 | ||||
Schedule A | 19 | |||||
Schedule B | 20 |
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AGREEMENT made this 1st day of May 2008, by and between FIRST FOCUS FUNDS, INC., a Nebraska
corporation, having its principal office and place of business at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
00000 (the “Corporation”), and AQUARIUS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability
company having its principal office and place of business at 0000 Xxxxx 000xx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 (“AFD”).
WHEREAS, the Corporation is offering shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) in separate
investment portfolios as set forth on Schedule A (each a “Fund”), and each a series of the
Corporation.
WHEREAS, the Corporation is an open-end management investment company registered with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, AFD is registered under the Securities Exchange Act, as a broker-dealer and is
engaged in the business of selling shares of registered investment companies either directly to
purchasers or through other financial intermediaries; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation desires that AFD offer, as principal underwriter, the Shares of the
Funds to the public and AFD is willing to provide those services on the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement in order to provide for the sale and facilitate the distribution of the
Shares;
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained
herein, the Corporation and AFD hereby agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF AFD AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
(a) The Corporation hereby appoints AFD, and AFD hereby agrees, to act as the principal
underwriter and distributor of the Shares of the Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in
this Agreement. In connection therewith, the Corporation has delivered to AFD current copies of:
(i) the Corporation’s Agreement and Declaration of Corporation and By-laws (“Organic
Documents”);
(ii) the Corporation’s current Registration Statement;
(iii) the Corporation’s notification of registration under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed
with the SEC;
(iv) the Corporation’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (as
currently in effect and as amended or supplemented, the “Prospectus”);
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(v) any current plan of distribution or similar document adopted by the Funds under Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act (“Plan”) and each current shareholder service plan or similar document adopted
by the Corporation (“Service Plan”).
(b) The Corporation shall promptly furnish AFD with:
(i) all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing; and
(ii) a copy of the resolution of the Board appointing AFD and authorizing the execution and
delivery of this Agreement.
2. EXCLUSIVE NATURE OF DUTIES
(a) AFD shall be the exclusive representative of the Funds to act as distributor of the Funds
except that the rights given under this Agreement to AFD shall not apply to: (i) Shares issued in
connection with the merger, consolidation or reorganization of any other investment company or
series or class thereof with a Fund or class thereof; (ii) the Corporation’s acquisition by
purchase or otherwise of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of any other investment
company or series or class thereof; (iii) the reinvestment in Shares by the Funds’ shareholders of
dividends or other distributions; or (iv) any other offering by the Funds of securities to its
shareholders (collectively “exempt transactions”).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, AFD is and may in the future distribute shares of other
investment companies including investment companies having investment objectives similar to those
of the Funds. The Corporation further understands that existing and future investors in the Funds
may invest in shares of such other investment companies. The Corporation agrees that the services
that AFD provides to such other investment companies shall not be deemed in conflict with its
duties to the Funds under this Agreement.
3. OFFERING OF SHARES
(a) AFD shall have the right to buy from the Funds the Shares needed to fill unconditional
orders for Shares of the Funds placed with AFD by investors or selected dealers or selected agents
(each as defined in Section 12 hereof) acting as agent for their customers’ or on their own behalf.
Alternatively, AFD may act as the Funds’ agent, to offer, and to solicit offers to subscribe to,
Shares of the Funds.
(b) The price that AFD shall pay for Shares purchased from the Funds shall be the NAV used in
determining the Public Offering Price on which the orders are based. Shares purchased by AFD are to
be resold by AFD to investors at the respective Public Offering Price(s), or to selected dealers or
selected agents acting in accordance with the terms of selected dealer or selected agent agreements
described in Section 12 of this Agreement. The Funds will advise AFD of the NAV(s) each time that
it is determined by the Funds, or its designated agent, and at such other times as AFD may
reasonably request.
(c) AFD will promptly forward all orders and subscriptions to the Funds or its designated
agent. All orders and all subscriptions shall be directed to the Funds for acceptance and shall
not be binding until accepted by the Funds. Any order or subscription
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may be rejected by the Funds;
provided, however, that the Funds will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept
or confirm orders or subscriptions for the purchase of Shares. The Funds or its designated agent
will confirm orders and subscriptions upon their receipt, will make appropriate book entries and,
upon receipt by the Funds or its designated agent of payment therefore, will issue such Shares in
uncertificated form pursuant to the instructions of AFD. AFD agrees to cause such payment and such
instructions to be delivered promptly to the Funds or its designated agent.
(d) The Funds reserve the right to suspend the offering of Shares of the Funds at any time in
the absolute discretion of the Board or at the direction of the Corporation’s officers, and upon
notice of such suspension AFD shall cease to offer Shares of the Funds specified in the notice.
(e) No Shares shall be offered by either AFD or the Funds under any of the provisions of this
Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Funds
if and so long as the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect or any necessary
amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the Securities Act, or if and
so long as a current Prospectus, as required by Section 10(b) of the Securities Act, as amended, is
not on file with the SEC; provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph shall in any
way limit the Funds’ obligation to repurchase Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the Fund’s Organic Documents or the
Prospectus applicable to the Shares.
4. LICENSED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FUNDS.
At the request of the Corporation, a Fund, a Fund’s sponsor, adviser or affiliate, AFD may
license certain designated employees as a registered representative and maintain their
licensed status in accordance with FINRA rules and regulations including the following:
(a) Filing Form U-4’s and fingerprint submission and processing renewals and terminations
(b) On-going compliance up-dates and training
(c) Preparation of materials and training for compliance with FINRA continuing education
requirements
(d) Supervision of the registered representatives
AFD reserves the right in its sole discretion of refuse to register or maintain the registration
for any individual and otherwise impose any requirements or limitations on licensed persons.
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5. REPURCHASE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES BY THE CORPORATION
(a) Any of the outstanding Shares of the Funds may be tendered for redemption at any time, and
the Funds agree to redeem or repurchase the Shares so tendered in accordance with its obligations
as set forth in the Organic Documents and the Prospectus relating to the Shares.
(b) The Funds or its designated agent shall pay:
(i) the total amount of the redemption price consisting of the NAV less any applicable
redemption fee to the redeeming shareholder or its agent, and
(ii) except as may be otherwise required by FINRA Rules, any applicable deferred sales charges
to AFD in accordance with AFD’s instructions on or before the fifth business day (or such other
earlier business day as is customary in the investment company industry) subsequent to the
Corporation or its agent having received the notice of redemption in proper form.
(c) Redemption of Shares or payment therefore may be suspended at times when the New York
Stock Exchange is closed for any reason other than its customary weekend or holiday closings, when
trading thereon is restricted, when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Funds
of securities owned by the Funds is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable
for the Funds fairly to determine the value of the Funds’ net assets, or during any other period
when the SEC so requires or permits.
6. DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF AFD
(a) AFD shall use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of Shares of the Funds upon the
terms and conditions contained herein and in the then current Registration Statement. AFD shall
devote reasonable time and effort to facilitate the sale of Shares but shall not be obligated to
sell any specific number of Shares. The services of AFD to the Funds hereunder are not to be
deemed exclusive, and nothing herein contained shall prevent AFD from entering into like
arrangements with other investment companies so long as the performance of its obligations
hereunder is not impaired thereby.
(b) To the extent required by applicable law, AFD will execute and deliver agreements with
broker/dealers, financial institutions and other industry professionals based on forms of agreement
approved (as may be necessary by applicable law) from time to time by the Board with respect to
shares of the Funds, including but not limited to forms of sales support agreements and shareholder
servicing agreements approved in connection with any distribution and/or servicing plan approved in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
(c) AFD shall be responsible for reviewing and providing advice and counsel on, and filing
with the FINRA, all sales literature (e.g., advertisements, brochures and shareholder
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communications, including the Fund’s website) with respect to the Funds. AFD will forward all
FINRA comments on marketing materials to the Corporation for incorporation into such materials and
the sole responsibility for incorporation of such comments shall remain with the Corporation;
provided, however, that the Corporation shall provide all factual content, opinion, and other
content for such materials and AFD shall not be responsible for the accuracy of the content of such
materials, when used thereafter by the Corporation or any person authorized by the Corporation to
use such material; nor shall AFD be responsible for the filing or content of any such materials
used by third parties without the authorization of AFD; and provided further that AFD shall not be
responsible for filing any materials that fall within the definition of advertising and sales
literature if such materials are not provided to AFD in a form suitable for filing in a timely
manner. In addition, AFD will provide one or more persons, during normal business hours, to
respond to telephone questions with respect to the Funds.
(d) AFD will forward all sales related complaints concerning the Funds to the Chief Compliance
Officer (Citi Compliance Services; 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 43219) and the Manager of Mutual
Fund Administration (First National Bank, Attn: First Focus Funds Administration, 0000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxx 0000, Xxxxx, XX 68197).
(e) AFD will provide assistance in the preparation of quarterly board materials with regard to
sales and other distribution related data reasonably requested by the Board of the Funds.
(f) All activities by AFD and its agents, officers, managers and employees as distributor of
Shares shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation,
the 1940 Act, the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, and the FINRA Rules, all rules and
regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act by the SEC or any securities association
registered under the Securities Exchange Act.
(g) In selling Shares of the Funds, AFD shall use its best efforts in all material respects
duly to conform with the requirements of all federal and state laws relating to the sale of the
Shares. Neither AFD, any selected dealer, any selected agent nor any other person is authorized by
the Funds to give any information or to make any representations other than as is contained in a
Funds’ Prospectus or any advertising materials or sales literature specifically approved in writing
by the Funds or their agents.
(h) AFD shall adopt and follow procedures for the confirmation of sales to investors and
selected dealers or selected agents, the collection of amounts payable by investors and selected
dealers or selected agents on such sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be
necessary to comply with the requirements of the FINRA.
(i) AFD represents and warrants to the Corporation that:
(i) It is a limited liability company duly organized and existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Nebraska and it is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of
Nebraska;
(ii) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
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Organization to enter into and perform this Agreement;
(iii) All requisite actions have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
(iv) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and
personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
(v) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding
obligation of AFD, enforceable against AFD in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights
and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
(vi) It is registered under the Securities Exchange Act with the SEC as a broker-dealer, it is
a member in good standing of the FINRA, it will abide by the FINRA Rules, and it will notify the
Funds if its membership in the FINRA is terminated or suspended.
(vii) It will require selling agents to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws,
regulations, rules and government guidance, including the reporting, record keeping and compliance
requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), as amended by The International Money Laundering
Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act (the “PATRIOT
Act”), its implementing regulations, and related SEC and SRO rules.
(j) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, including the Schedules, to the contrary, AFD
makes no warranty or representation as to the number of selected dealers or selected agents with
which it has entered into agreements in accordance with Section 12 hereof, as to the availability
of any Shares to be sold through any selected dealer, selected agent or other intermediary or as to
any other matter not specifically set forth herein.
7. DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF THE CORPORATION
(a) The Corporation shall furnish to AFD copies of all financial statements and other
documents to be delivered to shareholders or investors at least two Fund Business Days prior to
such delivery and shall furnish AFD copies of all other financial statements, documents and other
papers or information which AFD may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution
of Shares. The Corporation shall make available to AFD the number of copies of the Funds’
Prospectuses as AFD shall reasonably request.
(b) The Corporation shall take, from time to time, subject to the approval of the Board and
any required approval of the shareholders of the Funds, all actions necessary to fix the number of
authorized Shares (if such number is not unlimited) and to register the Shares under the Securities
Act, to the end that there will be available for sale the number of Shares as reasonably may be
expected to be sold pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) The Corporation will execute any and all documents, furnish any and all information and
otherwise take all actions that may be reasonably necessary to register or
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qualify Shares for sale
in such states as AFD may designate to the Funds and the Funds may approve, and the Funds shall pay
all fees and other expenses incurred in connection with such registration or qualification;
provided that AFD shall not be required to register as a broker-dealer or file a consent to service
of process in any State and the Funds shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation,
Fund or association in any State. Any registration or qualification may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the Funds at any time in its
discretion. AFD shall furnish such information and other material relating to its affairs and
activities as the Funds require in connection with such registration or qualification.
(d) The Corporation represents and warrants to AFD that:
(i) It is a Corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the
state of Nebraska;
(ii) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Organic Documents to enter into and
perform this Agreement;
(iii) All proceedings required by the Organic Documents have been taken to authorize it to
enter into and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(iv) It is an open-end management investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940
Act;
(v) All Shares, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;
(vi) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Corporation, enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with its terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application
affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties;
(vii) The performance by the Corporation of its obligations hereunder does not and will not
contravene any provision of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
(viii) The Registration Statement is currently effective and will remain effective with
respect to all Shares of the Funds being offered for sale;
(ix) The Registration Statement has been or will be, as the case may be, prepared in
conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder;
(x) The Registration Statement and Prospectus contain or will contain all statements required
to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder; all statements of fact contained or to be contained in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus are or will be true and correct at the time indicated or on the effective date as the
case may be; and neither the Registration Statement nor any
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Prospectus, when they shall become
effective or be authorized for use, will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading to a purchaser of Shares;
(xi) It will from time to time file such amendment or amendments to the Registration Statement
and Prospectus as, in the light of then-current and then-prospective developments, shall, in the
opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order to have the Registration Statement and Prospectus at
all times contain all material facts required to be stated therein or necessary to make any
statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of Shares (“Required Amendments”);
(xii) It shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus without
giving AFD reasonable advance notice thereof; provided, however, that nothing contained in this
Agreement shall in any way limit the Funds’ right to file at any time such amendments to the
Registration Statement or Prospectus, of whatever character, as the Funds may deem advisable, such
right being in all respects absolute and unconditional; and
(xiii) Any amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus hereafter filed will, when it
becomes effective, contain all statements required to be stated therein in accordance with the 1940
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; all statements of fact contained in the Registration
Statement or Prospectus will, when it becomes effective, be true and correct at the time indicated or on
the effective date as the case may be; and no such amendment, when it becomes effective, will
include an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of the
Shares.
(xiv) In connection with any Registered Representatives maintained under this Agreement, the
Corporation agrees to cooperate with AFD and provide reports as necessary to maintain appropriate
licensing and qualifications and report to AFD any complaints, arbitrations, litigation or any
other material matter that may affect a Registered Representatives registration status.
(xv) It has adopted necessary procedures to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), as
amended by The International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002,
Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act (the “PATRIOT Act”), its implementing regulations, and related SEC
and SRO rules. Consistent with this requirement, the Corporation shall ensure that the account
opening forms utilized by the Funds contain the necessary customer information such as name,
address, taxpayer identification and other information to verify the identity of such customers as
well as provide proper notification to customers of such anti-money laundering program adopted by
the Corporation and/or its service providers. The Corporation shall ensure the transfer agent of
the Fund takes necessary steps to verify the identity of each of its shareholders.
(xvi) AFD may reasonably rely on and will be held harmless from relying on oral or written
instructions it receives from an officer, adviser, or legal counsel to the Corporation.
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8. INDEMNIFICATION OF AFD BY THE CORPORATION
(a) The Corporation authorizes AFD and any dealers with whom AFD has entered into dealer
agreements to use the latest Prospectus in the form furnished by the Corporation in connection with
the sale of Shares. The Corporation agrees to indemnify, defend and hold AFD, its several officers
and managers, and any person who controls AFD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities
and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which AFD, its officers and
managers, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or
common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon:
(i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be
stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus,
(ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any
Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not
misleading,
(iii) the Corporation’s failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and
Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand,
provided that AFD and its agents have performed their obligations consistent with Section 3, or
(iv) the Corporation’s failure to provide AFD with advertising or sales materials to be filed
with the FINRA on a timely basis.
(b) The Corporation’s agreement to indemnify AFD, its officers or managers, and any such
controlling person will not be deemed to cover any such claim, demand, liability or expense to the
extent that it arises out of or is based upon:
(i) any such untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission made in
any Registration Statement or any Prospectus in reliance upon information furnished by AFD, its
officers, managers or any such controlling person to the Fund or its representatives for use in the
preparation thereof, or
(ii) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of AFD’s duties, or
by reason of AFD’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement
(“Disqualifying Conduct”).
(c) The Corporation’s agreement to indemnify AFD, its officers and managers, and any such
controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Corporation’s being notified of
any action brought against AFD, its officers or managers, or any such controlling person, such
notification to be given by letter, by facsimile or by telegram
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addressed to the Funds at the
address set forth above promptly after the summons or other first legal process shall have been
served.
(d) The Corporation will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any
such claim, demand or liability with counsel of its choosing. If the Corporation elects to assume
the defense of any such suit and retain counsel, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case the
Corporation does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, the Corporation will reimburse
AFD, its officers and managers, or the controlling person or persons named as defendant or
defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them.
(e) The Corporation’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section and the Funds’
representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of AFD, its officers and managers, or
any controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity
will inure exclusively to AFD’s benefit, to the benefit of its several officers and managers, and
their respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and their successors. The
Corporation agrees promptly to notify AFD of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings
against the Corporation or any of its officers or Board members in connection with the issue and
sale of Shares.
9. INDEMNIFICATION OF THE CORPORATION BY AFD
(a) AFD agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Corporation, its several officers and Board
members, and any person who controls the Corporation within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and
expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the
Corporation, its officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, may incur under the
Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such
liability or expense incurred by the Corporation, its officers or Board members, or such
controlling person results from such claims or demands:
(i) arising out of or based upon any sales literature, advertisements, information, statements
or representations made by AFD and unauthorized by the Corporation or any Disqualifying Conduct in
connection with the offering and sale of any Shares, or
(ii) arising out of or based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact
contained in information furnished in writing by AFD to the Fund specifically for use in the
Corporation’s Registration Statement and used in the answers to any of the items of the
Registration Statement or in the corresponding statements made in the Prospectus, or shall arise
out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection
with such information furnished in writing by AFD to the Corporation and required to be stated in
such answers or necessary to make such information not misleading.
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(b) AFD’s agreement to indemnify the Corporation, its officers and trustees, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon AFD’s being notified of any
action brought against the Corporation, its officers or trustees, or any such controlling person,
such notification to be given by letter, by facsimile or by telegram addressed to AFD at its
address set forth above promptly after the summons or other first legal process shall have been
served.
(c) AFD will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim,
demand or liability, but, in such case, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by AFD.
If AFD elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel, the defendant or
defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any
of them; but in the case AFD does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, AFD will
reimburse the Corporation, the Corporation’s officers and directors, or the controlling person or
persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any
counsel retained by the Corporation or them.
AFD’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section and AFD’s representations and warranties
in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by AFD or on behalf of AFD, its officers and managers, or any controlling
person, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure
exclusively to the Funds’ benefit, to the benefit of the Funds’ officers and Corporationees, and
their respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and their successors. AFD
agrees promptly to notify the Funds of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against
AFD or any of its officers or managers in connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
10. NOTIFICATION BY THE CORPORATION
(a) The Corporation agrees to advise AFD as soon as reasonably practical:
(i) of any request by the SEC for amendments to the Registration Statement or any Prospectus
then in effect;
(ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or any Prospectus then in effect or of the initiation of any proceeding for
that purpose;
(iii) of the happening of any event that makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in
the Registration Statement or any Prospectus then in effect or which requires the making of a
change in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not
misleading;
(iv) of all actions of the SEC with respect to any amendment to any Registration Statement or
any Prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the SEC;
(v) if a current Prospectus is not on file with the SEC; and
(vi) of all advertising, sales materials and other communications with the
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public required to
be filed with the FINRA. This obligation shall extend to all revisions of such communications.
For purposes of this section, informal requests by or acts of the Staff of the SEC shall not be
deemed actions of or requests by the SEC.
11. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES
(a) In consideration of AFD’s services hereunder, the Corporation agrees to pay, or cause the
Fund or the Fund’s adviser to pay, to AFD the fees set forth in Schedule B, attached hereto. The
Service Fee set forth on Schedule B may be offset by any fees and charges collected and retained by
AFD as set forth below:
(i) any applicable sales charge assessed upon investors in connection with the purchase of
Shares;
(ii) from the Fund, any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) assessed upon
investors in connection with the redemption of Shares;
(iii) from the Fund, the distribution service fees with respect to the Shares of those classes
as designated in Schedule A for which a Plan is effective (the “Distribution Fee”); and
(iv) from the Fund, the shareholder service fees with respect to the Shares of those Classes
as designated in Schedule A for which a Service Plan is effective (the “Shareholder Service Fee”).
(b) The Distribution Fee and Shareholder Service Fee, if any, shall be accrued daily by the
Corporation or class thereof and shall be paid monthly as promptly as possible after the last day
of each calendar month at the rate or in the amounts set forth in the Plan(s).
(c) The Corporation shall be responsible and assumes the obligation for payment of all the
expenses of the Corporation, including fees and disbursements of its counsel and auditors, in
connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement and Prospectus (including
but not limited to the expense of setting in type the Registration Statement and Prospectus and
printing sufficient quantities for internal compliance, regulatory purposes and for distribution to
current shareholders).
The Corporation shall bear the cost and expenses (i) of the registration of the Shares for sale
under the Securities Act; (ii) of the registration or qualification of the Shares for sale under
the securities laws of the various States; (iii) if necessary or advisable in connection therewith,
of qualifying the Funds, (but not AFD) as an issuer or as a broker or dealer, in such States as
shall be selected by the Corporation and AFD pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof; (iv) payable to each
State for continuing registration or qualification therein until the Funds decide to discontinue
registration or qualification pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof; and (v) payable for standard
transmission costs, including costs imposed by the National Securities Clearing Corporation. AFD
shall pay all expenses relating to AFD’s broker-dealer qualification.
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12. SELECTED DEALER AND SELECTED AGENT AGREEMENTS
AFD shall have the right to enter into selected dealer agreements with securities dealers of
its choice (“selected dealers”) and selected agent agreements with depository institutions and
other financial intermediaries of its choice (“selected agents”) for the sale of Shares and to fix
therin the portion of the sales charge, if any, that may be allocated to the selected delares or
selected agents; provided, that the Corporation shall, to the extent required by applicable law,
approve the forms of agreements with selected dealers or selected agents, and the Corporation
shall approve the compensation set forth therein. A form selling agreement for the Funds is
attached hereto Selected dealers and selected agents shall resell Shares of the Funds at the
public offering price(s) set forth in the Prospectus relating to the Shares. Within the United
States, AFD shall offer and sell Shares of the Funds only to selected dealers that are members in
good standing of FINRA or banks (as defined by Section 3(a)(6) of the Securities Exchange Act), or
savings associations or savings banks that have deposits insured by the FDIC, licensed and
authorized to carry on investment business in the U.S. (including the transactions contemplated by
this agreement) subject to the supervision and regulation of relevant U.S. banking authorities and
does not engage in any activity requiring registration as a broker or dealer under the Securities
Exchange Act or regulations thereunder.
13. CONFIDENTIALITY
AFD agrees to treat all records and other information related to the Corporation as
proprietary information of the Corporation and, on behalf of itself and its employees, to keep
confidential all such information, except that AFD may:
(a) Prepare or assist in the preparation of periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory
bodies such as the SEC;
(b) provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies
that track or report price, performance or other information regarding investment companies; and
(c) release such other information as approved in writing by the Fund, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld;
AFD may release any information regarding the Corporation without the consent of the
Corporation if AFD reasonably believes that it may be exposed to civil or criminal legal
proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to release any information by duly constituted
authorities or when so requested by the Corporation; provided that in all such cases, AFD first
provides written notice to the Corporation and the Corporation is affored the opportunity, at its
expense, to convince such civil or criminal tribunal or regulatory body that such information need
not or should not be so disclosed. Each party agrees to comply with Regulation S-P under the
Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act.
14. EFFECTIVENESS AND DURATION
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and will continue for an
initial two-year term and will continue thereafter so long as such continuance is
15
specifically
approved at least annually (i) by the Corporation’s s Board or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the
Shares of the Corporation, provided that in either event its continuance also is approved by a
majority of the Board members who are not “interested persons” of any party to this Agreement, by
vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This agreement is terminable, without penalty, on not less than sixty days’ notice, by the
Board, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Corporation, or by AFD.
(c) This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its
“assignment.”
(d) AFD agrees to notify the Corporation immediately upon the event of AFD’s expulsion or
suspension by the FINRA. This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event
of AFD’s expulsion or suspension by the FINRA.
15. DISASTER RECOVERY
AFD shall maintain disaster recovery procedures in effect making reasonable provisions for the
storage and retrieval of information maintained in AFD’s possession.
16. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth below:
(a) The “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(b) “Fund Business Day” means any day on which the NAV of Shares of each Fund is determined as
stated in the then current Prospectus.
(c) “FINRA Rules” means the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of Fair Practice of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and any interpretations thereof.
(d) “NAV” means the net asset value per Share of each Fund as determined by the Fund, or its
designated agent, in accordance with and at the times indicated in the applicable Prospectus of the
Fund on each Fund Business Day in accordance with the method set forth in the Prospectus and
guidelines established by the Board.
(e) “Public Offering Price” means the price per Share of the Fund at which AFD or selected
dealers or selected agents may sell Shares to the public or to those persons eligible to invest in
Shares as described in the Prospectus of the Funds, determined in accordance with such Prospectus
under the Securities Act relating to such Shares.
(f) “Prospectus” means the current prospectus and statement of additional
16
information of the
Fund, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented.
(g) “Registration Statement” means the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and all
amendments thereto filed with the SEC.
(h) “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(i) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(j) “Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(k) “1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(l) The terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person” and
“assignment” shall have the same meanings as such terms have in the 1940 Act.
17. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a
written agreement properly authorized and executed by both parties.
(b) This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in
accordance with the laws of the State of Nebraska and in accordancw ith the 1940 Act and the rules
adopted thereunder.
(c) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes
any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
(d) The parties may execute this Agreement or any number of counterparts, and all of the
counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict with
any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and
not be affected by such determination, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be
construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision
held to be illegal or invalid.
(f) In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this
Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably
beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable
for damages to the other party resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such
causes.
(g) Neither the Corporation, AFD nor any of their respective affiliates shall be liable for
any consequential, incidental, exemplary, punitive, special or indirect damages, whether or not the
likelihood of such damages was known by such party.
17
(h) Any controversy or claim arising out of, or related to, this Agreement, its termination or
the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration by three arbitrators (or by fewer
arbitrator(s), if the parties subsequently agree to fewer) in the State of Nebraska, in accordance
with the rules then obtaining of the FINRA, and the arbitrators’ decision shall be binding and
final, and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.
(i) Section and paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and are
not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
(j) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed to
have been given when received, and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other
addresses as to which notice is given):
To the Corporation: | To AFD: | |||
First Focus Funds, Inc. | Aquarius Fund Distributors, LLC | |||
Attn: President | Attn: President | |||
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx | 0000 Xxxxx 000xx Xxxxxx | |||
Mail Stop 1071 | Xxxxx, XX 00000 | |||
Xxxxx, XX 00000 |
(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the assets
and liabilities of each Fund of the Corporation are separate and distinct from the assets and
liabilities of each other Fund and that no Fund shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt,
obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise.
(l) Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that they have full power and
authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated and that their signature will
bind the party indicated to the terms hereof.
(m) The signature of any party to this Agreement via facsimile shall constitute a valid and
binding execution by such party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their
names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized persons, as of the day and year
first above written.
FIRST FOCUS FUNDS, INC. | AQUARIUS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, LLC | |||||||||
By:
|
\s\ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | By: | \s\ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||||||
President | President |
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Schedule A
First Focus Short-Intermediate Bond Fund
First Focus Income Fund
First Focus Balanced Fund
First Focus Core Equity Fund
First Focus Growth Opportunities Fund
First Focus Small Company Fund
First Focus International Equity Fund
First Focus Large Cap Growth Fund
First Focus Income Fund
First Focus Balanced Fund
First Focus Core Equity Fund
First Focus Growth Opportunities Fund
First Focus Small Company Fund
First Focus International Equity Fund
First Focus Large Cap Growth Fund
19
Schedule B
First Focus Funds, Inc.
Fee Schedule
First Focus Funds, Inc.
Fee Schedule
Service Fees:
Annual fee of $5,000 per Fund, PLUS 1/4 basis point or 0.0025% per annum of each Fund’s average daily
net assets
The Fund shall also pay an additional fee to AFD for all FINRA submitted advertising review
calculated as 25% of any FINRA costs incurred (for example, if the FINRA charged $100 to perform
review, AFD would charge the Fund an additional $25).
All service fees outlined above are payable monthly in arrears.
Registered Representative Licensing:
Annual fee of $5,500 per Registered Representative plus all out-of-pocket costs such as
registration expenses and travel expenses to conduct required training.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses:
The Fund(s) shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by AFD in connection with
activities performed for the Fund(s) hereunder including, without limitation:
• | typesetting, printing and distribution of prospectuses and shareholder reports | ||
• | production, printing, distribution and placement of advertising and sales literature and materials | ||
• | engagement of designers, free-xxxxx writers and public relations firms | ||
• | long-distance telephone lines, services and charges | ||
• | postage | ||
• | overnight delivery charges | ||
• | FINRA fees | ||
• | marketing expenses | ||
• | record retention fees | ||
• | travel, lodging and meals | ||
• | NSCC charges | ||
• | Fund platform fees and service fees |
Signatures on next page
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Schedule to the Underwriting Agreement
dated February 27, 2008.
FIRST FOCUS FUNDS, INC. | AQUARIUS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, LLC | |||||||||
By:
|
\s\ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | By: | \s\ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, President | Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, President |
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