FUND ADMINISTRATION SERVICING AGREEMENT
THIS
AGREEMENT is made and entered into this 14th day of September, 2009, by
and between Guinness Xxxxxxxx Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”)
and MUTUAL FUND ADMINISTRATION
CORPORATION, a California corporation (“MFAC”).
WHEREAS,
the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company, and is
authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with each
such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and
other assets;
WHEREAS,
MFAC is, among other things, in the business of providing fund administration
services for the benefit of its customers; and
WHEREAS,
the Trust desires to retain MFAC to provide fund administration services to each
series of the Trust listed on the Schedule B attached hereto (as amended from
time to time) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein
contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do
hereby agree as follows:
1. Appointment
of MFAC as Administrator
The Trust
hereby appoints MFAC as administrator of the Funds on the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement, and MFAC hereby accepts such appointment and agrees
to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The services and
duties of MFAC shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein,
and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against MFAC
hereunder.
2. Services
and Duties
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A.
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MFAC
shall provide administration services as listed on Schedule A attached
hereto.
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B.
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The
Trust, under the supervision of its Board of Trustees, shall cause its
officers, investment adviser(s), legal counsel, independent accountants,
transfer agent, fund accountant, custodian and other service providers and
agents for the Trust to cooperate with the Administrator and to provide
the Administrator with such information, documents and communications
relating to the Trust as necessary and/or appropriate or as requested by
the Administrator, in order to enable the Administrator to perform the
duties hereunder. The Trust shall use its best efforts to cause
any of its former officers, investment adviser(s), legal counsel,
independent accountants, custodian or other service providers to provide
the Administrator with such information, documents and communications as
necessary and/or appropriate to enable the Administrator to perform the
duties hereunder. In connection with their duties hereunder,
the Administrator shall (without investigation or verification) be
reasonably entitled and is hereby instructed to, rely upon any and all
instructions, communications, information or documents provided to the
Administrator by an authorized officer, representative agent of the Trust,
or by any of the aforementioned persons. The Administrator
shall be entitled to rely on any document that it reasonably believes to
be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party. Fees charged by such persons shall be an expense of the
Trust. The Administrator shall not be held to have notice of any change of
authority of any officer, agent, representative or employee of the Trust,
investment adviser(s) or service provider until receipt of written notice
thereof from the Trust. As used in this Agreement, the term
“investment adviser” shall mean a Fund’s investment adviser(s) or persons
performing similar services.
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1
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C.
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MFAC
may use agents to perform its duties hereunder, but no additional
compensation shall be payable and MFAC shall remain liable for the
performance of such services under this agreement. MFAC shall
notify the Trust if it employs agents; and MFAC shall be responsible for
the acts of its agents as if such acts were performed by
MFAC. Any agent of MFAC must agree to comply with Section 2E of
this Agreement.
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D.
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The
Administrator shall maintain disaster recovery and business continuity
plans and adequate and reliable computer and other equipment necessary and
appropriate to carry out their obligations under this
Agreement. Upon the Trust’s reasonable request, the
Administrator shall provide supplemental information concerning the
aspects of their disaster recovery and business continuity plans that are
relevant to the Services provided
hereunder.
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E.
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(1) The
Administrator will provide to the Trust a copy of the Administrator’s
written compliance policies and procedures as required by Rule 38a-1 under
the 1940 Act (“Rule 38a-1 Policies and Procedures”) for approval by the
Trust’s Board of Trustees. With respect to the Services the
Administrator provides to the Trust hereunder, the Administrator certifies
that its Rule 38a-1 Policies and Procedures are reasonably designed to
prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws by such
Administrator. For purposes of this section, Federal Securities
Laws shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 38a-1 under the 0000
Xxx.
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(2) The
Administrator shall provide to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer promptly any
material changes to its Rule 38a-1 Policies and Procedures. The
Administrator shall cooperate with the Trust in its annual review of the Rule
38a-1 Policies and Procedures (the “Annual Review”), such Annual Review to be
conducted by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer to determine the adequacy of
the Rule 38a-1 Policies and Procedures and the effectiveness of their
implementation. The Administrator shall cooperate with the Trust in
any interim reviews of its Rule 38a-1 Policies and Procedures to determine their
adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation in response to
significant compliance events, changes in business arrangements, and/or
regulatory developments (“Interim Review”). Such cooperation
includes, without limitation, furnishing such certifications,
sub-certifications, and documentation with respect to the Administrator’s
functions and responsibilities as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer shall
reasonably request from time to time and implementing changes to the Rule 38a-1
Policies and Procedures satisfactory to both the Trust’s Chief Compliance
Officer and the Administrator.
2
(3) The
Administrator shall provide the Trust with annual certifications (on a calendar
basis) with respect to the design and operational effectiveness of its Rule
38a-1 Policies and Procedures. The Administrator shall also provide
the Trust with ongoing, direct, and prompt access to its compliance personnel
and cooperate with the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer in order to provide
assistance to the Trust in carrying out its obligations under Rule
38a-1.
(4) The
Administrator shall notify the Trust promptly in the event that a Material
Compliance Matter (whether or not involving the Trust), as defined under Rule
38a-1, occurs with respect to its Rule 38a-1 Policies and Procedures and will
cooperate with the Trust in providing the Trust with periodic and special
reports in the event any Material Compliance Matter occurs. A
“Material Compliance Matter” has the same meaning as the term is defined in Rule
38a-1, and includes any compliance matters that involve: (1) a
violation of the Federal Securities Laws by the Administrator (or its officer,
directors, employees, or agents); (2) a violation of its Rule 38a-1 Policies and
Procedures; or (3) a weakness in the design or implementation of its Rule 38a-1
Policies and Procedures.
(5) The
Administrator (and anyone acting under the direction of the Administrator) shall
refrain from, directly or indirectly, taking any action to coerce, manipulate,
mislead, or fraudulently influence the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer in the
performance of her or his responsibilities under Rule 38a-1.
3. Compensation
MFAC
shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement in
accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Schedule B attached hereto (as
amended from time to time). MFAC shall also be compensated for such
out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., telecommunication charges, postage and delivery
charges, and reproduction charges) as are reasonably incurred by MFAC in
performing its duties hereunder. The Trust shall pay all such fees and
reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of the billing
notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute. The Trust
shall notify MFAC in writing if the Trust is disputing any amounts in good
faith. The Trust shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the
day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Trust to MFAC shall only be paid
out of the assets and property of the particular Fund involved.
4. Representations
and Warranties
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A.
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The
Trust hereby represents and warrants to MFAC, which representations and
warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this
Agreement, that:
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(1) It
is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(2) This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust in
accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding
obligation of the Trust, enforceable 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
3
(3) It
is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all
regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there
is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no
provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its
property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this
Agreement.
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B.
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MFAC
hereby represents and warrants to the Trust, which representations and
warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this
Agreement, that:
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(1) It
is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(2) This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by MFAC in accordance
with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation
of MFAC, enforceable 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
(3) It
is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all
regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there
is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no
provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its
property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this
Agreement.
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5.
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Standard
of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of
Liability
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A.
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MFAC
shall act in good faith and exercise reasonable care in the performance of
its duties under this Agreement. MFAC shall not be liable for any error of
judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in
connection with its duties under this Agreement, including losses
resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or
power supplies beyond MFAC’s control, except a loss arising out of or
relating to MFAC’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this
Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the
performance of its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, if MFAC has exercised reasonable care in the
performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Trust shall indemnify
and hold harmless MFAC from and against any and all claims, demands,
losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including
reasonable attorneys’ fees) that MFAC may sustain or incur or that may be
asserted against MFAC by any person arising out of any action taken or
omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in
accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any
written or oral instruction provided to MFAC by any duly authorized
officer of the Trust, as approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities
arising out of or relating to MFAC’s refusal or failure to comply with the
terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful
misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This
indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors
and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in
this paragraph, the term “MFAC” shall include MFAC’s directors, officers
and employees.
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4
MFAC
shall indemnify and hold the Trust harmless from and against any and all claims,
demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including
reasonable attorneys’ fees) that the Trust may sustain or incur or that may be
asserted against the Trust by any person arising out of any action taken or
omitted to be taken by MFAC as a result of MFAC’s refusal or failure to comply
with the terms of this Agreement, or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful
misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity
shall be a continuing obligation of MFAC, its successors and assigns,
notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph,
the term “Trust” shall include the Trust’s directors, officers and
employees.
Neither
party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for consequential,
special or punitive damages under any provision of this Agreement.
In the
event of a mechanical breakdown or failure of communication or power supplies
beyond its control, MFAC shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service
interruptions for any period that such interruption continues. MFAC will make
every reasonable effort to restore any lost or damaged data and correct any
errors resulting from such a breakdown at the expense of MFAC. MFAC agrees that
it shall, at all times, have reasonable contingency plans with appropriate
parties, making reasonable provision for emergency use of electrical data
processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available.
Representatives of the Trust shall be entitled to inspect MFAC’s premises and
operating capabilities at any time during regular business hours of MFAC, upon
reasonable notice to MFAC. Moreover, MFAC shall provide the Trust, at such times
as the Trust may reasonably require, copies of reports rendered by independent
accountants on the internal controls and procedures of MFAC relating to the
services provided by MFAC under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding
the above, MFAC reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative
errors at its own expense.
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B.
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In
order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall
apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to
indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully
and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in
question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all
reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation
that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for
indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the
indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this
indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so
notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over
complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation
initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek
indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case
confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the
indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the
indemnitor’s prior written
consent.
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5
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C.
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The
indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 5 shall
indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this
Agreement.
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D.
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If
MFAC is acting in another capacity for the Trust pursuant to a separate
agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve MFAC of any of its
obligations in such other capacity.
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E.
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The
obligations assumed by a particular Fund hereunder shall be limited in all
cases to such Fund and to the assets of that Fund
only.
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6.
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Data
Necessary to Perform Services
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The Trust
or its agent shall furnish to MFAC the data necessary to perform the services
described herein at such times and in such form as mutually agreed
upon.
7. Proprietary
and Confidential Information
MFAC
agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust, all records and
other information relative to the Trust and prior, present, or potential
shareholders of the Trust (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use
such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its
responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification to
and approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld and may not be withheld where MFAC may be exposed to civil or criminal
contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so requested by the
Trust. Records and other information which have become known to the public
through no wrongful act of MFAC or any of its employees, agents or
representatives, and information that was already in the possession of MFAC
prior to receipt thereof from the Trust or its agent, shall not be subject to
this paragraph.
Further,
MFAC will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Trust pursuant to Title
V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, as may be modified from time to time. In this
regard, MFAC shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and
procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security,
confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use
of, records and information relating to the Trust and its
shareholders.
8. Records
MFAC
shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder in the
form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable
to the Trust, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate
government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules
thereunder. MFAC agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by MFAC
relating to the services to be performed by MFAC hereunder are the property of
the Trust and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance
with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly
surrendered to the Trust or its designee on and in accordance with its
request.
6
9. Insurance
MFAC
shall obtain and maintain errors and omissions insurance with a minimum policy
limit of $1 million per occurrence per client. MFAC shall provide
proof of coverage annually and shall notify the Trust of any change in
coverage.
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10.
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Compliance
with Laws
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The Trust
has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to
the Fund, including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Code,
the SOX Act, the USA Patriot Act of 2002 and the policies and limitations of the
Fund relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its Prospectus and
SAI. MFAC’s services hereunder shall not relieve the Trust of its
responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of Trustee’s
oversight responsibility with respect thereto.
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11.
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Term
of Agreement; Amendment
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This
Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund(s) as of the date the
applicable Schedule B amendment for such Fund(s) is approved by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust. This Agreement shall have an initial term of
two (2) years and shall continue thereafter so long as the continuation is
annually approved. This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon giving
90 days prior written notice to the other party or such shorter period as is
mutually agreed upon by the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Agreement may be terminated by any party upon the breach of the other party of
any material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days
of notice of such breach to the breaching party. This Agreement may not be
amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by MFAC
and the Trust, and authorized or approved by the Board of Trustees.
12. Duties
in the Event of Termination
In the
event that, in connection with termination, a successor to any of MFAC’s duties
or responsibilities hereunder is designated by the Trust by written notice to
MFAC, MFAC will promptly, upon such termination and at the expense of the Trust,
transfer to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence, and
other data established or maintained by MFAC under this Agreement in a form
reasonably acceptable to the Trust (if such form differs from the form in which
MFAC has maintained the same, the Trust shall pay any expenses associated with
transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in the transfer of such
duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from MFAC’s
personnel in the establishment of books, records, and other data by such
successor. If no such successor is designated, then such books, records and
other data shall be returned to the Trust.
13. Assignment
This
Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall
not be assignable by the Trust without the written consent of MFAC, or by MFAC
without the written consent of the Trust accompanied by the authorization or
approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
14. Governing
Law
This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
California, without regard to conflicts of law principles. To the extent that
the applicable laws of the State of California, or any of the provisions herein,
conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall
control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the
1940 Act or any rule or order of the SEC thereunder.
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15. No
Agency Relationship
Nothing
herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party to act as
agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name,
or for the account, of the other party to this Agreement.
16. Services
Not Exclusive
Nothing
in this Agreement shall limit or restrict MFAC from providing services to other
parties that are similar or identical to some or all of the services provided
hereunder.
17. Invalidity
Any
provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the
parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with
the original intent of the parties.
18. Notices
Any
notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered
personally or by courier service, or three days after sent by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or on the date sent
and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address
set forth below:
Notice to
MFAC shall be sent to:
Mutual
Fund Administration Corp.
0000 X.
Xxxxx 00
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
and
notice to the Trust shall be sent to:
Guinness
Xxxxxxxx Funds
00000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000
19. Rights
and Obligations of Each Fund.
No Fund
shall receive any rights or have any liabilities arising from any action or
inaction of any other Fund of the Trust under this Agreement.
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20. Multiple
Originals
This
Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by
a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date first above
written.
GUINNESS
XXXXXXXX FUNDS
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MUTUAL
FUND ADMINISTRATION CORP.
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By:
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By:
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Name:
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Name:
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Title:
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Title:
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9
Schedule
A
Administration Services
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General Fund
Management
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·
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Act
as liaison among all Fund service
providers.
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·
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Supply
corporate secretarial
services.
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·
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Provide
office facilities.
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·
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Supply
non-investment related statistical and research data, as
needed.
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·
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Coordinate
the Trust’s Board of Trustees’ (Trustees)
communication:
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o
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Establish
meeting agendas.
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o
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Prepare
reports for the Trustees based on financial and administrative
data.
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o
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Evaluate
independent auditor.
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o
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Secure
and monitor fidelity bond and Director and Officer Liability coverage, and
make the necessary Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) filings
relating thereto.
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o
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Prepare
minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees and Fund
shareholders.
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o
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Recommend
dividend declarations to the Board of Trustees; prepare and distribute to
appropriate parties notices announcing declaration of dividends and other
distributions to
shareholders.
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o
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Provide
personnel to serve as officers of the Trust if so elected by the Board of
Trustees, attend Board of Trustees meetings and present materials for
Trustees’ review at such
meetings.
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·
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Audits
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o
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Prepare
appropriate schedules and assist independent
auditors.
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o
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Provide
information to the SEC and facilitate audit
process.
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o
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Provide
office facilities.
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·
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Assist
in overall operations of the
Trust.
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·
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Pay
Fund expenses upon written authorization from the Trust’s authorized
signers.
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·
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Monitor
arrangements under shareholder services or similar
plans.
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·
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Assist
with the “start-up” of new
funds.
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Compliance
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Regulatory
Compliance:
·
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Monitor
compliance with the 1940 Act requirements,
including:
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o
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Asset
diversification tests
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o
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Maintenance
of books and records under Rule
31a-3
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o
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Code
of Ethics for the Trustees and Officers of the
Trust.
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1
Schedule
A
·
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Monitor
Fund's compliance with the policies and investment limitations of the
Trust as set forth in its current prospectus (the “Prospectus”) and
statement of additional information (the
“SAI”).
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·
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Monitor
affiliated transactions under exemptive rules (17a-7, 17e-1,
etc.).
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·
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Maintain
awareness of applicable regulatory and operational service issues and
recommend dispositions.
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·
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Assist
and provide Funds’ CCO with documents, as
required.
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Blue
Sky Compliance:
·
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Prepare
and file with the appropriate state securities authorities, any and all
required compliance filings relating to the registration of the securities
of the Trust so as to enable the Trust to make a continuous offering of
its shares in all states.
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·
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Monitor
status and maintain registrations in each
state.
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·
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Provide
information regarding material developments in state securities
regulation.
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SEC
Registration and Reporting:
·
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Assist
Fund counsel in updating the Prospectus and SAI and in preparing proxy
statements.
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·
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Prepare
annual and semi-annual reports and Form N-SAR
filings.
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·
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Coordinate
the printing, filing and mailing of publicly disseminated Prospectuses and
shareholder reports.
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·
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File
fidelity bond under Rule
17g-1.
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·
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File
certified reports under Section 302 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 on
Form N-CSR and Form N-Q.
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·
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Monitor
sales of each Fund’s shares to ensure that such shares are properly
registered with the SEC and the appropriate state
authorities.
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·
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Prepare
and file Rule 24f-2 notices.
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·
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Assist
in coordination of filing proxy voting on Form
N-PX.
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IRS
Compliance:
·
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Monitor
the Trust’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M,
including without limitation, review of the
following:
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o
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Asset
diversification requirements
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o
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Qualifying
income requirements
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o
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Distribution
requirements
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·
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Calculate
required distributions (including excise tax
distributions).
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2
Schedule
A
Financial
Reporting
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·
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Provide
financial data required by each Fund’s Prospectus and
SAI.
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·
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Prepare
financial reports for officers, shareholders, tax authorities,
performance-reporting companies, the Board of Trustees, the SEC and
independent auditors.
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·
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Supervise
each Fund’s custodian and fund accountants in the maintenance of their
general ledger and in the preparation of the financial statements,
including oversight of expense accruals and payments, of the determination
of net asset value of the Funds’ net assets and of the Funds’ shares, and
of the declaration and payment of dividends and other distributions to
shareholders.
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·
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Compute
the expense ratio of each class of each Fund, and each Fund’s portfolio
turnover rate.
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·
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Monitor
the expense accruals and notify the Advisor’s management of any proposed
adjustments.
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·
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Prepare
financial statements, as necessary, which include without limitation, the
following items:
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-
Schedule of Investments
- Statement of Assets and
Liabilities
- Statement of Operations
- Statement of Changes in Net
Assets
- Cash Statement, if
required
- Schedule of Capital Gains and
Losses
·
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Prepare
quarterly broker security transaction
summaries.
|
·
|
Prepare
quarterly schedule of investments for Form N-Q filing with the
SEC.
|
Tax
Reporting
|
·
|
Work
with independent auditors to file, on a timely basis, the appropriate
federal and state tax returns as prepared by the Fund’s auditors,
including without limitation, Forms
1120/8613.
|
·
|
Prepare
state income breakdowns where
relevant.
|
·
|
File
Form 1099 Miscellaneous for payments to Trustees and other service
providers.
|
·
|
Monitor
wash sale losses, PFICs and other applicable book to tax basis
adjustments.
|
·
|
Calculate
eligible dividend income for corporate
shareholders.
|
3
Schedule
B
Fee
Schedule1
|
Administration Services
Fees:
|
-
|
See attached Services
List
|
Basis Points
|
Average Net Assets for the Fund Complex
|
|
5.0
bp
|
First
$250 million
|
|
3.0
bp
|
Next
$250 million
|
|
1.0
bp
|
|
Thereafter
|
Annual Minimum*
|
||
$132,000
|
Fund
Complex1
|
|
$
5,000
|
|
For
each additional share
class
|
|
*
|
The
complex minimum is calculated at the Trust level and only applies if
greater than the basis points fee
schedule.
|
1Fund
complex comprised of:
|
·
|
Alternative
Energy Fund
|
|
·
|
Asia
Focus Fund
|
|
·
|
Asia
Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
·
|
China
& Hong Kong Fund
|
|
·
|
Global
Energy Fund
|
|
·
|
Global
Innovators Fund
|
Out-Of-Pocket
Expenses
|
Including
but not limited to: postage, stationery, proxies, insurance, XXXXX
filings, retention of records, federal and state regulatory filing fees,
expenses from Board of Trustees meetings, conversion expenses (if
necessary), and all other standard and necessary out-of-pocket
expenses.
|
1
Effective 11/9/09.
1