CLASS L SERVICE AGREEMENT
This Class L Service Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into between GWFS Equities, Inc. (“GWFS”) a Delaware corporation, having a principal place of business at 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 and (“Intermediary”), a Corporation, having its principal place of business at .
WHEREAS, GWFS is the principal underwriter of Great-West Funds, Inc. (“Great-West Funds”), a management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
WHEREAS, Great-West Funds has established a series of portfolios (each a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”) for which Great-West Funds has adopted a distribution and service plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (or any replacement rule thereto) under the 1940 Act (the “Distribution and Service Plan”) relating to Class L shares of the Funds;
WHEREAS, the clients and customers of Intermediary include, without limitation, certain owners of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies, Individual Retirement Account (“XXX”) custodians or trustees, college savings programs and qualified and non-qualified defined contribution plans and sponsors of such plans that have chosen to make Class L shares of one or more of the Funds available as investment options (“Customers”); and
WHEREAS, Intermediary desires to provide Customers, and beneficial owners of Class L shares attributable to such Customer, the distribution-related and non-distribution related services described in this Agreement with respect to the Class L shares of the Funds listed in Schedule A of this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
| 1. | Services. Intermediary agrees to provide services in connection with distributing, selling or supporting the sale of the Class L shares of the Funds and/or providing services to shareholders (including Customers and beneficial owners of Class L shares attributable to such Customers) of the Class L shares of the Funds including, but not limited to, the following: |
| (a) | shareholder support services in connection with the selection or retention of the Funds’ Class L shares as account options; |
| (b) | training sales personnel regarding the Class L shares of the Funds; |
| (c) | communications to shareholders, including delivery of prospectuses and prospectus supplements, annual and semi-annual reports, statement of additional information, and other information about the Funds that is requested by shareholders; |
| (d) | providing education and enrollment services to shareholders with respect to the Funds; |
| (e) | providing liaison services to shareholders such as, responding to shareholder inquiries and providing information regarding their investments; |
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| (f) | furnishing personal services and/or maintenance of accounts with respect to Class L shares attributable to those accounts; |
| (g) | if Class L shares are offered through Intermediary’s platform, providing services with respect to Class L shares and/or for the ongoing cost of participation on the platform; and |
| (h) | providing such other services as the GWFS may reasonably request of Intermediary relating to the distribution, sales support, servicing, or selection of Class L shares of the Funds. |
| 2. | Compensation for Services. GWFS agrees, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Prospectuses, to pay Intermediary a fee, as set forth on Schedule A (the “Distribution and Service Fees”), and Intermediary agrees to accept the same as full payment for the services undertaken by it as described in this Agreement. The Distribution and Service Fees shall be accrued daily and paid monthly or at such other intervals permitted under the Distribution and Service Plan as the parties may agree. Intermediary acknowledges that the Distribution and Service Fees will be paid solely from monies received by GWFS pursuant to the Distribution and Service Plan, and that any obligation of GWFS to pay Intermediary the Distribution and Service Fees shall not arise unless and until GWFS receives from the relevant Share class monies intended to be used by GWFS for such purpose and in amounts sufficient for such purpose. The provisions and terms of the Distribution and Service Plan are described in the Prospectuses, and Intermediary agrees that GWFS has made no representations to Intermediary with respect to the Distribution and Service Plan in addition to, or conflicting with, the description set forth in the Prospectuses. Intermediary understands and agrees that (i) all Distribution and Service Fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Distribution and Service Plan, which may be amended or terminated at any time, and (ii) Intermediary’s failure to provide services as agreed in this Agreement will render Intermediary ineligible to receive Distribution and Service Fees. GWFS and Great-West Funds on behalf of each Fund reserve the right, in its sole discretion to change the Distribution and Service Fees payable to Intermediary pursuant to this Agreement at any time upon written notice to Intermediary. Schedule A shall be amended or supplemented accordingly. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Prospectuses” means the then current prospectuses and related statements of additional information, including any supplements or amendments thereto, for the respective Funds’ Class L shares. |
| 3. | Requests for Information. Intermediary agrees to provide to GWFS and Great-West Funds or its designees each calendar quarter (or at such other times as they or any of them may determine) such information as shall reasonably be requested by GWFS or Great-West Funds or its designees with respect to the Distribution and Service Fees paid to Intermediary under this Agreement. Upon reasonable prior notice and during regular business hours, Intermediary will permit representatives of GWFS and Great-West Funds on behalf of each Fund reasonable access to its personnel and records to monitor the quality of services being provided by Intermediary pursuant to this Agreement. Intermediary shall promptly deliver to Great-West Funds or its designees with respect to each Fund such information as shall reasonably be necessary to permit the Great-West Funds’ directors to make an informed determination to continue the Distribution and Service Plan. |
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| 4. | Indemnification. Intermediary shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless GWFS, Great-West Funds, the Funds and all of their affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, agents, and assignees against all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, and expenses, including reasonable legal and other expenses incurred in defending such claims or liabilities, whether or not resulting in any liability to any of them, or which they or any of them may incur (“Losses”), arising out of or in connection with any violation of any law, rule or regulation or any failure to perform or observe any obligations of Intermediary set forth herein by Intermediary or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives, except to the extent negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of GWFS caused such Losses. |
GWFS will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Intermediary and all of its affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, agents, and assignees against all Losses, arising out of or in connection with any violation of any law, rule or regulation or any failure to perform or observe any obligations of GWFS set forth herein by intermediary or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives, except to the extent negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of Intermediary caused such Losses.
No party shall be liable for any special, consequential or incidental damages.
The indemnification obligations contained in this indemnification provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
| 5. | Representations and Warranties. |
| (a) | Intermediary hereby represents and warrants to GWFS that: |
| (i) | it is a duly organized and validly existing entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized; |
| (ii) | the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of the services contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action and all other authorizations and approvals (if any) required for Intermediary’s lawful execution and delivery of this Agreement and Intermediary’s performance hereunder have been obtained; |
| (iii) | upon execution and delivery by Intermediary, and assuming due and valid execution and delivery by GWFS, this Agreement will constitute a valid and binding agreement, enforceable against Intermediary in accordance with its terms; |
| (iv) | it will promptly disclose to each Customer the fees payable to Intermediary under this Agreement before providing any services contemplated under this Agreement to the Customer; |
| (v) | it is not and does not hold itself out to be a fiduciary within the meaning of Section 3(21) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and that the receipt by Intermediary of the Distribution and Service Fees described in this Agreement either will not be a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” as such term is defined in |
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| Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or it will be an exempt prohibited transaction. Intermediary will not use GWFS’s name or any information provided by GWFS in a manner to suggest that GWFS is a fiduciary within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA; |
| (vi) | it has all necessary qualifications, authorizations and/or registrations relating to its participation in this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or relating to any activities of any persons or entities affiliated with Intermediary performed in connection with the discharge of its responsibilities under this Agreement; |
| (vii) | it agrees to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations; |
| (b) | GWFS hereby represents and warrants that: |
| (i) | it is a corporation duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized; |
| (ii) | the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action and all other authorizations and approvals (if any) required for GWFS’s lawful execution and delivery of this Agreement and GWFS’s performance hereunder have been obtained; |
| (iii) | upon execution and delivery by GWFS, and assuming due and valid execution and delivery by Intermediary, this Agreement will constitute a valid and binding agreement, enforceable against GWFS in accordance with its terms; |
| (iv) | it is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”); and |
| (v) | it agrees to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. |
| 6. | Confidentiality and Privacy. “Confidential Information” of any party shall mean such party’s ideas, expressions, trade secrets, customer lists, products, policies, forms, business methods, business plans, software and information from third parties (such as software and its related documentation) in respect of which such party has a duty of confidentiality, “nonpublic personal information” of such party’s “customers” (each for purposes of this section as defined in Rule 3 of Regulation S-P), as well as information which from all relevant circumstances should reasonably be assumed by a party to be confidential information of the other party, whether or not marked “Confidential Information.” Confidential Information of a party shall be held in confidence by the other party to the same extent and in at least the same manner as such party protects its own Confidential Information, but in no case to a lesser extent or manner than a reasonable degree of care under the circumstances. Except as otherwise permitted by law, each party agrees not to use or disclose to any affiliate or third party, either orally or in writing, |
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| any Confidential Information for any purpose other than the purpose for which the Confidential Information was provided to that party. Without limiting any of the foregoing, each party agrees to take all precautions that are reasonably necessary to protect the security of the Confidential Information. Each party agrees to restrict access to the Confidential Information to its employees who need to know that information to perform that respective party’s duties under this agreement. Each party agrees, upon the other party’s request, either to return to the requesting party or destroy all tangible items containing any Confidential Information it received or learned from the requesting party, including all copies, abstractions and compilations thereof and to destroy, delete or otherwise render unreadable all electronic or computer copies or records of or relating to same, without retaining any copies of the items required to be returned except to the extent that retention of such copies is required by applicable law or regulation; provided, however, that the obligations set forth in this sentence shall not apply to any Confidential Information that is or becomes relevant to an individual’s status as a consumer or customer of the receiving party. The obligations of this paragraph extend to all of a party’s employees, agents, affiliates and contractors and each party shall inform such persons of their obligations hereunder. |
Each party will, upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of the other party’s Confidential Information, notify the other party promptly and cooperate fully with that party to protect such Confidential Information.
The obligations in this Section 6 shall not restrict any disclosure by either party pursuant to any applicable state or federal laws, subpoena, by order of any court or government agency (provided that the disclosing party shall give prompt written notice to the non-disclosing party of such subpoena, order or other demand for disclosure and shall make all reasonable efforts to allow the other party an opportunity to seek a protective order or other judicial relief), or pursuant to a request from FINRA or other self-regulatory organization or to audits or inquiries from any other state or federal regulatory agency if a party is legally required to provide such agency with access to such records. Information shall not be considered Confidential Information under this Agreement and the restrictions on disclosure under this Section 6 shall not apply to the extent such information (1) is independently developed by the other party without violating the disclosing party’s proprietary rights, (2) is or becomes publicly known (other than through unauthorized disclosure), (3) is intentionally disclosed by the owner of such information to a third party free of any obligation of confidentiality, (4) is already known by such party without an obligation of confidentiality other than pursuant to this Agreement or of any confidentiality agreements entered into before the effective date of this Agreement as evidenced by the written records of such party, or (5) is rightfully received by a party free of any obligation of confidentiality.
The parties agree that they shall abide by the applicable provisions of all applicable privacy laws and shall each establish commercially reasonable controls to ensure the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and to ensure that the Confidential Information is not disclosed contrary to the provisions of this Agreement or any applicable privacy laws and regulations. Without limiting the foregoing, each party shall implement such physical and other security measures as are necessary to (i) ensure the security and confidentiality of the Confidential Information, (ii) protect against any threats or hazards to the security and integrity of the Confidential Information and (iii) protect against any unauthorized access to or use of the Confidential Information. In addition, each party shall use the Confidential Information of the other party solely for the purpose of providing services to Customers investing in one or more of the Funds. Each party
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shall have the right, during regular office hours and upon reasonable notice, to audit the other party to ensure compliance with the terms of this Agreement and all applicable privacy laws and regulations. The provisions of this Section 6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
To the extent that any duties and responsibilities under this Agreement are delegated to an agent or subcontractor, the party shall take reasonable steps to ensure that such agents and subcontractors adhere to the same requirements. Each party shall have the right, during regular office hours and upon reasonable notice, to audit the records of the other party to ensure compliance with the terms of this Agreement and all applicable privacy laws and regulations.
| 7. | Term. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Fund upon written acceptance by GWFS. In addition, this Agreement, or any material amendment thereto, shall not take effect until it has been approved by votes of a majority of both Great-West Funds’ Board of Directors and the Independent Directors (as defined in the Distribution and Service Plan). Unless sooner terminated in accordance with its terms with respect to any Fund, to the extent required by applicable law, including, without limitation, Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, or as otherwise determined by the Board, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for a period of more than one year after it takes effect only for as long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner described in the preceding sentence of this Section 7. |
| 8. | Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate with respect to each Fund in the event of its assignment (as such term is defined in the 0000 Xxx) or upon termination of the Distribution and Service Plan. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund by Great-West Funds, by GWFS or by Intermediary, without penalty, upon 90 days’ prior written notice to the other parties and (unless terminated by Great-West Funds) to Great-West Funds. This Agreement may also be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time without penalty by the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors (as defined in the Distribution and Service Plan) or a majority of the outstanding the Class L shares of a Fund on 60 days’ written notice. |
| 9. | Arbitration. If Intermediary is a member of FINRA, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its commercial arbitration rules, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The parties agree that the federal and state courts of Colorado have jurisdiction to enforce any arbitration award. |
The arbitrators shall render a written opinion, specifying their findings of fact and conclusions of law, with a view to effecting the intent of this Agreement. The written opinion shall be signed by a majority of the arbitrators. In rendering the written opinion, the arbitrators shall determine the rights and obligations of the parties according to the substantive and procedural laws of the state of Colorado.
| 10. | Non-exclusivity; Third Parties. Neither this Agreement nor the performance of the services contemplated under this Agreement shall be considered to constitute an exclusive arrangement, or to create a partnership, association or joint venture between GWFS and Intermediary. Neither party hereto shall be, act as, or represent itself as, the employee, agent or representative of the other party hereto, nor shall either party hereto have the right or authority to make any representation or assume, create or incur any |
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| liability or any obligation of any kind, express or implied, against or in the name of, or on behalf of, the other party hereto. Except as specifically stated in this Agreement, this Agreement is not intended to, and shall not, create any rights against either party hereto by any third party solely on account of this Agreement. Neither party hereto shall use the name of any other party hereto in any manner without the other party’s prior written consent, except as required by any applicable federal or state law, rule or regulation. |
| 11. | Notices. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal or overnight delivery, first class mail or facsimile (with confirming copy by delivery or mail as provided herein). Unless otherwise notified in writing, all notices to GWFS shall be given or sent to GWFS at 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000, attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, III, President, cc: Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Chief Compliance Officer; and all notices to Intermediary shall be given or sent to Intermediary at . |
| 12. | Amendment; Entire Agreement. To the extent permitted by law, this Agreement, including any schedules hereto, may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both of the parties hereto; provided, however, that Schedule A may be amended as provided in any written notice delivered by GWFS to Intermediary. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements, representations and warranties, written or oral, between the parties relating to said subject matter, and Intermediary agrees that GWFS shall have no obligations to Intermediary other than those expressly provided herein. |
| 13. | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Colorado, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. |
| 14. | Counterparts, Severability. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. If any provision of this Agreement should be invalid, illegal or in conflict with any applicable state or federal law or regulation, such law or regulation shall control, to the extent of such conflict, without affecting the remaining provisions of this Agreement. |
| 15. | Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are included solely for the convenience of the parties, and shall not be construed as having any legal or interpretive effect. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of this day of , 20 .
| GWFS Equities, Inc. | [Insert Name of Intermediary] | |||||||||
| By: |
By: |
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| Name: |
Name: |
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| Title: |
Title: |
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SCHEDULE A
Covered Funds and Share Classes; Applicable Distribution and Service Fees
Funds and Share Classes Covered by this Agreement:
| Funds |
Share Class | |
| Great-West International Index Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime Conservative 2015 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime Conservative 2020 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime 2020 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime Conservative 2025 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime Conservative 2030 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime 2030 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime Conservative 2035 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime Conservative 2040 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime 2040 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime Conservative 2045 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime Conservative 2050 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime Conservative 2055 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Balanced Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2015 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2020 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2025 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2030 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2035 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2040 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2045 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2050 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2055 Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West U.S. Government Securities Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Core Bond Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Bond Index Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Multi-Sector Bond Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Xxxxxx High Yield Bond Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Global Bond Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Small Cap Value Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Mid Cap Value Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-Xxxx Xxxxx Mid Cap Value Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West X. Xxxx Price Mid Cap Growth Fund |
Class L | |
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| Great-West X. Xxxx Price Equity Income Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Large Cap Growth Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West International Value Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West International Growth Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Conservative Profile Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Moderate Profile Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Aggressive Profile Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Xxxxxx Equity Income Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Real Estate Index Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Inflation-Protected Securities Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Core Strategies: Flexible Bond Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Core Strategies: Inflation-Protected Securities Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Core Strategies: International Equity Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Core Strategies: Short Duration Bond Fund |
Class L | |
| Great-West Core Strategies: U.S. Equity Fund |
Class L |
Fees Paid to Intermediary:
A fee equal to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the Class L shares of the Funds on an annual basis that are attributable to Customers of Intermediary, determined in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Distribution and Service Plan.
No fees shall be due or payable under this Agreement for any period during which neither Intermediary nor an affiliate of Intermediary was the broker of record with respect to the Class L shares of the Fund otherwise attributable to a Customer.
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