ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT By and Among HIGHBURY FINANCIAL INC., ASTON ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC and ABN AMRO ASSET MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, INC., ABN AMRO INVESTMENT FUND SERVICES, INC., ABN AMRO ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC., MONTAG & CALDWELL, INC., TAMRO CAPITAL...
EXHIBIT
10.1
By
and
Among
ASTON
ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
and
ABN
AMRO
ASSET MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, INC.,
ABN
AMRO
INVESTMENT FUND SERVICES, INC.,
ABN
AMRO
ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.,
MONTAG
& XXXXXXXX, INC.,
TAMRO
CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC,
VEREDUS
ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
and
RIVER
ROAD ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
April
20,
2006
Exhibit
A-1
|
Target
Funds
|
Exhibit
A-2
|
Separately
Managed Accounts
|
Exhibit
A-3
|
Excluded
Funds
|
Exhibit
B
|
Xxxx
of Sale; Assignment and Assumption Agreement
|
Exhibit
C
|
Sub-Advisory
License Agreement
|
Exhibit
D
|
Officer
Certificate of Sellers
|
Exhibit
E
|
Secretary
Certificate of Sellers
|
Exhibit
F
|
Officer
Certificate of Purchaser
|
Exhibit
G
|
Secretary
Certificate of Purchaser
|
Exhibit
H
|
Transition
Services Agreement
|
Exhibit
I
|
Form
of New Sub-Advisory Agreement
|
Exhibit
J
|
Legal
Opinion of Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxxx LLP
|
Exhibit
K
|
Legal
Opinion of Xxxxxxx XxXxxxxxx LLP
|
Exhibit
L
|
Fund
Financial Statements and Most Recent Statements of
Business
|
Exhibit
M
|
Investment
Advisory Contract
|
Schedule
1.1
|
Acquired
Assets
|
Schedule
1.2
|
Excluded
Assets
|
Schedule
1.3
|
Assumed
Liabilities
|
Schedule
1.4
|
Purchase
Price Wire Transfer Instructions
|
Schedule
1.5
|
Permitted
Liens
|
Schedule
1.7
|
Sellers’
Closing Deliveries
|
Schedule
1.8
|
Purchaser’s
Closing Deliveries
|
Schedule
2.1
|
No
Violation
|
Schedule
2.2
|
Fund
Contracts
|
Schedule
2.5
|
Financial
Statements
|
Schedule
2.6
|
Proprietary
Rights
|
Schedule
2.7
|
Title;
Sufficiency of Assets
|
Schedule
2.8
|
Litigation
|
Schedule
2.9
|
Consents
and Approvals
|
Schedule
2.10
|
Contracts
|
Schedule
2.11
|
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities
|
Schedule
2.13
|
Tax
Matters
|
Schedule
2.14
|
Conduct
of Business Since Date of Most Recent Statement of
Business
|
Schedule
2.15
|
Affiliate
Transactions
|
Schedule
3.3
|
Consents
and Approvals of Purchaser
|
Schedule
4.2(j)
|
Designated
Employees
|
Schedule
4.13(a)
|
Non-Compete
Payments
|
Schedule
4.13(b)
|
Designated
Employee Payments
|
Schedule
5.3(a)
|
Retained
Names and Marks
|
Schedule
5.5
|
Non-Solicitation
|
Schedule
5.6(b)
|
Additional
Sub-Advisor Investments
|
Schedule
5.7
|
Seed
Money
|
Schedule
8.1(d)
|
Consents
|
Schedule
9.17
|
Economic
Terms of Investment Advisory Contracts and Investment Subadvisory
Contracts
|
This
Asset Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of April 20, 2006 (the
“Effective Date”), is made by and among Highbury Financial Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and Aston Asset Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (collectively, the “Purchaser”), ABN AMRO Asset Management Holdings,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AAAMHI”), ABN AMRO Investment Fund Services,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AAIFS”), ABN AMRO Asset Management, Inc., an
Illinois corporation (“AAAMI”), Montag & Xxxxxxxx, Inc., a Georgia
corporation (“Montag”), Tamro Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (“TAMRO”), Veredus Asset Management LLC, a Kentucky limited liability
company (“Veredus”), and River Road Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (“River Road” and together with AAAMHI, AAIFS, AAAMI, Montag,
TAMRO and Veredus individually referred to as a “Seller” and collectively as
“Sellers”). Except as otherwise defined, capitalized terms herein have their
respective meanings set forth in Section 9.17.
R
E C
I T A L S
WHEREAS,
Sellers are engaged in the business of providing investment advisory,
administration, distribution and related services to the Target Funds and to
the
Separately Managed Accounts (collectively, the “Business”) and own certain
assets and rights used in connection with the conduct of the
Business;
WHEREAS,
Sellers desire to sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser desires to purchase from
Sellers, in each case upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in
this Agreement and in compliance with Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act, the
Acquired Assets (the “Acquisition”);
WHEREAS,
the applicable board of directors or managers of Sellers and where applicable
the shareholders or members of each Seller have each approved this Agreement
and
the transactions contemplated hereby and have determined that this Agreement
and
such transactions are advisable and in the best interests of Sellers and their
shareholders;
WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of Purchaser has approved this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby and has determined that this Agreement and
such
transactions are advisable and in the best interests of Purchaser and its
shareholders;
WHEREAS,
the Parties hereto desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants
and agreements in connection with this Agreement;
WHEREAS,
concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and as a condition and
inducement to Purchaser’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, the Parties
have entered into a Transition Services Agreement, attached hereto as
Exhibit
H,
which
shall by its terms become effective upon the Effective Date; and
WHEREAS,
each Seller is willing to agree not to engage in certain activities following
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or to take certain
other actions in connection therewith;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing Recitals, the agreements hereafter
set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1. PURCHASE
AND SALE OF ASSETS AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES.
1.1 Purchase
and Sale of Assets.
Upon
the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing,
Sellers shall sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to Purchaser, free
and
clear of any Liens, and Purchaser shall purchase, acquire and accept from
Sellers, all right, title and interest in and to each of the Acquired Assets
(the “Purchase and Sale”).
1.2 Excluded
Assets.
It
is
understood and agreed that Purchaser shall not acquire from Sellers, and Sellers
shall retain ownership of, all right, title and interest in and to each of
the
Excluded Assets.
1.3 Assumption
of Liabilities.
Effective
as of the Closing, Purchaser shall assume, and shall become liable for, the
Assumed Liabilities. At the Closing, Purchaser and Sellers shall execute and
deliver an assignment and assumption agreement and such other documents as
may
be necessary in respect of Purchaser’s assumption of the Assumed Liabilities
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to counsel for Sellers and
Purchaser. Sellers represent, warrant, covenant and agree with and to Purchaser
that, with the exception of the Assumed Liabilities, Purchaser shall not assume
any debts, obligations or liabilities, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, of any nature whatsoever of any Seller, the Targeted Funds, or their
respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, whether in connection with any of the
Acquired Assets, the Business or otherwise, and Sellers shall retain ownership
of and responsibility for all such debts, obligations and
liabilities.
1.4 Purchase
Price.
Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Purchaser shall pay to AAAMHI
at
the Closing in cash an aggregate amount equal to $38,600,000 (the “Purchase
Price”) by wire transfer of immediately available funds, which amount shall be
paid to the account set forth on Schedule
1.4.
1.5 Contingent
Adjustment Amount.
(a) Not
more
than ten (10) business days after the Calculation Date, Purchaser shall deliver
to AAAMHI a statement setting forth Purchaser’s good faith determination of the
Calculation Date Revenue based on Purchaser’s books and records and other
information then available (the “Purchaser Calculation Statement”). During the
thirty (30) day period following delivery to AAAMHI of the Purchaser Calculation
Statement, Purchaser shall give the Sellers and any accountants and authorized
representatives of Sellers access at all reasonable times to the properties,
books, records and personnel of the Business to the extent necessary to enable
the Sellers to prepare, review and resolve any disputes relating to the
calculation of the Calculation Date Revenue.
(b) If
AAAMHI
disagrees in good faith with Purchaser’s determination of the Calculation Date
Revenue, AAAMHI shall, within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Purchaser
Calculation Statement, notify Purchaser in writing of such disagreement (a
“Disagreement Notice”), and Purchaser and AAAMHI thereafter shall negotiate in
good faith to resolve any such disagreements. If Purchaser and AAAMHI are unable
to resolve any such disagreements within thirty (30) days after AAAMHI delivers
the Disagreement Notice, Purchaser and AAAMHI shall submit the dispute to the
Independent Accounting Firm for resolution. The resolution of such disagreements
and the determination of the Calculation Date Revenue by the Independent
Accounting Firm shall be final and binding on Purchaser and Sellers. The first
date upon which the Calculation Date Revenue has been definitively determined
pursuant to this Section 1.5 shall be referred to herein as the “Resolution
Date.” Fees and expenses of the Independent Accounting Firm shall be paid as
follows: (i) to the extent the Independent Accounting Firm’s determination
of the Calculation Date Revenue is less than 103% of the Calculation Date
Revenue set forth in the Purchaser Calculation Statement, the fees shall be
borne by AAAMHI; (ii) to the extent the Independent Accounting Firm’s
calculated Contingent Adjustment Amount is at least 103% but not greater than
107% of the Calculation Date Revenue as reflected in the Purchaser Calculation
Statement, the fees shall be equally split between Purchaser and AAAMHI; and
(iii) to the extent the Independent Accounting Firm’s calculated Contingent
Adjustment Amount is 107% or more of the Calculation Date Revenue as reflected
in the Purchaser Calculation Statement, the fees shall be paid by Purchaser.
If
Purchaser does not receive a Disagreement Notice within thirty (30) days of
delivery of the Purchaser Calculation Statement, then the determination of
the
Calculation Date Revenue set forth in the Purchaser Calculation Statement shall
be final.
(c) If
the
Calculation Date Revenue is within $3,800,000 (the “TR Allowance”) of the Target
Revenue, then the Contingent Adjustment Amount shall equal zero. If the
Calculation Date Revenue is more than the Target Revenue by an amount greater
than the TR Allowance, then Purchaser shall, within five (5) business days
after
the Resolution Date, pay to AAAMHI, in immediately available funds, an amount
equal to the lesser of (1) the positive difference of (x) the Calculation Date
Revenue minus (y) the sum of the Target Revenue and the TR Allowance and (2)
the
Purchaser Cap Amount. If the Calculation Date Revenue is less than the Target
Revenue by an amount greater than the TR Allowance, then AAAMHI shall, within
five (5) business days after the Resolution Date, pay to Purchaser, in
immediately available funds, an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the positive
difference of (x) the Target Revenue minus (y) the sum of the Calculation Date
Revenue and the TR Allowance and (2) the Seller Cap Amount.
(d) From
the
Closing Date to the Calculation Date, Purchaser, without AAAMHI’s prior written
consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, shall not sponsor
or make a proposal to the trustees or shareholder of any Target Fund to take
any
of the following actions, if doing so would be reasonably likely to materially
reduce the Contingent Adjustment Amount payable by the Purchaser to AAAMHI:
(i) change the fees assessed under the Investment Subadvisory Contracts;
(ii) take any action primarily aimed at artificially decreasing the
Calculation Date Revenue including, without limitation, by shifting revenues
out
of the Determination Period; (iii) directly or indirectly sell or transfer
the Business or a material portion of the Acquired Assets outside of the
ordinary course of business; or (iv) merge or dissolve any Target Fund;
provided that Purchaser may propose to merge any Target Fund with another Target
Fund; provided that the foregoing shall in no way limit the discretion of the
trustees to take any action inconsistent with any of the forgoing sections
or to
otherwise act in a manner consistent with their fiduciary duties; provided
further that nothing herein shall preclude the Purchaser from taking, or
refraining to take, any action to the extent that Purchaser is specifically
required to do so by the board of trustees of a Target Fund based upon the
Board
of Trustee’s independent determination which was not the result of any
solicitation, proposal, request, encouragement or recommendation made by
Purchaser or any of its employees, Affiliates, agents or advisors. Purchaser
may, at any time in its sole discretion, pay to AAAMHI the Purchaser Cap Amount
whereupon, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1.5 (or, after
the first anniversary of the Closing Date, Section 5.8), Purchaser and Sellers
shall be released from (1) the obligations set forth in this Section 1.5 (and,
after the first anniversary of the Closing Date Section 5.8), (2) any and all
liability with respect to any previous non-compliance with such provisions,
and
(3) any obligation then existing or thereafter arising to pay any Contingent
Adjustment Amount.
(e) To
the
extent that the board of trustees of any of the Target Funds elects to take
an
action which results in the occurrence of an event (a “Fund Change”) described
in Section 1.5(d)(i)-(iv) above with respect to any of the Target Funds,
Purchaser shall provide AAAMHI prompt written notice thereof, and AAAMHI and
Purchaser hereto agree to negotiate in good faith the calculation (the “Amended
Calculation”) for determining the Contingent Adjustment Amount to make such
equitable adjustments as are appropriate to take into account such Fund Change.
To the extent AAAMHI and Purchaser are unable to agree on the Amended
Calculation within sixty (60) days after written notice was delivered by
Purchaser regarding such Fund Change, AAAMHI and Purchaser agree to submit
such
determination to binding arbitration in Xxxx County, Illinois, in accordance
with the then-prevailing Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association. Judgment upon the award rendered by such arbitration
may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The Parties shall appoint
one
arbitrator (the “Arbitrator”). If the Parties cannot agree on the appointment of
the Arbitrator within two (2) business days of the nomination by AAAMHI of
an
Arbitrator, then such Arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the
International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, but
in
no event shall the appointment of an Arbitrator take longer than five (5)
business days after AAAMHI’s nomination of an Arbitrator. As soon as the
Arbitrator has been appointed, a hearing date shall be set within ten (10)
business days thereafter. Written submittals shall be presented and exchanged
by
the Parties five (5) days before the hearing date. At such time, the Parties
also shall exchange copies of all documentary evidence upon which they will
rely
at the arbitration hearing and a list of the witnesses whom they intend to
call
to testify at the hearing. The Arbitrator shall make his/her determination
within ten (10) days after the hearing. The fees and expenses of the Arbitrator
shall be split evenly between Purchaser and AAAMHI, and each Party will bear
the
fees and expenses of its own attorneys and experts.
1.6 Closing.
Consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) shall take place at the
offices of Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxxx LLP, 7800 Sears Tower, 000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000, at 5:00 p.m., local time, on the
last business day of the month in which all of the conditions set forth in
Sections 8.1 and 8.2 have been either satisfied or waived, or at such other
time
and place and on such other date as Purchaser and Sellers shall agree (the
“Closing Date”).
1.7 Sellers’
Closing Deliveries.
Subject
to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, simultaneous
with
Purchaser’s deliveries hereunder, Sellers shall deliver or cause to be delivered
to Purchaser all of the documents and instruments set forth on Schedule
1.7,
all in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser and its
counsel.
1.8 Purchaser’s
Closing Deliveries.
Subject
to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, simultaneous
with
Sellers’ deliveries hereunder, Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered
to Sellers all of the documents and instruments set forth on Schedule
1.8,
all in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Sellers and their
counsel.
ARTICLE
2. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.
AAAMHI
and AAIFS, jointly and severally with respect to each other and each of the
other Sellers, and each other Seller, severally but not jointly, hereby
represent and warrant to Purchaser the following as of the Effective Date and
as
of the Closing (provided that a particular representation or warranty shall
be
deemed to be qualified by a particular item of disclosure set forth in the
Schedules only if, and to the extent that, (i) the disclosure is set forth
or
incorporated by reference in the Schedule having the number corresponding to
the
subsection containing the representation or warranty being qualified or (ii)
the
applicability of such disclosure to the subsection containing the representation
or warranty being qualified is reasonably apparent on its face):
2.1 Corporate
Organization; Capitalization; No Violation.
(a) Seller
is
a corporation or limited liability company (as applicable) duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the applicable state
of
its organization and in each other jurisdiction except where the failure to
so
qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Seller has all requisite corporate power and authority to (i) own, operate
and lease its assets and to carry on the Business as currently conducted,
(ii) make, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Transaction Documents
to which it is a party, and (iii) perform all of its obligations to be
performed by it hereunder and thereunder.
(b) All
of
the issued and outstanding stock of AAIFS, AAAMI, and Montag is owned by AAAMHI.
All of the issued and outstanding capital membership interests of TAMRO are
owned by AAAMHI. Of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Veredus,
50% of such interest is owned by AAAMHI and 50% is held by Persons who are
or
were employees of Veredus. Of the issued and outstanding membership interests
of
River Road, 45% of such interest is owned by AAAMHI and 55% of such interest
is
held by Persons who are or were employees of River Road.
(c) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.1,
the
execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and the
Transaction Documents to which it is a party does not and will not conflict
with
or result in any violation of, or constitute a breach or default under (or
an
event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default under):
(i) any term of the charter documents, bylaws or other organizational
documents of Seller, and (ii) except as individually or in the aggregate
could not be considered material to the Business (A) any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, loan or indebtedness for borrowed money of Seller,
(B) any agreement, permit or other instrument to which Seller is subject,
or (C) any Law of any Governmental Entity to which Seller is
subject.
2.2 ABN
AMRO Funds; Target Funds.
(a) ABN
AMRO
Funds is an open-end management investment company duly registered under the
1940 Act and duly recognized, validly existing and in good standing as a
Delaware business trust and has full power, right and authority to own its
properties and to carry on its business as it is now conducted, and is qualified
to do business in each jurisdiction where it is required to do so under
applicable Laws.
(b) Each
Target Fund as to which Seller is an investment advisor is a duly established
series of ABN AMRO Funds.
(c) No
Target
Fund as to which Seller is an investment advisor is in default in performing,
observing or fulfilling the terms or conditions of its declaration of trust
or
bylaws and these documents are in full force and effect.
(d) The
shares of each Target Fund as to which Seller is an investment advisor
outstanding at any time (i) have been issued and sold in compliance with
requirements of Law in all material respects, (ii) are qualified for public
offering and sale in each jurisdiction where offers are made to the extent
required pursuant to the requirements of Law, and (iii) have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and, to the extent applicable,
non-assessable.
(e) Set
forth
in Exhibit
A-1
opposite
each Target Fund as to which Seller is an investment advisor is the
(i) authorized shares as of October 31, 2005 (the “Capitalization Date”),
(ii) par value, and (iii) shares that were issued and outstanding (the
“Fund Shares”) as of the Capitalization Date. Fund Shares represent the only
authorized capital stock of the Target Funds as of the Capitalization Date
and
issued and outstanding as of the Capitalization Date.
(f) No
Seller
or any “affiliated person” (as such term is defined in the 0000 Xxx) of Seller
or the Target Funds receives or is entitled to receive any compensation directly
or indirectly (i) from any Person in connection with the purchase or sale
of securities or other property to, from or on behalf of any of the Target
Funds, other than bona fide ordinary compensation as principal underwriter
for
the Target Funds or as broker in connection with the purchase or sale of
securities in compliance with Section 17(e) of the 1940 Act or
(ii) from the Target Funds or its shareholders for other than bona fide
investment advisory, administrative or other services.
(g) Seller
has delivered or made available to the Purchaser copies of the following
documents (“Fund Contracts”) in effect as of the date of this Agreement, each of
which is listed in Schedule 2.2:
(i)
|
each
advisor agreement in effect and related to the Target Funds as to
which
Seller is an investment advisor (“Existing Investment Advisor Agreements”)
or sub-advisor agreement in effect and related to Target Funds (the
“Subadvisory Agreements”);
|
(ii)
|
the
custody agreements, transfer agent agreements, accounting services
agreements, shareholder services agreements, administrative service
and
similar agreements by which a Target Fund is bound or under which
it
receives services;
|
(iii)
|
the
prospectuses, statement of additional information and similar selling
or
offering documents distributed in connection with offering interests
in a
Target Fund;
|
(iv)
|
the
declarations and all amendments thereto, the bylaws and all amendments
thereto, and other organizational documents of a Target Fund;
and
|
(v)
|
any
other agreements, contracts and commitments material to a Target
Fund’s
business or operations, except for documents relating to the purchase
of
specific portfolio investments by or for a Target
Fund.
|
Except
as
disclosed in Schedule 2.2,
there
does not exist under any Fund Contract relating to any Target Fund as to which
Seller is an Investment Advisor, an event of default or event or condition
that,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an event of default
under it on the part of Seller or any of its Affiliates, the Target Fund party
to it, or, to Seller’s Knowledge, on the part of any other party to it (except
for defaults, events or conditions that, individually and in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect).
(h) To
the
Knowledge of Sellers, each Existing Investment Advisor Agreement and Subadvisory
Agreement relating to any Target Fund or to which Seller is an Investment
Advisor which is subject to Section 15 of the 1940 Act has been duly
approved at all times and is in compliance in all material respects with
Section 15 of the 1940 Act and all other applicable Laws. Each such
Existing Investment Advisor Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement has been
performed by Sellers in accordance with the 1940 Act and all other applicable
Laws, except for such failures of performance which, individually or in the
aggregate, have not had or could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(i) A
copy of
each distribution plan adopted by the board of trustees of the ABN AMRO Funds
under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 12b-1 Plan”) with respect to each of
the Target Funds as to which Seller is an Investment Advisor has been made
available to Purchaser, and all distribution payments since January 1, 2002
have
been made in compliance with the related Rule 12b-1 Plan in all material
respects and in conformity with applicable Law in all material respects. Any
payments for distribution or shareholder servicing activities in excess of
the
amounts provided under the Rule 12b-1 Plans (“Revenue Sharing Payments”)
have been paid by Seller or its Affiliates out of their past profits or other
available sources. No Revenue Sharing Payments are obligations of or have been
borne by any of the Target Funds as to which Seller is an Investment
Advisor.
(j) Since
January 1, 2002, each Target Fund as to which Seller is an Investment
Advisor has filed the prospectuses, annual information forms, registration
statements, proxy statements, financial statements, other forms, reports,
advertisements and other documents required to be filed with applicable
regulatory authorities, except where the failure to file could not reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. These documents were prepared in
accordance with applicable Law in all material respects.
(k) Each
Target Fund as to which Seller is an investment advisor is, and since January
1,
2002 has been, in compliance in all material respects with its respective
investment objectives and policies.
(l) Each
Target Fund as to which Seller is an investment advisor has (i) duly
adopted written policies and procedures required by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940
Act and (ii)
designated and approved an appropriate chief compliance officer in accordance
with such rule. All such policies and procedures comply in all material respects
with applicable Laws and there have been no material violations or allegations
of material violations of such policies and procedures.
(m) Each
Target Fund as to which Seller is an Investment Advisor is, and has been in
compliance with, and has not received notice of a violation of, the Laws,
regulations, ordinances and rules (including those of any non-governmental
self-regulatory agencies) applying to it or its operations (except for failures
to be in compliance and violations that could not reasonably be expected to
have
a Material Adverse Effect).
(n) All
authorizations needed to conduct the operations of the Target Funds as to which
Seller is an Investment Advisor have been duly obtained and are in full force
and effect. There are no proceedings pending or, to the Seller’s Knowledge,
threatened that would result in the revocation, cancellation or suspension,
or
adverse modification, of any such authorizations.
2.3 Securities
Activity Regulatory Compliance.
(a) To
the
extent Seller is a Selling Registered Adviser, Seller is, and at all times
required by the Advisers Act during the past five years has been, duly
registered as an investment adviser under such act. Each Selling Registered
Adviser is duly registered, licensed or qualified as an investment adviser
in
each jurisdiction where the conduct of its business requires such registration,
licensing or qualification. Each Selling Registered Adviser has delivered to
the
Purchaser a true and complete copy of its Form ADV, as amended to date, filed
by
Selling Registered Adviser with the SEC, copies of all state notice filing
forms, likewise as amended to date, and copies of all current reports required
to be kept by Selling Registered Adviser pursuant to the Advisers Act. The
information contained in such forms and reports was true and complete at the
time of filing in all material respects. Each Selling Registered Adviser has
filed all material amendments required to be filed to its
Form ADV.
(b) To
the
extent Seller is a Selling Registered Adviser, Seller (i) has adopted a
formal code of ethics complying with Section 17(j) of the 1940 Act and Rule
204A-1 promulgated under the Advisers Act; (ii) has adopted and implemented
a written policy on xxxxxxx xxxxxxx complying with Section 204A of the Advisers
Act; (iii) has adopted and implemented a written policy on allocations of
initial public offerings of securities; (iv) has adopted and implemented written
policies and procedures with respect to proxy voting complying with Rule
206(4)-6 promulgated under the Advisers Act; and (v) has adopted and
implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent
violations of the Advisers Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, and
designated and approved an appropriate chief compliance officer, in accordance
with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act.
2.4 Execution
and Delivery; Authority.
This
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party have
been duly and validly executed and delivered by Seller and, assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by Purchaser, constitute valid and binding
obligations of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms,
except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors’ rights in general and subject to general principles of
equity and the discretion of courts in granting equitable remedies. The
execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents to which each is a party, the performance by Seller of its obligations
hereunder and thereunder and the consummation by Seller of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized pursuant to and in
accordance with the Laws governing Seller and no other proceedings on the part
of Seller are necessary to authorize such execution, delivery and
performance.
2.5 Financial
Statements.
Attached
hereto as Exhibit L
are true
and complete copies of the following financial statements: (x) audited
statement of net assets as of October 31, 2005 of each of the Target Funds
as to
which Seller is an Investment Advisor (collectively, the “Fund Financial
Statements”), and (y) unaudited statements which set forth the net revenues
of the Business and payments on behalf of the Business to third parties for
the
twelve (12) month period ending December 31, 2005 and for the three-month period
ended March 31, 2006 (such unaudited statements being referred to herein as
the
“Most Recent Statement of Business”). Except as set forth on Schedule 2.5:
(A) the
Fund Financial Statements and the Most Recent Statement of Business, (i) have
been derived from the accounting books and records of the Business or the Target
Funds, as applicable; (ii) were prepared in all material respects in
accordance with GAAP, except, in the case of interim financial statements,
for
the absence of notes thereto and normal year-end adjustments; (iii) in the
case of the Fund Financial Statements, present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of each Target Fund as of the date of the Fund Financial
Statements and the results of operations and changes in net assets of each
Target Fund during the period covered by the Fund Financial Statements in
accordance with GAAP; and (iv) in the case of the Most Recent Statement of
Business, present fairly, in all material respects, the net revenues of the
Business and the payments on behalf of the Business to third parties for the
applicable periods reflected on the Most Recent Statement of Business in
accordance with GAAP; and (B) the Fund Financial Statements have been certified
by Ernst & Young LLP.
2.6 Proprietary
Rights.
(a) Schedule
2.6(a)
contains
a complete and accurate list of all Proprietary Rights owned or, where indicated
on such Schedule, licensed by any Seller and constitute all of the Proprietary
Rights used, held for use or useful in or necessary to the Business of such
Seller (the “Business Proprietary Rights”). Except as set forth on Schedule
2.6(b),
there
exist no restrictions on the disclosure, transfer or, to the Knowledge of the
Sellers, use of such Business Proprietary Rights, and Seller has not licensed
or
otherwise granted any rights to use any of the Business Proprietary Rights
to
any third party.
(b) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.6(b):
(i)
|
the
Sellers own all right, title, and interest in and to all of the Business
Proprietary Rights (in each case free and clear of all Liens, other
than
Permitted Liens);
|
(ii)
|
there
have been no claims made against any Seller since January 1, 2002,
asserting the invalidity, misuse or unenforceability of any of the
Business Proprietary Rights or asserting that the conduct by any
Seller
with respect to its conduct associated with the Business has infringed
or
misappropriated any Business Proprietary Rights of any other
Person;
|
(iii)
|
to
the Knowledge of Sellers, the Business Proprietary Rights have not
been
infringed or misappropriated by any other Person;
and
|
(iv)
|
the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not have
a
Material Adverse Effect on any Business Proprietary
Right.
|
2.7 Title;
Sufficiency of Assets.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.7,
Seller
has good and marketable title to all of its Acquired Assets, free and clear
of
all Liens, other than Permitted Liens. At the Closing, Purchaser will be vested
with good and marketable title in and to the Acquired Assets sold by Seller,
free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens. Except as set forth
on
Schedule
2.7,
on the
Closing Date, Purchaser will own, possess, have a valid license to, have a
valid
lease in or otherwise have the right to use all of the rights, properties and
assets necessary to conduct the Business of Seller in all material respects
as
currently conducted and as the same will be conducted on the Closing
Date.
2.8 Litigation.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.8,
there
is no action, suit, proceeding, investigation or inquiry (i) pending against
any
Target Fund or to which Seller is an Investment Advisor or against Seller in
respect of any Target Fund or Seller’s Business, (ii) to the Knowledge of any
Seller, threatened against any Target Fund or against Seller in respect of
any
Target Fund, or (iii) to the Knowledge of Seller, pending or threatened against
any sub-advisor of any Target Fund, in each case, before any arbitrator or
before or by any Governmental Entity, official or self-regulatory body. There
is
no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of any Seller,
threatened against Seller, before any arbitrator or any Governmental Entity
or
official or self-regulatory body which in any manner challenges or seeks to
prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.8,
none of
the Target Funds to which Seller is the Investment Advisor, Seller or, to the
Knowledge of Seller, any sub-advisors of any Target Funds, have received any
request from the SEC or any other governmental body or any self-regulatory
authority for documents or information regarding (A) the practice of short-term
buying or selling of any such Target Fund shares in order to exploit
inefficiencies in the pricing of any Target Fund shares or (B) the receipt
and
transmission of orders to purchase or redeem any such Target Fund shares after
4:00 p.m. Eastern time.
2.9 Consents
and Approvals.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.9,
no
consent, approval, waiver, authorization, notice or filing with any Governmental
Entity or other third Person is required to be made or obtained by Seller in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this
Agreement.
2.10 Contracts.
Seller
represents that Schedule
2.10
lists
the following contracts and other agreements related to the Business to which
Seller is a party:
(i)
|
each
agreement for the lease of personal property to or from any Person
providing for lease payments in excess of $250,000 per
annum;
|
(ii)
|
each
agreement under which it has created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed
any
indebtedness for borrowed money or any capitalized lease obligation,
in
excess of $250,000, or under which it has imposed a Lien on any of
its
assets, tangible or intangible;
|
(iii)
|
each
agreement that materially restricts the ability of any Seller to
engage in
the Business;
|
(iv)
|
each
license agreement (as licensor or licensee), other than licenses
of
off-the-shelf software entered into in the ordinary course of
business;
|
(v)
|
any
indenture, mortgage, promissory note, loan agreement, guaranty or
other
agreement or commitment for the borrowing of money;
and
|
(vi)
|
each
material agreement with any Seller or their
Affiliates.
|
Seller
has made available to Purchaser a correct and complete copy of each written
agreement to which it is a party listed in Schedule 2.10.
Each
such agreement is valid, binding and enforceable by Seller, except to the extent
that enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights
in general and subject to general principles of equity and the discretion of
courts in granting equitable remedies, or in the aggregate could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Seller is not in breach or
default under any agreement, and no event has occurred which with notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute a breach or default thereunder by Seller,
or permit termination, modification, or acceleration by the other party thereto,
except such as individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.11 Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.11
hereto,
to the Seller’s Knowledge, no Target Fund as to which Seller is an Investment
Advisor has any indebtedness, obligation, expense, claim, deficiency, guaranty
or endorsement of any type, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, matured,
unmatured or other (whether or not required to be reflected in the Fund
Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP) which (i) exceeds $50,000
individually or in the aggregate and (ii) has (x) not been reflected on the
Most Recent Statement of Business, or (y) arisen in the ordinary course of
Business consistent with past practices since the date of the Most Recent
Statement of Business.
2.12 Licenses;
Compliance with Laws.
(a) Seller
holds all licenses, franchises, permits and authorizations necessary for the
lawful conduct of its Business, except such as individually or in the aggregate
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Business
is not being conducted by Seller in violation of any Laws of any Governmental
Entity, except such as individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither
Seller nor any of the Target Funds for which it is an Investment Advisor has
any
agreements or understandings (i) with any individual shareholder or group of
shareholders to permit or encourage the practice of short-term buying or selling
of Target Fund shares or (ii) relating to the receipt and transmission of orders
to purchase or redeem Target Fund shares after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, other
than arrangements with financial intermediaries (including, without limitation,
retirement plan administrators) who are to receive orders from investors prior
to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.
(c) To
the
Knowledge of Seller, no hedge fund owned by Target Fund has (i) engaged in
the
practice of short-term buying or selling of shares of registered investment
companies or (ii) placed orders to purchase or redeem such shares after 4:00
p.m. Eastern time.
2.13 Tax
Matters.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.13,
all of
Seller’s Tax Returns are true and complete in all material respects. Seller has
paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such Tax Returns, except to the
extent that such amounts are recorded as a liability or reserved against on
the
Most Recent Statement of Business and, except as set forth on Schedule
2.13,
have
paid, or, as of the date of the Most Recent Statement of Business, have made
adequate provision for and will pay when due, to the proper Governmental Entity
all withholding amounts required to be paid to such Governmental Entity, except
such as individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule
2.13,
no
agreements, waivers or other arrangements exist providing for an extension
of
time with respect to the filing of, payment by, or assessment against, Seller
in
respect of any Taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule
2.13,
Seller
is not a party to nor bound by any Tax sharing or allocation agreement or has
any current or potential contractual obligation to indemnify any other Person
with respect to Taxes. Seller has not been a real property holding corporation
within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable
periods specified in such section. There are no Liens or security interests
on
any of the assets of Seller that arose in connection with any failure (or
alleged failure) to pay any Tax. No claim has ever been made by an authority
in
a jurisdiction where Seller does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be
subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. Seller does not expect any authority
to assess any additional Taxes for any period for which Tax Returns have been
filed. There is no dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability of Seller
either claimed or raised by any authority in writing, or to the Knowledge of
any
Seller, threatened. Schedule 2.13
lists
all jurisdictions in which Tax Returns are filed with respect to Seller and
indicates those Tax Returns that have been audited or that are currently the
subject of audit. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.13,
(i) each Target Fund has made, or will make, the election in
Section 851(b) of the Code for its first federal income tax year for which
it represented to its shareholders that it was a registered investment company
(a “RIC”); (ii) except for its current federal income tax year, each Target
Fund has qualified as a RIC for that first federal income tax year and for
each
succeeding federal income tax year; and (iii) each Target Fund has properly
filed the Tax Returns that it is required to file, and has paid all Taxes that
it is required to pay. This Section 2.13 contains the sole and exclusive
representations and warranties of Sellers with respect to Taxes.
2.14 Conduct
of Business Since Date of Most Recent Statement of Business.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule 2.14,
since
the date of the Most Recent Statement of Business:
(a) the
Business has not suffered a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) Seller
has not sold, leased or otherwise disposed of any properties or assets, except
in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Seller
has not mortgaged, pledged or otherwise subjected any of the Acquired Assets
to
any Lien, other than Permitted Liens;
(d) no
event,
change, condition or other matter has occurred with respect to Seller, the
Business or the Target Funds for which any Seller is an Investment Advisor
that
has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
and
(e) except
as
expressly contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, Seller
has not agreed to take any of the foregoing actions.
2.15 Affiliate
Transactions.
Except
as
identified on Schedule
2.15,
no
officer, director, stockholder or Affiliate of any Seller (i) is a party
directly or indirectly to any agreement, contract, commitment or transaction
with any other Seller or (ii) directly or indirectly has any material
interest in any material property used by any Sellers.
2.16 Brokers
and Finders.
Except
for amounts owed by Sellers to UBS Securities, LLC in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, there are no outstanding broker,
finder or investment banker fees or commissions owed or to be owed by Sellers
in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.17 Disclaimer
of Warranties.
EXCEPT
AS
EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING
ALL EXHIBITS, SCHEDULES, CERTIFICATE AND ATTACHMENTS HERETO AND THERETO),
SELLERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR THE ACQUIRED ASSETS.
2.18 Representations
Complete.
None
of
the representations or warranties made by any Seller in this Agreement or any
Transaction Document, nor any Schedule, Exhibit, attachment or any certificate
furnished by any Seller pursuant to this Agreement or any Transaction Document,
when taken together, contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits
to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained
herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not
misleading.
ARTICLE
3. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.
Purchaser
hereby represents and warrants to Sellers the following:
3.1 Organization;
Authority.
Purchaser
is a corporation or a limited liability company (as applicable) duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.
Purchaser has the power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and
the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by
Purchaser of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it
is a
party, the performance by Purchaser of its obligations hereunder and thereunder
and the consummation by Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby have been duly authorized pursuant to and in accordance with the Laws
governing Purchaser and no other proceedings on the part of Purchaser are
necessary to authorize such execution, delivery and performance. This Agreement
and the other Transaction Documents to which Purchaser is a party have been
duly
and validly executed and delivered by Purchaser and, assuming due authorization,
execution and delivery by Sellers, constitute valid and binding obligations
of
Purchaser, enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with their terms, except
to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement
of
creditors’ rights in general and subject to general principles of equity and the
discretion of courts in granting equitable remedies.
3.2 No
Violation.
The
execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not conflict with or result
in
any violation of, or constitute a breach or default under (or an event that
with
notice or lapse of time or both would become a default under), any term of
the
charter documents, bylaws or other organizational documents of Purchaser, any
agreement, permit, indenture, deed of trust, mortgage, loan agreement or other
instrument to which Purchaser is a party or by which Purchaser is subject,
or
any Law of any court or other Governmental Entity to which Purchaser is subject,
except in each case such that individually or in the aggregate could not
reasonably have a Material Adverse Effect on the ability of Purchaser to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (a “Purchaser
Material Adverse Effect”).
3.3 Consents
and Approvals.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.3,
no
consent, approval, waiver, authorization, notice or filing with any Governmental
Entity is required to be made or obtained by Purchaser in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement.
3.4 Adequacy
of Funds.
Subject
to receipt of Stockholder Approval, Purchaser currently has and as of the
Closing will have all funds necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which
it
is a Party, including the payment at the Closing of the Purchase Price and
all
expenses incurred by Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
3.5 Litigation.
Purchaser
has not received any notice of any action, suit, inquiry, judicial or
administrative proceeding, arbitration or investigation that is pending and,
to
the Knowledge of Purchaser, none of the foregoing is threatened against or
involving Purchaser before any court, arbitrator or Governmental Entity, nor
is
there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any court, arbitrator
or Governmental Entity outstanding against Purchaser, in each case relating
to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or which, individually or in
the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Purchaser Material Adverse
Effect.
3.6 Brokers
and Finders.
There
are
no outstanding broker, finder or investment banker fees or commissions owed
or
to be owed by Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement.
3.7 Statutory
Disqualification.
(a) Neither
Purchaser nor any “affiliated person” thereof, as defined in the 1940 Act, (i)
is ineligible pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act to serve as an investment
adviser to or principal underwriter of a registered investment company or (ii)
has engaged or is currently engaging in any of the conduct specified in Section
9(b) of the 0000 Xxx.
(b) Neither
Purchaser nor any “associated person” of Purchaser, as defined in the 1940 Act,
is subject to any disqualification that, upon the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, would be a basis for censure, denial,
suspension or revocation of registration of Purchaser or any Subsidiary as
an
investment adviser under Section 203(e) of the Advisers Act and there is no
reasonable basis for, or proceeding or investigation, whether formal or
informal, or whether preliminary or otherwise, that is reasonably likely to
form
the basis for, any such censure, denial, suspension or revocation.
(c) Neither
Purchaser nor any “associated person” of Purchaser (i) is subject to a
“statutory disqualification,” as such terms are defined in the Exchange Act, or
(ii) is subject to a disqualification that, upon the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, would be a basis for censure, limitations
on
the activities, functions or operations of, or suspension or revocation of
the
registration of Purchaser or any Subsidiary of Purchaser as broker-dealer,
municipal securities dealer, government securities broker or government
securities dealer under Section 15, Section 15B or Section 15C of the Exchange
Act and there is no reasonable basis for, or proceeding or investigation,
whether formal or informal, or whether preliminary or otherwise, that is
reasonably likely to form the basis for, any such censure, limitations,
suspension or revocation. No fact relating to Purchaser or any “control
affiliate” thereof, as defined in Form BD, requires any response in the
affirmative to any question in Item 11 of Form BD.
3.8 Acknowledgment
of Delivery of Assets.
Purchaser
acknowledges that, except to the extent expressly set forth herein and in the
Transition Services Agreement, although Seller is obligated to provide (through
transfer of the Acquired Assets and certain obligations pursuant to the
Transition Services Assets) sufficient assets to operate the Business, the
design, integration, structuring and implementation of the Purchaser’s Business,
the physical transfer (and if necessary reassembly) of any tangible Acquired
Assets and the operation of the Business following the Closing Date, is the
sole
and absolute responsibility of the Purchaser.
ARTICLE
4. PRE-CLOSING
COVENANTS.
Each
Seller and Purchaser hereby agree as follows between the Effective Date and
the
earlier to occur of the Closing Date and the termination of this Agreement
in
accordance with its terms:
4.1 Satisfaction
of Conditions.
Purchaser
shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the conditions precedent
to the obligations of Purchaser set forth in Section 8.1 to be fulfilled and
each Seller shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
conditions precedent to the obligations of such Seller set forth in
Section 8.2 to be fulfilled. Purchaser shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to cooperate with Sellers to satisfy the conditions set
forth
in Section 8.2 and each Seller shall use all commercially reasonable
efforts to cooperate with Purchaser to satisfy the conditions set forth in
Section 8.1.
4.2 Conduct
of the Business.
Except
as
reasonably contemplated as a result and in anticipation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, each Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts
to
continue to conduct the Business in the ordinary course and consistent with
past
practices, to keep the Business and operations intact and preserve its permits,
rights, franchises, goodwill, retain the services of its key employees and
to
preserve its relationships with its clients, customers, landlords, suppliers
and
others with whom it does business. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, each Seller covenants and agrees that it
shall not propose to enter into, amend, modify, supplement or terminate, or
assign any right, obligation or interest under, any contract or agreement
relating to any Target Fund,
or
take, with respect to the Business and the Target Funds, any of the following
actions:
(a) incur
any
indebtedness for borrowed money, issue or sell any debt securities or prepay
any
debt, incur any liability or obligation (whether absolute, accrued, contingent
or otherwise and whether direct or as guarantor or otherwise with respect to
the
obligations of others, except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with
past practice) which would be an Assumed Liability or liabilities of any of
the
Target Funds;
(b) declare,
set aside, make or pay a dividend or other distribution in respect of its
capital stock or other equity interests or otherwise purchase or redeem,
directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock or other equity
interests, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, or, in the case of any of the Sellers (but not the Target Funds),
which would not materially impair the ability of such Seller to consummate
the
transactions contemplated hereby;
(c) except
in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, mortgage, pledge
or otherwise subject to any Lien, any of its properties or assets which, if
owned by the Sellers, are to be Acquired Assets, tangible or
intangible;
(d) take
any
action (other than in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby)
other than actions in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;
(e) forgive
or cancel any debts or claims, or waive any rights, except in exchange for
fair
value or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;
(f) enter
into any contract, agreement or other instrument that would be required to
be
disclosed to Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.10 if entered into prior to the
date of this Agreement;
(g) pay
any
bonus to any Designated Employee or grant to any such person any other increase
in his or her rate of compensation in any form other than (i) commissions owed
under such current sales commission plans; (ii) in accordance with this
Agreement; and (iii) those amounts set forth on Schedule
4.13(b);
(h) except
as
may be required by applicable Laws and after notice to Purchaser, adopt, or
amend any employment, collective bargaining, bonus, profit-sharing,
compensation, stock option, pension, retirement, deferred compensation or other
plan, agreement, trust, fund or arrangement for the benefit of officers,
directors, trustees, partners, stockholders, employees, sales representatives
or
agents;
(i) hire
or
engage any senior advisors or management, terminate any Designated
Employee
or
encourage any Designated
Employee
to
resign;
(j) decrease
the rate of compensation, in any form, of any Designated Employee;
(k) amend
its
declaration of trust or bylaws or any other organizational
documents;
(l) terminate,
amend, modify, change or waive any provision under any Non-Competition
Agreement;
(m) change
in
any respect its accounting practices, policies or principles of the Business,
except as may be required by applicable Laws or GAAP and after notice to
Purchaser;
(n) incur
any
liability or obligation (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise
and
whether direct or as guarantor or otherwise with respect to the obligations
of
others) which would be an Assumed Liability or liabilities of any of the Target
Funds, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
or as otherwise permitted hereunder;
(o) make
any
changes in policies or practices relating to selling practices or other terms
of
sale or accounting therefore of the Business, including changes in fees, or
in
policies of employment unless required by applicable Laws or GAAP and after
notice to Purchaser;
(p) create
or
organize any subsidiary or enter into or participate in any joint venture or
partnership in connection with the Business;
(q) enter
into any agreement or transaction with any Target Fund or make any amendment
or
modification to any agreement with a Target Fund unless required by applicable
Laws or GAAP and after notice to Purchaser;
(r) enter
into any settlement of any lawsuit, proceeding, enforcement or government action
against any Seller in connection with the Business; and
(s) agree
or
commit to do any of the foregoing.
In
addition, each Seller covenants and agrees that it shall not propose or
encourage any Target Fund to have any of the foregoing actions taken by the
board of trustees of the Target Funds, other than actions in the ordinary course
of business or actions that would not be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on such Target Fund. Notwithstanding anything else contained
in
this section, this section shall not apply to the extent that the board of
trustees of a Target Fund (i) independently determines to take any of the
foregoing actions other than as a result of any solicitation, proposal, request,
encouragement or recommendation made by any Seller or any of their respective
employees, Affiliates, agents or advisors and (ii) specifically requires a
Seller to carry out such action.
4.3 Access.
Subject
to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement between Purchaser and AAAMHI
dated
February 26, 2006 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), Sellers shall permit
representatives of Purchaser to have access at all reasonable times upon
reasonable notice to all of Sellers’ properties, books and records of the
Business in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the normal
operations of the Business; provided, however, that all such requests for access
shall be directed to AAAMHI or such other Person as AAAMHI may designate. Prior
to the Closing, Purchaser shall not contact or otherwise communicate with the
customers or suppliers of Sellers in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, directly or indirectly, without the prior
written consent of AAAHMI, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld
or
delayed.
4.4 Efforts;
Consents; Regulatory and Other Authorizations.
(a) Each
Party to this Agreement shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i)
take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, and do, or cause to be
done,
all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws or otherwise
to
promptly consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; (ii) obtain all authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of,
and give all notices to and make all filings with, all Governmental Entities
and
other third parties that may be or become necessary for the performance of
its
obligations under this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including those consents set forth in the
Schedules; (iii) lift or rescind any injunction or restraining order or other
order adversely affecting the ability of the Parties to this Agreement to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (iv) fulfill
all
conditions to such Party’s obligations under this Agreement as promptly as
practicable. Each Party to this Agreement shall cooperate fully with the other
Parties to this Agreement in promptly seeking to obtain all such authorizations,
consents, orders and approvals, giving such notices, and making such filings.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary set forth in this
Agreement, in connection with obtaining such consents from third parties, no
Party to this Agreement shall be required to make payments, or commence
litigation. The Parties to this Agreement shall not take any action that is
intended to have the effect of unreasonably delaying, impairing or impeding
the
receipt of any required authorizations, consents, orders or approvals in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Each
of
Sellers and Purchaser agrees to supply promptly any additional information
and
documentary material that may reasonably be requested by any Governmental Entity
(including the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice
and
the United States Federal Trade Commission), and shall cooperate in connection
with any filing required under applicable Laws in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and in connection with resolving
any investigation or other inquiry concerning the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement commenced by any Governmental Entity, including the SEC or the
office of any state attorney general.
4.5 Publicity.
Purchaser
and Sellers shall cooperate with each other in the development and distribution
of all news releases and other public disclosures relating to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Neither Purchaser or any of its Affiliates
nor
Sellers or any of their Affiliates shall issue or make, or allow to have issued
or made, any press release or public announcement concerning the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement without the advance approval in writing (which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the form and
substance thereof by the other Party, unless otherwise required by applicable
legal requirements.
4.6 Section
15(f) of the 1940 Act; Covenants.
(a) Purchaser
acknowledges that Sellers have entered into this Agreement in reliance upon
their belief that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement qualify for
the benefits and protections provided by Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act.
Purchaser shall not take, and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause its
Affiliates not to take, any action not contemplated by this Agreement that
would
have the effect, directly or indirectly, of causing the requirements of any
of
the provisions of Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act not to be met in respect of
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder.
(b) Sellers
acknowledge that Purchaser has entered into this Agreement in reliance upon
their belief that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement qualify for
the benefits and protections provided by Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act.
Sellers shall not take, and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause their
Affiliates not to take, any action not contemplated by this Agreement that
would
have the effect, directly or indirectly, of causing the requirements of any
of
the provisions of Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act not to be met in respect of
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder.
4.7 Shareholder
and Stockholder Approvals.
(a) Sellers
shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause the Target Funds
Shareholder Approval, including by preparing and mailing to the Target Funds
Shareholders an information statement describing the transaction contemplated
hereby (“Sellers’ Proxy Statement”) and by holding the shareholder meeting as
promptly as practicable, but in no event later than November 30,
2006.
(b) Purchaser
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Stockholder Approval,
including by preparing and mailing to Purchasers stockholders a proxy statement
describing the transaction contemplated hereby (“Purchaser Proxy Statement”) and
by holding a stockholders meeting as promptly as practicable, but in no event
later than November 30, 2006.
4.8 Proxy
Statements; Shareholder Approval.
Subject
to Trustee Approval first being obtained, if applicable:
(a) Promptly
after the date hereof, Sellers shall cause to be filed with the SEC on behalf
of
the Target Funds one or more supplements to each Target Fund’s prospectus and
SAI, in a form acceptable to Purchaser, reflecting the execution of this
Agreement and other related matters.
(b) Each
Party covenants that any information or data provided by it that describes
such
Party or its Affiliates for inclusion in any document filed with the SEC or
the
National Association of Securities Dealers or any other regulatory body will
not
contain, at the time any such supplements or amendments become effective, any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein
not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made.
(c) All
costs
and expenses relating to (i) the Sellers’ Proxy Statement and (ii) the
solicitation made in connection with the Target Funds Shareholder Approval,
including, but not limited to, legal (other than legal fees and expenses of
Purchaser’s counsel), printing, and mailing expenses, shall be paid by
Sellers.
(d) Sellers
covenant to cooperate with Purchaser and provide all assistance reasonably
requested by Purchaser including providing all information regarding the
Sellers, the Target Funds and the Business reasonably necessary for Purchaser
to
prepare the Purchaser Proxy Statement and, solicit and obtain the Stockholder
Approval. Purchaser covenants to cooperate with and provide all assistance
reasonably requested by Sellers including providing all information regarding
Purchasers reasonably necessary for Sellers to prepare the Seller’s Proxy
Statements and supplements to the Target Funds’ prospectus and SAI.
4.9 Delivery
of Financial Information.
Without
limiting the provisions of Section 4.8, Sellers (i) shall use reasonable best
efforts to deliver to Purchaser within thirty (30) days after the Effective
Date
(A) historical unaudited and, to the extent required, audited financial
statements of the Target Funds and of the Business necessary for the Purchaser
Proxy Statement (collectively, the “Requisite Financial Statements”) and shall
cooperate with Purchaser in connection with the preparation of related pro
forma
financial statements, in each case that comply with either (1) the requirements
of Regulation S-X under the rules and regulations of the SEC (as interpreted
by
the staff of the SEC) for financial statements that would be required to be
included in a Definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of
the
Exchange Act or (2) the requirements set forth in clause 1 except as the staff
of the SEC may permit Purchaser by waiver of such requirements (in either case
(1) or (2), together with customary reports and “comfort” letters of Seller’s
independent public accountants) and (B) an unaudited balance sheet of the
Seller’s Business at March 31, 2006 (or any applicable subsequent periods), and
the related unaudited statement of income and cash flows of Seller’s Business
for the applicable-month period then ended prepared in conformity with Section
2.5 and (ii) shall provide and make reasonably available upon reasonable notice
the senior management employees of the Seller to discuss the materials prepared
and delivered pursuant to this Section 4.9. To the extent that Ernst & Young
is unable to or does not deliver its audit report with respect to the audited
portion of the Requisite Financial Statements within forty-five (45) days of
the
Effective Date (the “E&Y Outside Delivery Date”), Purchaser’s obligations
under Section 4.7 shall be tolled for a period of time equal to the number
of
days from the E&Y Outside Delivery Date to the actual date such audited
Requisite Financial Statements are delivered to Purchaser. Notwithstanding
the
forgoing, to the extent Sellers are not able to cause delivery of all Requisite
Financial Statements within ninety (90) days of the Effective Date, Purchaser
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.
4.10 Certain
Proposals.
Until
the
earlier of the Closing Date and the date of termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.3 hereof, no Seller shall (nor shall any Seller permit
any
of its advisors, agents, representatives or Affiliates to), directly or
indirectly, take any of the following actions with any Person other than
Purchaser and its designees: (i) solicit, encourage, seek, entertain,
support, assist, initiate or participate in any inquiry, negotiations or
discussions, or enter into any agreement, with respect to any offer or proposal
to acquire all or any material part of the Business, assets or interests of
the
Target Funds, whether by merger, purchase of assets, purchase of securities,
tender offer, license or otherwise, or effect any such transaction (a
“Proposal”), (ii) disclose any Confidential Information to any Person
concerning the Business, properties or assets of the Target Funds (other than
in
the ordinary course of business, as required by law or in response to the
request of a Governmental Entity), or afford to any Person access to their
respective properties, books or records, not customarily afforded such access
except as required by law or in response to the request of a Governmental
Entity, (iii) assist or cooperate with any Person to make any Proposal, or
(iv) enter into any agreement with any Person with respect to a Proposal.
The Sellers shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any such
negotiations, discussions or agreements (other than with any Purchaser or its
designees) that are the subject matter of clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv)
above. In
the event that any Seller or any of the Sellers’ Affiliates shall receive, prior
to the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement, any offer,
proposal,
or request, directly or indirectly, with respect to a Proposal, or any request
for disclosure or access as referenced in clause (ii) above, such Seller shall
immediately (x) suspend any discussions with such offeror or Person with regard
to such offer, proposal,
or request and (y) notify Purchaser thereof, including information as to the
material terms of the Proposal. Notwithstanding anything else contained in
this
Section 4.10, Sellers shall not be bound by the provisions of this Section
4.10
to the extent the board
of
trustees
of a Target Fund: (i) independently determines
to take any of the foregoing actions other than as a result of any solicitation,
proposal, request,
encouragement
or recommendation made by any Seller or any of their respective employees,
Affiliates,
agents
or advisors and
(ii) specifically requires a
Seller to carry out such
action.
4.11 Separately
Managed Account Consents.
Sellers
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the written consent of
each
Separately Managed Account client to a new Separately Managed Account
Contract.
4.12 Highbury
Trust Account.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, each Seller hereby acknowledges that Highbury
Financial Inc. has established a trust account at Xxxxxx Brothers, Inc.,
maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee
(the “Trust Account”), for the benefit of the stockholders of Highbury Financial
Inc. Each Seller hereby agrees that no Seller (including any Affiliate of any
Seller) shall have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to
any
monies in the Trust Account (“Claim”), to the extent such monies are in the
trust account, and hereby waives any Claim such Seller or any of its Affiliates
may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, this Agreement and
will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.
Without limiting the foregoing, each Seller hereby acknowledges and agrees
that
the Trust Account is not a party to this Agreement and shall have no liability
pursuant hereto. Notwithstanding the forgoing, no provision contained herein
shall limit Sellers’ right to make a Claim against such monies to the extent
such monies are released from the Trust Account to Purchaser, directly or
indirectly (including to the selling parties in a business
combination).
4.13 Payments
by Sellers.
(a) Non-Compete
Payments.
Immediately prior to the Closing Date, Sellers shall pay an aggregate amount
equal to $2,500,000 in cash to the Persons listed on Schedule
4.13(a)
in the
amounts as set forth next to each Person’s name pursuant to the terms of the
Non-Competition Agreements. In the event that, prior to the Closing Date, any
Person listed on Schedule
4.13(a)
ceases
to be employed by Sellers by reason of death or disability, the amount otherwise
payable by Sellers to such Person shall be reallocated and paid by Sellers
on a
pro rata basis to all other Persons listed on Schedule
4.13(a)
who had
not died or become so disabled prior to the Closing Date.
(b) Payments
to Designated Employments.
Prior
to the Closing, Sellers shall pay in cash to each Designated Employee the
amounts set forth on Schedule
4.13(b)
as set
forth next to each Designated Employees name in consideration of accrued
compensation payments to the extent such Designated Employee is employed by
a
Seller or their Affiliates on the day immediately preceding the Closing
Date.
4.14 Retirement
Benefits of Designated Employees.
For
each
Designated Employee who terminates their employment with a Seller to work for
Purchaser, AAAMHI will, no later than the Closing Date and in accordance with
Seller’s existing policies and Laws, use reasonable efforts to cause its
Affiliates to provide a statement to each Designated Employee which contains
their pension benefits, if any, including, without limitation, any applicable
vesting, under any and all retirement plans of Sellers and their
Affiliates.
ARTICLE
5. POST-CLOSING
COVENANTS.
5.1 Further
Assurances.
Upon
the
reasonable request of either Party at any time after the Closing, the other
Party shall promptly execute and deliver such documents and instruments and
take
such additional action as the requesting Party may reasonably request to
effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.
5.2 Books
and Records; Personnel.
Each
Party hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
(a) Access
to Records.
Purchaser shall, for a period of seven (7) years after the Closing Date, allow
Sellers reasonable access to all business records and files of the Business
relating to the period prior to the Closing Date, upon prior written request
of
Sellers and during normal working hours at the principal places of business
of
Purchaser or at any location where such records and files are stored or at
any
location where Purchaser, at its sole discretion, shall make such files
available to Sellers, and Sellers shall have the right, at their own expense,
to
make copies of any such records and files; provided, however, that any such
access or copying shall be had or done in such a manner so as not to interfere
with the normal conduct of the Business. Purchaser may reasonably limit the
number of Sellers’ representatives who are given access to any physical location
of Purchaser. All information obtained pursuant to this Section 5.2(a) shall
be
kept confidential pursuant to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement. Each
Seller acknowledges and agrees the Purchaser shall have no obligation to retain
records or files related to the Business that at any time are over seven (7)
years old and may discard such records or files without any notice to
Sellers.
(b) Assistance
with Records.
Each
Party (an “Assisting Party”) shall make available to each other Party,
consistent with the reasonable business requirements of such other Party and
at
such other Party’s sole expense, (i) Assisting Party’s personnel to assist such
Party in locating and obtaining records and files maintained by Purchaser,
and
(ii) any of Purchaser’s personnel whose assistance or participation is
reasonably required by Sellers in anticipation of, or in preparation for, any
existing or future litigation, Tax or other matters in which Sellers or any
of
their past, present or future Affiliates are involved and which are related
to
the Business.
(c) Retention
of Copies.
The
Parties hereby agree that following the Closing Date the Confidentiality
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. At the Closing Sellers shall
deliver all copies of the Confidential Information of the Business to Purchaser;
except that Sellers may, subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement,
retain a complete set of Confidential Information of the Business for the
limited purpose of: (i) using such Confidential Information as may be
expressly contemplated under this Agreement or the Transaction Documents; and
(ii) producing such Confidential Information to the extent compelled by Law
to disclose such Confidential Information pursuant to subsection (d) of this
Section. At any time following the seven-year anniversary of the Closing Date,
upon request of the Purchaser, Sellers shall promptly destroy all Confidential
Information in their possession, including all copies.
(d) Required
Disclosure.
In the
event that either Purchaser or a Seller is compelled by Law to disclose any
Confidential Information of any other Person, it is agreed that such Party
will
provide the other Parties to this Agreement with prompt notice of any such
request or requirement so that the other Parties may seek an appropriate
protective order or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section 5.2
and
the Confidentiality Agreement. If, failing the entry of a protective order
or
the receipt of a waiver hereunder, such Party is, in the opinion of its counsel,
compelled to disclose Confidential Information, such Party may disclose only
that portion of the Confidential Information which its counsel advises such
Party that it is compelled by Law to disclose.
5.3 Retained
Names and Marks; Co-Branding.
(a) Purchaser
hereby acknowledges that all right, title and interest in and to the names
set
forth in Schedule
5.3(a),
together with all direct variations or known or obvious acronyms thereof,
including without limitation any logos or trademarks thereof (the “Retained
Names and Marks”), are owned exclusively by Sellers, and that, except as
expressly provided in a Sub-Advisory License Agreement, any and all right,
title
and interest of Sellers in and to the Retained Names and Marks, along with
any
and all goodwill associated therewith, remain the property of Sellers following
the Closing. Purchaser further acknowledges that it has no rights, and is not
acquiring any rights, to use the Retained Names and Marks, except as provided
herein or in a Sub-Advisory License Agreement. Each Seller represents and
warrants that it has the right and authority to grant to Purchaser the licenses
granted by such Seller in the Sub-Advisory License Agreement. The Purchaser
represents and warrants that, together with its Affiliates, it has the right
and
authority to use the Licensee Marks (as such term is defined in the Sub-Advisory
License Agreement).
(b) To
the
extent that the Sub-Advisory License Agreement does not then permit the use
of
any one or more of the Retained Names and Marks, Purchaser shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Target Funds to file amended
organizational documents with the appropriate authorities changing its corporate
name to a corporate name that does not contain (i) such Retained Names and
Marks or (ii) any such names or marks that include or incorporate the name
ABN
AMRO, and to supply copies of such amended organizational documents if requested
by Sellers.
(c) Sellers
agree that Purchaser shall have no responsibility for claims made by third
parties following the Closing Date arising out of, or relating to use by the
Sellers of, any Retained Names or Marks and Sellers shall indemnify and hold
harmless Purchaser and its Affiliates from any and all such claims.
(d) Each
Seller acknowledges that Purchaser shall be permitted to co-brand a Target
Fund
in the name of the Purchaser (including any of its Affiliates or assigns) and
the Seller serving as the sub-advisor to such Target Fund.
5.4 Covenant
Not to Compete.
(a) During
the Restricted Period, Sellers and their Affiliates shall not:
(i)
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Sponsor,
advise or sub-advise, use or permit the use of any of the Retained
Names
or Marks with respect to, any 1940 Act registered mutual funds or
other
similar collective investment vehicles principally sold or marketed
in the
United States (“Mutual Funds”); provided that Sellers and their Affiliates
(A) may continue to sponsor, advise or sub-advise the Excluded Funds;
and
(B) may provide sub-advisory services with respect to new Mutual
Fund
investment products which have been presented to and negotiated with
Purchaser in good faith for sixteen (16) weeks (including the applicable
Seller agreeing to provide seed capital) and as to which Purchaser
and
Seller were unable to mutually agree, following good faith negotiations,
upon the terms by which Purchaser or its Affiliates would serve as
the
investment advisor and Seller or its Affiliates would serve as the
sub-advisor with respect to such new product. For purposes of
clarification, “Mutual Funds” shall not include: (Y) an Alternative
Investment Vehicle; or (Z) collective investments solely among
related parties (i.e., collective investments limited to a company
and its
subsidiaries or family members of a single
family).
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(ii)
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Solicit,
or if in Sellers’ control permit, a client of a Target Fund to withdraw
all or any portion of such client’s investments from a Target Fund for the
purpose of investing in any alternate investment product as to which
Seller or any of its Affiliates provides investment advisory or
sub-advisory services, except as permitted by (iii)
below.
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(iii)
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Accept
funds from clients of Target Funds for purposes of creating a separately
managed account managed in the style of such Target Fund, unless
such
client and his, her or its Affiliates collectively provide Sellers
not
less than $40 million of total investment dollars to manage in such
style,
in which case Sellers and its Affiliates may permit the withdrawal
of, and
shall be permitted to accept for management in such style, any assets
invested at such time by such client or its Affiliates in such Target
Fund.
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(b) Intentionally
omitted.
(c) Notwithstanding
any of the forgoing, Sellers and their Affiliates may acquire an interest in,
purchase, merge with or into or engage in any other business combination
(whether characterized as an acquisition or a disposition, and whether
structured as a merger, consolidation, combination, sale of assets, sale of
stock or other equity interests, joint venture or otherwise) (a “Business
Combination”) with a third party (collectively with its Affiliates, the
“Target”), and continue to operate the business of the Target without
restriction so long as one of the following three conditions is
satisfied:
(i)
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less
than 20% of the net revenues of the Target for the most recent twelve
(12)
month period for which financial statements are reasonably available
at
the time of Sellers or its Affiliates entry into definitive agreements
with respect to such Business Combination (the “Applicable Period”) are
derived from the sponsorship, advising or sub-advising of Mutual
Funds and
principally sold or marketed in the U.S., excluding net revenues
arising
from the distribution of mutual funds advised by entities unaffiliated
with Target and/or any Seller;
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(ii)
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Sellers
use commercially reasonable efforts to sell or wind down the U.S.
Mutual
Fund portion of the Target’s business as soon as is commercially
practicable to the extent that it represents more than 20% of the
net
revenues of the Target for the Applicable Period;
or
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(iii)
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the
total purchase price paid for Target’s business exceeds
$2.5 billion.
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(d) Sellers
and their Affiliates will not be deemed to engage in any of the businesses
of
any publicly traded corporation solely by reason of ownership of less than
5% of
the outstanding stock of such corporation.
(e) Sellers
may market funds that are not managed, advised or sub-advised by any Seller
or
any Affiliate of a Seller.
5.5 Non-solicitation.
(a) For
a
period of five (5) years following the Closing Date, each Seller agrees that
no
Seller nor any Affiliate of any Seller shall directly or indirectly employ
or
hire, or attempt to employ or hire, as an employee, consultant or advisor any
of
the Persons listed on Schedule
5.5,
or in
any manner seek to solicit or induce any such Person to leave his or her
employment or business relationship with the Purchaser, or assist in the
recruitment or hiring of any such Person. Sellers agree that, following the
Closing Date, Purchaser is free to hire any employee, consultant or advisor
of
any Seller, any Affiliate of any Seller, or any Target Fund. Each Seller further
covenants and agrees that it shall release, and shall cause any Affiliate to
release, (x) the Purchaser from any restriction or obligation imposed on the
Purchaser, including, without limitation, any restrictions set forth in the
Confidentiality Agreement, which might be breached or violated if the Purchaser
were to solicit any Person listed on Schedule
5.5
to
become an employee of or consultant to, or provide services to, Purchaser or
if
any Person listed on Schedule
5.5
were to
become an employee of or consultant to, or provide services to, Purchaser and
(y) each of the Persons listed on Schedule
5.5
from any
restriction or obligation imposed on such Person which might be breached or
violated if such Person were to become an employee of or consultant to, or
provide services to, Purchaser.
5.6 Investment
Subadvisory Agreements.
(a) Sellers
covenant and agree that, notwithstanding the provisions of Investment
Subadvisory Agreements, no Seller may terminate an Investment Subadvisory
Agreement or take any action which results in a termination of an Investment
Subadvisory Agreement without the prior written consent of Purchaser prior
to
the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date; provided that Sellers may terminate
any Investment Subadvisory Agreement for any Selected Fund at any time following
the Closing. The Sellers acknowledge that an Investment Subadvisory Agreement
shall terminate automatically with respect to a Target Fund in the event the
Investment Subadvisory Agreement is assigned (including a deemed assignment)
and
agree that any assignment (or deemed assignment) of an Investment Advisory
Agreement shall constitute a breach by the applicable Seller of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything in Article 7 to the contrary, the obligations of the
Sellers and the rights of the Purchaser under this Section 5.6(a) shall
survive for a period of five (5) years following the Closing Date.
(b) With
respect to each of the Target Funds identified on Schedule
5.6(b),
to the
extent that any Seller is serving as a sub-advisor of such Target Fund (or
a
successor thereto), such sub-advisor agrees to accept (to the extent that
Purchaser’s customers seek to make investments in such Target Fund) for
sub-advising additional investments in the Target Funds after the Closing Date
in an aggregate amount not less than the net additional capacity amount
specified in Schedule 5.6(b)
with
respect to such Target Fund (such net additional capacity amount available
at
any time being equal to the amount set forth in Schedule
5.6(b)
less the
aggregate amount of additional investments made after the Closing Date plus
the
aggregate amount of investments withdrawn after the Closing Date).
(c) No
Seller
shall take, nor permit any Affiliate to take, any action designed to violate
or
circumvent the provisions of this Section 5.6.
5.7 Seed
Money.
The
Sellers will cause the “seed money” currently invested in the Target Funds on
behalf of the Sellers and/or their Affiliates as set forth on Schedule
5.7
to
remain in the Target Funds until the earlier of (i) three (3) years after
the Closing Date or (ii) with respect to any Target Fund, such time as the
amount of seed money in such Target Fund comprises less than fifty percent
(50%) of
such
Target Fund’s assets under management. The “seed money” amounts applicable to
each Target Fund are as set forth in Schedule
5.7.
5.8 Subsequent
Sale of the Business By Purchaser.
(a) Purchaser
and Sellers agree that if the Business is sold (whether by merger, stock sale,
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Business or otherwise),
other than to a Person who was an Affiliate of Purchaser (a “Subsequent Sale
Transaction”) prior to the consummation of such transaction, prior to the first
anniversary of the Closing Date for a Subsequent Price (as determined pursuant
to Section 5.8(c) below) that exceeds the sum of the Purchase Price and the
Purchaser Cap Amount, then the Purchaser shall pay AAAMHI, immediately following
the consummation of such Subsequent Sale Transaction, 50% of the positive
difference of the Subsequent Price and the Purchase Price.
(b) In
the
event that a Subsequent Sale Transaction is consummated after the first
anniversary, but prior to the second anniversary, of the Closing Date for a
Subsequent Price that exceeds the Purchase Price, Purchaser shall at the closing
of such transaction pay to AAAMHI the Purchaser Cap Amount, and the parties
shall have no further obligations pursuant to Section 1.5
hereunder.
(c) For
the
purposes of this Section 5.8, the “Subsequent Price” shall equal:
(i)
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in
the case of a sale of assets or similar transaction, the fair market
value
as of the date of determination of aggregate net proceeds payable
to the
Purchaser (or any of its subsidiaries), after the payment of all
corporate
taxes and similar fees and charges, all transaction fees and expenses
(including but not limited to accounting, legal and investment banking
fees) and all costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith;
or
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(ii)
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in
the case of a merger, stock sale or similar transaction, the sum
of (x)
the fair market value as of the date of determination of the aggregate
consideration (whether cash, notes stock or other securities) actually
received by Purchaser or its stockholders minus all transaction fees
and
expenses (including but not limited to accounting, legal and investment
banking fees) and all costs and expenses incurred by Purchaser or
its
stockholders in connection therewith, plus (y) without any duplication
of
amounts included pursuant to clause (x), the fair market value as
of the
date of determination of all the capital stock not transferred, if
any, by
the stockholders of the Purchaser in connection
therewith;
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provided,
however, that in the event that after the Closing Date, but prior to the
consummation of the Subsequent Sale Transaction, the purchaser has consummated
additional material acquisitions, and the Subsequent Sale Transaction includes
the businesses or assets acquired in such transactions, the “Subsequent Price”
shall be the portion of the amount determined pursuant to clause (i) or (ii),
as
applicable, which is allocable to the Business as mutually agreed by Purchaser
and AAAMHI (subject to Section 5.8(d), in the event that they are unable to
mutually agree). For the purpose of calculating the fair market value of (x)
any
publicly traded equity securities issued as consideration, the fair market
value
of such securities shall equal the average closing trading price of such
securities over the thirty-day period prior to the date of the consummation
and
(y) any other assets, the fair market value of such assets shall be as mutually
agreed by Purchaser and AAAMHI (subject to Section 5.8(d), in the event that
they are unable to mutually agree). To the extent that the Subsequent Price
includes any escrowed or contingent consideration, such consideration shall
be
included for the purposes of calculation herein when and if paid to the
Purchaser, its subsidiaries or any of their respective stockholders, and payment
pursuant to Section 5.8(a) shall be made with respect to such portion of the
Subsequent Price simultaneously with such payment to the Purchaser, its
subsidiaries or any of their respective stockholders.
(d) The
Purchaser shall deliver written notice of any Subsequent Sale not less than
thirty (30) days prior to the consummation thereof, and to the extent that
such
transaction is contemplated to be consummated prior to the first anniversary
of
the Closing Date shall include, in reasonable detail, the terms and conditions
of such transaction, including without limitation, the consideration to be
received and the assets to be sold. If the contemplated closing of such
Subsequent Sale is to occur prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date,
and either (x) the consideration to be received includes non-cash assets or
(y)
the sale includes subsequently acquired businesses of the Purchaser or its
subsidiaries, then (1) Purchaser shall provide AAAMHI reasonable access (subject
to an appropriate confidentiality agreement) to such information as necessary
for it to determine the fair market value of any non-cash assets and/or the
portion of the purchase price payable in such Subsequent Sale which is allocable
to the Business and (2) the parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve
any
issues regarding such fair market value and/or purchase price allocation (the
“Disputed Items”). In the event that the parties are unable to agree within
thirty (30) days of the delivery of the notice required by the first sentence
of
this Section 5.8(d) upon all Disputed Items, any such Disputed Items as to
which
they were unable to agree shall be determined by binding arbitration, subject
to
the same provisions as provided in Section
1.5(e).
ARTICLE
6. TAX
MATTERS.
6.1 Tax
Cooperation and Exchange of Information.
AAAMHI
and Purchaser shall provide each other with such cooperation and information
as
either of them reasonably may request of the other (and Purchaser shall cause
the Business to provide such cooperation and information) in filing any Tax
Return, amended Tax Return or claim for refund, determining a liability for
Taxes or a right to a refund of Taxes or participating in or conducting any
audit or other proceeding in respect of Taxes with respect to the Acquired
Assets. Such cooperation and information shall include providing copies of
relevant Tax Returns or portions thereof, together with related work papers
and
documents relating to rulings or other determinations by taxing authorities.
Sellers and Purchaser shall make themselves (and their respective employees)
reasonably available on a mutually convenient basis to provide explanations
of
any documents or information provided under this Section 6.1. Each of
Sellers and Purchaser shall retain all Tax Returns, work papers and all material
records or other documents in its possession (or in the possession of its
Affiliates) relating to Tax matters of the Business for any taxable period
that
includes the Closing Date and for all prior taxable periods until the later
of
(i) the expiration of the statute of limitations of the taxable periods to
which such Tax Returns and other documents relate, without regard to extensions,
or (ii) six (6) years following the due date (without extension) for such
Tax Returns. After such time, before Sellers or Purchaser shall dispose of
any
such documents in their or its possession (or in the possession of their or
its
Affiliates), the other Party shall be given an opportunity, after ninety (90)
days’ prior written notice, to remove and retain all or any part of such
documents as such other Party may select (at such other Party’s expense). Any
information obtained under this Section 6.1 shall be kept confidential,
except as may be otherwise necessary in connection with the filing of Tax
Returns or claims for refund or in conducting an audit or other
proceeding.
6.2 Conveyance
and Personal Property Taxes.
(a) Sellers
shall be liable for, shall hold Purchaser and its successors and permitted
assigns and Affiliates harmless against, and agree to pay any and all sales,
use, value-added, transfer, stamp, stock transfer, real property transfer or
gains and similar Taxes that may be imposed upon, or payable or collectible
or
incurred in connection with, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(b) Personal
property Taxes for any taxable period that includes the Closing Date shall
be
prorated between Sellers and Purchaser according to the number of days in such
taxable period before the Closing Date and the number of days in such taxable
period on or after the Closing Date. As and when such personal property Taxes
become due and payable, Purchaser shall pay Sellers’ portion on behalf of
Sellers, and Sellers shall reimburse Purchaser for such amount within ten (10)
days of receiving notice of payment from Purchaser.
6.3 Allocation
of Purchase Price.
The
Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Acquired Assets as subsequently
agreed by Purchaser and AAAMHI, which shall reflect the allocation methodology
required by Section 1060 of the Code and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Each of Purchaser and Sellers hereby agrees to timely file IRS Form 8594 based
on the fair market values and allocations of the Purchase Price as subsequently
agreed by Purchaser and AAAMHI and to act in accordance with the allocation
set
forth therein in the filing of all other Tax Returns for the tax year that
includes the Closing Date, and any other forms or statements required by the
Code, Treasury Regulations, the Internal Revenue Service or any applicable
state
or local or foreign governmental authority, and in the course of any Tax
proceeding.
6.4 Miscellaneous.
(a) For
Tax
purposes, the Parties agree to treat all payments made under this Article 6
or under any other indemnity provisions contained in this Agreement, and for
any
breaches of representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, as adjustments
to the Purchase Price.
(b) For
purposes of this Article 6, all references to Purchaser, Sellers,
Affiliates and the Business include successors.
ARTICLE
7. INDEMNIFICATION.
7.1 Indemnification
by Sellers.
Subject
to the limitations set forth in this Article 7, AAAMHI and AAIFS, jointly
and severally with each other and with each of the other Sellers, and each
of
the other Sellers, severally but not jointly, shall indemnify Purchaser and
its
successors, permitted assigns and their respective Affiliates, officers,
directors, agents and employees (collectively, the “Purchaser Indemnified
Parties”) from and against any and all losses, costs, fines, liabilities,
claims, penalties, damages and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses incurred in the investigation and defense of claims and actions)
(collectively, “Losses”) resulting from, in connection with or arising out
of:
(a) any
breach of any representation or warranty made by any Seller in Article 2 of
this
Agreement (including the Schedules) or in any closing certificate executed
and
delivered by any Seller in connection with this Agreement (disregarding, for
purposes of this Section 7.1, any “materiality,” “in all material respects,”
“Material Adverse Effect,” or similar qualification contained therein or with
respect thereto for purposes of determining whether there has been a breach
thereof);
(b) breach
of
any covenant made by any Seller in this Agreement;
(c) any
Excluded Liabilities;
(d) regardless
of any disclosure on the Schedules, arise from or relate to the LaSalle
Litigation or the Trading Investigation;
(e) if
the
Working Capital Amount is less than $3,500,000 (the amount by which the Working
Capital Amount is less than $3,500,000 shall, for such purposes, be deemed
a
Loss); or
(f) any
action, suit or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing.
7.2 Purchaser’s
Indemnification.
Subject
to the limitations set forth in this Article 7 and Section 4.12, Purchaser
shall
indemnify and hold harmless Sellers and their respective successors, permitted
assigns, Affiliates, officers, directors, agents and employees from and against
and in respect of any and all Losses resulting from, in connection with or
arising out of:
(a) any
breach of any representation or warranty made by Purchaser in Article 3 of
this Agreement or in any closing certificate executed and delivered by Purchaser
in connection with this Agreement (disregarding, for purposes of this Section
7.1, any “materiality,” “in all material respects,” “Material Adverse Effect,”
or similar qualification contained therein or with respect thereto for purposes
of determining whether there has been a breach thereof and for purposes of
calculating Losses with respect to any breach);
(b) any
breach of any covenant made by Purchaser in this Agreement;
(c) any
Assumed Liabilities; or
(d) any
action, suit or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing.
7.3 Indemnification
Procedures.
(a) Procedures
Relating to Indemnification.
In the
event that a third party (including, without limitation, any Governmental
Entity) files a lawsuit, enforcement action or other proceeding against a Person
entitled to indemnification under this Article 7 (an “Indemnified Party”) or the
Indemnified Party receives notice of, or becomes aware of, a condition or event
that otherwise entitles such Party to the benefit of any indemnity hereunder
in
connection with a claim by a third party (including, without limitation, any
Governmental Entity) (a “Third Party Claim”), the Indemnified Party shall give
written notice thereof (the “Claim Notice”) promptly to each Party obligated to
provide indemnification pursuant to this Article 7 (an “Indemnifying
Party”). The Claim Notice shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the
claim, including an estimate, if practicable, of the amount of Losses that
have
been or may be suffered or incurred by the Indemnified Party attributable to
such claim and the basis of the Indemnified Party’s request for indemnification
under this Agreement.
(b) Conduct
of Defense.
An
Indemnifying Party shall have the right to conduct at its expense the defense
against such Third Party Claim in its own name, or, if necessary, in the name
of
the Indemnified Party, upon written notice thereof delivered to the Indemnified
Party promptly after receipt of the applicable Claim Notice. When the
Indemnifying Party conducts the defense, the Indemnified Party shall have the
right to approve the defense counsel representing the Indemnifying Party in
such
defense, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If the
Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any such Third Party Claim: (i) the
Indemnifying Party shall proceed to defend such Third Party Claim in a diligent
manner; and (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall be prohibited from compromising
or
settling the claim except in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(e)
hereof. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to withdraw from the defense
of any Third Party Claim with respect to which the Indemnifying Party had
previously delivered a notice at any time upon reasonable notice to the
Indemnified Party.
(c) Conduct
by Indemnified Party.
Notwithstanding Section 7.3(b) hereof, in the event that (i) the Indemnifying
Party elects in writing not to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim
pursuant to Section 7.3(b), (ii) the Indemnifying Party withdraws from the
defense of a Third Party Claim as contemplated by Section 7.3(b), or (iii)
a
conflict of interest exists which, under applicable principles of legal ethics,
could reasonably be expected to prohibit a single legal counsel from
representing both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party in such
proceeding, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to conduct such defense
in good faith at the Indemnifying Party’s expense with counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Indemnifying Party, which acceptance shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed.
(d) Cooperation.
In the
event that the Indemnifying Party elects to conduct the defense of such Third
Party Claim in accordance with Section 7.3(b), the Indemnified Party shall
cooperate with and make available to the Indemnifying Party (at such
Indemnifying Party’s expense) such assistance, personnel, witnesses and
materials as the Indemnifying Party may reasonably request. Regardless of which
Party defends such Third Party Claim, the other Party shall have the right
at
its expense to participate in the defense assisted by counsel of its own
choosing.
(e) Settlements.
(i)
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Without
the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent
shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Indemnifying Party
shall not
enter into any settlement of any Third Party Claim if, pursuant to
or as a
result of such settlement, such settlement would result in any liability
on the part of the Indemnified Party for which the Indemnified Party
is
not entitled to indemnification hereunder. If a firm offer is made
to
settle a Third Party Claim, which offer the Indemnifying Party is
permitted to settle under this Section 7.3, and the Indemnifying
Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying
Party
shall give written notice to the Indemnified Party to that effect.
If the
Indemnified Party objects to such firm offer within ten (10) days
after
its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to
contest
or defend such Third Party Claim and, in such event, the maximum
liability
of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third Party Claim shall not
exceed
the amount of such settlement offer, plus other Losses paid or incurred
by
the Indemnified Party up to the point such notice had been
delivered.
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(ii)
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Regardless
of whether the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third
Party
Claim, the Indemnified Party shall not enter into any settlement
of any
Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying
Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed).
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7.4 Nature
of Other Liabilities.
In
the
event any Indemnified Party should have a claim against any Indemnifying Party
hereunder that does not involve a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party
shall
promptly transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice describing in
reasonable detail the nature of the claim and the basis of the Indemnified
Party’s request for indemnification under this Agreement.
7.5 Certain
Limitations on Remedies; Consequential Damages.
No
Indemnified Party shall be entitled to assert any claim or claims for
indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to this Article 7 (other than a claim
under Section 7.1(e)) until such time as the aggregate amount of all claims
by
such Indemnified Party hereunder exceeds $300,000 (the “Basket”), at which time
all such claims (including the Basket amount) may be asserted, subject to the
other limitations set forth in this Article 7. In no event shall any Indemnified
Party be entitled to indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to this Article
7
in an amount which, together with all previously indemnified amounts paid
hereunder to such Indemnified Party and/or its Affiliates, exceeds the sum
of
$9,000,000 (the “SubCap”) plus, after final determination of the adjustment of
the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 1.5, any Contingent Adjustment Remainder.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Party
acknowledges that (i) the foregoing limitations do not apply to any fraud by
or
on behalf of an Indemnifying Party or to any claim under Section 7.1(d) or
7.1(e) and (ii) except in the case of fraud, the indemnification provisions
set
forth in this Article 7 constitute the sole and exclusive recourse and remedy
of
the Indemnified Parties with respect to the breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or in any closing
certificate executed and delivered in connection herewith or otherwise in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, no Party shall be liable to any Indemnified
Party with respect to any exemplary or punitive damages other than with respect
to any such damages claims by, or awards to, a third party other than any Party
hereto or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. For the purposes of calculating any
consequential damages component of Losses, the Parties agree that such
calculation shall be made with reference to a comparison between the value
of
the Business as of the Effective Date and the amounts paid to Sellers pursuant
to Article 1 hereof.
7.6 Subrogation.
After
any
indemnification payment is made to any Indemnified Party pursuant to this
Article 7, the Indemnifying Party shall, to the extent of such payment, be
subrogated to all rights (if any) of the Indemnified Party against any third
party in connection with the Losses to which such payment relates. Without
limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, any Indemnified Party
receiving an indemnification payment pursuant to the preceding sentence shall
execute, upon the written request of the Indemnifying Party, any instrument
reasonably necessary to evidence such subrogation rights.
7.7 Survival
of Representations and Warranties.
The
respective representations and warranties of each of the Parties to this
Agreement shall survive the Closing and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and shall remain in full force and effect for a period
of 24
months after the Closing Date (the “Survival Period”); provided that if
a
Claim Notice or written notice pursuant to Section 7.4 setting forth in
reasonable detail an alleged breach relating to any representation or warranty
is given to an Indemnifying Party during the Survival Period, then,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7.7, the
Indemnified Party shall be entitled to receive indemnification for the subject
matter of such Claim Notice or written notice if such claim is resolved in
favor
of the Indemnified Party, even if the time of when such Claim Notice has been
fully and finally resolved occurs after the Survival Period; provided, further,
that in the event that a claim is limited because it exceeds the SubCap prior
to
determination of the Contingent Adjustment Remainder, such claim may be asserted
and reserved prior to the end of the Survival Period pending final calculation
of the Contingent Adjustment Remainder and affirmatively determined promptly
thereafter.
ARTICLE
8. CONDITIONS
TO CLOSING; TERMINATION.
8.1 Conditions
to Obligations of Purchaser.
The
obligation of Purchaser to consummate the Purchase and Sale under this Agreement
is subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the Closing, of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations
and Warranties of Sellers.
The
representations and warranties made by Sellers in this Agreement (including
the
Schedules), the Transaction Documents and in any certificate delivered by any
Seller hereunder shall be true and correct on and as of the Effective Date
and
on and as of the Closing Date, as if again made by Sellers on and as of such
date (in the case of this clause (a) without regard to any “material,” “in all
material respects,” “Material Adverse Effect,” dollar amount, “$” or similar
qualification contained therein or with respect thereto), except for
inaccuracies that individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Performance
of Sellers’ Obligations.
Each
Seller shall have delivered all documents and instruments described in Section
1.7 and shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required
under this Agreement by Sellers on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Pending
Proceedings.
No
injunction, restraining order or other ruling or order issued by any court
of
competent jurisdiction or Governmental Entity or other legal restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement shall be in effect.
(d) Consents
and Approvals.
Those
consents, waivers, authorizations and approvals set forth in Schedule
8.1(d)
shall
have been obtained (the “Consents”), and Sellers shall have delivered a copy of
documents evidencing each such Consent to Purchaser.
(e) Advisory
Contracts.
The
requisite approvals shall have been obtained for the Investment Advisory
Contract and each Investment Subadvisory Contract. The Investment Advisory
Contract and each Investment Subadvisory Contract shall have been executed
and
delivered to the Purchaser, and shall by its terms become effective upon the
Closing Date.
(f) Trustee
and Target Funds Shareholder Approvals.
The
Trustee Approval and Target Funds Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained
for Target Funds having assets under management representing at least 90% of
the
assets under management of all Target Funds (calculated in each case, as of
the
Effective Date), and each such Target Fund shall have executed and delivered
to
Purchaser an Investment Advisor Agreement.
(g) Material
Adverse Effect.
No
event, change, condition or other matter shall have occurred that has had or
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect
to
any Seller or any Target Fund.
(h) Trustee
Resignation.
Xxxxxx
Xxx shall have resigned as Fund Trustee.
(i) Stockholder
Approvals.
The
Stockholder Approvals shall have been obtained.
(j) Working
Capital Amount.
The
Working Capital Amount shall be equal to or greater than
$3,500,000.
8.2 Conditions
to Obligations of Sellers.
The
obligations of Sellers to consummate the Purchase and Sale under this Agreement
are subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the Closing, of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations
and Warranties of Purchaser.
The
representations and warranties made by Purchaser in this Agreement (including
the Schedules), the Transaction Documents and in any Certificate delivered
by
the Purchaser hereunder shall be true and correct in all material respects
on
and as of the Effective Date and the Closing Date, as if again made by Purchaser
on and as of such date (in the case of this clause (a) without regard to any
“material,” “in all material respects,” “Material Adverse Effect,” dollar
amount, “$” or similar qualification contained therein or with respect thereto),
except to the extent the failure to be so true and correct would not reasonably
be expected to impair the ability of Purchaser to consummate the Purchase and
Sale.
(b) Performance
of Purchaser’s Obligations.
Purchaser shall have delivered all documents and instruments described in
Section 1.8 and shall have otherwise performed in all material respects all
obligations required under this Agreement to be performed by Purchaser on or
prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Pending
Proceedings.
No
injunction, restraining order or other ruling or order issued by any court
of
competent jurisdiction or Governmental Entity or other legal restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement shall be in effect.
(d) Consent
and Approvals.
The
Consents shall have been obtained.
(e) Trustee
and Target Funds Shareholder Approvals.
The
Trustee Approval and Target Funds Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained
for Target Funds having assets under management representing at least 90% of
the
assets under management of all Target Funds (calculated in each case, as of
the
Effective Date), and Purchaser shall have executed and delivered to each such
Target Fund, an Investment Advisor Agreement .
(f) Stockholder
Approvals.
The
Stockholder Approvals shall have been obtained.
8.3 Termination.
(a) Methods
of Termination.
This
Agreement may, by written notice, be terminated and the transactions
contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Closing:
(i)
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by
mutual consent of AAAMHI and
Purchaser;
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(ii)
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by
either Purchaser or Sellers, if a Governmental Entity shall have
issued an
order, decree or ruling or taken any other action, in each case
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such order, decree,
ruling or other action shall have become final and
nonappealable;
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(iii)
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by
Purchaser, at any time when any Seller is in breach of any covenant
pursuant to this Agreement or in any schedule or documents delivered
in
connection herewith or if any representation or warranty of any Seller
is
false or misleading (except such as individually or in the aggregate
could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect); provided
that such condition is not the result of any breach of any covenant,
representation or warranty of Purchaser set forth herein or in any
closing
certificate delivered pursuant to the terms hereof; and provided
further
that such breach shall not have been cured, in the case of a covenant,
within ten (10) business days following receipt by the breaching
Party of
notice of such breach or, in the case of a representation or warranty
which is reasonably capable of a cure without any adverse consequences
with respect to the Business, the Acquired Assets, the Target Funds,
the
Acquisition or the rights of the Purchaser hereunder, on or prior
to the
date on which the conditions other than the accuracy of the representation
and warranty in question would be satisfied for the
Closing;
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(iv)
|
by
AAAMHI, at any time when Purchaser is in breach of any of its material
covenants pursuant to this Agreement or if any representation or
warranty
of Purchaser is false or misleading in any material respect; provided
that
such condition is not the result of any breach of any covenant,
representation or warranty of Sellers set forth in any Transaction
Document; and provided further that such breach shall not have been
cured,
in the case of a covenant, within ten (10) business days following
receipt
by the breaching Party of notice of such breach or, in the case of
a
representation or warranty which is reasonably capable of a cure
without
any adverse consequences with respect to the Business, the Acquired
Assets, the Target Funds, the Acquisition or the rights of the Sellers
hereunder, on or prior to the date on which the conditions other
than the
accuracy of the representation and warranty in question would be
satisfied
for the Closing;
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(v)
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by
Purchaser as permitted pursuant to Section
4.9;
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(vi)
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by
either Purchaser or AAAMHI if the Closing has not occurred on or
before
December 31, 2006; provided, however, that the right to terminate
this
Agreement shall not be available to any Party whose breach (or breach
by
any Affiliate of such Party) of any covenant or agreement pursuant
to this
Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the
Closing to occur on or before such date;
or
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(vii)
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by
either Purchaser or AAAMHI if the Trustee Approval or Target Funds
Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained for all Target
Funds on
or before December 31, 2006.
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(b) Procedure
and Effect of Termination.
In the
event of termination of this Agreement and abandonment of the transactions
contemplated hereby pursuant to this Section 8, this Agreement shall become
void
and have no effect except that (a) the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive
any termination of this Agreement, and (b)
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no Party
shall be relieved or released from any liability or damages arising out of
any
breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement by any Party
prior to the date of termination, unless the termination is effected pursuant
to
Section 8.3(a)(i).
ARTICLE
9. MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS.
9.1 Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Parties hereto
and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that
neither Party shall assign or delegate this Agreement or any of its rights
or
obligations created hereunder, except to an Affiliate, without the prior consent
of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.
9.2 Remedies.
Article
7
contains the exclusive remedies for all claims by and between the Parties
relating to this Agreement (other than those pursuant to Section 5.4) and any
closing certificate executed and delivered by the Parties in connection herewith
and the transactions contemplated hereby, all of which claims shall be made
pursuant to, and subject to, Article 7. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each
of
the Parties acknowledges and agrees that the other Parties would be damaged
irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached.
Accordingly, each of the Parties agrees that the other Parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this
Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and
provisions hereof in any action instituted in any court having jurisdiction
over
the Parties and the matter in addition to any other remedy to which they may
be
entitled pursuant hereto.
9.3 Notices.
All
notices, requests, consents, instructions and other communications required
or
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and hand delivered, sent
by
nationally recognized, next-day delivery service or mailed by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as set
forth below; receipt shall be deemed to occur on the date of actual receipt.
All
such communications shall be addressed as follows:
(a) if
to
Purchaser, as follows:
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxxx
XxXxxxxxx, LLP
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
(b) if
to
Sellers:
ABN
AMRO
Asset Management Holdings, Inc.
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxx & Xxxxxxxxx LLP
7800
Sears Tower
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
or
to
such other address or Persons as the Parties may from time to time designate
in
writing in the manner provided in this Section 9.3.
9.4 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, together with the Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto, the
Confidentiality Agreement and the other Transaction Documents represent the
entire agreement and understanding of the Parties hereto with respect to the
transactions contemplated herein and therein, and no representations, warranties
or covenants have been made in connection with this Agreement, other than those
expressly set forth herein and therein, or in the certificates delivered in
accordance herewith or therewith. Except for the Confidentiality Agreement,
this
Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence,
communications, understandings and agreements among the Parties relating to
the
subject matter of this Agreement and such other agreements and all prior drafts
of this Agreement and such other agreements, all of which are merged into this
Agreement.
9.5 Amendments
and Waivers.
This
Agreement may be amended, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the
terms hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by Purchaser
and
Sellers or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party waiving compliance or by
such
Party’s representative. No delay on the part of either Party in exercising any
right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor
shall
any waiver on the part of either Party of any such right, power or privilege,
nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege,
preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right,
power or privilege.
9.6 Severability.
This
Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability
of
any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability
of
this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof.
9.7 Headings.
The
article and section headings contained in this Agreement are solely for
convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation
of
this Agreement or of any term or provision hereof.
9.8 Terms.
All
references herein to Articles, Sections, Schedules and Exhibits shall be deemed
references to such parts of this Agreement, unless the context shall otherwise
require. All references to singular or plural shall include the other as the
context may require. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the words “herein,”
“hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, Subsection or other
subdivision. The words “include” and “including” shall not be construed as terms
of limitation. The word “or” shall mean “and/or” unless the context requires
otherwise.
9.9 Reference
to Sellers and Selected Funds.
(a) Notwithstanding
anything herein, no Seller (other than AAAMHI and AAIFS) shall be deemed to
have
made any representation or warranty regarding, or any covenant or agreement
with
respect to, any other Seller or any portion of the Business, assets,
liabilities, condition (financial and otherwise), prospects, relationships
or
operations of, or the Target Fund advised by, any other Seller, it being
acknowledged and agreed that each Seller (other than AAAMHI and AAIFS) is making
the representations and warranties and covenants and agreements contained herein
on a several and not a joint basis solely as to such Seller and its business,
assets, liabilities, condition (financial and otherwise), prospects,
relationships and operations and with respect to the Target Funds which it
advises. AAAMHI and AAIFS are making the representations and warranties and
covenants and agreements contained herein, jointly and severally, regarding
AAAMHI, AAIFS and all of the other Sellers and their respective, businesses,
assets, liabilities, conditions (financial and otherwise), prospects,
relationships and operations and with respect to the Target Funds which any
of
them advises.
(b) The
Parties acknowledge and agree that the Sellers do not currently employ or engage
an investment manager with respect to the Selected Funds. The Parties agree
that
the Seller shall have no obligations hereunder to employ an investment manager
or following the Closing Date to otherwise take or refrain from taking any
actions in connection with the operation, advising or sub-advising of the
Selected Funds (including, without limitation, compliance with the covenants
set
forth in Section 4.2 hereof); provided, however, that Sellers agree to consult
with Purchaser prior to taking any action specified in Section 4.2 with respect
to the Selected Funds.
9.10 Governing
Law; Jurisdiction and Venue.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of
the
State of New York, without giving effect to choice of Law principles. Each
Party
hereto hereby agrees that any proceeding relating to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought in a state court located
in
the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York or a federal court located in
the
borough of Manhattan in New York, New York. Each Party hereto hereby consents
to
personal jurisdiction in any such action brought in any such state or federal
court, consents to service of process by registered mail made upon such Party
and such Party’s agent and waives any objection to venue in any such state or
federal court and any claim that any such state or federal court is an
inconvenient forum.
9.11 Schedules
and Exhibits.
The
Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto are a part of this Agreement as if fully
set forth herein.
9.12 No
Third-Party Beneficiaries.
Except
as
expressly contemplated in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure solely to the benefit of each Party hereto and nothing in this
Agreement is intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies
of
any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
9.13 Expenses.
Except
as
expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, Sellers and Purchaser each
shall
bear its own respective transaction fees and expenses (including fees and
expenses of legal counsel, accountants, investment bankers, brokers, finders
or
other representatives and consultants) incurred in connection with the
preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby. Sellers agree to defend, indemnify and hold Purchaser
harmless from and against any claim, demand, or cause of action for broker,
finder or investment banker fees or commissions asserted by any Person or entity
engaged by or claiming to be engaged by Sellers or any of their Affiliates
in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
9.14 Construction.
The
language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by
the
Parties to express their mutual intent and no rule of strict construction shall
be applied against either Party.
9.15 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original and all of which together shall be considered one and the
same agreement.
9.16 Knowledge.
The
representations, warranties, covenants and obligations of the Sellers, and
the
rights and remedies that may be exercised by the Purchaser Indemnified Parties
based on such representations, warranties, covenants and obligations, will
not
be limited or affected by any investigation conducted by Purchaser or any agent
of Purchaser with respect to, or any knowledge acquired (or capable of being
acquired) by Purchaser or any agent of Purchaser at any time, whether before
or
after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Closing, with respect
to, the accuracy or inaccuracy of or compliance with any such representation,
warranty, covenant or obligation. The waiver by Purchaser of any of the
conditions set forth in Section 8.1 will not affect the provisions of this
Section.
9.17 Definitions.
“1940
Act”
shall
mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“ABN
AMRO Funds”
shall
mean a registered open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware
business trust and operating as a series fund, formed on September 10, 1993,
and
formerly known as the Alleghany Funds.
“Acquired
Assets”
shall
mean all of the assets used or useful in, or otherwise related to, the Business,
including, without limitation: (i) all of Sellers’ interest in all customer
lists, prospectuses and marketing lists with respect to the Target Funds,
(ii) those assets listed on Schedule
1.1,
(iii)
all of Sellers’ interest in the Separately Managed Accounts including all books
and records and related contracts, and (iv) the assigned contracts,
Business Proprietary Rights (other than the Retained Names and Marks), books
and
records related to the servicing of the Target Funds and the furniture, fixtures
and equipment used in the Business; provided that Acquired Assets shall not
include the Excluded Assets.
“Advisers
Act”
shall
mean the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
“Affiliate”
of
any
Person shall mean a Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such Person.
“Alternative
Investment Vehicle”
shall
mean (i) any collective investment vehicle (such as a hedge fund, venture
capital fund or private equity fund) in which a material portion of the
consideration to be received by the investment adviser, manager, or general
partner consists of an interest in the profits of the vehicle and (ii) any
collective investment vehicle (such as a side car, side-by-side or friends
and
family fund) which is managed on a parallel basis with any of the foregoing
but
which may not provide the investment adviser, manager, or general partner an
interest in the profits thereof.
“Approved
Target Funds”
means
those Target Funds for which the Trustee Approval and the Target Funds
Shareholder Approval has been obtained and is in effect as of the Closing,
and
new funds or classes of funds which are advised by Purchaser and sub-advised
by
Sellers following the Closing.
“Assumed
Liabilities”
shall
mean those liabilities of the Business specifically identified on Schedule
1.3
hereto.
“Calculation
Date”
shall
mean the last day of the
month
during
which
the
second anniversary of the
Closing Date
occurs.
“Calculation
Date Revenue”
means
two
times the aggregate investment advisory fees generated under the Investment
Advisory Contract applicable to the Approved Target Funds during the
Determination Period, less two times the aggregate amount of any fee waivers,
reimbursement obligations and/or similar offsets or arrangements effected during
the Determination Period.
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Confidential
Information”
shall
mean all trade secrets and other proprietary or confidential information of
the
Business including, without limitation, all (i) financial statements, cost
reports and forecasts of the Business, (ii) contract proposals, bidding
information and negotiating strategies of the Business, (iii) pricing
structures of the Business, (iv) policies and procedures of the Business,
(v) management systems and procedures of the Business, (vi) business
plans and projections of the Business, (vii) lists of, or other nonpublic
information regarding, actual or potential products and customers of the
Business, (viii) the terms of this Agreement or any other contract or
agreement of Sellers relating solely to the Business, (ix) inventions and
discoveries, (x) all information related to the Business the
confidentiality of which Sellers are required (whether by law, contract or
otherwise) to maintain, and (xi) other documents, writings, memoranda,
illustrations, designs, plans, processes, programs, computer software, reports,
customer lists, trade secrets and all other valuable or unique information
and
techniques acquired, developed or used by Sellers solely with respect to the
Business relating to their respective operations, employees and customers that
is (a) sufficiently secret to derive economic value, actual or potential,
from not being generally known to other Persons who can obtain economic value
from its disclosure or use and (b) the subject of efforts that are
reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy or confidentiality.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following will not constitute “Confidential
Information” for purposes of this Agreement: (w) Confidential Information
which was legally already in Purchaser’s possession prior to its receipt from
Seller; (x) Confidential Information which is legally obtained by Purchaser
from a third person; (y) Confidential Information which is required to be
disclosed by Law, a court or other Governmental Entity; and
(z) Confidential Information which is or becomes publicly available through
no fault of Purchaser.
“Contingent
Adjustment Amount”
shall mean the amount calculated pursuant to Section 1.5(c).
“Contingent
Adjustment Remainder”
shall
mean the amount, if any, equal to $3,800,000 less any amount paid by Sellers
to
Purchaser pursuant to Section 1.5.
“Designated
Employee”
shall
mean those Persons listed on Schedule
4.2(j).
“Determination
Period”
means
the six (6) month period ending on, and including, the Calculation
Date.
“Exchange
Act”
shall
mean the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Excluded
Assets”
shall
mean (i) the rights of Sellers under this Agreement and any other agreement
or
document executed by Sellers in connection with this Agreement, (ii) all of
Sellers’ consolidated cash and cash equivalents, other than the cash included in
the Acquired Assets necessary to provide the Working Capital Amount of
$3,500,000, (iii) all of Sellers’ receivables accrued through the close of
business on the day preceding the Closing Date, (iv) the minute books and stock
ledgers of the Sellers, (v) all rights, demands, claims, actions and causes
of
action (whether for personal injuries or property, consequential or other
damages of any kind) that Sellers or any of their Affiliates may have, on or
after the date hereof, against any Governmental Entity for refund or credit
of
any type with respect to Taxes for any pre-Closing tax period, (vi) the capital
stock of Sellers and their Affiliates, (vii) any contracts of Sellers
evidencing funded indebtedness of Sellers, (viii) any and all rights
accruing and/or payments received or receivable under any director’s and
officer’s liability policies that name the Sellers as beneficiaries,
(ix) rights, assets and contracts that are not in any manner related
to, or used in, the Business, (x) any investment advisory and sub-advisory
contracts and agreements which do not directly or indirectly relate to the
Target Funds, (xi) rights under insurance policies maintained by, or for the
benefit of, Sellers or their Affiliates (other than the Target Funds), and
(xii) such other assets of Sellers specifically listed on Schedule
1.2
hereto.
“Excluded
Funds”
shall
mean those funds held, advised or subadvised by any Seller as of the Closing
Date that are listed on Exhibit
A-3
hereto; provided that in order to remain an Excluded Fund pursuant to this
Agreement such fund must be
continuously operated
in substantially
the
same manner,
and
must be of substantially the same nature, in each case as it is as
of the Effective Date,
including
that
such fund
must (i) if a money market fund, remain
a
money market fund; (ii) be marketed to the same class
of investors and
in
the same geographic area as on the Effective Date; and (iii) maintain
substantially
similar investment
objectives as
are
in
effect on the Effective Date.
“Excluded
Liabilities”
shall
mean all of the liabilities, obligations and duties of Sellers of any kind
whatsoever, whether or not accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, or
determined or determinable, other than the liabilities specifically included
in
the definition of Assumed Liabilities. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Excluded Liabilities shall include all liabilities, obligations
and
duties of Sellers that are not Assumed Liabilities.
“Exhibits”
shall
mean the exhibits attached hereto and made a part of this
Agreement.
“GAAP”
shall
mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States
of
America at the time of determination, and which are consistently
applied.
“Governmental
Entity”
means
the United States of America or any other nation, any state or other political
subdivision thereof, or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial
(including courts), regulatory or administrative functions of
government.
“Income
Tax”
means
any Tax imposed on, or measured by, net income.
“Income
Tax Return”
means
any return, declaration, report, claim for refund or information return or
statement relating to Income Tax, including any schedule or attachment thereto,
and including any amendment thereof.
“Independent
Accounting Firm”
means
PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP.
“Investment
Advisory Contract”
or
“Investment
Advisory Contracts”
shall
mean individually or collectively those fee generating agreements entered into
between Purchaser and each Target Fund in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit
M,
with
such economic terms as set forth in Schedule 9.17
hereto.
“Investment
Subadvisory Contract”
or
“Investment
Subadvisory Contracts”
shall
mean individually or collectively those fee generating agreements entered into
between Purchaser and each Selling Registered Adviser in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit
I,
with
such economic terms as set forth in Schedule 9.17
hereto.
“Knowledge”
(or
any
form of such term, such as “Knows,” “Known,” etc.) as used in this Agreement
with respect to Sellers’ awareness of the presence or absence of a fact, event
or condition shall mean actual, then present knowledge of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx Dragon and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx or any facts
or
circumstances that would be known after due inquiry or with respect to
Purchaser’s awareness of the presence or absence of a fact, event or condition
shall mean actual, then present knowledge of Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx,
and
Xxxxxxx Forth or any facts or circumstances that would be known after due
inquiry.
“LaSalle
Litigation”
shall
mean any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether accrued, absolute,
contingent or otherwise arising out of, or relating to the conversion of LaSalle
Bank, N.A. individual managed accounts and/or common trust funds to the
Rembrandt Funds family of mutual funds (the “Conversion”), including but not
limited to the Xxxxxx
federal
litigation (Xxxxxx
x. XxXxxxx Bank, N.A.,
02 Civ.
684 (S.D.N.Y.)) and related state action (Xxxxxx
x. XxXxxxx Bank, N.A.,
Index
No. 105423/01 (N.Y. Supreme Ct., N.Y. County)) or any regulatory, administrative
or legal proceedings, including without limitation arbitrations, shareholder
class actions, derivative actions or other litigation arising out of or related
to the Conversion.
“Law”
or
“Laws”
means
any federal, state and foreign laws, statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances,
decrees, injunctions, orders and judgments.
“Lien”
shall
mean any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other
encumbrance.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
means,
with respect to Sellers, any change, event or effect (a) that is materially
adverse to the Business or to the assets, financial condition, liabilities,
results of operations or prospects of the Business taken as a whole, or (b)
that
would have a material adverse effect on the ability of Sellers to consummate
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case other than, solely
for
purposes of Sections 8.1(a) and 8.1(h), any change, event or effect to the
extent arising from or relating to (i) the United States or the global
economy or securities markets in general, (ii) acts of terrorism or war
(whether or not declared) occurring after the date hereof, (iii) the industry
in
which Sellers operate generally (and which are not specific to the Business
and
which do not affect the Business disproportionately as compared to other
companies which compete with the Business), or (iv) changes in any applicable
Law or accounting principles after the date hereof.
“Non-Competition
Agreements”
means
those certain Employee Noncompetition, Nonsolicitation and Nondisclosure
Agreements between AAAMHI or AAIFS and those Persons listed on Schedule
4.13(a)
which
shall be assigned to the Purchaser as of the Closing Date.
“Party”
and
“Parties”
mean
a
party or the parties to this Agreement set forth on the signature page
hereof.
“Permitted
Liens”
as
used
in this Agreement shall mean those Liens listed on Schedule
1.5,
consisting of (i) Liens that are purchase money, workmen’s or similar Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) Liens reflected in the
Fund
Financial Statements (which have not been discharged).
“Person”
shall
mean any individual, partnership, corporation, company, limited liability
company, trust or other entity.
“Proprietary
Rights”
means
all patents, patent applications, patent disclosures, technology and inventions;
trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, corporate names
and
Internet domain names, together with all goodwill associated therewith
(including all translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations of the
foregoing); copyrights and copyrightable works; and registrations, applications
and renewals for any of the foregoing; provided that Proprietary Rights do
not
include any Retained Names and Marks.
“Purchaser
Cap Amount”
shall
mean $3,800,000.
“Record
Date”
means
the applicable determination date, as determined by the trustees for each
applicable Target Fund, for which the holders of the shares of such Target
Fund
are declared for purposes of voting on whether to approve the transaction
proposals contemplated by this Agreement.
“Restricted
Period”
shall
mean (y) for each Seller (or any of their Subsidiaries) the longer of five
(5)
years or one (1) year after its termination as a sub-adviser of the applicable
Target Funds and (z) for all other Affiliates of Seller, five (5)
years.
“SAI”
means
Statement of Additional Information.
“Schedules”
means
the disclosure schedules attached hereto and made a part of this
Agreement.
“SEC”
shall
mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Selected
Funds”
shall
mean the Target Funds which are indicated to be Selected Funds on Exhibit A-1.
“Seller
Cap Amount”
shall
mean $3,800,000.
“Selling
Registered Adviser”
shall
mean each of the Sellers other than AAAMHI and AAIFS.
“Separately
Managed Accounts”
shall
mean a group of smaller client accounts for which AAMI and its subadvisors
provide portfolio design and construction which are listed on Exhibit
A-2.
“Separately
Managed Account Contract” shall
mean individually
or collectively those fee generating agreements entered into between Purchaser
and the clients of the Separately Managed Accounts.
“Stockholder
Approval”
means
the approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by the
stockholders of Purchaser holding the requisite number of shares necessary
to
approve such transactions; provided however
that
Stockholder Approval shall not be deemed to have been obtained if public
stockholders of Highbury Financial Inc. owning twenty percent (20%) or more
of
the shares purchased by such public stockholders both vote against the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and exercise their conversion rights
to convert their stock into an allocable share of the Highbury Financial Inc.
trust account.
“Sub-Advisory
License Agreements”
means
those License Agreements between Purchaser and each Seller serving as a
subadvisor, executed, delivered and effective as of the Closing, in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit
C.
“Subsidiary”
of
any
Party shall mean (a) a corporation, a majority of the voting or capital
stock of which is, at the time, directly or indirectly owned by such Party
and
(b) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Party,
directly or indirectly, (i) owns a majority of the equity or other interest
thereof and (ii) has the power to elect or direct the election of a
majority of the members of the governing body of such Person or otherwise has
control over such Person (e.g., as the managing partner of a
partnership).
“Target
Fund”
or
“Target
Funds”
shall
mean those series of the ABN AMRO Funds set forth on the attached Exhibit A-1.
“Target
Funds Shareholders”
means
those shareholders holding shares in Target Funds as of the Record
Date.
“Target
Funds Shareholder Approval”
means,
with respect to any Target Fund, the approval of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement by Target Funds Shareholders holding the requisite number
of
shares necessary to approve such transactions, including, without limitation,
the approval of the Investment Advisory Contracts and Investment Subadvisory
Contracts.
“Target
Revenue”
shall
mean $38,000,000.
“Tax”
and
“Taxes”
means
any federal, state, local or foreign net income, alternative or add-on minimum,
gross income, gross receipts, property, sales, use, transfer, gains, goods
and
services, value-added, registration, stamp, recording, commodity, documentary,
franchise, license, excise, employment, employee health, payroll, withholding
or
minimum tax, or any other tax of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest
or any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental
Entity.
“Tax
Return”
means
any return, report or similar statement required to be filed with respect to
any
Taxes (including any attached Schedules), including any information return,
claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Tax.
“Trading
Investigation”
shall
mean any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether accrued, absolute,
contingent or otherwise arising out of, or relating to any frequent trading
or
late trading in any of the Target Funds occurring prior to the Closing Date,
including but not limited to any actions brought by the New York Attorney
General or any shareholder class actions, derivative actions or other litigation
arising out of the same or similar allegations.
“Transaction
Documents”
means
this Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement, Transition Services Agreement,
Investment Advisory Contracts, the Separately Managed Account Contracts, the
Investment Subadvisory Contracts, the Sub-Advisory License Agreements and all
other agreements, instruments, certificates and other closing documents entered
into or delivered by either Party pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
“Trustee
Approval”
shall
mean the approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including,
without limitation, the Investment Advisory Contracts and the Investment
Subadvisory Contracts) by the requisite percentage of the trustees of each
of
the Target Funds, including a majority of the directors who are not “interested
persons” (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of the Target Funds, in accordance with
the charter and bylaws of the ABN AMRO Funds and the applicable provisions
of
the 1940 Act.
“Working
Capital”
shall
mean the current assets less the current liabilities of the Business immediately
after the Closing as calculated according to GAAP; provided that all assets
and
liabilities of the Purchaser existing immediately prior to the Closing shall
be
ignored for purposes of such calculation and provided further that any non-cash
assets will be included in “Working Capital” only if and to the extent approved
by Purchaser in writing.
[THE
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
ASTON
ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
Its:
Managing Member
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
ABN
AMRO ASSET MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
President
ABN
AMRO INVESTMENT FUND SERVICES, INC.
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Treasurer
ABN
AMRO ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
President
TAMRO
CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Treasurer
VEREDUS
ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
By:
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
RIVER
ROAD ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:
/s/
R. Xxxxxx Xxxx
Name:
R.
Xxxxxx Xxxx
Title:
President
MONTAG
& XXXXXXXX, INC.
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit
A-1
TARGET
FUNDS
Legal
Fund Name
|
Fund
#
|
Ticker
|
CUSIP
|
Authorized
Capital Stock as of the Capitalization Date
|
Par
Value
|
Issued
and Outstanding Stock as of the Capitalization
Date
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Balanced Fund - Class N*
|
131
|
CHTAX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
10.84
|
15,956,854
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Bond Fund-Class I*
|
220
|
CTBIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
9.69
|
7,521,683
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Bond Fund-Class N*
|
120
|
CHTBX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
9.69
|
14,324,323
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Growth Fund-Class I
|
233
|
CTGIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
22.97
|
19,571,803
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Growth Fund-Class N
|
133
|
CHTIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
22.66
|
39,203,490
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Growth Fund-Class R
|
933
|
CCGRX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
22.53
|
49,807
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / High Yield Bond Fund - Class I
|
222
|
ABHBX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
9.95
|
1,014,187
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / High Yield Bond Fund - Class N
|
122
|
AHBNX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
9.95
|
1,107,315
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Investment Grade Bond Fund - Class I*
|
221
|
IOFIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
9.14
|
3,547,129
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Investment Grade Bond Fund - Class N*
|
121
|
ANVGX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
9.14
|
397,565
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Mid Cap Fund-Class I
|
232
|
ABMIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
23.30
|
3,145,915
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Mid Cap Fund-Class N
|
132
|
CHTTX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
23.21
|
23,633,216
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Mid Cap Growth Fund - Class N
|
147
|
ABMGX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Municipal Bond Fund - Class N*
|
110
|
CHTMX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
10.25
|
6,737,272
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Real Estate Fund-Class I
|
243
|
AARIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
16.23
|
2,015,976
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Real Estate Fund-Class N
|
143
|
ARFCX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
16.23
|
3,379,786
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Value Fund - Class I
|
240
|
AAVIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
12.16
|
15,847,421
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Value Fund - Class N
|
140
|
RVALX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
12.15
|
7,870,288
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Montag & Xxxxxxxx Balanced Fund - Class N
|
130
|
MOBAX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
16.41
|
2,971,503
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Montag & Xxxxxxxx Growth Fund-Class N
|
134
|
MCGFX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
23.35
|
42,491,792
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Montag & Xxxxxxxx Growth Fund - Class R
|
934
|
MCRGX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
23.23
|
30,250
|
|||||||||||||
Montag
& Xxxxxxxx Balanced Fund - Class I
|
230
|
MOBIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
16.39
|
1,196,640
|
|||||||||||||
Montag
& Xxxxxxxx Growth -Class I
|
234
|
MCGIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
23.44
|
73,705,906
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / River Road Dynamic Equity Income Fund - Class N
|
161
|
ARDEX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
9.91
|
537,264
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / River Road Small Cap Value Fund - Class N
|
160
|
ARSVX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
10.28
|
612,567
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / TAMRO Large Cap Value Fund - Class N
|
139
|
ATLVX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
12.40
|
1,741,693
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / TAMRO Small Cap Fund-Class I
|
238
|
ATSIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
15.67
|
729,705
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / TAMRO Small Cap Fund-Class N
|
138
|
ATASX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
15.63
|
9,529,315
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Veredus Aggressive Growth Fund-Class I
|
235
|
AVEIX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
18.57
|
8,417,786
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Veredus Aggressive Growth Fund-Class N
|
135
|
VERDX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
18.35
|
29,938,438
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Veredus SciTech Fund - Class N
|
137
|
AVSTX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
7.11
|
640,396
|
|||||||||||||
ABN
AMRO / Veredus Select Growth Fund - Class N
|
144
|
AVSGX
|
00000X000
|
Unlimited
|
11.88
|
1,116,878
|
|||||||||||||
* |
Selected
Funds
|