FORM OF REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AMONG J.P. MORGAN SERIES TRUST II PORTFOLIOS AND JPMORGAN INSURANCE TRUST PORTFOLIOS JPMORGAN INSURANCE TRUST J.P. MORGAN SERIES TRUST II AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
FORM OF REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AMONG X.X. XXXXXX SERIES
TRUST II PORTFOLIOS AND JPMORGAN INSURANCE TRUST PORTFOLIOS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (“Agreement”)
is made as of this ___ day of __________ , 2009, by and between JPMorgan Insurance Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (“JPMIT”), on behalf
of its series set forth on Schedule A, (each an “Acquiring Fund,” and together the “Acquiring Funds”), and X.X. Xxxxxx Series Trust
II, a Delaware statutory trust (“Series Trust II”), on behalf of its series set forth on Schedule A, (each an “Acquired Fund,” and
together the “Acquired Funds”).
WHEREAS, each of the Acquired Funds and the Acquiring Funds is a
series of an open-end, investment company of the management type registered pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940
Act”);
WHEREAS, the contemplated reorganization and liquidation will
consist of (1) the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of each Acquired Fund to the respective
Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest of such Acquiring Fund (“Acquiring Fund Shares”) corresponding to the
outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Acquired Fund (“Acquired Fund Shares”), as described herein, (2) the assumption by the
Acquiring Fund of all liabilities of the respective Acquired Fund, and (3) the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the Shareholders of each
Acquired Fund in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund, as provided herein (“Reorganizations”), all upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Trustees of JPMIT have determined, with respect to
each Acquiring Fund, that the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the respective Acquired Fund for
Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of such Acquired Fund by the Acquiring Fund
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is in the best interests of each Acquiring Fund and that the interests of the existing Shareholders of the Acquiring Funds would not be diluted as a result of these transactions; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees of Series Trust II have determined, with
respect to each Acquired Fund, that the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Acquired Fund for
Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Acquired Fund by the respective Acquiring Fund is in the best interests of each
Acquired Fund and that the interests of the existing Shareholders of the Acquired Funds would not be diluted as a result of these
transactions;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the
covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
1. |
REORGANIZATIONS |
1.1 Subject to requisite approvals and
the other terms and conditions herein set forth and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, Series Trust II, on behalf of
each Acquired Fund, agrees to sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver all of its property and assets, as set forth in paragraph 1.2, to the
respective Acquiring Fund, and JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund, agrees in exchange therefor: (a) to deliver to the respective Acquired Fund the
number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares corresponding to the Acquired Fund Shares as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 3.1,
determined by dividing the value of such Acquired Fund’s net assets (computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph
2.1) by the net asset value of one share of Acquiring Fund Shares (computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.2); and
(b) to assume all liabilities of the respective Acquired Fund, as set forth in paragraph 1.3. Such transactions shall take place on the date of the
closing provided for in paragraph 3.1 (“Closing Date”). For purposes of this Agreement, the term Acquiring Fund Shares should be read to be
the Class 1 shares of each Acquiring Fund.
1.2 The property and assets of Series
Trust II attributable to each Acquired Fund and to be sold, assigned, conveyed, transferred and delivered to and acquired by JPMIT, on behalf of the
respective Acquiring Fund, shall consist of all assets and property, including, without limitation, all rights, cash, securities, commodities and
futures interests and dividends or interests receivable that are owned by the Acquired Fund and any deferred or prepaid expenses shown as an asset on
the books of the Acquired Fund on the Valuation Date as defined in paragraph 2.1 (collectively, “Assets”). Each Acquired Fund will sell,
assign, convey, transfer and deliver to the respective Acquiring Fund any rights, stock dividends, or other securities received by the Acquired Fund
after the Closing Date as stock dividends or other distributions on or with respect to the property and assets transferred, which rights, stock
dividends,
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and other securities shall be deemed included in the property and assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund at the Closing Date and shall not be separately valued, in which case any such distribution that remains unpaid as of the Closing Date shall be included in the determination of the value of the assets of the Acquired Fund acquired by the Acquiring Fund.
1.3 Each Acquired Fund will make
reasonable efforts to discharge all of its known liabilities and obligations prior to the Valuation Date, as defined below. JPMIT, on behalf of each
Acquiring Fund, shall assume all of the liabilities of the respective Acquired Fund, whether accrued or contingent, known or unknown, including without
limitation all indemnification obligations of Series Trust II with respect to current and former members of the Board and officers of Series Trust II
with respect to any action or omission relating to an Acquired Fund prior to the consummation of the transactions described in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2
of this Agreement to the extent permitted by applicable law and as set forth in Series Trust II’s Charter (as defined below) and By-laws, existing
at the Valuation Date (collectively, “Liabilities”). On or as soon as practicable prior to the Closing Date, each Acquired Fund will declare
and pay to its Shareholders of record one or more dividends and/or other distributions so that it will have distributed substantially all (and in no
event less than 98%) of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and realized net capital
gain, if any, for the current taxable year through the Closing Date.
1.4 Immediately following the actions
contemplated by paragraph 1.1, Series Trust II shall take such actions necessary to complete the liquidation of each Acquired Fund. To complete the
liquidation, Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired Fund, shall (a) distribute to its Shareholders of record as of the Closing Date, as defined in
paragraph 3.1 (“Acquired Fund Shareholders”), on a pro rata basis, the Acquiring Fund Shares received by Series Trust II, on behalf of an
Acquired Fund, pursuant to paragraph 1.1 and (b) completely liquidate. Such liquidation shall be accomplished, with respect to the Acquired Fund
Shares, by the transfer of the corresponding Acquiring Fund Shares then credited to the account of such Acquired Fund on the books of the respective
Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the applicable Acquired Fund Shareholders. The aggregate net
asset value of Acquiring Fund Shares to be so credited to Acquired Fund Shareholders shall be equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Acquired
Fund Shares owned by Acquired Fund Shareholders on the Closing Date. All issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Shares will be canceled on the books of
each Acquired Fund. The Acquiring Funds shall not issue certificates representing Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with such
exchange.
1.5 Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares
will be shown on the books of the respective Acquiring Fund’s transfer agent.
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1.6 Any reporting responsibility of an
Acquired Fund, including, but not limited to, the responsibility for filing regulatory reports, tax returns, or other documents with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“Commission”), any state securities commission, and any federal, state or local tax authorities or any other relevant
regulatory authority, is and shall remain the responsibility of such Acquired Fund.
1.7 The consummation of the
transactions provided for in this Agreement with respect to an Acquired Fund and the respective Acquiring Fund is not contingent upon the consummation
of the transactions provided for in this Agreement as to any other Acquired Fund(s) and Acquiring Fund(s).
2. |
VALUATION |
2.1 The value of the Assets of each
Acquired Fund shall be determined as of 4:00 pm Eastern Time, and after the declaration of any dividends by the Acquired Fund, on the Closing Date
(such time and date being hereinafter called the “Valuation Date”), computed using the valuation procedures which the respective Acquiring
Fund would use in determining the fair market value of its assets and liabilities.
2.2 The net asset value per share of
each Acquiring Fund’s Acquiring Fund Shares shall be determined to the nearest full cent on the Valuation Date, using the valuation procedures
established by JPMIT’s Board of Trustees.
2.3 The number of Acquiring Fund Shares
to be issued in exchange for the Assets shall be determined with respect to each Acquired Fund by dividing the value of the net assets with respect to
the Acquired Fund Shares, determined as set forth in paragraph 2.1, by the net asset value of an Acquiring Fund Share, determined as set forth in
paragraph 2.2.
3. |
CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE |
3.1 The Closing Date shall be April
, 2009, or such other date as the parties may agree. All acts taking place at the closing of the transactions provided for in this
Agreement (“Closing”) shall be deemed to take place simultaneously as of the close of business on the Closing Date unless otherwise agreed to
by the parties. The “close of business” on the Closing Date shall be as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The Closing shall be held at the offices
of X.X. Xxxxxx Investment Management Inc. or at such other time and/or place as the parties may agree.
3.2 Series Trust II shall direct
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMCB”), as custodian for each Acquired Fund (“Acquired Fund Custodian”), to deliver to JPMIT, at the
Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that (i) the Assets of each Acquired Fund have been delivered in proper form to the respective
Acquiring Fund on the Closing Date, and (ii) all necessary taxes in connection with the delivery of the Assets of the Acquired Fund, including
all
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applicable federal and state stock transfer stamps, if any, have been paid or provision for payment has been made. Each Acquired Fund’s portfolio securities represented by a certificate or other written instrument shall be presented by the Acquired Fund Custodian to JPMCB, as the custodian for each Acquiring Fund (“Acquiring Fund Custodian”). Such presentation shall be made for examination no later than five business days preceding the Closing Date, and such certificates and other written instruments shall be transferred and delivered by the Acquired Fund as of the Closing Date for the account of the respective Acquiring Fund duly endorsed in proper form for transfer in such condition as to constitute good delivery thereof. The Acquired Fund Custodian shall deliver to the Acquiring Fund Custodian as of the Closing Date by book entry, in accordance with the customary practices of the Acquired Fund Custodian and of each securities depository, as defined in Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, the Assets of each Acquired Fund deposited with such depositories. The cash to be transferred by each Acquired Fund shall be delivered to the Acquiring Fund Custodian on the Closing Date.
3.3 Series Trust II shall direct Boston
Financial Data Services, Inc., in its capacity as transfer agent for each Acquired Fund (“Transfer Agent”), to deliver to JPMIT at the
Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the name and address of each Acquired Fund Shareholder and the number
and percentage ownership of Acquired Fund Shares owned by each such Shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. Each Acquiring Fund shall deliver to
the Secretary of the respective Acquired Fund a confirmation evidencing that (a) the appropriate number of Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to
such Acquired Fund’s account on the books of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1 prior to the actions contemplated by paragraph 1.4 and
(b) the appropriate number of Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the accounts of the Acquired Fund Shareholders on the books of the Acquiring
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.4. At the Closing each party shall deliver to the other party such bills of sale, checks, assignments, share certificates,
if any, receipts or other documents as the other party or its counsel may reasonably request.
3.4 In the event that at the Valuation
Date (a) the New York Stock Exchange or another primary trading market for portfolio securities of any Acquiring Fund or any Acquired Fund (each an
“Exchange”) shall be closed to trading or trading thereupon shall be restricted, or (b) trading or the reporting of trading on such Exchange
or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of any Acquired Fund or any Acquiring Fund is impracticable
(in the judgment of the Board of Trustees of JPMIT with respect to the Acquiring Funds and the Board of Trustees of Series Trust II with respect to the
Acquired Funds), the Closing Date shall be postponed with respect to such Acquired Fund or Acquiring Fund until the first Friday (that is also a
business day) after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored.
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4. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
4.1 Except as has been fully disclosed
to JPMIT in Schedule 4.1 to this Agreement, Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired Fund, represents and warrants to JPMIT as
follows:
(a) Each Acquired Fund is
duly established as a series of Series Trust II, which is a statutory trust duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of Delaware, with power under its Certificate of Trust and Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended (collectively, the “Charter”), to
own all of its Assets and to carry on its business as it is being conducted as of the date hereof. Series Trust II is not required to qualify as a
foreign trust or association in any jurisdiction, except for any jurisdiction in which it has so qualified or in which a failure to so qualify would
not have a material adverse effect. Series Trust II has all necessary federal, state and local authorization to carry on its business as now being
conducted and to fulfill the terms of this Agreement, except as set forth in paragraph 4.1. The obligations of Series Trust II entered into in the name
or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, officers, employees or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon
any of the Trustees, [officers, employees, agents] or Shareholders of Series Trust II personally, but bind only the assets of Series Trust II and all
persons dealing with any series or funds of Series Trust II, such as the Acquiring Funds, must look solely to the assets of Series Trust II belonging
to such series or fund for the enforcement of any claims against Series Trust II.
(b) Series Trust II is a
registered investment company classified as a management company of the open-end type, and its registration with the Commission as an investment
company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of the Acquired Fund Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), is
in full force and effect.
(c) No consent, approval,
authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquired Funds of the transactions contemplated
herein, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), the 0000 Xxx, xxxxx
securities laws and the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxxxx Act.
(d) The current prospectus
and statement of additional information of each Acquired Fund conforms in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the
1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and does not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
materially misleading.
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(e) On the Closing Date,
Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired Fund, will have good and marketable title to the Assets and full right, power, and authority to sell,
assign, convey, transfer and deliver such Assets hereunder free of any liens or other encumbrances, and upon delivery and payment for the Assets,
JPMIT, on behalf of the respective Acquiring Fund, will acquire good and marketable title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer
thereof, including such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act.
(f) Each Acquired Fund is
not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not result in, (i) a material violation of the Charter or
by-laws of Series Trust II or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which Series Trust II, on behalf of each
Acquired Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, or (ii) the acceleration of any material obligation, or the imposition of any material penalty,
under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired Fund, is a party
or by which it is bound.
(g) All material contracts
or other commitments of each Acquired Fund (other than this Agreement, contracts listed in Schedule 4.1 and certain investment contracts, including
options, futures, and forward contracts) will terminate without liability to the Acquired Fund on or prior to the Closing Date. Each contract listed in
Schedule 4.1 is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of each party thereto (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other
party thereto) and the assignment by the Acquired Fund to the respective Acquiring Fund of each such contract will not result in the termination of
such contract, any breach or default thereunder or the imposition of any penalty thereunder.
(h) No litigation or
administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or, to Series Trust II’s knowledge,
threatened against Series Trust II, with respect to any Acquired Fund or any of such Acquired Fund’s properties or assets, that, if adversely
determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business. Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired
Fund, knows of no facts which might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any
order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body which materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the
transactions herein contemplated.
(i) The Statement of Assets
and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets, and Schedule of Investments of each Acquired Fund at December 31, 2008, have been
audited by __________________, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, and are in
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accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to JPMIT) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of each Acquired Fund as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of each such Acquired Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date that are not disclosed therein.
(j) Since December 31, 2008,
there has not been any material adverse change in each Acquired Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes
occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by each such Acquired Fund of indebtedness, other than the incurrence of indebtedness
in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the Acquired Fund’s investment restrictions. For the purposes of this subparagraph (j), a
decline in net asset value per share of Acquired Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by an Acquired Fund, the discharge of
Acquired Fund liabilities, or the redemption of Acquired Fund Shares by Shareholders of an Acquired Fund shall not constitute a material adverse
change.
(k) On the Closing Date, all
federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms, and other tax-related reports of each Acquired Fund required by law to have been filed by such
date (including any extensions) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown as due
or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof and, to the
best of Series Trust II’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such
returns.
(l) For each taxable year of
its operation (including the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), each Acquired Fund has met (or will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for qualification as a regulated investment company, has been (or will be)
eligible to and has computed (or will compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and will have distributed substantially all of (i)
the excess of (x) its investment income excludible from gross income under Section 103 of the Code over (y) its deductions disallowed under Sections
265 and 171 of the Code (net tax-exempt income), (ii) its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends
paid) and (iii) net capital gain (after reduction for any capital loss carryover) (as defined in the Code), if any, that has accrued through the
Closing Date, and before the
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Closing Date will have declared dividends intended to be sufficient to distribute all of its net tax-exempt income, investment company taxable income and net capital gain for the period ending on the Closing Date.
(m) For all taxable years
and all applicable quarters of each Acquired Fund from the date of its inception, each Acquired Fund has complied with the separate diversification
requirements imposed by Section 817(h) of the Code and the regulations thereunder on certain insurance company separate accounts.
(n) All issued and
outstanding Acquired Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly authorized and validly and legally issued and outstanding, fully paid and
non-assessable by Series Trust II and will have been offered and sold in every state, territory and the District of Columbia in compliance in all
material respects with applicable registration requirements of all applicable federal and state securities laws. All of the issued and outstanding
Acquired Fund Shares will, at the time of Closing, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the Transfer Agent, on behalf
of each Acquired Fund, as provided in paragraph 3.3. No Acquired Fund has outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or
purchase any of the Acquired Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any of the Acquired Fund Shares. Each Acquired Fund
will review its Assets to ensure that at any time prior to the Closing Date its Assets do not include any assets that the respective Acquiring Fund is
not permitted, or reasonably believes to be unsuitable for it, to acquire, including without limitation any security that, prior to its acquisition by
the Acquired Fund, is unsuitable for the Acquiring Fund to acquire.
(o) The execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated herein, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
the Board of Trustees of Series Trust II, and by the approval of each Acquired Fund’s Shareholders, as described in paragraph 8.1, and this
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to
general equity principles.
(p) The combined proxy
statement and prospectus (“Proxy Statement”) to be included in the Registration Statement (as defined in paragraph 5.6), insofar as it
relates to each Acquired Fund and Series Trust II, will from the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of the meeting of
Shareholders of each Acquired Fund contemplated therein and on the Closing Date (i) not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein
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or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading (provided that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Acquiring Funds for use therein) and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The information to be furnished by the Acquired Funds for use in registration statements and other documents filed or to be filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority (including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)), which may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal securities and other laws and regulations thereunder applicable thereto.
4.2 Except as has been fully disclosed
to Series Trust II in Schedule 4.2 to this Agreement, JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund, represents and warrants to Series Trust II as
follows:
(a) Each Acquiring Fund is
duly established as a series of JPMIT, which is a business trust duly organized, existing, and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts with the power under JPMIT’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) to own all of its properties
and assets and to carry on its business as contemplated by this Agreement. JPMIT is not required to qualify as a foreign trust or association in any
jurisdiction, except for any jurisdiction in which it has so qualified or in which a failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect.
JPMIT has all necessary federal, state and local authorization to carry on its business as now being conducted and to fulfill the terms of this
Agreement, except as set forth in paragraph 4.2(c). The obligations of JPMIT entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees,
officers, employees or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers, employees,
agents or Shareholders of JPMIT personally, but bind only the assets of JPMIT and all persons dealing with any series or funds of JPMIT, such as the
Acquired Funds, must look solely to the assets of JPMIT belonging to such series or fund for the enforcement of any claims against
JPMIT.
(b) JPMIT is a registered
investment company classified as a management company of the open-end type, and its registration with the Commission as an investment company under the
1940 Act and the registration of the Acquiring Fund Shares under the 1933 Act will be in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.
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(c) No consent, approval,
authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Funds of the transactions contemplated
herein, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, state securities laws and the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx
Act.
(d) The current prospectus
and statement of additional information of each Acquiring Fund conforms in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the
1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and does not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
materially misleading.
(e) Each Acquiring Fund is
not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not result, in (i) a material violation of JPMIT’s
Declaration of Trust or bylaws or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which JPMIT, on behalf of each
Acquiring Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, or (ii) the acceleration of any material obligation, or the imposition of any material penalty,
under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund, is a party or by
which it is bound.
(f) No litigation or
administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or, to JPMIT’s knowledge, threatened
against JPMIT, with respect to any Acquiring Fund or any of such Acquiring Fund’s properties or assets, that, if adversely determined, would
materially and adversely affect the Acquiring Fund’s financial condition or the conduct of its business. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.2 to
this Agreement, JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund, knows of no facts which might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is
not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body which materially and adversely affects
the Acquiring Fund’s business or its ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated.
(g) The Statement of Assets
and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets, and Schedule of Investments of the Acquiring Fund at December 31, 2008, have been
audited by __________________, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, and are in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been
furnished to Series Trust II) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of each Acquiring Fund as of such date in accordance
with GAAP, and there are
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no known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of each such Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date that are not disclosed therein.
(h) Since December 31, 2008,
there has not been any material adverse change in each Acquiring Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes
occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by each such Acquiring Fund of indebtedness, other than the incurrence of indebtedness
in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the Acquiring Fund’s investment restrictions. For the purposes of this subparagraph (h), a
decline in net asset value per share of Acquiring Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by an Acquiring Fund, the discharge
of Acquiring Fund liabilities, or the redemption of Acquiring Fund Shares by Shareholders of the Acquiring Fund shall not constitute a material adverse
change.
(i) On the Closing Date, all
federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms, and other tax-related reports of each Acquiring Fund required by law to have been filed by
such date (including any extensions) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown
as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof and,
to the best of JPMIT’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such
returns.
(j) For each taxable year of
its operation (including the taxable year that includes the Closing Date), each Acquiring Fund has met (or will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M
of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company, has been (or will be) eligible to and has computed (or will compute) its federal
income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and will have distributed substantially all of its (i) investment company taxable income (computed without
regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and (ii) net capital gain (after reduction for any capital loss carryover) (as defined in the Code), if
any, for the period ending on the Closing Date.
(k) For all taxable years
and all applicable quarters of each Acquiring Fund from the date of its inception, each Acquiring Fund has complied with the separate diversification
requirements imposed by Section 817(h) of the Code and the regulations thereunder on certain insurance company separate accounts.
(l) All of the issued and
outstanding Acquiring Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly authorized and validly and legally issued and outstanding, fully paid and
non-assessable by JPMIT and will have
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been offered and sold in every state, territory and the District of Columbia in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of all applicable federal and state securities laws. No Acquiring Fund has outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquiring Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any Acquiring Fund Shares. All of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Acquired Funds, for the account of the Acquired Fund Shareholders, pursuant to this Agreement will on the Closing Date have been duly authorized and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly and legally issued Acquiring Fund Shares and be fully paid and non-assessable by JPMIT.
(m) The execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated herein, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Board
of Trustees of JPMIT and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting
creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
(n) The Proxy Statement to
be included in the Registration Statement, insofar as it relates to each Acquiring Fund, JPMIT and the Acquiring Fund Shares, will from the effective
date of the Registration Statement through the date of the meeting of Shareholders of each Acquired Fund contemplated therein and on the Closing Date
(i) not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading (provided that this representation
and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was
furnished by the Acquired Funds for use therein) and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the
1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The information to be furnished by the Acquiring Funds for use in registration statements and other
documents filed or to be filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority (including FINRA), which may be necessary in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal
securities and other laws and regulations thereunder applicable thereto.
5. |
COVENANTS |
Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired Fund, and JPMIT, on
behalf of each Acquiring Fund, respectively, hereby further covenant as follows:
13
5.1 Each Acquired Fund and the
respective Acquiring Fund will operate its business in the ordinary course between the date hereof and the Closing Date, it being understood that such
ordinary course of business will include the declaration and payment of customary dividends and distributions, and any other distribution that may be
advisable.
5.2 Series Trust II will call a meeting
of the Shareholders of each Acquired Fund to consider and act upon this Agreement and to take all other action necessary to obtain approval of the
transactions contemplated herein.
5.3 Each Acquired Fund covenants that
the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued hereunder are not being acquired for the purpose of making any distribution thereof, other than in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.
5.4 Each Acquired Fund will assist the
respective Acquiring Fund in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of the Acquired
Fund Shares.
5.5 Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, each Acquiring Fund and each Acquired Fund covenant to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and do or cause to be done, all things
reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.6 JPMIT shall prepare and file a
Registration Statement on Form N-14 in compliance with the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with
respect to the Reorganizations (“Registration Statement”). Each Acquired Fund will provide to the respective Acquiring Fund such information
regarding the Acquired Fund as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the Registration Statement.
5.7 Each of the Acquiring Funds and
each of the Acquired Funds covenant to use its reasonable best efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions precedent to effect the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable.
5.8 Series Trust II, on behalf of each
Acquired Fund, covenants that it will, from time to time, as and when reasonably requested by JPMIT, execute and deliver or cause to be executed and
delivered all such assignments and other instruments and will take or cause to be taken such further action as JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund,
may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) Series Trust II’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund
Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) JPMIT’s title to and possession of all the Assets and otherwise to carry out the intent and purpose of
this Agreement.
5.9 Each Acquiring Fund covenants to
use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and
14
such of the state blue sky or securities laws as may be necessary in order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.
5.10 Each Acquiring Fund shall not
change its Declaration of Trust, prospectus or statement of additional information prior to closing so as to restrict permitted investments for the
Acquiring Fund prior to the closing, except as required by the Commission.
5.11 That there shall have been
obtained on behalf of each Acquiring Fund liability insurance covering claims that may be made against the trustees, independent trustees and the
officers of Series Trust II in their capacity as such trustees, independent trustees or officers for a period of __ years following the Closing
Date.
6. |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH ACQUIRED FUND |
The obligations of Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired
Fund, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at Series Trust II’s election, to the performance by JPMIT, on behalf
of each Acquiring Fund, of all the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on or before the Closing Date, and, in addition thereto, the following
further conditions:
6.1 All representations and warranties
of JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and,
except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on
and as of the Closing Date.
6.2 JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring
Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund, on or before the Closing Date.
6.3 JPMIT shall have executed and
delivered an assumption of the Liabilities (the “Assumption Instrument”) and all such other agreements and instruments as Series Trust II may
reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) Series Trust II’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares
to be delivered hereunder and (b) JPMIT’s assumption of all of the Liabilities and otherwise to carry out the intent and purpose of this
Agreement.
6.4 JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring
Fund, shall have delivered to the respective Acquired Fund a certificate executed in the name of JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund, by
JPMIT’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Series Trust II and dated as of
the Closing Date, as to the matters set forth in paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 and as to such other matters as Series Trust II shall reasonably
request.
15
6.5 Each Acquired Fund and the
respective Acquiring Fund shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the
Reorganizations after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.
7. |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH ACQUIRING FUND |
The obligations of JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring Fund, to
consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at JPMIT’s election, to the performance by Series Trust II, on behalf of each
Acquired Fund, of all of the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on or before the Closing Date and, in addition thereto, the following further
conditions:
7.1 All representations and warranties
of Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired Fund, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date
hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect
as if made on and as of the Closing Date.
7.2 Series Trust II, on behalf of each
Acquired Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied
with by Series Trust II, on behalf of such Acquired Fund, on or before the Closing Date.
7.3 Series Trust II, on behalf of each
Acquired Fund, shall have delivered to the respective Acquiring Fund a statement of the Assets and Liabilities, as of the Closing Date, including a
schedule of investments, certified by the Treasurer of Series Trust II. Series Trust II shall have executed and delivered all such assignments and
other instruments of transfer (the “Transfer Instruments”) as JPMIT may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and
confirm (a) Series Trust II’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) JPMIT’s title to and
possession of all the Assets and otherwise to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.
7.4 Series Trust II, on behalf of each
Acquired Fund, shall have delivered to JPMIT a certificate executed in the name of Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired Fund, by Series Trust
II’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to JPMIT and dated as of the Closing
Date, as to the matters set forth in paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2 and as to such other matters as JPMIT shall reasonably request.
7.5 Each Acquired Fund and the
respective Acquiring Fund shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the
Reorganizations after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.
16
8. |
FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH ACQUIRING FUND AND EACH ACQUIRED FUND |
If any of the conditions set forth below have not been satisfied
on or before the Closing Date with respect to Series Trust II, on behalf of an Acquired Fund, or JPMIT, on behalf of the respective Acquiring Fund, the
other party to this Agreement shall be entitled, at its option, to refuse to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as to such
Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund:
8.1 This Agreement and the transactions
contemplated herein shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of each Acquired Fund with respect to each
Acquired Fund in accordance with the provision of the Charter and by-laws of Series Trust II, applicable state law and the 1940 Act, and certified
copies of the resolutions evidencing such approval shall have been delivered to the respective Acquiring Fund. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, neither JPMIT nor Series Trust II may waive the condition set forth in this paragraph 8.1.
8.2 On the Closing Date no action, suit
or other proceeding shall be pending or, to JPMIT’s or to Series Trust II’s knowledge, threatened before any court or governmental agency in
which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
herein.
8.3 All consents of other parties and
all other consents, orders and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities deemed necessary by JPMIT or Series Trust II to permit
consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such
consent, order or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of any Acquiring Fund or any Acquired Fund,
provided that either party hereto may for itself waive any of such conditions.
8.4 The Registration Statement shall
have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of
the parties hereto, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending, threatened or contemplated under the 0000
Xxx.
8.5 With respect to each
Reorganization, the parties shall have received an opinion of Ropes & Xxxx LLP dated the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that for federal
income tax purposes: (i) the transfer of the Acquired Fund’s assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption
of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities, followed by a distribution of those shares to the insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the
Acquired Fund, and the termination of the Acquired Fund will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of
the
17
Code, and the Acquiring Fund and Acquired Fund each will be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; (ii) under Section 1032 of the Code, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon the receipt of the assets of the Acquired Fund in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund; (iii) under Section 362(b) of the Code, the Acquiring Fund’s tax basis in the assets of the Acquired Fund acquired by the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the tax basis of such assets in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization; (iv) under Section 1223(2) of the Code, the holding periods in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of the assets of the Acquired Fund acquired by the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will include the periods during which those assets were held by the Acquired Fund; (v) under Section 361 of the Code, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund upon the transfer of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, or upon the distribution (whether actual or constructive) of Acquiring Fund Shares by the Acquired Fund to the insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Acquired Fund, in exchange for their shares of the Acquired Fund; (vi) under Section 354 of the Code, the insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Acquired Fund, will not recognize a gain or loss upon the exchange of their shares of the Acquired Fund for Acquiring Fund Shares in liquidation of the Acquired Fund; (vii) under Section 358 of the Code, the aggregate tax basis for Acquiring Fund Shares that the insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Acquired Fund, receive in connection with the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of their respective shares in the Acquired Fund exchanged therefor; (viii) under Section 1223(1) of the Code, the holding period for the shares of the Acquiring Fund that an insurance company separate account, as a shareholder of the Acquired Fund, receives in the Reorganization will include the period during which the Acquired Fund Shares exchanged therefor were held by such shareholder, provided that on the date of the exchange it held such Acquired Fund Shares as capital assets; and (ix) the Acquiring Fund will succeed to and take into account the items of the Acquired Fund described in Section 381(c) of the Code, subject to the conditions and limitations specified in Sections 381, 382, 383 and 384 of the Code and Regulations thereunder. Ropes & Xxxx LLP will express no view with respect to the effect of the transaction on any transferred asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized under federal income tax principles (i) at the end of a taxable year or upon the termination thereof, or (ii) upon the transfer of such asset regardless of whether such a transfer would otherwise be a non-taxable transaction. The opinion will be subject to receipt of and based on certain factual certifications made by officers of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund and will also be based on
18
customary assumptions. It is possible that the Internal Revenue Service could disagree with Ropes & Xxxx LLP’s opinion. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither JPMIT nor Series Trust II may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 8.5.
8.6 JPMIT shall have received the
opinion of Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP dated the Closing Date (subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and limitations and in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to JPMIT) substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts and certifications made by Series Trust II, on
behalf of each Acquired Fund, and its authorized officers, (a) Series Trust II is a statutory trust duly organized and validly existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has power to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted, and each Acquired
Fund is a separate series thereof duly constituted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Declaration of Trust and bylaws
of Series Trust II; each Acquired Fund has the power to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the assets to be transferred by it hereunder, and, upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the execution and delivery to each Acquiring
Fund by and on behalf of the respective Acquired Fund of the Transfer Instruments against payment therefore, the Acquired Fund will have duly
transferred such assets to the respective Acquiring Fund; (b) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of each
Acquired Fund and, assuming the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement comply with applicable federal securities laws and assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the JPMIT, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Acquired Fund enforceable
against the Acquired Fund in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and other laws of general
applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law); (c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby will not, violate the Declaration of Trust or bylaws of Series Trust II or result in a violation of the terms and provision of the agreements
to which Series Trust II or an Acquired Fund is a party or by which either Series Trust II or an Acquired Fund is bound that are listed in an annex to
such opinion and, to the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval, authorization or order of any United States federal or Delaware state court
or governmental body is required for the consummation by Series Trust II and each Acquired Fund of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement,
except such as have been obtained; (d) to the knowledge of such counsel, based on discussions with officers of Series Trust II but without other
independent investigation, except as has been disclosed in writing to the Acquiring Funds, there is no litigation or administrative proceeding
or
19
investigation of or before any court or governmental body presently pending or threatened as to Series Trust II or any Acquired Fund or any of their respective properties or assets; to the knowledge of such counsel, based on discussions with officers of Series Trust II but without other independent investigation, neither Series Trust II nor any Acquired Fund is a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body, which materially and adversely affects either of their respective businesses; and, to the knowledge of such counsel, based on discussions with officers of Series Trust II but without other independent investigation, there is no legal or governmental proceeding relating to Series Trust II or any Acquired Fund pending on or before the date of mailing of the Proxy Statement or the date hereof which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not disclosed therein; and (e) Series Trust II is registered with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act.
8.7 Series Trust II shall have received
the opinion of Ropes & Xxxx LLP dated the Closing Date (subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and limitations and in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to Series Trust II) substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts and certifications made by JPMIT, on behalf of
each Acquiring Fund, and its authorized officers, (a) JPMIT is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and has power to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted, and each Acquiring Fund is a separate series
thereof duly constituted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Declaration of Trust and bylaws of JPMIT; each Acquiring
Fund has the power to assume the liabilities to be assumed by it hereunder and, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement and the execution and delivery to each Acquired Fund by and on behalf of the respective Acquiring Fund of the
Assumption Instrument, the Acquiring Fund will have duly assumed such liabilities; (b) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
on behalf of each Acquiring Fund and, assuming the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement comply with applicable federal securities laws and
assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Series Trust II, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each
Acquiring Fund, enforceable against the Acquiring Fund in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium reorganization and
other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles (regardless of whether
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (c) the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued for transfer to each Acquired Fund’s
shareholders as provided by this Agreement are duly authorized for issuance and, when issued and delivered by each Acquiring Fund against delivery of
all of the assets of the respective Acquired Fund as set forth in this Agreement, will be validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and
nonassessable shares in
20
the applicable Acquiring Fund, and no shareholder of the Acquiring Fund has any preemptive right of subscription or purchase in respect thereof; (d) the execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby will not, violate the Declaration of Trust or bylaws of JPMIT or result in a violation of the terms and provision of the agreements to which JPMIT or an Acquiring Fund is a party or by which either JPMIT or an Acquiring Fund is bound that are listed in an annex to such opinion and, to the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval, authorization or order of any United States federal or Massachusetts state court or governmental body is required for the consummation by JPMIT and each Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, except such as have been obtained; (e) to the knowledge of such counsel, based on discussions with officers of JPMIT but without other independent investigation, except as has been disclosed in writing to the Acquired Funds, there is no litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body presently pending or threatened as to JPMIT or any Acquiring Fund or any of their respective properties or assets; to the knowledge of such counsel, based on discussions with officers of JPMIT but without other independent investigation, neither JPMIT nor any Acquiring Fund is a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body, which materially and adversely affects either of their respective businesses; and, to the knowledge of such counsel, based on discussions with officers of JPMIT but without other independent investigation, there is no legal or governmental proceeding relating to JPMIT or any Acquiring Fund pending on or before the date of mailing of the Proxy Statement or the date hereof which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not disclosed therein; (f) JPMIT is registered with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act; and (g) the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and, to the knowledge of such counsel, (i) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and (ii) no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or threatened by the Commission.
8.8 The Assets of each Acquired Fund
will include no assets which the respective Acquiring Fund, by reason of limitations contained in its Declaration of Trust or of investment
restrictions disclosed in its current prospectus and statement of additional information, as supplemented, in effect on the Closing Date, may not
properly acquire.
21
9. |
INDEMNIFICATION |
9.1 Each Acquiring Fund, solely out of
its assets and property (including any amounts paid to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to any applicable liability insurance policies or indemnification
agreements), severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Series Trust II and its Trustees and officers from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of
investigation) to which the respective Acquired Fund may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with
respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Acquiring Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act
wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by JPMIT or its Trustees or officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that such indemnification by any
Acquiring Fund is not (i) in violation of any applicable law or (ii) otherwise prohibited as a result of any applicable order or decree issued by any
governing regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction.
9.2 Each Acquired Fund, solely out of
its assets and property (including any amounts paid to the Acquired Fund pursuant to any applicable liability insurance policies or indemnification
agreements), severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless JPMIT and its Trustees and officers from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to
which the respective Acquiring Fund may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto)
arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Acquired Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this
Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or
attempted to be committed by Series Trust II or its Trustees or officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that such indemnification by any Acquired
Fund is not (i) in violation of any applicable law or (ii) otherwise prohibited as a result of any applicable order or decree issued by any governing
regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction.
10. |
BROKERAGE FEES AND EXPENSES |
10.1 JPMIT, on behalf of each Acquiring
Fund, and Series Trust II, on behalf of each Acquired Fund, represent and warrant to each other that there are no brokers or finders entitled to
receive any payments in connection with the transactions provided for herein.
22
10.2 X.X. Xxxxxx Investment Management
Inc. or JPMorgan Investment Advisors Inc., as applicable, and JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc. will waive their fees and/or reimburse each Fund in an
amount sufficient to offset the costs incurred by the Fund relating to its Reorganization. The costs of the Reorganizations shall include, but not be
limited to, costs associated with obtaining any necessary order of exemption from the 1940 Act, preparation and filing of the Registration Statement
and printing and distribution of the Proxy Statement, legal fees, accounting fees, securities registration fees, and expenses of holding a
Shareholders’ meeting pursuant to paragraph 5.2. The costs of the Reorganizations will not include brokerage fees and expenses related to the
disposition and acquisition of portfolio assets. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly
incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another person of such expenses would result in the disqualification of such party as
a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code.
11. |
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES |
11.1 JPMIT and Series Trust II agree
that neither party has made any representation, warranty or covenant, on behalf of either an Acquiring Fund or an Acquired Fund, respectively, not set
forth herein and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.
11.2 The representations, warranties
and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereunder. The covenants to be performed after the Closing and the obligations of each of the Acquired Funds and the
respective Acquiring Funds in Section 9 shall survive the Closing.
12. |
TERMINATION |
This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated hereby may be abandoned with respect to one or more Acquiring Funds or the respective Acquired Funds by resolution of the either the Board
of Trustees of JPMIT or the Board of Trustees of Series Trust II, at any time prior to the Closing Date, if circumstances should develop that, in the
opinion of that Board, make proceeding with the Agreement inadvisable with respect to such Acquiring Fund(s) or the respective Acquired Fund(s),
respectively.
13. |
AMENDMENTS |
This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such
manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of Series Trust II and JPMIT.
23
14. |
NOTICES |
Any notice, report, statement or demand required or permitted by
any provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by facsimile, electronic delivery (i.e., e-mail) personal service or prepaid or
certified mail addressed as follows:
If to JPMIT, at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000, in
each case to the attention of __________ and with a copy to Ropes & Xxxx LLP, One Metro Center, 000 00xx Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX
00000, attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx;
If to Series Trust II, at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000, in each case to the attention of __________ and with a copy to Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, attn:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx.
15. |
HEADINGS; GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY; ASSIGNMENT; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; RULE 145 |
15.1 The Article and paragraph headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
15.2 This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to its principles of conflicts of
laws.
15.3 This Agreement shall bind and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or
obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other party. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or
shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns,
any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
15.4 Pursuant to Rule 145 under the
1933 Act, each Acquiring Fund will, in connection with the issuance of any Acquiring Fund Shares to any person who at the time of the transaction
contemplated hereby is deemed to be an affiliate of a party to the transaction pursuant to Rule 145(c), cause to be affixed upon the certificates
issued to such person (if any) such legends as may be reasonably believed by counsel to the Acquiring Fund to be required by law, and, further, each
Acquiring Fund will issue stop transfer instructions to its transfer agent with respect to such Acquiring Fund Shares. Each Acquired Fund shall provide
the respective Acquiring Fund on the Closing Date with the name of any Acquired Fund Shareholder who is to the knowledge of the Acquired Fund an
affiliate of the Acquired Fund on such date.
24
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed as of the date and year first above written.
JPMORGAN
INSURANCE TRUST, on behalf of its series on Schedule A |
X.X. XXXXXX SERIES TRUST II, on behalf of its series on Schedule A |
|||||
By: |
By: |
|||||
Name: |
Name: |
|||||
Title: |
Title: |
With respect to paragraph 10.2 of this Agreement, Accepted and
Acknowledged by:
X.X. Xxxxxx
Investment Management Inc. |
JPMorgan Investment Advisors Inc. |
|||||
By: |
By: |
|||||
Name: |
Name: |
|||||
Title: |
Title: |
25
Schedule A
Acquired Portfolio |
Acquiring Portfolio |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JPMorgan Bond
Portfolio |
JPMorgan Insurance Trust Core Bond Portfolio |
|||||
JPMorgan
International Equity Portfolio |
JPMorgan Insurance Trust International Equity Portfolio |
|||||
JPMorgan Mid Cap
Value Portfolio |
JPMorgan Insurance Trust Diversified Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
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JPMorgan Small
Company Portfolio |
JPMorgan Insurance Trust Small Cap Equity Portfolio |
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JPMorgan U.S.
Large Cap Core Equity Portfolio |
JPMorgan Insurance Trust Diversified Equity Portfolio |
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