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EXHIBIT (h)(1)(a)
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 1st day of October, 1996, between THE EMPIRE
BUILDER TAX FREE BOND FUND (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust having
its principal place of business at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
and BISYS FUND SERVICES, INC. ("BISYS"), a Delaware corporation having its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000.
WHEREAS, the Trust desires that BISYS perform certain services for each
series of the Trust (individually referred to herein as a "Fund" and
collectively as the "Funds"); and
WHEREAS, BISYS is willing to perform such services on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and covenants
herein set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Retention of BISYS; Conversion to the Services.
The Trust hereby engages BISYS to act as the transfer agent for
the Funds to perform (i) the transfer agent services set forth in Schedule A
hereto (the "Initial Services"), (ii) such special services (the "Special
Services") incidental to the performance of such services as may be agreed to by
the parties from time to time (for such fees as the parties may agree as
aforesaid) and (iii) such additional services (collectively with the Initial
Services and the Special Services, the "Services"), as may be agreed to by the
parties from time to time and set forth in an amendment to said Schedule A (for
such fees as the parties may agree as aforesaid), and, in connection therewith,
the Trust agrees to convert to BISYS' data processing systems and software (the
"BISYS System") as necessary in order to receive the Services. The Trust shall
cooperate with BISYS to provide BISYS with all necessary information and
assistance required to successfully convert to the BISYS System. BISYS shall
provide the Trust with a schedule relating to such conversion and the parties
agree that the conversion may progress in stages. The date upon which all
Initial Services shall have been converted to the BISYS System shall be referred
to herein as the "Conversion Date." BISYS hereby accepts such engagement and
agrees to perform the Services commencing, with respect to each individual
Service, on the date that the conversion of such Service to the BISYS System has
been completed. BISYS shall determine in accordance with its normal acceptance
procedures when the applicable Service has been successfully converted.
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BISYS may, in its discretion, appoint in writing other parties
qualified to perform transfer agency services reasonably acceptable to the Trust
(individually, a "Sub-transfer Agent") to carry out some or all of its
responsibilities under this Agreement with respect to a Fund; provided, however,
that the Sub-transfer Agent shall be the agent of BISYS and not the agent of the
Trust or such Fund, and that BISYS shall be fully responsible for the acts of
such Sub-transfer Agent and shall not be relieved of any of its responsibilities
hereunder by the appointment of such Sub-transfer Agent.
2. Fees.
The Trust shall pay BISYS for the services to be provided by
BISYS under this Agreement in accordance with, and in the manner set forth in,
Schedule B hereto. Fees for any additional services to be provided by BISYS
pursuant to an amendment to Schedule A hereto shall be subject to mutual
agreement at the time such amendment to Schedule A is proposed.
3. Reimbursement of Expenses.
In addition to paying BISYS the fees described in Section 2
hereof, the Trust agrees to reimburse BISYS for BISYS' out-of-pocket expenses in
providing services hereunder, including without limitation, the following:
(a) All freight and other delivery and bonding charges
incurred by BISYS in delivering materials to and from the
Trust and in delivering all materials to shareholders;
(b) All direct telephone, telephone transmission and telecopy
or other electronic transmission expenses incurred by
BISYS in communication with the Trust, the Trust's
investment adviser or custodian, dealers, shareholders or
others as required for BISYS to perform the services to be
provided hereunder;
(c) Costs of postage, couriers, stock computer paper,
statements, labels, envelopes, checks, reports, letters,
tax forms, proxies, notices or other form of printed
material which shall be required by BISYS for the
performance of the services to be provided hereunder;
(d) The cost of microfilm or microfiche of records or other
materials; and
(e) Any expenses BISYS shall incur at the written direction of
an officer of the Trust thereunto duly authorized.
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4. Effective Date.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first
written above (the "Effective Date").
5. Term.
The initial term of this Agreement (the "Initial Term") shall be
for a period commencing on the date this Agreement is executed by both parties
and ending on the date that is one year after the Conversion Date. Thereafter,
it shall be renewed automatically for successive one-year terms unless written
notice not to renew is given by the non-renewing party to the other party at
least 60 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term; provided,
however, that after such termination, for so long as BISYS, with the written
consent of the Trust, in fact continues to perform any one or more of the
services contemplated by this Agreement or any Schedule or exhibit hereto, the
provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation the provisions
dealing with indemnification, shall continue in full force and effect. Fees and
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by BISYS but unpaid by the Trust upon such
termination shall be immediately due and payable upon and notwithstanding such
termination. BISYS shall be entitled to collect from the Trust, in addition to
the fees and disbursements provided by Sections 2 and 3 hereof, the amount of
all of BISYS' reasonable cash disbursements and a reasonable fee (which fee
shall not be less than one hundred and two percent (102%) of the sum of the
actual costs, not including such cash disbursements, incurred by BISYS in
performing such service) for services in connection with BISYS' activities in
effecting such termination, including without limitation, the delivery to the
Trust and/or its distributor or investment adviser and/or other parties, of the
Trust's property, records, instruments and documents, or any copies thereof. To
the extent that BISYS may retain in its possession copies of any Trust documents
or records subsequent to such termination which copies had not been requested by
or on behalf of the Trust in connection with the termination process described
above, BISYS, for a reasonable fee, will provide the Trust with reasonable
access to such copies.
In the event of a material breach of this Agreement by either
party, the non-breaching party shall notify the breaching party in writing of
such breach and, upon receipt of such notice, the breaching party shall have 45
days to remedy the breach. In the event the breach is not remedied within such
time period, the nonbreaching party may immediately terminate this Agreement.
If, for any reason other than a breach of this Agreement, BISYS
is replaced as transfer agent, or if a third party is added to perform all or a
part of the services provided by BISYS under this Agreement (excluding any
sub-transfer agent appointed by BISYS as provided in Section 1 hereof), then the
Trust shall make a one-time cash payment, as liquidated damages to, BISYS equal
to the balance due BISYS for the remainder of the term of this Agreement,
assuming for purposes of calculation of the payment that the asset level of the
Trust on the date BISYS is replaced, or a third party is added, will remain
constant for the balance of the contract term.
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6. Uncontrollable Events.
BISYS assumes no responsibility hereunder, and shall not be
liable for any damage, loss of data, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused
by events beyond its reasonable control.
7. Legal Advice.
BISYS shall notify the Trust at any time BISYS believes that it
is in need of the advice of counsel (other than counsel in the regular employ of
BISYS or any affiliated companies) with regard to BISYS' responsibilities and
duties pursuant to this Agreement; and after so notifying the Trust, BISYS, at
its discretion, shall be entitled to seek, receive and act upon advice of legal
counsel of its choosing, such advice to be at the expense of the Trust or Funds
unless relating to a matter involving BISYS' willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard with respect to BISYS' responsibilities
and duties hereunder and BISYS shall in no event be liable to the Trust or any
Fund or any shareholder or beneficial owner of the Trust for any action
reasonably taken pursuant to such advice.
8. Instructions.
Whenever BISYS is requested or authorized to take action
hereunder pursuant to instructions from a shareholder, or a properly authorized
agent of a shareholder ("shareholder's agent"), concerning an account in a Fund,
BISYS shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate, letter or other instrument
or communication, believed by BISYS to be genuine and to have been properly
made, signed or authorized by an officer or other authorized agent of the Trust
or by the shareholder or shareholder's agent, as the case may be, and shall be
entitled to receive as conclusive proof of any fact or matter required to be
ascertained by it hereunder a certificate signed by an officer of the Trust or
any other person authorized by the Trust's Board of Trustees or by the
shareholder or shareholder's agent, as the case may be.
As to the services to be provided hereunder, BISYS may rely
conclusively upon the terms of the Prospectuses and Statement of Additional
Information of the Trust relating to the Funds to the extent that such services
are described therein unless BISYS receives written instructions to the contrary
in a timely manner from the Trust.
9. Standard of Care; Reliance on Records and Instructions;
Indemnification.
BISYS shall use its best efforts to ensure the accuracy of all
services performed under this Agreement, but shall not be liable to the Trust
for any action taken or omitted by BISYS in the absence of bad faith, willful
misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by it of its obligations and
duties. The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless BISYS, its employees,
agents, directors, officers and nominees from and against any and all claims,
demands, actions and suits, whether groundless or otherwise, and from and
against any and all judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges,
reasonable counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and character arising
out of or in any way relating to BISYS' actions taken or nonactions with respect
to the performance of
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services under this Agreement or based, if applicable, upon reasonable reliance
on information, records, instructions or requests given or made to BISYS by the
Trust, the investment adviser and on any records provided by any fund accountant
or custodian thereof; provided that this indemnification shall not apply to
actions or omissions of BISYS (including actions or omissions by its employees,
agents, directors, officers or nominees) in cases of its own bad faith, willful
misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by it of its obligations and
duties; and further provided that prior to confessing any claim against it which
may be the subject of this indemnification, BISYS shall give the Trust written
notice of and reasonable opportunity to defend against said claim in its own
name or in the name of BISYS.
10. Record Retention and Confidentiality.
BISYS shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Trust all books
and records which the Trust or BISYS is, or may be, required to keep and
maintain pursuant to any applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including
without limitation Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), relating to the maintenance of books and
records in connection with the services to be provided hereunder. BISYS further
agrees that all such books and records shall be the property of the Trust and to
make such books and records available for inspection by the Trust or by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") at reasonable times and
otherwise to keep confidential all books and records and other information
relative to the Trust and its shareholders, except when requested to divulge
such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process, or requested
by a shareholder or shareholder's agent with respect to information concerning
an account as to which such shareholder has either a legal or beneficial
interest or when requested by the Trust, the shareholder, or shareholder's
agent, or the dealer of record as to such account.
11. Reports.
BISYS will furnish to the Trust and to its properly-authorized
auditors, investment advisers, examiners, distributors, dealers, underwriters,
salesmen, insurance companies and others designated by the Trust in writing,
such reports at such times as are prescribed in Schedule C attached hereto, or
as subsequently agreed upon by the parties pursuant to an amendment to Schedule
C. The Trust agrees to examine each such report or copy promptly and will report
or cause to be reported any errors or discrepancies therein.
12. Rights of Ownership.
All computer programs and procedures developed to perform
services required to be provided by BISYS under this Agreement are the property
of BISYS. All records and other data except such computer programs and
procedures are the exclusive property of the Trust and all such other records
and data will be furnished to the Trust in appropriate form as soon as
practicable after termination of this Agreement for any reason.
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13. Return of Records.
BISYS may at its option at any time, and shall promptly upon the
Trust's demand, turn over to the Trust and cease to retain BISYS' files, records
and documents created and maintained by BISYS pursuant to this Agreement which
are no longer needed by BISYS in the performance of its services or for its
legal protection. If not so turned over to the Trust, such documents and records
will be retained by BISYS for six years from the year of creation. At the end of
such six-year period, such records and documents will be turned over to the
Trust unless the Trust authorizes in writing the destruction of such records and
documents.
14. Bank Accounts.
The Trust and the Funds shall establish and maintain such bank
accounts with such bank or banks as are selected by the Trust, as are necessary
in order that BISYS may perform the services required to be performed hereunder.
To the extent that the performance of such services shall require BISYS directly
to disburse amounts for payment of dividends, redemption proceeds or other
purposes, the Trust and Funds shall provide such bank or banks with all
instructions and authorizations necessary for BISYS to effect such
disbursements.
15. Representations of the Trust.
The Trust certifies to BISYS that: (a) as of the close of
business on the Effective Date, each Fund which is in existence as of the
Effective Date has authorized unlimited shares, and (b) by virtue of its
Declaration of Trust, shares of each Fund which are redeemed by the Trust may be
sold by the Trust from its treasury, and (c) this Agreement has been duly
authorized by the Trust and, when executed and delivered by the Trust, will
constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable
against the Trust in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application
affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties.
16. Representations of BISYS.
BISYS represents and warrants that: (a) BISYS has been in, and
shall continue to be in, substantial compliance with all provisions of law,
including Section 17A(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), required in connection with the performance of its duties under
this Agreement; and (b) the various procedures and systems which BISYS has
implemented with regard to safekeeping from loss or damage attributable to fire,
theft or any other cause of the blank checks, records, and other data of the
Trust and BISYS' records, data, equipment, facilities and other property used in
the performance of its obligations hereunder are adequate and that it will make
such changes therein from time to time as are required for the secure
performance of its obligations hereunder.
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17. Insurance.
BISYS shall notify the Trust should its insurance coverage with
respect to professional liability or errors and omissions coverage be canceled
or reduced. Such notification shall include the date of change and the reasons
therefor. BISYS shall notify the Trust of any material claims against it with
respect to services performed under this Agreement, whether or not they may be
covered by insurance, and shall notify the Trust from time to time as may be
appropriate of the total outstanding claims made by BISYS under its insurance
coverage.
18. Information to be Furnished by the Trust and Funds.
The Trust has furnished to BISYS the following:
(a) Copies of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust and of any
amendments thereto, certified by the proper official of
the state in which such Declaration has been filed.
(b) Copies of the following documents:
1. The Trust's By-Laws and any amendments thereto.
2. Certified copies of resolutions of the Board of
Trustees covering the following matters:
A. Approval of this Agreement and authorization
of a specified officer of the Trust to
execute and deliver this Agreement and
authorization for specified officers of the
Trust to instruct BISYS hereunder; and
B. Authorization of BISYS to act as Transfer
Agent for the Trust on behalf of the Funds.
(c) A list of all officers of the Trust, together with
specimen signatures of those officers, who are authorized
to instruct BISYS in all matters.
(d) Two copies of the following (if such documents are
employed by the Trust):
1. Prospectuses and Statement of Additional
Information;
2. Distribution Agreement; and
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3. All other forms commonly used by the Trust or its
Distributor with regard to their relationships and
transactions with shareholders of the Funds.
(e) A certificate as to shares of beneficial interest of the
Trust authorized, issued, and outstanding as of the
Effective Date of BISYS' appointment as Transfer Agent (or
as of the date on which BISYS' services are commenced,
whichever is the later date) and as to receipt of full
consideration by the Trust for all shares outstanding,
such statement to be certified by the Treasurer of the
Trust.
19. Information Furnished by BISYS.
BISYS has furnished to the Trust the following:
(a) BISYS' Articles of Incorporation.
(b) BISYS' By-Laws and any amendments thereto.
(c) Certified copies of actions of BISYS covering the
following matters:
1. Approval of this Agreement, and authorization of a
specified officer of BISYS to execute and deliver
this Agreement;
2. Authorization of BISYS to act as Transfer Agent for
the Trust.
(d) A copy of the most recent independent accountants' report
relating to internal accounting control systems as filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 17Ad-13 under the
Exchange Act.
20. Amendments to Documents.
The Trust shall furnish BISYS written copies of any amendments
to, or changes in, any of the items referred to in Section 18 hereof forthwith
upon such amendments or changes becoming effective. In addition, the Trust
agrees that no amendments will be made to the Prospectuses or Statement of
Additional Information of the Trust which might have the effect of changing the
procedures employed by BISYS in providing the services agreed to hereunder or
which amendment might affect the duties of BISYS hereunder unless the Trust
first obtains BISYS' approval of such amendments or changes.
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21. Reliance on Amendments.
BISYS may rely on any amendments to or changes in any of the
documents and other items to be provided by the Trust pursuant to Sections 18
and 20 of this Agreement and the Trust hereby indemnifies and holds harmless
BISYS from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments,
liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees and other expenses of
every nature and character which may result from actions or omissions on the
part of BISYS in reasonable reliance upon such amendments and/or changes.
Although BISYS is authorized to rely on the above-mentioned amendments to and
changes in the documents and other items to be provided pursuant to Sections 18
and 20 hereof, BISYS shall be under no duty to comply with or take any action as
a result of any of such amendments or changes unless the Trust first obtains
BISYS' written consent to and approval of such amendments or changes.
22. Compliance with Law.
Except for the obligations of BISYS set forth in Section 10
hereof, the Trust assumes full responsibility for the preparation, contents, and
distribution of each prospectus of the Trust as to compliance with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act"), the 1940 Act, and any other laws, rules and regulations of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction. BISYS shall have no obligation to take
cognizance of any laws relating to the sale of the Trust's shares. The Trust
represents and warrants that no shares of the Trust will be offered to the
public until the Trust's registration statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940
Act has been declared or becomes effective.
23. Notices.
Any notice provided hereunder shall be sufficiently given when
sent by registered or certified mail to the party required to be served with
such notice at the following address: if to the Trust, to it at
____________________________________________________________ ; if to BISYS, to
it at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000, or at such other address as such
party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party pursuant to
this Section.
24. Headings.
Paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for
convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
25. Assignment.
This Agreement and the rights and duties hereunder shall not be
assignable by either of the parties hereto except by the specific written
consent of the other party. This Section 25 shall not limit or in any way affect
BISYS' right to appoint a Sub-transfer Agent pursuant to Section 1 hereof. This
Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties
hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
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26. Governing Law and Matters Relating to the Trust as a
Massachusetts Business Trust.
This Agreement shall be governed by and provisions shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. It is expressly
agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any
of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the
Trust personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees,
and this Agreement has been signed and delivered by an authorized officer of the
Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by the Trustees nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any
of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but
shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in the Trust's
Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
THE EMPIRE BUILDER
TAX FREE BOND FUND
By:_/s/ illegible________________
Attest:__/s/ Xxxxxxx Donavan______
BISYS FUND SERVICES, INC.
By:_/s/ J. Xxxxx Xxxxx, President
Attest:_/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, Asst. Secretary
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Dated: October 1, 1996
SCHEDULE A
TO THE TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE EMPIRE BUILDER TAX FREE BOND FUND
AND
BISYS FUND SERVICES, INC.
TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES
1. Shareholder Transactions
a. Process shareholder purchase and redemption orders.
b. Set up account information, including address, dividend option,
taxpayer identification numbers and wire instructions.
c. Issue confirmations in compliance with Rule 10b-10 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
d. Issue periodic statements for shareholders.
e. Process transfers and exchanges.
f. Process dividend payments, including the purchase of new shares,
through dividend reimbursement.
2. Shareholder Information Services
a. Provide toll-free lines for direct shareholder use and customer
liaison staff with on-line inquiry capacity.
b. Make information available to appropriate shareholder servicing
personnel and other remote access units regarding trade date,
share price, current holdings, yields, and dividend information.
c. Produce detailed history of transactions through duplicate or
special order statements upon request.
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d. Provide mailing labels for distribution of financial reports,
prospectuses, proxy statements or marketing material to current
shareholders.
3. Compliance Reporting
a. Provide reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
National Association of Securities Dealers and the States in
which the Fund is registered.
b. Prepare and distribute appropriate Internal Revenue Service
forms for corresponding Fund and shareholder income and capital
gains.
c. Issue tax withholding reports to the Internal Revenue Service.
4. Dealer/Load Processing (if applicable)
a. Provide reports for tracking rights of accumulation and
purchases made under a Letter of Intent.
b. Account for separation of shareholder investments from
transaction sale charges for purchase of Fund shares.
c. Calculate fees due under 12b-1 plans for distribution and
marketing expenses.
d. Track sales and commission statistics by dealer and provide for
payment of commissions on direct shareholder purchases in a load
Fund.
5. Shareholder Account Maintenance
a. Maintain all shareholder records for each account in the Trust.
b. Issue customer statements on scheduled cycle, providing
duplicate second and third party copies if required.
c. Record shareholder account information changes.
d. Maintain account documentation files for each shareholder.
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SCHEDULE B
TO THE TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE EMPIRE BUILDER TAX FREE BOND FUND
AND
BISYS FUND SERVICES, INC.
TRANSFER AGENT FEES
Annual Per Account Fee:
The per account fees are subject to two (2) minimums:
$25,000 per Fund
$20.000 per class beyond the first
Additional Services:
Additional services such as XXX processing, development of interface
capabilities, servicing of 403(b) and 408(c) accounts and management of cash
sweeps between DDAs and mutual fund accounts are subject to additional fees
which will be quoted upon request. Programming costs or database management fees
for special reports or specialized processing will be quoted upon request.
Multiple Classes of Shares:
Classes of shares which have different net asset values or pay
different daily dividends will be treated as separate classes, and the fee
schedule above, including the appropriate minimums, will be charged for each
separate class.
Out-of-pocket Expenses:
BISYS shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses including, but not limited to, the expenses set forth in
Section 3 of the Transfer Agency Agreement to which this Schedule B is attached.
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SCHEDULE C
TO THE TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE EMPIRE BUILDER TAX FREE BOND FUND
AND
BISYS FUND SERVICES, INC.
REPORTS
1. Daily Shareholder Activity Journal
2. Daily Fund Activity Summary Report
a. Beginning Balance
b. Dealer Transactions
c. Shareholder Transactions
d. Reinvested Dividends
e. Exchanges
f. Adjustments
g. Ending Balance
3. Daily Wire and Check Registers
4. Monthly Dealer Processing Reports
5. Monthly Dividend Reports
6. Sales Data Reports for Blue Sky Registration
7. Annual report by independent public accountants concerning BISYS'
shareholder system and internal accounting control systems to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 17Ad-13 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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