TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of November 7, 1997 by and between
PFPC INC., a Delaware corporation ("PFPC"), and AQUILA ROCKY
MOUNTAIN EQUITY FUND, a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC to serve as transfer
agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder
servicing agent to its investment portfolios listed on Exhibit A
attached hereto and made a part hereof, as such Exhibit A may be
amended from time to time (each a "Portfolio"), and PFPC wishes
to furnish such services, on the terms and for the considerations
set forth in this agreement (the "Agreement").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound
hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
(c) "Authorized Person" means any officer of the Fund
and any other person duly authorized by the Fund's Board of
Trustees to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on
behalf of the Fund and listed on the Authorized Persons Appendix
attached hereto and made a part hereof or any amendment thereto
as may be received by PFPC. An Authorized Person's scope of
authority may be limited by the Fund by setting forth such
limitation in the Authorized Persons Appendix.
(d) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as
amended.
(e) "Oral Instructions" mean oral instructions
received by PFPC from an Authorized Person or from a person
reasonably believed by PFPC to be an Authorized Person.
(f) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(g) "Securities Laws" mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act,
the 1940 Act and the CEA.
(h) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest
of any series or class of the Fund.
(i) "Written Instructions" mean written instructions
signed by an Authorized Person and received by PFPC. The
instructions may be delivered by hand, mail, tested telegram,
cable, telex or facsimile sending device.
2. Appointment. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC to serve as
transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and
shareholder servicing agent to the Fund in accordance with the
terms set forth in this Agreement. PFPC accepts such appointment
and agrees to furnish such services.
3. Delivery of Documents. The Fund has provided or, where
applicable, will provide PFPC with the following:
(a) Certified or authenticated copies of the
resolutions of the Fund's Board of Trustees,
approving the appointment of PFPC or its
affiliates to provide services to the Fund and
approving this Agreement;
(b) A copy, and all amendments thereto, of the Fund's
most recent effective registration statement;
(c) A copy of the applicable administration, advisory
and/or sub-advisory agreements, and all amendments
thereto, with respect to each Portfolio;
(d) A copy of the distribution agreement, and all
amendments thereto, with respect to each class of
Shares;
(e) Copies of any shareholder servicing agreements,
and all amendments thereto, made in respect of the
Fund or a Portfolio;
(f) The Fund's Declaration of Trust filed with the
Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and all amendments thereto (such
Declaration of Trust, as presently in effect and
as it shall from time to time be amended, is
herein called the "Declaration of Trust"); and
(g) The Fund's By-Laws and all amendments thereto
(such By-Laws, as presently in effect and as they
shall from time to time be amended, are
hereinafter called the "By-Laws").
PFPC has furnished the Fund with copies properly
certified or authenticated of its Registration Statement on Form
TA-1 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
and all other public reports filed with the SEC related to the
services provided to the Fund as may be requested from time to
time by the Fund.
4. Compliance with Rules and Regulations. PFPC undertakes
to comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Laws
and any laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities
having jurisdiction with respect to the duties to be performed by
PFPC hereunder. Except as specifically set forth herein, PFPC
assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund or any
of its investment portfolios.
5. Instructions.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC
shall act only upon Oral Instructions and Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral
Instructions and Written Instructions it receives from an
Authorized Person (or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC
to be an Authorized Person) pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC may
assume that any Oral Instruction or Written Instruction received
hereunder is not in any way inconsistent with the provisions of
organizational documents or this Agreement or of any vote,
resolution or proceeding of the Fund's Board of Trustees or of
the Fund's shareholders, unless and until PFPC receives Written
Instructions to the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Written
Instructions confirming Oral Instructions so that PFPC receives
the Written Instructions by the close of business on the same day
that such Oral Instructions are received. The fact that such
confirming Written Instructions are not received by PFPC shall in
no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the
transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions. Where Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions reasonably appear to have
been received from an Authorized Person, PFPC shall incur no
liability to the Fund in acting upon such Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions provided that PFPC's actions comply with the
other provisions of this Agreement.
6. Right to Receive Advice.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PFPC is in doubt as to any
action it should or should not take, PFPC may request directions
or advice, including Oral Instructions or Written Instructions,
from the Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PFPC shall be in doubt as
to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or
should not take, PFPC may request advice at its own cost from
such counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the
Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or PFPC, at the option of
PFPC).
(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict
between directions, advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions PFPC receives from the Fund, and the advice it
receives from counsel, PFPC may rely upon and follow the advice
of counsel. In the event PFPC so relies on the advice of
counsel, PFPC remains liable for any action or omission on the
part of PFPC which constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith,
negligence or reckless disregard by PFPC of any duties,
obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.
(d) Protection of PFPC. PFPC shall be protected in
any action it takes or does not take in reliance upon directions,
advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions it receives
from the Fund or from counsel and which PFPC believes, in good
faith, to be consistent with those directions, advice or Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions. Nothing in this section
shall be construed so as to impose an obligation upon PFPC (i) to
seek such directions, advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with such directions,
advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions unless, under
the terms of other provisions of this Agreement, the same is a
condition of PFPC's properly taking or not taking such action.
Nothing in this subsection shall excuse PFPC when an action or
omission on the part of PFPC constitutes willful misfeasance, bad
faith, negligence or reckless disregard by PFPC of any duties,
obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.
7. Records; Visits. The books and records pertaining to
the Fund which are in the possession or under the control of PFPC
shall be the property of the Fund. Such books and records shall
be prepared and maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other
applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. PFPC will,
if so requested by counsel to the Fund, work with such counsel to
develop an acceptable modification to the manner in which such
books and records are prepared and maintained so as to comply
with the reasonable opinion of such counsel as to such laws and
rules. Such modification will be subject to additional mutually-
agreed upon pricing, if any. The Fund and Authorized Persons
shall have access to such books and records at all times during
PFPC's normal business hours. Copies of any such books and
records shall be provided by PFPC to the Fund or to an Authorized
Person at the Fund's expense. Prior to any destruction of any
books or records, PFPC will advise the Fund of the proposed
destruction and in accordance with instructions of the Fund, the
records will be destroyed or, at the expense of the Fund,
delivered to the Fund or as it may otherwise direct.
8. Confidentiality. PFPC agrees to keep confidential all
records of the Fund and information relating to the Fund and its
shareholders, unless the release of such records or information
is otherwise consented to, in writing, by the Fund, and shall
maintain procedures reasonably designed to protect such
confidentiality. The Fund agrees that its consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where PFPC may be
exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings or when
required to divulge such information or records to duly
constituted authorities, and that such consent shall not be
required where consent or notice to the Fund is not permitted by
law or regulation.
9. Cooperation with Accountants. PFPC shall cooperate
with the Fund's independent public accountants and shall take all
reasonable actions in the performance of its obligations under
this Agreement to ensure that the necessary information is made
available on a timely basis to such accountants for the
expression of their opinion, as required by the Fund.
10. Adequate Facilities; Disaster Recovery. PFPC shall
maintain adequate personnel and facilities, as well as adequate
and reliable computer and other equipment, necessary and
appropriate to carry out its obligations under this Agreement,
including appropriate duplicate files (which shall be readable
by computer or otherwise or maintained in hard copy form, and
shall be maintained at a frequency and in a detail reasonably
designed pursuant to industry standards to provide for protection
of such files in the event of a disaster to PFPC's facilities).
PFPC shall enter into and shall maintain in effect with
appropriate parties one or more agreements making adequate and
reliable provisions for emergency use of electronic data
processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is
available. In the event of equipment failures, PFPC shall, at no
additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize
service interruptions. PFPC shall periodically back up data
(including all predecessor transfer agent data delivered to PFPC
by the Fund's prior transfer agent in a machine readable format
and converted by PFPC) on appropriate media to be stored at an
offsite facility of PFPC's choosing. PFPC shall have no
liability with respect to the loss of data or service
interruptions caused by equipment failure or otherwise, provided
such loss or interruption is not caused by PFPC's own willful
misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its
duties or obligations under this Agreement.
11. Insurance. PFPC shall maintain adequate fidelity,
error and omissions and other insurance coverage in connection
with its transfer agent services throughout the duration of this
Agreement.
12. Compensation. As compensation for services rendered by
PFPC during the term of this Agreement, for the period commencing
on the date upon which PFPC becomes transfer agent for the Fund,
the Fund will pay to PFPC a fee or fees as agreed to from time to
time in writing by the Fund and PFPC. All services detailed in
this Agreement and expenses incurred in the performance of these
services will be provided by PFPC without cost to the Fund except
as otherwise stated in this Agreement or otherwise agreed to in
writing.
13. Indemnification. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless PFPC and its affiliates from all taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including, without
limitation, liabilities arising under the Securities Laws and any
state and foreign securities and blue sky laws, and amendments
thereto), and expenses, including (without limitation) attorneys'
fees and disbursements, arising directly or indirectly from (i)
any action or omission to act which PFPC takes (a) at the request
or on the direction of or in reliance on the advice of the Fund
or (b) upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions or (ii) the
acceptance, processing and/or negotiation of checks or other
methods utilized for the purchase of Shares. Neither PFPC nor
any of its affiliates shall be indemnified against any liability
(or any expenses incident to such liability) arising out of
PFPC's or its affiliates' own willful misfeasance, bad faith,
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations
under this Agreement.
14. Release. PFPC understands that the obligations of this
Agreement are not binding upon any shareholder of the Fund
personally, but bind only the Fund's property; PFPC represents
that it has notice of the provision in the Fund's Declaration of
Trust disclaiming shareholder liability for acts or obligations
of the Fund.
15. Responsibility of PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action on
behalf of the Fund except as specifically set forth herein or as
may be specifically agreed to by PFPC in writing. PFPC shall be
obligated to exercise care and diligence in the performance of
its duties hereunder, to act in good faith and to use its best
efforts, within reasonable limits, to ensure the accuracy and
completeness of all services performed under this Agreement.
PFPC shall be liable for any damages arising out of PFPC's
failure to perform its duties under this Agreement to the extent
such damages arise out of PFPC's willful misfeasance, bad faith,
negligence or reckless disregard of such duties.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing
or of any other provision of this Agreement, (i) PFPC shall not
be liable for losses beyond its control, provided that PFPC has
acted in accordance with the standard of care set forth above;
and (ii) PFPC shall not be under any duty or obligation to
inquire into and shall not be liable for (A) the validity or
invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any Oral Instruction
or Written Instruction, notice or other instrument which conforms
to the applicable requirements of this Agreement, and which PFPC
reasonably believes to be genuine; or (B) subject to Section 10,
delays or errors or loss of data occurring by reason of
circumstances beyond PFPC's control, including acts of civil or
military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties,
fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots
or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power
supply.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, neither PFPC nor its affiliates shall be liable to the
Fund for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages
which the Fund may incur or suffer by or as a consequence of
PFPC's or its affiliates' performance of the services provided
hereunder, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or
damages was known by PFPC or its affiliates.
16. Description of Services.
(a) Itemized Services. PFPC shall:
(i) Calculate 12b-1 payments and payments under
any Shareholder Services Plan of the Fund,
produce and mail statements and checks where
applicable or generate payments through the
National Securities Clearing Corp. (the
"NSCC") to all eligible dealers, and forward
ineligible checks and statements to Aquila
Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor");
(ii) Make weekly payment of direct commissions,
including settlement through NSCC;
(iii) Establish and maintain proper shareholder
registrations;
(iv) Review new applications for required
information and correspond with shareholders
to complete or correct information;
(v) Provide payment processing of checks or
wires;
(vi) Prepare and certify stockholder lists in
conjunction with proxy solicitations;
(vii) Issue and countersign share certificates
(when requested in writing by a shareholder)
and cancel share certificates;
(viii) Prepare and mail to shareholders confirmation
of activity;
(ix) Provide toll-free lines and voice response
unit for direct shareholder use, plus
customer liaison staff for on-line inquiry
response (generally until 6 p.m., New York
time, on days on which the New York Stock
Exchange is open), including the ability to
receive redirected toll-free calls from the
Distributor on an as-needed basis;
(x) On a monthly basis, mail duplicate statements
to: (1) broker-dealers of their clients'
activity, whether executed through the
broker-dealer or directly with PFPC, and (2)
other parties (e.g., lawyers and accountants)
as requested by the shareholders;
(xi) Provide periodic shareholder lists and
statistics to the Fund;
(xii) Provide detailed data for underwriter/broker
confirmations, including daily outstanding
confirmed purchases, redemptions, and paid
not issued shares;
(xiii) Prepare periodic mailing of year-end tax and
statement information;
(xiv) Provide reports, notification, and where
applicable reconciliation on a timely basis
to the investment adviser, sub-adviser,
administrator, accounting agent, and
custodian of fund activity;
(xv) Perform other participating broker-dealer
shareholder services, including Fund/Serv,
Automated Customer Account Transfer System
("ACATS"), Networking and terminal access for
selected dealers, and such other services as
may be agreed upon from time to time;
(xvi) Promptly transmit to the Fund all reports,
documents and information as are requested by
the Fund and agreed to by PFPC, which
agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld,
that are necessary to enable the Fund and its
service providers to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Service,
the SEC, the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc, the National
Securities Clearing Corp., the state blue sky
authorities and any other regulatory bodies
having jurisdiction over the Fund, it being
understood and agreed that such reports shall
include those on the list contained in
Exhibit B hereto, as such list may be
amended from time to time by agreement
between the parties;
(xvii) Process all clerical transactions;
(xviii) Screen and maintain Transfer on Death
registrations according to Fund guidelines
(except those guidelines hereafter adopted by
the Fund which are considered in PFPC's sole
good-faith discretion to be more burdensome
than the guidelines in effect on the date of
this Agreement);
(xix) Provide electronic imaging and time-stamping
of all incoming mail;
(xx) Compute and track all front-end and
contingent deferred sales charges imposed
upon the purchase and redemption of Shares;
(xxi) Track and convert Shares in accordance with
the share conversion features described in
the prospectus of the Fund;
(xxii) Answer written or telephonic correspondence
relating to its duties hereunder (including
providing written acknowledgement of address
changes to previous addresses of record) and
such other correspondence as may from time to
time be mutually agreed upon between PFPC and
the Fund; inquiries of a non-routine nature
shall be referred to the Fund;
(xxiii) Remit supporting detail of underwriter fees
to the Distributor on a semi-monthly basis;
(xxiv) Until such time as Fund management and legal
counsel to the Fund determine otherwise and
so inform PFPC in Written Instructions,
establish, maintain for the benefit of the
Fund and control the flow of funds through
separate subscription, redemption and
dividend disbursement accounts (each an
"Operational Account") provided by PNC Bank,
N.A. or by such other financial institution
as may be agreed upon by the Fund and PFPC;
(xxv) To the extent reasonably feasible, reverse
trades (including backing out dividends) due
to nonreceipt of funds, improper
registration, or other sufficient reason;
(xxvi) Compute and track all letters of intent;
(xxvii) Screen all transactions with respect to the
Fund's Blue Sky requirements of which PFPC is
informed by the Fund by Written Instructions,
and comply with the Written Instructions of
the Fund in effect from time to time limiting
issuance of Shares to specified states (based
on address of registration), including
screening for Shares sold in states other
than those so specified (but relating only to
those Shares sold after PFPC commences its
duties as transfer agent hereunder);
(xxviii) Provide abandoned property reporting and
filing to meet the escheat requirements of
each of the states named by the Fund in
Written Instructions;
(xxix) Maintain a record of all incoming checks, new
account applications and documentation set
forth in Section 16(g), on filmstrips,
another microfilm retrieval method or
otherwise so as to be retrievable and
reproducible, upon reasonable request, within
time frames that meet reasonable industry
standards;
(xxx) Process W-9 or similar forms received by PFPC
and review taxpayer identification numbers
for all same number (e.g., 000 00 0000),
sequential numbering (e.g., 000 00 0000) and
non-numeric numbers (e.g., 128 4A 3927) and
other conditions of obvious irregularity in
accordance with PFPC's normal operating
procedures;
(xxxi) On a semi-monthly or other basis acceptable
to PFPC and the Fund (but in no event more
frequently than once per month per
shareholder account) initiate, accept and
process pre-authorized checks or, when
available, electronic funds transfers drawn
against shareholders' checking accounts;
(xxxii) In accordance with policies and procedures
established by the Fund and PFPC, furnish to
shareholders dividend and redemption checks
alleged to have been lost, stolen, destroyed
or not received; and
(xxxiii) Record all incoming telephone conversations
and telephonic transactions that are received
via the Fund's published customer service
numbers and retain such recordings for a
minimum of six months.
(xxxiv) Post and perform shareholder transfers and
post and perform exchanges for shares of
other funds with which the Fund has exchange
privileges, pursuant to shareholder
instructions; and
(xxxv) Reconcile to Fund accounting records and pay
dividends and other distributions, including
direct deposit credits through the Automatic
Clearing House ("ACH") upon proper written
shareholder authorization.
(b) Purchase of Shares. PFPC shall issue Shares and
credit an account of an investor, in the manner described in the
Fund's prospectus, once it has screened for blue sky compliance
pursuant to Section 16(a)(xxvii) and Transfer on Death
registration compliance pursuant to Section 16(a)(xviii) and
receives:
(i) A purchase order or application, either
directly from an investor or otherwise,
complying with requirements for purchases
prescribed by the prospectus;
(ii) Proper information to establish a shareholder
account; and
(iii) A purchase check or confirmation of receipt
or crediting of available funds for such
order to the Fund's custodian.
In opening new shareholder accounts, PFPC will assign account
numbers. PFPC shall assign Aquila Distributors, Inc. as broker
of record whenever dealer information is omitted and send a copy
of any related application to Aquila Distributors, Inc.
PFPC must receive a completed application before any
redemption orders are accepted and processed for an account
opened directly by an investor.
(c) Redemption of Shares. PFPC shall redeem Shares
only if that function is properly authorized by the Declaration
of Trust or resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees. If the
Fund is a money-market fund, PFPC shall arrange, in accordance
with the Fund's prospectus, for a shareholder's redemption of
shares from a shareholder's account with a checkwriting
privilege. Shares shall be redeemed and payment therefor shall
be made in accordance with the Fund's prospectus, including
provisions set forth therein for automatic redemption, telephone
redemption requests and check-writing privileges, when the
recordholder tenders Shares in proper form and amount and
properly directs the method of redemption. If Shares are
received in proper form, Shares shall be redeemed before the
funds are provided to PFPC from the Fund's custodian. If the
recordholder has not directed that redemption proceeds be wired,
when the custodian provides PFPC with funds, a redemption check
shall be sent to and made payable to the recordholder, unless:
(i) the surrendered certificate is drawn to the
order of an assignee or holder and transfer
authorization is signed by the recordholder;
(ii) Transfer authorizations are signed by the
recordholder when Shares are held in
book-entry form;
(iii) Such redemption is through money market fund
check-writing capabilities; or
(iv) such redemption is in settlement of dealer
confirmed redemptions via Fund/Serv.
Consistent with provisions set forth in the prospectus,
redemption proceeds shall be wired upon request. When a
broker-dealer notifies PFPC of a redemption desired by a
customer, and the Fund's custodian provides PFPC with funds, PFPC
shall prepare and send the redemption check to the broker-dealer,
made payable to the broker-dealer on behalf of its customer.
PFPC shall establish procedures reasonably designed to
ensure that redemption requirements established by PFPC and
agreed to by the Fund have been met, including the receipt and
examination of stock certificates and related endorsements,
signature guarantees and obtaining any needed papers or
documents, including a properly completed application, where
required. No redemptions in accounts represented in whole or in
part by certificates shall be effected without cancellation of an
adequate number of certificate Shares, if necessary. No
signature guarantees shall be acceptable if received by facsimile
and signature guarantees must reasonably appear to have been
provided by an eligible guarantor institution of a type described
as such in the prospectus which is a participant in a medallion
program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association or in
instructions received from the Fund; provided, however, that PFPC
may accept a signature guarantee received by facsimile if so
instructed by Oral or Written Instructions.
(d) Dividends and Distributions. Upon receipt of a
resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees authorizing the
declaration and payment of dividends and distributions, PFPC
shall issue dividends and distributions declared by the Fund in
Shares, or, upon shareholder election, pay such dividends and
distributions in cash, if and as provided for in the Fund's
prospectus. Such issuance or payment, as well as payments upon
redemption as described above, shall be made after deduction and
payment of the required amount of funds to be withheld in
accordance with any applicable tax laws or other laws, rules or
regulations. PFPC shall timely mail to the Fund's shareholders
and appropriate taxing authorities such tax forms and other
information, or permissible substitute notice, relating to
dividends and distributions paid by the Fund as are required to
be filed and mailed by applicable law, rule or regulation. PFPC
shall prepare, maintain and file with the IRS and other
appropriate taxing authorities reports relating to all dividends
paid by the Fund to its shareholders as required by tax or other
law, rule or regulation.
(e) Communications to Shareholders. PFPC shall
address, enclose and mail all communications by the Fund to its
shareholders (pre-sorting where reasonably practicable),
including:
(i) Reports to shareholders;
(ii) Confirmations of purchases and sales of
Shares;
(iii) Monthly or quarterly statements (with extra
print lines for additional information, such
as additional dividend information, to
shareholders), generally by the fifth
business day after the dividend payable date,
providing a combined check and statement to
shareholders electing cash distributions;
(iv) Dividend and distribution notices (at year-
end, such notices will be upon Written
Instructions);
(v) Tax form information (upon Written
Instructions);
(vi) Forms W-9 or W-8 as appropriate;
(vii) Prospectuses;
(viii) Account-related shareholder correspondence
that is considered in PFPC's sole discretion
to be routine; and
(ix) Any other routine shareholder communications
as agreed to between the Fund and PFPC.
(f) Third Party Proxy Provider. PFPC shall assist the
Fund in obtaining competitive bids for proxy services. Proxy
services shall be provided by a third party. The Fund
understands and agrees that PFPC bears no responsibility for the
provision of any proxy services or the manner in which any proxy
services are provided, that PFPC will not be considered the
Fund's agent in connection with the provision of any proxy
services, and that any party providing proxy services to the Fund
shall not be considered to be the agent of PFPC or to have any
other relationship with PFPC with respect to such services. Such
proxy services, which will be decided upon solely between the
Fund and the third party provider, shall include proxy mailing,
receiving and tabulating proxy cards for the meetings of the
Fund's shareholders, communicating to the Fund daily and final
results of such tabulation accompanied by appropriate
certificates, and preparing and furnishing to the Fund certified
lists of shareholders as of such date, and in such form and
containing such information as may be required by the Fund to
comply with any applicable provisions of law or its Declaration
of Trust and/or By-Laws relating to such meetings.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Subsection (f),
PFPC shall furnish to the third-party proxy provider such
information as is reasonably requested by such provider
pertaining to shareholder registration information and record-
date share positions to permit the Fund to obtain the benefits of
the services necessary for conduct of its shareholder meetings.
(g) Records. PFPC shall maintain records of the
accounts for each shareholder showing the following information:
(i) Name, address, United States Tax
Identification or Social Security number, and
any pertinent beneficiary information;
(ii) Number and class of Shares held and number
and class of Shares for which certificates,
if any, have been issued, including
certificate numbers and denominations;
(iii) Historical information regarding the account
of each shareholder, including dividends and
distributions paid and the date and price for
all transactions in a shareholder's account;
(iv) Any stop or restraining order placed against
a shareholder's account;
(v) Any correspondence relating to the current
maintenance of a shareholder's account;
(vi) Information with respect to withholdings,
including withholdings in the case of a
foreign account and accounts subject to
backup withholding; and
(vii) Any information required in order for the
transfer agent to perform any calculations
contemplated or required by this Agreement.
PFPC shall use its best efforts to convert for use in
its system such data of the predecessor transfer agent that has
been provided to PFPC as shall permit PFPC to maintain on its
system such converted data covering a minimum of 18 months prior
to commencement of its services as transfer agent of the Fund.
PFPC is not responsible for errors or omissions in or caused by
the records of any predecessor transfer agent. PFPC shall inform
the Fund of material errors coming to its attention in the course
of performance of its duties hereunder. PFPC shall maintain on
its system in a readily viewable form pertinent account
information (i.e., the information listed in this Section 16(g))
relating to shareholders of the Fund (including all predecessor
transfer agent data delivered to PFPC by the Fund's prior
transfer agent in a machine readable format and converted by
PFPC) for a minimum of 13 months after the date of the
transaction or other matter to which the information relates and
shall thereafter maintain such information in a readily
accessible format to the extent required by the 1940 Act and
other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations.
(h) Lost or Stolen Certificates. PFPC shall place a
stop notice against any certificate reported to be lost, stolen,
destroyed or not received and comply with all applicable federal
regulatory requirements for reporting such loss or alleged
misappropriation. A new certificate shall be registered and
issued only upon:
(i) The shareholder's pledge of a lost instrument
bond or such other appropriate indemnity bond
issued by a surety company approved by PFPC;
and
(ii) Completion of a release and indemnification
agreement signed by the shareholder to
protect PFPC and its affiliates.
(i) Shareholder Inspection of Fund Records. Upon a
request from any Fund shareholder to inspect Fund records, PFPC
will notify the Fund and the Fund will issue instructions
granting or denying each such request. Unless PFPC has acted
contrary to the Fund's instructions, the Fund agrees and does
hereby release PFPC from any liability for refusal of permission
for a particular shareholder to inspect the Fund's records.
(j) Withdrawal of Shares and Cancellation of
Certificates. Upon receipt of Written Instructions, PFPC shall
cancel outstanding certificates surrendered by the Fund to reduce
the total amount of outstanding Shares by the number of Shares
surrendered by the Fund.
(k) Fraud Detection Procedures. PFPC shall establish
procedures that are reasonably designed to detect fraudulent
purchase, redemption and distribution checks (including
fraudulent or forged endorsements and altered payment amounts);
however, PFPC shall have no liability for loss resulting from any
fraud perpetrated or attempted to be perpetrated on the Fund,
unless PFPC has acted with willful misfeasance, bad faith,
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder. Such
procedures shall take into account the type of accounts involved,
the sums involved and cost/benefit considerations.
(l) Third Party Checks. PFPC shall not accept any
third party check (i.e., an investment check whose payee is other
than the Fund or PFPC) except pursuant to Written Instructions.
(m) Relationship Officer. PFPC agrees to provide a
Relationship Officer to serve as the primary point of contact
between the Fund and PFPC. PFPC will exercise due care in
assigning an individual who is conversant with standard
investment company practices.
(n) Additional Services.
(i) PFPC shall, in addition to the services
herein itemized, if so requested by the Fund
and agreed to by PFPC, which shall bargain in
good faith regarding such requests and the
fees and charges to be paid therefor, for
such additional fees and charges as the Fund
and PFPC may from time to time agree, perform
and do all other acts and services as
required by the Fund's prospectus or the law
or that are customarily performed and done by
transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents,
and shareholder servicing agents of open-end
mutual funds such as the Fund.
(ii) PFPC shall, in addition to the services
herein itemized, provide such additional
services to the Fund and in such manner as
are normally provided by PFPC to its mutual
fund transfer agency customers in the normal
course of business, subject to additional
mutually-agreed upon pricing, if any.
(o) Procedures. In order to facilitate the carrying
out of the services set forth in this Agreement, PFPC shall
follow the procedures attached hereto as Exhibit C and PFPC and
the Fund may from time to time mutually agree to changes thereto.
17. Duration and Termination. This Agreement shall
continue until terminated by the Fund on sixty (60) days' prior
written notice or by PFPC on one-hundred-twenty (120) days' prior
written notice to the other party, provided, however, that
without the Fund's consent PFPC shall not for a period of three
years after the date of this Agreement terminate this Agreement
with the intent to enter into a new agreement with the Fund that
provides for higher fees.
18. Notices. All notices and other communications,
including Written Instructions, shall be in writing or by
confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device.
Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC, at 000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000; (b) if to the Fund, at 000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attn: President
or (c) if to neither of the foregoing, at such other address as
shall have been given by like notice to the sender of any such
notice or other communication by the other party. If notice is
sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending
device, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately. If
notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have
been given three days after it has been mailed. If notice is
sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the
day it is delivered.
19. Amendments. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may
be changed or waived only by a written amendment, signed by the
party against whom enforcement of such change or waiver is
sought.
20. Delegation; Assignment. PFPC may assign its rights and
delegate its duties hereunder only to any wholly-owned direct or
indirect subsidiary of PNC Bank, National Association or PNC Bank
Corp., provided that (i) PFPC gives the Fund thirty (30) days'
prior written notice; (ii) the delegate (or assignee) agrees with
PFPC and the Fund to comply with all relevant provisions of the
1940 Act; and (iii) PFPC and such delegate (or assignee) promptly
provide such information as the Fund may request, and respond to
such questions as the Fund may ask, relative to the delegation
(or assignment), including (without limitation) the capabilities
of the delegate (or assignee).
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but
all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
22. Further Actions. Each party agrees to perform such
further acts and execute such further documents as are necessary
to effectuate the purposes hereof.
23. Miscellaneous.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the
entire agreement and understanding between the parties and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to
the subject matter hereof, provided that the parties may embody
in one or more separate documents their agreement, if any, with
respect to delegated duties and Oral Instructions.
(b) Captions. The captions in this Agreement are
included for convenience of reference only and in no way define
or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their
construction or effect.
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to
be a contract made in Delaware and governed by Delaware law,
without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
(d) Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision,
statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(f) Facsimile Signatures. The facsimile signature of
any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and
binding execution hereof by such party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above
written.
PFPC INC.
By: Xxxxxx X. Perlsveg
Title: Exec. Vice Pres.
AQUILA ROCKY MOUNTAIN EQUITY FUND
By: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
EXHIBIT A
THIS EXHIBIT A, dated as of November 7, 1997, is Exhibit A
to that certain Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated as of
November 7, 1997 between PFPC Inc. and Aquila Rocky Mountain
Equity Fund.
PORTFOLIOS
AQUILA ROCKY MOUNTAIN EQUITY FUND
AUTHORIZED PERSONS APPENDIX
On the date of the Agreement and thereafter until further
notice, the following persons shall be Authorized Persons as
defined therein:
Name (Type) Signature
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Childs, III
Xxxxxxx X. Childs, III
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Exhibit B
Report List for Aquila Group of Funds
12b-1 Report
5 Percent or More Shareholder Listing
5 Percent or More Shareholder Listing - sorted by ssn
Account Analysis by Type
Asset Report by Dealer for Management Company
Asset Report by Fund and Dealer
Blue Sky Sales Report
Capital Stock Reporting
Daily Transaction Journal
Dealer Commission Check Register/Dealer Commission Statement
DTS Activity Summary
DTS Liquidation Placements
DTS Outstanding Trades by Fund
DTS Posted Transactions
DTS Purchase Placement
Matrix Summary by Fund With Dealer Name
Matrix Summary by Management Company With Dealer Name
Month to Sales (Demographics by Account Group)
Monthly Statistical Report
Monthly Wire Order (Purchases/Redemptions)
New Account Journal
Next Day NSCC Settlement Detail
NSAR Based on trade date
Transactions at a Glance
