Exhibit (d)(9)
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
AGREEMENT made as of this 9th day of October, 2003 between SEI Investments
Management Corporation (the "Adviser") and Xxxxx, Xxxx & Xxxxx Investments, a
division of Robeco USA, L.L.C. (the "Sub-Adviser").
WHEREAS, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Trust"), is registered as an open-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement
dated April 16, 1996 (the "Advisory Agreement") (the "Advisory Agreement") with
the Trust, pursuant to which the Adviser acts as investment adviser to the
series of the Trust set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (the "Fund") as such
Schedule may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties hereto; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser, with the approval of the Trust, desires to retain the
Sub-Adviser to provide investment advisory services to the Adviser in connection
with the management of the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser is willing to render such
investment advisory services.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. DUTIES OF THE SUB-ADVISER. Subject to supervision by the Adviser and the
Trust's Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the
securities and other assets of the Fund entrusted to it hereunder (the
"Assets"), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets,
in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives, policies and
restrictions as stated in the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional
information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from
time to time (referred to collectively as the "Prospectus"), and subject to
the following:
(a) The Sub-Adviser shall, in consultation with and subject to the direction of
the Adviser, determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased,
retained or sold by the Fund, and what portion of the Assets will be
invested or held uninvested in cash.
(b) In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the
Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Trust's Declaration of Trust
(as defined herein) and the Prospectus and with the instructions and
directions of the Adviser and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and
will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), and all other applicable
federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to
time.
(c) The Sub-Adviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by the
Fund as provided in subparagraph (a) and will place orders with or through
such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to
brokerage set forth in the Fund's Prospectus or as the
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Board of Trustees or the Adviser may direct from time to time, in
conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions
and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts
to seek on behalf of the Fund the best overall terms available. In
assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the
Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including
the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the
financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and
the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific
transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms
available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular
transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research
services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")). Consistent with any
guidelines established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and Section
28(e) of the Exchange Act, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker
or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission
for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of
the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for
effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser determines in
good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of
the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer --
viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall
responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including
the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase
and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and
dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or the Trust's
principal underwriter) and to take into account the sale of shares of the
Trust if the Sub-Adviser believes that the quality of the transaction and
the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified
firms. In no instance, however, will the Fund's Assets be purchased from or
sold to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Trust's principal underwriter, or any
affiliated person of either the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the
principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to
the extent permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and
the 1940 Act.
(d) The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to
transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(5), (6),
(7), (9), (10) and (11) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Adviser or the Board of Trustees such
periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and
such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board
of Trustees may reasonably request.
The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets
required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall
timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser's
services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books
and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The
Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information
relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the
Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including
the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the
Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all
records that it maintains on behalf of the Fund are property of the Fund
and the Sub-
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Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the
Fund's request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy
of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the
Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under
the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it
pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any
successor sub-adviser upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there
is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser).
(e) The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund's custodian on each business day
with information relating to all transactions concerning the Fund's Assets
and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the
Adviser.
(f) The investment management services provided by the Sub-Adviser under this
Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive and the Sub-Adviser shall be free
to render similar services to others, as long as such services do not
impair the services rendered to the Adviser or the Trust.
(g) The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial
condition that is likely to impair the Sub-Adviser's ability to fulfill its
commitment under this Agreement.
(h) (i) Except under the circumstances set forth in subsection (ii), the
Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for reviewing proxy solicitation
materials or voting and handling proxies in relation to the securities
held as Assets in the Fund. If the Sub-Adviser receives a misdirected
proxy, it shall promptly forward such misdirected proxy to the
Adviser.
(ii) The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that upon 60 days' written notice from
the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall assume responsibility for reviewing
proxy solicitation materials and voting proxies in relation to the
securities held as Assets in the Fund. As of the time the Sub-Adviser
shall assume such responsibilities with respect to proxies under this
sub-section (ii), the Adviser shall instruct the custodian and other
parties providing services to the Fund to promptly forward misdirected
proxies to the Sub-Adviser.
(i) In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the
Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Fund or a
sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Fund
concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures
of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any
assets of the Fund other than the Assets.
Services to be furnished by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement may be
furnished through the medium of any of the Sub-Adviser's control
affiliates, partners, officers or employees.
2. DUTIES OF THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility
for all services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory
Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser's performance of its
duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that
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in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be
construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with
the Trust's Declaration of Trust (as defined herein), the Prospectus, the
instructions and directions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the
requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal
and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with
copies of each of the following documents:
(a) The Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as filed with the Secretary
of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (such Agreement and
Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as
amended from time to time, herein called the "Declaration of Trust");
(b) By-Laws of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this
Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the
"By-Laws"); and
(c) Prospectus of the Fund.
The Adviser will furnish copies of amendments to the documents specified
above to the Sub-Adviser or otherwise provide reasonable notification of
changes to any terms of such documents affecting Sub-Adviser's obligations
under this Agreement.
4. COMPENSATION TO THE SUB-ADVISER. For the services to be provided by the
Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the
Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation
therefor, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule B which is
attached hereto and made part of this Agreement. The fee will be calculated
based on the average daily value of the Assets under the Sub-Adviser's
management and will be paid to the Sub-Adviser monthly. Except as may
otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current
SEC staff interpretation), the Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion and from
time to time, waive a portion of its fee.
5. INDEMNIFICATION. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Adviser from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages
(including reasonable attorney's fees and other related expenses) howsoever
arising from or in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser's
obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser's
obligation under this Paragraph 5 shall be reduced to the extent that the
claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Adviser,
is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Adviser's own willful
misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its
duties under this Agreement.
The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser from and
against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including
reasonable attorney's fees and other related expenses) howsoever arising
from or in connection with the performance of the Adviser's obligations
under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser's obligation
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under this Paragraph 5 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim
against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser,
is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Sub-Adviser's own
willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, or to the reckless disregard
of its duties under this Agreement.
6. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall become effective upon
approval by the Trust's Board of Trustees and its execution by the parties
hereto. Pursuant to the exemptive relief obtained in the SEC Order dated
April 29, 1996, Investment Company Act Release No. 21921, approval of the
Agreement by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund is
not required, and the Sub-Adviser acknowledges that it and any other
sub-adviser so selected and approved shall be without the protection (if
any) accorded by shareholder approval of an investment adviser's receipt of
compensation under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act.
This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years
from the date hereof only so long as continuance is specifically approved
at least annually in conformance with the 1940 Act; provided, however, that
this Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund (a) by the Fund
at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority
of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund, (b) by the Adviser at any time, without the
payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days'
written notice to the Sub-Adviser, or (c) by the Sub-Adviser at any time,
without the payment of any penalty, on 90 days' written notice to the
Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in
the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the
Advisory Agreement with the Trust. As used in this Paragraph 6, the terms
"assignment" and "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities"
shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by
the SEC under the 1940 Act.
7. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to conflict of law
principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as
being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.
8. SEVERABILITY. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall
not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
9. NOTICE: Any notice, advice or report to be given pursuant to this Agreement
shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified
or overnight mail, postage prepaid addressed by the party giving notice to
the other party at the last address furnished by the other party:
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To the Adviser at: SEI Investments Management Corporation
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Legal Department
To the Sub-Adviser at: Xxxxx, Xxxx & Xxxxx Investments
Xxx Xxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
10. NON-HIRE/NON-SOLICITATION. The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that so long as
the Sub-Adviser provides services to the Adviser or the Trust and for a
period of one year following the date on which the Sub-Adviser ceases to
provide services to the Adviser and the Trust, the Sub-Adviser shall not
for any reason, directly or indirectly, on the Sub-Adviser's own behalf or
on behalf of others, hire any person employed by the Adviser, whether or
not such person is a full-time employee or whether or not any person's
employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The
Sub-Adviser further agrees that, to the extent that the Sub-Adviser
breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the Adviser shall be
entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.
11. NONCOMPETE PROVISIONS.
(a) The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that, the Sub-Adviser will:
(i) waive enforcement of any noncompete agreement or other agreement
or arrangement to which it is currently a party that restricts,
limits, or otherwise interferes with the ability of the Adviser
to employ or engage any person or entity to provide investment
advisory or other services and will transmit to any person or
entity notice of such waiver as may be required to give effect to
this provision; and
(ii) will not become a party to any noncompete agreement or other
agreement or arrangement that restricts, limits or otherwise
interferes with the ability of the Adviser to employ or engage
any person or entity to provide investment advisory or other
services.
(b) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser's
obligations under this Paragraph 11 shall survive.
12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement's subject matter.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together,
constitute only one instrument.
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In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one
portfolio of the Trust (for purposes of this Paragraph 12, each a "Fund"),
the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf
of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express
intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof
shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if
contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for
each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any
additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first
indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be
incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for
example, the execution date for purposes of Paragraph 6 of this Agreement
with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant
Schedule.
13. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) A copy of the Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that the
obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees,
officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.
(b) Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any
provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of
the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be
deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first written
above.
SEI INVESTMENTS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION XXXXX, XXXX & XXXXX INVESTMENTS,
A DIVISION OF ROBECO USA, L.L.C.
By: By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Name: Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Title: Title:
Vice President Managing Director
-------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
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SCHEDULE A
TO THE
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
SEI INVESTMENTS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
AND
XXXXX, XXXX & XXXXX INVESTMENTS,
A DIVISION OF ROBECO USA, L.L.C.
AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2003
SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
Short Duration Municipal Fund
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SCHEDULE B
TO THE
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
SEI INVESTMENTS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
AND
XXXXX, XXXX & XXXXX INVESTMENTS,
A DIVISION OF ROBECO USA, L.L.C.
AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2003
Pursuant to Paragraph 4, the Adviser shall pay the Sub-Adviser compensation at
an annual rate as follows:
SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
Short Duration Municipal Fund
Agreed and Accepted:
SEI INVESTMENTS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION XXXXX, XXXX & XXXXX INVESTMENTS,
A DIVISION OF ROBECO USA, L.L.C.
By: By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Name: Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Title: Title:
Vice President Managing Director
-------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
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