EXHIBIT 10.17
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of August
31, 2000, is made by and between XXXXXXX WATSA INVESTMENT COUNSEL LTD. and
SENECA INSURANCE COMPANY, INC. As used in this Agreement, "we", "us" and "our"
shall refer to SENECA INSURANCE COMPANY, INC., and "you" and "your" shall refer
to XXXXXXX WATSA INVESTMENT COUNSEL LTD.
In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties agree
as follows:
1. We authorize you to manage on a continuous basis an investment account (the
"Account") on our behalf on the terms and conditions set out in this
Agreement.
2. You shall manage the Account in accordance with the investment objectives
from time to time communicated in writing by us to you. Until mutually
agreed otherwise, the investment guidelines shall be as set out in the
investment guidelines attached hereto as Schedule A. The investment
guidelines shall at all times be in compliance with the legal investment
statutes of the State of New York.
3. Subject to Section 2 above, you shall manage the Account in our name and
you are hereby authorized to take such action for the Account as you, in
your sole discretion, may consider appropriate for the operation of the
Account including, without limitation, the power to buy, sell and exchange
and otherwise deal in all securities which may at any time form part of the
Account and to invest, in securities selected by you, all funds contained
in, paid to or derived from the operation of, the Account, except to the
extent that you are otherwise instructed in writing by us.
4. The securities and funds of the Account have been deposited with and shall
be held by BANK OF NEW YORK (the "Custodian") at its principal custodian
office in the State of New York (or with such other custodian as is chosen
by you from time to time and is acceptable to the Insurance Department of
the State of New York (the "Department")) pursuant to an agreement which we
have entered into with the Custodian. We have instructed the Custodian to
follow your directions promptly at all times and to provide you with all
such information concerning the Account as you may from time to time
require in connection with your management of the Account, including
without limitation, copies of relevant monthly statements.
5. Provided you have used reasonable care and diligence you shall not be
responsible for any damage, loss, cost or other expense sustained in the
operation of the Account or relating in any manner to the carrying out of
your duties under this Agreement. We agree that you shall be entitled to
assume that any information communicated by us or the Custodian to you is
accurate and complete, and that in making investment decisions you shall be
entitled to rely on publicly available information or on information which
you believe to have been provided to you in good faith, in both cases
barring actual knowledge by you to the contrary.
6. You shall be entitled to such fees, payable quarterly in arrears, for your
management of the Account as you may specify from time to time. Attached
hereto as Schedule B is a copy of your current fee schedule and you agree
to give us thirty (30) days prior written notice of any change in such
schedule, which change shall require the approval of the Department. Such
fees shall be the exclusive fees and charges payable (excluding third party
disbursements reasonably incurred) for your management of the Account. As
regards third party services, you will charge us only the amount of your
actual disbursements paid to arm's length third parties for such services,
and you will select as agents, brokers or dealers executing orders or
acting on the purchase or sale of portfolio securities only agents, brokers
or dealers operating in the United States. We shall have the right to
disapprove the selection of brokers and dealers provided that a reasonable
basis exists for such disapproval.
7. You shall deliver in writing to us, as soon as practicable after
implementation of an investment decision, your confirmation of such
implementation to enable us to ascertain that such implementation has been
effected pursuant to the guidelines and procedures of our Board of
Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. In addition, you shall
deliver in writing to us within 20 days after the end of each month a
monthly transaction report which shall be submitted to the Board of
Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof for approval at its
regularly scheduled meetings or at any special meeting called for that
purpose. Otherwise,
the nature and timing of your reporting to us on the status of the Account
shall be at least quarterly, within 45 days after the end of each quarter.
8. We acknowledge receipt of a copy of policies that you have established to
ensure that investment opportunities are allocated fairly among your
discretionary investment accounts and we confirm that these policies, until
revised by you, will apply to the account.
9. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement without penalty by giving
the other party at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of its
desire to terminate the same. In the event that the day upon which this
Agreement is so terminated is a day other than the first day of a calendar
quarter, the fees payable in accordance with paragraph 6 for such quarter
shall be pro-rated and shall be determined having regard to the market
value of the Account based upon the most recent financial report which has
been delivered to you by the Custodian.
10. This Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective successors. This Agreement may not be
assigned by either party.
11. We acknowledge that we have read and understood this Agreement and that we
have received a copy of the same. You and we each acknowledge that the terms
of this Agreement are the exclusive and conclusive terms of our mutual
agreement with regard to the subject matter hereof.
12. Any dispute or difference arising with reference to the applicable
interpretation or effect of this Agreement, or any part thereof, shall be
referred to a Board of Arbitration (the "Board") of two (2) arbitrators and
an umpire.
The members of the Board shall be active or retired disinterested officers
of insurance or reinsurance companies.
One arbitrator shall be chosen by the party initiating the arbitration and
designated in the letter requesting arbitration. The other party shall
respond, within fifteen (15) days, advising of its arbitrator. The umpire
shall thereafter be chosen by the two (2) arbitrators. In the event either
party fails to designate its arbitrator as indicated above, the other party
is hereby authorized and empowered to name the second arbitrator, and the
party which failed to designate its arbitrator shall be deemed to have
waived its rights to designate an arbitrator and shall not be aggrieved
thereby. The two (2) arbitrators shall then have thirty (30) days within
which to choose an umpire. If they are unable to do so within thirty (30)
days following their appointment, each arbitrator shall nominate three
candidates within ten (10) days thereafter, two of whom the other shall
decline, and the decision shall be made by drawing lots. In the event of
the death, disability or incapacity of an arbitrator or the umpire, a
replacement shall be named pursuant to the process which resulted in the
selection of the arbitrator or umpire to be replaced.
Each party shall submit its case to the Board within one (1) month from the
date of the appointment of the umpire, but this period of time may be
extended by unanimous written consent of the Board.
The sittings of the Board shall take place in New York, New York. The Board
shall make its decision with regard to the custom and usage of the
insurance and reinsurance business. The Board is released from all judicial
formalities and may abstain from the strict rules of law. The written
decision of a majority of the Board shall be rendered within sixty (60)
days following the termination of the Board's hearings, unless the parties
consent to an extension. Such majority decision of the Board shall be final
and binding upon the parties both as to law and fact, and may not be
appealed to any court of any jurisdiction. Judgment maybe entered upon the
final decision of the Board in any court of proper jurisdiction.
Each party shall bear the fees and expenses of the arbitrator selected by
or on its behalf, and the parties shall bear the fees and expenses of the
umpire as determined by the party, as above provided, the expenses of the
arbitrators, the umpire and the arbitration shall be equally divided
between the two parties. The arbitrators may allocate any and all of the
costs and fees against the losing party upon a determination that the
position of the losing party was, in whole or in part, groundless, specious
or otherwise without merit or asserted primarily for the purposes of
obfuscation or delay.
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13. The provisions in Schedule A and Schedule B attached hereto are hereby
incorporated into, and form part of, this Agreement.
14. This Agreement, including the schedules attached hereto and made a part
hereof, may only be amended by written agreement signed by the parties and
approved by the Department; provided, however, that any amendment to the
investment guidelines attached hereto as Schedule A may become effective
without the prior approval of the Department, provided that such amendment
shall be filed with the Department not later than its effective date.
15. Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices, instructions, advices or
other matters covered or contemplated by this Agreement, shall be deemed
duly given when received in writing (including by fax or other similar form
of transmission) by you or us, as applicable, at the address or fax number
first above written or such other address or fax number as shall be
specified in a notice similarly given:
If to us:
SENECA INSURANCE COMPANY, INC.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax No.: (000) 000-0000
If to you:
XXXXXXX WATSA INVESTMENT COUNSEL LTD.
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
X0X 0X0
Fax No.: (000) 000-0000
Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received by
any such party if delivered, on the date of delivery, or if sent by prepaid
registered mail on the fourth business day following mailing thereof to the
party to whom addressed. For such purpose, no day during which there shall
be a strike or other occurrence interfering with normal mail service shall
be considered a business day.
16. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York, our state of domicile. Each of the parties hereto
submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the State of
New York, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement and all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be
heard or determined in any such court; and service of process, notices and
demands of such courts may be made upon you by personal service to LeBoeuf,
Lamb, Xxxxxx & XxxXxx, L.L.P., 000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000 or by mailing copies of such process, notices and demands by certified
or registered mail to such address (such address being automatically changed
to the principal office from time to time of XxXxxxx, Lamb Xxxxxx & XxxXxx,
L.L.P. in New York, New York).
00.Xxx and we and the duly authorized representatives of each of us shall, at
all reasonable times, each be permitted access to all relevant books and
records of the other pertaining to this Agreement. You and your duly
authorized representatives shall provide to the Department, within fifteen
(15) days of any request from the Department therefor, copies of all your
books and records as they pertain to us (or any portion thereof as may be
specifically requested).
18.This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed an original for all purposes and all of which shall be deemed,
collectively, one and the same instrument and agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is hereby executed by duly authorized
officers of the parties hereto as of the date first written above.
SENECA INSURANCE COMPANY INC.
By: /s/ XXXX XXXXX
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Authorized Signature
Xxxx Xxxxx, Treasurer
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Name of Authorized Signatory
XXXXXXX WATSA INVESTMENT COUNSEL LTD.
By: /s/ F. XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
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Authorized Signature
F. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name of Authorized Signatory
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SCHEDULE A
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
1. Investment for the long term always providing sufficient liquidity for the
payment of claims and other policy obligations.
2. Ensure preservation of invested capital for policyholder protection.
3. Invest in accordance with insurance regulatory guidelines.
INVESTMENT GUIDELINES
1. Approach
All investments are to be made using the value approach by investing in
companies at prices below their underlying long term values to protect
capital from loss and earn income over time and provide operating income as
needed.
With regard to equities, no attempt is made to forecast the economy or the
stock market. The manager will attempt to identify financially sound
companies with good potential profitability which are selling at large
discounts to their intrinsic value. Appropriate measures of low prices may
consist of some or all of the following characteristics: low price earnings
ratios, high dividend yields, significant discounts to book value, and free
cash flow. Downside protection is obtained by seeking a margin of safety in
terms of a sound financial position and a low price in relation to
intrinsic value. Appropriate measures of financial integrity which are
regularly monitored, include debt/equity ratios, financial leverage, asset
turnover, profit margin, return on equity, and interest coverage.
As a result of this bargain hunting approach, it is anticipated that
purchases will be made when economic and issue-specific conditions are less
than ideal and sentiment is uncertain or negative. Conversely, it is
expected that gains will be realized when issue-specific factors are
positive and sentiment is buoyant. The investment time horizon is one
business cycle (approximately 3-5 years).
As regards bonds, the approach is similar. No attempt is made to forecast
the economy or interest rates. The manager will attempt to purchase
attractively priced bonds offering yields better than Treasury bonds with
maturities of 10 years or less that are of sound quality i.e. whose
obligations are expected to be fully met as they come due. We do not regard
rating services as being an unimpeachable source for assessing credit
quality any more than we would regard a broker's recommendation on a stock
as being necessarily correct. In any form of investment research and
evaluation, there is no substitute for the reasoned judgement of the
investment committee and its managers.
2. Liquidity
An adequate cash flow should be maintained to ensure that claims and
operating expenses are paid on a timely basis. An operating cash position
is to be maintained at appropriate levels and will be managed by the
insurance operating company in accordance with the approved list for
investments as determined from time to time by the Investment Committee.
These securities will be managed by the Insurance Company as part of the
Treasury function and currently are restricted primarily to Treasury and
Agency securities of the U.S. government.
3. Regulatory
Insurance regulations will be complied with, specifically Article 14 of the
New York Insurance Law.
4. Diversification
The portfolio is to be invested in a wide range of securities of different
issuers operating in different industries and jurisdictions in order to
minimize risk.
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5. Prudent Person Rule
Prudent investment standards are considered in the overall context of an
investment portfolio and how a prudent person would invest another person's
money without undue risk of loss or impairment and with a reasonable
expectation of fair return.
STRATEGY
1. Maintain Adequate Liquidity
A review of portfolio liquidity is undertaken on a monthly basis. The
liquidity analysis determines how much of each portfolio can be converted
to cash in a given time period. Each company determines its liquidity
requirements and the liquidity of the portfolio must match the requirement.
2. Asset Allocation
The asset allocation will be determined by the Portfolio Manager and will
include short term investments that will generate appropriate cash flows
and long term investments in stocks, bonds, debentures and money market
investments, both domestic and foreign. The allocation will be in
compliance with regulatory guidelines and should meet policy liabilities.
3. Foreign Exchange Risk
Any foreign currency investments and exposures would normally be hedged via
the use of forward foreign exchange contracts and/or currency options or
preferably by a natural hedge with foreign pay liabilities of the Insurance
Company. Unhedged foreign investments will be limited to 10% of invested
assets at cost if judged appropriate. Unhedged exposure above this amount
must be approved by the Investment Committee.
4. Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk will be minimized primarily through investment in fixed
income securities with maturities less than ten years. While there are no
specific duration/maturity limits for convertible securities, these issues
are included in the total fixed income duration/term measure. Maximum fixed
income portfolio duration is limited to the equivalent of a ten year term
to maturity Treasury security.
INVESTMENT POLICY MIX
The Investment Committee has established the following exposure ranges for
various asset mix classes:
RANGE
--------
Equities.................................................... 0-25%
Fixed Income................................................ 0-100%
Cash........................................................ Residual
Total....................................................... 100%
Within the Fixed Income portfolio, the Taxable/Tax Exempt mix will be
determined relative to the consolidated tax position of the Insurance Company
and the relative investment attractiveness of available tax exempt securities.
The Investment Committee will control the total asset mix and will give
performance objectives to the Investment Manager regarding the assets managed.
RETURN EXPECTATIONS
Total asset mix policy is expected on an annual basis to result in returns
better than the Consumer Price Index plus 3% over a ten year period before the
disbursement of investment management fees. However, in any one year the annual
return may be significantly above or below this expectation.
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE OF THE FUND MANAGER
The Manager, subject to regulatory and company imposed constraints
mentioned elsewhere, expects to provide additional returns to those returns that
would be earned by the alternative of passively managing a surrogate market
index.
Performance of the Fund Manager is expected to result in the following
returns:
All Equities:........................ S&P 500 + 1% point
Fixed Income:
Taxable Bonds................... Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Intermediate Treasury Index + 0.25%
Tax-Advantaged Bonds............ Xxxxxx Brothers 3 & 5 Year State GO Indexes
Measured over four (4) year moving periods.
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AGGREGATE INVESTMENT LIMITS, PERMITTED INVESTMENT CATEGORIES
AND INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT LIMITS
PERMITTED INVESTMENT CATEGORIES WITHIN ASSET CLASSES
Cash: Cash on hand, demand deposits, treasury bills, short-term
notes and bankers' acceptances, term deposits and guaranteed
investment certificates.
Equity: Common shares, rights and warrants.
Fixed Income: Bonds, debentures, preferred shares, including those
convertible into common shares.
All of the above may be either U.S. domestic, Canadian, or other foreign
investments.
Convertible preferred securities will be classified as equities if the
preferred dividend is not being paid.
Private placement issues in public companies are allowed.
INVESTMENT CONSTRAINTS
All investments will be made in accordance with all applicable legislation.
INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT LIMITS
Any combination of investments in any one corporate issuer will be limited
to a maximum of 5% of admitted assets. Exposure beyond 5% will require approval
of the Investment Committee.
QUALITY CONSTRAINTS
The Investment Manager may invest in the permitted investment categories
subject to the following quality constraints:
Investments in money market instruments (less than or equal to I year term) will
be limited to the approved list. This list will include money market instruments
of the U.S. Treasury, agencies of the U.S. government, and as a minimum
commercial paper rated A1 or higher by Xxxxx'x and rated P1 or higher by
Standard & Poor's.
Investments in bonds and preferreds will be limited by quality tier as
follows:
LIMITS AS A % OF THE FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO
BOND RATING % OF TOTAL MIN./MAX.
----------- ----------- ---------
A or better................................................. 65% Min.
BBB......................................................... 35% Max.
BB,B........................................................ 10% Max.
C,D......................................................... 0%
The above limits are subject to adjustment to conform with the regulatory
requirements of Article 14 of the New York Insurance Law.
Limits are determined on a cost basis and include convertible securities.
Downgrades will be taken into account when making new investments but will
not necessarily result in the sale of existing positions.
Securities un-rated by the public rating agencies must be rated by the
Investment Manager and included as part of the categories above for the purposes
of determining overall exposure by quality tier.
Any exceptions to the above must be approved by the Investment Committee.
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PROHIBITED INVESTMENTS
No loans will be made in any of the investment portfolios.
No Real Estate will be purchased without Investment Committee approval.
No Mortgages on real estate will be purchased without Investment Committee
approval. The exceptions to this are obligations issued by an agency of the U.S.
Government, or by U.S. domiciled corporations that are issued as part of a
registered public offering that also meet the minimum quality tier requirements.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT LIMITS
Foreign Securities maybe purchased in compliance with established
regulatory guidelines and with the policy on foreign exchange risk outlined
herein.
Foreign investments must be in the same kinds of securities and investments
as the Insurance Company is normally allowed.
OTHER
Derivative securities may be purchased up to 2% of the portfolios cost at
book. Use of derivative investments is infrequent and for hedging purposes.
Derivative investments will be justified to the Investment Committee prior to
use
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SCHEDULE B
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE SCHEDULE
Investment management fees are comprised of two parts:
(A) The Base Fee Amount
and
(B) The Incentive Fee Amount
(A) THE BASE FEE AMOUNT
1) As described in Part 6 on the
Investment Management Agreement, fees
will be payable quarterly in arrears.
2) After the end of each calendar quarter, Xxxxxxx Watsa Investment
Counsel Ltd. shall submit its investment management charges in
accordance with the schedule below.
3) The charges are on a calendar year basis. They will be calculated at
the end of each calendar quarter based upon the average of the market
value of the funds at the close of business for the three (3)
preceding months.
ANNUAL
MARKET VALUE CHARGE
4) ------------ ------
On Total Market Value.................................... .10%
(B) THE INCENTIVE FEE AMOUNT
The incentive fee amount relates to the investment management of equity
securities only.
Annual Base Fee: a) If performance equals or exceeds benchmark, base fee is
unchanged from current fee.
b) If performance is less than benchmark, base fee is 90% of
current fee.
Maximum Fee: 1.75% (including base).
Benchmark: S&P 500 + 200 basis points.
Incentive Fee: Continuous rate of 10 basis points for every 100 basis
points of outperforming the benchmark. (Incentive fee is in
addition to base fee).
Basis of Calculation: Payable annually based on calendar year results. Not earned
or paid unless results since inception exceed benchmark
return.
(C) MAXIMUM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum investment management fee
payable in any calendar year will be .25% of the Total Market Value (as
calculated in (A) (4) above); provided that any investment management fee not
payable in any calendar year as a result of the restriction in the preceding
sentence will be carried over to a succeeding calendar year, but the total
investment management fee payable in any such calendar year, including any
carry-over payment, shall be limited as provided by the preceding sentence.
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