TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made the____day of _____, 1997, by and between Advisors Series Trust a
Delaware business trust, (the "Trust") with respect to the Trust's [Name of
Fund] series (the "Fund"), and American Data Services, Inc., a New York
corporation having its principal office and place of business at 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx., Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 ("ADS").
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to appoint ADS as the transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent and agent of the Fund in connection with certain other
activities, and ADS desires to accept such appointment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT; DUTIES OF ADS
1.01 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement, the
Trust hereby employs and appoints ADS to act as, and ADS agrees to act as its
transfer agent for the Fund's authorized and issued shares of beneficial
interest, $________ par value, ("Shares"), dividend disbursing agent and agent
in connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar plans provided to
the shareholders of the fund ("Shareholders") set out in the currently effective
prospectus and statement of additional information ("prospectus") of the Fund.
1.02 ADS agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with the Trust's Registration Statement, which describes
how sales and redemptions of Shares shall be made, ADS shall:
(i) Receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares, and
promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation therefore to the
Custodian of the Fund authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the
"Custodian");
(ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of
full and fractional Shares and hold such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder
account;
(iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and redemption
directions and deliver the appropriate documentation therefore to the Custodian;
(iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid
to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause to be
paid over in the appropriate manner such monies as instructed by the redeeming
Shareholders;
(v) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof
upon receipt of appropriate instructions;
(vi) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions
declared by the Fund, and effect dividend and capital gains distribution
reinvestments in accordance with Shareholder instructions;
(vii) Serve as a record keeping transfer agent for the Fund, and
maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and its Shareholders as to
the foregoing; and
(viii) Record the issuance of Shares and maintain pursuant to SEC
Rule 17Ad-10(e) a record of the total number of Shares which are authorized,
based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. ADS
shall also provide the Fund each business day with the following: (I) the total
number and dollar amount of Shares issued and outstanding as of the close of
business on the preceding business day; (ii) the total number and dollar amount
of Shares sold on the preceding business day; (iii) the total number and dollar
amount of Shares redeemed on the preceding business day; (iv) the total number
and dollar amount of Shares sold on the preceding business day pursuant to
dividend and capital gains distribution reinvestments; and (v) the total number
and dollar amount of Shares which are authorized and issued and outstanding as
of the opening of business on such day.
(b) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth in the above
paragraph (a), ADS shall:
(i) Perform all of the customary services of a transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent, including but not limited to: maintaining all
Shareholder accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing proxies,
receiving and tabulating proxies, mailing Shareholder reports and prospectuses
to current Shareholders, withholding taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident
alien accounts, preparing and filing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and
other appropriate forms required with respect to dividends and distributions by
federal authorities for all Shareholders, preparing and mailing confirmation
forms and statements of account to Shareholders for all purchases redemptions of
Shares and other confirmable transactions in Shareholder accounts as prescribed
in the federal securities laws or as described in the Trust's Registration
Statement, preparing and mailing activity statements for Shareholders, and
providing Shareholder account information and (ii) provide a system and reports
which will enable the Fund to monitor the total number of Shares sold in each
State.
(c) In addition, the Fund shall (i) identify to ADS in writing those
transactions and shares to be treated as exempt from blue sky reporting for each
State and (ii) monitor the daily activity for each State, as provided by ADS.
The responsibility of ADS pursuant to this Agreement for the Fund's blue sky
State registration status is solely limited to the initial establishment of
transactions subject to blue sky compliance by the Fund and the reporting of
such transactions to the Fund as provided above.
Procedures applicable to certain of these services may be established from
time to time by agreement between the Trust and ADS.
2. FEES AND EXPENSES
2.01 For performance by ADS pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust agrees to
pay ADS an annual maintenance fee for each Shareholder account and transaction
fees for each portfolio or class of Shares serviced under this Agreement (See
Schedule A) as set out in the fee schedule attached hereto. Such fees and out-of
pocket expenses and advances identified under Section 2.02 below may be changed
from time to time subject to mutual written agreement between the Trust and ADS.
2.02 In addition to the fee paid under Section 2.01 above, the Trust agrees
to reimburse ADS for out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by ADS for the
items set out in the fee schedule attached hereto. In addition, any other
expenses incurred by ADS at the request or with the consent of the Trust, will
be reimbursed by the Trust.
2.03 The Trust agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within five
days following the receipt of the respective billing notice. Postage for mailing
of dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other mailings to all shareholder
accounts shall be advanced to ADS by the Trust at least seven (7) days prior to
the mailing date of such materials.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ADS
ADS represents and warrants to the Trust that:
3.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing
under the laws of The State of New York.
3.02 It is duly qualified to carry on its business in The State of New
York.
3.03 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and by-laws
to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.04 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to
enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.05 It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities,
equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.
3.06 ADS is duly registered as a transfer agent under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and shall continue to be registered throughout the
remainder of this Agreement.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE TRUST
The Trust represents and warrants to ADS that;
4.01 It is a business trust duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of Delaware.
4.02 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust
and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.03 All proceedings required by said Declaration of Trust and By-Laws have
been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.04 It is an open-end management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
4.05 A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 is currently
or will become effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state
securities law filings as required, have been or will be made and will continue
to be made, with respect to all Shares being offered for sale.
5. INDEMNIFICATION
5.01 ADS shall not be responsible for, and the Trust shall indemnify and
hold ADS harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges,
counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable
to:
(a) All actions of ADS or its agents or subcontractors required to be
taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in good
faith and without negligence, willful misconduct, or in reckless disregard of
its duties under this Agreement..
(b) The Trust's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, or which arise out of the Trust's lack good faith, negligence or
willful misconduct or which arise out of the breach of any representation or
warranty of the Trust hereunder.
(c) The reliance on or use by ADS or its agents or subcontractors of
information, records and documents which (i) are received by ADS or its agents
or subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf of the Trust, and (ii)
have been prepared and/or maintained by the Trust or any other person or firm on
behalf of the Trust.
(d) The reliance on, or the carrying out by ADS or its agents or
subcontractors of any written instruction signed by an officer of the Trust, or
any legal opinion of counsel to the Trust.
(e) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the
federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of
any state that such Shares be registered in such state or in violation of any
stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or any state
with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state.
5.02 ADS shall indemnify and hold the Trust harmless from and against any
and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and
liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure or omission to
act by ADS as a result of ADS's lack of good faith, negligence or willful
misconduct or the breach of any warranty or representation of ADS hereunder.
5.03 At any time ADS may apply to any officer of the Trust for
instructions, and may consult with the Trust's legal counsel with respect to any
matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by ADS under this
Agreement, and ADS and its agents or subcontractors shall not be liable and
shall be indemnified by the Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in
reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. ADS, its
agents and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon any
paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Trust, reasonably believed to
be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any
instruction, information, data, records or documents provided ADS or its agents
or subcontractors by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or other
similar means authorized by the Trust, and shall not be held to have notice of
any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof
from the Trust. ADS, its agents and subcontractors shall also be protected and
indemnified in recognizing stock certificates which are reasonably believed to
bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the Trust, and
the proper countersignature of any former transfer agent or registrar, or of a
co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
5.04 In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under
the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or
transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes
reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the
other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from
such causes.
5.05 Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for
consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any act or
failure to act hereunder.
5.06 In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article
5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may be
required to indemnify the other, the party of seeking indemnification shall
promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other
party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party
who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the
party seeking indemnification the defense of such claim. The party seeking
indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any
case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the
other party's prior written consent.
6. COVENANTS OF THE TRUST AND ADS
6.01 The Trust Shall promptly furnish to ADS a certified copy of the
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust authorizing the appointment of
ADS and the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
6.02 ADS hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and procedures
reasonably acceptable to the Trust for safekeeping of stock certificates, check
forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the
preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such certificates, forms and
devices.
6.03 ADS shall keep records relating to the services to be performed
hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable. To the extent
required by Section 31 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
the Rules thereunder, ADS agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by
ADS relating to the services to be performed by ADS hereunder are the property
of the Trust and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance
with such Section and Rules, and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust on
and in accordance with its request.
6.04 ADS and the Trust agree that all books, records, information and data
pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or received
pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall remain
confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except
as may be required by law.
6.05 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the
Shareholder records of the Fund, ADS will endeavor to notify the Trust and to
secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Trust as to such
inspection. ADS reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records
to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable
for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person, and shall
promptly notify the Trust of any unusual request to inspect or copy the
shareholder records of the Fund or the receipt of any other unusual request to
inspect, copy or produce the records of the Trust.
7. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
7.01 This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and shall
remain in force through and shall automatically terminate on , 199 , provided
however, that both parties to this Agreement have the option to terminate the
Agreement, without penalty, upon ninety (90) days prior written notice.
7.02 Should the Trust exercise its right to terminate, all expenses
incurred by ADS associated with the movement of records and material will be
borne by the Trust. Such expenses will include all out-of-pocket expenses and
all time incurred to train or consult with the successor transfer agent with
regard to the transfer of shareholder accounting and stock transfer
responsibilities. The charge for all time incurred by ADS will be calculated in
accordance with the rates specified in the Fee Schedule paragraph (e).
8. ASSIGNMENT
8.01 Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be
assigned by either party without the written consent of the other party.
8.02 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties and their respective successors and assigns.
9. AMENDMENT
9.01 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement
executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of the Board
of Trustees of the Trust.
10. NEW YORK LAWS TO APPLY
10.01 The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York as at the time in effect
and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable
law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the
applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
11. MERGER OF AGREEMENT
11.01 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter
hereof whether oral or written.
12. NOTICES.
All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall
be deemed to have been given when received or when sent by telex or facsimile,
and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to
which notice is given):
To the Trust: To ADS
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Vice President President
Advisors Series Trust American Data Services, Inc.
0000 X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000X 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
ADVISORS SERIES TRUST AMERICAN DATA SERVICES, INC.
By:____________________________ By:__________________________
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, President
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