Exhibit (8)(a)
FORM OF
JANUS ASPEN SERIES
FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
(Service Shares)
THIS AGREEMENT is made this [____] day of [______________________],
2000, between JANUS ASPEN SERIES, an open-end management investment company
organized as a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), and NORTHBROOK LIFE
INSURANCE COMANY, a life insurance company organized under the laws of the State
of Arizona (the "Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each segregated
asset account of the Company set forth on Schedule A, as may be amended from
time to time (the "Accounts").
W I T N E S S E T H:
-------------------
WHEREAS, the Trust has registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and the beneficial interest in
the Trust is divided into several series of shares, each series representing an
interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets (the
"Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust has registered the offer and sale of a class of
shares designated the Service Shares ("Shares") of each of its Portfolios under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to act as an investment vehicle for separate
accounts established for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts to be offered by insurance companies that have entered into
participation agreements with the Trust (the "Participating Insurance
Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust has received an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission granting Participating Insurance Companies and their
separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a)
and 15(b) of the 1940 Act, and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder,
to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Trust to be sold to and held by
variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both
affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies and certain qualified
pension and retirement plans (the "Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register (unless
registration is not required under applicable law) certain variable life
insurance policies and/or variable annuity contracts under the 1933 Act (the
"Contracts"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to utilize the Shares of one or more
Portfolios as an investment vehicle of the Accounts;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the parties
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Sale of Trust Shares
1.1 The Trust shall make Shares of its Portfolios listed on Schedule B
available to the Accounts at the net asset value next computed after receipt of
such purchase order by the Trust (or its agent), as established in accordance
with the provisions of the then current prospectus of the Trust. Shares of a
particular Portfolio of the Trust shall be ordered in such quantities and at
such times as determined by the Company to be necessary to meet the requirements
of the Contracts. The Trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") may refuse to sell
Shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of
Shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Trustees
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such Portfolio.
1.2 The Trust will redeem any full or fractional Shares of any
Portfolio when requested by the Company on behalf of an Account at the net asset
value next computed after receipt by the Trust (or its agent) of the request for
redemption, as established in accordance with the provisions of the then current
prospectus of the Trust. The Trust shall make payment for such shares in the
manner established from time to time by the Trust, but in no event shall payment
be delayed for a greater period than is permitted by the 0000 Xxx.
1.3 For the purposes of Sections 1.1 and 1.2, the Trust hereby appoints
the Company as its agent for the limited purpose of receiving and accepting
purchase and redemption orders resulting from investment in and payments under
the Contracts. Receipt by the Company shall constitute receipt by the Trust
provided that i) such orders are received by the Company in good order prior to
the time the net asset value of each Portfolio is priced in accordance with its
prospectus and ii) the Trust receives notice of such orders by 10:00 a.m. New
York time on the next following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day
on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Trust
calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
1.4 Purchase orders that are transmitted to the Trust in accordance
with Section 1.3 shall be paid for no later than 12:00 noon New York time on the
same Business Day that the Trust receives notice of the order. Payments shall be
made in federal funds transmitted by wire.
1.5 Issuance and transfer of the Trust's Shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Account.
Shares ordered from the Trust will be recorded in the appropriate title for each
Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.6 The Trust shall furnish prompt notice to the Company of any income
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Trust's Shares. The
Company hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions as are payable on a Portfolio's Shares in additional Shares of
that Portfolio. The Trust shall notify the Company of the number of Shares so
issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.7 The Trust shall make the net asset value per Share for each
Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per Share is calculated and shall use its
best efforts to make such net asset value per Share available by 6 p.m. New York
time.
1.8 The Trust agrees that its Shares will be sold only to Participating
Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to certain qualified pension
and retirement plans to the extent permitted by the Exemptive Order. No Shares
of any Portfolio will be sold directly to the general public. The Company agrees
that Trust Shares will be used only for the purposes of funding the Contracts
and Accounts listed in Schedule A, as amended from time to time.
1.9 The Trust agrees that all Participating Insurance Companies shall
have the obligations and responsibilities regarding pass-through voting and
conflicts of interest corresponding to those contained in Section 2.8 and
Article IV of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
Obligations of the Parties
2.1 The Trust shall prepare and be responsible for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any state regulators requiring such
filing all shareholder reports, notices, proxy materials (or similar materials
such as voting instruction solicitation materials), prospectuses and statements
of additional information of the Trust. The Trust shall bear the costs of
registration and qualification of its shares, preparation and filing of the
documents listed in this Section 2.1 and all taxes to which an issuer is subject
on the issuance and transfer of its shares.
2.2 At the option of the Company, the Trust shall either (a) provide
the Company (at the Company's expense) with as many copies of the Trust's
Shares' current prospectus, annual report, semi-annual report and other
shareholder communications, including any amendments or supplements to any of
the foregoing, as the Company shall reasonably request; or (b) provide the
Company with a camera ready copy of such documents in a form suitable for
printing. The Trust shall provide the Company with a copy of the Shares'
statement of additional information in a form suitable for duplication by the
Company. The Trust (at its expense) shall provide the Company with copies of any
Trust-sponsored proxy materials in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably
require for distribution to Contract owners.
2.3 (a) The Company shall bear the costs of printing and distributing
the Trust's Shares' prospectus, statement of additional information, shareholder
reports and other shareholder communications to owners of and applicants for
policies for which Shares of the Trust are serving or are to serve as an
investment vehicle. The Company shall bear the costs of distributing proxy
materials (or similar materials such as voting solicitation instructions) to
Contract owners. The Company assumes sole responsibility for ensuring that such
materials are delivered to Contract owners in accordance with applicable federal
and state securities laws.
(b) If the Company elects to include any materials provided by
the Trust, specifically prospectuses, SAIs, shareholder reports and proxy
materials, on its web site or in any other computer or electronic format, the
Company assumes sole responsibility for maintaining such materials in the form
provided by the Trust and for promptly replacing such materials with all updates
provided by the Trust.
2.4 The Company agrees and acknowledges that the Trust's adviser, Janus
Capital Corporation ("Janus Capital"), is the sole owner of the name and xxxx
"Xxxxx" and that all use of any designation comprised in whole or part of Janus
(a "Xxxxx Xxxx") under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Janus
Capital. Except as provided in Section 2.5, the Company shall not use any Xxxxx
Xxxx on its own behalf or on behalf of the Accounts or Contracts in any
registration statement, advertisement, sales literature or other materials
relating to the Accounts or Contracts without the prior written consent of Janus
Capital. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Company shall
cease all use of any Xxxxx Xxxx(s) as soon as reasonably practicable.
2.5 The Company shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Trust
or its designee, a copy of each Contract prospectus or statement of additional
information in which the Trust or its investment adviser is named prior to the
filing of such document with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company
shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Trust or its designee,
each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Trust
or its investment adviser is named, at least fifteen Business Days prior to its
use. No such material shall be used if the Trust or its designee reasonably
objects to such use within fifteen Business Days after receipt of such material.
2.6 The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Trust or concerning the Trust or
its investment adviser in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than
information or representations contained in and accurately derived from the
registration statement or prospectus for the Trust Shares (as such registration
statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time),
reports of the Trust, Trust-sponsored proxy statements, or in sales literature
or other promotional material approved by the Trust or its designee, except as
required by legal process or regulatory authorities or with the written
permission of the Trust or its designee.
2.7 The Trust shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Company or concerning the
Company, the Accounts or the Contracts other than information or representations
contained in and accurately derived from the registration statement or
prospectus for the Contracts (as such registration statement and prospectus may
be amended or supplemented from time to time), or in materials approved by the
Company for distribution including sales literature or other promotional
materials, except as required by legal process or regulatory authorities or with
the written permission of the Company.
2.8 So long as, and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange
Commission interprets the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for
variable policyowners, the Company will provide pass-through voting privileges
to owners of policies whose cash values are invested, through the Accounts, in
shares of the Trust. The Trust shall require all Participating Insurance
Companies to calculate voting privileges in the same manner and the Company
shall be responsible for assuring that the Accounts calculate voting privileges
in the manner established by the Trust. With respect to each Account, the
Company will vote Shares of the Trust held by the Account and for which no
timely voting instructions from policyowners are received as well as Shares it
owns that are held by that Account, in the same proportion as those Shares for
which voting instructions are received. The Company and its agents will in no
way recommend or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for Trust
shares held by Contract owners without the prior written consent of the Trust,
which consent may be withheld in the Trust's sole discretion.
2.9 The Company shall notify the Trust of any applicable state
insurance laws that restrict the Portfolios' investments or otherwise affect the
operation of the Trust and shall notify the Trust of any changes in such laws.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
3.1 The Company represents and warrants that it is an insurance company
duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the State of Arizona and
that it has legally and validly established each Account as a segregated asset
account under such law on the date set forth in Schedule A.
3.2 The Company represents and warrants that each Account has been
registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will be
registered as a unit investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the
0000 Xxx.
3.3 The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts or interests
in the Accounts (1) are or, prior to issuance, will be registered as securities
under the 1933 Act or, alternatively (2) are not registered because they are
properly exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or will be offered
exclusively in transactions that are properly exempt from registration under the
1933 Act. The Company further represents and warrants that the Contracts will be
issued and sold in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
federal and state laws; and the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all
material respects with state insurance suitability requirements.
3.4 The Trust represents and warrants that it is duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
3.5 The Trust represents and warrants that the Trust Shares offered and
sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act and the
Trust shall be registered under the 1940 Act prior to any issuance or sale of
such Shares. The Trust shall amend its registration statement under the 1933 Act
and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous
offering of its Shares. The Trust shall register and qualify its Shares for sale
in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent
deemed advisable by the Trust.
3.6 The Trust represents and warrants that the investments of each
Portfolio will comply with the diversification requirements set forth in Section
817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE IV
Potential Conflicts
4.1 The parties acknowledge that the Trust's shares may be made
available for investment to other Participating Insurance Companies. In such
event, the Trustees will monitor the Trust for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
Participating Insurance Companies. An irreconcilable material conflict may arise
for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f)
a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract
owners. The Trustees shall promptly inform the Company if they determine that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
4.2 The Company agrees to promptly report any potential or existing
conflicts of which it is aware to the Trustees. The Company will assist the
Trustees in carrying out their responsibilities under the Exemptive Order by
providing the Trustees with all information reasonably necessary for the
Trustees to consider any issues raised including, but not limited to,
information as to a decision by the Company to disregard Contract owner voting
instructions.
4.3 If it is determined by a majority of the Trustees, or a majority of
its disinterested Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists that
affects the interests of Contract owners, the Company shall, in cooperation with
other Participating Insurance Companies whose contract owners are also affected,
at its expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by the
Trustees) take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the
irreconcilable material conflict, which steps could include: (a) withdrawing the
assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts from the Trust or any Portfolio
and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including (but not
limited to) another Portfolio of the Trust, or submitting the question of
whether or not such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected
Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate
group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract owners, or
variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that
votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected Contract owners
the option of making such a change; and (b) establishing a new registered
management investment company or managed separate account.
4.4 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision
by the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Trust's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement with respect to such
Account; provided, however that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited
to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as
determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees. Any such withdrawal and
termination must take place within six (6) months after the Trust gives written
notice that this provision is being implemented. Until the end of such six (6)
month period, the Trust shall continue to accept and implement orders by the
Company for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Trust.
4.5 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
affected Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement with
respect to such Account within six (6) months after the Trustees inform the
Company in writing that it has determined that such decision has created an
irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested
Trustees. Until the end of such six (6) month period, the Trust shall continue
to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase and redemption of
shares of the Trust.
4.6 For purposes of Sections 4.3 through 4.6 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested Trustees shall determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the Company be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts
if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners
materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable material conflict. In the
event that the Trustees determine that any proposed action does not adequately
remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then the Company will withdraw the
Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement within six (6)
months after the Trustees inform the Company in writing of the foregoing
determination; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by any such material irreconcilable conflict as
determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees.
4.7 The Company shall at least annually submit to the Trustees such
reports, materials or data as the Trustees may reasonably request so that the
Trustees may fully carry out the duties imposed upon them by the Exemptive
Order, and said reports, materials and data shall be submitted more frequently
if deemed appropriate by the Trustees.
4.8 If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the
1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially
different from those contained in the Exemptive Order, then the Trust and/or the
Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may
be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3,
as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable.
ARTICLE V
Indemnification
5.1 Indemnification By the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Trust and each of its Trustees, officers, employees and agents
and each person, if any, who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15
of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Article V) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or expenses
(including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss,
claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred
in connection therewith) (collectively, "Losses"), to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, or at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such Losses:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in a
registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts or in the
Contracts themselves or in sales literature for the Trust generated or
approved by the Company on behalf of the Contracts or Accounts (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) (collectively,
"Company Documents" for the purposes of this Article V), or arise out
of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
indemnity shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement
or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and was accurately derived from written information furnished to
the Company by or on behalf of the Trust for use in Company Documents
or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or
Trust Shares; or
(b) arise out of or result from statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in and accurately
derived from Trust Documents as defined in Section 5.2(a)) or wrongful
conduct of the Company or persons under its control, with respect to
the sale or acquisition of the Contracts or Trust Shares; or
(c) arise out of or result from any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in Trust
Documents as defined in Section 5.2(a) or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and accurately derived
from written information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf of the
Company; or
(d) arise out of or result from any failure by the
Company to provide the services or furnish the materials
required under the terms of this Agreement; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement
by the Company.
5.2 Indemnification By the Trust. The Trust agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Company and each of its directors, officers, employees and
agents and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes
of this Article V) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Trust) or
expenses (including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any
alleged loss, claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal counsel
fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, "Losses"), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, or at
common law or otherwise, insofar as such Losses:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Trust (or any amendment or
supplement thereto), (collectively, "Trust Documents" for the purposes
of this Article V), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this indemnity shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and was accurately
derived from written information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf
of the Company for use in Trust Documents or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or Trust Shares; or
(b) arise out of or result from statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in and accurately
derived from Company Documents) or wrongful conduct of the Trust or
persons under its control, with respect to the sale or acquisition of
the Contracts or Trust Shares; or
(c) arise out of or result from any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in Company
Documents or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading if such statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and accurately derived from written information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Trust; or
(d) arise out of or result from any failure by the
Trust to provide the services or furnish the materials
required under the terms of this Agreement; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Trust in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement
by the Trust.
5.3 Neither the Company nor the Trust shall be liable under the
indemnification provisions of Sections 5.1 or 5.2, as applicable, with respect
to any Losses incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party that arise from
such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
5.4 Neither the Company nor the Trust shall be liable under the
indemnification provisions of Sections 5.1 or 5.2, as applicable, with respect
to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party
shall have notified the other party in writing within a reasonable time after
the summons, or other first written notification, giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon or otherwise received by such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
service upon or other notification to any designated agent), but failure to
notify the party against whom indemnification is sought of any such claim shall
not relieve that party from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party in the absence of Sections 5.1 and 5.2.
5.5 In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties,
the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in
the defense of such action. The indemnifying party also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the indemnifying party to the Indemnified
Party of an election to assume such defense, the Indemnified Party shall bear
the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
indemnifying party will not be liable to the Indemnified Party under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
ARTICLE VI
Termination
6.1 This Agreement may be terminated by either party for any reason by
ninety (90) days advance written notice delivered to the other party.
6.2 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall,
at the option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of
the Trust (or any Portfolio) pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of
this Agreement, provided that the Company continues to pay the costs set forth
in Section 2.3.
6.3 The provisions of Article V shall survive the termination of this
Agreement, and the provisions of Article IV and Section 2.8 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement as long as Shares of the Trust are held on behalf
of Contract owners in accordance with Section 6.2.
ARTICLE VII
Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
If to the Trust:
Janus Aspen Series
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Company:
Northbrook Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: [___________________]
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
8.1 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
8.2 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
8.3 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by
a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
8.4 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of State of Colorado.
8.5 The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all
liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement,
of any and every nature whatsoever, shall be satisfied solely out of the assets
of the Trust and that no Trustee, officer, agent or holder of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust shall be personally liable for any such
liabilities.
8.6 Each party shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.7 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement
are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under
state and federal laws.
8.8 The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that this
Agreement shall not be exclusive in any respect.
8.9 Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may
be assigned by either party without the prior written approval of the other
party.
8.10 No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by both
parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized
officers to execute this Participation Agreement as of the date and year first
above written.
JANUS ASPEN SERIES
By:
Name:
Title:
NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
Exhibit (8)(b)
FORM OF
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made by and between XXXXXXX
VARIABLE LIFE INVESTMENT FUND (the "Fund"), a Massachusetts business trust
created under a Declaration of Trust dated March 15, 1985, as amended, with a
principal place of business in Boston, Massachusetts and NORTHBROOK LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY, an Arizona corporation (the "Company"), with a principal
place of business in Northbrook, Illinois on behalf of NORTHBROOK VARIABLE
ACCOUNT II, a separate account of the Company, and any other separate account of
the Company as designated by the Company from time to time, upon written notice
to the Fund in accordance with Section 9 herein (each, an "Account").
WHEREAS, the Fund acts as the investment vehicle for the separate
accounts established for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts (collectively referred to herein as "Variable Insurance Products") to
be offered by insurance companies which have entered into participation
agreements substantially identical to this Agreement ("Participating Insurance
Companies") and their affiliated insurance companies; and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several
series of shares of beneficial interest without par value ("Shares"), and
additional series of Shares may be established, each designated a "Portfolio"
and representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities;
and
WHEREAS, each Portfolio of the Fund, except the Money Market Portfolio,
is divided into two classes of Shares, and additional classes of Shares may be
established; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to evidence their agreement as to certain
other matters, NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Duty of Fund to Sell.
--------------------
The Fund shall make its Shares available for purchase at the applicable
net asset value per Share by Participating Insurance Companies and their
affiliates and separate accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its
net asset value pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission;
provided, however, that the Trustees of the Fund may refuse to sell Shares of
any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of Shares of
any Portfolio, if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities
having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Trustees, necessary in
the best interest of the shareholders of any Portfolio.
2. Fund Materials.
---------------
The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company or its designee
with camera-ready copy or computer diskette versions of all prospectuses,
statements of additional information, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy
materials (collectively, "Fund Materials") to be printed and distributed by the
Company or its broker/dealer to the Company's existing or prospective contract
owners, as appropriate. The Company agrees to bear the cost of printing and
distributing such Fund Materials.
3. Requirement to Execute Participation Agreement; Requests.
--------------------------------------------------------
Each Participating Insurance Company shall, prior to purchasing Shares
in the Fund, execute and deliver a participation agreement in a form
substantially identical to this Agreement.
The Fund shall make available, upon written request from the
Participating Insurance Company given in accordance with Paragraph 9, to each
Participating Insurance Company which has executed an Agreement and which
Agreement has not been terminated pursuant to Paragraph 7 (i) a list of all
other Participating Insurance Companies, and (ii) a copy of the Agreement as
executed by any other Participating Insurance Company.
The Fund shall also make available upon request to each Participating
Insurance Company which has executed an Agreement and which Agreement has not
been terminated pursuant to Paragraph 7, the net asset value of any Portfolio of
the Fund as of any date upon which the Fund calculates the net asset value of
its Portfolios for the purpose of purchase and redemption of Shares.
4. Indemnification.
---------------
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each
of its Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Fund
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act")
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
(including legal and other expenses), arising out of the acquisition of any
Shares by any person, to which the Fund or such Trustees, officers or
controlling person may become subject under the Act, under any other statute, at
common law or otherwise, which (i) may be based upon any wrongful act by the
Company, any of its employees or representatives, any affiliate of or any person
acting on behalf of the Company or a principal underwriter of its insurance
products, or (ii) may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement or prospectus
covering Shares or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such a
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the
Fund by the Company, or (iii) may be based on any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement or
prospectus covering insurance products sold by the Company or any insurance
company which is an affiliate thereof, or any amendments or supplement thereto,
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not
misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon
information furnished to the Company or such affiliate by or on behalf of the
Fund; provided, however, that in no case (i) is the Company's indemnity in favor
of a Trustee or officer or any other person deemed to protect such Trustee or
officer or other person against any liability to which any such person would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance of his duties or by reason of his reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or (ii) is the Company
to be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this Paragraph 4 with
respect to any claim made against the Fund or any person indemnified unless the
Fund or such person, as the case may be, shall have notified the Company in
writing pursuant to Paragraph 9 within a reasonable time after the summons or
other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claims shall
have been served upon the Fund or upon such person (or after the Fund or such
person shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but
failure to notify the Company of any such claim shall not relieve the Company
from any liability which it has to the Fund or any person against whom such
action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained
in this Paragraph 4. The Company shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit
brought to enforce any such liability, but, if it elects to assume the defense,
such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the
Fund, to its officers and Trustees, or to any controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event that the Company elects to
assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the Fund, such
officers and Trustees or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants
in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained
by them, but, in case the Company does not elect to assume the defense of any
such suit, the Company will reimburse the Fund, such officers and Trustees or
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in such suit, for the
reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Company agrees
promptly to notify the Fund pursuant to Paragraph 9 of the commencement of any
litigation or proceedings against it in connection with the issue and sale of
any Shares.
(b) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each
of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which
it or such directors, officers or controlling person may become subject under
the Act, under any other statute, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the
acquisition of any Shares by any person which (i) may be based upon any wrongful
act by the Fund, any of its employees or representatives or a principal
underwriter of the Fund, or (ii) may be based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration
statement or prospectus covering Shares or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon
information furnished to the Fund by the Company or (iii) may be based on any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a
registration statement or prospectus covering insurance products sold by the
Company, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of the Fund; provided, however, that in no case (i) is
the Fund's indemnity in favor of a director or officer or any other person
deemed to protect such director or officer or other person against any liability
to which any such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his duties or
by reason of his reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this
Agreement or (ii) is the Fund to be liable under its indemnity agreement
contained in this Paragraph 4 with respect to any claims made against the
Company or any such director, officer or controlling person unless it or such
director, officer or controlling person, as the case may be, shall have notified
the Fund in writing pursuant to Paragraph 9 within a reasonable time after the
summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
claim shall have been served upon it or upon such director, officer or
controlling person (or after the Company or such director, officer or
controlling person shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any claim shall not relieve it from
any liability which it may have to the person against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this
Paragraph. The Fund will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the
defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to
enforce any such liability, but if the Fund elects to assume the defense, such
defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the
Company, its directors, officers or controlling person or persons, defendant or
defendants, in the suit. In the event the Fund elects to assume the defense of
any such suit and retain such counsel, the Company, its directors, officers or
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear
the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them, but, in case
the Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, it will
reimburse the Company or such directors, officers or controlling person or
persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and
expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Fund agrees promptly to notify the
Company pursuant to Paragraph 9 of the commencement of any litigation or
proceedings against it or any of its officers or Trustees in connection with the
issuance or sale of any Shares.
The provisions of this Section 4 shall survive the termination of the Agreement.
5. Procedure for Resolving Irreconcilable Conflicts.
------------------------------------------------
(a) The Trustees of the Fund will monitor the operations of the
Fund for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict among the
interests of all the contract holders and policy owners of Variable Insurance
Products (the "Participants") of all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An
irreconcilable material conflict may arise, among other things, from: (a) an
action by any state insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable
insurance laws or regulations; (c) a tax ruling or provision of the Internal
Revenue Code or the regulations thereunder; (d) any other development relating
to the tax treatment of insurers, contract holders or policy owners or
beneficiaries of Variable Insurance Products; (e) the manner in which the
investments of any Portfolio are being managed; (f) a difference in voting
instructions given by variable annuity contract holders, on the one hand, and
variable life insurance policy owners, on the other hand, or by the contract
holders or policy owners of different participating insurance companies; or (g)
a decision by an insurer to override the voting instructions of Participants.
(b) The Company will be responsible for reporting any potential or
existing conflicts to the Trustees of the Fund. The Company will be responsible
for assisting the Trustees in carrying out their responsibilities under this
Paragraph 5(b) and Paragraph 5(a), by providing the Trustees with all
information reasonably necessary for the Trustees to consider the issues raised.
The Fund will also request its investment adviser to report to the Trustees any
such conflict which comes to the attention of the adviser.
(c) If it is determined by a majority of the Trustees of the Fund, or a
majority of its disinterested Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict
exists involving the Company, the Company shall, at its expense, and to the
extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the disinterested
Trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to eliminate the irreconcilable
material conflict, including withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of
the separate accounts from the Fund or any Portfolio or class thereof and
reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including another
Portfolio of the Fund or class thereof, offering to the affected Participants
the option of making such a change or establishing a new funding medium
including a registered investment company.
For purposes of this Paragraph 5(c), the Trustees, or the disinterested
Trustees, shall determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies
any irreconcilable material conflict. In the event of a determination of the
existence of an irreconcilable material conflict, the Trustees shall cause the
Fund to take such action, such as the establishment of one or more additional
Portfolios or classes, as they in their sole discretion determine to be in the
interest of all shareholders and Participants in view of all applicable factors,
such as cost, feasibility, tax, regulatory and other considerations. In no event
will the Fund be required by this Paragraph 5(c) to establish a new funding
medium for any variable contract or policy.
The Company shall not be required by this Paragraph 5(c) to establish a
new funding medium for any variable contract or policy if an offer to do so has
been declined by a vote of a majority of the Participants materially adversely
affected by the material irreconcilable conflict. The Company will recommend to
its Participants that they decline an offer to establish a new funding medium
only if the Company believes it is in the best interest of the Participants.
(d) The Trustees' determination of the existence of an irreconcilable
material conflict and its implications promptly shall be communicated to all
Participating Insurance Companies by written notice thereof delivered or mailed,
first class postage prepaid.
6. Voting Privileges.
-----------------
The Company shall be responsible for assuring that its separate account
or accounts participating in the Fund shall use a calculation method of voting
procedures substantially the same as the following: those Participants permitted
to give instructions and the number of Shares for which instructions may be
given will be determined as of the record date for the Fund shareholders'
meeting, which shall not be more than 60 days before the date of the meeting.
Whether or not voting instructions are actually given by a particular
Participant, all Fund shares held in any separate account or sub-account thereof
and attributable to policies will be voted for, against, or withheld from voting
on any proposition in the same proportion as (i) the aggregate record date cash
value held in such sub-account for policies giving instructions, respectively,
to vote for, against, or withhold votes on such proposition, bears to (ii) the
aggregate record date cash value held in the sub-account for all policies for
which voting instructions are received. Participants continued in effect under
lapse options will not be permitted to give voting instructions. Shares held in
any other insurance company general or separate account or sub-account thereof
will be voted in the proportion specified in the second preceding sentence for
shares attributable to policies.
7. Duration and Termination.
------------------------
This Agreement shall continue in effect for five (5) years from the
date of its execution. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, at the
option of either of the Company or the Fund, when neither the Company, any
insurance company nor the separate account or accounts of such insurance company
which is an affiliate thereof which is not a Participating Insurance Company own
any Shares of the Fund or may be terminated by either party to the Agreement
upon a determination by a majority of the Trustees of the Fund, or a majority of
its disinterested Trustees, following certification thereof by a Participating
Insurance Company given in accordance with Paragraph 9 that an irreconcilable
conflict exists among the interests of (i) all contract holders and policy
holders of Variable Insurance Products of all separate accounts or (ii) the
interests of the Participating Insurance Companies investing in the Fund. If
this Agreement is so terminated, the Fund may, at any time thereafter,
automatically redeem the Shares of any Portfolio held by a Participating
Shareholder.
8. Compliance.
----------
The Fund will comply with the provisions of Section 4240(a) of the New
York Insurance Law. Each Portfolio of the Fund will use its best
efforts to comply with the provisions of Section 817(h) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), relating to
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment and life insurance
contracts. Specifically, each Portfolio will comply with either (i) the
requirement of Section 817(h)(1) of the Code that its assets be adequately
diversified, or (ii) the "Safe Harbor for Diversification" specified in Section
817(h)(2) of the Code, or (iii) in the case of variable life insurance contracts
only, the diversification requirement of Section 817(h)(1) of the Code by having
all or part of its assets invested in U.S. Treasury securities which qualify for
the "Special Rule for Investments in United States Obligations" specified in
Section 817(h)(3) of the Code. The Fund will notify the Company immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that a Portfolio has ceased to comply
with the requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code or that the Portfolio might
not so comply in the future.
The provisions of Paragraphs 5 and 6 of this Agreement shall be
interpreted in a manner consistent with any Rule or order of the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
applicable to the parties hereto.
No Shares of any Portfolio of the Fund may be sold to the general
public.
9. Notices.
-------
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
If to the Fund:
Xxxxxxx Variable Life Investment Fund
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
(000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
If to the Company:
Northbrook Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn:[_______________]
10. Massachusetts Law to Apply.
--------------------------
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
11. Miscellaneous.
-------------
The name "Xxxxxxx Variable Life Investment Fund" is the designation of
the Trustees for the time being under a Declaration of Trust dated March 15,
1985, as amended, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the
property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as
neither the Trustees, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal
liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund. No Portfolio shall
be liable for any obligations properly attributable to any other Portfolio.
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect. This Agreement may be executed
simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
12. Entire Agreement.
----------------
This Agreement incorporates the entire understanding and agreement
among the parties hereto, and supersedes any and all prior understandings and
agreements between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the [__] day of
[__________], 2000.
SEAL XXXXXXX VARIABLE LIFE
INVESTMENT FUND
By:________________________________
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President
SEAL NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY
By:________________________________
Its:_______________________________
Exhibit (8)(c)
FORM OF
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, is made as of [_____________], 2000, by and
among Northbrook Life Insurance Company ("Company"), on its own behalf and on
behalf of Northbrook Variable Annuity Account II, a segregated asset account of
the Company ("Account"), Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. ("Strong
Variable") on behalf of the Portfolios of Strong Variable listed on the attached
Exhibit A as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time (the "Designated
Portfolios"), Strong Opportunity Fund II, Inc. ("Opportunity Fund II"), Strong
Capital Management, Inc. (the "Adviser"), the investment adviser and transfer
agent for the Opportunity Fund II and Strong Variable, and Strong Investments,
Inc. ("Distributors"), the distributor for Strong Variable and the Opportunity
Fund II (each, a "Party" and collectively, the "Parties").
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. Beneficial interests in Strong Variable are divided into several
series of shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed
portfolio of securities and other assets (each, a "Portfolio").
B. To the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares of Opportunity Fund II and
the Designated Portfolios ("Fund" or "Funds" shall be deemed to refer to each
Designated Portfolio and to the Opportunity Fund II to the extent the context
requires), on behalf of the Account to fund the variable annuity contracts that
use the Funds as an underlying investment medium (the "Contracts").
C. The Company, Adviser and Distributors desire to facilitate the
purchase and redemption of shares of the Funds by the Company for the Account
through one or more accounts, which number shall be as mutually agreed upon by
the parties, in each Fund (each an "Omnibus Account"), to be maintained of
record by the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
D. The Company desires to provide administrative services and functions
(the "Services") for purchasers of Contracts ("Owners") who are beneficial
owners of shares of the Funds on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
AGREEMENTS
The parties to this Agreement agree as follows:
1. Performance of Services. Company agrees to perform the administrative
functions and services specified in Exhibit B attached to this Agreement with
respect to the shares of the Funds beneficially owned by the Owners and included
in the Account. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit Company's right to engage
one or more of its wholly owned subsidiaries (each, a "Designee") to provide all
or any portion of the Services, but no such engagement shall relieve Company of
its duties, responsibilities or liabilities under this Agreement.
2. The Omnibus Accounts.
--------------------
2.1 Each Omnibus Account will be opened based upon the information
contained in Exhibit C to this Agreement. In connection with each Omnibus
Account, Company represents and warrants that it is authorized to act on behalf
of each Owner effecting transactions in the Omnibus Account and that the
information specified on Exhibit C to this Agreement is correct.
2.2 Each Fund shall designate each Omnibus Account with an account
number. These account numbers will be the means of identification when the
Parties are transacting in the Omnibus Accounts. The assets in the Accounts are
segregated from the Company's own assets. The Adviser agrees to cause the
Omnibus Accounts to be kept open on each Fund's books, as applicable, regardless
of a lack of activity or small position size except to the extent the Company
takes specific action to close an Omnibus Account or to the extent a Fund's
prospectus reserves the right to close accounts which are inactive or of a small
position size. In the latter two cases, the Adviser will give prior notice to
the Company before closing an Omnibus Account.
2.3 The Company agrees to provide Adviser such information as Adviser
or Distributors may reasonably request concerning Owners as may be necessary or
advisable to enable Adviser and Distributors to comply with applicable laws,
including state "Blue Sky" laws relating to the sales of shares of the Funds to
the Accounts.
3. Fund Shares Transactions.
------------------------
3.1 In General. Shares of the Funds shall be sold on behalf of the
Funds by Distributors and purchased by Company for the Account and, indirectly
for the appropriate subaccount thereof at the net asset value next computed
after receipt by Distributors of each order of the Company or its Designee, in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the then current prospectuses
of the Funds, and the Contracts. Company may purchase shares of the Funds for
its own account subject to (a) receipt of prior written approval by
Distributors; and (b) such purchases being in accordance with the then current
prospectuses of the Fund and the Contracts. The Board of Directors of each Fund
("Directors") may refuse to sell shares of the applicable Fund to any person, or
suspend or terminate the offering of shares of the Fund if such action is
required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction. Company agrees
to purchase and redeem the shares of the Funds in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement, of the Contracts and of the then current prospectuses for the
Contracts and Funds. Except as necessary to implement transactions initiated by
Owners, or as otherwise permitted by state or federal laws or regulations,
Company shall not redeem shares of Funds attributable to the Contracts.
3.2 Purchase and Redemption Orders. On each day that a Fund is open for
business (a "Business Day"), the Company or its Designee shall aggregate and
calculate the net purchase or redemption order it receives for the Account from
the Owners for shares of the Fund that it received prior to the close of trading
on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") (i.e. 3:00 p.m., Central time,
unless the NYSE closes at an earlier time in which case such earlier time shall
apply) and communicate to Distributors, by telephone or facsimile (or by such
other means as the Parties to this Agreement may agree to in writing), the net
aggregate purchase or redemption order (if any) for the Omnibus Account for such
Business Day (such Business Day is sometimes referred to herein as the "Trade
Date"). The Company or its Designee will communicate such orders to Distributors
prior to 9:00 a.m., Central time, on the next Business Day following the Trade
Date. All trades communicated to Distributors by the foregoing deadline shall be
treated by Distributors as if they were received by Distributors prior to the
close of trading on the Trade Date.
3.3 Settlement of Transactions.
--------------------------
(a) Purchases. Company or its Designee will wire, or arrange
for the wire of, the purchase price of each purchase order to the custodian for
the Fund in accordance with written instructions provided by Distributors to the
Company so that either (i) such funds are received by the custodian for the Fund
prior to 10:30 a.m., Central time, on the next Business Day following the Trade
Date, or (ii) Distributors is provided with a Federal Funds wire system
reference number prior to such 10:30 a.m. deadline evidencing the entry of the
wire transfer of the purchase price to the applicable custodian into the Federal
Funds wire system prior to such time. Company agrees that if it fails to provide
funds to the Fund's custodian by the close of business on the next Business Day
following the Trade Date, then, at the option of Distributors, (A) the
transaction may be canceled, or (B) the transaction may be processed at the
next-determined net asset value for the applicable Fund after purchase order
funds are received. In such event, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless
Distributors, Adviser and the Funds from any liabilities, costs and damages
either may suffer as a result of such failure.
(b) Redemptions. The Adviser will use its best efforts to
cause to be transmitted to such custodial account as Company shall direct in
writing, the proceeds of all redemption orders placed by Company or its Designee
by 9:00 a.m., Central time, on the Business Day immediately following the Trade
Date, by wire transfer on that Business Day. Should Adviser need to extend the
settlement on a trade, it will contact Company to discuss the extension. For
purposes of determining the length of settlement, Adviser agrees to treat the
Account no less favorably than other shareholders of the Funds. Each wire
transfer of redemption proceeds shall indicate, on the Federal Funds wire
system, the amount thereof attributable to each Fund; provided, however, that if
the number of entries would be too great to be transmitted through the Federal
Funds wire system, the Adviser shall, on the day the wire is sent, fax such
entries to Company or if possible, send via direct or indirect systems access
until otherwise directed by the Company in writing.
3.4 Book Entry Only. Issuance and transfer of shares of a Fund
will be by book entry only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the
Company or the Account. Shares of the Funds ordered from Distributors will be
recorded in the appropriate book entry title for the Account.
3.5 Distribution Information. The Adviser or Distributors shall provide
the Company with all distribution announcement information as soon as it is
announced by the Funds. The distribution information shall set forth, as
applicable, ex-dates, record date, payable date, distribution rate per share,
record date share balances, cash and reinvested payment amounts and all other
information reasonably requested by the Company. Where possible, the Adviser or
Distributors shall provide the Company with direct or indirect systems access to
the Adviser's systems for obtaining such distribution information.
3.6 Reinvestment. All dividends and capital gains distributions will be
automatically reinvested on the payable date in additional shares of the
applicable Fund at net asset value in accordance with each Fund's then current
prospectus.
3.7 Pricing Information. Distributors shall use its best efforts to
furnish to the Company prior to 6:00 p.m., Central time, on each Business Day
each Fund's closing net asset value for that day, and for those Funds for which
such information is calculated, the daily accrual for interest rate factor (mil
rate). Such information shall be communicated via fax, or indirect or direct
systems access acceptable to the Company.
3.8 Price Errors.
------------
(a) Notification. If an adjustment is required in accordance
with a Fund's then current policies on reimbursement ("Fund Reimbursement
Policies") to correct any error in the computation of the net asset value of
Fund shares ("Price Error"), Adviser or Distributors shall notify Company as
soon as practicable after discovering the Price Error. Notice may be made via
facsimile or via direct or indirect systems access and shall state the incorrect
price, the correct price and, to the extent communicated to the Fund's
shareholders, the reason for the price change.
(b) Underpayments. If a Price Error causes an Account to
receive less than the amount to which it otherwise would have been entitled,
Adviser shall make all necessary adjustments (subject to the Fund Reimbursement
Policies) so that the Account receives the amount to which it would have been
entitled
(c) Overpayments. If a Price Error causes an Account to
receive more than the amount to which it otherwise would have been entitled,
Company, when requested by Adviser (in accordance with the Fund Reimbursement
Policies), will use its best efforts to collect such excess amounts from the
applicable Owners.
(d) Fund Reimbursement Policies. Adviser agrees to treat
Company's customers no less favorably than Adviser treats its retail
shareholders in applying the provisions of paragraphs 3.8(b) and 3.8(c).
(e) Expenses. Adviser shall reimburse Company for all
reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Company for payroll
overtime, stationery and postage in adjusting Owner accounts affected by a Price
Error described in paragraphs 3.8(b) and 3.8(c). Company shall use its best
efforts to mitigate all expenses which may be reimbursable under this section
3.8(e) and agrees that payroll overtime shall not include any time spent
programming computers or otherwise customizing Company's recordkeeping system.
Upon requesting reimbursement, Company shall present an itemized xxxx to Adviser
detailing the costs for which it seeks reimbursement.
3.9 Agency. Distributors hereby appoints the Company or its Designee as
its agents for the limited purpose of accepting purchase and redemption
instructions from the Owners for the purchase and redemption of shares of the
Funds by the Company on behalf of Account.
3.10 Quarterly Reports. Adviser agrees to provide Company a statement
of Fund assets as soon as practicable and in any event within 30 days after the
end of each fiscal quarter, and a statement certifying the compliance by the
Funds during that fiscal quarter with the diversification requirements and
qualification as a regulated investment company. In the event of a breach of
Section 6.4(a), Adviser will take all reasonable steps (a) to notify Company of
such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance
within the grace period afforded by Treasury Regulation 1.817-5.
4. Proxy Solicitations and Voting. The Company shall, at its expense, distribute
or arrange for the distribution of all proxy materials furnished by the Funds to
the Account and shall: (a) solicit voting instructions from Owners; (b) vote the
Fund shares in accordance with instructions received from Owners; and (c) vote
the Fund shares for which no instructions have been received, as well as shares
attributable to it, in the same proportion as Fund shares for which instructions
have been received from Owners, so long as and to the extent that the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") continues to interpret the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), to require pass-through voting
privileges for various contract owners. The Company and its Designees will not
recommend action in connection with, or oppose or interfere with, the
solicitation of proxies for the Fund shares held for Owners.
5. Customer Communications.
-----------------------
5.1 Prospectuses. The Adviser or Distributors, at its expense, will
provide the Company with as many copies of the current prospectus for the Funds
as the Company may reasonably request for distribution, at the Company's
expense, to existing or prospective Owners.
5.2 Shareholder Materials. The Adviser and Distributors shall, as
applicable, provide in bulk to the Company or its authorized representative, at
a single address and at no expense to the Company, the following shareholder
communications materials prepared for circulation to Owners in quantities
requested by the Company which are sufficient to allow mailing thereof by the
Company and, to the extent required by applicable law, to all Owners: proxy or
information statements, annual reports, semi-annual reports, and all initial and
updated prospectuses, supplements and amendments thereof. None of the Funds, the
Adviser or Distributors shall be responsible for the cost of distributing such
materials to Owners.
6. Representations and Warranties.
------------------------------
6.1 The Company represents and warrants that:
(a) It is an insurance company duly organized and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Arizona and that it has legally and
validly established the Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a
segregated asset account and that the Company has and will maintain the capacity
to issue all Contracts that may be sold; and that it is and will remain duly
registered, licensed, qualified and in good standing to sell the Contracts in
all the jurisdictions in which such Contracts are to be offered or sold;
(b) It and each of its Designees is and will remain duly
registered and licensed in all material respects under all applicable federal
and state securities and insurance laws and shall perform its obligations under
this Agreement in compliance in all material respects with any applicable state
and federal laws;
(c) The Contracts are and will be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and are and will be
registered and qualified for sale in the states where so required; and the
Account is and will be registered as a unit investment trust in accordance with
the 1940 Act and shall be a segregated investment account for the Contracts;
(d) The Contracts are currently treated as annuity contracts,
under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), and the Company will maintain such treatment and will notify
Adviser, Distributors and Funds promptly upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not
be so treated in the future;
(e) It and each of its Designees is registered as a transfer
agent pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act"), or is not required to be registered as such;
(f) The arrangements provided for in this Agreement will
be disclosed to the Owners; and
(g) It is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and
any applicable state securities laws, including as a result of entering into and
performing the Services set forth in this Agreement, or is not required to be
registered as such.
6.2 The Funds each represent and warrant that Fund shares sold pursuant
to this Agreement are and will be registered under the 1933 Act and the Fund is
and will be registered as a registered investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, in each case, except to the extent the Company is so
notified in writing;
6.3 Distributors represents and warrants that:
(a) It is and will be a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and is and will be
registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC; and
(b) It will sell and distribute Fund shares in accordance with
all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
6.4 Adviser represents and warrants that:
(a) It will cause each Fund to invest money from the Contracts
in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable
annuity contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder, and that
each Fund will comply with Section 817(h) of the Code as amended from time to
time and with all applicable regulations promulgated thereunder; and
(b) It is and will remain duly registered and licensed in all
material respects under all applicable federal and state securities and
insurance laws and shall perform its obligations under this Agreement in
compliance in all material respects with any applicable state and federal laws.
6.5 Each of the Parties to this Agreement represents and warrants
to the others that:
(a) It has full power and authority under applicable law, and
has taken all action necessary, to enter into and perform this Agreement and the
person executing this Agreement on its behalf is duly authorized and empowered
to execute and deliver this Agreement;
(b) This Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding
obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms and it shall
comply in all material respects with all laws, rules and regulations applicable
to it by virtue of entering into this Agreement;
(c) No consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act
by or in respect of any governmental authority, is required in connection with
the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this
Agreement;
(d) The execution, performance and delivery of this
Agreement will not result in it violating any applicable law or breaching or
otherwise impairing any of its contractual obligations;
(e) Each Party to this Agreement is entitled to rely on any
written records or instructions provided to it by another Party; and
(f) Its directors, officers, employees, and investment
advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing with the money or securities of
a Fund are and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity
bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than
the amount required by the applicable rules of the NASD and the federal
securities laws, which bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement
and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
7. Sales Material and Information
7.1 NASD Filings. The Company shall promptly inform Distributors as to
the status of all sales literature filings pertaining to the Funds and shall
promptly notify Distributors of all approvals or disapprovals of sales
literature filings with the NASD. For purposes of this Section 7, the phrase
"sales literature or other promotional material" shall be construed in
accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations.
7.2 Company Representations. Neither the Company nor any of its
Designees shall make any material representations concerning the Adviser, the
Distributors, or a Fund other than the information or representations contained
in: (a) a registration statement of the Fund or prospectus of a Fund, as amended
or supplemented from time to time; (b) published reports or statements of the
Funds which are in the public domain or are approved by Distributors or the
Funds; or (c) sales literature or other promotional material of the Funds.
7.3 Adviser, Distributors and Fund Representations. None of Adviser,
Distributors or any Fund shall make any material representations concerning the
Company or its Designees other than the information or representations contained
in: (a) a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as amended or
supplemented from time to time; (b) published reports or statements of the
Contracts or the Account which are in the public domain or are approved by the
Company; or (c) sales literature or other promotional material of the Company.
7.4 Trademarks, etc. Except to the extent required by applicable law,
no Party shall use any other Party's names, logos, trademarks or service marks,
whether registered or unregistered, without the prior consent of such Party.
7.5 Information From Distributors and Adviser. Upon request,
Distributors or Adviser will provide to Company at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information,
reports, proxy statements, solicitations for voting instructions, applications
for exemptions, requests for no action letters, and all amendments to any of the
above, that relate to the Funds, in final form as filed with the SEC, NASD and
other regulatory authorities.
7.6 Information From Company. Company will provide to Distributors at
least one complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements
of Additional Information, reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales
literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions,
requests for no action letters and all amendments to any of the above, that
relate to a Fund and the Contracts, in final form as filed with the SEC, NASD
and other regulatory authorities.
7.7 Review of Marketing Materials. If so requested by Company, the
Adviser or Distributors will use its best efforts to review sales literature and
other marketing materials prepared by Company which relate to the Funds, the
Adviser or Distributors for factual accuracy as to such entities, provided that
the Adviser or Distributors is provided at least five (5) Business Days to
review such materials. Neither the Adviser nor Distributors will review such
materials for compliance with applicable laws. Company shall provide the Adviser
with copies of all sales literature and other marketing materials which refer to
the Funds, the Adviser or Distributors within five (5) Business Days after their
first use, regardless of whether the Adviser or Distributors has previously
reviewed such materials. If so requested by the Adviser or Distributors, Company
shall cease to use any sales literature or marketing materials which refer to
the Funds, the Adviser or Distributors that the Adviser or Distributors
determines to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise unacceptable.
8. Fees and Expenses.
-----------------
8.1 Fund Registration Expenses. Fund or Distributors shall bear the
cost of registration and qualification of Fund shares; preparation and filing of
Fund prospectuses and registration statements, proxy materials and reports;
preparation of all other statements and notices relating to the Fund or
Distributors required by any federal or state law; payment of all applicable
fees, including, without limitation, any fees due under Rule 24f-2 of the 1940
Act, relating to a Fund; and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of Fund
shares on the Fund's records.
8.2 Contract Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear the expenses
for the costs of preparation and filing of the Company's prospectus and
registration statement with respect to the Contracts; preparation of all other
statements and notices relating to the Account or the Contracts required by any
federal or state law; expenses for the solicitation and sale of the Contracts
including all costs of printing and distributing all copies of advertisements,
prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, proxy materials, and reports
to Owners or potential purchasers of the Contracts as required by applicable
state and federal law; payment of all applicable fees relating to the Contracts;
all costs of drafting, filing and obtaining approvals of the Contracts in the
various states under applicable insurance laws; filing of annual reports on form
N-SAR, and all other costs associated with ongoing compliance with all such laws
and its obligations under this Agreement.
9. Indemnification.
---------------
9.1 Indemnification By Company.
--------------------------
(a) Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Funds,
Adviser and Distributors and each of their directors, officers, employees and
agents, and each person, if any, who controls any of them within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act (each, an "Indemnified Party" and collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 9.1) from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement
with the written consent of Company), and expenses including reasonable legal
fees and expenses, (collectively, hereinafter "Losses"), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise insofar as such Losses:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts or contained in
the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this paragraph
9.1(a) shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished to Company by or on
behalf of a Fund, Distributors or Adviser for use in the registration
statement or prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts (or any
amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale
of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of, or as a result of, statements or representations or
wrongful conduct of Company, its Designees or its agents, with respect to
the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or sales
literature covering a Fund or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto,
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, if such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon
written information furnished to a Fund, Adviser or Distributors by or on
behalf of Company; or
(iv) arise out of, or as a result of, any failure by Company, its
Designees or persons under the Company's or Designees' control to provide
the Services and furnish the materials contemplated under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(v) arise out of, or result from, any material breach of any
representation or warranty made by Company, its Designees or persons under
the Company's or Designees' control in this Agreement or arise out of or
result from any other material breach of this Agreement by Company. its
Designees or persons under the Company's or Designees' control; as limited
by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 9.1(b) and 9.1(c)
hereof; or
(vi) arise out of, or as a result of, adherence by Adviser or
Distributors to instructions that it reasonably believes were originated by
authorized agents of Company.
This indemnification provision is in addition to any liability
which the Company or its Designees may otherwise have.
(b) Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any Losses to which an Indemnified Party would
otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance,
bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's
duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of
obligations or duties under this Agreement.
(c) Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify Company of any such
claim shall not relieve Company from any liability which it may have to the
Indemnified Party otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision.
In case any such action is brought against any Indemnified Party, and it
notified the indemnifying Party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying
Party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may
wish, assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified
Party. After notice from the indemnifying Party of its intention to assume the
defense of an action, the Indemnified Party shall bear the expenses of any
additional counsel obtained by it, and the indemnifying Party shall not be
liable to such Indemnified Party under this Section for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. The Indemnified
Party may not settle any action without the written consent of the indemnifying
Party. The indemnifying Party may not settle any action without the written
consent of the Indemnified Party unless such settlement completely and finally
releases the Indemnified Party from any and all liability. In either event,
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(d) The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify Company of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Indemnified
Parties in connection with the issuance or sale of Fund shares or the Contracts
or the operation of a Fund.
9.2 Indemnification by Adviser and Distributors.
-------------------------------------------
(a) Adviser and Distributors agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless Company and each of its directors, officers, employees and agents and
each person, if any, who controls Company within the meaning of Section 15 of
the 1933 Act (each, an "Indemnified Party" and collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 9.2) from and against any and all Losses
to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such Losses:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration
statement or prospectus or sales literature of a Fund (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this Section 9.2(a) shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement
or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to a Fund, Adviser or Distributors by or on behalf of
Company for use in the registration statement or prospectus for a Fund or
in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of, or as a result of, statements or representations or
wrongful conduct of Adviser or Distributors or persons under its control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or sales
literature covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon written information furnished to Company by or on behalf of Adviser or
Distributors; or
(iv) arise out of, or as a result of, any failure by Adviser or
Distributors or persons under its control to provide the services and
furnish the materials contemplated under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation or warranty made by Adviser or Distributors or persons under
its control in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by Adviser or Distributors or persons
under its control; as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) hereof.
This indemnification provision is in addition to any liability
which Adviser and Distributors may otherwise have.
(b) Adviser and Distributors shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any Losses to which an Indemnified
Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(c) Adviser and Distributors shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified Adviser and Distributors
in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal
process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served
upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received
notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify Adviser
and Distributors of any such claim shall not relieve Adviser and Distributors
from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against any Indemnified Party, and it notified the indemnifying Party of the
commencement thereof, the indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it may wish, assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified Party. After notice from the
indemnifying Party of its intention to assume the defense of an action, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the expenses of any additional counsel obtained by
it, and the indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party
under this Section for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such
Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation. The Indemnified Party may not settle any action without
the written consent of the indemnifying Party. The indemnifying Party may not
settle any action without the written consent of the Indemnified Party unless
such settlement completely and finally releases the Indemnified Party from any
and all liability. In either event, consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(d) The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify Adviser and
Distributors of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the
Indemnified Parties in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or
the operation of the Account.
10. Potential Conflicts.
-------------------
10.1 Monitoring by Directors for Conflicts of Interest. The Directors
of each Fund will monitor the Fund for any potential or existing material
irreconcilable conflict of interest between the interests of the contract owners
of all separate accounts investing in the Fund, including such conflict of
interest with any other separate account of any other insurance company
investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a
variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory
authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or
securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling,
no-action or interpretive letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax or
securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial decision in
any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of the Fund are
being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity
contract owners and variable life insurance contract owners or by contract
owners of different life insurance companies utilizing the Fund; or (f) a
decision by Company to disregard the voting instructions of Owners. The
Directors shall promptly inform the Company, in writing, if they determine that
an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
10.2 Monitoring by the Company for Conflicts of Interest. The Company
will promptly notify the Directors, in writing, of any potential or existing
material irreconcilable conflicts of interest, as described in Section 10.1
above, of which it is aware. The Company will assist the Directors in carrying
out their responsibilities under any applicable provisions of the federal
securities laws and any exemptive orders granted by the SEC ("Exemptive Order"),
by providing the Directors, in a timely manner, with all information reasonably
necessary for the Directors to consider any issues raised. This includes, but is
not limited to, an obligation by the Company to inform the Directors whenever
Owner voting instructions are disregarded.
10.3 Remedies. If it is determined by a majority of the Directors, or a
majority of disinterested Directors, that a material irreconcilable conflict
exists, as described in Section 10.1 above, the Company shall, at its own
expense take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the
irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including, but not limited to: (a)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the applicable Fund and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another fund managed by the Adviser, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected Owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any
particular group that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the
affected owners the option of making such a change; and (b) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
10.4 Causes of Conflicts of Interest.
-------------------------------
(a) State Insurance Regulators. If a material irreconcilable
conflict arises because a particular state insurance regulator's decision
applicable to the Company conflicts with the majority of other state regulators,
then the Company will withdraw the affected Account's investment in the
applicable Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account within
the period of time permitted by such decision, but in no event later than six
months after the Directors inform the Company in writing that it has determined
that such decision has created an irreconcilable material conflict; provided,
however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent
required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a
majority of the disinterested Directors. Until the end of the foregoing period,
the Distributors and Funds shall continue to accept and implement orders by the
Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund to the extent
such actions do not violate applicable law.
(b) Disregard of Owner Voting. If a material irreconcilable
conflict arises because of Company's decision to disregard Owner voting
instructions and that decision represents a minority position or would preclude
a majority vote, Company may be required, at the applicable Fund's election, to
withdraw the Account's investment in said Fund. No charge or penalty will be
imposed against the Account as a result of such withdrawal.
10.5 Limitations on Consequences. For purposes of Sections 10.3 through
10.5 of this Agreement, a majority of the disinterested Directors shall
determine whether any proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable
material conflict. In no event will a Fund, the Adviser or the Distributors be
required to establish a new funding medium for any of the Contracts. The Company
shall not be required by Section 10.3 to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of Owners
affected by the irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the
Directors determine that any proposed action does not adequately remedy any
irreconcilable material conflict, then the Company will withdraw the Account's
investment in the applicable Fund and terminate this Agreement as quickly as may
be required to comply with applicable law, but in no event later than six (6)
months after the Directors inform the Company in writing of the foregoing
determination, provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by any such material irreconcilable conflict.
10.6 Changes in Laws. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule
6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from
any provision of the Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to
mixed or shared funding (as defined in the Funds' Exemptive Order) on terms and
conditions materially different from those contained in the Funds' Exemptive
Order, then (a) the Funds and/or the Adviser, as appropriate, shall take such
steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and
Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections
10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 of this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the
extent that terms and conditions substantially identical to such Sections are
contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
11. Maintenance of Records.
----------------------
(a) Recordkeeping and other administrative services to Owners
shall be the responsibility of the Company and shall not be the responsibility
of the Funds, Adviser or Distributors. None of the Funds, the Adviser or
Distributors shall maintain separate accounts or records for Owners. Company
shall maintain and preserve all records as required by law to be maintained and
preserved in connection with providing the Services and in making shares of the
Funds available to the Account.
(b) Upon the request of the Adviser or Distributors, the
Company shall provide copies of all the historical records relating to
transactions between the Funds and the Account, written communications regarding
the Funds to or from the Account and other materials, in each case (1) as are
maintained by the Company in the ordinary course of its business and in
compliance with applicable law, and (2) as may reasonably be requested to enable
the Adviser and Distributors, or its representatives, including without
limitation its auditors or legal counsel, to (A) monitor and review the
Services, (B) comply with any request of a governmental body or self-regulatory
organization or the Owners, (C) verify compliance by the Company with the terms
of this Agreement, (D) make required regulatory reports, (E) verify to Advisor's
reasonable satisfaction that all purchase and redemption orders aggregated for
each Trade Date were received by Company prior to the close of trading on the
NYSE on such Trade Date, or (F) perform general customer supervision. The
Company agrees that it will permit the Adviser and Distributors or such
representatives of either to have reasonable access to its personnel and records
in order to facilitate the monitoring of the quality of the Services.
(c) Upon the request of the Company, the Adviser and
Distributors shall provide copies of all the historical records relating to
transactions between the Funds and the Account, written communications regarding
the Funds to or from the Account and other materials, in each case (1) as are
maintained by the Adviser and Distributors, as the case may be, in the ordinary
course of its business and in compliance with applicable law, and (2) as may
reasonably be requested to enable the Company, or its representatives, including
without limitation its auditors or legal counsel, to (A) comply with any request
of a governmental body or self-regulatory organization or the Owners, (B) verify
compliance by the Adviser and Distributors with the terms of this Agreement, (C)
make required regulatory reports, or (D) perform general customer supervision.
(d) The Parties agree to cooperate in good
faith in providing records to one another pursuant to this Section 11.
12. Term and Termination.
--------------------
12.1 Term and Termination Without Cause. The initial term of this
Agreement shall be for a period of one year from the date hereof. Unless
terminated as to any Fund upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written
notice to the other Parties, this Agreement shall thereafter automatically renew
for the remaining Funds from year to year, subject to termination at the next
applicable renewal date upon not less than 30 days prior written notice. Any
Party may terminate this Agreement as to any Fund following the initial term
upon six (6) months advance written notice to the other Parties.
12.2 Termination by Fund, Distributors or Adviser for Cause. Adviser,
Fund or Distributors may terminate this Agreement by written notice to the
Company, if any of them shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that (a) the Company has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of this
Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or (b) any of the
Contracts are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state
and federal law or such law precludes the use of Fund shares as the underlying
investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company.
12.3 Termination by Company for Cause. Company may terminate this
Agreement by written notice to the Adviser, Funds and Distributors in the event
that (a) any of the Fund shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance
with applicable state or federal law or such law precludes the use of such
shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to be
issued by the Company; (b) the Funds cease to qualify as Regulated Investment
Companies under Subchapter M of the Code or under any successor or similar
provision, or if the Company reasonably believes that the Funds may fail to so
qualify; or (c) a Fund fails to meet the diversification requirements specified
in Section 6.4(a).
12.4 Termination by any Party. This Agreement may be terminated as to
any Fund by any Party at any time (a) by giving 30 days' written notice to the
other Parties in the event of a material breach of this Agreement by the other
Party or Parties that is not cured during such 30-day period, and (b) (i) upon
institution of formal proceedings relating to the legality of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement against the Account, Company, any Designee, the
Funds, Adviser or Distributors by the NASD, the SEC or any other regulatory body
provided that the terminating Party has a reasonable belief that the institution
of formal proceedings is not without foundation and will have a material adverse
impact on the terminating Party, (ii) by the non-assigning Party upon the
assignment of this Agreement in contravention of the terms hereof, or (iii) as
is required by law, order or instruction by a court of competent jurisdiction or
a regulatory body or self-regulatory organization with jurisdiction over the
terminating Party.
12.5 Limit on Termination. Notwithstanding the termination of this
Agreement with respect to any or all Funds, for so long as any Contracts remain
outstanding and invested in a Fund each Party to this Agreement shall continue
to perform such of its duties under this Agreement as are necessary to ensure
the continued tax deferred status thereof and the payment of benefits
thereunder, except to the extent proscribed by law, the SEC or other regulatory
body. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 12.5 obligates a
Fund to continue in existence. In the event that any Fund elects to terminate
its operations, the Company shall, as soon as practicable, obtain an exemptive
order or order of substitution from the SEC to remove all Owners from the
applicable Fund.
13. Notices.
-------
All notices under this Agreement shall be given in writing (and shall
be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by
facsimile, by registered or certified mail or by overnight delivery (postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties as follows:
If to Strong Variable:
Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: 414/359-3948
If to Opportunity Fund II:
Strong Opportunity Fund II, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: 414/359-3948
If to Adviser:
Strong Capital Management, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: 414/359-3948
If to Distributors:
Strong Investments, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: 414/359-3948
If to Company:
Northbrook Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:[_____________________]
Facsimile No.: [( ) _____________]
14. Miscellaneous.
-------------
14.1.Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way affect the construction or effect of any
provisions hereof.
14.2.Enforceability. If any portion of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
14.3.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or
more counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
14.4. Remedies not Exclusive. The rights, remedies and obligations
contained in this Agreement are cumulative and are in addition to any and all
rights, remedies and obligations, at law or in equity, which the Parties to this
Agreement are entitled to under state and federal laws.
14.5. Confidentiality. Subject to the requirements of legal process and
regulatory authority, the Funds and Distributors shall treat as confidential the
names and addresses of the owners of the Contracts and all information
reasonably identified as confidential in writing by the Company to this
Agreement and, except as permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose,
disseminate or utilize such names and addresses and other confidential
information without the express written consent of the Company until such time
as it may come into the public domain.
14.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Wisconsin applicable to
agreements fully executed and to be performed therein; exclusive of conflicts of
laws.
14.7. Survivability. Sections 6, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 9, 11 and 12.5 hereof
shall survive termination of this Agreement. In addition, all provisions of this
Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement in the event that any
Contracts are invested in a Fund at the time the termination becomes effective
and shall survive for so long as such Contracts remain so invested.
14.8. Amendment and Waiver. No modification of any provision of this
Agreement will be binding unless in writing and executed by the Party to be
bound thereby. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement will be binding
unless in writing and executed by the Party granting such waiver.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Adviser may
unilaterally amend Exhibit A to this Agreement to add additional series of
Strong Variable Funds ("New Funds") as Funds by sending to the Company a written
notice of the New Funds. Any valid waiver of a provision set forth herein shall
not constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement. In addition,
any such waiver shall constitute a present waiver of such provision and shall
not constitute a permanent future waiver of such provision.
14.9. Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor any rights, privileges,
duties or obligations of the Parties may be assigned by any Party without the
written consent of the other Parties or as expressly contemplated by this
Agreement.
14.10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the full and complete
understanding between the Parties with respect to the transactions covered and
contemplated under this Agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof,
whether oral or written, express or implied.
14.11. Relationship of Parties; No Joint Venture, Etc. Except for the
limited purpose provided in Section 3.8, it is understood and agreed that the
Company and each of its Designees shall be acting as an independent contractor
and not as an employee or agent of the Adviser, Distributors or the Funds, and
none of the Parties shall hold itself out as an agent of any other Party with
the authority to bind such Party. Neither the execution nor performance of this
Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership or joint venture by and among
any of the Company, any Designees, Funds, Adviser, or Distributors.
14.12. Expenses. All expenses incident to the performance by each
Party of its respective duties under this Agreement shall be paid by that Party.
14.13. Time of Essence. Time shall be of the essence in this
Agreement.
14.14. Non-Exclusivity. Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees
that this Agreement and the arrangements described herein are intended to be
non-exclusive and that each of the Parties is free to enter into similar
agreements and arrangements with other entities.
14.15. Operations of Funds. In no way shall the provisions of this
Agreement limit the authority of the Funds, the Adviser or Distributors to take
such action as it may deem appropriate or advisable in connection with all
matters relating to the operation of such Fund and the sale of its shares. In no
way shall the provisions of this Agreement limit the authority of the Company to
take such action as it may deem appropriate or advisable in connection with all
matters relating to the provision of Services or the shares of funds other than
the Funds offered to the Account.
NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
----------------------------------------
By:
Name:
Title:
STRONG CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Vice President
STRONG INVESTMENTS, INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Vice President
STRONG VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC. on behalf of the
Designated Portfolios
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Vice President
STRONG OPPORTUNITY FUND II, INC.
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Vice President
Exhibit (8)(d)
FORM OF
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
XXXXXX XXXXXXX UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.,
XXXXXX XXXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXXX, LLP
and
NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
DATED AS OF [_______________], 2000
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the [_____] day of [____],
2000 by and among NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (hereinafter the "Company"),
an Arizona corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate account
of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from time to
time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), and XXXXXX
XXXXXXX UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC. (hereinafter the "Fund"), a Maryland corporation,
and XXXXXX XXXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. and XXXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXXX, LLP
(hereinafter collectively the "Advisers" and individually the "Adviser"), a
Delaware corporation and a Pennsylvania limited liability partnership,
respectively.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is available to act as (i) the investment vehicle for
separate accounts established by insurance companies for individual and group
life insurance policies and annuity contracts with variable accumulation and/or
pay-out provisions (hereinafter referred to individually and/or collectively as
"Variable Insurance Products") and (ii) the investment vehicle for certain
qualified pension and retirement plans (hereinafter "Qualified Plans"); and
WHEREAS, insurance companies desiring to utilize the Fund as an
investment vehicle under their Variable Insurance Contracts enter into
participation agreements with the Fund and the Advisers (the "Participating
Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, shares of the Fund are divided into several series of shares,
each representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities
and other assets, any one or more of which may be made available under this
Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the
parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred to as a "Portfolio"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission, dated September 19, 1996 (File No. 812-10118), granting
Participating Insurance Companies and Variable Insurance Product separate
accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and
15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (hereinafter the "1940
Act"), and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent
necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by Variable
Annuity Product separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life
insurance companies and Qualified Plans (hereinafter the "Shared Funding
Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, each Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state
securities laws; and
WHEREAS, each Adviser manages certain Portfolios of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated (the "Underwriter") is
registered as a broker/dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), is a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (hereinafter "NASD") and serves
as principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain Variable
Insurance Products under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution or under authority of the Board of
Directors of the Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A
hereto, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid Variable
Insurance Product; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase, on behalf of each Account, shares
in the Portfolios set forth in Schedule B attached to this Agreement, to fund
certain of the aforesaid Variable Insurance Products and the Underwriter is
authorized to sell such shares to each such Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Purchase of Fund Shares
1.1. The Fund agrees to make available for purchase by the Company
shares of the Fund and shall execute orders placed for each Account on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its
designee of such order. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company shall be
the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from each Account and
receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the
Fund receives notice of such order by 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on the next
following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.2. The Fund, so long as this Agreement is in effect, agrees to make
its shares available indefinitely for purchase at the applicable net asset value
per share by the Company and its Accounts on those days on which the Fund
calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net asset
value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the Fund (hereinafter
the "Board") may refuse to permit the Fund to sell shares of any Portfolio to
any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if
such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction
or is, in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of
their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in
the best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.3. The Fund agrees that shares of the Fund will be sold only to
Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to certain
Qualified Plans. No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.4. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any
full or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such
requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this
Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Fund, provided that the Fund receives notice of such
request for redemption on the next following Business Day.
1.5. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Portfolio
shares offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be made in
accordance with the provisions of such prospectus. The Variable Insurance
Products issued by the Company, under which amounts may be invested in the Fund
(hereinafter the "Contracts"), are listed on Schedule A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference, as such Schedule A may be amended from time to
time by mutual written agreement of all of the parties hereto. The Company will
give the Fund and the Adviser 45 days written notice of its intention to make
available in the future, as a funding vehicle under the Contracts, any other
investment company.
1.6. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day
after an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the provisions
of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire.
For purposes of Section 2.10 and 2.11, upon receipt by the Fund of the federal
funds so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company
and shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.7. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account.
Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each
Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.8. The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone,
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Fund's shares. The Company hereby
elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as
are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. The
Company reserves the right to revoke this election and to receive all such
income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify
the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions.
1.9. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each
Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated (normally by 6:30
p.m. Eastern time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value
per share available by 7:00 p.m. Eastern time.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will
be registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established each
Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account
under Section 424.40 of the New York Insurance Laws and has registered or, prior
to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register each Account as a unit
investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a
segregated investment account for the Contracts.
2.2. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Maryland and all
applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall
remain registered under the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall amend the registration
statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time
as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund
shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of
the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund.
2.3. The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), and that it will make every effort to maintain such
qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and
that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in
the future.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated as
life insurance policies or annuity contracts, under applicable provisions of the
Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it
will notify the Fund immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing
that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so
treated in the future.
2.5. The Fund represents that to the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund
undertakes to have a board of directors, a majority of whom are not interested
persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states
except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies, fees and
expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of the
State of Maryland and the Fund represents that their respective operations are
and shall at all times remain in material compliance with the laws of the State
of Maryland to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
2.7. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.8. Each Adviser represents and warrants that it is and shall remain
duly registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that it will perform its obligations for the Fund in
compliance in all material respects with the laws of its state of domicile and
any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.9. The Fund represents and warrants that its directors, officers,
employees, and other individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or
securities of the Fund are and shall continue to be at all times covered by a
blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an
amount not less than the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1)
of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time.
The aforesaid blanket fidelity bond shall include coverage for larceny and
embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
2.10. The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees and other individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or
securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage, in an amount not less than $5 million. The aforesaid includes coverage
for larceny and embezzlement and is issued by a reputable bonding company. The
Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another
bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to notify the
Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer applies.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses, Reports to Shareholders and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. The Fund or its designee shall provide the Company with as many
printed copies of the Fund's current prospectus and statement of additional
information as the Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company,
in lieu of providing printed copies the Fund shall provide camera-ready film or
computer diskettes containing the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional
information, and such other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for
the Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus and/or
statement of additional information for the Fund is amended during the year) to
have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together
in one document, and to have the statement of additional information for the
Fund and the statement of additional information for the Contracts printed
together in one document. Alternatively, the Company may print the Fund's
prospectus and/or its statement of additional information in combination with
other fund companies' prospectuses and statements of additional information.
3.2. Except as provided in this Section 3.2., all expenses of printing
and distributing Fund prospectuses and statements of additional information
shall be the expense of the Company. The Fund shall not pay any costs of
typesetting, printing or distribution of the Fund's prospectus and/or statement
of additional information to prospective Contract owners. Such expenses shall be
borne by the Company as provided in the Company's General Agency Agreement with
Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc. For prospectuses and statements of additional
information provided by the Company to its existing owners of Contracts who
currently own shares of one or more of the Fund's Portfolios, in order to update
disclosure as required by the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of printing
shall be borne by the Fund. If the Company chooses to receive camera-ready film
or computer diskettes in lieu of receiving printed copies of the Fund's
prospectus, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an amount equal to the
product of x and y where x is the number of such prospectuses distributed to
owners of the Contracts who currently own shares of one or more of the Fund's
Portfolios, and y is the Fund's per unit cost of typesetting and printing the
Fund's prospectus. The same procedures shall be followed with respect to the
Fund's statement of additional information. The Company agrees to provide the
Fund or its designee with such information as may be reasonably requested by the
Fund to assure that the Fund's expenses do not include the cost of printing any
prospectuses or statements of additional information other than those actually
distributed to existing owners of the Contracts.
3.3. The Fund's statement of additional information shall be obtainable
from the Fund, the Company or such other person as the Fund may designate, as
agreed upon by the parties.
3.4. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of
its proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other communications (except
for prospectuses and statements of additional information, which are covered in
section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably
require for distributing to Contract owners.
3.5. If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract
owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with
instructions received from Contract owners;
and
(iii) vote Fund shares for which no instructions have
been received in the same proportion as Fund
shares of such Portfolio for which instructions
have been received,
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges
for variable contract owners. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares
held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted
by law. The Fund and the Company shall follow the procedures, and shall have the
corresponding responsibilities, for the handling of proxy and voting instruction
solicitations, as set forth in Schedule C attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for
ensuring that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth
on Schedule C, which standards will also be provided to the other Participating
Insurance Companies.
3.6. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund
is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with
Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in
accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's interpretation of the
requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of directors
and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.
3.7. The Fund shall use reasonable efforts to provide Fund
prospectuses, reports to shareholders, proxy materials and other Fund
communications (or camera-ready equivalents) to the Company sufficiently in
advance of the Company's mailing dates to enable the Company to complete, at
reasonable cost, the printing, assembling and/or distribution of the
communications in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which the Fund or the Adviser(s) is named, at least ten Business
Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its
designee reasonably objects to such use within ten Business Days after receipt
of such material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund,
or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its
designee, except with the permission of the Fund.
4.3. The Fund or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or
other promotional material in which the Company and/or its separate account(s)
is named at least ten Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be
used if the Company or its designee reasonably objects to such use within ten
Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.4. The Fund and the Advisers shall not give any information or make
any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, each
Account, or the Contracts, other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain
or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, which are relevant
to the Company or the Contracts.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the investment
in the Fund under the Contracts.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Fund shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company
under this Agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts and
implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, then
the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter for the
Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this
Agreement shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its
shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable
federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in
accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear
the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's
shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting
in type and printing the proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including
the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the
preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal or state law,
and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Fund's
prospectus to owners of Contracts issued by the Company.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
6.1 The Fund shall at all times invest money from the Contracts in such
a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts
under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope
of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the
Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the diversification
requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and
any amendments or other modifications to such Section or Regulations. In the
event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable
steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the
Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation
817-5.
6.2 The Adviser, upon the prior written request of the Company by
February 1, shall provide written confirmation by no later than February 15,
that the Fund was adequately diversified within the meaning of Section 817 and
Regulation 1.817-5 as of December 31 of the prior year.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by Variable Insurance Product owners; or (f) a decision by a Participating
Insurance Company to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners. The
Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an irreconcilable
material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying
out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by providing
the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider
any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of
its disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested directors), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance policy
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision
by the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account
(at the Company's expense); provided, however that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with
respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs the Company in
writing that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable
material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall
be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Underwriter and Fund shall
continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and
redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.5 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any
proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in
no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict.
7.7. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the
1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and
conditions materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies,
as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules
6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such
rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of
this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms and
conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such
Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
8.1(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and
each member of the Board and officers, and each Adviser and each director and
officer of each Adviser, and each person, if any, who controls the Fund or the
Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of
this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company)
or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or
acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the registration
statement or prospectus for the Contracts or contained in the Contracts or
sales literature for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any
of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement
or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts
or in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied by the
Company, or persons under its control and other than statements or
representations authorized by the Fund or an Adviser) or unlawful conduct
of the Company or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading if such a statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund
by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
the Company, as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the
Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them or any of their
officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of
the Contracts, with respect to the operation of each Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by the Advisers
8.2(a). Each Adviser agrees, with respect to each Portfolio that it
manages, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors
and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"
and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of this Section 8.2) against
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in
settlement with the written consent of the Adviser) or litigation (including
legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof)
or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of shares of the Portfolio
that it manages or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue
statements of any material fact contained in the registration statement or
prospectus or sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement
or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company for use in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature
(or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with
the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in the registration statement,
prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by the Fund
or persons under its control and other than statements or representations
authorized by the Company) or unlawful conduct of the Fund, Adviser(s) or
Underwriter or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature covering the Contracts or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Company by
or on behalf of the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services
and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Adviser in this Agreement or arise out of or
result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Adviser as
limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and
8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). An Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or
assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.2(c). An Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified
Party shall have notified the Adviser in writing within a reasonable time after
the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve
the Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Adviser will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense of such action. The Adviser also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Adviser to such party of the Adviser's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Adviser of the commencement of
any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in
connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Contracts, with
respect to the operation of each Account, or the sale or acquisition of shares
of the Fund.
8.3. Indemnification by the Fund
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (hereinafter collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of
this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties
may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence (except for
failure to comply with Section VI of this Agreement for which the standard is
negligence), bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof,
are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services
and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of or
result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or
assessed against an Indemnified Party as may arise from such Indemnified Party's
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified
Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable time after the
summons or other first legal process (including any IRS administrative process)
giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any
such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. The Fund shall be liable under this
indemnification provision for any claim (including but not limited to any fine
or penalty) with respect to any and all IRS audit, settlement, closing
agreement, ruling or other administrative process, provided that the Fund is
notified in writing within a reasonable time of any administrative action
involving the IRS. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified
Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the
defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof,
with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action, except with respect
to any claim or action related to Section 817(h) of the Code or Regulation
1.817-5. With regard to any claim or action related to Section 817(h) or
Regulation 1.817-5, the Indemnified Party shall permit the Fund to attend and
otherwise assist the Indemnified Party with respect to any conferences,
settlement discussions, or other administrative or judicial proceeding or
contests (including judicial appeals thereof) with the IRS or any other claimant
regarding any claims that could give rise to liability to the Fund, provided
that the Indemnified Party shall control, in good faith, the conduct of such
conferences, discussions, proceedings, or contest (or appeals thereof). After
notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the defense
thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Fund of the commencement of
any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in
connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Contracts, with
respect to the operation of each Account, or the sale or acquisition of shares
of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934 and
1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such
exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and
Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in
accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first to
occur of:
(a) termination by any party for any reason by sixty (60) days advance
written notice delivered to the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio based upon the Company's
determination that shares of such Portfolio is not reasonably available to
meet the requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the Portfolio's
shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable
state and/or federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as
the underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by
the Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio
ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of
the Code or under any successor or similar provision, or if the Company
reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio
falls to meet the diversification requirements specified in Article VI
hereof; or
(f) termination by either the Fund by written notice to the Company if the
Fund shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that
the Company and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse
change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects since
the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity,
or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in
good faith, that either the Fund or the Adviser has suffered a material
adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material
adverse publicity; or
(h) termination by the Fund or the Adviser by written notice to the
Company, if the Company gives the Fund and the Adviser the written notice
specified in Section 1.5 hereof and at the time such notice was given there
was no notice of termination outstanding under any other provision of this
Agreement; provided, however any termination under this Section 10.1(h)
shall be effective forty five (45) days after the notice specified in
Section 1.5 was given.
10.2. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Fund shall at the
option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of the Fund
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in
effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter
referred to as "Existing, Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the
owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to direct reallocation of
investments in the Fund, redemption of investments in the Fund and/or investment
in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing
Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any
terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations
shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement.
10.3. The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts (as
distinct from Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the
Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner initiated or
approved transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or
regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption") or (iii) as
permitted by an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act. Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish
to the Fund the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Fund) to the effect that any redemption pursuant
to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in
cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company shall not
prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that was
otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving the Fund 90 days
prior written notice of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified mail
to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such other
address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other
party.
If to the Fund:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Universal Funds, Inc.
c/o Morgan Xxxxxxx Asset Management Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
If to Adviser:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Asset Management Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
If to Adviser:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx, LLP
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
If to the Company:
Northbrook Life Insurance Company 0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx, X0X Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: [______________]
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
12.1. All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the
Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the Board,
officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations
entered into on behalf of the Fund.
12.2. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority,
each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the
owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
12.3. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
12.4. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
12.5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
12.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities
Dealers and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the California Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the insurance operations
of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the California
Insurance Regulations and any other applicable law or regulations.
12.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
12.8. This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not be
assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties hereto;
provided, however, that an Adviser may assign this Agreement or any rights or
obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common control with
the Adviser, if such assignee is duly licensed and registered to perform the
obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement.
12. 9 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or
its designee copies of the following reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement (prepared under statutory accounting
principles) and annual report (prepared under generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), if any), as soon as practical and in any event within
90 days after the end of each fiscal year;
(b) the Company's quarterly statements (statutory) (and GAAP, if any), as
soon as practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each
quarterly period:
(c) any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or report of the
Company sent to stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon as practical
after the delivery thereof to stockholders;
(d) any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial reports of
the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state
insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the filing thereof;
(e) any other report submitted to the Company by independent accountants in
connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the
books of the Company, as soon as practical after the receipt thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified above.
NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
XXXXXX XXXXXXX UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.
By: ______________________________
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Title: President
XXXXXX XXXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
By: ______________________________
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Managing Director
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXXX, LLP
By: ______________________________
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Authorized Signatory
Exhibit (8)(e)
FORM OF
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
XXX XXXXXX AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST,
XXX XXXXXX AMERICAN CAPITAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,
XXX XXXXXX AMERICAN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.,
and
NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
DATED AS OF [__________________], 2000
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the [_____] day of
[___________], 2000 by and among NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (hereinafter
the "Company"), an Arizona corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each
separate account of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended
from time to time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"),
and XXX XXXXXX AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST (hereinafter the "Fund"),
a Delaware business trust, XXX XXXXXX AMERICAN CAPITAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
(hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a Delaware corporation, and XXX XXXXXX AMERICAN
CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. (hereinafter the "Adviser"), a Delaware
corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management investment
company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts
established by insurance companies for individual and group life insurance
policies and annuity contracts with variable accumulation and/or pay-out
provisions (hereinafter referred to individually and/or collectively as
"Variable Insurance Products"); and
WHEREAS, insurance companies desiring to utilize the Fund as an investment
vehicle under their Variable Insurance Products are required to enter into
participation agreements with the Fund and the Underwriter (the "Participating
Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, shares of the Fund are divided into several series of shares, each
representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities and
other assets, any one or more of which may be made available for Variable
Insurance Products of Participating Insurance Companies; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to offer shares of the series set forth on
Schedule B (each such series hereinafter referred to as a "Portfolio") as may be
amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto, under this
Agreement to the Accounts of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission, dated September 19, 1990 (File No. 812-7552), granting Participating
Insurance Companies and Variable Insurance Product separate accounts exemptions
from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules
6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit
shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by Variable Annuity Product separate
accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies
(hereinafter the "Shared Funding Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state securities
laws; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is the investment adviser of the Portfolios of the
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker/dealer under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), is a
member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(hereinafter "NASD") and serves as principal underwriter of the shares of the
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain Variable
Insurance Products under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution or under authority of the Board of
Directors of the Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A
hereto, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid Variable
Insurance Products; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a unit
investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios on behalf
of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid Variable Insurance Products and
the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to each such Account at net
asset value.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company, the
Fund, the Underwriter and the Adviser agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Fund Shares
1.1. The Fund and the Underwriter agree to make available for purchase by
the Company shares of the Portfolios and shall execute orders placed for each
Account on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of such order. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the
Company shall be the designee of the Fund and Underwriter for receipt of such
orders from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt
by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such order by 10:00 a.m.
(CST) on the next following Business Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company shall use its best efforts to provide the Fund with notice of such
orders by 9:15 a.m. (CST) on the next following Business Day. "Business Day"
shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and
on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as set forth in the Fund's prospectus and
statement of additional information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of
Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to permit the Fund to
sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering
of shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such Portfolio.
1.2. The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies for their Variable Insurance
Products. No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.3. The Fund will not make its shares available for purchase by any
insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing provisions
which afford the Company substantially the same protections currently provided
by Sections 2.1, 2.4, 2.9, 3.4 and Article VII of this Agreement is in effect to
govern such sales.
1.4. The Fund and the Underwriter agree to redeem for cash, on the
Company's request, any full or fractional shares of the Fund held by the
Company, executing such requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next
computed after receipt by the Fund or its designee of the request for
redemption. For purposes of this Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee
of the Fund for receipt of requests for redemption from each Account and receipt
by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the
Underwriter receives notice of such request for redemption on the next following
Business Day in accordance with the timing rules described in Section 1.1.
1.5. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares
offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be made in accordance
with the provisions of such prospectus. The Accounts of the Company, under which
amounts may be invested in the Fund are listed on Schedule A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference, as such Schedule A may be amended from time to
time by mutual written agreement of all of the parties hereto. The Company will
give the Fund and the Underwriter sixty (60) days written notice of its
intention to make available in the future, as a funding vehicle under the
Contracts, any other investment company.
1.6. The Company will place separate orders to purchase or redeem shares of
each Portfolio. Each order shall describe the net amount of shares and dollar
amount of each Portfolio to be purchased or redeemed. In the event of net
purchases, the Company shall pay for Portfolio shares on the next Business Day
after an order to purchase Portfolio shares is made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted
by wire. In the event of net redemptions, the Portfolio shall pay the redemption
proceeds in federal funds transmitted by wire on the next Business Day after an
order to redeem Portfolio shares is made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1.4 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the payment of redemption
proceeds on the next Business Day would require the Portfolio to dispose of
Portfolio securities or otherwise incur substantial additional costs, and if the
Portfolio has determined to settle redemption transactions for all shareholders
on a delayed basis, proceeds shall be wired to the Company within seven (7) days
and the Portfolio shall notify in writing the person designated by the Company
as the recipient for such notice of such delay by 3:00 p.m. Houston time on the
same Business Day that the Company transmits the redemption order to the
Portfolio.
1.7. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only.
Share certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Shares
ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each Account
or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.8. The Underwriter shall use its best efforts to furnish same day notice
by 6:00 p.m. Houston time (by wire or telephone, followed by written
confirmation) to the Company of any dividends or capital gain distributions
payable on the Fund's shares. The Company hereby elects to receive all such
dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on the Portfolio shares
in additional shares of that Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to revoke
this election and to receive all such dividends and capital gain distributions
in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as
payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.9. The Underwriter shall make the net asset value per share of each
Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated and shall use its
best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 6:00 p.m.
Houston time. In the event that Underwriter is unable to meet the 6:00 p.m. time
stated immediately above, then Underwriter shall provide the Company with
additional time to notify Underwriter of purchase or redemption orders pursuant
to Sections 1.1 and 1.4, respectively, above. Such additional time shall be
equal to the additional time that Underwriter takes to make the net asset values
available to the Company; provided, however, that notification must be made by
10:00 a.m. Houston time on the Business Day such order is to be executed,
regardless of when net asset value is made available.
1.10. If Underwriter provides materially incorrect share net asset value
information through no fault of the Company, the Company shall be entitled to an
adjustment with respect to the Fund shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the
correct net asset value per share. The determination of the materiality of any
net asset value pricing error shall be based on the SEC's recommended guidelines
regarding such errors. The correction of any such errors shall be made at the
Company level pursuant to the SEC's recommended guidelines. Any material error
in the calculation or reporting of net asset value per share, dividend or
capital gain information shall be reported promptly upon discovery to the
Company.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the interests of the Accounts
(the "Contracts") are or will be registered and will maintain the registration
under the 1933 Act and the regulations thereunder to the extent required by the
1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance with all
applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The Company further
represents and warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in
good standing under applicable law and that it has legally and validly
established each Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated
asset account under the Arizona Insurance Code and the regulations thereunder
and has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will
register and will maintain the registration of each Account as a unit investment
trust in accordance with and to the extent required by the provisions of the
1940 Act and the regulations thereunder to serve as a segregated investment
account for the Contracts. The Company shall amend its registration statement
for its contracts under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as
required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Contracts.
2.2. The Fund and the Underwriter represent and warrant that Fund shares
sold pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act and the
regulations thereunder to the extent required by the 1933 Act, duly authorized
for issuance in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and sold in
compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations
and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act and the
regulations thereunder to the extent required by the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall
amend the registration statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940
Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of
its shares. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed
advisable by the Fund.
2.3. The Fund and the Adviser represent that the Fund is currently
qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and that each will make every
effort to maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or
similar provision) and that each will notify the Company immediately upon having
a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to so qualify or that
the Fund might not so qualify in the future.
2.4. The Company represents that each Account is and will continue to be a
"segregated account" under applicable provisions of the Code and that each
Contract is and will be treated as a "variable contract" under applicable
provisions of the Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such
treatment and that it will notify the Fund immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that the Account or Contract has ceased to be so treated or
that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.5. The Fund represents that to the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund
undertakes to have a board of directors, a majority of whom are not interested
persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states.
2.7. The Fund and the Adviser represent that the Fund is duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the Fund does
and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.8. The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is and shall remain
duly registered under all applicable federal and state laws and regulations and
that it will perform its obligations for the Fund and the Company in compliance
with the laws and regulations of its state of domicile and any applicable state
and federal laws and regulations.
2.9. The Company represents and warrants that all of its trustees,
officers, employees, and other individuals/entities dealing with the money
and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage, in an amount equal to the greater of $5 million or any amount required
by applicable federal or state law or regulation. The aforesaid includes
coverage for larceny and embezzlement is issued by a reputable bonding company.
The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or
another bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to
notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer
applies.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses, Reports to Shareholders and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. The Fund shall provide the Company with as many printed copies of the
Fund's current prospectus and statement of additional information as the Company
may reasonably request. If requested by the Company in lieu of providing printed
copies the Fund shall provide camera-ready film or computer diskettes containing
the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information, and such other
assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year
(or more frequently if the prospectus and/or statement of additional information
for the Fund is amended during the year) to have the prospectus for the
Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together in one document or
separately. The Company may elect to print the Fund's prospectus and/or its
statement of additional information in combination with other fund companies'
prospectuses and statements of additional information.
3.2(a). Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.2, all expenses of
preparing, setting in type and printing and distributing Fund prospectuses and
statements of additional information shall be the expense of the Company. For
prospectuses and statements of additional information provided by the Company to
its existing owners of Contracts in order to update disclosure as required by
the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of setting in type, printing and
distributing shall be borne by the Fund. If the Company chooses to receive
camera-ready film or computer diskettes in lieu of receiving printed copies of
the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information, the Fund shall
bear the cost of typesetting to provide the Fund's prospectus and/or statement
of additional information to the Company in the format in which the Fund is
accustomed to formatting prospectuses and statements of additional information,
respectively, and the Company shall bear the expense of adjusting or changing
the format to conform with any of its prospectuses and/or statements of
additional information. In such event, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an
amount equal to the product of x and y where x is the number of such
prospectuses distributed to owners of the Contracts, and y is the Fund's per
unit cost of printing the Fund's prospectuses. The same procedures shall be
followed with respect to the Fund's statement of additional information. The
Fund shall not pay any costs of typesetting, printing and distributing the
Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information to prospective
Contract owners. Such expenses shall be borne by the Company as provided in the
Company's General Agency Agreement with Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Inc.
3.2(b). The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with, and pay
the distribution costs of, copies of its proxy statements, reports to
shareholders, and other communications (except for prospectuses and statements
of additional information, which are covered in Section 3.2(a) above) to
shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for
distributing to Contract owners. The Fund shall not pay any costs of
distributing such proxy-related material, reports to shareholders, and other
communications to prospective Contract owners.
3.2(c). The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee with such
information as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that the Fund's
expenses do not include the cost of typesetting, printing or distributing any of
the foregoing documents other than those actually distributed to existing
Contract owners.
3.2(d) The Fund shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company under
this Agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts and implements a
plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, then the
Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter for the
Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing.
3.2(e) All expenses, including expenses to be borne by the Fund pursuant to
Section 3.2 hereof, incident to performance by the Fund under this Agreement
shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its shares are
registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable federal law
and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with
applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear the expenses for
the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's shares.
3.3. The Fund's statement of additional information shall be obtainable
from the Fund, the Underwriter, the Company or such other person as the Fund may
designate.
3.4. If and to the extent required by law the Company shall distribute all
proxy material furnished by the Fund to Contract Owners to whom voting
privileges are required to be extended and shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions received
from Contract owners; and
(iii)vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been received in
the same proportion as Fund shares of such Portfolio for which
instructions have been received,
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges
for variable contract owners. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares
held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted
by law. The Fund and the Company shall follow the procedures, and shall have the
corresponding responsibilities, for the handling of proxy and voting instruction
solicitations, as set forth in Schedule C attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for
ensuring that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth
on Schedule C, which standards will also be provided to the other Participating
Insurance Companies.
3.5. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings (except insofar as the Securities and Exchange Commission may
interpret Section 16 not to require such meetings) or comply with Section 16(c)
of the 1940 Act (although the Fund is not one of the trusts described in Section
16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable,
16(b). Further, the Fund will act in accordance with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to
periodic elections of directors and with whatever rules the Commission may
promulgate with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund, the Underwriter or their designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material prepared by the Company or any person contracting with the
Company in which the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least ten
Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund, the
Adviser, the Underwriter or their designee reasonably objects to such use within
ten Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2. Neither the Company nor any person contracting with the Company shall
give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of the
Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with the sale of the Contracts other
than the information or representations contained in the registration statement
or Fund prospectus, as such registration statement or Fund prospectus may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports to shareholders or
proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales literature or other promotional
material approved by the Fund or its designee, except with the permission of the
Fund or its designee.
4.3. The Fund shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Company
or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material
prepared by the Fund in which the Company or its Accounts, are named at least
ten Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Company or its designee reasonably objects to such use within ten Business Days
after receipt of such material.
4.4. Neither the Fund nor the Underwriter shall give any information or
make any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company,
each Account, or the Contracts, other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement or prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, or in published reports or solicitations for voting instruction for each
Account which are in the public domain or approved by the Company for
distribution to Contract owners, or in sales literature or other promotional
material approved by the Company or its designee, except with the permission of
the Company.
4.5. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, contemporaneously
with the filing of such document with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
other regulatory authorities.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the investment
in an Account or Contract, contemporaneously with the filing of such document
with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory authorities.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper,
magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording,
videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media),
sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials.
ARTICLE V. [Reserved]
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
6.1. The Adviser will ensure that the Fund will at all times comply with
Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating exclusively
to the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life
insurance contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulations. For purposes of this Section 6.1, non-compliance shall not be
deemed a breach of this provision provided compliance is achieved within the
grace period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5. In the event the Fund ceases to so
qualify, it will take all reasonable steps (a) to notify Company of such event
and (b) to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the
grace period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.
6.2 The Adviser, upon the prior written request of the Company by February
1, shall provide written confirmation by no later than February 15, that the
Fund was adequately diversified within the meaning of Section 817(h) and
Regulation 1.817-5 as of December 31 of the prior year.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by variable annuity contract owners and variable life insurance contract owners;
or (f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the voting
instructions of contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if
it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the
implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing material
irreconcilable conflict of which it is aware to the Board. The Company will
assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, by providing the Board with all information reasonably
necessary for the Board to consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not
limited to, an obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever contract
owner voting instructions are disregarded.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its
disinterested trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance policy
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account. No charge
or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal. The Company agrees
that it bears the responsibility to take remedial action in the event of a Board
determination of an irreconcilable material conflict and the cost of such
remedial action, and these responsibilities will be carried out with a view only
to the interests of Contract owners.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by
the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account
(at the Company's expense); provided, however that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such
withdrawal. The Company agrees that it bears the responsibility to take remedial
action in the event of a Board determination of an irreconcilable material
conflict and the cost of such remedial action, and these responsibilities will
be carried out with a view only to the interests of Contract owners.
7.5. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.4 of this Agreement, a majority
of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts.
The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 through 7.4 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict.
7.6. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or
Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940
Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding
(as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order,
then the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate,
shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T),
as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable.
7.7 Each of the Company and the Adviser shall at least annually submit to
the Board such reports, materials or data as the Board may reasonably request so
that the Board may fully carry out the obligations imposed upon them by the
provisions hereof and in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, and said reports,
materials and data shall be submitted more frequently if deemed appropriate by
the Board. All reports received by the Board of potential or existing conflicts,
and all Board action with regard to determining the existence of a conflict,
notifying Participating Insurance Companies of a conflict, and determining
whether any proposed action adequately remedies a conflict, shall be properly
recorded in the minutes of the Board or other appropriate records, and such
minutes or other records shall be made available to the Securities and Exchange
Commission upon request.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the
Underwriter and each member of their respective Board and officers and each
person, if any, who controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section
8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the
Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts or
contained in the Contracts or sales literature for the Contracts
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to the Company by or
on behalf of the Fund for use in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts or sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales literature of the
Fund not supplied by the Company, or persons under its control
and other than statements or representations authorized by the
Fund or the Underwriter) or unlawful conduct of the Company or
persons under its control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii)arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, or sales literature of the Fund or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements
therein not misleading, if such a statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Company.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Company also shall be entitled
to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in
the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the Company's
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will
not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation of the
Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by Underwriter
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees, with respect to each Portfolio that it
distributes, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its
directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of the Underwriter) or litigation (including legal and other expenses),
to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are
related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares that it distributes or
the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus or sales literature of the
Fund (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund or the
Underwriter by or on behalf of the Company for use in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Fund or in sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Portfolio shares;
or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales literature for the
Contracts not supplied by the Fund, the Underwriter or persons
under their respective control and other than statements or
representations authorized by the Company) or unlawful conduct of
the Fund or Underwriter or persons under their control, with
respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Portfolio
shares; or
(iii)arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, or sales literature covering the
Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement
or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund
or the Underwriter; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund or the Underwriter
to provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms
of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Underwriter; as limited by and in
accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2(b) and 8.2(c)
hereof.
8.2(b). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it,
and the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for
any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of each Account.
8.3. Indemnification by the Adviser
8.3(a). The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (hereinafter collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of
this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Adviser)
or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the operations of the
Adviser or the Fund and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus or sales literature of the
Fund (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to the Adviser, the
Fund or the Underwriter by or on behalf of the Company for use in
the registration statement or prospectus for the Fund or in sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Portfolio shares;
or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales literature for the
Contracts not supplied by the Fund, the Adviser or persons under
its control and other than statements or representations
authorized by the Company) or unlawful conduct of the Fund, the
Adviser or persons under their control, with respect to the sale
or distribution of the Contracts or Portfolio shares; or
(iii)arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, or sales literature covering the
Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement
or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of the Fund or the Adviser; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Adviser to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund or the Adviser in
this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Fund or the Adviser, including
without limitation any failure by the Fund to comply with the
conditions of Article VI hereof.
8.3(b). The Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.3(c). The Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Adviser in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process (including any
IRS administrative process) giving information of the nature of the claim shall
have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party
shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure
to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve the Adviser from any
liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any
such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Adviser will be
entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Adviser
also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory
to the party named in the action, except with respect to any claim or action
related to Section 817(h) of the Code or Regulation 1.817-5, Indemnified Party
shall permit the Adviser to attend and otherwise assist Indemnified Party with
respect to any conferences, settlement discussions, or other administrative or
judicial proceeding or contests (including judicial appeals thereof) with the
IRS or any other claimant regarding any claims that could give rise to liability
to Adviser, provided that Indemnified Party shall control, in good faith, the
conduct of such conferences, discussions, proceedings, or contests (or appeals
thereof). After notice from the Adviser to such party of the Adviser's election
to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company agrees to promptly notify the Adviser of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the
Contracts, with respect to the operation of each Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Adviser.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934
and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including
such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and
Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in
accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the
first to occur of:
(a) termination by any party for any reason upon six-months advance
written notice delivered to the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the
Adviser and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio based
upon the Company's determination that shares of such Portfolio
are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the
Contracts. Reasonable advance notice of election to terminate
shall be furnished by the Company, said termination to be
effective ten (10) days after receipt of notice unless the Fund
makes available a sufficient number of shares to reasonably meet
the requirements of the Account within said ten (10) day period;
or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the
Adviser and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the
event any of the Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued or
sold in accordance with applicable state and/or federal law or
such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the
Company. The terminating party shall give prompt notice to the
other parties of its decision to terminate; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the
Adviser and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the
event that such Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code or under any
successor or similar provision; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such
Portfolio fails to meet the diversification requirements
specified in Article VI hereof; or
(f) termination by either the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter by
written notice to the Company, if either one or more of the Fund,
the Adviser or the Underwriter, shall determine, in its or their
sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Company and/or
their affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change
in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects
since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material
adverse publicity, provided that the Fund, the Adviser or the
Underwriter will give the Company sixty (60) days' advance
written notice of such determination of its intent to terminate
this Agreement, and provided further that after consideration of
the actions taken by the Company and any other changes in
circumstances since the giving of such notice, the determination
of the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter shall continue to
apply on the 60th day since giving of such notice, then such 60th
day shall be the effective date of termination; or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the
Adviser and the Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in
its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that either the Fund,
the Adviser or the Underwriter has suffered a material adverse
change in its business, operations, financial condition or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of
material adverse publicity, provided that the Company will give
the Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter sixty (60) days'
advance written notice of such determination of its intent to
terminate this Agreement, and provided further that after
consideration of the actions taken by the Fund, the Adviser or
the Underwriter and any other changes in circumstances since the
giving of such notice, the determination of the Company shall
continue to apply on the 60th day since giving of such notice,
then such 60th day shall be the effective date of termination; or
(h) termination by the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter by
written notice to the Company, if the Company gives the Fund, the
Adviser and the Underwriter the written notice specified in
Section 1.5 hereof and at the time such notice was given there
was no notice of termination outstanding under any other
provision of this Agreement; provided, however any termination
under this Section 10.1(h) shall be effective sixty (60) days
after the notice specified in Section 1.5 was given; or
(i) termination by any party upon the other party's breach of any
representation in Section 2 or any material provision of this
Agreement, which breach has not been cured to the satisfaction of
the terminating party within ten (10) days after written notice
of such breach is delivered to the Fund or the Company, as the
case may be; or
(j) termination by the Fund, Adviser or Underwriter by written notice
to the Company in the event an Account or Contract is not
registered or sold in accordance with applicable federal or state
law or regulation, or the Company fails to provide pass-through
voting privileges as specified in Section 3.4.
10.2. Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of this
Agreement, the Fund shall at the option of the Company, continue to make
available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination
of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts") unless such
further sale of Fund shares is proscribed by law, regulation or applicable
regulatory body, or unless the Fund determines that liquidation of the Fund
following termination of this Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and
its shareholders. Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Contracts shall be permitted to direct reallocation of investments in the Fund,
redemption of investments in the Fund and/or investment in the Fund upon the
making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties
agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any terminations under Article
VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by Article
VII of this Agreement.
10.3. The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the
Contracts (as distinct from Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets
held in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner
initiated or approved transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal
laws or regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption") or (iii) as
permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act. Upon
request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter the
opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter) to the effect that any redemption
pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore,
except in cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company
shall not prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that
was otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving the Fund or the
Adviser 90 days notice of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party.
If to the Fund:
Xxx Xxxxxx American Capital Life Investment Trust
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
If to Underwriter:
Xxx Xxxxxx American Capital Distributors, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
If to Adviser:
Xxx Xxxxxx American Capital Asset Management, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
If to the Company:
Northbrook Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: [__________________]
ARTICLE XII. Foreign Tax Credits
12.1. The Fund and Adviser agree to consult in advance with the Company
concerning whether any series of the Fund qualifies to provide a foreign tax
credit pursuant to Section 853 of the Code.
ARTICLE XIII. Miscellaneous
13.1. All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of
the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the
Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for
obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund. Each of the Company, Adviser and
Underwriter acknowledges and agrees that, as provided by Article 8, Section 8.1,
of the Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the shareholders, trustees,
officers, employees and other agents of the Fund and its Portfolios shall not
personally be bound by or liable for matters set forth hereunder, nor shall
resort be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation
or claim hereunder. A Certificate of Trust referring to the Fund's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
13.2. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
13.3. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
13.4. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
13.5. 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.
13.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities
Dealers and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
13.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
13.8. This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not
be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties
hereto; provided, however, that the Adviser may assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common
control with the Adviser if such assignee is duly licensed and registered to
perform the obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement.
13.9. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee copies of the following reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement (prepared under statutory
accounting principles) and annual report (prepared under
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), if any), as
soon as practical and in any event within 90 days after the end
of each fiscal year;
(b) the Company's June 30th quarterly statements (statutory), as soon
as practical and in any event within 45 days following such
period;
(c) any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or report of the
Company sent to stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon as
practical after the delivery thereof to stockholders;
(d) any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial
reports of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any state insurance regulator, as soon as practical
after the filing thereof;
(e) any other public report submitted to the Company by independent
accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special
audit made by them of the books of the Company, as soon as
practical after the receipt thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative
as of the date specified above.
NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY on behalf of itself and each of its Accounts
named in Schedule A hereto, as amended from time to time
By: ________________________________________________
Name:
Title:
XXX XXXXXX AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST
By: _______________________________________________
Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx
President
XXX XXXXXX AMERICAN CAPITAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: ________________________________________________
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, III
President
XXX XXXXXX AMERICAN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: ________________________________________________
Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx
President
Exhibit (8)(f)
FORM OF
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
By and Among
NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
And
WARBURG, XXXXXX TRUST
And
CREDIT SUISSE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
And
CREDIT SUISSE ASSET MANAGEMENT SECURITIES, INC.
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this [ ] day of [____________],
2000, by and among Northbrook Life Insurance Company organized under the laws of
Arizona (the "Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate
account of the Company named in Schedule 1 to this Agreement as may be amended
from time to time (each account referred to as the "Account"), Warburg, Xxxxxx
Trust, an open-end management investment company and business trust organized
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the "Fund"); Credit Suisse
Asset Management, LLC a limited liability company organized under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Adviser"); and Credit Suisse Asset Management
Securities, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New
York (f/k/a Counsellors Securities Inc.) ("CSAMSI").
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and was established for the purpose of serving as the
investment vehicle for separate accounts established for variable life insurance
contracts and variable annuity contracts to be offered by insurance companies
that have entered into participation agreements similar to this Agreement (the
"Participating Insurance Companies"), and
WHEREAS, beneficial interests in the Fund are divided into several
series of shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed
portfolio of securities and other assets (the "Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund has received an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") granting Participating Insurance Companies and
variable annuity separate accounts and variable life insurance separate accounts
relief from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and Rules
6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit
shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable annuity separate accounts
and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and
unaffiliated Participating Insurance Companies and qualified pension and
retirement plans outside of the separate account context (the "Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order"). The parties to this Agreement agree that the
conditions or undertakings specified in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive
Order and that may be imposed on the Company, the Fund, the Adviser and/or
CSAMSI by virtue of the receipt of such order by the SEC will be incorporated
herein by reference, and such parties agree to comply with such conditions and
undertakings to the extent applicable to each such party; and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable
annuity or variable life contracts (the "Contracts") under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company under the insurance laws of [Arizona], to set aside and invest assets
attributable to the Contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered the Account as a unit investment
trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, CSAMSI, the Fund's distributor, is registered as a
broker-dealer with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934
Act") and is a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares of the Portfolios named in
Schedule 2, as such schedule may be amended from time to time (the "Designated
Portfolios"), on behalf of the Account to fund the Contracts, and the Fund is
authorized to sell such shares to unit investment trusts such as the Account at
net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund, the Adviser and CSAMSI agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1. The Fund agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the Designated
Portfolios that each Account orders, executing such orders on a daily basis at
the net asset value next computed after receipt and acceptance by the Fund or
its designee of the order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of this
Section 1.1, the Company will be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such
orders from each Account and receipt by such designee will constitute receipt by
the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such order by 9:00 a.m.
Eastern Time on the next following Business Day ("T+1"). "Business Day" will
mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE") is open for
trading and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the
rules of the SEC.
1.2. The Company will pay for Fund shares on T+1 in each case that an order to
purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with Section 1.1 above. Payment will
be in federal funds transmitted by wire. This wire transfer will be initiated by
12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
1.3. The Fund agrees to make shares of the Designated Portfolios available
indefinitely for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by
Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts on those days on
which the Fund calculates its Designated Portfolio net asset value pursuant to
rules of the SEC and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net
asset value on each day the NYSE is open for trading; provided, however, that
the Fund, the Adviser or CSAMSI may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to
any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if
such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction
or is, in its or their sole discretion acting in good faith, in the best
interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.4. On each Business Day on which the Fund calculates its net asset value, the
Company will aggregate and calculate the net purchase or redemption orders for
each Account maintained by the Fund in which contract owner assets are invested.
Net orders will only reflect orders that the Company has received prior to the
close of regular trading on the NYSE currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on that
Business Day. Orders that the Company has received after the close of regular
trading on the NYSE will be treated as though received on the next Business Day.
Each communication of orders by the Company will constitute a representation
that such orders were received by it prior to the close of regular trading on
the NYSE on the Business Day on which the purchase or redemption order is priced
in accordance with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act. Other procedures relating to
the handling of orders will be in accordance with the prospectus and statement
of information of the relevant Designated Portfolio or with oral or written
instructions that CSAMSI or the Fund will forward to the Company from time to
time.
1.5. The Fund agrees that shares of the Fund will be sold only to Participating
Insurance Companies and their separate accounts, qualified pension and
retirement plans or such other persons as are permitted under applicable
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal
Revenue Code"), and regulations promulgated thereunder, the sale to which will
not impair the tax treatment currently afforded the Contracts. No shares of any
Portfolio will be sold to the general public except as set forth in this Section
1.5.
1.6. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, upon the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt and acceptance by
the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this
Section 1.6, the Company will be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee will
constitute receipt by the Fund, provided the Fund receives notice of request for
redemption by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next following Business Day. Payment
will be in federal funds transmitted by wire to the Company's account as
designated by the Company in writing from time to time, on the same Business Day
the Fund receives notice of the redemption order from the Company. The Fund
reserves the right to delay payment of redemption proceeds, but in no event may
such payment be delayed longer than the period permitted by the 0000 Xxx. The
Fund will not bear any responsibility whatsoever for the proper disbursement or
crediting of redemption proceeds; the Company alone will be responsible for such
action. If notification of redemption is received after 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time,
payment for redeemed shares will be made on the next following Business Day.
1.7. The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of the Designated
Portfolios offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund in accordance with
the provisions of such prospectus.
1.8. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Purchase
and redemption orders for Fund shares will be recorded in an appropriate title
for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9. The Fund will furnish same day notice (by telecopier, followed by written
confirmation) to the Company of the declaration of any income, dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on each Designated Portfolio's shares. The
Company hereby elects to receive all such dividends and distributions as are
payable on the Designated Portfolio shares in the form of additional shares of
that Designated Portfolio. The Fund will notify the Company of the number of
shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions. The Company
reserves the right to revoke this election upon reasonable prior notice to the
Fund and to receive all such dividends and distributions in cash.
1.10. The Fund will make the net asset value per share for each Designated
Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated and will use its
best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 6:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, but in no event later than 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, each Business
Day.
1.11. In the event adjustments are required to correct any error in the
computation of the net asset value of the Fund's shares, the Fund or CSAMSI will
notify the Company as soon as practicable after discovering the need for those
adjustments that result in an aggregate reimbursement of $150 or more to any one
Account maintained by a Designated Portfolio unless notified otherwise by the
Company (or, if lesser, results in an adjustment of $10 or more to each
contractowner's account). Any such notice will state for each day for which an
error occurred the incorrect price, the correct price and, to the extent
communicated to the Fund's shareholders, the reason for the price change. The
Company may send this notice or a derivation thereof (so long as such derivation
is approved in advance by CSAMSI or the Adviser) to contractowners whose
accounts are affected by the price change. The parties will negotiate in good
faith to develop a reasonable method for effecting such adjustments.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act and that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including state insurance
suitability requirements. The Company further represents and warrants that it is
an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under applicable law
and that it has legally and validly established each Account as a separate
account under applicable state law and has registered the Account as a unit
investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a
segregated investment account for the Contracts, and that it will maintain such
registration for so long as any Contracts are outstanding. The Company will
amend the registration statement under the 1933 Act for the Contracts and the
registration statement under the 1940 Act for the Account from time to time as
required in order to effect the continuous offering of the Contracts or as may
otherwise be required by applicable law. The Company will register and qualify
the Contracts for sale in accordance with the securities laws of the various
states only if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Company.
2.2. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently and at the time of
issuance will be treated as annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code, and that it will make every effort to maintain such
treatment and that it will notify the Fund and the Adviser immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so
treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.3. The Company represents and warrants that it will not purchase shares of the
Designated Portfolios with assets derived from tax-qualified retirement plans
except, indirectly, through Contracts purchased in connection with such plans.
2.4. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares of the Designated
Portfolios sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act
and duly authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable law and that the
Fund is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act for as long as such shares
of the Designated Portfolios are outstanding. The Fund will amend the
registration statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from
time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its
shares or as may otherwise be required by applicable law. The Fund will register
and qualify the shares of the Designated Portfolios for sale in accordance with
the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the
Fund.
2.5. The Fund represents that each Designated Portfolio is currently qualified
as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such qualification (under
Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and that it will notify the
Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a
Designated Portfolio has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in
the future.
2.6. The Fund represents and warrants that in performing the services described
in this Agreement, the Fund will comply with all applicable laws, rules and
regulations. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies, objectives and restrictions) complies with the insurance laws and
regulations of any state. The Fund and CSAMSI agree that upon request they will
use their best efforts to furnish the information required by state insurance
laws so that the Company can obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts
in the various states.
2.7. The Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, although it
reserves the right to make such payments in the future. To the extent that it
decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 the Fund
undertakes to have its Fund Board formulate and approve any plan under Rule
12b-1 to finance distribution expenses in accordance with the 1940 Act.
2.8. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing
under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.
2.9. CSAMSI represents and warrants that it will distribute the Fund shares of
the Designated Portfolios in accordance with all applicable federal and state
securities laws including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and
the 0000 Xxx.
2.10. CSAMSI represents and warrants that it is and will remain duly registered
under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that it will perform
its obligations for the Fund in accordance in all material respects with any
applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.11. The Fund represents and warrants that all of its trustees, officers,
employees, and other individuals/entities having access to the funds and/or
securities of the Fund are and continue to be at all times covered by a blanket
fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not
less than the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940
Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid
bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and is issued by a reputable
bonding company. CSAMSI and the Adviser represent and warrant that they are and
continue to be at all times covered by policies similar to the aforesaid bond.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. The Fund or CSAMSI will provide the Company, at the Fund's or its
affiliate's expense, with as many copies of the current Fund prospectus for the
Designated Portfolios as the Company may reasonably request for distribution, at
the Company's expense, to prospective contractowners and applicants. The Fund or
CSAMSI will provide, at the Fund's or its affiliate's expense, as many copies of
said prospectus as necessary for distribution, at the Company's expense, to
existing contractowners. The Fund or CSAMSI will provide the copies of said
prospectus to the Company or to its mailing agent. If requested by the Company,
the Fund or CSAMSI will provide such documentation, including a computer
diskette of the Company's specification or a final copy of a current prospectus
set in type at the Fund's or its affiliate's expense, and such other assistance
as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company at least annually (or more
frequently if the Fund prospectus is amended more frequently) to have the Fund's
prospectus, the prospectus for the Contracts and the prospectuses of other
mutual funds in which assets attributable to the Contracts may be invested
printed together in one document (the "Multifund Prospectus"), in which case the
Fund or its affiliate will bear its reasonable share of expenses as described
above, allocated based on the proportionate number of pages of the Fund's and
other fund's respective portions of the document.
3.2. The Fund or CSAMSI will provide the Company, at the Fund's or its
affiliate's expense, with as many copies of the statement of additional
information as the Company may reasonably request for distribution, at the
Company's expense, to prospective contractowners and applicants. The Fund or
CSAMSI will provide, at the Fund's or its affiliate's expense, as many copies of
said statement of additional information as necessary for distribution, at the
Company's expense, to any existing contractowner who requests such statement or
whenever state or federal law otherwise requires that such statement be
provided. The Fund or CSAMSI will provide the copies of said statement of
additional information to the Company or to its mailing agent.
3.3. To the extent that the Fund or CSAMSI desires to change (whether by
revision or supplement) any of the information contained in any form of Fund
prospectus or statement of additional information provided to the Company for
inclusion in a Multifund Prospectus, the Company agrees to make such changes
within a reasonable period of time after receipt of a request to make such
change from the Fund or CSAMSI, subject to the following limitation. To the
extent that the Fund is legally required to make a change to a Fund prospectus
or statement of additional information provided to the Company for inclusion in
a Multifund Prospectus, the Company agrees to make any such change as soon as
possible following receipt of the form of revised prospectus and/or statement of
additional information or supplement, as applicable, but in no event later than
five days following receipt. To the extent that the Fund is required by law to
cease selling shares of a Designated Portfolio, the Company agrees to cease
offering shares of the Designated Portfolio until the Fund or CSAMSI notifies
the Company otherwise.
3.4. The Fund or CSAMSI, at the Fund's or its affiliate's expense, will provide
the Company or its mailing agent with copies of its proxy material, if any,
reports to shareholders and other communications to shareholders in such
quantity as the Company will reasonably require. The Company will distribute
this proxy material, reports and other communications to existing contract
owners and tabulate the votes.
3.5. If and to the extent required by law the Company will:
(a) solicit voting instructions from contractowners;
(b) vote the shares of the Designated Portfolios
held in the Account in accordance with instructions received from
contractowners; and
(c) vote shares of the Designated Portfolios held in the
Account for which no timely instructions have been received, as well as shares
it owns, in the same proportion as shares of such Designated Portfolio for which
instructions have been received from the Company's contractowners;
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the
1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for variable contractowners.
Except as set forth above, the Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares
held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted
by law. The Company will be responsible for assuring that each of its separate
accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting privileges in a manner
consistent with all legal requirements, including the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order.
3.6. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting
by shareholders, and in particular, the Fund either will provide for annual
meetings (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not
to require such meetings) or, as the Fund currently intends, will comply with
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund is not one of the trusts
described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if
and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in accordance with the
SEC's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to
periodic elections of trustees and with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate
with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. CSAMSI will provide the Company on a timely basis with investment
performance information for each Designated Portfolio in which the Company
maintains an Account, including total return for the preceding calendar month
and calendar quarter, the calendar year to date, and the prior one-year,
five-year, and ten year (or life of the Designated Portfolio) periods. The
Company may, based on the SEC mandated information supplied by CSAMSI, prepare
communications for contractowners ("Contractowner Materials"). The Company will
provide copies of all Contractowner Materials concurrently with their first use
for CSAMSI's internal recordkeeping purposes. It is understood that neither
CSAMSI nor any Designated Portfolio will be responsible for errors or omissions
in, or the content of, Contractowner Materials except to the extent that the
error or omission resulted from information provided by or on behalf of CSAMSI
or the Designated Portfolio. Any printed information that is furnished to the
Company pursuant to this Agreement other than each Designated Portfolio's
prospectus or statement of additional information (or information supplemental
thereto), periodic reports and proxy solicitation materials is CSAMSI's sole
responsibility and not the responsibility of any Designated Portfolio or the
Fund. The Company agrees that the Portfolios, the shareholders of the Portfolios
and the officers and governing Board of the Fund will have no liability or
responsibility to the Company in these respects.
4.2. The Company will not give any information or make any representations or
statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with the
sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in
the registration statement, prospectus or statement of additional information
for Fund shares, as such registration statement, prospectus and statement of
additional information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in
reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in published reports for the Fund
which are in the public domain or approved by the Fund or CSAMSI for
distribution, or in sales literature or other material provided by the Fund, the
Adviser or by CSAMSI, except with permission of CSAMSI. The Company will
furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to the Fund, the Adviser or CSAMSI, each
piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Company or
its Account is named, at least ten (10) business days prior to its use. No such
sales literature or other promotional material which requires the permission of
CSAMSI prior to use will be used if CSAMSI reasonably objects to such use within
five (5) business days after receipt.
Nothing in this Section 4.2 will be construed as preventing the Company
or its employees or agents from giving advice on investment in the Fund.
4.3. The Fund, the Adviser and CSAMSI will not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Company or concerning the
Company, each Account, or the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in a registration statement, prospectus or statement
of additional information for the Contracts, as such registration statement,
prospectus and statement of additional information may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in published reports for each Account or the
Contracts which are in the public domain or approved by the Company for
distribution to contractowners, or in sales literature or other material
provided by the Company, except with permission of the Company. The Company
agrees to respond to any request for approval on a prompt and timely basis. The
Fund, the Adviser or CSAMSI will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to the
Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which the Company or its Account is named at least ten (10) business
days prior to its use. No such material will be used if the Company reasonably
objects to such use within five (5) business days after receipt of such
material.
4.4. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additions information,
reports and other material filing that relates to the Fund or its shares,
promptly after the filing of such document with the SEC, the NASD or other
regulatory authority.
4.5. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or
each Account, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC,
the NASD or other regulatory authority.
4.6. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as
material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other
periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display,
signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media (e.g., on-line
networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages)), sales literature
(i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to
customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports,
market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other
advertisements sales literature, or published article), educational or training
materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to
some or all agents or employees, registration statements, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, shareholder reports, proxy materials and
any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under the NASD
rules, the 1933 Act or the 0000 Xxx.
4.7. The Fund and CSAMSI hereby consent to the Company's use of the names
Warburg, Xxxxxx Trust Global Post-Venture Capital Portfolio, or other Designated
Portfolio, in connection with the marketing of the Contracts, subject to the
terms of Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of this Agreement. Such consent will continue only
as long as any Contracts are invested in the relevant Designated Portfolio.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Fund, the Adviser and CSAMSI will pay no fee or other compensation to
the Company (other than as set forth in the administrative services letter
agreement between CSAMSI and the Company) except if the Fund or any Designated
Portfolio adopts and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act
to finance distribution expenses, then, subject to obtaining any required
exemptive orders or other regulatory approvals, the Fund may make payments to
the Company or to the underwriter for the Contracts if and in such amounts
agreed to by the Fund in writing.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund of this Agreement will be
paid by the Fund to the extent permitted by law. The Fund will bear the expenses
for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's shares; preparation
and filing of the Fund's prospectus, statement of additional information and
registration statement, proxy materials and reports; setting in type and
printing the Fund's prospectus; setting in type and printing proxy materials and
reports by it to contractowners (including the costs of printing a Fund
prospectus that contains an annual report); the preparation of all statements
and notices required by any federal or state law; all taxes on the issuance or
transfer of the Fund's shares; any expenses permitted to be paid or assumed by
the Fund pursuant to a plan, if any, under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and
all other expenses set forth in Article III of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
6.1. The Adviser will ensure that the Fund will at all times invest money from
the Contracts in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated
as variable annuity contracts under the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the
Fund will comply with Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury
Regulation 1.817-5, as amended from time to time, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulation. In the event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will
take all reasonable steps: (a) to notify the Company of such breach; and (b) to
adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Treasury Regulation 1.817-5.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
7.1. The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the "Fund Board") will monitor the Fund
for the existence of any irreconcilable material conflict among the interests of
the contractowners of all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An
irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including:
(a) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in
applicable federal or state insurance, tax or securities laws or regulations, or
a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or
any similar action by insurance, tax or securities regulatory authorities; (c)
an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the
manner in which the investments of any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a
difference in voting instructions given by Participating Insurance Companies or
by variable annuity and variable life insurance contractowners; or (f) a
decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contractowners.
The Fund Board will promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is
aware to the Fund Board. The Company agrees to assist the Fund Board in carrying
out its responsibilities, as delineated in the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, by providing the Fund Board with all information reasonably
necessary for the Fund Board to consider any issues raised. This includes, but
is not limited to, an obligation by the Company to inform the Fund Board
whenever contractowner voting instructions are to be disregarded. The Company's
responsibilities hereunder will be carried out with a view only to the interest
of contractowners.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Fund Board, or a majority of its
disinterested trustees, that an irreconcilable material conflict exists, the
Company will, at its expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by a majority of the disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are
necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and
including: (a) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts
from the Fund or any Designated Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a
different investment medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of
the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation should be
implemented to a vote of all affected contractowners and, as appropriate,
segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e., variable annuity
contractowners or variable life insurance contractowners of one or more
Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or
offering to the affected contractowners the option of making such a change; and
(b) establishing a new registered management investment company or managed
separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by the
Company to disregard contractowner voting instructions, and the Company's
judgment represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the
Company may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected
subaccount of the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement
with respect to such subaccount; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination will be limited to the extent required by the foregoing
irreconcilable material conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested trustees of the Fund Board. No charge or penalty will be imposed
as a result of such withdrawal.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state
insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with the
majority of other state insurance regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
affected subaccount of the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such subaccount; provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination will be limited to the extent required by the
foregoing irreconcilable material conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested directors of the Fund Board. No charge or penalty will be imposed
as a result of such withdrawal.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a majority of
the disinterested members of the Fund Board will determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the Fund or the Adviser (or any other investment adviser to the Fund) be
required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts. The Company will
not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of
contractowners materially affected by the irreconcilable material conflict.
7.7. The Company will at least annually submit to the Fund Board such reports,
materials or data as the Fund Board may reasonably request so that the Fund
Board may fully carry out the duties imposed upon it as delineated in the Mixed
and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, and said reports, materials and data will be
submitted more frequently if deemed appropriate by the Fund Board.
7.8. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule
6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940 Act
or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding (as
defined in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially different from those contained in the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, then: (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance
Companies, as appropriate, will take such steps as may be necessary to comply
with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the
extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4,
and 7.5 of this Agreement will continue in effect only to the extent that terms
and conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such
Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the
Adviser, CSAMSI, and each person, if any, who controls or is associated with the
Fund, the Adviser or CSAMSI within the meaning of such terms under the federal
securities laws and any director, trustee, officer, partner, employee or agent
of the foregoing (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company)
or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements:
(1) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or statement of additional information for the Contracts
or contained in the Contracts or sales literature or other promotional material
for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing),
including any prospectuses or statements of additional information of the Fund
to which the Company has made any changes to the information provided to the
Company or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make such
statements not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made;
provided that this agreement to indemnify will not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to
the Company by the Fund, the Adviser or CSAMSI for use in the registration
statement, prospectus or statement of additional information for the Contracts
or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares;
or
(2) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations by or on behalf of the Company or wrongful conduct of the
Company or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution
of the Contracts or Fund shares (other than statements or representations
contained in the Fund registration statement, Fund prospectus, Fund statement of
additional information, sales literature or other promotional material of the
Fund not supplied by the Company or persons under its control); or
(3) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Fund registration statement,
prospectus, statement of additional information or sales literature or other
promotional material of the Fund (or amendment or supplement) or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make such statements not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, if such a statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund by or
on behalf of the Company or persons under its control; or
(4) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to
provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(5) arise out of any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of or result
from any other material breach by the Company of this Agreement, including, but
not limited to, a failure to comply with the provisions of Section 3.3;
except to the extent provided in Sections 8.1(b) and 8.3
hereof. This indemnification will be in addition to any liability that the
Company otherwise may have.
(b) No party will be entitled to indemnification under Section 8.1(a)
to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or litigation is due to the
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
party's duties under this Agreement, or by reason of such party's reckless
disregard of its obligations or duties under this Agreement by the party seeking
indemnification.
(c) The Indemnified Parties promptly will notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation, proceedings, complaints or actions by regulatory
authorities against them in connection with the issuance or sale of the Fund
shares or the Contracts or the operation of the Fund.
8.2. Indemnification By The Adviser, the Fund and CSAMSI
---------------------------------------------------
(a) The Adviser, the Fund and CSAMSI, in each case solely to the
extent relating to such party's responsibilities hereunder, agree to indemnify
and hold harmless the Company and each person, if any, who controls or is
associated with the Company within the meaning of such terms under the federal
securities laws and any director, trustee, officer, partner, employee or agent
of the foregoing (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 8.2) against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Adviser)
or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements:
(1) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or statement of additional information for the Fund or
sales literature or other promotional material of the Fund (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing) or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated or necessary to make such statements not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which they were made (in each case substantially as transmitted
to you by the Fund or CSAMSI), provided that this agreement to indemnify will
not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such
alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Adviser, CSAMSI or the Fund by or on behalf of the
Company for use in the registration statement, prospectus or statement of
additional information for the Fund or in sales literature of the Fund (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) or otherwise for use in connection with the
sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(2) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations or wrongful conduct of the Adviser, the Fund or CSAMSI or
persons under the control of the Adviser, the Fund or CSAMSI respectively, with
respect to the sale of the Fund shares (other than statements or representations
contained in a registration statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information, sales literature or other promotional material covering the
Contracts not supplied by CSAMSI or persons under its control); or
(3) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus,
statement of additional information or sales literature or other promotional
material covering the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated or necessary to make such statement or statements not misleading in light
of the circumstances in which they were made, if such statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to
the Company by the Adviser, the Fund or CSAMSI or persons under the control of
the Adviser, the Fund or CSAMSI; or
(4) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund, the Adviser
or CSAMSI to provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of
this Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or
otherwise, to comply with the diversification requirements and procedures
related thereto specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(5) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Adviser, the Fund or CSAMSI in this
Agreement, or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Adviser the Fund or CSAMSI;
except to the extent provided in Sections 8.2(b) and 8.3
hereof. These indemnifications will be in addition to any liability that the
Fund, Adviser or CSAMSI otherwise may have.
(b) No party will be entitled to indemnification under Section 8.2(a)
to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or litigation is due to the
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
party's duties under this Agreement, or by reason of such party's reckless
disregard of its obligations or duties under this Agreement by the party seeking
indemnification.
(c) The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Adviser, the Fund
and CSAMSI of the commencement of any litigation, proceedings, complaints or
actions by regulatory authorities against them in connection with the issuance
or sale of the Contracts or the operation of the account.
8.3. Indemnification Procedure
Any person obligated to provide indemnification under this Article VIII
("Indemnifying Party" for the purpose of this Section 8.3) will not be liable
under the indemnification provisions of this Article VIII with respect to any
claim made against a party entitled to indemnification under this Article VIII
("Indemnified Party" for the purpose of this Section 8.3) unless such
Indemnified Party will have notified the Indemnifying Party in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim will have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such party will have received notice of such service
on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Indemnifying Party of any
such claim will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which it
may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise
than on account of the indemnification provision of this Article VIII, except to
the extent that the failure to notify results in the failure of actual notice to
the Indemnifying Party and such Indemnifying Party is damaged solely as a result
of failure to give such notice. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Indemnifying Party also will be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified
Party of the Indemnifying Party's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party will bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation, unless: (a) the Indemnifying Party and the
Indemnified Party will have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel; or
(b) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties)
include both the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party and representation
of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. The Indemnifying Party will not be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
but if settled with such consent or if there is a final judgment for the
plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Party from
and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. A
successor by law of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled to the
benefits of the indemnification contained in this Article VIII. The
indemnification provisions contained in this Article VIII will survive any
termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
9.2. This Agreement will be subject to the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934
Act and the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC
may grant (including, but not limited to, the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive
Order) and the terms hereof will be interpreted and construed in accordance
therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1. This Agreement will terminate:
(a) at the option of any party, with or without cause, with respect to
some or all of the Designated Portfolios, upon ninety (90) days' advance written
notice to the other parties; or
(b) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, with respect to any Designated Portfolio if shares
of the Designated Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts as determined in good faith by the Company; or
(c) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, with respect to any Designated Portfolio in the
event any of the Designated Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued or
sold in accordance with applicable state and/or Federal law or such law
precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the
Contracts issued or to be issued by Company; or
(d) at the option of the Fund, upon receipt of the Fund's written
notice by the other parties, upon institution of formal proceedings against the
Company by the NASD, the SEC, the insurance commission of any state or any other
regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under this Agreement or related
to the sale of the Contracts, the administration of the Contracts, the operation
of the Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares, provided that the Fund
determines in its sole judgment, exercised in good faith, that any such
proceeding would have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to
perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, upon institution of formal proceedings against the
Fund, Adviser or CSAMSI by the NASD, the SEC, or any state securities or
insurance department or any other regulatory body, provided that the Company
determines in its sole judgment, exercised in good faith, that any such
proceeding would have a material adverse effect on the Fund's, Adviser's or
CSAMSI's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(f) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, with respect to any Designated Portfolio if the
Designated Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, or under any successor or similar
provision, or if the Company reasonably and in good faith believes that the
Designated Portfolio may fail to so qualify; or
(g) at the option of the Company, upon receipt of the Company's written
notice by the other parties, with respect to any Designated Portfolio if the
Designated Portfolio fails to meet the diversification requirements specified in
Article VI hereof or if the Company reasonably and in good faith believes the
Designated Portfolio may fail to meet such requirements; or
(h) at the option of any party to this Agreement, upon written notice
to the other parties, upon another party's material breach of any provision of
this Agreement which material breach is not cured within thirty (30) days of
said notice; or
(i) at the option of the Company, if the Company determines in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that either the Fund, the Adviser or CSAMSI
has suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations or financial
condition since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity which is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the business
and operations of the Company, such termination to be effective sixty (60) days'
after receipt by the other parties of written notice of the election to
terminate; or
(j) at the option of the Fund or CSAMSI, if the Fund or CSAMSI
respectively, determines in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the
Company has suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations or
financial condition since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of
material adverse publicity which is likely to have a material adverse impact
upon the business and operations of the Fund or the Adviser, such termination to
be effective sixty (60) days' after receipt by the other parties of written
notice of the election to terminate; or
(k) at the option of the Company or the Fund upon receipt of any
necessary regulatory approvals and/or the vote of the contractowners having an
interest in the Account (or any subaccount) to substitute the shares of another
investment company for the corresponding Designated Portfolio shares of the Fund
in accordance with the terms of the Contracts for which those Designated
Portfolio shares had been selected to serve as the underlying investment media.
The Company will give sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Fund of the
date of any proposed vote or other action taken to replace the Fund's shares; or
(l) at the option of the Company or the Fund upon a determination by a
majority of the Fund Board, or a majority of the disinterested Fund Board
members, that an irreconcilable material conflict exists among the interests of:
(1) all contractowners of variable insurance products of all separate accounts;
or (2) the interests of the Participating Insurance Companies investing in the
Fund as set forth in Article VII of this Agreement; or
(m) at the option of the Fund in the event any of the Contracts are not
issued or sold in accordance with applicable federal and/or state law.
Termination will be effective immediately upon such occurrence without notice.
10.2. Notice Requirement
Except as specified in Section 10.1(m), no termination of this
Agreement will be effective unless and until the party terminating this
Agreement gives prior written notice to all other parties of its intent to
terminate, which notice will set forth the basis for the termination.
10.3. Surviving Provisions
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each party's
obligations under Article VIII to indemnify other parties will survive and not
be affected by any termination of this Agreement. In addition, each party's
obligations under Section 12.6 will survive and not be affected by any
termination of this Agreement. Finally, with respect to Existing Contracts, all
provisions of this Agreement also will survive and not be affected by any
termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
11.1. Any notice will be deemed duly given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other parties.
If to the Company: If to the Fund, the Adviser and/or CSAMSI:
Northbrook Life Insurance Company 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX
00000 Attn: Legal Dept.
Attn: [__________]
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
12.1. The Fund, the Adviser and CSAMSI acknowledge that the identities of the
customers of the Company or any of its affiliates (collectively the "Company
Protected Parties" for purposes of this Section 12.1), information maintained
regarding those customers, and all computer programs and procedures or other
information developed or used by the Company Protected Parties or any of their
employees or agents in connection with the Company's performance of its duties
under this Agreement are the valuable property of the Company Protected Parties.
The Fund, the Adviser and CSAMSI agree that if they come into possession of any
list or compilation of the identities of or other information about the Company
Protected Parties' customers, or any other information or property of the
Company Protected Parties, other than such information as is publicly available
or as may be independently developed or compiled by the Fund, the Adviser or
CSAMSI from information supplied to them by the Company Protected Parties'
customers who also maintain accounts directly with the Fund, the Adviser or
CSAMSI, the Fund, the Adviser and CSAMSI will hold such information or property
in confidence and refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such
information or other property except: (a) with the Company's prior written
consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial process. The Company acknowledges
that the identities of the customers of the Fund, the Adviser, CSAMSI or any of
their affiliates (collectively the "Adviser Protected Parties" for purposes of
this Section 12.1), information maintained regarding those customers, and all
computer programs and procedures or other information developed or used by the
Adviser Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection with
the Fund's, the Adviser's or CSAMSI's performance of their respective duties
under this Agreement are the valuable property of the Adviser Protected Parties.
The Company agrees that if it comes into possession of any list or compilation
of the identities of or other information about the Adviser Protected Parties'
customers, or any other information or property of the Adviser Protected
Parties, other than such information as is publicly available or as may be
independently developed or compiled by the Company from information supplied to
them by the Adviser Protected Parties' customers who also maintain accounts
directly with the Company, the Company will hold such information or property in
confidence and refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such
information or other property except: (a) with the Fund's, the Adviser's or
CSAMSI's prior written consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial process.
Each party acknowledges that any breach of the agreements in this Section 12.1
would result in immediate and irreparable harm to the other parties for which
there would be no adequate remedy at law and agree that in the event of such a
breach, the other parties will be entitled to equitable relief by way of
temporary and permanent injunctions, as well as such other relief as any court
of competent jurisdiction deems appropriate.
12.2. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
12.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.
12.4. If any provision of this Agreement will be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement will not be
affected thereby.
12.5. This Agreement will not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior
written consent of all the parties; provided, however, that CSAMSI may assign
without further consent of the parties hereto, in whole or in part, its
responsibilities hereunder as Fund distributor, to a third party distributor
which may be appointed to serve as Fund distributor.
12.6. Each party to this Agreement will maintain all records required by law,
including records detailing the services it provides. Such records will be
preserved, maintained and made available to the extent required by law and in
accordance with the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Each party to this
Agreement will cooperate with each other party and all appropriate governmental
authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the NASD and state insurance
regulators) and will permit each other and such authorities reasonable access to
its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating
to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Upon request by the
Fund or CSAMSI, the Company agrees to promptly make copies or, if required,
originals of all records pertaining to the performance of services under this
Agreement available to the Fund or CSAMSI, as the case may be. The Fund agrees
that the Company will have the right to inspect, audit and copy all records
pertaining to the performance of services under this Agreement pursuant to the
requirements of any state insurance department. Each party also agrees to
promptly notify the other parties if it experiences any difficulty in
maintaining the records in an accurate and complete manner. This provision will
survive termination of this Agreement.
12.7. Each party represents that the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate or board action, as applicable, by such
party and when so executed and delivered this Agreement will be the valid and
binding obligation of such party enforceable in accordance with its terms.
12.8. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all liabilities
of the Fund arising, directly or indirectly, under this agreement, will be
satisfied solely out of the assets of the Fund and that no trustee, officer,
agent or holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund will be personally
liable for any such liabilities. No Portfolio or series of the Fund will be
liable for the obligations or liabilities of any other Portfolio or series.
12.9. The parties to this Agreement may amend the schedules to this Agreement
from time to time to reflect changes in or relating to the Contracts, the
Accounts or the Designated Portfolios of the Fund or other applicable terms of
this Agreement.
12.10. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized
representative as of the date specified below.
NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:_____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:____________________________________
WARBURG, XXXXXX TRUST
By:_____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:____________________________________
CREDIT SUISSE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:_____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:____________________________________
CREDIT SUISSE ASSET MANAGEMENT SECURITIES, INC.
By:_____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:____________________________________
