INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST I
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 30, 2006, by and between COLUMBIA
MANAGEMENT ADVISORS, LLC (formerly, BANC OF AMERICA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC), a
Delaware limited liability company (the "Adviser"), XXXXXXX CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Sub-Adviser"), and COLUMBIA
FUNDS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST I (formerly NATIONS SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST), a
Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), on behalf of those series of the Trust
now or hereafter identified on Schedule I (each a "Fund" and collectively, the
"Funds").
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") as an open-end management investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered with the Commission as an investment
adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers
Act");
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is also registered with the Commission as an
investment adviser under the Advisers Act;
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Trust have entered into an investment advisory
agreement (the "Investment Advisory Agreement"), pursuant to which the Adviser
manages the investment operations of each Fund and may delegate certain duties
of the Adviser to one or more investment sub-adviser(s); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust (the "Board"), including a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested persons" (defined herein) of any party to this Agreement, desires to
delegate to the Sub-Adviser the duty to manage the portfolio investments of the
Funds;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-ADVISER. The Adviser hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser
and the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees to manage the portfolio investments of each
Fund subject to the terms of this Agreement and subject to the supervision of
the Adviser and the Board.
2. SERVICES OF SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser shall perform all services
necessary for the management of the portfolio investments of each Fund,
including but not limited to:
(a) Managing the investment and reinvestment of all assets, now or
hereafter acquired by each Fund, including determining what
securities and other
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investments are to be purchased or sold for each Fund and
executing transactions accordingly;
(b) Transmitting trades to each Fund's custodian for settlement in
accordance with each Fund's procedures and as may be directed by
the Trust;
(c) Assisting in the preparation of all shareholder communications,
including shareholder reports, and participating in shareholder
relations;
(d) Making recommendations, or making determinations under authority
delegated by the Adviser or the Trust, as to the manner in which
voting rights, rights to consent to Fund action and any other
rights pertaining to each Fund's portfolio securities shall be
exercised; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser shall be given
reasonable prior notice should the Adviser or the Trust determine
to direct the Sub-Adviser in its exercise of such rights;
(e) Making recommendations to the Adviser and the Board with respect
to Fund investment policies and procedures, and carrying out such
investment policies and procedures as are approved by the Board
or by the Adviser under authority delegated by the Board to the
Adviser;
(f) Supplying reports, evaluations, analyses, statistical data and
information within its possession or control to the Adviser, the
Board or to the Funds' officers and other service providers as
the Adviser or the Board may reasonably request from time to time
or as may be necessary or appropriate for the operation of the
Trust as an open-end investment company or as necessary to comply
with Section 3(a) of this Agreement;
(g) Maintaining all required books and records with respect to the
investment decisions and securities transactions for each Fund;
(h) Furnishing any and all other services, subject to review by the
Board, that the Adviser from time to time reasonably determines
to be necessary to perform its obligations under the Investment
Advisory Agreement or as the Board may reasonably request from
time-to-time.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUB-ADVISER. In carrying out its obligations under
this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser agrees that it will:
(a) Comply with all applicable law, including but not limited to the
1940 Act and the Advisers Act, the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder and the conditions of any order affecting
the Trust or a Fund issued thereunder;
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(b) Use the same skill and care in providing such services as it uses
in providing services to other fiduciary accounts for which it
has investment responsibilities;
(c) The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that the Funds may engage in
transactions with certain investment sub-advisers in the Columbia
Funds Family (and their affiliated persons) in reliance on
exemptions under Rule 10f-3, Rule 12d3-1, Rule 17a-10 and Rule
17e-1 under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, the Sub-Adviser hereby
agrees that it will not consult with any other investment
sub-adviser of a Columbia Fund in the Columbia Funds Family
concerning transactions for a Fund in securities or other
investments, other than for purposes of complying with the
conditions of Rule 12d3-1(a) and (b). With respect to a Fund with
one or more investment sub-advisers in addition to the
Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall be limited to providing
investment advice only with respect to the portion of the Fund's
assets as the Adviser may determine from time to time, and shall
not consult with any other investment sub-adviser to the Fund
that is a principal underwriter or an affiliated person of a
principal underwriter concerning transactions for the Fund in
securities or other investments.
(d) Not make loans to any person for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying Fund interests;
(e) Place, or arrange for the placement of, all orders pursuant to
its investment determinations for the Funds either directly with
the issuer or with any broker or dealer (including any affiliated
broker or dealer). In executing portfolio transactions and
selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best
efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best overall terms
available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any
transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it
deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the
security, the price of the security, the financial condition and
execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the
reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific
transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best
overall terms available, and in selecting the broker or dealer to
execute a particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also
consider whether such broker or dealer furnishes research and
other information or services to the Sub-Adviser; and
(f) Adhere to the investment objective, strategies, policies and
procedures of the Trust adopted on behalf of each Fund.
4. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION. Each party agrees that it will treat
confidentially all information provided by another party regarding such other
party's business and operations, including without limitation the investment
activities or holdings of a Fund. All confidential information provided by a
party hereto shall not be disclosed to any unaffiliated third party without the
prior consent of the providing party. The foregoing shall not apply to any
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information that is public when provided or thereafter becomes public or which
is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority in the lawful and
appropriate exercise of its jurisdiction over a party, by any auditor of the
parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable
law or regulation.
5. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The services furnished by the Sub-Adviser
hereunder are deemed not to be exclusive, and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to
furnish similar services to others so long as its provision of services under
this Agreement is not impaired thereby. To the extent that the purchase or sale
of securities or other investments of the same issuer may be deemed by the
Sub-Adviser to be suitable for two or more accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser,
the available securities or investments may be allocated in a manner believed by
the Sub-Adviser to be equitable to each account. It is recognized that in some
cases this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund
or the size of the position obtainable for or disposed of by a Fund.
6. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Trust will provide the Sub-Adviser with
copies, properly certified or authenticated, of each of the following:
(a) the Trust's Certificate of Trust, as filed with the Secretary of
State of Delaware, and Declaration of Trust (such Declaration of
Trust, as presently in effect and as from time-to-time amended,
is herein called the "Declaration of Trust");
(b) the Trust's Bylaws, if any;
(c) the most recent prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional
information relating to each Fund (such prospectus(es) together
with the related statement(s) of additional information, as
presently in effect and all amendments and supplements thereto,
are herein called the "Prospectus"); and
(d) any and all applicable policies and procedures approved by the
Board.
The Trust will promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser with copies of any and all
amendments of or additions or supplements to the foregoing.
7. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3
under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records that it
maintains for each Fund under this Agreement are the property of the Trust and
further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust or the Adviser any of such
records upon request. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods
prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be
maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
8. EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS. Except to the extent expressly assumed by the
Sub-Adviser and except to any extent required by law to be paid or reimbursed by
the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall have no duty to pay any ordinary
operating expenses incurred in the organization and operation of the Funds.
Ordinary operating expenses include, but are not
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limited to, brokerage commissions and other transaction charges, taxes, legal,
auditing, printing, or governmental fees, other Fund service providers' fees and
expenses, expenses of issue, sale, redemption and repurchase of shares, expenses
of registering and qualifying shares for sale, expenses relating to Board and
shareholder meetings and the cost of preparing and distributing reports and
notices to shareholders. The Sub-Adviser shall pay all other expenses incurred
by it in connection with its services under this Agreement.
9. COMPENSATION. Except as otherwise provided herein, for the services
provided to each Fund and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, the
Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will accept as full
compensation therefor a fee determined in accordance with Schedule I attached
hereto. It is understood that the Adviser shall be solely responsible for
compensating the Sub-Adviser for performing any of the duties delegated to the
Sub-Adviser and the Sub-Adviser agrees that it shall have no claim against the
Trust or any Fund with respect to compensation under this Agreement.
10. LIABILITY OF SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Adviser or
the Trust in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement,
except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the
receipt of compensation for services, from willful misfeasance, bad faith or
negligence on the part of the Sub-Adviser or any of its officers, directors,
employees or agents, in connection with the performance of their duties under
this Agreement, from reckless disregard by it or its officers, directors,
employees or agents of any of their obligations and duties under this Agreement
or from any violations of securities laws, rules, regulations, statutes and
codes, whether federal or state, by the Sub-Adviser or any of its officers,
directors, employees or agents.
11. TERM AND APPROVAL. This Agreement continues the predecessor Agreement
between the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and Nations Separate Account Trust ("NSAT,"
which has been renamed Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I) (the "NSAT
Agreement") on behalf of the Funds identified in Schedule I, with the original
effective date for each Fund presented in Schedule I. The NSAT Agreement has
continued in effect for successive annual periods after the original effective
dates for the respective Funds (identified in Schedule I), with the continuation
of the NSAT Agreement having been approved at least annually after the second
anniversary of such original effective dates. This Agreement will continue in
effect for each Fund after each anniversary of the original effective date of
the NSAT Agreement with respect to such Fund, for successive annual periods
ending on each subsequent anniversary, provided that the continuation of the
Agreement is specifically approved for the Fund at least annually:
(a)(i) by the Board or (ii) by the vote of "a majority of the
outstanding voting securities" of the Fund (as defined in Section
2(a)(42) of the 0000 Xxx); and
(b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees of the
Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested
persons" (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of a party to this
Agreement (other than as Trustees of the
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Trust), by votes cast in person at a meeting specifically called
for such purpose.
12. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated without payment of any
penalty at any time by:
(a) the Trust with respect to a Fund, by vote of the Board or by vote
of a majority of a Fund's outstanding voting securities, upon
sixty (60) days' written notice to the other parties to this
Agreement; or
(b) the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser with respect to a Fund, upon sixty
(60) days' written notice to the other parties to this Agreement.
Any party entitled to notice may waive the notice provided for herein. This
Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, unless
an order is issued by the Commission conditionally or unconditionally exempting
such assignment from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the 1940 Act, in which
event this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect subject to the terms
of such order. For the purposes of this paragraph, the definitions contained in
Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act and the applicable rules under the 1940 Act shall
apply.
14. CODE OF ETHICS. The Sub-Adviser represents that it has adopted a
written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the
1940 Act and will provide the Adviser or the Trust with a copy of such code, any
amendments or supplements thereto and its policies and/or procedures implemented
to ensure compliance therewith.
15. INSURANCE. The Sub-Adviser shall maintain for the term of this
Agreement and provide evidence thereof to the Trust or the Adviser a blanket
bond and professional liability (error and omissions) insurance in an amount
reasonably acceptable to Adviser.
16. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each party to this Agreement represents
and warrants that the execution, delivery and performance of its obligations
under this Agreement are within its powers, have been duly authorized by all
necessary actions and that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. The Sub-Adviser
further represents and warrants that it is duly registered as an investment
adviser under the Advisers Act.
17. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, except by an instrument in
writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought.
18. NOTICES. Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to such address as may be
designated for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice, it is agreed
that the address of the Trust shall be Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, Attention: Secretary, that of the Adviser shall be Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, Attention: President, and that
of the Sub-Adviser shall be 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx
00000, Attention: General
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Counsel. The Sub-Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust in
writing of the occurrence of any event which could have a material impact on the
performance of its duties under this Agreement, including but not limited to (i)
the occurrence of any event which could disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving
as an investment adviser pursuant to Section 9 of the 1940 Act; (ii) any
material change in the Sub-Adviser's business activities; (iii) any event that
would constitute a change in control of the Sub-Adviser; (iv) any change in the
portfolio manager of a Fund; (v) the existence of any pending or threatened
audit, investigation, examination, complaint or other inquiry (other than
routine audits or regulatory examinations or inspections) relating to any Fund;
and (vi) any material violation of the Sub-Adviser's code of ethics.
19. RELEASE. The names "Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I" and
"Trustees of Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust I" refer respectively to
the Trust created by the Declaration of Trust and the Trustees as Trustees but
not individually or personally. All parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
any and all liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under this
Agreement will be satisfied solely out of the assets of the Trust and that no
Trustee, officer or shareholder shall be personally liable for any such
liabilities. All persons dealing with any Fund of the Trust must look solely to
the property belonging to such Fund for the enforcement of any claims against
the Trust.
20. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the
parties hereto. Each provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. 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.
21. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, Delaware law and the federal securities laws, including the
1940 Act and the Advisers Act.
22. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
23. USE OF THE NAME "MARSICO". Sub-Adviser hereby consents to and grants a
non-exclusive license for the use by the Trust to the phrase "Xxxxxxx Capital",
the identifying word "Marsico" in the name of the Funds and any logo or symbol
authorized by the Sub-Adviser. Such consent is conditioned upon the Trust's
employment of Sub-Adviser or its affiliates as sub-investment adviser to the
Funds. Sub-Adviser may from time to time use the phrase "Xxxxxxx Capital" or the
identifying word "Marsico" or logos or symbols used by Sub-Adviser in other
connections and for other purposes, including without limitation in the names of
other investment companies, corporations or businesses that it may manage,
advise, sponsor or own or in which it may have a financial interest. Sub-Adviser
may require the Trust to cease using the phrase "Xxxxxxx Capital" or the
identifying word "Marsico" in the name of the Funds or any logo or symbol
authorized by Sub-Adviser if the Trust ceases to employ Sub-Adviser or an
affiliate thereof as sub-investment adviser.
24. USE OF THE NAME "COLUMBIA FUNDS". The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will
not use the name "Columbia Funds", any derivative thereof, or the name of the
Adviser, the Trust or
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any Fund except in accordance with such policies and procedures as may be
mutually agreed to in writing. The parties hereto agree that the Sub-Adviser
shall be permitted to include in its promotional or marketing literature
statements to the effect that it manages the portfolio investments of any
Columbia Fund(s) with respect to which it serves as investment sub-adviser.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above
written.
COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
I on behalf of the Funds
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
President
COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT ADVISORS, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Managing Director
XXXXXXX CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: President
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SCHEDULE I
The Adviser shall pay the Sub-Adviser, as full compensation for services
provided and expenses assumed hereunder, a sub-advisory fee for each Fund,
computed daily and payable monthly at the annual rates listed below as a
percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund:
RATE OF
FUND COMPENSATION EFFECTIVE DATE
---- ------------ -------------------
Columbia Marsico Focused Equities Fund, Variable Series 0.45% 09/30/06
(continuation of
the NSAT
Agreement,
effective 04/12/01)
Columbia Xxxxxxx Growth Fund, Variable Series 0.45% 09/30/06
(continuation of
the NSAT
Agreement,
effective 04/12/01)
Columbia Xxxxxxx International Opportunities Fund, Variable Series 0.45% 09/30/06
(continuation of
the NSAT
Agreement,
effective 05/01/01)
Columbia Marsico 21st Century Fund, Variable Series Variable Series 0.45% 09/30/06
(continuation of
the NSAT
Agreement,
effective 05/01/01)
Current as of the 30th day of September, 2006.
COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE INSURANCE COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT ADVISORS, LLC
TRUST I
on behalf of the Funds
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
--------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
President Managing Director
XXXXXXX CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: President
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