INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Exhibit 28(d)(xvi)
AGREEMENT made as of December 29, 2010, between FUNDVANTAGE TRUST, a Delaware Statutory Trust
(herein called the “Trust”) on behalf of the series of the Trust set forth on Schedule A to this
Agreement (the “Fund”), and TW ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (herein
called the “Investment Adviser”).
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), and currently offers or proposes to offer shares
representing interests in separate investment portfolios, including the Fund;
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Investment Adviser to render certain investment
advisory services to the Fund, and the Investment Adviser is willing to so render such services;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust have approved this Agreement, and the Investment
Adviser is willing to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT. The Trust hereby appoints the Investment Adviser to act as investment
adviser for the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Investment
Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth for the
compensation herein provided.
SECTION 2. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Trust has furnished or will furnish the Investment Adviser
with copies of each of the following:
a. Resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust authorizing the appointment of the
Investment Adviser and the execution and delivery of this Agreement; and
b. Each prospectus and statement of additional information relating to any class of Shares
representing interests in the Fund in effect under the Securities Act of 1933 (such prospectus and
statement of additional information, as presently in effect and as they shall from time to time be
amended and supplemented, are herein collectively called the “Prospectus” and “SAI,” respectively).
The Trust will furnish the Investment Adviser from time to time with copies of all amendments
of or supplements to the foregoing, if any. In addition all copies of the resolutions of the Board
of Trustees or amendments or supplements thereof will, upon the Investment Adviser’s request, be
properly certified or authenticated.
In addition to the foregoing, the Trust will also provide the Investment Adviser with copies
of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, and any registration statement or
service contracts related to the Fund, and will promptly furnish the Investment Adviser with any
amendments of or supplements to such documents.
SECTION 3. MANAGEMENT. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the
Investment Adviser will provide for the management of the Fund including (i) the provision of a
continuous investment program for the Fund, including investment research and management with
respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents in the Fund, (ii) the
determination from time to time of what securities and other investments will be purchased,
retained, or sold for the Fund, and (iii) the placement from time to time of orders for all
purchases and sales made for the Fund. The Investment Adviser will provide the services rendered
by it hereunder in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, restrictions and policies as
stated in the applicable Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, provided that the
Investment Adviser has notice or knowledge of any changes to such investment objectives,
restrictions or policies. The Investment Adviser further agrees that it will render to the Board
of Trustees such periodic and special reports regarding the performance of its duties under this
Agreement as the Board may reasonably request. The Investment Adviser agrees to provide to the
Trust (or its agents and service providers) prompt and accurate data with respect to the Fund’s
transactions and, where not otherwise available, the daily valuation of securities in the Fund.
SECTION 4. BROKERAGE. Subject to the Investment Adviser’s obligation to obtain best price and
execution, the Investment Adviser shall have full discretion to select brokers or dealers to effect
the purchase and sale of securities. When the Investment Adviser places orders for the purchase or
sale of securities for the Fund, in selecting brokers or dealers to execute such orders, the
Investment Adviser is expressly authorized to consider the fact that a broker or dealer has
furnished statistical, research or other information or services for the benefit of the Investment
Adviser’s clients, directly or indirectly. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Investment Adviser is authorized to cause the Fund to pay brokerage commissions which may be in
excess of the lowest rates available to brokers who execute transactions for the Fund or who
otherwise provide brokerage and research services utilized by the Investment Adviser, provided that
the Investment Adviser determines in good faith that the amount of each such commission paid to a
broker is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by
such broker viewed in terms of either the particular transaction to which the commission relates or
the Investment Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to accounts as to which the
Investment Adviser exercises investment discretion. The Investment Adviser may aggregate
securities orders so long as the Investment Adviser adheres to a policy of allocating investment
opportunities to the Fund over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis relative to other
clients. In no instance will the Fund’s securities be purchased from or sold to the Trust’s
principal underwriter, the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person thereof, except to the
extent permitted by SEC exemptive order or by applicable law.
The Investment Adviser shall report to the Board of Trustees of the Trust at least quarterly
with respect to brokerage transactions that were entered into by the Investment Adviser, pursuant
to the foregoing paragraph, and shall certify to the Board that the commissions paid were
reasonable in terms either of that transaction or the overall responsibilities of the
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Investment Adviser to the Fund and the Investment Adviser’s other clients, that the total
commissions paid by the Fund were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund and, if
applicable, the Investment Adviser’s other clients, over the long term. Further, the Investment
Adviser will disclose to the Board of Trustees: (i) all material new or amended arrangements it may
have with regard to the Fund’s securities transactions, (ii) the utilization of “soft dollar
commissions” by the Fund and the Investment Adviser with respect to the Fund, and (iii) such other
matters relating to Fund brokerage as the Board of Trustees may reasonably request.
SECTION 5. DELEGATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISER’S OBLIGATIONS AND SERVICES. With respect to the Fund,
the Investment Adviser may enter into one or more contracts (“Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with a
sub-adviser in which the Adviser delegates to such sub-adviser any or all of its obligations or
services specified in Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement, provided that each Sub-Advisory Agreement
imposes on the sub-adviser bound thereby all the duties and conditions the Adviser is subject to
under this Agreement, and further provided that each Sub-Advisory Agreement meets all requirements
of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder.
SECTION 6. CONFORMITY WITH LAW; CONFIDENTIALITY. The Investment Adviser further agrees that it
will comply with all applicable rules and regulations of all federal regulatory agencies having
jurisdiction over the Investment Adviser in the performance of its duties hereunder. The
Investment Adviser will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all
records and other information relating to the Trust and will not use such records and information
for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after
prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Investment Adviser may be exposed to civil
or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information
by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust.
Where the Investment Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for
failure to comply with a request for records or other information relating to the Trust, the
Investment Adviser may comply with such request prior to obtaining the Trust’s written approval,
provided that the Investment Adviser has taken reasonable steps to promptly notify the Trust, in
writing, upon receipt of the request.
SECTION 7. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The Investment Adviser and its officers may act and continue
to act as investment managers for others, and nothing in this Agreement shall in any way be deemed
to restrict the right of the Investment Adviser to perform investment management or other services
for any other person or entity, and the performance of such services for others shall not be deemed
to violate or give rise to any duty or obligation to the Fund or the Trust.
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the Investment Adviser or any of its
partners, officers, affiliates or employees from buying, selling or trading in any securities for
its or their own account. The Trust acknowledges that the Investment Adviser and its partners,
officers, affiliates, employees and other clients may, at any time, have, acquire, increase,
decrease, or dispose of positions in investments which are at the same time being acquired or
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disposed of for the Fund. The Investment Adviser shall have no obligation to acquire for the
Fund a position in any investment which the Investment Adviser, its partners, officers, affiliates
or employees may acquire for its or their own accounts or for the account of another client, so
long as it continues to be the policy and practice of the Investment Adviser not to favor or
disfavor consistently or consciously any client or class of clients in the allocation of investment
opportunities so that, to the extent practical, such opportunities will be allocated among clients
over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis.
The Investment Adviser agrees that this Section does not constitute a waiver by the Trust of
the obligations imposed upon the Investment Adviser to comply with Sections 17(d) and 17(j) of the
1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, nor constitute a waiver by the Trust of the obligations imposed
upon the Investment Adviser under Section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the rules
thereunder. Further, the Investment Adviser agrees that this does not constitute a waiver by the
Trust of the fiduciary obligation of the Investment Adviser arising under federal or state law,
including Section 36 of the 1940 Act. The Investment Adviser agrees that this Section 7 shall be
interpreted consistent with the provisions of Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act.
SECTION 8. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 3la-3 under the 1940
Act, the Investment Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are the
property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records
upon the Trust’s request. Absent such a request, the Investment Adviser further agrees to preserve
for the periods prescribed by Rule 3la-2 under the 1940 Act the records in the Investment Adviser’s
possession required to be maintained by Rule 3la-1 under the 1940 Act. The Investment Adviser may
retain a copy of all such records.
SECTION 9. EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, the Investment Adviser will pay all
expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement and not specifically
assumed by the Fund. The Fund shall bear all of its own expenses not specifically assumed by the
Investment Adviser. Expenses borne by the Fund shall include, but are not limited to, the
following (or the Fund’s share of the following): (a) the cost (including brokerage commissions) of
securities purchased or sold by the Fund and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees
payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund by the Investment Adviser; (c) filing fees
and expenses relating to the registration and qualification of the Trust and the Fund’s shares
under federal and/or state securities laws and maintaining such registrations and qualifications;
(d) fees and salaries payable to the Trust’s directors and officers; (e) taxes (including any
income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (f) costs of any liability and other insurance or
fidelity bonds; (g) any costs, expenses or losses arising out of a liability of or claim for
damages or other relief asserted against the Trust or the Fund for violation of any law; (h) legal,
accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent
directors; (i) charges of custodians and other agents; (j) expenses of setting in type and printing
prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto for existing
shareholders, reports, statements, and confirmations to shareholders and proxy material that are
not attributable to a class; (k) costs of mailing prospectuses, statements of additional
information and supplements thereto to existing shareholders, as well as reports to shareholders
and proxy material that are not attributable to a class; (1) any extraordinary expenses; (m) fees,
voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment
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company organizations; (n) costs of mailing and tabulating proxies and costs of shareholders’ and
directors’ meetings; (o) costs of independent pricing services to value a portfolio’s securities;
and (p) the costs of investment company literature and other publications provided by the Trust to
its directors and officers. Distribution expenses, transfer agency expenses, expenses of
preparation, printing and mailing, prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy
statements and reports to shareholders, and organizational expenses and registration fees,
identified as belonging to a particular class of the Trust are allocated to such class.
SECTION 10. VOTING. Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, the Investment Adviser
shall be responsible for voting any proxies solicited by or with respect to issuers of securities
in which assets of the Fund may be invested from time to time in accordance with the Investment
Adviser’s then-current policies regarding proxy voting. The Investment Adviser is authorized and
directed to instruct the Fund’s Custodian to forward promptly to the Investment Adviser copies of
all proxies and shareholder communications relating to securities held in the Fund. The Trust
agrees that the Investment Adviser will not be responsible or liable for failing to vote any
proxies where (i) it has not received such proxies or related shareholder communications on a
timely basis, or (ii) it is consistent with the Investment Adviser’s policies regarding proxy
voting then in effect to refrain from voting the relevant proxy(ies).
SECTION 11. RESERVATION OF NAME. The Investment Adviser shall at all times have all rights in and
to the Fund’s name and all investment models used by or on behalf of the Fund. The Investment
Adviser may use the Fund’s name or any portion thereof in connection with any other mutual fund or
business activity without the consent of any shareholder and the Trust shall execute and deliver
any and all documents required to indicate the consent of the Trust to such use. The Trust hereby
agrees that in the event that neither the Investment Adviser nor any of its affiliates acts as
investment adviser to the Fund, the name of the Fund will be changed to one that does not contain
the name “TW” or “Xxxxxx Xxxxxx” or otherwise suggest an affiliation with the Investment Adviser.
SECTION 12. COMPENSATION. a. For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to
this Agreement with respect to the Fund, the Trust will pay the Investment Adviser from the assets
of the Fund and the Investment Adviser will accept as full compensation therefore from the Fund a
fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate as a percentage of average daily net
assets set forth on Schedule B to this Agreement. For any period less than a full month during
which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such
period bears to a full month.
b. The fee attributable to the Fund shall be satisfied only against assets of such Fund and
not against the assets of any other investment portfolio of the Trust. The Investment Adviser may
from time to time agree not to impose all or a portion of its fee otherwise payable hereunder (in
advance of the time such fee or portion thereof would otherwise accrue) and/or undertake to pay or
reimburse the Fund for all or a portion of its expenses not otherwise required to be borne or
reimbursed by the Investment Adviser.
SECTION 13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Investment Adviser shall not be liable for any loss
suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss
resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of
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compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of the Investment Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless
disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement (“disabling conduct”). The Fund
will indemnify the Investment Adviser (including its affiliates, members, managers, officers,
employees, and agents) against and hold it harmless from any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any claim,
demand, action or suit not resulting from disabling conduct by the Investment Adviser.
Indemnification shall be made only following: (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or
other body before whom the proceeding was brought that the Investment Adviser was not liable by
reason of disabling conduct or (ii) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination,
based upon a review of the facts, that the Investment Adviser was not liable by reason of disabling
conduct by (a) the vote of a majority of a quorum of directors of the Trust who are neither
“interested persons” of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding (“disinterested non-party
directors”) or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. The Investment Adviser shall
be entitled to advances from the Fund for payment of the reasonable expenses incurred by the
Investment Adviser in connection with the matter as to which it is seeking indemnification in the
manner and to the fullest extent permissible under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The
Investment Adviser shall provide to the Fund a written affirmation of its good faith belief that
the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Fund has been met and a written
undertaking to repay any such advance if it should ultimately be determined that the standard of
conduct has not been met. In addition, at least one of the following additional conditions shall
be met: (a) the Investment Adviser shall provide a security in form and amount acceptable to the
Fund for its undertaking; (b) the Fund is insured against losses arising by reason of the advance;
or (c) a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party directors, or independent legal counsel,
in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of facts readily available to the
Fund at the time the advance is proposed to be made, that there is reason to believe that the
Investment Adviser will ultimately be found to be entitled to indemnification. Any amounts payable
by the Fund under this Section shall be satisfied only against the assets of the Fund and not
against the assets of any other investment portfolio of the Trust.
The limitations on liability and indemnification provisions of this Section shall not be
applicable to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising from the Investment
Adviser’s rights to the Fund’s name. The Investment Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Trust and the Fund for any claims arising from the use of the terms “TW Asset Management” or “TW”
in the name of the Fund.
SECTION 14. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall become effective and continue for an
initial two year period as of the date first above written unless sooner terminated as provided
herein with respect to the Fund. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue for
successive annual periods, PROVIDED such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a)
by the vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust who are not
parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or
by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
this Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund by the Trust at any time, without the
payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees
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of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, on 60 days’
prior written notice to the Investment Adviser, or by the Investment Adviser at any time, without
payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust. This Agreement will
immediately terminate in the event of its assignment.
SECTION 15. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be changed,
discharged or terminated orally, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against
which enforcement of the change, discharge or termination is sought, and no amendment of this
Agreement affecting the Fund shall be effective, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, until
approved by the applicable shareholders of the Fund in the manner required by the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder, subject to any applicable orders of exemption issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
SECTION 16. MISCELLANEOUS. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect
their construction or effect. 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. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors.
SECTION 17. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the terms “affiliated person,” “assignment,”
“interested person,” “majority of the outstanding voting securities” and “principal underwriter”
shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, subject to any applicable orders of exemption issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
SECTION 18. NOTICE. All notices hereunder shall be given in writing and delivered by hand,
national overnight courier, facsimile (provided written confirmation of receipt is obtained and
said notice is sent via first class mail on the next business day) or mailed by certified mail,
return receipt requested, as follows:
If to the Investment Adviser:
TW Asset Management LLC
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
If to the Trust:
FundVantage Trust
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx, President
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx, President
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
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With copy to:
Xxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP
3000 Two Xxxxx Square
00xx & Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP
3000 Two Xxxxx Square
00xx & Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
The effective date of any notice shall be (i) the date such notice is sent if such delivery is
effected by hand or facsimile, (ii) one business day after the date such notice is sent if such
delivery is effected by national overnight courier; or (iii) the third (3rd) business day after the
date of mailing thereof.
SECTION 19. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws
principles thereof.
SECTION 20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
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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.
FUNDVANTAGE TRUST |
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By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxx Xxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
TW ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxx | |||
Title: | Chief Operating Officer — Asset Management | |||
Signature Page — Investment Advisory Agreement
SCHEDULE A
DATED DECEMBER 29, 2010
TO THE
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 29, 2010
BETWEEN
FUNDVANTAGE TRUST AND TW ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
Series of FundVantage Trust
TW Small Cap Growth Fund
SCHEDULE B
DATED DECEMBER 29, 2010
TO THE
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 29, 2010
BETWEEN
FUNDVANTAGE TRUST AND TW ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
Investment Advisory Fee Schedule
Annual Fee as a Percentage of | ||
Fund | Fund’s Average Daily Net Assets | |
TW Small Cap Growth Fund
|
1.00% (100 basis points) |