INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Exhibit (d)(7)
THIS
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), made this 31st day of December 2008 (the
“Effective Date”) is by and between Xxxxxx Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
“Advisor”), and RiverSource Investments, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (the
“Sub-Advisor”).
WHEREAS, Advisor manages the Xxxxxx/Xxxxxxxx Mid Cap Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) of
MLIG Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”) and Advisor has engaged Sub-Advisor to manage the
investment and reinvestment of that portion of the assets of the Portfolio that the Advisor shall,
from time to time, direct; and
WHEREAS, Advisor desires that Sub-Advisor to continue to provide management services to
the Portfolio in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, Advisor and Sub-Advisor agree as follows:
1. Effective as of the Effective Date, Advisor hereby engages the services of Sub-Advisor in
connection with Advisor’s management of the Xxxxxx/Xxxxxxxx Mid Cap Growth Portfolio (the
“Portfolio”) of MLIG Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”). Pursuant to this Agreement and subject
to the oversight and supervision by Advisor and the officers and the board of trustees of the
Trust, Sub-Advisor shall manage the investment and reinvestment of that portion of the assets of
the Portfolio that the Advisor shall, from time to time, direct.
2. Sub-Advisor hereby accepts appointment by Advisor in the foregoing capacity and agrees, at its
own expense, to render the services set forth herein and to provide the office space, furnishings,
equipment and personnel required by it to perform such services on the terms and for the
compensation provided in this Agreement.
3. In particular, Sub-Advisor shall furnish continuously an investment program for the Portfolio
and shall determine from time to time in its discretion the securities and other investments to be
purchased or sold or exchanged and what portions of the Portfolio shall be held in various
securities, cash or other investments. In this connection, Sub-Advisor shall provide Advisor and
the officers and trustees of the Trust with such reports and documentation as the latter shall
reasonably request regarding Sub-Advisor’s management of the Portfolio assets.
4. Sub-Advisor shall carry out its responsibilities under this Agreement in compliance with: (a)
the Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as set forth in the Trust’s current
registration statement, (b) such policies or directives as the Trust’s trustees may from time to
time establish or issue and communicate to the Sub-Advisor in writing, and (c) applicable law and
related regulations. Advisor shall promptly notify Sub-Advisor in writing of changes to (a) or (b)
above and shall notify Sub-Advisor in writing of changes to (c) above promptly after it becomes
aware of such changes.
In particular, the Sub-Advisor shall be responsible to ensure that the Portfolio: (a) complies
with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, (the “Code”) and regulations issued thereunder as these apply to separate accounts through
which variable life insurance contracts and variable annuity contracts are issued, and (b)
continuously qualifies as a regulated investment company under Sub-Chapter M of the Code.
Sub-Advisor shall not consult with other sub-advisers of the Portfolio, or with
sub-advisers of other investment portfolios of the Trust, concerning transactions in portfolio
securities or other portfolio investments of the Portfolio.
5. Sub-Advisor
shall take all actions which it considers necessary to implement the investment policies of the Portfolio as these relate to the Portfolio, and in particular, to place
all orders for the purchase or sale of securities or other investments for the Portfolio with
brokers or dealers selected by it, and to that end, Sub-Advisor is authorized as the agent of the
Trust to give instructions to the Trust’s custodian as to deliveries of securities or other
investments and payments of cash for the account of the Portfolio. In connection with the selection
of brokers or dealers and the placing of purchase and sale orders with respect to investments of
the Portfolio, except where Advisor or the Trust instruct Sub-Advisor to place orders with a
particular broker or dealer, Sub-Advisor is directed at all times to seek to obtain best execution
and price within the policy guidelines determined by the Trust’s board of trustees and set forth in
the Trust’s current registration statement.
To the extent permitted by the policy guidelines set forth in the Trust’s current registration
statement, Sub-Advisor is authorized to consider, in the selection of brokers and dealers to
execute portfolio transactions, not only the available prices and rates of brokerage commissions,
but also other relevant factors which may include, without limitation: (a) the execution
capabilities of such brokers and dealers, (b) research, custody and other services provided by such
brokers and dealers which the Sub-Advisor believes will enhance its general portfolio management
capabilities, (c) the size of the transaction, (d) the difficulty of execution, (e) the operational
facilities of such brokers and dealers, (f) the risk to such a broker or dealer of positioning a
block of securities, and (g) the overall quality of brokerage and research services provided by
such brokers and dealers. In connection with the foregoing, Sub-Advisor is specifically authorized
to pay those brokers and dealers who provide brokerage and research services to it a higher
commission than that charged by other brokers and dealers if the Sub-Advisor determines in good
faith that the amount of such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of such services in
terms of either the particular transaction or in terms of Sub-Advisor’s overall responsibilities
with respect to the Portfolio and to any other client accounts or portfolios which Sub-Advisor
advises. The execution of such transactions shall not be considered to represent an unlawful breach
of any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise.
In connection with the selection of brokers or dealers and the placing of purchase and sale
orders with respect to investments of the Portfolio, when instructed to do so by either the Trust
or the Advisor, Sub-Advisor agrees and is authorized to place orders with one or more brokers or
dealers identified by the Trust or Advisor (including brokers or dealers who are affiliated persons
of the Trust or Advisor). The execution of such transactions shall not be
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considered to represent an unlawful breach of any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise.
Sub-Advisor also is authorized to aggregate purchase and sale orders for securities held (or
to be held) in the Portfolio with similar orders being made on the same day for other client
accounts or portfolios managed by Sub-Advisor. When an order is so aggregated: (a) the actual
prices applicable to the aggregated transaction will be averaged and the Portfolio and each other
account or portfolio participating in the aggregated transaction shall be treated as having
purchased or sold its portion of the securities at such average price, and (b) all transaction
costs incurred in effecting the aggregated transaction shall be shared on a pro-rata basis among
the accounts or portfolios (including the Portfolio) participating in the transaction. Advisor
recognizes that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position
obtainable for the Portfolio.
When recommending or effecting a transaction in a particular security or investment for more
than one client account or portfolio (including the Portfolio), Sub-Advisor may allocate such
recommendations or transactions among all accounts and portfolios for whom the recommendation is
made or transaction is effected on a basis that Sub-Advisor considers equitable.
6. Sub-Advisor’s services under this Agreement are not exclusive. Sub-Advisor may provide the same
or similar services to other clients. Advisor acknowledges that, except when transactions for
multiple clients are aggregated, transactions in a specific security or other investment may not be
recommended or executed at the same time or price for all client accounts or portfolios (including
the Portfolio) for which that security or investment is recommended or executed. This Agreement
does not require Sub-Advisor to give priority to the Portfolio over other client accounts or
portfolios.
7. Sub-Advisor shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall,
unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the
Advisor, the Trust or the Portfolio or otherwise be deemed agents of the Advisor, the Trust or the
Portfolio.
8. Sub-Advisor or an affiliated person of Sub-Advisor may act as broker for the Portfolio in
connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other investments for the Portfolio, subject
to: (a) the requirement that Sub-Advisor seek to obtain best execution and price within the policy
guidelines determined by the Trust’s board of trustees and set forth in the Trust’s current
registration statement; (b) the provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the
“Advisers Act”); (c) the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (d)
other applicable provisions of law. Such brokerage services are not within the scope of the duties
of Sub-Advisor under this Agreement. Subject to the requirements of applicable law and any
procedures adopted by Trust’s board of trustees, Sub-Advisor or its affiliated persons may receive
brokerage commissions, fees or other remuneration from the Portfolio or the Trust for such services
in addition to Sub-Advisor’s fees for services under this Agreement.
9. The Advisor delegates the Advisor’s discretionary authority to exercise voting rights with
respect to the securities and other investments in the Portfolio to the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-
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Advisor shall exercise these voting rights unless and until the Advisor revokes this delegation.
The Advisor may revoke this delegation at any time without cause. The Sub-Advisor shall maintain
and preserve a record, in an easily-accessible place for a period of not less than three years, of
the Sub-Advisor’s voting procedures, and of the Sub-Advisor’s actual votes, and shall supply this
record to the Advisor, or any authorized representative of the Advisor, upon the written request of
the Advisor or the Advisor’s authorized representative, as appropriate.
10. Nothing in this Agreement shall require Sub-Advisor to take or receive physical
possession of cash, securities or other investments of the Portfolio.
11. Sub-Advisor is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Advisers
Act. Sub-Advisor shall remain so registered throughout the term of this Agreement and shall notify
Advisor immediately if Sub-Advisor ceases to be so registered as an investment adviser.
12. Sub-Advisor: (a) is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of
Minnesota with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being
conducted, (b) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this
Agreement, (c) is not prohibited by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940
Act”) or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, (d) has met,
and will continue to seek to meet for the duration of this Agreement, any other applicable federal
or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory
agency, necessary to be met in order to perform the services this Agreement, and (e) will promptly
notify Advisor of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify it from serving as an
investment adviser to an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act.
13. Advisor: (a) is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being
conducted, (b) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this
Agreement, (c) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services
contemplated by this Agreement, (d) has met, and will continue to seek to meet for the duration of
this Agreement, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements
of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met in order to perform the
services this Agreement, and (e) will promptly notify Sub-Advisor of the occurrence of any event
that would disqualify it from serving as an investment adviser to an investment company pursuant to
Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. Advisor represents that the Trust is (and during the term of this
Agreement, will remain) registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act
and that the shares of the Trust representing an interest in the Portfolio are (and during the term
of this Agreement will remain) registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and under any applicable
state securities laws.
14. Sub-Advisor has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1
under the 1940 Act and will provide Advisor and the Trust with a copy of that code, together with
evidence of its adoption. Within 20 days of the end of each calendar quarter during which this
Agreement remains in effect, the president or a vice president of Sub-Advisor shall
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certify to Advisor or the Trust that Sub-Advisor has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1
during the previous quarter and that there have been no violations of Sub-Advisor’s code of ethics
or, if such a violation has occurred, that appropriate action has been taken in response to such
violation. Upon written request of Advisor or the Trust, Sub-Advisor shall permit representatives
of Advisor or the Trust to examine the reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made to
Sub-Advisor by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) and other records evidencing enforcement of the code of ethics.
15. For the services rendered, the facilities furnished and the expenses assumed by
Sub-Advisor, Advisor shall pay Sub-Advisor at the end of each month a fee based on the average
daily net assets of the Portfolio at the following annual rates:
0.40% on the first $200 million
0.35% on the next $200 million
and
0.30% on amounts in excess of $400 million
0.35% on the next $200 million
and
0.30% on amounts in excess of $400 million
Sub-Advisor’s fee shall be accrued daily at 1/365th of the applicable annual rate set forth above.
For the purpose of accruing compensation, the net assets of the Portfolio shall be determined in
the manner and on the dates set forth in the current prospectus of the Trust, and, on days on which
the net assets are not so determined, the net asset value computation to be used shall be as
determined on the immediately preceding day on which the net assets were determined. In the event
of termination of this Agreement, all compensation due through the date of termination will be
calculated on a pro-rated basis through the date of termination and paid within thirty business
days of the date of termination.
During any period when the determination of net asset value is suspended, the net asset value
of the Portfolio as of the last business day prior to such suspension shall for this purpose be
deemed to be the net asset value at the close of each succeeding business day until it is again
determined.
16. Sub-Advisor hereby undertakes and agrees to maintain, in the form and for the period
required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act, all records relating to the Portfolio’s investments that
are required to be maintained by the Trust pursuant to the requirements of paragraphs (b)(5),
(b)(6), (b)(7), (b)(9), (b)(10) and (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
Sub-Advisor agrees that all books and records which it maintains for the Portfolio or the
Trust are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Advisor or the
Trust any such books, records or information upon the Advisor’s or the Trust’s request (provided,
however, that Sub-Advisor may retain copies of such records). All such books and records shall be
made available, within five business days of a written request, to the Trust’s accountants or
auditors during regular business hours at Sub-Advisor’s offices. Advisor and the Trust or either of
their authorized representative shall have the right to copy any records in the possession of
Sub-Advisor which pertain to the Portfolio or the Trust. Such books, records, information or
reports shall be made available to properly authorized government representatives consistent with
state and federal law and/or regulations. In the event of the termination of this
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Agreement, all such books, records or other information shall be returned to Advisor or the
Trust.
The Sub-Advisor agrees that the policies and procedures established by the Sub-Advisor for
managing the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, all policies and procedures designed to
ensure compliance with federal and state regulations governing the sub-adviser/client
relationship and management and operation of the Portfolio, shall be made available for
inspection by the Advisor and the Trust or either of their authorized representatives not less
frequently than annually.
17. Sub-Advisor agrees that it will not disclose or use any records or confidential information
obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever except as authorized in this
Agreement or specifically by Advisor or the Trust, or if such disclosure is requested by a court or
federal or state regulatory authorities.
Sub-Advisor may disclose the investment performance of the Portfolio, provided that such
disclosure does not reveal the identity of the Advisor, the Portfolio or the Trust. Sub-Advisor
may, however, disclose that Advisor, the Trust and the Portfolio are its clients, provided that
such disclosure does not reveal the investment performance or the composition of the Portfolio.
18. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of Sub-Advisor
or its officers, trustees or employees, or reckless disregard by Sub-Advisor of its duties under
this Agreement (together, “disabling conduct”), Sub-Advisor shall not be liable to Advisor, the
Portfolio, the Trust or to any shareholder of the Portfolio for any act or omission in the course
of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the
purchase, holding or sale of any security, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 36(b)
of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the
receipt of compensation for services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, breach by the Sub-Advisor of
the second paragraph of section 4 hereof is deemed to be disabling conduct.
19. Sub-Advisor agrees to indemnify and defend Advisor, its officers, trustees, partners, employees
and any person who controls Advisor for any loss or expense (including attorneys’ fees) arising out
of any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding arising out of any actual or alleged material
misstatement or omission in the Trust’s registration statement, any proxy statement, or
communication to current or prospective investors in the Portfolio relating to disclosure about
Sub-Advisor provided to Advisor in writing by Sub-Advisor, provided, however, Sub-Advisor shall
have no obligation under this indemnity if such loss or expense is as a result of a failure by
Advisor or the Trust to update such registration statement, proxy statement or communication when
informed by the Sub-Advisor of changes to disclosure about the Sub-Advisor.
Sub-Advisor agrees to indemnify and defend Advisor, its officers, trustees, partners,
employees and any person who controls Advisor for any loss or expense (including attorneys’ fees)
arising out of any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding arising out of the Sub-Advisor’s
failure to ensure that the Portfolio: (a) complies with the diversification requirements
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of Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations issued thereunder as these apply to separate accounts
through which variable life insurance contracts and variable annuity contracts are issued, and (b)
continuously qualifies as a regulated investment company under Sub-Chapter M of the Code.
20. Advisor agrees to indemnify and defend Sub-Advisor, its officers, trustees, partners, employees
and any person who controls Sub-Advisor for any loss or expense (including attorneys’ fees) arising
out of any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding arising out of any actual or alleged material
misstatement or omission in the Trust’s registration statement, any proxy statement, or other
communication to current or prospective investors in the Portfolio (other than a misstatement or
omission relating to disclosure about Sub-Advisor approved in writing by the Sub-Advisor or
provided to Advisor or the Trust in writing by Sub-Advisor).
21. The Sub-Advisor agrees to permit the Advisor and the Trust to use its name, along side the
Advisor’s name, in the Portfolio’s name and in descriptions of the Portfolio, as these appear in
the Trust’s prospectus(es) and/or sales literature related to the Portfolio, provided, however,
that the Advisor and the Trust shall cease such use of the Sub-Advisor’s name in the event that
this Agreement is terminated.
22. This Agreement shall not become effective unless and until it is approved by the board of
trustees of the Trust, including a majority of trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or
interested persons of any such party to this Agreement, and, to the extent required by law, a
majority of the outstanding shares of the class of the Trust’s stock representing an interest in
the Portfolio. This Agreement shall come into full force and effect on the date which it is so
approved. This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years and shall thereafter continue in
effect from year to year so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by
(a) the board of trustees of the Trust, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of
the class of stock representing an interest in the Portfolio, and (b) a majority of those trustees
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.
23. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated at any
time without the payment of any penalty, by the Trust’s board of trustees, or by vote of a majority
of the outstanding shares of the class of stock representing an interest in the Portfolio on sixty
days written notice to the Advisor and Sub-Advisor, or by the Advisor, or by the Sub-Advisor, on
sixty days written notice to the other. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event
of its assignment or in the event of the termination of the investment advisory agreement between
the Advisor and the Trust regarding the Advisor’s management of the Portfolio.
24. This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by
(a) a majority of those trustees 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, if
required by applicable law, (b) a majority of votes attributable to the outstanding Trust shares of
the class representing an interest in the Portfolio.
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25. The terms “assignment”, “affiliated person” and “interested person”, when used in this
Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act. The term “majority of
the outstanding shares of the class” means the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the votes attributable
to shares of such class present at a meeting if more than 50% of the votes attributable to such
shares are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the votes attributable to
shares of such class.
26. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with laws of the State of Delaware, and
applicable provisions of the Advisers Act and 1940 Act.
27. 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.
28. This Agreement may be executed by the parties in multiple counterparts which may be delivered
by facsimile transmission. Each counterpart when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an
original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as
of the date first above written.
| Xxxxxx Advisors, LLC | ||||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||
| Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||
| Title: President | ||||||
ATTEST:
|
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/s/
|
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| RiverSource Investments, LLC | ||||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||||
| By: | ||||||
| Title: | Chief Operating Officer | |||||
ATTEST:
|
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