Transfer Agency Service Agreement between Advisors Series Trust and Orbitex Fund Services Inc. [Missing Graphic Reference]
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INDEX
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1.
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APPOINTMENT;
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
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3
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2.
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DUTIES
OF OFS
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4
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3.
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RECORDKEEPING
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6
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4.
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ISSUANCE
AND TRANSFER OF SHARES
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7
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5.
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SHARE
PURCHASES; ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE DISTRIBUTIONS
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7
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6.
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FEES
AND EXPENSES
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8
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7.
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
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8
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8.
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STANDARD
OF CARE AND INDEMNIFICATION
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9
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10.
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PROPRIETARY
INFORMATION
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11
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11.
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EFFECTIVENESS,
DURATION, AND TERMINATION
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12
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12.
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ADDITIONAL
FUNDS AND CLASSES
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12
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13.
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ASSIGNMENT
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13
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14.
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TAXES
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13
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15.
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MISCELLANEOUS
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13
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SCHEDULE
A
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15
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SCHEDULE
B
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17
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2
AGREEMENT
made effective on June 6, 2002, by and between Advisors Series Trust, a Delaware
business trust, having its principal office and place of business at 0000 Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (the “Trust”), and Orbitex Fund
Services, Inc., a New York corporation having its principal office and place of
business at the Hauppauge Corporate Center, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (“OFS”).
WHEREAS,
the Trust is an open-end management investment company registered with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS,
the Trust is authorized to issue shares (“Shares”) in separate series, with each
such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and
other assets, and is authorized to divide those series into separate classes;
and
WHEREAS,
the Trust offers shares in the series as listed in Schedule B hereto (each such
series, together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and
made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 13, being herein
referred to as a “Fund,” and collectively as the “Funds”) and the Trust offers
shares of the classes of each Fund as listed in Schedule B hereto (each such
class together with all other classes subsequently established by the Trust in a
Fund being herein referred to as a “Class,” and collectively as the “Classes”);
and
WHEREAS,
the Trust desires to appoint OFS as its transfer agent and dividend disbursing
agent for each Fund and Class thereof and OFS desires to accept such appointment
on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW
THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein, the Trust and OFS hereby agree as follows:
1.
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APPOINTMENT;
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
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(a)
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Appointment. The Trust,
on behalf of the Funds, hereby appoints OFS to act as, and OFS agrees to
act as, (i) transfer agent for the authorized and issued shares of common
stock of the Trust representing interests in each of the respective Funds
and Classes thereof (“Shares”), (ii) dividend disbursing agent and (iii)
agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar plans
provided to the registered owners of shares of any of the Funds
(“Shareholders”) and set out in the currently effective prospectuses and
statements of additional information of the applicable Fund, including,
without limitation, any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal
program.
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(b)
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Document
Delivery. In
connection therewith, upon OFS’ request, the Trust has delivered to OFS
copies of:
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(i)
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the
Trust’s Declaration of Trust, Trust Instrument and By-laws (collectively,
as amended from time to time, “Organic
Documents”),
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(ii)
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the
Trust’s Registration Statement and all amendments thereto filed with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)(the “Registration
Statement”),
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3
(iii)
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the
current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of each Fund
(collectively, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented, the
“Prospectus”),
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(iv)
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each
current plan of distribution or similar document adopted by the Trust
under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“Plan”) and each current shareholder
service plan or similar document adopted by the Trust (“Service Plan”),
and
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(c)
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Amendments. The Trust
shall promptly furnish OFS with all amendments of or supplements to the
foregoing and shall deliver to OFS a certified copy of the resolution of
the Board of Directors of the Trust (the “Board”) appointing OFS and
authorizing the execution and delivery of this
Agreement.
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2.
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DUTIES
OF OFS
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(a)
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Transfer
Agency Services. In accordance
with procedures established from time to time by agreement between the
Trust on behalf of each of the Funds, as applicable, and OFS, OFS will
perform the following services:
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(i)
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provide
the services of a transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and, as
relevant, agent in connection with accumulation, open-account or similar
plans (including without limitation any periodic investment plan or
periodic withdrawal program) that are customary for open-end management
investment companies including:
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(a)
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maintaining
all Shareholder accounts;
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(b)
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preparing
Shareholder meeting lists;
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(c)
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mailing
Shareholder reports and prospectuses to current
Shareholders;
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(d)
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withholding
taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident alien
accounts;
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(e)
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preparing
and filing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate forms
required by federal authorities with respect to distributions for
Shareholders;
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(f)
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preparing
and mailing confirmation forms and statements of account to Shareholders
for all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirmable
transactions in Shareholder accounts;
and,
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(g)
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providing
account information in response to inquiries from
Shareholders.
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(ii)
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Receive
for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares, and promptly deliver
payment and appropriate documentation therefore to the Custodian of the
Fund authorized by the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Custodian”);
or, in the case of a Fund’s operating in a master-feeder or fund of funds
structure, to the transfer agent or interest-holder record keeper for the
master portfolios in which the Fund
invests;
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(iii)
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pursuant
to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares and hold such
Shares in the appropriate Shareholder
account;
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(iv)
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receive
for acceptance redemption requests and deliver the appropriate
documentation therefore to the Custodian or, in the case of Fund’s
operating in a master-feeder or fund of funds structure, to the transfer
agent or interest-holder record keeper for the master portfolios in which
the Fund invests;
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4
(v)
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as
and when it receives monies paid to it by the Custodian with respect to
any redemption, pay the redemption proceeds as required by the Prospectus
pursuant to which the redeemed Shares were offered and as instructed by
the redeeming Shareholders;
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(vi)
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effect
transfers of Shares upon receipt of appropriate instructions from
Shareholders;
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(vii)
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prepare
and transmit to Shareholders (or credit the appropriate Shareholder
accounts) payments for all distributions declared by the Trust with
respect to Shares;
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(viii)
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issue
share certificates and replacement share certificates for those share
certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed upon receipt
by OFS of indemnification satisfactory to OFS and protecting OFS and the
Trust and, at the option of OFS, issue replacement certificates in place
of mutilated share certificates upon presentation thereof without
requiring indemnification;
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(ix)
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receive
from Shareholders or debit Shareholder accounts for sales commissions,
including contingent deferred, deferred and other sales charges, and
service fees (i.e., wire redemption
charges) and prepare and transmit payments to underwriters, selected
dealers and others for commissions and service fees
received;
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(x)
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record
the issuance of shares of the Fund and maintain pursuant to SEC Rule
17Ad-10(e) a record of the total number of shares of the Fund which are
authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and
outstanding.
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(xi)
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provide
a system, which will enable the Trust to calculate the total number of
Shares of each Fund and Class thereof sold in each
State.
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(b)
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Other
Services. OFS shall
provide the following additional services on behalf of the Trust and such
other services agreed to in writing by the Trust and
OFS:
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(i)
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monitor
and make appropriate filings with respect to the escheatment laws of the
various states and territories of the United States;
and
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(c)
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Blue Sky
Matters. The Trust
or its administrator or other agent
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(i)
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shall
identify to OFS in writing those transactions and assets to be treated as
exempt from reporting for each state and territory of the United States
and for each foreign jurisdiction (collectively “States”);
and
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(ii)
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shall
monitor the sales activity with respect to Shareholders domiciled or
resident in each State.
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(d)
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Safekeeping. OFS shall
establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to
the Trust for the safekeeping, control, preparation and use of share
certificates, check forms, and facsimile signature imprinting
devices. OFS shall establish and maintain facilities and
procedures reasonably acceptable to the Trust for safekeeping of all
records maintained by OFS pursuant to this
Agreement.
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5
(e)
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Cooperation
with Accountants. OFS shall
cooperate with each Fund’s independent public accountants and shall take
reasonable action to make all necessary information available to the
accountants for the performance of the accountants’
duties.
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(f)
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Responsibility
for Compliance with Law
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(i)
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In
General. Except with respect to OFS’ duties as set forth
in this Section 2 and except as otherwise specifically provided herein,
the Trust assumes all responsibility for ensuring that the Trust complies
with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the 1940 Act and
any laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities with
jurisdiction over the Trust. All references to any law in this
Agreement shall be deemed to include reference to the applicable rules and
regulations promulgated under authority of the law and all official
interpretations of such law or rules or
regulations.
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(ii)
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Issuance of
Shares. The responsibility of OFS for the Trust’s state
registration status is solely limited to the reporting of transactions to
the Trust, and OFS shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance
of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of
any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions
shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust or its administrator or
other agent.
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3.
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RECORDKEEPING
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(a)
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Record
keeping. OFS shall
keep records relating to the services to be performed under this
Agreement, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable and as required
by applicable law. To the extent required by Section 31 of the
1940 Act, and the rules there under, OFS agrees that all such records
prepared or maintained by OFS relating to the services to be performed by
OFS under this Agreement are the property of the Trust and will be
preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with Section 31 of
the 1940 Act and the rules there under, and will be surrendered promptly
to the Trust on and in accordance with the Trust’s request. The
Trust and the Trust’s authorized representatives shall have access to OFS’
records relating to the services to be performed under this Agreement at
all times during OFS’ normal business hours. Upon the
reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such records shall be
provided promptly by OFS to the Trust or its authorized
representatives.
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(b)
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Confidentiality
of Records. OFS and the
Trust agree that all books, records, information, and data pertaining to
the business of the other party, which are exchanged or received pursuant
to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement, shall remain
confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person,
except as may be required by law.
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Orbitex
will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Trust pursuant to Title V of
the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, as may be modified from time to time (the
“Act”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Orbitex will not share any
nonpublic personal information concerning any of the Trust’s shareholders with
any third party unless specifically directed by the Trust or allowed under one
of the exceptions noted under the Act.
(c)
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Inspection
of Records by Others. In case of
any requests or demands for the inspection of the Shareholder records of
the Fund, OFS will endeavor to notify the Fund and to secure instructions
from an authorized officer of the Fund as to such
inspection. OFS reserves the right, however, to exhibit the
Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel
that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder
records to such person, and shall promptly notify the Fund of any unusual
request to inspect or copy the shareholder records of the Fund or the
receipt of any other unusual request to inspect, copy or produce the
records of the Fund.
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6
4.
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ISSUANCE
AND TRANSFER OF SHARES
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(a)
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Issuance of
Shares. OFS shall
make original issues of Shares of each Fund and Class thereof in
accordance with the Trust’s then current prospectus only upon receipt
of
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(i)
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instructions
requesting the issuance,
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(ii)
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a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board authorizing the
issuance,
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(iii)
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necessary
funds for the payment of any original issue tax applicable to such Shares,
and
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(iv)
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an
opinion of the Trust’s counsel as to the legality and validity of the
issuance, which opinion may provide that it is contingent upon the filing
by the Trust of an appropriate notice with the SEC, as required by Section
24 of the 1940 Act or the rules there under. If such opinion is
contingent upon a filing under Section 24 of the 1940 Act, the Trust shall
indemnify OFS for any liability arising from the failure of the Trust to
comply with that section or the rules there
under.
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(b)
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Transfer of
Shares. Transfers
of Shares of each Fund and Class thereof shall be registered on the
Shareholder records maintained by OFS. In registering transfers
of Shares, OFS may rely upon the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in
the State of New York or any other statutes that, in the opinion of OFS’
counsel, protect OFS and the Trust from liability arising
from:
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(i)
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not
requiring complete documentation;
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(ii)
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registering
a transfer without an adverse claim
inquiry;
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(iii)
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delaying
registration for purposes of such inquiry;
or,
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(iv)
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refusing
registration whenever an adverse claim requires such refusal. As Transfer
Agent, OFS will be responsible for delivery to the transferor and
transferee of such documentation as is required by the Uniform Commercial
Code.
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5.
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SHARE
PURCHASES; ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE
DISTRIBUTIONS
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(a)
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Purchase
Orders. Shares
shall be issued in accordance with the terms of a Fund’s or Class’
prospectus after OFS or its agent receives
either:
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(i)
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(A)
an instruction directing investment in a Fund or Class, (B) a check (other
than a third party check) or a wire or other electronic payment in the
amount designated in the instruction and (C), in the case of an initial
purchase, a completed account application;
or,
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(ii)
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the
information required for purchases pursuant to a selected dealer
agreement, processing organization agreement, or a similar contract with a
financial intermediary.
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(b)
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Distribution
Eligibility. Shares issued in
a Fund after receipt of a completed purchase order shall be eligible to
receive distributions of the Fund at the time specified in the prospectus
pursuant to which the Shares are
offered.
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(c)
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Determination
of Federal Funds. Shareholder
payments shall be considered Federal Funds no later than on the day
indicated below unless other times are noted in the prospectus of the
applicable Class or Fund:
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7
(i)
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for
a wire received, at the time of the receipt of the
wire;
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(ii)
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for
a check drawn on a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, on the
second Fund Business Day following receipt of the check;
and
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(iii)
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for
a check drawn on an institution that is not a member of the Federal
Reserve System, at such time as OFS is credited with Federal Funds with
respect to that check.
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6.
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FEES
AND EXPENSES
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(a)
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Fees. For the
services provided by OFS pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf
of each Fund, agrees to pay OFS the fees set forth in Schedule A. Fees
will begin to accrue for each Fund on the latter of the date of this
Agreement or the date of commencement of operations of the
Fund.
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(b)
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Expenses. In addition
to the fees paid under subsection (a), the Trust agrees to reimburse OFS
for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by OFS for the
items set out in the Schedule A attached hereto. In addition,
the Trust will reimburse any other expenses incurred by OFS at the request
or with the consent of the Trust.
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(c)
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Due
Date. All fees
and expenses are due and payable within five (5) days of
receipt. Interest, at a rate of eighteen (18) percent per year,
can be charged if invoices remain outstanding greater than ten (20)
days.
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(d)
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Fee
Changes. The fees,
out-of pocket expenses and advances identified in the foregoing
subsections (a) and (b) above may be changed from time to time subject to
mutual written agreement between the Trust and
OFS.
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7.
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
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(a)
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Representations
of OFS. OFS represents
and warrants to the Trust that:
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(i)
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it
is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of New York;
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(ii)
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it
is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of New
York;
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(iii)
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it
is empowered under applicable laws and by its Article of Incorporation and
Bylaws to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this
Agreement;
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(iv)
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it
has access to the necessary facilities, equipment, and personnel to
perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
and,
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(v)
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it
is registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and shall continue to be registered throughout the
remainder of this Agreement.
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8
(b)
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Representations
of the Trust. The Fund
represents and warrants to OFS that
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(i)
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it
is a Trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws
of the Trust;
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(ii)
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it
is empowered under applicable laws and by its Organic Documents to enter
into and perform this Agreement;
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(iii)
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all
proceedings required by said Organic Documents have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
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(iv)
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it
is an open-end management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940;
and,
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(v)
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a
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 is currently
effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities law
filings as required, have been or will be made and will continue to be
made, with respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for
sale.
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8.
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STANDARD
OF CARE AND INDEMNIFICATION
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(a)
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Standard of
Care. OFS
shall be under no duty to take any action except as specifically set forth
herein or as may be specifically agreed to by OFS in
writing. OFS shall use its best judgment and efforts in
rendering the services described in this Agreement. OFS shall
not be liable to the Trust or any of the Corporation’s shareholders or any
action or inaction of OFS relating to any event whatsoever in the absence
of bad faith, willful misfeasance or negligence in the performance of
OFS’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or by reason of OFS’
reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.
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(b)
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Indemnification
of OFS. OFS shall
not be responsible for, and the Trust shall on behalf of each applicable
Fund or Class thereof indemnify and hold OFS harmless from and against,
any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees,
payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable
to:
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(i)
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all
actions of OFS or its agents or subcontractors required to be taken
pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in good
faith and without negligence or willful misconduct; the Trust’s lack of
good faith or the Trust’s negligence or willful
misconduct;
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(ii)
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the
reliance on or use by OFS or its agents or subcontractors of information,
records or documents which (i) are received by OFS or its agents or
subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf of the Fund, and (ii)
have been prepared or maintained by the Trust or any other person or firm
on behalf of the Trust, including but not limited to any previous transfer
agent or registrar;
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(iii)
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the
reasonable reliance on, or the carrying out by OFS or its agents or
subcontractors of, any instructions or requests of the Trust on behalf of
the applicable Fund;
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(iv)
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the
Fund’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or
which arise out of the Fund’s lack good faith, negligence or willful
misconduct or which arise out of the breach of any representation or
warranty of the Fund hereunder and,
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9
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(v)
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the
offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the Federal
securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of
any State that such Shares be registered in such State or in violation of
any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or
any State with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such
State.
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The Trust shall not be required to
indemnify any OFS Indemnitee if, prior to confessing any Claim against the OFS
Indemnitee, OFS or the OFS Indemnitee does not give the Trust written notice of
and reasonable opportunity to defend against the claim in its own name or in the
name of the OFS Indemnitee.
(c)
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Indemnification
of the Trust. OFS shall
indemnify and hold the Trust and each Fund or Class thereof harmless from
and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable
counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or
attributed to any action or failure or omission to act by OFS as a result
of OFS’s lack of good faith, negligence or willful misconduct with respect
to the services performed under or in connection with this
Agreement.
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(d)
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Reliance. At any time
OFS may apply to any officer of the Trust for instructions, and may
consult with legal counsel to the Trust or to OFS with respect to any
matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by OFS
under this Agreement, and OFS and its agents or subcontractors shall not
be liable and shall be indemnified by the Trust on behalf of the
applicable Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in reasonable
reliance upon such instructions or upon the advice of such
counsel. OFS, its agents and subcontractors shall be protected
and indemnified in acting upon:
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(i)
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any
paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Trust, reasonably
believed by OFS to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person
or persons;
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(ii)
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any
instruction, information, data, records or documents provided OFS or its
agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry
or other similar means authorized by the Trust;
and,
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(iii)
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any
authorization, instruction, approval, item or set of data, or information
of any kind transmitted to OFS in person or by telephone, vocal telegram
or other electronic means, reasonably believed by OFS to be genuine and to
have been given by the proper person or persons. OFS shall not
be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until
receipt of written notice thereof from the Trust. OFS, its agents and
subcontractors shall also be protected and indemnified in recognizing
share certificates which are reasonably believed to bear the proper manual
or facsimile signatures of the officers of the Trust, and the proper
countersignature of any former transfer agent or former registrar or of a
co-transfer agent or co-registrar of the
Trust.
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(e)
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Reliance on
Electronic Instructions. If the
Trust has the ability to originate electronic instructions to OFS in order
to (i) effect the transfer or movement of cash or Shares or (ii) transmit
Shareholder information or other information, then in such event OFS shall
be entitled to rely on the validity and authenticity of such instruction
without undertaking any further inquiry as long as such instruction is
undertaken in conformity with security procedures established by OFS from
time to time.
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(f)
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Use of
Fund/Serv and Networking. The Trust
has authorized or in the future may authorize OFS to act as a “Mutual Fund
Services Member” for the Trust or various Funds and Classes. Fund/SERV and
Networking are services sponsored by the National Securities Clearing
Trust (“NSCC”) and as used herein have the meanings as set forth in the
then current edition of NSCC RULES AND PROCEDURES published by NSCC or
such other similar publication as may exist from time to
time. The Trust shall indemnify and hold OFS harmless from and
against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel
fees, payments, expenses and liability arising directly or indirectly out
of or attributed to any action or failure or omission to act by
NSCC.
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10
(g)
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Notification
of Claims. In order
that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section shall apply,
upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may be required to
indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly
notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party
advised with respect to all developments concerning such
claim. The party who may be required to indemnify shall have
the option to participate with the party seeking indemnification in the
defense of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own name or
in the name of the other party. The party seeking
indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise
in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it
except with the other party’s prior written
consent.
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9.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
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OFS and
the Trust agree that all books, records, information, and data pertaining to the
business of the other party, which are exchanged or received pursuant to the
negotiation or the carrying out this Agreement, shall remain confidential, and
shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except that OFS
may:
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(a)
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prepare
or assist in the preparation of periodic reports to shareholders and
regulatory bodies such as the SEC;
and
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(b)
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release
such other information as approved in writing by the Trust which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where OFS may
be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to
release the information, when requested to divulge such information by
duly constituted authorities or when so requested by the Trust or the
Adviser.
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10.
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PROPRIETARY
INFORMATION
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(a)
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Proprietary
Information of OFS. The Trust
acknowledges that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report
formats, interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals
maintained by OFS on databases under the control and ownership of OFS or a
third party constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary
information (collectively, “Proprietary Information”) of substantial value
to OFS or the third party. The Trust agrees to treat all
Proprietary Information as proprietary to OFS and further agrees that it
shall not divulge any Proprietary Information to any person or
organization except as may be provided under this
Agreement.
|
(b)
|
Proprietary
Information of the Trust. OFS
acknowledges that the Shareholder list and all information related to
Shareholders furnished to OFS by the Trust or by a Shareholder in
connection with this Agreement (collectively, “Customer Data”) constitute
proprietary information of substantial value to the Trust. In
no event shall Proprietary Information be deemed Customer Data. OFS agrees
to treat all Customer Data as proprietary to the Trust and further agrees
that it shall not divulge any Customer Data to any person or organization
except as may be provided under this Agreement or as maybe directed by the
Trust.
|
11
11.
|
EFFECTIVENESS,
DURATION, AND TERMINATION
|
(a)
|
Effective
Date. This
Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall
continue in effect for successive twelve month periods; provided that such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the members of
the board of the Trust.
|
(b)
|
Term. This
Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two (2) years from the
date of its effectiveness.
|
(c)
|
Termination
for Cause. This
Agreement can only be terminated for just
cause.
|
|
Upon
receipt of written notice of intent to terminate, the breaching party
shall have 60 days to remedy the breach. If said breach is not
remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of the non-breaching party, the
non-breaching party may thereafter terminate this Agreement upon 30 day’s
written notice. Compensation due OFS and unpaid by the Trust
upon such termination shall be immediately due and payable upon, and
notwithstanding, such termination. If after such termination
for so long as OFS, with the written consent of the Trust, in fact
continues to perform any one or more of the services contemplated by this
Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation,
the provisions dealing with indemnification, shall continue in full force
and effect. The termination restrictions of this paragraph
shall not be applicable to any Fund(s) that is/are liquidated or to any
Fund(s) that is/are merged into another Fund(s) that is/are covered by the
terms of this paragraph.
|
(d)
|
Reimbursement
of OFS’ Expenses. If this
Agreement is terminated with respect to a Fund or Funds, OFS shall be
entitled to collect from the Fund or Funds, in addition to the
compensation described under Sections 6 and 11(d) hereof, the amount of
all of OFS’ reasonable labor charges and cash disbursements for services
in connection with OFS’ activities in effecting such termination,
including without limitation, the labor costs and expenses associated with
the de-conversion of the Trusts records of each Fund from its computer
systems, and the delivery to the Trust and/or its designees of the Trust’s
property, records, instruments and documents, or any copies thereof.
Subsequent to such termination, for a reasonable fee, OFS will provide the
Trust with reasonable access to all Trust documents or records, if any,
remaining in its possession.
|
(e)
|
Survival of
Certain Obligations. The
obligations of Sections 6, 9, 10 and 11 shall survive any termination of
this Agreement.
|
(f)
|
Force
Majeure. In the event either party is unable to perform
its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God,
strikes, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its
control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall
not be liable for damages to the other for any damages resulting from such
failure to perform or otherwise from such
causes.
|
12.
|
ADDITIONAL
FUNDS AND CLASSES
|
If the
Trust establishes one or more series of Shares or one or more classes of Shares
after the effectiveness of this Agreement, such series of Shares or classes of
Shares, as the case may be, shall become Funds and Classes under this Agreement;
provided, however, that
either OFS or the Trust may elect in writing not to make such series or classes
subject to this Agreement.
12
13.
|
ASSIGNMENT
|
Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any rights or
obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by either party with the
written consent of the other party. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted
successors and assigns. OFS may, without further consent on the part
of the Trust, subcontract for the performance hereof with any entity, including
affiliated persons of OFS; provided however, that OFS shall have previously
identified the subcontractor to the Trust and the Trust shall not have objected
to the delegation and that OFS shall be as fully responsible to the Trust for
the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as OFS is for its own acts and
omissions.
14.
|
TAXES
|
OFS shall
not be liable for any taxes, assessments or governmental charges that may be
levied or assessed on any basis whatsoever in connection with the Trust or any
Shareholder or any purchase of Shares, excluding taxes assessed against OFS for
compensation received by it under this Agreement.
15.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
(a)
|
Amendments. 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 hereto.
|
(b)
|
Choice of
Law. This
Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under
and in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
|
(c)
|
Entire
Agreement. This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and
supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof
whether oral or written.
|
(d)
|
Counterparts. The parties
may execute this Agreement on any number of counterparts, and all of the
counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same
instrument.
|
(e)
|
Severability. If any
part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in
conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or
portions shall be considered severable and not be affected, and the rights
and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the
Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to
be illegal or invalid.
|
(f)
|
Headings. Section and
paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and
are not to be used to construe or interpret this
Agreement.
|
13
(g)
|
Notices. All notices
and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed to
have been given when received or when sent by telex or facsimile, and
shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to
which notice is given):
|
To
the Fund:
|
To
OFS:
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
Secretary
|
President
|
Orbitex
Fund Services, Inc.
|
|
0000
X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxx, Xxxxx 000
|
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
|
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
(h)
|
Business
Days. Nothing
contained in this Agreement is intended to or shall require OFS, in any
capacity hereunder, to perform any functions or duties on any day other
than a Fund Business Day. Functions or duties normally
scheduled to be performed on any day, which is not a Fund Business Day,
shall be performed on, and as of, the next Fund Business Day, unless
otherwise required by law.
|
(i)
|
Distinction
of Funds. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the assets
and liabilities of each Fund of the Trust are separate and distinct from
the assets and liabilities of each other Fund and that no Fund shall be
liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any
other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or
otherwise.
|
(j)
|
Consequential
Damages. Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable
to the other party for consequential damages under any provision of this
Agreement or for any act or failure to act
hereunder.
|
(k)
|
Nonliability
of Affiliates. No
affiliated person (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act), employee,
agent, director, officer or manager of OFS shall be liable at law or in
equity for OFS’ obligations under this
Agreement.
|
(l)
|
Representation
of Signatories. Each of the
undersigned expressly warrants and represents that they have full power
and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated and
that their signature will bind the party indicated to the terms
hereof.
|
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in
their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized persons, as
of the day and year first above written.
ADVISORS SERIES TRUST | ORBITEX FUND SERVICES, INC. | |
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx | By:/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, President | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, President |
14
SCHEDULE
A
Fees
and Account Charges
For the
services rendered by OFS in its capacity as transfer agent, the Fund shall pay
OFS a fee, calculated as a combination of account maintenance charges plus
transaction charges as follows:
A.
|
TRANSFER
AGENT FEES
|
|
1.
|
DATA CONVERSION FEE FROM
PREVIOUS TRANSFER AGENT: minimum $2,500 or $4 per
account.
|
|
2.
|
SERVICE
FEE:
|
Charge
per account:
$15.00
annual fee per open account and $3.60 annual fee per closed account with a
minimum of $18,000 annually per fund, PLUS out-of-pocket expenses.
Monthly
Calculation: Greater of Monthly Account Fees or ($1,500 per month per
fund) PLUS out-of-pocket expenses. Monthly Account Fees determined by
(number of open accounts* annual fee + number of closed accounts * annual
fee)/12.
Out-of-pocket expenses:
The trust shall reimburse
ODS for all out-of-pocket expenses, including, but not limited to the
following:
1)
|
Telephone
and Toll Free Lines
|
2)
|
Printing
Fund Documents
|
3)
|
Bank
Fees
|
4)
|
NSCC
Charges
|
5)
|
Postage
|
6)
|
Pre
and Post Sale Fulfillment
|
7)
|
Proxy
Services
|
8)
|
Travel
Requested by the Trust
|
9)
|
Tax
Reporting
|
10)
|
Record
Storage
|
11)
|
Fund
Stationary and Supplies
|
12)
|
All
other out of pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the
trust
|
|
3.
|
DATA DE-CONVERSION FEE UPON
CANCELLATION OR
TERMINATION: $10,000
|
|
This
data de-conversion fee shall be payable only in the event of termination
of this Agreement by the Trust prior to the end of the initial two year
term of the Agreement.
|
Both
the Data Conversion fee and the Data De-Conversion fee are one-time
charges.
15
B.
|
ACTIVITY
CHARGES
|
1. 24
HOUR AUTOMATED VOICE RESPONSE:
|
1)
|
Initial
set-up (one-time) charge:
|
$750.00
per fund
|
|
2)
|
Monthly
charge:
|
$50.00
per fund
|
|
3)
|
Customer
Service Calls:
|
$2.50
per call
|
|
4)
|
Manual
Transactions:
|
$1.00
per transaction
|
|
5)
|
New
Account Opening (manual)
|
$5.00
per account
|
|
6)
|
New
Account Opening (electronic)
|
$0.40
per account
|
|
7)
|
12b-1
Calc. Per CUSIP Per Month
|
$625.00
per instance
|
|
8)
|
Incoming
XXX transfer from prior custodian
|
$25.00
|
|
9)
|
XXX
Transfer to successor custodian
|
$25.00
|
|
2.
|
INTERNET
ACCESS:
|
Each Shareholder/adviser/broker hit
billed at $0.25 per hit.
|
3.
|
ISSUANCE
OF SHARE CERTIFICATES:
|
For each
share certificate issued by ODS, a $15.00 charge will be assessed to the Fund
for which the certificate was issued.
|
4.
|
XXX
PLAN FEES:
|
The
following fees will be charged directly to the shareholder account:
Annual
maintenance fee ............................................$15.00 /account
*
*
Includes Bank Custody Fee.
C.
|
SPECIAL
REPORTS CHARGES
|
All
special reports and/or analyses requested by the Trust, shall be subject to an
additional charge, agreed upon in advance, based upon the following
rates:
ODS
Senior staff
|
$150.00/hr.
|
ODS
Junior staff
|
$ 75.00/hr.
|
MIS
staff
|
$200.00/hr.
|
D.
|
SERVICE
DEPOSIT
|
The Fund will remit to OFS a service
deposit equal to one (1) month's minimum fee under this Agreement, for each new
portfolio added to Schedule B of this Agreement. The Fund will have
the option to have the service deposit applied to the last month's service fee,
or applied to any new contract between the Fund and OFS. The Fund
will be charged only once for the service deposit, upon the execution of the
first original Agreement and that deposit shall apply to the Fund’s Agreement
thereafter until the relationship between OFS and the Fund is
terminated.
However,
if the Fund elects or is forced to terminate this Agreement for any reason other
than a material breach by OFS (including, but not limited to, the voluntary or
involuntary termination of the Fund, liquidation of the Fund’s assets, the sale
or merger of the Fund or it’s assets to any successor entity) prior to the
termination date of this Agreement as specified in Paragraph 11 of this
Agreement, the Fund will forfeit the Service Deposit paid to OFS upon execution
of this Agreement.
16
SCHEDULE
B
Funds
and Classes to be Serviced under this Agreement
XxXxxxxx
Fund
17