AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS AMERICAN BEACON MILEAGE FUNDS AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit (e)(1)
AGREEMENT made as of the 31st day of March 2009, by and between American Beacon
Funds, American Beacon Mileage Funds and American Beacon Select Funds, each a Massachusetts
business trust that acts as an open-end investment company, with its principal office and place of
business at 4151 Xxxx Xxxxxx Blvd., MD 2450, Xxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 (each a “Client” and,
collectively, the “Clients”), and Foreside Fund Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
with its principal office and place of business at Three Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
(“Foreside”).
WHEREAS, the Clients are each registered under the 1940 Act (as defined below) as an open-end
management investment company that issues or intends to issue shares of beneficial interest (the
“Shares”), in separate funds and classes;
WHEREAS, the Clients offer Shares in the funds as listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the
funds, together with all other funds subsequently established by the Clients and made subject to
this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.7 of this Agreement being herein referred to as a
“Fund” and collectively as the “Funds’”) and the Clients intend to offer shares of various classes
of each Fund as listed in Schedule 1 hereto (each such class together with all other
classes subsequently established by the Clients in a Fund in accordance with Section 7.7 of this
Agreement being herein referred to as a “Class” and collectively as the “Classes”); and
WHEREAS, the Clients desire that Foreside offer, as distributor, the Shares of each Fund and
Class thereof to the public and Foreside is willing to provide those services on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement in order to promote the growth of the Funds and facilitate
the distribution of the Shares;
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained
herein, the Clients and Foreside hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS; APPOINTMENT; DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
1.1 Frequently Used Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the
following meanings:
(a) | “1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. | ||
(b) | “Adviser” means American Beacon Advisors, Inc., the adviser to each of the Funds listed in Schedule 1 hereto. |
(c) | “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with such Person; for purposes hereof, “control” of a Person means (i) ownership of, or possession of the right to vote, more than 25% of the outstanding voting equity of that person or (ii) the right to control the appointment of the board of directors, management or executive officers of that person. | ||
(d) | “Agreement” means this Agreement and any appendices and schedules attached hereto, in each case as they may be amended from time to time. | ||
(e) | “Authorized Person(s)” means the persons described or listed on Schedule 2 hereto. | ||
(f) | “Conduct Rules” means the Conduct Rules of the NASD. | ||
(g) | “Class” and “Classes” have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. | ||
(h) | “Clients” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and includes successors-in-interest; unless the context shall require otherwise, references to the Clients shall include any Funds or Classes thereof. | ||
(i) | “Effective Date” means the date first set forth above. | ||
(j) | “Governing Body” means, for any entity, the Person or body of Persons governing the operations of the entity under its Organic Documents (for example, if the entity is a corporation, its board of directors). | ||
(k) | “Foreside” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and includes successors-in-interest. | ||
(1) | “Fund” and “Funds” have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. | ||
(m) | “Instruction” means any oral and written notice or statement directing action or inaction, including any such notice or statement transmitted to Foreside (i) in electronic format by machine readable input, electronic mail, CRT data entry or other similar means, or (ii) in person or by telephone, telecopy, vocal telegram or similar means. | ||
(n) | “Laws” means any statutes, rules and regulations of any governmental authority and applicable judicial or regulatory interpretations thereof including without limitation the Conduct Rules of the NASD. | ||
(o) | “NASD” means the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. |
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(p) | ‘NSCC” means the National Securities Clearing Corporation. | ||
(q) | “Organic Documents” means, for any entity, the documents pursuant to which the entity was formed as a legal entity, as such documents may be amended from time to time. | ||
(r) | “Parties” means the Clients and Foreside. | ||
(s) | “Person” means any natural person or incorporated or unincorporated entity. | ||
(t) | “Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a). | ||
(u) | “Predecessor Records” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b). (v) “Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a). | ||
(w) | “Registration Statement” means a registration statement filed under the Securities with respect to the Shares, as amended from time to time. | ||
(x) | “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor governmental authority. | ||
(y) | “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. | ||
(z) | “Servicing Agent” has the meaning in Section 2.3. | ||
(aa) | “Service Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a). | ||
(bb) | “Services” means the services provided by Foreside to the Clients set forth in Section 2.4. | ||
(cc) | “Services Commencement Date” means, with respect to any Fund or Class thereof, (i) if the registration statement of the Fund or Class is effective as of the Effective Date, then such Effective Date; (ii), if such registration statement is not effective as of the Effective Date, then the date such registration statement is declared effective; or (iii) such other date as may be agreed in writing by the Parties. | ||
(dd) | “Shareholder” means any Person that holds Shares of record. | ||
(ee) | “Shares” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. | ||
(ff) | “State” means any of the various states and territories of the United States. |
Other capitalized terms used but not defined in this Section 1.1 shall have the meanings set forth
in this Agreement.
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1.2 Appointment. The Clients hereby appoint Foreside to act as distributor for the period and on
the terms set forth in this Agreement, and Foreside hereby accepts such appointment and in
connection with such appointment agrees to provide the Services on the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement, subject to applicable Laws, Organic Documents and the current Registration
Statement of each Clients.
SECTION 2. OFFERING AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES; FORESIDE’S DUTIES; OTHER RELATED TERMS AND
CONDITIONS
2.1. Offering of Shares.
(a) Foreside shall act as the Clients’ agent to offer, and to solicit offers to subscribe
to, unsold Shares of the Funds as shall then be effectively registered under the Securities
Act. Foreside will promptly forward all orders and subscriptions to the Clients, or their
designated agent. The price at which Foreside shall offer the Shares shall be the net asset
value per Share, determined as set forth in Section 2.1(b) hereof. The Clients reserve the
right to sell Shares directly to investors through subscriptions received by the Clients.
(b) The public offering price of the Shares of a Fund (i.e., the price per Share at
which Foreside or Servicing Agents may offer or sell Shares to the public or to those
persons eligible to invest in Shares as described in the applicable Prospectus) shall be the
public offering price determined in accordance with the then-currently effective
Prospectus of the Fund or Class thereof under the Securities Act relating to such Shares.
The Clients will advise Foreside of the net asset value per Share at each time as the net
asset value per Share shall have been determined by the Clients and at such other times as
Foreside may reasonably request.
(c) The net asset value per Share of each Fund or Class thereof shall be determined
by the Clients, or their designated agent, in accordance with and at the times indicated in
the applicable Prospectus in accordance with the method set forth in the Prospectus and
guidelines established by the Clients’ Governing Body.
(d) The Clients reserve the right to suspend the offering of Shares of a Fund or of any
Class thereof at any time in the absolute discretion of their Governing Body, and upon
notice of such suspension Foreside shall cease to offer Shares of the Funds or Classes
thereof specified in the notice.
(e) The Clients, or any agent of the Clients designated in writing to Foreside by the
Clients, shall be promptly advised by Foreside or Servicing Agents of all purchase orders
for Shares received by Foreside or such Servicing Agents, and all such subscriptions for
Shares obtained by Foreside as agent shall be directed to the Clients or their agent for
acceptance and shall not be binding until accepted by the Clients. The Clients, in their
discretion, may refuse to accept any order for the purchase of shares that Foreside or
Servicing Agents may tender to it. Foreside acknowledges that the Clients seek to avoid
so called “market timers” and may reject or refuse to accept or confirm orders or
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subscriptions from any persons who exhibit or who may exhibit market timing behavior. The
Clients or their designated agent will confirm orders and subscriptions upon their receipt,
will make appropriate book entries and, upon receipt by the Clients or their designated
agent of payment thereof, will issue such Shares in uncertificated form pursuant to the
instructions of Foreside.
(f) None of Foreside, any Servicing Agent or any other person is authorized by the Clients
to give any information or to make any representations other than as is contained in a
Fund’s Prospectus or any advertising materials or sales literature specifically approved
in writing by the Clients or their agents.
2.2. Repurchase and Redemption of Shares.
(a) Any of the outstanding Shares of a Fund or Class thereof may be tendered for
redemption at any time, and the Clients agree to redeem or repurchase the Shares so
tendered in accordance with their obligations as set forth in the Organic Documents and
the Prospectus relating to the Shares. The price to be paid to redeem or repurchase the
Shares of a Fund or Class thereof shall be equal to the net asset value calculated in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1 (b) hereof less any redemption fees or other
applicable fees or expenses as set forth in the then-current Prospectus.
(b) The Clients or their designated agent shall pay (i) the total amount of the
redemption price consisting of the redemption price after applicable redemption or other
fees and (ii) except as may be otherwise required by the Conduct Rules and any
interpretations thereof, in accordance with Foreside’s instructions, on or before the
seventh day (or such other earlier business day as is customary in the investment
company industry) subsequent to the Clients or their agent having received the notice of
redemption in proper form.
(c) Redemption of Shares or payment therefor may be suspended at times when the
New York Stock Exchange is closed for any reason other than its customary weekend or
holiday closings, when trading thereon is restricted, when an emergency exists as a result
of which disposal by the Clients of securities owned by a Fund is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Clients fairly to determine the
value of a Fund’s net assets, or during any other period when the SEC so requires or permits.
2.3. Servicing Agents.
At the request of the Clients, Foreside shall enter into Servicing Agent agreements with
securities dealers, depository institutions and other financial intermediaries for the purpose of
facilitating the offer, sale and redemption of Shares by Shareholders; provided, that the
Clients and the Clients’ Adviser shall pre-approve the forms of agreements with Servicing Agents
and shall have the right to approve any compensation set forth therein or any material changes
from such pre-approved forms. Shares of each Fund or Class thereof shall be offered and resold by
Servicing Agents only at the public offering prices and under the terms set forth in the
Prospectus relating to the Shares. Within the United States, Foreside shall enter into Servicing
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Agent agreements only with members in good standing of the NASD or financial intermediaries
otherwise exempt from registration as a broker-dealer for receiving transaction based
compensation, such as banks and trust companies.
2.4. Foreside’s Services and Duties; Exclusivity.
(a) Foreside shall use reasonable efforts to solicit orders to purchase Shares of the
Funds upon the terms and conditions contained herein and in the then current Prospectus.
Foreside shall devote reasonable time and effort to effect sales of Shares but shall not be
obligated to sell any specific number of Shares.
(b) Foreside shall maintain its registration as a broker-dealer in all States. Foreside
will notify the Clients immediately if it ceases maintaining registration in advance of any
required filing or renewal date.
(c) In performing its services under this Agreement, Foreside shall conform in all
respects with the requirements of all Federal and State Laws relating to the offer and sale
of the Shares.
(d) Foreside shall, at the request of the Clients (i) attempt to maintain active
agreements with any Servicing Agents related to the servicing of the Funds that, prior to
the Effective Date of this Agreement, acted in similar capacities for a Fund, and (ii)
assist
the Adviser to the Fund in obtaining additional agreements with broker-dealers and other
financial intermediaries.
(e) Foreside shall maintain membership with the NSCC and any other similar
successor organization to sponsor a participant number for the Funds so as to enable the
Shares to be traded through FundSERV. Foreside is not responsible for any operational
matters associated with FundSERV or Networking transactions.
(f) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to require Foreside to perform any
service that could cause Foreside to be deemed an investment adviser for purposes of the
1940 Act or the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
(g) Neither Foreside,, nor any other person acting on behalf of Foreside is authorized
to give any information or to make any representations other than as is contained in a
Fund’s Prospectus, statement of additional information, or any advertising materials or
sales literature specifically approve in writing by the Client or its agents.
(h) Except as specifically set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, Foreside assumes no
responsibility for compliance by the Clients with any Laws applicable to the Clients with
which Foreside has no role in achieving compliance; and, notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Foreside assumes no responsibility under this
Agreement to Clients or any other Person for compliance by the Clients or Foreside with the
Laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the United States.
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(i) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall require Foreside to perform any functions or
duties on any weekend day or on any other day on which the Clients does not accept
subscriptions and redemptions of its Shares (a “Business Day”). Functions or duties normally
scheduled to be performed on any day that is not a Business Day shall be performed on, and
as of, the next Business Day, unless otherwise required by applicable Law.
(j) Foreside shall be the exclusive representative of the Clients to act as distributor of
the Shares of the Funds and Classes, except that the rights given under this Agreement to
Foreside shall not apply to: (i) Shares issued in connection with the merger, consolidation
or reorganization of any other investment company or series or class thereof with a Fund or
Class thereof; (ii) a Fund’s acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all or substantially
all of the assets or stock of any other investment company or series or class thereof; (iii)
the reinvestment in Shares by a Fund’s shareholders of dividends or other distributions; or
(iv) any other offering by the Clients of securities to their shareholders.
2.5. Certain Documents; Changes in Law.
(a) Contemporaneous with the Effective Date, the Clients shall deliver to Foreside
copies of the following documents: (i) the Clients’s Organic Documents; (ii) the
Prospectuses for the Funds and Classes thereof (each, a “Prospectus”)’, and (iii) any
relevant policies and procedures adopted by the Clients pursuant to Rule 38a-l of the
1940 Act that are applicable to the services provided by Foresides. The Clients shall also
deliver to Foreside: (x) a copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Clients
(the “Board”) appointing Foreside and authorizing the execution and delivery of this
Agreement; and (y) any other documents, materials or information that Foreside shall
reasonably request to enable it to perform its duties pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) Clients shall deliver to Foreside as soon as is reasonably practical any and all
amendments to the documents required to be delivered under Section 2.5(a).
(c) In the event there is a change in Law related to or affecting the Services, Foreside
shall begin performing new service(s) as soon as such change is effective or enforceable.
If such new service(s) are materially different or more burdensome than the current level
of service(s), the parties shall agree to mutually acceptable policies and procedures for
such new service(s).
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2.6. Reliance on Instructions, Documents and Advice.
(a) With respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, Foreside may rely on (i)
with respect to any matter, advice or Instruction that it receives and that it reasonably
believes in good faith was transmitted by the Clients’s Governing Body or an Authorized
Person; or (ii) with respect to any factual matter, any signature, Instruction, request,
letter
of transmittal, certificate, opinion of counsel, statement, instrument, report, notice,
consent, order, or other document of or presented by any Person (including any
authorized representative(s) of any predecessor service providers to the Clients).
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, Foreside
shall have no duty or obligation to inquire into (i) the authenticity of any statement, oral
or written Instruction, resolution, signature, request, letter of transmittal, certificate,
opinion of counsel, instrument, report, notice, consent, order, or any other document or
instrument that Foreside reasonably believes in good faith to be genuine; or (ii) the
authority or lack thereof of any Person to represent or act as an agent for any other
Person, provided that Foreside reasonably believes in good faith that such authority
exists, and, provided, further, that with respect to Instructions of the Clients,
Foreside
may only rely on Instructions of the Clients’ Governing Body or Authorized Persons.
(c) Foreside may assume that any Instructions are not in any way inconsistent with
the Organizational Documents, the Prospectus, or any proceeding or resolution of the
Clients’ Governing Body or the Shareholders of the Clients, unless and until Foreside
receives written notice to the contrary from the Clients’ Governing Body or an
Authorized Person, and provided that Foreside makes reasonable inquiry into any
instructions if Foreside has doubts regarding the intention of any instructions.
(d) Absent specific written notice to the contrary, Foreside may assume that
Authorized Persons are authorized to deliver instructions relating to all or any matter
under this Agreement. The Clients’ Governing Body may at any time (i) change the list
of Authorized Persons or (ii) limit an Authorized Person’s authority upon delivery of
written notice from a representative thereof to Foreside.
(e) About any matter related to the Clients or the Services, Foreside may apply to any
Authorized Person for advice or Instructions.
Authorized Person for advice or Instructions.
(f) Nothing in this Section 2.6 shall be construed as imposing on Foreside any
obligation to seek advice or Instructions, or, subject to Section 3.1(b), to act in
accordance with such advice or Instructions if and when received.
2.7. Other Activities.
(a) Foreside may provide services similar to those provided under this Agreement for any
other Person on such terms as may be arranged with such Person, and Foreside shall not be
required to disclose to the Clients any fact or thing that may come to the knowledge of
Foreside in the course of so doing.
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2.8 Cooperation with Independent Auditors and Counsel. Foreside shall cooperate with
the independent auditor(s) and attorneys of the Clients and shall take reasonable action to make
all necessary information related to the Services available to such auditors and attorneys for the
performance of their duties.
2.9 Certain Responsibilities of the Clients. The Clients agree to:
(a) Comply in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the
Securities Act, Conduct Rules and all other Laws governing the issuance and sale of
Shares or otherwise applicable to the Clients.
(b) Prior to the Services Commencement Date, deliver or cause to be delivered to
Foreside all books, records and other documents relating to the Clients’s prior operations
and service providers, if any, that, in Foreside’s reasonable opinion, are necessary for
Foreside properly to provide the Services (collectively “Predecessor Records’”).
(c) Provide, and cause each other agent or service provider to the Clients to provide,
to Foreside all such information (and in such reasonable medium) that Foreside may
reasonably request in connection with the Services and this Agreement.
(d) Upon request, deliver to Foreside in advance of filing thereof with the SEC any
relevant portions of the Registration Statement in order to permit Foreside and its agents
to review and comment upon, at Foreside’s discretion, those portions thereof that
describe Foreside and Foreside’s duties and obligations under this Agreement, including
the indemnity provisions hereof, and the Clients shall not make any reference to Foreside
and such duties, obligations and indemnities in any Registration Statement without
Foreside’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(e) Upon request, furnish to Foreside copies of all financial statements and other
documents to be delivered to shareholders or investors within a reasonable period of time
prior to such delivery and shall furnish Foreside copies of all other financial statements,
documents and other papers or information which Foreside may reasonably request for
use in connection with the distribution of Shares. The Clients shall make available to
Foreside the number of copies of the Funds’ Prospectuses as Foreside shall reasonably
request.
(f) Cause the transfer agent for each Fund and Class, where necessary or appropriate,
to provide Foreside with any information that may be necessary for Foreside to perform
its duties under this Agreement.
(g) Advise Foreside as soon as reasonably possible: (i) of the issuance by the SEC of
any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Clients’ Registration Statement or any
Prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that puipose; or (ii) of the happening
of any material event which makes untrue any statement made in the Clients’
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Registration Statement or which requires the making of a change in either thereof in order
to make the statements therein not misleading,
SECTION 3. RECORDKEEPING; PROPRIETARY INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY
3.1 Predecessor Records; Ownership; Inspection; Successors.
(a) Predecessor Records received by Foreside pursuant to Section 2.9(b) shall be the
property of the Clients. The Clients and the Clients’s authorized representatives shall
have access to such Predecessor Records at all times during Foreside’s normal business
hours. Upon the reasonable advance request of the Clients or such authorized
representatives, copies of any such Predecessor Records shall be provided by Foreside, at
the Clients’s expense, to the Clients or their authorized representatives.
(b) If Foreside receives a request or demand from a third party to inspect any
Predecessor Records, Foreside will endeavor to notify the Clients and to secure
Instructions from the Clients or an Authorized Person about such inspection. Foreside
shall abide by such Instructions for granting or denying the inspection; provided,
that
Foreside may grant the inspection without Instructions or in contravention of specific
Instructions if Foreside is advised by counsel to Foreside or the Clients that failure to
do
so is substantially likely to result in liability to Foreside; and provided,
further, that in
such event, Foreside shall endeavor promptly to advise the Clients of such contrary
advice, to the extent practicable in advance of any actual inspection.
(d) Upon termination of this Agreement, Foreside shall, at the expense and direction of
the Clients, transfer to Clients or any successor service provider all Predecessor Records
in the electronic or other medium in which such material is then maintained by Foreside.
3.2 | Proprietary Information of Foreside. The Clients acknowledge that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals maintained by Foreside on databases under the control and ownership of Foreside or a third party constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, “Proprietary Information”) of substantial importance to Foreside or the third party. The Clients agree to treat all Proprietary Information as proprietary to Foreside and further agrees that it shall maintain as confidential any Proprietary Information, except as may be provided under this Agreement, and that breach by the Clients of this confidentiality obligation would cause irreparable injury to Foreside. |
3.3 Confidentiality.
(a) Each Party (for purposes of this Section 3.3, a “Receiving Party”) agrees to keep
confidential all information disclosed by the other Party (for purposes of this Section
3.3, a “Disclosing Party”), including, without limitation all forms and types of financial,
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business, marketing, operations, technical, economic and engineering information of the
Disclosing Party, whether tangible or intangible.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Parties
agree that the following information shall not be deemed confidential information: (i)
information that was known to the receiving Party before receipt thereof from or on
behalf of the Disclosing Party; (ii) information that is disclosed to the Receiving Party by
a third person who has a right to make such disclosure without any obligation of
confidentiality to the Party seeking to enforce its rights under this Section 3; (iii)
information that is or becomes generally known in the trade without violation of this
Agreement by the Receiving Party; or (iv) information that is independently developed
by the Receiving Party or its employees or affiliates without reference to the Disclosing
Party’s information.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Foreside may:
(i) provide information to Foreside’s counsel and to Persons engaged by Foreside or the
Clients to provide services with respect to the Clients; (ii) provide information consistent
with the Procedures or with operating procedures that are customary with respect to the
Services in the industry; (iii) identify the Clients as a client of Foreside for Foreside’s
sales and marketing purposes; and (iv) provide information as approved by an Authorized
Person, provided, that such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(d) Foreside acknowledges that certain Shareholder information made available by
the Clients to Foreside or otherwise maintained by Foreside under this Agreement may be
deemed nonpublic personal information under the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act and other
applicable privacy Laws (collectively, “Privacy Laws”). Foreside agrees (i) not to
disclose or use such information except as required to carry out its duties under the
Agreement or as otherwise permitted by law in the ordinary course of business; (ii) to
limit access to such information to authorized representatives of Foreside and the Clients;
(iii) to establish and maintain reasonable physical, electronic and procedural safeguards
to protect such information; and (iv) to cooperate with the Clients and provide reasonable
assistance in ensuring compliance with such Privacy Laws to the extent applicable to
either or both of the Parties.
SECTION 4. RESPONSIBILITY OF FORESIDE; INDEMNIFICATION; OTHER LIABILITY-RELATED MATTERS
4.1. Responsibility of Foreside; Limitations.
(a) Foreside shall be under no duty to take any action under this Agreement except as
specifically set forth in this Agreement or as may be specifically agreed to by Foreside
and the Clients in a written amendment to this Agreement.
(b) In performing the Services, Foreside (i) shall act in good faith and shall be
obligated to exercise care and diligence; and (ii) may, without limiting the generality of
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any other provision of this Agreement, rely on Instructions, advice and information
pursuant to Section 2.6.
4.2 Indemnification; Notification of Claims.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Foreside shall not be
responsible for, and the Clients shall on behalf of each applicable Fund or Class thereof,
indemnify and hold harmless Foreside, its employees, directors, officers and managers
and any person who controls Foreside within the meaning of section 15 of the Securities
Act or section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (for purposes of
this Section 4.2(a), “Foreside Indemnitees”) from and against, any and all losses,
damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, liabilities and other expenses
of every nature and character (including, but not limited to, direct and indirect reasonable
reprocessing costs) arising out of or attributable to all and any of the following (for
purposes of this Section 4.2(a), a “Foreside Claim”):
(i) | any action (or omission to act) of Foreside or its agents taken in connection with this Agreement; provided, that such action (or omission to act) is taken in good faith and without willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by Foreside of its duties and obligations under this Agreement; | ||
(ii) | any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or arising out of or based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Clients in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or exhibits to the Registration Statement by or on behalf of Foreside; | ||
(iii) | any material breach of the Clients’ agreements, representations, warranties, and covenants in Sections 2.9 and 5.2 of this Agreement; or | ||
(iv) | the reliance on or use by Foreside or its agents or subcontractors of information, records, documents or services which have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Clients or any agent of the Clients, including but not limited to any Predecessor Records provided pursuant to Section 2.9(b). |
(b) Foreside will indemnify, defend and hold the Clients and their several officers and
members of their Governing Bodies and any person who controls the Clients within the
meaning of section 15 of the Securities Act or section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, (collectively, the “Clients Indemnitees” and, with the Foreside
Indemnitees, an “Indemnitee”), free and harmless from and against any and all claims,
demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable
counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and character (including the cost of
investigating or defending such claims, demands, actions, suits or liabilities and any
reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith), but only to the extent that such
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claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges,
reasonable counsel fees and other expenses result from, arise out of or are based upon all and any
of the following (for purposes of this Section 4.2(c), a “Clients Claim” and, with a Foreside
Claim, a “Claim”):
(i) | any material action (or omission to act) of Foreside or its agents taken in connection with this Agreement, provided that such action (or omission to act) is not taken in good faith and with willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by Foreside of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. | ||
(ii) | any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Clients in writing in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement by or on behalf of Foreside; or | ||
(iii) | any material breach of Foreside’s agreements, representations, warranties and covenants set forth in Section 2.4 and 5.1 hereof. |
(d) The Clients or Foreside (for purpose of this Section 4.2(d), an “Indemnifying
Party”) may assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any Foreside Claim or
Clients Claim, respectively, and may retain counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party
and approved by the other Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed. The Indemnifying Party shall advise the other Party that it will assume the
defense of the suit and retain counsel within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice of the
claim. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any such suit and retains
counsel, the other Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel that
they retain. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of any such suit, or if
other Party does not approve of counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party, or if the other
Party has been advised that it may have available defenses or claims that are not available
to or conflict with those available to the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party will
reimburse any Indemnitee named as defendant in such suit for the reasonable fees and
expenses of any counsel that the Indemnitee retains. An Indemnitee shall not settle or
confess any claim without the prior written consent of the applicable Client, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(e) An Indemnifying Party’s obligation to provide indemnification under this section
is conditioned upon the Indemnifying Party receiving notice of any action brought against
an Indemnitee within twenty (20) days after the summons or other first legal process is
served. Such notice shall refer to the Person or Persons against whom the action is
brought. The failure to provide such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of
any liability that it may have to any Indemnitee except to the extent that the ability of the
party entitled to such notice to defend such action has been materially adversely affected
by the failure to provide notice.
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(f) The provisions of this section and the parties’ representations and warranties in
this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee and shall survive the sale and
redemption of any Shares made pursuant to subscriptions obtained by Foreside. The
indemnification provisions of this section will inure exclusively to the benefit of each
person that may be an Indemnitee at any time and their respective successors and assigns
(it being intended that such persons be deemed to be third party beneficiaries under this
Agreement).
4.3 Other Liability-Related Matters. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, except as specifically set forth below:
(a) Neither Party shall be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss
of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable
control, including, without limitation, acts of God; action or inaction of civil or military
authority; public enemy; war; terrorism; riot; fire; flood; sabotage; epidemics; labor
disputes; civil commotion; interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation,
computer or communications capabilities; insurrection; or elements of nature;
(b) Neither Party shall be liable for any consequential, special or indirect losses or
damages suffered by the other Party, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or
damages was known by the Party;
(c) No affiliate, director, officer, employee, manager, shareholder, partner, agent,
counsel or consultant of either Party shall be liable at law or in equity for the
obligations
of such Party under this Agreement or for any damages suffered by the other Party
related to this Agreement;
(d) Except as set forth in Section 4.2(f), there are no third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement;
Agreement;
(e) Each Party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other Party may
become responsible;
become responsible;
(f) The assets and liabilities of each Fund are separate and distinct from the assets and
liabilities of each other Fund, and 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; and in asserting any rights or claims under this Agreement, Foreside shall look
only to the assets and property of the Fund to which Foreside’s rights or claims relate in
settlement of such rights or claims; and
(g) Each Party agrees promptly to notify the other party of the commencement of any
litigation or proceeding of which it becomes aware arising out of or in any way connected
with the issuance or sale of Shares.
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SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
5.1 Representations and Warranties of Foreside. Foreside represents and warrants to the Clients that:
(a) It is a limited liability company duly organized and existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and it is duly qualified to carry on its business in
the State of Maine;
(b) It is empowered under applicable Laws and by its Organic Documents to enter
into this Agreement and perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(c) All requisite limited liability company proceedings have been taken to authorize it
to enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(d) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment, and
personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
(e) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and
binding obligation of Foreside, enforceable against Foreside in accordance with its terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general
application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties;
(f) The performance by Foreside of its obligations under this Agreement does not and
will not contravene any provision of its Organic Documents;
(g) It is registered under the 1934 Act with the SEC as a broker-dealer, it is a member
in good standing of the NASD, it will abide by the rules and regulations of the NASD,
and it will immediately notify the Clients if any regulatory actions are instituted against
it
by the SEC or NASD or its membership in the NASD or registration with any State is
terminated or suspended.
5.2 Representations and Warranties of the Clients. The Clients represent and warrants to
Foreside that:
(a) They are duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of their organization;
(b) They are empowered under applicable Laws and by their Organic Documents to
enter into this Agreement and perform their obligations under this Agreement;
(c) All requisite corporate or similar proceedings have been taken to authorize them
to enter into this Agreement and perform their obligations under this Agreement.
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(d) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Clients, enforceable against the Clients in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of
general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties;
(e) With respect to all Shares from time to time being offered for sale to the public, a
Registration Statement is currently effective or will be effective at the time of sale, and
will remain effective, and all appropriate Federal and State securities law filings have
been made and will continue to be made;
(f) The Registration Statement has been, and any amendment thereto will be, as the
case may be, prepared in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the
1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and all material statements of fact
contained or to be contained in the Registration Statement are or will be true and correct
in all material respects at the time indicated or on the effective date, as the case may
be;
and the Registration Statement, when it shall become effective or be authorized for use,
will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to
a purchaser of Shares; and
(g) It shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectuses
without giving Foreside reasonable advance notice thereof; provided, however, that
nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Clients’s right to file at
any time such amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectuses, of whatever
character, as the Clients may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and
unconditional.
SECTION 6. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES
6.1 Compensation.
Foreside shall be entitled to no compensation or reimbursement of expenses from Clients for
the services provided by Foreside pursuant to this Agreement. Foreside may receive
compensation from the Clients’ Adviser related to its services hereunder or for additional
services as may be agreed to between the Adviser and Foreside.
6.2 Expenses.
(a) The Clients shall bear the cost and expenses: (i) of the registration of the Shares
for sale under the Securities Act; and (ii) of the registration or qualification of the
Shares
for sale under the securities laws of the various States;
(b) Foreside shall pay all expenses relating to Foreside’s broker-dealer qualification.
Foreside shall also pay all expenses incurred in providing office space, equipment, and
personnel as may be necessary or convenient to provide the Services.
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6.3 Other Compensation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
Foreside and its affiliates may receive compensation or reimbursement from the Clients and the
Adviser with respect to any services not included under this Agreement.
SECTION 7. EFFECTIVENESS, DURATION, TERMINATION; ADDITIONAL FUNDS
AND CLASSES
7.1. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on March 31, 2009, and shall
become effective with respect to each Fund or Class thereof on the Services Commencement
Date with respect to such Fund or Class.
7.2. Duration. This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Client until
March 1, 2010 and thereafter shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund until terminated;
provided, that continuance is specifically approved at least annually pursuant to Section 15 of the
1940 Act and otherwise as required pursuant to any Plan.
7.3. Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund, without
the payment of any penalty, (i) by the applicable Client’s Governing Body or by a vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or, with respect to each Class
of a Fund for which there is an effective Plan, a majority of members of the Client’s
Governing Body who do not have any direct or indirect financial interest in any such Plan
or in any agreements related to the Plan, on sixty (60) days’ written notice to Foreside or
(ii) by Foreside on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Client.
(b) This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon its assignment or upon the
termination of Foreside’s membership in the NASD.
7.4 Survival. The provisions of Sections 2.6, 2.8, 3.1(c), 3.2, 3.3, 4, 6.1, 6.2, 7 and 8 shall
survive any termination of this Agreement.
7.5 Additional Funds and Classes.
(a) In the event that the Clients request Foreside to provide services with respect to
one or more additional funds and/or classes of the Clients after the Effective Date, such
funds and/or classes shall become Funds and/or Classes under this Agreement for all
purposes hereof upon the execution of a joinder to this Agreement by the Clients and
Foreside.
(b) In the event that after the Effective Date the Clients wind up one or more Funds
and/or Classes or otherwise terminate this Agreement with respect to a Fund and its
Classes, such Fund or Class shall from the date of such winding up or termination no
longer be deemed a Fund or Class under this Agreement, provided, that the Clients
shall
remain obligated pursuant to Section 6 to make any payments for obligations incurred
through the date of termination respecting such Fund and its Classes, including any
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obligations that specifically survive the termination of this Agreement with respect to
such Fund or Class.
SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Amendments. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by the Parties;
provided,
that (i) the Clients may amend Schedule 2 as permitted by Section 2.6(d); and (ii) the Clients
and/or Foreside may, as a result of the addition or termination of a Fund or Class hereunder as
contemplated by Section 7.5, amend Schedule 1 as permitted by Section 7.5.
8.2 Governing of Law. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving
effect to the conflicts of laws, principles and rules thereof.
effect to the conflicts of laws, principles and rules thereof.
8.3 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.
8.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the Parties hereto in any number of
counterparts, and all of the counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
counterparts, and all of the counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
8.5 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 unaffected, 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.
8.6 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.
8.7 Notices and Other Communications; Electronic Records.
(a) Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder by either party to the other
shall be deemed sufficiently given if in writing and personally delivered or sent by,
facsimile or registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid, addressed by the
party giving such notice to the other party at the address furnished below unless and until
changed by Foreside or Clients, as the case may be. Notice shall be given to each party at
the following addresses:
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If to Foreside:
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
Three Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
XXX
Fax: (000)000-0000
Attn: Legal Department
Three Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
XXX
Fax: (000)000-0000
Attn: Legal Department
If to Clients:
American Beacon Funds
American Beacon Mileage Funds
American Beacon Select Funds
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx., XX 2450
Xxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attn: President
American Beacon Mileage Funds
American Beacon Select Funds
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx., XX 2450
Xxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attn: President
(b) This Agreement and electronic signatures and records delivered and maintained under the
Agreement shall be effective to the fullest extent permitted by Law, provided that
references in this Agreement to written approval or approval in writing of either Party
shall be restricted to a writing executed by a then-current executive officer of such
Party. Each Party agrees to maintain a copy of this Agreement and any amendments to this
Agreement for its records.
8.8 Interpleader. In the event of a dispute about any funds of the Clients held by Foreside from
time to time under this Agreement, Foreside or its agents may commence an action in interpleader
and pay the disputed funds into a court of competent jurisdiction, and the Clients shall reimburse
Foreside for its reasonable costs and expenses related to any such action in interpleader.
8.9. Certain Terms. The terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,”
“interested person,” “affiliated person” and “assignment” shall have the meanings ascribed thereto
in the 1940 Act.
SECTION 9. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE
9.1 Foreside Anti-Money Laundering Program. Foreside hereby represents and warrants that it has
implemented and enforces an anti-money laundering program (“AMLP”) that complies with laws,
regulations and regulatory guidance applicable to Foreside, and includes, at a minimum:
(A) written policies, procedures, and controls to detect and prevent money laundering, as
appropriate to the nature of Foreside’s business;
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(B) a designated compliance officer with sufficient authority to oversee the AML
Program;
(C) an ongoing training program for relevant FFS employees and associated persons; and
(D) scheduled annual independent testing of FFS’ AML Program.
9.2 Delivery of Documents. Foreside agrees to furnish to the Clients the following documents:
a. | a copy of Foreside’s AMLP as in effect on the date hereof, and any material amendment thereto promptly after the adoption of any such amendment; | ||
b. | a copy of any deficiency letter sent by federal examination authorities concerning Foreside’s AMLP; and | ||
c. | periodically, upon request from the Clients, a report on Foreside’s AMLP that includes a certification to the Clients concerning Foreside’s implementation of, and ongoing compliance with, its AMLP and a copy of any audit report prepared with respect to Foreside’s AMLP. |
9.3. Reports. Foreside agrees to provide periodic reports concerning its compliance with
Foreside’s AMLP and/or the Clients’ AML Program at such times as may be reasonably requested by
the Clients’ Boards of Trustees or AML Compliance Officer.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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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 officers or representatives, as of
the day and year first above written.
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
|||
President | ||||
FOBRESIDE FUND SERVICES, LLC | ||||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||
Vice President |
List of Schedules and Appendices that are part of this Agreement:
Schedule 1 Funds and Classes of the Clients
Schedule 2 Authorized Persons
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AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON MILEAGE FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AMERICAN BEACON MILEAGE FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Schedule 1
Funds and Classes of the Clients
Funds and Classes of the Clients
As of March 31, 2009
Funds | Classes | |
Balanced Fund
|
AMR, Institutional, Investor, Advisor | |
Large Cap Value Fund
|
AMR, Institutional, Investor, Advisor | |
Large Cap Growth Fund
|
AMR, Institutional, Investor, Advisor | |
Mid-Cap Value Fund
|
AMR Institutional, Advisor | |
Small Cap Value Fund
|
AMR, Institutional, Investor, Advisor | |
S&P 500 Index Fund
|
Institutional, Investor | |
Small Cap Index Fund
|
Institutional | |
Small Cap Value Opportunity Fund
|
Institutional, Investor | |
International Equity Index Fund
|
Institutional | |
International Equity Fund
|
AMR, Institutional, Investor, Advisor | |
Emerging Markets Fund
|
AMR, Institutional, Investor | |
High Yield Bond Fund
|
Institutional, Investor | |
Enhanced Income Fund
|
Investor | |
Treasury Inflation Protected
Securities Fund
|
Institutional, Investor | |
Intermediate Bond Fund
|
Institutional, Investor | |
Short-Term Bond Fund
|
Institutional, Investor | |
Money Market Fund
|
Cash Management, Institutional, Investor | |
U.S. Government Money Market Fund
|
Cash Management, Investor | |
American Beacon Mileage Funds |
||
Money Market Mileage Fund
|
Mileage | |
American Beacon Select Funds |
||
Money Market Select Fund |
||
U.S. Gov’t. Money Market Select Fund |
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AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON MILEAGE FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AMERICAN BEACON MILEAGE FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Schedule 2
Authorized Persons
Authorized Persons
1. Authorized Persons:
In addition to the officers (including assistant officers) of the Clients, the following
persons are authorized to give Instructions to Foreside with respect to this Agreement:
Name | Title | |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
President | |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
Treasurer | |
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
Vice President/Secretary | |
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
2. Change in Authorized Persons
Any change in Authorized Persons shall only be made in accordance with Section 2.6(d) of the
Agreement.
March 31, 2009
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