EX-99.B(6)(e)
New Class B Shares
FLAG INVESTORS TELEPHONE INCOME FUND, INC.
FLAG INVESTORS CLASS B SHARES
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, made as of the 30th day of December, 1994, by and between
FLAG INVESTORS TELEPHONE INCOME FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"),
and ALEX. XXXXX & SONS INCORPORATED, a Maryland corporation ("Alex. Xxxxx").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end, diversified, management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to appoint Alex. Xxxxx as the exclusive
distributor of the class of shares of the Fund known as the Flag Investors Class
B Shares (the "Shares") and Alex. Xxxxx wishes to become the distributor of the
Shares; and
WHEREAS, the compensation to Alex. Xxxxx hereunder and the payments
contemplated by paragraph 9 constitute the financing of activities intended to
result in the sale of Shares, and this Agreement is entered into pursuant to a
"written plan" pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act (the "Plan") allowing the
Fund to make such payments.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises herein and of other
good and valuable consideration the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Appointment. The Fund appoints Alex. Xxxxx as Distributor for the
Shares for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Fund may
from time to time issue separate series or classes of its shares of common
stock, or classify and reclassify shares of such series as classes, and the
appointment effected hereby shall constitute appointment for the distribution of
such additional series and classes unless the parties shall otherwise agree in
writing. Alex. Xxxxx accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services
herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2. Delivery of Documents. The Fund has furnished Alex. Xxxxx with
copies properly certified or authenticated, of each of the following:
(a) The Fund's Articles of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary
of State of Maryland on November 4, 1988 and all amendments thereto (the
"Articles of Incorporation");
(b) The Fund's By-Laws and all amendments thereto (such By-Laws, as
presently in effect and as they shall from time to time be amended, are herein
called the "By-Laws");
(c) Resolutions of the Fund's Board of Directors and shareholders
authorizing the appointment of Alex. Xxxxx as the Fund's Distributor of the
Shares and approving this Agreement;
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(d) The Fund's Notification of Registration filed pursuant to
Section 8(a) of the 1940 Act on Form N-8A under the 1940 Act, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on October 21, 1983;
(e) The Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") (File No. 2-87336) and under
the 1940 Act as filed with the SEC on October 21, 1983 relating to the Shares of
the Fund, and all amendments thereto; and
(f) The Fund's most recent prospectus for the Shares (such
prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto are herein called
"Prospectus").
The Fund will xxxxxxx Xxxx. Xxxxx from time to time with copies,
properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments or supplements to the
foregoing, if any, and all documents, notices and reports filed with the SEC.
3. Duties as Distributor. Alex. Xxxxx shall give the Fund the benefit
of its best judgment, efforts and facilities in rendering its services as
Distributor of the Shares. Alex. Xxxxx shall:
(a) respond to inquiries from the Fund's shareholders concerning the
status of their accounts with the Fund;
(b) take, on behalf of the Fund, all actions deemed necessary to
carry into effect the distribution of the Shares;
(c) provide the Board of Directors of the Fund with quarterly
reports as required by Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
4. Distribution of Shares. Alex. Xxxxx shall be the exclusive
distributor of the Shares. It is mutually understood and agreed that Alex. Xxxxx
does not undertake to sell all or any specific portion of the Shares. The Fund
shall not sell any of the Shares except through Alex. Xxxxx and securities
dealers who have valid Sub-Distribution Agreements with Alex. Xxxxx.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing sentence, the Fund may issue its
Shares at their net asset value to any shareholder of the Fund purchasing such
Shares with dividends or other cash distributions received from the Fund
pursuant to an offer made to all shareholders.
5. Control by Board of Directors. Any distribution activities
undertaken by Alex. Xxxxx pursuant to this Agreement, as well as any other
activities undertaken by Alex. Xxxxx on behalf of the Fund pursuant hereto,
shall at all times be subject to any directives of the Board of Directors of the
Fund. The Board of Directors may agree, on behalf of the Fund, to amendments to
this Agreement, provided that the Fund must obtain prior approval of the
shareholders of the Fund to any amendment which would result in a material
increase in the amount expended by the Fund.
6. Compliance with Applicable Requirements. In carrying out its
obligations under this Agreement, Alex. Xxxxx shall at all times conform to:
(a) all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and any rules and
regulations adopted thereunder as amended;
(b) the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Fund under
the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and any amendments and supplements thereto;
(c) the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund and
any amendments thereto;
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(d) the provisions of the By-Laws of the Fund;
(e) the rules and regulations of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and all other self-regulatory organizations
applicable to the sale of investment company shares; and
(f) any other applicable provisions of Federal and State law.
7. Expenses. The expenses connected with the Fund shall be allocable
between the Fund and Alex. Xxxxx as follows:
(a) Alex. Xxxxx shall furnish, at its expense and without cost to
the Fund, the services of personnel to the extent that such services are
required to carry out their obligations under this Agreement;
(b) Alex. Xxxxx shall bear the expenses of any promotional or sales
literature used by Alex. Xxxxx or furnished by Alex. Xxxxx to purchasers or
dealers in connection with the public offering of the Shares, the expenses of
advertising in connection with such public offering and all legal expenses in
connection with the foregoing;
(c) the Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other
expenses of the Fund, including, without limitation: the fees of the Fund's
investment advisor; the charges and expenses of any registrar, custodian or
depositary appointed by the Fund for the safekeeping of its cash, portfolio
securities and other property, and any stock transfer, dividend or accounting
agent or agents appointed by the Fund; brokers' commissions chargeable to the
Fund in connection with portfolio securities transactions to which the Fund is a
party; all taxes, including securities issuance and transfer taxes, and
corporate fees payable by the Fund to Federal, State or other governmental
agencies; the cost and expense of engraving or printing of stock certificates
representing Shares; all costs and expenses in connection with maintenance of
registration of the Fund and the Shares with the SEC and various states and
other jurisdictions (including filing fees and legal fees and disbursements of
counsel) except as provided in subparagraph (a) above, the expenses of printing,
including typesetting, and distributing prospectuses of the Fund and supplements
thereto to the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of shareholders' and Directors'
meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing of proxy statements and reports
to shareholders; fees and travel expenses of Directors who are not "interested
persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) or members of any advisory
board or committee; all expenses incident to the payment of any dividend,
distribution, withdrawal or redemption, whether in Shares or in cash; charges
and expenses of any outside service used for pricing of the Shares; charges and
expenses of legal counsel, including counsel to the Directors who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and of
independent accountants, in connection with any matter relating to the Fund;
membership dues of industry associations; interest payable on Fund borrowings;
postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel (including officers and
Directors) of the Fund which inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses
(including, but not limited to, legal claims and liabilities and litigation
costs and any indemnification related thereto); and all other charges and costs
of the Fund's operation unless otherwise explicitly provided herein.
8. Delegation of Responsibilities. Alex. Xxxxx may, but shall be under
no duty to, perform services on behalf of the Fund which are not required by
this Agreement upon the request of the Fund's Board of Directors. Such services
will be performed on behalf of the Fund and Alex. Xxxxx'x charge in rendering
such services may be billed monthly to the Fund, subject to examination by the
Fund's independent accountants. Payment or assumption by Alex. Xxxxx of any Fund
expense that Alex. Xxxxx is not required to pay or assume under this Agreement
shall not relieve Alex. Xxxxx of any of its obligations to the Fund or obligate
Alex. Xxxxx to pay or assume any similar Fund expense on any subsequent
occasions.
9. Compensation. For the services to be rendered and the expenses
assumed by Alex. Xxxxx, the Fund shall pay to Alex. Xxxxx, compensation at the
annual rate of .75% of the average daily net assets of the shares of the Fund.
Except as hereinafter set forth, continuing compensation under this Agreement
shall be calculated and accrued daily and the amounts of the daily accruals
shall be paid monthly. If this Agreement becomes effective
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subsequent to the first day of a month or shall terminate before the last day of
a month compensation for that part of the month this Agreement is in effect
shall be prorated in a manner consistent with the calculations of the fees as
set forth above. Payment of Alex. Xxxxx'x compensation for the preceding month
shall be made as promptly as possible.
10. Service Fee. The Fund shall pay Alex. Xxxxx a service fee (as such
term is defined in the NASD Rules of Fair Practice) equal to .25% of the average
daily net assets of the Shares of the Fund. Such fee shall be calculated and
accrued daily and the amounts of the daily accruals shall be paid monthly in the
manner described in paragraph 9 above.
11. Compensation for Servicing Shareholder Accounts. The Fund
acknowledges that Alex. Xxxxx may compensate its investment representatives for
opening accounts, processing investor letters of transmittals and applications
and withdrawal and redemption orders, responding to inquiries from Fund
shareholders concerning the status of their accounts and the operations of the
Fund, and communicating with the Fund and its transfer agent on behalf of the
Fund shareholders.
12. Sub-Distribution Agreements. Alex. Xxxxx may enter into
Sub-Distribution Agreements (the "Sub-Distribution Agreements") with any
securities dealer who is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and a member in good standing of the NASD, who may wish to act as a
Participating Dealer in connection with the proposed offering. All
Sub-Distribution Agreements shall be in substantially the form of the agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit "A". For processing Fund shareholders' redemption
orders, responding to the inquiries from Fund shareholders concerning the status
of their accounts and the operations of the Fund and communicating with the
Fund, its transfer agent and Alex. Xxxxx, Xxxx. Xxxxx may pay each such
Participating Dealer an amount not to exceed that portion of the compensation
paid to Alex. Xxxxx hereunder that is attributable to accounts of Fund
shareholders who are customers of such Participating Dealer.
13. Non-Exclusivity. The services of Alex. Xxxxx to the Fund are not to
be deemed exclusive and Alex. Xxxxx shall be free to render distribution or
other services to others (including other investment companies) and to engage in
other activities. It is understood and agreed that directors, officers or
employees of Alex. Xxxxx may serve as directors or officers of the Fund, and
that directors or officers of the Fund may serve as directors, officers and
employees of Alex. Xxxxx to the extent permitted by law; and that directors,
officers and employees of Alex. Xxxxx are not prohibited from engaging in any
other business activity or from rendering services to any other person, or from
serving as partners, directors or officers of any other firm or corporation,
including other investment companies.
14. Term and Approval. This Agreement shall become effective at the
close of business on the date hereof and shall remain in force and effect for an
initial term of two years and from year to year thereafter, provided that such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually:
(a) (i) by the Fund's Board of Directors or (ii) by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), and
(b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors who are
not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) and do not
have a financial interest in the operation of this Agreement, by votes cast in
person at a meeting specifically called for such purpose.
15. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, on sixty
(60) days' written notice to the other party without the payment of any penalty,
(i) by vote of the Fund's Board of Directors, (ii) by vote of a majority of the
directors who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 0000
Xxx) and do not have a financial interest in the operation of this Agreement,
(iii) by vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities (as
defined in the 1940 Act) or (iv) by Alex. Xxxxx. The notice provided for herein
may be waived by each party. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the
event of its assignment (as the term is defined in the 1940 Act).
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16. Liability. In the performance of its duties hereunder, Alex. Xxxxx
shall be obligated to exercise care and diligence and to act in good faith and
to use its best efforts within reasonable limits in performing all services
provided for under this Agreement, but shall not be liable for any act or
omission which does not constitute willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of Alex. Xxxxx or reckless disregard by Alex. Xxxxx of
its duties under this Agreement.
17. Notices. Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until
further notice to the other parties, it is agreed that the address of both Alex.
Xxxxx and the Fund for this purpose shall be 000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
18. Questions of Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any
term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived
from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such
term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the
United States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such
court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC issued pursuant to the 1940
Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in
any provision of this Agreement is revised by rule, regulation or order of the
SEC, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule,
regulation or order. Otherwise the provisions of this Agreement shall be
interpreted in accordance with the laws of Maryland.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed in duplicate by their respective officers as of the day and year first
above written.
[SEAL] FLAG INVESTORS TELEPHONE INCOME
FUND, INC.
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx By /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------- ----------------------
Title:
[SEAL] ALEX. XXXXX & SONS INCORPORATED
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx By /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
------------------- -------------------
Title:
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Exhibit A
FLAG INVESTORS FAMILY OF FUNDS - CLASS B SHARES
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
FORM OF
SUB-DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
_____________________, 19__
Gentlemen:
Alex. Xxxxx & Sons Incorporated ("Alex. Xxxxx"), a Maryland
corporation, serves as distributor (the "Distributor") of the Flag Investors
Funds - Class B Shares (collectively, the "Funds", individually a "Fund"). The
Funds are open-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). The Funds offer their
Flag Investors Class B Shares ("Shares") to the public in accordance with the
terms and conditions contained in the Prospectus of each Fund. The term
"Prospectus" used herein refers to the prospectus on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission which is part of the registration statement of each Fund
under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). In connection with the
foregoing you may serve as a participating dealer (and, therefore, accept orders
for the purchase or redemption of Shares, respond to shareholder inquiries and
perform other related functions) on the following terms and conditions:
1. Participating Dealer. You are hereby designated a Participating
Dealer and as such are authorized (i) to accept orders for the purchase of
Shares and to transmit to the Funds such orders and the payment made therefore,
(ii) to accept orders for the redemption of Shares and to transmit to the Funds
such orders and all additional material, including any certificates for Shares,
as may be required to complete the redemption and (iii) to assist shareholders
with the foregoing and other matters relating to their investments in each Fund,
in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus of
each Fund. You are to review each Share purchase or redemption order submitted
through you or with your assistance for completeness and accuracy. You further
agree to undertake from time to time certain shareholder servicing activities
for customers of yours who have purchased Shares and who use your facilities to
communicate with the Funds or to effect redemptions or additional purchases of
Shares.
2. Limitation of Authority. No person is authorized to make any
representations concerning the Funds or the Shares except those contained in the
Prospectus of each Fund and in such printed information as the Distributor may
subsequently prepare. No person is authorized to distribute any sales material
relating to any Fund without the prior written approval of the Distributor.
3. Compensation. As compensation for such services, you will look
solely to the Distributor, and you acknowledge that the Funds shall have no
direct responsibility for any compensation. In addition to any sales charge
payable to you by your customer pursuant to a Prospectus, the Distributor will
pay you no less often than annually a shareholder processing and service fee (as
we may determine from time to time in writing) computed as a percentage of the
average daily net assets maintained with each Fund during the preceding period
by shareholders who purchase their shares through you or with your assistance,
provided that
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said assets are at least $250,000 for each Fund for which you are to be
compensated, and provided that in all cases your name is transmitted with each
shareholder's purchase order.
4. Prospectus and Reports. You agree to comply with the provisions
contained in the Securities Act governing the distribution of prospectuses to
persons to whom you offer Shares. You further agree to deliver, upon our
request, copies of any amended Prospectus of the relevant Fund to purchasers
whose Shares you are holding as record owner and to deliver to such persons
copies of the annual and interim reports and proxy solicitation materials of the
Funds. We agree to furnish to you as many copies of each Prospectus, annual and
interim reports and proxy solicitation materials as you may reasonably request.
5. Qualification to Act. You represent that you are a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
Your expulsion or suspension from the NASD will automatically terminate this
Agreement on the effective date of such expulsion or suspension. You agree that
you will not offer Shares to persons in any jurisdiction in which you may not
lawfully make such offer due to the fact that you have not registered under, or
are not exempt from, the applicable registration or licensing requirements of
such jurisdiction. You agree that in performing the services under this
Agreement, you at all times will comply with the Rules of Fair Practice of the
NASD, including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 26 of such Rules.
You agree that you will not combine customer orders to reach breakpoints in
commissions for any purposes whatsoever unless authorized by the then current
Prospectus in respect of Shares of a particular class or by us in writing. You
also agree that you will place orders immediately upon their receipt and will
not withhold any order so as to profit therefrom. In determining the amount
payable to you hereunder, we reserve the right to exclude any sales which we
reasonably determine are not made in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus
and provisions of the Agreement.
6. Blue Sky. The Funds have registered an indefinite number of Shares
under the Securities Act. The Funds intend to register or qualify in certain
states where registration or qualification is required. We will inform you as to
the states or other jurisdictions in which we believe the Shares have been
qualified for sale under, or are exempt from the requirements of, the respective
securities laws of such states. You agree that you will offer Shares to your
customers only in those states where such Shares have been registered,
qualified, or an exemption is available. We assume no responsibility or
obligation as to your right to sell Shares in any jurisdiction. We will file
with the Department of State in New York a State Notice and a Further State
Notice with respect to the Shares, if necessary.
7. Authority of Fund. Each of the Funds shall have full authority to
take such action as it deems advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to
the offering of its Shares, including the right not to accept any order for the
purchase of Shares.
8. Record Keeping. You will (i) maintain all records required by law to
be kept by you relating to transactions in Shares and, upon request by any Fund,
promptly make such of these records available to the Fund as the Fund may
reasonably request in connection with its operations and (ii) promptly notify
the Fund if you experience any difficulty in maintaining the records described
in the foregoing clauses in an accurate and complete manner.
9. Liability. The Distributor shall be under no liability to you except
for lack of good faith and for obligations expressly assumed by them hereunder.
In carrying out your obligations, you agree to act in good faith and without
negligence. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to operate as a
waiver by the Distributor or you of compliance with any provision of the
Investment Company Act, the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder.
10. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either party,
without penalty, upon ten days' notice to the other party and shall
automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined
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in the Investment Company Act). This Agreement may also be terminated at any
time for any particular Fund without penalty by the vote of a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors or Trustees of such Fund who are not
"interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution
Agreement between such Fund and the Distributor or by the vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
11. Communications. All communications to us should be sent to the
above address. Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to
you at the address specified by you below.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to us one copy of this agreement.
ALEX. XXXXX & SONS INCORPORATED
-----------------------------------
(Authorized Signature)
Confirmed and accepted:
Firm Name: ________________________
By: _______________________________
Address: __________________________
Date:______________________________
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