Master Transfer Agency and Service Agreement Among SunAmerica Closed End Funds and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc.
Exhibit 2 (k) (1)
Master
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
Among
SunAmerica Closed End Funds
and
EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
and
Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc.
Among
SunAmerica Closed End Funds
and
EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
and
Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc.
1
Table of Contents
Section 1.
|
Certain Definitions | 4 | ||||
Section 2.
|
Appointment of Agent | 5 | ||||
Section 3.
|
Standard Services | 6 | ||||
Section 4.
|
Dividend Disbursing Services | 8 | ||||
Section 5.
|
Shareholder Internet Account Access Services | 8 | ||||
Section 6.
|
Optional Services | 9 | ||||
Section 7
|
Fee and Expenses | 9 | ||||
Section 8.
|
Representations and Warranties of Transfer Agent | 11 | ||||
Section 9.
|
Representations and Warranties of Customer | 11 | ||||
Section 10.
|
Indemnification/Limitation of Liability | 12 | ||||
Section 11.
|
Damages | 14 | ||||
Section 12.
|
Responsibilites of the Transfer Agent | 14 | ||||
Section 13.
|
Covenants of the Customer and Transfer Agent | 15 | ||||
Section 14.
|
Data Access and Proprietary Information | 16 | ||||
Section 15.
|
Confidentiality | 18 | ||||
Section 16.
|
Term and Terminiation | 18 | ||||
Section 17.
|
Assignment | 20 | ||||
Section 18.
|
Unaffiliated Third Parties | 20 | ||||
Section 19.
|
Miscellaneous | 20 | ||||
Section 19.1
|
Notice | 20 | ||||
Section 19.2
|
Successors | 21 | ||||
Section 19.3.
|
Amendments | 21 |
2
Section 19.4.
|
Severability | 21 | ||||
Section 19.5.
|
Governing Law | 21 | ||||
Section 19.6
|
Force Majeure | 21 | ||||
Section 19.7
|
Descriptive Headings | 21 | ||||
Section 19.8
|
Third Party Beneficiaries | 21 | ||||
Section 19.9
|
Survival | 22 | ||||
Section 19.10
|
Priorities | 22 | ||||
Section 19.11
|
Merger of Agreements | 22 | ||||
Section 19.12
|
Counterparts | 22 |
3
This AGREEMENT made as of the 25th day of December, 2005, by and among the SunAmerica
Closed End Funds listed in Appendix A, each a closed-end investment company, having a principal
office and place of business at Harborside Financial Center, 0000 Xxxxx 0, Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
(each a “Customer”), and Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its
fully owned subsidiary EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., a federally charted trust company doing
business at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 (collectively, the “Transfer Agent” or
individually “CSS” and the “Trust Company”, respectively).
WHEREAS, the Customer desires to appoint the Transfer Agent as sole transfer agent, registrar,
administrator of dividend reinvestment plans, option plans, and direct stock purchase plans
(collectively, the “Plans”) and CSS as dividend disbursing agent and processor of all payments
received or made by Customer under this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Trust Company and CSS desire to accept such respective appointments and perform
the services related to such appointments;
WHEREAS, the SunAmerica Focused Alpha Growth Fund, Inc., as a Customer, desires to terminate
its Transfer Agency Agreement with the Transfer Agent dated July 26, 2005, contemporaneous with the
Effective Date of this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Customer has approved appointment of the Transfer
Agent.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) “Account” or “Accounts” shall mean the account of each Shareholder which account shall hold any
full or fractional shares of stock held by such Shareholder and/or outstanding funds or tax
reporting to be done.
(b) “Additional Services” shall mean any and all services which are not Services as set forth in
the Fee and Service Schedule, but performed by Transfer Agent upon request of Customer.
(c) “Agreement” shall mean this agreement and any and all exhibits or schedules attached hereto and
any and all amendments or modifications, which may from time to time be executed.
(d) “Annual Period” shall mean each twelve (12) month period commencing on the Effective Date and,
thereafter, on each anniversary of the Effective Date.
(e) “Closed Account” shall mean an account with a zero share balance, no outstanding funds or no
reportable tax information.
(f) “Customer ID(s)” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.3.
(g) “Data Access Service” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.1.
4
(h) “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” and “Direct Stock Purchase Plan” shall mean the services as set
forth in Section 4 and in the Fee and Service Schedule.
(i) “Effective Date” shall mean the date first stated above, and for each additional Customer added
as a party to this Agreement, it shall mean the date that such Customer was added as a party
hereto.
(j) “Fee and Service Schedule” shall mean the fees and services set forth in the “Fee and Service
Schedule” attached hereto.
(k) “Password(s)” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.3.
(l) “Proprietary Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.3.
(m) “Security Procedures” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
(n) “Services” shall mean any and all services as further described herein and in the “Fee and
Service Schedule” or other schedules attached hereto.
(o) “Share” shall mean Customer’s common stock, par value as set forth in the Customer’s
constitutive documents and Customer’s preferred stock, if any, authorized by the Customer’s
constitutive documents, and other classes of Customer’s stock to be designated by the Customer in
writing and for which the Transfer Agent agrees to service under this Agreement.
(p) “Shareholder” shall mean the holder of record of Shares.
(q) “Shareholder Data” shall mean all Shareholder, Customer and proxy information maintained on the
records database of the Transfer Agent.
(r) “Shareholder Internet Services” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
2. Appointment of Agent.
2.1 Appointments. The Customer hereby appoints the Transfer Agent to act as sole
transfer agent and registrar for all Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof and
as administrator of Plans and appoints CSS as dividend disbursing agent and processor of all
payments received or made by or on behalf of the Customer under this Agreement, and the Transfer
Agent and CSS accept the appointments. Customer has provided or shall provide Transfer Agent with
certified copies of resolutions dated the date hereof appointing the Trust Company as Transfer
Agent.
2.2 Documents. In connection with the appointing of Transfer Agent as the transfer
agent and registrar for the Customer, the Customer has provided or will provide or has previously
provided each of the following documents to the Transfer Agent:
5
(a) | Copies of Registration Statements and amendments thereto, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for initial public offerings; | ||
(b) | Specimens of the Signatures of the officers of the Customer authorized to sign written instructions and requests; and | ||
(c) | An opinion of internal counsel for the Customer addressed to both the Trust Company and CSS with respect to: |
(i) | The Customer’s organization and existence under the laws of its state of organization; | ||
(ii) | The status of all Shares of the Customer covered by the appointment under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal or state statute; and | ||
(iii) | That all issued Shares are, and all unissued Shares will be, when issued, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
2.3 Records. Transfer Agent may adopt as part of its records all lists of holders,
records of Customer’s stock, books, documents and records which have been employed by any former
agent of Customer for the maintenance of the ledgers for the Customer’s shares, provided such
ledger is certified by an officer of Customer or the prior transfer agent to be true, authentic and
complete.
2.4 Shares. Customer shall, if applicable, inform Transfer Agent as to (i) the
existence or termination of any restrictions on the transfer of Shares and in the application to or removal from
any certificate of stock of any legend restricting the transfer of such Shares or the substitution
for such certificate of a certificate without such legend, (ii) any authorized but unissued Shares
reserved for specific purposes, (iii) any outstanding Shares which are exchangeable for Shares and
the basis for exchange, (iv) reserved Shares subject to option and the details of such reservation
and (v) special instructions regarding dividends and information of foreign holders.
2.5 Customer’s Agent. Transfer Agent represents that it is engaged in an independent
business and will perform its obligations under this Agreement as an agent of Customer.
3. Standard Services.
3.1 Transfer Agent Services. The Transfer Agent will perform the following services:
In accordance with the procedures established from time to time by agreement between the
Customer and the Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent shall:
(a) | issue and record the appropriate number of Shares as authorized and hold such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder account; |
6
(b) | effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon receipt of appropriate documentation; | ||
(c) | act as agent for Shareholders pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, and other investment programs as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of the agreements relating thereto to which the Transfer Agent is or will be a party; and | ||
(d) | issue replacement certificates for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of an open penalty surety bond satisfactory to it and holding it and the Customer harmless, absent notice to the Customer and the Transfer Agent that such certificates have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. The Transfer Agent, at its option, may issue replacement certificates in place of mutilated stock certificates upon presentation thereof without such indemnity. Further, the Transfer Agent may at its sole option accept indemnification from the Customer to issue replacement certificates for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed in lieu of an open penalty bond. |
3.2 | CSS Services. In accordance with procedures established from time to time by agreement between the Customer and CSS, CSS shall: |
(a) | prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Customer, provided good funds for said dividends or distributions are received by CSS prior to the scheduled payable date for said dividends or distributions; | ||
(b) | issue replacement checks and place stop orders on original checks based on shareholder’s representation that a check was not received or was lost. Such stop orders and replacements will be deemed to have been made at the request of Customer, and Customer shall be responsible for all losses or claims resulting from such replacement; and | ||
(c) | receive all payments made to the Customer or the Transfer Agent under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Direct Stock Purchase Plan, and Plans and make all payments required to be made under such plans, including all payments required to be made to the Customer. |
3.3 Customary Services. The Transfer Agent shall perform all the customary services
of a transfer agent, agent of dividend reinvestment plan, cash purchase plan and other investment
programs as described in Section 3.1 consistent with those requirements in effect as of the
date of this Agreement. CSS shall perform all the customary services of a dividend disbursing
agent and a processor of payments as described in Section 3.2 consistently with those
requirements in effect as of the date of this Agreement. The detailed services and definition,
frequency, limitations and associated costs (if any) of the Services to be performed by the
Transfer Agent are set out in the attached Fee and Service Schedule.
7
3.4 Compliance with Laws. The Customer agrees that each of the Trust Company and CSS
is obligated to and the Trust Company and CSS agree to comply with all applicable federal, state
and local laws and regulations, codes, order and government rules in the performance of its duties
under this Agreement.
3.5 Compliance with Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) Regulations. The
Transfer Agent shall ensure compliance with OFAC laws.
4. Dividend Disbursing Services.
4.1 Declaration of Dividends. Upon receipt of a written notice from the President,
any Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of Customer
providing notice of the declaration of the payment of a dividend, CSS shall disburse such dividend
payments provided that in advance of such payment, Customer furnishes CSS with sufficient funds.
The payment of such funds to CSS for the purpose of being available for the payment of dividend
checks from time to time is not intended by Customer to confer any rights in such funds on
Customer’s Shareholders whether in trust or in contract or otherwise.
4.2 Stop Payments. Customer hereby authorizes CSS to stop payment of checks issued in
payment of dividends, but not presented for payment, when the payees thereof allege either that
they have not received the checks or that such checks have been mislaid, lost, stolen, destroyed
or, through no fault of theirs, are otherwise beyond their control and cannot be produced by them
for presentation and collection, and CSS shall issue and deliver duplicate checks in replacement
thereof, and Customer shall indemnify Transfer Agent against any loss or damage resulting from
reissuance of the checks.
4.3 Tax Withholding. CSS is hereby authorized to deduct from all dividends declared
by the Customer and disbursed by CSS, as dividend disbursing agent, the tax required to be withheld
pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442 and 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or by
any Federal or State statutes subsequently enacted, and to make the necessary return and payment of
such tax in connection therewith.
5. Shareholder Internet Account Access Services.
5.1 Shareholder Internet Services. The Transfer Agent shall provide internet access
to the Customer’s shareholders through Transfer Agent’s web site, xxxxxxxxx.xxx (“Shareholder
Internet Services”), pursuant to its established procedures (“Security Procedures”), to allow
shareholders to view their account information and perform certain on-line transaction request
capabilities. The Shareholder Internet Services shall be provided at no additional charge at this
time, other than the transaction fees currently being charged for the different transactions as
described on the Fee and Service Schedule. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to charge a fee
for this service at any time in the future, provided that prior written notice is given to
Customer.
5.2 Scope of Transfer Agent Shareholder Internet Services Obligations. Transfer Agent
shall at all times use reasonable care in performing Shareholder Internet Services under this
Agreement. With respect to any claims for losses, damages, costs or expenses which may arise
directly or indirectly from Security Procedures which Transfer Agent has implemented or
8
omitted, Transfer Agent shall be presumed to have used reasonable care if it has followed, in all
material respects, its Security Procedures then in effect. Transfer Agent may, but shall not be
required to, modify such Security Procedures from time to time to the extent it believes, in good
faith, that such modifications will enhance the security of Shareholder Internet Services. All
data and information transmissions accessed via Shareholder Internet Services are for informational
purposes only, and are not intended to satisfy regulatory requirements or comply with any laws,
rules, requirements or standards of any federal, state or local governmental authority, agency or
industry regulatory body, including the securities industry, which compliance is the sole
responsibility of Customer.
5.3 No Other Warranties.
EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STATED IN SECTION 5.2 OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE SHAREHOLDER INTERNET
SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS-IS,” ON AN “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, AND TRANSFER AGENT HEREBY SPECIFICALLY
DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING SUCH SERVICES
PROVIDED BY TRANSFER AGENT HEREUNDER, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR COURSE OF
PERFORMANCE.
6. Optional Services.
To the extent that the Customer elects to engage the Transfer Agent to provide the services listed
below the Customer shall engage the Transfer Agent to provide such services upon terms and fees to
be agreed upon by the parties:
(a) | Corporate actions (including inter alia, odd lot buy backs, exchanges, mergers, redemptions, subscriptions, capital reorganization, coordination of post-merger services and special meetings). |
7. Fees and Expenses.
7.1 Fee and Service Schedules. The Customer agrees to pay Transfer Agent the fees for
Services performed pursuant to this Agreement as set forth in the Fee and Service Schedule attached
hereto, for the initial term of the Agreement (the “Initial Term”).
7.2 COLA/Fee Increases. After the Initial Term of the Agreement, providing that
service mix and volumes remain constant, the fees listed in the Fee and Service Schedule shall be
increased (a) by the accumulated change in the National Employment Cost Index for Service Producing
Industries (Finance, Insurance, Real Estate) for the preceding years of the contract, as published
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor or (b) to the Transfer
Agent’s minimum fee then in effect, whichever is greater. Fees will be increased on this basis on
each successive contract anniversary thereafter.
9
7.3 Out of Pocket Expenses. In addition to the fees paid under 7.1 above, the
Customer agrees to reimburse the Transfer Agent for reasonable out of pocket expenses not covered
by our fee and service schedule
7.4 Invoices. The Customer agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within
thirty (30) days of the date of the respective billing notice, except for any fees or expenses that
are subject to good faith dispute. In the event of such a dispute, the Customer may only withhold
that portion of the fee or expense subject to the good faith dispute. The Customer shall notify the
Transfer Agent in writing within twenty-one (21) calendar days following the receipt of each
billing notice if the Customer is disputing any amounts in good faith. If the Customer does not
provide such notice of dispute within the required time, the billing notice will be deemed accepted
by the Customer. The Customer shall settle such disputed amounts within five (5) business days of
the day on which the parties agree on the amount to be paid by payment of the agreed amount. If no
agreement is reached, then such disputed amounts shall be settled as may be required by law or
legal process.
7.5 Taxes. Customer shall pay all sales or use taxes in lieu thereof with respect to
the Services (if applicable) provided by Transfer Agent under this Agreement.
7.6 Late Payments.
(a) If any undisputed amount in an invoice of the Transfer Agent (for fees or
reimbursable expenses) is not paid within 90 days after receipt of such invoice, the Customer
shall pay the Transfer Agent interest thereon (from the due date to the date of payment) at a
per annum rate equal to one percent (1.0%) plus the Prime Rate (that is, the base rate on
corporate loans posted by large domestic Transfer Agent) published by the New York edition of
The Wall Street Journal (or, in the event such rate is not so published, a reasonably
equivalent published rate selected by Customer on the first day of publication during the month
when such amount was due. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, such interest rate shall
be no greater than permitted under applicable provisions of Massachusetts law.
(b) The failure by Customer to pay an invoice within 90 days after receipt of such invoice
or the failure by the Customer to timely pay two consecutive invoices shall constitute a
material breach pursuant to Section 16.4(a) below. The Transfer Agent may terminate
this Agreement for such material breach immediately and shall not be obligated to provide the
Customer with 30 days to cure such breach.
7.7 Services Required by Legislation. Services required by legislation or regulatory
mandate that become effective after the Effective Date of this Agreement shall not be part of the
Services, and shall be billed by appraisal.
7.8 Overtime Charges. Overtime charges will be assessed in the event of a late
delivery to the Transfer Agent of Customer material for mailings to Shareholders, unless the mail
date is rescheduled. Such material includes, but is not limited to, proxy statements, quarterly
and annual reports, dividend enclosures and news releases.
10
7.9 Bank Accounts. The Customer acknowledges that the bank accounts maintained by CSS
in connection with the Services will be in its name and that CSS may receive investment earnings in
connection with the investment at CSS’s risk and for its benefit of funds held in those accounts
from time to time.
8. Representations and Warranties of Transfer Agent.
8.1 Governance. The Trust Company is a federally chartered limited purpose national
bank duly organized under the laws of the United States and CSS is a corporation validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and each has full corporate power,
authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. The execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement by Transfer Agent has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action and constitutes the legal valid and binding obligation of Transfer Agent
enforceable against Transfer Agent in accordance with its terms.
8.2 Compliance. The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement by Transfer
Agent will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or
provision of, or require the consent of any other party to, (i) any existing law, ordinance, or
governmental rule or regulation to which Transfer Agent is subject, (ii) any judgement, order,
writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official,
body or authority which is applicable to Transfer Agent, (iii) the incorporation documents or
by-laws of , or any material agreement to which Transfer Agent is a party.
8.3 Facilities. The Transfer Agent has and will continue to have access to the
necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.
8.4 Computer Services. DATA ACCESS SERVICE AND ALL COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH ARE PROVIDED ON AN AS IS, AS AVAILABLE BASIS. TRANSFER
AGENT EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES EXCEPT THOSE EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
CUSTOMER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE DATA ACCESS SERVICE MAY NOT BE OR BECOME AVAILABLE DUE TO ANY
NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION PERIODIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE, SCHEDULED OR
UNSCHEDULED, ACTS OF GOD, TECHNICAL FAILURE, TELECOMMUICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE OR DELAY OR
DISRUPTION ATTRIBUTATLE TO VIRUSES, DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACKS, INCREASED OR FLUCTUATING DEMAND, AND
ACTIONS AND OMISSIONS OF THIRD PARTIES. THEREFORE TRANSFER AGENT EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED WARRANTY REGARDING SYSTEM AND/OR DATA ACCESS SERVICE AVAILABILITY, ACCESSABILITY, OR
PERFORMANCE.
9. Representations and Warranties of Customer.
The Customer represents and warrants to the Transfer Agent that:
11
9.1 Organizations. It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of Maryland;
9.2 Governance. It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement. All corporate proceedings
required by said Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and applicable law have been taken to authorize
it to enter into and perform this Agreement; and
9.3 Securities Act of 1933. A registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) has been filed and is currently effective, or will be effective
prior to the sale of any Shares, and will remain so effective, and all appropriate state securities
law filings have been made with respect to all the Shares of the Customer being offered for sale
except for any Shares which are offered in a transaction or series of transactions which are exempt
from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and state securities laws; information to the
contrary will result in immediate notification to the Transfer Agent.
10. Indemnification/Limitation of Liability.
10.1 Standard of Care. The Transfer Agent shall at all times act in good faith and
agrees to use its best efforts within reasonable time limits to insure the accuracy of all services
performed under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or
damage due to errors unless said errors are caused by its negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct or that of its employees as set forth and subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 10.4 below.
10.2 Customer Indemnity. The Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for, and the
Customer shall indemnify and hold the Transfer Agent harmless from and against, any and all losses,
claims, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees and expenses, payments, expenses and liability
arising out of or attributable to:
(a) All actions of the Transfer
Agent or its agents or subcontractors required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided such actions are taken in good faith and without
negligence or willful misconduct;
(b) The Customer’s lack of good faith, negligence or willful misconduct or the breach of any
representation or warranty of the Customer hereunder;
(c) The reliance or use by the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors of information,
records and documents which (i) are received by the Transfer Agent or its agents or
subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf of the Customer, and (ii) have been
prepared and /or maintained by the Customer or any other person or firm on behalf of the
Customer. Such other person or firm shall include any former transfer agent or former
registrar, or co-transfer agent or co-registrar or any current registrar where the Transfer
Agent is not the current registrar;
(d) The reliance or use by the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors of any paper or
document reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the
12
proper person or persons including Shareholders or electronic instruction from Shareholders
submitted through the shareholder Internet Services or other electronic means pursuant to
security procedures established by the Transfer Agent;
(e) The reliance on, or the carrying out by the Transfer Agent or its agents or
subcontractors of any instructions or requests of the Customer’s representatives;
(f) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any federal or state securities laws
requiring that such Shares be registered or in violation of any stop order or other
determination or ruling by any federal or state agency with respect to the offer or sale of
such Shares;
(g) The negotiations and processing of all checks, including checks made payable to
prospective or existing shareholders which are tendered to the Transfer Agent for the
purchase of Shares (commonly known as “third party checks”);
(h) Any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any former agent of Customer and arising from
Transfer Agent’s reliance on the certified list of holders; and
(i) The negotiation, presentment, delivery or transfer of Shares through the Direct
Registration System Profile System.
10.3 Instructions. At any time the Transfer Agent may apply to any officer of the
Customer for instruction, and may consult with legal counsel for the Customer with respect to any
matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by the Transfer Agent under this
Agreement, and Transfer Agent and its agents and subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be
indemnified by the Customer for any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon such
instructions or upon the advice or opinion of such counsel. The Transfer Agent, its agents and
subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon any paper or document reasonably
believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any
instruction, information, data, records or documents provided the Transfer Agent or its agents or
subcontractors by telephone, in person, machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or similar
means authorized by the Customer, and shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority
of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Customer. The Transfer Agent, its
agents and subcontractors shall also be protected and indemnified in recognizing stock certificates
which are reasonably believed to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of officers of the
Customer, and the proper countersignature of any former transfer agent or former registrar, or of a
co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
10.4 Transfer Agent Indemnification/Limitation of Liability. Transfer Agent shall
be responsible for and shall indemnify and hold the Customer harmless from and against any and all
losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or
attributable to Transfer Agent’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or
which arise out of Transfer Agent’s negligence or willful misconduct or which arise out of the
breach of any representation or warranty of Transfer Agent hereunder, for which Transfer Agent is
not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement; provided, however, that Transfer Agent’s
aggregate liability during any term of this Agreement with respect to, arising from, or
13
arising in connection with this Agreement, or from all services provided or omitted to be
provided under this Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and
shall not exceed, the amounts paid hereunder by the Customer to Transfer Agent as fees and charges,
but not including reimbursable expenses, during the three (3) calendar years immediately preceding
the event for which recovery from the Transfer Agent is being sought.
10.5 Notice. In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section
shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which one 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
indemnifying party shall have the option to participate with the indemnified party in the defense
of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own name or the name of the indemnified party.
The indemnified party shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in
which the indemnifying party may be required to indemnify it except with the indemnifying party’s
prior written consent.
11. Damages.
NO PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY
NATURE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF ANTICIPATED PROFITS, OCCASIONED BY A
BREACH OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT EVEN IF APPRISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
12. Responsibilities of the Transfer Agent.
The Transfer Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the
following terms and conditions, by all of which the Customer, by its acceptance hereof, shall be
bound:
12.1 Whenever in the performance of its duties hereunder the Transfer Agent shall deem it
necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established prior to taking or
suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any
Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Customer and delivered to the
Transfer Agent. Such certificate shall be full authorization to the recipient for any action taken
or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such
certificate.
12.2 The Customer agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be
performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and
assurances as may reasonably be required by the Transfer Agent for the carrying out, or performing
by the Transfer Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
14
12.3 Transfer Agent, any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Transfer Agent may buy, sell or deal in the securities of the
Customer or may have a pecuniary interest in any transaction in which the Customer may be
interested, or contract with or lend money to the Customer or otherwise act as fully and freely as
though it were not appointed as agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the
Transfer Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Customer or for any other legal entity.
12.4 No provision of this Agreement shall require the Transfer Agent to expend or risk its own
funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder
or in the exercise of its rights if it shall believe in good faith that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
13. Covenants of the Customer and Transfer Agent.
13.1 Customer Corporate Authority. The Customer shall furnish to the Transfer Agent
the following:
(a) A copy of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Customer;
(b) Copies of all material amendments to its Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws made
after the date of this Agreement, promptly after such amendments are made; and
(c) A certificate of the Customer as to the Shares authorized, issued and outstanding, as
well as a description of all reserves of unissued Shares relating to the exercise of options,
warrants or a conversion of debentures or otherwise.
13.2 Transfer Agent Facilities. The Transfer Agent hereby agrees to establish and
maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Customer for the safekeeping of
stock certificates, check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any, and for the
preparation, use, and recordkeeping of such certificates, forms and devices. In order to assist
the Fund with its regulatory compliance obligations, Transfer Agent hereby agrees that it will
promptly notify the Fund in the event the Transfer Agent becomes aware of any material inadequacy
in its internal controls, policies and procedures. Additionally, Transfer Agent agrees to provide
the Fund with quarterly certifications indicating that there are currently no material inadequacies
in its internal controls, policies and procedures. Transfer Agent will furnish other such
information as it may be required to provide under applicable law.
13.3 Records. The Transfer Agent shall keep records relating to the services to be
performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable. The Transfer Agent agrees
that all such records prepared or maintained by it relating to the services performed hereunder are
the property of the Customer and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance
with the requirements of law, and will be surrendered promptly to the Customer on and in accordance
with its request.
13.4 Confidentiality. The Transfer Agent and the Customer 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
15
confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except as may be required
by law.
13.5 Non-Solicitation of Transfer Agent Employees. Customer shall not attempt to hire
or assist with the hiring of an employee of EquiServe or affiliated companies or encourage any
employee to terminate their relationship with EquiServe or its affiliated companies.
13.6 Notification. Customer shall notify Transfer Agent as soon as possible in
advance of any stock split, stock dividend similar event which may affect the Shares, and any
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other proceeding regarding Customer affecting the enforcement
of creditors’ rights. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement to the contrary,
Transfer Agent will have no obligation to perform any Services under the Agreement subsequent to
the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other proceeding regarding Customer
affecting the enforcement of creditor’ rights unless Transfer Agent receives assurance satisfactory
to it that it will receive full payment for such services. Further, Customer may not assume the
Agreement after the filing of a bankruptcy petition without transfer agents written consent.
14. Data Access Service and Proprietary Information.
14.1 Transfer Agent has developed a data access service that enables the Customer to access
the Customer’s shareholder records maintained on Transfer Agent’s computer system through the
Internet or remote access, as the case may be (the “Data Access Service”). The Customer wishes to
use such Data Access Service subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Therefore, the
Customer and Transfer Agent agree as follows:
14.2 Access to Shareholder Data.
The Service provided to the Customer pursuant to this Agreement shall include granting the
Customer access to the Shareholder, Customer and proxy information (“Shareholder Data”) maintained
on the records database for the purpose of examining, maintaining, editing, or processing
transactions with respect to Shareholder Data.
14.3 Procedures for Access.
To use the Data Access Service, the Customer must access through the Internet or remote
terminal, as the case may be, pursuant to the procedures provided by Transfer Agent. Such access
is accomplished by entering a unique Customer identification (“Customer ID(s)”) and passwords
(“Password(s)”) assigned to the Customer by Transfer Agent. Each Customer ID and Password assigned
to the Customer is for use only by the Customer. The Customer shall establish and maintain
reasonable security and control over all such Customer IDs and Passwords. Transfer Agent shall
maintain reasonable security and control over each Customer ID. After Transfer Agent assigns the
Customer a Password, the Customer shall change the Password. The Customer recognizes that Transfer
Agent does not have knowledge of the Password, which is selected by the Customer and is within the
Customer’s exclusive control after the necessary change. The Customer may change any Password
thereafter at any time. Customer agrees to notify Transfer Agent immediately if any employee of
Customer granted
16
access to the Data Access Service leaves the employ of the Customer, in order to enable
Transfer Agent to terminate such employee’s access.
14.4 Proprietary Information.
The Customer acknowledges that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report
formats, interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals furnished to the Customer by the
Transfer Agent as part of the Data Access Service to access Shareholder Data maintained by the
Transfer Agent on data bases under the control and ownership of the Transfer Agent or other third
party constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively,
“Proprietary Information”) of substantial value to the Transfer Agent or other third party. In no
event shall Proprietary Information be deemed Shareholder Data. The Customer agrees to treat all
Proprietary Information as proprietary to the Transfer Agent and further agrees that it shall not
divulge any Proprietary Information to any person or organization except as may be provided
hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the Customer agrees for itself and its employees and
agents:
(a) | to refrain from copying or duplicating in any way the Proprietary Information, other than to print out pages reflecting Shareholder Data to provide to shareholders or for Customer’s internal use; | ||
(b) | to refrain from obtaining unauthorized access to any portion of the Proprietary Information, and if such access is inadvertently obtained, to inform Transfer Agent in a timely manner of such fact and dispose of such information in accordance with Transfer Agent’s instructions; | ||
(c) | to refrain from causing or allowing the Proprietary Information from being retransmitted to any other computer facility or other location, except with the prior written consent of Transfer Agent; | ||
(d) | that the Customer shall have access only to those authorized transactions agreed upon by the parties; and | ||
(e) | to honor all reasonable written requests made by Transfer Agent to protect at Transfer Agent’s expense the rights of Transfer Agent Proprietary Information at common law, under federal copyright law and under other federal or state law. |
Each party shall take reasonable efforts to advise its employees of their obligations pursuant to
this Section 14.
14.5 Content. If the Customer notifies the Transfer Agent that any part of the Data
Access Service does not operate in material compliance with the user documentation provided by the
Transfer Agent for such service, the Transfer Agent shall endeavor in a timely manner to correct
such failure. Organizations from which the Transfer Agent may obtain certain data included in the
Services are solely responsible for the contents of such data and the Customer agrees to make no
claim against the Transfer Agent arising out of the contents of such third party data, including,
but not limited to, the accuracy thereof.
17
14.6 Transactions. If the transactions available to the Customer include the ability
to originate electronic instructions to the Transfer Agent in order to (i) effect the transfer or
movement of Shares or direct CSS to transfer cash or (ii) transmit Shareholder information or other
information, then in such event the Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely on the validity and
authenticity of such instructions without undertaking any further inquiry as long as such
instructions are undertaken in conformity with security procedures established by the Transfer
Agent from time to time.
15. Confidentiality.
15.1 Covenant. The Transfer Agent and the Customer agree that they will not, at any
time during the term of this Agreement or after its termination, reveal, divulge, or make known to
any person, firm, corporation or other business organization, any customers’ lists, trade secrets,
cost figures and projections, profit figures and projections, or any other secret or confidential
information whatsoever, whether of the Transfer Agent or of the Customer, used or gained by the
Transfer Agent or the Customer during performance under this Agreement. The Customer and the
Transfer Agent further covenant and agree to retain all such knowledge and information acquired
during and after the term of this Agreement respecting such lists, trade secrets, or any secret or
confidential information whatsoever in trust for the sole benefit of the Transfer Agent or the
Customer and their successors and assigns. The above prohibition of disclosure shall not apply to
the extent that the Transfer Agent must disclose such data to its sub-contractor or agent for
purposes of providing services under this Agreement.
15.2 Request for Records. In the event that any requests or demands are made for the
inspection of the Shareholder records of the Customer, other than request for records of
Shareholders pursuant to standard subpoenas from state or federal government authorities (e.g., in
divorce and criminal actions), the Transfer Agent will endeavor to notify the Customer and to
secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Customer as to such inspection. The Transfer
Agent expressly reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person
whenever it is advised by counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit the
Shareholder records to such person or if required by law or court order.
16. Term and Termination.
16.1 Term. The Initial Term of this Agreement shall be three (3) years from the date
first stated above unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Section 16. Unless
a terminating party gives written notice to the other party sixty (60) days before the expiration
of the Initial Term this Agreement will renew automatically from year to year (“Renewal Term”).
Sixty (60) days before the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term the parties to this
Agreement will agree upon a Fee Schedule for the upcoming Renewal Term. If no new fee schedule is
agreed upon, the fees will increase as set forth in Section 7.2.
16.2 Early Termination. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, should Customer desire to move any of its Services provided by the Transfer Agent
hereunder to a successor service provider prior to the expiration of the then current Initial or
Renewal Term, or without the required notice period, the Transfer Agent shall make a good faith
18
effort to facilitate the conversion on such prior date, however, there can be no guarantee that the
Transfer Agent will be able to facilitate a conversion of Services on such prior date. In
connection with the foregoing, should Services be converted to a successor service provider, or if
the Customer is liquidated or its assets merged or purchased or the like with another entity which
does not utilize the services of the Transfer Agent, the fees payable to the Transfer Agent shall
be calculated as if the services had remained with the Transfer Agent until the expiration of the
then current Initial or Renewal Term and calculated at existing rates on the date notice of
termination was given to the Transfer Agent, and the payment of fees to the Transfer Agent as set
forth herein shall be accelerated to the date prior to the conversion or termination of services.
Section 16.2 shall not apply if the Transfer Agent is terminated for cause under
Section 16.4(a) of this Agreement.
16.3 Expiration of Term. After the expiration of the Initial Term or Renewal Term
whichever currently in effect, should either party exercise its right to terminate, all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated with the movement of records and material will be borne
by the Customer. Additionally, the Transfer Agent reserves the right to charge for any other
reasonable expenses associated with such termination and a de-conversion/transition fee in an
amount equal to 25% of the aggregate fees incurred by Customer during the immediately preceding
twelve (12) month period, provided, however, such fee shall in no event be less than five thousand
dollars.
16.4 Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated in accordance with the following:
(a) at any time by any party upon a material breach of a representation, covenant
or term of this Agreement by any other unaffiliated party which is not cured within
a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, or ten (10) business days in the case of a
party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, after the date of written notice
thereof by one of the other parties;
(b) by Transfer Agent, at any time, in the event that during the term of this
Agreement, a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding is filed by or against Customer or
a trustee or receiver is appointed for any substantial part of Customer’s property
(and in a case of involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceeding,
there is entered an order for relief, or order appointing a receiver or some similar
order or decree and Customer does not succeed in having such order lifted or stayed
within sixty (60) days from the date of its entry), or Customer makes an assignment
of all or substantially all of its property for the benefit of creditors or ceases
to conduct its operations in the normal course or business; and
16.5 Records. Upon receipt of written notice of termination, the parties will use
commercially practicable efforts to effect an orderly termination of this Agreement. Without
limiting the foregoing, Transfer Agent will deliver promptly to Customer, in machine readable form
on media as reasonably requested by Customer, all Shareholder and other records, files and data
supplied to or compiled by Transfer Agent on behalf of Customer.
19
17. Assignment.
17.1 Affiliates. The Transfer Agent may, by providing notice no less than 60 days as
set forth in Section 19.1, but without further consent of the Customer assign its rights and
obligations hereunto to any affiliated transfer agent registered under Section 17A(c)(2) of the
Exchange Act.
17.2 Sub-contractors. Transfer Agent may, without further consent on the part of
Customer, subcontract with other subcontractors for telephone and mailing services as may be
required from time to time; provided, however, that the Transfer Agent shall be as fully
responsible to the Customer for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its
own acts and omissions.
18. Unaffiliated Third Parties.
Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon the Transfer Agent in connection with or make the
Transfer Agent liable for the actions or omissions to act of unaffiliated third parties such as, by
way of example and not limitation, airborne services, the U.S. mails and telecommunication
companies, provided, if the Transfer Agent selected such company, the Transfer Agent shall have
exercised due care in selecting the same.
19. Miscellaneous.
19.1 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Transfer Agent or the Customer to the other is duly given
if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, telex,
telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:
If to the Customer: | ||
SunAmerica Closed End Funds (as listed on Appendix A) | ||
Harborside Financial Center, 0000 Xxxxx 0 | ||
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000 | ||
Attn: General Counsel | ||
If to the Transfer Agent: | ||
EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. | ||
c/o Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc. | ||
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000 | ||
Attn: General Counsel |
20
The Transfer Agent and the Customer may, by notice to the other, designate additional or
different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
19.2 Successors.
All the covenants and provisions of this agreement by or for the benefit of the Customer or
the Transfer Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns
hereunder.
19.3 Amendments.
This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written amendment executed by the parties
hereto and, to the extent required, authorized or approved by a resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Customer.
19.4 Severability.
If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of
competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of
the terms, provision, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
19.5 Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
19.6 Force Majeure.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Transfer Agent shall not be liable
for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control
including, without limitation, acts of God, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or
malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power
failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor
difficulties, war, or civil unrest.
19.7 Descriptive Headings.
Descriptive headings of the several sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience
only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
19.8 Third Party Beneficiaries.
The provisions of this Agreement are intended to benefit only the Transfer Agent, the Customer
and their respective permitted successors and assigns. No rights shall be granted to any other
person by virtue of this agreement, and there are no third party beneficiaries hereof.
21
19.9 Survival.
All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability and limits thereon, and
confidentiality and protection of proprietary rights and trade secrets shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
19.10 Priorities.
In the event of any conflict, discrepancy, or ambiguity between the terms and conditions
contained in this Agreement and any schedules or attachments hereto, the terms and conditions
contained in this Agreement shall take precedence.
19.11 Merger of 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.
19.12 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts
shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.
22
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by one
of its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.
Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc. | Each SunAmerica Closed End Fund | ||||||
EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. | listed on Appendix A | ||||||
On Behalf of Both Entities | |||||||
By:
|
By: | ||||||
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | Name: | ||||||
Title: Managing Director | Title: | ||||||
23
APPENDIX A
to the
MASTER TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
between the
SUNAMERICA CLOSED END FUNDS
and
EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
and
COMPUTERSHARE SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, INC.
to the
MASTER TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
between the
SUNAMERICA CLOSED END FUNDS
and
EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
and
COMPUTERSHARE SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, INC.
Dated as of
December 25, 2005
December 25, 2005
SunAmerica Closed End Funds:
SunAmerica Focused Alpha Growth Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation
SunAmerica Focused Alpha Large-Cap Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation
SunAmerica Focused Alpha Large-Cap Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation
24