FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE NORTH COUNTRY FUNDS
AND
AMERIMUTUAL FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED][GRAPHIC OMITTED]
THE NORTH COUNTRY FUNDS
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FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this ___ day of ____________, 2000, by and between The
North Country Funds, a Massachusetts business trust, having its principal office
and place of business at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 (the "Trust"),
and AmeriMutual Fund Distributors, Inc., a New York corporation having its
principal office and place of business at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 ("AFD").
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company
registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial
interest ("Shares") in separate series, with each such series representing
interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets, and is
authorized to divide those series into separate classes; and
WHEREAS, the Trust offers Shares in the series as listed in Appendix
A hereto (each such series, together with all other series subsequently
established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement being herein
referred to as a "Fund," and collectively as the "Funds") and the Trust offers
shares of the classes of each Fund as listed in Appendix A hereto (each such
class together with all other classes subsequently established by the Trust and
made subject to this Agreement being herein referred to as a "Class," and
collectively as the "Classes"); and
WHEREAS, AFD is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended ("1934 Act"), as a broker-dealer and is engaged in the business of
selling shares of registered investment companies either directly to purchasers
or through other financial intermediaries; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires that AFD offer, as principal underwriter,
the Shares of each Fund and Class thereof to the public and AFD 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 Trust and AFD hereby agree as follows.
1. APPOINTMENT OF AFD AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
(a) The Trust hereby appoints AFD, and AFD hereby agrees, to act as
distributor of the Shares of the Funds and Classes for the period and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement. In connection therewith, the Trust has
delivered to AFD copies of
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(i) the Trust's Declaration of Trust, Trust Instrument and Bylaws
("Organic Documents");
(ii) the Trust's current Registration Statement;
(iii) the Trust's notification of registration under the 1940 Act on
Form N-8A as filed with the SEC;
(iv) the Trust's current Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information for each Fund (collectively, as currently in effect and as amended
or supplemented, the "Prospectus");
(v) each current plan of distribution or similar document adopted by
the Trust under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act ("Plan") and each current
shareholder service plan or similar document adopted by the Trust ("Service
Plan").
(b) The Trust shall promptly furnish AFD with:
(i) all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing; and
(ii) a certified copy of the resolution of the Board appointing AFD and
authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
2. EXCLUSIVE NATURE OF DUTIES
(a) AFD shall be the exclusive representative of the Trust to act as
distributor of the Funds except that the rights given under this Agreement to
AFD 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 Trust of securities to its shareholders (collectively
"exempt transactions").
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, AFD is and may in the future
distribute shares of other investment companies including investment companies
having investment objectives similar to those of the Funds. The Trust further
understands that existing and future investors in the Funds may invest in shares
of such other investment companies. The Trust agrees that the services that AFD
provides to such other investment companies shall not be deemed in conflict with
its duties to the Trust under this Agreement.
3. OFFERING OF SHARES
(a) AFD shall have the right to buy from the Trust the Shares needed to
fill unconditional orders for Shares of the Funds placed with AFD by investors
or selected dealers or selected agents (each as defined in Section 11 hereof)
acting as agent for their customers' or on their own behalf. Alternatively, AFD
may act as the Trust's agent, to offer, and to solicit offers to subscribe to,
Shares of the Funds.
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(b) The price that AFD shall pay for Shares purchased from the Trust
shall be the NAV of the respective Class or Classes used in determining the
Public Offering Price on which the orders are based. Shares purchased by AFD are
to be resold by AFD to investors at the respective Public Offering Price(s), or
to selected dealers or selected agents acting in accordance with the terms of
selected dealer or selected agent agreements described in Section 11 of this
Agreement. The Trust will advise AFD of the NAV(s) each time that it is
determined by the Trust, or its designated agent, and at such other times as AFD
may reasonably request.
(c) AFD will promptly forward all orders and subscriptions to the Trust
or it designated agent. All orders and all subscriptions shall be directed to
the Trust for acceptance and shall not be binding until accepted by the Trust.
Any order or subscription may be rejected by the Trust; provided, however, that
the Trust will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept or
confirm orders or subscriptions for the purchase of Shares. The Trust or its
designated agent will confirm orders and subscriptions upon their receipt, will
make appropriate book entries and, upon receipt by the Trust or its designated
agent of payment therefor, will issue such Shares in certificated or
uncertificated form pursuant to the instructions of AFD. AFD agrees to cause
such payment and such instructions to be delivered promptly to the Trust or its
designated agent.
(d) The Trust reserves the right to sell Shares directly to investors
through subscriptions received by the Trust, but no such direct sales shall
affect the sales charges due to AFD hereunder.
(e) The Trust reserves the right to suspend the offering of Shares of a
Fund or of any Class thereof at any time in the absolute discretion of the
Board, and upon notice of such suspension AFD shall cease to offer Shares of the
Funds or Classes thereof specified in the notice.
(f) No Shares shall be offered by either AFD or the Trust under any of
the provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of
Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long as the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect or any necessary
amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the
Securities Act, or if and so long as a current prospectus, as required by
Section 10(b) of the Securities Act, as amended, is not on file with the SEC;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph shall in any way
limit the Trust's obligation to repurchase Shares from any shareholder in
accordance with the provisions of the Trust's Organic Documents or the
prospectus applicable to the Shares.
4. REPURCHASE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES BY THE TRUST
(a) Any of the outstanding Shares of a Fund or Class thereof may be
tendered for redemption at any time, and the Trust agrees to redeem or
repurchase the Shares so tendered in accordance with its obligations as set
forth in the Organic Documents and the Prospectus relating to the Shares.
(b) The Trust or its designated agent shall pay:
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(i) the total amount of the redemption price consisting of the
NAV less any applicable deferred sales charge to the redeeming shareholder or
its agent, and
(ii) except as may be otherwise required by the NASD Rules, any
applicable deferred sales charges to AFD in accordance with AFD's instructions
on or before the fifth business day (or such other earlier business day as is
customary in the investment company industry) subsequent to the Trust's or its
agent's 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 Trust of securities
owned by a Fund is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for the Trust fairly to determine the value of a Fund's net assets,
or during any other period when the SEC so requires or permits.
5. DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF AFD
(a) AFD shall use reasonable efforts to sell Shares of the Funds upon
the terms and conditions contained herein and in the then current Prospectus.
AFD shall devote reasonable time and effort to effect sales of Shares but shall
not be obligated to sell any specific number of Shares. The services of AFD to
the Trust hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and nothing herein contained
shall prevent AFD from entering into like arrangements with other investment
companies so long as the performance of its obligations hereunder is not
impaired thereby.
(b) AFD will execute and deliver agreements with broker/dealers,
financial institutions and other industry professionals based on the forms
attached hereto or based on the additional forms of agreement approved from time
to time by the Board with respect to the various classes of shares of the Funds,
including but not limited to forms of sales support agreements and shareholder
servicing agreements approved in connection with a distribution and/or servicing
plan approved in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
(c) AFD will use appropriate efforts to solicit orders for the sale of
Shares and shall undertake such activities as it believes reasonable and
appropriate and which are primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares,
including, but not limited to, advertising, compensation of underwriters,
dealers and sales personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other
than current shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature. AFD
shall be responsible for reviewing and providing advice and counsel on all sales
literature (e.g., advertisements, brochures and shareholder communications) with
respect to each of the Funds. In addition, AFD will provide one or more persons,
during normal business hours, to respond to telephone questions with respect to
the Funds.
(d) All activities by AFD and its agents and employees as distributor
of Shares shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations,
including, without limitation, the 1940 Act, the Securities Act, the Securities
Exchange Act, and the NASD Rules, all rules and regulations made or adopted
pursuant to the 1940 Act by the SEC or any securities association registered
under the Securities Exchange Act.
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(e) In selling Shares of the Funds, AFD shall use its best efforts in
all material respects duly to conform with the requirements of all federal and
state laws relating to the sale of the Shares. None of AFD, any selected dealer,
any selected agent or any other person is authorized by the Trust 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 Trust or its agents.
(f) AFD shall adopt and follow procedures for the confirmation of sales
to investors and selected dealers or selected agents, the collection of amounts
payable by investors and selected dealers or selected agents on such sales, and
the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary to comply with
the requirements of the NASD.
(g) AFD represents and warrants to the Trust that:
(i) It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of New York and it is duly qualified to
carry on its business in the State of New York;
(ii) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation to enter into and perform this Agreement;
(iii) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement;
(iv) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under
this Agreement;
(v) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute
a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Distributor, enforceable against
the Distributor 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;
(vi) It is registered under the Securities Exchange Act with the
SEC as a broker-dealer, it is a member in good standing of the NASD, it will
abide by the NASD Rules, and it will notify the Trust if its membership in the
NASD is terminated or suspended; and
(vii) The performance by the Distributor of its obligations
hereunder does not and will not contravene any provision of its Articles of
Incorporation.
(h) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, including the
Appendices, to the contrary, AFD makes no warranty or representation as to the
number of selected dealers or selected agents with which it has entered into
agreements in accordance with Section 11 hereof, as to the availability of any
Shares to be sold through any selected dealer, selected agent or other
intermediary or as to any other matter not specifically set forth herein.
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6. DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TRUST
(a) The Trust shall furnish to AFD copies of all financial statements
and other documents to be delivered to shareholders or investors at least two
Fund Business Days prior to such delivery and shall furnish AFD copies of all
other financial statements, documents and other papers or information which AFD
may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of Shares.
The Trust shall make available to AFD the number of copies of the Funds'
Prospectuses as AFD shall reasonably request.
(b) The Trust shall take, from time to time, subject to the approval of
the Board and any required approval of the shareholders of the Trust, all
actions necessary to fix the number of authorized Shares (if such number is not
unlimited) and to register the Shares under the Securities Act, to the end that
there will be available for sale the number of Shares as reasonably may be
expected to be sold pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) The Trust will execute any and all documents, furnish any and all
information and otherwise take all actions that may be reasonably necessary to
register or qualify Shares for sale in such states as AFD may designate to the
Trust and the Trust may approve, and the Trust shall pay all fees and other
expenses incurred in connection with such registration or qualification;
provided that AFD shall not be required to register as a broker-dealer or file a
consent to service of process in any State and neither the Trust nor any Fund or
Class thereof shall be required to qualify as a foreign corporation, trust or
association in any State. Any registration or qualification may be withheld,
terminated or withdrawn by the Trust at any time in its discretion. AFD shall
furnish such information and other material relating to its affairs and
activities as the Trust requires in connection with such registration or
qualification.
(d) The Trust represents and warrants to AFD that:
(i) It is a business trust duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts;
(ii) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Organic
Documents to enter into and perform this Agreement;
(iii) All proceedings required by the Organic Documents have been
taken to authorize it to enter into and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(iv) It is an open-end management investment company registered
with the SEC under the 1940 Act;
(v) All Shares, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable;
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(vi) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute
a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable against the
Trust 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;
(vii) The performance by the Distributor of its obligations
hereunder does not and will not contravene any provision of its Articles of
Incorporation.
(viii) The Registration statement is currently effective and will
remain effective with respect to all Shares of the Funds and Classes thereof
being offered for sale;
(ix) The Registration Statement and Prospectuses have been or
will be, as the case may be, carefully prepared in conformity with the
requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder;
(x) The Registration Statement and Prospectuses contain or will
contain all statements required to be stated therein in accordance with the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; all statements of fact
contained or to be contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectuses are
or will be true and correct at the time indicated or on the effective date as
the case may be; and neither the Registration Statement nor any Prospectus, when
they shall become effective or be authorized for use, will 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;
(xi) It will from time to time file such amendment or amendments
to the Registration Statement and Prospectuses as, in the light of then-current
and then-prospective developments, shall, in the opinion of its counsel, be
necessary in order to have the Registration Statement and Prospectuses at all
times contain all material facts required to be stated therein or necessary to
make any statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of Shares ("Required
Amendments");
(xii) It shall not file any amendment to the Registration
Statement or Prospectuses without giving AFD reasonable advance notice thereof;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way
limit the Trust's right to file at any time such amendments to the Registration
Statement or Prospectuses, of whatever character, as the Trust may deem
advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional; and
(xiii) Any amendment to the Registration Statement or
Prospectuses hereafter filed will, when it becomes effective, contain all
statements required to be stated therein in accordance with the 1940 Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder; all statements of fact contained in the
Registration Statement or Prospectuses will, when it becomes effective, be true
and correct at the time indicated or on the effective date as the case may be;
and no such amendment, when it becomes effective, will include an untrue
statement of a material fact or will omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to
a purchaser of the Shares.
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7. INDEMNIFICATION OF AFD BY THE TRUST
(a) The Trust authorizes AFD and any dealers with whom AFD has entered
into dealer agreements to use any Prospectus in the form furnished by the Trust
in connection with the sale of Shares. The Trust agrees to indemnify, defend and
hold AFD, its several officers and directors, and any person who controls AFD
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from
and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the
reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith)
which AFD, its officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may
incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise,
arising out of or based upon
(i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a
material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any
Prospectus,
(ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact
required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or
necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, or
(iii) the Trust's failure to maintain an effective Registration
statement and Prospectuses with respect to Shares of the Funds and Classes that
are the subject of the claim or demand.
(b) The Trust's agreement to indemnify AFD, its officers or directors,
and any such controlling person will not be deemed to cover any such claim,
demand, liability or expense to the extent that it arises out of or is based
upon
(i) any such untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, omission
or alleged omission made in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus in
reliance upon information furnished by AFD, its officers, directors or any such
controlling person to the Trust or its representatives for use in the
preparation thereof, or
(ii) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of AFD's duties, or by reason of AFD's reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement ("Disqualifying Conduct").
(c) The Trust's agreement to indemnify AFD, its officers and directors,
and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the
Trust's being notified of any action brought against AFD, its officers or
directors, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given by
letter, by facsimile or by telegram addressed to the Trust at its address set
forth above within a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first
legal process shall have been served; provided, however, that the failure to
notify the Trust of any such action shall not relieve the Trust from any
liability which the Trust may have to the person against whom such action is
brought by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission,
or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of the Trust's indemnity
agreement contained in this Section.
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(d) The Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit
brought to enforce any such claim, demand or liability, but, in such case, such
defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by the Trust and
approved by AFD, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the Trust
elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good
standing approved by AFD, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear
the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in
case the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, the Trust
will reimburse AFD, its officers and directors, or the controlling person or
persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees
and expenses of any counsel retained by them.
(e) The Trust's indemnification agreement contained in this Section and
the Trust's 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 AFD, its officers and directors, or any controlling person, and
shall survive the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure
exclusively to AFD's benefit, to the benefit of its several officers and
directors, and their respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling
persons and their successors. The Trust agrees promptly to notify AFD of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Trust or any of its
officers or Board members in connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
8. INDEMNIFICATION OF THE TRUST BY AFD
(a) AFD agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, its several
officers and Board members, and any person who controls the Trust within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable
cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any
reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Trust, its
officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, may incur under the
Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the
extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Trust, its officers or
Board members, or such controlling person resulting from such claims or demands
(i) shall arise out of or be based upon any unauthorized sales
literature, advertisements, information, statements or representations or any
Disqualifying Conduct in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares, or
(ii) shall arise out of or be based upon any untrue, or alleged
untrue, statement of a material fact contained in information furnished in
writing by AFD to the Trust specifically for use in the Trust's Registration
Statement and used in the answers to any of the items of the Registration
Statement or in the corresponding statements made in the Prospectus, or shall
arise out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a
material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by AFD to
the Trust and required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such
information not misleading.
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(b) AFD's agreement to indemnify the Trust, its officers and Trustees,
and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon
AFD's being notified of any action brought against the Trust, its officers or
Trustees, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given by
letter, by facsimile or by telegram addressed to AFD at its address set forth
above within a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first legal
process shall have been served.
(c) The failure so to notify AFD of any such action shall not relieve
AFD from any liability which its may have to the person against whom such action
is brought by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or
omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of AFD's indemnity
agreement contained in this Section.
(d) AFD will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to
enforce any such claim, demand or liability, but, in such case, such defense
shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by AFD and approved by the
Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If AFD elects to
assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing approved
by the Trust, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in the case AFD
does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, AFD will reimburse the
Trust, the Trust's officers and directors, or the controlling person or persons
named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and
expenses of any counsel retained by the Trust or them. \
(e) AFD's indemnification agreement contained in this Section and AFD's
representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by AFD or on behalf
of AFD, its officers and directors, or any controlling person, and shall survive
the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively
to the Trust's benefit, to the benefit of the Trust's officers and trustees, and
their respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and
their successors. AFD agrees promptly to notify the Trust of the commencement of
any litigation or proceedings against AFD or any of its officers or trustees in
connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
9. NOTIFICATION BY THE TRUST
(a) The Trust agrees to advise AFD as soon as reasonably practical:
(i) of any request by the SEC for amendments to the Registration
Statement or any Prospectus then in effect;
(ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Prospectus then in effect or
of the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose;
(iii) of the happening of any event that makes untrue any
statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or any
Prospectus then in effect or which requires the making of a change in such
Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not
misleading;
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(iv) of all actions of the SEC with respect to any amendment to
any Registration Statement or xxx Prospectus which may from time to time be
filed with the SEC; and
(v) if a current Prospectus is not on file with the SEC.
For purposes of this section, informal requests by or acts of the Staff
of the SEC shall not be deemed actions of or requests by the SEC.
10. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES
(a) In consideration of the Distributor's services in connection with
the distribution of Shares of each Fund and Class thereof, AFD shall receive:
(i) any applicable sales charge assessed upon investors in
connection with the purchase of Shares;
(ii) from the Trust, any applicable contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC") assessed upon investors in connection with the redemption of
Shares;
(iii) from the Trust, the distribution service fees with respect
to the Shares of those Classes as designated in Appendix A for which a Plan is
effective (the "Distribution Fee"); and
(iv) from the Trust, the shareholder service fees with respect to
the Shares of those Classes as designated in Appendix A for which a Service Plan
is effective (the "Shareholder Service Fee").
(b) The Distribution Fee and Shareholder Service Fee shall be accrued
daily by each applicable Fund or Class thereof and shall be paid monthly as
promptly as possible after the last day of each calendar month but in any event
on or before the fifth (5th) Fund Business Day after month-end, at the rate or
in the amounts set forth in the Plan(s). The Trust grants and transfers to AFD a
general lien and security interest in any and all securities and other assets of
a Fund now or hereafter maintained in an account at the Fund's custodian on
behalf of the Fund to secure any Distribution Fees and Shareholder Service Fees
owed AFD by the Trust under this Agreement.
(c) The Trust shall cause its transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent") to
withhold, from redemption proceeds payable to holders of Shares of the Funds and
the Classes thereof, all CDSCs properly payable by the shareholders in
accordance with the terms of the applicable Prospectus and shall cause the
Transfer Agent to pay such amounts over to AFD as promptly as possible after the
settlement date for each redemption of Shares.
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(d) The Trust shall be responsible and assumes the obligation for
payment of all the expenses of the Funds, including fees and disbursements of
its counsel and auditors, in connection with the preparation and filing of the
Registration Statement and Prospectuses (including but not limited to the
expense of setting in type the Registration Statement and Prospectuses and
printing sufficient quantities for internal compliance, regulatory purposes and
for distribution to current shareholders).
(e) The Trust shall bear the cost and expenses (i) of the registration
of the Shares for sale under the Securities Act; (ii) of the registration or
qualification of the Shares for sale under the securities laws of the various
States; (iii) if necessary or advisable in connection therewith, of qualifying
the Trust, the Funds or the Classes thereof (but not AFD) as an issuer or as a
broker or dealer, in such States as shall be selected by the Trust and AFD
pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof; and (iv) payable to each State for continuing
registration or qualification therein until the Trust decides to discontinue
registration or qualification pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof. AFD shall pay all
expenses relating to AFD's broker-dealer qualification.
11. SELECTED DEALER AND SELECTED AGENT AGREEMENTS
The Distributor shall have the right to enter into selected dealer agreements
with securities dealers of its choice ("selected dealers") and selected agent
agreements with depository institutions and other financial intermediaries of
its choice ("selected agents") for the sale of Shares and to fix therein the
portion of the sales charge, if any, that may be allocated to the selected
dealers or selected agents; provided, that the Trust shall approve the forms of
agreements with selected dealers or selected agents and shall review the
compensation set forth therein. Selected dealers and selected agents shall
resell Shares of each Fund or Class thereof at the public offering price(s) set
forth in the Prospectus relating to the Shares. Within the United States, AFD
shall offer and sell Shares of the Funds only to selected dealers that are
members in good standing of the NASD.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Distributor agrees to treat all records and other information related to the
Trust as proprietary information of the Trust and, on behalf of itself and its
employees, to keep confidential all such information, except that AFD may:
(a) prepare or assist in the preparation of periodic reports to
shareholders and regulatory bodies such as the SEC;
(b) provide information typically supplied in the investment company
industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other
information regarding investment companies; and
(c) release such other information as approved in writing by the Trust,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;
provided, however, that AFD may release any information regarding the Trust
without the consent of the Trust if AFD reasonably believes that it may be
exposed to civil or criminal legal proceedings for failure to comply, when
requested to release any information by duly constituted authorities or when so
requested by the Trust.
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13. EFFECTIVENESS AND DURATION
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and
will continue for an initial two-year term and will continue thereafter so long
as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the
Trust's Board or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Shares of the Trust or the
relevant Fund, as the case may be, provided that in either event its continuance
also is approved by a majority of the Board members who are not "interested
persons" of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This agreement is terminable, without penalty, on not less than
sixty days' notice, by the Board, by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of such Trust, or by AFD.
(c) This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the
event of its "assignment."
(d) AFD agrees to notify the Trust immediately upon the event of AFD's
expulsion or suspension by the NASD. This Agreement will automatically and
immediately terminate in the event of AFD's expulsion or suspension by the NASD.
14, DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth
below:
(a) The "Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(b) "Fund Business Day" means any day on which the NAV of Shares of the
applicable Fund is determined as stated in the then current prospectus.
(c) "NASD Rules" means the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of Fair
Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD")
and any interpretations thereof. (a) "NAV" means the net asset value per Share
of each Class of each Fund as determined by the Trust, or its designated agent,
in accordance with and at the times indicated in the applicable Prospectus of
the Trust on each Fund Business Day in accordance with the method set forth in
the Prospectus and guidelines established by the Board.
(d) "Public Offering Price" means the price per Share of each Class of
each Fund at which AFD or selected dealers or selected agents may sell Shares to
the public or to those persons eligible to invest in Shares as described in the
applicable Prospectus of the Trust, determined in accordance with such
Prospectus under the Securities Act relating to such Shares.
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(e) "Prospectus" means the current prospectuses and statements of
additional information of each Fund and Class thereof, as currently in effect
and as amended or supplemented.
(f) "Registration Statement" means the Trust's Registration Statement
on Form N-1A and all amendments thereto filed with the SEC.
(g) "SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(h) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(i) "Securities Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
(j) "1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(e) The terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"interested person" and "assignment" shall have the same meanings as such terms
have in the 1940 Act..
15. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged
or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party
against which an enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is
sought.
(b) The laws of the State of New York shall govern this agreement
without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws.
(c) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by
a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement
shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized persons,
as of the day and year first above written.
THE NORTH COUNTRY FUNDS AMERIMUTUAL FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: ____________________________ By: ______________________________
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
President Vice-President
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DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THE NORTH COUNTRY FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
FUNDS AND CLASSES TO BE SERVICED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT
North Country Equity Growth Fund
North Country Intermediate Bond Fund
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