SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
TAX-FREE INTERMEDIATE TERM FUND
TOUCHSTONE TAX-FREE TRUST
This SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT is made as of May 1, 2000, by and between
TOUCHSTONE ADVISORS, INC., an Ohio corporation (the "Advisor"), and FORT
WASHINGTON INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC., an Ohio corporation (the "Sub-Advisor").
WHEREAS, the Advisor is an investment advisor registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and has been retained by Touchstone
Tax-Free Trust (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust organized pursuant
to a Declaration of Trust dated April 13, 1981 and registered as an open-end
diversified management investment company under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act"), to provide investment advisory services to the Tax-Free
Intermediate Term Fund (the "Fund"); and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Advisor also is an investment advisor registered under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Advisor desires to retain the Sub-Advisor to furnish it
with portfolio management services in connection with the Advisor's investment
advisory activities on behalf of the Fund, and the Sub-Advisor is willing to
furnish such services to the Advisor and the Fund;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth, it is agreed as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT OF THE SUB-ADVISOR. In accordance with and subject to the
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor, attached hereto
as Exhibit A (the "Advisory Agreement"), the Advisor hereby appoints the
Sub-Advisor to manage the investment and reinvestment of those assets of the
Fund allocated to it by the Advisor (the "Fund Assets"), subject to the control
and direction of the Advisor and the Trust's Board of Trustees, for the period
and on the terms hereinafter set forth. The Sub-Advisor hereby accepts such
employment and agrees during such period to render the services and to perform
the duties called for by this Agreement for the compensation herein provided.
The Sub-Advisor shall at all times maintain its registration as an investment
advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and shall otherwise comply in
all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and
federal. The Sub-Advisor shall for all purposes herein be deemed an independent
contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized (whether herein
or otherwise), have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or
otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust or the Fund.
2. DUTIES OF THE SUB-ADVISOR. The Sub-Advisor will provide the
following services and undertake the following duties:
a. The Sub-Advisor will manage the investment and reinvestment
of the assets of the Fund, subject to and in accordance with the
investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund and any
directions which the Advisor or the Trust's Board of Trustees may give
from time to time with respect to the Fund. In furtherance of the
foregoing, the Sub-Advisor will make all determinations with respect to
the investment of the assets of the Fund and the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities and shall take such steps as may be necessary or
advisable to implement the same. The Sub-Advisor also will determine
the manner in which voting rights, rights to consent to corporate
action and any other rights pertaining to the portfolio securities will
be exercised. The Sub-Advisor will render regular reports to the
Trust's Board of Trustees and to the Advisor (or such other advisor or
advisors as the Advisor shall engage to assist it in the evaluation of
the performance and activities of the Sub-Advisor). Such reports shall
be made in such form and manner and with respect to such matters
regarding the Fund and the Sub-Advisor as the Trust or the Advisor
shall from time to time request.
b. The Sub-Advisor shall provide support to the Advisor with
respect to the marketing of the Fund, including but not limited to: (i)
permission to use the Sub-Advisor's name as provided in Section 5, (ii)
permission to use the past performance and investment history of the
Sub-Advisor as the same is applicable to the Fund, (iii) access to the
individual(s) responsible for day-to-day management of the Fund for
marketing conferences, teleconferences and other activities involving
the promotion of the Fund, subject to the reasonable request of the
Advisor, (iv) permission to use biographical and historical data of the
Sub-Advisor and individual manager(s), and (v) permission to use the
names of clients to which the Sub-Advisor provides investment
management services, subject to any restrictions imposed by clients on
the use of such names.
c. The Sub-Advisor will, in the name of the Fund, place orders
for the execution of all portfolio transactions in accordance with the
policies with respect thereto set forth in the Trust's registration
statements under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as such
registration statements may be in effect from time to time. In
connection with the placement of orders for the execution of portfolio
transactions, the Sub-Advisor will create and maintain all necessary
brokerage records of the Fund in accordance with all applicable laws,
rules and regulations, including but not limited to records required by
Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act. All records shall be the property of the
Trust and shall be available for inspection and use by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Trust or any person retained
by the Trust. Where applicable, such records shall be maintained by the
Advisor for the periods and in the places required by Rule 31a-2 under
the 1940 Act. When placing orders with brokers and dealers, the
Sub-Advisor's primary objective shall be to obtain the most favorable
price and execution available for the Fund, and in placing such orders
the Sub-Advisor may consider a number of factors, including, without
limitation, the overall direct net economic result to the Fund
(including commissions, which may not be the lowest available but
ordinarily should not be higher than the generally prevailing
competitive range), the financial strength and stability of the broker,
the efficiency with which the transaction will be effected, the ability
to effect the transaction at all where a large block is involved and
the availability of the broker or dealer to stand ready to execute
possibly difficult transactions in the future. Consistent with the
Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
and subject to seeking the most favorable price and execution, the
Sub-Advisor may give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a
factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio
transactions of the Fund. The Sub-Advisor is specifically authorized,
to the extent authorized by law (including, without limitation, Section
28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act")), to pay a broker or dealer who provides research services to the
Sub-Advisor an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio
transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or
dealer would have charged for effecting such transaction, in
recognition of such additional research services rendered by the broker
or dealer, but only if the Sub-Advisor determines in good faith that
the excess commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the
brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer
viewed in terms of the particular transaction or the Sub-Advisor's
overall responsibilities with respect to discretionary accounts that it
manages, and that the Fund derives or will derive a reasonably
significant benefit from such research services. The Sub-Advisor will
present a written report to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, at
least quarterly, indicating total brokerage expenses, actual or
imputed, as well as the services obtained in consideration for such
expenses, broken down by broker-dealer and containing such information
as the Board of Trustees reasonably shall request.
d. In the event of any reorganization or other change in the
Sub-Advisor, its investment principals, supervisors or members of its
investment (or comparable) committee, the Sub-Advisor shall give the
Advisor and the Trust's Board of Trustees written notice of such
reorganization or change within a reasonable time (but not later than
30 days) after such reorganization or change.
e. The Sub-Advisor will bear its expenses of providing
services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement except such expenses as
are undertaken by the Advisor or the Trust.
f. The Sub-Advisor will manage the Fund Assets and the
investment and reinvestment of such assets so as to comply with the
provisions of the 1940 Act and with Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
3. COMPENSATION OF THE SUB-ADVISOR.
a. As compensation for the services to be rendered and duties
undertaken hereunder by the Sub-Advisor, the Advisor will pay to the
Sub-Advisor a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to 0.20% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund. Such fee shall be computed and
accrued daily. If the Sub-Advisor serves in such capacity for less than
the whole of any period specified in this Section 3a, the compensation
to the Sub-Advisor shall be prorated. For purposes of calculating the
Sub-Advisor's fee, the daily value of the Fund's net assets shall be
computed by the same method as the Trust uses to compute the net asset
value of the Fund for purposes of purchases and redemptions of shares
thereof.
b. The Sub-Advisor reserves the right to waive all or a
part of its fees hereunder.
4. ACTIVITIES OF THE SUB-ADVISOR. It is understood that the Sub-Advisor
may perform investment advisory services for various other clients, including
other investment companies. The Sub-Advisor will report to the Board of Trustees
of the Trust (at regular quarterly meetings and at such other times as such
Board of Trustees reasonably shall request) (i) the financial condition and
prospects of the Sub-Advisor, (ii) the nature and amount of transactions
affecting the Fund that involve the Sub-Advisor and affiliates of the
Sub-Advisor, (iii) information regarding any potential conflicts of interest
arising by reason of its continuing provision of advisory services to the Fund
and to its other accounts, and (iv) such other information as the Board of
Trustees shall reasonably request regarding the Fund, the Fund's performance,
the services provided by the Sub-Advisor to the Fund as compared to its other
accounts and the plans of, and the capability of, the Sub-Advisor with respect
to providing future services to the Fund and its other accounts. At least
annually, the Sub-Advisor shall report to the Trustees the total number and type
of such other accounts and the approximate total asset value thereof (but not
the identities of the beneficial owners of such accounts). The Sub-Advisor
agrees to submit to the Trust a statement defining its policies with respect to
the allocation of business among the Fund and its other clients.
It is understood that the Sub-Advisor may become interested in the
Trust as a shareholder or otherwise.
The Sub-Advisor has supplied to the Advisor and the Trust copies of its
Form ADV with all exhibits and attachments thereto (including the Sub-Advisor's
statement of financial condition) and will hereafter supply to the Advisor,
promptly upon the preparation thereof, copies of all amendments or restatements
of such document.
5. USE OF NAMES. Neither the Advisor nor the Trust shall use the name
of the Sub-Advisor in any prospectus, sales literature or other material
relating to the Advisor or the Trust in any manner not approved in advance by
the Sub-Advisor; provided, however, that the Sub-Advisor will approve all uses
of its name which merely refer in accurate terms to its appointment hereunder or
which are required by the SEC or a state securities commission; and provided
further, that in no event shall such approval be unreasonably withheld. The
Sub-Advisor shall not use the name of the Advisor or the Trust in any material
relating to the Sub-Advisor in any manner not approved in advance by the Advisor
or the Trust, as the case may be; provided, however, that the Advisor and the
Trust shall each approve all uses of their respective names which merely refer
in accurate terms to the appointment of the Sub-Advisor hereunder or which are
required by the SEC or a state securities commission; and, provided further,
that in no event shall such approval be unreasonably withheld.
6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF THE SUB-ADVISOR. Absent willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of obligations
or duties hereunder on the part of the Sub-Advisor, the Sub-Advisor shall not be
subject to liability to the Advisor, the Trust or to any shareholder in the Fund
for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services
hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or
sale of any security. As used in this Section 6, the term "Sub-Advisor" shall
include the Sub-Advisor and/or any of its affiliates and the directors, officers
and employees of the Sub-Advisor and/or any of its affiliates.
7. LIMITATION OF TRUST'S LIABILITY. The Sub-Advisor acknowledges that
it has received notice of and accepts the limitations upon the Trust's liability
set forth in its Declaration of Trust. The Sub-Advisor agrees that (i) the
Trust's obligations to the Sub-Advisor under this Agreement (or indirectly under
the Advisory Agreement) shall be limited in any event to the assets of the Fund
and (ii) the Sub-Advisor shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from
the holders of shares of the Fund nor from any Trustee, officer, employee or
agent of the Trust.
8. FORCE MAJEURE. The Sub-Advisor shall not be liable for delays or
errors occurring by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including but
not limited to acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, work
stoppages, fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riot, or
failure of communication or power supply. In the event of equipment breakdowns
beyond its control, the Sub-Advisor shall take reasonable steps to minimize
service interruptions but shall have no liability with respect thereto.
9. RENEWAL, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT.
a. This Agreement shall continue in effect, unless sooner
terminated as hereinafter provided for a period of two years from the
date hereof and it shall continue thereafter provided that such
continuance is specifically approved by the parties and, in addition,
at least annually by (i) the vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities (as herein defined) of the Fund or by
vote of a majority of the Trust's Board of Trustees and (ii) by the
vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this
Agreement or interested persons of either the Advisor or the
Sub-Advisor, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
b. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without
payment of any penalty, (i) by the Advisor, by the Trust's Board of
Trustees or by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, in any such case upon not less than 60 days'
prior written notice to the Sub-Advisor and (ii) by the Sub-Advisor
upon not less than 60 days' prior written notice to the Advisor and the
Trust. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment.
c. This Agreement may be amended at any time by the parties
hereto, subject to approval by the Trust's Board of Trustees and, if
required by applicable SEC rules and regulations, a vote of the
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund affected by
such change.
d. The terms "assignment," "interested persons" and "majority
of the outstanding voting securities" shall have the meaning set forth
for such terms in the 1940 Act.
10. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall become
or shall be found to be invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise,
the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
11. NOTICE. Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing
addressed and delivered personally (or by telecopy) or mailed postage-paid, to
the other party at such address as such other party may designate in accordance
with this paragraph for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice to the
other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust and that of the Advisor
for this purpose shall be 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000 and that the
address of the Sub-Advisor shall be 000 Xxxx 0xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000.
12. MISCELLANEOUS. Each party agrees to perform such further actions
and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Ohio. The captions in this Agreement are
included for convenience only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered in their names and on their behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.
TOUCHSTONE ADVISORS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxxxx
------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. XxXxxxxx
Title: President
FORT WASHINGTON INVESTMENT
ADVISORS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President
EXHIBIT A
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
TOUCHSTONE TAX-FREE TRUST
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT, dated as of May 1, 2000, by and between
TOUCHSTONE ADVISORS, INC., an Ohio corporation (the "Advisor"), and TOUCHSTONE
TAX-FREE TRUST, a Massachusetts business trust created pursuant to a Declaration
of Trust dated April 13, 1981, as amended from time to time (the "Trust").
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end diversified management investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the
"1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest in the Trust are divided into
separate series (each, along with any series which may in the future be
established, a "Fund"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to avail itself of the services,
information, advice, assistance and facilities of an investment advisor and to
have an investment advisor perform for it various investment advisory and
research services and other management services; and
WHEREAS, the Advisor is an investment advisor registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and desires to provide investment
advisory services to the Trust;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth, it is agreed as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT OF THE ADVISOR. The Trust hereby employs the Advisor to
manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of each Fund subject to the
control and direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees, for the period on the
terms hereinafter set forth. The Advisor hereby accepts such employment and
agrees during such period to render the services and to assume the obligations
herein set forth for the compensation herein provided. The Advisor shall for all
purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractor and shall, except as
expressly provided or authorized (whether herein or otherwise), have no
authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an
agent of the Trust.
2. OBLIGATIONS OF AND SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ADVISOR. In
providing the services and assuming the obligations set forth herein, the
Advisor may, at its expense, employ one or more sub-advisors for any Fund. Any
agreement between the Advisor and a sub-advisor shall be subject to the renewal,
termination and amendment provisions of paragraph 10 hereof. The Advisor
undertakes to provide the following services and to assume the following
obligations:
a) The Advisor will manage the investment and reinvestment of
the assets of each Fund, subject to and in accordance with
the respective investment objectives and policies of each
Fund and any directions which the Trust's Board of
Trustees may issue from time to time. In pursuance of
the foregoing, the Advisor may engage separate investment
advisors ("Sub-Advisor(s)") to make all determinations
with respect to the investment of the assets of each Fund,
to effect the purchase and sale of portfolio securities
and to take such steps as may be necessary to implement
the same. Such determination and services by each
Sub-Advisor shall also include determining the manner in
which voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action
and any other rights pertaining to the portfolio
securities shall be exercised. The Advisor shall,
and shall cause each Sub-Advisor to, render regular
reports to the Trust's Board of Trustees concerning the
Trust's and each Fund's investment activities.
b) The Advisor shall, or shall cause the respective
Sub-Advisor(s) to place orders for the execution of all
portfolio transactions, in the name of the respective Fund
and in accordance with the policies with respect thereto
set forth in the Trust's registration statements under the
1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as such
registration statements may be amended from time to time.
In connection with the placement of orders for the
execution of portfolio transactions, the Advisor shall
create and maintain (or cause the Sub-Advisors to create
and maintain) all necessary brokerage records for each
Fund, which records shall comply with all applicable laws,
rules and regulations, including but not limited to
records required by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act. All
records shall be the property of the Trust and shall be
available for inspection and use by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Trust or any person
retained by the Trust. Where applicable, such records
shall be maintained by the Advisor (or Sub-Advisor) for
the periods and in the places required by Rule 31a-2 under
the 1940 Act.
c) In the event of any reorganization or other change in the
Advisor, its investment principals, supervisors or members
of its investment (or comparable) committee, the Advisor
shall give the Trust's Board of Trustees written notice of
such reorganization or change within a reasonable time
(but not later than 30 days) after such reorganization or
change.
d) The Advisor shall bear its expenses of providing services
to the Trust pursuant to this Agreement except such
expenses as are undertaken by the Trust. In addition, the
Advisor shall pay the salaries and fees, if any, of all
Trustees, officers and employees of the Trust who are
affiliated persons, as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the
1940 Act, of the Advisor.
e) The Advisor will manage, or will cause the Sub-Advisors to
manage, the Fund assets and the investment and
reinvestment of such assets so as to comply with the
provisions of the 1940 Act and with Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
3. EXPENSES. The Trust shall pay the expenses of its operation,
including but not limited to (i) charges and expenses for Trust accounting,
pricing and appraisal services and related overhead, (ii) the charges and
expenses of the Trust's auditors; (iii) the charges and expenses of any
custodian, transfer agent, plan agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar
appointed by the Trust with respect to the Funds; (iv) brokers' commissions, and
issue and transfer taxes, chargeable to the Trust in connection with securities
transactions to which the Trust is a party; (v) insurance premiums, interest
charges, dues and fees for Trust membership in trade associations and all taxes
and fees payable by the Trust to federal, state or other governmental agencies;
(vi) fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registrations of
the Trust and/or shares of the Trust with the SEC, state or blue sky securities
agencies and foreign countries, including the preparation of Prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information for filing with the SEC; (vii) all expenses
of meetings of Trustees and of shareholders of the Trust and of preparing,
printing and distributing prospectuses, notices, proxy statements and all
reports to shareholders and to governmental agencies; (viii) charges and
expenses of legal counsel to the Trust; (ix) compensation of Trustees of the
Trust; and (x) interest on borrowed money, if any.
4. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISOR.
a) As compensation for the services rendered and obligations
assumed hereunder by the Advisor, the Trust shall pay to
the Advisor monthly a fee that is equal on an annual basis
to that percentage of the average daily net assets of each
Fund set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto (and with
respect to any future Fund, such percentage as the Trust
and the Advisor may agree to from time to time). Such fee
shall be computed and accrued daily. If the Advisor serves
as investment advisor for less than the whole of any
period specified in this Section 4a, the compensation to
the Advisor shall be prorated. For purposes of calculating
the Advisor's fee, the daily value of each Fund's net
assets shall be computed by the same method as the Trust
uses to compute the net asset value of that Fund.
b) The Advisor will pay all fees owing to each Sub-Advisor,
and the Trust shall not be obligated to the Sub-Advisors
in any manner with respect to the compensation of such
Sub-Advisors.
c) The Advisor reserves the right to waive all or a part of
its fee.
5. ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR. The services of the Advisor to the Trust
hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Advisor shall be free to
render similar services to others. It is understood that the Trustees and
officers of the Trust are or may become interested in the Advisor as
stockholders, officers or otherwise, and that stockholders and officers of the
Advisor are or may become similarly interested in the Trust, and that the
Advisor may become interested in the Trust as a shareholder or otherwise.
6. USE OF NAMES. The Trust will not use the name of the Advisor in any
prospectus, sales literature or other material relating to the Trust in any
manner not approved prior thereto by the Advisor; except that the Trust may use
such name in any document which merely refers in accurate terms to its
appointment hereunder or in any situation which is required by the SEC or a
state securities commission; and provided further, that in no event shall such
approval be unreasonably withheld. The Advisor will not use the name of the
Trust in any material relating to the Advisor in any manner not approved prior
thereto by the Trust; except that the Advisor may use such name in any document
which merely refers in accurate terms to the appointment of the Advisor
hereunder or in any situation which is required by the SEC or a state securities
commission. In all other cases, the parties may use such names to the extent
that the use is approved by the party named, it being agreed that in no event
shall such approval be unreasonably withheld.
The Trustees of the Trust acknowledge that the Advisor has
reserved for itself the rights to the name "Touchstone Tax-Free Trust" (or any
similar names) and that use by the Trust of such name shall continue only with
the continuing consent of the Advisor, which consent may be withdrawn at any
time, effective immediately, upon written notice thereof to the Trust.
7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF THE ADVISOR.
a) Absent willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence,
or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder
on the part of the Advisor, the Advisor shall not be
subject to liability to the Trust or to any shareholder in
any Fund for any act or omission in the course of, or
connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any
losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or
sale of any security. As used in this Section 7, the term
"Advisor" shall include Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and/or
any of its affiliates and the directors, officers and
employees of Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and/or any of its
affiliates.
b) The Trust will indemnify the Advisor against, and hold it
harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees
and expenses) resulting from acts or omissions of the
Trust. Indemnification shall be made only after: (i) a
final decision on the merits by a court or other body
before whom the proceeding was brought that the Trust was
liable for the damages claimed or (ii) in the absence of
such a decision, a reasonable determination based upon a
review of the facts, that the Trust was liable for the
damages claimed, which determination shall be made by
either (a) the vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees
of the Trust who are neither "interested persons" of the
Trust nor parties to the proceeding ("disinterested
non-party Trustees") or (b) an independent legal counsel
satisfactory to the parties hereto, whose determination
shall be set forth in a written opinion. The Advisor shall
be entitled to advances from the Trust for payment of the
reasonable expenses incurred by it in connection with the
matter as to which it is seeking indemnification in the
manner and to the fullest extent that would be permissible
under the applicable provisions of the General Corporation
Law of Ohio. The Advisor shall provide to the Trust a
written affirmation of its good faith belief that the
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under
such law has been met and a written undertaking to repay
any such advance if it should ultimately be determined
that the standard of conduct has not been met. In
addition, at least one of the following additional
conditions shall be met: (i) the Advisor shall provide
security in form and amount acceptable to the Trust for
its undertaking; (ii) the Trust is insured against losses
arising by reason of the advance; or (iii) a majority of a
quorum of the Trustees of the Trust, the members of which
majority are disinterested non-party Trustees, or
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have
determined, based on a review of facts readily available
to the Trust at the time the advance is proposed to be
made, that there is reason to believe that the Advisor
will ultimately be found to be entitled to
indemnification.
8. LIMITATION OF TRUST'S LIABILITY. The Advisor acknowledges that it
has received notice of and accepts the limitations upon the Trust's liability
set forth in its Declaration of Trust. The Advisor agrees that the Trust's
obligations hereunder in any case shall be limited to the Trust and to its
assets and that the Advisor shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation
from the holders of the shares of any Fund nor from any Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust.
9. FORCE MAJEURE. The Advisor shall not be liable for delays or errors
occurring by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including but not
limited to acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, work
stoppages, fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riot, or
failure of communication or power supply. In the event of equipment breakdowns
beyond its control, the Advisor shall take reasonable steps to minimize service
interruptions but shall have no liability with respect thereto.
10. RENEWAL, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT.
a) This Agreement shall continue in effect, unless sooner
terminated as hereinafter provided, for a period of two
years from the date hereof and it shall continue
indefinitely thereafter as to each Fund, provided that
such continuance is specifically approved by the parties
hereto and, in addition, at least annually by (i) the vote
of holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the affected Fund or by vote of a majority
of the Trust's Board of Trustees and (ii) by the vote of a
majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this
Agreement or interested persons of the Advisor, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval.
b) This Agreement may be terminated at any time, with respect
to any Fund(s), without payment of any penalty, by the
Trust's Board of Trustees or by a vote of the majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the affected Fund(s)
upon 60 days' prior written notice to the Advisor and by
the Advisor upon 60 days' prior written notice to the
Trust.
c) This Agreement may be amended at any time by the parties
hereto, subject to approval by the Trust's Board of
Trustees and, if required by applicable SEC rules and
regulations, a vote of the majority of the outstanding
voting securities of any Fund affected by such change.
This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event
of its assignment.
d) The terms "assignment," "interested persons" and "majority
of the outstanding voting securities" shall have the
meaning set forth for such terms in the 1940 Act.
11. SEVERABILITY. 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.
12. MISCELLANEOUS. Each party agrees to perform such further actions
and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Ohio. The captions in this Agreement are
included for convenience only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed and delivered in their names and on their behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above
written. Pursuant to the Trust's Declaration of Trust, dated as of April 13,
1981, the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees
or shareholders of the Trust individually, but bind only the Trust estate.
TOUCHSTONE TAX-FREE TRUST
By: /s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxxxx
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Title: President
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TOUCHSTONE ADVISORS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxxxx
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Title: President
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SCHEDULE 1
Tax-Free Money Fund
Tax-Free Intermediate Term Fund
Ohio Insured Tax-Free Fund
Ohio Tax-Free Money Fund
California Tax-Free Money Fund
Florida Tax-Free Money Fund
Each Fund pays the Advisor a fee equal to the annual rate of 0.50% of the first
$100 million of average daily net assets; 0.45% of the next $100 million of
average daily net assets; 0.40% of the next $100 million of average daily net
assets and 0.375% of such assets in excess of $300 million.
