ACCOUNTING SERVICES, CUSTODY AND SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT
Exhibit h(vii)
ACCOUNTING SERVICES, CUSTODY
AND SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT
AND SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of January 1, 2008 between Diamond Hill Funds, (the “Trust”), an Ohio
business trust, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), a Delaware corporation.
WHEREAS, the Trust is a 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,” collectively, the
“Funds”); and
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to employ JPMorgan to serve as its accounting services agent,
custodian and securities lending agent on behalf of the Funds; and
WHEREAS, JPMorgan wishes to provide such services to the Funds under the conditions set forth
below;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained in this
Agreement, the Trust and JPMorgan agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT.
The Trust hereby appoints JPMorgan as agent to perform those services described in this
Agreement for the Funds. JPMorgan shall act under such appointment and perform the obligations
thereof in accordance with the Trust’s current registration statement and as required by applicable
federal laws and regulations upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. The appointment
shall begin at a time mutually agreed upon by the parties.
2. DOCUMENTATION.
The Trust will furnish from time to time the following documents:
A. Each resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust authorizing the original issue of the
shares of the Funds;
B. Each Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
and amendments thereof;
C. A certified copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Trust and
each amendment thereto;
D. Certified copies of each resolution of the Board of Trustees authorizing officers to give
instructions to JPMorgan;
E. Copies of all agreements with service providers on behalf of the Funds, including advisory
agreements, sub-advisory agreements, underwriting and dealer agreements and custody agreements in
effect;
F. Copies of all policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees, including the
Trust’s Compliance Program adopted pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Compliance
Program”);
G. Copies of any or all deficiency letters or other correspondence resulting from
examinations, audits or reviews conducted by the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(“FINRA”) or any other administrative or regulatory body, whether governmental or private;
H. A listing of all jurisdictions in which each Fund (and class thereof) is lawfully available
for sale as of the date of this Agreement and in which the Trust desires JPMorgan to effect a blue
sky filing;
I. All Notices of and Proxy materials related to any Annual or Special Meetings of
Shareholders of the Trust, including any that proposed the merger, reorganization or liquidation of
a Fund;
J. Copies of all documents relating to special investment or withdrawal plans which are
offered or may be offered in the future by the Funds and for which JPMorgan is to act as plan
agent;
K. Such other certificates, documents or opinions that JPMorgan may, in its discretion, deem
necessary or appropriate in the proper performance of its duties; and
L. The Trust shall furnish JPMorgan with written copies of any amendments to, or changes in,
any of the items referred to in this Paragraph 2 forthwith upon such amendments or changes becoming
effective. In addition, the Trust agrees that no amendments or changes will be made to the Trust’s
Registration Statement that might have the effect of changing the procedures employed by JPMorgan
in providing the services agreed to hereunder or which amendment might affect the duties of
JPMorgan hereunder unless the Trust first obtains JPMorgan’s approval of such amendments or
changes, which approval shall not be withheld unreasonably.
ACCOUNTING
4. ACCOUNTING SERVICES
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, JPMorgan shall
perform the accounting services to the Trust detailed in Paragraphs 5 and 6 and
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in Schedule A to
this Agreement. JPMorgan shall also perform such other accounting services for the Trust and each
of the Funds that are mutually agreed upon by the parties from time to time, for which the Trust
will pay JPMorgan the amounts agreed upon between them.
5. CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, JPMorgan will
calculate the net asset value of each of the Funds and the per share net asset value of each of the
Funds, in accordance with the Trust’s current prospectus and statement of additional information,
once daily as of the time selected by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. JPMorgan will maintain and
keep current the general ledger for the Funds, recording all income and expenses, capital share
activity and security transactions of the Funds. JPMorgan will prepare and maintain a daily
valuation of all securities and other assets of the Funds in accordance with instructions from a
designated officer of the Trust and in the manner set forth in the Trust’s current prospectus and
statement of additional information. In valuing securities of the Funds, JPMorgan may contract
with, and rely upon market quotations provided by, outside services.
6. PAYMENT OF TRUST EXPENSES
JPMorgan shall process each request received from the Trust or its authorized agents for
payment of the Funds’ expenses. Upon receipt of written instructions signed by an officer or other
authorized agent of the Trust, JPMorgan shall prepare payments in the appropriate amounts which
shall be approved by an authorized officer of JPMorgan and remitted to the appropriate party.
The Trust shall either:
(i) approve each payment of the Funds’ expenses prior to JPMorgan’s payment of the expense; or
(ii) agree that JPMorgan shall be promptly reimbursed out of Fund assets for JPMorgan’s
payments of the Funds’ expenses. In the event there is a dispute between the parties regarding a
payment of the Funds’ expenses, the parties shall resolve the dispute using commercially reasonable
means and, if the payment or any part thereof is determined to have been inappropriate, JPMorgan
shall promptly reimburse the Fund.
CUSTODY AND SECURITIES LENDING
7. CUSTODY
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Domestic Custody Agreement between Diamond Hill
Funds and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. dated January 1, 2008, a separate agreement that is
incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, JPMorgan shall provide Custody services to
the Trust.
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8. SECURITIES LENDING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Securities Lending Agreement between Diamond Hill
Funds and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. dated January 1, 2008, a separate agreement that is
incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, JPMorgan shall provide Securities Lending
services to the Trust.
GENERAL
9. RECORD RETENTION AND RETURN
A. JPMorgan shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Trust all books and records which the
Trust is, or may be, required to keep and maintain by applicable laws, rules and regulations,
including but not limited to records required by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules
thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time, pertaining to the various functions
performed by JPMorgan and not otherwise created and maintained by another party pursuant to
contract with the Trust. Where applicable, such records shall be maintained by JPMorgan for the
periods and in the places required by Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. The retention of
such records and other data created and maintained pursuant to this Agreement shall be at the
expense of the Trust. All such records shall be the property of the Trust at all times and shall
be available during regular business hours for reasonable audit and inspection by the Trust or its
agents, or any regulatory agency having authority over the Trust.
B. JPMorgan may at its option at any time, and shall promptly upon the Trust’s demand, turn
over to the Trust and cease to retain the Trust’s files, records and documents created and
maintained by JPMorgan pursuant to this Agreement which are no longer needed by JPMorgan in the
performance of its services or for its legal protection. If not so turned over to the Trust, such
documents and records will be retained by JPMorgan for six years from the year of creation.
10. DATA ACCESS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.
The Trust acknowledges that the data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats,
interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals furnished to the Trust by JPMorgan as part
of the Trust’s ability to access certain Trust-related data (“Customer Data”) maintained by
JPMorgan on data bases under the control and ownership of JPMorgan or another third party (“Data
Access Services”) constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information
(collectively, “Proprietary Information”) of substantial value to JPMorgan or other
third party. In no event shall Proprietary Information be deemed Customer Data. The Trust
agrees to treat all Proprietary Information as proprietary to JPMorgan and further agrees that it
shall not divulge any Proprietary Information to any person or organization except as may be
provided hereunder.
11. COOPERATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS.
JPMorgan shall cooperate with the Trust’s independent public accountants and shall take all
reasonable action in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement to assure that the
necessary information is made available to such accountants for the expression of
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their unqualified
opinion where required for any document for the Trust.
12. SPECIAL SERVICES AND REPORTS AND EXCEPTION PROCESSING.
A. JPMorgan may provide special services and reports with respect to the Trust, subject to an
additional charge as detailed in Schedule B, or such other services and reports as may be
reasonably requested by the Trust or the Trust’s investment adviser, which may result in an
additional charge, the amount of which shall be agreed upon between the parties. JPMorgan will make
available to the Trust other services, at its option, such as the i-online services set forth in
the Addendums attached hereto.
B. JPMorgan may provide exception processing upon the request of
the Trust
or the Trust’s investment adviser, which may result in an additional charge, the amount of which
shall be agreed upon between the parties. Exception processing includes, but is not limited to,
processing which:
(i) requires JPMorgan to use methods and procedures other than those
usually employed by JPMorgan to perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(ii) involves the provision of information to JPMorgan after the commencement of the nightly
processing cycle of JPMorgan’s transfer agency, administration and/or fund accounting processing
system; or
(iii) requires more manual intervention by JPMorgan, either in the entry of data or in the
modification or amendment of reports generated by JPMorgan’s transfer agency, administration and/or
fund accounting processing system than is usually required.
C. Instructions / Certain Procedures, etc.
JPMorgan shall be protected in acting upon any document that it reasonable believes to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person or persons. JPMorgan will not be
held to have notice of any change of authority of any officers, employees or agents of the Trust
until receipt of actual notice thereof from the Trust.
Whenever JPMorgan is requested or authorized to take action hereunder pursuant to instructions
from a shareholder, or a properly authorized agent of a shareholder (“shareholder’s
agent”), concerning an account in a Fund, JPMorgan shall be entitled to rely upon any
certificate, letter or other instrument or communication (including electronic mail), reasonably
believed by JPMorgan to be genuine and to have been properly made, signed or authorized by an
officer or other authorized agent of the Trust or by the shareholder or shareholder’s agent, as the
case may be, and shall be entitled to receive as conclusive proof of any fact or matter required to
be ascertained by it hereunder a certificate signed by an officer of the Trust or any other person
authorized by the Board or by the shareholder or shareholder’s agent, as the case may be.
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As to the services to be provided hereunder, JPMorgan may rely conclusively upon the terms of
the relevant Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Trust relating to the extent
that such services are described therein unless JPMorgan receives written instructions to the
contrary in a timely manner from the Trust.
The parties hereto may amend any procedures adopted, approved or set forth herein by written
agreement as may be appropriate or practical under the circumstances, and JPMorgan may conclusively
assume that any special procedure which has been approved by an executive officer of the Trust
(other than an officer or employee of JPMorgan) does not conflict with or violate any requirements
of the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, By-Laws or then-current prospectuses, or any rule, regulation
or requirement of any regulatory body.
The Trust acknowledges receipt of a copy of JPMorgan’s policy related to the acceptance of
trades for prior day processing (the “JPMorgan As-of Trading Policy”). JPMorgan may amend the
JPMorgan As-of Trading Policy from time to time in its sole discretion. A copy of any such
amendments shall be delivered to the Trust upon request. JPMorgan acknowledges receipt of Trust’s
As-of Trading Policy and agrees to implement that Policy until such time as JPMorgan receives
written notice to discontinue the Policy’s use.
The Trust acknowledges and agrees that deviations from JPMorgan’s written transfer agent
operational and compliance procedures may involve a substantial risk of loss. In the event an
authorized representative of the Trust requests that an exception be made from any written
compliance, transfer agency, administration, fund accounting or any other procedures adopted by
JPMorgan, or any requirements of the AML Program or Compliance Program, JPMorgan may in its sole
discretion determine whether to permit such exception. In the event JPMorgan determines to permit
such exception, the same shall become effective when set forth in a written instrument executed by
an authorized representative of the Trust (other than an employee of JPMorgan) and delivered to
JPMorgan (an “Exception”); provided that an Exception concerning the requirements of the Trust’s
AML Program shall be authorized by the Trust’s AML Compliance Officer. An Exception shall be
deemed to remain effective until the relevant instrument expires according to its terms (or if no
expiration date is stated, until JPMorgan receives written notice from the Trust that such
instrument has been terminated and the Exception is no longer in effect). Notwithstanding any
provision in this Agreement that expressly or by implication provides to the contrary, as long as
JPMorgan acts in good faith, JPMorgan shall have no liability for any loss, liability, expenses or
damages to the Trust resulting from the Exception, and the Trust shall indemnify JPMorgan and hold
JPMorgan harmless from any loss, liability, expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) and
damages resulting to JPMorgan there from.
13. SUBCONTRACTING.
JPMorgan may, at its expense, subcontract with any entity or person concerning the
provision of the services contemplated hereunder; provided, however, that JPMorgan shall not be
relieved of any of its obligations under this Agreement by the appointment of such subcontractor
and provided further, that JPMorgan shall be responsible for all acts of such subcontractor as
if such acts were its own.
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14. COMPENSATION.
For performing its services under this Agreement, the Trust shall pay JPMorgan a monthly fee
with respect to each Fund in accordance with Schedule C attached hereto. It is understood and
agreed by the parties that the Trust may use all or part of the revenue it earns from securities
lending to compensate JPMorgan for its accounting services to the Trust under this Agreement.
15. EXPENSES.
JPMorgan shall furnish, at its expense and without cost to the Trust, the services of JPMorgan
personnel to the extent that such services are required to carry out its obligations under this
Agreement. All costs and expenses not expressly assumed by JPMorgan under this Paragraph shall be
paid by the Trust. A list of typical Trust expenses is set forth in Schedule D; this list is not
all inclusive.
16. REFERENCES TO JPMORGAN OR THE TRUST.
A. Neither the Trust nor its agents shall circulate any printed matter that contains any
reference to JPMorgan without the prior written approval of JPMorgan, excepting solely such printed
matter as merely identifies JPMorgan as Accounting Services Agent, Custodian and Securities Lending
Agent. The Trust will submit printed matter requiring approval to JPMorgan in draft form, allowing
sufficient time for review by JPMorgan and its counsel prior to any deadline for printing.
B. JPMorgan shall not circulate any printed matter that contains any reference to the Trust
without the prior written approval of the Trust, excepting solely such printed matter as merely
identifies the Trust as a client of JPMorgan. JPMorgan will submit printed matter requiring
approval to the Trust in draft form, allowing sufficient time for review by the Trust and its
counsel prior to any deadline for printing.
17. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION.
A. JPMorgan shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss or
expense suffered by the Trust or third parties, in connection with the matters to which this
Agreement relates, except for a loss or expense solely caused by or resulting from JPMorgan’s
gross negligence or willful misconduct.
B. JPMorgan shall not be responsible for, and the Trust shall indemnify and hold JPMorgan and
its directors, officers, agents and employees (collectively the “Indemnitees”) harmless from and
against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, fines, penalties and expenses, including
out-of-pocket and incidental expenses and legal fees (“Losses”) that may be imposed on, incurred
by, or asserted against, the Indemnitees or any of them in the performance of its/their duties
hereunder, including but not limited to those arising out of or attributable to:
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(i) any and all actions of the Indemnitees required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement;
(ii) the reliance on or use by the Indemnitees of information, records, or documents which are
received by the Indemnitees and furnished to it or them by or on behalf of the Trust, and which
have been prepared or maintained by the Trust or any third party on behalf of the Trust;
(iii) the Trust’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or the Trust’s
lack of good faith, or its actions, or lack thereof, involving negligence or willful misfeasance;
(iv) the breach of any representation or warranty of the Trust hereunder;
(v) following any instructions or other directions reasonably believed to be requests of the
Trust or otherwise duly authorized, and upon which JPMorgan is authorized to rely pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement;
(vi) any delays, inaccuracies, errors in or omissions from information or data provided to
JPMorgan by the Trust, its investment advisers and/or sub-advisers, and providers of other services
such as data services, corporate action services, pricing services or securities brokerage;
(vii) the offer or sale of shares by the Trust in violation of any requirement under the
Federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of any state, or in
violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any Federal agency or any state
agency with respect to the offer or sale of such shares in such state (1) resulting from
activities, actions, or omissions by the Trust or its other service providers and agents, or (2)
existing or arising out of activities, actions or omissions by or on behalf of the Trust prior to
the effective date of this Agreement;
(viii) any failure of the Trust’s registration statement to comply with the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”) and the 1940 Act (including the rules and regulations
thereunder) and any other applicable laws, or any untrue statement of a material fact or omission
of a material fact necessary to make any statement therein not misleading in a Trust’s prospectus;
(ix) the actions taken by the Trust, its investment adviser and/or sub-advisers, and its
distributor in compliance with applicable securities, tax, commodities and other laws, rules and
regulations, or the failure to so comply; and
(x) all actions, inactions, omissions, or errors caused by third parties to whom the Trust or
the Indemnitees have assigned any rights and/or delegated any duties under this Agreement at the
request of or as required by the Trust, its investment advisers, distributor, administrator or
sponsor.
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C. In addition to and not in limitation of paragraph B immediately above, the Trust also
agrees to indemnify and hold the Indemnitees and each of them harmless from and against any and all
Losses that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, the Indemnitees or any of them in
connection with or arising out of JPMorgan’s performance under this Agreement, provided the
Indemnitees have not acted with negligence or engaged in willful misconduct.
D. In performing its services hereunder, JPMorgan shall be entitled to rely on any oral or
written instructions, notices or other communications, including electronic transmissions, from the
Trust and its custodians, officers and directors, investment advisers and sub-advisers, investors,
agents and other service providers which JPMorgan reasonably believes to be genuine, valid and
authorized. JPMorgan shall also be entitled to consult with and rely on the advice and opinions of
outside legal counsel and public accountants retained by the Trust, as necessary or appropriate.
E. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall JPMorgan be
liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential losses or damages of any kind
whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if JPMorgan has been advised of the
likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action in which any such loss or
damage may be claimed. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
18. TERMINATION
A. The provisions of this Agreement shall be effective on the date first above written, shall
remain in full force and effect for one year (“Initial Term”) from that date and shall continue in
force for each one year period thereafter (“Renewal Term”), but only so long as such continuance is
approved (1) by JPMorgan, (2) the Trust, and (3) by vote of a majority of the Trust’s Board of
Trustees or a majority of the Trust’s outstanding voting securities.
B. Any party may terminate this Agreement at the end of the
Initial Term
or at the end of any subsequent Renewal Term by giving the other parties at least ninety (90) days’
prior written notice of such termination specifying the date fixed therefore. In the event this
Agreement is terminated by the Trust prior to the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal
Term, the Trust shall make a one-time cash payment to JPMorgan in consideration of services
provided under this Agreement, and not as a penalty, equal to the remaining balance of the fees
payable to JPMorgan under this Agreement through the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as
applicable. In the event this Agreement is terminated by the JPMorgan prior to the end of the
Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Term, the Trust shall not be obligated to pay to JPMorgan
the remaining balance of the fees payable to JPMorgan under this Agreement
through the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. The Trust shall reimburse
JPMorgan for any out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements (“out-of-pocket expenses”) reasonably
incurred by JPMorgan in connection with the services provided under this Agreement within 30 days
of notification to the Trust of such out-of-pocket expenses regardless of whether such
out-of-pocket expenses were incurred before or after the termination of this Agreement.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, following any such termination, in the event that JPMorgan in
fact continues to perform any one or more of the services contemplated by this Agreement with the
consent of the Trust, the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation the provisions
dealing with compensation and indemnification, shall continue in full force and effect. Such
continuation of performance by JPMorgan shall not constitute a waiver of any of rights or remedies
offered JPMorgan under this Agreement or otherwise. Fees and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
JPMorgan but unpaid by the Trust upon such termination shall be immediately due and payable upon
and notwithstanding such termination.
C. If a party materially fails to perform its duties and obligations hereunder (a “Defaulting
Party”) resulting in a material loss to another party or parties, such other party or parties (the
“Non-Defaulting Party”) may give written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party, which such notice
shall set forth with sufficient detail the nature of the breach. The Defaulting Party shall have
ninety (90) days from its receipt of notice to cure the breach. If such material breach shall not
have been remedied to commercially reasonable operating standards, the Non-Defaulting Party may
terminate this Agreement by giving sixty (60) days written notice of such termination to the
Defaulting Party. If JPMorgan is the Non-Defaulting Party, its termination of this Agreement shall
not constitute a waiver of any rights or remedies with respect to services it performed prior to
such termination, or the right of JPMorgan to receive such compensation as may be due as of the
date of termination or to be reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In all cases,
termination by the Non-Defaulting Party shall not constitute a waiver by the Non-Defaulting Party
of any other rights it might have under this Agreement or otherwise against a Defaulting Party.
D. Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with this Section, the terms and
provisions of this Agreement shall become automatically applicable to any investment company which
is a successor to the Trust or any Trust as a result of reorganization, recapitalization or change
of domicile.
E. JPMorgan will be entitled to collect from the Trust all reasonable expenses incurred in
conjunction with termination of this Agreement, including but not limited to out-of-pocket
expenses, employee time, system fees and fees charged by third parties with whom JPMorgan has
contracted.
19. SERVICES FOR OTHERS.
Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent JPMorgan or any affiliated person (as defined in the
0000 Xxx) of JPMorgan from providing services for any other person, firm or corporation (including
other investment companies); provided, however, that JPMorgan expressly
represents that it will undertake no activities that, in its judgment, will adversely affect the
performance of its obligations to the Trust under this Agreement.
20. COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS.
A. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that nothing contained herein shall be construed
to require JPMorgan to perform any services for the Trust that could cause
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JPMorgan to be deemed an
“investment adviser” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act or to
supersede or contravene the Trust’s prospectus or statement of additional information or any
provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement and except for the accuracy of information furnished to it by JPMorgan, the Trust assumes
full responsibility for complying with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the 1933 Act,
and any other laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction.
B. Regulatory Requirements and Changes. JPMorgan will use commercially reasonable efforts to
develop and implement changes to the recordkeeping systems it uses so that the data processing
services provided under this Agreement continue to comply with applicable regulations and rules of
regulatory authorities. With respect to each change in the recordkeeping systems necessitated by
regulatory matters, excluding routine, annual regulatory maintenance changes applying to existing
regulatory matters (e.g., including, but not limited to, tax position forms or magnetic tape/filing
changes), the Trust will pay its proportionate share of JPMorgan’s direct vendor costs based upon
the ratio of the number of the Trust’s shareholder accounts then serviced by JPMorgan, to the total
number of shareholder accounts then serviced by JPMorgan for all of its clients affected by the
change. “Each change” as stated previously, is defined as those modification(s) necessary to
comply with regulatory requirements or changes (for example, all modifications required to support
SEC Redemption Fee Rule 22c-1, or changes to IRS 1099-B Reporting, Anti-Money Laundering, NSCC
Processing/Interface changes, etc.).
21. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES, STANDARD OF CARE, TRUST’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. |
A. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding
upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Trust,
personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust,
acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by
such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any
liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust.
B. Standard of Care; Uncontrollable Events; Limitation of Liability. JPMorgan shall use
reasonable professional diligence to ensure the accuracy of all services performed under this
Agreement, but shall not be liable to the Trust for any action taken or omitted by JPMorgan in the
absence of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard by it of its
obligations and duties. The duties of JPMorgan shall be confined to those expressly set forth
herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against JPMorgan hereunder.
JPMorgan shall maintain adequate and reliable computer and other equipment necessary or
appropriate to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. In the event of equipment failures
beyond JPMorgan’s reasonable control, JPMorgan shall take all steps necessary to minimize service
interruptions but shall have no liability with respect thereto.
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JPMorgan shall endeavor to enter
into one or more agreements making provision for emergency use of electronic data processing
equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. Upon the Trust’s reasonable request,
JPMorgan shall provide supplemental information concerning the aspects of its disaster recovery and
business continuity plan that are relevant to the services provided hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, JPMorgan assumes no responsibility hereunder,
and shall not be liable for, any damage, loss of data, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused by
events beyond its reasonable control. Events beyond JPMorgan’s reasonable control include, without
limitation, force majeure events. In the event of force majeure, computer or other equipment
failures or other events beyond its reasonable control, JPMorgan shall follow applicable procedures
in its disaster recovery and business continuity plan and use all commercially reasonable efforts
to minimize any service interruption.
JPMorgan shall provide the Trust, at such times as the Trust may reasonably require, copies of
reports rendered by independent public accountants on the internal controls and procedures of
JPMorgan relating to the services provided by JPMorgan under this Agreement.
C. Representations and Warranties of the Trust
The Trust represents and warrants to JPMorgan that:
(i) It is a Trust duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
its formation, and has full capacity and authority to enter into this agreement and to carry out
its obligations hereunder;
(ii) It has all necessary authorizations, licenses and permits to carry out its business as
currently conducted;
(iii) It has been in, and shall continue to be in compliance in all material respects with all
laws and regulations applicable to its business and operations and that it is not aware of any
investigation commenced by the SEC or any other regulatory or self-regulatory organization, or any
proceeding or threatened proceeding that concerns the Trust;
(iv) This Agreement has been duly authorized by the Trust and, when executed and delivered by
the Trust, 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 right and remedies of creditors and
secured parties;
(v) As of the close of business on the effective date of this Agreement, each Fund has
authorized unlimited shares; and
(vi) By virtue of its Declaration of Trust, shares of each Fund which are redeemed by the
Trust may be sold by the Trust from its treasury.
The Trust also represents and warrants that the delegation of certain services thereunder to
JPMorgan, as provided in this Agreement, has been approved by the Board.
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22. SEVERABILITY.
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such
determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in
force.
23. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a
counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by
reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the
United States Courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules,
regulations or orders of the SEC issued pursuant to said 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect
of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule,
regulation or order of the SEC, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such
rule, regulation or order.
24. CONFIDENTIALITY
A. Without the prior consent of the other party, no party shall disclose Confidential
Information (as defined below) of any other party received in connection with the services provided
under this Agreement. The receiving party shall use the same degree of care as it uses to protect
its own confidential information of like nature, but no less than a reasonable degree of care, to
maintain in confidence the Confidential Information of the disclosing party. The foregoing
provisions shall not apply to any information that (i) is, at the time of disclosure,
or thereafter becomes, part of the public domain through a source other than the receiving party,
(ii) is subsequently learned from a third party that, to the knowledge of the receiving party, is
not under an obligation of confidentiality to the disclosing party, (iii) was known to the
receiving party at the time of disclosure, or (iv) is generated independently by the receiving
party, or (v) is disclosed pursuant to applicable law, subpoena, applicable professional standards,
request of a governmental or regulatory agency, or other process. The parties further agree that a
breach of this provision would irreparably damage the other party and accordingly agree that each
of them is entitled, in addition to all other remedies at law or in equity, to an injunction or
injunctions without bond or other security to prevent breaches of this provision.
B. For the purpose of this Section, Confidential Information shall mean Technical Elements (as
defined below), any information identified by either party as “Confidential” and/or “Proprietary”
or which, under all of the circumstances, ought reasonably to be treated as confidential and/or
proprietary, or any nonpublic information obtained hereunder concerning another party. JPMorgan
retains the right to use its knowledge, experience, and know-how, including processes, ideas,
concepts and techniques developed in the course of performing the services.
C. In connection with performing its services under this Agreement,
JPMorgan may use certain data, modules, components, designs, utilities, subsets, objects,
13
program listings, tools, models, methodologies, programs, systems, analysis frameworks, leading
practices, data bases, screen formats, report formats, interactive design technologies,
documentation manuals and specifications (“Technical Elements”). Certain Technical Elements were
owned or developed by JPMorgan prior to, or independently from, its engagement hereunder and are
the sole and exclusive property of JPMorgan and JPMorgan retains all rights thereto; and certain
other Technical Elements consist of third party works and products which JPMorgan has acquired the
right to use. The Trust shall have no rights in the Technical Elements. The Trust agrees to treat
all Technical Elements as Confidential Information.
D. Nonpublic personal financial information relating to consumers or customers of the Trust
provided by, or at the direction of the Trust to JPMorgan, or collected or retained by JPMorgan in
the course of performing its duties as transfer agent shall remain the sole property of the Trust.
JPMorgan shall not give, sell or in any way transfer such confidential information to any person or
entity, other than affiliates of JPMorgan except at the direction of the Trust or as required or
permitted by law (including Applicable AML Laws). JPMorgan represents, warrants and agrees that it
has in place and will maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed
to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or
use of records and information relating to consumers or customers of the Trust. The Trust
represents to JPMorgan that it has adopted a Statement of its privacy policies and practices as
required by Regulation S-P and agrees to provide JPMorgan with a copy of that statement annually.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement. The parties
agree to comply with any and all regulations promulgated by the SEC or other applicable laws
regarding the confidentiality of shareholder information.
25. NOTICES.
All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
effective on the date of personal delivery (by private messenger, courier service or otherwise) or
upon confirmed receipt of telex or facsimile, whichever occurs first, or upon receipt if by mail to
the parties at the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the
other):
To the Trust:
|
Diamond Hill Funds | |
000 Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 | ||
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx |
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To JPMorgan:
|
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | |
000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 | ||
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxx X. Xxxxxx |
26. AMENDMENT.
This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written agreement executed by all
parties.
27. BINDING EFFECT.
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he or she has the full power
and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated, and that his or her
signature will operate to bind the party indicated to the foregoing terms.
28. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
29. FORCE MAJEURE.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, JPMorgan assumes no responsibility
hereunder, and shall not be liable, for any damage, loss of data, delay or any other loss
whatsoever caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including and without limitation, acts
of God, interruption of power or other utility, transportation, mail, or communication services,
acts of civil or military authority, sabotages, war, terrorism, insurrection, riots, national
emergencies, explosion, flood, accident, earthquake or other catastrophe, fire, strike or other
labor problems, legal action, present or future law, actions, decrees or orders of governmental
bodies, rule or regulation, or shortages of suitable parts, materials, labor or transportation.
30. MISCELLANEOUS.
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way
define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as are
necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and JPMorgan have each caused this Agreement to be executed as
of the day and year first above written.
DIAMOND HILL FUNDS | ||||||
By: Its: |
|
|||||
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Its: | Senior Vice President |
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Schedule A
January 1, 2008
January 1, 2008
ACCOUNTING SERVICES
In consideration of the compensation detailed in this Agreement, JPMorgan shall perform the
following accounting services as applicable:
1. Calculate net asset value and per share net asset value in accordance with the 1940 Act
and the Trust’s prospectus.
2. Record all security transactions including appropriate gains and losses from the sale of
portfolio securities.
3. Record interest income and dividend income.
4. Record each Fund’s capital share activities based upon purchase and redemption transactions
received by the transfer agent.
5. Calculate a daily cash figure for investment purposes.
6. Monitor and seek authorization for payment of expenses of each Fund.
7. Periodically report to the Trust or its authorized agents share purchases and redemptions
and trial balances of each Fund.
8. Prepare the necessary supporting computations on a book and tax basis to ensure each Fund
complies with the requirements of Section 851 of the Internal Revenue Code.
9. Facilitate and perform tax planning and administration and assist independent accountants
with the preparation of tax forms.
10. Monitor all tax compliance calculations to ensure that each Fund qualifies as a regulated
investment company pursuant to Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code.
11. Assist independent accountants with the annual audit by preparing necessary annual audit
work papers.
12. Generate fund performance calculations (including after-tax returns) and disseminate
reports.
13. Maintain complete, accurate and current all records with respect to the Trust required to
be maintained by the Trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and
under the rules and regulations of the 1940 Act, and preserve said records in the manner and for
the periods prescribed in the Code and the 1940 Act.
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Schedule B
January 1, 2008
January 1, 2008
SPECIAL
SERVICES AND REPORTS
Customized Reports
Reports are created based on the Trust’s design specification and are scheduled to be created on a
set schedule such as daily, weekly, every 2 weeks, monthly, quarterly or annually. Programming for
requests is $___an hour and there is a one-time set-up fee of $___.
Fee Schedule:
Frequency | Charge | |
Daily
|
$Per Month | |
Weekly
|
$Per Month | |
Every 2 Weeks
|
$Per Month | |
Monthly
|
$Per Month | |
Quarterly
|
$Per Quarter | |
Annually
|
$Annually |
On Demand Reports
The charge is $___ per request for reports requested with the Trust’s specifications one time and
not on a set schedule. If such an on demand report were requested with the same criteria as a
previous request the charge would be $___. If programming time exceeds 2 hours, a $___ per hour
charge will apply.
Early Cash Reporting
Early Cash Reporting provides the Trust’s investment advisors preliminary cash estimates for
shareholder activity daily by 7:30 a.m. ET for fluctuating NAV funds. The reporting allows
investment advisors to forecast future cash inflows and outflows from shareholder activity prior to
the FINAL cash figures being available from JPMorgan at 9:30 a.m. ET. The preliminary cash
estimates are subject to change. The information is available via a Secured Internet Site.
Fee Schedule:
One-time set-up fee $___
Monthly fee $___
One-time set-up fee $___
Monthly fee $___
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Schedule C
January 1, 2008
January 1, 2008
COMPENSATION
FOR ACCOUNTING SERVICES
The Trust will pay JPMorgan, on the first business day following the end of each month, a fee
based on its average daily net assets during such month as follows:
Percentage Rate | Average Daily Net Assets | |
0.0200% |
First $2,500,000,000 | |
0.0125% |
Over $2,500,000,000 |
The Trust will reimburse JPMorgan for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of
its services under this Agreement.
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Schedule D
January 1, 2008
January 1, 2008
EXAMPLES OF TRUST EXPENSES
Trust expenses may include, but are not limited to costs and expenses of:
1. Meetings of the Board of Trustees and shareholders of the Trust, including travel costs and
expenses of Fund officers and employees of JPMorgan in attending such meetings;
2. All regulatory filings, postage, envelopes, checks, drafts, continuous forms, bank charges,
reports, communications, proxies (including production, legal fee and administrative costs),
statements and other materials;
3. File interface expenses (e.g., Blue Sky, Expeditor and other distribution partners);
4. Label file creation;
5. Blue Sky filing fees;
6. Typesetting and printing of all documents;
7. EDGARization;
8. Confirmations, statements, fulfillment and any other shareholder
correspondence;
9. Use of outside pricing services;
10. Use of outside solicitation, tabulation and mailing firms;
11. Necessary outside record storage, record destruction, document shredding, media for
storage of records (e.g., microfilm, microfiche, computer tapes);
12. Costs and fees, including employee time and system expenses, associated with exception
processing and resolution of errors not caused by JPMorgan; and
Postage for mailings of dividends, proxies, reports and other mailings to all shareholders
shall be advanced to JPMorgan three business days prior to the mailing date of such materials.
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