1
EXHIBIT m(14)
AGENCY PRICING AGREEMENT
(THE AIM FAMILY OF FUNDS--Registered Trademark--)
This Agreement is entered into as of the ____________ of
_________________ , 2000, between (the "Plan Provider") and A I M Distributors,
Inc. (the "Distributor").
RECITAL
-------
Plan Provider acts as a trustee and/or servicing agent for defined
contribution plans and/or deferred compensation plans (the "Plans") and invests
and reinvests such Plans' assets as specified by an investment advisor, sponsor
or administrative committee of the Plan (a "Plan Representative") generally upon
the direction of Plan beneficiaries (the "Participants").
Plan Provider and Distributor desire to facilitate the purchase and
redemption of shares (the "Shares") of the funds listed on Exhibit A hereto
which may be amended from time to time by Distributor (the "Fund" or "Funds"),
registered investment companies distributed by Distributor, on behalf of the
Plans, through one or more accounts (not to exceed one per Plan) in each Fund
(individually an "Account" and collectively the "Accounts"), subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement. Distributor shall, on behalf of the
Funds, pay to Plan Provider a fee in accordance with Exhibit A hereto.
AGREEMENT
---------
1. SERVICES
Plan Provider shall provide shareholder and administration services for
the Plans and/or their Participants, including, without limitation:
answering questions about the Funds; assisting in changing dividend
options, account designations and addresses; establishing and
maintaining shareholder accounts and records; and assisting in
processing purchase and redemption transactions (the "Services"). Plan
Provider shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations,
including requirements regarding prospectus delivery and maintenance
and preservation of records. To the extent allowed by law, Plan
Provider shall provide Distributor with copies of all records that
Distributor may reasonably request. Distributor or its affiliate will
recognize each Plan as an unallocated account in each Fund, and will
not maintain separate accounts in each Fund for each Participant.
Except to the extent provided in Section 3, all Services performed by
Plan Provider shall be as an independent contractor and not as an
employee or agent of Distributor or any of the Funds. Plan Provider and
Plan Representatives, and not Distributor, shall take all necessary
action so that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
not be "Prohibited Transactions" under section 406 of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or section 4975 of the Internal
Revenue Code.
2. PRICING INFORMATION
Each Fund or its designee will furnish Plan Provider on each business
day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business ("Business
Day"), with (i) net asset value information as of the close of trading
(currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock
-1-
2
Exchange or as at such later times at which a Fund's net asset value is
calculated as specified in such Fund's prospectus ("Close of Trading"),
(ii) dividend and capital gains information as it becomes available,
and (iii) in the case of income Funds, the daily accrual or interest
rate factor (mil rate). The Funds shall use their best efforts to
provide such information to Plan Provider by 6:00 p.m. Central Time on
the same Business Day.
Distributor or its affiliate will provide Plan Provider (a) daily
confirmations of Account activity within five Business Days after each
day on which a purchase or redemption of Shares is effected for the
particular Account, (b) if requested by Plan Provider, quarterly
statements detailing activity in each Account within fifteen Business
Days after the end of each quarter, and (c) such other reports as may
be reasonably requested by Plan Provider.
3. ORDERS AND SETTLEMENT
If Plan Provider receives instructions in proper form from Participants
or Plan Representatives before the Close of Trading on a Business Day,
Plan Provider will process such instructions that same evening. On the
next Business Day, Plan Provider will transmit orders for net purchases
or redemptions of Shares to Distributor or its designee by 9:00 a.m.
Central Time and wire payment for net purchases by 2:00 p.m. Central
Time. Distributor or its affiliate will wire payment for net
redemptions on the Business Day following the day the order is executed
for the Accounts. In doing so, Plan Provider will be considered the
Funds' agent, and Shares will be purchased and redeemed as of the
Business Day on which Plan Provider receives the instructions. Plan
Provider will record time and date of receipt of instructions and will,
upon request, provide such instructions and other records relating to
the Services to Distributor's auditors. If Plan Provider receives
instructions in proper form after the Close of Trading on a Business
Day, Plan Provider will treat the instructions as if received on the
next Business Day.
4. REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE DISTRIBUTOR AND THE FUNDS
Plan Provider and its agents shall limit representations concerning a
Fund or Shares to those contained in the then current prospectus of
such Fund, in current sales literature furnished by Distributor to Plan
Provider, in publicly available databases, such as those databases
created by Standard & Poor's and Morningstar, and in current sales
literature created by Plan Provider and submitted to and approved in
writing by Distributor prior to its use.
5. USE OF NAMES
Plan Provider and its affiliates will not, without the prior written
approval of Distributor, make public references to A I M Management
Group Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, or to the Funds. For purposes of
this provision, the public does not include Plan Providers'
representatives who are actively engaged in promoting the Funds. Any
brochure or other communication to the public that mentions the Funds
shall be submitted to Distributor for written approval prior to use.
Plan Provider shall provide copies of its regulatory filings that
include any reference to A I M Management Group Inc. or its
subsidiaries or the Funds to Distributor. If Plan Provider or its
affiliates should make unauthorized references or representations, Plan
Provider agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Funds, A I M
Management Group Inc. and its subsidiaries from any claims, losses,
expenses or liability arising in any way out of or connected in any way
with such references or representations.
-2-
3
6. TERMINATION
(a) This Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Fund at
any time without any penalty by the vote of a majority of the
directors of such Fund who are "disinterested directors", as
that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"), or by a vote of a majority of the
Fund's outstanding shares, on sixty (60) days' written notice.
It will be terminated by any act which terminates either the
Fund's Distribution Plan, or any related agreement thereunder,
and in any event, it shall terminate automatically in the
event of its assignment as that term is defined in the 1940
Act.
(b) Either party may terminate this Agreement upon ninety (90)
days' prior written notice to the other party at the address
specified below.
7. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) Plan Provider agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Distributor, its affiliates, the Funds, the Funds' investment
advisors, and each of their directors, officers, employees,
agents and each person, if any, who controls them within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), (the "Distributor Indemnitees") against any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to which a
Distributor Indemnitee may become subject insofar as those
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses or actions in
respect thereof, arise out of or are based upon (i) Plan
Provider's negligence or willful misconduct in performing the
Services, (ii) any breach by Plan Provider of any material
provision of this Agreement, or (iii) any breach by Plan
Provider of a representation, warranty or covenant made in
this Agreement; and Plan Provider will reimburse the
Distributor Indemnitee for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred, as incurred, by them in connection with
investigating or defending such loss, claim or action. This
indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which
Plan Provider may otherwise have.
(b) Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Plan
Provider and its affiliates, and each of its directors,
officers, employees, agents and each person, if any, who
controls Plan Provider within the meaning of the Securities
Act (the "Plan Provider Indemnitees") against any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to which a Plan
Provider Indemnitee may become subject insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus of a
Fund, or the omission or the alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make statements therein not misleading, (ii) any breach by
Distributor of any material provision of this Agreement, (iii)
Distributor's negligence or willful misconduct in carrying out
its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, or (iv)
any breach by Distributor of a representation, warranty or
covenant made in this Agreement; and Distributor will
reimburse the Plan Provider Indemnitees for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred, as incurred, by them, in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
claim or action. This indemnity agreement will be in addition
to any liability which Distributor may otherwise have.
-3-
4
(c) If any third party threatens to commence or commences any
action for which one party (the "Indemnifying Party") may be
required to indemnify another person hereunder (the
"Indemnified Party"), the Indemnified Party shall promptly
give notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party. The
Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, at its own expense and
without limiting its obligations to indemnify the Indemnified
Party, to assume control of the defense of such action with
counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party which counsel shall
be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. If the
Indemnifying Party assumes the control of the defense, the
Indemnified Party may participate in the defense of such claim
at its own expense. Without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be withheld
unreasonably, the Indemnifying Party may not settle or
compromise the liability of the Indemnified Party in such
action or consent to or permit the entry of any judgment in
respect thereof unless in connection with such settlement,
compromise or consent each Indemnified Party receives from
such claimant an unconditional release from all liability in
respect of such claim.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the State of Texas applicable to agreements fully
executed and to be performed therein.
9. ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
Each party represents that it is free to enter into this Agreement and
that by doing so it will not breach or otherwise impair any other
agreement or understanding with any other person, corporation or other
entity. Each party represents that it has full power and authority
under applicable law, and has taken all action necessary to enter into
and perform this Agreement and the person executing this Agreement on
its behalf is duly authorized and empowered to execute and deliver this
Agreement. Additionally, each party represents that this Agreement,
when executed and delivered, shall constitute its valid, legal and
binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
Plan Provider further represents, warrants, and covenants that:
(a) it is registered as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), or is not required to be registered as such;
(b) the arrangements provided for in this Agreement will be
disclosed to the Plan Representatives; and
(c) it is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act or any
applicable state securities laws, or, including as a result of
entering into and performing the services set forth in this
Agreement, is not required to be registered as such.
Distributor further represents, warrants and covenants, that:
(a) it is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and any
applicable state securities laws; and
-4-
5
(b) the Funds' advisors are registered as investment advisors
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Funds are
registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act and Fund
Shares are registered under the Securities Act.
10. MODIFICATION
This Agreement and Exhibit A may be amended at any time by Distributor
without Plan Provider's consent by Distributor mailing a copy of an
amendment to Plan Provider at the address set forth below. Such
amendment shall become effective thirty (30) days from the date of
mailing unless this Agreement is terminated by the Plan Provider within
such thirty (30) days.
11. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement shall not be assigned by a party hereto, without the
prior written consent of the other parties hereto, except that a party
may assign this Agreement to an affiliate having the same ultimate
ownership as the assigning party without such consent.
12. SURVIVAL
The provisions of Sections 1, 5 and 7 shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
-5-
6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement by their duly
authorized officers as of the date first above written.
----------------------------------------------
(PLAN PROVIDER)
By:
-------------------------------------------
Print Name:
-----------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------------
Address:
--------------------------------------
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
(DISTRIBUTOR)
By:
-------------------------------------------
Print Name:
-----------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------------
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
-6-
7
EXHIBIT A
For the term of this Agreement, Distributor, or its affiliates, shall
pay Plan Provider the following amounts for each of the following Funds with
respect to the average daily net asset value of the Class A Shares of the Plans'
balances for the prior quarter:
FUND ANNUAL FEE
---- ----------
AIM Advisor Funds (Class A Shares Only)
---------------------------------------
AIM Advisor Flex Fund .25%
AIM Advisor International Value Fund .25%
AIM Advisor Real Estate Fund .25%
AIM Equity Funds (Class A Shares Only)
--------------------------------------------
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund .25%
AIM Blue Chip Fund .25%
AIM Capital Development Fund .25%
AIM Charter Fund .25%
AIM Constellation Fund .25%
AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund .25%
AIM Emerging Growth Fund .25%
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund .25%
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund .25%
AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund .25%
AIM Xxxxxxxxxx Fund .25%
AIM Floating Rate Fund (Class C Shares Only) Up to .25%
--------------------------------------------
AIM Funds Group (Class A Shares Only)
-------------------------------------
AIM Balanced Fund .25%
AIM European Small Company Fund .25%
AIM Explorer Fund .25%
AIM Global Utilities Fund .25%
AIM International Emerging Growth Fund .25%
AIM New Technology Fund .25%
AIM Select Growth Fund .25%
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund .25%
AIM Value Fund .25%
AIM Value II Fund .25%
AIM Growth Series (Class A Shares Only)
---------------------------------------
AIM Basic Value Fund .25%
AIM Euroland Growth Fund .25%
AIM Japan Growth Fund .25%
AIM Mid Cap Equity Fund .25%
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund(1) .25%
----------------
(1) AIM Small Cap Growth Fund is closed to new investors.
8
AIM International Funds, Inc. (Class A Shares Only)
---------------------------------------------------
AIM Asian Growth Fund .25%
AIM European Development Fund .25%
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund .25%
AIM Global Growth Fund .25%
AIM Global Income Fund .25%
AIM International Equity Fund .25%
AIM Investment Funds (Class A Shares Only)
------------------------------------------
AIM Developing Markets Fund .25%
AIM Global Consumer Products and Services Fund .25%
AIM Global Financial Services Fund .25%
AIM Global Health Care Fund .25%
AIM Global Infrastructure Fund .25%
AIM Global Resources Fund .25%
AIM Global Telecommunications and Technology Fund .25%
AIM Latin American Growth Fund .25%
AIM Strategic Income Fund .25%
AIM Investment Securities Funds (Class A Shares Only)
-----------------------------------------------------
AIM High Yield Fund II .25%
AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund(2) .15%
AIM High Yield Fund .25%
AIM Income Fund .25%
AIM Intermediate Government Fund .25%
AIM Municipal Bond Fund .25%
AIM Series Trust (Class A Shares Only)
--------------------------------------
AIM Global Trends Fund .25%
AIM Special Opportunities Funds (Class A Shares Only)
-----------------------------------------------------
AIM Small Cap Opportunities Fund(3) .25%
AIM Large Cap Opportunities Fund(4) .25%
AIM Mid Cap Opportunities Fund(3) .25%
Distributor or its affiliates shall calculate the amount of quarterly
payment and shall deliver to Plan Provider a quarterly statement showing the
calculation of the quarterly amounts payable to Plan Provider. Distributor
reserves the right at any time to impose minimum fee payment requirements before
any quarterly payments will be made to Plan Provider. Payment to Plan Provider
shall occur within 30 days following the end of each quarter. All parties agree
that the payments referred to herein are for record keeping and administrative
services only and are not for legal, investment advisory or distribution
services.
Minimum Payments: $50 (with respect to all Funds in the aggregate.)
-----------------
(2) AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund offers Class A Shares only.
(3) AIM Mid Cap Opportunities Fund and AIM Small Cap Opportunities Fund are
closed to new investors.
(4) AIM Large Cap Opportunities Fund intends to close to new investors on
the earlier of reaching $750 million in assets or September 29, 2000.
