Exhibit (k)(4)
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AUCTION AGENT AGREEMENT
between
MUNIVEST FUND, INC.
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Dated as of ___________ __, 2004
Relating to
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK
("AMPS"),
Series F
of
MUNIVEST FUND, INC.
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THIS AUCTION AGENT AGREEMENT, dated as of ________ ___, 2004, is between
MUNIVEST FUND, INC. , a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), and THE BANK
OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation.
The Company proposes to duly authorize and issue 3,000 shares of Auction
Market Preferred Stock, Series F ("Series F AMPS") with a par value of $.10
per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount
equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared),
pursuant to the Company's Articles Supplementary (as defined below). The
Series F AMPS are sometimes referred to as the "AMPS." A separate Auction (as
defined below) will be conducted for each series of AMPS. The Company desires
that The Bank of New York perform certain duties as agent in connection with
each Auction of shares of AMPS (in such capacity, the "Auction Agent"), and as
the transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent
with respect to the shares of AMPS (in such capacity, the "Paying Agent"),
upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the Company hereby
appoints The Bank of New York as said Auction Agent and Paying Agent in
accordance with those terms and conditions (hereinafter generally referred to
as the "Auction Agent," except in Sections 3 and 4 below).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein, the Company and the Auction Agent agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
1.1. Terms Defined by Reference to Articles Supplementary.
Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
specified in the Articles Supplementary.
1.2. Terms Defined Herein.
As used herein and in the Settlement Procedures (as defined below), the
following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context
otherwise requires:
(a) "Affiliate" shall mean any Person, other xxxx Xxxxxxx Lynch,
Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated, made known to the Auction Agent
to be controlled by, in control of, or under common control with,
the Company or its successors.
(b) "Agent Member" of any Person shall mean such Person's agent
member of the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of a
Bidder.
(c) "Articles Supplementary" shall mean the Articles Supplementary
of the Company, establishing the powers, preferences and rights of
the AMPS, filed on __________ ___, 2004 with the state of Maryland.
(d) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1
hereof.
(e) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures that are
set forth in Paragraph 10 of the Articles Supplementary.
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(f) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Vice President, Assistant
Vice President, and Assistant Treasurer of the Auction Agent
assigned to the Dealing and Trading Group of its Corporate Trust
Department, and every other officer or employee of the Auction Agent
designated as an "Authorized Officer" for purposes hereof in a
written communication to the Company.
(g) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean each agreement between the
Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A.
(h) "Company Officer" shall mean the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, the President, each Vice President (whether or not
designated by a number or word or words added before or after the
title "Vice President"), the Secretary, the Treasurer, each
Assistant Secretary and each Assistant Treasurer of the Company and
every other officer or employee of the Company designated as a
"Company Officer" for purposes hereof in a written notice from the
Company to the Auction Agent.
(i) "Holder" shall be a holder of record of one or more shares of
AMPS, listed as such in the stock register maintained by the Paying
Agent pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof.
(j) "Settlement Procedures" shall mean the Settlement Procedures
attached as Exhibit A to the Broker-Dealer Agreement.
1.3. Rules of Construction.
Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent,
the following rules shall apply to the construction of this Agreement:
(a) Words importing the singular number shall include the plural
number and vice versa.
(b) The captions and headings herein are solely for convenience of
reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement nor
shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.
(c) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereto," and other words of
similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole.
(d) All references herein to a particular time of day shall be to
Eastern time.
II. THE AUCTION.
2.1. Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction Procedures and
Settlement Procedures.
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(a) The Articles Supplementary provide that the Applicable Rate on
shares of Series F AMPS for each Dividend Period therefor after the
Initial Dividend Period shall be the rate per annum that a
commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution
appointed by the Company advises results from implementation of the
Auction Procedures. The Board of Directors of the Company has
adopted a resolution appointing The Bank of New York as Auction
Agent for purposes of the Auction Procedures. The Auction Agent
hereby accepts such appointment and agrees that, on each Auction
Date, it shall follow the procedures set forth in this Section 2 and
the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable
Rate for the AMPS for the next Dividend Period therefor. Each
periodic operation of such procedures is hereinafter referred to as
an "Auction."
(b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures and in
the Settlement Procedures are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part hereof to the same
extent as if such provisions were set forth fully herein. In the
case of any conflict between the terms of any document incorporated
herein by reference and the terms hereof, the Auction Agent is,
subject to its obligations as set forth in Section 6.1, authorized
to perform its duties according to the terms hereof, and shall have
no liability for so doing.
2.2. Preparation for Each Auction; Maintenance of Registry of Existing
Holders.
(a) As of the date hereof, the Company shall provide the Auction
Agent with a list of the Broker-Dealers and shall cause to be
delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction Agent a
Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by each such Broker-Dealer. The
Auction Agent shall keep a list of Broker-Dealers with whom it has
signed such Broker-Dealer Agreements, and shall endeavor to keep
such list current and accurate and shall indicate thereon, or on a
separate list, the identity of each Existing Holder, if any, whose
most recent Order was submitted by a Broker-Dealer on such list and
resulted in such Existing Holder continuing to hold or purchasing
shares of AMPS. Not later than five Business Days prior to any
Auction Date for which any change in such list of Broker-Dealers is
to be effective, the Company shall notify the Auction Agent in
writing of such change and, if any such change is the addition of a
Broker-Dealer to such list, the Company shall cause to be delivered
to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction Agent a
Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by such Broker-Dealer. The Auction
Agent shall have entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement with each
Broker-Dealer prior to the participation of any such Broker-Dealer
in any Auction.
(b) In the event that the Auction Date for any Auction shall be
changed after the Auction Agent shall have given the notice referred
to in clause (vii) of Paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures,
the Auction Agent, by such means as the Auction Agent deems
practicable, shall give notice of such change to the
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Broker-Dealers not later than the earlier of 9:15 A.M. on the new
Auction Date or 9:15 A.M. on the old Auction Date.
(c) The provisions contained in paragraph 2 of the Articles
Supplementary concerning Special Dividend Periods and the
notification of a Special Dividend Period will be followed by the
Company and, to the extent applicable, the Auction Agent, and the
provisions contained therein are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to
the same extent as if such provisions were set forth fully herein.
(d) (i) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall determine the
Reference Rate and the Maximum Applicable Rate. If the rate obtained
by the Auction Agent is not quoted on an interest or discount basis,
the Auction Agent shall convert the quoted rate to an interest rate
after consultation with the Company as to the method of such
conversion. Not later than 9:30 A.M. on each Auction Date, the
Auction Agent shall notify the Company and the Broker-Dealers of the
Reference Rate so determined and of the Maximum Applicable Rate.
(ii) If the Reference Rate is the applicable LIBOR Rate and
such rate is to be based on rates supplied by LIBOR Dealers and one
or more of the LIBOR Dealers shall not provide a quotation for the
determination of the applicable LIBOR Rate, the Auction Agent
promptly shall notify the Company so that the Company can determine
whether to select a Substitute LIBOR Dealer or Substitute LIBOR
Dealers to provide the quotation or quotations not being supplied by
any LIBOR Dealer or LIBOR Dealers. The Company promptly shall advise
the Auction Agent of any such selection. If the Company does not
select any such Substitute LIBOR Dealer or Substitute LIBOR Dealers,
then the rates shall be supplied by the remaining LIBOR Dealer or
LIBOR Dealers.
(iii) If, after the date of this Agreement, there is any change
in the prevailing rating of AMPS by either of the rating agencies
(or Substitute Rating Agency or successor rating agency) referred to
in the definition of the Maximum Applicable Rate, subject to the
provisions of paragraph 12 of the Articles Supplementary, thereby
resulting in any change in the corresponding applicable percentage
or corresponding applicable spread for the AMPS, as set forth in
said definition (the "Percentage or Spread"), the Company shall
notify the Auction Agent in writing of such change in the Percentage
or Spread prior to 9:00 A.M. on the Auction Date for AMPS next
succeeding such change. The Percentage for the AMPS on the date of
this Agreement is as specified in paragraph 10(a)(vii) of the
Articles Supplementary. The Auction Agent shall be entitled to rely
on the last Percentage or Spread of which it has received notice
from the Company (or, in the absence of such notice, the Percentage
or Spread set forth in the preceding sentence) in determining the
Maximum Applicable Rate as set forth in Section 2.2(d)(i) hereof.
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(e) The Auction Agent shall maintain by series a current registry of
the Existing Holders of the shares of each series of AMPS for
purposes of each Auction. The Company shall use its best efforts to
provide or cause to be provided to the Auction Agent within ten
Business Days following the date of the Closing a list of the
initial Existing Holders of each series of AMPS, and the
Broker-Dealer of each such Existing Holder through which such
Existing Holder purchased such shares. The Auction Agent may rely
upon, as evidence of the identities of the Existing Holders, such
list, the results of each Auction and notices from any Existing
Holder, the Agent Member of any Existing Holder or the Broker-Dealer
of any Existing Holder with respect to such Existing Holder's
transfer of any shares of AMPS to another Person.
(f) In the event of any partial redemption of any series of AMPS,
upon notice by the Company to the Auction Agent of such partial
redemption, the Auction Agent promptly shall request the Securities
Depository to notify the Auction Agent of the identities of the
Agent Members (and the respective numbers of shares) from the
accounts of which shares have been called for redemption and the
person or department at such Agent Member to contact regarding such
redemption, and at least two Business Days prior to the Auction
preceding the date of redemption with respect to shares of such
series of AMPS being partially redeemed, the Auction Agent shall
request each Agent Member so identified to disclose to the Auction
Agent (upon selection by such Agent Member of the Existing Holders
whose shares are to be redeemed) the number of shares of such series
of AMPS of each such Existing Holder, if any, to be redeemed by the
Company, provided that the Auction Agent has been furnished with the
name and telephone number of a person or department at such Agent
Member from which it is to request such information. In the absence
of receiving any such information with respect to an Existing
Holder, from such Existing Holder's Agent Member or otherwise, the
Auction Agent may continue to treat such Existing Holder as having
ownership of the number of shares of such series of AMPS shown in
the Auction Agent's registry of Existing Holders.
(i) The Auction Agent shall register a transfer of the
ownership of shares of a series of AMPS from an Existing Holder to
another Existing Holder, or to another Person if permitted by the
Company, only if (A) such transfer is made pursuant to an Auction or
(B) if such transfer is made other than pursuant to an Auction, the
Auction Agent has been notified of such transfer in writing in a
notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the Broker-Dealer
Agreements, by such Existing Holder or by the Agent Member of such
Existing Holder. The Auction Agent is not required to accept any
notice of transfer delivered for an Auction unless it is received by
the Auction Agent by 3:00 P.M. on the Business Day next preceding
the applicable Auction Date. The Auction Agent shall rescind a
transfer made on the registry of the Existing Holders of any shares
of AMPS if the Auction Agent has been notified in writing, in a
notice substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Broker-Dealer
Agreement, by the Agent Member or the Broker-Dealer of any Person
that (i) purchased any shares of AMPS and the seller failed to
deliver such shares or (ii) sold any shares of AMPS and the
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purchaser failed to make payment to such Person upon delivery to the
purchaser of such shares.
(g) The Auction Agent may, but shall not be obligated, to request
that the Broker-Dealers, as set forth in Section 3.2(c) of the
Broker-Dealer Agreements, provide the Auction Agent with a list of
their respective customers that such Broker-Dealers believe are
Beneficial Owners of shares of any series of AMPS. The Auction Agent
shall keep confidential any such information and shall not disclose
any such information so provided to any Person other than the
relevant Broker-Dealer and the Company; provided, however, that the
Auction Agent reserves the right and is authorized to disclose any
such information if (i) it is ordered to do so by a court of
competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body, judicial or
quasi-judicial agency or authority having the authority to compel
such disclosure, (ii) it is advised by its counsel that its failure
to do so would be unlawful or (iii) failure to do so would expose
the Auction Agent to loss, liability, claim, damage or expense for
which it has not received indemnity or security satisfactory to it.
2.3. Auction Schedule.
The Auction Agent shall conduct Auctions in accordance with the schedule
set forth below. Such schedule may be changed by the Auction Agent with the
consent of the Company, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. The
Auction Agent shall give notice of any such change to each Broker-Dealer. Such
notice shall be received prior to the first Auction Date on which any such
change shall be effective.
Time Event
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By 9:30 A.M. Auction Agent advises the Company and the
Broker- Dealers of the Reference Rate and
the Maximum Applicable Rate as set forth
in Section 2.2(d)(i) hereof.
9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Auction Agent assembles information
communicated to it by Broker-Dealers as
provided in Paragraph 10(c)(i) of the
Articles Supplementary. Submission
deadline is 1:00 P.M.
Not earlier than 1:00 P.M. Auction Agent makes determinations
pursuant to Paragraph 10(d)(i) of the
Articles Supplementary.
By approximately Auction Agent advises the Company of the
3:00 P.M. results of the Auction as provided in
Paragraph 10(d)(ii) of the Articles
Supplementary.
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders
are accepted and rejected in whole or in
part and shares of AMPS allocated as
provided in Paragraph 10(e) of the
Articles Supplementary.
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Auction Agent gives notice of the Auction
results as set forth in Section 2.4
hereof.
2.4. Notice of Auction Results.
On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify Broker-Dealers of
the results of the Auction held on such date by telephone or other mutually
acceptable electronic means as set forth in Paragraph (a) of the Settlement
Procedures.
2.5. Broker-Dealers.
(a) Not later than 12:00 noon on each Auction Date, the Company
shall pay to the Auction Agent in Federal Funds or similar same-day
funds an amount in cash equal to (i) in the case of any Auction Date
immediately preceding a 7-Day Dividend Period, the product of (A) a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in such
Dividend Period (calculated by counting the first day of such
Dividend Period but excluding the last day thereof) and the
denominator of which is 360, times (B) 1/4 of 1%, times (C) $25,000
times (D) the sum of the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of
the series of AMPS for which the Auction is conducted and (ii) in
the case of any Special Dividend Period, the amount determined by
mutual consent of the Company and the Broker-Dealers pursuant to
Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer Agreements. The Auction Agent shall
apply such moneys as set forth in Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer
Agreements and shall thereafter remit to the Company any remaining
funds paid to the Auction Agent pursuant to this Section 2.5(a).
(b) The Company may designate an Affiliate or Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce,
Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated to act as a Broker-Dealer.
(c) The Auction Agent shall terminate any Broker-Dealer Agreement as
set forth therein if so directed by the Company.
(d) Subject to Section 2.5(b) hereof, the Auction Agent from time to
time shall enter into such Broker-Dealer Agreements as the Company
shall request.
(e) Subject to Section 2.2(a), the Auction Agent shall maintain a
list of Broker-Dealers.
2.6. Ownership of Shares of AMPS and Submission of Bids by the Company
and its Affiliates.
Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company may submit any Sell
Order or Bid, directly or indirectly, in any Auction, except that an Affiliate
of the Company that is a Broker-Dealer may submit a Sell Order or Bid on
behalf of a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner. The Company
shall notify the Auction Agent if the Company or, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, any Affiliate of the Company becomes a Beneficial Owner of any
shares of AMPS. Any shares of a series of AMPS redeemed, purchased or
otherwise acquired (i) by the Company shall not be reissued, except in
accordance with the requirements of the
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Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (ii) by its Affiliates shall not be
transferred (other than to the Company). The Auction Agent shall have no duty
or liability with respect to enforcement of this Section 2.6.
2.7. Access to and Maintenance of Auction Records.
The Auction Agent shall afford to the Company, its agents, independent
public accountants and counsel, access at reasonable times during normal
business hours to review and make extracts or copies (at the Company's sole
cost and expense) of all books, records, documents and other information
concerning the conduct and results of Auctions, provided that any such agent,
accountant or counsel shall furnish the Auction Agent with a letter from the
Company requesting that the Auction Agent afford such person access. The
Auction Agent shall maintain records relating to any Auction for a period of
two years after such Auction (unless requested by the Company to maintain such
records for such longer period not in excess of four years, then for such
longer period which shall not be in excess of four years), and such records,
in reasonable detail, shall accurately and fairly reflect the actions taken by
the Auction Agent hereunder. The Company agrees to keep confidential any
information regarding the customers of any Broker-Dealer received from the
Auction Agent in connection with this Agreement or any Auction, and shall not
disclose such information or permit the disclosure of such information without
the prior written consent of the applicable Broker-Dealer to anyone except
such agent, accountant or counsel engaged to audit or review the results of
Auctions as permitted by this Section 2.7, provided that the Company reserves
the right to disclose any such information if it is advised by its counsel
that its failure to do so would (i) be unlawful or (ii) expose it to
liability, unless the Broker-Dealer shall have offered indemnification
satisfactory to the Company. Any such agent, accountant or counsel, before
having access to such information, shall agree to keep such information
confidential and not to disclose such information or permit disclosure of such
information without the prior written consent of the applicable Broker-Dealer,
provided that such agent, accountant or counsel may reserve the right to
disclose any such information if it is advised by its counsel that its failure
to do so would (i) be unlawful or (ii) expose it to liability, unless the
Broker-Dealer shall have offered indemnification satisfactory to such agent,
accountant or counsel. The Auction Agent shall have no liability in connection
with allowing access to the Company's books, records, documents and other
information pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.7 to the Company, its
agents, independent public accountants and counsel.
III. THE AUCTION AGENT AS PAYING AGENT.
3.1. The Paying Agent.
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a resolution appointing
The Bank of New York as transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent
and redemption agent for the Company in connection with any shares of AMPS (in
such capacity, the "Paying Agent"). The Paying Agent hereby accepts such
appointment and agrees to act in accordance with its standard procedures and
the provisions of the Articles Supplementary which are specified herein with
respect to the shares of AMPS and as set forth in this Section 3.
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3.2. The Company's Notices to the Paying Agent.
Whenever any shares of AMPS are to be redeemed, the Company promptly
shall deliver to the Paying Agent a Notice of Redemption upon the terms set
forth in Section 4(c) of the Articles Supplementary, which will be mailed by
the Company to each Holder at least five Business Days prior to the date such
Notice of Redemption is required to be mailed pursuant to the Articles
Supplementary. The Paying Agent shall have no responsibility to confirm or
verify the accuracy of any such Notice.
3.3. The Company to Provide Funds for Dividends and Redemptions.
(a) Not later than noon on each Dividend Payment Date, the Company
shall deposit with the Paying Agent an aggregate amount of Federal
Funds or similar same-day funds equal to the declared dividends to
be paid to Holders on such Dividend Payment Date, and shall give the
Paying Agent irrevocable instructions to apply such funds to the
payment of such dividends on such Dividend Payment Date.
(b) If the Company shall give a Notice of Redemption, then by noon
of the date fixed for redemption, the Company shall deposit in trust
with the Paying Agent an aggregate amount of Federal Funds or
similar same-day funds sufficient to redeem such shares of AMPS
called for redemption and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the
Holders of shares of AMPS called for redemption upon surrender of
the certificate or certificates therefor.
3.4. Disbursing Dividends and Redemption Price.
After receipt of the Federal Funds or similar same-day funds and
instructions from the Company described in Sections 3.3(a) and (b) above, the
Paying Agent shall pay to the Holders (or former Holders) entitled thereto (i)
on each corresponding Dividend Payment Date, dividends on the shares of AMPS
and (ii) on any date fixed for redemption, the redemption price of any shares
of AMPS called for redemption. The amount of dividends for any Dividend Period
to be paid by the Paying Agent to Holders will be determined by the Company as
set forth in Paragraph 2 of the Articles Supplementary. The redemption price
to be paid by the Paying Agent to the Holders of any shares of AMPS called for
redemption will be determined as set forth in Paragraph 4 of the Articles
Supplementary. The Company shall notify the Paying Agent in writing of a
decision to redeem any shares of AMPS on or prior to the date specified in
Section 3.2 above, and such notice by the Company to the Paying Agent shall
contain the information required to be stated in a Notice of Redemption
required to be mailed by the Company to such Holders. The Paying Agent shall
have no duty to determine the redemption price and may rely on the amount
thereof set forth in a Notice of Redemption.
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IV. THE PAYING AGENT AS TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.
4.1. Original Issue of Stock Certificates.
On the Date of Original Issue for any share of AMPS, one certificate for
each series of AMPS shall be issued by the Company and registered in the name
of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Securities Depository, and countersigned by
the Paying Agent. The Company will give the Auction Agent prior written notice
and instruction as to the issuance and redemption of AMPS.
4.2. Registration of Transfer or Exchange of Shares.
Except as provided in this Section 4.2, the shares of each series of AMPS
shall be registered solely in the name of the Securities Depository or its
nominee. If the Securities Depository shall give notice of its intention to
resign as such, and if the Company shall not have selected a substitute
Securities Depository acceptable to the Paying Agent prior to such
resignation, then upon such resignation, the shares of each series of AMPS, at
the Company's request, may be registered for transfer or exchange, and new
certificates thereupon shall be issued in the name of the designated
transferee or transferees, upon surrender of the old certificate in form
deemed by the Paying Agent properly endorsed for transfer with (a) all
necessary endorsers' signatures guaranteed in such manner and form as the
Paying Agent may require by a guarantor reasonably believed by the Paying
Agent to be responsible, (b) such assurances as the Paying Agent shall deem
necessary or appropriate to evidence the genuineness and effectiveness of each
necessary endorsement and (c) satisfactory evidence of compliance with all
applicable laws relating to the collection of taxes in connection with any
registration of transfer or exchange or funds necessary for the payment of
such taxes.
4.3. Removal of Legend.
Any request for removal of a legend indicating a restriction on transfer
from a certificate evidencing shares of a series of AMPS shall be accompanied
by an opinion of counsel stating that such legend may be removed and such
shares may be transferred free of the restriction described in such legend,
said opinion to be delivered under cover of a letter from a Company Officer
authorizing the Paying Agent to remove the legend on the basis of said
opinion.
4.4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates.
The Paying Agent shall issue and register replacement certificates for
certificates represented to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the
fulfillment of such requirements as shall be deemed appropriate by the Company
and by the Paying Agent, subject at all times to provisions of law, the
By-Laws of the Company governing such matters and resolutions adopted by the
Company with respect to lost, stolen or destroyed securities. The Paying Agent
may issue new certificates in exchange for and upon the cancellation of
mutilated certificates. Any request by the Company to the Paying Agent to
issue a replacement or new certificate pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be
deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to the Paying Agent
that such issuance will comply with provisions of applicable law and the
By-Laws and resolutions of the Company.
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4.5. Disposition of Canceled Certificates; Record Retention.
The Paying Agent shall retain stock certificates which have been canceled
in transfer or in exchange and accompanying documentation in accordance with
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for
two calendar years from the date of such cancellation. The Paying Agent, upon
written request by the Company, shall afford to the Company, its agents and
counsel access at reasonable times during normal business hours to review and
make extracts or copies (at the Company's sole cost and expense) of such
certificates and accompanying documentation. Upon request by the Company at
any time during this two-year period, the Paying Agent shall deliver to the
Company the canceled certificates and accompanying documentation. The Company,
at its expense, shall retain such records for a minimum additional period of
four calendar years from the date of delivery of the records to the Company
and shall make such records available during this period at any time, or from
time to time, for reasonable periodic, special, or other examinations by
representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company also
shall undertake to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon
demand, either at their principal office or at any regional office, complete,
correct and current hard copies of any and all such records.
4.6. Stock Register.
The Paying Agent shall maintain the stock register, which shall contain a
list of the Holders, the number of shares held by each Holder and the address
of each Holder. The Paying Agent shall record in the stock register any change
of address of a Holder upon notice by such Holder. In case of any written
request or demand for the inspection of the stock register or any other books
of the Company in the possession of the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will
notify the Company and secure instructions as to permitting or refusing such
inspection; provided, however, that the Auction Agent reserves the right and
is authorized to permit such inspection if (i) it is ordered to do so by a
court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body, judicial or
quasi-judicial agency or authority having the authority to compel such
disclosure, (ii) it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would
be unlawful or (iii) failure to do so would expose the Auction Agent to loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense for which it has not received indemnity or
security satisfactory to it.
4.7. Return of Funds.
Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent by the Company for any reason
under this Agreement, including for the payment of dividends or the redemption
of shares of any series of AMPS, that remain with the Paying Agent after 12
months shall be repaid to the Company upon written request by the Company.
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V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
5.1. Representations and Warranties of the Company.
The Company represents and warrants to the Auction Agent that:
(i) the Company is duly organized and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
Maryland, and has full power to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to authorize, create and issue the shares of each series of
AMPS;
(ii) the Company is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as
a closed-end, diversified, management investment company;
(iii) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with its terms, subject as to such
enforceability to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other
laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors'
rights and to general equitable principles;
(iv) the forms of the certificates evidencing the shares of
each series of AMPS comply with all applicable laws of the State of
Maryland;
(v) the shares of each series of AMPS have been duly and
validly authorized by the Company and, upon completion of the
initial sale of the shares of such series of AMPS and receipt of
payment therefor, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable;
(vi) at the time of the offering of the shares of each series
of AMPS, the shares offered will be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and no further action by or before any
governmental body or authority of the United States or of any state
thereof is required in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement or will be required in connection with the issuance
of the shares of each series of AMPS, except such action as required
by applicable state securities or insurance laws, all of which
action will have been taken;
(vii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
issuance and delivery of the shares of each series of AMPS do not
and will not conflict with, violate, or result in a breach of, the
terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under,
the Charter or the By-Laws of the Company, any law or regulation
applicable to the Company, any order or decree of any court or
public authority having jurisdiction over the Company, or any
mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or undertaking to which the
Company is a party or by which it is bound; and
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(viii) no taxes are payable upon or in respect of the execution
of this Agreement or will be payable upon or in respect of the
issuance of the shares of each series of AMPS.
5.2. Representations and Warranties of the Auction Agent.
The Auction Agent represents and warrants to the Company that the Auction
Agent is duly organized and is validly existing as a banking corporation in
good standing under the laws of the State of New York, and has the corporate
power to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.
VI. THE AUCTION AGENT.
6.1. Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Company
hereunder and owes no fiduciary duties to any Person except as
specifically provided by this Agreement. The Auction Agent owes no
duties to any person other than the Company by reason of this
Agreement.
(b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only
such duties as are set forth specifically in this Agreement, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement
against the Auction Agent.
(c) In the absence of willful misconduct or negligence on its part,
the Auction Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered
or omitted by it or for any error of judgment made by it in the
performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Auction Agent
shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in the absence of
willful misconduct unless the Auction Agent shall have been
negligent in ascertaining (or failing to ascertain) the pertinent
facts.
(d) The Auction Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any
failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by
circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without
limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires, floods; wars; civil or
military disturbances; sabotage; acts of terrorism; epidemics;
riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities; computer
(hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; labor
disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental
actions; it being understood that the Auction Agent shall use
reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in
the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable
under the circumstances. In no event shall the Auction Agent be
responsible or liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or
damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss
of profit), even if the Auction Agent has been advised of the
likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of
action.
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6.2. Rights of the Auction Agent.
(a) The Auction Agent may rely upon, and shall be protected in
acting or refraining from acting upon, any communication authorized
hereby and any written instruction, notice, request, direction,
consent, report, certificate, share certificate or other instrument,
paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine. The
Auction Agent shall not be liable for acting upon any telephone
communication authorized hereby which the Auction Agent believes in
good faith to have been given by the Company or by a Broker-Dealer.
The Auction Agent may record telephone communications with the
Company or with the Broker-Dealers or with both.
(b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel of its choice, and
the written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken,
suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance
thereon.
(c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or
risk its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial
liability in the performance of its duties hereunder. The Auction
Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received
by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the
Company.
(d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its rights
hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys.
6.3. Auction Agent's Disclaimer.
The Auction Agent makes no representation as to the validity or the
adequacy of this Agreement, the Broker-Dealer Agreements or the AMPS.
6.4. Compensation, Expenses and Indemnification.
(a) The Company shall pay to the Auction Agent reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it under this Agreement
and under the Broker-Dealer Agreements as shall be agreed by the
Auction Agent and the Company from time to time as shall be set
forth in a separate writing signed by the Company and the Auction
Agent, subject to adjustments if the AMPS no longer are held of
record by the Securities Depository or its nominee or if there shall
be such other change as shall increase materially the Auction
Agent's obligations hereunder or under the Broker-Dealer Agreements.
(b) The Company shall reimburse the Auction Agent upon its request
for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or
made by the Auction Agent in accordance with any provision of this
Agreement and of the Broker-Dealer Agreements (including the
reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its agents
and counsel), except any expense, disbursement or advance
attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.
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(c) The Company shall indemnify the Auction Agent for, and hold it
harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without
negligence or willful misconduct on its part arising out of or in
connection with its agency under this Agreement and under the
Broker-Dealer Agreements, including the costs and expenses of
defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with
its exercise or performance of any of its duties hereunder and
thereunder, except such as may result from its negligence or willful
misconduct.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS.
7.1. Term of Agreement.
(a) The term of this Agreement is unlimited unless it shall be
terminated as provided in this Section 7.1. The Company may
terminate this Agreement at any time by so notifying the Auction
Agent, provided that if any AMPS remain outstanding the Company
shall have entered into an agreement in substantially the form of
this Agreement with a successor auction agent. The Auction Agent may
terminate this Agreement upon prior notice to the Company on the
date specified in such notice, which date shall be no earlier than
60 days after delivery of such notice. If the Auction Agent resigns
while any shares of AMPS remain outstanding, the Company shall use
its best efforts to enter into an agreement with a successor auction
agent containing substantially the same terms and conditions as this
Agreement.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.1(b), the
respective rights and duties of the Company and the Auction Agent
under this Agreement shall cease upon termination of this Agreement.
The Company's representations, warranties, covenants and obligations
to the Auction Agent under Sections 5 and 6.4 hereof shall survive
the termination hereof. Upon termination of this Agreement, the
Auction Agent shall (i) resign as Auction Agent under the
Broker-Dealer Agreements, (ii) at the Company's request, deliver
promptly to the Company copies of all books and records maintained
by it in connection with its duties hereunder, and (iii) at the
request of the Company, transfer promptly to the Company or to any
successor auction agent any funds deposited by the Company with the
Auction Agent (whether in its capacity as Auction Agent or as Paying
Agent) pursuant to this Agreement which have not been distributed
previously by the Auction Agent in accordance with this Agreement.
(c) If the AMPS shall no longer settle through an electronic book
entry system, the Auction Agent (but not necessarily the Paying
Agent) shall cease to perform its duties hereunder, and under any
Broker-Dealer Agreement.
7.2. Communications.
Except for (i) communications authorized to be made by telephone pursuant
to this Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii) communications in
connection with Auctions (other than those expressly required to be in
writing), all notices, requests and other
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communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy
or similar writing) and shall be given to such party at its address or
telecopier number set forth below:
If to the Company, MUNIVEST FUND, INC.
addressed to: 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
If to the Auction The Bank of New York
Agent, addressed to: Corporate Trust-Dealing and Trading Group
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0X
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Auction Desk
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
or such other address or telecopier number as such party hereafter may specify
for such purpose by notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or
communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified
herein. Communications shall be given on behalf of the Company by a Company
Officer and on behalf of the Auction Agent by an Authorized Officer.
7.3. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations,
endorsements, promises, agreements or understandings, oral, written or
inferred, between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, except
for agreements relating to the compensation of the Auction Agent.
7.4. Benefits.
Nothing herein, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than
the Company, the Auction Agent and their respective successors and assigns,
any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim hereunder.
7.5. Amendment; Waiver.
(a) This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified,
amended, rescinded, canceled or waived, in whole or in part, except
by a written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative
of the party to be charged. The Company shall notify the Auction
Agent of any change in the Articles Supplementary prior to the
effective date of any such change. If any such change in the
Articles Supplementary materially increases the Auction Agent's
obligations hereunder, the Company shall obtain the written consent
to the Auction Agent prior to the effective date of such change.
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(b) Failure of either party hereto to exercise any right or remedy
hereunder in the event of a breach hereof by the other party shall
not constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to
any subsequent breach.
7.6. Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the
Company and the Auction Agent. This Agreement may not be assigned by either
party hereto absent the prior written consent of the other party, which
consent shall not be withheld unreasonably.
7.7. Severability.
If any clause, provision or section hereof shall be ruled invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or
unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of
the remaining clauses, provisions or sections hereof.
7.8. Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which
shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.
7.9. Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be
performed in said State.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the date first above written.
MUNIVEST FUND, INC.
By:
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Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By:
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Name:
Title:
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