MARKETING COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
This
Agreement entered into this ___ day of ___, 20__, between Nationwide Life
Insurance Company ("Nationwide"), and Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
(“NISC”).
Nationwide
proposes to develop, issue and administer, and NISC proposes to provide the
exclusive national distribution services for certain annuity and life products
(the "Products"). The parties hereby agree as follows:
A.
ADMINISTRATION OF PRODUCTS
1.
Appointment of Product Administration
Nationwide
is hereby
appointed Product Administrator for the Products.
2.
Duties of Nationwide
Nationwide
will perform in a proper and timely manner, those functionsenumerated in the
column marked "Nationwide" in the "Analysis of Administrative Functions,"
attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, and incorporated herein by reference.
3.
Duties of NISC
NISC
will
perform in a proper and timely manner, those functions enumerated inthe column
marked "NISC" in the "Analysis of Administrative Functions,"attached hereto
as
EXHIBIT A, and incorporated herein by reference.
B.
MARKETING COORDINATION AND SALES ADMINISTRATION
1.
Distribution of Products
The
Products will be distributed through registered representatives of NASD
broker-dealer firms, appointed by Nationwide, who shall be duly qualified and
licensed as agents (the "Agents"), in accordance with applicable state insurance
authority.
2.
NISC shall be the exclusive National Distributor of the Products.
3.
Appointment and Termination of Agents
Appointment
and termination of Agents shall be processed and executed by
Nationwide. NISC reserves the right to require Nationwide to consult
with it regarding licensing decisions.
4.
Advertising
NISC
shall not print, publish or distribute any advertisement, circular or document
relating to the Products or relating to Nationwide unless such advertisement,
circular or document has been approved in writing by Nationwide. Such
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and shall be given promptly,
normally within five (5) business days. Neither Nationwide nor any of
its affiliates shall print, publish or distribute any advertisement, circular
or
document relating to the Products or relating to NISC unless such advertisement,
circular or document has been approved in writing by NISC. Such
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and shall be given promptly,
normally within five (5) business days. However, nothing herein shall
prohibit any person from advertising the Products on a generic
basis.
5.
Marketing Conduct
The
parties will jointly develop standards, practices and procedures respecting
the
marketing of the Products. Such standards, practices and procedures
are intended to help Nationwide meet its obligations as an issuer under the
securities laws, to assure compliance with state insurance laws, and to help
NISC meet its obligations under the securities laws as National
Distributor. These standards, practices and procedures are subject to
continuing review and neither Nationwide nor NISC will object unreasonably
to
changes to such standards, practices and procedures recommended by the other
to
comply with the intent of this provision.
6.
Sales Material and Other Documents
a.
Sales
Material
1)
Nationwide shall develop and prepare all promotional material to be used in
the
distribution of the Products, in consultation with NISC.
2)
Nationwide is responsible for the printing and the expense of providing such
promotional material.
3)
Nationwide is responsible for approval of such promotional material by state
insurance regulators, where required.
4) NISC
and Nationwide agree to abide by the Advertising and Sales Promotion Material
Guidelines, attached hereto as EXHIBIT B, and incorporated herein by
reference.
b.
Prospectuses
1)
Nationwide is responsible for the preparation and regulatory clearance of any
required registration statements and prospectuses for the Products.
2)
Nationwide is responsible for the printing of Product prospectuses in such
quantities as the parties agree are necessary to assure sufficient
supplies.
3)
Nationwide is responsible for supplying Agents with sufficient quantities of
Product prospectuses.
c.
Contracts, Applications and Related Forms
1)
Nationwide, in consultation with NISC, is responsible for the design and
printing of adequate supplies of Product applications, contracts, related forms,
and such service forms as the parties agree are necessary.
2)
Nationwide is responsible for supplying adequate quantities of all such forms
to
the Agents.
7.
Appointment of Agents
a.
NISC
will assist Nationwide in facilitating the appointment of Agents by
Nationwide.
b.
Nationwide will forward all appointment forms and applications to the
appropriate states and maintain all contacts with the states.
c.
Nationwide will maintain appointment files on Agents, and NISC will have access
to such files as needed.
8.
Licensing and Appointment Guide
Nationwide
shall provide to NISC a Licensing and Appointment Guide (as well periodic
updates thereto), setting forth the requirements for licensing and appointment,
in such quantities as NISC may reasonably require.
9.
Other
a.
Product Training
Nationwide
is responsible for any Product training for the Agents.
b.
Field Sales Material
1)
Nationwide, in consultation with NISC, is responsible for the development,
printing and distribution of non-public field sales material to be used by
Agents.
2)
NISC
shall have the right to review all field sales materials and to require any
modification mandated by regulatory requirements.
c.
Production Reports
Nationwide
will deliver to NISC the items listed in Production Reports to be Provided,
attached hereto as EXHIBIT C, and incorporated herein by reference.
d.
Customer Service
Each
party will notify the other of all material pertinent inquiries and complaints
it receives, from whatever source and to whomever directed, and will consult
with the other in responding to such inquiries and complaints.
e.
Records and Books
All
books
and records maintained by Nationwide in connection with the offer and sale
of
variable annuity interests funded by a Separate Account are maintained and
preserved in conformity with the requirements of Rule 17a-3 and 17a-4 under
the
1934 Exchange Act, to the extent such requirements are applicable to the
variable annuity operations.
All
such
books and records are maintained and held by Nationwide on behalf of and as
agent for NISC, whose property they are and shall remain. Such books
and records are at all times subject to inspection by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
C.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.
Waiver
The
forbearance or neglect of either party to insist upon strict compliance by
the
other with any of the provisions of this Agreement, whether continuing or not,
or to declare a forfeiture of termination against the other, shall not be
construed as a waiver of any rights or privileges of the forbearing party in
the
event of a further default or failure of performance.
2.
Limitations
Neither
party shall have authority on behalf of the other to: make, alter or discharge
any contractual terms of the Products; waive any forfeiture; extend the time
of
making any contributions to the products; guarantee dividends; alter the forms
which either may prescribe; nor substitute other forms in place of those
prescribed by the other.
3.
Binding Effect
This
Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
to
it and their respective successors and assigns, provided that neither party
shall assign or sub-contract this Agreement or any rights or obligations
hereunder without prior written consent of the other.
4.
Indemnification
Each
party ("Indemnifying Party") hereby agrees to release, indemnify and hold
harmless the other party, its officers, directors, employers, agents, servants,
predecessors or successors from any claims or liability arising out of the
acts
or omissions of the Indemnifying Party not authorized by this Agreement,
including the violation of any federal or state law or regulation.
5.
Notices
All
notices, requests, demands and other communication under this Agreement shall
be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date of service if
served personally on the party to whom notice is to be given, or on the date
of
mailing if sent postage prepaid by First Class Mail, Registered or Certified
mail, by overnight mail, properly addressed as follows:
TO
NATIONWIDE:
Vice
President-Sales
Three
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxx 00000
TO
NISC:
Nationwide
Investment Services Corporation.
Vice
President-Compliance Xxxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxx 00000
6.
Amendment
This
Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written amendment executed
by the parties. Any amendments to this Agreement are subject to prior
approval by the Ohio Department of Insurance.
7.
Governing Law
This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of
the
State of Ohio.
8.
Arbitration
The
parties agree that misunderstandings or disputes arising from this Agreement
shall be decided by arbitration, conducted upon request of either party before
three arbitrators (unless the parties agree on a single arbitrator) designated
by the American Arbitration Association, and in accordance with the rules of
such Association. The expenses of the arbitration proceedings
conducted hereunder shall be borne equally by both parties.
9.
Confidentiality
Any
information, documents and materials, whether printed or oral, furnished by
either party or its agents or employees to the other shall be held in
confidence. No such information shall be given to any third party,
other than to such sub-contractors of NISC as may be permitted herein, or under
requirements of a lawful authority, without the express written consent of
the
other party.
D.
TERM
OF AGREEMENT
This
Agreement, including the Exhibits attached hereto, shall remain in full force
and effect until terminated, and may be amended only by mutual agreement of
the
parties in writing. Any decision by either party to cease issuance or
distribution of any specific Product shall not effect a termination of the
Agreement unless such termination is mutually agreed upon, or unless notice
is
given pursuant to Section E.2. hereof.
E.
TERMINATION
1.
Either
party may terminate this Agreement for cause at any time, upon written notice
to
the other, if the other knowingly and willfully: (a) fails to comply with the
laws or regulations of any state or governmental agency or body having
jurisdiction over the sale of insurance or securities; (b) misappropriates
any
money or property belonging to the other; (c) subjects the other to any actual
or potential liability due to misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance; (d)
commits any fraud upon the other; (e) has an assignment for the benefit of
creditors; (f) incurs bankruptcy; or (g) commits a material breach of this
Agreement.
2.
Either
party may terminate this Agreement, without regard to cause, upon six months
prior written notice to the other.
3.
In the
event of termination of this Agreement, the following conditions shall
apply:
a)
The
parties irrevocably acknowledge the continuing right to use any Product
trademark that might then be associated with any Products, but only with respect
to all business in force at the time of termination.
b)
In the
event this Agreement is terminated the parties will use their best efforts
to
preserve in force the business issued pursuant to this Agreement.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be effective
as of the date first above written.
By: __________________________
Title:
Vice President - Sales
NATIONWIDE
INVESTMENT SERVICES CORPORATION
By: ________________________
Title:
Vice President – Compliance Officer
EXHIBIT
A
ANALYSIS
OF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
A.
PRODUCT UNDERWRITING/ISSUE
NATIONWIDE
NISC
-
Establishes underwriting criteria for application processing and
rejections.
-
Consults with regard to new business procedures and processing.
- Reviews
the completed application. Applies underwriting/issue criteria to
application.
- Notifies
Agent and/or customer of any error or missing data necessary to underwrite
application and establish records for owner of Product ("Contract
Owner").
-Prepares
policy data page for approved business and mails with policy to Contract
Owner.
-
Establishes and maintains all records required for each Contract Owner, as
applicable.
-
Prepares and mails confirmation and other statements to Contract Owners and
Agents, as required.
-
Prints,
provides all forms ancillary to issue of contract/policy forms for
Products.
- Maintains
supply of approved specimen policy forms and all ancillary forms,
distributes
same to Agents.
B.
BILLING AND COLLECTION
NATIONWIDE
-
Receives premium/purchase payments and reconciles amount received with
remittance media.
-
Updates
Contract Owner records to reflect receipt of premium/purchase payment and
performs accounting/ investment allocation of each payment
received.
-
Deposits all cash received under the Products in accordance with the terms
of
the Products.
C.
BANKING
NATIONWIDE
-
Balances, edits, endorses and prepares daily deposit.
-
Places
deposits in depository account.
- Prepares
daily cash journal summary reports and maintains same for review by
NISC.
D.
PRICING/VALUATION/ACCOUNTING/TRADING
NATIONWIDE
NISC
- Maintains
and makes available, as reasonably requested, records used in determining "Net
Amount Available for Investment."
- Collects
information needed in determining Variable Account unit values from the Funds
including daily net asset value, capital gains or dividend distributions, and
the number of Fund Shares acquired or sold during the immediately preceding
valuation period.
- Performs
daily unit valuation calculation.
-
Cooperates in annual audit of separate account financials conducted for purposes
of financial statement certification and publication.
-
Will
clear and settle Mutual Fund trades on behalf of the separate accounts using
the
National Securities Clearing Corporation FUND/Serv System.
E.
CONTRACT OWNER SERVICE/ RECORD MAINTENANCE
NATIONWIDE
NISC
- Receives
and processes all Contract Owner service requests, including but not limited
to
informational requests, beneficiary changes, and transfers of Contract Value
among eligible investment options.
-
Accommodates customer service function by providing any supporting information
or documentation which may be in the control of NISC.
-
Maintains daily records of all changes made to Contract Owner
accounts.
-
Researches and responds to all Contract Owner/Agent inquiries.
-
Keeps
all required Contract Owner records.
-
Maintains adequate number of toll free lines to service Contract Owner/Agent
inquiries.
F.
DISBURSEMENTS (SURRENDERS, DEATH CLAIMS, LOANS)
NATIONWIDE
NISC
-
Receives and processes surrenders, loans, and death claims in accordance with
established guidelines.
-
Prepares checks for surrenders, loans, and death claims, and forwards to
Contract Owner or Beneficiary. Prepares and mails confirmation
statement of disbursement to Contract Owner/ Beneficiary with copy to
Agent.
G..
PROXY
PROCESSING
NATIONWIDE
NISC
-
Receives record date information from Funds Receives proxy solicitation
materials from Funds.
-
Prepares Voting Instruction cards and mails solicitation, if
necessary.
-
Tabulates and votes all Fund Shares in accordance with SEC
requirements.
H.
PERIODIC REPORTS TO CONTRACT OWNERS
NATIONWIDE
NISC
- Prepares
and mails quarterly and annual Statements of Account to Contract
Owners.
- Prepares
and mails all semi-annual and annual reports of Variable Account(s) to Contract
Owners.
I.
REGULATORY/STATEMENT REPORTS
NATIONWIDE
NISC
-
Prepares and files Separate Account Annual Statements.
-
Prepares and files periodic FOCUS Reports with the NASDR and SEC, as
applicable.
-
Prepares and mails the appropriate, required IRS reports at the Contract Owner
level.
-Files
same with required regulatory agencies.
-
Prepares and files annual audited financial statements with required regulatory
agencies.
-
Prepares and files form N-SAR for the Separate Account.
J.
PREMIUM TAXES
NATIONWIDE
NISC
-
Collects, pays and accounts for premium taxes as appropriate.
-
Prepares and maintains all premium tax records by state.
-
Maintains liabilities in General Account ledger for accrual of premium tax
collected.
-
Integrates all company premium taxes due and performs related
accounting.
K.
FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT REPORTS
NATIONWIDE
NISC
-
Provides periodic reports in accordance with the Schedule of Reports to be
prepared jointly by Nationwide and NISC. (See EXHIBIT C)
-
Provides periodic reports in accordance with the Schedule of Reports to be
prepared jointly by Nationwide and NISC. (See EXHIBIT C)
L.
AGENT
LICENSE RECORDKEEPING
NATIONWIDE
NISC
-
Receives, establishes, processes, and maintains Agent appointment
records.
-
Maintains securities registrations and assumes supervisory responsibility for
representatives of affiliated sales and marketing companies involved in the
wholesale distribution of Nationwide variable contract products.
-
Maintains training, supervisory, and other required records for and on behalf
of
registered representatives of NISC.
EXHIBIT
B
ADVERTISING
AND SALES PROMOTION MATERIAL GUIDELINES
FOR
APPROVAL BY NATIONWIDE AND NISC
In
order
to assure compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements and to
maintain control over the distribution of promotional materials dealing with
the
Products, Nationwide and NISC require that all variable contract promotional
materials be reviewed and approved by both Nationwide and NISC prior to their
use. These guidelines are intended to provide appropriate regulatory
and distribution controls.
1.
Sufficient lead time must be allowed in the submission of all promotional
material. Nationwide and NISC shall approve in writing all
promotional material. Such approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld, and shall be given promptly, normally within five (5)
days.
2.
All
promotional material will be submitted in "draft" form to permit any changes
or
corrections to be made prior to the printing.
3.
Nationwide and NISC will provide each other with details as to each and every
use of all promotional material submitted. Approval for one use will
not constitute approval for any other use. Different standards of
review may apply when the same advertising material is intended for different
uses. The following information will be provided for each item of
promotional material:
a.
In
what jurisdiction(s) the material will be used.
b.
Whether distribution will be to broker/dealer, entity, participant,
etc.
c.
How the material will be used (e.g., brochure, mailing, web site,
etc.)
d.
The projected date of initial use.
4.
Each
party will advise the other of the date it discontinues the use of any
material.
5.
Any
changes to previously approved promotional material must be resubmitted,
following these procedures. When approved material is to be put to a
different use, request for approval of the material for the new use must be
submitted.
6.
Nationwide will assign a form number to each item of advertising and sales
promotional material. This number will appear on each piece of
advertising and sales promotional material. It will be used to aid in
necessary filings, and to maintain appropriate controls.
7.
Nationwide and NISC will provide written approval for all material to be
used.
8.
Nationwide will be responsible to effect necessary state filings.
9.
NISC
will coordinate SEC/NASD filings of sales and promotional material.
10. All
telephone communication and written correspondence regarding promotional
materials should be directed to Office of Product and Market Compliance,
Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxx 00000
EXHIBIT
C
PRODUCTION
REPORTS TO BE PROVIDED
Nationwide
agrees to provide the following reports to NISC:
1.
Daily
Receipt Report: Indicates which Agents are generating sales
2.
Daily
Approval Report: Indicates which applications have been approved
3.
Daily
Activity Summary: Indicates top firms’ sales and liquidation by month,
year-to-date as well as total assets by firm.
4.
Dealer
Activity Indicates top firms’ sales and Summary by Territory liquidation by
month, year-to-date.
In
addition, Nationwide will provide reports detailing current appointments and
other information, as reasonably requested by
NISC.