XXXXXXXX CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
0000 XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX
XXXXX XXXXXX, XXX XXXX 00000
FORM OF
DEALER AGREEMENT
This Agreement made as of ___________________, 2000, between Xxxxxxxx
Capital Markets, Inc. ("RCM"), a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the State of New York, and _____________________ ("Dealer"), a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of ________________.
WHEREAS, each fund listed on Schedule A (each a "Fund") is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), as an
open-end management investment company or a series thereof and currently offers
for public sale shares of common stock or beneficial interest ("Shares"),
WHEREAS, RCM serves as principal underwriter in connection with the
offering and sale of the Shares of each Fund pursuant to a Distribution
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Dealer desires to serve as a selected dealer for the Shares; and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants
contained herein, RCM and Dealer agree as follows:
1. OFFERS AND SALES OF SHARES. The Dealer is to offer and sell Shares
only at the public offering price currently in effect, in accordance with the
terms of the then-current prospectus(es), including any supplements or
amendments thereto, of each Fund ("Prospectus"). The Dealer agrees to act only
as principal in such transactions and shall not have authority to act as agent
for the Funds, for RCM, or for any other dealer in any respect. Dealer agrees to
purchase Shares of the Funds only in transactions contemplating the simultaneous
resale of such Shares to investors and in no event shall Dealer place orders for
Shares unless it has already received customers orders to purchase Shares at the
applicable public offering price. Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing,
each transaction shall be confirmed in writing. All purchase orders are subject
to acceptance by RCM and the Fund and become effective only upon confirmation by
RCM. In its sole discretion, either the Fund or RCM may reject any purchase
order and may, without notice, suspend sales or withdraw the offering of Shares
entirely.
2. PROCEDURES FOR PURCHASES. The procedures relating to all orders and
the handling of them shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth
in each Fund's Prospectus, and to the extent consistent with the Prospectus,
written instructions forwarded to Dealer by RCM from time to time.
3. SETTLEMENT AND DELIVERY FOR PURCHASES. Transactions shall be settled
by the Dealer by payment of the full purchase price to RCM in Federal Funds.
Payment for Shares ordered from RCM shall be received by RCM by the later of (a)
the end of the third business day following the Dealer's receipt of the
customer's order to purchase such Shares or (b) the end of one business day
following the Dealer's receipt of the customer's payment for such Shares, but in
no event later than the end of the sixth business day following the Dealer's
receipt of the customer's order. If such payment is not received within the time
specified, the sale may be canceled forthwith without any responsibility or
liability on RCM's part or on the part of the Funds (in which case the Dealer
will be responsible for any loss, including loss of profit, suffered by the
Funds resulting from the Dealer's failure to make payment as aforesaid), or, at
RCM's option, RCM may sell the Shares ordered back to the Funds (in which case
RCM may hold the Dealer responsible for any loss of profit suffered by RCM
resulting from the Dealer's failure to make payment as aforesaid).
RCM will not accept from the Dealer any conditional orders for Shares.
Delivery of certificates for Shares purchased shall be made by the Funds only if
requested (provided that the Fund issues certificates) and only against receipt
of the purchase price, subject to deduction for any discount reallowed to the
Dealer and RCM's portion of the sales charge on such sale.
RCM shall pay to the Dealer, not less frequently than monthly, the
aggregate fees due it on orders received and settled.
4. PROCEDURES FOR REDEMPTIONS, REPURCHASES AND EXCHANGES. Redemption or
repurchases of Shares as well as exchange requests shall be made in accordance
with the procedures set forth in the each Fund's Prospectus, and to the extent
consistent with the Prospectus, written instructions forwarded to Dealer by RCM
from time to time.
5. COMPENSATION. On each purchase of Shares by the Dealer from RCM, the
total sales charges and discount to selected dealer, if any, shall be as stated
in each Fund's Prospectus. Such sales charges and discounts to dealers are
subject to reductions under a variety of circumstances as described in each
Fund's Prospectus. To obtain these reductions, RCM must be notified when a sale
takes place that would qualify for the reduced charge. If any Shares sold to the
Dealer under the terms of this Agreement are redeemed by a Fund or repurchased
within seven business days after the date of the Dealer purchased such Shares,
the Dealer agrees to forfeit its right to any discount or commission received by
or allowed to the Dealer from the original sale.
From time to time during the term of this Agreement, RCM may make payments
to Dealer pursuant to one or more distribution plans adopted by certain of the
Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act ("Plan of Distribution) in
consideration, with respect to each such Fund, of your furnishing distribution
services hereunder and providing administrative, accounting and other services,
including personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The
provisions and terms of a Fund's Plan of Distribution are described in its
Prospectus and statement of additional information ("SAI"), and the Dealer
agrees that RCM has made no representations to the Dealer with respect to the
Plan of Distribution in addition to or conflicting with the description set
forth therein. The Dealer agrees that (1) Dealer has no right to receive payment
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of any amounts otherwise payable to it by RCM under a Fund's Plan of
Distribution until such time as RCM is in receipt of such fee from the Fund and
(2) RCM's liability to the Dealer for the payment of any such fees is limited
solely to the amount of the applicable Fund's fee received by RCM.
6. EXPENSES. The Dealer agrees that it will bear all expenses incurred
in connection with its performance of this Agreement.
7. DEALER REGISTRATION. The Dealer represents and warrants that it is
registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"1934 Act"), is qualified as a broker-dealer in all states or other
jurisdictions in which it sells Fund Shares, and, if it sells shares in
additional states or jurisdictions in the future, will become qualified to act
as a dealer in each such state or jurisdiction prior to selling any Fund shares.
The Dealer shall maintain any filings and licenses required by federal and state
laws to conduct the business contemplated under this Agreement. The Dealer
further represents and warrants that it is a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and that it agrees to
abide by the Conduct Rules of the NASD. The Dealer agrees to notify RCM
immediately in the event of (1) its expulsion or suspension from the NASD, or
(2) its being found to have violated any applicable federal or state law, rule
or regulation arising out of its activities as a broker-dealer or in connection
with this Agreement, or which may otherwise affect in any material way its
ability to act in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Dealer
further represents and warrants that it is a member of the Securities Investor
Protection Corporation ("SIPC") in good standing and agrees to notify RCM of any
changes in the Dealer's status with the SIPC.
8. COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS. The Dealer will not offer or
sell any of the Shares except in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws. In connection with sales and offers to sell Shares, the
Dealer will furnish or cause to be furnished to each person to whom any such
sale or offer is made, at or prior to the time of offering or sale, a copy of
the Prospectus and, if requested, the related SAI. RCM shall be under no
liability to the Dealer except for lack of good faith and for obligations
expressly assumed by RCM herein. Nothing herein contained, however, shall be
deemed to be a condition, stipulation or provision binding any persons acquiring
any security to waive compliance with, or to relieve the parties hereto from any
liability arising under, the federal securities laws.
RCM shall, from time to time, inform the Dealer as to the states and
jurisdictions in which RCM believes the Shares have been qualified for sale
under, or are exempt from the requirements of, the respective securities laws of
such states and jurisdictions. The Dealer agrees that it will not offer or sell
Shares in any state or jurisdiction in which such Shares are not qualified,
unless any such offer or sale is made in a transaction that qualifies for an
exemption from registration.
RCM assumes no responsibility in connection with the registration of the
Dealer under the laws of the various states or under federal law or the Dealer's
qualification under any such law to offer or sell Shares.
9. UNAUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIONS. No person is authorized to make any
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representations concerning Shares of the Funds except those contained in the
Prospectus, SAI and printed information issued by each Fund or by RCM as
information supplemental to each Prospectus. RCM shall, upon request, supply the
Dealer with reasonable quantities of Prospectuses and SAIs. The Dealer agrees
not to use other advertising or sales material relating to the Funds unless
approved in writing by RCM in advance of such use.
Neither party shall use the name of the other party in any manner without
the other party's written consent, except as required by any applicable federal
or state law, rule or regulation, and except pursuant to any mutually agreed
upon promotional programs.
10. CONFIRMATIONS. The Dealer agrees to send confirmations of orders to
its customers as required by Rule 10b-10 of the 1934 Act and agrees to pay any
costs in connection therewith.
11. RECORDS. The Dealer agrees to maintain all records required by
applicable state and federal laws and regulations relating to the offer and sale
of Shares, and upon the request of RCM, or of the Funds, promptly make these
records available to RCM or the Funds' Administrator as requested. In addition,
the Dealer hereby agrees to establish appropriate procedures and reporting forms
and/or mechanisms and schedules in conjunction with RCM and the Funds'
Administrator, to enable the Funds to identify the location, type of, and sales
to all accounts opened and maintained by the Dealer's customers or by the Dealer
on behalf of the Dealer's customers.
12. TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS. The Dealer agrees to obtain any
taxpayer identification number certification from its customers required under
the Internal Revenue Code and any applicable Treasury regulations, and to
provide RCM or its designee with timely written notice of any failure to obtain
such taxpayer identification number certification in order to enable the
implementation of any required backup withholding.
13. INDEMNIFICATION. (a) The Dealer shall indemnify and hold harmless RCM,
each Fund, the transfer agents of the Funds, and their respective affiliates,
officers, directors, agents, employees and controlling persons from all direct
or indirect liabilities, losses or costs (including attorneys fees) arising
from, related to or otherwise connected with:
(1) any breach by the Dealer of any provision of this Agreement; or
(2) any actions or omissions of RCM, any Fund, the transfer agents of
the Funds, and the subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, agents,
employees and controlling persons of any of them, in reliance upon any
oral or written instructions believed to be genuine and to have been given
by or on behalf of the Dealer.
(b) RCM shall indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer and its affiliates,
officers, directors, agents, employees and controlling persons from and against
any and all direct or indirect liabilities, losses or costs (including attorneys
fees) arising from, related to or otherwise connected with:
(1) any breach by RCM of any provision of this Agreement; or
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(2) any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Fund's Registration Statement or prospectus or in any supplemental
materials prepared by RCM and supplied to the Dealer, or any alleged
omission to state in any such document a material fact required to be
stated, or necessary to make the statements made not misleading, but
only, in the case of a Registration Statement or Prospectus, if such
statement or omission was made by the Fund in reliance on information
provided by RCM.
(c) The Agreement of the parties in this Paragraph to indemnify each other
is conditioned upon the party entitled to indemnification (Indemnified Party)
giving notice to the party required to provide the indemnification (Indemnifying
Party) promptly after the summons or other first legal process for any claim as
to which indemnity may be sought is served on the Indemnified Party. The
Indemnified Party shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of
any such claim or any litigation resulting from it, provided that counsel for
the Indemnifying Party who shall conduct the defense of such claim or litigation
shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (which approval shall not
unreasonably be withheld), and that the Indemnified Party may participate in
such defense at its expense. The failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice
as provided in this sub-paragraph (c) shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party
from any liability other than its indemnity obligation under this Paragraph. No
Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall,
without the consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to entry of any judgment
or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term the
giving by the claimant or plaintiff to the Indemnified Party of a release from
all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
14. NO AGENCY CREATED. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or
construed to make the Dealer an employee, agent, representative or partner of
any of the Funds or of RCM, and the Dealer is not authorized to act for RCM or
for any Fund or to make any representations on RCM's or the Funds' behalf. The
Dealer acknowledges that this Agreement is not exclusive and that RCM may enter
into similar arrangements with other broker-dealers.
15. TERMINATION, ASSIGNMENT AND AMENDMENT. Either party to this Agreement
may cancel this Agreement by giving ten days' written notice to the other. Such
notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date on which it was either
delivered personally to the other party or any officer or member thereof or was
mailed to the other party at its address as shown below. This Agreement will
terminate automatically without notice with respect to any Fund if (a) the
Dealer filed a petition in bankruptcy, (b) a trustee or the like is appointed
for the Dealer or its assets under federal bankruptcy laws, (c) the Dealer's
registration as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission is
suspended or revoked, (d) the Dealer's NASD membership is suspended or revoked,
(e) if an application for a protective decree under the provisions of the
Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 shall have been filed against the
Dealer, or (f) the Distribution Agreement between RCM and a Fund is terminated.
Termination of this Agreement by operation of this Section 15 shall not affect
any unpaid obligations under Sections 2, 3 or 5 of this Agreement or the
liability, legal and indemnity obligations set forth under Sections 7, 8, 9, or
13 of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended by RCM at any time upon
notice thereof to the Dealer and the Dealer's placing of an order after the
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effective date of any such amendment shall constitute the Dealer's acceptance
thereof.
16. NOTICES. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement,
all notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall
be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or by postage prepaid,
registered or certified United States first class mail, return receipt
requested, or by electronic mail, telex, telegram or similar means of same day
delivery (with a confirming copy by mail as provided herein). Unless otherwise
notified in writing, all notices to RCM shall be given or sent to RCM at its
offices located at 0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, and all notices to the Dealer shall be given or
sent to: ______________________________________________________________________.
17. MISCELLANEOUS. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any
provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision,
statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be
affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
18. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
the laws (without regard, however, to conflicts of law principles) of the State
of New York and the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the
State of New York conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the
latter shall control. The parties hereto submit to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of New York.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their officers designated as of the day and year first written
above.
XXXXXXXX CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
Attest: _______________________ By:___________________________________
[DEALER]
Attest: _______________________ By:___________________________________
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XXXXXXXX CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
DEALER AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
The following Funds are covered by the terms and conditions of the
attached Dealer Agreement.
Date:_________________________
