Exhibit 9(iii) under Form N-1A
Exhibit 10 under Item 601/Reg. S-K
AGREEMENT
FOR
FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES,
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES
AND
CUSTODY SERVICES PROCUREMENT
AGREEMENT made as of March 1, 1996, by and between those investment companies
listed on Exhibit 1 as may be amended from time to time, having their principal
office and place of business at Federated Investors Tower, Pittsburgh, PA
15222-3779 (the "Investment Company"), on behalf of the portfolios (individually
referred to herein as a "Fund" and collectively as "Funds") of the Investment
Company, and FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY, a Pennsylvania corporation, having its
principal office and place of business at Federated Investors Tower, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15222-3779 on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries (the
"Company").
WHEREAS, the Investment Company is registered as an open-end management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"), with authorized and issued shares of capital stock or beneficial
interest ("Shares");
WHEREAS, the Investment Company may desire to retain the Company as fund
accountant to provide fund accounting services (as herein defined) including
certain pricing, accounting and recordkeeping services for each of the Funds,
including any classes of shares issued by any Fund ("Classes") if so indicated
on Exhibit 1, and the Company desires to accept such appointment;
WHEREAS, the Investment Company may desire to appoint the Company as its
administrator to provide it with administrative services (as herein defined), if
so indicated on Exhibit, and the Company desires to accept such appointment;
WHEREAS, the Investment Company may desire to appoint the Company as its
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent to provide it with transfer agency
services (as herein defined) if so indicated on Exhibit 1, and agent in
connection with certain other activities, and the Company desires to accept such
appointment; and
WHEREAS, the Investment Company may desire to appoint the Company as its
agent to select, negotiate and subcontract for custodian services from an
approved list of qualified banks if so indicated on Exhibit 1, and the Company
desires to accept such appointment; and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein
contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
SECTION ONE: FUND ACCOUNTING.
ARTICLE 1. APPOINTMENT.
The Investment Company hereby appoints the Company to provide certain pricing
and accounting services to the Funds, and/or the Classes, for the period and on
the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Company accepts such appointment and
agrees to furnish the services herein set forth in return for the compensation
as provided in Article 3 of this Section.
ARTICLE 2. THE COMPANY'S DUTIES.
Subject to the supervision and control of the Investment Company's Board of
Trustees or Directors ("Board"), the Company will assist the Investment Company
with regard to fund accounting for the Investment Company, and/or the Funds,
and/or the Classes, and in connection therewith undertakes to perform the
following specific services;
A. Value the assets of the Funds using: primarily, market
quotations, including the use of matrix pricing, supplied by the
independent pricing services selected by the Company in
consultation with the adviser, or sources selected by the
adviser, and reviewed by the board; secondarily, if a designated
pricing service does not provide a price for a security which the
Company believes should be available by market quotation, the
Company may obtain a price by calling brokers designated by the
investment adviser of the fund holding the security, or if the
adviser does not supply the names of such brokers, the Company
will attempt on its own to find brokers to price those
securities; thirdly, for securities for which no market price is
available, the Pricing Committee of the Board will determine a
fair value in good faith. Consistent with Rule 2a-4 of the 40
Act, estimates may be used where necessary or appropriate. The
Company's obligations with regard to the prices received from
outside pricing services and designated brokers or other outside
sources, is to exercise reasonable care in the supervision of the
pricing agent. The Company is not the guarantor of the securities
prices received from such agents and the Company is not liable to
the Fund for potential errors in valuing a Fund's assets or
calculating the net asset value per share of such Fund or Class
when the calculations are based upon such prices. All of the
above sources of prices used as described are deemed by the
Company to be authorized sources of security prices. The Company
provides daily to the adviser the securities prices used in
calculating the net asset value of the fund, for its use in
preparing exception reports for those prices on which the adviser
has comment. Further, upon receipt of the exception reports
generated by the adviser, the Company diligently pursues
communication regarding exception reports with the designated
pricing agents;
B. Determine the net asset value per share of each Fund and/or Class,
at the time and in the manner from time to time determined by the
Board and as set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information ("Prospectus") of each Fund;
C. Calculate the net income of each of the Funds, if any;
D. Calculate realized capital gains or losses of each of the Funds
resulting from sale or disposition of assets, if any;
E. Maintain the general ledger and other accounts, books and
financial records of the Investment Company, including for each
Fund, and/or Class, as required under Section 31(a) of the 1940
Act and the Rules thereunder in connection with the services
provided by the Company;
F. Preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940
Act the records to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act
in connection with the services provided by the Company. The
Company further agrees that all such records it maintains for the
Investment Company are the property of the Investment Company and
further agrees to surrender promptly to the Investment Company
such records upon the Investment Company's request;
G. At the request of the Investment Company, prepare various reports
or other financial documents in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles as required by federal, state and other
applicable laws and regulations; and
H. Such other similar services as may be reasonably requested by the
Investment Company.
The foregoing, along with any additional services that the Company shall
agree in writing to perform for the Investment Company under this Section One,
shall hereafter be referred to as "Fund Accounting Services."
ARTICLE 3. COMPENSATION AND ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES.
A. The Funds will compensate the Company for Fund Accounting Services
in accordance with the fees agreed upon from time to time between
the parties hereto. Such fees do not include out-of-pocket
disbursements of the Company for which the Funds shall reimburse
the Company. Out-of-pocket disbursements shall include, but shall
not be limited to, the items agreed upon between the parties from
time to time.
B. The Fund and/or the Class, and not the Company, shall bear the
cost of: custodial expenses; membership dues in the Investment
Company Institute or any similar organization; transfer agency
expenses; investment advisory expenses; costs of printing and
mailing stock certificates, Prospectuses, reports and notices;
administrative expenses; interest on borrowed money; brokerage
commissions; taxes and fees payable to federal, state and other
governmental agencies; fees of Trustees or Directors of the
Investment Company; independent auditors expenses; legal and audit
department expenses billed to the Company for work performed
related to the Investment Company, the Funds, or the Classes; law
firm expenses; organizational expenses; or other expenses not
specified in this Article 3 which may be properly payable by the
Funds and/or Classes.
C. The compensation and out-of-pocket expenses attributable to the
Fund shall be accrued by the Fund and shall be paid to the Company
no less frequently than monthly, and shall be paid daily upon
request of the Company. The Company will maintain detailed
information about the compensation and out-of-pocket expenses by
Fund and Class.
D. Any schedule of compensation agreed to hereunder, as may be
adjusted from time to time, shall be dated and signed by a duly
authorized officer of the Investment Company and/or the Funds and
a duly authorized officer of the Company.
E. The fee for the period from the effective date of this Agreement
with respect to a Fund or a Class to the end of the initial month
shall be prorated according to the proportion that such period
bears to the full month period. Upon any termination of this
Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for such period
shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period
bears to the full month period. For purposes of determining fees
payable to the Company, the value of the Fund's net assets shall
be computed at the time and in the manner specified in the Fund's
Prospectus.
F. The Company, in its sole discretion, may from time to time
subcontract to, employ or associate with itself such person or
persons as the Company may believe to be particularly suited to
assist it in performing Fund Accounting Services. Such person or
persons may be affiliates of the Company, third-party service
providers, or they may be officers and employees who are employed
by both the Company and the Investment Company; provided, however,
that the Company shall be as fully responsible to each Fund for
the acts and omissions of any such subcontractor as it is for its
own acts and omissions. The compensation of such person or persons
shall be paid by the Company and no obligation shall be incurred
on behalf of the Investment Company, the Funds, or the Classes in
such respect.
SECTION TWO: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
ARTICLE 4. APPOINTMENT.
The Investment Company hereby appoints the Company as Administrator for the
period on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Company
hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services set forth in
Article 5 of this Agreement in return for the compensation set forth in Article
9 of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 5. THE COMPANY'S DUTIES.
As Administrator, and subject to the supervision and control of the Board and
in accordance with Proper Instructions (as defined hereafter) from the
Investment Company, the Company will provide facilities, equipment, and
personnel to carry out the following administrative services for operation of
the business and affairs of the Investment Company and each of its portfolios:
A. prepare, file, and maintain the Investment Company's governing
documents and any amendments thereto, including the Charter
(which has already been prepared and filed), the By-laws and
minutes of meetings of the Board and Shareholders;
B. prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
the appropriate state securities authorities the registration
statements for the Investment Company and the Investment
Company's shares and all amendments thereto, reports to
regulatory authorities and shareholders, prospectuses, proxy
statements, and such other documents all as may be necessary to
enable the Investment Company to make a continuous offering of
its shares;
C. prepare, negotiate, and administer contracts (if any) on behalf
of the Investment Company with, among others, the Investment
Company's investment advisers and distributors, subject to any
applicable restrictions of the Board or the 1940 Act;
D. calculate performance data of the Investment Company for
dissemination to information services covering the investment
company industry;
E. prepare and file the Investment Company's tax returns;
F. coordinate the layout and printing of publicly disseminated
prospectuses and reports;
G. perform internal audit examinations in accordance with a charter
to be adopted by the Company and the Investment Company;
H. assist with the design, development, and operation of the
Investment Company and the Funds;
I. provide individuals reasonably acceptable to the Board for
nomination, appointment, or election as officers of the
Investment Company, who will be responsible for the management of
certain of the Investment Company's affairs as determined by the
Investment Company's Board; and
J. consult with the Investment Company and its Board on matters
concerning the Investment Company and its affairs.
The foregoing, along with any additional services that the Company shall
agree in writing to perform for the Investment Company under this Section Two,
shall hereafter be referred to as "Administrative Services."
ARTICLE 6. RECORDS.
The Company shall create and maintain all necessary books and records in
accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including but not
limited to records required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company act of
1940 and the rules thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time,
pertaining to the Administrative Services performed by it and not otherwise
created and maintained by another party pursuant to contract with the Investment
Company. Where applicable, such records shall be maintained by the Company for
the periods and in the places required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. The
books and records pertaining to the Investment Company which are in the
possession of the Company shall be the property of the Investment Company. The
Investment Company, or the Investment Company's authorized representatives,
shall have access to such books and records at all times during the Company's
normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Investment Company,
copies of any such books and records shall be provided promptly by the Company
to the Investment Company or the Investment Company's authorized
representatives.
ARTICLE 7. DUTIES OF THE FUND.
The Fund assumes full responsibility for the preparation, contents and
distribution of its own offering document and for complying with all applicable
requirements the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and any other laws, rules
and regulations of government authorities having jurisdiction.
ARTICLE 8. EXPENSES.
The Company shall be responsible for expenses incurred in providing office
space, equipment, and personnel as may be necessary or convenient to provide the
Administrative Services to the Investment Company, including the compensation of
the Company employees who serve as trustees or directors or officers of the
Investment Company. The Investment Company shall be responsible for all other
expenses incurred by the Company on behalf of the Investment Company, including
without limitation postage and courier expenses, printing expenses, travel
expenses, registration fees, filing fees, fees of outside counsel and
independent auditors, or other professional services, organizational expenses,
insurance premiums, fees payable to persons who are not the Company's employees,
trade association dues, and other expenses properly payable by the Funds and/or
the Classes.
ARTICLE 9. COMPENSATION.
For the Administrative Services provided, the Investment Company hereby
agrees to pay and the Company hereby agrees to accept as full compensation for
its services rendered hereunder an administrative fee at an annual rate per
Fund, as specified below.
The compensation and out of pocket expenses attributable to the Fund shall be
accrued by the Fund and paid to the Company no less frequently than monthly, and
shall be paid daily upon request of the Company. The Company will maintain
detailed information about the compensation and out of pocket expenses by the
Fund.
MAX. ADMIN. AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
FEE OF THE FUNDS
.150% on the first $250 million
.125% on the next $250 million
.100% on the next $250 million
.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
(Average Daily Net Asset break-points are on a complex-wide basis)
However, in no event shall the administrative fee received during any year of
the Agreement be less than, or be paid at a rate less than would aggregate
$125,000 per Fund and $30,000 per Class. The minimum fee set forth above in this
Article 9 may increase annually upon each March 1 anniversary of this Agreement
over the minimum fee during the prior 12 months, as calculated under this
agreement, in an amount equal to the increase in Pennsylvania Consumer Price
Index (not to exceed 6% annually) as last reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics for the twelve months immediately preceding such anniversary.
ARTICLE 10. RESPONSIBILITY OF ADMINISTRATOR.
A. The Company shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Investment Company in
connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a
loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless
disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
The Company shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of
counsel (who may be counsel for the Investment Company) on all
matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably
taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. Any person, even though also
an officer, director, trustee, partner, employee or agent of the
Company, who may be or become an officer, director, trustee, partner,
employee or agent of the Investment Company, shall be deemed, when
rendering services to the Investment Company or acting on any business
of the Investment Company (other than services or business in
connection with the duties of the Company hereunder) to be rendering
such services to or acting solely for the Investment Company and not
as an officer, director, trustee, partner, employee or agent or one
under the control or direction of the Company even though paid by the
Company.
B. The Company shall be kept indemnified by the Investment Company
and be without liability for any action taken or thing done by it
in performing the Administrative Services in accordance with the
above standards. In order that the indemnification provisions
contained in this Article 10 shall apply, however, it is
understood that if in any case the Investment Company may be
asked to indemnify or hold the Company harmless, the Investment
Company shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent
facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further
understood that the Company will use all reasonable care to
identify and notify the Investment Company promptly concerning
any situation which presents or appears likely to present the
probability of such a claim for indemnification against the
Investment Company. The Investment Company shall have the option
to defend the Company against any claim which may be the subject
of this indemnification. In the event that the Investment Company
so elects, it will so notify the Company and thereupon the
Investment Company shall take over complete defense of the claim,
and the Company shall in such situation initiate no further legal
or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under
this Article. The Company shall in no case confess any claim or
make any compromise in any case in which the Investment Company
will be asked to indemnify the Company except with the Investment
Company's written consent.
SECTION THREE: TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES.
ARTICLE 11. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Investment Company hereby appoints the Company to act as, and the Company agrees
to act as, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for each Fund's Shares,
and agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar plans
provided to the shareholders of any Fund ("Shareholder(s)"), including without
limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program.
ARTICLE 12. DUTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company shall perform the following services in accordance with Proper
Instructions as may be provided from time to time by the Investment Company as
to any Fund:
A. Purchases
(1) The Company shall receive orders and payment for the purchase of
shares and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation
therefore to the custodian of the relevant Fund, (the
"Custodian"). The Company shall notify the Fund and the Custodian
on a daily basis of the total amount of orders and payments so
delivered.
(2) Pursuant to purchase orders and in accordance with the Fund's
current Prospectus, the Company shall compute and issue the
appropriate number of Shares of each Fund and/or Class and hold
such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder accounts.
(3) For certificated Funds and/or Classes, if a Shareholder or its
agent requests a certificate, the Company, as Transfer Agent,
shall countersign and mail by first class mail, a certificate to
the Shareholder at its address as set forth on the transfer books
of the Funds, and/or Classes, subject to any Proper Instructions
regarding the delivery of certificates.
(4) In the event that any check or other order for the purchase of
Shares of the Fund and/or Class is returned unpaid for any reason,
the Company shall debit the Share account of the Shareholder by
the number of Shares that had been credited to its account upon
receipt of the check or other order, promptly mail a debit advice
to the Shareholder, and notify the Fund and/or Class of its
action. In the event that the amount paid for such Shares exceeds
proceeds of the redemption of such Shares plus the amount of any
dividends paid with respect to such Shares, the Fund and/the Class
or its distributor will reimburse the Company on the amount of
such excess.
B. Distribution
(1) Upon notification by the Funds of the declaration of any
distribution to Shareholders, the Company shall act as Dividend
Disbursing Agent for the Funds in accordance with the provisions
of its governing document and the then-current Prospectus of the
Fund. The Company shall prepare and mail or credit income, capital
gain, or any other payments to Shareholders. As the Dividend
Disbursing Agent, the Company shall, on or before the payment date
of any such distribution, notify the Custodian of the estimated
amount required to pay any portion of said distribution which is
payable in cash and request the Custodian to make available
sufficient funds for the cash amount to be paid out. The Company
shall reconcile the amounts so requested and the amounts actually
received with the Custodian on a daily basis. If a Shareholder is
entitled to receive additional Shares by virtue of any such
distribution or dividend, appropriate credits shall be made to the
Shareholder's account, for certificated Funds and/or Classes,
delivered where requested; and
(2) The Company shall maintain records of account for each Fund and
Class and advise the Investment Company, each Fund and Class and
its Shareholders as to the foregoing.
C. Redemptions and Transfers
(1) The Company shall receive redemption requests and redemption
directions and, if such redemption requests comply with the
procedures as may be described in the Fund Prospectus or set forth
in Proper Instructions, deliver the appropriate instructions
therefor to the Custodian. The Company shall notify the Funds on a
daily basis of the total amount of redemption requests processed
and monies paid to the Company by the Custodian for redemptions.
(2) At the appropriate time upon receiving redemption proceeds from
the Custodian with respect to any redemption, the Company shall
pay or cause to be paid the redemption proceeds in the manner
instructed by the redeeming Shareholders, pursuant to procedures
described in the then-current Prospectus of the Fund.
(3) If any certificate returned for redemption or other request for
redemption does not comply with the procedures for redemption
approved by the Fund, the Company shall promptly notify the
Shareholder of such fact, together with the reason therefor, and
shall effect such redemption at the price applicable to the date
and time of receipt of documents complying with said procedures.
(4) The Company shall effect transfers of Shares by the registered
owners thereof.
(5) The Company shall identify and process abandoned accounts and
uncashed checks for state escheat requirements on an annual basis
and report such actions to the Fund.
D. Recordkeeping
(1) The Company shall record the issuance of Shares of each Fund,
and/or Class, and maintain pursuant to applicable rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a record of the total
number of Shares of the Fund and/or Class which are authorized,
based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and
outstanding. The Company shall also provide the Fund on a regular
basis or upon reasonable request with the total number of Shares
which are authorized and issued and outstanding, but shall have no
obligation when recording the issuance of Shares, except as
otherwise set forth herein, to monitor the issuance of such Shares
or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of
such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of
the Funds.
(2) The Company shall establish and maintain records pursuant to
applicable rules of the SEC relating to the services to be
performed hereunder in the form and manner as agreed to by the
Investment Company or the Fund to include a record for each
Shareholder's account of the following:
(a) Name, address and tax identification number (and whether such
number has been certified);
(b) Number of Shares held;
(c) Historical information regarding the account, including
dividends paid and date and price for all transactions;
(d) Any stop or restraining order placed against the account;
(e) Information with respect to withholding in the case of a
foreign account or an account for which withholding is
required by the Internal Revenue Code;
(f) Any dividend reinvestment order, plan application, dividend
address and correspondence relating to the current
maintenance of the account;
(g) Certificate numbers and denominations for any Shareholder
holding certificates;
(h) Any information required in order for the Company to perform
the calculations contemplated or required by this Agreement.
(3) The Company shall preserve any such records required to be
maintained pursuant to the rules of the SEC for the periods
prescribed in said rules as specifically noted below. Such record
retention shall be at the expense of the Company, and such records
may be inspected by the Fund at reasonable times. The Company may,
at its option at any time, and shall forthwith upon the Fund's
demand, turn over to the Fund and cease to retain in the Company's
files, records and documents created and maintained by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement, which are no longer needed by the
Company in performance of its services or for its protection. If
not so turned over to the Fund, such records and documents will be
retained by the Company for six years from the year of creation,
during the first two of which such documents will be in readily
accessible form. At the end of the six year period, such records
and documents will either be turned over to the Fund or destroyed
in accordance with Proper Instructions.
E. Confirmations/Reports
(1) The Company shall furnish to the Fund periodically the following
information:
(a) A copy of the transaction register;
(b) Dividend and reinvestment blotters;
(c) The total number of Shares issued and outstanding in each
state for "blue sky" purposes as determined according to
Proper Instructions delivered from time to time by the Fund
to the Company;
(d) Shareholder lists and statistical information;
(e) Payments to third parties relating to distribution
agreements, allocations of sales loads, redemption fees, or
other transaction- or sales-related payments;
(f) Such other information as may be agreed upon from time to
time.
(2) The Company shall prepare in the appropriate form, file with the
Internal Revenue Service and appropriate state agencies, and, if
required, mail to Shareholders, such notices for reporting
dividends and distributions paid as are required to be so filed
and mailed and shall withhold such sums as are required to be
withheld under applicable federal and state income tax laws, rules
and regulations.
(3) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth above,
the Company shall:
(a) Perform all of the customary services of a transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant, agent in connection
with accumulation, open-account or similar plans (including
without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic
withdrawal program), including but not limited to: maintaining
all Shareholder accounts, mailing Shareholder reports and
Prospectuses to current Shareholders, withholding taxes on
accounts subject to back-up or other withholding (including
non-resident alien accounts), preparing and filing reports on
U.S. Treasury Department Form 1099 and other appropriate forms
required with respect to dividends and distributions by federal
authorities for all Shareholders, preparing and mailing
confirmation forms and statements of account to Shareholders for
all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other conformable
transactions in Shareholder accounts, preparing and mailing
activity statements for Shareholders, and providing Shareholder
account information; and
(b) provide a system which will enable the Fund to monitor the
total number of Shares of each Fund (and/or Class) sold in
each state ("blue sky reporting"). The Fund shall by Proper
Instructions (i) identify to the Company those transactions
and assets to be treated as exempt from the blue sky
reporting for each state and (ii) verify the classification
of transactions for each state on the system prior to
activation and thereafter monitor the daily activity for
each state. The responsibility of the Company for each
Fund's (and/or Class's) state blue sky registration status
is limited solely to the recording of the initial
classification of transactions or accounts with regard to
blue sky compliance and the reporting of such transactions
and accounts to the Fund as provided above.
F. Other Duties
(1) The Company shall answer correspondence from Shareholders relating
to their Share accounts and such other correspondence as may from
time to time be addressed to the Company;
(2) The Company shall prepare Shareholder meeting lists, mail proxy
cards and other material supplied to it by the Fund in connection
with Shareholder meetings of each Fund; receive, examine and
tabulate returned proxies, and certify the vote of the
Shareholders;
(3) The Company shall establish and maintain facilities and procedures
for safekeeping of stock certificates, check forms and facsimile
signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or
use, and for keeping account of, such certificates, forms and
devices.
The foregoing, along with any additional services that the Company shall
agree in writing to perform for the Investment Company under this Section Three,
shall hereafter be referred to as "Transfer Agency Services."
ARTICLE 13. DUTIES OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY.
A. Compliance
The Investment Company or Fund assume full responsibility for the
preparation, contents and distribution of their own and/or their
classes' Prospectus and for complying with all applicable requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), the 1940 Act
and any laws, rules and regulations of government authorities having
jurisdiction.
B. Share Certificates
The Investment Company shall supply the Company with a sufficient supply
of blank Share certificates and from time to time shall renew such
supply upon request of the Company. Such blank Share certificates shall
be properly signed, manually or by facsimile, if authorized by the
Investment Company and shall bear the seal of the Investment Company or
facsimile thereof; and notwithstanding the death, resignation or removal
of any officer of the Investment Company authorized to sign
certificates, the Company may continue to countersign certificates which
bear the manual or facsimile signature of such officer until otherwise
directed by the Investment Company.
C. Distributions
The Fund shall promptly inform the Company of the declaration of any
dividend or distribution on account of any Fund's shares.
ARTICLE 14. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES.
A. Annual Fee
For performance by the Company pursuant to Section Three of this
Agreement, the Investment Company and/or the Fund agree to pay the
Company an annual maintenance fee for each Shareholder account as agreed
upon between the parties and as may be added to or amended from time to
time. Such fees may be changed from time to time subject to written
agreement between the Investment Company and the Company. Pursuant to
information in the Fund Prospectus or other information or instructions
from the Fund, the Company may sub-divide any Fund into Classes or other
sub-components for recordkeeping purposes. The Company will charge the
Fund the same fees for each such Class or sub-component the same as if
each were a Fund.
B. Reimbursements
In addition to the fee paid under Article 7A above, the Investment
Company and/or Fund agree to reimburse the Company for out-of-pocket
expenses or advances incurred by the Company for the items agreed upon
between the parties, as may be added to or amended from time to time. In
addition, any other expenses incurred by the Company at the request or
with the consent of the Investment Company and/or the Fund, will be
reimbursed by the appropriate Fund.
C. Payment
The compensation and out-of-pocket expenses shall be accrued by
the Fund and shall be paid to the Company no less frequently than
monthly, and shall be paid daily upon request of the Company. The
Company will maintain detailed information about the compensation
and out-of-pocket expenses by Fund and Class.
D. Any schedule of compensation agreed to hereunder, as may be
adjusted from time to time, shall be dated and signed by a duly
authorized officer of the Investment Company and/or the Funds and
a duly authorized officer of the Company.
SECTION FOUR: CUSTODY SERVICES PROCUREMENT.
ARTICLE 15. APPOINTMENT.
The Investment Company hereby appoints Company as its agent to evaluate and
obtain custody services from a financial institution that (i) meets the criteria
established in Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and (ii) has been approved by the
Board as eligible for selection by the Company as a custodian (the "Eligible
Custodian"). The Company accepts such appointment.
ARTICLE 16. THE COMPANY AND ITS DUTIES.
Subject to the review, supervision and control of the Board, the Company
shall:
A. evaluate and obtain custody services from a financial institution that
meets the criteria established in Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and has
been approved by the Board as being eligible for selection by the Company
as an Eligible Custodian;
B. negotiate and enter into agreements with Eligible Custodians for
the benefit of the Investment Company, with the Investment Company
as a party to each such agreement. The Company may, as paying
agent, be a party to any agreement with any such Eligible
Custodian;
C. establish procedures to monitor the nature and the quality of the
services provided by Eligible Custodians;
D. monitor and evaluate the nature and the quality of services
provided by Eligible Custodians;
E. periodically provide to the Investment Company (i) written reports
on the activities and services of Eligible Custodians; (ii) the
nature and amount of disbursements made on account of the each
Fund with respect to each custodial agreement; and (iii) such
other information as the Board shall reasonably request to enable
it to fulfill its duties and obligations under Sections 17(f) and
36(b) of the 1940 Act and other duties and obligations thereof;
F. periodically provide recommendations to the Board to enhance
Eligible Custodian's customer services capabilities and improve
upon fees being charged to the Fund by Eligible Custodian; and
The foregoing, along with any additional services that Company shall agree in
writing to perform for the Fund under this Section Four, shall hereafter be
referred to as "Custody Services Procurement."
ARTICLE 17. FEES AND EXPENSES.
A. Annual Fee
For the performance of Custody Services Procurement by the Company
pursuant to Section Four of this Agreement, the Investment Company
and/or the Fund agree to compensate the Company in accordance with
the fees agreed upon from time to time.
B. Reimbursements
In addition to the fee paid under Section 11A above, the Investment
Company and/or Fund agree to reimburse the Company for out-of-pocket
expenses or advances incurred by the Company for the items agreed upon
between the parties, as may be added to or amended from time to time. In
addition, any other expenses incurred by the Company at the request or
with the consent of the Investment Company and/or the Fund, will be
reimbursed by the appropriate Fund.
C. Payment
The compensation and out-of-pocket expenses shall be accrued by
the Fund and shall be paid to the Company no less frequently than
monthly, and shall be paid daily upon request of the Company. The
Company will maintain detailed information about the compensation
and out-of-pocket expenses by Fund.
D. Any schedule of compensation agreed to hereunder, as may be
adjusted from time to time, shall be dated and signed by a duly
authorized officer of the Investment Company and/or the Funds and
a duly authorized officer of the Company.
ARTICLE 18. REPRESENTATIONS.
The Company represents and warrants that it has obtained all required
approvals from all government or regulatory authorities necessary to enter into
this arrangement and to provide the services contemplated in Section Four of
this Agreement.
SECTION FIVE: GENERAL PROVISIONS.
ARTICLE 19. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.
As used throughout this Agreement, a "Proper Instruction" means a writing
signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board shall have
from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific
transaction or type of transaction involved. Oral instructions will be deemed to
be Proper Instructions if (a) the Company reasonably believes them to have been
given by a person previously authorized in Proper Instructions to give such
instructions with respect to the transaction involved, and (b) the Investment
Company, or the Fund, and the Company promptly cause such oral instructions to
be confirmed in writing. Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the
Investment Company, or the Fund, and the Company are satisfied that such
procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets. Proper Instructions
may only be amended in writing.
ARTICLE 20. ASSIGNMENT.
Except as provided below, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or
obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by either party without the
written consent of the other party.
A. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
B. With regard to Transfer Agency Services, the Company may without
further consent on the part of the Investment Company subcontract
for the performance of Transfer Agency Services with
(1) its subsidiary, Federated Shareholder Service Company, a Delaware
business trust, which is duly registered as a transfer agent
pursuant to Section 17A(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, or any succeeding statute ("Section 17A(c)(1)");
or
(2) such other provider of services duly registered as a transfer
agent under Section 17A(c)(1) as Company shall select.
The Company shall be as fully responsible to the Investment
Company for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is
for its own acts and omissions.
C. With regard to Fund Accounting Services, Administrative Services
and Custody Procurement Services, the Company may without further
consent on the part of the Investment Company subcontract for the
performance of such services with Federated Administrative
Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
D. The Company shall upon instruction from the Investment Company
subcontract for the performance of services under this Agreement with an
Agent selected by the Investment Company, other than as described in B.
and C. above; provided, however, that the Company shall in no way be
responsible to the Investment Company for the acts and omissions of the
Agent.
ARTICLE 21. DOCUMENTS.
A. In connection with the appointment of the Company under this
Agreement, the Investment Company shall file with the Company the
following documents:
(1) A copy of the Charter and By-Laws of the Investment Company and
all amendments thereto;
(2) A copy of the resolution of the Board of the Investment Company
authorizing this Agreement;
(3) Specimens of all forms of outstanding Share certificates of the
Investment Company or the Funds in the forms approved by the Board
of the Investment Company with a certificate of the Secretary of
the Investment Company as to such approval;
(4) All account application forms and other documents relating to
Shareholders accounts; and
(5) A copy of the current Prospectus for each Fund.
B. The Fund will also furnish from time to time the following
documents:
(1) Each resolution of the Board of the Investment Company
authorizing the original issuance of each Fund's, and/or Class's
Shares;
(2) Each Registration Statement filed with the SEC and amendments
thereof and orders relating thereto in effect with respect to the
sale of Shares of any Fund, and/or Class;
(3) A certified copy of each amendment to the governing document and
the By-Laws of the Investment Company;
(4) Certified copies of each vote of the Board authorizing officers to
give Proper Instructions to the Custodian and agents for fund
accountant, custody services procurement, and shareholder
recordkeeping or transfer agency services;
(5) Specimens of all new Share certificates representing Shares of
any Fund, accompanied by Board resolutions approving such forms;
(6) Such other certificates, documents or opinions which the Company
may, in its discretion, deem necessary or appropriate in the
proper performance of its duties; and
(7) Revisions to the Prospectus of each Fund.
ARTICLE 22. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
A. Representations and Warranties of the Company
The Company represents and warrants to the Fund that:
(1) it is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
(2) It is duly qualified to carry on its business in each
jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such
qualification, and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
(3) it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
(4) all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize
it to enter into and perform its obligations under this
Agreement;
(5) it has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and
obligations under this Agreement;
(6) it is in compliance with federal securities law requirements and
in good standing as an administrator and fund accountant;
and
B. Representations and Warranties of the Investment Company
The Investment Company represents and warrants to the Company that:
(1) It is an investment company duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of its state of organization;
(2) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Charter and
By-Laws to enter into and perform its obligations under this
Agreement;
(3) All corporate proceedings required by said Charter and By-Laws
have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement;
(4) The Investment Company is an open-end investment company
registered under the 1940 Act; and
(5) A registration statement under the 1933 Act will be effective,
and appropriate state securities law filings have been made and
will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of each Fund
being offered for sale.
ARTICLE 23. STANDARD OF CARE AND INDEMNIFICATION.
A. Standard of Care
With regard to Sections One, Three and Four, the Company shall be held
to a standard of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this
Contract. The Company shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Investment Company) on all
matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken
or omitted pursuant to such advice, provided that such action is not in
violation of applicable federal or state laws or regulations, and is in
good faith and without negligence.
B. Indemnification by Investment Company
The Company shall not be responsible for and the Investment Company or
Fund shall indemnify and hold the Company, including its officers,
directors, shareholders and their agents, employees and affiliates,
harmless against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel
fees, payments, expenses and liabilities arising out of or attributable
to:
(1) The acts or omissions of any Custodian, Adviser, Sub-adviser or other
party contracted by or approved by the Investment Company or Fund,
(2) The reliance on or use by the Company or its agents or subcontractors
of information, records and documents in proper form which
(a) are received by the Company or its agents or subcontractors
and furnished to it by or on behalf of the Fund, its
Shareholders or investors regarding the purchase, redemption
or transfer of Shares and Shareholder account information;
(b) are received by the Company from independent pricing
services or sources for use in valuing the assets of the
Funds; or
(c) are received by the Company or its agents or subcontractors
from Advisers, Sub-advisers or other third parties
contracted by or approved by the Investment Company of Fund
for use in the performance of services under this Agreement;
(d) have been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund or its
affiliates or any other person or firm on behalf of the
Investment Company.
(3) The reliance on, or the carrying out by the Company or its agents
or subcontractors of Proper Instructions of the Investment
Company or the Fund.
(4) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under
the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws
or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such
state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or
ruling by any federal agency or any state with respect to the
offer or sale of such Shares in such state.
Provided, however, that the Company shall not be protected by this
Article 23.B. from liability for any act or omission resulting
from the Company's willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or
reckless disregard of its duties or failure to meet the standard
of care set forth in 23.A. above.
C. Reliance
At any time the Company may apply to any officer of the Investment
Company or Fund for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel
with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be
performed by the Company under this Agreement, and the Company and its
agents or subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by
the Investment Company or the appropriate Fund for any action reasonably
taken or omitted by it in reliance upon such instructions or upon the
opinion of such counsel provided such action is not in violation of
applicable federal or state laws or regulations. The Company, its agents
and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in recognizing
stock certificates which are reasonably believed to bear the proper
manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the Investment Company
or the Fund, and the proper countersignature of any former transfer
agent or registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
D. Notification
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article
23 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may
be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification
shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep
the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such
claim. The party who may be required to indemnify shall have the option
to participate with the party seeking indemnification in the defense of
such claim. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess
any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party
may be required to indemnify it except with the other party's prior
written consent.
ARTICLE 24. TERM AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.
This Agreement shall be effective from March 1, 1996 and shall continue until
February 28, 2003 (`Term"). Thereafter, the Agreement will continue for 18 month
terms. The Agreement can be terminated by either party upon 18 months notice to
be effective as of the end of such 18 month period. In the event, however, of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties
by the Company, the Investment Company has the right to terminate the Agreement
upon 60 days written notice, if Company has not cured such willful misfeasance,
bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties within 60 days. The
termination date for all original or after-added Investment companies which are,
or become, a party to this Agreement. shall be coterminous. Investment Companies
that merge or dissolve during the Term, shall cease to be a party on the
effective date of such merger or dissolution.
Should the Investment Company exercise its rights to terminate, all
out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and materials
will be borne by the Investment Company or the appropriate Fund. Additionally,
the Company reserves the right to charge for any other reasonable expenses
associated with such termination. The provisions of Articles 10 and 23 shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 25. AMENDMENT.
This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement executed by
both parties.
ARTICLE 26. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Company and the
Investment Company may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive
of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint
opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such
interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both
parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or
additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or state
regulations or any provision of the Charter. No interpretive or additional
provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an
amendment of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 27. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under
and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
ARTICLE 28. NOTICES.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Notices and other writings
delivered or mailed postage prepaid to the Investment Company at Federated
Investors Tower, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-3779, or to the Company at
Federated Investors Tower, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-3779, or to such
other address as the Investment Company or the Company may hereafter specify,
shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given hereunder to the
respective address.
ARTICLE 29. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original. ARTICLE 30. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the
Trustees of the Company and signed by an authorized officer of the Company,
acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any
of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, and
the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees or
Shareholders of the Company, but bind only the appropriate property of the Fund,
or Class, as provided in the Declaration of Trust.
ARTICLE 31. MERGER OF AGREEMENT.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto
and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject hereof whether
oral or written.
ARTICLE 32. SUCCESSOR AGENT.
If a successor agent for the Investment Company shall be appointed by the
Investment Company, the Company shall upon termination of this Agreement deliver
to such successor agent at the office of the Company all properties of the
Investment Company held by it hereunder. If no such successor agent shall be
appointed, the Company shall at its office upon receipt of Proper Instructions
deliver such properties in accordance with such instructions.
In the event that no written order designating a successor agent or Proper
Instructions shall have been delivered to the Company on or before the date when
such termination shall become effective, then the Company shall have the right
to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the 1940
Act, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided
profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $2,000,000, all
properties held by the Company under this Agreement. Thereafter, such bank or
trust company shall be the successor of the Company under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 33. FORCE MAJEURE.
The Company shall have no liability for cessation of services hereunder or
any damages resulting therefrom to the Fund as a result of work stoppage, power
or other mechanical failure, natural disaster, governmental action,
communication disruption or other impossibility of performance.
ARTICLE 34. ASSIGNMENT; SUCCESSORS.
This Agreement shall not be assigned by either party without the prior
written consent of the other party, except that either party may assign all of
or a substantial portion of its business to a successor, or to a party
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such party. Nothing in
this Article 34 shall prevent the Company from delegating its responsibilities
to another entity to the extent provided herein.
ARTICLE 35. SEVERABILITY.
In the event any provision of this Agreement is held illegal, void or
unenforceable, the balance shall remain in effect.
ARTICLE 36. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the
Trustees of the Investment Company and signed by an authorized officer of the
Investment Company, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such
Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have
been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them
personally, and the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of
the Trustees or Shareholders of the Investment Company, but bind only the
property of the Fund, or Class, as provided in the Declaration of Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed in their names and on their behalf under their seals by and through
their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
(LISTED ON EXHIBIT 1)
By: /s/ S. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
S. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Assistant Secretary
FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Secretary
EXHIBIT 1
CONTRACT
DATE INVESTMENT COMPANY
Portfolios
Classes
March 1, 1996 Federated Tax-Free Trust
FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY provides the following services:
Fund Accounting Services
Administrative Services
Transfer Agency Services
Custody Services
