Exhibit (h)(1)
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of this 1st day of June, 1997 between SALOMON
BROTHERS INSTITUTIONAL SERIES FUNDS, INC. (the "Fund"), a Maryland corporation
having its principal place of business at 0 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000 and FIRST DATA INVESTOR SERVICES GROUP, INC. ("FDISG"), a
Massachusetts corporation with principal offices at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue Shares in separate series, with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities or
other assets.
WHEREAS, the Fund initially intends to offer Shares in those Portfolios
identified in the attached Exhibit 1, each such Portfolio, together with all
other Portfolios subsequently established by the Fund shall be subject to this
Agreement in accordance with Article 14;
WHEREAS, the Fund on behalf of the Portfolios, desires to appoint FDISG as
its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and agent in connection with
certain other activities and FDISG desires to accept such appointment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
hereinafter set forth, the Fund and FDISG agree as follows:
Article 1 Definitions.
1.1 Whenever used In this Agreement, the following words and phrases,
unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Articles of Incorporation" shall mean the Articles of
Incorporation, Declaration of Trust, or other similar organizational
document as the case may be, of the Fund as the same may be amended from
time to time.
(b) "Authorized Person" shall be deemed to include (i) any authorized
officer of the Fund; or (ii) any person, whether or not such person is an
officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized to give Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund as indicated in writing to
FDISG from time to time.
(c) "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors or Board of
Trustees of the Fund, as the case may be.
(d) "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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(e) "Custodian" refers to any custodian or subcustodian of securities
and other property which the Fund may from time to time deposit, or cause
to be deposited or held under the name or account of such a custodian
pursuant to a Custodian Agreement.
(f) "1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to
time.
(g) "1940 Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to
time.
(h) "Oral Instructions" shall mean instructions, other than Written
Instructions, actually received by FDISG from a person reasonably believed
by FDISG to be an Authorized Person;
(i) "Portfolio" shall mean each separate series of shares offered by
the Fund representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and
other assets;
(j) "Prospectus" shall mean the most recently dated Fund Prospectus
and Statement of Additional Information, including any supplements thereto
if any, which has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
1940 Act.
(k) "Shares" refers collectively to such shares of capital stock or
beneficial interest, as the case may be, or class thereof, of each
respective Portfolio of the Fund as may be issued from time to time.
(l) "Shareholder" shall mean a record owner of Shares of each
respective Portfolio of the Fund.
(m) "Written Instructions" shall mean a written communication signed
by a person reasonably believed by FDISG to be an Authorized Person and
actually received by FDISG. Written Instructions shall include manually
executed originals and authorized electronic transmissions, including
telefacsimile of a manually executed original or other process.
Article 2 Appointment of FDISG.
The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, hereby appoints and constitutes
FDISG as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for Shares of each
respective Portfolio of the Fund and as shareholder servicing agent for the Fund
and FDISG hereby accepts such appointments and agrees to perform the duties
hereinafter set forth.
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Article 3 Duties of FDISG.
3.1 FDISG shall be responsible for:
(a) Administering and/or performing the customary services of a
transfer agent; acting as service agent in connection with dividend and
distribution functions; and for performing shareholder account and
administrative agent functions in connection with the issuance, transfer
and redemption or repurchase (including coordination with the Custodian) of
Shares of each Portfolio, as more fully described in the written schedule
of Duties of FDISG annexed hereto as Schedule A and Incorporated herein,
and in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus of the Fund on behalf of
the applicable Portfolio, applicable law and the procedures established
from time to time between FDISG and the Fund.
(b) Recording the issuance of Shares and maintaining pursuant
to Rule 17Ad-l0(e) of the 1934 Act a record of the total number of Shares
of each Portfolio which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by
the Fund, and issued and outstanding. FDISG shall provide the Fund on a
regular basis with the total number of Shares of each Portfolio which are
authorized and issued and outstanding and shall have no obligation, when
recording the issuance of Shares, 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 Fund.
(c) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Agreement,
FDISG shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not
be liable for: (i) the legality of the issuance or sale of any Shares or
the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor; (ii) the legality of
the redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be paid
therefor; (iii) the legality of the declaration of any dividend by the
Board of Directors, or the legality of the issuance of any Shares in
payment of any dividend; or (iv) the legality of any recapitalization or
readjustment of the Shares.
3.2 In addition and to the extent required by law, the Fund shall (i)
identify to FDISG in writing those transactions and assets to be treated as
exempt from blue sky reporting for each State and (ii) verify the establishment
of transactions for each State on the system prior to activation and thereafter
monitor the daily activity for each State. The responsibility of FDISG for the
Fund's blue sky State registration status is solely limited to the initial
establishment of transactions subject to blue sky compliance by the Fund and the
reporting of such transactions to the Fund as provided above.
3.3 In addition to the duties set forth herein, FDISG shall perform such
other duties and functions, and shall be paid such amounts therefor, as may from
time to time be agreed upon in writing between the Fund and FDISG.
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Article 4 Recordkeeping and Other Information.
4.1 FDISG shall create and maintain all records required of it pursuant to
its duties hereunder and as set forth in Schedule A in accordance with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations, including records required by Section
31(a) of the 1940 Act. All records shall be available during regular business
hours for inspection and use by the Fund. Where applicable, such records shall
be maintained by FDISG for the periods and in the places required by Rule 31a-2
under the 1940 Act.
4.2 Upon reasonable notice by the Fund, FDISG shall make available during
regular business hours such of its facilities and premises employed in
connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement for
reasonable visitation by me Fund, or any other person retained by the Fund as
may be necessary for the Fund to evaluate the quality of the services performed
by FDISG pursuant hereto.
4.3 To the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act, FDISG agrees
that all such records prepared or maintained by FDISG relating to the services
to be performed by FDISG hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be
preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such section, and
will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with the Fund's
request.
4.4 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of Shareholder
records of the Fund, FDISG will notify the Fund of such request and secure
Written Instructions as to the handling of such request. FDISG reserves the
right, however, upon prior written notice to the Fund, to exhibit the
Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it
may be held liable for the failure to comply with such request.
Article 5 Fund Instructions.
5.1 FDISG will have no liability when acting upon Written or Oral
Instructions believed to have been executed or orally communicated by an
Authorized Person and will not be held to have any notice of any change of
authority of any person until receipt of a Written Instruction thereof from the
Fund. FDISG will also have no liability when processing Share certificates which
it reasonably believes to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the
officers of the Fund and the proper countersignature of FDISG.
5.2 At any time, FDISG may request Written Instructions from the Fund and
may seek advice from legal counsel for the Fund, or its own legal counsel, with
respect to any matter arising in connection with this Agreement, and it shall
not be liable for any action taken or not taken or suffered by it in good faith
in accordance with such Written Instructions or in accordance with the opinion
of counsel for the Fund or for FDISG. Written Instructions requested by FDISG
will be provided by the Fund within a reasonable period of time.
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5.3 FDISG, its officers, agents or employees, shall accept Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions given to them by any person representing or
acting on behalf of the Fund only if said representative is an Authorized
Person. The Fund agrees that all Oral Instructions shall be followed within one
business day by confirming Written Instructions, and that the Fund's failure to
so confirm shall not impair in any respect FDISG's right to rely on Oral
Instructions.
Article 6 Compensation.
6.1 The Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios will compensate FDISG for
the performance of its obligations hereunder in accordance with the fees set
forth in the written Fee Schedule annexed hereto as Schedule B and incorporated
herein.
6.2 In addition to those fees set forth in Section 6.1 above, the Fund on
behalf of each of the Portfolios (but only from the assets of the particular
Portfolio) agrees to pay, and will be billed separately for, out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by FDISG in the performance of its duties hereunder.
Out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but shall not be limited to, the items
specified in the written schedule of out-of-pocket charges annexed hereto as
Schedule C and incorporated herein. Schedule C may be modified by written
agreement between the parties. Unspecified out-of-pocket expenses shall be
limited to those out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by FDISG in the
performance of its obligations hereunder.
6.3 FDISG will transmit an invoice to the Fund as soon as practicable after
the end of each calendar month which will be detailed in accordance with
Schedule A, and the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios agrees to pay all
fees and out-of-pocket expenses within thirty (30) days following the receipt of
the respective invoice.
6.4 Any compensation agreed to hereunder may be adjusted from time to time
by attaching to Schedule B, a revised Fee Schedule executed and dated by the
parties hereto.
Article 7 Documents.
In connection with the appointment of FDISG, the Fund shall, on or before
the date this Agreement goes into effect, but in any case within a reasonable
period of time for FDISG to prepare to perform its duties hereunder, deliver or
caused to be delivered to FDISG the documents set forth in the written schedule
of Fund Documents annexed hereto as Schedule D.
Article 8 Transfer Agent System.
8.1 FDISG shall retain title to and ownership of any and all data bases,
computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design
techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or
copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, patents, copyrights, trade secrets,
and other related legal rights utilized by FDISG in connection with the services
provided by FDISG to the Fund herein (the "FDISG System").
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8.2 FDISG hereby grants to the Fund a limited license to the FDISG System
for the sole and limited purpose of having FDISG provide the services
contemplated hereunder and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be
construed or interpreted otherwise and such license shall immediately terminate
with the termination of this Agreement.
8.3 In the event that the Fund, including any affiliate or agent of the
Fund or any third party acting on behalf of the Fund is provided with direct
access to the FDISG System for either account inquiry or to transmit transaction
information, including but not limited to maintenance, exchanges, purchases and
redemptions, such direct access capability shall be limited to direct entry to
the FDISG System by means of on-line mainframe terminal entry or PC emulation of
such mainframe terminal entry and any other non-conforming method of
transmission of information to the FDISG System is strictly prohibited without
the prior written consent of FDISG.
Article 9 Representations and Warranties.
9.1 FDISG represents and warrants to the Fund that:
(a) it is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good standing
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
(b) it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement;
(c) all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize
it to enter into this Agreement;
(d) it is duly registered with its appropriate regulatory agency as a
transfer agent and such registration will remain in effect for the duration
of this Agreement; and
(e) it has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations
under this Agreement.
(f) the various procedures and systems which it has implemented with
regard to safeguarding from loss or damage attributable to fire, theft or
any other cause, each Portfolio's blank checks, records and other data and
FDISG's records, data equipment facilities and other property used in the
performance of its obligations hereunder are adequate and that it will make
such changes therein from time to time as may be reasonably necessary for
the secure performance of its obligations thereunder.
9.2 The Fund represents and warrants to FDISG that:
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(a) it is duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction in which it is organized;
(b) it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into this Agreement;
(c) all corporate proceedings required by said Articles of
Incorporation, By-Laws and applicable laws have been taken to authorize it
to enter into this Agreement;
(d) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the 1940 Act on behalf of each of the Portfolios is currently
effective and will remain effective; and to the extent required by
applicable law, all appropriate state securities law filings have been made
and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of the Fund being
offered for sale; and
(e) all outstanding Shares are validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable and when Shares are hereafter issued in accordance with the
terms of the Fund's Articles of Incorporation and its Prospectus with
respect to each Portfolio, such Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable.
9.3 THIS IS A SERVICE AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS
AGREEMENT, FDISG DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, MADE TO THE FUND OR ANY OTHER PERSON, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
ANY WARRANTIES REGARDING QUALITY, SUITABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE (IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM
OR USAGE OF TRADE) OF ANY SERVICES OR ANY GOODS PROVIDED INCIDENTAL TO SERVICES
PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. FDISG DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF TITLE OR
NON-INFRINGEMENT EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT.
Article 10 Indemnification.
10.1 Each party hereto (the "Indemnifying Party") will indemnify the other
party (the "Indemnified Party") against and hold it harmless from any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any sort or kind (including
reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any claim, demand, action
or suit or other proceeding (a "Claim") unless such Claim has resulted from a
negligent failure to act or omission to act or bad faith of the Indemnified
Party in the performance of its duties hereunder. In addition, FDISG shall not
be responsible for and the Fund shall indemnify and hold FDISG harmless from and
against, any Claim which may be asserted against FDISG or for which FDISG may be
held to be liable arising out of or attributable to any of the following:
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(a) any actions of FDISG required to be taken pursuant to this
Agreement unless such Claim resulted from a negligent act or omission to
act or bad faith by FDISG in the performance of its duties hereunder;
(b) FDISG's reasonable reliance on, or reasonable use of information,
data, records and documents (including but not limited to magnetic tapes,
computer printouts, hard copies and microfilm copies) received by FDISG
from the Fund, or any authorized third party acting on behalf of the Fund,
including but not limited to the prior transfer agent for the Fund, in the
performance of FDISG's duties and obligations hereunder;
(c) the reliance on, or the implementation of, any Written or
Oral Instructions or any other instructions or requests of the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio;
(d) the offer or sales of shares in violation of any requirement under
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 state with respect to the offer or sale of
such shares in such state; and
(e) the Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, or any Claim which arises out of the Fund's negligence or
misconduct or the breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund made
herein.
10.2 In any case in which the Indemnifying Party may be asked to indemnify
or hold the Indemnified Party harmless, the Indemnified Party will notify the
Indemnifying Party promptly after identifying any situation which it believes
presents or appears likely to present a claim for indemnification against the
Indemnifying Party although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by
the Indemnified Party and shall keep the Indemnifying Party advised with respect
to all developments concerning such situation. The Indemnifying Party shall have
the option to defend the Indemnified Party against any Claim which may be the
subject of this indemnification, and, in the event that the Indemnifying Party
so elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Indemnifying
Party and reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and thereupon the
Indemnifying Party shall take over complete defense of the Claim and the
Indemnified Party shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in respect of
such Claim. The Indemnified Party will not confess any Claim or make any
compromise in any case in which the Indemnifying Party will be asked to provide
indemnification, except with the Indemnifying Party's prior written consent. The
obligations of the parties hereto under this Article 10 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
10.3 Any claim for indemnification under this Agreement must be made prior
to the earlier of:
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(a) one year after the Indemnifying Party becomes aware of the event
for which indemnification is claimed; or
(b) one year after the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or
the expiration of the term of this Agreement.
10.4 Except for remedies that cannot be waived as a matter of law (and
injunctive or provisional relief), the provisions of this Article 10 shall be
FDISG's sole and exclusive remedy for claims or other actions or proceedings to
which the Fund's indemnification obligations pursuant to this Article 10 may
apply.
10.5 Any obligation of the Fund under this Article 10 to indemnify or
reimburse FDISG in connection with any claim, cost, expense, loss, damage,
charge, payment or liability that is attributable to a particular Portfolio
shall be satisfied from the assets of the Portfolio in question and not from the
assets of any other Portfolio.
Article 11 Standard of Care.
11.1 FDISG shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best
efforts within commercially reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all
services performed under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility for loss
or damage to the Fund unless said errors are caused by FDISG's own negligence,
bad faith or willful misconduct or that of its employees.
11.2 Each party shall have the duty to mitigate damages for which the other
party may become responsible.
Article 12 Consequential Damages.
IN NO EVENT AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL EITHER PARTY UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR INDIRECT LOSS OF PROFITS, REPUTATION
OR BUSINESS OR ANY OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES UNDER ANY PROVISION OF
THIS AGREEMENT OR FOR ANY ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT THEREUNDER.
Article 13 Term and Termination.
13.1 This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above and
shall continue for a period of three (3) years (the "Initial Term").
13.2 Upon the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall
automatically renew for successive terms of three (3) years ("Renewal Terms")
each, unless the Fund or FDISG provides written notice to the other of its
intent not to renew. Such notice must be received not
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less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the
then current Renewal Term.
13.3 In the event a termination notice is given by the Fund, all expenses
associated with movement of records and materials and conversion thereof to a
successor transfer agent will be borne by the Fund. FDISG will reasonably
cooperate with the Fund and any successor transfer agent or agents in the
substitution process.
13.4 If a party hereto is guilty of a material failure to perform its
duties and obligations hereunder (a "Defaulting Party") the other party (the
"Non-Defaulting Party") may give written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party,
and if such material breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days
after such written notice is given, then the Non-Defaulting Party may terminate
this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to
the Defaulting Party. In all cases, termination by the Non-Defaulting Party
shall not constitute a waiver by the Non-Defaulting Party of any rights it might
have under this Agreement or otherwise against the Defaulting Party.
Article 14 Additional Portfolios
14.1 In the event that the Fund establishes one or more Portfolios in
addition to those identified in Exhibit 1, with respect to which the Fund
desires to have FDISG render services as transfer agent under the terms hereof,
the Fund shall so notify FDISG in writing, and if FDISG agrees in writing to
provide such services. Exhibit 1 shall be amended to include such additional
Portfolios.
Article 15 Confidentiality
15.1 The parties agree that the Proprietary Information (defined below) and
the contents of this Agreement (collectively "Confidential Information") are
confidential information of the parties and their respective licensors. The Fund
and FDISG shall exercise at least the same degree of care, but not less than
reasonable care, to safeguard the confidentiality of the Confidential
Information of the other as it would exercise to protect its own confidential
information of a similar nature. The Fund and FDISG shall not duplicate, sell or
disclose to others the Confidential Information of the other, in whole or in
part, without the prior written permission of the other party. The Fund and
FDISG may, however, disclose Confidential Information to their respective parent
corporation, their respective affiliates, their subsidiaries and affiliated
companies and employees, provided that each shall use reasonable efforts to
ensure that the Confidential Information is not duplicated or disclosed in
breach of this Agreement. The Fund and FDISG may also disclose the Confidential
Information to independent contractors, auditors, and professional advisors,
provided they first agree to be bound by the confidentiality obligations
substantially similar to this Section 15.1. Notwithstanding the previous
sentence, in no event shall either the Fund or FDISG disclose the Confidential
Information to any competitor of the other without specific, prior written
consent.
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15.2 Proprietary Information means:
(a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material,
and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to,
information about product plans, marketing strategies, finance, operations,
customer relationships, customer profiles, sales estimates, business plans,
and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future
business activities of the Fund or FDISG, their respective subsidiaries and
affiliated companies and the customers, clients and suppliers of any of
them;
(b) any scientific or technical information, design, process,
procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret
in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Fund or FDISG a
competitive advantage over its competitors; and
(c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports,
data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow
charts, databases, inventions, know-how, show-how and trade secrets,
whether or not patentable or copyrightable.
15.3 Confidential Information includes, without limitation, all documents,
inventions, substances, engineering and laboratory notebooks, drawings,
diagrams, specifications, bills of material, equipment, prototypes and models,
and any other tangible manifestation of the foregoing of either party which now
exist or come into the control or possession of the other. The term
"Confidential Information" does not include any information which (i) at the
time of disclosure or thereafter is generally available to the public (other
than as a result of disclosure directly or indirectly by either party in
violation hereof), (ii) is or becomes available to either party on a
nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Fund or FDISG, as the case
may be, provided that, after due inquiry, such source was not prohibited from
disclosing such information to such party by a legal, contractual or fiduciary
obligation owed to either party or (iii) either party can establish is already
in such party's possession (other than information furnished by or on behalf of
either party).
15.4 If either party becomes legally compelled (including by deposition,
interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or
similar process) to disclose any Confidential Information, such party will
provide the other party with prompt prior written notice of such requirements so
that such other party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy.
If such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, each party agrees to
disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information which such party is
advised by written opinion of outside counsel is legally required to be
disclosed and to take all reasonable steps to preserve the confidentiality of
the Confidential Information (including by obtaining an appropriate protective
order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded
the Confidential Information). In addition, each party agrees to not oppose any
action (and will, if
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and to the extent requested by the other party, cooperate with, assist and join
with the other party at the other party's expense, in any reasonable action) by
the other party to obtain an appropriate protective order or other reliable
assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential
Information.
Article 16 Force Majeure.
No party shall be liable for any default or delay in the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement if and to the extent such default or delay is
caused, directly or indirectly, by (i) fire, flood, elements of nature or other
acts of God; (ii) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, war, riots or civil
disorders in any country, (iii) any act or omission of any governmental
authority; (iv) any labor disputes (whether or not the employees' demands are
reasonable or within the party's power to satisfy); or (v) nonperformance by a
third party or any similar cause beyond the reasonable control of such party,
including without limitation, failures or fluctuations in telecommunications or
other equipment. In any such event, the non-performing party shall be excused
from any further performance and observance of the obligations so affected only
for as long as such circumstances prevail and such party continues to use
commercially reasonable efforts to recommence performance or observance as soon
as practicable.
Article 17 Assignment and Subcontracting.
This Agreement, its benefits and obligations shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned or otherwise transferred
by either party hereto, without the prior written consent of the other party,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that FDISG
may, in its sole discretion, assign all its right, title and interest in this
Agreement to an affiliate, parent or subsidiary, or upon prior written consent
of the Fund to the purchaser of substantially all of its business. FDISG may, in
its sole discretion, engage subcontractors to perform any of the obligations
contained in this Agreement to be performed by FDISG provided that FDISG shall
remain liable hereunder for any acts or omissions of any subcontractor as if
performed by FDISG.
Article 18 Arbitration.
18.1 Any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
or breach hereof, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American
Arbitration Association in Boston, Massachusetts in accordance with its
applicable rules, except that the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure with respect to the discovery process shall apply.
18.2 The parties hereby agree that judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
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18.3 The parties acknowledge and agree that the performance of the
obligations under this Agreement necessitates the use of instrumentalities of
interstate commerce and, notwithstanding other general choice of law provisions
in this Agreement, the parties agree that the Federal Arbitration Act shall
govern and control with respect to the provisions of this Article 18.
Article 19 Notice.
Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by this Agreement to
be given in writing to the Fund or FDISG, shall be sufficiently given if
addressed to that party and received by it at its office set forth below or at
such other place as it may from time to time designate in writing.
To the Fund:
Salomon Brothers Institutional Series Funds
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
To FDISG:
First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: President
with a copy to FDISG's General Counsel
Article 20 Governing Law/Venue.
The Agreement shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the State of New
York without reference to the choice of law provisions thereof. Each party
hereto hereby agrees that (i) the Supreme Court of New York sitting in New York
County shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any and all disputes arising
hereunder, (ii) hereby consents to the personal jurisdiction of such court over
the parties hereto, hereby waiving any defense of lack of personal jurisdiction;
and (iii) appoints the person to whom notices hereunder are to be sent as agent
for service of process.
Article 21 Counterparts.
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This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts shall, together,
constitute only one instrument.
Article 22 Captions.
The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
Article 23 Publicity.
Neither FDISG nor the Fund shall release or publish news releases, public
announcements, advertising or other publicity relating to this Agreement or to
the transactions contemplated by it without the prior review and written
approval of the other party; provided, however, that either party may make such
disclosures as are required by legal, accounting or regulatory requirements
after making reasonable efforts in the circumstances to consult in advance with
the other party.
Article 24 Relationship of Parties/Non-Solicitation.
24.1 The parties agree that they are independent contractors and not
partners or co-venturers and nothing contained herein shall be interpreted or
construed otherwise.
Article 25 Entire Agreement; Severability.
25.1 This Agreement, including Schedules, Addenda, and Exhibits hereto,
constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous proposals,
agreements, contracts, representations, and understandings, whether written or
oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No change,
termination, modification, or waiver of any term or condition of the Agreement
shall be valid unless in writing signed by each party. A party's waiver of a
breach of any term or condition in the Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of
any subsequent breach of the same or another term or condition.
25.2 The parties intend every provision of this Agreement to be severable.
If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any term or provision is
illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect
the validity of the remainder of this Agreement. In such case, the parties shall
in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original
intent of the parties. Without limiting the generality of this paragraph, if a
court determines that any remedy stated in this Agreement has failed of its
essential purpose, then all other provisions of this Agreement, including the
limitations on liability and exclusion of damages, shall remain fully effective.
Article 26 Miscellaneous.
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Any amount owing to FDISG under Articles 6 or 10 that are attributable to a
particular Portfolio shall be paid by the Fund only from and to the extent of
the assets of that Portfolio and not from the assets of any other Portfolio.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above
written.
SALOMON BROTHERS INSTITUTIONAL SERIES
FUND, INC.
By: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
------------------------------------
Title: President
FIRST DATA INVESTOR SERVICES GROUP, INC.
By: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President
[SEAL]
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Exhibit 1
LIST OF PORTFOLIOS
High Yield Bond Fund
Emerging Markets Debt Fund
Asia Growth Fund
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Schedule A
DUTIES OF FDISG
1. Shareholder Information. FDISG shall maintain a record of the number of
Shares held by each Shareholder of record which shall include name, address,
taxpayer identification and which shall indicate whether such Shares are held in
certificates or uncertificated form.
2. Shareholder Services. FDISG shall respond as appropriate to all
inquiries and communications from Shareholders relating to Shareholder accounts
with respect to its duties hereunder and as may be from time to time mutually
agreed upon between FDISG and the Fund. FDISG shall provide the Fund with
reports concerning shareholder inquiries and the responses therto by FDISG, in
such form and at such times as are agreed to by the Fund and FDISG.
3. Share Certificates.
(a) At the expense of the Fund, the Fund shall supply FDISG with an
adequate supply of blank share certificates to meet FDISG requirements therefor.
Such Share certificates shall be properly signed by facsimile. The Fund agrees
that, notwithstanding the death, resignation, or removal of any officer of the
Fund whose signature appears on such certificates, FDISG or its agent may
continue to countersign certificates which bear such signatures until otherwise
directed by Written Instructions.
(b) FDISG shall issue replacement Share certificates in lieu of
certificates which have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon receipt by FDISG of
properly executed affidavits and lost certificate bonds, in form satisfactory to
FDISG, with the Fund and FDISG as obligees under the bond.
(c) FDISG shall also maintain a record of each certificate issued, the
number of Shares represented thereby and the Shareholder of record. With respect
to Shares held in open accounts or uncertificated form (i.e., no certificate
being issued with respect thereto) FDISG shall maintain comparable records of
the Shareholders thereof, including their names, addresses and taxpayer
identification. FDISG shall further maintain a stop transfer record on lost
and/or replaced certificates.
4. Mailing Communications to Shareholders: Proxy Materials. FDISG will
address and mail to Shareholders of the Fund, all reports to Shareholders,
dividend and distribution notices and proxy material for the Fund's meeting of
Shareholders. In connection with meetings of Shareholders, FDISG will prepare
Shareholder lists, mail and certify as to the mailing of proxy materials,
process and tabulate returned proxy cards, report on proxies voted prior to
meetings, act as inspector of election at meetings and certify Shares voted at
meetings.
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5. Sales of Shares.
(a) FDISG shall not be required to issue any Shares of the Fund where
it has received a Written Instruction from the Fund or official notice from any
appropriate authority that the sale of the Shares of the Fund has been suspended
or discontinued. The existence of such Written Instructions or such official
notice shall be conclusive evidence of the right of FDISG to rely on such
Written Instructions or official notice.
(b) In the event that any check or other order for the payment of
money is returned unpaid for any reason, FDISG will endeavor to: (i) give prompt
notice of such return to the Fund or its designee; (ii) place a stop transfer
order against all Shares issued as a result of such check or order, and (iii)
take such actions as FDISG may from time to time deem appropriate.
6. Transfer and Repurchase.
(a) FDISG shall process all requests to transfer or redeem Shares in
accordance with the transfer or repurchase procedures set forth in the Fund's
Prospectus.
(b) FDISG will transfer or repurchase Shares upon receipt of Oral or
Written Instructions or otherwise pursuant to the Prospectus and Share
certificates, if any, properly endorsed for transfer or redemption, accompanied
by such documents as FDISG reasonably may deem necessary.
(c) FDISG reserves the right to refuse to transfer or repurchase
Shares until it is satisfied that the endorsement on the instructions is valid
and genuine. FDISG also reserves the right to refuse to transfer or repurchase
Shares until it is satisfied that the requested transfer or repurchase is
legally authorized, and it shall incur no liability for the refusal, in good
faith, to make transfers or repurchases which FDISG, in its good judgment, deems
improper or unauthorized, or until it is reasonably satisfied that there is no
basis to any claims adverse to such transfer or repurchase.
(d) When Shares are redeemed, FDISG shall, upon receipt of the instructions and
documents in proper form, deliver to the Custodian and the Fund or its designee
a notification setting forth the number of Shares to be repurchased. Such
repurchased shares shall be reflected on appropriate accounts maintained by
FDISG reflecting outstanding Shares of the Fund and Shares attributed to
individual accounts.
(e) FDISG shall upon receipt of the monies provided to it by the
Custodian for the repurchase of Shares, pay such monies as are received from the
Custodian, all in accordance with the procedures described in the written
instruction received by FDISG from the Fund.
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(f) FDISG shall not process or effect any repurchase with respect to
Shares of the Fund after receipt by FDISG or its agent of notification of the
suspension of the determination of the net asset value of the Fund.
7. Dividends.
(a) Upon the declaration of each dividend and each capital gains
distribution by the Board of Directors of the Fund with respect to Shares of the
Fund, the Fund shall furnish or cause to be furnished to FDISG Written
Instructions setting forth the date of the declaration of such dividend or
distribution, the ex-dividend date, the date of payment thereof, the record date
as of which Shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount
payable par Share to the Shareholders of record as of that date, the total
amount payable on the payment date and whether such dividend or distribution is
to be paid in Shares at net asset value.
(b) On or before the payment date specified in such resolution of the
Board of Directors, the Fund will provide FDISG with sufficient cash to make
payment to the Shareholders of record as of such payment date.
(c) If FDISG does not receive sufficient cash from the Fund to make
total dividend and/or distribution payments to all Shareholders of the Fund as
of the record date, FDISG will, upon notifying the Fund, withhold payment to all
Shareholders of record as of the record date until sufficient cash is provided
to FDISG.
8. In addition to and neither in lieu nor in contravention of the services
set forth above, FDISG shall: (i) perform all the customary services of a
transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and agent of the dividend
reinvestment and cash purchase plan as described herein consistent with those
requirements in effect as at the date of this Agreement. The detailed
definition, frequency, limitations and associated costs (if any) set out in the
attached fee schedule, include but are not limited to: maintaining all
Shareholder accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing proxies,
tabulating proxies, mailing Shareholder reports to current Shareholders,
withholding taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident alien accounts where
applicable, preparing and filing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other
appropriate forms required with respect to dividends and distributions by
federal authorities for all Shareholders.
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Schedule B
FEE SCHEDULE
I. Fees:
Salomon Brothers Institutional Series Funds shall pay the Transfer Agent with
respect to each Portfolio an annualized fee of $20.93 per open account per year.
Such fees shall be billed by the transfer agent monthly in arrears on a
prorated basis of l/12th of the annualized fee for all accounts that
are open during such month.
Closed Accounts $ 2.50 per account/year
XXX Accounts $10.00 per account/year
DCXchange'sm' Fee $15.00 per account/year
II. Annual Fee Adjustment:
The per account fees will be incrementally adjusted annually relative to
the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change plus 2 percent.
III. Programming Costs, with respect to the whole Fund if a Dedicated Team is
requested (Charges for Client Requested Enhancements)
(a) Dedicated Team:
Programmer $100,000 per annum
BSA $ 85,000 per annum
Tester $ 65,000 per annum
(b) System Enhancements (Non Dedicated Team):
Programmer $135.00 per hour
The above rates are subject to an annual 5% increase after the one year
anniversary of the effective date of this Agreement.
Schedule C
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
The Fund shall reimburse FDISG monthly for applicable out-of-pocket
expenses, including, but not limited to the following items:
o Microfiche/microfilm production
o Magnetic media tapes and freight
o Printing costs, including certificates, envelopes, checks and
stationery
o Postage (bulk, pre-sort, ZIP+4, barcoding, first class) direct pass
through to the Fund
o Due diligence mailings
o Telephone and telecommunication costs, including all lease,
maintenance and line costs
o Ad hoc reports
o Proxy solicitations, mailing and tabulations
o Daily & Distribution advice mailings
o Shipping, Certified and Overnight mail and insurance
o Year-end form production and mailings
o Terminals, communication lines, printers and other equipment and any
expenses incurred in connection with such terminals and lines
o Duplicating services
o Courier services
o Incoming and outgoing wire charges
o Federal Reserve charges for check clearance
o Overtime, as approved by the Fund
o Temporary staff; as approved by the Fund
o Travel and entertainment, as approved by the Fund
o Record retention retrieval and destruction costs, including, but not
limited to exit fees charged by third party record keeping vendors
o Third party audit reviews
o Ad hoc SQL time
o Insurance
o Such other miscellaneous expenses reasonably incurred by FDISG in
performing its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
The Fund agrees that postage and mailing expenses will be paid on the day
of or prior to mailing as agreed with FDISG. In addition, the Fund will promptly
reimburse FDISG for any other unscheduled expenses incurred by FDISG whenever
the Fund and FDISG mutually agree that such expenses are not otherwise properly
borne by FDISG as part of its duties and obligations under the Agreement.
Schedule D
FUND DOCUMENTS
o Certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund, as amended
o Certified copy of the By-laws of the Fund, as amended,
o Copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution
and delivery of this Agreement
o Specimens of the certificates for Shares of the Fund, if applicable, in the
form approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund, with a certificate of
the Secretary of the Fund as to such approval
o All account application forms and other documents relating to Shareholder
accounts or to any plan, program or service offered by the Fund
o Certified list of Shareholders of the Fund with the name, address and
taxpayer identification number of each Shareholder, and the number of
Shares of the Fund held by each, certificate numbers and denominations (if
any certificates have been issued), lists of any accounts against which
stop transfer orders have been placed, together with the reasons therefore,
and the number of Shares redeemed by the Fund
o All notices issued by the Fund with respect to the Shares in accordance
with and pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Fund
or as required by law.
