Exhibit (8)(s)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
WESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THE VARIABLE ANNUITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
VALIC COMPANY II
AND
AMERICAN GENERAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this 12th day of May, 2010 by
and among WESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (the "Company"), organized
under the laws of the State of Texas, on its own behalf and on behalf of A.G.
Separate Account A, a segregated asset account of the Company ("Account"), THE
VARIABLE ANNUITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ("VALIC"), a Texas corporation, and
VALIC COMPANY II (the "Fund"), a Delaware statutory trust, and AMERICAN GENERAL
DISTRIBUTORS, INC. (the "Underwriter"), a Delaware corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management investment
company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts
established for variable life insurance or variable annuity contracts to be
offered by insurance companies that enter into participation agreements with
the Fund and the Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940
Act") and its shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to offer shares of the series under this Agreement
to the Account; and
WHEREAS, VALIC is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940 and any applicable state securities law and is the investment adviser
(the "Adviser") to the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered the ElitePlus Bonus and The One/R/
Multi-Manager variable annuity contracts of A.G. Separate Account A under the
1933 Act, ("Contracts"); and
WHEREAS, the Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated asset
account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, to
set aside and invest assets attributable to one or more variable annuity
contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"),
and is a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(hereinafter "FINRA"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered the Account as a unit investment trust
under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Fund at net asset
value on behalf of the Account to fund certain of the aforesaid Contracts.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company, the
Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1. The Fund agrees to make available to the Company those shares of the
Fund that the Account orders, executing such orders on a daily basis at the net
asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its designee of the
order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company
shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from the Account
and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided
that the Fund receives notice of such order by 11:15 a.m. Eastern time on the
next following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its
net asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.2 The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for purchase
at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its Account on
those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules
of the SEC and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net
asset value on each Business Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of
Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell shares of the
Fund to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of its shares if such
action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction.
Notice of election to suspend or terminate shall be furnished in writing, by
the Fund, said termination to be effective at least ten (10) Business Days
after receipt of such notice by the Company in order to give the Company
sufficient time to take appropriate steps in response to such suspension or
termination.
1.3 The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will only
be made available to Participating Insurance Companies, their separate accounts
and certain qualified retirement plans. No shares of the Fund will be sold to
the general public.
1.4 The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any full
or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests
on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund
or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this
Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption from the Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such
request for redemption on the next following Business Day. Proceeds shall be
wired to Company within three (3) Business Days or such period permitted by the
1940 Act or the rules, orders or regulations thereunder, and the Fund shall
notify the person designated in writing by Company as the recipient for such
notice of such delay by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time the same Business Day that
Company transmits the redemption order to the Fund.
1.5 The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of the Funds in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
1.6 The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day after
an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire. For
purpose of Section 2.10 and 2.11, upon receipt by the Fund of the federal funds
so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company and
shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.7 Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Account. Shares
ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for the Account.
1.8 The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone, followed
by written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or capital
gain distributions payable on the Fund's shares. Notwithstanding this
Section 1.8, the Fund shall utilize its best efforts to provide the Company
with at least ten (10) Business Days advance notice of any forthcoming dividend
or capital gain distributions. The Company hereby elects to receive all such
income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on the Fund
shares in additional shares of the Fund. The Company reserves the right to
revoke this election and to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company of the number of
shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.
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1.9 The Fund shall make its net asset value per share available to the
Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after the net asset
value per share is calculated and shall make such net asset value per share
available by 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. If the Fund is unable to meet the
6:30 p.m. time stated herein, it shall provide additional time for the Company
to place orders for the purchase and redemption of shares and make any
applicable purchase payments.
1.10 If the Fund provides the Company with materially incorrect net asset
value information through no fault of the Company, the Company shall be
entitled to (1) an adjustment with respect to the Fund shares purchased or
redeemed to reflect the correct net asset value per share and (2) reimbursement
of expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Company's
responsibility to adjust any Contract owners account value affected by the
materially incorrect net asset value. The determination of materiality of any
net asset value pricing error shall be based on the SEC's recommended
guidelines regarding such errors. Any material error in the calculation or
reporting of net asset value per share, dividend or capital gain information
shall be reported promptly upon discovery by the Fund to the Company.
1.11 The Fund shall provide confirmation to the Company of the amount of
shares traded and the associated net asset value total trade amount and the
outstanding share balances held in the Account(s) as of the end of each
Business Day. Such information shall be furnished by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on
the next Business Day.
1.12 The Company will apply its investor trading policy described in
Schedule A to Contract owners investing in the Fund, as such policy may be
amended by the Company from time to time. The Company will provide the Fund
with reasonable advance notice of any changes to its investor trading policy.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1 The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established the
Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account
under the Insurance Code of the State of Texas and has registered or, prior to
any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register the Account as a unit
investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as
a segregated investment account for the Contracts.
2.2 The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 0000
Xxx. The Fund shall amend the registration statement for its shares under the
1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the
continuous offering of its shares. The Fund shall register and qualify the
shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and
to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund or the Underwriter.
2.3 The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a
manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (hereinafter the "Code")
and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope of the
foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the Code
and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the diversification requirements
for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and any amendments
or other modifications to such Section or Regulations. The Fund represents
that, under the terms of its investment advisory agreements with the Adviser,
the Adviser is and will be responsible for managing the Fund in compliance with
the Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as set forth in the
Fund Prospectus. The Fund represents that these objectives, policies and
restrictions do and will include operating as a registered investment company
("RIC") in compliance with Subchapter M of the Code and Section 817(h) of the
Code and regulations thereunder. The Fund has adopted and will maintain
procedures for ensuring that the Fund is managed in compliance with Subchapter
M and Section 817(h) and regulations thereunder. On request, the Fund shall
also provide the Company with such materials, cooperation and assistance as may
be reasonably necessary for the Company or any appropriate person
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designated by the Company to review from time to time the procedures and
practices of the Adviser or each investment sub-adviser to the Fund for
ensuring that the Fund is managed in compliance with Subchapter M and
Section 817(h) and regulations thereunder.
In the event of any noncompliance regarding its status as a RIC, the Fund
will pursue those efforts necessary to enable each affected series of the Fund
to qualify once again for treatment as a RIC in compliance with Subchapter M,
including cooperation in good faith with the Company. If the Fund does not so
cure the noncompliance regarding its status under Section 817(h), the Fund will
cooperate in good faith with the Company's efforts to obtain a ruling and
closing agreement, as provided in Revenue Procedure 92-25 issued by the
Internal Revenue Service (or any applicable ruling or procedure subsequently
issued by the Internal Revenue Service), that the Fund satisfies Section 817(h)
for the period or periods of noncompliance.
2.4 Subject to the Fund's compliance with applicable diversification
requirements, the Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated
as endowment, annuity or life insurance contracts, under applicable provisions
of the Code, and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and
that it will notify the Fund and the Underwriter immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated
or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.5 The Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise,
although it may make such payments in the future. To the extent that it decides
to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to
have a board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the
Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution
expenses.
2.6 The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various
states, except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies,
fees and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with all
applicable federal and state securities laws.
2.7 The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and that it does and will comply in all
material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.8 The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is duly organized and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Underwriter
represents and warrants that it is a member in good standing of the FINRA and
is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The Underwriter further
represents that it will distribute the Fund shares in accordance with all
applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.9 The Adviser represents and warrants that it is duly organized and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Texas, and that it is and shall
remain duly registered in all material respects under all applicable federal or
state securities laws. The Adviser shall perform its obligations for the Fund
in compliance in all material respects with all applicable state and federal
securities laws.
2.10 The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all of their
trustees, directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities dealing with the money or securities of the Fund are and
shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the minimal
coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act or related
provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond shall
include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a
reputable bonding company.
2.11 The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees, investment advisers, and other entities dealing with the
money or securities of the Fund are and shall continue to be at all times
covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the
Fund, in an amount not less than two million dollars ($2 million). The
aforesaid bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be
issued by a reputable bonding company.
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2.12 Each party to this Agreement represents and warrants that it will
maintain errors and omissions or other professional liability insurance
coverage in accordance with any applicable law, rule or regulation or standard
in the industry, covering its activities as contemplated by this Agreement.
Each party shall provide evidence of insurance coverage upon request of any
other party to this Agreement.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1 The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many copies of the
Fund's current prospectus as the Company may reasonably request. In addition,
the Fund shall provide a pdf file of the Fund's current prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information for the Company's web site. If requested,
the Fund shall also provide camera-ready film containing the Fund's current
prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and such other assistance
as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more
frequently if the prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the
Fund is amended during the year) to have the documents printed. The Company may
print the Fund's prospectus and/or its Statement of Additional Information in
combination with other fund companies' prospectuses and statements of
additional information. The Company may also utilize the Fund's current
prospectus on the Company's internet sites and other electronic and/or public
media. Except as provided in Section 5.3, all expenses of printing and
distributing Fund prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information shall
be the expense of the Company.
The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee with such information
as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that the Fund's expenses
do not include the cost of printing any prospectuses or Statements of
Additional Information other than those actually distributed to existing owners
of the Contracts.
3.2 The Fund's prospectus shall state that the Statement of Additional
Information for the Fund is available from the Fund, at its expense.
3.3 The Fund shall provide the Company with copies of its reports to
shareholders and other communications to shareholders in such quantity as the
Company shall reasonably require for distribution to Contract owners. Proxy
matters will be handled in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and
regulations and by mutual agreement of the parties.
3.4 The parties hereto agree to cooperate with each other in connection
with any laws, rules or regulations relating to the use of a summary
prospectus, and such matters will by handled in accordance with all applicable
laws, rules and regulations and by mutual agreement of the parties involved.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund
or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material
in which the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least fifteen
(15) Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund
or its designee objects to such use within fifteen (15) Business Days after
receipt of such material. The Fund, the Adviser, the Underwriter, or its
designee reserves the right to reasonably object to the continued use of any
such sales literature or other promotional material in which the Fund, the
Adviser or the Underwriter is named, and no such material shall be used if the
Fund, the Adviser, the Underwriter, or its designee so objects.
4.2 The Company shall not give any information or make any representations
or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with
the sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the Fund shares, as
such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its designee
or by the Underwriter, except with the express written permission of the Fund
or the Underwriter or the designee of either.
4.3 The Fund, the Underwriter, or its designee shall furnish, or shall
cause to be furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales
literature or other promotional material in which the Company or its
Account(s), is named at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior to its use. No
such material shall be used if the
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Company or its designee objects to such use within fifteen (15) Business Days
after receipt of such material. Notwithstanding that the Company did not
initially object, the Company reserves the right to object at any time
thereafter to the continued use of any such sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Company is named, and no such material shall
be used thereafter if the Company so objects.
4.4 The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or make
any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, any
Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for the Account that are in the public domain
or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the express written permission of the Company.
4.5 Upon request, the Fund will provide to the Company at least one
complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of
Additional Information, reports, proxy statements, sales literature or other
promotional material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and notices, orders or responses relating thereto and all supplements
and amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with, or the issuance of
such documents by, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.6 Upon request, the Company will provide to the Fund at least one
complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of
Additional Information, reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales
literature or other promotional material, applications for exemptions, requests
for no-action letters, and notices, orders or responses relating thereto and
all supplements and amendments to any of the above, that relate to the
Contracts or any Account, contemporaneously with the filing of such document
with, or the issuance of such documents by, the SEC or other regulatory
authorities.
4.7 For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as
material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other
periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display,
signs or billboards, motion pictures, telephone directories (other than routine
listings, electronic or other pubic media)), sales literature (i.e., any
written or electronic communication distributed or made generally available to
customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports,
market letters, performance reports or summaries, form letters, telemarketing
scripts, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales
literature, or published article), educational or training materials or other
communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or
employees, and registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional
Information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials.
4.8 The Fund will provide the Company with as much notice as is reasonably
practicable of any proxy solicitation for the Fund, and of any material change
in the Fund's registration statement or prospectus, particularly any change
resulting in a change to the registration statement or prospectus for any
Account. The Fund will make reasonable efforts to attempt to have changes
affecting Contract prospectuses become effective simultaneously with the annual
updates for such prospectuses.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1 The Adviser will reimburse the Company on a calendar quarterly basis
for certain of the administrative costs and expenses incurred by the Company as
a result of services and operations necessitated by the beneficial ownership of
shares of the series of the Fund by owners of the Contracts. Such reimbursement
shall be in an amount equal to twenty-five (25) basis points per annum (0.25%)
of the net assets of the Funds attributable to such Contracts. Series offered
in the Contracts include the High Yield Bond Fund, the Mid Cap Value Fund and
the Strategic Bond Fund. The determination of applicable assets shall be made
by averaging assets in the applicable series of the Fund as of the last
Business Day of each calendar month falling within the applicable calendar
quarter. In no event shall such fee be paid by the Fund, its shareholders or by
any Contract owner.
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5.2 The Fund and Underwriter shall pay no other fee or other compensation
to the Company under this Agreement, except that if the Fund adopts and
implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, then
the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter for the
Contracts in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing. Such payments
will be made out of existing fees otherwise payable to the Underwriter, past
profits of the Underwriter or other resources available to the Underwriter.
Currently, no such payments are contemplated.
5.3 All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this Agreement
shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall be responsible for ensuring that all
its shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with
applicable federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund,
in accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall
bear the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's
shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting
in type and printing the proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including
the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the
preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal or state law,
and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.4 The Fund shall bear the expenses of printing and distributing the
Fund's prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, shareholder reports,
proxy statements and proxy-related materials to owners or shareholders who are
invested in the Fund at the time each such document is printed and made
available. The Fund shall not bear the expenses of printing and distributing
the Fund's prospectus, Statement of Additional Information or shareholder
reports to any prospective owners (i.e., individuals who were not owners or
shareholders of the Fund at the time each such document was printed and made
available).
ARTICLE VI. Foreign Tax Credits
The Fund agrees to consult in advance with the Company concerning any
decision to elect or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass
through the benefit of any foreign tax credits to its shareholders.
ARTICLE VII. Indemnification
7.1 Indemnification By The Company
7.1(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each
trustee of the Board and officers (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for
purposes of this Section 7.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Company) or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale
or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts or contained
in the Contracts or advertisements or sales literature for the
Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing),
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that the Company's obligation to indemnify shall not apply
as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such
alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Company by or on
behalf of the Fund for use in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts or advertisements
or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise
for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund
shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied
by the Company, or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct
of the Company or persons under its control, with respect to the
sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
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(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus,
advertisements or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such a
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials contemplated under the terms of
this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Company, as limited by and in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 7.1 (b) and 7.1 (c) hereof.
7.1(b) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise
from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason
of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under
this Agreement or to the Fund, whichever is applicable.
7.1(c) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice
of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of
any such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability that it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise
than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is
brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to
participate at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the Indemnified Party named in the action. After notice from the Company to
such Indemnified Party of the Company's election to assume the defense thereof,
the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be liable to such Indemnified
Party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in connection with the defense
thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation.
7.1(d) The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation of
the Fund.
7.2 Indemnification By the Underwriter and the Adviser
7.2(a) The Underwriter and Adviser each agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company and the principal underwriter for the Contracts and each
of their respective directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 7.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the
Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration
statement or prospectus or advertisements or sales literature of
the Fund (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing),
or arise out of or are based upon
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the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, provided that the Underwriter's
or Adviser's obligation to indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Underwriter or Adviser or Fund by
or on behalf of the Company for use in the registration statement
or prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment
or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of
the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not
supplied by the Underwriter or Adviser or persons under their
control) or wrongful conduct of the Fund, Adviser or Underwriter or
persons under their control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus,
advertisements or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein
not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the
Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials contemplated under the terms of
this Agreement (including a failure whether unintentional or in
good faith or otherwise, to comply with the diversification
requirements specified in Article II of this Agreement, or to
qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the
Code); or
(v) arise as a result of the Fund's (or its designated agent)
(i) incorrect calculation of the daily net asset value, dividend
rate or capital gain distribution rate; (ii) incorrect reporting of
the daily net asset value, dividend rate or capital gain
distribution rate; or (iii) untimely reporting of the net asset
value, dividend rate or capital gain distribution rate. Any gain
accruing to the Company attributable to the Fund's (or its
designated agent) incorrect calculation or reporting of the daily
net asset value shall be returned to the Fund by the Company upon
receipt of notice from the Fund or the Adviser regarding such
incorrect calculation or reporting, less the cost of corrections
required; or
(vi) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation or warranty made by the Fund or the Underwriter in
this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Fund, Underwriter or Adviser; as
limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7.2(b)
and 7.2(c) hereof.
7.2(b) The Underwriter and Adviser shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith,
or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties
under this Agreement or to each Company or Account, whichever is applicable.
7.2(c) The Underwriter and Adviser shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter or
Adviser in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first
legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been
served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have
received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify
the Underwriter or Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter
or Adviser from any liability that it may have to the Indemnified Party against
whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification
provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties,
the Underwriter or Adviser also shall be entitled to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party named in the
action. After notice from the Underwriter or Adviser to such Indemnified Party
of the Underwriter's or Adviser's election to assume the defense
9
thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Underwriter or Adviser will not be
liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in
connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
7.2(d) The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter and Adviser
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts
or the operation of the Account.
7.3 Indemnification By the Fund
7.3(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the
Adviser and the Underwriter and each of their respective directors and officers
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for
purposes of this Section 7.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Fund) or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence,
bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, and are
related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement (including a failure to comply with the diversification
requirements specified in Article II of this Agreement, or to
qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code); or
(ii) arise as a result of the Fund's (or its designated agents)
(i) incorrect calculation of the daily net asset value, dividend
rate or capital gain distribution rate; (ii) incorrect reporting of
the daily net asset value, dividend rate or capital gain
distribution rate; or (iii) untimely reporting of the net asset
value, dividend rate or capital gain distribution rate. Any gain
accruing to the Company attributable to the Fund's (or its
designated agents) incorrect calculation or reporting of the daily
net asset value shall be returned to the Fund by the Company upon
receipt of notice from the Fund regarding such incorrect
calculation or reporting less the cost of corrections required; or
(iii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representations or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Fund; as limited by and in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 7.3(b) and 7.3(c) hereof.
7.3(b) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred
or assessed against on Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
the Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or any Account, whichever is applicable.
7.3(c) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or
after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not
relieve the Fund from any liability that it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party named in
the action. After notice from the Fund
10
to such Indemnified Party of the Fund's election to assume the defense thereof,
the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such Indemnified
Party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in connection with the defense
thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation.
7.3(d) The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the Fund
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the
issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either
Account, or the sale or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE VIII. Applicable Law
8.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
8.2 This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933 Act,
1934 Act and 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC
may grant (including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding Exemptive Order)
and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE IX. Termination
9.1 This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first
to occur of:
(a) termination by any party for any reason by one hundred eighty
(180) days' advance written notice delivered to the other
parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by ten (10) days' prior written
notice to the Fund and Underwriter based upon the Company's
determination that shares of such Fund are not reasonably
available to meet the requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter in the event the Fund's shares are not
registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state
or federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as
the underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to
be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter in the event that the Fund ceases to qualify as
a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or under any successor or
similar provision, or if the Company reasonably believes that
the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter in the event that the Fund fails to meet the
diversification requirements specified in Article II hereof; or
(f) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by sixty
(60) days' prior written notice to the Company, if either one
or both of the Fund or the Underwriter respectively, shall
determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good faith, that
the Company or its affiliated companies has suffered a material
adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition
or prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject
of material adverse publicity; or
(g) termination by the Company by sixty (60) days' prior written
notice to the Fund and the Underwriter, if the Company shall
determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that
either the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter has suffered a
material adverse
11
change in its business, operations, financial condition or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of
material adverse publicity; or
(h) termination by any party by written notice upon the institution
of formal proceedings against the Company, the Fund, the
Adviser or the Underwriter by the FINRA, the SEC or other
regulatory body; or
(i) termination by the Company or the Fund by written notice to the
other party upon a determination by the majority of the Fund's
Board that a material irreconcilable conflict exists among the
interests of (i) all contract owners of all separate accounts
or (ii) the interests of the Participating Insurance Companies;
or
(j) termination by the Company arising from the substitution of
Fund shares with the shares of another investment company for
the Contracts for which the Fund shares have been selected to
serve as the underlying investment medium, subject to
compliance with applicable regulations of the SEC, Company will
give sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter of any proposed action to replace Fund shares; or
(k) termination by the Company, the Fund or the Underwriter by ten
(10) days' prior written notice to the other parties upon a
material breach of the Agreement by the other party.
9.2. Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of this
Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter shall at the option of the Company,
continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective
date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing
Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Contracts shall be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem
investments in the Fund or invest in the Fund upon the making of additional
purchase payments under the Existing Contracts.
ARTICLE X. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by e-mail, registered or
certified mail, overnight delivery or facsimile to the other party at the
address of such party set forth below or at such other address as such party
may from time to time specify in writing to the other party.
If to the Fund:
VALIC Company II
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, X00
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Fax No.: (000) 000-0000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
E-mail: Xxxx.Xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
with a copy to:
VALIC Company II
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX00
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Fax No.: (000) 000-0000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
E-mail: Xxxx.Xxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
If to the Underwriter:
American General Distributors, Inc.
12
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, X0-00
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Fax No.: (000) 000-0000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
E-mail: Xxxxxxxxx.Xxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
If to the Company:
Western National Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, X0-00
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Fax No.: (000) 000-0000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
E-mail: Xxxxxxxxx.Xxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
ARTICLE XI. Miscellaneous
11.1 All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of
the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as the Board,
officers, agents or shareholders do not assume any personal liability for
obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
11.2 Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and
addresses of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably
identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as
permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such
names and addresses and other confidential information until such time as it
may come into the public domain without the express written consent of the
affected party.
Each party acknowledges that, in connection with the services to be provided
hereunder, each may come into possession of non-public personal information
regarding customers of the other ("Customer NPI").
Each party hereby covenants that any Customer NPI that a party receives from
the other shall be subject to the following limitations and restrictions:
(i) each party may redisclose Customer NPI to its own affiliates, who will be
limited by the same disclosure and use restrictions that are imposed on the
parties under this Agreement; and (ii) each party may redisclose and use
Customer NPI only as necessary in the ordinary course of business to provide
the services identified in the Agreement, except as permitted under Regulation
S-P and as required by any applicable federal or state law.
Each party represents and warrants that it has implemented, and shall
continue to carry out for the term of the Agreement, policies and procedures
reasonably designed to: (i) insure the security and confidentiality of records
and Customer NPI; (ii) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to
the security or integrity of customer records and Customer NPI; and
(iii) protect against unauthorized access or use of such customer records or
Customer NPI that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any
customer.
The provisions of this Section 11.2 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
11.3 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof
or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
11.4 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
11.5 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
13
11.6 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
FINRA and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
to the extent practicable and except where a party's respective interests are
adverse to or in conflict with another party's interests.
11.7 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
11.8 This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not
be assigned by any party without the prior consent of all parties hereto;
provided, however, that the Underwriter may assign this Agreement or any rights
or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common control
with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly organized, licensed and
registered to perform the obligations of the Underwriter under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS HEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative as
of the date specified below.
WESTERN NATIONAL LIFE THE VARIABLE ANNUITY LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /S/ XXXXX DEN BOER By: /S/ XXXX X. XXXXXXXX
_____________________________ _____________________________
Title: Senior Vice President Title: Senior Vice President
Date: May 27, 2010 Date: May 27, 2010
VALIC COMPANY II AMERICAN GENERAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /S/ XXXX X. XXXXXXXX By: /S/ XXXX X. XXXXXXXX
_____________________________ _____________________________
Title: Senior Vice President Title: Senior Vice President
Date: May 27, 2010 Date: May 27, 2010
14
SCHEDULE A
INVESTOR TRADING POLICY
The Company has a policy to discourage excessive trading and market timing.
Therefore, during the Purchase Period, you may make up to 20 transfers per
calendar year between the mutual funds offered ("Account Options"). Multiple
transfers between Account Options on the same day will be counted as a single
transfer for purposes of applying this limitation. Transfers in excess of this
limit may be required to be submitted in writing by regular U.S. mail and/or
you may be restricted to one transfer every 30 days. The Contracts are not
designed to accommodate short-term trading or market timing organizations or
individuals engaged in trading strategies that include programmed transfers,
frequent transfers or transfers that are large in relation to the total assets
of an underlying mutual fund. These trading strategies may be disruptive to the
underlying mutual funds by negatively affecting investment strategies and
increasing portfolio turnover, as well as raising recordkeeping and transaction
costs. Further, excessive trading xxxxx fund investors, as the excessive trader
takes security profits intended for the entire fund, in effect forcing
securities to be sold to meet redemption needs. The premature selling and
disrupted investment strategy causes the fund's performance to suffer, and
exerts downward pressure on the fund's price per share. If we determine, in our
sole discretion, that your transfer patterns among the Account Options reflect
a potentially harmful strategy, we will require that transfers be submitted in
writing by regular U.S. mail, to protect the other investors.
Regardless of the number of transfers you have made, we will monitor and, upon
written notification, may suspend or restrict your transfer privileges, if it
appears that you are engaging in a potentially harmful pattern of transfers. We
will notify you in writing if you are restricted to mailing transfer requests
to us via the U.S. mail service. Some of the factors we will consider include:
. the dollar amount of the transfer;
. the total assets of the Account Option involved in the transfer;
. the number of transfers completed in the current calendar quarter; or
. whether the transfer is part of a pattern of transfers to take advantage
of short-term market fluctuations.
We intend to enforce these frequent trading policies uniformly for all Contract
owners. We cannot guarantee, however, that we will be able to prevent all
market timing activity or abusive trading. We make no assurances that all the
risks associated with frequent trading will be completely eliminated by these
policies and/or restrictions. If we are unable to detect or prevent market
timing activity, the effect of such activity may result in additional
transaction costs for the Account Options and dilution of long-term performance
returns. Thus, your account value may be lower due to the effect of the extra
costs and resultant lower performance. We reserve the right to modify these
policies at any time and will apply modifications uniformly.
15
