ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
As of August 1, 1997
ALPS Mutual Funds Services, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Dear Sirs:
Stonebridge Aggressive Growth Fund, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Fund"), herewith confirms its agreement with ALPS Mutual Funds Services, Inc.
("ALPS") as follows:
The Fund desires to employ its capital by investing and reinvesting
the same in investments of the type and in accordance with the limitations
specified in the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as
from time to time in effect, copies of which have been or will be submitted to
ALPS, and resolutions of the Fund's Board of Directors. The Fund desires to
employ ALPS as its administrator for the Fund.
1. SERVICES AS ADMINISTRATOR
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors of the
Fund, ALPS will: (a) assist in maintaining office facilities (which may be in
the offices of ALPS or a corporate affiliate but shall be in such location as
the Fund and ALPS shall reasonably determine); (b) furnish clerical services and
stationery and office supplies; (c) compile data for and prepare with respect to
the Fund timely Notices to the Securities and Exchange Commission required
pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act")
and Semi-Annual Reports on Form N-SAR; (d) coordinate execution and filing by
the Fund of all federal and state tax returns and required tax filings other
than those required to be made by the Fund's custodian; (e) prepare compliance
filings pursuant to state "Blue Sky" securities laws with the advice of the
Fund's counsel; (f) assist to the extent requested by the Fund with the Fund's
preparation of Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Fund shareholders and
Registration Statements for the Fund (on Form N-1A or any replacement therefor);
(g) monitor the Fund's expense accruals and pay all expenses on proper
authorization from the Fund; (h) monitor the Fund's status as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time; (i) maintain the Fund's fidelity bond as required by
the 1940 Act; (j) monitor compliance with the policies and limitations of the
Fund as set forth in the Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, Code
of Regulations and Declaration of Fund; (k) generally assist in the Fund's
operations; (l) perform Transfer Agency services as set out in the "Transfer
Agency Agreement" and 800-line servicing; and (m) act as principal underwriter
and distributor of the Fund's securities pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act,
ALPS hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are the
property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any of
such records upon the Fund's request. ALPS further agrees to preserve for the
periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be
maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
2. FEES; DELEGATION; EXPENSES
In consideration of services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, the
Transfer Agency Agreement, and all other services described herein, the Fund
will pay ALPS a fee, computed daily and payable monthly in arrears, at the
annual rate of .10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund up to
$250,000,000 and 0.075% of the average daily net assets of the Fund in excess of
$250,000,000. At all times ALPS' fee will be no less than $5,000 per month in
the first year, and $6,250 per month in years two and three. Net asset value
shall be computed in accordance with the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information and resolutions of the Fund's Board of Directors. The
fee for any portion of a month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion
which such portion bears to the full monthly period.
This fee arrangement is based on the fact that: (a) any foreign
holdings of the Fund are invested via American Depository Receipts ("ADRs") or
other securities which trade on a U.S. exchange (should the Fund have
investments in non-U.S. exchange traded securities the Fund will bear
incremental pricing and custody costs associated with such international
securities); (b) the Fund has a single class of shares (additional minimum
fees would apply for each additional class); (c) shareholders receive quarterly
statements; and (e) any NASD registration and insurance costs of any Stonebridge
Capital Management employees who become licensed with ALPS pursuant to a
separate arrangement shall be borne by Stonebridge Capital Management and not
the Fund or ALPS.
ALPS will from time to time employ or associate itself with such
person or persons or organizations as ALPS may believe to be desirable in the
performance of its duties. Such person or persons may be officers and employees
who are employed by both ALPS and the Fund. The compensation of such person or
persons or organizations shall be paid by ALPS and no obligation shall be
incurred on behalf of the Fund in such respect.
ALPS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its
services under this Agreement and all related agreements, except as otherwise
provided herein. ALPS will not bear any of the costs of Stonebridge Capital
Management personnel. Other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund
shall be borne by the Fund, including costs of bookkeeping, pricing, and
accounting services; transfer agency and custodial expenses; taxes; interest;
Directors' fees; brokerage fees and commissions; state Blue Sky qualification
fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; Fund and
advisory related legal expenses; costs of maintenance of corporate existence;
printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the Directors;
and SEC registration fees.
3. PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
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ALPS agrees on behalf of itself and its officers, directors, employees
and agents, to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund
all records and other information relative to the Fund and its shareholders and
not to use such records and information for any purpose other than performance
of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to
and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld and may not be withheld where ALPS may be exposed to civil, regulatory
or criminal proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund.
4. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
ALPS shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which
this Agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or
from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement.
5. TERM
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date set forth above
and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue for a period of
three years (the "Initial Term"). Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue
automatically for successive annual periods ending December 31 of each year,
PROVIDED such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the
Fund's Board of Directors. During the Initial Term, the performance of ALPS'
obligations and duties as Administrator shall be specifically reviewed at least
annually by the Fund's Board of Directors. During the Initial Term, this
Agreement may be terminated, without penalty, solely by agreement of the parties
or for cause (as defined below) on not less than ninety days written notice by
the Fund's Board of Directors. After the Initial Term, this Agreement may be
terminated with or without cause and without penalty, by the Fund's Board of
Directors, or by ALPS, on not less than ninety days written notice.
Termination for "cause" for the Initial Term shall mean:
(i) willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard
on the part of ALPS with respect to its obligations and duties hereunder;
(ii) Regulatory, administrative, or judicial proceedings against ALPS which
result in a determination that it has violated any rule, regulation, order, or
law and which, in the reasonable judgment of the Fund's Board of Directors,
substantially impairs the performance of ALPS' obligations and duties hereunder;
(iii) financial difficulties on the part of ALPS which are evidenced by the
authorization or commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer,
consent, or acquiescence in, a voluntary or involuntary case under Title 11 of
the United States Code, as from time to time in effect, or any applicable law
other than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the
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liquidation or reorganization of debtors or to the modification or alteration of
the rights of creditors; or
(iv) failure by ALPS to keep in effect professional liability insurance
naming ALPS as insured and providing coverage with respect to ALPS' activities
on behalf of the Fund in the amount of at least $1,000,000.
6. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado
to the extent federal law does not govern.
7. OTHER PROVISIONS
The Fund recognizes that from time to time directors, officers and
employees of ALPS may serve as directors, officers and employees of other
corporations or businesses (including other investment companies) and that such
other corporations and funds may include ALPS as part of their name and that
ALPS or its affiliates may enter into administration or other agreements with
such other corporations and funds.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, will you kindly so
indicate by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy hereof.
Accepted: Very Truly Yours,
ALPS MUTUAL FUNDS SERVICES, INC. STONEBRIDGE AGGRESSIVE
GROWTH FUND, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx Name: Xxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Senior Vice President Title: President
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