Exhibit 99(e)(1)
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This Distribution Agreement ("Agreement"), effective as of November 8, 2007, is
by and between RiverSource Distributors, Inc. ("Distributor"), a Delaware
corporation, and RiverSource Variable Series Trust, on behalf of its underlying
series listed in Schedule A (each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"). The
terms "Fund" or "Funds" are used to refer to the corporation and the underlying
series as the context requires.
Part One: APPOINTMENT OF DISTRIBUTOR
(1) The Fund covenants and agrees that, during the term of this Agreement and
any renewal or extension, Distributor shall have the right to act as
principal underwriter for the Fund and to offer for sale and to distribute
any and all shares of each class of capital stock issued or to be issued by
the Fund, upon the terms described herein and in the Fund's prospectus and
statement of additional information ("prospectus") included in the Fund's
registration statement most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") and effective under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933
Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), or as the Fund's
prospectus may otherwise be amended or supplemented and filed with the SEC
pursuant to Rule 497 of the 1933 Act.
The right to act as principal underwriter will not apply:
(a) to transactions in connection with the merger or consolidation of any
other investment company or personal holding company with the Fund or
the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or substantially all)
the assets or the outstanding shares of any such company by the Fund;
or
(b) pursuant to reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
(2) Distributor hereby covenants and agrees to act as the principal underwriter
of each class of capital shares issued and to be issued by the Fund during
the period of this Agreement and agrees to offer for sale such shares as
long as such shares remain available for sale, unless Distributor is unable
or unwilling to make such offer for sale or sales or solicitations
therefore legally because of any federal, state, provincial or governmental
law, rule or agency or for any financial reason. Distributor agrees to
devote reasonable time and effort to effect sales of shares of the Fund but
is not obligated to sell any specific number of shares. It is understood
that Distributor may act as principal underwriter for other entities
including registered investment companies.
(3) Distributor is authorized to enter into separate written agreements
regarding the sale of shares of the Fund, on terms and conditions
consistent with this Agreement, the Plan and Agreement of Distribution (the
"12b-1 Plan"), the order under Section 6(c) of the 1940 Act granting the
Funds certain exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a)
and 15(b) of the 1940 Act and Rules 6e-2(b) and 6e-3T(b)(15) under the 1940
Act ( SEC Release No. 26495, July 9, 2004)(the "Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order") and the Notice of Application for the Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order (SEC Release No. 26468, June 16, 2004) with
affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies that have separate accounts
allocated for investment in the Fund, with their affiliated broker-dealers
and with shareholders eligible to purchase shares of the Fund pursuant to
applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions and the terms of the Mixed and
Shared Funding Exemptive Order ("Participation Agreements") and with
broker-dealers with respect to sales to eligible shareholders ("Selling
Agreements"). The Fund will not pay any compensation under the
Participation Agreements or the Selling Agreements (collectively referred
to as the "Selling Agreements").
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Part Two: SALE OF FUND SHARES
(1) With respect to the offering for sale and sale of shares of each class to
be issued by the Fund, it is mutually understood and agreed that such
shares are to be sold on the following terms:
(a) Distributor has the right, as principal, to buy from the Fund the
shares needed to fill unconditional orders for shares.
(b) For orders for Fund shares placed with Distributor under Selling
Agreements, Distributor has the right, as principal, to buy from the
Fund the shares needed to fill unconditional orders.
(c) The price Distributor will pay to the Fund is the net asset value,
determined as set forth in the prospectus.
(d) The shares will be resold by Distributor at the price determined as
set forth in the prospectus. Distributor shall not give any
information or make any representations with respect to the Fund,
other than those contained in the prospectus, statement of additional
information or any approved sales literature.
(e) The Fund or its transfer agent shall be promptly advised of all orders
received.
(f) The net asset value of the shares will be determined by the Fund or
any agent of the Fund in accordance with the method set forth in the
prospectus. In the event the Fund suspends the determination of the
net asset value as permitted under Section 22(c) of the 1940 Act, the
computation of the net asset value for the purpose of determining the
number of shares or fractional shares to be acquired may be deferred
until the close of business on the first full business day upon which
the net asset value is next computed.
(g) Distributor or the Fund may in its discretion refuse to accept orders
for shares and the Distributor may provide similar discretion in
Selling Agreements.
(h) Distributor will make such reports as may be requested from time to
time by the Fund regarding Selling Agreements.
(2) The Fund agrees to make prompt and reasonable effort to do any and all
things necessary, in the opinion of Distributor, to have and to keep the
Fund and the shares properly registered or qualified in all appropriate
jurisdictions and, as to shares, in such amounts as Distributor may from
time to time designate in order that the Fund's shares may be offered or
sold in such jurisdictions.
(3) Distributor agrees to cause to be delivered to each purchaser a prospectus
or such other disclosure document as may be required by law.
Part Three: REPURCHASE OR REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
(1) In connection with the repurchase of shares, Distributor will act as agent
of the Fund. Any outstanding shares may be tendered for redemption at any
time and the Fund agrees to repurchase or redeem the shares in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the prospectus. The Fund will pay the
amount of the redemption price to shareholders on or before the seventh
business day after receiving the notice of redemption in proper form except
as provided for in paragraph (2).
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(2) The net asset value of the shares will be determined by the Fund or any
agent of the Fund in accordance with the method set forth in the
prospectus. In the event the Fund suspends the determination of the net
asset value as permitted under Section 22(c) of the 1940 Act, the
computation of the net asset value for the purpose of determining the
redemption price on the number of shares or fractional shares to be
redeemed or repurchased may be deferred until the close of business on the
first full business day upon which the net asset value is next computed.
Part Four: ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION
(1) For services rendered and expenses borne as principal underwriter,
Distributor shall receive no compensation from the Fund other than the fees
payable by the Fund pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan.
(2) Distributor shall bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with its
duties and activities under this Agreement including the payment under
Selling Agreements of any sales commissions, service fees, revenue sharing,
and expenses for sales of a Fund's shares (except such expenses as are
specifically undertaken herein by a Fund). Distributor shall bear the costs
and expenses of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses,
statements of additional information, shareholder reports and any
supplementary sales literature used by the Distributor or furnished by it
for use under Selling Agreements in connection with the offering of the
shares for sale. Any expenses of advertising incurred in connection with
such offering will also be the obligation of the Distributor. It is
understood and agreed that, so long as a Fund's 12b-1 Plan continues in
effect, any expenses incurred by the Distributor under this Agreement may
be paid in accordance with the terms of the 12b-1 Plan.
Part Five: MISCELLANEOUS
(1) Distributor shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and, except as
expressly provided or authorized in this Agreement, shall have no authority
to act for or represent the Fund.
(2) Distributor agrees to perform such agreed anti-money laundering ("AML")
functions with respect to purchases of the Fund's shares as the Fund or its
agent may delegate to Distributor from time to time or as Distributor is
otherwise obligated to perform. In accordance with mutually-agreed
procedures, Distributor shall use its best efforts in carrying out such
agreed functions consistent with the requirements of the Fund's AML
program. Distributor agrees to cooperate with any request from examiners of
United States Government agencies having jurisdiction over the Fund for
information and records relating to the Fund's AML program and consents to
inspection by such examiners for this purpose.
(3) Distributor and the Fund agree to conform with all applicable state and
federal laws and regulations relating to any rights or obligations under
the terms of this Agreement.
(4) The Fund agrees that it will furnish Distributor with information with
respect to the affairs and accounts of the Fund, and in such form as
Distributor may from time to time reasonably require, and further agrees
that Distributor, at all reasonable times, shall be permitted to inspect
the books and records of the Fund.
(5) Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each person
who has been, is, or may hereafter be a member of the Board of Trustees
("Board member") of the Fund against expenses reasonably incurred by any of
them in connection with any claim or in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding to which any of them may be a party, which arises out of or is
alleged to arise out of any misrepresentation or omission to state a
material fact, or out of any alleged misrepresentation or omission to state
a material fact, on the part of Distributor or any agent or employee of
Distributor
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or any other person for whose acts Distributor is responsible or is alleged
to be responsible, unless such misrepresentation or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished by the Fund. Distributor likewise
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each such person in
connection with any claim or in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding which arises out of or is alleged to arise out of Distributor's
(or an affiliate of Distributor's) failure to exercise reasonable care and
diligence. The term "expenses" includes amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments or in settlements that are made with Distributor's consent. The
foregoing rights of indemnification shall be in addition to any other
rights to which the Fund or a Board member may be entitled as a matter of
law.
(6) Neither this Agreement nor any transaction had pursuant hereto shall be
invalidated or in any way affected by the fact that Board members,
officers, agents and/or shareholders of the Fund are or may be interested
persons of Distributor as directors, officers, shareholders or otherwise;
that directors, officers, shareholders or agents of Distributor are or may
be interested persons of the Fund as Board members, officers, shareholders
or otherwise; or that Distributor is or may be interested in the Fund as
shareholder or otherwise, provided, however, that neither Distributor nor
any officer or director of Distributor or any officers or Board members of
the Fund shall sell to or buy from the Fund any property or security other
than a security issued by the Fund, except in accordance with a rule,
regulation or order of the SEC.
(7) For the purposes of this Agreement, a "business day" shall have the same
meaning as is given to the term in the By-laws of the Fund.
(8) Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and
delivered, or mailed postpaid, to the parties to this Agreement at each
company's principal place of business in Minneapolis, Minnesota, or to such
other address as either party may designate in writing mailed to the other.
(9) Distributor agrees that no officer, director or employee of Distributor
will deal for or on behalf of the Fund with himself as principal or agent,
or with any corporation or partnership in which he may have a financial
interest, except that this shall not prohibit:
(a) Officers, directors and employees of Distributor from having a
financial interest in the Fund or in Distributor.
(b) The purchase of securities for the Fund, or the sale of securities
owned by the Fund, through a security broker or dealer, one or more of
whose partners, officers, directors or employees is an officer,
director or employee of Distributor, provided such transactions are
handled in the capacity of broker only and provided commissions
charged do not exceed customary brokerage charges for such services.
(c) Transactions with the Fund by a broker-dealer affiliate of Distributor
if allowed by rule or order of the SEC and if made pursuant to
procedures adopted by the Fund's Board of Trustees.
(10) Distributor agrees that, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or
as may be permitted consistent with the use of a broker-dealer affiliate of
Distributor under applicable provisions of the federal securities laws,
neither it nor any of its officers, directors or employees shall at any
time during the period of this Agreement make, accept or receive, directly
or indirectly, any fees, profits or emoluments of any character in
connection with the purchase or sale of securities (except securities
issued by the Fund) or other assets by or for the Fund.
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(11) This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a
written agreement executed by both parties.
(12) This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota.
(13) Each Fund is organized as a Massachusetts Business Trust. A copy of the
Declaration of Trust, together with all amendments, is on file in the
office of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement has been authorized by the
Trustees and the Agreement has been signed by an authorized officer of the
Fund. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Fund under this
Agreement shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders,
nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Fund, personally, but bind
only the assets and property of the Fund, as provided in the Declaration of
Trust.
Part Six: TERMINATION
(1) This Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year unless and until
terminated by Distributor or the Fund, except that such continuance shall
be specifically approved at least annually by a vote of a majority of the
Board members who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons
of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval, and by a majority of the Board members or by vote
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. As used in
this paragraph, the term "interested person" shall have the meaning as set
forth in the 1940 Act.
(2) This Agreement may be terminated by Distributor or the Fund at any time by
giving the other party sixty (60) days written notice of such intention to
terminate.
(3) This agreement shall terminate in the event of its assignment, the term
"assignment" for this purpose having the same meaning as set forth in the
1940 Act.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the foregoing Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.
RIVERSOURCE VARIABLE SERIES TRUST
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
President
RIVERSOURCE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Vice President
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SCHEDULE A
FUNDS
The Funds, each a Massachusetts business trust, to which this Agreement applies
follow:
RIVERSOURCE VARIABLE SERIES TRUST
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Balanced Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Cash Management Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Core Bond Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Core Equity Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Diversified Bond Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Diversified Equity Income Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Emerging Markets Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Fundamental Value Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Global Bond Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Global Inflation Protected Securities Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Growth Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-High Yield Bond Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Income Opportunities Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-International Opportunity Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Large Cap Equity Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Large Cap Value Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Mid Cap Growth Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Mid Cap Value Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-S&P 500 Index Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Select Value Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Short Duration U.S. Government Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Small Cap Advantage Fund
RiverSource Variable Portfolio-Small Cap Value Fund
