SUBSCRIPTION AGENT AGREEMENT
This Subscription Agent Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of September ___, 2005 between
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (the “ Equity Trust”), Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc., a
Delaware corporation and its fully owned subsidiary EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., a national
banking association (collectively, the “Agent” or individually “CSS” and the “Trust Company”,
respectively). All terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given in the prospectus (the
“Prospectus”) included in the (Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 811-04700 and
333-127724 filed by the Equity Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 19,
2005, as amended by any amendment filed with respect thereto (the “Registration Statement”).
WHEREAS, the Equity Trust proposes to make a subscription offer by issuing certificates or
other evidences of subscription rights, in the form designated by the Equity Trust (the
“Subscription Certificates”) to shareholders of record (the “Shareholders”) of its Common Shares,
par value $.001 per share (“Common Shares”), as of a record date specified by the Equity Trust (the
“Record Date”), pursuant to which each Shareholder will have certain rights (the “Rights”) to
subscribe for Common Shares, as described in and upon such terms as are set forth in the
Prospectus, a final copy of which has been or, upon availability will promptly be, delivered to the
Agent; and
WHEREAS, the Equity Trust wishes the Agent to perform certain acts on behalf of the Equity
Trust, and the Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the distribution of the Subscription
Certificates and the issuance and exercise of the Rights to subscribe therein set forth, all upon
the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual agreements set forth
herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment.
The Equity Trust hereby appoints the Agent to act as subscription agent in connection with the
distribution of Subscription Certificates and the issuance and exercise of the Rights in accordance
with the terms set forth in this Agreement and the Agent hereby accepts such appointment.
2. Form and Execution of Subscription Certificates.
A. Each Subscription Certificate shall be irrevocable. The Agent shall, in its capacity as
Transfer Agent of the Equity Trust, maintain a register of Subscription Certificates and the
holders of record thereof (each of whom shall be deemed a “Shareholder” hereunder for purposes of
determining the rights of holders of Subscription Certificates). Each Subscription Certificate
shall, subject to the provisions thereof, entitle the Shareholder in whose name it is recorded to
the following:
(1) With respect to Record Date Shareholders only, the right to acquire during the Subscription
Period, as defined in the Prospectus, at the Subscription Price, as defined in the Prospectus, a
number of Common Shares equal to one Common Share for every seven Rights (the “Primary Subscription
Right”); and
(2) With respect to Record Date Shareholders only, the right to subscribe for additional Common
Shares, subject to the availability of such shares and to the allotment of such shares as may be
available among Record Date Shareholders who exercise Over-Subscription Rights on the basis
specified in the Prospectus; provided, however, that such Record Date Shareholder has exercised all
Primary Subscription Rights issued to him or her (the “Over-Subscription Privilege”).
3. Rights and Issuance of Subscription Certificates.
A. Each Subscription Certificate shall evidence the Rights of the Shareholder therein named
to purchase Common Shares upon the terms and conditions therein and herein set forth.
B. Upon the written advice of the Equity Trust, signed by any of its duly authorized
officers, as to the Record Date, the Agent shall, from a list of the Equity Trust Shareholders as
of the Record Date to be prepared by the Agent in its capacity as Transfer Agent of the Equity
Trust, prepare and record Subscription Certificates in the names of the Shareholders, setting forth
the number of Rights to subscribe for the Equity Trust’s Common Shares calculated on the basis of
one Right for each Common Share recorded on the books in the name of each such Shareholder as of
the Record Date. The number of Rights that are issued to Record Date Shareholders will be rounded
up, by the Agent, to the nearest number of Rights evenly divisible by seven. Each Subscription
Certificate shall be dated as of the Record Date and shall be executed manually or by facsimile
signature of a duly authorized officer of the Subscription Agent. Upon the written advice, signed
as aforesaid, as to the effective date of the Registration Statement, the Agent shall promptly
countersign and deliver the Subscription Certificates, together with a copy of the Prospectus,
instruction letter and any other document as the Equity Trust deems necessary or appropriate, to
all Shareholders with record addresses in the United
States (including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia). Delivery shall be
by first class mail (without registration or insurance), except for those Shareholders having a
registered address outside the United States (who will only receive copies of the Prospectus,
instruction letter and other documents as the Equity Trust deems necessary or appropriate, if any),
delivery shall be by air mail (without registration or insurance) and by first class mail (without
registration or insurance) to those Shareholders having APO or FPO addresses. No Subscription
Certificate shall be valid for any purpose unless so executed.
C. The Agent will mail a copy of the Prospectus, instruction letter, a special notice and
other documents as the Equity Trust deems necessary or appropriate, if any, but not Subscription
Certificates to Record Date Shareholders whose record addresses are outside the United States
(including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia ) (“Foreign Record Date
Shareholders”). The Rights to which such Subscription Certificates relate will be held by the
Agent for such Foreign Record Date Shareholders’ accounts until instructions are received to
exercise, sell or transfer the Rights.
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4. Exercise.
A. Record Date Shareholders may acquire Common Shares on Primary Subscription and pursuant to
the Over-Subscription Privilege by delivery to the Agent as specified in the Prospectus of (i) the
Subscription Certificate with respect thereto, duly executed by such Shareholder in accordance with
and as provided by the terms and conditions of the Subscription Certificate, together with (ii) the
estimated purchase price, as disclosed in the Prospectus, for each share of Common Shares
subscribed for by exercise of such Rights, in U.S. dollars by money order or check drawn on a bank
located in the continental United States (except that Record Date Shareholders who are residents of
Canada may make payment in U.S. dollars by money order or check drawn on a bank located in Canada),
in each case payable to the order of the Equity Trust.
B. Rights may be exercised at any time after the date of issuance of the Subscription
Certificates with respect thereto but no later than 5:00 P.M. New York time on such date as the
Equity Trust shall designate to the Agent in writing (the “Expiration Date”). For the purpose of
determining the time of the exercise of any Rights, delivery of any material to the Agent shall be
deemed to occur when such materials are received at the Shareholder Services Division of the Agent
specified in the Prospectus.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 (a) and 4 (b) regarding delivery of an
executed Subscription Certificate to the Agent prior to 5:00 P.M. New York time on the Expiration
Date, if prior to such time the Agent receives a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery by facsimile
(telecopy) or otherwise from a bank, a trust company or a New York Stock Exchange member
guaranteeing delivery of (i) payment of the full Subscription Price for the Common Shares
subscribed for on Primary Subscription and any additional Common Shares subscribed for pursuant to
the Over-Subscription Privilege, and (ii) a properly completed and executed Subscription
Certificate, then such exercise of Primary Subscription Rights and Over-Subscription Rights shall
be regarded as timely, subject, however, to receipt of the duly executed Subscription Certificate
and full payment for the Common Shares by the Agent within three Business Days (as defined below)
after the Expiration Date (the “Protect Period”) and full payment for their Common Shares within
ten Business Days after the Confirmation Date (as defined in Section 4(d)). For the purposes of
the Prospectus and this Agreement, “Business Day” shall mean any day on which trading is conducted
on the New York Stock Exchange.
D. As soon as practicable after the Subscription Price is calculated (the “Confirm Date”),
CSS shall send to each exercising shareholder (or, if Common Shares on the Record Date are held by
Cede & Co. or any other depository or nominee, to Cede & Co. or such other depository or nominee) a
confirmation showing the number of Common Shares acquired pursuant to the Primary Subscription,
and, if applicable, the Over-Subscription Privilege, the per share and total
purchase price for such shares, and any additional amount payable to the Equity Trust by such
shareholder or any excess to be refunded by the Equity Trust to such shareholder in the form of a
check and stub, along with a letter explaining the allocation of Common Shares pursuant to the
Over-Subscription Privilege.
E. Any additional payment required from a shareholder must be received by CSS within ten
Business Days after the Confirmation Date and any excess payment to be refunded by the
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Equity Trust
to a shareholder will be mailed by CSS within ten Business Days after the Confirmation Date. If a
shareholder does not make timely payment of any additional amounts due in accordance with Section
4(D), CSS will consult with the Equity Trust in accordance with Section 5 as to the appropriate
action to be taken. CSS will not issue or deliver certificates or Statements of Holding for shares
subscribed for until payment in full therefor has been received, including collection of checks and
payment pursuant to notices of guaranteed delivery.
5. Validity of Subscriptions.
Irregular subscriptions not otherwise covered by specific instructions herein shall be
submitted to an appropriate officer of the Equity Trust and handled in accordance with his or her
instructions. Such instructions will be documented by the Agent indicating the instructing officer
and the date thereof.
6. Over-Subscription.
If, after allocation of Common Shares to Record Date Shareholders, there remain unexercised
Rights, then the Agent shall allot the shares issuable upon exercise of such unexercised Rights
(the “Remaining Shares”) to shareholders who have exercised all the Rights initially issued to them
and who wish to acquire more than the number of shares for which the Rights issued to them are
exercisable. Shares subscribed for pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege will be allocated
in the amounts of such over-subscriptions. If the number of shares for which the Over-Subscription
Privilege has been exercised is greater than the Remaining Shares, the Agent shall allocate the
Remaining Shares to Record Date Shareholders exercising Over-Subscription Privilege based on the
number of Common Shares owned by them on the Record Date. Any remaining shares to be issued shall
be allocated to holders of Rights acquired in the secondary market based on the number of Rights
exercised by such holders of Rights. The percentage of Remaining Shares each over-subscribing
Record Date Shareholder or other Rights holder may acquire will be rounded up or down to result in
delivery of whole Common Shares. The Agent shall advise the Equity Trust immediately upon the
completion of the allocation set forth above as to the total number of shares subscribed and
distributable.
7. Delivery of Shares.
The Agent will deliver (i) certificates or Statement of Holding reflecting new shares of the
Equity Trust Common Shares in the Direct Registration System, representing those Common Shares
purchased pursuant to exercise of Primary Subscription Rights as soon as practicable after the
corresponding Rights have been validly exercised and full payment for such shares has been received
and cleared and (ii) certificates or Statements of Holding representing those shares purchased
pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Subscription Privilege as soon as practicable after the
Expiration Date and after all allocations have been effected.
8. Holding Proceeds of Rights Offering.
A. All proceeds received by CSS from Shareholders in respect of the exercise of Rights shall
be held by CSS, on behalf of the Equity Trust, in a segregated account (the “Account”). Interest
shall accrue to the Equity Trust or shareholders on funds held in the Account pending disbursement
in the manner described in Section 4(E) above, at a rate equal to 85% of the Federal Funds rate.
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B. CSS shall deliver all proceeds received in respect of the exercise of Rights to the Equity
Trust as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than ten business days after the
Confirmation Date.
C. The Equity Trust acknowledges that the bank accounts maintained by CSS in connection with
the services provided under this Agreement will be in its name and that CSS may receive investment
earnings in connection with the investment at CSS’s risk and for its benefit of funds held in those
accounts from time to time.
9. Reports.
Daily, during the period commencing on September 21, 2005, until termination of the
Subscription Period, the Agent will report by telephone or telecopier, confirmed by letter, to an
Officer of the Equity Trust, data regarding Rights exercised, the total number of Common Shares
subscribed for, and payments received therefor, bringing forward the figures from the previous
day’s report in each case so as to show the cumulative totals and any such other information as may
be mutually determined by the Equity Trust and the Agent.
10. Loss or Mutilation.
If any Subscription Certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Agent may, on
such terms which will indemnify and protect the Equity Trust and the Agent as the Agent may in its
discretion impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Subscription Certificate include the
surrender and cancellation thereof), issue a new Subscription Certificate of like denomination in
substitution for the Subscription Certificate so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed.
11. Compensation for Services.
The Equity Trust agrees to pay to the Agent compensation for its services hereunder in
accordance with its Fee Schedule to act as Agent attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Equity Trust
further agrees that it will reimburse the Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in the performance of its duties as such.
12. Instructions, Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.
The Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following
terms and conditions:
A. The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any instructions or directions furnished to
it by an appropriate officer of the Equity Trust, whether in conformity with the provisions of this
Agreement or constituting a modification hereof or a supplement hereto. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, the Agent, in connection with
its duties hereunder, shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into the validity or
invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any instruction or direction from an officer of the
Equity Trust which conforms to the applicable requirements of this Agreement and which the Agent
reasonably believes to be genuine and shall not be liable for any delays, errors or loss of data
occurring by reason of circumstances beyond the Agent’s control.
B. The Equity Trust will indemnify the Agent and its nominees against, and hold it
harmless from, all liability and expense which may arise out of or in connection with the services
described in this Agreement or the instructions or directions furnished to the Agent relating to
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this Agreement by an appropriate officer of the Equity Trust, except for any liability or expense
which shall arise out of the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Agent or such
nominees.
Promptly after the receipt by the Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement
of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, the Agent shall, if a claim in respect thereof is
to be made against the Equity Trust, notify the Equity Trust thereof in writing. The Equity Trust
shall be entitled to participate as its own expense in the defense of any such claim or proceeding,
and, if it so elects at any time after receipt of such notice, it may assume the defense of any
suit brought to enforce any such claim or of any other legal action or proceeding. For the purposes
of this Section 12, the term “expense or loss” means any amount paid or payable to satisfy any
claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding settled with the express written
consent of the Agent, and all reasonable costs and expenses, including, but not limited to,
reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, paid or incurred in investigating or defending against
any such claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding or investigation.
C. The Agent shall be responsible for and shall indemnify and hold the Equity Trust harmless
from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and
liability arising out of or attributable to Agent’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of
this Agreement, or which arise out of Agent’s negligence or willful misconduct or which arise out
of the breach of any representation or warranty of Agent hereunder, for which Agent is not
entitled to indemnification under this Agreement; provided, however, that Agent’s aggregate
liability during any term of this Agreement with respect to, arising from, or arising in connection
with this Agreement, or from all services provided or omitted to be provided under this
Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed, the
amounts paid hereunder by the Equity Trust to Agent as fees and charges, but not including
reimbursable expenses, during the six (6) calendar months immediately preceding the event for which
recovery from the Agent is being sought.
13. Changes in Subscription Certificate.
The Agent may, without the consent or concurrence of the Shareholders in whose names
Subscription Certificates are registered, by supplemental agreement or otherwise, concur with the
Equity Trust in making any changes or corrections in a Subscription Certificate that it shall have
been advised by counsel (who may be counsel for the Equity Trust) is appropriate to cure any
ambiguity or to correct any defective or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or
manifest error therein or herein contained, and which shall not be inconsistent with the provision
of the Subscription Certificate except insofar as any such change may confer additional rights upon
the Shareholders.
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14. Assignment/Delegation.
A. Except as provided in Section 14(B) below, neither this Agreement nor any rights or
obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by either party without the written consent of
the other party.
B. The Agent may, without further consent on the part of the Equity Trust, subcontract with
other subcontractors for systems, processing, telephone and mailing services, and post-exchange
activities, as may be required from time to time; provided, however, that the Agent shall be as
fully responsible to the Equity Trust for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for
its own acts and omissions.
C. Except as explicitly stated elsewhere in this Agreement, nothing under this Agreement
shall be construed to give any rights or benefits in this Agreement to anyone other than the Agent
and the Equity Trust and the duties and responsibilities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement
shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Agent and the Equity Trust.
15. Governing Law.
The validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the law of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall inure to the benefit of and the obligations created
hereby shall be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto.
16. Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Agreement does not constitute an agreement for a partnership or joint venture between the
Agent and the Equity Trust. Neither party shall make any commitments with third parties that are
binding on the other party without the other party’s prior written consent.
17. Force Majeure.
In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this
Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, terrorist acts, equipment or transmission failure or
damage reasonably beyond its control, or other cause reasonably beyond its control, such party
shall not be liable for damages to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to
perform or otherwise from such causes. Performance under this Agreement shall resume when the
affected party or parties are able to perform substantially that party’s duties.
18. Consequential Damages.
Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for any consequential,
indirect, special or incidental damages under any provisions of this Agreement or for any
consequential, indirect, penal, special or incidental damages arising out of any act or failure to
act hereunder even if that party has been advised of or has foreseen the possibility of such
damages.
19. Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the
validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired.
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20. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original and all of which together shall be considered one and the same agreement.
21. Captions.
The captions and descriptive headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only.
They do not in any way modify, amplify, alter or give full notice of the provisions hereof.
22. Confidentiality.
The Agent and the Equity Trust agree that all books, records, information and data pertaining
to the business of the other party which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or
the carrying out of this Agreement including the fees for services set forth in the attached
schedule shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person,
except as may be required by law.
23. Term and Termination.
This Agreement shall remain in effect until the earlier of (a) thirty (30) days after the
Expiration Date; (b) it is terminated by either party upon a material breach of this Agreement
which remains uncured for 30 days after written notice of such breach has been provided; or (c) 30
days’ written notice has been provided by either party to the other. Upon termination of the
Agreement, the Agent shall retain all canceled Certificates and related documentation as required
by applicable law.
24. Notices.
Until further notice in writing by either party hereto to the other party, all
written reports, notices and other communications between the Exchange Agent and the Equity Trust
required or permitted hereunder shall be delivered or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid,
telecopier or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery,addressed as follows:
If to the Equity Trust, to:
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx, XX 0000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, President and Treasurer
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx, XX 0000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, President and Treasurer
If to the Agent, to:
EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
c/o Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Reorganization Department
c/o Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Reorganization Department
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25. Survival.
The provisions of Paragraphs 12, 15, 17-19, 22, and 24-26 shall survive any termination, for
any reason, of this Agreement.
26. Merger of Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supercedes any
prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their
respective officers, hereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, NA.
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THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC. | |||||
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| COMPUTERSHARE SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, INC. | ||||||
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