AGREEMENT between
AGREEMENT
between
X.XXXX PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES, INC.
and
X.XXXX PRICE FUNDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article A Terms of Appointment 2
Article B Duties of RPS 2
1. Contributions - Retirement Plans and Retirement Accounts 2
2. Retirement Plans - Redemptions to Cover Distributions 3
3. Other Provisions 4
4. Exchanges 5
5. Books and Records 5
6. Tax Information 6
7. Other Information to be Furnished to the Funds 7
8. Telephone/On-Line Services 7
9. Correspondence 7
10. Prospectuses/Confirmation Statements 7
11. Proxies 7 12. Forms N-SAR and N-CSR 8
13. Withholding 8
14. Excessive Trading 8
Article C Fees and Expenses 8
1. Postage 8
2. Proxies 9
3. Communications 9
4. Record Retention 10
5. Disaster Recovery 10
Article D Representations and Warranties of RPS 10
Article E Representations and Warranties of the Fund 11
Article F Standard of Care/Indemnification 12
Article G Dual Interests 14
Article H Documentation 14
Article I Recordkeeping/Confidentiality 16
Article J Ownership of Software and Related Material 16
Article K As of Transactions 16
1. Reporting 17
2. Liability 17
Article L Term and Termination of Agreement 19
Article M Notice 20
Article N Assignment 20
Article O Amendment/Interpretive Provisions 20
Article P Further Assurances 21
Article Q Maryland Law to Apply 21
Article R Merger of Agreement 21
Article S Counterparts 21
Article T The Parties 21
Article U Directors, Trustees and Shareholders and Massachusetts Business Trust 21
Article V Captions 22
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT, made as of the first day of January, 2005, by and between X. XXXX PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES, INC., a Maryland corporation having its principal office and place of business at 000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 ("RPS"), and EACH FUND WHICH IS LISTED ON APPENDIX A (as such Appendix may be amended from time to time) and which evidences its agreement to be bound hereby by executing a copy of this Agreement (each Fund hereinafter referred to as the Fund) whose definition may be found in Article T;
WHEREAS, the Funds are named investment options under various tax-sheltered plans, including, but not limited to, state and local government deferred compensation plans, 403(b) plans, and profit sharing, thrift, 401(k) and money purchase pension plans for self-employed individuals, professional partnerships and corporations (collectively referred to as "Retirement Plans"); and the Fund has determined that such investments of Retirement Plans in the Funds are in the best longterm interest of the Funds;
WHEREAS, RPS has the capability of providing special services, on behalf of the Fund, for the existing accounts of individuals ("Participants") participating in these Retirement Plans ("Retirement Accounts");
WHEREAS, RPS represents that it is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Transfer Agent under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "'34 Act");
WHEREAS, RPS may subcontract or jointly contract with other parties on behalf of the Funds to perform certain of the functions described herein, RPS may also enter into, on behalf of the Funds, certain banking relationships to perform various banking services, including, but not limited to, check deposits, disbursements, automatic clearing house transactions ("ACH") and wire transfers. Subject to guidelines mutually agreed upon by the Funds and RPS, excess balances, if any, resulting from these banking relationships will be invested and the income therefrom will be used to offset fees which would otherwise be charged to the Funds under this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to contract with RPS to provide the functions and services described herein in connection with the Retirement Plans and Retirement Accounts.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
A. Terms of Appointment
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints RPS to perform the services and functions described herein in connection with certain Retirement Plan and Retirement Accounts as agreed upon by the parties.
B. Duties of RPS
RPS agrees that it will perform the following services:
- 1. Contributions - Retirement Plans and Retirement Accounts
After RPS has received monies from Retirement Plans and has determined the proper allocation of such monies to the Retirement Accounts or Participants based upon instructions received from Participants, Retirement Plans or their designees, or Retirement Plan Administrator(s) ("Administrator(s)"), RPS will, as a responsibility under the Agreement:
- a. In the case of a new Participant, establish and maintain a Retirement Account for such
Participant;
- b. Compute the number of shares of each Fund to which the Participant is
entitled in accordance with the price per share of such Fund as calculated and provided by
the Fund for orders received at that time and date, and purchase the appropriate shares in
each such Retirement Account;
- c. Calculate the aggregate of all purchases in the
Retirement Accounts and transmit the net purchase order to X. Xxxx Price Services, Inc.
("Services") through the National Securities Clearing Corporation ("NSCC") or such other
agreed upon method or directly to the Fund, as the case may be, for purchase into an
omnibus account established in each Fund registered in RPS' or its affiliates' name as agent
for Retirement Plans or in the individual Retirement Plan's name ("Omnibus Account");
- d. Transmit to Services by wire, directly or through the NSCC, at a time designated by the
NSCC or mutually agreed upon by both parties, the aggregate money allocated to coincide
with the purchase order; and
- e. Ensure that all contributions are processed in accordance
with Rule 22c-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("'40 Act").
- 2. Retirement Plans - Redemptions to Cover Distributions
After RPS has received instructions from the Administrator or Participants regarding distributions to be made to Participants or their designated beneficiaries from Funds designated as investment options under the Retirement Plan, RPS will, as a responsibility under the Agreement:
- a. Compute the number of shares to be redeemed from each such Retirement Account for such distributions in
accordance with the price per share of such
Fund as calculated and provided by the Fund for orders received in good order at that time
and date.
- b. After such computation, calculate the aggregate amount of all redemptions in
the Retirement Accounts.
- c. Transmit any net redemption order to Services, through the NSCC or such other
method mutually agreed upon, or directly to the Fund, as the case may be, for
the Omnibus Account of each Fund. Services will wire proceeds to RPS, directly
or through the NSCC, to coincide with the redemption order for each Omnibus
Account. RPS will distribute to Participants or their designated beneficiaries
the amount to be disbursed.
- d. After RPS has received instructions from the Administrator regarding disbursements to be made regarding the payment
of fees due the Administrator, or other persons including RPS, RPS will, as a
responsibility under this Agreement:
- i. Compute the number of shares to be
redeemed from each Retirement Account to pay for such disbursements and the
total number of all shares to be redeemed in accordance with the price per share
for orders received in good order at that time and date, of such Fund as
calculated and provided by the Fund; and
- ii. Inform Services, directly or
through the NSCC, or the Funds directly, as the case may be, of the necessary
Shares to be redeemed from the Omnibus Account of the Funds to cover such
disbursements.
- e. Ensure that all redemption orders are processed in accordance with Rule 22c-1 of
the '40 Act.
- f. Calculate and assess redemption fees for those Fund's that assess redemption fees
and pay such fee to the Fund in accordance with the Fund's then-current
prospectus and the guidelines established between the Fund and RPS.
- 3. Other Provisions
- a. If any instruction tendered by an Administrator to purchase or
redeem shares in a Retirement Account is not satisfactory to RPS, RPS shall
promptly notify the Administrator of such fact together with the reason
therefore;
- b. The authority of RPS to perform its responsibilities under
Paragraph B(2) with respect to each Fund shall be suspended upon RPS' receipt of
notification from such Fund of the suspension of the determination of the Fund's
net asset value per share and shall remain suspended until RPS receives proper
notification from the Fund; and
- c. The Fund will promptly inform RPS of the
declaration of any dividend or distribution on account of the capital stock of
any Fund so that RPS may properly credit income and capital gain payments to
each Retirement Account.
- 4. Exchanges
Effect exchanges of shares of the Funds in the Retirement Accounts upon receipt of appropriate instructions from the Administrator and/or Participant in accordance with the price per share of the Funds as calculated and provided by the Fund for orders received in good order at that time and date. Calculate and transmit a net purchase and redemption order to Services directly or through the NSCC, or the Fund, as the case may be, for the Omnibus Account of each Fund. RPS will transmit by wire to Services, directly or through the NSCC, the aggregate monies allocated to each Fund to coincide with any net purchase order or instruct Services to wire to it, directly or through the NSCC, monies from each Fund's Omnibus Account to coincide with any net redemption order. RPS shall ensure that all exchange orders are processed in accordance with Rule 22c-1 of the '40 Act.
- 5. Books and Records
RPS shall maintain records showing for each Retirement Plan or Retirement Account, the following:
- a. Names, addresses and tax identification numbers, when provided;
- b. Number of shares held of each Fund;
- c. Historical information regarding the account of each Participant and/or
Retirement Plan, including dividends and capital gain distributions invested in
shares;
- d. Any instructions from a Participant or Administrator, including all
forms executed by a Participant with respect toelections with respect to payment
options in connection with the redemption of shares or distribution elections,
if applicable; and
- e. Any information required in order for RPS to perform the
calculations contemplated under this Agreement.
Any such records maintained pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 17Ad-6 and 7 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 will be preserved for the periods and manner prescribed under the Rules, including any requirements for electronic storage of records. Disposition of such records after such prescribed periods shall be as mutually agreed upon from time to time by RPS and the Funds. The retention of such records, which may be inspected by the Fund at reasonable times, shall be at the expense of the Funds. All records maintained by RPS in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement will remain the property of the Funds and, in the event of termination of this Agreement, will be delivered to the Fund as of the date of termination of this agreement or at such other time as may be mutually agreed upon.
- 6. Tax Information
RPS shall also prepare and file with appropriate federal agencies, such information returns and reports as required by applicable Federal statutes relating to redemptions effected in Retirement Accounts which constitute reportable distributions. RPS will also prepare and submit to Participants, such reports containing information as is required by applicable Federal law.
- 7. Other Information to be Furnished to the Funds
RPS will furnish to the Fund, such information, including Participant lists and statistical information and other information for the Fund to comply with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 as may be agreed upon from time to time between RPS and the Fund.
- 8. Telephone/On-Line Services
RPS will promptly respond to any telephone calls from Administrators and/or Participants relating to the Retirement Accounts and/or questions pertaining to the Funds. RPS will also be responsible for providing a telephone voice response unit and on-line services. Procedures for processing telephone, voice response unit and on-line transactions will be mutually agreed upon by both parties.
- 9. Correspondence
RPS will promptly and fully answer correspondence from Administrators and Participants relating to Retirement Accounts and transfer agent procedures, and such other correspondence as may from time to time be mutually agreed upon with the Funds. Copies of all correspondence will be retained by RPS in accordance with applicable law.
- 10. Prospectuses/Confirmation Statements
RPS will be responsible for mailing all confirmations and statements relating to transactions in the Funds, prospectuses, semi-annual and annual reports of the Funds and other enclosures and mailings, as may be requested by the Funds or required by applicable Federal law.
- 11. Proxies
As requested by the Funds, RPS shall assist in the mailing of proxy cards and other material required to be mailed by the Fund in connection with shareholder meetings of the Fund and shall assist in the receipt, examination and tabulation of returned proxies and the certification of the vote to the Fund.
- 12. Forms N-SAR and N-CSR
RPS shall maintain such records, if any, as shall enable the Fund to fulfill the requirements of Forms N-SAR and N-CSR.
- 13. Withholding
The Fund and RPS' shall agree to procedures to be followed with respect to RPS responsibilities in connection with compliance for federal withholding on distributions to Participants from Retirement Accounts and related disbursements of withholdings to the Internal Revenue Service.
- 14. Excessive Trading
RPS shall monitor Participant accounts to determine if trading activity is in conformance with the Fund's excessive trading policy as set forth in the Fund's then-current prospectus. If the Fund's policy is violated, RPS shall take action to restrict the account in accordance with procedures agreed upon between RPS and the Funds.
C. Fees and Expenses.
Except as set forth in this Paragraph C and Schedule A, RPS is responsible for all expenses relating to the providing of services hereunder. Each Fund is directly responsible for the fees set forth under Schedule A as well as the following expenses and charges:
- 1. Postage
The cost of postage and freight for mailing materials, including confirmations, statements, tax forms and Fund prospectuses and Fund shareholder reports, to Participants with investments in the Fund, or their agents, including overnight delivery, UPS and other express mail services and special courier services required to transport mail between RPS locations and mail processing vendors.
- 2. Proxies
The cost to mail proxy cards and other material supplied to it by the Fund and costs related to the receipt, examination and tabulation of returned proxies and the certification of the vote to the Fund.
- 3. Communications
- a. Print. The printed forms used internally and externally for documentation and
processing Participant, or their agent's, inquiries and requests; paper and
envelope supplies for letters, notices, and other written communications sent to
Administrators and Participants, or their agents, which includes charges from X.
Xxxx Price Investment Technology, Inc. of X. Xxxx Price Associates, Inc. for
internally printed forms and written communications to existing Participants
with investments in the Funds or their Administrator.
- b. Print & Mail House. The cost of internal and third party printing and mail house services, including
printing of statements, tax forms, prospectuses and reports to plans or
participants with investments in the Funds.
- c. Voice and Data. The cost of equipment (including associated maintenance), supplies and services used for
communicating with existing Participants or their Administrator, the Funds
transfer agent, other Fund offices, and other agents of either the Fund or RPS.
These charges shall include:
- telephone toll charges (both incoming and outgoing, local, long distance and mailgrams);
- data and telephone lines and associated equipment such as modems, multiplexers, and facsimile equipment; and
- production support, service enhancements, and custom reporting for the Participant recordkeeping system.
- 4. Record Retention
The cost of maintenance and supplies used to maintain, microfilm, copy, record, index, display, retrieve, and store, in optical disc, cd rom or microfiche or microfilm form, documents and records.
- 5. Disaster Recovery
The cost of services, equipment, facilities and other charges necessary to provide disaster recovery for any and all services listed in this Agreement, which includes charges from X. Xxxx Price Technologies Inc. for the cost of providing recovery of critical shareholder servicing systems maintained internally, as agreed to by the parties.
As an accommodation to the Funds, and acting as their agent, RPS may make payments directly to vendors for Fund expenses and, thereafter, be reimbursed by the Funds on a timely basis. The fees and expenses under this Paragraph C shall be allocated to the Funds based on a reasonable allocation methodology agreed upon by the parties.
D. Representations and Warranties of RPS
RPS represents and warrants to the Fund that:
- 1. It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the
laws of Maryland.
- 2. It is duly qualified to carry on its business in Alaska, California, Colorado,
District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and
Virginia.
- 3. It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and by-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
- 4. All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this
Agreement.
- 5. It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its
duties and obligations under this Agreement.
- 6. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 17A of
the '34 Act.
E. Representations and Warranties of the Fund
The Fund represents and warrants to RPS that:
- 1. It is a corporation or business trust duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of Maryland, or Massachusetts, as the case may be.
- 2. It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation or
Declaration of Trust, as the case may be, and By-Laws to enter into and perform
this Agreement.
- 3. All proceedings required by said Articles of Incorporation or
Declaration of Trust, as the case may be, and By-Laws have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
- 4. It is an investment company registered under the Act.
- 5. A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "'33 Act") is
currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities
law filing have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all
shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
F. Standard of Care/Indemnification
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:
- 1. RPS shall not be liable to the Fund for any act or failure to act by it or its
agents or subcontractors on behalf of the Fund in carrying or attempting to
carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement provided RPS has acted in
good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct and selected and
monitored the performance of its agents and subcontractors with reasonable care.
- 2. The Fund shall indemnify and hold RPS harmless from and against all losses,
costs, damages, claims, actions and expenses, including reasonable expenses for
legal counsel, incurred by RPS resulting from: (i) any action or omission by RPS
or its agents or subcontractors in the performance of their duties hereunder;
(ii) RPS acting upon instructions reasonably believed by it to have been
executed by a duly authorized officer of the Fund; or (iii) RPS acting upon
information provided by the Fund in form and under policies agreed to by RPS and
the Fund. RPS shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of
actions or omissions constituting negligence or willful misconduct of RPS or
where RPS has not exercised reasonable care in selecting or monitoring the
performance of its agents or subcontractors.
- 3. Except as provided in Article K
of this Agreement, RPS shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund from all
losses, costs, damages, claims, actions and expenses, including reasonable
expenses for legal counsel, incurred by the Fund resulting from negligence or
willful misconduct of RPS or which result from RPS failure to exercise
reasonable care in selecting or monitoring the performance of its agents or
subcontractors. The Fund shall not be entitled to such indemnification in
respect of actions or omissions constituting negligence or willful misconduct of
such Fund or its agents or subcontractors; unless such negligence or misconduct
is attributable to RPS.
- 4. In determining RPS' liability, an isolated error or
omission will normally not be deemed to constitute negligence when it is
determined that:
- RPS had in place "appropriate procedures:"
- the employees responsible for the error or omission had been reasonably trained and were being appropriately monitored; and
- no evidence or circumstances have been produced to indicate that the individual who committed the error or omission was functioning in bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct at the time of the incident.
It is understood that RPS is not obligated to have in place separate procedures to prevent each and every conceivable type of error or omission. The term "appropriate procedures" shall mean procedures reasonably designed to prevent and detect errors and omissions. In determining the reasonableness of such procedures, weight will be given to such factors as are appropriate, including the prior occurrence of any similar errors or omissions when such procedures were in place and transfer agent industry standards in place at the time of the occurrence.
- 5. In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement
because of acts of God, strikes or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party
shall not be liable to the other party for any loss, cost, damage, claims, actions or
expense resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes.
- 6. In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article F shall
apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may be required to
indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly notify the
other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with
respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party who may be required
to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the party seeking
indemnification in the defense of such claim, or to defend against said claim in
its own name or in the name of the other party. The party seeking
indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any
case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the
other partys prior written consent.
- 7. Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for
consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement.
G. Dual Interests
It is understood that some person or persons may be directors, officers, or shareholders of both RPS and the Fund and that the existence of any such dual interest shall not affect the validity of this Agreement or of any transactions hereunder except as otherwise provided by a specific provision of applicable law.
H. Documentation
- 1. As requested by RPS, the Fund shall promptly furnish to RPS the following:
- a. copy of the resolution of the Directors/Trustees of the Fund authorizing the
appointment of RPS and the execution and delivery of this Agreement;
- b. A copy of the Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the case may be,
and By-Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto;
- c. An opinion of counsel for
the Fund with respect to the validity of the stock, the number of Shares
authorized, the status of redeemed Shares, and the number of Shares with respect
to which a Registration Statement has been filed and is in effect; and
- d. A copy of the Fund's current and new prospectuses and shareholder reports issued by the
Fund.
The delivery of any such document to either party hereto for the purpose of any other agreement to which the Fund and RPS are or were parties shall be deemed to be delivery for the purposes of this Agreement.
- 2. As requested by RPS, the Fund will also furnish to RPS
from time to time the following documents:
- a. Each resolution of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund authorizing the original issue
of its shares;
- b. Each Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and amendments
and orders thereto in effect with respect to the sale of shares with respect to the Fund;
- c. A certified copy of each amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of
Trust, and the ByLaws of the Fund;
- d. Certified copies of each vote of the Board of Directors/Trustees authorizing officers to give
instructions to the Fund; and
- e. Such other documents or opinions which RPS, in its discretion, may reasonably deem necessary or
appropriate in the proper performance of its duties under this Agreement.
- 3. RPS hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the
Fund for safekeeping of check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any,
and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such forms and devices.
I. Recordkeeping/Confidentiality
- 1. RPS shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable,
provided that RPS shall keep all records in such form and in such manner as
required by applicable law, including the '40 Act and the '34 Act.
- 2. RPS and the Fund 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 shall remain confidential,
and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except: (a)after
prior notification to and approval in writing by the other party hereto, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where RPS or
the Fund may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to
comply; (b) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted
governmental authorities; (c) after so requested by the other party hereto; or
(d) by the Administrator.
J. Ownership of Software and Related Material
All computer programs, magnetic tapes, written procedures and similar items purchased and/or developed and used by RPS in performance of the Agreement shall be the property of RPS and will not become the property of the Fund.
K. As Of Transactions
For purposes of this Article K, the term "Transaction" shall mean any single or "related transaction" (as defined below) involving the purchase or redemption of shares (including exchanges) processed at a time other than the time of the computation of the Fund's net asset value per share next computed after receipt of any such transaction order by RPS due to an act or omission of RPS. "As Of Processing" refers to the processing of these Transactions. All As Of Processing may only be performed in accordance with the requirements of Rule 22c-1 of the '40 Act. RPS is responsible for monitoring As Of Transactions procedures that set forth the circumstances under which As Of Transactions are permitted. If more than one Transaction ("Related Transaction") in the Fund is caused by or occurs as a result of the same act or omission, such transactions shall be aggregated with other transactions in the Fund and be considered as one Transaction.
- 1. Reporting
RPS shall:
- a. Utilize a system to identify all Transactions, and shall compute the net effect
of such Transactions upon the Fund on a daily, monthly and rolling 365 day
basis. The monthly and rolling 365 day periods are hereinafter referred to as
"Cumulative."
- b. Supply to the Fund, from time to time as mutually agreed upon, a report
summarizing the Transactions and the daily and Cumulative net effects of such
Transactions both in terms of aggregate dilution and loss ("Dilution") or gain and
negative dilution ("Gain") experienced by the Fund, and the impact such Gain or
Dilution has had upon the Funds net asset value per share.
- c. With respect to
any Transaction which causes Dilution to the Fund of $100,000 or more,
immediately provide the Fund: (i) a report identifying the Transaction and the
Dilution resulting therefrom, (ii) the reason such Transaction was processed as
described above, and (iii) the action that RPS has or intends to take to prevent
the reoccurrence of such as of processing ("Report").
- 2. Liability
- a. It will be the normal practice of the Fund not to hold RPS liable with respect
to any Transaction which causes Dilution to any single Fund of less than
$25,000. RPS will, however, closely monitor for each Fund the daily and
Cumulative Gain/Dilution which is caused by Transactions of less than $25,000.
When the Cumulative Dilution to any Fund exceeds 3/10 of 1% of net asset value
per share, RPS, in consultation with counsel to the Fund, will make appropriate
inquiry to determine whether it should take any remedial action. RPS will report
to the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund ("Board"), as appropriate, any
action it has taken.
- b. Where a Transaction causes Dilution to a Fund equal to or greater than $25,000
("Significant Transaction") but less than $100,000, RPS will review with Counsel
to the Fund the circumstances surrounding the underlying Significant Transaction
to determine whether the Significant Transaction was caused by or occurred as a
result of a negligent act or omission by RPS. If it is determined that the
Dilution is the result of a negligent action or omission by RPS, RPS and outside
counsel for the Fund will negotiate settlement. All such Significant
Transactions will be reported to the Audit Committee at least annually (unless
the settlement fully compensates the Fund for any Dilution). Any Significant
Transaction, however, causing Dilution in excess of the lesser of $100,000 or a
xxxxx per share will be promptly reported to the Board and resolved at the next
scheduled Board Meeting. Settlement for Significant Transactions causing
Dilution of $100,000 or more will not be entered into until approved by the
Board. The factors to consider in making any determination regarding the
settlement of a Significant Transaction would include but not be limited to:
- i. Procedures and controls adopted by RPS to prevent As Of Processing;
- ii. Whether such procedures and controls were being followed at the time of the Significant
Transaction;
- iii. The absolute and relative volume of all transactions processed
by RPS on the day of the Significant Transaction;
- iv. The number of Transactions processed by RPS during prior relevant periods, and the net Dilution/Gain as a
result of all such Significant Transactions to the Fund and to all other Funds;
and
- v. The prior response of RPS to recommendations made by the Funds regarding
improvement to RPS' As Of Processing procedures.
- c. In determining RPS' liability
with respect to a Significant Transaction, an isolated error or omission will
normally not be deemed to constitute negligence when it is determined that:
- RPS had in place "Appropriate Procedures" as defined in Section 4 of Article F of this Agreement (it is understood that RPS is not obligated to have in place separate procedures to prevent each and every conceivable type of error or omission);
- the employees responsible for the error or omission had been reasonably trained and were being appropriately monitored; and
- no evidence or circumstances have been produced to indicate that the individual who committed the error or omission was functioning in bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct at the time of the incident.
L. Term and Termination of Agreement
- 1. This Agreement shall run for a period of
one (1) year from the date first written above and will be renewed from year to
year thereafter unless terminated by either party as provided hereunder.
- 2. This Agreement may be terminated by the Funds upon one hundred twenty (120) days'
prior written notice to RPS; and by RPS, upon three hundred sixty-five (365)
days' prior written notice to the Fund.
- 3. Upon termination hereof, the Fund
shall pay to RPS such compensation as may be due as of the date of such
termination, and shall likewise reimburse for out-of-pocket expenses related to
its services hereunder.
M. Notice
Any notice as required by this Agreement shall be sufficiently given (i) when sent to an authorized person of the other party at the address of such party set forth above or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party; or (ii) as otherwise agreed upon by appropriate officers of the parties hereto.
N. Assignment
Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned either voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, by either party without the prior written consent of the other party.
O. Amendment/Interpretive Provisions
The parties by mutual written agreement may amend this Agreement at any time. In addition, in connection with the operation of this Agreement, RPS and the Fund may agree from time to time on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as in their joint opinion may be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions are to be signed by all parties and annexed hereto, but no such provision shall contravene any applicable federal or state law or regulation and no such interpretive or additional provision shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
P. Further Assurances
Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof.
Q. Maryland Law to Apply
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of Maryland.
R. Merger of Agreement
This Agreement, including the attached Schedule supersede any prior agreement with respect to the subject hereof, whether oral or written.
S. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
T. The Parties
All references herein to "the Fund" are to each of the Funds listed on AppendixA individually, as if this Agreement were between such individual Fund and RPS. In the case of a series Fund or trust, all references to "the Fund" are to the individual series or portfolio of such Fund or trust, or to such Fund or trust on behalf of the individual series or portfolio, as appropriate. The "Fund" also includes any X. Xxxx Price Fund which may be established after the date of this Agreement. Any reference in this Agreement to "the parties" shall mean RPS and such other individual Fund as to which the matter pertains.
U. Directors, Trustees and Shareholders and Massachusetts Business Trust
It is understood and is expressly stipulated that neither the holders of shares in the Fund nor any Directors or Trustees of the Fund shall be personally liable hereunder. With respect to any Fund which is a party to this Agreement and which is organized as a Massachusetts business trust, the term "Fund" means and refers to the trustees from time to time serving under the applicable trust agreement (Declaration of Trust) of such Trust as the same may be amended from time to time. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of any such Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement has been authorized by the Trustees and signed by an authorized officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of Trust.
V. Captions
The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf under their seals by and through their duly authorized officers.
X.XXXX PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN X. XXXX PRICE FUNDS SERVICES, INC. BY:/s/Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx BY: /s/Xxxxxx X. Carrier DATED: April 22, 2005 DATED: April 21, 0000
XXXXXXXX X
X. XXXX PRICE BALANCED FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE BLUE CHIP GROWTH FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Blue Chip Growth Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND X. XXXX PRICE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Capital Opportunity Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE CORPORATE INCOME FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGIES FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE DIVERSIFIED MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE DIVERSIFIED SMALLCAP GROWTH FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND X. Xxxx Price Equity Income Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE GNMA FUND X. XXXX PRICE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE GROWTH STOCK FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Growth Stock Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE INFLATION PROTECTED BOND FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE INDEX TRUST, INC. X. Xxxx Price Equity Index 500 Fund X. Xxxx Price Extended Equity Market Index Fund X. Xxxx Price Total Equity Market Index Fund X. XXXX PRICE INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Institutional MidCap Equity Growth Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional LargeCap Value Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional SmallCap Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional Large-Cap Growth Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional Large-Cap Core Growth Fund X. XXXX PRICE INSTITUTIONAL INCOME FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Institutional High Yield Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional Core Plus Fund X. XXXX PRICE INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Institutional Foreign Equity Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund X. XXXX PRICE INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price International Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price International Stock Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price International Discovery Fund X. Xxxx Price European Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price New Asia Fund X. Xxxx Price Japan Fund X. Xxxx Price Latin America Fund X. Xxxx Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price Global Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price International Growth & Income Fund X. Xxxx Price International Growth & Income Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Emerging Europe & Mediterranean Fund X. Xxxx Price International Bond Fund X. Xxxx Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund X. XXXX PRICE INTERNATIONAL INDEX FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price International Equity Index Fund X. XXXX PRICE MEDIA & TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE XXXXXX GROWTH FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE XXXXXX VALUE FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Value FundR Class X. XXXX PRICE NEW AMERICA GROWTH FUND X. XXXX PRICE NEW ERA FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE NEW HORIZONS FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE NEW INCOME FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price New Income FundR Class X. XXXX PRICE PERSONAL STRATEGY FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Balanced Fund X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Growth Fund X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Income Fund X. XXXX PRICE PRIME RESERVE FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE REAL ESTATE FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE RETIREMENT FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2010 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2010 Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2020 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2020 Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2030 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2030 Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2040 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2040 Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement Income Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement Income Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2005 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2015 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2025 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2035 Fund X. XXXX PRICE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE SHORTTERM BOND FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE SMALLCAP STOCK FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE SMALLCAP VALUE FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE SPECTRUM FUND, INC. Spectrum Income Fund Spectrum Growth Fund Spectrum International Fund X. XXXX PRICE SUMMIT FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Summit Cash Reserves Fund X. Xxxx Price Summit GNMA Fund X. XXXX PRICE U.S. BOND INDEX FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE U.S. TREASURY FUNDS, INC. U.S. Treasury Intermediate Fund U.S. Treasury LongTerm Fund U.S. Treasury Money Fund X. XXXX PRICE VALUE FUND, INC.
AMENDMENT NO. 1
AGREEMENT
Between
X. XXXX PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES, INC.
and
EACH OF THE PARTIES INDICATED ON APPENDIX A
The Retirement Plan Services Contract of January 1, 2005, between X. Xxxx Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc. and each of the Parties listed on Appendix A thereto is hereby amended, as of March 2, 2005, by adding thereto X.Xxxx Price Retirement Funds, Inc., on behalf of X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2045 Fund.
X. XXXX PRICE BALANCED FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE BLUE CHIP GROWTH FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Blue Chip Growth Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND X. XXXX PRICE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Capital Opportunity Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE CORPORATE INCOME FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGIES FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE DIVERSIFIED MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE DIVERSIFIED SMALLCAP GROWTH FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND X. Xxxx Price Equity Income Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE GNMA FUND X. XXXX PRICE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE GROWTH STOCK FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Growth Stock Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE INFLATION PROTECTED BOND FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE INDEX TRUST, INC. X. Xxxx Price Equity Index 500 Fund X. Xxxx Price Extended Equity Market Index Fund X. Xxxx Price Total Equity Market Index Fund X. XXXX PRICE INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Institutional MidCap Equity Growth Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional LargeCap Value Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional SmallCap Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional Large-Cap Growth Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional Large-Cap Core Growth Fund X. XXXX PRICE INSTITUTIONAL INCOME FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Institutional High Yield Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional Core Plus Fund X. XXXX PRICE INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Institutional Foreign Equity Fund X. Xxxx Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund X. XXXX PRICE INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price International Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price International Stock Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price International Discovery Fund X. Xxxx Price European Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price New Asia Fund X. Xxxx Price Japan Fund X. Xxxx Price Latin America Fund X. Xxxx Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price Global Stock Fund X. Xxxx Price International Growth & Income Fund X. Xxxx Price International Growth & Income Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Emerging Europe & Mediterranean Fund X. Xxxx Price International Bond Fund X. Xxxx Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund X. XXXX PRICE INTERNATIONAL INDEX FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price International Equity Index Fund X. XXXX PRICE MEDIA & TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE XXXXXX GROWTH FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund - R Class X. XXXX PRICE XXXXXX VALUE FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Value FundR Class X. XXXX PRICE NEW AMERICA GROWTH FUND X. XXXX PRICE NEW ERA FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE NEW HORIZONS FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE NEW INCOME FUND, INC. X. Xxxx Price New Income FundR Class X. XXXX PRICE PERSONAL STRATEGY FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Balanced Fund X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Growth Fund X. Xxxx Price Personal Strategy Income Fund X. XXXX PRICE PRIME RESERVE FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE REAL ESTATE FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE RETIREMENT FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2010 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2010 Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2020 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2020 Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2030 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2030 Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2040 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2040 Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement Income Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement Income Fund - R Class X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2005 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2015 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2025 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2035 Fund X. Xxxx Price Retirement 2045 Fund X. XXXX PRICE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE SHORTTERM BOND FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE SMALLCAP STOCK FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE SMALLCAP VALUE FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE SPECTRUM FUND, INC. Spectrum Income Fund Spectrum Growth Fund Spectrum International Fund X. XXXX PRICE SUMMIT FUNDS, INC. X. Xxxx Price Summit Cash Reserves Fund X. Xxxx Price Summit GNMA Fund X. XXXX PRICE U.S. BOND INDEX FUND, INC. X. XXXX PRICE U.S. TREASURY FUNDS, INC. U.S. Treasury Intermediate Fund U.S. Treasury LongTerm Fund U.S. Treasury Money Fund X. XXXX PRICE VALUE FUND, INC.
Attest:
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx /s/ Xxxxxx X. Carrier
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx By: Xxxxxx X. Carrier
Secretary Treasurer
Attest: X. XXXX PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN
SERVICES, INC.
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxx Xxxx /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxx Xxxx By: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Secretary Vice President
