AMENDED AND RESTATED FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMENDED
AND RESTATED
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 1st day
of July, 2009 (“Effective Date”), by and between ULTRA SERIES FUND (“TRUST”) a
Massachusetts business trust, MOSAIC FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, LLC
(“DISTRIBUTOR”), a Wisconsin limited liability company, and CUNA MUTUAL INSURANCE
SOCIETY (“LIFE COMPANY”), a life
insurance company organized under the laws of the State of Iowa.
WHEREAS, TRUST is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) as an open-end, diversified management investment
company; and
WHEREAS, TRUST is organized as a series
fund comprised of several portfolios (“Portfolios”), the currently available of
which are listed on Appendix A; and
WHEREAS, TRUST was organized to act as
the funding vehicle for certain variable life insurance and/or variable annuity
contracts (“Variable Contracts”) offered by life insurance companies through
separate accounts of such life insurance companies (“Participating Insurance
Companies”); and
WHEREAS, TRUST has received an order
from the SEC, dated July 24, 1997 (File No. 812-10398), granting Participating
Insurance Companies and their separate accounts exemptions from certain
provisions of the 1940 Act and its related rules, to the extent necessary to
permit shares of the Portfolios of TRUST to be sold to and held by variable
annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and
unaffiliated life insurance companies and certain qualified pension and
retirement plans (“Order”); and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY has established
or will establish one or more separate accounts (“Separate Accounts”) to offer
Variable Contracts and is desirous of having TRUST as one of the underlying
funding vehicles for such Variable Contracts; and
WHEREAS, DISTRIBUTOR is registered with
the SEC as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(“1934 Act”); and
WHEREAS, Madison Asset Management, LLC
(“ADVISOR”) is the investment advisor of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by
applicable insurance laws and regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase
shares of TRUST to fund the aforementioned Variable Contracts and TRUST is
authorized to sell such shares to LIFE COMPANY at net asset value
(“NAV”).
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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
their mutual promises, LIFE COMPANY, TRUST, and DISTRIBUTOR agree as
follows:
Article
I. SALE OF TRUST
SHARES
1.1 TRUST
agrees to make available to the Separate Accounts of LIFE
COMPANY listed on Appendix B shares of the Portfolios for investment
of proceeds from Variable Contracts allocated to the designated Separate
Accounts, such shares to be offered as provided in TRUST’s then-current
Prospectus.
1.2 TRUST
agrees to sell to LIFE COMPANY those shares of the selected Portfolios of TRUST
which LIFE COMPANY orders on behalf of the Separate Accounts, executing such
orders on a daily basis at the NAV next computed after receipt by TRUST or its
designee of the order for the shares of TRUST. For purposes of this
Section 1.2, LIFE COMPANY shall be the designee of TRUST for receipt of such
orders and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by TRUST; provided
that TRUST receives notice of such order by 9:30 a.m., Central Time (or such
other time upon which both parties agree) on the next following Business
Day. “Business Day” shall mean any day on which the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading and on which TRUST calculates its NAV pursuant to
the rules of the SEC as described in the then-current registration statement of
the Trust on Form N-1A.
1.3 TRUST
agrees to redeem for cash, on LIFE COMPANY’s request, any full or fractional
shares of TRUST held by LIFE COMPANY on behalf of the Separate Accounts,
executing such requests on each Business Day at the NAV next computed after
receipt by TRUST or its designee of the request for redemption. For
purposes of this Section 1.3, LIFE COMPANY shall be the designee of TRUST for
receipt of requests for redemption and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by TRUST; provided that TRUST receives notice of such request for
redemption by 9:30 a.m., Central Time (or such other time upon which both
parties agree) on the next following Business Day.
1.4 TRUST
shall furnish same-day notice to LIFE COMPANY of any income dividends or capital
gain distributions payable on the shares of any Portfolio of
TRUST. LIFE COMPANY hereby elects to receive all such income
dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on a Portfolio’s shares
in additional shares of the Portfolio. TRUST shall notify LIFE
COMPANY of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to revoke this
election by written notice to TRUST.
1.5 TRUST
shall make the NAV per share for the selected Portfolios available to LIFE
COMPANY on each Business Day as soon as reasonably practicable after the NAV per
share is calculated but shall use its best efforts to make such NAV available by
5:30 p.m., Central Time. If TRUST provides LIFE COMPANY with
materially incorrect share NAV information through no fault of LIFE COMPANY,
LIFE COMPANY on behalf of the Separate Accounts, shall be entitled to an
adjustment to the number of shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct
share NAV.
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Any
material error (determined in accordance with SEC guidelines) in the calculation
of NAV per share, dividend or capital gain information shall be reported
promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY. In the event that such
material error is the result of the TRUST’s (or its designated agents) gross
negligence, the TRUST shall also be responsible for any of LIFE COMPANY’s
reasonable administrative or other costs or losses incurred in correcting
Variable Contract owner accounts.
1.6 At
the end of each Business Day, LIFE COMPANY shall use the information described
in Section 1.5 to calculate Separate Account unit values for the
day. Using these unit values, LIFE COMPANY shall process each such
Business Day’s Separate Account transactions based on requests and premiums
received by it by the time as of which the TRUST calculates its share price as
disclosed in the prospectus for the TRUST to determine the net dollar amount of
TRUST shares which shall be purchased or redeemed at that day’s closing NAV per
share. The net share purchase or redemption orders so determined shall be
transmitted to TRUST by LIFE COMPANY by 9:30 a.m., Central Time (or such other
time upon which both parties agree) on the Business Day next following LIFE
COMPANY’s receipt of such requests and premiums in accordance with the terms of
Sections 1.2 and 1.3 hereof.
1.7 If
LIFE COMPANY’s order requests the net purchase of TRUST shares, LIFE COMPANY
shall pay for such purchase by wiring federal funds to TRUST or its designated
custodial account on the day the order is actually transmitted by LIFE COMPANY
by 2:00 p.m., Central Time (or such other time upon which both parties
agree). If LIFE COMPANY’s order requests a net redemption resulting
in a payment of redemption proceeds to LIFE COMPANY, TRUST shall wire the
redemption proceeds to LIFE COMPANY on the day the order is actually received by
TRUST by 2:00 p.m., Central Time (or such other time upon which both parties
agree) unless doing so would require TRUST to dispose of portfolio securities or
otherwise incur additional costs, but in such event, proceeds shall be wired to
LIFE COMPANY within seven business days and TRUST shall notify the person
designated in writing by LIFE COMPANY as the recipient for such notice of such
delay by 2:00 p.m., Central Time (or such other time upon which both parties
agree) the same business day that LIFE COMPANY transmits the redemption order to
TRUST.
1.8 Notwithstanding
Section 1.7, TRUST reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption or
postpone the date of payment or satisfaction upon redemption consistent with
Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act and any rules thereunder.
1.9 TRUST
agrees that all shares of the Portfolios of TRUST will be sold only to
Participating Insurance Companies which have agreed to participate in TRUST to
fund their Separate Accounts, the TRUST’s investment advisor, the insurance
company depositor of a variable life insurance account and/or to certain
qualified pension and other retirement plans, all in accordance with the
requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(“Code”) and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5. Shares of the Portfolios of
TRUST will not be sold directly to the general public.
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1.10 TRUST
may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or
terminate the offering of the shares of any Portfolio if such action is required
by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole
discretion of the Board of Trustees of TRUST (“Board”), acting in good faith and
in light of its fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws,
deemed necessary and in the best interests of the shareholders of such
Portfolios.
1.11 The
issuance and transfer of TRUST shares shall be by book entry
only. Share certificates will not be issued to LIFE COMPANY or the
Separate Accounts.
1.12 TRUST
represents and warrants that each Portfolio complies with the diversification
requirements set forth in Section 817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of
the regulations under the Code. TRUST further represents that it will
make every effort to maintain each Portfolio’s compliance with the
diversification requirements. TRUST will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately if
TRUST has reason to believe that a Portfolio has ceased to comply with the
diversification requirements or may cease to comply in the future. In the event
of a breach of this Section, TRUST will take all reasonable steps to adequately
diversify the Portfolio so as to achieve compliance within the grace period
afforded by Section 1.817-5 of the regulations under the Code.
1.13 LIFE
COMPANY shall be fully responsible as to TRUST and DISTRIBUTOR for the
underwriting, issuance, service, administration, sale and marketing of the
Variable Contracts. LIFE COMPANY shall provide Variable Contracts,
the Variable Contracts’ and TRUST’s prospectuses, Variable Contracts’ and
TRUST’s statements of additional information, and all amendments or supplements
to any of the foregoing to Variable Contract owners and prospective Variable
Contract owners, all in accordance with state and federal laws. LIFE
COMPANY shall take reasonable steps to ensure that (1) all persons offering or
selling the Variable Contracts are duly licensed and registered under applicable
insurance and securities laws; (2) all individuals offering or selling the
Variable Contracts are duly appointed agents of LIFE COMPANY and are registered
representatives of a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”)
member broker-dealer; (3) the Variable Contracts’ prospectuses describe
distribution and compensation arrangements for the sale of the Variable
Contracts adequately; and (4) that all complaints from Variable Contract owners
are promptly addressed and that such complaints are settled consistent with high
ethical standards and principles of ethical conduct.
1.14 LIFE
COMPANY has reasonable policies and procedures to comply with all applicable
state and federal laws and regulations addressing anti-money laundering,
including those adopted by the Federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
(FinCEN) and if required by such laws or regulations, to share with TRUST
information about individuals, entities, organizations and countries suspected
of possible terrorist or money “laundering” activities in accordance with
Section 314(b) of the USA Patriot Act. TRUST and DISTRIBUTOR shall
comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations addressing
anti-money laundering and if required
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by such
laws or regulations, to share with LIFE COMPANY information about individuals,
entities, organizations and countries suspected of possible terrorist or money
“laundering” activities in accordance with Section 314(b) of the USA Patriot
Act.
Article
II. REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
2.1 LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized
and in good standing under the laws of Iowa and that it has legally and validly
established each Separate Account as a segregated asset account under such
laws.
2.2 LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that it has registered or, prior to any issuance
or sale of the Variable Contracts, will register each Separate Account as a unit
investment trust (“UIT”) in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and
cause each Separate Account to remain so registered to serve as a segregated
asset account for the Variable Contracts, unless an exemption from registration
is available.
2.3 LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that the Variable Contracts are or will be
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), unless an
exemption from registration is available prior to any issuance or sale of the
Variable Contracts. LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the
Variable Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable state and federal laws and further that the sale of
the Variable Contracts shall comply in all material respects with state
insurance law suitability requirements. LIFE COMPANY shall be
responsible for filing as required Variable Contract forms, applications,
marketing materials, and other documents related to the Variable Contracts
and/or Separate Accounts with state insurance commissions.
2.4 LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that the Variable Contracts are currently and at
the time of issuance will be treated as life insurance, endowment or annuity
contracts under applicable provisions of the Code, that it will make every
effort to maintain such treatment and that it will notify TRUST immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that the Variable Contracts have ceased
to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the
future.
2.5 LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that it shall deliver such prospectuses,
statements of additional information, proxy statements and periodic reports of
TRUST as required to be delivered under applicable federal or state law and
interpretations of state and federal securities regulators thereunder in
connection with the offer, sale or acquisition of the Variable
Contracts.
2.6 TRUST
represents and warrants that the Portfolio shares offered and sold pursuant to
this Agreement are or will be registered under the 1933 Act and sold in
accordance with all applicable state and federal securities laws, and TRUST
shall be registered under the 1940 Act prior to and at the time of any issuance
or sale of such shares. TRUST shall amend its registration statement
under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to
effect the
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continuous
offering of its shares. TRUST shall register and qualify its shares
for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states if and to the extent
necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
2.7 TRUST
represents and warrants that each Portfolio currently complies, and will
continue to comply with the diversification requirements set forth in Section
817(h) of the Code, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including without
limitation Treasury Regulation 1.817-5 (or any successor or similar provisions),
and will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing any Portfolio has ceased to comply or might not so comply and will
immediately take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Portfolio to
achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation
1.817-5.
LIFE COMPANY agrees that if the
Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) asserts in writing in connection with any
governmental audit or review of LIFE COMPANY (or, to LIFE COMPANY’s knowledge,
of any Variable Contract owner) that any Portfolio has failed to comply with the
diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code or LIFE COMPANY
otherwise becomes aware of any facts that could give rise to any claim against
TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR or ADVISOR as a result of such a failure or alleged
failure:
(a) LIFE
COMPANY shall promptly notify the TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR of such
assertion or potential claim;
(b) LIFE
COMPANY shall consult with the TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR as to how to
minimize any liability that may arise as a result of such failure or alleged
failure;
(c) LIFE
COMPANY shall use its best efforts to minimize any liability of TRUST,
DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR resulting from such failure, including, without
limitation, demonstrating, pursuant to Treasury Regulations, Section
1.817-5(a)(2), to the commissioner of the IRS that such failure was
inadvertent;
(d) Any
written materials to be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to the IRS, any Variable
Contract owner or any other claimant in connection with any of the foregoing
proceedings or contests (including, without limitation, any such materials to be
submitted to the IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations, Section 1.817-5(a)(2))
shall be provided by LIFE COMPANY to TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR (together
with any supporting information or analysis) within at least two (2) business
days prior to submission;
(e) LIFE
COMPANY shall provide the TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR with such cooperation
as the TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR shall reasonably request (including,
without limitation, by permitting the TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR to review
the relevant books and records of LIFE COMPANY) in order to facilitate review by
TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR of any written submissions provided to it or
its
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assessment
of the validity or amount of any claim against it arising from such failure or
alleged failure; and
(f) LIFE
COMPANY shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or any Variable Contract
owner that would give rise to a claim against TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR (i)
compromise or settle any claim, (ii) accept any adjustment on audit, or (iii)
forego any allowable administrative or judicial appeals, without the express
written consent of the TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and ADVISOR, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld; provided that, LIFE COMPANY shall not be required to
appeal any adverse judicial decision unless TRUST and ADVISOR shall have
provided an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that a reasonable basis
exists for taking such appeal; and further provided that TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and
ADVISOR shall bear the costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees,
incurred by LIFE COMPANY in complying with this clause (f).
2.8 TRUST
represents and warrants that each Portfolio invested in by the Separate Account
is currently qualified as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of
the Code, that it will maintain such qualification under Subchapter M (or any
successor or similar provisions) and will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing any Portfolio has ceased to so qualify
or might not so qualify in the future.
2.9 TRUST
represents and warrants that, to the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, it will have a
board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the TRUST,
formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 and will comply with applicable
provisions and SEC interpretations of the 1940 Act with respect to any such
distribution plan.
2.10 TRUST
represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing under the laws of
the State of Massachusetts and that it does and will comply in all material
respects with applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.11 TRUST
represents and warrants that its directors, officers, employees and other
persons dealing with the money and/or securities of TRUST are and shall continue
to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for
the benefit of the TRUST in an amount not less than the minimum coverage as
required by Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be
promulgated from time to time.
2.12 DISTRIBUTOR
represents and warrants that it is a member in good standing of FINRA and is
registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act. DISTRIBUTOR further
represents that it will distribute TRUST’s shares in accordance with all
applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.13 Each
party represents and warrants that the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein have been
duly
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authorized
by all necessary corporate or trust action, as applicable, by such party, and,
when so executed and delivered, this Agreement will be the valid and binding
obligation of such party enforceable in accordance with its terms.
2.14 LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that all orders for the purchase and sale of
TRUST shares submitted to the TRUST (or counted by LIFE COMPANY in submitting a
net order under Section 1.6 of the Agreement) for execution at a price based on
the NAV per share of the Portfolios next computed after receipt by
LIFE COMPANY on a particular Business Day, will have been received in good order
by LIFE COMPANY prior to the time as of which the TRUST calculates its NAV per
share on that Business Day, as disclosed in the then-current prospectus for the
pertinent Portfolio (the “trading deadline”), in accordance with Rule 22c-1
under the 1940 Act (subject only to exceptions as permitted under Rule 22c-1(c)
under the 1940 Act, respecting initial purchase payments on variable annuity
contracts, and to the established administrative procedures of LIFE COMPANY as
described under Rule 6e-3(T), paragraph (b)(12)(iii) under the 1940 Act
respecting premium processing for variable life insurance
contracts).
Article
III. PROSPECTUS AND PROXY
STATEMENTS
3.1 TRUST
shall prepare and be responsible for filing with the SEC and any state
regulators requiring such filing all shareholder reports, notices, proxy
materials (or similar materials such as voting instruction solicitation
materials), prospectuses and statements of additional information of
TRUST. TRUST shall bear the costs of registration and qualification
of shares of the Portfolios, preparation and filing of the documents listed in
this Section 3.1 and all taxes to which an issuer is subject on the issuance and
transfer of its shares, and any expenses permitted to be paid or assumed by the
TRUST pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 0000 Xxx.
3.2 TRUST
will bear the printing costs (or duplicating costs with respect to the statement
of additional information) and mailing costs associated with the delivery of
TRUST (or individual Portfolio) documents, and any supplements thereto, to
existing Variable Contract owners of LIFE COMPANY (regardless of whether such
documents are printed together with, or separate from, the documents for other
trusts in the Variable Contracts) or rather may provide the LIFE COMPANY with a
sufficient number of printed documents pertaining to the following
materials:
|
(a)
|
prospectuses
and statements of additional
information;
|
|
(b)
|
annual
and semi-annual reports; and
|
|
(c)
|
proxy
materials (including, but not limited to, the proxy cards, notice and
statement).
|
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If such documents are printed together
with documents for other investment options available to the Variable Contract
owners, TRUST is only responsible for the pro rata costs of the pages applicable
to TRUST.
TRUST shall be responsible for all
costs of tabulating the votes of its shareholders. LIFE COMPANY shall
be responsible for all costs of tabulating votes of Variable Contract
owners.
LIFE COMPANY will submit any bills for
printing, duplicating and/or mailing costs, relating to the TRUST documents
described above, to TRUST for reimbursement by TRUST. LIFE COMPANY
shall monitor such costs and shall use its best efforts to control these costs.
Upon submission of any bills, LIFE COMPANY will provide TRUST with a current
tabulation of the number of existing Variable Contract owners of LIFE COMPANY
whose Variable Contract values are invested in TRUST.
3.3 TRUST
will provide the LIFE COMPANY, at TRUST’s expense, with the following TRUST (or
individual Portfolio) documents, and any supplements thereto:
|
(a)
|
electronic
PDF format of the current prospectus for printing by the LIFE
COMPANY;
|
|
(b)
|
a
copy of the statement of additional information suitable for
duplication;
|
|
(c)
|
electronic
PDF format of proxy material suitable for printing;
and
|
|
(d)
|
electronic
PDF format of the annual and semi-annual reports for printing by the LIFE
COMPANY.
|
3.4 TRUST
will provide LIFE COMPANY with at least one complete copy of all prospectuses,
statements of additional information, annual and semi-annual reports, proxy
statements, exemptive applications and all amendments or supplements to any of
the above that relate to the Portfolios promptly after the filing of each such
document with the SEC or other regulatory authority. LIFE COMPANY
will provide TRUST with at least one complete copy of all prospectuses,
statements of additional information, annual and semi-annual reports, proxy
statements, exemptive applications and all amendments or supplements to any of
the above that relate to a Separate Account promptly after the filing of each
such document with the SEC or other regulatory authority.
3.5 LIFE
COMPANY will bear all costs associated with providing copies of prospectuses,
statements of additional information, annual and semi-annual reports and other
TRUST-related materials to prospective Variable Contract owners.
3.6 Except
with respect to information provided by LIFE COMPANY to TRUST in writing, LIFE
COMPANY is not responsible for the content of TRUST’s registration
statement.
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3.7 Except
with respect to information provided by TRUST to LIFE COMPANY in writing, TRUST
is not responsible for the content of the Variable Contracts’ registration
statements.
3.8 For
the avoidance of doubt, regulatory materials may be delivered electronically
rather than in paper to the extent all laws applicable to such electronic
delivery have been met.
Article
IV. SALES
MATERIALS; PRIVACY
4.1 LIFE
COMPANY will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to TRUST and DISTRIBUTOR,
each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which TRUST or
DISTRIBUTOR is named, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its intended
use. No such material will be used if TRUST or DISTRIBUTOR objects to
its use in writing within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such
material. For the purposes of this Agreement, “in writing” means
facsimile transmissions and electronic mail.
4.2 TRUST
and DISTRIBUTOR will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to LIFE COMPANY,
each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which LIFE
COMPANY or its Separate Accounts are named, at least ten (10) Business Days
prior to its intended use. No such material will be used if LIFE
COMPANY objects to its use in writing within five (5) Business Days after
receipt of such material.
4.3 TRUST
and its affiliates and agents shall not give any information or make any
representations on behalf of LIFE COMPANY or concerning LIFE COMPANY, the
Separate Accounts, or the Variable Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY, other than
the information or representations contained in a registration statement or
prospectus for such Variable Contracts, as such registration statement and
prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports of
the Separate Accounts or reports prepared for distribution to owners of such
Variable Contracts, or in sales literature or other promotional material
approved by LIFE COMPANY or its designee, except with the written permission of
LIFE COMPANY.
4.4 LIFE
COMPANY and its affiliates and agents shall not give any information or make any
representations on behalf of TRUST or concerning TRUST other than the
information or representations contained in a registration statement or
prospectus for TRUST, as such registration statement and prospectus may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales literature or other
promotional material approved by TRUST or its designee, except with the written
permission of TRUST.
4.5 For
purposes of this Agreement, the phrase “sales literature or other promotional
material” or words of similar import include, without limitation, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use, in a newspaper, magazine or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures or other public
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media),
sales literature (such as any written communication distributed or made
generally available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars,
research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, or reprints or
excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article),
educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made
generally available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports and
proxy materials, and any other material constituting sales literature or
advertising under FINRA rules, the 1940 Act or the 0000 Xxx.
4.6 Subject
to law and regulatory authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential
all information pertaining to the owners of the Variable Contracts and all
information reasonably identified as confidential in writing by any other party
hereto and, except as permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose,
disseminate or utilize such names and addresses and other confidential
information until such time as it may come into the public domain without the
express written consent of the affected party. Each party hereto
shall be solely responsible for the compliance of their officers, directors,
employees, agents, independent contractors, and any affiliated and
non-affiliated third parties with all applicable privacy-related laws and
regulations including but not limited to the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act and
Regulation S-P. The provisions of this Section 4.6 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
Article
V. POTENTIAL
CONFLICTS
5.1
The Board will monitor TRUST for the existence of any material irreconcilable
conflict between the interests of the Variable Contract owners of Participating
Insurance Company Separate Accounts investing in the TRUST. A
material irreconcilable conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including:
(a) state insurance regulatory authority action; (b) a change in applicable
federal or state insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public
ruling, private letter ruling, or any similar action by insurance, tax, or
securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial decision in
any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of the TRUST
are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable
annuity and variable life insurance contract owners or by contract owners of
different Participating Insurance Companies or by qualified retirement plans (or
their participants, if applicable) investing in the Portfolios; or (f) a
decision by a Participating Insurance Company or a qualified retirement plan to
disregard voting instructions of Variable Contract owners or plan participants,
if applicable. The Board shall promptly inform LIFE COMPANY if it
determines that a material irreconcilable conflict exists and the implications
of such conflict.
5.2 LIFE
COMPANY will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware to
the Board. LIFE COMPANY will be responsible for assisting the Board
in carrying out its responsibilities under the conditions set forth in the
Order, by providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for it
to consider any issues raised.
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5.3 If
a majority of the Board or a majority of its independent trustees determines
that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, LIFE COMPANY, at its expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of independent
trustees), will take any steps necessary to remedy or eliminate the
irreconcilable material conflict, including (1) establishing a new investment
option and (2)(a) withdrawing Separate Account assets subject to the conflict
from the Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investments medium
or (b) submitting the question of whether such withdrawal should be implemented
to a vote of all affected Variable Contract owners and, as appropriate,
segregating the assets of any group of such participants that vote in favor of
such withdrawal or offering those participants the option of making such a
change. LIFE COMPANY will carry out this responsibility with a view
only to the interests of the Variable Contract owners.
For the purposes of this Section 5.3, a
majority of the independent trustees of the Board shall determine whether or not
any proposed action adequately remedies any material irreconcilable conflict,
but in no event will the TRUST or ADVISOR (or any other investment adviser of
the TRUST) be required to establish a new funding medium for any Variable
Contract if an offer to do so has been declined by a majority of the Variable
Contract owners adversely affected by the conflict.
5.4 No
less than annually, the TRUST will request from the LIFE COMPANY such reports,
materials or data as the Board may reasonably request so that the Board may
fully carry out the obligations imposed upon it by the Order. Such
reports, materials, and data shall be requested more frequently if deemed
appropriate by the Board.
5.5 If
and to the extent Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule 6e-3 is
adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940 Act or the
rules thereunder with respect to mixed and shared funding on terms and
conditions materially different from any exemptions granted in the Order, then
TRUST and/or LIFE COMPANY, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be
necessary to comply with Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3,
as adopted, to the extent such Rules are applicable.
Article
VI. VOTING
6.1 LIFE
COMPANY will provide pass-through voting privileges to all Variable Contract
owners so long as the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act as requiring
pass-through voting privileges for Variable Contract
owners. Accordingly, LIFE COMPANY, where applicable, will vote shares
of TRUST held by its Separate Accounts in a manner consistent with voting
instructions timely received from its Variable Contract owners. LIFE
COMPANY shall vote shares for which it has not received timely voting
instructions, as well as shares it owns, in the same proportion as it votes
those shares for which it has received voting instructions.
6.2 If
a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of LIFE COMPANY’s decision to
disregard Variable Contract owner voting instructions, and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, LIFE COMPANY
may be required, at the election of
12
the
TRUST, to withdraw its Separate Account’s investment in the TRUST, and no charge
or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal.
Article
VII. INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Indemnification by LIFE
COMPANY. LIFE COMPANY agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
TRUST and DISTRIBUTOR and each of their trustees, directors, officers, employees
and agents and each person, if any, who controls or is affiliated with TRUST or
DISTRIBUTOR within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
“Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Article VII) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of LIFE COMPANY, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to
which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements:
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(a)
|
arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue
statements of any material fact contained in the registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature for the Variable Contracts or contained in
the Variable Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that
this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if
such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to LIFE
COMPANY by or on behalf of TRUST or DISTRIBUTOR for use in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Variable
Contracts or in the Variable Contracts (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Variable Contracts or
TRUST shares; or
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|
(b)
|
arise
out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the registration statement,
prospectus or sales literature of TRUST not supplied by LIFE COMPANY or
persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of LIFE COMPANY or any of
its directors, officers, employees or agents, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Variable Contracts or TRUST shares;
or
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|
(c)
|
arise
out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or sales literature of
TRUST or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein
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13
|
or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such statement
or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to TRUST for inclusion
therein by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY;
or
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|
(d)
|
arise
as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY to substantially provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement;
or
|
|
(e)
|
arise
out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by LIFE COMPANY in this Agreement or arise out of or result
from any other material breach of this Agreement by LIFE
COMPANY.
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7.2 LIFE
COMPANY shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed
against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified Party’s
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party’s duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party’s reckless
disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to TRUST, whichever
is applicable.
7.3 LIFE
COMPANY shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to
any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall
have notified LIFE COMPANY in writing within a reasonable time after the summons
or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall
have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party
shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure
to notify LIFE COMPANY of any such claim shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY from any
liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision, except to
the extent LIFE COMPANY has been prejudiced by such failure to give
notice. In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified
Party, LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the
defense of such action. LIFE COMPANY also shall be entitled to assume
the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the party named in
the action. After notice from LIFE COMPANY to such party of LIFE
COMPANY’s election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and LIFE
COMPANY will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
7.4 Indemnification by
DISTRIBUTOR. DISTRIBUTOR agrees to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE
COMPANY and each of its directors, officers, employees, and agents and each
person, if any, who controls LIFE COMPANY within the meaning of Section 15 of
the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for the purposes of this
Article VII) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
14
DISTRIBUTOR
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or litigation (including
reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become
subject under any statute, or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) or settlements:
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(a)
|
arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus
or sales literature of TRUST (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that
this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if
such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
DISTRIBUTOR or TRUST by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY for use in the
registration statement or prospectus for TRUST or in sales literature (or
any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the
sale of the Variable Contracts or TRUST shares;
or
|
|
(b)
|
arise
out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the registration statement,
prospectus or sales literature for the Variable Contracts not supplied by
DISTRIBUTOR or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of TRUST or
DISTRIBUTOR or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Variable Contracts or TRUST shares;
or
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|
(c)
|
arise
out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or sales literature
covering the Variable Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, if such statement or omission or
such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY for inclusion
therein by or on behalf of TRUST;
or
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|
(d)
|
arise
as a result of (i) a failure by TRUST to substantially provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(ii) a failure by a Portfolio(s) invested in by the Separate
Account to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h)
of the Code; or (iii) a failure by a Portfolio(s) invested in by the
Separate Account to qualify as a “regulated investment company”
under Subchapter M of the Code;
or
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15
(e) arise
out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty
made by DISTRIBUTOR or TRUST in this Agreement or arise out of or result from
any other material breach of this Agreement by DISTRIBUTOR or
TRUST.
7.5 DISTRIBUTOR
shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party
would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party’s willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party’s duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party’s reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to LIFE
COMPANY.
7.6 DISTRIBUTOR
shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any
claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have
notified DISTRIBUTOR in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or
other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall
have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party
shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure
to notify DISTRIBUTOR of any such claim shall not relieve DISTRIBUTOR from any
liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision, except to
the extent DISTRIBUTOR has been prejudiced by such failure to give
notice. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified
Parties, DISTRIBUTOR shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the
defense thereof. DISTRIBUTOR also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from DISTRIBUTOR to such party of DISTRIBUTOR’S
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and DISTRIBUTOR will
not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
7.7 The
provisions of this Article VII shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
Article
VIII. TERM;
TERMINATION
8.1 This
Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall continue in force
until terminated in accordance with the provisions herein.
8.2 This
Agreement shall terminate in accordance with the following
provisions:
|
(a)
|
At
the option of TRUST at any time from the date hereof upon 60 days’ notice,
unless a shorter time is agreed to by LIFE
COMPANY;
|
|
(b)
|
At
the option of LIFE COMPANY, if TRUST shares are not reasonably available
to meet the requirements of the Variable Contracts as determined by LIFE
COMPANY. Prompt notice of election to terminate shall
be
|
16
|
furnished
by LIFE COMPANY, said termination to be effective thirty (30) days after
receipt of notice unless TRUST makes available a sufficient number of
shares to reasonably meet the requirements of the Variable Contracts
within said thirty (30) day period;
|
|
(c)
|
At
the option of LIFE COMPANY, upon the institution of formal proceedings
against TRUST or DISTRIBUTOR by the SEC, FINRA or any other regulatory
body, the expected or anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome of which
would, in LIFE COMPANY’s reasonable judgment, materially impair TRUST’s or
DISTRIBUTOR ability to meet and perform their respective obligations and
duties hereunder. Prompt notice of election to terminate shall
be furnished by LIFE COMPANY with said termination to be effective thirty
(30) days after receipt of notice unless such proceedings are dismissed
within such thirty (30) day period;
|
|
(d)
|
At
the option of TRUST, upon the institution of formal proceedings against
LIFE COMPANY by the SEC, FINRA or any other regulatory body, the expected
or anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome of which would, in TRUST’s
reasonable judgment, materially impair LIFE COMPANY’s ability to meet and
perform its obligations and duties hereunder. Prompt notice of
election to terminate shall be furnished by TRUST with said termination to
be effective thirty (30) days after receipt of notice unless such
proceedings are dismissed within such thirty (30) day
period;
|
|
(e)
|
At
the option of LIFE COMPANY, in the event TRUST’s shares are not
registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state or federal
law, or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
investment medium of Variable Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE
COMPANY. Termination shall be effective thirty (30) days after
notice to TRUST unless such matters are cured by TRUST within such thirty
(30) day period;
|
|
(f)
|
At
the option of TRUST, if the Variable Contracts cease to qualify as annuity
contracts or life insurance policies, as applicable, under the Code, or if
TRUST reasonably believes that the Variable Contracts may fail to so
qualify. Termination shall be effective thirty (30) days after
receipt of notice by LIFE COMPANY unless such matters are cured by LIFE
COMPANY within such thirty (30) day
period;
|
|
(g)
|
At
the option of LIFE COMPANY, upon TRUST’s breach of any material provision
of this Agreement, which breach has not been cured to the reasonable
satisfaction of LIFE COMPANY within thirty (30) days after
written notice of such breach is delivered to
TRUST;
|
17
(h) At
the option of TRUST, upon LIFE COMPANY’s breach of any material provision of
this Agreement, which breach has not been cured to the reasonable satisfaction
of TRUST within thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach is
delivered to LIFE COMPANY;
|
(i)
|
At
the option of TRUST, if the Variable Contracts are not registered, issued
or sold in accordance with applicable federal and/or state
law. Termination shall be effective thirty (30) days after
notice to LIFE COMPANY unless such matters are cured by LIFE COMPANY
within such thirty (30) day period;
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|
(j)
|
At
the option of LIFE COMPANY, in the event that any Portfolio ceases to
qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code
or under any successor or similar provision, or if LIFE COMPANY reasonably
believes that any Portfolio may fail to so qualify, then LIFE COMPANY may
terminate such Portfolio as a funding vehicle. Termination of
such Portfolio shall be effective thirty (30) days after notice to the
TRUST unless such matters are cured by TRUST within such thirty (30) day
period; and
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|
(k)
|
At
the option of LIFE COMPANY, in the event that any Portfolio fails to meet
the diversification requirements specified in Article II hereof or if LIFE
COMPANY reasonably believes that any Portfolio may fail to meet such
diversification requirements, then LIFE COMPANY may terminate such
Portfolio as a funding vehicle. Termination of such Portfolio
shall be effective thirty (30) days after notice to the TRUST unless such
matters are cured by TRUST within such thirty (30) day
period.
|
8.3 Except
in cases described in Sections 8.2(b), (c), (e), (g), (j) and (k), LIFE COMPANY
shall not take any actions to terminate this Agreement or exchange, replace or
otherwise substitute shares of another investment company or series thereof for
shares of the TRUST for a period of eight (8) years following the Effective
Date, without the prior written consent of the TRUST and the
DISTRIBUTOR. Thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically renew for
successive one (1) year periods beginning with the month and day of the
Effective Date unless terminated by mutual written agreement of the TRUST,
DISTRIBUTOR and LIFE COMPANY.
8.4 This
Agreement and all rights and obligations under this Agreement shall be binding
upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties.
18
Article
IX. NOTICES
Any
notice hereunder shall be given by registered or certified mail return receipt
requested to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at
such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party.
If to LIFE COMPANY:
CUNA Mutual Insurance
Society
|
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
|
Attention: Office
of the General Counsel
|
|
If
to DISTRUBOR or TRUST:
|
|
c/o
Madison Asset Management, LLC
|
|
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
|
Attention: General
Counsel
|
Notice shall be deemed given on the
date of receipt by the addressee as evidenced by the return
receipt.
Article
X. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 The
captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in
no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect
their construction or effect.
10.2 This
Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
10.3 This
Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under and in
accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin. It shall also be
subject to the provisions of the federal securities laws and the rules and
regulations thereunder and to any orders of the SEC granting exemptive relief
therefrom and the conditions of such orders.
10.4 The
parties agree that the assets and liabilities of each Portfolio are separate and
distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Portfolio. No
Portfolio shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or
liability of any other Portfolio. No Trustee, officer or agent shall
be personally liable for such debt, obligation or liability of any
Portfolio.
19
10.5 Each
party shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate governmental
authorities (including without limitation the SEC, FINRA and state insurance
regulators) and shall permit such authorities reasonable access to its books and
records in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. However,
such access shall not extend to attorney-client privileged
information.
10.6 The
rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are cumulative and
are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations, at law or in
equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and federal
laws.
10.7 No
provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a
written agreement properly authorized and executed by TRUST, DISTRIBUTOR and the
LIFE COMPANY.
20
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties have caused their duly authorized officers to execute this Fund
Participation Agreement as of the date and year first above
written.
MOSAIC
FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, LLC
By: /s/
Name:
Title: President
|
By: /s/
Name:
Title: President
|
CUNA
MUTUAL INSURANCE SOCIETY
By: /s/
Name:
Title: Vice
President
|
21
Appendix
A
Portfolios
Conservative
Allocation Fund
Moderate
Allocation Fund
Aggressive
Allocation Fund
Money
Market Fund
Bond
Fund
High
Income Fund
Diversified
Income Fund
Large Cap
Value Fund
Large Cap
Growth Fund
Mid Cap
Value Fund
Mid Cap
Growth Fund
Small Cap
Value Fund
Small Cap
Growth Fund
Global
Securities Fund
International
Stock Fund
Target
Retirement 2020
Target
Retirement 2030
Target
Retirement 2040
22
Appendix
B
Separate
Accounts
CUNA
Mutual Variable Life Insurance Account
CUNA
Mutual Variable Annuity Account
CUNA
Mutual Group Variable Annuity Account
23