TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN EACH OF THE ENTITIES, INDIVIDUALLY AND NOT JOINTLY, AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A AND BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
EXECUTION VERSION
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
EACH OF THE ENTITIES, INDIVIDUALLY AND NOT JOINTLY,
AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A
AND
BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
Madison Asset Management
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
1. | Terms of Appointment and Duties | 1 | ||
2. | Third Party Administrators for Defined Contribution Plans | 7 | ||
3. | Fees and Expenses | 8 | ||
4. | Representations and Warranties of the Transfer Agent | 10 | ||
5. | Representations and Warranties of the Funds | 10 | ||
6. | Wire Transfer Operating Guidelines | 11 | ||
7. | Data Access and Proprietary Information | 12 | ||
8. | Indemnification | 14 | ||
9. | Standard of Care | 16 | ||
10. | Confidentiality | 17 | ||
11. | Covenants of the Funds and the Transfer Agent | 19 | ||
12. | Termination of Agreement | 20 | ||
13. | Assignment and Third Party Beneficiaries | 23 | ||
14. | Subcontractors24 | |||
15. | Changes and Modifications | 24 | ||
16. | Miscellaneous 25 | |||
17. | Additional Funds/Portfolios | 27 | ||
18. | Limitations of Liability of the Trustees and Shareholders | 27 |
Schedule A | Funds and Portfolios | |||
Schedule 1.2(f) | AML Delegation | |||
Schedule 1.2(i) | Omnibus Transparency Services | |||
Schedule 2.1 | Third Party Administrator(s) Procedures | |||
Schedule 3.1 | Fees and Expenses |
Madison Asset Management
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and effective as of the 1st day of January, 2013, by and between EACH OF THE ENTITIES, INDIVIDUALLY AND NOT JOINTLY as listed on Schedule A, having its principal office and place of business at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000 (collectively, the “Funds” and individually, the “Fund”) and BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC., a Massachusetts corporation having its principal office and place of business at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000 (the “Transfer Agent”).
WHEREAS, certain Funds may be authorized to issue shares in a separate series, such series shall be named under the respective Fund in the attached Schedule A, which may be amended by the parties from time to time, (each such series, together with all other series subsequently established by a Fund and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 17, being herein referred to as a “Portfolio”, and collectively as the “Portfolios”);
WHEREAS, each Fund is either a statutory or business trust or a corporation organized under the laws of a state (as set forth on the Schedule A) and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
WHEREAS, it is contemplated that additional Funds and Portfolios may become parties to this Agreement by written consent of the parties hereto and in accordance with Section 17; and
WHEREAS, each Fund, on behalf of itself and, where applicable, its Portfolios, desires to appoint the Transfer Agent as its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and agent in connection with certain other activities, and the Transfer Agent desires to accept such appointment.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | Terms of Appointment and Duties | ||
1.1 | Transfer
Agency Services. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
each Fund, on behalf of itself and, where applicable, its Portfolios, hereby employs
and appoints the Transfer Agent to act as, and the Transfer Agent agrees to act
as, its transfer agent for each Fund’s authorized and issued shares or beneficial
interests, as the case may be, (“Shares”), dividend disbursing agent and
agent in connection with any accumulation, open account or similar plan provided
to the shareholders of each Fund and of any Portfolios of a Fund (“Shareholders”), including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal
program. In accordance with written procedures established from time to time by
agreement between the Transfer Agent and each of the Funds and their respective
Portfolios, (the “Procedures”) with such changes or deviations there from
as have been (or may from time to time be) agreed upon in writing by the parties,
the Transfer Agent agrees that it will perform the following services: |
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(a) Establish
each Shareholder’s account in the Fund on the Transfer Agent’s recordkeeping
system and maintain such account for the benefit of such Shareholder in accordance
with the Procedures; |
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(b) Receive
for acceptance and process orders for the purchase of Shares, and promptly deliver
payment and appropriate documentation thereof to the Custodian of the Fund authorized
pursuant to the organizational documents of the Fund (the “Custodian”); |
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(c) Pursuant
to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares and hold such Shares
in the appropriate Shareholder account; |
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(d) Receive
for acceptance and process redemption requests and redemption directions and deliver
the appropriate documentation thereof to the Custodian; |
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(e) In
respect to items (a) through (d) above, the Transfer Agent may execute transactions
directly with broker-dealers authorized by the Fund; |
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(f) At
the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid to it by the Custodian
with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause to be paid over in the appropriate
manner such monies as instructed by the redeeming Shareholders; |
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(g) Effect
transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon receipt of appropriate
instructions; |
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(h) Prepare
and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Fund or any
Portfolio thereof, as the case may be; |
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(i) If
applicable, issue replacement certificates for those certificates alleged to have
been lost, stolen or destroyed upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of indemnification
satisfactory to the Transfer Agent and protecting the Transfer Agent and the Fund,
and the Transfer Agent at its option, may issue replacement certificates in place
of mutilated stock certificates upon presentation thereof and without such indemnity; |
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(j) Issue
replacement checks and place stop orders on original checks based on Shareholder’s representation that a check was not received or was lost. Such stop orders
and replacements will be deemed to have been made at the request of the Fund, and,
as between the Fund and the Transfer Agent, the Fund shall be responsible for all
losses or claims resulting from such replacement; |
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(k) Maintain
records of account for and advise the Fund and its Shareholders as to the foregoing; |
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(l) Record
the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-10(e)
a record of the total number of Shares of the Fund which are authorized, based upon
data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. The Transfer Agent |
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shall also
provide the Fund on a regular basis with the total number of Shares which are authorized
and issued and outstanding but shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance
of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws
relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole
responsibility of the Fund; |
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(m) Accept
any information, records, documents, data, certificates, transaction requests by
machine readable input, facsimile, CRT data entry and electronic instructions, including
e-mail communications, which have been prepared, maintained or provided by the Fund
or any other person or firm on behalf of the Fund or from broker-dealers of record
or third-party administrators (“TPAs”) on behalf of individual Shareholders.
With respect to transaction requests received in the foregoing manner, the Transfer
Agent shall not be responsible for determining that the original source documentation
is in good order, which includes compliance with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act,
and it will be the responsibility of the Fund to require its broker-dealers or TPAs
to retain such documentation. E-mail exchanges on routine matters may be made directly
with the Fund’s contact at the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent will not
act on any e-mail communications coming to it directly from Shareholders requesting
transactions, including, but not limited to, monetary transactions, change of ownership,
or beneficiary changes; |
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(n) Maintain
and manage, as agent for the Fund, such bank accounts as the Transfer Agent shall
deem necessary for the performance of its duties under this Agreement, including
but not limited to, the processing of Share purchases and redemptions and the payment
of Fund dividends and distributions. The Transfer Agent may maintain such accounts
at the bank or banks deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. In connection with
the recordkeeping and other services provided to the Fund hereunder, the Transfer
Agent may receive compensation for the management of such accounts and such compensation
may be calculated based upon the average balances of such accounts; |
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(o) Receive
correspondence pertaining to any former, existing or new Shareholder account, process
such correspondence for proper recordkeeping and respond to Shareholder correspondence; |
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(p) Process
any request from a Shareholder to change account registration, beneficiary, beneficiary
information, transfer and rollovers in accordance with the Procedures: and |
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(q) Accept
transmissions after 4pm EST of orders to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund at
the net asset value of that day from the Fund on behalf of individual shareholders
(which shall have been received by the Fund before the close of the New York Stock
Exchange) provided that the Fund is duly authorized to initiate such transactions
on behalf of the shareholders and that the original source documentation is in good
order and the Fund will retain such documentation. |
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1.2 | Additional
Services. In addition to, and neither in lieu nor in contravention of, the services
set forth in the above paragraphs, the Transfer Agent shall perform the following
services: |
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(a)
Other Customary Services. Perform certain customary services of a transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant, agent in connection with accumulation,
open account or similar plan (including without limitation any periodic investment
plan or periodic withdrawal program), including but not limited to: maintaining
all Shareholder accounts; preparing Shareholder mailing lists; arranging for mailing
of Shareholder reports and prospectuses to current Shareholders; withholding taxes
on U.S. resident and non-resident alien accounts; preparing and filing U.S. Treasury
Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate forms required with respect to dividends
and distributions by federal authorities for all Shareholders; preparing and mailing
confirmation forms and statements of account to Shareholders for all purchases and
redemptions of Shares and other confirmable transactions in Shareholder accounts;
preparing and mailing activity statements for Shareholders; and providing Shareholder
account information; |
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(b)
Control Book (also known as “Super Sheet”). Maintain a daily record
and produce a daily report for the Fund of all transactions and receipts and disbursements
of money and securities and deliver a copy of such report for the Fund for each
business day to the Fund no later than 9:00 AM Eastern Time, or such earlier time
as the Fund may reasonably require, on the next business day; |
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(c)“Blue Sky” Reporting. The Fund or its administrator shall identify
to the Transfer Agent in writing the states and countries where the Shares of the
Fund are registered or exempt, and the number of Shares registered for sale with
respect to each state or country, as applicable. The Transfer Agent shall establish
the foregoing parameters on the system for the designated Blue Sky vendor. The Fund
or its administrator shall verify that such parameters have been correctly established
for each state or country on the system prior to activation and thereafter shall
be responsible for monitoring the daily activity for each state or country. The
responsibility of the Transfer Agent for the Fund’s blue sky registration status
is solely limited to the initial establishment of the parameters provided by the
Fund or the administrator for the vendor’s system and the daily transmission
of a file to such vendor in order that the vendor may provide reports to the Fund
or the administrator for monitoring; |
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(d)
National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”). (i) Accept and
effectuate the registration and maintenance of accounts through Networking and the
purchase, redemption, transfer and exchange of shares in such accounts through Fund/SERV
(Networking and Fund/SERV being programs operated by the NSCC on behalf of NSCC’s participants, including the Fund), in accordance with, instructions transmitted
to and received by the Transfer Agent by transmission from NSCC on behalf of authorized
broker-dealers on the Fund dealer file maintained by the Transfer Agent; (ii) issue
instructions to the Fund’s banks for the settlement of transactions between
the Fund and NSCC (acting on behalf of its broker-dealer and bank participants);
(iii) provide account and transaction information from the affected Fund’s
records on DST Systems, Inc.’s |
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computer
system TA2000 (“TA2000 System”) in accordance with NSCC’s Networking
and Fund/SERV rules for those broker-dealers; and (iv) maintain Shareholder accounts
on TA2000 System through Networking; |
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(e)
Performance of Certain Services by the Fund or Affiliates or Agents. New procedures
as to who shall provide certain of these services may be established in writing
from time to time by agreement between the Fund and the Transfer Agent. The Transfer
Agent may at times perform only a portion of these services and the Fund or its
agent may perform these services on the Fund’s behalf. |
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(f)
Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Delegation. In order to assist the Fund
with the Fund’s AML responsibilities under applicable AML laws, the Transfer
Agent offers certain risk-based shareholder activity monitoring tools and procedures
that are reasonably designed to: (i) promote the detection and reporting of potential
money laundering activities; and (ii) assist in the verification of persons opening
accounts with the Fund (the “AML Procedures”). If the Fund elects to have
the Transfer Agent implement the AML Procedures and delegate the day-to-day operation
of such AML Procedures to the Transfer Agent, the parties will agree to such terms
as stated in the attached schedule (“Schedule 1.2(f)” entitled “AML
Delegation”) which may be changed from time to time subject to mutual written
agreement between the parties. In consideration of the performance of the AML Procedures
by the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Section 1.2(f), the Fund agrees to pay the
Transfer Agent for the fee set for on Schedule 3.1 attached hereto. |
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(g)
Call Center Services. Upon request of the Fund, answer telephone inquiries from
9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Eastern Time, each day on which the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading. The Transfer Agent shall answer and respond to inquiries from
existing Shareholders, prospective Shareholders of the Fund and broker-dealers on
behalf of such Shareholders in accordance with the telephone scripts provided by
the Fund to the Transfer Agent. Such inquiries may include requests for information
on account set-up and maintenance, general questions regarding the operation of
the Fund, general account information including dates of purchases, redemptions,
exchanges and account balances, requests for account access instructions and literature
requests. In consideration of the performance of the duties by the Transfer Agent
pursuant to this Section, the Fund agrees to pay the Transfer Agent the reimbursable
expenses that may be associated with these additional duties; |
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(h)
Short Term Trader. Upon request of the Fund, the Transfer Agent will provide
the Fund with periodic reports on trading activity in the Fund based on parameters
provided to the Transfer Agent by the Fund, as amended from time to time. The services
to be performed by the Transfer Agent for the Fund hereunder will be ministerial
only and the Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility for monitoring or reviewing
market-timing activities. In consideration of the performance of the services by
the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Section 1.2(h), the Fund agrees to pay the Transfer
Agent for the fees and expenses associated with such additional services at such
rates to be agreed upon by the parties; |
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(i)
Omnibus Transparency Services. Upon request of the Fund, the Transfer Agent shall
carry out certain information requests, analyses and reporting services in support
of the Fund’s obligations under Rule 22c-2(a)(2). The parties will agree to
such services and terms as stated in the attached schedule (“Schedule 1.2(i)” entitled “Omnibus Transparency Services”) that may be changed from
time to time, at the request of either party and subject to mutual written agreement
between the parties. In consideration of the performance of the services by the
Transfer Agent pursuant to this Section 1.2(i), the Fund agrees to pay the Transfer
Agent for the fees and expenses associated with such additional services at such
rates to be agreed upon by the parties; and |
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(j)
Escheatment, Orders, Etc. If requested by the Fund (and as mutually agreed upon
by the parties as to any reasonable reimbursable expenses), the Transfer Agent will
provide any additional related services (i.e., pertaining to escheatments, abandoned
property, garnishment orders, bankruptcy and divorce proceedings, Internal Revenue
Service or state tax authority tax levies and summonses and all matters relating
to the foregoing). |
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1.3 | Fiduciary
Accounts. With respect to certain retirement plans or accounts (such as individual
retirement accounts (“IRAs”), SIMPLE IRAs, SEP IRAs, Xxxx IRAs, Xxxxxxxxx
Education Savings Accounts, and 403(b) arrangements (such accounts, “Fiduciary
Accounts”)), the Transfer Agent, at the request of the Fund, shall arrange
for the provision of appropriate prototype plans as well as provide or arrange for
the provision of various services to such plans and/or accounts, which services
may include custodial services to be provided by State Street Bank and Trust Company
(“State Street”), account set-up maintenance, and disbursements as well
as such other services as the parties hereto shall mutually agreed upon. |
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1.4 | Site
Visits and Inspections; Regulatory Examinations. During the term of this Agreement,
authorized representatives of the Fund may conduct periodic site visits of the Transfer
Agent’s facilities and inspect the Transfer Agent’s records and procedures
solely as they pertain to the Transfer Agent’s services for the Fund under
or pursuant to this Agreement. Such inspections shall be conducted at the Fund’s
expense (which shall include costs related to providing materials, copying, faxing,
retrieving stored materials, and similar expenses) and shall occur during the Transfer
Agent’s regular business hours and, except as otherwise agreed to by the parties,
no more frequently than twice a year. In connection with such site visit and/or
inspection, the Fund shall not attempt to access, nor will it review, the records
of any other clients of the Transfer Agent and the Fund shall conduct the visit/inspection
in a manner that will not interfere with the Transfer Agent’s normal and customary
conduct of its business activities, including the provision of services to the Fund
and to other clients. The Transfer Agent shall have the right to immediately require
the removal of any Fund representatives from its premises in the event that their
actions, in the reasonable opinion of the Transfer Agent, jeopardize the information
security of its systems and/or other client data or otherwise are disruptive to
the business of the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent may require any persons seeking
access to its facilities to provide reasonable evidence of their authority. The
Transfer Agent may also reasonably require any of the Fund’s representatives
to execute a |
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confidentiality
agreement before granting such individuals access to its facilities. The Transfer
Agent will also provide reasonable access to the Fund’s governmental regulators,
at the Fund’s expense, solely to (i) the Fund’s records held by the Transfer
Agent and (ii) the procedures of the Transfer Agent directly related to its provision
of services to the Fund under the Agreement. |
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1.5 | Tax-related
support. The parties agree that to the extent that the Transfer Agent provides
any services under this Agreement that relate to compliance by the Fund with the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”) or any other tax law,
including without limitation, withholding, as required by federal law, taxes on
Shareholder accounts, preparing, filing and mailing information tax reporting on
U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099, 1042, and 1042S, and performing and paying
backup withholding as required for shareholders, the Transfer Agent will not make
any judgments or exercise any discretion. The Transfer Agent’s responsibilities
hereunder shall not extend to or include duties and responsibilities of a “tax
return preparer” as defined in the Code. The Fund will provide comprehensive
instructions to the Transfer Agent in connection with the services and shall promptly
respond to requests for direction from the Transfer Agent regarding IRS notices
and other requests. |
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2. | Third Party Administrators for Defined Contribution Plans | ||
2.1 | The Fund
may decide to make available to certain of its customers, a qualified plan program
(the “Program”) pursuant to which the customers (“Employers”)
may adopt certain plans of deferred compensation (“Plan or Plans”) for
the benefit of the individual Plan participant (the “Plan Participant”),
such Plan(s) being qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and administered by
TPAs which may be plan administrators as defined in the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended. |
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2.2 | In accordance
with the procedures established in Schedule 2.1 entitled “Third Party Administrator
Procedures,” as may be amended by the Transfer Agent and the Fund from time
to time (“Schedule 2.1”), the Transfer Agent shall: |
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(a) Treat
Shareholder accounts established by the Plans in the name of the Trustees, Plans
or TPAs, as the case may be, as omnibus accounts; |
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(b) Maintain
omnibus accounts on its records in the name of the TPA or its designee as the Trustee
for the benefit of the Plan; and |
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(c) Perform
all services under Section 1 of this Agreement as transfer agent of the Funds and
not as a record-keeper for the Plans. |
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2.3 | Transactions
identified under Sections 1 and 2 of this Agreement shall be deemed exception services
(“Exception Services”) when such transactions: |
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(a) Require
the Transfer Agent to use methods and procedures other than those usually employed
by the Transfer Agent to perform transfer agency and recordkeeping services; |
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(b) Involve
the provision of information to the Transfer Agent after the commencement of the
nightly processing cycle of the TA2000 System; or |
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(c) Require
more manual intervention by the Transfer Agent, either in the entry of data or in
the modification or amendment of reports generated by the TA2000 System, than is
normally required. |
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3. | Fees and Expenses | ||
3.1 | Fee
Schedule. For the performance by the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Agreement,
the Fund agrees to pay the Transfer Agent the fees and expenses as set forth in
the attached fee schedule (“Schedule 3.1”). Such fees and reimbursable
expenses and advances identified under Section 3.2 below may be changed from time
to time subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund and the Transfer Agent.
The parties agree that the fees set forth on Schedule 3.1 shall apply with respect
to the Funds set forth on Schedule A hereto as of the date hereof and to any newly
created funds added to this Agreement under Section 17 that have requirements consistent
with services then being provided by the Transfer Agent under this Agreement. The
fees set forth on Schedule 3.1, however, shall not automatically apply to any funds
resulting from acquisition or merger subsequent to the execution of this Agreement.
In the event that a fund is to become a party to this Agreement as the result of
an acquisition or merger then the parties shall confer diligently and in good faith,
and agree upon fees applicable to such fund. |
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3.2 | Reimbursable
Expenses. In addition to the fees paid under Section 3.1 above, the Fund agrees
to reimburse the Transfer Agent for reimbursable expenses, including but not limited
to: commission fee application, data communications equipment, computer hardware,
DST disaster recovery charge, escheatment, express mail and delivery services, FDIC
deposit insurance account charges, federal wire charges, forms and production, freight
charges, household tape processing, lost shareholder searches, lost shareholder
tracking, magnetic tapes, reels or cartridges, magnetic tape handling charges, manual
check pulls, microfiche/COOL, microfilm, network products, new fund implementation,
NSCC processing and communications, postage (to be paid in advance if so requested),
offsite records storage, outside mailing services, P.O. box rental, print/mail services,
programming hours, regulatory compliance fee per CUSIP, reporting (on request and
scheduled), returned checks, special mailing, statements, supplies, tax reporting
(federal and state), telecommunications equipment, telephone (telephone and fax
lines), client training, transcripts, travel, TIN certification (W-8 & W-9),
vax payroll processing, year-end processing and other expenses incurred at
the specific direction of the Fund or with advance written notice to the Fund. |
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3.3 | Increases. The fees and charges set forth on Schedule 3.1 shall increase or may be increased
(i) in accordance with Section 3.6 below; (ii) upon at least ninety (90) days prior
written notice, if changes in laws applicable to its transfer agency business or
laws applicable to the Fund, which the Transfer Agent has agreed to abide by and
implement increases the Transfer Agent’s ongoing costs to provide the affected
service or function by |
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five percent
(5%) or more; or (iii) in connection with new or additional services, or new or
additional functions, features or modes of operation of the TA2000 system. If the
Transfer Agent notifies the Fund of an increase in fees or charges pursuant to subparagraph
(ii) of this Section 3.3, the parties shall confer, diligently and in good faith
and agree upon a new fee or charges to cover the amount necessary, but not more
than such amount, to reimburse the Transfer Agent for the increased costs of operation
or new fund features. If the Transfer Agent notifies the Fund of an increase in
fees under subparagraph (iii) of this Section 3.3, the parties shall confer, diligently
and in good faith, and agree upon a new fee to cover such new fund feature. |
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3.4 | Postage. Postage for mailing of dividends, Fund reports and other mailings to all shareholder
accounts shall be advanced to the Transfer Agent by the Fund at least seven (7)
days prior to the mailing date of such materials. |
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3.5 | Invoices. The Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within thirty (30)
days following the receipt of the respective invoice, except for any fees or expenses
that are subject to good faith dispute. In the event of such a dispute, the Fund
may only withhold that portion of the fee or expense subject to the good faith dispute.
The Fund shall notify the Transfer Agent in writing within twenty-one (21) calendar
days following the receipt of each invoice if the Fund is disputing any amounts
in good faith. If the Fund does not provide such notice of dispute within the required
time, the invoice will be deemed accepted by the Fund. The Fund shall settle such
disputed amounts within five (5) days of the day on which the parties agree on the
amount to be paid by payment of the agreed amount. If no agreement is reached, then
such disputed amounts shall be settled as may be required by law or legal process. |
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3.6 | Cost
of Living Adjustment. After the Initial Term, the total fee for all services
for each succeeding year shall equal the fee that would be charged for the same
services based on the then current fee increased by the percentage increase for
the twelve-month period of such previous calendar year of the CPI-W (defined below),
or, in the event that publication of such Index is terminated, any successor or
substitute index, appropriately adjusted, acceptable to both parties. As used herein,
“CPI-W” shall mean the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and
Clerical Workers for Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT, (Base Period: 1982-84
= 100), as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
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3.7 | Late
Payments. If any undisputed amount in an invoice of the Transfer Agent (for
fees or reimbursable expenses) is not paid when due, the Fund shall pay the Transfer
Agent interest thereon (from the due date to the date of payment) at a per annum
rate equal to one percent (1.0%) plus the Prime Rate (that is, the base rate on
corporate loans posted by large domestic banks) published by The Wall Street
Journal. (or, in the event such rate is not so published, a reasonably equivalent
published rate selected by the Transfer Agent) on the first day of publication during
the month when such amount was due. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof,
such interest rate shall be no greater than permitted under applicable provisions
of Massachusetts law. |
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4. | Representations and Warranties of the Transfer Agent | ||
The Transfer Agent represents and warrants to the Fund that: | |||
4.1 | It is a
corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. |
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4.2 | It is duly
registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A(c)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and it will remain so registered
for the duration of this Agreement. It will promptly notify the Fund in the event
of any material change in its status as a registered transfer agent. |
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4.3 | It is duly
qualified to carry on its business in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. |
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4.4 | It is empowered
under applicable laws and by its Articles of Organization and By-Laws to enter into
and perform the services contemplated in this Agreement. |
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4.5 | All requisite
corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform
this Agreement. |
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4.6 | It has
and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel
to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement. |
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5. | Representations and Warranties of the Fund | ||
The Fund represents and warrants to the Transfer Agent that: | |||
5.1 | It is a
business trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of
the state of its organization as set forth on Schedule A. |
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5.2 | It is empowered
under applicable laws and by its organizational documents to enter into and perform
this Agreement. |
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5.3 | All requisite
corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform
this Agreement. |
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5.4 | The Fund
is an open-end investment company registered under the 0000 Xxx. |
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5.5 | A registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for each Fund is currently
effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities law filings
have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares being offered
for sale by the Fund. |
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6. | Wire Transfer Operating Guidelines/Articles 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code | ||
6.1 | Obligation
of Sender. The Transfer Agent is authorized to promptly debit the appropriate |
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Fund account(s)
upon the receipt of a payment order in compliance with the selected security procedure
(the “Security Procedure”) chosen for funds transfer and in the amount
of money that the Transfer Agent has been instructed to transfer. The Transfer Agent
shall execute payment orders in compliance with the Security Procedure and with
the Fund instructions on the execution date provided that such payment order is
received by the customary deadline for processing such a request, unless the payment
order specifies a later time. All payment orders and communications received after
the customary deadline will be deemed to have been received the next business day. |
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6.2 | Security
Procedure. The Fund acknowledges that the Security Procedure it has designated
on the Selection Form was selected by the Fund from security procedures offered
by the Transfer Agent. The Fund shall restrict access to confidential information
relating to the Security Procedure to authorized persons as communicated to the
Transfer Agent in writing. The Fund must notify the Transfer Agent immediately if
it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such information
or of any change in the Fund’s authorized personnel. The Transfer Agent shall
verify the authenticity of all Fund instructions according to the Security Procedure. |
||
6.3 | Account
Numbers. The Transfer Agent shall process all payment orders on the basis of
the account number contained in the payment order. In the event of a discrepancy
between any name indicated on the payment order and the account number, the account
number shall take precedence and govern. |
||
6.4 | Rejection. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to decline to process or delay the processing
of a payment order which (a) is in excess of the collected balance in the account
to be charged at the time of the Transfer Agent’s receipt of such payment order;
(b) if initiating such payment order would cause the Transfer Agent, in the Transfer
Agent’s sole judgment, to exceed any volume, aggregate dollar, network, time,
credit or similar limits which are applicable to the Transfer Agent; or (c) if the
Transfer Agent, in good faith, is unable to satisfy itself that the transaction
has been properly authorized. |
||
6.5 | Cancellation
Amendment. The Transfer Agent shall use reasonable efforts to act on all authorized
requests to cancel or amend payment orders received in compliance with the Security
Procedure provided that such requests are received in a timely manner affording
the Transfer Agent reasonable opportunity to act. However, the Transfer Agent assumes
no liability if the request for amendment or cancellation cannot be satisfied. |
||
6.6 | Errors. The Transfer Agent shall assume no responsibility for failure to detect any
erroneous payment order provided that the Transfer Agent complies with the payment
order instructions as received and the Transfer Agent complies with the Security
Procedure. The Security Procedure is established for the purpose of authenticating
payment orders only and not for the detection of errors in payment orders. |
||
6.7 | Interest. The Transfer Agent shall assume no responsibility for lost interest with respect
to the refundable amount of any unauthorized payment order, unless the Transfer
Agent |
Madison Asset Management | 11 |
is notified
of the unauthorized payment order within thirty (30) days of notification by the
Transfer Agent of the acceptance of such payment order. |
|||
6.8 | ACH
Credit Entries/Provisional Payments. When the Fund initiates or receives Automated
Clearing House credit and debit entries pursuant to these guidelines and the rules
of the National Automated Clearing House Association and the New England Clearing
House Association, State Street will act as an Originating Depository Financial
Institution and/or Receiving Depository Financial Institution, as the case may be,
with respect to such entries. Credits given by the Transfer Agent with respect to
an ACH credit entry are provisional until the Transfer Agent receives final settlement
for such entry from the Federal Reserve Bank. If the Transfer Agent does not receive
such final settlement, the Fund agrees that the Transfer Agent shall receive a refund
of the amount credited to the Fund in connection with such entry, and the party
making payment to the Fund via such entry shall not be deemed to have paid the amount
of the entry. |
||
6.9 | Confirmation. Confirmation of Transfer Agent’s execution of payment orders shall ordinarily
be provided within twenty four (24) hours notice of which may be delivered through
the Transfer Agent’s proprietary information systems, or by facsimile or
call-back. Fund must report any objections to the execution of an order within thirty
(30) days. |
||
7. | Data Access and Proprietary Information | ||
7.1 | The Fund
acknowledges that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats,
interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals furnished to the Fund by
the Transfer Agent as part of the Fund’s ability to access certain Fund -related
data maintained by the Transfer Agent on databases under the control and ownership
of the Transfer Agent or other third party (“Data Access Services”) constitute
copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, “Proprietary
Information”) of substantial value to the Transfer Agent or other third party.
In no event shall Proprietary Information be deemed Customer Information (as defined
in Section 10.2 below) or the confidential information of the Fund. The Fund agrees
to treat all Proprietary Information as proprietary to the Transfer Agent and further
agrees that it shall not divulge any Proprietary Information to any person or organization
except as may be provided hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the Fund agrees
for itself and its employees and agents to: |
||
(a) Use
such programs and databases (i) solely on the Fund’s computers, (ii) solely
from equipment at the location agreed to between the Fund and the Transfer Agent
and (iii) solely in accordance with the Transfer Agent’s applicable user documentation; |
|||
(b) Refrain
from copying or duplicating in any way (other than in the normal course of performing
processing on the Fund’s computer(s)), the Proprietary Information; |
|||
(c) Refrain
from obtaining unauthorized access to any portion of the Proprietary Information,
and if such access is inadvertently obtained, to inform the Transfer Agent in |
Madison Asset Management | 12 |
a timely
manner of such fact and dispose of such information in accordance with the Transfer
Agent’s instructions; |
|||
(d) Refrain
from causing or allowing information transmitted from the Transfer Agent’s
computer to the Fund’s computer to be retransmitted to any other computer or
other device except as expressly permitted by the Transfer Agent (such permission
not to be unreasonably withheld); |
|||
(e) Allow
the Fund to have access only to those authorized transactions as agreed to between
the Fund and the Transfer Agent; and |
|||
(f) Honor
all reasonable written requests made by the Transfer Agent to protect at the Transfer
Agent’s expense the rights of the Transfer Agent in Proprietary Information
at common law, under federal copyright law and under other federal or state law. |
|||
7.2 | Proprietary
Information shall not include all or any portion of any of the foregoing items that:
(i) are or become publicly available without breach of this Agreement; (ii) are
released for general disclosure by a written release by the Transfer Agent; or (iii)
are already in the possession of the receiving party at the time of receipt without
obligation of confidentiality or breach of this Agreement. |
||
7.3 | The Fund
acknowledges that its obligation to protect the Transfer Agent’s Proprietary
Information is essential to the business interest of the Transfer Agent and that
the disclosure of such Proprietary Information in breach of this Agreement would
cause the Transfer Agent immediate, substantial and irreparable harm, the value
of which would be extremely difficult to determine. Accordingly, the parties agree
that, in addition to any other remedies that may be available in law, equity, or
otherwise for the disclosure or use of the Proprietary Information in breach of
this Agreement, the Transfer Agent shall be entitled to seek and obtain a temporary
restraining order, injunctive relief, or other equitable relief against the continuance
of such breach. |
||
7.4 | If the
Fund notifies the Transfer Agent that any of the Data Access Services do not operate
in material compliance with the most recently issued user documentation for such
services, the Transfer Agent shall endeavor in a timely manner to correct such failure.
Organizations from which the Transfer Agent may obtain certain data included in
the Data Access Services are solely responsible for the contents of such data and
the Fund agrees to make no claim against the Transfer Agent arising out of the contents
of such third-party data, including, but not limited to, the accuracy thereof. |
||
7.5 | If the
transactions available to the Fund include the ability to originate electronic instructions
to the Transfer Agent in order to (i) effect the transfer or movement of cash or
Shares or (ii) transmit Shareholder information or other information, then in such
event the Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely on the validity and authenticity
of such instruction without undertaking any further inquiry as long as such instruction
is undertaken in conformity with security procedures established by the Transfer
Agent from time to time. |
Madison Asset Management | 13 |
7.6 | Each party
shall take reasonable efforts to advise its employees of their obligations pursuant
to this Section 7. The obligations of this Section shall survive any earlier termination
of this Agreement. |
||
7.7 | DATA ACCESS
SERVICES AND ALL COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND SOFTWARE USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERFORMANCE
OF THE SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN AS IS, AS AVAILABLE BASIS.
THE TRANSFER AGENT EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. |
||
8. | Indemnification | ||
8.1 | The Transfer
Agent shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall indemnify and hold the Transfer
Agent, and with respect to Section 1.3 and Section 8.1(f) herein, also State Street,
harmless, from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable
counsel fees (including the defense of any lawsuit in which the Transfer Agent or
affiliate is a named party), payments, expenses and liability arising out of or
attributable to: |
||
(a) All
actions of the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors required to be taken
pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in good faith and
without negligence or willful misconduct; |
|||
(b) The
Fund’s lack of good faith, negligence or willful misconduct; |
|||
(c) The
reliance upon, and any subsequent use of or action taken or omitted, by the Transfer
Agent, or its agents or subcontractors on: (i) any information, records, documents,
data, stock certificates or services, which are received by the Transfer Agent or
its agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, facsimile, CRT data entry,
electronic instructions, or other similar means authorized by the Fund, and which
have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Fund or any other person or firm
on behalf of the Fund including but not limited to any broker-dealer, TPA or previous
transfer agent; (ii) any instructions or requests of the Fund or any of its officers;
(iii) any instructions or opinions of legal counsel with respect to any matter arising
in connection with the services to be performed by the Transfer Agent under this
Agreement which are provided to the Transfer Agent by counsel to the Fund after
consultation with such legal counsel and upon which instructions or opinion the
Transfer Agent is expressly permitted to rely or opinions of legal counsel that
are obtained by the Transfer Agent; or (iv) any paper or document, reasonably believed
to be genuine, authentic, or signed by the proper person or persons; |
|||
(d) The
offer or sale of Shares in violation of federal or state securities laws or regulations
requiring that such Shares be registered, or in violation of any stop order or |
Madison Asset Management | 14 |
other determination or ruling by any federal or any state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares; |
|||
(e) The acceptance of facsimile transaction requests on behalf of individual Shareholders received from broker-dealers, TPAs or the Fund, and the reliance by the Transfer Agent on the broker-dealer, TPA or the Fund ensuring that the original source documentation is in good order and properly retained; |
|||
(f) The
negotiation and processing of any checks, wires and ACH transmissions including
without limitation for deposit into, or credit to, the Fund’s demand deposit
accounts maintained by the Transfer Agent; or |
|||
(g) Upon
the Fund’s request entering into any agreements required by the NSCC for the
transmission of Fund or Shareholder data through the NSCC clearing systems. |
|||
(h) The
purchase or redemption of shares on behalf of shareholders received from the Fund
after 4 p.m. EST. |
|||
8.2 | To the
extent that the Transfer Agent is not entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section
8.1 above and only to the extent of such right, the Fund shall not be responsible
for, and the Transfer Agent shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and
against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees (including
the defense of any lawsuit in which the Fund or affiliate is a named party), payments,
expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure of
the Transfer Agent to act as a result of the Transfer Agent’s lack of good
faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its services hereunder.
For those activities or actions delineated in the Procedures, the Transfer Agent
shall be presumed to have used reasonable care, acted without negligence, and acted
in good faith if it has acted in accordance with the Procedures. |
||
8.3 | In order
that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section 8 shall apply, upon
the assertion of a claim for which one party may be required to indemnify the other
party, the indemnified party shall promptly notify the indemnifying party of such
assertion, and shall keep the indemnifying party advised with respect to all developments
concerning such claim. The indemnifying party shall have the option to participate
with the indemnified party in the defense of such claim or to defend against said
claim in its own name or in the name of the indemnified party. The indemnified party
shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the
indemnifying party may be required to indemnify the indemnified party except with
the indemnifying party’s prior written consent. |
||
8.4 | As-of Adjustments. | ||
(a) Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, with respect to “as of” adjustments,
the Transfer Agent will not assume one hundred percent (100%) responsibility for
losses resulting from “as ofs” due to clerical errors or misinterpretations
of shareholder |
Madison Asset Management | 15 |
instructions,
but the Transfer Agent will discuss with the Fund the Transfer Agent’s accepting
liability for an “as of” on a case-by-case basis and, subject to the limitation
set forth in Section 9, will accept financial responsibility for a particular situation
resulting in a financial loss to the Fund where such loss is “material,”
as hereinafter defined, and, under the particular facts at issue, the Transfer Agent’s conduct was culpable and the Transfer Agent’s conduct is the sole cause
of the loss. A loss is “material” for purposes of this Section 8.4 when
it results in a pricing error on a particular transaction which equals or exceeds
one full cent ($.01) per share times the number of shares outstanding or such other
amounts as may be adopted by applicable accounting or regulatory authorities from
time to time. |
|||
(b) If
the net effect of the “as of” transactions that are determined to be caused
primarily by the Transfer Agent is negative and exceeds the above limit, then the
Transfer Agent shall promptly contact the Fund accountants. The Transfer Agent will
work with the Fund accountants to determine what, if any, impact the threshold break
has on the Fund’s Net Asset Value and what, if any, further action is required.
These further actions may include but are not limited to, the Fund re-pricing the
affected day(s), the Transfer Agent re-processing, at its expense, all affected
transactions in the Fund that took place during the period or a payment to the Fund.
The Fund agrees to work in good faith with the Transfer Agent and wherever possible,
absent a regulatory prohibition or other mutually agreed upon reason, the Fund agrees
to re-price the affected day(s) and to allow the Transfer Agent to re-process the
affected transactions. When such re-pricing and re-processing is not possible,
and when the Transfer Agent must contribute to the settlement of a loss, the Transfer
Agent’s responsibility will commence with that portion of the loss over $0.01
per share calculated on the basis of the total value of all Shares of the affected
Portfolio (i.e., on the basis of the value of the Shares of the total Portfolio,
including all classes of that Portfolio, not just those of the affected class). |
|||
9. | Standard of Care | ||
The Transfer
Agent shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use all commercially reasonable
efforts in performing the services under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility
and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors, including encoding and
payment processing errors, unless said errors are caused by its negligence, bad
faith, or willful misconduct or that of its employees or agents. The parties agree
that any encoding or payment processing errors shall be governed by this standard
of care and that Section 4-209 of the Uniform Commercial Code is superseded by Section
9 of this Agreement. This standard of care also shall apply to Exception Services,
as defined in Section 2.3 herein, but shall take into consideration and make allowances
for the manual processing and non-standard work involved in Exception Services.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transfer Agent’s aggregate liability during
the Term of this Agreement with respect to, arising from or arising in connection
with this Agreement, or from all services provided or omitted to be provided by
the Transfer Agent under this Agreement for all of the Funds subject to this Agreement,
whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed
the aggregate of the amounts actually received hereunder by the Transfer Agent as
fees and charges, but not including reimbursable expenses, for all of the |
Madison Asset Management | 16 |
Funds covered
by this Agreement during the six (6) calendar months immediately preceding the first
event for which recovery from the Transfer Agent is being sought. The foregoing
limitation on liability shall not apply to any loss or damage resulting from any
intentional malicious acts or intentional malicious omissions by the Transfer Agent’s employees. For purposes of this Section 9, “intentional malicious acts
or intentional malicious omissions” shall mean those acts undertaken or omitted
purposefully under the circumstances in which the person knows that such acts or
omissions violate this Agreement and are likely to cause damage or harm to the Fund. |
|||
10. | Confidentiality | ||
10.1 | The Transfer
Agent and the Fund agree that they will not, at any time during the term of this
Agreement or after its termination, reveal, divulge, or make known to any person,
firm, corporation or other business organization, any Confidential Information (as
defined below) of the other party used or gained by the Transfer Agent or the Fund
during performance under this Agreement. The Fund and the Transfer Agent further
covenant and agree to retain all such Confidential Information in trust for the
sole benefit of the Transfer Agent or the Fund and their successors and assigns.
In the event of breach of the foregoing by either party, the remedies provided by
Section 7.3 shall be available to the party whose Confidential Information is disclosed.
The above prohibition of disclosure shall not apply to the extent that the Transfer
Agent must disclose such Confidential Information to its sub-contractor or Fund
agent for purposes of providing services under this Agreement. |
||
10.2 | For purposes
of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall mean: (a) with respect to Confidential
Information of the Fund: (i) shareholder lists, cost figures and projections, profit
figures and projections, all non-public information, including but not limited to
trade secrets, proprietary information, and information about products, business
methods and business plans) relating to the business of the Fund, or any other secret
or confidential information whatsoever of the Fund; and (ii) all information that
the Fund is obligated by law to treat as confidential for the benefit of third parties,
including but not limited to Customer Information (defined below); and (b) with
respect to the Transfer Agent’s Confidential Information: all non-public information,
including but not limited to trade secrets, proprietary information, and information
about products, business methods and business plans, customer names and other information
related to customers, fee schedules, price lists, pricing policies, financial information,
discoveries, ideas, concepts, software in various stages of development, designs,
drawings, specifications, techniques, models, data, source code, object code, documentation,
diagrams, flow charts, research, development, processes, procedures, “know-how,” organizational structure, user guides, marketing techniques and materials,
marketing and development plans, and data processing software and systems relating
to the Transfer Agent’s business, operations or systems (or to the business,
systems or operations of the Transfer Agent’s affiliates. |
||
10.3 | For purposes
of this Agreement, “Customer Information” means all the customer identifying
data however collected or received, including without limitation, through “cookies” or non-electronic means pertaining to or identifiable to the Fund’s |
Madison Asset Management | 17 |
Shareholders,
prospective shareholders and plan administrators (collectively, “Fund Customers”), including without limitation, (i) name, address, email address, passwords,
account numbers, personal financial information, personal preferences, demographic
data, marketing data, data about securities transactions, credit data or any other
identification data; (ii) any information that reflects the use of or interactions
with a Fund service, including the Fund’s web site; or (iii) any data otherwise
submitted in the process of registering for a Fund service. For the avoidance of
doubt, Customer Information shall include all “nonpublic personal information,” as defined under the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-102, 113
Stat. 1138) (“GLB Act”) and all “personal information” as defined
in the Massachusetts Standards for the Protection of Personal Information, 201 CMR 17.00,
et seq., (“Mass Privacy Act”). This Agreement shall not
be construed as granting the Transfer Agent any ownership rights in the Customer
Information. |
|||
10.4 | The Transfer
Agent will use the Confidential Information, including Customer Information, only
in compliance with (i) the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) its own Privacy and
Information Sharing Policy, as amended and updated from time to time and (iii) federal
and state privacy laws, including the GLB Act and the Mass Privacy Act, as such
is applicable to its transfer agency business. |
||
10.5 | In the
event that any requests or demands are made for the inspection of the Shareholder
records of the Fund, other than request for records of Shareholders pursuant to
standard subpoenas from state or federal government authorities (i.e., divorce and
criminal actions), the Transfer Agent will use reasonable efforts to notify the
Fund (except where prohibited by law) and to secure instructions from an authorized
officer of the Fund as to such inspection. The Transfer Agent expressly reserves
the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person whenever it
is advised by counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit the
Shareholder records to such person or if required by law or court order. |
||
11. | Covenants of the Fund and the Transfer Agent | ||
11.1 | Upon request,
the Fund shall promptly furnish to the Transfer Agent the following: |
||
(a) A certified
copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund authorizing the appointment
of the Transfer Agent and the execution and delivery of this Agreement; and |
|||
(b) A copy
of the organizational documents of the Fund and all amendments thereto. |
|||
11.2 | The Transfer
Agent hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably
acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of stock certificates, check forms and facsimile
signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or use, and for keeping
account of, such certificates, forms and devices. |
||
11.3 | Records. The Transfer Agent shall keep records relating to the services to be performed
hereunder, in the form, manner and for such periods, as it may deem advisable and
as |
Madison Asset Management | 18 |
may be
required by (i) the laws and regulations applicable to its business as a Transfer
Agent, including, but not limited to, those set forth in 17 CFR 240.17Ad-6 and 17
CFR 240.17Ad-7, and those set forth in IRS regulations with respect to any services
as information reporting and withholding agent for the Funds, in each case as such
regulations may be amended from time to time; and (ii) its record retention policies.
The Transfer Agent shall also maintain customary records in connection with its
agency for the Fund; particularly those records required to be maintained pursuant
to subparagraph (2)(iv) of paragraph (b) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. Records
maintained by the Transfer Agent on behalf of the Funds shall be made available
for reasonable examinations by the SEC upon reasonable request and shall be maintained
by the Transfer Agent for such period as required by applicable law or until such
earlier time as the Transfer Agent has delivered such records into the Fund’s
possession or destroyed them at the Fund’s request. |
|||
11.4 | Compliance
Program. The Transfer Agent maintains and will continue to maintain a comprehensive
compliance program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities
laws pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to its compliance program,
the Transfer Agent will provide periodic measurement reports to the Fund. Upon request
of the Fund, the Transfer Agent will provide to the Fund in connection with any
periodic annual or semi-annual shareholder report filed by the Fund or, in the absence
of the filing of such reports, on a quarterly basis, a sub-certification pursuant
to the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 with respect to the Transfer Agent’s performance
of the services set forth in this Agreement and its internal controls related thereto.
In addition, on a quarterly basis, the Transfer Agent will provide to the Fund a
certification in connection with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Transfer Agent
reserves the right to amend and update its compliance program and the measurement
tools and certifications provided thereunder from time to time in order to address
changing regulatory and industry developments. |
||
11.5 | SSAE16
Reports. The Transfer Agent will furnish to the Fund, on a semi-annual basis,
a report in accordance with Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements
No. 16 (the “SSAE Report”) as well as such other reports and information
relating to the Transfer Agent’s policies and procedures and its compliance
with such policies and procedures and with the laws applicable to its business and
its services, as the parties may mutually agree upon. |
||
11.6 | Information
Security. The Transfer Agent maintains and will continue to maintain at each
service location physical and information security and data protection safeguards
against the destruction, loss, theft or alteration of the Fund’s Confidential
Information, including Customer Information, in the possession of the Transfer Agent
that will be no less rigorous than those in place at the effective date of this
Agreement, and from time to time enhanced in accordance with changes in regulatory
requirements. The Transfer Agent will, at a minimum, update its policies to remain
compliant with regulatory requirements, including those under the GLB Act and the
Mass Privacy Act, to the extent applicable to its business. The Transfer Agent will
meet with the Fund, at its request, on an annual basis to discuss information security
safeguards. If the Transfer Agent or its agents discover or are notified that someone
has violated security relating to the Fund’s |
Madison Asset Management | 19 |
Confidential
Information, including Customer Information, the Transfer Agent will promptly (a)
notify the Fund of such violation, and (b) if the applicable Confidential Information
was in the possession or under the control of the Transfer Agent or its agents at
the time of such violation, the Transfer Agent will promptly (i) investigate, contain
and address the violation, and (ii) advise the Fund as to the steps being taken
that are reasonably designed to prevent future similar violations. |
|||
11.7 | Business
Continuity. The Transfer Agent will maintain a comprehensive business continuity
plan and will provide an executive summary of such plan upon reasonable request
of the Fund. The Transfer Agent will test the adequacy of its business continuity
plan at least annually and upon request, the Fund may participate in such test.
Upon request by the Fund, the Transfer Agent will provide the Fund with a letter
assessing the most recent business continuity test results. In the event of a business
disruption that materially impacts the Transfer Agent’s provision of services
under this Agreement, the Transfer Agent will promptly notify the Fund of the disruption
and the steps being implemented under the business continuity plan. |
||
12. | Termination of Agreement | ||
12.1 | Term. The initial term of this Agreement (the “Initial Term”) shall commence
on January 1, 2013 (unless otherwise stated with respect to a Fund as specified
on Schedule A) and continue through June 30, 2016, (the “Initial Term”).
This Agreement shall automatically extend for one additional, successive one (1)
year term (the “Renewal Term”) unless terminated as of the end of the
Initial Term or as of the end of the Renewal Term by the Fund on not less than one
hundred twenty (120) days written notice to the Transfer Agent. Thereafter the Agreement
shall continue for successive periods of one year (each an “Extension Period”) unless terminated by the Transfer Agent or the Fund upon one hundred twenty
(120) days notice before the expiration of such Extension Period. As used hereinafter,
“Term” shall refer to the then current duration during which this Agreement
is in full force and effect, including the Initial Term, the Renewal Term and any
Extension Period. In the event a Fund wishes to terminate this Agreement prior to
the expiration of the Initial Term or the Renewal Term, the Fund shall give the
Transfer Agent one hundred twenty (120) days prior written notice and shall be subject
to the terms of this Section, including the payments applicable under Section 12.3.
One hundred eighty (180) days before the expiration of the Initial Term, the Renewal
Term or an Extension Period, the Transfer Agent and the Fund will agree upon a Fee
Schedule for the Renewal Term or Extension Period. In the event the parties fail
to agree upon a new Fee Schedule as of such date, the Fee Schedule set forth as
Schedule 3.1 hereto shall remain in effect subject to increase under Section 3.6.
Notwithstanding the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement, the terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall continue to apply until the completion of Deconversion
(defined below). |
||
12.2 | Deconversion. In the event that this Agreement is terminated or not renewed for any reason
by the Fund, the Transfer Agent agrees that, in order to provide for uninterrupted
service to the Fund, the Transfer Agent, at Fund’s request, shall offer reasonable
assistance to the Fund in converting the Fund’s records from the Transfer Agent’s |
Madison Asset Management | 20 |
systems
to whatever services or systems are designated by the Fund (the “Deconversion”). Such Deconversion is subject to the recompense of the Transfer Agent for
such assistance at its standard rates and fees in effect at the time and to a reasonable
time frame for performance as agreed to by the parties. As used herein “reasonable
assistance” shall not include requiring the Transfer Agent (i) to assist any
new service or system provider to modify, to alter, to enhance, or to improve such
provider’s system, or to provide any new functionality to such provider’s
system, (ii) to disclose any protected information of the Transfer Agent, including
the Proprietary Information as defined in Section 7.1, or (iii) to develop Deconversion
software, to modify any of the Transfer Agent’s software, or to otherwise alter
the format of the data as maintained on any provider’s systems. |
|||
12.3 | Termination or Non Renewal. | ||
(a)
Outstanding Fees and Charges. In the event of termination or non-renewal of this
Agreement, the Fund will promptly pay the Transfer Agent all fees and charges for
the services provided under this Agreement (i) which have been accrued and remain
unpaid as of the date of such notice of termination or non-renewal and (ii) which
thereafter accrue for the period through and including the date of the Fund’s
Deconversion. |
|||
(b)
Deconversion Costs. In the event of termination or non-renewal of this Agreement,
the Fund shall pay the Transfer Agent for the Deconversion costs as noted in Section 12.2. |
|||
(c)
Early Termination for Convenience. In addition to the foregoing, in the
event that (i) the Fund terminates this Agreement prior to the end of the Initial
Term or the Renewal Term other than due to the Transfer Agent’s bankruptcy
under Section 12.6 or for cause under Section 12.7; or (ii) the Transfer Agent terminates
this Agreement for cause under Section 12.7, or due to the Funds’ bankruptcy
under Section 12.6 or due to unpaid invoices under Section 12.5, the Fund shall
in each case pay the Transfer Agent an amount equal to the average monthly fee paid
by the Fund to the Transfer Agent under the Agreement multiplied by the number of
months remaining in the Initial or Renewal Term (not to exceed six (6) months) and
calculated as set forth on the then current Fee Schedule, on the date notice of
termination was given to the Transfer Agent. |
|||
(d) For
the avoidance of doubt, the early termination payment set forth in subparagraph
(c) above, will not be required in the following circumstances: (1) the merger of
a Fund or Portfolio into, or the liquidation/consolidation of a Fund or Portfolio
with, another entity, so long as this Agreement continues with respect to the remainder
of the Funds, and either (i) the Transfer Agent is retained to continue to provide
services to such merged or consolidated Fund, Portfolio or its successor on substantially
the same terms as this Agreement, or (ii) the Fund or Portfolio is merged or consolidated
with another Fund or Portfolio serviced under this Agreement; or (2) the sale by
a Fund or Portfolio of all, or substantially all, of its assets to another entity,
so long as this Agreement continues with respect to the remainder of the Funds,
and either (i) the Transfer Agent is retained to provide services to such successor
Fund or Portfolio on substantially the same terms as this Agreement; or (ii) the
assets of such the Fund or Portfolio are sold to another Fund or |
Madison Asset Management | 21 |
Portfolio
serviced under this Agreement; or (3) the liquidation or dissolution of a Fund or
a Portfolio and the distribution of the Fund’s or such Portfolio’s assets
as a result of the determination by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, in its reasonable
business judgment, that the Fund or such Portfolio is no longer viable. |
|||
(e)
Post-Deconversion Support Fees. In the event of termination or non-renewal of
this Agreement, the Fund shall pay the Transfer Agent all reasonable fees and expenses
for providing any support services that the Fund requests the Transfer Agent to
provide post Deconversion, including but not limited to tax reporting and open issue
resolution. |
|||
The amounts
set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above, shall become due and payable and
shall be paid by the Fund on the business day immediately prior to the Deconversion.
The amounts set forth in (d) shall be invoiced as incurred and paid promptly by
the Fund upon receipt of such invoices. |
|||
12.4 | Confidential
Information. Upon termination of this Agreement, each party shall return to
the other party all copies of confidential or proprietary materials or information
received from such other party hereunder, other than materials or information required
to be retained by such party under applicable laws or regulations. |
||
12.5 | Unpaid
Invoices. The Transfer Agent may terminate this Agreement immediately upon an
unpaid invoice payable by the Fund to the Transfer Agent being outstanding for more
than ninety (90) days after receipt by the Fund, except with respect to any amount
subject to a good faith dispute within the meaning of Section 3.5 of this Agreement. |
||
12.6 | Bankruptcy. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement by notice to the other party,
effective at any time specified therein, in the event that (a) the other party ceases
to carry on its business or (b) an action is commenced by or against the other party
under Title 11 of the United States Code or a receiver, conservator or similar officer
is appointed for the other party and such suit, conservatorship or receivership
is not discharged within thirty (30) days. |
||
12.7 | Cause. If either of the parties hereto becomes in default in the performance of its
duties or obligations hereunder and such default has a material adverse effect on
the other party, then the non-defaulting party may give notice to the defaulting
party specifying the nature of the default in sufficient detail to permit the defaulting
party to identify and cure such default. If the defaulting party fails to cure such
default within ninety (90) days of receipt of such notice, or within such other
period of time as the parties may agree is necessary for such cure, then the non-defaulting
party may terminate this Agreement upon notice of not less than five (5) days to
the defaulting party. |
||
12.8 | The parties
agree that the effective date of any Deconversion as a result of termination hereof
shall not occur during the period from December 15th through March 1st of any year
to avoid adversely impacting a year-end. |
||
12.9 | Within
thirty (30) days after completion of a Deconversion, the Funds will give notice
to the |
Madison Asset Management | 22 |
Transfer
Agent containing reasonable instructions regarding the disposition of tapes, data
files, records, original source documentation or other property belonging to the
Fund and then in the Transfer Agent’s possession and shall make payment for
the Transfer Agent’s reasonable costs to comply with such notice. If the Fund
fails to give that notice within thirty (30) days after termination of this Agreement,
then the Transfer Agent may dispose of such property as it sees fit. The reasonable
costs of any such disposition or of the continued storage of such tapes, data files,
records, original source documentation or other properties shall be billed to, and
within thirty (30) days of receipt of such invoice paid by, the Fund. Failure to
pay such sums when due shall incur a late charge in accordance with Section 3.7
of this Agreement. The Transfer Agent may keep one copy of certain Fund related
records to the extent, and for such period, as may be legally required in order
to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to the Transfer Agent, as discussed
under Section 11.3. |
|||
13. | Assignment and Third Party Beneficiaries | ||
13.1 | Except
as provided in Section 14.1 below, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations
hereunder may be assigned by either party without the written consent of the other
party. Any attempt to do so in violation of this Section shall be void. Unless specifically
stated to the contrary in any written consent to an assignment, no assignment will
release or discharge the assignor from any duty or responsibility under this Agreement. |
||
13.2 | Except
as explicitly stated elsewhere in this Agreement, nothing under this Agreement shall
be construed to give any rights or benefits in this Agreement to anyone other than
the Transfer Agent and the Fund, and the duties and responsibilities undertaken
pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Transfer
Agent and the Fund. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. |
||
13.3 | This Agreement
does not constitute an agreement for a partnership or joint venture between the
Transfer Agent and the Fund. Other than as provided in Section 14.1 and Schedule
1.2(f), neither party shall make any commitments with third parties that are binding
on the other party without the other party’s prior written consent. |
||
14. | Subcontractors | ||
14.1 | The Transfer
Agent may, without further consent on the part of the Funds, subcontract for the
performance hereof with an affiliate of the Transfer Agent which is duly registered
as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A(c)(2) of the 1934 Act or, with regard
to print/mail services, to DST Output, Inc., an affiliate of the Transfer Agent;
provided, however, that the Transfer Agent shall be fully responsible to the Funds
for the acts and omissions of its affiliate as it is for its own acts and omissions.
The foregoing shall not be deemed to apply to any direct contracts between the Fund
and any affiliate of the Transfer Agent as to which the Transfer Agent is not a
party. The Transfer Agent may provide the services hereunder from service locations
within or outside of the United States. |
Madison Asset Management | 23 |
14.2 | For purposes
of this Agreement, unaffiliated third parties such as, by way of example and not
limitation, Airborne Services, Federal Express, United Parcel Service, the U.S.
Mails, the NSCC and telecommunication companies, shall not be deemed to be subcontractors
of the Transfer Agent. |
||
15. | Changes and Modifications | ||
15.1 | During
the term of this Agreement, the Transfer Agent will use on behalf of the Fund, without
additional cost, all modifications, enhancements, or changes which its affiliate
DST Systems, Inc. may make to the TA2000 System in the normal course of its business
and which are applicable to functions and features offered by the Fund, unless substantially
all clients of the Transfer Agent are charged separately for such modifications,
enhancements or changes, including, without limitation, substantial system revisions
or modifications necessitated by changes in existing laws, rules or regulations.
The Fund agrees to pay the Transfer Agent promptly for modifications and improvements
which are charged for separately at the rate provided for in the Transfer Agent’s standard pricing schedule which shall be identical for substantially all
clients, if a standard pricing schedule shall exist. If there is no standard pricing
schedule, the parties shall mutually agree upon the rates to be charged. |
||
15.2 | The Transfer
Agent shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to alter and modify
any systems, programs, procedures or facilities used or employed in performing its
duties and obligations hereunder; provided that the Fund will be notified as promptly
as possible prior to implementation of such alterations and modifications and that
no such alteration or modification or deletion shall materially adversely change
or affect the operations and procedures of the Fund in using or employing the TA2000
System or the Transfer Agent’s facilities hereunder or the reports to be generated
by such system and facilities hereunder, unless the Fund is given thirty (30) days
prior notice to allow the Fund to change its procedures and unless the Transfer
Agent provides the Fund with revised operating procedures and controls. |
||
15.3 | All enhancements,
improvements, changes, modifications or new features added to the TA2000 System
however developed or paid for shall be, and shall remain, the confidential and exclusive
property of, and proprietary to, DST Systems, Inc., an affiliate of the Transfer
Agent. |
||
16. | Miscellaneous | ||
16.1 | Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement executed by
both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees
of the Fund. |
||
16.2 | Massachusetts
Law to Apply. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. |
Madison Asset Management | 24 |
16.3 | Force
Majeure. In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under
the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, acts of war or terrorism, strikes,
equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other
causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages
to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise
from such causes. |
||
16.4 | Consequential
Damages. Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party
for special, indirect or consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement
or for any special, indirect or consequential damages arising out of any act or
failure to act hereunder. |
||
16.5 | Survival. All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability, and limits thereon,
and confidentiality and/or protections of proprietary rights and trade secrets shall
survive the termination of this Agreement. |
||
16.6 | Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held invalid, unlawful,
or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions
shall not in any way be affected or impaired. |
||
16.7 | Priorities
Clause. In the event of any conflict, discrepancy or ambiguity between the terms
and conditions contained in this Agreement and any Schedules or attachments hereto,
the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement shall take precedence. |
||
16.8 | Waiver. No waiver by either party or any breach or default of any of the covenants or
conditions herein contained and performed by the other party shall be construed
as a waiver of any succeeding breach of the same or of any other covenant or condition. |
||
16.9 | Merger
of Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof
whether oral or written. |
||
16.10 | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts,
and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and
the same instrument. |
||
16.11. | Reproduction
of Documents. This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments
hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card,
miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto each agree that
any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in
any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence
and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of
business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction shall likewise
be admissible in evidence. |
Madison Asset Management | 25 |
16.12 | Notices. All notices and other communications as required or permitted hereunder shall
be in writing and sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows
or to such other address or addresses of which the respective party shall have notified
the other. |
(a) | If to the Transfer Agent, to: | |
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. | ||
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000 | ||
Attention: Legal Department | ||
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 | ||
(b) | If to the Funds, to: | |
Madison Asset Management, LLC | ||
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 | ||
Madison Asset Management | 26 |
17. | Additional Portfolios/Funds | ||
17.1 | Additional
Portfolios. In the event that a Fund establishes one or more series of Shares,
in addition to those listed on the attached Schedule A, with respect to which it
desires to have the Transfer Agent render services as transfer agent under the terms
hereof, it shall so notify the Transfer Agent in writing, and if the Transfer Agent
agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a
Portfolio hereunder by the parties amending the Schedule A to include the additional
series. |
||
17.2 | Additional
Funds. In the event that an entity affiliated with the Funds, in addition to
those listed on the Schedule A, desires to have the Transfer Agent render services
as transfer agent under the terms hereof and the Transfer Agent agrees to provide
such services, upon completion of an amended Schedule A signed by all parties to
the Agreement, such entity shall become a Fund hereunder and any series thereof
shall become a Portfolio hereunder. |
||
17.3 | Conditions
re: Additional Funds/Portfolios. In the event that the Transfer Agent is to
become the transfer agent for new funds or portfolios, the Transfer Agent shall
add them to the TA2000 System upon at least thirty (30) days’ prior written
notice to the Transfer Agent provided that the requirements of such funds or portfolios
are generally consistent with services then being provided by the Transfer Agent
under this Agreement, in which case the fees and expenses for such additional funds
or portfolios shall be determined in accordance with Section 3.1. |
||
18. | Limitations of Liability of the Trustees and Shareholders | ||
In the
case where the Fund is a trust, a copy of the trust instrument (if applicable) is
on file with the Secretary of the State of the state of its organization, and notice
is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the trustees of the
trust as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument
are not binding upon any of the trustees or Shareholders individually but are binding
only upon the assets and property of the Fund. |
Signatures on Following Page
Madison Asset Management | 27 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
EACH OF THE ENTITIES, INDIVIDUALLY AND NOT JOINTLY, AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A | ||
By: | ||
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||
Title: Vice President | ||
As an Authorized Officer on behalf of each of the Funds indicated on Schedule A | ||
ATTEST: | ||
BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||
Title: Managing Director | ||
ATTEST: | ||
Madison Asset Management | 28 |
SCHEDULE A
Fund |
Portfolio Name |
Share Class |
MEMBERS Mutual
Funds1 |
Conservative
Allocation Fund |
A, B, C |
(Delaware
Business Trust) |
Moderate Allocation
Fund |
A, B, C |
Aggressive
Allocation Fund |
A, B, C |
|
Cash Reserves
Fund |
A, B |
|
Bond Fund2 |
A, B, Y, R63 |
|
High Income
Fund |
A, B, Y |
|
Diversified
Income Fund |
A, B, C |
|
Equity Income
Fund |
A, C, Y, R6 |
|
Large Cap
Value Fund |
A, B, Y |
|
Large Cap
Growth Fund |
A, B, Y |
|
Mid Cap Fund |
A, B, Y, R64 |
|
Small Cap
Fund |
A, B, Y |
|
International
Stock Fund |
A, B, Y |
|
Government
Fund5 |
Y |
|
Institutional
Bond Fund6 |
Y |
|
Investment
Grade Corp. Bond Fund7 |
Y |
|
Investors
Fund* |
Y |
|
NorthRoad
International Fund* |
Y, R6 |
|
Dividend Income
Fund* |
Y |
|
Disciplined
Equity Fund* |
Y, R6 |
|
Virginia Tax-Free
Fund8 |
Y |
|
Tax-Free National
Fund* |
Y |
|
Ultra Series
Fund |
Conservative
Allocation Fund |
I, II |
(Massachusetts
business trust) |
Moderate Allocation
Fund |
I, II |
Aggressive
Allocation Fund |
I, II |
|
Money Market
Fund |
I, II |
|
Bond Fund9 |
I, II |
|
High Income
Fund |
I, II |
|
Diversified
Income Fund |
I, II |
|
Large Cap
Value Fund |
I, II |
|
Large Cap
Growth Fund |
I, II |
* | To become effective on 4-19-13 |
1 | To be renamed Madison Funds in February 2013. |
2 | To be renamed Core Bond Fund on 2-28-13. |
3 | Class R6 will not be serviced until 4-19-13. |
4 | Class R6 will not be serviced until 4-19-13. |
5 | To be renamed Government Bond Fund and become effective on 4-19-13. |
6 | To be renamed High Quality Bond Fund and become effective on 4-19-13. |
7 | To be renamed Corporate Bond Fund and become effective on 4-19-13. |
8 | To be renamed Tax-Free Virginia Fund and become effective on 4-19-13. |
9 | To be renamed the Core Bond Fund on 5-1-13. |
Schedule A-1
Fund |
Portfolio Name |
Share Class |
Mid Cap Fund |
I, II |
|
Small Cap
Fund |
I, II |
|
International
Stock Fund |
I, II |
|
Target Retirement
2020 Fund |
I |
|
Target Retirement
2030 Fund |
I |
|
Target Retirement
2040 Fund |
I |
|
Target Retirement
2050 Fund |
I |
Schedule A-2
SCHEDULE 1.2(f)
AML DELEGATION
1. | Delegation. | ||
1.1 | In order
to assist the Fund with the Fund’s AML responsibilities under applicable AML
laws, the Transfer Agent offers certain risk-based AML Procedures that are reasonably
designed to: (i) promote the detection and reporting of potential money laundering
activities; and (ii) assist in the verification of persons opening accounts with
the Fund. The Fund has had an opportunity to review the AML Procedures with the
Transfer Agent and desires to implement the AML Procedures as part of the Fund’s
overall AML program (the “AML Program”). |
||
1.2 | Accordingly,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Fund hereby
instructs and directs the Transfer Agent to implement the AML Procedures as set
forth in Section 4 below on the Fund’s behalf and delegates to the Transfer
Agent the day-to-day operation of the AML Procedures. The AML Procedures set forth
in Section 4 may be amended, from time to time, by mutual agreement of the Fund
and the Transfer Agent upon the execution by such parties of a revised Schedule
1.2(f) bearing a later date than the date hereof. |
||
1.3 | The Transfer
Agent agrees to perform such AML Procedures, with respect to the ownership of Shares
in the Fund for which the Transfer Agent maintains the applicable shareholder information,
subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. |
||
2. | Consent
to Examination. In connection with the performance by the Transfer Agent of
the AML Procedures, the Transfer Agent understands and acknowledges that the Fund
remains responsible for assuring compliance with the Uniting and Strengthening America
by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act
of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”) and that the records the Transfer Agent maintains
for the Fund relating to the AML Program may be subject, from time to time, to examination
and/or inspection by federal regulators in order that the regulators may evaluate
such compliance. The Transfer Agent hereby consents to such examination and/or inspection
and agrees to cooperate with such federal examiners in connection with their review.
For purposes of such examination and/or inspection, the Transfer Agent will use
its best efforts to make available, during normal business hours and on reasonable
notice all required records and information for review by such examiners. |
||
3. | Limitation
on Delegation. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that in accepting the delegation
hereunder, the Transfer Agent is agreeing to perform only the AML Procedures, as
may be amended from time to time, and is not undertaking and shall not be responsible
for any other aspect of the AML Program or for the overall compliance by the Fund
with the USA PATRIOT Act or for any other matters that have not been delegated |
Schedule 1.2(f) - 1
SCHEDULE 1.2(f)
AML DELEGATION
hereunder.
Additionally, the parties acknowledge and agree that the Transfer Agent shall only
be responsible for performing the AML Procedures with respect to the ownership of,
and transactions in, Shares in the Fund for which the Transfer Agent maintains the
applicable Shareholder information. |
|||
4. | AML Procedures 10 | ||
4.1 | Consistent
with the services provided by the Transfer Agent and with respect to the ownership
of Shares in the Fund for which the Transfer Agent maintains the applicable Shareholder
information, the Transfer Agent shall: |
||
(a) On
a daily basis, submit all new customer account registrations and registration changes
against the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) database, the Politically
Exposed Persons (“PEP”) database, and such other lists or databases as
may be required from time to time by applicable regulatory authorities; |
|||
(b) Submit
all account registrations through OFAC database, the PEP database, and such other
lists or databases as may be required from time to time by applicable regulatory
authorities; |
|||
(c) On
a daily basis, submit special payee information from checks, outgoing wires and
systematic withdrawal files through the OFAC database; |
|||
(d) Review
certain types of redemption transactions that occur within thirty (30) days of an
account establishment, registration change, or banking information change (e.g.
redemption by wire within 30 days of banking information change; rapid depletion
of account balance after establishment; and redemption by check within 30 days of
address change); |
|||
(e) Review
wires sent pursuant to banking instructions other than those on file with the Transfer
Agent; |
|||
(f) Review
accounts with small balances followed by large purchases; |
|||
(g) Review
accounts with frequent activity within a specified date range followed by a large
redemption; |
10
The accounts, transactions, items and activity reviewed in each case are subject
to certain standard exclusions as set forth in written procedures of the Transfer
Agent, which have been made available to the Fund and which may be modified from
time to time. |
Schedule 1.2(f) - 2
SCHEDULE 1.2(f)
AML DELEGATION
(h) Review
purchase and redemption activity by check that meets or exceeds $100,000 threshold
on any given day; |
|||
(i) Determine
when a suspicious activity report (“SAR”) should be filed as required
by regulations applicable to mutual funds; prepare and file the SAR; provide the
Fund with a copy of the SAR within a reasonable time after filing; and notify the
Fund if any further communication is received from the U.S. Department of the Treasury
or other law enforcement agencies regarding such filing; |
|||
(j) Compare
account information to any FinCEN request received by the Fund and provided to the
Transfer Agent pursuant to USA PATRIOT Act Sec. 314(a). Provide the Fund with the
necessary information for it to respond to such request within required time frame; |
|||
(k) (i)
Take reasonable steps to verify the identity of any person seeking to become a new
customer of the Fund and notify the Fund in the event such person cannot be verified,
(ii) Maintain records of the information used to verify the person’s identity,
as required, and (iii) Determine whether the person appears on any lists of known
or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations provided to the Fund by any government
agency; |
|||
(l) Conduct
due diligence and if required, enhanced due diligence in accordance with 31 C.F.R.
103.176(b) for new and existing correspondent accounts for foreign financial institutions
(as defined in 31 C.F.R. 103.175). The Transfer Agent will perform an assessment
of the money laundering risk presented by the account based on a consideration of
relevant factors in accordance with applicable law and information provided by the
foreign financial institution in a financial institution questionnaire. If an account
is determined to have a medium or above risk-ranking, the Transfer Agent will monitor
the account on a monthly basis for unusual activity. In the situation where due
diligence cannot be completed with respect to an account, the Transfer Agent will
contact the Fund’s AML Officer for further instruction. |
|||
(m) Upon
the request by the Fund, conduct due diligence to determine if the Fund is involved
with any foreign jurisdiction, institution, class of transactions and a type of
account designated, from time to time, by the U.S. Department of Justice in order
to identify and take certain “special measures” against such entities
as required under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act (31 C.F.R. 103.193). |
|||
(n) Commencing
on or before the date as determined by FinCEN, create and retain records required
under 31 CFR 103.33 in connection with the transmittals of funds in amounts equal
to or in excess of $3,000, and transmit such information on the transactions to the
receiving financial institutions. |
Schedule 1.2(f) - 1
SCHEDULE 1.2(f)
AML DELEGATION
4.2 | In the
event that the Transfer Agent detects activity as a result of the foregoing procedures,
which necessitates the filing by the Transfer Agent of a SAR or other similar report
or notice to OFAC, then the Transfer Agent shall also immediately notify the Fund,
unless prohibited by applicable law. |
Schedule 1.2(f) - 1
SCHEDULE 1.2(i)
OMNIBUS TRANSPARENCY SERVICES
A. | The Funds shall provide the following information to the Transfer Agent: | ||
1. | The name
and contact information for the Financial Intermediary, with which the Funds have
a “shareholder information agreement” (under which the Financial Intermediary
agrees to provide, at the Fund’s request, identity and transaction information
about shareholders who hold their shares through an account with the Financial Intermediary
(an “accountlet”)), that is to receive an information request; |
||
2. | The Portfolio
to be included, along with each Portfolio’s frequency trading policy, under
surveillance for the Financial Intermediary; |
||
3. | The frequency
of supplemental data requests from the Transfer Agent; |
||
4. | The duration
of supplemental data requests (e.g. 60 days, 90 days); and |
||
5. | The expected
turnaround time for a response from the Financial Intermediary to an information
request (including requests for supplemental data) |
||
B. | Upon receipt
of the foregoing information, the Funds hereby authorize and instruct the Transfer
Agent to perform the following Services: |
||
1. | Financial Intermediary Surveillance Schedules. | ||
(a) Create
a system profile and infrastructure based upon parameters set by the Fund to establish
and maintain Financial Intermediary surveillance schedules and communication protocol/links. |
|||
(b) Initiate
information requests to the Financial Intermediaries. |
|||
2. | Data Management Monitoring | ||
(a) Monitor
status of information requests until all supplemental data is received. |
|||
(b) If
a Financial Intermediary does not respond to a second request from the Transfer
Agent, the Transfer Agent shall notify the Fund for the Fund to follow-up with the
Financial Intermediary. |
|||
3. | Customized Reporting for Market Timing Analysis | ||
(a) Run
information received from the Financial Intermediaries through TA2000 System functionalities. |
|||
(b) Generate
exception reports using parameters provided by the Funds. |
|||
4. | Daily Exception Analysis of Market Timing Policies for Supplemental Data Provided | ||
(a) Review
daily short-term trader exceptions, daily excessive trader exceptions, and daily
supplemental data reconciliation exceptions. |
|||
(b) Analyze
Financial Intermediary supplemental data (items), which are identified as “Potential
Violations” based on parameters established by the Funds. |
|||
(c) Confirm
exception trades and if necessary, request additional information regarding Potential
Violations. |
Schedule 1.2(i) - 1
5. | Communication and Resolution of Market Timing Exceptions | ||
(a) Communicate
results of analysis to the Funds or upon request of the Funds directly to the Financial
Intermediary. |
|||
(b) Unless
otherwise requested by the Funds and as applicable, instruct the Financial Intermediary
to (i) restrict trading on the accountlet, (ii) cancel a trade, or (iii) prohibit
future purchases or exchanges. |
|||
(c) Update AWD Work Object with comments detailing resolution. | |||
(d) Keep
a detailed record of all data exceptions and inquires with regards to potential
violations. |
|||
6. | Management Reporting | ||
(a) Provide
periodic reports, in accordance with agreed upon frequency and content parameters,
to the Funds. As reasonably requested by the Funds, the Transfer Agent shall furnish
ad hoc reports to the Funds. |
|||
7. | Support Due Diligence Programs | ||
(a) Update system watch list with pertinent information on trade violators. | |||
(b) Maintain
a detailed audit trail of all accounts that are blocked and reason for doing so. |
Schedule 1.2(i) - 2
SCHEDULE 2.1
THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR(S) PROCEDURES
1. | On each
day on which both the New York Stock Exchange and the Fund are open for business
(a “Business Day”), the TPA(s) shall receive, on behalf of and as agent
of the Fund, Instructions (as hereinafter defined) from the Plan. Instructions shall
mean as to each Fund (i) orders by the Plan for the purchases of Shares, and (ii)
requests by the Plan for the redemption of Shares; in each case based on the Plan’s receipt of purchase orders and redemption requests by Participants in proper
form by the time required by the term of the Plan, but not later than the time of
day at which the net asset value of a Fund is calculated, as described from time
to time in that Fund’s prospectus. Each Business Day on which the TPA receives
Instructions shall be a “Trade Date.” |
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2. | The TPA(s)
shall communicate the TPA(s)’s acceptance of such Instructions, to
the applicable Plan. |
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3. | On the
next succeeding Business Day following the Trade Date on which it accepted Instructions
for the purchase and redemption of Shares, (TD+1), the TPA(s) shall notify the Transfer
Agent of the net amount of such purchases or redemptions, as the case may be, for
each of the Plans. In the case of net purchases by any Plan, the TPA(s) shall instruct
the Trustees of such Plan to transmit the aggregate purchase price for Shares by
wire transfer to the Transfer Agent on (TD+1). In the case of net redemptions by
any Plan, the TPA(s) shall instruct the Fund’s custodian to transmit the
aggregate redemption proceeds for Shares by wire transfer to the Trustees of such
Plan on (TD+1). The times at which such notification and transmission shall occur
on (TD+1) shall be as mutually agreed upon by each Fund, the TPA(s), and the Transfer
Agent. |
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4. | The TPA(s)
shall maintain separate records for each Plan, which record shall reflect Shares
purchased and redeemed, including the date and price for all transactions, and Share
balances. The TPA(s) shall maintain on behalf of each of the Plans a single
master account with the Transfer Agent and such account shall be in the name of
that Plan, the TPA(s), or the nominee of either thereof as the record owner of Shares
owned by such Plan. |
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5. | The TPA(s)
shall maintain records of all proceeds of redemptions of Shares and all other distributions
not reinvested in Shares. |
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6. | The TPA(s)
shall prepare, and transmit to each of the Plans, periodic account statements showing
the total number of Shares owned by that Plan as of the statement closing date,
purchases and redemptions of Shares by the Plan during the period covered by the
statement, and the dividends and other distributions paid to the Plan on Shares
during the statement period (whether paid in cash or reinvested in Shares). |
Schedule 2.1 - 1
7. | The TPA(s)
shall, at the request and expense of each Fund, transmit to the Plans prospectuses,
proxy materials, reports, and other information provided by each Fund for delivery
to its Shareholders. |
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8. | The TPA(s)
shall, at the request of each Fund, prepare and transmit to each Fund or any
agent designated by it such periodic reports covering Shares of each Plan as each
Fund shall reasonably conclude are necessary to enable the Fund to comply with state
Blue Sky requirements. |
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9. | The TPA(s)
shall transmit to the Plans confirmation of purchase orders and redemption
requests placed by the Plans; and |
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10. | The TPA(s)
shall, with respect to Shares, maintain account balance information for the Plan(s)
and daily and monthly purchase summaries expressed in Shares and dollar amounts. |
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11. | Plan sponsors
may request, or the law may require, that prospectuses, proxy materials, periodic
reports and other materials relating to each Fund be furnished to Participants in
which event the Transfer Agent or each Fund shall mail or cause to be mailed such
materials to Participants. With respect to any such mailing, the TPA(s) shall, at
the request of the Transfer Agent or each Fund, provide at the TPA(s)’s expense
a complete and accurate set of mailing labels with the name and address of each
Participant having an interest through the Plans in Shares. |
Schedule 2.1 - 2
SCHEDULE 3.1
FEES AND EXPENSES
Effective: January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2016
[intentionally omitted]
Schedule 3.1 - 1