EXHIBIT 9-D
SUB-ADMINISTRATION SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 5, 1995 by and between ATLAS
HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. (the "Company") and PFPC INC., a Delaware corporation
("PFPC"), which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PNC Bank Corp.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, ASTRA STRATEGIC INVESTMENT SERIES, a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Fund") is registered as an open-end management investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
WHEREAS, the Company has been appointed by the Fund as Administrator of the
Fund;
and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to retain PFPC to provide administration
services for the benefit of the Fund's investment portfolios listed on Exhibit A
attached hereto and made a part hereof, as such Exhibit A may be amended from
time to time (each a "Portfolio"), and PFPC wishes to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS AGREEMENT:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c) "Authorized Person" means any officer of the Fund and any other
person duly
authorized by the Fund's Board of Trustees to give Oral and Written Instructions
on behalf of the Fund and listed on the Authorized Persons Appendix attached
hereto and made a part hereof or any amendment thereto as may be received by
PFPC. An Authorized Person's scope of authority may be limited by setting forth
such limitation in the Authorized Persons Appendix.
(d) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.
(e) "Oral Instructions" mean oral instructions received by PFPC from
an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC
to be an Authorized Person.
(f) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(g) "Securities Laws" means the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act
and the CEA.
(h) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest of any series or
class of the Fund.
(i) "Written Instructions" mean written instructions signed by an
Authorized Person and received by PFPC. The instructions may be delivered by
hand, mail, tested telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Company hereby appoints PFPC to provide administration
services for the benefit of each of the Portfolios, in accordance with the terms
set forth in this Agreement. PFPC accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish
such services.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Company has provided or, where applicable,
will provide PFPC with the following:
(a) certified or authenticated copies of the resolutions of the
Fund's Board of Trustees, approving the appointment of PFPC or
its affiliates to provide services to each Portfolio and
approving this Agreement;
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(b) a copy of Fund's most recent effective registration statement;
(c) a copy of each Portfolio's advisory agreement or agreements;
(d) a copy of the distribution agreement with respect to each class
of Shares representing an interest in a Portfolio;
(e) a copy of any additional administration agreement with respect to
a Portfolio;
(f) a copy of any shareholder servicing agreement made in respect of
the Fund or a Portfolio; and
(f) copies (certified or authenticated, where applicable) of any and
all amendments or supplements to the foregoing.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS. PFPC undertakes to comply with
all applicable requirements of the Securities Laws, and any laws, rules and
regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect to the
duties to be performed by PFPC hereunder. Except as specifically set forth
herein, PFPC assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund or any
Portfolio.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC shall act only upon
Oral and Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral and Written Instructions
it receives from an Authorized Person (or from a person reasonably believed by
PFPC to be an Authorized Person) pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC may assume
that any Oral or Written Instruction received hereunder is not in any way
inconsistent with the provisions of organizational documents or this Agreement
or of any vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's Board of Trustees or of
the Fund's shareholders, unless and until PFPC receives Written Instructions to
the contrary.
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(c) The Company agrees to forward to PFPC Written Instructions confirming
Oral Instructions (except where such Oral Instructions are given by PFPC or its
affiliates) so that PFPC receives the Written Instructions by the close of
business on the same day that such Oral Instructions are received. The fact that
such confirming Written Instructions are not received by PFPC shall in no way
invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the transactions authorized by
the Oral Instructions. Where Oral or Written Instructions reasonably appear to
have been received from an Authorized Person, PFPC shall incur no liability to
the Fund or the Company in acting upon such Oral or Written Instructions
provided that PFPC's actions comply with the other provisions of this Agreement.
6. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PFPC is in doubt as to any action it should or
should not take, PFPC may request directions or advice, including Oral or
Written Instructions, from the Company or the Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PFPC shall be in doubt as to any question of law
pertaining to any action it should or should not take, PFPC may request advice
at its own cost from such counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for
the Company, the Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or PFPC, at the option of
PFPC).
(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions,
advice or Oral or Written Instructions PFPC receives from the Company or the
Fund and the advice PFPC receives from counsel, PFPC may rely upon and follow
the advice of counsel. In the event PFPC so relies on the advice of counsel,
PFPC remains liable for any action or omission on the part of PFPC which
constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard by PFPC of any duties, obligations or
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responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.
(d) Protection of PFPC. PFPC shall be protected in any action it takes or
does not take in reliance upon directions, advice or Oral or Written
Instructions it receives from the Company, the Fund or from counsel and which
PFPC believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those directions, advice and
Oral or Written Instructions. Nothing in this section shall be construed so as
to impose an obligation upon PFPC (i) to seek such directions, advice or Oral or
Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with such directions, advice
or Oral or Written Instructions unless, under the terms of other provisions of
this Agreement, the same is a condition of PFPC's properly taking or not taking
such action. Nothing in this subsection shall excuse PFPC when an action or
omission on the part of PFPC constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard by PFPC of any duties, obligations or
responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.
7. RECORDS; VISITS.
(a) The books and records pertaining to the Fund and the Portfolios which
are in the possession or under the control of PFPC shall be the property of the
Company or the Fund as the Company may direct. Such books and records shall be
prepared and maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable
securities laws, rules and regulations. The Company, the Fund and their
Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records at all times
during PFPC's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Company,
copies of any such books and records shall be provided by PFPC to the Fund, the
Company or to an Authorized Person, at the Company's expense.
(b) PFPC shall keep the following records:
(i) all books and records with respect to each Portfolio's books of
account;
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(ii) records of each Portfolio's securities transactions;
(iii) all other books and records as PFPC is required to maintain
pursuant to Rule 31a-1 of the 1940 Act in connection with the
services provided hereunder.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY. PFPC agrees on its own behalf and that of its employees
to keep confidential all records of the Company and the Fund and information
relating to the Fund and its shareholders (past, present and future), unless the
release of such records or information is otherwise consented to, in writing, by
the Company or the Fund. The Company agrees that such consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where PFPC may be exposed to civil
or criminal contempt proceedings or when required to divulge such information or
records to duly constituted authorities.
9. LIAISON WITH ACCOUNTANTS. PFPC shall act as liaison with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall provide account analyses, fiscal year
summaries, and other audit-related schedules with respect to each Portfolio.
PFPC shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under
this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is made available to
such accountants for the expression of their opinion, as required by the
Company.
10. DISASTER RECOVERY. PFPC shall enter into and shall maintain in effect
with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for
emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate
equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures, PFPC shall, at no
additional expense to the Company, take reasonable steps to minimize service
interruptions. PFPC shall have no liability with respect to the loss of data or
service interruptions caused by equipment failure, provided such loss or
interruption is not caused by PFPC's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or
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reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement.
11. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services rendered by PFPC during the
term of this Agreement, the Company will pay to PFPC a fee or fees as may be
agreed to in writing by the Company and PFPC.
12. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless PFPC
and its affiliates from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and
liabilities (including, without limitation, liabilities arising under the
Securities Laws and any state or foreign securities and blue sky laws, and
amendments thereto), and expenses, including (without limitation) attorneys'
fees and disbursements arising directly or indirectly from any action or
omission to act which PFPC takes (i) at the request or on the direction of or in
reliance on the advice of the Company or the Fund or (ii) upon Oral or Written
Instructions. Neither PFPC, nor any of its affiliates', shall be indemnified
against any liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) arising out
of PFPC's or its affiliates' own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement. Any amounts payable by the Fund hereunder shall be satisfied only
against the relevant Portfolio's assets and not against the assets of any other
investment portfolio of the Fund.
13. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf of the
Company, the Fund or any Portfolio except as specifically set forth herein or as
may be specifically agreed to by PFPC in writing. PFPC shall be obligated to
exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties hereunder, to act
in good faith and to use its best efforts, within
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reasonable limits, in performing services provided for under this Agreement.
PFPC shall be liable for any damages arising out of PFPC's failure to perform
its duties under this Agreement to the extent such damages arise out of PFPC's
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such
duties.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other
provision of this Agreement, (i) PFPC shall not be liable for losses beyond its
control, provided that PFPC has acted in accordance with the standard of care
set forth above; and (ii) PFPC shall not be liable for (A) the validity or
invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any Oral or Written Instruction,
notice or other instrument which conforms to the applicable requirements of this
Agreement, and which PFPC reasonably believes to be genuine; or (B) subject to
Section 10, delays or errors or loss of data occurring by reason of
circumstances beyond PFPC's control, including acts of civil or military
authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, flood, catastrophe,
acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation,
communication or power supply.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
PFPC nor its affiliates shall be liable to the Company, the Fund or to any
Portfolio for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages which the
Company, the Fund or any Portfolio may incur or suffer by or as a consequence of
PFPC's or any affiliate's performance of the services provided hereunder,
whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by PFPC or its
affiliates.
14. DESCRIPTION OF ADMINISTRATION SERVICES ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.
PFPC will perform the following administration services with respect to
each Portfolio:
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(i) Prepare quarterly broker security transactions summaries;
(ii) Prepare monthly security transaction listings;
(iii) Supply various normal and customary Portfolio and Fund
statistical data as requested on an ongoing basis;
(iv) Coordinate the preparation and filing of the Fund's Federal and
state tax returns;
(v) Coordinate the preparation and filing of the Fund's Form N-SAR
and Rule 24f-2 Notices;
(vi) Assist in the preparation and coordinate the production and
filing of the Fund's annual, semi-annual, and quarterly
shareholder reports;
(vii) Assist in the preparation of registration statements and other
filings relating to the registration of Shares;
(viii) Assist in monitoring each Portfolio's status as a regulated
investment company under Sub-chapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended;
(ix) Assist in coordinating the contractual relationships and
communications between the Fund and its contractual service
providers; and
(x) Assist in monitoring the Fund's state blue sky registration and
compliance with the amounts and conditions of each state
qualification.
15. DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
SERVICES.
PFPC will perform the following services with respect to each Portfolio.
(i) Assist the investment adviser in monitoring the Fund's compliance
with certain investment restrictions, limited to
after-transactions testing regarding the following procedures:
- Industry Diversification
- Issuer Diversification
- State Diversification
- Country Diversification
- Limitation of International Holdings;
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(ii) Assist management in developing a response to the Securities and
Exchange Commission staff's routine examinations;
(iii) Assist in the preparation of Post Effective Amendments to the
Funds Registration Statement on Form N-1A;
(iv) Monitor various SEC and IRS regulatory developments affecting
investment companies;
(v) Coordinate the administrative details of preparing for the Fund's
Board Meeting, including the preparation of the Administration
report and coordination of reports and related materials from the
adviser, distributor, transfer agent and custodian, etc.;
(vi) Provide the Fund with signatories which may be authorized by the
Fund to facilitate certain required regulatory filings and the
processing of invoices;
(vii) Monitor the maintenance of Directors' and Officers' insurance
and Fidelity Bond insurance coverage on behalf of the Fund;
viii) Coordinate with fund management, independent auditors and
printers for the preparation of shareholder reports;
(ix) Prepare and distribute operational reports to management by the
tenth business day after receiving all applicable reports from
outside vendors; and
(x) Maintain a monthly "task list" calendar noting required
completion dates.
16. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue until
terminated by either party on sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other
party.
17. NOTICES. All notices and other communications, including Written
Instructions, shall be in writing or by confirming telegram, cable, telex or
facsimile sending device. If notice is sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex
or facsimile sending device, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately.
If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be
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deemed to have been given three days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent
by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered.
Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC, at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000; (b) if to the Company, at Atlas Holdings Group, Inc., 0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000; or (c) if to neither of the
foregoing, at such other address as shall have been provided by like notice to
the sender of any such notice or other communication by the other party.
18. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or
waived only by written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement
of such change or waiver is sought.
19. DELEGATION; ASSIGNMENT. PFPC may assign its rights and delegate its
duties hereunder to any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PNC Bank,
National Association or PNC Bank Corp., provided that (i) PFPC gives the Company
thirty (30) days' prior written notice; (ii) the delegate (or assignee) agrees
with PFPC and the Company to comply with all relevant provisions of the 1940
Act; and (iii) PFPC and such delegate (or assignee) promptly provide such
information as the Company may request, and respond to such questions as the
Company may ask, relative to the delegation (or assignment), including (without
limitation) the capabilities of the delegate (or assignee).
20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
21. FURTHER ACTIONS. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.
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22. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, provided that the parties
may embody in one or more separate documents their agreement, if any, with
respect to delegated duties and Oral Instructions.
(b) Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof
or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in
Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to principles of conflicts
of law.
(d) Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or
made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of
this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
(f) Facsimile Signatures. The facsimile signature of any party to this
Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PFPC INC.
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXX
--------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President
ATLAS HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXXXX
--------------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT A
THIS EXHIBIT A, dated as of September 5, 1995, is Exhibit A to that certain
Administration Services Agreement dated as of September 5, 1995 between PFPC
Inc. and Atlas Holdings Group, Inc.
PORTFOLIOS OF ASTRA STRATEGIC INVESTMENT SERIES
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust I
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust I-A
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust II
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust III
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust IV
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust I
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust I-A
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust II
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust III
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust IV
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AUTHORIZED PERSONS APPENDIX
NAME (TYPE) SIGNATURE
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