TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of July 23, 1999 by and between PFPC INC., a
Delaware corporation ("PFPC"), and GAMNA SERIES FUND, INC., a Maryland
corporation (the "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
WHEREAS, PFPC is duly registered as transfer agent as provided in
Section 17A(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC to serve as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to its
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 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 Directors to give Oral
Instructions 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
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received by PFPC. An Authorized Person's scope of authority may be
limited by the Fund 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" mean 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 Fund hereby appoints PFPC to serve as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to
the Fund 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 Fund 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 Directors, approving the appointment of PFPC or its
affiliates to provide services to the Fund and approving this
Agreement;
(b) A copy of the Fund's most recent effective registration statement;
(c) A copy of the advisory agreement with respect to each investment
Portfolio of the Fund (each, a Portfolio);
(d) A copy of the distribution agreement with respect to each class of
Shares of the Fund;
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(e) A copy of each Portfolio's administration agreements if PFPC is not
providing the Portfolio with such services;
(f) Copies of any shareholder servicing agreements made in respect of
the Fund or a Portfolio; and
(g) 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 of its investment portfolios.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC shall act only
upon Oral Instructions and Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instructions 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
Instruction 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 Directors or of the Fund's shareholders, unless and
until PFPC receives Written Instructions to the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Written Instructions confirming
Oral Instructions so that PFPC receives the Written Instructions by
the close of
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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 Instructions or Written Instructions
reasonably appear to have been received from an Authorized Person,
PFPC shall incur no liability to the Fund in acting upon such Oral
Instructions 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 Instructions or Written Instructions, from 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 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 Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC receives
from the Fund, and the advice it 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 responsibilities set forth in
this Agreement.
(d) PROTECTION OF PFPC. PFPC shall be protected in any action it takes
or does not
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take in reliance upon directions, advice or Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions it receives from the Fund or from counsel and
which PFPC believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those
directions, advice or Oral Instructions 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
Instructions or Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance
with such directions, advice or Oral Instructions 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. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, which are
in the possession or under the control of PFPC, shall be the property of
the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as
required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and
regulations. The Fund and 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 Fund, copies of any such books and records
shall be provided by PFPC to the Fund or to an Authorized Person, at the
Fund's expense.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY. PFPC agrees to keep confidential the records of the Fund
and information relating to the Fund and its shareholders, unless the
release of such records or information is otherwise consented to, in
writing, by the Fund. The Fund agrees that such consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where PFPC may be
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exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings or when required to
divulge such information or records to duly constituted authorities.
9. COOPERATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS. PFPC shall cooperate with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable actions in
the performance of its obligations under this Agreement to ensure that the
necessary information is made available to such accountants for the
expression of their opinion, as required by the Fund.
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 Fund, 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 reckless disregard of its
duties or obligations under this Agreement.
11. YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE. PFPC (a) has reviewed its business and
operations as they relate to the services provided hereunder, (b) has
developed or is developing a program to remediate or replace computer
applications and systems, and (c) has developed a testing plan to test the
remediation or replacement of computer applications/systems, in each case,
to address on a timely basis the risk that certain computer
applications/systems used by PFPC may be unable to recognize and perform
properly date sensitive functions involving dates prior to, including and
after December 31, 1999, including dates such as February 29, 2000 (the
"Year 2000 Challenge"). To the best of PFPC's knowledge and belief, the
reasonably foreseeable consequences of the
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Year 2000 Challenge will not adversely effect PFPC's ability to perform
its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
12. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services rendered by PFPC during the
term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to PFPC a fee or fees as may be
agreed to from time to time in writing by the Fund and PFPC.
13. INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund 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 and foreign securities and blue sky laws,
and amendments thereto), and expenses, including (without limitation)
attorneys' fees and disbursements, arising directly or indirectly from (i)
any action or omission to act which PFPC takes (a) at the request or on
the direction of or in reliance on the advice of the Fund or (b) upon Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions or (ii) the acceptance, processing
and/or negotiation of checks or other methods utilized for the purchase of
Shares. 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, provided that in the absence of a finding to the contrary the
acceptance, processing and/or negotiation of a fraudulent payment for the
purchase of Shares shall be presumed not to have been the result of PFPC's
or its affiliates own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of such duties and obligations.
14. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf of the Fund
except as
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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 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 under any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall
not be liable for (A) the validity or invalidity or authority or
lack thereof of any Oral Instruction 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 Fund for any
consequential, special or indirect losses or damages which the Fund
may incur or suffer by or as a consequence of
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PFPC's or its affiliates' performance of the services provided
hereunder, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages
was known by PFPC or its affiliates.
15. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
(a) SERVICES PROVIDED ON AN ONGOING BASIS, IF APPLICABLE.
(i) Calculate 12b-1 payments;
(ii) Maintain proper shareholder registrations;
(iii) Review new applications and correspond with shareholders to
complete or correct information;
(iv) Direct payment processing of checks or wires;
(v) Prepare and certify stockholder lists in conjunction with
proxy solicitations;
(vi) Countersign share certificates;
(vii) Prepare and mail to shareholders confirmation of activity;
(viii) Provide toll-free lines for direct shareholder use, plus
customer liaison staff for on-line inquiry response;
(ix) Mail duplicate confirmations to broker-dealers of their
clients' activity, whether executed through the
broker-dealer or directly with PFPC;
(x) Provide periodic shareholder lists and statistics to the
Fund;
(xi) Provide detailed data for underwriter/broker confirmations;
(xii) Prepare periodic mailing of year-end tax and statement
information;
(xiii) Notify on a timely basis the investment adviser, accounting
agent, and custodian of fund activity; and
(xiv) Perform other participating broker-dealer shareholder
services as may be agreed upon from time to time.
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(b) SERVICES PROVIDED BY PFPC UNDER ORAL INSTRUCTIONS OR WRITTEN
INSTRUCTIONS.
(i) Accept and post daily Fund purchases and redemptions;
(ii) Accept, post and perform shareholder transfers and
exchanges;
(iii) Pay dividends and other distributions;
(iv) Solicit and tabulate proxies; and
(v) Issue and cancel certificates (when requested in writing by
the shareholder).
(c) PURCHASE OF SHARES. PFPC shall issue and credit an account of an
investor, in the manner described in the Fund's prospectus, once it
receives:
(i) A purchase order;
(ii) Proper information to establish a shareholder account; and
(iii) Confirmation of receipt or crediting of funds for such order
to the Fund's custodian.
(d) REDEMPTION OF SHARES. PFPC shall redeem Shares only if that function
is properly authorized by the certificate of incorporation or
resolution of the Fund's Board of Directors. Shares shall be
redeemed and payment therefor shall be made in accordance with the
Fund's prospectus, when the recordholder tenders Shares in proper
form and directs the method of redemption. If Shares are received in
proper form, Shares shall be redeemed before the funds are provided
to PFPC from the Fund's custodian (the "Custodian"). If the
recordholder has not directed that redemption proceeds be wired,
when the Custodian provides PFPC with funds, the redemption check
shall be sent to and made payable to the recordholder, unless:
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(i) the surrendered certificate is drawn to the order of an
assignee or holder and transfer authorization is signed by
the recordholder; or
(ii) Transfer authorizations are signed by the recordholder when
Shares are held in book-entry form.
When a broker-dealer notifies PFPC of a redemption desired by a
customer, and the Custodian provides PFPC with funds, PFPC shall
prepare and send the redemption check to the broker-dealer and made
payable to the broker-dealer on behalf of its customer.
(e) DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. Upon receipt of a resolution of the
Fund's Board of Directors authorizing the declaration and payment of
dividends and distributions, PFPC shall issue dividends and
distributions declared by the Fund in Shares, or, upon shareholder
election, pay such dividends and distributions in cash, if provided
for in the Fund's prospectus. Such issuance or payment, as well as
payments upon redemption as described above, shall be made after
deduction and payment of the required amount of funds to be withheld
in accordance with any applicable tax laws or other laws, rules or
regulations. PFPC shall mail to the Fund's shareholders such tax
forms and other information, or permissible substitute notice,
relating to dividends and distributions paid by the Fund as are
required to be filed and mailed by applicable law, rule or
regulation. PFPC shall prepare, maintain and file with the IRS and
other appropriate taxing authorities reports relating to all
dividends above a stipulated amount paid by the Fund to its
shareholders as required by tax or other law, rule or regulation.
(f) SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT SERVICES.
(i) PFPC may arrange, in accordance with the prospectus, for
issuance of
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Shares obtained through:
- Any pre-authorized check plan; and
- Direct purchases through broker wire orders, checks
and applications.
(ii) PFPC may arrange, in accordance with the prospectus, for a
shareholder's:
- Exchange of Shares for shares of another fund with
which the Fund has exchange privileges;
- Automatic redemption from an account where that
shareholder participates in a automatic redemption
plan; and/or
- Redemption of Shares from an account with a
checkwriting privilege.
(g) COMMUNICATIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS. Upon timely Written Instructions,
PFPC shall mail all communications by the Fund to its shareholders,
including:
(i) Reports to shareholders;
(ii) Confirmations of purchases and sales of Fund shares;
(iii) Monthly or quarterly statements;
(iv) Dividend and distribution notices;
(v) Proxy material; and
(vi) Tax form information.
In addition, PFPC will receive and tabulate the proxy cards for the
meetings of the Fund's shareholders.
(h) RECORDS. PFPC shall maintain records of the accounts for each
shareholder showing the following information:
(i) Name, address and United States Tax Identification or Social
Security number;
(ii) Number and class of Shares held and number and class of
Shares for which certificates, if any, have been issued,
including certificate numbers and denominations;
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(iii) Historical information regarding the account of each
shareholder, including dividends and distributions paid and
the date and price for all transactions on a shareholder's
account;
(iv) Any stop or restraining order placed against a shareholder's
account;
(v) Any correspondence relating to the current maintenance of a
shareholder's account;
(vi) Information with respect to withholdings; and
(vii) Any information required in order for the transfer agent to
perform any calculations contemplated or required by this
Agreement.
(i) LOST OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. PFPC shall place a stop notice against
any certificate reported to be lost or stolen and comply with all
applicable federal regulatory requirements for reporting such loss
or alleged misappropriation. A new certificate shall be registered
and issued only upon:
(i) The shareholder's pledge of a lost instrument bond or such
other appropriate indemnity bond issued by a surety company
approved by PFPC; and
(ii) Completion of a release and indemnification agreement signed
by the shareholder to protect PFPC and its affiliates.
(j) SHAREHOLDER INSPECTION OF STOCK RECORDS. Upon a request from any
Fund shareholder to inspect stock records, PFPC will notify the Fund
and the Fund will issue instructions granting or denying each such
request. Unless PFPC has acted contrary to the Fund's instructions,
the Fund agrees and does hereby, release PFPC from any liability for
refusal of permission for a particular shareholder to inspect the
Fund's stock records.
(k) WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES AND CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATES. Upon receipt
of Written Instructions, PFPC shall cancel outstanding certificates
surrendered by the Fund to reduce the total amount of outstanding
shares by the number of shares surrendered by the Fund.
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16. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue until terminated
by the Fund or by PFPC 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. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC, at
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: President;
(b) if to the Fund, at ___________, Attn:__________ or (c) if to neither
of the foregoing, at such other address as shall have been given by like
notice to the sender of any such notice or other communication by the
other party. 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 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.
18. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or waived
only by a 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 majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PFPC or
PNC Bank Corp., provided that (i) PFPC gives the Fund 60 days prior
written notice of such assignment or delegation, (ii) the assignee or
delegate agrees to comply with the relevant provision of the 1940 Act, and
(iii) PFPC and such assignee or delegate promptly provide such information
as the Fund may reasonably request, and respond to such questions as the
Fund may reasonably ask, relative to the assignment or delegation
(including, without limitation, the capabilities of the assignee or
delegate).
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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.
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.
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(e) FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. The facsimile signature of any party to this
Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by
such party.
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:
-----------------------------
Title:
--------------------------
GAMNA SERIES FUNDS, INC.
By:
-----------------------------
Title:
--------------------------
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EXHIBIT A
THIS EXHIBIT A, dated as of July 23, 1999, is Exhibit A to that certain
Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated as of July 23, 1999 between PFPC Inc.
and GAMNA Series Funds, Inc.
PORTFOLIOS
GAMNA Focus Fund
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AUTHORIZED PERSONS APPENDIX
NAME (TYPE) SIGNATURE
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