SERVICE AGREEMENT
This Agreement is entered into effective as of the
1st day of July, 2005, by and between FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS COMPANY, INC. (“FIIOC") and XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
("Company").
WHEREAS, FIIOC provides transfer agency and other services to Fidelity's Variable Insurance Products Fund, Variable Insurance Products Fund II and Variable Insurance Products Fund III (collectively "Funds"); and
WHEREAS, the services provided by FIIOC on behalf of the Funds include
responding to inquiries-about the Funds, including the provision of information about the Funds' investment objectives, investment policies, portfolio holdings, etc.;
and
WHEREAS, Company holds shares of the Funds in order to fund certain variable annuity contracts, group annuity contracts, and/or variable life insurance policies, the beneficial interests in which are held by individuals, plan trustees, or others who look to Company to provide information about the Funds similar to the information provided by FIIOC; and
WHEREAS, the Company and one or more of the Funds have entered into one or
more Participation Agreements, under which the Company agrees not to provide information about the Funds except for information provided by the Funds or their designees; and
WHEREAS, FIIOC and Company desire that Company be able to respond to inquiries about the Funds from individual variable annuity owners, participants in group annuity contracts issued by the Company, and owners and participants under variable life insurance policies issued by the Company, and prospective customers for any of the above; and
WHEREAS, FIIOC and Company recognize that Company's efforts in responding
to customer inquiries will reduce the burden that such inquiries would place on FIIOC should such inquiries be directed to FIIOC.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties do agree as follows:
1.
Information to be Provided to Company. FIIOC agrees to provide to Company, on a
periodic basis, directly or through a designee, information about the Funds' investment objectives, investment policies, portfolio holdings, performance, etc. The content and format of such information shall be as FIIOC, in its sole discretion, shall choose. FIIOC may change the format and/or content of such informational reports, and the frequency with
which such information is provided. For purposes of Section 4.2 of each of the Company's Participation Agreement(s) with the Funds, FIIOC represents that it is the designee of the Funds, and Company may therefore use the information provided by FIIOC without seeking additional permission from the Funds.
2.
Use of Information by Company. Company may use the information provided by FIIOC in
communications to individuals, plan trustees, or others who have legal title or beneficial interest in the annuity or life insurance products issued by Company, and to prospective purchasers of such products or beneficial interests thereunder. If such information is contained as part of larger pieces of sales literature, advertising, etc., such pieces shall be furnished for review to the Funds in accordance with the terms of the Company's Participation Agreements with the Funds. Nothing herein shall give the Company the right to expand upon, reformat or otherwise alter the
information provided by FIIOC. Company acknowledges that the information provided it by FIIOC may need to be supplemented with additional qualifying information, regulatory disclaimers, or other information before it may be conveyed to persons outside the Company.
3.
Compensation to Company. In recognition of the fact that Company will respond to
inquiries that otherwise would be handled by FIIOC, XXXXX agrees to pay Company a quarterly fee computed as follows:
At the close of
each calendar quarter FIIOC will determine the Average Daily Assets held in the Funds by the Company. Average Daily Assets shall be the sum of the daily assets for each
calendar day in the quarter divided by the number of calendar days in the quarter. The Average Daily Assets shall be multiplied by 0.0005 (5 basis points) and that sum
shall be divided by four. The resulting number shall be the quarterly fee for that quarter.
Should any Participation Agreement(s) between Company and any Fund(s) be
terminated effective before the last day of a quarter, Company shall be entitled to a fee for that portion of the quarter during which the Participation Agreement was
still in effect, unless such termination is due to misconduct on the part of the Company. For such a stub quarter, Average Daily Assets shall be the sum of the daily assets for each calendar day in the quarter through and including the date of termination of the Participation Agreement(s), divided by the number of calendar days in that quarter for which the Participation Agreement was
0
in effect. Such Average Daily Assets shall be multiplied by 0.0005 (5 basis points) and that number shall be multiplied by the number of days in such quarter that the Participation Agreement was in effect, then divided by three hundred sixty-five. The resulting number shall be the quarterly fee for the stub quarter.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) Company will not be entitled to any compensation under this Agreement for any calendar quarter in which the average net assets of the Company and the following affiliates under common control (list affiliates) invested in the qualifying Variable Insurance Products Funds' portfolios (listed below) are in the aggregate less than $100 million; and (B) compensation for each calendar quarter will not exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000).
Qualifying Variable Insurance Products Funds Portfolios:
Equity-Income Portfolio
Growth Portfolio
Overseas Portfolio
Asset Manager Portfolio
Contrafund Portfolio
Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio
Growth Opportunities Portfolio
Balanced Portfolio
Growth & Income Portfolio
Mid Cap Portfolio
Dynamic Capital Appreciation Portfolio
Aggressive Growth Portfolio
Value Portfolio
Value Strategies Portfolio
Real Estate Portfolio
Growth Portfolio
Overseas Portfolio
Asset Manager Portfolio
Contrafund Portfolio
Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio
Growth Opportunities Portfolio
Balanced Portfolio
Growth & Income Portfolio
Mid Cap Portfolio
Dynamic Capital Appreciation Portfolio
Aggressive Growth Portfolio
Value Portfolio
Value Strategies Portfolio
Real Estate Portfolio
4.
Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by Company at any time upon written
notice to FIIOC. FIIOC may terminate this Agreement at any time upon thirty (30) days' written notice to Company. FIIOC may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice to Company (1) if required by any applicable law or regulation, (2) if so required by action of the Fund(s) Board of Trustees, or (3) if Company engages in any material breach of this Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate immediately and automatically upon the
termination of Company's Participation Agreement(s) with the Funds, and in such event no notice need be given hereunder.
5.
Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
6.
Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent of
the parties, except that it shall be assigned automatically to any successor to FIIOC as the Funds' transfer agent, and any such successor shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have set their hands as of the date first written above.
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS COMPANY, INC. |
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx |
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx |
Title: Executive Vice President |
|
XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY |
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxx |
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx |
Title: Vice President |
FIDELITY LETTERHEAD
May 16, 2007
1
Xxxxxx Xxxx Life Insurance
Xx. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
0 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Xx. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
0 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Re:
Participation Agreement among Variable Insurance Products Fund, Variable Insurance
Products Fund II, Variable Insurance Products Fund III, Fidelity Distributors Corporation (the "Underwriter") and Insurance Company (the "Company"), dated December 19, 2006, as amended (the "Participation Agreement")
Dear Xx. Xxxxxxxx:
The Company, the Underwriter and the above referenced Variable Insurance Products Funds (the
"Current Funds") are parties to the above-referenced Participation Agreement. As explained in the notice sent to you on May 3, 2007, Fidelity is in the process of reorganizing some of the portfolios of the Current Funds (the "Affected Portfolios") for administrative purposes. In connection with this reorganization, the Affected Portfolios will be moved into corresponding "shell" portfolios of a new Variable Insurance Products Fund V ("Fund V"). A list of all of the Affected Portfolios covered by the reorganization and the corresponding Fund V portfolios is set forth on the attached Exhibit.
In connection with this change, we are asking for your consent to (1) the amendment of the Participation Agreement to add Fund V as a "Fund" party under the terms of the Participation Agreement (the "Amendment") and (2) the assignment of all of the Current Funds' rights, benefits and obligations under the Participation Agreement with respect to the Affected Portfolios to Fund V, with respect to the corresponding portfolios of Fund V, and the release of the Current Funds from the obligations so assigned (the "Assignment"). The Participation Agreement will remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms, as so amended and assigned herein.
Your signature below will indicate the Company's consent to the Amendment and Assignment of the Participation Agreement as set forth above, to become effective immediately upon consummation of the reorganization.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If for some reason we cannot obtain your signature prior to the reorganization, and the Company submits orders or instructions under the Participation Agreement thereafter, we will deem the Company to have consented to these matters. Please do not hesitate to contact your Fidelity Relationship Manager or Key Account Manager if you have any questions.
Very truly yours,
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION |
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Title: Executive Vice President |
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV, and VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND V |
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
|
Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx |
Title: Treasurer |
The Undersigned Consents to the Amendment and Assignment of the Participation Agreement as of this 5th. Day of _June_ 2007:
XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE |
By: /s/ Xxxxx D’Xxxxxx |
Name: Xxxxx D’Xxxxxx |
Its: Senior Vice President |
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Please keep one copy and return the other to:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Director, Contracts Management
Fidelity Investments
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00X
Xxxxxxxxxx XX 00000
Director, Contracts Management
Fidelity Investments
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00X
Xxxxxxxxxx XX 00000
3
EXHIBIT A
AFFECTED PORTFOLIOS |
FUND V PORTFOLIOS |
Variable Insurance Products Fund |
Variable Insurance Products Fund V |
|
|
Money Market Portfolio |
Money Market Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund II |
|
|
|
Asset Manager Portfolio |
Asset Manager Portfolio |
Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio |
Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio |
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio |
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
|
|
Freedom Income Portfolio |
Freedom Income Portfolio |
Freedom 2005 Portfolio |
Freedom 2005 Portfolio |
Freedom 2010 Portfolio |
Freedom 2010 Portfolio |
Freedom 2015 Portfolio |
Freedom 2015 Portfolio |
Freedom 2020 Portfolio |
Freedom 2020 Portfolio |
Freedom 2025 Portfolio |
Freedom 2025 Portfolio |
Freedom 2030 Portfolio |
Freedom 2030 Portfolio |
FundsManager 20% Portfolio |
FundsManager 20% Portfolio |
FundsManager 50% Portfolio |
FundsManager 50% Portfolio |
FundsManager 70% Portfolio |
FundsManager 70% Portfolio |
FundsManager 85% Portfolio |
FundsManager 85% Portfolio |
Strategic Income Portfolio |
Strategic Income Portfolio |
4
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS,
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
and
XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ("Company"), FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
("Underwriter") and each of VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III and VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV (each a "Fund" and
collectively, the "Funds") entered into an AMENDED AND RESTATED PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT dated as of the 19th day of December, 2006 (the "Agreement").
The parties hereby agree to amend the Agreement as follows:
1)
The following is hereby deleted from Paragraph 1.11 B(a):
"[or if daily feeds of transaction
information on an ongoing basis:
Unless otherwise directed by
the Fund, the Company agrees to provide the information specified in Section 1.11B. for each trading day.]"
2)
Paragraph 1.11 B(c) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the
following:
"The Fund agrees not to use the information received for any other purpose other than the
purpose specified in the agreement and not to disclose such information without the prior written consent of the Company."
3)
Except as expressly provided for herein, all provisions of the Agreement remain in
effect.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Amendment to be executed in is name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative as of December 19,
2006.
XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY |
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION |
By: /s/ Xxxxx X’Xxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Name: Xxxxx X’Xxxxx |
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Title: Senior Vice President |
Title: EVP |
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV |
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Name:Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Title: Senior Vice President |
5
AMENDED AND RESTATED
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS,
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
and
XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 19th day of December, 2006 by and among XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, (hereinafter the "Company"), an Illinois corporation, on its own
behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset account of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from time to time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"); and FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION (hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a Massachusetts corporation; and each of VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III and VARIABLE INSURANCE
PRODUCTS FUND IV, each an unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (each referred to hereinafter as the
"Fund").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, each Fund engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is
available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts established for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts (collectively, the
"Variable Insurance Products") and qualified pension and retirement plans within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.817-5(f)(3)(iii) ("Qualified Plans") to be offered by insurance companies which have entered into participation agreements with the Fund and the Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in each Fund is divided into several series of shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets, any one or more of which may be made available under this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred to as a "Portfolio"); and
WHEREAS, each Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission, dated October 15, 1985 (File No. 812-6102) or September 17, 1986 (File No. 812-6422), granting Participating Insurance Companies and variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules 6e-2(b) (15) and 6e-3(T) (b) (15) thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies (hereinafter the "Shared Funding Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, each Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940
Act and its shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, Fidelity Management & Research Company (the "Adviser") is duly registered as an
investment adviser under the federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and any applicable state securities law; and
WHEREAS, the variable life insurance and/or variable annuity products identified on Schedule
A hereto ("Contracts") have been or will be registered by the Company under the 1933 Act, unless such Contracts are exempt from registration thereunder; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated asset account,
established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set aside and invest assets attributable
to the aforesaid Contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act, unless such Account is exempt from registration thereunder; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), and is a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (hereinafter, "NASD"); and
6
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios on behalf of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid Contracts and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to each Account at net asset value;
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company, the Underwriter and each Fund agree as follows:
ARTICLE
A. Amendment and Restatement; Form of Agreement
This agreement shall amend and supersede the following Agreement(s) as of the date stated above among the Funds, Distributor and Company with respect to all investments by the Company or its separate accounts in each Fund prior to the date of this Agreement, as though identical separate agreements had been executed by the parties hereto on the dates as indicated below.
Participation Agreement(s) among Company, Fidelity Distributors Corporation ("Fidelity
Distributors") and Variable Insurance Product Fund, Variable Insurance Product Fund II and Variable Insurance Product Fund III
In addition, the parties hereby amend and restate their agreements herein.
Although the parties have executed this Agreement in the form of a Master Participation
Agreement for administrative convenience, this Agreement shall create a separate participation agreement for each Fund, as though the Company and the Distributor had executed a separate, identical form of participation agreement with each Fund. No rights, responsibilities or liabilities of any Fund shall be attributed to any other Fund.
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1.
The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the Fund which each
Account orders, executing such orders on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its designee of the order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such order by 9:00 a.m. Boston time on the next following Business Day. Beginning within three months of the effective date of this
Agreement the Company agrees that all order for the purchase and redemption of Fund shares on behalf of the Accounts will be placed by the Company with the Funds or their transfer agent by electronic
transmission. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
1.2.
The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for purchase at the
applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its Accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to
calculate such net asset value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to
sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.3.
The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be sold only to
Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and Qualified Plans. No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.4.
The Fund and the Underwriter will not sell Fund shares to any insurance company,
separate account or Qualified Plan unless an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as Articles I, III, V, VII and Section 2.5 of Article II of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.5
The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this Section 1.5, the
Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of requests for redemption from each Account and
7
receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such request for redemption on the next following Business Day. This section shall not apply to VIP Fund shares
or share classes that are subject to redemption fees. The Company shall not purchase or redeem VIP Fund shares that are subject to redemption fees, including shares of Portfolios or share classes that later become subject to redemption fees, in the absence of an additional written agreement signed by all parties.
1.6.
The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares offered by the
then current prospectus of the Fund Shall be made in accordance with the provisions of such prospectus.
1.7.
The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day after an order to
purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire. For purpose of Section 2.10 and 2.11, upon receipt by the Fund of the federal funds so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company and shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.8.
Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only stock
certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9.
The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone, followed by written
confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Fund's shares. The Company hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to revoke this
election and to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.10.
The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each Portfolio available to the
Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is calculated (normally by 6:30 p.m. Boston time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 7 p.m. Boston time.
1.11.
The parties agree that the Contracts are not intended to serve as vehicles for frequent
transfers among the Portfolios in response to short-term stock market fluctuations.
A.
Accordingly, the Company represents and warrants that:
(a)
all purchase and redemption orders it provides under this Article I shall result
solely from Contract Owner transactions fully received and recorded by the Company before the time as of which each applicable VIP Portfolio net asset value was calculated (currently 4:00 p.m. e.s.t);
(b)
it will comply with its policies and procedures designed to prevent excessive
trading as approved by the Fund, or will comply with the Fund's policies and procedures regarding excessive trading as set forth in the Fund's prospectus, but in no event shall this provision require the Company to breach any
terms of its existing Contracts.;
(c)
any annuity contract forms or variable life insurance policy forms not in use at
the time of execution of this Agreement, but added to in the future via amendment of Schedule A hereto, will contain language reserving to the Company the right to refuse to accept instructions from persons that engage in
market timing or other excessive or disruptive trading activity.
B.
The Company agrees to provide the Fund, upon written request, the taxpayer
identification number ("TIN"), if known, of any or all Contract Owner(s) of the account and the amount, date, name or other identifier of any investment professional(s) associated with the Contract Owner (s) or account (if known);
and transaction type (purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange) of every purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange of Shares held through an account maintained by the Company during the period covered by the
request.
(a)
The Fund will request information pursuant to Section 1.11B. which sets forth a
specific period for which transaction information is sought. The Fund may request transaction information it deems necessary to investigate compliance with policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating
or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by the Fund.
8
[for if daily feeds of transaction information on an ongoing basis. Unless otherwise directed by the Fund the Company agrees to provide the information specified in section 1.11B for each trading day.]
(b)
The Company agrees to transmit the requested information that is on its books and
records to the Fund or its designee promptly, but in any event not later than five business days, after receipt of a request. If the requested information is not on the Company's books and records, the Company agrees to:
(i) provide or arrange to provide to the Fund the requested information from Contract Owners who hold an account with an indirect intermediary; or (ii) if directed by the
Fund, block further purchases of Fund Shares from such indirect intermediary. In such instance, the Company agrees to inform the Fund whether it plans to perform (i) or (ii). Responses required by this paragraph
must be communicated in writing and in a format mutually agreed upon by the parties. To the extent practicable, the format for any transaction information provided to the
Fund should be consistent with the NSCC Standardized Data Reporting Format. For purposes of this provision, an "indirect intermediary" has the same meaning as in SEC Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act.
(c)
The Fund agrees not to use the information received for marketing or any other
similar purpose without the prior written consent of the Company.
C.
The Company agrees to execute written instructions from the Fund to restrict or
prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Shares by a Contract Owner that has been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions of the Fund's Shares (directly or indirectly through the Company's account) that violate
policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding Shares issued by the Fund, except that this provision shall not require the Company to breach
any terms of its existing contracts with Contract owners.
(a)
Instructions from the Fund will include the TIN, if known, and the specific
restriction(s) to be executed. If the TIN is not known, the instructions will include an equivalent identifying number of the Contract Owner(s) or account(s) or other agreed upon information to which the instruction
relates.
(b)
The Company agrees to execute instructions as soon as reasonably practicable, but
not later than five business days after receipt of the instructions by the Company.
(c)
The Company must provide written confirmation to the Fund that instructions have
been executed. The Company agrees to provide confirmation as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than five business days after the instructions have been executed.
D.
For purposes of this paragraph:
(a)
The term "Fund" includes the Fund's principal underwriter and transfer agent. The
term not does include any "excepted funds" as defined in SEC Rule 22c-2(b) under the 1940 Act.
(b)
The term "Shares" means the interests of Shareholders corresponding to the
redeemable securities of record issued by the Fund under the 1940 Act that are held by the Company.
(c)
The term "Contract Owner" means the holder of interests in a variable annuity or
variable life insurance contract issued by the Company.
(d)
The term "written" includes electronic writings and facsimile
transmissions.
1.12
A.
Company agrees to comply with its obligations under applicable anti-money
laundering ("AML") laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to its obligations under the United States Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended (by the USA 'PATRIOT Act of 2001 and other laws), and the rules, regulations and
official guidance issued thereunder (collectively, the "BSA").
B.
The Company agrees to undertake inquiry and due diligence regarding the customers
to whom the Company offers and/or sells Portfolio shares or on whose behalf the Company purchases Portfolio shares and that the inquiry and due diligence is reasonably designed to determine that the Company is not
9
prohibited from dealing with any such customer by (i) any sanction administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (collectively, the "Sanctions"); or (ii) any of the Special Measures.
C.
The Company hereby represents, covenants and warrants to the Fund and the
Underwriter that:
(a)
None of the Company's employees who are authorized in connection with their
employment transact business with the Fund or Underwriter in accounts in the Company's name, in any nominee name maintained for the Company, or for which the Company serves as financial institution of record are
designated or targeted under any of the Sanctions or Special Measures and that no transactions placed in any such accounts by any of the Company's authorized employees will contravene any of the
Sanctions or Special Measures;
(b)
As the Sanctions or Special Measures are updated, the Company shall periodically
review them to confirm that none of the Company's employees that are authorized to transact business with the Fund or Underwriter are designated or targeted under any of the Sanctions or Special Measures; and
(c)
The Company, including any of the Company's affiliates, does not maintain offices
in any country or territory to which any of the Sanctions or Special Measures prohibit the export of services or other dealings.
D.
The Company agrees to notify the Fund and the Underwriter or the Portfolios'
transfer agent promptly when and if it learns that the establishment or maintenance of any account holding, or transaction in or relationship with a holder of, Portfolio shares pursuant to this Agreement violates or appears to violate any of the Sanctions or Special Measures.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1.
The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be registered under
the 1933 Act or are exempt from registration thereunder; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Federal and State laws and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all
material respects with state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under applicable law and that
it has legally and validly established each Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account under Section 245.21 of the Illinois Insurance Code and that each Account is either registered or
exempt from registration as a unit investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated investment account for the Contracts.
2.2.
The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to this Agreement shall
be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Illinois and all applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act. The fund shall amend the Registration Statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and
the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund or the Underwriter.
2.3.
The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated Investment Company
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") and that it will make every effort to maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and that it will
notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
2.4.
The Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated as endowment, life
insurance or annuity insurance contracts, under applicable provisions of the Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it will notify the Fund and the Underwriter immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.5.
(a) With respect to Initial Class shares, the Fund currently does not intend to make
any payments to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise, although it may make such
10
payments in the future. The Fund has adopted a "no fee" or "defensive" Rule 12b-1 Plan under which it makes no payments for distribution expenses. To the extent that it decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to have a board of trustees, a majority of whom are not
interested persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses.
(b)
With respect to Service Class shares and Service Class 2 shares, the Fund has
adopted Rule 12b-1 Plans under which it makes payments to finance distribution expenses. The Fund represents and warrants that it has a board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, which has formulated
and approved each of its Rule 12b-1 Plans to finance distribution expenses of the Fund and that any changes to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plans will be approved by a similarly constituted board of trustees.
2.6.
The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its operations (including,
but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states except that the fund represents that the fund’s investment policies, fees and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of the State of Illinois and the Fund and the Underwriter
represent that their respective operations are and shall at all times remain in material compliance with the laws of the State of Illinois to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
2.7.
The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good standing of the
NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund shares in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all applicable
state and federal securities laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act.
2.8.
The
Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that it does and will comply in all material
respects with the 1940 Act.
2.9.
The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is and shall remain duly
registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Adviser shall perform its obligations for the Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.10.
The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all of their directors, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid Bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
2.11.
The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors, officers, employees,
investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund, and that said bond is issued by a reputable
bonding company, includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement, and is in an amount not less than $5 million. The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond
containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer applies.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1.
The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many printed copies of the Fund's
current prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as the Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide camera-ready film containing the Fund's prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information, and such other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information
for the Fund is amended during the year) to have the prospectus, private offering memorandum or other disclosure document ("Disclosure Document") for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together
in one document, and to have the Statement of Additional Information for the Fund and the Statement of Additional Information for the Contracts printed together in one document. Alternatively, the Company
may print the Fund's prospectus and/or its Statement of Additional Information in combination with other
11
fund companies' prospectuses and statements of additional information. Except as provided in the following three sentences, all expenses of printing and distributing Fund prospectuses and Statements of
Additional Information shall be the expense of the Company. For prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information provided by the Company to its existing owners of Contracts in order to update
disclosure annually as required by the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of printing shall be borne by the Fund. If the Company chooses to receive camera-ready film in lieu of receiving printed copies of the
Fund's prospectus, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an amount equal to the product of A and B where A is the number of such prospectuses distributed to owners of the Contracts, and B is the Fund's per
unit cost of typesetting and printing the Fund's prospectus. The same procedures shall be followed with respect to the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee with such information as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that the Fund's expenses do not include the cost of printing any prospectuses or Statements of Additional Information other than those actually distributed to existing owners of the Contracts.
3.2.
The Fund's prospectus shall state that the Statement of Additional Information for the
Fund is available from the Underwriter or the Company (or in the Fund's discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such Statement is available from the Fund).
3.3.
The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its proxy
statements, reports to shareholders, and other communications (except for prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information, which are covered in Section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall
reasonably require for distributing to Contract owners.
3.4.
If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
(i)
solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii)
vote the fund shares in accordance with instructions received from Contract owners;
and
(iii)
vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been received in a particular
separate account in the same proportion as Fund shares of such portfolio for which instructions have been received in that separate account;
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth on Schedule B attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, which standards will also be provided to the other Participating Insurance Companies.
3.5.
The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting by
shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in accordance with the Securities and
Exchange Commission's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of trustees and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1.
The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its designee,
each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Fund or its investment adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least fifteen Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its
designee reasonably objects to such use within fifteen Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2.
The Company shall not give any information or make any representations or statements on
behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the Fund shares, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports or
12
proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its designee or by the Underwriter, except with the permission of the fund or the Underwriter or the
designee of either.
4.3.
The Fund, Underwriter, or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished,
to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or its separate account(s), is named at least fifteen Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Company or its designee reasonably objects to such use within fifteen Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.4.
The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or make any representations
on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, each Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in a registration statement or Disclosure Document for the Contracts, as such
registration statement or Disclosure Document may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain or approved by the Company for
distribution to Contract owners, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5.
The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all registration
statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to
any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory authorities.
4.6.
The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all registration
statements, Disclosure Documents, Statements of Additional Information, reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to or affect the Fund, the Contracts or each Account,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities or, if a Contract and its associated Account are exempt from registration, at the time such documents are first
published.
4.7.
For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other promotional
material" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training
materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements, Disclosure Documents, Statements of Additional Information,
shareholder reports, and proxy materials.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1.
The Fund and Underwriter shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company under
this agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, then the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter for
the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing and such payments will be made out of existing fees otherwise payable to the Underwriter, past profits of the Underwriter or other resources available to the Underwriter. No such payments shall be made directly by the Fund.
5.2.
All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this Agreement shall be paid by
the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration statement, proxy
materials and reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the proxy materials and
13
reports to shareholders (including the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.3.
The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Fund's prospectus and reports
to owners of Contracts issued by the Company. The Fund shall bear the costs of soliciting Fund proxies from Contract owners, including the costs of mailing proxy materials and tabulating proxy voting instructions, not to
exceed the costs charged by any service provider engaged by the Fund for this purpose. The Fund and the Underwriter shall not be responsible for the costs of any proxy solicitations other than proxies sponsored by the Fund.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
6.1.
The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a manner as to
ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury
Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or Regulations. In the
event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period
afforded by Regulation 1.8.17-5.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
7.1.
The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material irreconcilable
conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory
authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of any portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting
instructions given by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f) a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform the
Company if it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2.
The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware to the
Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider any issues raised.
This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are disregarded.
7.3.
If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its disinterested
trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and
including: (1), withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including (but not limited to)
another Portfolio of the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract owners, or variable contract owners of one or more
Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2), establishing a new registered management
investment company or managed separate account.
7.4.
If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by the Company to
disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company may be required, at the Fund’s election, to withdraw the affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account; provided, however that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
14
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Any such withdrawal and termination must take place within six (6) months after the Fund gives written notice that this provision is being implemented, and until the end of that six month period the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to
accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.5.
If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state insurance
regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the affected Account's investment in the Fund, and terminate this Agreement with respect to such
Account within six months after the Board informs the Company in writing that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Until the end of the foregoing six
month period, the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6.
For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts if an
offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the Board determines that any proposed action does
not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then the Company will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs the
Company in writing of the foregoing determination, provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such material irreconcilable conflict as
determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
7.7.
If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule 6e-3 is
adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially
different from those contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply
with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms and conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1.
Indemnification By The Company
8.1(a).
The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each trustee of the Board and officers
and each person, if any, who controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of, or investment in, the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i)
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue statements
of any material fact contained in the Disclosure Documents for the Contracts or contained in the Contracts or sales literature for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall
not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company by or on behalf
15
of the Fund for use in any Disclosure Document relating to the Contracts or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii)
arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the registration statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied by the Company, or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under its control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
(iii)
arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus, or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv)
arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the services and
furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v)
arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company, as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b).
The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect
to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to the Fund, whichever is applicable.
8.1(c).
The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect
to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have
received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against
whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof,
with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d).
The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the commencement of
any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the Contracts or the operation of the Fund.
8.2.
Indemnification by the Underwriter
8.2(a).
The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors and officers
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of, or investment in, the Fund’s shares or the Contracts and:
i.)
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in the registration statement or prospectus or sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment or
16
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Underwriter or Fund by or on behalf of the Company for use in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
ii.)
arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the Registration Statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by the Underwriter or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Fund, Adviser or Underwriter or
persons under their control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
iii.)
arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in a Disclosure Document or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund; or
iv.)
arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services and furnish
the materials under the terms of this Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to comply with the diversification requirements specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
v.)
arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by the Underwriter in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Underwriter; as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and 8.2(c)
hereof.
8.2(b).
The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.2(c).
The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have
received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also shall be entitled to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Underwriter will not be liable to such
party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.2(d).
The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the commencement of any
litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of each Account.
8.3.
Indemnification By the Fund
8.3(a).
The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of its directors and officers and
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims,
17
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any
statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i)
arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services and furnish
the materials under the terms of this Agreement (including a failure to comply with the diversification requirements specified in Article VI of this Agreement);or
(ii)
arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and 8.3(c) hereof.
8.3(b).
The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or each Account, whichever is
applicable.
8.3(c).
The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to
any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received
notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the defense
thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.3(d).
The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the Fund of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either the Account, or the sale or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1.
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under and in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
9.2.
This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934 and 1940 acts, and
the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1.
This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first to occur
of:
(a)
termination by any party for any reason by sixty (60) days advance written notice
delivered to the other parties; or
18
(b)
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter with
respect to any Portfolio based upon the Company's determination that shares of such Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts; or
(c)
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter with
respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(d)
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter with
respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code or under any successor or similar provision, or if the Company reasonably
believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(e)
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter with
respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio fails to meet the diversification requirements specified in Article VI hereof; or
(f)
termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice to the
Company, if either one or both of the Fund or the Underwriter respectively, shall determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Company and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change in its business,
operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
(g)
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter, if
the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that either the Fund or the Underwriter has suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
10.2.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter shall
at the option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement
(hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem investments in the Fund and/or
invest in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement.
10.3.
The provisions of Articles II (Representations and Warranties), VIII (Indemnification)
IX (Applicable Law) and XII (Miscellaneous) shall survive termination of this Agreement. In addition, all other applicable provisions of this Agreement shall survive termination as long as shares of the Fund are held on behalf of
Contract owners in accordance with section 10.2, except that the Fund and Underwriter shall have no further obligation to make Fund shares available in Contract Issued after termination:
10.4.
The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts (as opposed to
Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner initiated or approved transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application (hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required
Redemption") or (iii) as permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act. Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter the opinion of counsel for the
Company (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter) to the effect that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in
cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company shall not prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under the Contracts without first
giving the Fund or the Underwriter 90 days notice of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party.
19
If to the Fund:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
If to the Company:
XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
#0 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Senior Vice President.of Life, Annuity and Group
#0 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Senior Vice President.of Life, Annuity and Group
If to the Underwriter:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
12.1
All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for
the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
12.2
Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority, each party
hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
12.3
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and
in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
12.5
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise; the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
12.6
Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate
governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry
relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further agrees to furnish the California Insurance Commissioner with any
information or reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the insurance operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the California Insurance Regulations and any other applicable
law or regulations.
12.7
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are cumulative and
are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and federal laws.
12.8.
This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned by
any party without the prior written consent of all parties hereto; provided, however, that the Underwriter may assign this
20
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common control with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly licensed and registered to perform the obligations of the
Underwriter under this Agreement. The Company shall promptly notify the Fund and the Underwriter of any change in control of the Company.
12.9.
The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its designee
copies of the following reports:
(a)
the Company's annual statement (prepared under statutory accounting principles) and
annual report (prepared under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), if any), as soon as practical and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year;
(b)
the Company's quarterly statements (statutory) (and GAAP, if any), as soon as
practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each quarterly period:
(c)
any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or report of the Company sent to
stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon as practical after the delivery thereof to stockholders;
(d)
any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial reports of the Company
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the filing thereof;
(e)
any other report submitted to the Company by independent accountants in connection
with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Company, as soon as practical after the receipt thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.
XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY |
By: /s/ Xxxxx X’Xxxxx
|
Name: Xxxxx X’Xxxxx |
Title: Senior Vice President |
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III, and VARIANCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV |
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Name:Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Title: Senior Vice President |
|
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Title: Executive Vice President |
21
Schedule A
Separate Accounts and Associated
Contracts
Name of Separate Account and Date Established by Board of Directors |
Policy Form Numbers of Contracts Funded By Separate Account |
|
|
Xxxxxx Xxxx Life Insurance Company |
IC-427000 IC-408000 |
Separate Account; 1949 |
IC-450000 IC-428000 |
Xxxxxx Xxxx 401(k) |
IC-447000 IC-438000 |
Xxxxxx Xxxx Life Insurance Group Annuity |
IC-451000 IC-431000 |
Separate Account; 2002 |
IC-426000 IC-430000 |
Xxxxxx Xxxx Life Insurance Company Qualified |
IC-429000 IC-441000 |
Group Annuity Separate Account; 2006 |
IC-414000 IC-417000 |
|
IC-443000 IC-418000 |
|
IC-437000 |
22
SCHEDULE B
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities for the handling of proxies relating to the Fund by the Underwriter, the Fund and the Company. The defined terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the Participation Agreement except that the term "Company" shall also include the department or third party assigned by the Insurance Company to perform the steps delineated below.
1.
The number of proxy proposals is given to the Company by the Underwriter as early
as possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder meeting to facilitate the establishment of tabulation procedures. At this time the Underwriter will inform the Company of the Record, Mailing and Meeting dates. This will be done verbally approximately two months before meeting.
2.
Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape run", or other
activity, which will generate the names, addresses and number of units which are attributed to each contractowner/policyholder (the "Customer") as of the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account adjustments made after this date that could affect the status of the Customers' accounts as of the Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities
described in Step #2. The Company will use its best efforts to call in the number of Customers to Fidelity, as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks after the
Record Date.
3.
The Fund's Annual Report no longer needs to be sent to each Customer by the Company
either before or together with the Customers' receipt of a proxy statement. Underwriter will provide the last Annual Report to the Company pursuant to the terms of Section 3.3 of the Agreement to which this Schedule relates.
4.
The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or "Card") is
provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its expense, shall produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards. The Legal Department of the Underwriter or its affiliate ("Fidelity Legal") must approve the Card before it is printed. Allow approximately 2-4 business days for printing information on the Cards. Information commonly found on
the Cards includes:
a.
name (legal name as found on account registration)
b.
address
c.
Fund or account number
d.
coding to state number of units
e.
individual Card number for use in tracking and verification of votes (already on
Cards as printed by the Fund)
(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due to
possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
5.
During this time, Fidelity Legal will develop, produce, and the Fund will pay for
the Notice of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document). Printed and folded notices and statements will be sent to Company for insertion into envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided and paid for by the Insurance Company). Contents of envelope sent to Customers by Company will include:
a.
Voting Instruction Card(s)
b.
One
proxy notice and statement (one document)
c.
return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to the Company or its
tabulation agent
d.
"urge buckslip" - optional, but recommended. (This is a small, single sheet of
paper that requests Customers to vote as quickly as possible and that their vote is important. One copy will be supplied by the Fund.)
e.
cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and reviewed and approved in advance by
Fidelity Legal.
23
6.
The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5 business
days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews and approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness and completeness. Copy of this approval sent to Fidelity Legal.
7
Package mailed by the Company.
*
The
Fund must allow at least a l5-day solicitation time to the Company as the shareowner. (A 5-week period is recommended.) Solicitation time is calculated as calendar days
from (but not including) the meeting, counting backwards.
8.
Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes place in
another department or another vendor depending on process used. An often used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal into vote categories of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin data entry.
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information would be due to an
insurance company's internal procedure and has not been required by Fidelity in the past.
9.
Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration which was
printed on the Card.
Note: For Example, If the account registration is under "Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Trustee," then that is the exact legal name to be printed on the Card and is the signature needed on the Card.
10.
If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not signed properly,
they are sent back to Customer with an explanatory letter, a new Card and return envelope. The mutilated or illegible Card is disregarded and considered to be not received for purposes of vote tabulation. Any Cards that have "kicked out" (e.g. mutilated, illegible) of the procedure are "hand verified," i.e., examined as to why they did not complete the system. Any questions on those Cards are usually remedied individually.
11.
There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation of votes and
accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort the Cards as they first arrive into categories depending upon their vote; an estimate of how the vote is progressing may then be calculated. If the initial estimates and the actual vote do not
coincide, then an internal audit of that vote should occur. This may entail a recount.
12.
The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then converted to shares.
(It is very important that the Fund receives the tabulations stated in terms of a percentage and the number of shares.) Fidelity Legal must review and approve tabulation format.
13
Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to Fidelity Legal on the
morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 a.m. Boston time. Fidelity Legal may request an earlier deadline if required to calculate the vote in time for the meeting.
14.
A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will be required from
the Company as well as an original copy of the final vote. Fidelity Legal will provide a standard form for each Certification.
15.
The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from the
Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise necessary for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, Fidelity Legal will be permitted reasonable access to such Cards.
16,
All approvals and "signing-off' may be done orally, but must always be followed up in
writing.
24
SUB-LICENSE AGREEMENT
Agreement effective as of this 19th of December, 2006, by and between Fidelity Distributors Corporation (hereinafter called "Fidelity"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with a principal place of business at 00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, and XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (hereinafter called "Company"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Illinois, with a principal place of business at #0 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx.
WHEREAS, FMR Corp., a Massachusetts corporation, the parent company of Fidelity, is the owner of the trademark and the tradename "FIDELITY INVESTMENTS" and is the owner of a trademark in a pyramid design (hereinafter, collectively the "Fidelity Trademarks"), a copy of each of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A"; and
WHEREAS, FMR Corp. has granted a license to Fidelity (the "Master License Agreement") to sub-license the Fidelity Trademarks to third parties for their use in connection with Promotional Materials as hereinafter defined; and
WHEREAS, Company is desirous of using the Fidelity Trademarks in connection with
distribution of "sales literature and other promotional material" with information, including the Fidelity Trademarks, printed in said material (such material hereinafter
called the Promotional Material). For the purpose of this Agreement, "sales literature and other promotional material" shall have the same meaning as in the certain Participation Agreement dated as of the _19th day of _December_, 2006, among Fidelity, Company and the Variable Insurance Products Funds (hereinafter "Participation Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, Fidelity is desirous of having the Fidelity Trademarks used in connection with the Promotional Material.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy whereof is hereby acknowledged, and of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as
follows:
1.
Fidelity hereby grants to Company a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use
the Fidelity Trademarks in connection with the promotional distribution of the Promotional Material and Company accepts said license, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2.
Company acknowledges that FMR Corp. is the owner of all right, title and interest
in the Fidelity Trademarks and agrees that it will do nothing inconsistent with the ownership of the Fidelity Trademarks by FMR Corp., and that it will not, now or hereinafter, contest any registration or application for registration of the Fidelity Trademarks by FMR Corp., nor will it, now or hereafter, aid anyone in contesting any registration or application for registration of the Fidelity Trademarks by FMR Corp.
3.
Company agrees to use the Fidelity Trademarks only in the form and manner approved
by Fidelity and not to use any other trademark, service mark or registered trademark in combination with any of the Fidelity Trademarks without approval by Fidelity.
4.
Company agrees that it will place all necessary and proper notices and legends in
order to protect the interests of FMR Corp. and Fidelity therein pertaining to the Fidelity Trademarks on the Promotional Material including, but not limited to, symbols indicating trademarks, service marks and registered trademarks. Company will place such symbols and legends on the Promotional Material as requested by Fidelity or FMR Corp. upon receipt of
notice of same from Fidelity or FMR Corp.
5.
Company agrees that the nature and quality of all of the Promotional Material
distributed by Company bearing the Fidelity Trademarks shall conform to standards set by, and be under the control of, Fidelity.
6.
Company agrees to cooperate with Fidelity in facilitating Fidelity's control of the
use of the Fidelity Trademarks and of the quality of the Promotional Material to permit reasonable inspection of samples of same by Fidelity and to supply Fidelity with reasonable quantities of samples of the Promotional Material upon
request.
7.
Company shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations and obtain any and
all licenses or other necessary permits pertaining to the distribution of said Promotional Material.
8.
Company agrees to notify Fidelity of any unauthorized use of the Fidelity
Trademarks by others promptly as it comes to the attention of Company. Fidelity or FMR Corp. shall have the sole right and discretion to commence actions or other proceedings for infringement, unfair competition or the like involving the Fidelity Trademarks and Company shall cooperate in any such proceedings if so requested by Fidelity or FMR Corp.
25
9.
This agreement shall continue in force until terminated by Fidelity. This agreement
shall automatically terminate upon termination of the Master License Agreement. In addition, Fidelity shall have the right to terminate this agreement at any time upon notice to Company, with or without cause. Upon any such
termination, Company agrees to cease immediately all use of the Fidelity Trademarks and shall destroy, at Company's expense, any and all materials in its possession bearing the Fidelity Trademarks, and agrees that all rights in the Fidelity Trademarks and in the goodwill connected therewith shall remain the property of FMR
Corp. Unless so terminated by Fidelity, or extended by written agreement of the parties, this agreement shall expire on the termination of that certain Participation Agreement.
10.
Company shall indemnify Fidelity and FMR Corp. and hold each of them harmless from
and against any loss, damage, liability, cost or expense of any nature whatsoever, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and all court costs, arising out of use of the Fidelity Trademarks by Company.
11.
In consideration for the promotion and advertising of Fidelity as a result of the
distribution by Company of the Promotional Material, Company shall not pay any monies as a royalty to Fidelity for this license.
12.
This agreement is not intended in any manner to modify the terms and conditions of
the Participation Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions herein and thereof, the terms and conditions of the Participation Agreement shall control.
13.
This agreement shall be interpreted according to the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereunto set their hands and seals, and xxxxxx execute this
agreement, as of the date first above written.
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION |
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx |
Title: Executive Vice President |
Date: 1/23/2007 |
XXXXXX XXXX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY |
By: /s/ Xxxxx X’Xxxxx
|
Name: Xxxxx X’Xxxxx |
Title: Senior Vice President |
26
EXHIBIT A
Int. Cl.: 36
Prior U.S. Cls.: 101 and 102
Reg. No. 1,481,040
United States Patent and Trademark Office Registered Mar. 15, 1988
SERVICE MARK
PRINCIPAL REGISTER
|
Fidelity Investments |
FMR CORP. (MASSACHUSETTS CORPORATION) |
FIRST USE 2-22-1984; IN COMMERCE 2-22-1984 |
00 XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX |
|
BOSTON, MA 02109, ASSIGNEE OF FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION (MASSACHUSETTS CORPORATION) BOSTON, MA 02109 |
NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “INVESTMENTS”, APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN. |
|
|
FOR: MUTUAL FUND AND STOCK BROKERAGE SERVICES, IN CLASS 36 (U.S. CLS. 101 AND 102) |
SER. NO. 641,707, FILED 1-28-1987 |
| |
XXXX XXXXXX, EXAMING ATTORNEY | |
|
27