SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT Between FIRST FOCUS FUNDS ON BEHALF OF ITS SERIES AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE B and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Exhibit (h)(14)
SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT
Between
FIRST FOCUS FUNDS
ON BEHALF OF ITS SERIES AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE B
ON BEHALF OF ITS SERIES AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE B
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE | ||||||||
1. | DEFINITIONS |
1 | ||||||
2. | APPOINTMENT OF STATE STREET |
2 | ||||||
3. | SECURITIES TO BE LOANED |
2 | ||||||
4. | BORROWERS |
2 | ||||||
5. | SECURITIES LOAN AGREEMENTS |
2 | ||||||
6. | LOANS OF AVAILABLE SECURITIES |
2 | ||||||
7. | DISTRIBUTIONS ON AND VOTING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO
LOANED SECURITIES |
3 | ||||||
8. | COLLATERAL |
4 | ||||||
9. | INVESTMENT OF CASH COLLATERAL AND COMPENSATION |
4 | ||||||
10. | FEE DISCLOSURE |
5 | ||||||
11. | RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTS |
5 | ||||||
12. | STANDARD OF CARE |
6 | ||||||
13. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
6 | ||||||
14. | BORROWER DEFAULT INDEMNIFICATION |
8 | ||||||
15. | CONTINUING AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION |
9 | ||||||
16. | NOTICES |
9 | ||||||
17. | SECURITIES INVESTORS PROTECTION ACT |
9 | ||||||
18. | AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES |
10 | ||||||
19. | MISCELLANEOUS |
10 | ||||||
20. | COUNTERPARTS |
10 | ||||||
21. | MODIFICATION |
10 |
EXHIBIT A (Qualified Purchaser Investments)
SCHEDULE A (Schedule of Fees)
SCHEDULE B (Funds)
SCHEDULE 8.1 (Acceptable Forms of Col1ateral)
SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT
Agreement dated the 15th day of November, 2004 between FIRST FOCUS FUNDS, an open-end
investment management company organized and existing under the laws of Nebraska (the “Trust”), on
behalf of its series as listed on Schedule B, severally and not jointly, each a registered
management investment company, and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, its affiliates or
subsidiaries (“State Street”), setting forth the terms and conditions under which State Street is
authorized to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the lending of certain securities of the
Trust held by First National Bank of Omaha as custodian.
This Agreement shall be deemed for all purposes to constitute a separate and discrete agreement
between State Street and each of the series of shares of the Trust as listed on Schedule B
to this Agreement (the Trust acting on behalf of each such series, a “Fund” and collectively,
the “Funds”) as it may be amended by the parties, and no series of shares of the Trust shall be
responsible or liable for any of the obligations of any other series of the Trust under this
Agreement or otherwise, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and of the mutual covenants contained
herein, each of the parties does hereby covenant and agree as follows:
1. | Definitions. For the purposes hereof: |
(a) “Authorized Representative” means any person who is, or State Street reasonably believes
to be, authorized to act on behalf of the Funds with respect to any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) “Available Securities” means the securities of the Funds that are available for Loans
pursuant to Section 3.
(c) “Borrower” means any of the entities to which Available Securities may be loaned under
a Securities Loan Agreement, as described in Section 4.
(d) “Collateral” means collateral delivered by a Borrower to secure its obligations under a
Securities Loan Agreement.
(e) “Investment Manager” when used in any provision, means the person or entity who has
discretionary authority over the investment of the Available Securities to which the provision
applies.
(f) “Loan” means a loan of Available Securities to a Borrower.
(g) “Loaned Security” shall mean any “security” which is delivered as a Loan under a
Securities Loan Agreement; provided that, if any new or different security shall be exchanged
for any Loaned Security by recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or other corporate action,
such new or different security shall, effective upon such exchange, be deemed to become a Loaned
Security in substitution for the former Loaned Security for which such exchange was made.
(h) “Market
Value” of a security means the market value of such security (including, in the
case of a Loaned Security that is a debt security, the accrued interest on such security) as
determined by the independent pricing service designated by State Street, or such other
independent sources as may be selected by State Street on a reasonable basis.
(i) “Securities Loan Agreement” means the agreement between a Borrower and State Street (on
behalf of the Funds) that governs Loans, as described in Section 5.
(j) “Replacement Securities” means securities of the same issuer, class and denomination as
Loaned Securities.
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2. | Appointment of State Street. |
Each Fund hereby appoints and authorizes State Street, its affiliates or subsidiaries, as its
agent to lend Available Securities to Borrowers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
State Street shall have the responsibility and authority to do or cause to be done all acts State
Street shall determine to be desirable, necessary, or appropriate to implement and administer this
securities lending program. Each Fund agrees that State Street is acting as a fully disclosed
agent and not as principal in connection with the securities lending program. State Street may
take action as agent of the Fund on an undisclosed or a disclosed basis. State Street is also
hereby authorized to request The Bank of New York or JPMorgan Chase Bank to undertake certain
custodial functions in connection with holding of the Collateral provided by a Borrower pursuant
to the terms hereof. In connection therewith, State Street may instruct The Bank of New York or
JPMorgan Chase Bank to establish and maintain a Borrower’s account and a State Street account
wherein all Collateral, including cash, shall be maintained by such bank (as applicable) in
accordance with the terms of a form of custodial arrangement which shall also be consistent with
the terms hereof.
Each Fund also authorizes State Street, its affiliates or subsidiaries, as its agent, to enter
into fee for holds arrangements with respect to certain Available Securities. State Street will,
in return for a fee from the Borrower, hold and reserve certain Available Securities and refrain
from lending such Available Securities to any third party without the Borrower’s permission,
provided, however, that the fee for holds arrangements shall not restrict or otherwise
affect the Fund’s ownership rights with regard to the Available Securities. The fee from the
Borrower shall be allocated between State Street and the Fund in accordance with Schedule
A.
3. | Securities to be Loaned. |
All of the Fund’s securities held by First National Bank of Omaha as custodian shall be
subject to this securities lending program and constitute Available Securities hereunder, except
those securities which the Fund or the Investment Manager specifically identifies herein or in
notices to State Street as not being Available Securities. In the absence of any such
identification herein or other notices identifying specific securities as not being Available
Securities, State Street shall have no authority or responsibility for determining whether any of
the Fund’s securities should be excluded from the securities lending program.
4. | Borrowers. |
The Available Securities may be loaned to any Borrower identified on the Schedule of
Borrowers, as such Schedule may be modified from time to time by State Street and the Fund.
State Street shall not be responsible for any statements, representations, warranties or
covenants made by any Borrower in connection with any Loan or for any Borrower’s performance of
or failure to perform the terms of any Loan under the applicable Securities Loan Agreement or any
related agreement, including the failure to make any required payments, except as otherwise
expressly provided herein.
5. | Securities Loan Agreements. |
Each Fund authorizes State Street to enter into one or more Securities Loan Agreements with
such Borrowers as may be selected by State Street. Each Securities Loan Agreement shall have such
terms and conditions as State Street may negotiate with the Borrower, which terms and conditions
will not be inconsistent with this Agreement and will be reasonable in accordance with standard
industry practice. State Street, as lending agent on behalf of each Fund, shall comply with the
terms of each such Securities Loan Agreement. Certain terms of individual Loans, including rebate
fees to be paid to the Borrower for the use of cash Collateral, shall be negotiated at the time a
Loan is made.
6. | Loans of Available Securities. |
State Street shall be responsible for determining whether any Loans shall be made and shall
have the authority to terminate any Loan in its discretion, at any time and without prior notice
to the Fund.
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Each Fund acknowledges that State Street administers securities lending programs for other
clients of State Street. State Street will allocate securities lending opportunities among its
clients, using reasonable and equitable methods established by State Street from time to time.
State Street does not represent or warrant that any amount or percentage of the Fund’s Available
Securities will in fact be loaned to Borrowers. Each Fund agrees that it shall have no claim
against State Street and State Street shall have no liability arising from, based on, or relating
to, loans made for other clients, or loan opportunities refused hereunder, whether or not State
Street has made fewer or more loans for any other client, and whether or not any loan for another
client, or the opportunity refused, could have resulted in loans made under this Agreement.
Each Fund also acknowledges that, under the applicable Securities Loan Agreements, the
Borrowers will not be required to return Loaned Securities immediately upon receipt of notice
from State Street terminating the applicable Loan, but instead will be required to return such
Loaned Securities within such period of time following such notice as is specified in the
applicable Securities Loan Agreement and in no event later than the end of the customary
settlement period. Upon receiving a notice from the Fund or the Investment Manager that
Available Securities which have been loaned to a Borrower should no longer be considered
Available Securities (whether because of the sale of such securities or otherwise), State
Street shall use its reasonable efforts to notify promptly thereafter the Borrower which has
borrowed such securities that the Loan of such Available Securities is terminated and that such
Available Securities are to be returned within the time specified by the applicable Securities
Loan Agreement and in no event later than the end of the customary settlement period. If such
Available Securities are not returned within the customary settlement period, State Street
shall drop the rebate fee that had previously been agreed to between State Street and the
Borrower with respect to such Loan to zero. Each Fund agrees . that in the event of a default
by a Borrower with respect to a Loan, State Street shall, subject to Section 12 and 14 below,
be fully protected in acting in its sole discretion in a manner it deems appropriate.
7. | Distributions on and Voting Rights with Respect to Loaned Securities. |
Each Fund represents and warrants that it is the [legal/beneficial] owner of (or exercises
complete investment discretion over) all Available Securities free and clear of all liens, claims,
security interests and encumbrances and no such security has been sold, and that it is entitled to
receive all distributions made by the issuer with respect to Loaned Securities. Except as provided
in the next sentence, all interest, dividends, and other distributions paid with respect to Loaned
Securities shall be credited to the Fund’s account on the date such amounts are delivered by the
Borrower to State Street. Any non-cash distribution on Loaned Securities which is in the nature of
a stock split or a stock dividend shall be added to the Loan (and shall be considered to
constitute Loaned Securities) as of the date such non-cash distribution is received by the
Borrower; provided that the Fund or Investment Manager may, by giving State Street ten
(10) business days’ notice prior to the date of such non-cash distribution, direct State Street to
request that the Borrower deliver such non-cash distribution to State Street, pursuant to the
applicable Securities Loan Agreement, in which case State Street shall credit such non-cash
distribution to the Fund’s account on the date it is delivered to State Street.
Each Fund acknowledges that it will not be entitled to participate in any dividend
reinvestment program or to vote with respect to Available Securities that are on loan on the
applicable record date for such Available Securities.
Each Fund also acknowledges that any payments of distributions from Borrower to the Fund are
in substitution for the interest or dividend accrued or paid in respect of Loaned Securities and
that the tax and accounting treatment of such payment may differ from the tax and accounting
treatment of such interest or dividend.
If an installment, call or rights issue becomes payable on or in respect of any Loaned
Securities, State Street shall use all reasonable endeavors to ensure that any timely instructions
from the Fund or its Investment Manager are complied with, but State Street shall not be required
to make any payment unless the Fund has first provided State Street with funds to make such
payment.
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8. | Collateral. |
(a) Receipt of Collateral. Each Fund hereby authorizes State Street (or The Bank
of New York or JPMorgan Chase Bank as described in Section 2 above) to receive and to hold, on
the Fund’s behalf, Collateral from Borrowers to secure the obligations of Borrowers with respect
to any Loan of Available Securities made on behalf of the Fund pursuant to the Securities Loan
Agreements. All investments of cash Collateral shall be for the account and at the risk of the
Fund. Concurrently with or prior to the delivery of the Loaned Securities to the Borrower under
any Loan, State Street shall receive from the Borrower Collateral in any of the forms listed on
Schedule 8.1. Said Schedule may be amended from time to time by State Street and the
Fund.
(b) Marking to Market. The initial Collateral received shall have (i) in the case of
Loaned Securities denominated in United States Dollars or whose primary trading market is located
in the United States, sovereign debt issued by foreign governments (other than Canada) or
corporate bonds that are not denominated in United States Dollars (other than those issued in
Canada), a value of 102% of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities, or (ii) in the case of
Loaned Securities which are not denominated in United States Dollars or whose primary trading
market is not located in the United States (and not referenced in (i)), a value of 105% of the
Market Value of the Loaned Securities, or (iii) in the case of Loaned Securities comprised of UK
Gilts, a value of 102.5% of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities, or (iv) in all other cases,
such other value, but not less than 102% of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities, as may be
applicable in the jurisdiction in which such Loaned Securities are customarily traded.
Pursuant to the terms of the applicable Securities Loan Agreement, State Street shall, in
accordance with State Street’s reasonable and customary practices, xxxx Loaned Securities and
Collateral to their Market Value each business day based upon the Market Value of the Collateral
and the Loaned Securities at the close of business employing the most recently available pricing
information and receive and deliver Collateral in order to maintain the value of the Collateral at
no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities.
(c) Return of Collateral. The Collateral shall be returned to Borrower at the
termination of the Loan upon the return of the Loaned Securities by Borrower to State Street in
accordance with the applicable Securities Loan Agreement.
(d) Limitations. State Street shall invest cash Collateral in accordance with any
directions, including any limitations established by the Funds and set forth on Schedule
A. State Street shall exercise reasonable care, skill, diligence and prudence in the
investment of Collateral. Subject to the foregoing limits and standard of care, State Street does
not assume any market or investment risk of loss with respect to the investment of cash
Collateral. If the value of the cash Collateral so invested is insufficient to return any and all
other amounts due to such Borrower pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreement, the Fund shall be
responsible for such shortfall as set forth in Section 9.
9. | Investment of Cash Collateral and Compensation. |
To the extent that a Loan is secured by cash Collateral, such cash Collateral, including
money received with respect to the investment of the same, or upon the maturity, sale, or
liquidation of any such investments, shall be invested by State Street, subject to the directions
referred to above, if any, in short-term instruments, short term investment funds maintained by
State Street, money market mutual funds and such other investments as State Street may from time
to time select, including without limitation, investments in obligations or other securities of
State Street or of any State Street affiliate and investments in any short-term investment fund,
mutual fund, securities lending trust or other collective investment fund with respect to which
State Street and/or its affiliates provide investment management or advisory, trust, custody,
transfer agency, shareholder servicing and/or other services for which they are compensated.
State Street does not assume any market or investment risk of loss associated with any investment
or change of investment in any such investments, including any cash collateral investment vehicle
designated on Schedule A.
Each Fund acknowledges that interests in such mutual funds, securities lending trusts and
other collective investment funds, to which State Street and/or one or more of its affiliates
provide services are not guaranteed or
4
insured by State Street or any of its affiliates or by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any government agency. Each Fund hereby authorizes State Street to purchase or
sell investments of cash Collateral to or from other accounts held by State Street or its
affiliates, as long as such transactions are at fair market value.
The net income generated by any investment made pursuant to the first paragraph of this
Section 9 shall be allocated among the Borrower, State Street, and the Fund, as follows: (a) a
portion of such income shall be paid to the Borrower in accordance with the agreement negotiated
between the Borrower and State Street; (b) the balance, if any, shall be split
between State Street, as compensation for its services in connection with this securities
lending program, and the Fund and such income shall be credited to the Fund’s account, in
accordance with the fee split set forth on Schedule A.
In the event the net income generated by any investment made pursuant to the first paragraph
of this Section 9 does not equal or exceed the amount due the Borrower (the rebate fee for the use
of cash Col1ateral) in accordance with the agreement between Borrower and State Street, State
Street and the Fund shall, in accordance with the fee split set forth on Schedule A, share
the amount equal to the difference between the net income generated and the amounts to be paid to
the Borrower pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreement. The Fund shall be solely responsible for
the payment of (i) the rebate fee, subject to State Street’s obligations in the immediately
preceding sentence, (ii) all Collateral pledged by the Borrower with respect to any Loan, (iii)
interest, dividends and distributions on non-cash Collateral, (iv) any taxes imposed on a Loan
hereunder and for which the Fund is responsible, (v) any amounts erroneously credited to the
Fund’s custody account and which are due and owing to either State Street or the Borrower, and
State Street may debit the Fund’s account accordingly. In the event debits to the Fund’s account
produce a deficit therein, State Street shall sell or otherwise liquidate investments made with
cash Collateral and credit the net proceeds of such sale or liquidation to satisfy the deficit. In
the event the foregoing does not eliminate the deficit, State Street shall have the right to
charge the deficiency to any other account or accounts maintained by the Fund with State Street.
To the extent that a Loan is secured by non-cash Collateral, the Borrower shall be required
to pay a loan premium, the amount of which shall be negotiated by State Street Such loan premium
shall be allocated between State Street and the Fund as follows: (a) a portion of such loan
premium shall be paid to State Street as compensation for its services in connection with this
securities lending program, in accordance with Schedule A hereto; and (b) the remainder of
such loan premium shall be credited to the Fund’s account.
Each Fund hereby agrees that it shall reimburse State Street for any and all funds advanced
by State Street on behalf of the Fund as a consequence of the Fund’s obligations hereunder,
including the Fund’s obligation to return cash Collateral to the Borrower and to pay any fees
due the Borrower, all as provided in Section 8 hereof.
10. | Fee Disclosure. |
The fees associated with the investment of cash Collateral in funds maintained or advised by
State Street are disclosed on Schedule A hereto. Said fees may be changed from time to
time by State Street upon notice to the Funds. An annual report with respect to such funds is
available to the Funds, at no expense, upon request.
11. | Recordkeeping and Reports. |
State Street will establish and maintain such records as are reasonably necessary to account
for Loans that are made and the income derived therefrom. On a monthly basis, State Street will
provide the Funds with a statement describing the Loans made, and the income derived from the
Loans, during the period covered by such statement. Each party to this Agreement shall comply
with the reasonable requests of the other for information necessary to the requester’s
performance of its duties in connection with this securities lending program.
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12. | Standard of Care. |
Subject to the requirements of applicable law, State Street shall not be liable for any loss
or damage, including counsel fees and court costs, whether or not resulting from its acts or
omissions hereunder or otherwise, unless the loss or damage arises out of State Street’s
negligence or breach of its duties under this Agreement. Unless and to the extent State Street
breaches such standard of care, and except as provided in Xxxxxxx 00, (x) Xxxxx Xxxxxx shall not
be liable with respect to any losses incurred by the Fund in connection with its securities
lending program or under any provision of this Agreement, and (b) the Fund agrees to reimburse and
to hold harmless State Street and its affiliates and its and their directors, officers, employees,
agents and other representatives from and against any liability, taxes (other than any income
taxes imposed on State Street), government charges, loss and expense, including counsel fees,
expenses and court costs, arising out of or relating to (i) any breach of any representation,
warranty or covenant of the Fund contained in this Agreement, any Securities Loan Agreement or
with respect to any Loan that complies with Section 5 hereof or (ii) any claim, lawsuit or other
proceeding by a third party, including any Borrower, arising out of any (x) direction given by the
Fund and followed by State Street, as agent, in connection with any Loans made by State Street on
behalf of the Fund, (y) tax liability with respect to any Loan made by State Street on behalf of
the Fund, (z) other circumstance wholly out of the control of State Street relating to any Loan
made by State Street on behalf of the Fund; provided, however, that with respect to any liability,
taxes (other than any income taxes imposed on State Street), government charges, loss and expense,
including counsel fees, expenses and court costs, arising out of or relating to the circumstances
set forth in clause (b )(ii)(z) of this paragraph (“Other Liabilities”), the Fund shall only be
obligated to reimburse and hold harmless State Street in an amount equal to seventy percent of the
aggregate of such Other Liabilities. State Street may charge any amounts to which it is entitled
hereunder against the Fund’s account.
Notwithstanding any express provision to the contrary herein, State Street shall not be
liable for any consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages even if State Street as
been apprised of the likelihood of such damages occurring.
Each Fund acknowledges that in the event that its participation in securities lending
generates income for the Fund, State Street may be required to withhold tax or may claim such
tax from the Fund as is appropriate in accordance with applicable law.
State Street, in determining the Market Value of Securities, including without limitation,
Collateral, may rely upon any recognized pricing service and shall not be liable for any errors
made by such service.
13. | Representations and Warranties. |
Each party hereto represents and warrants that (a) it has the power to execute and deliver
this Agreement, to enter into the transactions contemplated hereby, and to perform its obligations
hereunder; (b) it has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, delivery, and
performance; (c) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation enforceable
against it; and (d) the execution, delivery, and performance by it of this Agreement will at all
times comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Each Fund represents and warrants that it has made its own determination as to the tax and
accounting treatment of any dividends, remuneration or other funds received hereunder.
The person executing this Agreement on behalf of the Trust represents that he or she has the
authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Trust.
In the event that the Funds direct State Street to invest cash Collateral in one or more of
the following cash Collateral investment vehicles: the (i) Securities Lending Quality Trust, (ii)
State Street Global Securities Lending Trust or (iii) State Street Global Securities Lending Euro
Trust (each a “Trust”, collectively, the “Trusts”), each Fund also represents and warrants to, and
agrees and covenants with the Trustee of the relevant Trust, as of the date hereof and as of the
date or dates on which any units (“Units”) of the Trust are purchased (collectively, the “Date of
Purchase”) that:
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(a) | the Units will be purchased for the account of the Fund for investment only and not with a view to, or with any intention of, a distribution or resale thereof, in whole or in part, or the grant of any participation therein. Each Fund is aware of the risks associated with an investment in the relevant Trust and has not received any form of general solicitation or advertising in connection with its decision to purchase Units. | ||
(b) | Each Fund understands that the none of the Trusts will be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) because each Trust will be qualified as an excepted entity under Section 3( c )(7) of the 1940 Act Pursuant to such exception, each Trust will be beneficially owned only by “qualified purchasers” as defined in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and by such other persons as are otherwise entitled to participate in an entity qualified under section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act Accordingly, each Fund hereby represents that as of the date hereof and as of the Date of Purchase of the Units, the Fund is either: |
[please check and initial the appropriate box or
boxes]
Initial of
Authorized Signer
|
c | a qualified institutional buyer as defined in paragraph (a) of Rule 144A (the “Rule”) of the Securities Xxx 0000, acting for its own account, the account of another qualified institutional buyer, or the account of a qualified purchaser, and is not: (i) a dealer described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of the Rule that owns and invests on a discretionary basis less than $25 million in securities of issuers that are not affiliated persons of the dealer; or (ii) a plan referred to in paragraph (a)(1)(D) or (a)(1)(E) of the Rule, or a trust fund referred to in paragraph (a)(1)(F) of the Rule that holds the assets of such a plan, if investment decisions with respect to the plan are made by the beneficiaries of the plan; or | ||
Initial of
Authorized Signer
|
c | an entity that in the aggregate owns and invests on a discretionary basis $25 million or more in Qualified Purchaser Investments (as defined in Exhibit A). In making this determination, the amount of any outstanding indebtedness incurred to make the Qualified Purchaser Investments held by the Fund shall be subtracted from the Qualified Purchaser Investments. |
(c) No beneficiary or investor of the Fund has any right to consult with regard to, advise or
direct the investments made by or on behalf of the Fund and the Fund has not been organized for
the purpose of purchasing Units.
(d) If the Fund: is (A) classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes,
(B) a “grantor trust,” any portion of which is treated as owned by the grantor(s) or other
person(s) under sections 671-679 of the Code, or (C) an “S corporation” within the meaning
of section 1361 (a) of the Code (any of (A), (B), or (C), a “Flow-Through Entity”), the
beneficial owners of the Fund which is a Flow-Through Entity are not investing in the
relevant Trust through the Fund for the principal purpose of avoiding the 100-partner
limitation in Treasury Regulations §1.7704-1(h)(i)(ii).
(e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Fund does not require any
approval, authorization, license, or filing from or with any foreign federal, state or
municipal board or agency on the part of the Fund or in connection with the offer and sale
of the Units on the part of the relevant Trust or Trustee or any of its affiliates.
(f) No provision of any applicable law, regulation or document by which the Fund is
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bound prohibits the purchase of Units in the relevant Trust by the Fund.
(g) Simultaneously herewith the Fund has completed, executed and delivered to the Trust
a Form W-9 setting forth certain taxpayer identification information required by the
relevant Trust.
Each Fund hereby further represents that it is not subject to the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) with respect to this Agreement and the
Securities; that it qualifies as an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of
Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and that the taxpayer
identification number(s) and corresponding tax year-end are as set forth on Schedule B.
14. | Borrower Default Indemnification. |
(a) If at the time of a default by a Borrower with respect to a Loan (within the meaning
of the applicable Securities Loan Agreement), some or all of the Loaned Securities under such
Loan have not been returned by the Borrower, and subject to the terms of this Agreement,
State Street shall indemnify the Fund against the failure of the Borrower as follows. State
Street shall purchase a number of Replacement Securities equal to the number of such
unreturned Loaned Securities, to the extent that such Replacement Securities are available on
the open market. Such Replacement Securities shall be purchased by applying the proceeds of
the Collateral with respect to such Loan to the purchase of such Replacement Securities.
Subject to the Fund’s obligations pursuant to Section 8 hereof, if and to the extent that
such proceeds are insufficient or the Collateral is unavailable, the purchase of such
Replacement Securities shall be made at State Street’s expense.
(b) If State Street is unable to purchase Replacement Securities pursuant to Paragraph
14(a) hereof, State Street shall credit to the Fund’s account an amount equal to the Market
Value of the unreturned Loaned Securities for which Replacement Securities are not so
purchased, determined as of (i) the last day the Collateral continues to be successfully
marked to market by the Borrower against the unreturned Loaned Securities; or (ii) the next
business day following the day referred to in (i) above, if higher.
(c) In addition to making the purchases or credits required by Paragraphs (a) and (b)
hereof, State Street shall credit to the Fund’s account the value of all distributions on the
Loaned Securities (not otherwise credited to the Fund’s accounts with State Street), for record
dates which occur before the date that State Street purchases Replacement Securities pursuant to
Paragraph (a) or credits the Fund’s account pursuant to Paragraph (b).
(d) Any credits required under Paragraphs (b) and (c) hereof shall be made by application of
the proceeds of the Collateral, if any, that remains after the purchase of Replacement Securities
pursuant to Paragraph (a). If and to the extent that the Collateral is unavailable or the value
of the proceeds of the remaining Collateral is less than the value of the sum of the credits
required to be made under Paragraphs (b) and ( c), such credits shall be made at State Street’s
expense.
(e) If after application of Paragraphs (a) through (d) hereof, additional Collateral remains
or any previously unavailable Collateral becomes available or any additional amounts owed by the
Borrower with respect to such Loan are received from the Borrower, State Street shall apply the
proceeds of such Collateral or such additional amounts first to reimburse itself for any amounts
expended by State Street pursuant to Paragraphs (a) through (d) above, and then to credit to the
Fund’s account all other amounts owed by the Borrower to the Fund with respect to such Loan under
the applicable Securities Loan Agreement.
(f) In the event that State Street is required to make any payment and/or incur
any loss or expense under this Section, State Street shall, to the extent of such payment, loss,
or expense, be subrogated to, and succeed to, all of the rights of the Fund against the Borrower
under the applicable Securities Loan Agreement.
(g) The provisions of this Section 14 shall not apply to losses attributable to war, riot,
revolution, acts of government or other similar causes beyond the reasonable control of State
Street.
8
15. | Continuing Agreement and Termination. |
It is the intention of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall constitute a continuing
agreement in every respect and shall apply to each and every Loan, whether now existing or
hereafter made. The Funds and State Street may each at any time terminate this Agreement upon five
(5) business days’ written notice to the other to that effect. The only effects of any such
termination of this Agreement will be that (a) following such termination, no further Loans shall
be made hereunder by State Street on behalf of the Funds, and (b) State Street shall, within a
reasonable time after termination of this Agreement, terminate any and all outstanding Loans. The
provisions hereof shall continue in full force and effect in all other respects until all Loans
have been terminated and an obligations satisfied as herein provided. State Street does not assume
any market or investment risk of loss associated with the Fund’s change in cash Collateral
investment vehicles or termination of, or change in, its participation in this securities lending
program and the corresponding liquidation of cash Collateral investments.
16. | Notices. |
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, notices under this Agreement may be made
orally, in writing, or by any other means mutually acceptable to the parties. If in writing, a
notice shall be sufficient if delivered to the party entitled to receive such notices at the
following addresses:
If to the Funds:
Wealth Management Group Operations
First National Bank of Xxxxx
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx — 1060
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
First National Bank of Xxxxx
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx — 1060
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
If to State Street:
State Street Bank and Trust Company Securities
Finance
State Street Financial Center
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 0000-0000
Finance
State Street Financial Center
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 0000-0000
or to such other addresses as either party may furnish the other party by written notice under
this section.
Whenever this Agreement permits or requires the Funds to give notice to, direct, provide
information to State Street, such notice, direction, or information shall be provided to State
Street on the Funds’ behalf by any individual designated for such purpose by the Funds in a
written notice to State Street. This Agreement shall be considered such a designation of the
person executing the Agreement on the Funds’ behalf. After State Street’s receipt of such a notice
of designation and until its receipt of a notice revoking such designation, State Street shall be
fully protected in relying upon the notices, directions, and information given by such designee.
17. | Securities Investors Protection Act of 1970 Notice. |
EACH FUND IS HEREBY ADVISED AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
INVESTOR PROTECTION ACT OF 1970 MAY NOT PROTECT THE FUND WITH RESPECT TO THE LOAN OF
SECURITIES HEREUNDER AND THAT, THEREFORE, THE COLLATERAL DELIVERED TO THE FUND MAY
CONSTITUTE THE ONLY SOURCE OF SATISFACTION OF THE BROKER’S OR DEALER’S OBLIGATION IN THE
EVENT THE BROKER OR DEALER FAILS TO RETURN THE SECURITIES.
9
18. | Authorized Representatives. |
The Fund authorizes State Street to accept and to act on any instructions or other
communications, regardless of how sent or delivered, from any Authorized Representative. The Fund
shall be fully responsible for all acts of any Authorized Representative, even if that person
exceeds his or her authority, and in no event shall State Street be liable to the Fund or any
other third party for any losses or damages arising out of or relating to any act State Street
takes or fails to take in connection with any such instructions or other communications.
19. | Miscellaneous. |
This Agreement supersedes any other agreement between the parties or any representations made
by one party to the other, whether oral or in writing, concerning Loans of Available Securities by
State Street on behalf of the Funds. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
representatives, successors, and assigns. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Each Fund hereby irrevocably
submits to the jurisdiction of any Massachusetts state or Federal court sitting in The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts in any action or proceeding arising out of or related to this
Agreement and hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding
may be heard and determined in such Massachusetts state or Federal court except that this
provision shall not preclude any party from removing any action to Federal court. Each Fund hereby
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient
forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. Each Fund hereby irrevocably appoints Xxx
Xxxxx as its agent to receive on its behalf service of copies of the summons and complaint and any
other process which may be served in any such action or proceeding (the “Process Agent”). Such
service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process, in care of the Process Agent
at the above address. Each Fund hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to
accept such service on its behalf. As an alternative method of service, each Fund also irrevocably
consents to the service of any and an process in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of
copies of such process to the Funds at their address specified in Section 16 hereof. Each Fund
agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding, all appeals having been taken or
the time period for such appeals having expired, shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other
jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. The provisions of
this Agreement are severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall
not affect any other provision of this Agreement. If in the construction of this Agreement any
court should deem any provision to be invalid because of scope or duration, then such court shall
forthwith reduce such scope or duration to that which is appropriate and enforce this Agreement in
its modified scope or duration.
20. | Counterparts. |
The Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one (1) instrument.
21. | Modification. |
This Agreement shall not be modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the
parties hereto.
FIRST
FOCUS FUNDS,
on behalf of its respective series as
listed on Schedule B, severally and not jointly
on behalf of its respective series as
listed on Schedule B, severally and not jointly
Name: | /s/ X.X. Xxxxx | |||||
By: | X.X. Xxxxx | |||||
10
Its: | President | |||||
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY | ||||||
Name: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |||||
By: | Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |||||
Its: | Senior Vice President | |||||
11
Schedule A
This Schedule is attached to and made part of the Securities Lending
Authorization Agreement, dated 15 day of November, 2004 between FIRST FOCUS
FUNDS ON BEHALF OF ITS RESPECTIVE SERIES S LISTED ON SCHEDULE B, SEVERALLY
AND NOT JOINTLY (the “Funds”) and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
(“State Street”).
Authorization Agreement, dated 15 day of November, 2004 between FIRST FOCUS
FUNDS ON BEHALF OF ITS RESPECTIVE SERIES S LISTED ON SCHEDULE B, SEVERALLY
AND NOT JOINTLY (the “Funds”) and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
(“State Street”).
Schedule of Fees
1. Subject to Paragraph 2 below, all proceeds collected by State Street on
investment of cash Collateral or any fee income shall be allocated as
follows
- Seventy percent (70%) payable to the Fund, and
- Thirty percent (30%) payable to State Street.
2. All payments to be allocated under Paragraph 1 above shall be made after
deduction of such other amounts payable to State Street or to the Borrower
under the terms of this Securities Lending Authorization Agreement.
3. Cash Collateral shall be invested in the State Street Securities Lending
Quality Trust.
On an annualized basis, the management/trustee/custody/fund administration
fee for investing cash Collateral in the Securities Lending Quality Trust
(“SLQT”) is not more than 7.00 basis points netted out of yield. The trustee
of the SLQT may pay out of the assets of the SLQT all reasonable expenses
and fees of the SLQT, including professional fees or disbursements incurred
in connection with the operation of the SLQT.
Schedule B
This Schedule is attached to and made part of the Securities Lending Authorization
Agreement, dated the 15 day of November, 2004 between FIRST FOCUS FUNDS ON BEHALF OF
ITS RESPECTIVE SERIES AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE B, SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY (the
''Funds’’) and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (“State Street”).
Agreement, dated the 15 day of November, 2004 between FIRST FOCUS FUNDS ON BEHALF OF
ITS RESPECTIVE SERIES AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE B, SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY (the
''Funds’’) and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (“State Street”).
Fund Name | Taxpayer Identification Number | Tax Year-End | ||
FIRST FOCUS Core Equity Fund
|
00-0000000 | March 31 | ||
FIRST FOCUS Short/Intermediate Bond Fund
|
00-0000000 | March 31 | ||
FIRST FOCUS Small Company Fund
|
00-0000000 | March 31 | ||
FIRST FOCUS Balanced Fund
|
00-0000000 | March 31 | ||
FIRST FOCUS Growth Opportunities Fund
|
00-0000000 | March 31 | ||
FIRST FOCUS Income Fund
|
00-0000000 | March 31 | ||
FIRST FOCUS Nebraska Tax-Free Fund
|
00-0000000 | March 31 | ||
FIRST FOCUS Colorado Tax-Free Fund
|
00-0000000 | March 31 |
Schedule 8.1
This Schedule is attached to and made part of the Securities Lending Authorization
Agreement, dated the15 day of November, 2004 between FIRST FOCUS FUNDS ON BEHALF OF
ITS RESPECTIVE SERIES AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE B, SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY (the
''Funds’’) and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (“State Street”).
Agreement, dated the15 day of November, 2004 between FIRST FOCUS FUNDS ON BEHALF OF
ITS RESPECTIVE SERIES AS LISTED ON SCHEDULE B, SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY (the
''Funds’’) and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (“State Street”).
Acceptable Forms of Collateral
— | Cash (U.S. and foreign currency); | ||
— | Securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its agencies or instrumentalities; | ||
— | Sovereign Debt; | ||
— | Convertible Bonds; | ||
— | Irrevocable bank letters of credit issued by a person other than the Borrower or an affiliate of the Borrower may be accepted as Collateral, if State Street has determined that it is appropriate to accept such letters of credit as Collateral under the securities lending programs it administers; and | ||
— | Such other Collateral as the parties may agree to in writing from time to time. |
Exhibit A
QUALIFIED PURCHASER INVESTMENTS
This Exhibit is designed to assist the Fund in determining which of its assets are Qualified
Purchaser Investments and the appropriate method of valuing those assets. Although the definition
of Qualified Purchaser Investments includes most of what are ordinarily considered “investments”
or “securities” (but excludes assets such as jewelry, artwork, antiques and other similar
collectibles), issues may arise as to whether a particular holding falls within the definition.
The Fund is encouraged to consult its legal and/or investment advisors for guidance on these
issues.
Types of Investments. The term “Qualified Purchaser Investment” includes the investments described
below.
(a) | Cash and cash equivalents (including foreign currency) held for investment purposes, including bank deposits, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, and the net cash surrender value of an insurance policy. | |
(b) | Securities such as |
(i) | shares of (and other interests in) mutual funds, closed-end funds, hedge funds, and commodity pools; | ||
(ii) | securities, including common stock, preferred stock and other equity instruments as well as bonds, notes, debentures and other debt obligations, of public companies (including companies listed on certain foreign exchanges); | ||
(iii) | securities, including common stock, preferred stock and other equity instruments as well as bonds, notes, debentures and other debt obligations, of private companies with at least $50 million in shareholders’ equity; | ||
(iv) | interests in family-owned or closely-held businesses controlled by the Fund if they fall in one of categories (i)-(iii) above; and | ||
(v) | bonds, notes and similar debt obligations issued by federal, state and local governments and agencies. |
(c) | Real estate held for investment purposes (which does not include a place of business used by the Fund or the Subscriber’s family, or a personal residence used by the Fund or the Subscriber’s family unless the residence is treated as an investment for tax purposes). | |
(d) | Commodity futures contracts, options on commodity futures contracts, and options on physical commodities traded on or subject to the rules of a major commodities’ exchange held for investment purposes. | |
(e) | Physical commodities such as gold or silver with respect to which a commodity interest is traded on or subject to the rules of a major commodities exchange held for investment purposes. | |
(f) | Financial contracts entered into for investment purposes including swaps and similar contracts. |
Valuation. A Qualified Purchaser Investment should be valued at its fair market value as of the
most recent practicable date or its cost, provided that commodity interests should be valued at
the initial margin or option premium deposited in connection with such interests.
Investments by Subsidiaries. The amount of Qualified Purchaser Investments owned by an Entity
other than a so-called “Family Company” may include investments owned by majority-owned
subsidiaries of the Entity and investments owned by an Entity (“‘Parent Entity”) of which the
Entity is a majority-owned subsidiary, or by a majority-owned subsidiary of the Entity and other
majority-owned subsidiaries of the Parent Entity.
CERTIFICATE OF SIGNING AUTHORITY AND INCUMBENCY
I, X.X. Xxxxx, being the President [Title of Authorized Officer] of First Focus Funds, duly
organized and validly existing under the laws of Nebraska (the “Client”), hereby certify that
each of the following individuals, acting singly, has been authorized to act in the name and on
behalf of the Client and to sign, acknowledge, deliver and accept delivery of agreements and
other documents in connection with securities lending transactions:
Name | Title | Specimen Signature | ||
X.X. Xxxxx
|
President | (see below | ||
Xxx Xxxxx
|
Vice President | /s/ Xxx Xxxxx | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
Ops. Officer | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxx
|
Mgr. Mut Fds Ops. | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx | ||
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of November 2004.
/s/ X.X. Xxxxx | [Authorized Officer] | |||
I, Xxxxx X. XxxXxxxxx hereby certify that X.X. Xxxxx is the duly elected, qualified and acting
President [Title] of the Client, and his/her signature appearing above is his/her own true
signature.
/s/Xxxxx XxxXxxxxx | [name/title] | |||
Director |