DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III AMENDED AND RESTATED DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit
No. EX-99.e.1
AMENDED
AND RESTATED DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Distribution
Agreement (the “Agreement”) made as of May 15, 2003 and amended and restated on
January 4, 2010 by and between DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS
III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), for the series identified
on Schedule I attached hereto, as from time to time amended (the “Series”), and
DELAWARE DISTRIBUTORS,
L.P. (the “Distributor”), a Delaware limited partnership.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Trust is an
investment company regulated by Federal and State regulatory bodies,
and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is
engaged in the business of promoting the distribution of the securities of
investment companies and, in connection therewith and acting solely as agent for
such investment companies and not as principal, advertising, promoting, offering
and selling their securities to the public, and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to
enter into an agreement with the Distributor as of the date hereof, pursuant to
which the Distributor shall serve as the national distributor of each class of
each Series identified on Schedule I hereto, as from time to time amended, which
Trust, Series and classes may do business under the names set forth on Schedule
I hereto or such other names as the Board of Trustees may designate from time to
time, on the terms and conditions set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties
hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
1.
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The
Trust hereby engages the Distributor to promote the distribution of the
shares of each Series and, in connection therewith and as agent for the
Trust and not as principal, to advertise, promote, offer and sell shares
of each Series to the public.
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2.
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(a) The
Distributor agrees to serve as distributor of each Series’ shares and, as
agent for the Trust and not as principal, to advertise, promote and use
its best efforts to sell each Series’ shares wherever their sale
is
legal, either through dealers or otherwise, in such places and in
such manner, as may be mutually determined by the Trust and the
Distributor from time to time and that comply with: (1) the
provisions of this
Agreement; (2) all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including,
without limitation, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940
Act”), the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), all rules and regulations
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) thereunder
and all rules and regulations adopted by any securities
association registered under the 1934 Act; (3) the Trust’s Agreement and
Declaration of Trust and By-laws; (4) instructions received from the
Trustees of the Trust; and (5) the Trust’s Registration Statement
under the 1933 Act, including the Summary Prospectuses, the Statutory
Prospectuses, and the Statements of Additional Information contained
therein.
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(b)
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For
the Institutional Class Shares of each Series, the Distributor will bear
all costs of financing any activity which is primarily intended to result
in the sale of that class of shares, including, but not necessarily
limited to, advertising, compensation of underwriters, dealers and sales
personnel, the printing and mailing of sales literature and distribution
of that class of shares.
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(c)
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For
its services as agent for the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C
Shares and Class R Shares of each Series, the Distributor shall be
entitled to compensation on each sale or redemption, as appropriate, of
shares of such classes equal to any front-end or deferred sales charge
described in the Prospectus for such Series, as amended and supplemented
from time to time, and may allow concessions to dealers in such amounts
and on such terms as are therein set
forth.
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(d)
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For
the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares of
each Series, the Trust shall, in addition, compensate the Distributor for
its services as provided in the Distribution Plan as adopted on behalf of
the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares,
respectively, pursuant to Rule 12b-l under the 1940 Act (the “Plans”),
copies of which as presently in force are attached hereto as Exhibits and
at the rates set forth on Schedule I hereto, as from time to time amended,
or at such lower rates as may be set from time to time by the Board in
agreement with the Trust.
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3.
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(a)
The Trust agrees to make available for sale by the Trust through the
Distributor all or such part of the authorized but unissued shares of
beneficial interest of the Series as the Distributor shall require from
time to
time and, except as provided in Paragraph 3(b) hereof, the Trust will not
sell Series’ shares other than through the efforts of the
Distributor.
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(b)
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The
Trust reserves the right from time to time (1) to sell and issue shares
other than for cash; (2) to issue shares in exchange for substantially all
of the assets of any corporation or trust, or in exchange of shares of any
corporation or trust; (3) to pay stock dividends to its shareholders, or
to pay dividends in cash or shares of beneficial interest at the option of
its shareholders, or to sell shares of beneficial interest to existing
shareholders to the extent of dividends payable from time to time in cash,
or to split up or combine its outstanding shares; (4) to offer shares for
cash to its shareholders as a whole, by the use of transferable rights or
otherwise, and to sell and issue shares pursuant to such offers; (5) to
act as its own distributor in any jurisdiction in which the Distributor is
not registered as a broker-dealer; and (6) to reject any order for
shares.
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4.
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The
Distributor may, at its expense, select and contract with one or more
registered broker-dealers to perform some or all of the services for a
Series for which it is responsible under this agreement. The Distributor
will be responsible for paying the compensation, if any, to any such
broker-dealer for its services with respect to the Series. The Distributor
may terminate the services of any such broker-dealer at any time in its
sole discretion, and shall at such time assume the responsibilities of
such broker-dealer unless or until a replacement is selected and approved
by the Board of Trustees. The Distributor will continue to have
responsibility for all distribution-related services furnished by any such
broker-dealer.
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5.
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The
Trust warrants the following:
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(a)
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The
Trust is, or will be, a properly registered investment company, and any
and all Series’ shares which it will sell through the Distributor are, or
will be, properly registered with the
SEC.
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(b)
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The
provisions of this Agreement do not violate the terms of any instrument by
which the Trust is bound, nor do they violate any law or regulation of any
body having jurisdiction over the Trust or its
property.
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6.
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(a) The
Trust will supply to the Distributor a conformed copy of the Registration
Statement and all amendments thereto, including all exhibits and each
Summary Prospectus, Statutory Prospectus, and Statement of
Additional Information.
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(b)
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The
Trust will register or qualify the Series’ shares for sale in such states
as is deemed desirable.
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(c)
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The
Trust, without expense to the
Distributor:
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(1)
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will
give the Distributor and continue to give such financial statements and
other information as may be required by the SEC or the proper public
bodies of the states in which the Series’ shares may be
qualified;
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(2)
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from
time to time, will furnish to the Distributor as soon as reasonably
practicable true copies of its periodic reports to
shareholders;
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(3)
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will
promptly advise the Distributor in person, by telephone, or by email or
other electronic means, and promptly confirm such advice in writing, (a)
when any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement becomes
effective, (b) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to
the Registration Statement or the Summary Prospectuses, Statutory
Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, or for additional
information, and (c) of the issuance by the SEC of any Stop Order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or the
initiation of any proceedings for that
purpose;
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(4)
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if
at any time the SEC shall issue any Stop Order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, will make every reasonable
effort to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible
moment;
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(5)
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before
filing any further amendment to the Registration Statement or to any
Summary Prospectus, Statutory Prospectus or Statement of Additional
Information, will furnish to the Distributor copies of the proposed
amendment and will not, at any time, whether before or after the effective
date of the Registration Statement, file any amendment to the Registration
Statement or supplement to any Summary Prospectus, Statutory Prospectus or
Statement of Additional Information of which the Distributor shall not
previously have been advised or to which the Distributor shall reasonably
object (based upon the accuracy or completeness thereof) in
writing;
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(6)
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will
continue to make available to its shareholders (and forward copies to the
Distributor) of such periodic, interim and any other reports as are now,
or as hereafter may be, required by the provisions of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended;
and
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(7)
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will,
for the purpose of computing the offering price of each class of each
Series’ shares, advise the Distributor within two hours after the close of
the New York Stock Exchange (or as soon as practicable thereafter) on each
business day upon which the New York Stock Exchange may be open of the net
asset value per share of each class of each Series’ shares of beneficial
interest outstanding, determined in accordance with any applicable
provisions of law and the provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, as amended, of the Trust as of the close of business on such
business day. In the event that prices are to be calculated more than once
daily, the Trust will promptly advise the Distributor of the time of each
calculation and the price computed at each such
time.
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7.
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The
Distributor agrees to submit to the Trust, prior to its use, the form of
all sales literature, institutional sales material, and independently
prepared reprints (each as defined below) proposed to be generally
disseminated by or for the Distributor, all advertisements proposed to be
used by the Distributor, all sales literature, advertisements,
institutional sales material and independently prepared reprints (each as
defined in Rule 2210 of the Conduct Rules of FINRA, Inc. (“FINRA”) or any
successor rule) prepared by or for the Distributor for such dissemination
or for use by others in connection with the sale of the Series’ shares,
and the form of dealers’ sales contract the Distributor intends to use in
connection with sales of the Series’ shares. The Distributor also agrees
that the Distributor will submit such sales literature and advertisements
to the FINRA, SEC or other regulatory agency as from time to time may be
appropriate, considering practices then current in the industry. The
Distributor agrees not to use such form of dealers’ sales contract or to
use or to permit others to use such sales literature, advertisements,
institutional sales material, or independently prepared reprints, without
the written consent of the Trust if any regulatory agency expresses
objection thereto or if the Trust delivers to the Distributor a written
objection thereto. Neither the Distributor nor any dealer or
other person is authorized by the Trust to provide any information or make
any representation about the Trust or its Series other than those
contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement, Summary Prospectuses,
Statutory Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, advertising,
sales literature or institutional sales
material.
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8.
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The
purchase price of each share sold hereunder shall be the offering price
per share mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto and, as described in
the Trust’s Prospectuses, as amended from time to time, determined in
accordance with any applicable provision of law, the provisions of its
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Conduct Rules of
FINRA.
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9.
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The
responsibility of the Distributor hereunder shall be limited to the
promotion of sales of Series’ shares. The Distributor shall undertake to
promote such sales solely as agent of the Trust, and shall not purchase or
sell such shares as principal. Orders for Series’ shares and payment for
such orders shall be directed to the Trust’s agent, Delaware Service
Company, Inc., for acceptance on behalf of the Trust. The Distributor is
not empowered to approve orders for sales of Series’ shares or accept
payment for such orders. Sales of Series’ shares shall be deemed to be
made when and where accepted by Delaware Service Company, Inc. on behalf
of the Trust.
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10.
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With
respect to the apportionment of costs between the Trust and the
Distributor of activities with which both are concerned, the following
will apply:
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(a)
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The
Trust and the Distributor will cooperate in preparing the Registration
Statements, the Summary Prospectuses, Statutory Prospectuses, the
Statements of Additional Information, and all amendments, supplements and
replacements thereto. The Trust will pay all costs incurred in the
preparation and filing of the Trust’s Registration Statement, including
typesetting, the costs incurred in printing and mailing Summary
Prospectuses, Statutory Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information
and any supplements or amendments thereto to its own
Shareholders. The Trust will also pay all costs included in
preparing, typesetting, printing and mailing all Annual, Semi-Annual and
other financial reports to its own shareholders. The Trust will
pay all fees and expenses of its counsel and
accountants.
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(b)
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The
Distributor will pay the costs incurred in printing and mailing copies of
Summary Prospectuses, Statutory Prospectuses and any Statements of
Additional Information to prospective
investors.
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(c)
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The
Distributor will pay advertising and promotional expenses, including the
costs of literature sent to prospective
investors.
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(d)
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The
Trust will pay the costs and fees incurred in registering or qualifying
the Series’ shares with the various states and with the
SEC.
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(e)
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The
Distributor will pay the costs of any additional copies of Trust financial
and other reports and other Trust literature supplied to the Distributor
by the Trust for sales promotion
purposes.
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11.
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The
books and records maintained by the Distributor shall be the property of
the Trust. The Distributor shall prepare, maintain and preserve
such books and records as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable
laws, rules and regulations. The Distributor shall surrender
such books and records to the Trust, in the form in which such books and
records have been maintained or preserved, promptly upon receipt of
instructions from the Trust. The Trust shall have access to
such books and records at all time during the Distributor’s normal
business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust,
copies of any such books and records shall be provided by the Distributor
to the Trust at the Trust’s expense. The Distributor shall
assist the Trust, the Trust’s independent auditors, or, upon approval of
the Trust, any regulatory body, in any requested review of the Trust’s
books and records, and reports by the Distributor or its independent
accountants concerning its accounting system and internal auditing
controls will be open to such entities for audit or inspection upon
reasonable request.
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12.
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The
Distributor shall maintain at all times a program reasonably designed to
prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule
38a-1 under the 0000 Xxx) with respect to the services provided, and shall
provide to the Trust a certification to such effect no less than annually
or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Trust. The
Distributor shall make available its compliance personnel and shall
provide at its own expense summaries and other relevant materials relating
to such program as reasonably requested by the
Trust.
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13.
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The
Distributor agrees to maintain an anti-money laundering program in
compliance with Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by
Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism
Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”) and all applicable laws and
regulations promulgated thereunder. At the request of the
Trust, the Distributor will supply the Trust with copies of the
Distributor’s anti-money laundering policy and procedures, and such other
relevant certifications and representations regarding such policy and
procedures as the Trust may reasonably request from time to
time.
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14.
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The
Distributor may engage in other business, provided such other business
does not interfere with the performance by the Distributor of its
obligations under this Agreement.
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15.
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The
Trust agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless from the assets of the
relevant Series, the Distributor and each person, if any, who controls the
Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of
1933, from and against any and all losses, damages, or liabilities to
which, jointly or severally, the Distributor or such controlling person
may become subject, insofar as the losses, damages or liabilities arise
out of the performance of the Distributor’s duties hereunder, except that
the Trust shall not be liable for indemnification of the Distributor or
any controlling person thereof for any liability resulting from the
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence of the Distributor or
any controlling person thereof in the performance of the Distributor’s
duties under this Agreement.
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16.
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Copies
of financial reports, Registration Statements, Summary Prospectuses and
Statutory Prospectuses, as well as demands, notices, requests, consents,
waivers, and other communications in writing which it may be necessary or
desirable for either party to deliver or furnish to the other will be duly
delivered or furnished, if delivered to such party at its address shown
below during regular business hours, or if sent to that party by
registered mail or overnight mail, postage prepaid, in all cases within
the time or times herein prescribed, addressed to the recipient at Xxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, or at such other
address as the Trust or the Distributor may designate in writing and
furnish to the other.
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17.
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This
Agreement shall not be assigned, as that term is defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, by the Distributor and shall terminate automatically
in the event of its attempted assignment by the Distributor. This
Agreement shall not be assigned by the Trust without the written consent
of the Distributor signed by its duly authorized officers and delivered to
the Trust. Except as specifically provided in the indemnification
provision contained in Paragraph 15 herein, this Agreement and all
conditions and provisions hereof are for the sole and exclusive benefit of
the parties hereto and their legal successors and no express or implied
provision of this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any
person other than the parties hereto and their legal successors any legal
or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement
or any provisions herein contained.
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18.
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(a) This
Agreement shall be executed and become effective as of the date first
written above, and shall become effective with respect to a particular
Series as of the effective date set forth in Schedule I for that Series.
It
shall
remain in force for a period of two years from the date hereof for each
Series and from year to year thereafter, but only so long as such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of
Trustees or, with respect to each Series, by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of that Series and only if the terms and the
renewal thereof have been approved by the vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Trust who are not parties hereto or interested persons of
any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
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(b)
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The
Distributor may terminate this Agreement as to any Series on written
notice to the Trust at any time in case the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall be suspended, or in case Stop Order
proceedings are initiated by the SEC in respect of the Registration
Statement and such proceedings are not withdrawn or terminated within
thirty days. The Distributor may also terminate this Agreement as to any
Series at any time by giving the Trust written notice of its intention to
terminate the Agreement at the expiration of three months from the date of
delivery of such written notice of intention to the
Trust.
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(c)
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The
Trust may terminate this Agreement as to any Series at any time on at
least thirty days’ prior written notice to the Distributor (1) if
proceedings are commenced by the Distributor or any of its partners for
the Distributor’s liquidation or dissolution or the winding up of the
Distributor’s affairs; (2) if a receiver or trustee of the Distributor or
any of its property is appointed and such appointment is not vacated
within thirty days thereafter; (3) if, due to any action by or before any
court or any federal or state commission, regulatory body, or
administrative agency or other governmental body, the Distributor shall be
prevented from selling securities in the United States or because of any
action or conduct on the Distributor’s part, sales of the shares are not
qualified for sale. The Trust may also terminate this Agreement as to any
Series at any time upon prior written notice to the Distributor of its
intention to so terminate at the expiration of three months from the date
of the delivery of such written notice to the
Distributor.
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(d)
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This
Agreement may be amended only if such amendment is approved (1) either by
action of the Trustees of the Trust or at a meeting of the shareholders of
the Trust by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares
of the Trust; and (2) by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are
not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of this Agreement by vote cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval.
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19.
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The
validity, interpretation and construction of this Agreement, and of each
part hereof, will be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
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20.
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In
the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or
unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of the
Agreement, which shall continue to be in
force.
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21.
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This
Agreement is executed by the Trust with respect to each of the Series and
the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the Trustees,
officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only
upon the Series to which such obligations pertain and the assets and
property of such Series. All obligations of the Trust under
this Agreement shall apply only on a Series-by-Series basis, and the
assets of one Series shall not be liable for the obligations of another
Series.
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DELAWARE
DISTRIBUTORS, L.P.
By:
DELAWARE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,
General
Partner
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DELAWARE
GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III on behalf of the Series listed on Schedule
I
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By /s/ J. Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name J.
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title President
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By /s/
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Name Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Title President
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EXHIBIT
A
CLASS
A
DISTRIBUTION
PLAN
The
following Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-l
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), by Delaware
Group Equity Funds III (the “Trust”), separately for each Series of the Trust
identified on Schedule I as amended from time to time (the “Series”) on behalf
of the A Class shares of each such Series identified on Schedule I as amended
from time to time (the “Class”), which Trust, Series and Classes may do business
under these or such other names as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may
designate from time to time. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the
Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related thereto (“non-interested
Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
Plan. Such approval by the Trustees included a determination that in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties,
there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit each such Series and
shareholders of each such Class.
The Trust
is a business trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, is
authorized to issue different series and classes of securities and is an
open-end management investment company registered under the Act. Delaware
Distributors, L.P. (the “Distributor”) is the principal underwriter and national
distributor for the Series’ shares, including shares of the Class, pursuant to
the Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust on behalf of
each Series (“Distribution Agreement”).
The Plan
provides that:
1. The Trust
shall pay to the Distributor, out of the assets of a particular Class, a monthly
fee not to exceed the fee rate set forth on Schedule I for such Class as may be
determined by the Trust’s Board of Trustees from time to time. Such monthly fee
shall be reduced by the aggregate sums paid by the Trust on behalf of the Series
to persons other than broker-dealers (the “Service Providers”) who may, pursuant
to servicing agreements, provide to the Series services in the Series’ marketing
of shares of the Class.
2. (a) The
Distributor shall use the monies paid to it pursuant to paragraph 1 above to
furnish, or cause or encourage others to furnish, services and incentives in
connection with the promotion, offering and sale of the relevant Class shares
and, where suitable and appropriate, the retention of such Class shares by
shareholders.
(b) The
Service Providers shall use the monies paid respectively to them to reimburse
themselves for the actual costs they have incurred in confirming that their
customers have received the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information,
if applicable, and as a fee for (1) assisting such customers in maintaining
proper records with the Trust, (2) answering questions relating to their
respective accounts, and (3) aiding in maintaining the investment of their
respective customers in the Class.
3. The
Distributor shall report to the Trust at least monthly on the amount and the use
of the monies paid to it under the Plan. The Service Providers shall inform the
Trust monthly and in writing of the amounts each claims under the Plan; both the
Distributor and the Service Providers shall furnish the Board of Trustees of the
Trust with such other information as the Board may reasonably request in
connection with the payments made under the Plan and the use thereof by the
Distributor and the Service Providers, respectively, in order to enable the
Board to make an informed determination of the amount of the Trust” payments
with respect to each Class and whether the Plan should be continued with respect
to each Class.
4. The
officers of the Trust shall furnish to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, for
their review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended
under the Plan with respect to each Class and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made.
5. This Plan
shall take effect with respect to the A Class of a particular Series as of the
effective date set forth on Schedule I (the “Commencement Date”); thereafter,
the Plan shall continue in effect with respect to the A Class of a particular
Series for a period of more than one year from the Commencement Date only so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of
the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and of the non-interested Trustees, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan.
6. (a) The
Plan may be terminated as to the A Class of any particular Series at any time by
vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of such Class.
(b)
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The
Plan may not be amended as to the A Class of any particular Series to
increase materially the amount to be spent for distribution pursuant to
paragraph 1 hereof without approval by the shareholders of such
Class.
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7. All
material amendments to this Plan shall be approved by the non-interested
Trustees in the manner described in paragraph 5 above.
8. So long
as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Trust’s
non-interested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of such
non-interested Trustees.
9. The
definitions contained in Sections 2(a)(19) and 2(a)(42) of the Act shall govern
the meaning of “interested person(s)” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities,” respectively, for the purposes of this Plan.
This Plan
shall take effect on the Commencement Date, as previously defined.
April 19,
2001
EXHIBIT
B
CLASS
B
DISTRIBUTION
PLAN
The
following Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-l
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), by Delaware
Group Equity Funds III (the “Trust”), separately for each Series of the Trust
identified on Schedule I as amended from time to time (the “Series”) on behalf
of the B Class shares of each such Series identified on Schedule I as amended
from time to time (the “Class”), which Trust, Series and Classes may do business
under these or such other names as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may
designate from time to time. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the
Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or m any agreements related thereto (“non-interested
Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
Plan Such approval by the Trustees included a determination that in the exercise
of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties, there is
a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit each such Series and
shareholders of each such Class.
The Trust
is a business trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, is
authorized to issue different series and classes of securities and is an
open-end management investment company registered under the Act. Delaware
Distributors, L.P. (the “Distributor”) is the principal underwriter and national
distributor for the Series shares, including shares of the Class, pursuant to
the Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust on behalf of
each Series (“Distribution Agreement”).
The Plan
provides that:
1. (a) The
Trust shall pay to the Distributor, out of the assets of a particular Class, a
monthly fee not to exceed the fee rate set forth on Schedule I for such Class as
may be determined by the Trust’s Board of Trustees from time to
time.
(b) In
addition to the amounts described in (a) above, the Trust shall pay (i) to the
Distributor for payment to dealers or others, or (ii) directly to others, an
amount not to exceed the service fee rate set forth on Schedule I for such
Class, as a service fee pursuant to dealer or servicing agreements.
2. (a) The
Distributor shall use the monies paid to it pursuant to paragraph 1 (a) above to
assist in the distribution and promotion of shares of the relevant Class.
Payments made to the Distributor under the Plan may be used for among other
things, preparation and distribution of advertisements, sales literature and
prospectuses and reports uses sales purposes, as well as compensation related to
sales and marketing personnel, and holding special promotions. In
addition, such fees may be used to pay for advancing the commission costs to
dealers with respect to the sale of the relevant Class shares.
(b) The
monies to be paid pursuant to paragraph 1 (b) above shall be used to pay dealers
or others for among other things, furnishing personal services and maintaining
shareholder accounts, which services include confirming that customers have
received the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information if applicable;
assisting such customers in maintain proper records with the Trust; answering
questions relating to their respective accounts; and aiding in maintaining the
investment of their respective customers in the relevant Class.
3. The
Distributor shall report to the Trust at least monthly on the amount and the use
of the monies paid to it under paragraph 1(a) above. In addition, the
Distributor and others shall inform the Trust monthly and in writing of the
amounts paid under paragraph 1(b) above: both the Distributor and any others
receiving fees under the Plan shall furnish the Board of Trustees of the Trust
with such other information as the Board may reasonably request in connection
with the payments made under the Plan with respect to each Class and the use
thereof by the Distributor and others in order to enable the Board to make an
informed determination of the amount of the Trust’s payments and whether the
Plan should be continued with respect to each Class.
4. The
officers of the Trust shall furnish to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, for
their review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended
under the Plan with respect to each Class and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made.
5. This Plan
shall take effect with respect to the B Class of a particular Series as of the
effective date set forth on Schedule I (the “Commencement Date”); thereafter,
the Plan shall continue in effect with respect to the B Class of a particular
Series for a period of more than one year from the Commencement Date only so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of
the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and of the non-interested Trustees, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan.
6. (a) The
Plan may be terminated as to the B Class of any particular Series at any time by
vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of such Class.
(b) The Plan
may not be amended as to the B Class of any particular Series to increase
materially the amount to be spent for distribution pursuant to paragraph 1
hereof without approval by the shareholders of such Class.
7. All
material amendments to this Plan shall be approved by the non-interested
Trustees in the manner described in paragraph 5 above.
8. So long
as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Trust’s
non-interested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of such
non-interested Trustees.
9. The
definitions contained in Sections 2(a)(19) and 2(a)(42) of the Act shall govern
the meaning of “interested person(s)” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities,” respectively, for the purposes of this Plan.
This Plan
shall take effect on the Commencement Date, as previously defined.
April 19,
2001
EXHIBIT
C
CLASS
C
DISTRIBUTION
PLAN
The
following Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-l
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), by Delaware
Group Equity Funds III (the “Trust”), separately for each Series of the Trust
identified on Schedule I as amended from time to time (the “Series”) on behalf
of the C Class shares of each such Series identified on Schedule I as amended
from time to time (the “Class”), which Trust, Series and Classes may do business
under these or such other names as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may
designate from time to time. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the
Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related thereto (“non-interested
Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
Plan. Such approval by the Trustees included a determination that in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties,
there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit each such Series and
shareholders of each such Class.
The Trust
is a business trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, is
authorized to issue different series and classes of securities and is an
open-end management investment company registered under the Act. Delaware
Distributors, L.P. (the “Distributor”) is the principal underwriter and national
distributor for the Series’ shares, including shares of the Class, pursuant to
the Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust on behalf of
each Series (“Distribution Agreement”).
The Plan
provides that:
1. (a) The
Trust shall pay to the Distributor, out of the assets of a particular Class, a
monthly fee not to exceed the fee rate set forth on Schedule I for such Class as
may be determined by the Trust’s Board of Trustees from time to
time.
(b) In
addition to the amounts described in (a) above, the Trust shall pay (i) to the
Distributor for payment to dealers or others, or (ii) directly to others, an
amount not to exceed the service fee rate set forth on Schedule I for such
Class, as a service fee pursuant to dealer or servicing agreements.
2. (a) The
Distributor shall use the monies paid to it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) above to
assist in the distribution and promotion of shares of the relevant Class.
Payments made to the Distributor under the Plan may be used for, among other
things, preparation and distribution of advertisements, sales literature and
prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, as well as compensation
related to sales and marketing personnel, and holding special promotions. In
addition, such fees may be used to pay for advancing the commission costs to
dealers with respect to the sale of the relevant Class shares.
(b) The
monies to be paid pursuant to paragraph 1 (b) above shall be used to pay dealers
or others for among other things, furnishing personal services and maintaining
shareholder accounts, which services include confirming that customers have
received the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, if applicable;
assisting such customers in maintaining proper records with the Trust; answering
questions relating to their respective accounts; and aiding in maintaining the
investment of their respective customers in the relevant Class.
3. The
Distributor shall report to the Trust at least monthly on the amount and the use
of the monies paid to it under paragraph 1(a) above. In addition, the
Distributor and others shall inform the Trust monthly and in writing of the
amounts paid under paragraph 1(b) above; both the Distributor and any others
receiving fees under the Plan shall furnish the Board of Trustees of the Trust
with such other information as the Board may reasonably request in connection
with the payments made under the Plan with respect to each Class and the use
thereof by the Distributor and others in order to enable the Board to make an
informed determination of the amount of the Trust’s payments and whether the
Plan should be continued with respect to each Class.
4. The
officers of the Trust shall furnish to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, for
their review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended
under the Plan with respect to each Class and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made.
5. This Plan
shall take effect with respect to the C Class of a particular Series as of the
effective date set forth on Schedule I (the “Commencement Date”); thereafter,
the Plan shall continue in effect with respect to the C Class of a particular
Series for a period of more than one year from the Commencement Date only so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of
the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and of the non-interested Trustees, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan.
6. (a) The
Plan may be terminated as to the C Class of any particular Series at any time by
vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of such Class.
(b) The Plan
may not be amended as to the C Class of any particular Series to increase
materially the amount to be spent for distribution pursuant to paragraph 1
hereof without approval by the shareholders of such Class.
7. All
material amendments to this Plan shall be approved by the non-interested
Trustees in the manner described in paragraph 5 above.
8. So long
as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Trust’s
non-interested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of such
non-interested Trustees.
9. The
definitions contained in Sections 2(a)(19) and 2(a)(42) of the Act shall govern
the meaning of “interested person(s)” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities,” respectively, for the purposes of this Plan.
This Plan
shall take effect on the Commencement Date, as previously defined.
April 19,
2001
EXHIBIT
D
CLASS
R
DISTRIBUTION
PLAN
The
following Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-l
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), by Delaware
Group Equity Funds III (the “Trust”)’, separately for each Series of the Trust
identified on Schedule I as amended from time to time (the “Series”) on behalf
of the R Class shares of each such Series identified on Schedule I as amended
from time to time (the “Class”), which Trust, Series and Classes may do business
under these or such other names as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may
designate from time to time. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the
Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related thereto (“non-interested
Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
Plan. Such approval by the Trustees included a determination that in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties,
there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit each such Series and
shareholders of each such Class.
The Trust
is a business trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, is
authorized to issue different series and classes of securities and is an
open-end management investment company registered under the Act. Delaware
Distributors, L.P. (the “Distributor”) is the principal underwriter and national
distributor for the Series’ shares, including shares of the Class, pursuant to
the Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust on behalf of
each Series (“Distribution Agreement”).
The Plan
provides that:
1. The Trust
shall pay to the Distributor, out of the assets of a particular Class, a monthly
fee not to exceed the fee rate set forth on Schedule I for such Class as may be
determined by the Trust’s Board of Trustees from time to time. Such monthly fee
shall be reduced by the aggregate sums paid by the Trust on behalf of the Series
to persons other than broker-dealers (the “Service Providers”) who may, pursuant
to servicing agreements, provide to the Series services in the Series’ marketing
of shares of the Class.
2. (a) The
Distributor shall use the monies paid to it pursuant to paragraph 1 above to
furnish, or cause or encourage others to furnish, services and incentives in
connection with the promotion, offering and sale of the relevant Class shares
and, where suitable and appropriate, the retention of such Class shares try
shareholders.
(b) The
Service Providers shall use the monies paid respectively to them to reimburse
themselves for the actual costs they have incurred in confirming that their
customers have received the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information,
if applicable, and as a fee for (1) assisting such customers in maintaining
proper records with the Trust, (2) answering questions relating to their
respective accounts, and (3) aiding in maintaining the investment of their
respective customers in the Class.
3. The
Distributor shall report to the Trust at least monthly on the amount and the use
of the monies paid to it under the Plan. The Service Providers shall inform the
Trust monthly and in writing of the amounts each claims under the Plan; both the
Distributor and the Service Providers shall furnish the Board of Trustees of the
Trust with such other information as the Board may reasonably request in
connection with the payments made under the Plan and the use thereof by the
Distributor and the Service Providers, respectively, in order to enable the
Board to make an informed determination of the amount of the Trust” payments
with respect to each Class and whether the Plan should be continued with respect
to each Class.
4. The
officers of the Trust shall furnish to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, for
their review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended
under the Plan with respect to each Class and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made.
5. This Plan
shall take effect with respect to the R Class of a particular Series as of the
effective date set forth on Schedule I (the “Commencement Date”); thereafter,
the Plan shall continue in effect with respect to the R Class of a particular
Series for a period of more than one year from the Commencement Date only so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of
the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and of the non-interested Trustees, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan.
6. (a) The
Plan may be terminated as to the R Class of any particular Series at any time by
vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of such Class.
(b) The Plan
may not be amended as to the R Class of any particular Series to increase
materially the amount to be spent for distribution pursuant to paragraph 1
hereof without approval by the shareholders of such Class.
7. All
material amendments to this Plan shall be approved by the non-interested
Trustees in the manner described in paragraph 5 above.
8. So long
as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Trust’s
non-interested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of such
non-interested Trustees.
9. The
definitions contained in Sections 2(a)(19) and 2(a)(42) of the Act shall govern
the meaning of “interested person(s)” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities,” respectively, for the purposes of this Plan.
This Plan
shall take effect on the Commencement Date, as previously defined.
May 15,
2003
SCHEDULE
I
This
Schedule to the Distribution Agreement between Delaware Group Equity Funds III
and Delaware Distributors, L.P. entered into as of May 15, 2003 and amended and
restated on January 4, 2010 (the “Agreement”) lists the Series and Classes for
which Delaware Distributors, L.P. provides distribution services pursuant to
this Agreement, along with the 12b-1 Plan rates, if applicable, for each class
and the date on which the Agreement became effective for each
Series.
Series
Name
|
Class
Names
|
Total
12b-l Plan Fee Rate (per annum of the Series’ average daily net assets
represented by shares of the Class)
|
Portion
designated as Service Fee Rate (per annum of the Series’ average daily net
assets represented by shares of the Class)
|
Effective
Date
|
Delaware
American Services Fund
|
A
Class
|
.30%
|
April
19, 2001
|
|
B
Class
|
1.00%
|
.25%
|
April
19, 2001
|
|
C
Class
|
1.00%
|
.25%
|
April
19, 2001
|
|
R
Class
|
.60%
|
May
15, 2003
|
||
Institutional
Class
|
April
19, 2001
|
|||
Delaware
Small Cap Growth Fund
|
A
Class
|
.30%
|
April
19, 2001
|
|
B
Class
|
1.00%
|
.25%
|
April
19, 2001
|
|
C
Class
|
1.00%
|
.25%
|
April
19, 2001
|
|
R
Class
|
.60%
|
May
15, 2003
|
||
Institutional
Class
|
April
19, 2001
|
|||
Delaware
Trend Fund
|
A
Class
|
.30%
|
April
19, 2001
|
|
B
Class
|
1.00%
|
.25%
|
April
19, 2001
|
|
C
Class
|
1.00%
|
.25%
|
April
19, 2001
|
|
R
Class
|
.60%
|
May
15, 2003
|
||
Institutional
Class
|
April
19, 2001
|