AGREEMENT FOR LOCKBOX SERVICES
This Agreement is entered into as of July 1, 1997, by and between Boston
Financial Data Services Inc. ("BFDS") and First Allmerica Financial Life
Insurance Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Customer") for the
lockbox services provided in the Exhibit(s) attached hereto and hereby made a
part of this Agreement.
WHEREFORE the parties hereto in consideration of the mutual covenants
contained herein and intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
A. SERVICES:
Upon Customer's authorization of the postmaster in Boston to permit employees
of BFDS to access the P.O. Box specified and subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, BFDS hereby agrees to provide Customer with the
services described in the Exhibit(s) attached hereto.
B. INVOICES:
As compensation for services hereunder, Customer shall pay BFDS mutually
agreed upon fees and expenses as specified in Exhibit _A_. These fees will
remain in effect for a period of three years with an allowable increase in
year two and three no greater than the calculated Northeast CPI for the
previous period. In addition, BFDS will charge such account for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as courier fees, incurred by BFDS in
connection with any rent paid by BFDS for the P.O. Box. Payment on all
invoices submitted by BFDS shall be due net thirty (30) days from receipt of
invoice.
C. TERMINATION:
This Agreement may be terminated by either party with material cause at any
time by 30 days prior written notice to the other, and without cause at any
time by 90 days prior written notice to the other. Either party may
terminate this Agreement at any time on notice to the other in the event of
dissolution or insolvency or the commencement of any proceedings under any
bankruptcy or insolvency law by or against the other.
D. LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION:
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither party, in
performing its duties under this Agreement, shall be liable to the other
except for gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither party shall be
liable for special or consequential damages. BFDS shall maintain fidelity
bonding of at least $1,000,000.00 for claims arising from fraudulent or
dishonest acts on the part of any BFDS employee, which shall be underwritten
by reputable insurer(s) licensed to do business in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and having an A. M. Best rating of "A" or better. Within ten
(10) days from Customer's request therefor, BFDS shall provide to Customer
either (a) copies of all relevant insurance policies, or (b) Certificates of
Insurance reasonably specifying the policies required hereunder.
E. FORCE MAJEURE:
Neither party shall be responsible for delays or failure in performance
resulting from causes beyond its control, including, without limitation, acts
of God, riots, acts of war, governmental regulations, fire, communication
line failures, power failures, earthquakes, or other disasters.
F. NO ADVERTISEMENT:
BFDS shall not (a) make any mention of this Agreement in any advertisement or
promotional material; or (b) issue or release any publicity statement or
release concerning this Agreement or the services provided, or to be
provided,
hereunder, without the written consent of Customer being first obtained.
G. SOLICITATION:
BFDS shall not solicit any of Customer's employees while said employees are
employed by Customer, and for one (1) year following the date that Customer's
employee has terminated employment with Customer, unless otherwise expressly
agreed in writing by Customer.
H. CONFIDENTIALITY:
As used herein, the term "confidential information" shall mean non-public
information that either party designates as confidential, or which, under the
circumstances, ought to be treated as confidential. Confidential information
may be in any tangible form, including without limitation written or printed
text or documents, audio or video tapes, CD's or disks and computer disks or
tapes, whether in machine readable or user readable form. Confidential
information shall include without limitation information relating directly or
indirectly to the marketing or promotion of either party's products, released
or unreleased software or other programs, trade secrets, business policies
and/or practices, and any information received by or about third parties,
including claimants, that either party is obligated to treat as confidential.
Customer and BFDS hereby acknowledge and agree that, in providing sufficient
information or access to BFDS to allow BFDS to perform in accordance with
this Agreement, or otherwise allowing BFDS to perform as required hereunder,
Customer and/or its agents, servants, customers or employees may disclose to
BFDS, or BFDS may otherwise obtain, certain information that is confidential
and/or proprietary to Customer and/or its agents, servants, employees,
customers or the dependents thereof. Customer and BFDS hereby also
acknowledge and agree that, in providing sufficient information or access to
Customer to allow Customer to perform in accordance with this Agreement, or
otherwise allowing Customer to perform as required hereunder, BFDS and/or its
agents, servants, customers or employees may disclose to Customer, or
Customer may otherwise obtain, certain information that is confidential
and/or proprietary to BFDS and/or its agents, servants, employees, customers
or the dependents thereof. Accordingly, the parties hereby agree to keep
such information confidential and prevent its unauthorized disclosure. Each
party shall: (a) not make any copies of the other's (and/or its agents'
servants' or employees', or customers') confidential information without
first obtaining the written consent of such other and/or the appropriate
individual(s) therefor; (b) not utilize any confidential information of the
other (and/or any confidential information of its agents, servants,
employees, or customers) except in the furtherance of the obligations and
responsibilities specified hereunder, and for no other purpose(s) whatsoever;
and (c) return any such confidential information in its possession to the
other immediately upon (i) the other's demand therefor, (ii) the
accomplishment of the purpose for which such confidential information is or
was held or obtained, or (iii) the expiration or other termination of this
Agreement. In the event of any breach or threatened breach by either party
(or any of either party's agents, servants, vendors, principles, owners,
affiliated persons or employees) of the covenants, agreements and/or
conditions contained in this section, the other party and/or the appropriate
agents, servants, employees, claimants, or customers shall be entitled to an
injunction prohibiting such breach in addition to any other legal and/or
equitable remedies available to them and/or the appropriate individual(s) in
connection with such breach. The parties acknowledge that any confidential
information disclosed to it is valuable, proprietary and unique and that any
disclosure thereof in breach of this Agreement shall result in irreparable
harm. The agreements, covenants and conditions contained in this section
shall survive the expiration or any earlier termination of this Agreement.
I. ASSIGNMENT:
II.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Customer may, without the consent of BFDS,
assign or transfer this Agreement to any present or future affiliate or
subsidiary of First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company. BFDS agrees
to release Customer from all obligations under this Agreement in the event
that such obligations are assumed under the preceding sentence by a
corporation or entity whose financial responsibility is equivalent to or
greater than that of Customer. As used herein, the term "Customer" shall
include First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company and all of its
present or future affiliates or subsidiaries, including without limitation
all corporate successors of any of the foregoing that may result from merger,
consolidation, reorganization, demutualization or conversion. As used
herein, the term "affiliate" shall include any entity controlling, controlled
by or under common control with, First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance
Company, or which following a merger, consolidation, demutualization or
reorganization involving First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company is
controlled by an entity that controlled First Allmerica Financial Life
Insurance Company or that First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
controlled or that was under common control with First Allmerica Financial
Life Insurance Company, in each case, prior to such merger, consolidation,
demutualization or reorganization. BFDS may not, without the consent of
Customer, assign or transfer this Agreement to any present or future
affiliate or subsidiary of Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
J. NOTICE:
Any notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given if sent by
mail, postage prepaid, to the following addresses: if to Customer - First
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, Attn: Manager, Cash Management, N479; or such other address as
Customer may designate by written notice to BFDS; if to BFDS - Boston
Financial Data Service, Inc., ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇,
Attention: Cash Management Services, 1st Floor.
K. SEVERABILITY:
Each and every covenant, provision, term and clause contained in this
Agreement is severable from the others, and each such covenant, provision,
term and clause shall be valid and effective notwithstanding the invalidity
or unenforceability of any other such covenant, provision, term or clause.
L. ENTIRE AGREEMENT:
This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties hereto
and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof,
whether written or oral, and may not be changed or otherwise terminated,
orally or otherwise, except as expressly provided herein or by an instrument
in writing signed by a duly authorized representative of Customer and BFDS.
M. GOVERNING LAW:
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
The Exhibits attached hereto are hereby made a part of this Agreement.
Additional Exhibits may be added to this Agreement if set forth in a writing
signed by a duly authorized representative of both parties. If any terms are
inconsistent between this Agreement and any Exhibits attached hereto, the
terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto by their duly authorized
representatives have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first
written above.
BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
BY: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
EXHIBIT A
(ALLMERICA FINANCIAL FEE PROPOSAL BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES MAY 1997)
(REV. 7-14-97)
Allmerica Financial
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Re: Retail Lockbox Agreement (Page 1 of 3)
Boston Financial Data Services Inc, ("BFDS") is pleased to establish a
lockbox service for your organization. The lockbox will be operated in
conjunction with Post Office Box No (the "P.O. Box") (See Attached) Boston,
MA, our unique zip code of 02266, and your deposit account(s) at Bank of
Boston entitled (the "Account").
We understand that you have authorized the postmaster in Boston to
permit employees of BFDS to access the P.O. Box. Subject to the terms of
this Agreement, BFDS hereby agrees to provide the following services:
1. BFDS will collect all mail received at the P.O. Box at
various times each day.
2. All checks removed by BFDS from the P.O. Box will be deposited
into the Account as instructed within the client's operating
procedures.
3. BFDS shall not have any responsibilities to read any letter
or other communication received in the P.O. Box, although
checks received with any letter or other communication will
be deposited in the Account. Likewise, any post-dated check
which BFDS determines will be received by the drawee bank by
the date of such check will be deposited in the Account.
BFDS is authorized to endorse checks deposited in the Account
with the endorsement "absence of endorsement guaranteed" or
other similar endorsements and you agree to indemnify BFDS
against any loss, cost or expense resulting from such
endorsement.
4. All processing, depositing and collection of checks shall be
subject to the established procedures followed from time to
time by BFDS in connection with any regular deposit received
by BFDS.
5. Checks returned unpaid because of insufficient funds will be
automatically forwarded for collection a second time; if
unpaid after the second presentation, such checks, together
with advice of debit, will be sent to you.
6. As compensation for services hereunder, you shall pay BFDS mutually
agreed upon fees and expenses.
These fees are to be applied to your account and will remain in effect
for a period of three years with an allowable increase in year two and
three no greater than the calculated Northeast CPI for the previous
period. In addition, BFDS will charge the Account for all out-of-pocket
expenses, such as courier fees, incurred by BFDS in connection with any
rent paid by BFDS for the P.O. Box.
7. This Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time by 90- days
prior written notice to the other, provided that BFDS may terminate this
Agreement at any time on notice to you in the event of your dissolution
or
insolvency or the commencement of any proceedings under any bankruptcy or
insolvency law or by or against you.
8. BFDS, in performing its duties under this Agreement, shall not be liable
to you except for gross negligence or willful misconduct. BFDS shall
not be responsible for delays or failure in performance resulting from
causes beyond its control including, without limitation, acts of God,
strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war, governmental regulations, fire,
communication line failures, power failures, earthquakes or other
disasters. BFDS shall also not be liable for special or consequential
damages.
9. Any notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given if
sent by mail, postage prepaid, to the following addresses: If to you,
the address set forth on page one hereof, or to such other address as
you may designate by written notice to BFDS; if to BFDS, Boston
Financial Data Service, Inc., ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇,
Attention: Cash Management Services, 1st Floor.
10. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties
hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject
matter hereof, whether written or oral.
11. BFDS hereby agrees that all records which it maintains on behalf of
Allmerica are property of Allmerica, and further agrees to surrender
promptly to Allmerica such records upon Allmerica's request. However,
BFDS has the right to make copies of such records, in its discretion.
To the extent that any records maintained on behalf of Allmerica are
subject to section 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940
Act"), BFDS agrees to preserve such records for the periods prescribed
by rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.
12. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the
SEC, the NASD, and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such
authorities reasonable access to its books and records in conjunction
with any investigation or inquiry relating to the services to be
provided by BFDS. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each
party hereto further agrees to furnish the Insurance Commissioner of any
state with any information or reports in connection with services
provided under this Agreement which such Commissioner may reasonably
request in order to ascertain whether the variable contracts operations
of Allmerica are being conducted in a manner consistent with the state's
regulations concerning variable contracts and any other applicable law
or regulation.
13. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES INC.
BY: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
TITLE: Vice President
DATE: 11/4/97
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL
BY: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
TITLE: Assistant Treasurer
DATE: 11/5/97
Service Level Agreement
Boston Financial Data Services
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
and
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of this _____ day of January, 1998 by and
among First Allmerica Financial Life Company and Allmerica Financial Life
Insurance and Annuity Company (collectively, "Allmerica") and Boston Financial
Data Services, Inc., ("BFDS").
WHEREAS, Allmerica and BFDS have entered into a Retail Lockbox Agreement and
Allmerica wishes to obtain from BFDS additional mailroom services in connection
with said Retail Lockbox Agreement,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, Allmerica and BFDS
hereby agree as follows:
1. SERVICES
BFDS hereby agrees to provide Customer with Services ("Services")
according to the specifications ("Service Levels") described in the
following Exhibits(s), which are attached hereto and made a part of this
Agreement:
1. Exhibit B "Boston Financial Data Services--Operations Support Services--
Service
Level Agreement--Allmerica Financial"
2. Exhibit C "Allmerica Financial--Notes for BFDS on Allmerica's intended
Procedures"
Additional Exhibits may be added to this Agreement if set forth in a writing
signed by duly authorized representatives of both parties. If any terms are
inconsistent between this Agreement and any exhibits attached hereto, the
terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
Material failure to provide the Services and Service Levels set forth in the
Exhibits shall be considered a Default for the purposes of section 4.
TERMINATION.
2. COMPENSATION
As compensation for services hereunder, Customer shall pay BFDS mutually
agreed upon fees and expenses as specified in Exhibit A.
3. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither party, in
performing its duties under this Agreement, shall be liable to the other
except for gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither party shall be
liable for special or consequential damages. BFDS shall maintain fidelity
bonding of at least $1,000,000 for claims arising from fraudulent or
dishonest acts on the part of any BFDS employee, which shall be underwritten
by reputable insurers(s) licensed to do business in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and having an A.M. Best rating of "A" or better. Within ten
(10) days from Customer's request therefor, BFDS shall provide to Customer
either (a) copies of all relevant insurance Policies, or (b) Certificates of
Insurance reasonably specifying the policies required hereunder.
Neither party shall not responsible for delays or failure in performance
resulting from causes beyond its control including, without limitation,
acts, of God, strikes, lockouts, rots, acts of war, governmental
regulations, fire, communication line failures, power failures, earthquakes
or other disasters.
4. TERMINATION
This Agreement may be terminated: (a) by either party at any time by 90 days
prior written notice to the other; (b) at any time by mutual written consent
of the parties; or (c) by either party immediately, upon notice to the other
party that the other party is in Default. The occurrence of any one or more
of the following events shall constitute a Default under the Agreement by
the party to whom the event relates:
(a) Any failure or refusal by a party to substantially perform or satisfy
any material term or condition of the Agreement, if such failure or
refusal continues for more than 30 days after the earlier of (i) notice
thereof to such defaulting party by the other party, or (ii) actual
knowledge by the failing party that it is failing to perform or satisfy a
material term or condition of the Agreement.
(b) The voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency of a party, the
voluntary or involuntary dissolution or liquidation of a party, the
admission in writing by a party of its inability to pay its debts as
they mature, or the assignment by a party for the benefit of creditors.
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5. NOTICES
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at
such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to
the other party.
If to the Fund:
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
If to Allmerica:
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President
6. RECORDS
BFDS hereby agrees that all records which it maintains on behalf of
Allmerica are the property of Allmerica, and further agrees to surrender
promptly to Allmerica such records upon Allmerica's request. However, BFDS
has the right to make copies of such records, in its discretion. To the
extent that any records maintained on behalf of Allmerica are subject to
section 312a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") BFDS
agrees to preserve such records for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2
under the 1940 Act.
7. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
8. SEVERABILITY
Each and every covenant, profession, term and clause contained in this
Agreement is severable from the others, and each such covenant, provision,
term and clause shall be valid and effective notwithstanding the invalidity
or unenforceability of any other such covenant, provision, term, or clause.
If any provision of the Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
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9. ASSIGNMENT
Customer may, without the consent of BFDS, assign or transfer this Agreement
to any present or future affiliate or subsidiary of First Allmerica
Financial Life Insurance Company. As used herein, the term "affiliate"
shall include any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control
with, First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company. BFDS may not,
without the consent of Customer, assign or transfer this Agreement to any
present or future affiliate or subsidiary of BFDS. This Agreement or any of
the rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned by any party
without the prior written consent of all parties hereto.
10. REGULATORY AUTHORITIES
Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate
governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the NASD,
and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities reasonable
access to its books and records in connection with any investigation or
inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the Insurance Commissioner of any state with any
information or reports in connection with services provided under this
Agreement which such Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether
the insurance operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner
consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
11. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12. CONTROLLING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and its provisions shall be construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be executed in its name and on behalf by its duly authorized representative
and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date specified below.
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------------------------
Title: Vice President & Managing Director
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Date: 2/6/98
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FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Title: Vice President & Managing Director
-----------------------------------------------------
Date: 2/6/98
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BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Title: Vice President - Operations Support Services
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Date: 2/4/98
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