EXHIBIT 8(o)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
XXXXXXXXXXX VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS,
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.
and
AMERICAN GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made and entered into as of the ____
day of April, 1999 by and among American General Life Insurance Company
(hereinafter the "Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate
account of the Company named in Schedule 1 to this Agreement, as may be amended
from time to time by mutual consent (hereinafter collectively the "Accounts"),
Xxxxxxxxxxx Variable Account Funds (hereinafter the "Fund") and
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (hereinafter the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end management investment company and is
available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts now in
existence or to be established at any date hereafter for variable life insurance
policies and variable annuity contracts (collectively, the "Variable Insurance
Products") offered by insurance companies (hereinafter "Participating Insurance
Companies");
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several
series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio", and each representing the
interests in a particular managed pool of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission, dated July 16, 1986 (File No. 812-6324) granting
Participating Insurance Companies and variable annuity and variable life
insurance separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a),
13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
(hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15)
thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to
and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of
both
affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies (hereinafter the "Mixed and
Shared Funding Exemptive Order")
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under
the federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable
annuity and/or life insurance contracts under the 1933 Act (hereinafter
"Contracts") (unless an exemption from registration is available);
WHEREAS, the Accounts are or will be duly organized, validly existing
segregated asset accounts, established by resolution of the Board of Directors
of the Company, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid
variable contracts (the Contract(s) and the Account(s) covered by the Agreement
are specified in Schedule 2 attached hereto, as may be modified by mutual
consent from time to time);
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the Accounts as
unit investment trusts under the 1940 Act (unless an exemption from registration
is available);
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios (the
Portfolios covered by this Agreement are specified in Schedule 2 attached hereto
as may be modified by mutual consent from time to time), on behalf of the
Accounts to fund the Contracts named in Schedule 3, as may be amended from time
to time by mutual consent, and the Fund is authorized to sell such shares to
unit investment trusts such as the Accounts at net asset value; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Fund,
the Adviser and the Company agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1. The Fund agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the Fund
which the Company orders on behalf of the Account, executing such orders on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or
its designee in proper form of the order for the shares of the Fund. For
purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for
receipt of such orders from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives written (or
facsimile) notice of such order by 9:30 a.m. New York time on the next following
Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net asset
value pursuant to the rules of the SEC. "Proper form" means that amounts to be
invested or redeemed are identified on the Company's computer system by
Participant, Contract and Fund in accordance with the Company's standard
procedures for processing transactions. The Company agrees to provide the Fund
and the Adviser with at least ten Business Days' notice of any change in the
Company's standard procedures for processing transactions.
1.2. If the Company requests the purchase of Fund shares, the
Company shall pay for such purchase by wiring federal Funds to the Fund or its
designated account or as otherwise instructed by the Fund's treasurer, on the
day the order is transmitted by the Company. If the Company requests a net
redemption resulting in a payment of redemption proceeds to the Company, the
Fund shall wire the redemption proceeds to the Company on the day the order is
transmitted by the Company, unless doing so would require the Fund to dispose of
portfolio securities or otherwise incur additional costs, but in such event,
proceeds shall be wired to the Company within three business days and the Fund
shall notify the person designated in writing by the Company as the recipient
for such notice of such delay by 3:00 p.m. Eastern time the same Business Day
that the Company transmits the redemption order to the Fund. If the Company's
order requests the application of redemption proceeds from the redemption of
shares
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of one Portfolio to the purchase of shares of another Portfolio, the Fund shall
so apply such proceeds the same Business Day that the Company transmits such
order to the Fund.
1.3. The Fund shall make the Portfolio's net asset value per share
available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after
the net asset value per share is calculated but shall use its best efforts to
make such net asset value available by 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. If the Fund
provides the Company with the incorrect share net asset value information
through no fault of the Company, the Company on behalf of the Separate Accounts,
shall be entitled to an adjustment to the number of shares purchased or redeemed
to reflect the correct share net asset value. Any error in the calculation of
net asset value, dividend and capital gain information greater than or equal to
$.01 per share of that Portfolio, shall be reported immediately upon discovery
to The Company. Any error of a lesser amount shall be corrected in net asset
value per share of that Portfolio or the next Business Day after discovery by
the Fund.
1.4. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, upon the Company's request,
any full or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such
requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption in proper form. For
purposes of this Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for
receipt of requests for redemption and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives written (or facsimile)
notice of such request for redemption by 9:30 a.m. New York time on the next
following Business Day. Payment shall be made within the time period specified
in the Fund's prospectus or statement of additional information, in federal
funds transmitted by wire to the Company's account as designated by the Company
in writing from time to time.
1.5. The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of the
Portfolios named in Schedule 3 in accordance with the provisions of the then
current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund. The
Company shall not permit any person other than a Contract owner to give
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instructions to the Company which would require the Company to redeem or
exchange shares of the Fund.
1.6 Issuance and transfer of Fund Shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company. Shares ordered from the
Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for the Company, on behalf of its
Account.
1.7 The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire, telecopier, or
telephone, and if by telephone, followed by confirmation in writing or by
telecopier) to the Company of any income, dividends or capital gain
distributions payable on the Fund's shares. The Company hereby elects to receive
all such income, dividends and capital gain distributions of the Fund in the
form of additional shares of that the Fund. The Company reserves the right to
revoke this election and to receive all such income, dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company of the number of shares
so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.
ARTICLE II. Sales Material, Prospectuses and Other Reports
2.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to
the Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which the Fund or the Adviser is named, at least ten Business Days
prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its designee
reasonably object in writing or by telecopier to such use within ten Business
Days after receipt of such material. "Business Day" shall mean any day in which
the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and in which the Fund calculates
its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
2.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time,
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or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in sale literature or other
promotional material approved by the Fund or its designee, except with the
permission of the Fund.
2.3. For purposes of this Article II, the phrase "sales literature
or other promotional material" means advertisements (such as material published,
or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio,
television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboard
or electronic media), and sales literature (such as brochures, circulars, market
letters and form letters), distributed or made generally available to customers
or the public.
2.4. The Fund shall provide a copy of its current prospectus within
a reasonable period of its filing date, and provide other assistance as is
reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more frequently
if the prospectus for the Fund is supplemented or amended) to have the
prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together in one
document (such printing to be at the Company's expense). The Adviser shall be
permitted to review and approve the typeset form of the Fund's Prospectus prior
to such printing.
2.5. The Fund or the Adviser shall provide the Company with either:
(i) a copy of the Fund's proxy material, reports to shareholders, other
information relating to the Fund necessary to prepare financial reports, and
other communications to shareholders for printing and distribution to Contract
owners at the Company's expense, or (ii) camera ready and/or printed copies, if
appropriate, of such material for distribution to Contract owners at the
Company' expense, within a reasonable period of the filing date for definitive
copies of such material. The Adviser shall be permitted to review and approve
the typeset form of such proxy material and shareholder reports prior to such
printing provided such materials have been provided within a reasonable period.
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ARTICLE III. Fees and Expenses
3.1. The Fund and Adviser shall pay no fee or other compensation to
the Company under this agreement, and the Company shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Fund or Adviser, except as provided herein.
3.2. All expenses incident to performance by each party of its
respective duties under this Agreement shall be paid by that party. The Fund
shall see to it that all its shares are registered and authorized for issuance
in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent advisable by
the Fund, in accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund
shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the
Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, and the preparation of all statements
and notices required by any federal or state law.
3.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of typesetting, printing
and distributing the Fund's prospectus, proxy materials and reports to owners of
Contracts issued by the Company.
3.4. In the event the Fund adds one or more additional Portfolios
and the parties desire to make such Portfolios available to the respective
Contract owners as an underlying investment medium, a new Schedule 3 or an
amendment to this Agreement shall be executed by the parties authorizing the
issuance of shares of the new Portfolios to the particular Account. The
amendment may also provide for the sharing of expenses for the establishment of
new Portfolios among Participating Insurance Companies desiring to invest in
such Portfolios and the provision of funds as the initial investment in the new
Portfolios.
ARTICLE IV. Potential Conflicts
4.1. The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the "Board") will monitor
the Fund for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the
interests of the Contract owners of all separate accounts investing in the Fund.
An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety of reasons,
including: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority; (b) a
change in applicable
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federal or state insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public
ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any
similar action by insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an
administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner
in which the investments of any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in
voting instructions given by variable annuity contract and variable life
insurance contract owners; or (f) a decision by an insurer to disregard the
voting instructions of Contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform the
Company if it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the
implications thereof.
4.2. The Company has reviewed a copy of the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, and in particular, has reviewed the conditions to the requested
relief set forth therein. The Company agrees to be bound by the responsibilities
of a participating insurance companies as set forth in the Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order, including without limitation the requirement that the
Company report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware to the
Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities in
monitoring such conflicts under the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by
providing the Board in a timely manner with all information reasonably necessary
for the Board to consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited
to, an obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever Contract owner
voting instructions are disregarded and by confirming in writing, at the Fund's
request, that the Company are unaware of any such potential or existing material
irreconcilable conflicts.
4.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority
of its disinterested Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists,
the Company shall, at its expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by a majority of the disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are
necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to an
including: (1) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate
accounts from the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a
different investment medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of
the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation should be
implemented to a vote of all affected
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Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate
group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract owners, or
variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that
votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected Contract owners
the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new registered
management investment company or managed separate account.
4.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a
decision by the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the
Company may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement; provided, however, that
such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by the
foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board. Any such withdrawal and termination must
take place within six (6) months after the Fund gives written notice that this
provision is being implemented, and until the end of the six month period the
Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the
purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund.
4.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a
particular state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company
conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will
withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement
within six months after the Board informs the Company in writing that it has
determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable material conflict;
provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the
extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined
by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Until the end of the
foregoing six month period, the Fund shall continue to accept and implement
orders by the Company for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund,
subject to applicable regulatory limitation.
4.6. For purposes of Sections 4.3 through 4.6 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any
proposed action adequately remedies
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any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event will the Fund be required
to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts. The Company shall not be
required by Section 4.3 to establish a new funding medium for Contracts if an
offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners
materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable material conflict. In the
event that the Board determines that any proposed action does not adequately
remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then the Company will withdraw the
particular Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within
six (6) months after the Board informs the Company in writing of the foregoing
determination, provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by any such material irreconcilable conflict as
determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
ARTICLE V. Applicable Law
5.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
5.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933,
1934 and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the
Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be
interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE VI. Termination
6.1 This Agreement shall terminate with respect to some or all
Portfolios:
(a) at the option of any party upon three month's advance
written notice to the other parties, unless a shorter time is agreed to by the
parties;
(b) at the option of the Company to the extent that shares of
Portfolios are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of its
Contracts or are not appropriate funding vehicles for the Contracts, as
determined by the Company reasonably and in good faith. Prompt notice of the
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election to terminate for such cause and an explanation of such cause shall be
furnished by the Company and termination shall be effective ten days after the
Fund's receipt of said notice unless the Fund makes available a sufficient
number of shares to meet the requirements of the Contracts within said ten-day
period; or
(c) as provided in Article IV.
6.2. It is understood and agreed that the right of any party hereto
to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1(a) may be exercised for
cause or for no cause.
ARTICLE VII. 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 to the
other party.
If to the Fund:
Xxxxxxxxxxx Variable Account Funds
c/o OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Legal Department
If to the Adviser:
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: General Counsel
If to the Company:
American General Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn:
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1 Indemnification By The Company
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8.1(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each
director of the Board and officers (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for
purposes of this Section 8.1) and any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Company) or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale
or acquisition of the Fund's share or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or prospectus for the Contracts or contained in the
Contracts or advertisements or sales literature for the Contracts
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise
out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided
that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the
Fund for use in the Registration Statement or prospectus for the
Contracts or in the Contracts or advertisements or sales literature
(or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection
with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied
by the Company, or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of
the Company or persons under its control, with respect to the sale
or distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
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(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus,
advertisements or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such a
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Company, as limited by and in accordance with the
provisions of Section 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
the Fund, whichever is applicable.
8.1(c) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any such claim shall not
relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be
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entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The
Company also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Company to
such party of the Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Company will not be liable to such party under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
8.1(d) The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation of the
Fund.
8.2 Indemnification by the Adviser
8.2(a) The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and
the principal underwriter for the Contracts and each of their respective
directors and officers and the principal underwriter for the Contracts and each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section
8.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Adviser) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become
subject under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or
settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the
Contracts and:
(i) arise out of our are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or prospectus or advertisements or sales literature of the
Fund (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not
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misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or
such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Adviser or Fund by or
on behalf of the Company for use in the Registration Statement or
prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not
supplied by the Adviser or persons under its control) or wrongful
conduct of the Fund, Adviser or Adviser or persons under their
control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts
or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus,
advertisements or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon
information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services
and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure whether unintentional or in good faith or
otherwise, to comply with the diversification requirements specified
in Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and
Treasury Regulation 1.817-5 and any amendments or other
modifications to such Section or Regulation, or to qualify as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code); or
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(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation or warranty made by the Fund or the Adviser in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach
of this Agreement by the Fund or the Adviser; as limited by and in
accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b) The Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason or such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
each Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.2(c) The Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Adviser in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not
relieve the Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Adviser also shall be entitled to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After
notice from the Adviser to such party of the Adviser's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser will not be liable to such
party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred
by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
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8.2(d) The Company agrees promptly to notify the Adviser of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of each Account.
8.3 Indemnification By the Fund
8.3(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the
principal underwriter for Contracts and each of their respective directors and
officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes
of this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties
may become subject under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, are related to the operations of
the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services
and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure whether unintentional or in good faith or
otherwise, to comply with the diversification requirements specified
in Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5 and
any amendments or other modifications to such Section or Regulation,
or to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M
of the Code); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representations or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Fund;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and 83(c)
hereof.
8.3(b) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred
or assessed against on Indemnified Party as such
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may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of
such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this
Agreement or to the Company, the Fund, the Adviser or each Account, whichever is
applicable.
8.3(c) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund or any such claim shall not
relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d) The Company agrees promptly to notify the Fund of the commencement
of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its respective officers or
directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the
Contracts, with respect to the operation of either Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Miscellaneous
9.1. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all
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information reasonably identified as confidential in writing by any other party
hereto and, except as permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose,
disseminate or utilize such names and addresses and other confidential
information without the express written consent of the affected party until such
time as it may come into the public domain.
9.2. 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.
9.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
9.4. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
9.5. Each party hereto shall cooperate with, and promptly notify
each other party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without
limitation the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. 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.
9.6. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this
Agreement are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under
state and federal laws.
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9.7. It is understood by the parties that this Agreement is not an
exclusive arrangement in any respect.
9.8. The Company and the Adviser each understand and agree that the
obligations of the Fund under this Agreement are not binding upon any
shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and the Fund's
property; the Company and the Adviser each represent that it has notice of the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
9.9. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party hereto
without the prior written consent of all the parties.
9.10. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the
parties and supercedes all prior communications, agreements and understandings,
oral or written, between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the date specified
below.
AMERICAN GENERAL ANNUITY
INSURANCE COMPANY
By: __________________________________
Title: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
XXXXXXXXXXX VARIABLE ACCOUNT
FUNDS
By: __________________________________
Title: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
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OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.
By: _____________________________________
Title: __________________________________
Date: ________________________________
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SCHEDULE 1
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SCHEDULE 2
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SCHEDULE 3
Portfolios of Xxxxxxxxxxx Variable Account Funds:
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