TRANSFER AGENCY INTERACTIVE CLIENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
TRANSFER
AGENCY
INTERACTIVE
CLIENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
This
Transfer Agency Interactive Client Services Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made
as of May 19, 2009, between Xxxx & Xxxxx Funds Trust (the “Fund”), a
business trust established under the laws of the State of Delaware, and ALPS
Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), a Colorado corporation.
WHEREAS,
the Fund is an open-end management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), presently consisting of
the one series listed in Appendix A attached hereto.
WHEREAS,
the Fund and ALPS have entered into a Transfer Agency and Services
Agreement;
WHEREAS,
ALPS provides certain transfer agency services to investment companies,
utilizing proprietary and licensed computer software programs to allow
shareholders to access their account information and real-time transaction
processing; and
WHEREAS,
the Fund desires to utilize ALPS’ Interactive Client Services (the “ICS”) to
provide the Fund’s shareholders with access to shareholder account information
and real-time transaction processing capabilities in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants hereinafter
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows.
1.
|
Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply to this Agreement. Additional terms
may be defined in this Agreement and in the appendices, which describe the
ICS to be provided by ALPS for the
Fund.
|
|
(a)
|
“Affiliate”
shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such
Person.
|
|
(b)
|
“Portfolio(s)”
shall mean each series of the Fund which the Fund has designated to
participate in ICS, and which is listed in Appendix A
hereto.
|
|
(c)
|
“Investment
Company Web Site” shall mean the collection of electronic documents or
pages residing on the computer system of an Internet Service Provider
(“ISP”) hired by the Fund connected to the Internet and accessible by
hypertext link through the World Wide Web, where Persons may view
information about the Portfolio and access the various Transaction screens
provided by the Fund.
|
|
(d)
|
“Person”
shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, association, trust or
other entity or organization, including a government or political
subdivision or an agency or instrumentality
thereof.
|
1
|
(e)
|
“Security
Procedures” shall mean the procedures, including the use of encryption
technology, implemented for purposes of protecting the integrity,
confidentiality or secrecy of, and the unauthorized interception,
corruption, use of, or access to, any data or information transmitted via
the ICS.
|
|
(f)
|
“Transactions”
shall mean account inquiries, purchases, redemptions through Automated
Clearing House, fed wire, or check to the address of record for the
Portfolio account, exchanges and other transactions offered through the
ICS.
|
|
(g)
|
“User(s)”
shall mean record owners or authorized agents of record owners of shares
of a Portfolio, including brokers, investment advisors and other financial
intermediaries.
|
2.
|
ALPS Appointment and
Duties.
|
|
(a)
|
The
Fund hereby appoints ALPS to provide the services set forth in Appendix B,
Appendix
C and Appendix F
attached hereto, as amended from time to time, upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth. ALPS hereby accepts such appointment and
agrees to furnish such specified services. ALPS shall for all purposes be
deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as otherwise
expressly authorized in this Agreement, have no authority to act for or
represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the
Fund.
|
|
(b)
|
ALPS
may employ or associate itself with a person or persons or organizations
as ALPS believes to be desirable in the performance of its duties
hereunder; provided that, in such event, the compensation of such person
or persons or organizations shall be paid by and be the sole
responsibility of ALPS, and the Fund shall bear no cost or obligation with
respect thereto; and provided further that ALPS shall not be relieved of
any of its obligations under this Agreement in such event and shall be
responsible for all acts of any such person or persons or organizations
taken in furtherance of this Agreement to the same extent it would be for
its own acts.
|
3.
|
ALPS Compensation;
Expenses.
|
In
consideration for the services to be performed hereunder by ALPS, the Fund shall
pay ALPS the fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and advances listed in
Appendix D
hereto. In addition, any other reasonable expenses incurred by ALPS at the
request or with the consent of the Fund will be reimbursed by the
Fund. Such fees and out-of-pocket expenses and advances identified in
Appendix D
below may be changed from time to time by ALPS on thirty (30) days’ written
notice to the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during each year
of the term of this Agreement, unless the parties shall otherwise agree and
provided that the service mix and volumes remain consistent with those provided
in the previous year of this Agreement; the minimum fee that would be charged
for the same services would be the base fee rate (as reflected in Appendix D) increased
by 5% per annum.
2
4.
|
Right to Receive
Advice.
|
|
(a)
|
Advice of the Fund and
Service Providers. If ALPS is in doubt as to any action it should
or should not take in connection with the services to be provided
hereunder, ALPS may request directions, advice, or instructions from the
Fund or, as applicable, the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian, or other
service providers.
|
|
(b)
|
Advice of
Counsel. If ALPS is in doubt as to any question of law pertaining
to any action it should or should not take in connection with the services
to be provided hereunder, ALPS may request advice from counsel of its own
choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser,
or ALPS, at the option of ALPS).
|
|
(c)
|
Conflicting
Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions,
advice or instructions ALPS receives from the Fund or any service provider
and the advice ALPS receives from counsel, ALPS may in its sole discretion
rely upon and follow the advice of counsel. ALPS will provide
the Fund with prior written notice of its intent to follow advice of
counsel that is materially inconsistent with directions, advice or
instructions from the Fund. Upon request, ALPS will provide the
Fund with a copy of such advice of
counsel.
|
5.
|
Activities of
ALPS. The services of ALPS under this Agreement are not to be
deemed exclusive, and ALPS shall be free to render similar services to
others. The Fund recognizes that from time to time directors, officers and
employees of ALPS may serve as directors, officers and employees of other
corporations or businesses (including other investment companies) and that
such other corporations and businesses may include ALPS as part of their
name and that ALPS or its affiliates may enter into administrative,
bookkeeping, pricing agreements or other agreements with such other
corporations and businesses.
|
6.
|
Standard of Care;
Limitation of Liability;
Indemnification.
|
|
(a)
|
ALPS shall be obligated to act in
good faith and to exercise commercially reasonable care and diligence in
the performance of its duties under this
Agreement.
|
|
(b)
|
In the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, negligence, or reckless disregard by ALPS in the
performance of its duties, obligations, or responsibilities set forth in
this Agreement, ALPS and its affiliates, including their respective
officers, directors, agents, and employees, shall not be liable for, and
the Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless such persons from
all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments, and liabilities (including,
without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities
arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or
indirectly from the
following:
|
3
|
(i)
|
the inaccuracy of factual
information furnished to ALPS by the Fund or the Fund’s investment
adviser, custodian, or other service
providers;
|
|
(ii)
|
any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters
to which this Agreement
relates;
|
|
(iii)
|
losses,
delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly
or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control,
including without limitation, acts of God, action or inaction of civil or
military authority, war, terrorism, riot, fire, flood, sabotage, labor
disputes, elements of nature, or non-performance by a third
party;
|
|
(iv)
|
ALPS’
reliance on any instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other
information that ALPS reasonably believes to be
genuine;
|
|
(v)
|
loss
of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure;
or
|
|
(vi)
|
any
other action or omission to act which ALPS takes in connection with the
provision of services to the Funds.
|
|
(c)
|
ALPS
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser
and their respective officers, directors, agents, and employees from and
against any and all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments,
claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments, and
liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and
disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state
laws) arising directly or indirectly from ALPS’ willful misfeasance, bad
faith, negligence, or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties,
obligations, or responsibilities set forth in this
Agreement.
|
|
(d)
|
Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable
under this Agreement to the other party hereto for any punitive,
consequential, special or indirect losses or damages. Any
indemnification payable by a party to this Agreement shall be net of
insurance maintained by the indemnified party as of the time the claim
giving rise to indemnity hereunder is alleged to have arisen to the extent
it covers such claim.
|
|
(e)
|
Security
Procedures. ALPS may, but shall not be required to, modify the Security
Procedures set forth in Appendix E from
time to time to the extent it believes, in good faith, that such
modifications will enhance the security of the ICS. All data and
information transmissions via the ICS are for informational purposes only,
and are not intended to satisfy regulatory requirements or comply with any
laws, rules, requirements or standards of any federal, state or local
governmental authority, agency or industry regulatory body, including the
securities industry, which compliance is the sole responsibility of the
Fund.
|
4
7.
|
Proprietary
Rights.
|
|
(a)
|
ALPS’ Property.
The Fund acknowledges and agrees that it obtains no rights in or to any of
the software, hardware, processes, trade secrets, proprietary information
or distribution and communication networks of ALPS. Any software ALPS
provides to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall be used by the Fund
only during the term of this Agreement and only in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement to provide connectivity to and through ALPS,
and shall not be used by the Fund to provide connectivity to or through
any other system or Person. Any interfaces and software developed by ALPS
shall not be used to connect the Fund to any transfer agency system or any
other Person without ALPS’ prior written approval. Except with ALPS’
consent or in conformity with federal copyright laws, the Fund shall not
copy, decompile or reverse engineer any software provided to the Fund by
ALPS. The Fund also agrees not to take any action which would mask, delete
or otherwise alter any of ALPS’ on-screen disclaimers and copyright,
trademark and service xxxx notifications provided by ALPS, in writing,
from time to time, or any “point and click” features relating to user
acknowledgment and acceptance of such disclaimers and
notifications.
|
|
(b)
|
Investment Company Web
Site. The web pages that make up the Investment Company Web Site
contain intellectual property, including, but not limited to, copyrighted
works, trademarks, and trade dress, that is the property of the Fund. The
Fund retains all rights in the intellectual property that resides on the
Investment Company Web Site, not including any intellectual property
provided by or otherwise obtained from ALPS. To the extent that the
intellectual property of the Fund is duplicated within the ALPS’ Web Site
to replicate the “look and feel,” trade dress or other aspect of the
appearance or functionality of the Investment Company Web Site, the Fund
grants to ALPS a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to such
intellectual property for the duration of this Agreement. This license is
limited to the intellectual property of the Fund needed to replicate the
appearance of the Investment Company Web Site and does not extend to any
other intellectual property owned by the
Fund.
|
|
(c)
|
IP Warranty.
Except with respect to the design and graphical elements and Web pages
provided to ALPS by the Fund, ALPS warrants to the Fund that ALPS owns or
has sufficient license or other legal rights in all software and
intellectual property used by ALPS at its facilities to provide the ICS,
and such use by ALPS does not infringe or otherwise violate the U.S.
copyrights of any other party. In the event one or more ICS’ are not
useable by a Customer as a result of a breach of the foregoing warranty,
then ALPS will use reasonable commercial efforts to: (a) procure for the
Fund the right to continue using the ICS or infringing portion thereof, or
(b) modify the ICS so that it becomes non-infringing but has substantially
the same capabilities, or (c) replace the ICS or infringing part thereof
by other systems of similar capability within a reasonable period of time
under the circumstances. If ALPS is not able to satisfy the foregoing
requirements, then, as the sole remedy, the Fund will be entitled to
terminate this Agreement
immediately.
|
5
8.
|
Confidentiality.
|
|
(a)
|
Confidential
Information. Each of the Parties hereby acknowledge that in the
course of performing its obligations hereunder, the other may disclose to
it certain information and know-how of a technical, financial, operational
or other sort that is nonpublic and otherwise confidential or proprietary
to the disclosing Party. This Agreement, and in particular, all ALPS’
Security Procedures and fee schedules, shall be considered confidential
and proprietary. Each Party acknowledges that any such proprietary or
confidential information disclosed to it is of considerable commercial
value and that the disclosing Party would likely be economically or
otherwise disadvantaged or harmed by the direct or indirect use or
disclosure thereof, except as specifically authorized by the disclosing
Party. Each Party therefore agrees to keep in strict confidence all such
information that may from time to time be disclosed to it, and agrees not
to use such information except as expressly permitted hereby or to
disclose such information to any third Party for any purpose without the
prior consent of the other. The provisions of this Section 9(a) shall not
apply to any information if and to the extent it was (i) independently
developed by the receiving Party as evidenced by documentation in such
Party’s possession, (ii) lawfully received by it free of restrictions from
another source having the right to furnish the same, (iii) generally known
or available to the public without breach of this Agreement by the
receiving Party or (iv) known to the receiving Party free of restriction
at the time of such disclosure. The Parties agree that immediately upon
termination of this Agreement, without regard to the reason for such
termination, the Parties shall forthwith return to one another all written
materials and computer software that are the property of the other
Party.
|
ALPS
agrees that it will, on behalf of itself and its officers and employees, treat
all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all records and information
relative to the Fund and its shareholders (past, present and future) and other
information germane thereto, as confidential and as proprietary information of
the Fund and not to use, sell, transfer, or divulge such information or records
to any person for any purpose other than performance of its duties hereunder,
except after prior notification to and approval in writing from the Fund, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Approval may not be withheld where
ALPS may be exposed to civil, regulatory, or criminal proceedings for failure to
comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted
authorities, or when requested by the Fund. When requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted authorities, ALPS shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to request confidential treatment of such information. ALPS
shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards
reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of,
and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of records and information relating
to the Fund and its past, present and future shareholders, consumers and
customers. The Fund and ALPS shall each comply with all applicable laws, rules
and regulations relating to privacy, confidentiality, data security and the
handling of personal financial information applicable to it that may be
established from time to time, including but not limited to the Xxxxx-Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Act and Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-P (17 CFR Part
248) promulgated thereunder.
6
|
(b)
|
Specific
Performance. Each of the Parties agrees that the non-breaching
Party would not have an adequate remedy at law in the event of the other
Party’s breach or threatened breach of its obligations under Section 8(a),
and that the non-breaching Party would suffer irreparable injury and
damage as a result of any such
breach.
|
Accordingly,
in the event either Party breaches or threatens to breach the obligations set
forth in Section 8(a), in addition to and not in lieu of any legal or other
remedies such Party may pursue hereunder or under applicable law, each Party
hereby consents to the granting of equitable relief (including the issuance of a
temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or permanent injunction)
against it by a court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of
proving actual damages or posting any bond or other security therefore,
prohibiting any such breach or threatened breach. In any proceeding upon a
motion for such equitable relief, a Party’s ability to answer in damages shall
not be interposed as a defense to the granting of such equitable
relief.
9.
|
Representations and
Warranties of ALPS.
|
ALPS
represents and warrants to the Fund that:
|
(a)
|
It
is duly organized and existing as a corporation and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Colorado.
|
|
(b)
|
It
is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws to enter into and perform this
Agreement.
|
|
(c)
|
All
requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter
into and perform this Agreement.
|
|
(d)
|
It
has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities,
equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this
Agreement in accordance with industry
standards.
|
7
10.
|
Representations and
Warranties of the Fund.
|
The Fund
represents and warrants to ALPS that:
|
(a)
|
It
is a business trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under
the laws of the state of Delaware and is registered with the SEC as an
open-end management investment
company.
|
|
(b)
|
It
is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and
By-laws to enter into and perform this
Agreement.
|
|
(c)
|
The
Board of Trustees of the Fund has duly authorized it to enter into and
perform this Agreement.
|
|
(d)
|
A
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the 1940 Act is currently, or will be upon commencement of operations,
effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities law
filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all
shares of the Fund being offered for
sale.
|
|
(e)
|
Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees not to make
any modifications to its registration statement or adopt any policies
which would affect materially the obligations or responsibilities of ALPS
hereunder without the prior written approval or ALPS, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.
|
11.
|
Accounts and
Records.
|
The
accounts and records maintained by ALPS shall be the property of the Fund. ALPS
shall prepare, maintain and preserve such accounts and records as required by
the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. ALPS
shall surrender such accounts and records to the Fund, in the form in which such
accounts and records have been maintained or preserved, promptly upon receipt of
instructions from the Fund. The Fund shall have access to such accounts and
records at all times during ALPS’ normal business hours. Upon the reasonable
request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by
ALPS to the Fund at the Fund’s expense. ALPS shall assist the Fund, the Fund’s
independent auditors, or, upon approval of the Fund, any regulatory body, in any
requested review of the Fund’s accounts and records, and reports by ALPS 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.
12. Compliance with Rules and
Regulations.
ALPS
shall comply (and to the extent ALPS takes or is required to take action on
behalf of the Fund or its Portfolios hereunder shall cause the Fund and its
Portfolios to comply) with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the
Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and other
applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and code of ethics, as well as all
investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Fund or any of
its Portfolios of which ALPS has knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is
deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures
set out in the Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS). Except as
set out in this Agreement, ALPS assumes no responsibility for such compliance by
the Fund. ALPS 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 Fund a certification to such effect no less than annually or as
otherwise reasonably requested by the Fund. ALPS 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
Fund or any Portfolio.
8
13.
|
Responsibilities of
ALPS.
|
Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, ALPS shall, at its expense (unless
otherwise provided for herein): (i) provide, or hire other Persons to provide,
all computers, telecommunications equipment and other equipment and software
reasonably necessary to develop and maintain the ICS; and (ii) deliver a monthly
billing report to the Fund.
14.
|
Responsibilities of
the Fund.
|
During
the Term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Fund shall at its
expense (unless otherwise provided for herein) fulfill the Fund’s obligations,
if any, set forth in this Agreement. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that its
users are responsible for verifying the accuracy and receipt of all data or
information transmitted via the ICS. The Fund is responsible for advising its
users of their responsibility for promptly notifying the Portfolio’s transfer
agent of any errors or inaccuracies relating to shareholder data or information
transmitted via the ICS.
15.
|
Change in Designated
Portfolios.
|
Upon
thirty (30) days prior notice to ALPS, the Fund may change the Portfolios
designated to participate in the ICS by delivering to ALPS a written revised
list of participating Portfolios.
16.
|
Duration and
Termination of this
Agreement.
|
This
Agreement will have the same term and duration as the Transfer Agency and
Services Agreement entered into by the parties. Throughout the Term, either
Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement on written notice to the
other Party of the other Party’s material breach of this Agreement and such
Party’s failure to cure such breach within thirty (30) days. This Agreement
shall automatically terminate upon the termination of the Transfer Agency
Agreement between the Trust and ALPS. In the event of a termination, the Parties
will have no continuing obligations to one another other than the obligation to
return to one another the confidential or proprietary materials of the other in
their possession.
9
17.
|
Documents.
|
The Fund
has furnished or will furnish, upon request, ALPS with copies of the Fund’s
Declaration of Trust, advisory agreement, custodian agreement, transfer agency
agreement, administration agreement, current prospectus, statement of additional
information, periodic Fund reports, and all forms relating to any plan, program
or service offered by the Fund. The Fund shall furnish, within a reasonable time
period, to ALPS a copy of any amendment or supplement to any of the
above-mentioned documents. Upon request, the Fund shall furnish promptly to ALPS
any additional documents necessary or advisable to perform its functions
hereunder. As used in this Agreement the terms “registration statement,”
“prospectus” and “statement of additional information” shall mean any
registration statement, prospectus and statement of additional information filed
by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and any
amendments and supplements thereto that are filed with the SEC.
18.
|
Business Interruption
Plan.
|
ALPS
shall maintain in effect a business interruption plan, and enter into any
agreements necessary with appropriate parties making reasonable provisions for
emergency use of electronic data processing equipment customary in the industry.
In the event of equipment failures, ALPS shall, at no additional expense to the
Fund, take commercially reasonable steps to minimize service
interruptions. In the event of equipment failures, ALPS shall, at no
additional expense to the Fund, take commercially reasonable steps to minimize
service interruptions. ALPS shall have no liability with respect to the loss of
data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure provided such loss or
interruption is not caused by ALPS’ own willful misfeasance, bad faith,
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this
Agreement.
19.
|
Assignment.
|
This
Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that this
Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the prior written consent
of ALPS, or by ALPS without the prior written consent of the Fund.
20.
|
Governing
Law.
|
The
provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance
with the laws of the State of Colorado and the 1940 Act and the rules
thereunder. To the extent that the laws of the State of Colorado conflict with
the 1940 Act or such rules, the latter shall control.
10
21.
|
Names.
|
The
obligations of the Fund entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any
trustee, shareholder, representative, or agent thereof are made not
individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the
trustee, shareholders, representatives or agents of the Fund personally, but
bind only the property of the Fund, and all persons dealing with the Fund must
look solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims
against the Fund.
22.
|
Amendments to this
Agreement.
|
This
Agreement may only be amended by the parties in writing.
23.
|
Notices.
|
All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed
to have been given when received or when sent by telex or facsimile, and shall
be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to which notice
is given):
To the
Fund:
|
Name:
|
Xxxx
& Xxxxx Funds Trust
|
|
Address:
|
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
|
|
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
|
Attn:
|
X.
Xxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Fax:
|
(000)
000-0000
|
To
ALPS:
|
ALPS
Fund Services, Inc.
|
|
Address:
|
0000
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
|
|
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
|
|
Attn:
|
General
Counsel
|
|
Fax:
|
(000)
000-0000
|
24.
|
Counterparts.
|
This
Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts,
and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one
and the same instrument.
11
25.
|
Entire
Agreement.
|
This
Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject
matter hereof; provided, however, that ALPS and the Fund may embody in one or
more separate documents its agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties
and oral instructions.
26.
|
Severability.
|
If any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held invalid, unlawful, or
unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
25.
|
Waiver.
|
No waiver
by either party or any breach or default of any of the covenants or conditions
herein contained and performed by the other party shall be construed as a waiver
of any succeeding breach of the same or of any other covenant or
condition.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day
and year first above written.
XXXX
& XXXXX
By:
|
/s/ X. Xxxx
Xxxxx
|
Name:
|
X.
Xxxx Xxxxx
|
Title:
|
Trustee,
Vice-President and Secretary
|
ALPS FUND
SERVICES, INC.
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X.
May
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxx
X. May
|
Title:
|
President
|
12
APPENDIX
A
LIST OF
PORTFOLIOS
The Xxxx
& Xxxxx Fund
A-1
APPENDIX
B
TRANSFER AGENT WEB
SERVICES
INCLUDING E-DELIVERY AND
ON-LINE ACCOUNT APPLICATIONS
1.
|
Transfer Agent Web
Services. The Fund has requested, and ALPS will provide, Transfer
Agent Web Services (“TA Web”) as one of the ICS provided pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement. Through TA Web, Shareholders may submit
Transaction requests directly to the Fund’s transfer agent via the
Internet as described further in this
Appendix.
|
2.
|
Transfer Agent
e-Delivery Program. The Fund has requested, and ALPS will provide,
a Transfer Agent e-Delivery Program (“e-Delivery”) as one of the ICS
provided pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Through e-Delivery,
Shareholders will have the option to discontinue printed and mailed
shareholder statements and shareholder tax forms in favor of electronic
ones.
|
3.
|
Transfer Agent
Web-Documents Program. The Fund has requested, and ALPS will
provide, a Transfer Agent Web-Documents Program (“TA Web-D”) as one of the
ICS provided pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Through TA Web-D,
Shareholders will have the option to discontinue printed and mailed
Regulatory Documents in favor of electronic
ones.
|
4.
|
Transfer Agent On-Line
Account Application Program. The Fund has requested, and ALPS will
provide, a Transfer Agent On-Line Account Application Program (“On-Line
Account Application(s)”) as one of the ICS provided pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement. Through On-Line Account Applications, prospective
Shareholders will have the option to establish an account with the Fund
electronically in lieu of a mailed
application.
|
5.
|
Definitions.
For purposes of this Appendix, the following additional definitions shall
apply (in addition to all other defined terms in this
Agreement):
|
“Shareholder”
shall mean the record owner or authorized agent of the owner of shares of a
Fund.
“Regulatory
Documents” shall mean the prospectus, annual report, semi-annual report and any
other document required under applicable federal securities law to be delivered
by the Fund to Shareholders.
6.
|
ALPS
Responsibilities. In connection with its performance of TA Web and
e-Delivery,
ALPS shall:
|
|
(a)
|
receive
Transaction and new account requests electronically transmitted to the
ALPS Web Site via the Internet following execution of a link from the
Investment Company Web Site to the ALPS Web Site and route Transaction
requests to the ALPS transfer agency
system;
|
B-1
|
(b)
|
for
each Transaction request received, route Transaction and new account
information from the ALPS transfer agency system to ALPS’ Web Site to be
viewed by Users;
|
|
(c)
|
modify
TA Web Shareholder site to accommodate e-Delivery, On-Line Account
Applications and TA Web-D services;
|
|
(d)
|
initiate
the design, processing and maintenance of shareholder e-Delivery, On-Line
Account Applications and TA Web-D
services;
|
|
(e)
|
provide
technical support for e-Delivery, On-Line Account Applications and TA
Web-D services, including: testing, quality control review, generation,
and storage of e-Delivery, On-Line Account Applications and TA
Web-D.
|
|
(f)
|
periodically
review the e-mail list for completeness and
accuracy.
|
|
(g)
|
perform
all other ALPS obligations as set forth in this
Agreement.
|
7.
|
Fund
Responsibilities. In connection with its use of TA Web, and
e-Delivery, the Fund,
through its service providers,
shall:
|
|
(a)
|
provide
all computers, telecommunications equipment and other equipment and
software reasonably necessary to develop and maintain the Investment
Company Web Site;
|
|
(b)
|
design
and develop the Investment Company Web Site functionality necessary to
facilitate and maintain the hypertext links to the ALPS Web Site and the
various Transaction Web pages and otherwise make the Investment Company
Web Site available to Shareholders;
|
|
(c)
|
review,
approve and provide ALPS with reasonable notification of modifications to
any shareholder statements, Regulatory Documents and any other documents,
agreements or disclosures that the Fund transmits to its clients via
e-Delivery
|
|
(d)
|
provide
ALPS with a contact for receipt of enhancement and maintenance
notices;
|
|
(e)
|
provide
ALPS with a completed TA Web questionnaire, which includes a list of site
functionality options and trading
rules.
|
|
(f)
|
provide
ALPS with such other written instructions as it may request from time to
time relating to the performance of ALPS’ obligations hereunder;
and
|
|
(g)
|
perform
all other Fund obligations as set forth in this
Agreement.
|
B-2
8.
|
Options
Selection. TA Web is offered in a Basic Package and a Basic Plus
(includes e-Delivery
and On-Line Account Applications). The fund is selecting the
Basic.
|
9.
|
Fees. The
current fees payable to ALPS by the Fund for the selected services are set
forth on the Fee Schedule. ALPS reserves the right to change billable
rates as it deems necessary upon 30 days’ written notice to the
Fund.
|
B-3
APPENDIX
C
TRANSFER AGENT IVR
SERVICES
1.
|
Transfer Agent
Interactive Voice Response (“IVR”) Services. The Fund has
requested, and ALPS will provide Transfer Agent IVR Services (“TA IVR”) as
one of the ICS provided pursuant to the terms of this Agreement between
the Fund and ALPS. Through TA IVR, Shareholders may retrieve account
information and submit Transaction requests directly to the Fund’s
transfer agent via the telephone as described further in this
Appendix.
|
2.
|
Definitions.
For purposes of this Appendix, the following additional definitions shall
apply (in addition to all other defined terms in this
Agreement):
|
“IVR
Server” shall mean a computer or computers that allow a user to interactively
request information and submit commands using standard telephone
service.
“Shareholder”
shall mean the record owner or authorized agent of the owner of Fund
shares.
3.
|
ALPS
Responsibilities. In connection with its performance of TA IVR,
ALPS shall:
|
|
(a)
|
receive
Transaction requests submitted via telephone to the ALPS IVR processing
server and route Transaction requests to the ALPS transfer agency
system;
|
|
(b)
|
for
each Transaction request received, route Transaction information from the
ALPS transfer agency system to the IVR server to be heard by Users;
and
|
|
(c)
|
perform
all other ALPS obligations as set forth in this
Agreement.
|
4.
|
Fund
Responsibilities. In connection with its use of TA IVR, the Fund
shall:
|
|
(a)
|
complete
a configuration form clearly designating which features and controls
should be used in the Fund’s
implementation;
|
|
(b)
|
provide
ALPS with such other written instructions as its may request from time to
time relating to the performance of ALPS’ obligations
hereunder;
|
|
(c)
|
perform
all other Fund obligations as set forth in this Agreement;
and
|
|
(d)
|
provide
ALPS with: a contact for receipt of enhancement and maintenance notices
and a completed IVR questionnaire that includes a list of site
functionality options and trading
rules.
|
5.
|
Version
Selection. TA IVR is offered in an Inquiry Only Package and a
Standard Package. The Fund is selecting the Inquiry
Only
|
The
Inquiry Only Package limits the user to features that do not allow a user to
perform any action that updates their account, including, but not limited to,
transactions.
C-1
The
Standard package includes everything included in the Inquiry Only package, plus
the ability to place purchases, redemptions and exchanges.
6.
|
Fees. The
current fees payable to ALPS by the Fund for TA IVR are set forth on the
Fee Schedule. ALPS reserves the right to change billable rates as it deems
necessary upon 30 days’ written notice to the
Fund.
|
C-2
APPENDIX
D
TA WEB AND TA IVR
FEE
SCHEDULE
TA
Web
|
|||
Initial
Fees
|
|||
Setup
(for Basic or Basic Plus)1
|
No
Charge
|
||
Monthly
Fees
|
|||
Basic
|
$1,000
|
||
Basic
Plus2
|
Not
Applicable
|
||
Customization
Fees3
|
|||
Functional
|
Current
Hourly Rate
|
||
Graphical
|
Current
Hourly Rate
|
||
TA
IVR
|
|||
Initial
Fees
|
|||
Setup
(for Inquiry Only or Transaction Capability)
|
|||
Monthly
Fees
|
|||
Inquiry
Only
|
No
charge
|
||
Transaction
Capability
|
Not
Applicable
|
||
Customization
Fees4
|
|||
Call
Flow Changes
|
Current
Hourly Rate
|
||
1 Basic
and Basic Plus packages include simple user interface with the fund group logo
at the top of each page. Authorized shareholders are able to place
purchases, redemptions and exchanges via the website. They are also
entitled to view account balances, transaction history and historical fund
prices.
2 Basic
Plus includes the e-Delivery and New Account Setup functionality.
3 Any
graphical or functional modifications beyond what is offered in the basic
package and after the initial customization of the Investment Company’s Web Site
will be billed at an hourly rate based on the specifications given by the
Trust.
4 Any
modification that involves adding or modifying standard call flow features will
be defined and built separately based on the then current hourly
rate.
In
addition to the fees set forth above, the Fund shall pay ALPS reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses and advances associated with providing the services
pursuant to this Agreement.
D-1
APPENDIX
E
SECURITY
PROCEDURES—TRANSFER AGENT WEB SERVICES
(“TA
WEB”)
1. Password
Requirements
Initial
Authentication of a Shareholder in TA Web is accomplished through entry of the
account number, email address, custom question with answer, and social security
number (“SSN”). The Shareholder then creates a User ID and Password to access TA
Web. The User ID cannot be the same as the SSN, must not contain prohibited
characters and must be of a minimum length. The User ID and password minimum and
maximum lengths can be set at the fund group level. A minimum of 8 characters in
length and a requirement of at least one non-alpha character are recommended for
the password.
User ID
will lock out after three failures. A lockout needs to be reset by an authorized
representative in shareholder services. Prior to lockout, a Shareholder may
change a forgotten password by answering the custom question provided at initial
authentication. If the Shareholder chooses not to create a custom question and
answer, he or she will need to call and have an authorized representative reset
his or her password.
2. Encryption
The ALPS
Web server runs Secure Sockets Layer (“SSL”). The purpose of using SSL is to
encrypt data transmissions through the ALPS Web Site and block communications
through the ALPS Web Site from Internet browsers that do not support SSL data
encryption. The standard level of encryption supported by the ALPS Web Site is
128-bit. Further, ALPS uses a certificate from a major provider of server
authentication services.
Sensitive
Fund data that is exchanged within TA Web user sessions is stored with a minimum
of 128-bit encryption. This includes any data passed via URL within the
application. Character validation methods are also employed to ensure that only
appropriate data is passed to related databases.
3. Network Access
Control
A
computer referred to as a “firewall router” is located between the Internet
backbone connection and the ALPS Web server. The purpose of the router is to
control the connectivity to the ALPS Web server at the port level. This
equipment is located at ALPS’ Denver data center. Changes to the configuration
of this computer are administered by authorized IT staff. This equipment will
not interrogate data, and its only function is to limit the type of traffic
accessing the ALPS Web server to the suite of Hyper-Text Transfer Protocols
(“HTTP”) transmissions. Ports on the router are configured to be consistent with
ports on the ALPS Web server. All other ports on the router other than those
configured for the ALPS Web server are not accessible from the
Internet.
E-1
The ALPS
Web server utilizes adequate and appropriate software and hardware. All services
and functions within the ALPS Web server operating system are deactivated with
the exception of services and functions which support TA Web. The general
purpose of this feature is to prevent external users from entering commands or
running processes on the ALPS Web server. All ports on the ALPS Web server,
except those required by TA Web, are disabled. Directory structures are “hidden”
from the user. Services that provide directory information are also
deactivated.
ALPS
administrators gain access to the ALPS Web server through the physical console
connected to the ALPS Web server, or through the internal network via ALPS
Secure ID.
TA Web is
programmed to terminate the session/Transaction between the Shareholder and TA
Web if data authentication fails. All successful and unsuccessful sessions are
logged.
4. Limitation of
Users
Access by
ALPS personnel to the ALPS Web server is restricted within ALPS to a limited
number of users based upon ALPS system administration requirements, as
determined by appropriate ALPS systems managers from time to time.
5. Independence of the Fund’s
Location on the Web Server
Independence
of the Fund’s presence on the ALPS Web server is accomplished by establishing
client-specific session variables that logically separate client data. Access to
web forms, style-sheets, and data is governed by this structure. The base
transaction code required by ICS is, however, shared by all data set
partitions.
Each Fund
URL on the ALPS Web server will identify a separate Fund presence. Access to the
Fund presence on the ALPS Web server must be through the Investment Company Web
Site.
Book
marking of HTML pages within the Fund’s site on the ALPS Web server is not
allowed.
6. Independent Security
Review. Monthly network penetration tests are conducted by a
reputable security consulting firm.
Application
security assessments are performed on a periodic basis to ensure that code
generated by ALPS meets industry standards and best practices.
7. Right to
Audit
The Fund
is allowed to audit, at its expense, the collection of electronic documents or
pages residing on ALPS’ computer system relating to the Fund’s implementation of
the TA Web service, if any, linked to the Internet and accessible by hypertext
link through the World Wide Web, where the Transaction data fields and related
screens provided by ALPS may be viewed by Users who access the ALPS Web Site
once in each 12 month period and any associated systems or networks within TA
Web relating to the Fund’s implementation, after providing an audit plan to ALPS
and upon ALPS’ consent thereto. The audit may include review of configurations,
audit trails, and maintenance of systems and software within TA Web associated
with the Fund’s TA Web site on the ALPS Web server. Tools that may be used for
the audit may include network security tools; provided that ALPS may specify the
time at which any tool is used if ALPS reasonably believes that such tool may
affect system performance. The audit will be coordinated through ALPS and ALPS
will be entitled to observe all audit activity. Additionally, ALPS shall be
entitled to all results of an audit. The Fund will not perform any action that
may interfere with the uptime or stability of ALPS’ systems or networks. The
Fund and its review team will be considered authorized users and ALPS will not
seek prosecution under any computer crime or other applicable statutes for such
activity, as long as the Fund has provided ALPS a written audit plan, ALPS has
approved the written audit plan, and the audit was executed in accordance with
the written audit plan.
E-2
SECURITY
PROCEDURES- TRANSFER AGENT IVR SERVICES
1. Password
Requirements
Authentication
of a Shareholder in TA IVR is based on account number, password, and optionally
social security number.
An
account number is required and is used as the identification (ID) of the
Shareholder. A Password is required and is used as the access to the entered
account. This is the Shareholder’s personal identification number
(PIN).
A Social
Security Number is an optional entry requirement controlled by the Fund to add
another level of authentication to access the entered account
number.
To
utilize the TA IVR, a Shareholder must call the fund’s shareholder services line
and request: a) that the service be enabled for their account and b) a user id
and password. The above authentication information will need to be provided in
order to successfully complete the request.
2. Encryption
The IVR
Processing server communicates with the Transfer Agency System via a 128-bit
encrypted connection.
3. Network Access
Control
A
computer referred to as a “firewall router” is located between the Internet
backbone connection and the ALPS IVR Processing server. The purpose
of the router is to control the connectivity to the server at the port
level. This equipment is located at ALPS’ Denver data
center. Changes to the configuration of this computer are
administered by authorized IT staff. Ports on the router are configured to be
consistent with ports on the ALPS IVR Processing server. Access to
the IVR Processing server is blocked from all areas outside the ALPS
network.
E-3
The ALPS
IVR server utilizes a standard operating system. All services and
functions within the operating system are deactivated with the exception of
services and functions that support TA IVR. The general purpose of
this feature is to prevent external users from entering commands or running
processes on the ALPS IVR server. All ports on the ALPS IVR server,
except those required by TA IVR, are disabled. Directory structures
are “hidden” from the user. Services that provide directory
information are also deactivated.
ALPS
administrators gain access to the ALPS IVR server through the physical console
connected to the ALPS IVR server.
4.
Independent Security
Review
Monthly
network penetration tests are conducted by a reputable security consulting
firm.
Application
security assessments are performed on a periodic basis to ensure that code
generated by ALPS meets industry security standards best practices.
5. Limitation of
Users
Access by
ALPS personnel to the ALPS IVR server is restricted within ALPS to a limited
number of users based on ALPS system administration requirements, as determined
by appropriate ALPS systems managers from time to time.
E-4
APPENDIX
F
ALPS VIRTUAL
ACCESS
ALPS Virtual ACCESS
1.
|
ALPS Virtual
Access. The Fund
has requested, and ALPS will provide, access to ALPS Virtual Access
(“AVA”), an ALPS proprietary platform that provides web-based access to
information and data maintained on behalf of the Fund and maintains a
complete audit trail of all activity on the site. Through AVA,
the Fund may have, based on the third party services offered under
separate contract: (1) shareholder data access, which interfaces with the
transfer agency system and allows data retrieval and updates; (2)
portfolio data access, which provides daily portfolio and securities
detail and permits the Fund to create and save its own customized reports;
(3) access to AdLit, which permits the Fund to submit sales/marketing
pieces for review by ALPS compliance and tracks the progress of the
review; and (4) links to PolicyIQ, which provides the Fund with access to
ALPS’ policies and procedures and also provides the Fund with regulatory
updates.
|
2.
|
Definitions.
For purposes of this Appendix, the following additional definitions
shall apply (in addition to all other defined terms in this
Agreement):
|
“Shareholder”
shall mean the record owner or authorized agent of the owner of shares of a
Fund.
“Broker/Dealer”
shall mean a registered firm that has an active selling agreement with the
Funds.
3.
|
ALPS Responsibilities.
In connection with its performance of AVA and AVA e-Delivery, ALPS
shall:
|
|
(a)
|
provide
technical support for AVA services, including: testing, quality control
review, generation, and storage
information;
|
|
(b)
|
establish,
based on the Fund’s direction, user accounts with access to Fund’s data
and information;
|
|
(c)
|
periodically
review the list of users with access to Fund’s information and make the
list available to the Fund for review;
and
|
F-1
(d) perform
all other ALPS obligations as set forth in this Agreement.
4.
|
Fund
Responsibilities. In connection with its use of AVA and AVA
e-Delivery, the Fund, through its service providers,
shall:
|
|
(a)
|
provide
all computers, telecommunications equipment and other equipment and
software reasonably necessary to access the AVA
site;
|
|
(b)
|
review,
approve and provide users for access to the AVA site. This shall include
any limitations to access based on
function;
|
|
(c)
|
periodically
review users list and make any necessary modifications, including the
removal of users that should no longer have access to the Fund’s
information;
|
|
(d)
|
provide
ALPS with a contact for receipt of enhancement and maintenance
notices;
|
|
(e)
|
provide
ALPS with a completed AVA questionnaire, which includes a list of site
functionality options and trading
rules;
|
|
(f)
|
provide
ALPS with such other written instructions as it may request from time to
time relating to the performance of ALPS’ obligations hereunder;
and
|
(g) perform
all other Fund obligations as set forth in this Agreement.
5.
|
Options
Selection. AVA options are dependent of the services agreements in
place with ALPS. Access will be granted to any service area
that is both available to and selected by the
Fund.
|
6.
|
Fees. The fees
for AVA are included as part of a transfer agency, fund accounting or
distribution agreement with ALPS. This does not include
reasonable out-of-pocket fees or fees for funded
development. ALPS reserves the right to change billable rates
as it deems necessary upon 30 days’ written notice to the
Fund.
|
F-2