INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT is made as of the 17th day of April 2012, by and between Investment Managers Series Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of its series listed in Appendix A, as amended from time to time (the “Fund”), and SSI Investment Management Inc., an S-Corporation incorporated in the State of California (the “Sub-Adviser”).
WHEREAS, Xxxxxx Square Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”) and the Sub-Adviser are each registered as investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and engage in the business of providing investment management services; and
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an open-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and issues shares of beneficial interest in separate series, each having its own investment objectives and policies, and is authorized to create additional series in the future; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser has been retained to act as investment adviser to certain series within the Trust including those listed on Schedule A (each, a “Fund”) pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) dated as of April 17, 2012 between the Adviser and the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement provides, among other things, that Sub-Advisor has been retained to perform certain investment advisory services for all of the assets of the Fund in lieu of the Adviser and that the Adviser shall monitor the Sub-Adviser’s performance of those services pursuant to this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to retain the Sub-Adviser to provide a continuing and suitable program of investment advisory services with respect to the Fund’s assets, and the Sub-Adviser is willing to render such services, subject to supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“Board”), monitoring by the Adviser, and the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
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APPOINTMENT OF SUB-ADVISER
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The Trust hereby appoints, and the Sub-Adviser hereby accepts the appointment, to act as sub-adviser, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and monitoring by the Adviser, on the terms herein set forth and for the compensation herein provided. In connection with this appointment:
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(a)
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Delivery of Trust Documentation. The Trust shall deliver to the Sub-Adviser copies of: (i) the Trust’s current Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, as may be amended from time to time (collectively, “Organic Documents”); (ii) the Fund’s current prospectus and statement of additional information as may be amended from time to time (collectively, “Prospectuses”); (iii) all current Trust policies and procedures relevant to the Fund as may be amended from time to time (collectively, “Trust Procedures”); and (iv) a certified copy of the resolution of the Board appointing the Sub-advisor and authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
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(b)
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Independent Contractor. The Sub-Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or be deemed an agent of the Fund;
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(c)
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The Sub-Adviser’s Representations. The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that:
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(i)
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It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
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(ii)
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It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement;
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(iii)
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It has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”) and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of such Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto;
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(iv)
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It has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents (“Compliance Procedures”) and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of the Compliance Procedures and any amendments thereto;
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(v)
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It has delivered to the Adviser and the Trust copies of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of any future filings of Form ADV or any amendments thereto;
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(vi)
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It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation;
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(vii)
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It has met, and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met by the Sub-Adviser in order to perform its services contemplated by this Agreement; and
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(viii)
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This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of Sub-Adviser, enforceable against the Sub-Adviser in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties.
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2
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(d)
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Relationships as Described in Prospectus. The Trust and the Sub-Adviser acknowledge that the prospectus contained in the registration statement for the Fund to be filed with the SEC effective April 17, 2012 properly describes the relationship between the Trust and the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund as of that date. The Trust agrees to discuss with the Sub-Adviser any proposed changes to that description that may arise in connection with an annual or other update to the Fund’s registration statement.
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(e)
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Plenary authority of the Board of Trustees. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that the Fund is a mutual fund that operates as a series of the Trust under the supervision and direction of the Board.
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2.
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PROVISION OF INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY SERVICES
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The Sub-Adviser will provide for the Fund a continuing and suitable investment program consistent with the investment policies, objectives and restrictions of the Fund, as established by the Fund and the Sub-Adviser and set forth in the Prospectuses, and in other written guidelines or restrictions, as may be amended from time to time, that are agreed upon in writing by the Trust and Sub-Adviser, which guidelines and restrictions shall not be inconsistent with the Prospectuses (“Written Guidelines”) and the Trust Procedures.
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(a)
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The Sub-Adviser shall assume all investment duties and have full discretionary power and authority with respect to investment of the assets of the Fund. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall, with respect to the assets of the Fund: (i) obtain and evaluate such information and advice relating to the economy, securities markets and securities as it deems necessary or useful to discharge its duties hereunder; (ii) continuously invest the assets in a manner consistent with the Prospectuses, Written Guidelines, and Trust Procedures, as provided to the Sub-Adviser consistent with Section 1(a) of this Agreement; (iii) determine the securities to be purchased, sold or otherwise disposed of and the timing of such purchases, sales and dispositions; (iv) vote all proxies for securities and exercise all other voting rights with respect to such securities in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s written proxy voting policies and procedures; (v) promptly issue settlement instructions to custodians designated by the Adviser or the Trust; (vi) evaluate the credit worthiness of securities dealers, banks and other entities with which the Fund may engage in repurchase agreements and monitor the status of such agreements; and (vii) take such further action, including the placing of purchase and sale orders and the selection of broker-dealers to execute such orders on behalf of the Fund, as the Sub-Adviser shall deem necessary or appropriate, in its sole discretion, to carry out its duties under this Agreement.
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(b)
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The Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to or place at the disposal of the Trust and/or the Adviser such information, evaluations, analyses and opinions formulated or obtained by the Sub-Adviser in the discharge of its duties, as the Trust and/or Adviser may, from time to time, reasonably request.
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3
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(c)
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The Sub-Adviser agrees, that in performing its duties hereunder, it will comply with (i) the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (ii) all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and (iii) the provisions of the Organic Documents.
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(d)
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The Sub-Adviser shall keep accurate and detailed records concerning its services under this Agreement as required under the 1940 Act and all such records shall be open to inspection at all reasonable times by the Trust, the Adviser and any appropriate regulatory authorities. The Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Trust and/or the Adviser copies of any and all documentation relating to the Fund’s transactions upon reasonable request. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund and it further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund copies of any such records upon the Fund’s request.
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(e)
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At the request of the Trust and/or Adviser from time to time, the Sub-Adviser shall provide pricing and valuation information with respect to particular securities it has purchased for the Fund if the Trust and/or Adviser has determined that such pricing and valuation information is not otherwise reasonably available to it through standard pricing services, and shall, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, assist in the fair valuation of any particular security held by the Fund. In the event that the Sub-Adviser believes a valuation provided by a pricing service for a security it has purchased for the Fund is materially inaccurate, Sub-Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Adviser and/or the Fund. Sub-Adviser acknowledges that the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Fund, and its custodian or fund accountant may use different pricing vendors, which may result in valuation discrepancies and in the event of such discrepancies, the valuation used by the Fund to calculate its net asset value shall be controlling, and Sub-Adviser shall have no liability therefor.
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(f)
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From time to time at the request of the Trust and/or the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will (i) meet, either in person or via teleconference, with the Trust and/or theAdviser and with such other persons as the Adviser and/or the Trust may designate, including the Board, on reasonable notice and at reasonable times and locations, to discuss general economic conditions, performance, investment strategy and other matters relating to the Fund; and/or (ii) provide written materials to the Trust and/or the Adviser and such other persons as the Trust and/or the Adviser may designate, including the Board, on reasonable notice, discussing general economic conditions, performance, investment strategy and other matters relating to the Fund.
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(g)
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The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that it will exercise “investment discretion” over the Fund’s assets within the meaning of Section 13(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), and the Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for filing any required reports on its behalf with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(f) and the rules and regulations thereunder in respect of the Fund’s assets only.
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(h)
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The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that its management of the Fund’s assets is subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and monitoring by the Adviser.
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4
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(i)
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To the extent reasonably requested by the Trust, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to assist the Trust in connection with the Trust’s compliance with the Federal Securities Laws (as that term is defined by Rule 38a-1 under the 0000 Xxx) to the extent relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement, including, without limitation, providing the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust with: (i) Compliance Procedures, as may be amended from time to time (including prompt notice of any material changes thereto); (ii) a summary of such policies and procedures in connection with the annual review thereof by the Trust; (iii) upon request, a certificate of the chief compliance officer of the Sub-Adviser to the effect that the policies and procedures of the Sub-Adviser are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the Federal Securities Laws; (iv) direct access to the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer, as reasonably requested by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust; (v) a completed quarterly informational questionnaire regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance program; and (vi) quarterly certifications indicating whether there were Material Compliance Matters (as that term is defined by Rule 38a-1) that arose under the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust and/or the Sub-Adviser in such detail as may be reasonably requested by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust.
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(j)
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Except as permitted by the Trust Procedures, the Sub-Adviser shall not disclose and shall treat confidentially all information in respect of the investments of the Fund, including, without limitation, the identification and market value or other pricing information of any and all portfolio securities or other financial instruments held by the Fund, and any and all trades of portfolio securities or other transactions effected for the Fund (including past, pending and proposed trades).
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(k)
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The Trust shall instruct the Adviser and/or the Fund’s administrator to provide the Sub-Adviser with timely information regarding such matters as inflows to and outflows from the Fund and the cash requirements of, and cash available for investment in, the Fund. The Trust shall instruct the Adviser and the Fund’s custodian (the “Custodian”) to provide the Sub-Adviser with timely copies of monthly accounting statements for the Fund, and such other information as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in order for the Sub-Adviser to perform its responsibilities hereunder.
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(l)
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The Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for any class actions and lawsuits involving the securities held, or formerly held, by the Fund. The Sub-Adviser is not required to take any action or to render investment-related advice with respect to lawsuits involving any Fund, including those involving securities presently or formerly held by the Fund, or the issuers thereof, including actions involving bankruptcy. If the Sub-Adviser receives any notices of class action suits involving issuers presently or formerly held by the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall promptly forward such notices to the Adviser and, with the consent of the Adviser, may provide information about any Fund to third parties for purposes of participating in any settlements relating to such class actions.
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(m)
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The Sub-Adviser will cooperate with the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and shall take reasonable action to make all necessary information available to the accounting firm for the performance of the accounting firm’s duties.
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5
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(n)
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The Sub-Adviser will provide the Custodian and the Fund’s fund accountant on each business day with such information relating to all transactions concerning the Fund’s assets as the Custodian and fund accountant may reasonably require.
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3.
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BROKERAGE
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The Sub-Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, for broker-dealer selection, and for negotiation of brokerage commission rates, provided that the Sub-Adviser shall not direct an order to an affiliated person of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser without general prior authorization to use such affiliated broker or dealer from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Sub-Adviser’s primary consideration in effecting a securities transaction will be execution at the most favorable price. In selecting a broker-dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may take the following, among other things, into consideration: the best net price available; the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker-dealer; the size of and the difficulty in executing the order; and the value of the expected contribution of the broker-dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis. The execution price of a transaction may be less favorable than that available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered.
Subject to such policies as the Board may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a broker or dealer that provides (directly or indirectly) brokerage or research services to the Sub-Adviser an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund. Subject to the same policies and legal provisions, the Sub-Adviser is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to such brokers or dealers who also provide research or statistical material, or other services to the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or any affiliate. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Sub-Adviser shall determine, and the Sub-Adviser shall report on such allocations regularly to the Adviser who shall report to the Trust, indicating the broker-dealers to whom such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as of other clients, the Sub-Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may aggregate the securities to be so purchased or sold in order to obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and the most efficient execution. In such event, the allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expense incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients.
The Trust authorizes and empowers the Sub-Adviser to open and maintain trading accounts in the name of the Fund and to execute for the Fund as its agent and attorney-in-fact standard institutional customer agreements with such broker or brokers as the Sub-Adviser shall select as provided herein. The Sub-Adviser shall cause all securities and other property purchased or sold for the Fund to be settled at the place of business of the Custodian or as the Custodian shall direct. All securities and other property of the Fund shall remain in the direct or indirect custody of the Custodian.
6
The Sub-Adviser further shall have the authority to instruct the Custodian to pay cash for securities and other property delivered to the Custodian for the Fund and deliver securities and other property against payment for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall not have authority to cause the Custodian to deliver securities and other property or pay cash to the Sub-Adviser except as expressly provided herein.
4.
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ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES
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(a)
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Each party to this Agreement shall bear the costs and expenses of performing its obligations hereunder. In this regard, the Fund shall assume the expense of:
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(i)
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Brokerage commissions for transactions in the Fund and similar fees and charges for the acquisition, disposition, lending or borrowing of Fund investments;
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(ii)
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Custodian fees and expenses;
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(iii)
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All taxes, including issuance and transfer taxes, and reserves for taxes payable by the Fund to federal, state or other government agencies;
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(iv)
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Pricing services; and
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(v)
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Interest payable on any Fund borrowings.
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(b)
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The Sub-Adviser specifically agrees that with respect to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for (i) providing the personnel, office space and equipment reasonably necessary to provide its sub-advisory services to the Fund hereunder, and (ii) the costs of any special Board meetings or shareholder meetings convened for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser is permitted to enter into a separate agreement with the Adviser or the Trust regarding a limitation of the Fund’s operating expenses.
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5.
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SUB-ADVISORY FEES
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For all of the services rendered with respect to the Fund as herein provided, the Fund shall pay to the Sub-Adviser a fee at an annual rate based on the Current Net Assets (as defined below) of the Fund as set forth in Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof. Such fee shall be accrued by the Fund daily and shall be payable monthly in arrears, as soon as practicable after the last day of each calendar month. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may be. For purposes of computing the amount of sub-advisory fee to be paid hereunder, “Current Net Assets” shall mean the Fund’s net assets as of the most recent preceding day for which the Fund’s net assets were computed.
6.
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LIABILITY; STANDARD OF CARE
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In rendering its services hereunder, the Sub-Adviser shall act at all times in the best interests of the Fund and shall discharge its duties with the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of a similar enterprise; provided, however, the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the Trust, the Adviser, the Fund, or the Fund’s shareholders for any action or inaction of the Sub-Adviser relating to any event whatsoever in the absence of bad faith, willful misfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of or the reckless disregard of the Sub-Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement.
7
In no event shall the Sub-Adviser be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties (other than those related to the Sub-Adviser’s employees), fire, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
The Sub-Adviser, its affiliates, agents and employees, shall not be liable to the Adviser, the Trust or the Fund for failure to act or any action taken in good faith reliance upon:
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(a)
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The Fund’s directions to the Sub-Adviser or Custodian, or brokers, dealers or others with respect to the making, retention or sale of any investment or reinvestment hereunder; or
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(b)
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Acts or omissions of the Adviser, the Custodian or the Fund, their respective affiliates, agents or employees.
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No party to this Agreement shall be liable to another party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed by virtue of this Agreement to have made any representation or warranty that any level of investment performance or level of investment results will be achieved.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each party to this Agreement (as an “Indemnifying Party”) shall indemnify and hold harmless the other parties and the shareholders, directors, officers, and employees of the other parties (any such person, an “Indemnified Party”) against any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating and defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising out of the Indemnifying Party’s performance or non-performance of any duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that indemnification shall not be paid hereunder with respect to any matter to the extent to which the loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense was caused by the Indemnified Party’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of duties hereunder or reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement, and provided further, however, that the Sub-Adviser shall only be required to indemnify and hold harmless an Indemnified Party to the extent the loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense of such Indemnified Party was attributable to the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations or duties hereunder.
If indemnification is to be sought hereunder, then the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party of the assertion of any claim or the commencement of any action or proceeding in respect thereof and will keep the Indemnifying Party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim, action or proceeding; provided, however, that the failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it may otherwise have to the Indemnified Party provided such failure shall not affect in a material adverse manner the position of the Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Party with respect to such claim. Following such notification, the Indemnifying Party may elect in writing to assume the defense of such action or proceeding and, upon such election, it shall not be liable for any legal costs incurred by the Indemnified Party (other than reasonable costs of investigation previously incurred) in connection therewith, unless (i) the Indemnifying Party has failed to provide counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party in a timely manner or (ii) counsel which has been provided by the Indemnifying Party reasonably determines that its representation of the Indemnified Party would present it with a conflict of interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to employ separate counsel at its own expense and, in such event, the Indemnified Party may participate in such defense as it deems necessary. The Indemnified Party shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the Indemnifying Party may be required to indemnify it except with the Indemnifying Party’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; notwithstanding this Section 6 hereof, in the event the Indemnified Party has not secured such consent, the Indemnifying Party will have no obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Party. Upon request and at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, the Indemnified Party shall provide reasonable assistance to the Indemnifying Party so that the Indemnifying Party can defend against such claim, action or proceeding.
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The provisions of the prior two paragraphs of this Section 6 shall not apply in any action where the Indemnified Party is the party adverse, or one of the parties adverse, to the other party.
7.
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TERM AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT; NO ASSIGNMENT
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(a)
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This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund immediately upon the latter of approval by a majority of the Trust’s Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons thereof and, if required, by applicable law, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Agreement shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, continue in effect for a period of two years from the date of effectiveness with respect to the Fund. This Agreement shall continue in effect thereafter for additional periods not exceeding one year so long as such continuation is approved for the Fund at least annually by (i) the Board or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement nor interested persons thereof, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
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(b)
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This Agreement may be terminated by the Trust on behalf of the Fund at any time without payment of any penalty, by the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund without the payment of any penalties, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser, and by the Sub-Adviser upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Fund. In the event of a termination, the Sub-Adviser shall cooperate in the orderly transfer of the Fund’s affairs and, at the request of the Board, transfer copies of any and all books and records of the Fund maintained by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Fund.
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(c)
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This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of any transfer or assignment thereof, as defined in the 1940 Act.
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8.
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SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE
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The services of the Sub-Adviser to the Fund are not to be deemed exclusive and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services hereunder are not impaired thereby. It is specifically understood that directors, officers and employees of the Sub-Adviser and of its subsidiaries and affiliates may continue to engage in providing portfolio management services and advice to other investment advisory clients. The Trust agrees that the Sub-Adviser may give advice and take action in the performance of its duties with respect to any of its other clients which may differ from advice given or the timing or nature of action taken with respect to the Fund. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to require the Sub-Adviser, its principals, affiliates, agents or employees to purchase or sell for any Fund any security which it or they may purchase or sell for its or their own account or for the account of any other client.
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9.
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NO BORROWING
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The Sub-Adviser agrees that neither it nor any of its officers or employees shall borrow from the Fund or pledge or use the Fund’s assets in connection with any borrowing not directly for the Fund’s benefit.
10.
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AMENDMENT
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No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated in any manner except by an instrument in writing signed by all parties and approved by the Trust in the manner set forth in Section 7(a).
11.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
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Subject to the duty of the Sub-Adviser to comply with applicable law, including any demand of any regulatory or taxing authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all non-public information pertaining to the Fund and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Fund in respect thereof. It is understood that any information or recommendation supplied by the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only in connection with the Fund by the Adviser, the Fund or such persons as the Adviser, with the consent of the applicable Fund, may designate. It is also understood that any information supplied to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder, particularly, but not limited to, any list of investments which, on a temporary basis, may not be bought or sold for the Fund, is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Sub-Adviser in connection with its obligation to provide investment advice and other services to the Fund. The parties acknowledge and agree that all nonpublic personal information with regard to shareholders in the Fund shall be deemed proprietary information of the Trust, and that the Sub-Adviser shall use that information solely in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and shall take reasonable steps to safeguard the confidentiality of that information. Further, the Sub-Adviser shall maintain and enforce adequate security procedures with respect to all materials, records, documents and data relating to any of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement including all means for the effecting of investment transactions.
12.
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USE OF SUB-ADVISOR’S NAME; NAME OF FUND OR TRUST
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The Sub-Adviser hereby grants to the Fund and the Adviser, with respect to the Fund, a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use the Sub-Adviser’s name and logo in any and all promotional materials, prospectuses and registration statements during the term of this Agreement. Trust shall furnish or cause the Adviser to furnish to the Sub-Adviser or its designee, each piece of Fund sales literature or other promotional material in which the Sub-Adviser is named, at least two (2) business days prior to its use. The Sub-Adviser shall be permitted to review and approve the material in written or electronic form prior to such use. No such material shall be used if the Sub-Adviser or its designee reasonably objects to such use within two (2) business days after receipt of this material. If the Sub-Adviser has not objected to such use within two (2) business days after its receipt of this material, it will be deemed to have approved such use. For purposes of clarity, prior approval by the Sub-Adviser shall not be required with respect to any regulatory filing. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name of Adviser, the Trust or any Fund (for other than internal use) in any manner not approved by the Adviser or the Trust, as applicable, prior thereto in writing, which approval shall not be unreasonably held or delayed; provided, however, that the approval of the Adviser or Trust, as applicable, shall not be required for the use of the name of the Adviser, Trust or Fund which: (a) merely refers in accurate or factual terms to the Adviser, the Trust or the Fund in connection with the Sub-Adviser’s role with respect to the Trust or the Fund, or (b) is required by any appropriate regulatory, governmental or judicial authority.
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13.
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ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE
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The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that, in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act, and any implementing regulations thereunder (together, “AML Laws”), the Trust has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Policy. The Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate with the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the AML Laws by providing the Trust and/or the Fund’s administrator such reports, certifications and contractual assurances as may be reasonably requested upon reasonable notice by the Trust in order for the Trust and the Fund’s administrator to fulfill its obligations under the AML Laws. The Trust may disclose information regarding the Sub-Adviser to governmental and/or regulatory or self-regulatory authorities to the extent required by applicable law or regulation and may file reports with such authorities as may be required by applicable law or regulation.
14.
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CERTIFICATIONS; DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
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The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that, in compliance with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 (the “Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act”), and the implementing regulations promulgated thereunder, the Trust and the Fund are required to make certain certifications and have adopted disclosure controls and procedures. To the extent reasonably requested by the Trust, the Sub-Adviser agrees to use its best efforts to assist the Trust and the Fund in complying with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act and implementing the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures.
15.
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NOTIFICATION
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The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the Adviser and Trust about material changes in the employment status of key investment management personnel involved in the management of the Fund, material changes in the investment process used to manage the Fund and any changes in senior management, operations of the Sub-Adviser, and at least 90 days prior notice to the Adviser and the Trust of any change of ownership or control of the Sub-Adviser.
16.
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NOTICES
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Notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing, shall be deemed to be effectively delivered when actually received, and may be delivered by U.S. mail (first class, postage prepaid), by facsimile transmission, by hand or by commercial overnight delivery service, addressed as follows:
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ADVISER:
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Xxxxxx Square Capital Management LLC
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on behalf of the Fund
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00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
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Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
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Attn: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxx
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SUB-ADVISER:
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SSI Investment Management Inc.
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0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
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Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
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Duplicate Copy to: Xxxx Xxxxx
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FUND:
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on behalf of the Fund
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Attn: President
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000 X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
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Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
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17.
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GOVERNING LAW
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This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
18.
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LIMITATION OF SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY
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The Trustees of the Trust and the shareholders of the Fund shall not be liable for any obligations of the Trust or of the Fund under this Agreement, and the Sub-Adviser agrees that, in asserting any rights or claims under this Agreement, it shall look only to the assets and property of the Trust or the Fund to which the Sub-Adviser’s rights or claims relate in settlement of such rights or claims, and not to the Trustees of the Trust or the shareholders of the Fund.
19.
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MISCELLANEOUS
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(a)
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This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
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(b)
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This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on a number of counterparts which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
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(c)
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If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and shall not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term, or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
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(d)
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The terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities”, “interested person”, “affiliated person,” “control” and “assignment” shall have the meanings ascribed thereto by the 1940 Act.
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(e)
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Sections 2(d), 2(h), 2(i), 2(k) 6, 11, 13, 14, 17 and 19 shall survive termination of this Agreement; provided, however, all of the provisions of the Agreement shall survive the termination or other expiration of this Agreement with respect to any obligation accruing or arising before such termination or other expiration.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day first set forth above.
By:
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||
Name:
Title:
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Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Trustee and Vice President
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SSI Investment Management Inc.
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By:
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Name:
Title:
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Xxxx Xxxxx
Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer
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SCHEDULE A
FUNDS AND FEES
Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
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Annual Fee Rate as % of Value of Average
Fund Current Net Assets
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Xxxxxx Square SSI Hedged Convertible Income Strategy Fund
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0.95%
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14