FUND ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
No. EX-99.h.3
THIS
AGREEMENT is made as of the 4th day of January, 2010, (the “Effective Date”) by
and between each fund in the Delaware Investments Family of
Funds listed on Schedule A (each, a
“Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), having their principal place of business
at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, and Delaware Service Company,
Inc. (“DSC”), a Delaware
corporation having its principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000.
WHEREAS,
each Fund is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as
an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940
Act”);
WHEREAS,
the Funds have engaged The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”) to provide
fund accounting, financial administration and related services for the Funds
pursuant to the Fund Accounting and Financial Administration Services Agreement,
dated as of October 1, 2007 (the “BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement”);
WHEREAS,
the Funds desire that DSC perform the fund accounting, financial administration
and related services described in this Agreement for the Funds to supplement the
services provided by BNY Mellon pursuant to the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement;
WHEREAS,
the Funds also desire that DSC establish and monitor certain service level
requirements with respect to BNY Mellon’s performance of its duties pursuant to
the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
DSC is willing to perform the aforementioned services on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in exchange for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the
Funds and DSC agree as follows:
1. Services
DSC shall
perform for each Fund and its series (including all share classes) listed in
Schedule A, the
fund accounting, financial administration and related services set forth in
Schedule B to
this Agreement (“Services”). A Fund may add to, or delete from, this
Agreement a Fund series and/or class if such Fund series and/or class is added
to, or deleted from, the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement. Such
addition or deletion must be evidenced by amending Schedule
A. Each existing and future series of a Fund (including all
share classes) covered by this Agreement is individually and collectively
referred to as a “Portfolio.” DSC may perform other services for each
Fund only upon terms, conditions and compensation that DSC and the Fund mutually
agree to, as evidenced by an amendment to this Agreement or Schedule
B. To the extent that BNY Mellon does not consent to the
addition of a new Portfolio or share class to the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement and a different service provider is engaged to provide the fund
accounting and financial administration services for such Portfolio or share
class, DSC agrees to negotiate in good faith with the applicable Fund concerning
the provision of the fund accounting and financial administration oversight
services for such Portfolio or share class given the scope of services to be
provided by the new fund accounting and financial administration service
provider.
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2. Compensation and
Expenses
A. In
return for performing the Services, the Funds shall compensate DSC as set forth
in this Section and in Schedule C to this
Agreement. Fees due shall be accrued daily. If this
Agreement is lawfully terminated before the end of any month, fees shall be
calculated on a pro rated basis through the date of termination and shall be due
upon the Agreement’s termination date.
B. The Funds
will pay all of their own expenses that are incurred in the Funds’ operation and
not specifically assumed by DSC. Expenses to be borne by the Funds
include, but are not limited to: pricing, security and other similar data
information vendor services; organizational expenses; costs of services of the
Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm (“independent accountant”)
and the Funds’ outside legal and tax counsel (including such counsel’s review of
the Funds’ registration statements, proxy materials, federal and state tax
qualification as regulated investment companies and any review of reports and
materials prepared by DSC under this Agreement); costs of any services
contracted for by the Funds directly from parties other than DSC; trade
association dues; costs of trading operations and brokerage fees, commissions
and transfer taxes in connection with the purchase and sale of securities for
the Funds; investment advisory fees; taxes; Fund insurance premiums and other
Fund insurance-related fees and expenses applicable to their operations; costs
incidental to any meetings of shareholders, including, but not limited to, legal
and auditor fees, proxy filing fees and the costs of printing and mailing of any
proxy materials; costs incidental to Fund board meetings, including fees and
expenses of Fund board members, but excluding costs specifically assumed by DSC;
the salary and expenses of any officer, director/trustee or employee of the
Funds who is not also a DSC employee; registration fees, filing fees, and costs
incidental to the preparation, typesetting, printing and/or distribution, as
applicable, of the Funds’ registration statements on Forms X-0X, X-0, X-0, X-0,
X-0, and N-14, as applicable, and any amendments thereto, shareholder reports on
Form N-CSR, Form N-SAR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, tax returns, and all notices,
registrations and amendments associated with applicable federal and state tax
and securities laws; and other expenses properly payable by the
Funds.
C. The
Funds agree to reimburse DSC for its actual out-of-pocket expenses in providing
the Services, including without limitation, the following:
(i)
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Electronic
transmission expenses incurred by DSC in communicating with each Fund, the
Fund’s investment advisers (which term, for purposes of this Agreement,
shall be interpreted to include any sub-advisers) or custodian, BNY
Mellon, dealers or others as required for DSC to perform the Services if a
Fund officer requests such electronic transmission and provides DSC with
prior written approval;
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(ii)
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The
cost of creating microfilm, microfiche or electronic copies of Fund
records, and the cost of storage of paper and electronic copies of Fund
records;
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(iii)
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The
charges for services provided by the vendors set forth on Schedule
D;
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(iv)
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Any
additional expenses reasonably incurred by DSC in the performance of the
Services, provided that: (a) if any individual expense is less
than $1,000, DSC shall provide prior written notice to the applicable Fund
to the extent practicable; and (b) if any individual expense is $1,000 or
more, DSC shall obtain the prior written consent of an officer of the
applicable Fund;
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(v)
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In
the event that DSC is requested or authorized by the Funds or is required
by law, summons, subpoena, investigation, examination or other legal or
regulatory process to produce documents or personnel with respect to the
Services, and so long as DSC is not the subject of the investigation or
proceeding in question, the Funds will reimburse DSC for its actual
out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in
responding to these requests; and
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(vi)
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Any
additional expenses incurred by DSC at the written direction of a Fund
officer.
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D. DSC shall be
entitled to receive the following amounts:
(i)
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Any
systems development and project fees for new or enhanced services
requested by the Funds (including significant enhancements required by
regulatory changes), and all systems-related expenses associated with the
provision of special reports and services, in each case as agreed upon by
a Fund officer in advance; and
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(ii)
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Ad
hoc reporting fees billed at an agreed upon
rate.
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E. DSC shall
xxxx each Fund on a monthly basis for the fees and expenses owed to DSC by such
Fund under this Agreement. The monthly xxxx shall be set forth on a
detailed invoice in a form mutually agreed upon by DSC and the
Funds. DSC shall send such invoice to each Fund no later than fifteen
(15) days after the last day of each month; provided, however, that the failure
by DSC to do so shall not be considered a breach of this
Agreement. Each Fund shall pay such invoice within fifteen (15) days
of receipt of such invoice by such Fund. In the event that a Fund
does not receive an invoice within fifteen (15) days after the last day of a
month, such Fund shall have fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of such
invoice to pay DSC. Any undisputed fees or expenses that are not paid
by a Fund within the required time frame shall be subject to a late fee of 1.5%
of the amount billed for each month that such fees or expenses remain unpaid,
and the late fee shall be due and payable upon demand. If any fees or
expenses are disputed by a Fund, DSC and such Fund shall work together in good
faith to resolve the dispute promptly.
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F. DSC
will assume responsibility for the costs of its ordinary and necessary office
facilities (including telephone, telephone transmission, and telecopy expenses),
equipment and personnel to perform the Services, including the compensation of
its employees who serve as Fund trustees, directors or officers. In
the event that DSC is the subject of an examination, subpoena, investigation,
proceeding or legal or regulatory process relating to the Services it provides
to the Funds (“DSC Services Inquiry”), and if DSC requests that the Funds
provide, or if the Funds are required by law, summons, subpoena, investigation,
examination or other legal or regulatory process, to produce documents or
personnel with respect to the Services, then DSC will reimburse the Funds for
their actual out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees)
incurred in responding to these requests.
3. Length and Termination of
Agreement
A. For
purposes of this Section 3, the term “Effective Date” shall mean October 1,
2007. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and continue
for an initial term of seven (7) years (the “Initial
Term”). Unless otherwise terminated in accordance with its
terms, DSC shall either (i) request that this Agreement be extended for an
additional five (5) year period, or (ii) indicate that this Agreement will be
terminated upon the expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as defined
below), as the case may be, in either case by sending a written notice of its
intent to the Fund no later than three (3) months prior to the fifth anniversary
of the Effective Date of the Initial Term or the third anniversary of the
effective date of a Renewal Term (as the case may be). If DSC
requests that this Agreement be extended for an additional five (5) year period
and the Fund does not reject such request in writing to DSC by the sixth
anniversary of the Effective Date of the Initial Term or the fourth anniversary
of the effective date of a Renewal Term (as the case may be), this Agreement
shall be extended for an additional five (5) year period (a “Renewal Term”). If
either (a) DSC indicates that this Agreement will be terminated upon the
expiration of the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as the case may be) by sending
a written notice of its intent to the Fund no later than three (3) months prior
to the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date of the Initial Term or the third
anniversary of the effective date of a Renewal Term (as the case may be), or (b)
the Fund respond to DSC’s request to extend for an additional five (5) year
period by rejecting such request in writing to DSC no later than the sixth
anniversary of the Effective Date of the Initial Term or the fourth anniversary
of the effective date of a Renewal Term (as the case may be), this Agreement
shall terminate upon the expiration of the Initial Term or such Renewal Term (as
the case may be). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall
renew automatically in event that the Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement is
renewed.
B. A party may
terminate this Agreement for one or more of the following reasons, provided the
terminating party provides the applicable written notice to the other party or
parties of the reason for such termination:
(i)
Non-Renewal: DSC
or the Funds may decline to extend the terms of this Agreement beyond the
Initial Term under subparagraph A of this Section;
(ii)
Mutual
Agreement: The parties may mutually agree in writing to
terminate this Agreement at any time;
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(iii)
“For
Cause”: A party may terminate the Agreement “For Cause,” as
defined below, by providing the other party or parties with 60 days’ advance
written notice;
(iv)
Termination of
Investment Manager: Upon the termination of the investment
management agreement(s) between a Fund (on behalf of its Portfolio(s)) and its
investment adviser, whether terminated by the investment adviser, the Fund, its
board of directors/trustees or its shareholders, this Agreement shall
automatically terminate; provided, however, that neither (a) a change in such
Fund’s investment adviser to another investment adviser that is under common
ownership with such Fund’s investment adviser or its successor, nor (b) entering
into a new investment management agreement with any such investment adviser
shall automatically terminate this Agreement. In event of the
automatic termination of this Agreement with respect to a Fund due to the
termination of such Fund’s investment management agreement, DSC agrees to
negotiate in good faith with the applicable Fund in connection with DSC’s
provision of Services during the transition to a new fund accounting and
financial administration oversight service provider. For purposes of
this subparagraph B(iv) only, the term “investment adviser” does not include any
subadvisers; and
(v)
Termination of BNY
Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement: This Agreement shall
automatically terminate in the event that the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement is terminated, provided that DSC agrees to negotiate in good faith
with the Funds to enter into a new fund accounting and financial administration
oversight agreement reflecting the appropriate scope of services to be provided
by DSC given the scope of services to be provided by BNY Mellon’s successor as
fund accounting provider.
For
purposes of subparagraph (iii) above, “For Cause” shall mean:
(a) a
material breach of this Agreement that has not been remedied for 30 days
following written notice by the non-breaching party or parties that identifies
in reasonable detail the alleged failure of the other party or parties to
perform, provided that if such default is capable of being cured, then the
defaulting party or parties are entitled to such longer period as may reasonably
be required to cure such default if the defaulting party or parties have
commenced such cure and are diligently pursuing same, but such cure must be
completed within 120 days in any event;
(b) when
a party commits any act or omission that constitutes negligence, willful
misconduct, fraud or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement and
that act or omission results in material adverse consequences to the other party
or parties;
(c) a
final, unappealable judicial, regulatory or administrative ruling or order in
which the party or parties to be terminated have been found guilty of criminal
or unethical behavior in the conduct of their business that directly relates to
the subject matter of the Services; or
(d) when
a party shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or any
proceeding shall be instituted by or against such party to adjudicate it as
bankrupt or insolvent, or to seek to liquidate, wind up, or reorganize such
party, or protect or relieve such party’s debts under any law, or to seek the
entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee or other
similar official for it or for a substantial portion of its assets, which
proceeding shall remain unstayed for sixty (60) days or such party has taken
steps to authorize any of the above actions or has become unable to pay its
debts as they mature.
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C. If
this Agreement is terminated by any party (regardless of whether it is
terminated pursuant to paragraph B. above or for any reason other than those
specified in paragraph B. above), the Funds shall pay to DSC on or before the
effective date of such termination any undisputed and unpaid fees, and shall
reimburse DSC for any undisputed and unpaid out-of-pocket costs and expenses
owed to DSC under this Agreement prior to its termination.
D. If
either (i) DSC terminates this Agreement with respect to a Fund at any time for
any reason other than those specified in paragraph B. above, or (ii) a Fund
terminates this Agreement with respect to such Fund at any time “For Cause”
under subparagraph B(iii) of this Section, then DSC shall reimburse such Fund
for any Costs and Expenses incurred by such Fund in connection with converting
such Fund to a successor service provider with respect to the Services,
including without limitation the delivery to such successor service provider,
such Fund and/or other Fund service providers any of such Fund’s property,
records, data, instruments and documents.
E. If
this Agreement is terminated (i) by DSC and/or the Funds, as the case may be, at
any time for “nonrenewal” or “upon mutual agreement” under subparagraphs B(i)
and B(ii), respectively, (ii) by DSC at any time as a result of the “termination
of investment manager” under subparagraph B(iv), (iii) by the Funds at any time
for any reason other than those specified in paragraph B above, or (iv) by DSC
at any time “For Cause” under subparagraph B(iii) of this Section, the Funds
shall reimburse DSC promptly for any Costs and Expenses incurred by DSC in
connection with effecting such termination and converting the Funds to a
successor service provider with respect to the Services, including without
limitation the delivery to such successor service provider, the Funds and/or
other Fund service providers any of the Funds’ property, records, data,
instruments and documents.
F. For
purposes of this Section 3, “Costs and Expenses” incurred by a party shall mean
any provable, reasonable, customary and direct costs and expenses actually
incurred by such party. For purposes of this Section 3, Costs and
Expenses shall not include any wind-down costs, including, without limitation,
non-cancelable lease payments; severance payments due and payable to DSC or
sub-contractors’ personnel; unused equipment expense; and non-cancelable
payments or termination charges regarding hosting and other subcontracting
services that were not incurred at the written direction of the Funds and that
cannot be transferred or redeployed by DSC. Such party must provide
the other party with written evidence of such costs and expenses before the
other party is obligated to pay them. Such party also has a duty to
mitigate, and must exercise its duty to mitigate, such costs and
expenses. Except as expressly set forth in Sections 3 and 9 and
Schedule C, no party hereto shall be responsible for any costs and expenses or
damages of any kind whatsoever resulting from, related to or otherwise in
connection with the termination of this Agreement.
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G. In
the event of the termination of this Agreement, DSC agrees to cooperate and act
in good faith to ensure an orderly transition to DSC’s successor with respect to
the Services provided herein. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing sentence, DSC agrees that, in the event that this Agreement is
terminated by a party or the parties, DSC shall deliver a Fund’s or the Funds’
property, records, data, instruments and documents to such Fund or Funds, its or
their successor service providers and/or its or their other service providers,
as the case may be, in a non-proprietary, commercially available
format.
H. The
termination of this Agreement with respect to any given Fund or Portfolio shall
in no way affect the continued validity of this Agreement with respect to any
other Fund or Portfolio.
4.
Amendments, Assignment and
Delegation
A
modification of this Agreement (which term includes all Schedules) will be
effective only if in writing and signed by the parties. No party
shall assign the rights or delegate the duties pursuant to this Agreement
without the prior written consent of the other party or parties, except as
follows:
(i)
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DSC
may employ such person or persons it may deem desirable to assist it in
performing the Services without notice to the
Funds;
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(ii)
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DSC
may hire a third party to assist it in performing the Services (each a
“Subcontractor”). DSC shall obtain the Funds’ prior written
consent before DSC engages a Subcontractor to provide significant services
or functions to assist DSC in performing the Services under this
Agreement;
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(iii)
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DSC
may delegate one or more of the functions or assign this Agreement to any
direct or indirect majority-owned affiliate of Lincoln National
Corporation with prior written notice to the Funds;
and
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(iv)
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A
Fund merger or reorganization that does not result in a change in such
Fund’s investment adviser and where the fund surviving from such merger or
reorganization assumes the duties and obligations of such Fund under this
Agreement shall not require DSC’s consent. For purposes of the
this sub-paragraph 4(iv), the term “investment adviser” does not include
any sub-advisers.
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With
respect to the delegation of duties under (i), (ii) and (iii) above, DSC
shall: (a) be responsible for the acts or omissions of such persons,
Subcontractors or affiliates to the same extent as DSC’s own acts or omissions
under this Agreement; (b) be responsible for the compensation of such persons,
Subcontractors or affiliates; and (c) not be relieved of any of its
responsibilities under this Agreement by virtue of the use of such persons,
Subcontractors or affiliates. However, if the Funds instruct DSC to
engage a specific Subcontractor for the performance of any of the Services, DSC
will not be responsible for any acts or omissions by, or compensation payable
to, such Subcontractor.
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This
Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties
and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
5. Documentation
Each Fund
represents that it has provided or made available to DSC (or has given DSC an
opportunity to examine) copies of the following documents, current as of the
Effective Date of this Agreement:
(i)
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The
Articles of Incorporation, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, Partnership
Agreement, or other similar charter document, as relevant, evidencing the
Fund’s form of organization and any current amendments
thereto;
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(ii)
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The
By-Laws or procedural guidelines of the
Fund;
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(iii)
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Any
resolution or other action of the Fund or the Fund’s board establishing or
affecting the rights, privileges or other status of any class of shares of
a Portfolio, or altering or abolishing any such
class;
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(iv)
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A
copy of a resolution of the Fund board appointing DSC to provide the
Services for each Portfolio and authorizing the execution of this
Agreement and its Schedules;
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(v)
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A
copy of the Fund’s currently effective prospectus(es) and statement(s) of
additional information (“Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and 1940
Act;
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(vi)
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Copies
of all pertinent Fund policies and procedures that affect the Services
that DSC is to provide under this Agreement, including, but not limited
to, those relating to valuation, pricing, Section 2(a)(41) of the 1940 Act
and Rules 2a-4 and 2a-7 thereunder, net asset value errors, and “as-of”
processing (e.g., relating to error corrections, post-trade revisions or
similar processing policies that may exist);
and
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(vii)
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Such
other documents that DSC reasonably believes to be necessary or
appropriate in the proper performance of the Services, subject to the
agreement of the Fund, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
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6. Representations and
Warranties of the Funds
Each Fund
represents and warrants the following:
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A. The
Fund is duly organized and validly existing, in good standing under the laws of
the jurisdiction of its organization, and qualified to do business in each
jurisdiction in which the nature or conduct of its business requires such
qualification.
B. The
Fund has requisite authority and power under its organizational documents and
applicable law to execute, deliver, consummate and perform this Agreement; this
Agreement is legally valid, binding and enforceable against the Fund; and the
Fund has all necessary registrations and/or licenses necessary to conduct the
activities as described in the Registration Statement.
C. There
is no pending or threatened legal proceeding or regulatory action that would
materially impair the Fund’s ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement. The Fund’s performance of its obligations under this
Agreement will not conflict with or result in a breach of any terms or
provisions of any agreement to which the Fund is a party or bound, and does not
violate any applicable law.
D. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Fund’s
directors/trustees and signed by an authorized Fund officer, acting as such, and
neither such authorization by the Fund directors/trustees nor such execution and
delivery by the Fund officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, and the
obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Fund
directors/trustees or shareholders, but bind only the property of the Fund, as
provided in its charter documents.
7. Representations and
Warranties of DSC
DSC
represents and warrants to the Funds the following:
A. DSC is duly
organized as a corporation in the State of Delaware; is in good standing; and is
qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature or conduct of
its business requires such qualification.
B. DSC
has requisite authority and power under its organizational documents and
applicable law to execute, deliver, consummate and perform this Agreement; this
Agreement is legally valid, binding and enforceable against DSC; and DSC has all
necessary registrations and/or licenses necessary to perform the Services
described in Schedule
B.
C. There
is no pending or threatened legal proceeding or regulatory action that would
materially impair DSC’s ability to provide the Services. DSC’s
performance of the Services will not conflict with or result in a breach of any
of the terms or provisions of any agreement to which DSC is a party or bound,
and does not violate any applicable law to which DSC is subject.
D. DSC
has completed, obtained and performed all registrations, filings, approvals, and
authorizations, consents or examinations required by any government or
governmental authority to which DSC is subject, to perform the Services
contemplated by this Agreement and will maintain the same in effect for so long
as this Agreement remains in effect.
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E. DSC
will maintain a fidelity bond and an insurance policy with respect to errors and
omissions coverage in form and amount that are commercially reasonable in light
of DSC’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
F. DSC
has implemented and maintains reasonable procedures and systems (including
reasonable disaster recovery and business continuity plans and procedures
consistent with legal, regulatory and business needs applicable to DSC’s
delivery of the Services) to safeguard the Funds’ records and data and DSC’s
records, data, equipment facilities and other property that DSC uses in the
performance of its obligations hereunder from loss or damage attributable to
fire, theft, or any other cause, and DSC will make such changes to the
procedures and systems from time to time as are reasonably required for the
secure performance of its obligations hereunder.
EXCEPT AS
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, THERE ARE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
PERFORMANCE THEREOF, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE SERVICES (IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY
COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM OR USAGE OF TRADE).
8. Standard of
Care
DSC shall
act in good faith and exercise reasonable care in performing the Services under
this Agreement. DSC’s duties shall be confined to those expressly set
forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against
DSC hereunder. In that regard, DSC shall have no responsibility for
the actions or activities of any other party, including service providers,
except as provided in Section 4.
9. Indemnification and
Limitation of Liability
A. DSC
will not be liable to the Funds for any loss incurred by the Funds as a result
of any error of judgment, mistake of law, act or omission in the course of, or
in connection with the Services rendered by, DSC under the Agreement in the
absence of fraud, negligence or willful misconduct of DSC or the reckless
disregard of its duties under the Agreement.
B. DSC
agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Funds, their trustees,
directors, officers, employees, agents and nominees and their respective
successors and permitted assigns from and against claims, demands, actions,
suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, fines, damages, costs, charges, and
counsel fees (collectively, “Losses”) resulting directly and proximately from
DSC’s fraud, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of the
Services, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
C. In
order for these indemnification provisions to apply, a party or parties seeking
indemnification or to be held harmless shall fully and promptly advise the
indemnifying party or parties in writing of all pertinent facts concerning the
situation in question. The party or parties seeking indemnification
will use reasonable care to identify and notify the indemnifying party or
parties in writing promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears
likely to present the probability of an indemnification
claim. However, failure to do so in good faith shall not affect the
rights under this provision unless the indemnifying party or parties are
materially prejudiced by such failure. As to any matter eligible for
indemnification, the indemnified party or parties shall act reasonably and in
accordance with good faith business judgment, and shall not effect any
settlement or confess judgment without the consent of the indemnifying party or
parties, which consent shall not be withheld or delayed
unreasonably.
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D. The
indemnifying party or parties shall be entitled to participate in the defense at
their own expense, or assume the defense, of any suit brought to enforce any
claims subject to this indemnity provision. If the indemnifying party
or parties elect to assume the defense, they shall be conducted by counsel of
their choosing that is reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or
parties; the indemnified party or parties shall bear the fees and expenses of
any additional counsel they retain. If the indemnifying party or
parties do not elect to assume the defense of such suit, they will reimburse the
indemnified party or parties for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel
the indemnified party or parties retain, which is reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnifying party or parties. The indemnifying party or parties
shall not effect any settlement without the consent of the indemnified party or
parties (which shall not be withheld or delayed unreasonably) unless such
settlement imposes no liability, responsibility or other obligation upon the
indemnified party or parties and relieves them of all fault.
E. The
parties shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other party or
parties may become responsible.
F. No
party hereto shall be liable to any other party for any special, indirect,
incidental or consequential damages of any kind
whatsoever. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE
CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE FUNDS, DSC, THEIR AFFILIATES OR ANY OF ITS OR
THEIR TRUSTEES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR SUBCONTRACTORS BE
LIABLE FOR EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ATTORNEYS’ FEES), LOSS OF BUSINESS, OR
LOST PROFITS, EACH OF WHICH IS HEREBY EXCLUDED BY AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES WERE FORESEEABLE OR WHETHER A PARTY OR ANY
ENTITY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
10. Books and Records, Retention
and Rights of Ownership
A. DSC
shall maintain on behalf of the Funds all books and records which are customary
or which are legally required to be kept in connection with DSC’s performance of
Services, including without limitation those required by Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2
under the 1940 Act (“Records”) to the extent that
such Records are not maintained by BNY Mellon in connection with the BNY Mellon
Fund Accounting Agreement. DSC will prepare and maintain such Records
at the Funds’ expense, and the Records shall be the Funds’
property. DSC will make the Records available for inspection by the
SEC, including giving the SEC access to the Records, and otherwise surrender the
Records promptly in accordance with Rule 31a-3 under the 1940
Act. DSC will allow the Funds and their authorized persons and
representatives to review the Records during DSC’s normal business hours or,
upon reasonable notice, at such other times as the Funds may
request.
11
B. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, all computer programs, systems and procedures employed or
developed by or on behalf of DSC, or on behalf of DSC by system providers or
vendors used by DSC, to perform the Services that are not Records are the sole
and exclusive property of DSC.
11. Reports
A. DSC
shall furnish reports to the Funds, their other service providers, their
broker/dealers and to others that the Funds designate in writing at such times
as are prescribed pursuant to this Agreement to be provided or completed by DSC,
or as subsequently agreed upon by the parties pursuant to this Agreement or any
amendment thereto.
B. DSC
will provide reasonable access to the Funds’ independent accountant as well as
internal auditors employed by the Funds’ administrator or affiliate to
periodically perform a reasonable review of DSC’s internal controls and
procedures relevant to the Services.
12. Notices
Any
communication, notice or demand pursuant to this Agreement shall be properly
addressed, in writing and delivered by personal service (including express or
courier service), registered or certified mail, or by facsimile with proof of
proper transmission and a means for confirmation of delivery to recipient, as
follows:
If to
DSC:
Delaware
Service Company, Inc.
0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attention: General
Counsel
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
If
to the Funds:
Delaware
Investments Family of Funds
0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention: General
Counsel
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
12
13. Advice and
Reliance
A. DSC
may consult with DSC’s or the Funds’ counsel, independent accountant and other
experts with respect to any matter arising in connection with the Services
performed by DSC, and DSC shall not be liable nor accountable for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the advice of such
counsel, independent accountant or other experts. DSC shall in no
event be liable to the Funds or any Fund shareholder or beneficial owner for any
action reasonably taken pursuant to such advice.
B. DSC
agrees to cooperate with the Funds’ independent accountant, to reasonably
support the independent accountant’s engagement with the Funds, and to provide
the independent accountant reasonable access to the Records. DSC also
agrees to provide periodic sub-certifications to each Fund’s chief compliance
officer and certifying principal executive and financial officers relating to
the Services DSC performs, based on a form of sub-certification that DSC and the
Funds mutually and reasonably agree to, and subject to such limitations as may
be reasonable or necessary to not make a material misstatement, omission or
untrue statement of fact.
14. Compliance with
Law
A. In
performing the Services, DSC shall comply with all applicable laws, and its
standard of performance shall be in accord with such standards as may be imposed
by law and the requirements of all regulatory authorities.
B. DSC shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to make its employees who are responsible
for providing the Services (“Relevant Employees”) available to federal, state
and local governmental and regulatory and supervisory authorities having
jurisdiction over the performance of the Services (“Governmental Authorities”)
as may be required by such Governmental Authorities pursuant to applicable law,
subpoena or order, and as may be requested by any Governmental Authorities on
behalf of or with respect to the Funds or any of their affiliates or as may be
requested by the Funds to be made available to such Governmental
Authorities.
15. Governing Law and
Jurisdiction
This
Agreement and performance hereunder and all suits and proceedings hereunder
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without giving effect to conflict of law
principles. Each of the parties to this Agreement expressly and
irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Pennsylvania
and waives any claims of inconvenient forum or venue. To the extent
that the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania conflict with the applicable
provisions of the 1940 Act, the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act shall
control.
16. Services Not
Exclusive
A. DSC’s
Services are not exclusive to the Funds and DSC shall be free to render similar
services to others.
13
B. DSC
shall perform the Services solely as an independent contractor and no joint
venture, partnership, employment, agency or any other relationship is intended,
accomplished or embodied in this Agreement.
C. In
performing the Services, DSC is acting solely on behalf of the Funds and no
contractual or service relationship shall be deemed to be established between
DSC and any other person, including without limitation the custodian and Fund
shareholders.
17. Force Majeure and
Uncontrollable Events
DSC shall
maintain adequate and reliable computer and other equipment necessary or
appropriate to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. Upon
the Funds’ reasonable request, DSC shall provide supplemental information
concerning the aspects of its disaster recovery and business continuity plan
that are relevant to the Services. Notwithstanding the foregoing or
any other provision of this Agreement, DSC assumes no responsibility hereunder,
and shall not be liable for, any damage, loss of data, business interruption,
delay or any other loss whatsoever caused by “Force Majeure
Events.” “Force Majeure Events” are events beyond the reasonable
control of DSC, its agents and its Subcontractors. In the event of
Force Majeure Events, or any disaster that causes a business interruption, DSC
shall act in good faith and follow applicable procedures in its disaster
recovery and business continuity plan and use all commercially reasonable
efforts to minimize service interruptions.
18. Severability
If any
provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid, the remainder of this
Agreement and the parties’ rights and obligations under it shall not be affected
by such action, and the invalid provisions of the Agreement shall be deemed to
be severable only in the jurisdiction that so determines.
19. Survivability
The
following provisions shall survive beyond the expiration and termination of this
Agreement:
·
|
All
compensation provisions, including Section 2 Compensation and
Expenses, Section 3.C regarding termination fees and expenses, and
Schedule
C;
|
·
|
Section
4. Amendments,
Assignment and Delegation;
|
·
|
Section
6. Representations and
Warranties of the Funds;
|
·
|
Section
7. Representations and
Warranties of DSC;
|
14
·
|
Section
9. Indemnification and
Limitation of Liability;
|
·
|
Section
10. Books and
Records, Retention and Rights of
Ownership;
|
·
|
Section
17. Force
Majeure and Uncontrollable Events;
and
|
·
|
Section
18. Severability.
|
20. Confidential
Information
“Confidential
Information” of a party shall be maintained confidential by any other party, and
shall include: (a) any data or information that is competitively
sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not
limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances,
operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales
estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the
past, present or future business activities of a Fund or DSC, their respective
subsidiaries and affiliated companies and the customers, clients and suppliers
of any of them; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process,
procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in
the sense that its confidentiality affords a Fund or DSC a competitive advantage
over its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documents,
reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow
charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not
patentable or copyrightable; (d) non-public portfolio holdings information of a
Portfolio; and (e) anything designated as confidential. DSC shall
maintain adequate safeguards to prevent the use of the Confidential Information
by DSC, its employees, Subcontractors and affiliates for any purpose other than
performing the Services under this Agreement. DSC also shall maintain
adequate safeguards to limit the dissemination of a Portfolio’s non-public
portfolio holdings information to third parties (x) that assist DSC in the
performance of the Services under this Agreement and have entered into a
confidentiality agreement no less restrictive than the terms in this Agreement
and (y) with the prior written consent of an officer of the applicable
Fund.
However,
Confidential Information shall not be subject to such confidentiality
obligations if it: (a) is already known to a receiving party at the
time it is obtained; (b) is or becomes publicly known or available through no
wrongful act of a receiving party; (c) is rightfully received from a third party
who, to the best of a receiving party’s knowledge, is not under a duty of
confidentiality; (d) is released by a protected party to a third party without
restriction; (e) is required to be disclosed pursuant to a Fund’s Registration
Statement or by a requirement of a court order, subpoena, governmental or
regulatory agency or law (provided the disclosing party will promptly provide
the other party written notice of such requirement, to the extent such notice is
permitted); (f) is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action
asserted against a receiving party; or (g) has been or is independently
developed or obtained by a receiving party.
15
21. Contract Terms To Be
Exclusive
This
Agreement constitutes the complete agreement of the parties about the covered
subject matter, and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and
agreements bearing upon the covered subject matter.
22. Waiver
A party’s
waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by any party. A
party’s failure to insist upon strict adherence to any provision of the
Agreement shall not constitute a waiver or deprive such party of the right to
insist upon strict adherence to such provision.
23. Counterparts and
Reproduction of Documents
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which is deemed
an original and all of which together evidence the entire
Agreement. This Agreement and any amendments may be reproduced by any
commercially acceptable process. The parties agree that any such
reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any
judicial or administrative proceedings, whether or not the original is in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the
regular course of business, and that any enlargement facsimile or further
reproduction of such reproduction shall be likewise admissible in
evidence.
16
24. Miscellaneous
Paragraph
headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and are not to be
used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed all as of the day and year first above written.
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS DELAWARE
SERVICE COMPANY, INC.
FAMILY OF FUNDS (as listed
on
Schedule
A)
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx Name: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Title: President
Title: Executive Vice President
17
SCHEDULE
A
TO
THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
DELAWARE
SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated
January 4th, 2010
OPEN-END
FUNDS
Delaware
Group®
Adviser Funds
|
Delaware
Diversified Income Fund
|
Delaware
U.S. Growth Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Cash Reserve
|
Delaware
Cash Reserve®
Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Equity Funds I
|
Delaware
Mid Cap Value Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Equity Funds II
|
Delaware
Large Cap Value Fund
|
Delaware
Value®
Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Equity Funds III
|
Delaware
American Services Fund
|
Delaware
Small Cap Growth Fund
|
Delaware
Trend®
Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Equity Funds IV
|
Delaware
Global Real Estate Securities Fund
|
Delaware
Healthcare Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Equity Funds V
|
Delaware
Dividend Income Fund
|
Delaware
Small Cap Core Fund
|
Delaware
Small Cap Value Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Foundation Funds®
|
Delaware
Foundation®
Growth Allocation Fund
|
Delaware
Foundation®
Conservative Allocation Fund
|
Delaware
Foundation®
Moderate Allocation Fund
|
Delaware
Foundation®
Equity Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Global & International Funds
|
Delaware
Emerging Markets Fund
|
Delaware
Global Value Fund
|
Delaware
International Value Equity Fund
|
Delaware
Focus Global Growth Fund
|
Delaware
Macquarie Global Infrastructure Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Government Fund
|
Delaware
Core Plus Bond Fund
|
Delaware
Inflation Protected Bond Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Income Funds
|
Delaware
Corporate Bond Fund
|
Delaware
Extended Duration Bond Fund
|
Delaware
High-Yield Opportunities Fund
|
Delaware
Core Bond Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Limited-Term Government Funds
|
Delaware
Limited-Term Diversified Income Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
State Tax-Free Income Trust
|
Delaware
Tax-Free Pennsylvania Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Tax-Free Fund
|
Delaware
Tax-Free USA Fund
|
Delaware
Tax-Free USA Intermediate Fund
|
Delaware
Group®
Tax-Free Money Fund
|
Delaware
Tax-Free Money Fund®
|
Delaware
Pooled®
Trust
|
The
Core Focus Fixed Income Portfolio
|
The
Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio
|
The
Emerging Markets Portfolio
|
The
Emerging Markets Portfolio II*
*Has
not yet commenced operations
|
The
Focus Xxxx-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
|
The
Global Fixed Income Portfolio
|
The
Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio
|
The
High-Yield Bond Portfolio
|
The
International Equity Portfolio
|
The
International Fixed Income Portfolio
|
The
Labor Select International Equity Portfolio
|
The
Large-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
|
The
Large-Cap Value Equity Portfolio
|
The
Real Estate Investment Trust Portfolio
(also
known as Delaware REIT Fund)
|
The
Real Estate Investment Trust Portfolio II
|
The
Select 20 Portfolio
|
The
Small-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
|
18
OPEN-END FUNDS
(Cont.)
Delaware
VIP®
Trust
|
Delaware
VIP®
Cash Reserve Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
Diversified Income Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
Emerging Markets Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
Growth Opportunities Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
High Yield Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
International Value Equity Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
Limited-Term Diversified Income Series
(formerly,
Delaware VIP® Capital Reserves
Series)
|
Delaware
VIP®
REIT Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
Small Cap Value Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
Trend Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
U.S. Growth Series
|
Delaware
VIP®
Value Series
|
Voyageur
Insured Funds
|
Delaware
Tax-Free Arizona Fund
|
Voyageur
Intermediate Tax Free Funds
|
Delaware
Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund
|
Voyageur
Mutual Funds
|
Delaware
Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund
|
Delaware
National High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund
|
Delaware
Tax-Free California Fund
|
Delaware
Tax-Free Idaho Fund
|
Delaware
Tax-Free New York Fund
|
Voyageur
Mutual Funds II
|
Delaware
Tax-Free Colorado Fund
|
Voyageur
Mutual Funds III
|
Delaware
Select Growth Fund
|
Delaware
Large Cap Core Fund
|
Voyageur
Tax Free Funds
|
Delaware
Tax-Free Minnesota Fund
|
CLOSED-END FUNDS
|
Delaware
Investments Dividend and Income Fund, Inc.
|
Delaware
Investments Global Dividend and Income Fund, Inc.
|
Delaware
Investments Arizona Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
|
Delaware
Investments Colorado Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
|
Delaware
Investments National Municipal Income Fund
|
Delaware
Investments Minnesota Municipal Income Fund II, Inc.
|
Delaware
Enhanced Global Dividend and Income Fund
|
19
SCHEDULE
B
TO
THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
DELAWARE
SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated
January 4th, 2010
DSC shall
perform for each Fund and each of its Portfolios the following fund accounting,
financial administration and related services. Unless otherwise
noted, capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings assigned to
them in the Agreement.
A. Valuations
1.
|
Participate
on the Fund’s fair value committee, manage the committee’s decision-making
process and provide BNY Mellon with fair value pricing
decisions.
|
2.
|
Provide
oversight of the Fund’s pricing process, including maintaining a
relationship with pricing vendors, providing BNY Mellon with sources for
prices obtained through broker/dealer quotes, and reviewing stale pricing
reports.
|
3.
|
Verify
that the daily net asset value (“NAV”) is disseminated to interested
parties; facilitate resolution of NAV errors, and ensure that corrective
action is implemented, if necessary; review procedures with BNY Mellon to
verify that appropriate controls are in
place.
|
4.
|
Subject
to the oversight and approval, if necessary, of the Fund’s Board, select
pricing vendors and negotiate and maintain contracts with such vendors for
the benefit of the Fund.
|
B. Calculation
and Payment of Expenses
1.
|
Process
and pay invoices on behalf of the Fund until the date BNY Mellon assumes
responsibility for paying approved invoices; effective as of such date,
approve bills for payment by BNY Mellon and provide BNY Mellon with
allocation instructions and wire
instructions.
|
2.
|
Provide
BNY Mellon with information on the amount of directors’/trustees’ fees to
be accrued and the methodology for allocating these expenses among the
Portfolios.
|
3.
|
Issue
checks on behalf of the Fund to directors/trustees for director/trustee
compensation (net of Philadelphia city wage tax) and for reimbursement of
meeting expenses; remit Philadelphia city wage tax on behalf of
directors/trustees with respect to such
payments.
|
4.
|
Provide
BNY Mellon with asset-based fee information on an annual basis, promptly
notify BNY Mellon of any changes impacting these fees, and review and
approve BNY Mellon’s fee calculations based on timeframes detailed in the
applicable Service Level Document (as defined
below).
|
5.
|
Provide
BNY Mellon with any applicable expense limitations and review Portfolio
expenses to ensure that expense limitations have been properly
implemented.
|
6.
|
Review
budget assumptions employed by BNY Mellon for new and existing Portfolios,
inform BNY Mellon of any significant new items requiring accrual or
changes to current accruals, and review the over accruals/under accruals
and approve non-routine adjustments to journal entries before the year-end
excise tax period.
|
C. Financial
Reporting
20
1.
|
Manage
certifications and sub-certification process as required for financial
reports, data and processes.
|
2.
|
Review
financial reporting information provided by BNY Mellon for prospectuses,
statements of additional information and other disclosure documents and
coordinate completion of financial administration
responsibilities.
|
3.
|
Review
reports on Form N-CSR, Form N-SAR and Form N-Q for accuracy, completeness,
and proper financial disclosures in conjunction with BNY
Mellon. Participate in review by, and resolution of comments
from, external auditors when necessary or
appropriate.
|
4.
|
If
a closed-end fund, analyze financial data and coordinate tender offer
process with Fund management and the investment manager’s legal
department, the investment manager’s investment team and BNY
Mellon.
|
5.
|
Support
Form N-SAR reporting by completing and reviewing responses to financial
questions.
|
6.
|
Provide
financial data for inclusion in board reports, and furnish direction to
BNY Mellon regarding board reporting requirements. Review
financial information included in board reports prior to
distribution.
|
7.
|
In
conjunction with BNY Mellon, provide analysis and recommendations
regarding the impact of new accounting pronouncements on the
Fund.
|
D. Portfolio
Securities Transactions and Trade Operations
1.
|
Coordinate
notification of, and responses to, voluntary corporate actions between BNY
Mellon and the investment manager’s investment team. Facilitate
and ensure issues resolution.
|
2.
|
Maintain
data requirements for order management and trading systems, including, but
not limited to, XIP, Predator, Bloomberg, and Long-Term
Trade.
|
3.
|
Ensure
that information on executed trades is provided to BNY Mellon,
broker/dealers and agents, including information on trades not executed
through trading systems (e.g., derivatives, swaps and currency
contracts). Confirm executed trades with broker/dealers and
agents.
|
4.
|
Provide
support and trade maintenance for soft dollar
transactions.
|
5.
|
Provide
ad hoc support for trading systems, including testing and implementation
of enhancements and modifications.
|
6.
|
Manage
trade settlement processes between the custodians and broker/dealers for
Fund for standard trades, next day settlements, cash trades and
mortgage-backed securities.
|
7.
|
Maintain
relationships with custodian banks in support of trade settlement
processes.
|
E. Dividends
and Distributions
1.
|
Review
dividend projections prepared by BNY Mellon, prepare Section 19(a) notices
and coordinate with the investment manager’s legal department to prepare
press releases regarding dividends and
distributions.
|
2.
|
Coordinate
dividend process with BNY Mellon, the Fund’s transfer agent, Fund
management, and the investment manager’s legal
department.
|
3.
|
Ensure
timely payout of Fund distributions for both net income and capital gains,
and verify appropriate and timely dissemination of data to interested
parties. Conduct summary level review of distribution
calculations and amounts.
|
F. Reconciliation
and Cash Management
1.
|
Review
cash and principal assets reconciliation reports to mitigate potential NAV
impacts resulting from cash, position or share
discrepancies.
|
2.
|
Monitor
the daily delivery of investable cash information to the investment
manager’s investment team and respond to questions and ensure timely
resolution of issues. Act as liaison between the investment
manager’s investment team and BNY
Mellon.
|
21
G. Fund
Performance Information
1.
|
Provide
oversight for timely dissemination of performance information and conduct
trend analysis review on performance
information.
|
H. Audit
Support
1.
|
In
coordination with BNY Mellon, participate in planning and execution of
external audits and coordinate and participate in responses to inquiries
from external auditor.
|
2.
|
Receive
and maintain copy of external audit
correspondence.
|
I. Tax
Reporting and Consulting
1.
|
Provide
detailed review of all federal, state and city tax returns and ancillary
schedules, including year-end excise tax
distributions.
|
2.
|
Provide
consulting services, including interpretation of applicable regulations,
to the Fund and BNY Mellon regarding tax
diversification.
|
3.
|
Ensure
that all tax returns are filed in accordance with filing deadlines and
maintain copies of tax returns, including proof of timely
mailing.
|
4.
|
Monitor
and be familiar with new and proposed tax legislation through membership
in the Investment Company Institute’s tax committee and other legal,
financial and trade organizations. Provide analysis and
recommendations regarding the impact of new tax legislation on the
Fund.
|
5.
|
Prepare
non-shareholder tax forms, as required, including Form 1099, for each
member of the board of
directors/trustees.
|
6.
|
Review
and provide comments on the tax-related sections of shareholder reports,
Section 19(a) notices, prospectuses, statements of additional information
and other disclosure documents, and audit work
preparation.
|
J. Compliance
Monitoring
1.
|
Ensure
that diversification tests are completed as prescribed by Internal Revenue
Service and Securities and Exchange Commission
regulations. Facilitate corrective action with the investment
manager’s investment team as
necessary.
|
2.
|
Ensure
compliance with Subchapter M and Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
|
K. Data
Feeds
1.
|
Participate
in managing the dissemination of Fund data to third parties by furnishing
BNY Mellon with details regarding new requests and notification of changes
to Fund and Fund management.
|
L. Performance
of Services by BNY Mellon
1.
|
Establish
and monitor certain service level requirements as detailed in the service
level documents (each a “Service Level Document”) entered into between DSC
and BNY Mellon with respect to BNY Mellon’s performance of its duties
pursuant to the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement with the
Fund.
|
2.
|
Evaluate
BNY Mellon’s performance against the mutually agreed upon requirements as
detailed in the applicable Service Level Document and recommend
adjustments as necessary.
|
3.
|
Conduct
periodic due diligence review of BNY Mellon’s processes as detailed in the
applicable Service Level Document.
|
4.
|
Ensure
that corrective action plans are developed and implemented by BNY Mellon
as a result of a service requirement default as detailed in the applicable
Service Level Documents.
|
22
M. Business
Continuity
1.
|
Confirm
the adequacy of disaster recovery plans with respect to systems and
processes of third party vendors selected by the Fund or DSC and relating
to fund accounting and financial
administration.
|
N. Relationship
Management
1.
|
Participate
in meetings with BNY Mellon to discuss trends, technology and strategic
direction, and report pertinent information to the Fund
board.
|
2.
|
Represent
interests of Fund board at annual meeting with BNY Mellon to discuss
services provided, system functionality and policy/procedural
documentation.
|
O. Other
1.
|
Review
leverage requirements and manage credit facilities on behalf of the
Fund.
|
2.
|
Monitor
the flow of information between BNY Mellon and the Fund’s proxy voting
agent. In order to ensure proper voting of proxies received in
connection with securities held by the Portfolio(s), review the Fund’s
proxy voting summaries, which will be prepared by BNY Mellon from the
records of the proxy voting agent.
|
3.
|
If
a closed-end fund, act as liaison between BNY Mellon and the investment
manager’s investment team, Xxxxx’x Investor Services, Standard &
Poor’s and the investment manager’s compliance department for closed-end
ratings agency tests, ensuring that communication and corrective action
protocols are maintained.
|
4.
|
Arrange
in good faith for the amendment of the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement or the negotiation of new contractual arrangements with another
service provider with respect to new fund accounting or financial
administration services requested by the Funds or required by applicable
law after the date of this
Agreement.
|
23
SCHEDULE
C
TO
THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
DELAWARE
SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated
January 4th ,
2010
Annual
Fees
The Funds
shall pay to DSC the following Annual Fees (which are based on the aggregate
average daily net assets of the Funds):
Average Daily Net
Assets
Annual
Fees
First $30
billion of average daily net
assets 0.0050%
Next $10
billion of average daily net
assets 0.0045%
Next $10
billion of average daily net
assets 0.0040%
Over $50
billion of average daily net
assets 0.0025%
24
SCHEDULE
D
TO
THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
DELAWARE
SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated
January 4, 2010
LIST
OF AUTHORIZED PRICING VENDORS:
Name of Vendor
|
Types of Securities
|
Interactive
Data
|
Equities
(US and Foreign), Taxable Bonds, Non Taxable Bonds, CDS
|
Standard
& Poor’s (including XX Xxxxx)
|
Non
Taxable Bonds, Taxable Bonds
|
Bloomberg
|
Equities,
Bonds, Futures, Options
|
Reuters
|
Exchange
Rates, Equities, Taxable Bonds
|
Markit
Data (via Interactive Data)
|
CDS
and CDX Swap pricing (this is either direct or via
IDC)
|
FAIR VALUATION INFORMATION
VENDOR(S):
Name of Vendor
|
Types of Securities
|
Interactive
Data Fair Value Service
|
Foreign
Equities
|
LIST
OF AUTHORIZED DATA INFORMATION VENDORS:
Name of Vendor
|
Type of Service
|
GICS
|
Security
Classifications
|
Xcitek
|
Corporate
Actions Notifications
|
S&P
– CUSIP
|
CUSIP
Database
|
Securities
Class Action Services LLC
|
Class
Action Notification
|
LSE
– SEDOL License
|
SEDOL
Database
|
Thomson
Financial
|
Municipal
Floating Rates
|
25