INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
Exhibit 99.B(d)(8)
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 10th day of May, 2013 between SEI Investments Management Corporation (the “Adviser”) and BofA Advisors, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”).
WHEREAS, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 1996, as amended (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Trust, pursuant to which the Adviser acts as investment adviser to each series of the Trust set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (each a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”), as such Schedule may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties hereto; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser, with the approval of the Trust, desires to retain the Sub-Adviser to provide investment advisory services to the Adviser in connection with the management of the Funds, and the Sub-Adviser is willing to render such investment advisory services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree with respect to each Fund as follows:
1. Duties of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to supervision by the Adviser and the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the securities and other assets of the Funds entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets, in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in the Funds’ prospectuses and statements of additional information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Prospectuses”), and subject to the following:
(a) The Sub-Adviser shall, in consultation with and subject to the direction of the Adviser, determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash.
(b) In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust (as defined herein) and the Prospectuses, any applicable Compliance Policies and Procedures and with instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time. The Adviser agrees that Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for implementing (or failing to implement) any change in a Fund’s Prospectus, any applicable Compliance Policies and Procedures or Declaration of Trust, or any instruction of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or Adviser, that is not provided in a writing provided to Sub-Adviser.
(c) The Sub-Adviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by the Funds as provided in subparagraph (a) and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in the Funds’ Prospectuses or as the Board of Trustees or the Adviser may direct from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will act consistent with its duty to seek on behalf of the Funds best execution. In assessing best execution for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall act consistent with its applicable policies and procedures as in effect from time to time and consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Funds which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including the Funds. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter) if the Sub-Adviser believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Funds’ Assets be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of either the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the 1940 Act.
(d) The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by Section 31 under the 1940 Act or Section 204 under the Adviser’s Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Adviser or the Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board of Trustees may reasonably request.
The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and records of the Funds required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of the Funds are property of the Funds and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Funds any of
such records upon the Funds’ request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor sub-adviser upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser).
(e) The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Funds’ custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Funds’ Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the Adviser.
(f) To the extent called for by the Trust’s Compliance Policies and Procedures, or as reasonably requested by a Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund with information and advice regarding Assets to assist the Fund in determining the appropriate valuation of such Assets. For the avoidance of doubt, however, Adviser acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and the Funds, that Sub-Adviser is not responsible for valuing or pricing the securities or other assets invested in, held by or sold by the Fund.
(g) (i) The investment management services provided by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others, as long as such services do not impair the services rendered to the Adviser or the Trust.
(ii) To the extent that the purchase or sale of securities or other investments of the same issuer may be deemed by the Sub-Adviser to be suitable for two or more accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser, the available securities or investments may be allocated in a manner believed by the Sub-Adviser to be equitable to each account. The Adviser acknowledges and agrees that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtainable for or disposed of by a Fund.
(iii) On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of a Fund as well as other clients, the Sub-Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, rules and regulations, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased in order to seek to obtain the best execution and/or lower brokerage commissions, if any. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in a manner it considers to be equitable and consistent with its applicable policies and procedures as in effect from time to time and its fiduciary obligations to the Funds and such clients.
(h) The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is likely to materially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement.
(i) (i) Except under the circumstances set forth in subsection (ii) below, the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for reviewing proxy solicitation materials or voting and handling proxies in relation to the securities held as Assets in a Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall instruct the custodian and other parties providing services to a Fund to promptly forward misdirected proxies to the Adviser.
(ii) The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that upon 60 days’ advance written notice from the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall assume responsibility for reviewing proxy solicitation materials and voting proxies in relation to the securities held as Assets in a Fund. As of the time the Sub-Adviser shall assume such responsibilities with respect to proxies under this sub-section (ii), the Adviser shall instruct the custodian and other parties providing services to a Fund to promptly forward misdirected proxies to the Sub-Adviser.
(j) In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to a Fund or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with a Fund concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of a Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of a Fund other than the Assets.
Services to be furnished by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of the Sub-Adviser’s partners, officers or employees.
2. Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust (as defined herein), the Prospectuses, Compliance Policies and Procedures, the instructions and directions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.
3. Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies properly certified or authenticated of each of the following documents:
(a) The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, herein called the “Declaration of Trust”);
(b) By-Laws of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the “By-Laws”); and
(c) Prospectuses of the Funds.
4. Compensation of the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefor, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in the Schedule B which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement. [SENTENCES REDACTED].
5. Limitation of Liability of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act), or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on the Sub-Adviser’s part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement, except as may otherwise be provided under provisions of applicable state law which cannot be waived or modified hereby.
6. No Representation or Warranty as to Performance. The Adviser acknowledges and agrees that the Sub-Adviser makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, that any level of performance or investment results will be achieved by the Funds, or that the Funds will perform comparably with any standard or index, including results achieved for other clients of the Sub-Adviser, whether public or private.
7. Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) resulting from the Sub-Adviser’s breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services, or from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on the part of the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement, or from the Sub-Adviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser’s obligation under this Paragraph 7 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) resulting from the Adviser’s breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services, or from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on the part of the Adviser in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement or from the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Paragraph 7 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
8. Duration and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective upon approval by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and its execution by the parties hereto. Pursuant to the exemptive relief obtained in the SEC Order dated April 29, 1996, Investment Company Act Release No. 21921, approval of the Agreement by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund is not required, and the Sub-Adviser acknowledges that it and any other sub-adviser so selected and approved shall be without the protection (if any) accorded by shareholder approval of an investment adviser’s receipt of compensation under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act.
This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformance with the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund (a) by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, (b) by the Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser, or (c) by the Sub-Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 90 days’ written notice to the Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Trust. As used in this Paragraph 8, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set
forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.
9. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.
10. Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
11. Notice: Any notice, advice or report to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party:
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To the Adviser at: |
SEI Investments Management Corporation |
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Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx |
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Xxxx, XX 00000 |
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Attention: Legal Department |
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To the Sub-Adviser at: |
BofA Advisors, LLC |
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000 Xxxxxxx Xx |
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Xxxxxx, XX 00000 |
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Mail Code: MA5-100-12-09 |
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Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
12. Non-Hire/Non-Solicitation. The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that so long as the Sub-Adviser provides services to the Adviser or the Trust, the Sub-Adviser shall not for any reason, directly or indirectly and on a targeted basis, on the Sub-Adviser’s own behalf or on behalf of others, hire any person employed by the Adviser who, first known to the Sub-Adviser’s as a result of this engagement, whether or not such person is a full-time employee or whether or not any person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The Sub-Adviser further agrees that, to the extent that the Sub-Adviser breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the Adviser shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.
13. Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one portfolio of the Trust (for purposes of this Paragraph 14, each a “Fund”), the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express
intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Paragraph 8 of this Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant Schedule.
15. Miscellaneous.
(a) A copy of the Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.
(b) Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first written above.
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SEI Investments Management Corporation |
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BofA Advisors, LLC |
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By: |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx Pezzar |
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Name: |
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Name: |
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
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Xxxxxxx Pezzar |
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Title: Vice President |
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Title: President |
Schedule A
To The
Sub-Advisory Agreement
Between
SEI Investments Management Corporation
And
BofA Advisors, LLC
As of May 10, 2013
Tax Free Fund
Institutional Tax Free Fund
Schedule B
To The
Sub-Advisory Agreement
Between
SEI Investments Management Corporation
And
BofA Advisors, LLC
As of May 10, 2013
Pursuant to Paragraph 4, the Adviser shall pay the Sub-Adviser compensation for each Fund at an annual rate as follows:
[REDACTED]
Agreed and Accepted:
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SEI Investments Management Corporation |
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BofA Advisors, LLC |
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By: |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx Pezzar |
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Name: |
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Name: |
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
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Xxxxxxx Pezzar |
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Title: Vice President |
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Title: President |
