UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT Between OCM MUTUAL FUND and NORTHERN LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
Exhibit (e)(ii)
Between
and
NORTHERN
LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
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THIS UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
made the 27th day of
January 2009 by and between OCM MUTUAL FUND, a Massachusetts business trust,
having its principal office and place of business at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 (the “Trust”), and NORTHERN LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS,
LLC, a Nebraska limited
liability company having its principal office and place of business at 0000
Xxxxx 000xx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 (“NLD”).
WHEREAS, the Trust is offering
shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) in separate investment portfolios
as set forth on Schedule
A (each a “Fund”), and each a series of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Trust is an
open-end management investment company registered with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, NLD is registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("1934 Act"), as a
broker-dealer and is engaged in the business of selling shares of registered
investment companies either directly to purchasers or through other financial
intermediaries; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires
that NLD offer, as principal underwriter, the Shares of the Funds to the public
and NLD is willing to provide those services on the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement in order to promote the growth of the Funds and
facilitate the distribution of the Shares;
NOW THEREFORE, for and in
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Trust
and NLD hereby agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT
OF NLD AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
(a) The
Trust hereby appoints NLD, and NLD hereby agrees, to act as principal
underwriter and distributor of the Shares of the Funds for the period and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement. In connection therewith, the Funds have
delivered to NLD current copies of:
(i) the
Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-laws (“Organic
Documents”);
(ii) the
Trust’s current Registration Statement;
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(iii) the
Trust’s notification of registration under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A
as filed with the SEC;
(iv) the
Trust’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (as currently
in effect and as amended or supplemented, the “Prospectus”);
(v) any
current plan of distribution or similar document adopted by the Funds under Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“Plan”) and each current shareholder service plan or
similar document adopted by
the Trust (“Service Plan”).
(b) The
Trust shall promptly furnish NLD with:
(i) all
amendments of or supplements to the foregoing; and
(ii) a
copy of the resolution of the Board appointing NLD and authorizing the execution
and delivery of this Agreement.
2. NATURE
OF DUTIES
(a) NLD
shall act as distributor of the Funds except that the rights given under this
Agreement to NLD shall not apply to: (i) Shares issued in connection with
the merger, consolidation or reorganization of any other investment company or
series or class thereof with a Fund or class thereof; (ii) the Trust’s
acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all or substantially all of the assets
or stock of any other investment company or series or class thereof; (iii) the
reinvestment in Shares by the Funds’ shareholders of dividends or other
distributions; or (iv) any other offering by the Funds of securities to its
shareholders (collectively "exempt transactions").
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, NLD is and may in the future distribute shares of other
investment companies including investment companies having investment objectives
similar to those of the Funds. The Funds further understand that existing and
future investors in the Funds may invest in shares of such other investment
companies. The Funds agree that the services that NLD provides to such other
investment companies shall not be deemed in conflict with its duties to the
Funds under this Agreement.
3. OFFERING
OF SHARES
(a) NLD
shall have the right to buy from the Funds the Shares needed to fill
unconditional orders for Shares of the Funds placed with NLD by investors or
selected dealers or selected agents (each as defined in Section 12 hereof)
acting as agent for their
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customers’
or on their own behalf. Alternatively, NLD may act as the Funds’ agent, to
offer, and to solicit offers to subscribe to, Shares of the Funds.
(b) The
price that NLD shall pay for Shares purchased from the Funds shall be the NAV
used in determining the Public Offering Price on which the orders are based.
Shares purchased by NLD are to be resold by NLD to investors at the respective
Public Offering Price(s), or to selected dealers or selected agents acting in
accordance with the terms of selected dealer or selected agent agreements
described in Section 12 of this Agreement. The Funds will advise NLD of the
NAV(s) each time that it is determined by the Funds, or its designated agent,
and at such other times as NLD may reasonably request.
(c) NLD
will promptly forward all orders and subscriptions to the Funds or its
designated agent. All orders and all subscriptions shall be directed
to the Funds for acceptance and shall not be binding until accepted by the
Funds. Any order or subscription may be rejected by the Funds; provided,
however, that the Funds will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse
to accept or confirm orders or subscriptions for the purchase of Shares. The
Funds or its designated agent will confirm orders and subscriptions upon their
receipt, will make appropriate book entries and, upon receipt by the Funds or
its designated agent of payment therefore, will issue such Shares in
uncertificated form pursuant to the instructions of NLD. NLD agrees to cause
such payment and such instructions to be delivered promptly to the Funds or its
designated agent.
(d) The
Funds reserve the right to suspend the offering of Shares of the Funds at any
time in the absolute discretion of the Board, and upon notice of such suspension
NLD shall cease to offer Shares of the Funds specified in the
notice.
(e) No
Shares shall be offered by either NLD or the Funds under any of the provisions
of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of Shares hereunder
shall be accepted by the Funds if and so long as the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall
be suspended under any of the provisions of the Securities Act, or if and so
long as a current Prospectus, as required by Section 10(b) of the Securities
Act, as amended, is not on file with the SEC; provided, however, that nothing
contained in this paragraph shall in any way limit the Funds’ obligation to
repurchase Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the
Fund's Organic Documents or the Prospectus applicable to the
Shares.
4. LICENSED
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FUNDS.
At the request of the Trust, a Fund, a
Fund’s sponsor, adviser or affiliate, NLD may license certain designated
employees as a “registered representative” and maintain
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their
licensed status in accordance with FINRA rules and regulations including the
following:
(a) Filing
Form U-4’s and fingerprint submission and processing renewals and
terminations
(b) On-going
compliance up-dates and training
(c) Preparation
of materials and training for compliance with FINRA continuing education
requirements
(d) Supervision
of registered representatives
NLD
reserves the right in its sole discretion of refuse to register or maintain the
registration for any individual and otherwise impose any requirements, fees or
limitations on licensed persons.
5. REPURCHASE
OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES BY THE TRUST
(a) Any
of the outstanding Shares of the Funds may be tendered for redemption at any
time, and the Funds agree to redeem or repurchase the Shares so tendered in
accordance with its obligations as set forth in the Organic Documents and the
Prospectus relating to the Shares.
(b) The
Funds or its designated agent shall pay:
(i) the
total amount of the redemption price consisting of the NAV less any applicable
redemption fee to the redeeming shareholder or its agent, and
(ii) except
as may be otherwise required by FINRA Rules, any applicable deferred sales
charges to NLD in accordance with NLD’s instructions on or before the fifth
business day (or such other earlier business day as is customary in the
investment company industry) subsequent to the Trust or its agent having
received the notice of redemption in proper form.
(c) Redemption
of Shares or payment therefore may be suspended at times when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed for any reason other than its customary weekend or holiday
closings, when trading thereon is restricted, when an emergency exists as a
result of which disposal by the Funds of securities owned by the Funds is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Funds fairly
to determine the value of the Funds’ net assets, or during any other period when
the SEC so requires or permits.
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6. DUTIES
AND REPRESENTATIONS OF NLD
(a) NLD
shall use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of Shares of the Funds upon
the terms and conditions contained herein and in the then current
Prospectus. NLD shall devote reasonable time and effort to facilitate
the distribution of Fund shares but shall not be obligated to sell any specific
number of Shares. The services of NLD to the Funds hereunder are not
to be deemed exclusive, and nothing herein contained shall prevent NLD from
entering into like arrangements with other investment companies so long as the
performance of its obligations hereunder is not impaired thereby.
(b) NLD
will execute and deliver agreements with broker/dealers, financial institutions
and other industry professionals based on forms of agreement approved from time
to time by the Board with respect to shares of the Funds, including but not
limited to forms of sales support agreements and shareholder servicing
agreements approved in connection with any distribution and/or servicing plan
approved in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
(c) NLD
shall be responsible for reviewing and providing advice and counsel on, and
filing with the FINRA, all sales literature (e.g., advertisements, brochures and
shareholder communications, including the Fund’s website) with respect to the
Funds. All costs associated with advertising filings shall be paid by
the Funds. NLD will forward all FINRA comments on marketing materials
to the Trust for incorporation into such materials and the sole responsibility
for incorporation of such comments shall remain with the Trust; provided,
however, that the Trust shall provide all factual content, opinion, and other
content for such materials and NLD shall not be responsible for the accuracy of
the content of such materials, when used thereafter by the Trust or any person
authorized by the Trust to use such material; nor shall NLD be responsible for
the filing or content of any such materials used by third parties without the
authorization of NLD; and provided further that NLD shall not be responsible for
filing any materials that fall within the definition of advertising and sales
literature if such materials are not provided to NLD in a form suitable for
filing in a timely manner. In addition, NLD will provide one or more
persons, during normal business hours, to respond to telephone questions with
respect to the Funds.
(d) NLD
will forward all sales related complaints concerning the Funds to the
Trust.
(e) NLD
will provide assistance in the preparation of quarterly board materials with
regard to sales and other distribution related data reasonably requested by the
Board of the Funds.
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(f) All
activities by NLD and its agents and employees as distributor of Shares shall
comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without
limitation, the 1940 Act, the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, and
the FINRA Rules, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1940
Act by the SEC or any securities association registered under the Securities
Exchange Act.
(g) In
selling Shares of the Funds, NLD shall use its best efforts in all material
respects duly to conform with the requirements of all federal and state laws
relating to the sale of the Shares. Neither NLD, any selected dealer,
any selected agent nor any other person is authorized by the Funds to give any
information or to make any representations other than as is contained in a
Funds’ Prospectus or any advertising materials or sales literature specifically
approved in writing by the Funds or their agents.
(h) NLD
shall adopt and follow procedures for the confirmation of sales to investors and
selected dealers or selected agents, the collection of amounts payable by
investors and selected dealers or selected agents on such sales, and the
cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary to comply with the
requirements of the FINRA.
(i) NLD
represents and warrants to the Trust that:
(i) It
is a limited liability company duly organized and existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Nebraska and it is duly qualified to carry on its
business in the State of Nebraska;
(ii) It
is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Organization to enter
into and perform this Agreement;
(iii) All
requisite actions have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this
Agreement;
(iv) It
has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and
personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this
Agreement;
(v) This
Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and
binding obligation of NLD, enforceable against NLD 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; and
(vi) It
is registered under the Securities Exchange Act with the SEC as a broker-dealer,
it is a member in good standing of the FINRA, it will abide by
the
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FINRA
Rules, and it will notify the Funds if its membership in the FINRA is terminated
or suspended.
(vii) Its
selling agreements will require that selling agents comply with applicable
anti-money laundering laws, regulations, rules and government guidance,
including the reporting, record keeping and compliance requirements of the Bank
Secrecy Act ("BSA"), as amended by The International Money Laundering Abatement
and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act (the
“PATRIOT Act"), its implementing regulations, and related SEC and SRO
rules.
(j) Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement, including the Schedules, to the contrary, NLD makes
no warranty or representation as to the number of selected dealers or selected
agents with which it has entered into agreements in accordance with Section 12
hereof, as to the availability of any Shares to be sold through any selected
dealer, selected agent or other intermediary or as to any other matter not
specifically set forth herein.
7. DUTIES
AND REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TRUST
(a) The
Trust shall furnish to NLD copies of all financial statements and other
documents to be delivered to shareholders or investors at least two (2) Fund
Business Days prior to such delivery and shall furnish NLD copies of all other
financial statements, documents and other papers or information which NLD may
reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of Shares. The
Trust shall make available to NLD the number of copies of the Funds’
Prospectuses as NLD shall reasonably request.
(b) The
Trust shall take, from time to time, subject to the approval of the Board and
any required approval of the shareholders of the Funds, all actions necessary to
fix the number of authorized Shares (if such number is not unlimited) and to
register the Shares under the Securities Act, to the end that there will be
available for sale the number of Shares as reasonably may be expected to be sold
pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) The
Trust will execute any and all documents, furnish any and all information and
otherwise take all actions that may be reasonably necessary to register or
qualify Shares for sale in such states as NLD may designate to the Funds and the
Funds may approve, and the Funds shall pay all fees and other expenses incurred
in connection with such registration or qualification; provided that NLD shall
not be required to register as a broker-dealer or file a consent to service of
process in any State and the Funds shall not be required to qualify
as a foreign corporation, Fund or association in any State. Any registration or
qualification may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the Funds at any time
in its discretion. NLD shall furnish such
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information
and other material relating to its affairs and activities as the Funds require
in connection with such registration or qualification.
(d) The
Trust represents and warrants to NLD that:
(i) It
is a business trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the
laws of the state of Massachusetts;
(ii) It
is empowered under applicable laws and by its Organic Documents to enter into
and perform this Agreement;
(iii) All
proceedings required by the Organic Documents have been taken to authorize it to
enter into and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(iv) It
is an open-end management investment company registered with the SEC under the
1940 Act;
(v) All
Shares, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable;
(vi) This
Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable against the Trust 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;
(vii) The
performance by the Trust of its obligations hereunder does not and will not
contravene any provision of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of
Trust.
(viii) The
Registration Statement is currently effective and will remain effective with
respect to all Shares of the Funds being offered for sale;
(ix) The
Registration Statement and Prospectus have been or will be, as the case may be,
carefully prepared in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder;
(x) The
Registration Statement and Prospectus contain or will contain all statements
required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder; all statements of fact contained or to be
contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus are or will be true and
correct at the time indicated or on the effective date as the case may be; and
neither the Registration Statement nor any Prospectus, when they shall become
effective or be authorized for
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use, will
include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of
Shares;
(xi) It
will from time to time file such amendment or amendments to the Registration
Statement and Prospectus as, in the light of then-current and then-prospective
developments, shall, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order to
have the Registration Statement and Prospectus at all times contain all material
facts required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statements therein
not misleading to a purchaser of Shares ("Required Amendments");
(xii) It
shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus without
giving NLD reasonable advance notice thereof; provided, however, that nothing
contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Funds’ right to file at
any time such amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, of
whatever character, as the Funds may deem advisable, such right being in all
respects absolute and unconditional; and
(xiii) All
Shares of the Fund are properly registered in the states as required by
applicable state laws; and
(xiv) Any
amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus hereafter filed will, when
it becomes effective, contain all statements required to be stated therein in
accordance with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; all
statements of fact contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus will,
when it becomes effective, be true and correct at the time indicated or on the
effective date as the case may be; and no such amendment, when it becomes
effective, will include an untrue statement of a
material fact or will omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading to a purchaser of the Shares.
(xv) In
connection with any registered representatives maintained under this Agreement,
the Trust agrees to cooperate with NLD and provide reports as necessary to
maintain appropriate licensing and qualifications and report to NLD any
complaints, arbitrations, litigation or any other material matter that may
affect a registered representative’s registration status.
(xvi) It
has adopted necessary procedures to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA"), as
amended by The International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act (the “PATRIOT
Act"), its implementing regulations, and related SEC and SRO rules. Consistent
with this requirement, the Trust shall ensure that the account opening forms
utilized by the Funds contain the necessary customer information such as
name,
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address,
taxpayer identification and other information to verify the identity of such
customers as well as provide proper notification to customers of such anti-money
laundering program adopted by the Trust and/or its service
providers.
(xvii) NLD
may rely on and will be held harmless from relying on oral or written
instructions it receives from an officer, agent, or legal counsel to the
Trust.
8. INDEMNIFICATION
OF NLD BY THE TRUST
(a) The
Trust authorizes NLD and any dealers with whom NLD has entered into dealer
agreements to use the latest Prospectus in the form furnished by the Trust in
connection with the sale of Shares. The Trust agrees to indemnify,
defend and hold NLD, its several officers and managers, and any person who
controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and
harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims,
demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection
therewith) which NLD, its officers and managers, or any such controlling
persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or
otherwise, arising out of or based upon:
(i) any
untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be
stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus,
(ii) any
omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in
any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements
in any of them not misleading,
(iii) the
Trust’s failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and
Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim
or demand,
(iv) the
Trust’s failure to provide NLD with advertising or sales materials to be filed
with the FINRA on a timely basis,
(v) the
Trust’s failure to properly register Fund Shares under applicable state laws,
or
(vi) actions
taken by NLD resulting from NLD’s reliance on instructions received from an
officer, agent or legal counsel of the Trust.
(b)
The Trust’s agreement to indemnify NLD, its officers or managers, and any such
controlling person will not be deemed to cover any such claim, demand, liability
or expense to the extent that it arises out of or is based
upon:
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(i) any
such untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission
made in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus in reliance upon
information furnished by NLD, its officers, managers or any such controlling
person to the Fund or its representatives for use in the preparation thereof,
or
(ii) willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of NLD’s duties,
or by reason of NLD’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under
this Agreement ("Disqualifying Conduct").
(c) The
Trust’s agreement to indemnify NLD, its officers and managers, and any such
controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Trust’s
being notified of any action brought against NLD, its officers or managers, or
any such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter, by
facsimile or by telegram addressed to the Funds at the address set forth above
within a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first legal
process shall have been served; provided, however, that the failure to notify
the Trust of any such action shall not relieve the Trust from any
liability which the Trust may have to the person against whom such
action is brought by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or
omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of the Funds’ indemnity
agreement contained in this Section.
(d) The
Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any
such claim, demand or liability, but, in such case, such defense shall be
conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by the Trust and approved by NLD,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the Trust
elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good
standing approved by NLD, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear
the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in
case the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, the Trust
will reimburse NLD, its officers and managers, or the controlling person or
persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees
and expenses of any counsel retained by them.
(e) The
Trust’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section and the Funds’
representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
NLD, its officers and managers, or any controlling person, and shall survive the
delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to
NLD’s benefit, to the benefit of its several officers and managers, and their
respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and their
successors. The Trust agrees promptly to notify NLD of the commencement of any
litigation or proceedings against the Trust or any of its officers or Board
members in connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
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9. INDEMNIFICATION
OF THE TRUST BY NLD
(a) NLD
agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, its several officers and Board
members, and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15
of the Securities Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims,
demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of
investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any
reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Trust, its
officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, may incur under the
Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the
extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Trust , its officers or
Board members, or such controlling person results from such claims or
demands:
(i) arising
out of or based upon any sales literature, advertisements, information,
statements or representations made by NLD and unauthorized by the Trust or any
Disqualifying Conduct in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares,
or
(ii) arising
out of or based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact
contained in information furnished in writing by NLD to the
Fund specifically for use in the Trust’s Registration
Statement and used in the answers to any of the items of the Registration
Statement or in the corresponding statements made in the Prospectus, or shall
arise out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a
material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by NLD to
the Trust and required to be stated in such answers or necessary to
make such information not misleading.
(b) NLD’s
agreement to indemnify the Trust, its officers and Trustees, and any such
controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon NLD’s being
notified of any action brought against the Trust, its officers or Trustees, or
any such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter, by
facsimile or by telegram addressed to NLD at its address set forth above within
a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first legal process shall
have been served.
(c) The
failure to notify NLD of any such action shall not relieve NLD from any
liability which it may have to the person against whom such action is brought by
reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged
omission, otherwise than on account of NLD’s indemnity agreement contained in
this Section.
(d) NLD
will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such
claim, demand or liability, but, in such case, such defense shall be conducted
by counsel of good standing chosen by NLD and approved by the Trust, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If NLD elects to assume
the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing approved by the
Trust the defendant or
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defendants
in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained
by any of them; but in the case NLD does not elect to assume the defense of any
such suit, NLD will reimburse the Trust, the Trust’s officers and directors, or
the controlling person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit,
for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the
Trust or them.
NLD’s
indemnification agreement contained in this Section and NLD’s representations
and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by NLD or on behalf of NLD, its
officers and managers, or any controlling person, and shall survive the delivery
of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Funds’
benefit, to the benefit of the Funds’ officers and Trustees, and their
respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and their
successors. NLD agrees promptly to notify the Funds of the commencement of any
litigation or proceedings against NLD or any of its officers or managers in
connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
10. NOTIFICATION
BY THE TRUST
(a) The
Trust agrees to advise NLD as soon as reasonably practical:
(i) of
any request by the SEC for amendments to the Registration Statement or any
Prospectus then in effect;
(ii)
of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or any Prospectus then in effect or of the initiation of
any proceeding for that purpose;
(iii) of
the happening of any event that makes untrue any statement of a material fact
made in the Registration Statement or any Prospectus then in effect or which
requires the making of a change in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in
order to make the statements therein not misleading;
(iv) of
all actions of the SEC with respect to any amendment to any Registration
Statement or any Prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the
SEC;
(v) if
a current Prospectus is not on file with the SEC; and
(vi) of
all advertising, sales materials and other communications with the public
required to be filed with the FINRA. This obligation shall extend to all
revisions of such communications.
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For
purposes of this section, informal requests by or acts of the Staff of the SEC
shall not be deemed actions of or requests by the SEC.
11. COMPENSATION
AND EXPENSES
(a) In
consideration of NLD’s services hereunder, the Fund agrees to pay, or cause the
Fund’s adviser to pay to NLD the fees set forth in Schedule B, attached
hereto. The Service Fee set forth on Schedule B may be offset by
any fees and charges collected and retained by NLD as set forth
below:
(i) any
applicable sales charge assessed upon investors in connection with the purchase
of Shares;
(ii) from
the Fund, any applicable contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") assessed upon
investors in connection with the redemption of Shares;
(iii) from
the Fund, the distribution service fees with respect to the Shares of those
classes as designated in Schedule A for which a Plan is
effective (the "Distribution Fee"); and
(iv) from
the Fund, the shareholder service fees with respect to the Shares of those
Classes as designated in Schedule A for which a Service
Plan is effective (the "Shareholder Service Fee").
(b) The
Distribution Fee and Shareholder Service Fee, if any, shall be accrued daily by
the Trust or class thereof and shall be paid monthly as promptly as possible
after the last day of each calendar month, at the rate or in the amounts set
forth in the Plan(s). The Trust grants and transfers to NLD a general lien and
security interest in any and all securities and other assets of the Trust now or
hereafter maintained in an account at the Trust’s custodian on behalf of the
Trust to secure any Distribution Fees, Shareholder Service Fees, or other fees
owed NLD by the Trust under this Agreement. All fees set forth herein
shall be due and payable upon receipt of invoice and shall be considered late if
payment is not received by NLD within fifteen (15) days of the Fund’s receipt of
the invoice. Payments not received with fifteen (15) days may be
assessed interest at the maximum amount permitted by law.
(c) The
Trust shall be responsible and assumes the obligation for payment of all the
expenses of the Trust, including fees and disbursements of its counsel and
auditors, in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration
Statement and Prospectus (including but not limited to the expense of setting in
type the Registration Statement and Prospectus and printing sufficient
quantities for internal compliance, regulatory purposes and for distribution to
current shareholders).
16
The Trust
shall bear the cost and expenses (i) of the registration of the Shares for sale
under the Securities Act; (ii) of the registration or qualification of the
Shares for sale under the securities laws of the various States; (iii) if
necessary or advisable in connection therewith, of qualifying the Funds, (but
not NLD) as an issuer or as a broker or dealer, in such States as shall be
selected by the Trust and NLD pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof; (iv) payable to
each State for continuing registration or qualification therein until the Funds
decide to discontinue registration or qualification pursuant to Section 7(c)
hereof; and (v) payable for standard transmission costs, including
costs imposed by the National Securities Clearing Corporation. NLD
shall pay all expenses relating to NLD's broker-dealer
qualification.
12. SELECTED
DEALER AND SELECTED AGENT AGREEMENTS
NLD shall
have the right to enter into selected dealer agreements with securities dealers
of its choice ("selected dealers") and selected agent agreements with depository
institutions and other financial intermediaries of its choice ("selected
agents") for the sale of Shares and to fix therein the portion of the sales
charge, if any, that may be allocated to the selected dealers or selected
agents; provided, that the Trust shall approve the forms of agreements with
selected dealers or selected agents and shall review the compensation set forth
therein. A form selling agreement for the Funds is attached
hereto. Selected dealers and selected agents shall resell Shares of
the Funds at the public offering price(s) set forth in the Prospectus relating
to the Shares. Within the United States, NLD shall offer and sell Shares of the
Funds only to selected dealers that are members in good standing of the
FINRA.
13. CONFIDENTIALITY
NLD
agrees to treat all records and other information related to the Trust as
proprietary information of the Trust and, on behalf of itself and its employees,
to keep confidential all such information, except that NLD may:
(a) Prepare
or assist in the preparation of periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory
bodies such as the SEC;
(b) provide
information typically supplied in the investment company industry to
companies that track or report price, performance or other
information regarding investment companies; and
(c) release
such other information as approved in writing
by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;
NLD may
release any information regarding the Trust without the consent of the Trust if
NLD reasonably believes that it may be exposed to civil or criminal
legal
17
proceedings
for failure to comply, when requested to release any information by duly
constituted authorities or when so requested by the Trust. Each party agrees to
comply with Regulation S-P under the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act.
14. EFFECTIVENESS
AND DURATION
(a) This
Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and will continue for an
initial two-year term and will continue thereafter so long as such continuance
is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Trust’s s Board or (ii) by
a vote of a majority of the Shares of the Trust, provided that in either event
its continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board members who are not
"interested persons" of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This
agreement is terminable, without penalty, on not less than sixty (60) days'
notice, by the Board, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of such Trust, or by NLD.
(c) This
Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its
"assignment."
(d) NLD
agrees to notify the Trust immediately upon the event of NLD’s expulsion or
suspension by the FINRA. This Agreement will automatically and
immediately terminate in the event of NLD’s expulsion or suspension by the
FINRA.
15. DISASTER
RECOVERY
NLD shall maintain disaster recovery procedures in effect making reasonable
provisions for the storage and retrieval of information maintained in NLD’s
possession.
16. DEFINITIONS
As used
in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth
below:
(a) The
“Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(b) “Fund
Business Day” means any day on which the NAV of Shares of each Fund is
determined as stated in the then current Prospectus.
(c) “FINRA
Rules” means the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of Fair Practice of the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA") and any interpretations
thereof.
18
(d) “NAV”
means the net asset value per Share of each Fund as determined by the Fund, or
its designated agent, in accordance with and at the times indicated in the
applicable Prospectus of the Fund on each Fund Business Day in accordance with
the method set forth in the Prospectus and guidelines established by the
Board.
(e) “Public
Offering Price” means the price per Share of the Fund at which NLD or selected
dealers or selected agents may sell Shares to the public or to those persons
eligible to invest in Shares as described in the Prospectus of the Funds,
determined in accordance with such Prospectus under the Securities Act relating
to such Shares.
(f) “Prospectus”
means the current prospectus and statement of additional information of the
Fund, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented.
(g) “Registration
Statement” means the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and all
amendments thereto filed with the SEC.
(h) “SEC”
means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(i) “Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(j)
“Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(k) “1940
Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(l) The
terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested person" and
"assignment" shall have the same meanings as such terms have in the 1940
Act.
17. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) No
provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a
written agreement properly authorized and executed by both parties.
(b) This
Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in
accordance with the laws of the State of Nebraska.
(c) 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.
19
(d) The
parties may execute this Agreement or any number of counterparts, and all of the
counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same
instrument.
(e) 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 not be affected by such determination, 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.
(f) In
the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of
this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or transmission
failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably
beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the other
party resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such
causes.
(g) NLD
shall not be liable for any consequential, incidental, exemplary, punitive,
special or indirect damages, whether or not the likelihood of such damages was
known by NLD or its affiliates.
(h) Any
controversy or claim arising out of, or related to, this Agreement, its
termination or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration by
three arbitrators (or by fewer arbitrator(s), if the parties subsequently agree
to fewer) in the State of Nebraska, in accordance with the rules then obtaining
of the FINRA, and the arbitrators’ decision shall be binding and final, and
judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.
(i) Section
and paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and
are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
(j) All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed
to have been given when received, and shall be given to the following addresses
(or such other addresses as to which notice is given):
To the Trust:
|
To NLD:
|
|
Northern
Lights Distributors, LLC
|
||
Attn:
Legal Counsel
|
Attn:
Legal Counsel
|
|
0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
0000
Xxxxx 000xx
Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
Xxxxx,
XX 00000
|
(k) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the assets and
liabilities of each Fund of the Trust are separate and distinct from the
20
assets
and liabilities of each other Fund and that no Fund shall be liable or shall be
charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising
under this Agreement or otherwise.
(l) Each
of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that they have full power
and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated and that
their signature will bind the party indicated to the terms hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on
their behalf by and through their duly authorized persons, as of the day and
year first above written.
NORTHERN
LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
|
|
By:
/s/Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
By:
/s/Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
President
|
President
|
21
Schedule
A
Fund Name
|
Board Approval Date
|
OCM
Gold Fund
|
01/27/2009
|
22
Schedule
B
Fee
Schedule
Service
Fees:
Annual
fee of $15,000 for the first
Fund and $5,000 for each additional Fund
PLUS:
|
·
|
1 basis point or 0.01% per
annum of each Fund's average daily net assets up to $250 million,
and;
|
|
·
|
¾ basis point or 0.0075% per
annum of each Fund's average daily net assets between $250 million
and $500 million, and;
|
|
·
|
½ basis point or 0.0050% per
annum of each Fund's average daily net assets between $500 million
and $1 billion, and;
|
|
·
|
¼ basis point or 0.0025% per
annum of each Fund's average daily net assets over 1
billion.
|
The Fund
shall also pay an additional fee to NLD calculated as 25% of any FINRA costs
incurred (for example, if FINRA charged $100 to perform advertising review, NLD
would charge the Fund and additional $25).
All
service fees outlined above are payable monthly in arrears.
Registered Representative
Licensing:
Annual
fee of $5,500 per Registered Representative plus all out-of-pocket costs such as
registration expenses and travel expenses to conduct required
training.
Out-of-Pocket
Expenses:
The
Fund(s) shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by NLD in
connection with activities performed for the Fund(s) hereunder including,
without limitation:
|
·
|
typesetting,
printing and distribution of prospectuses and shareholder
reports
|
|
·
|
production,
printing, distribution and placement of advertising and sales literature
and materials
|
|
·
|
engagement
of designers, free-xxxxx writers and public relations
firms
|
|
·
|
long-distance
telephone lines, services and
charges
|
|
·
|
postage
|
|
·
|
overnight
delivery charges
|
|
·
|
FINRA
and registration fees
|
23
|
·
|
marketing
expenses
|
|
·
|
record
retention fees
|
|
·
|
travel,
lodging and meals
|
|
·
|
NSCC
charges
|
|
·
|
Fund
platform fees and service fees
|
In the
event the fees authorized by the Fund(s) for payment to NLD are insufficient to
cover the fees due to NLD for its services provided hereunder, XXXXXX CAPITAL
MANAGEMENT, INC., the investment adviser to the Fund(s) agrees to pay NLD the
remaining balance of any fees due and payable to NLD according to this fee
schedule within 15 days of request.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties hereto have executed this Schedule to the Underwriting Agreement
effective the 27th day of
January 2009.
NORTHERN
LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
|
|
By:
/s/Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
By:
/s/Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
President
|
President
|
The
undersigned investment adviser hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of
this Underwriting Agreement.
XXXXXX
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:
/s/Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
President
24