EXHIBIT (3)(b)
FORM OF BROKER/DEALER AGREEMENT
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY PRODUCT SALES AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT is made by and among each life insurance company ("Insurer");
each principal securities underwriter for the Insurer ("Underwriter"); each
selling broker/dealer ("Broker Dealer"); and each selling insurance agency
("Agency") in the capacities as set forth on Schedule A-Signature Page which is
attached to and made a part of this Agreement by this reference. This Agreement
is initially effective on the date of first execution by the Insurer.
RECITALS
A. More than one Insurer, Underwriter, Broker Dealer, or Agency may execute
this Agreement at its inception, or by subsequent addition of parties from time
to time pursuant to a revised Schedule A. Each such execution shall be deemed to
create a new and separate agreement between the Insurer, and Underwriter if
applicable on the one hand and the Broker Dealer, and/or Agency if applicable,
on the other. The existence of more than one executed Schedule A shall not
create any agency relationship or other selling authority between any Insurer
that executes one Schedule A, and any Underwriter, Broker-Dealer and/or Agency
that executes another Schedule A. No Insurer shall be liable for the obligations
or actions of any other Insurer.
B. Insurer offers various life insurance policies and annuity contracts (the
"Products") for sale to the public which may be registered with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or not so registered (either
"Registered Products" or "Unregistered Products," respectively).
C. Underwriter has been appointed as the principal underwriter of the
Registered Products of Insurer (Insurer and Underwriter are collectively
referred to as "Company").
D. Underwriter and Broker Dealer are registered with the SEC as broker/dealers
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), and are
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") in good
standing.
E. Agency is duly life-insurance licensed and lawfully authorized to
distribute the Unregistered Products, as set forth in this Agreement; and, if
the Agency only distributes Unregistered Products, the provisions of this
Agreement that specifically refer to Registered Products or the requirements of
the NASD or SEC shall be inapplicable.
F. Broker Dealer is duly life-insurance licensed and lawfully authorized to
market and distribute the Registered Products, as set forth in this Agreement,
or, if Broker Dealer is not life-insurance licensed, Agency is duly
life-insurance licensed, an associated person of Broker Dealer, and lawfully
authorized to market and distribute the Registered Products, as set forth in
this Agreement (Broker Dealer and Agency are collectively referred to as
"Producer").
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT
Company hereby authorizes Producer to solicit and sell the Products pursuant to
the terms of each attached Schedule B to the extent authorized by and only in
the states ("States") where: (a) Producer has been separately notified by
Company that the Products are qualified for sale or exempt from qualification
under all applicable securities and insurance laws; and (b) Producer is duly
life insurance-licensed; and (c)
Producer is, where required, duly securities licensed; and (d) Producer is duly
appointed with the Insurer. One or more Product Commission Schedules attached
and incorporated as Schedule B from time to time shall identify the specific
parties who are authorized to issue, underwrite and distribute each life
insurance or annuity product. Submission of an application or order for Products
listed on a Schedule B delivered by the Company shall constitute written consent
by Producer to the terms of such Schedule B. No exclusive rights are granted to
Producer, except as maybe expressly provided by the Company in writing or on
Schedule B. Producer accepts this appointment as an independent contractor, on
the terms set forth in this Agreement. Producer is free to accept appointments
to represent and market other insurance companies' products and services.
Certain variable life insurance or variable annuity contracts may not be subject
to, or may be exempt from, registration with the SEC. Producers shall only offer
such contracts pursuant to the offering restrictions set forth in the applicable
Schedule B or in a private placement memorandum describing such contracts.
2. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
(a) Producer is authorized and responsible in each State to train, use and
supervise qualified professional insurance agents and solicitors who are duly
qualified as provided in this agreement to sell the Products ("Subproducers").
(b) Producer shall notify Company in writing immediately upon hiring or
contracting with any Subproducer for solicitation of the Products and upon the
filing or receipt of any notice of termination of any Subproducer. Producer
shall provide or shall cause Subproducers to provide Company with appropriate
authorization to allow Company to conduct such background and credit
investigations of Subproducers as may be necessary or appropriate under
applicable law. Insurer reserves the right of final approval of the appointment
of any Subproducers. Insurer may, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion,
cancel the appointment of any Subproducer, upon notice to Subproducer and
Producer.
(c) Producer shall ensure that it and all Subproducers: (i) as fiduciary for
Company, collect and submit purchase payments to Company by noon of the next
business day following receipt thereof, such payments to be in the form of
checks made payable solely to the order of Company, or at such time and by such
other means (by wire or electronic transfers) as mutually agreed in writing;
(ii) promptly deliver the Product contract to the purchaser, unless the contract
has been sent by Company to the purchaser; (iii) record each transaction,
including the fact of delivery, and maintain any other documentation reasonably
requested by Company; (iv) responsibly perform in good faith each authorized
action hereunder in accordance with Company's administrative procedures as
provided to Producer from time-to-time in writing and cooperate with Company as
required to provide service to the purchasers of the Products; (v) make and
record a determination as required by applicable law and regulation with respect
to each purchaser that the purchase of the Product is suitable as to such
purchaser based upon a thorough review of the current financial situation and
needs of each purchaser, and notify Company promptly upon learning of any
circumstances that render such suitability information inaccurate (If Company
receives customer checks and purchase orders directly from Producer's
prospective purchasers it will, upon request, provide Producer with such copies
as are necessary to make the required suitability determinations.); (vi)
establish and implement reasonable procedures for periodic inspection and
supervision of sales practices of its Subproducers and submit reports to Company
as may be reasonably requested on the compliance with such procedures; and (vii)
adopt, abide by, and enforce the principles set forth in the Principles and Code
of Ethical Market Conduct of the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association as
adopted by Company and ("Ethics Code") provided to Producer as Exhibit B to this
Agreement ("Ethics Code").
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(d) Broker Dealer is responsible for the training, supervision, and control of
the registered representatives. Broker Dealer will be responsible to provide
training, conduct manuals, or other information to unregistered employees of
Agencies and Subproducers regarding the limitations on such unregistered
employees' permissible securities activities as Broker Dealer deems appropriate.
(e) Broker Dealer, on its own behalf and on behalf of Agencies and
Subproducers, shall maintain the books and records relating to the sale of the
Registered Products and the receipt and disbursement of Commissions (hereafter
defined) and fees thereon so as to clearly and accurately disclose the nature
and details of the transactions. Such books and records shall be maintained and
preserved as required under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder and shall
at all times be compiled and maintained in a readily accessible place and in a
manner that permits inspection by supervisory personnel of Broker Dealer, the
SEC, the NASD, any other SRO of which Broker Dealer may become a member, and
other appropriate regulatory authorities. Duplicate books and records relating
to the Registered Products and maintained by Agencies and Subproducers shall be
deemed books and records of Broker Dealer and shall also be readily accessible
for examination by the SEC, NASD, any other SRO of which Broker Dealer may
become a member, and other governmental authorities.
(f) Insurer reserves the unconditional right to refuse to accept applications
and purchase orders procured by Producer without specifying the reason therefor,
as well as premiums and settlements tendered or made thereunder. Furthermore,
Insurer reserves the unconditional right to modify any of the Products in any
respect whatsoever, modify or alter the conditions or terms under which any
policy form may be sold or regulate its sale in any way, discontinue or withdraw
any policy form from any geographic area or market segment without prejudice to
continuation of such form in any other area or market segment, suspend the sale
of any of the Products, or cease doing business in any area in whole or in part,
at any time without prior notice. Notwithstanding these rights, Insurer will use
its reasonable best efforts to provide Producer with prior written notice of its
intention to modify or suspend the sale of any Products.
(g) No variation of Producer's authority and responsibility granted under this
Agreement shall be permitted except with Company's prior written consent.
3. PROHIBITIONS
Producer and Subproducers have no authority to, and Producer shall ensure that
it and any Subproducers shall not: (a) make any promise or incur any debt on
behalf of Company; (b) hold themselves out as employees or affiliates of Company
unless true; (c) misrepresent, add, alter, waive, discharge, or omit any
provision of the Products, the then-current prospectus for the Registered
Products or the underlying funds, confirmations, statements, or other Company
materials; (d) waive any forfeiture, extend the time of making any payments, or
alter or substitute any of Company's forms; (e) use, or supply to a third party
for use, any of Company's forms other than for purposes of this Agreement; (f)
make any recommendation or take any action which is likely to induce the
surrender, transfer, exchange, replacement, cancellation, non-renewal of, or the
withdrawal from, any Product,(i.e., a "Replacement") except when Producer has
documented suitability of the Replacement based on the purchaser's individual
financial and insurance needs and has first offered Company the opportunity to
present a suitable replacement Product to Producer; (g) pay or allow to be paid
to any prospective customer any inducement not specified in the contract for the
Products; (h) cause any premium or consideration to be rebated, in any manner
whatsoever, directly or indirectly; (i) give or offer to give, on Company's
behalf, any advice or opinion regarding the taxation of any purchaser's or
prospective purchaser's income or estate in connection with the sale or
solicitation for sale of any Products; (j) sign or allow any person to sign a
form or other
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document for another except pursuant to a proper power of attorney or
guardianship appointment approved by Company; (k) negotiate, deposit, or co-
mingle purchase payments except as may be otherwise specifically agreed in a
written addendum to this Agreement; (l) enter into any contracts with
Subproducers for the solicitation of the Products or payment of compensation
based on sales with anyone not licensed and appointed with Company; (m) engage
in speculation on human life in any way; (n) solicit or take applications for
the Products in a state other than the purchaser's state of residence in order
to circumvent the insurance laws of such purchaser's state of residence; (o)
take any other action beyond the scope of the authority granted under this
Agreement; or (p) allow any employee or contractor of Agency or any Subproducer
who is not a registered representative of Broker Dealer to engage in securities
activities, receive compensation based on securities transactions or providing
securities advice, recommend any security, give investment advice, discuss the
merits of any security or type of security, respond to any question that might
require familiarity with the securities industry, handle or maintain customer
funds, including checks routed through Broker Dealer and Agencies, or securities
in connection with securities transactions, or have any involvement in
securities transactions other than providing clerical or ministerial assistance.
4. ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
(a) Producer represents and warrants that it and each Subproducer person or
entity whom they employ or contract with in connection with sales of the
Products or to whom it pays commissions pursuant to this Agreement: (i) will
have sound business reputations and backgrounds (as more fully described in the
General Letter of Recommendation attached as Exhibit A and incorporated by
reference); (ii) will be duly life insurance-licensed, appointed to represent
Company, and securities-registered (for Registered Products) in compliance with
all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including those of the
NASD or other self regulatory organization, prior to and during the sale of any
Products pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) will comply with all other
applicable laws federal and state and regulations, including those of the NASD
or other self regulatory organization, and applicable procedures, Ethics Codes,
manuals, and other written rules and regulations of Company as delivered to
Producer from time to time. Producer shall take all necessary steps to
communicate the Company's rules and regulations to such persons.
(b) Producer represents and warrants that any Agency that sells Registered
Products shall be an associated person of Broker Dealer within the meaning of
section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act. Broker Dealer agrees that any Agency or
Subproducer whom the SEC, NASD or any self-regulatory organization ("SRO") bars
or suspends from association with Broker Dealer or any other broker dealer will
be immediately terminated or suspended from all activities related to Registered
Products and Company shall be notified immediately of any such bar or
suspension.
(c) Producer represents and warrants that it will monitor the activities of its
unlicensed and unregistered employees and ensure their compliance with the
limitations on their permissible insurance and securities activities as set
forth in the conduct manuals Provided by the Broker/Dealer.
(d) Producer represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
(e) Company represents and warrants that all Products have been filed with and
approved by the appropriate insurance departments in compliance with the laws of
each State and that Company is licensed to do business by the insurance
department of each State. Further, Company represents and warrants that the
Registered Products have been filed and registered as appropriate with the SEC
and
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NASD and are in compliance with the applicable regulations promulgated under
the Exchange Act. The Company will, during the term of this Agreement, notify
Producer of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order with respect to the
registration statement or any amendments thereto or the initiation of any
proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating to the
registration and offering of the Products and of any other action or
circumstance that may prevent the lawful sale of the Products in any state or
jurisdiction.
(f) Company represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
(g) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered on behalf
of Producer and Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the
parties enforceable in accordance with its terms, except (i) as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency,
reorganization or other laws affecting or limiting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally; (ii) as such enforceability is subject to general principles
of equity, regardless whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law; and (iii) as the right of a party to indemnification or
contribution may be judicially determined to be unenforceable.
5. COMMISSIONS AND CHARGEBACKS
(a) Company shall pay Producer the commissions (the "Commissions"), if any, set
forth on the applicable Schedule B for sales in the States during the term of
this Agreement. Broker Dealer shall report all Commissions for Registered
Products on its FOCUS and NASD Fee Assessment reports. The Insurer is solely
responsible for the payment of all Commissions under this Agreement,
Underwriter's liability, if any, for Commissions payable is limited solely to
proceeds of Commissions received from Insurer.
(b) Producer shall pay Company in full for any indebtedness to Company arising
under this Agreement or otherwise within thirty (30) days of demand. Producer
will pay the maximum lawful rate of interest on any indebtedness that Producer
owes to Company, along with reasonable legal expenses, attorney fees, and court
costs incurred by Company in collecting such indebtedness. Producer shall pay to
Company, or Company may offset from Commissions due, any unpaid indebtedness due
to Company remaining after demand, and the chargebacks (the "Chargebacks") set
forth on the applicable Schedule B. This right to offset shall constitute a
first lien against any compensation due Producer from Company or any of its
affiliates and shall have priority over any assignment by Producer or by
operation of law. No Commissions will be paid to Producer on Products that are
surrendered or canceled and subsequently reinstated or rewritten, or on
subsequent premiums that result from prior partial withdrawals from the Product.
(c) Company reserves the right, upon reasonable notice to Producer, to revise
any Commissions or Chargebacks payable on Products issued, renewed, converted,
or exchanged in the future. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Agreement to the contrary, Company shall not be obligated to pay any
compensation which would be in violation of any applicable law, rule, regulation
or order.
(d) Producer shall be solely liable for and shall promptly pay any and all
amounts payable to any Subproducer in connection with the sale of Products. No
Subproducer or other person shall have any claim against Company on account of
the sale or service of any Product.
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6. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) By Company. Company shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in
carrying out the provisions of this Agreement. Company agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless Producer and each officer and director of Producer against any and
all losses, claims, damages, or liabilities, joint and several (or actions in
respect thereof), to which Producer or such officer or director may become
subject, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act") or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact, contained in any registration
statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in the prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto for the Products, or in any Sales Materials
provided by Company or that was required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) the failure of Company, its
officers, employees, or agents to comply with the provisions of this Agreement.
Company agrees to reimburse Producer and any director or officer or controlling
person of Producer for reasonable legal and other expenses (including attorney's
fees) incurred by Producer and such director, officer, or controlling person in
connection with investigating or defending any such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, or actions. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any
liability that Company may otherwise have.
(b) By Producer. Producer shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in
carrying out the provisions of this Agreement. Producer agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless Company and each of its current and former directors and officers
and each person, if any, who controls or has controlled Company within the
meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any and all losses,
claims, damages, or liabilities joint and several (or actions in respect
thereof), to which Company and any such director, officer or controlling person
may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise
out of or are based upon: (i) any unauthorized use of sales materials or any
verbal or written misrepresentations or any unlawful sales practices concerning
the Products by Producer, its agents, employees, or representatives; (ii) claims
for commissions, services fees, development allowances, reimbursements, or other
compensation or remuneration of any type relating to any Subproducer or former
Subproducer or relating to any employee or contractor of Producer or any
Subproducer; or (iii) the failure of Producer, its officers, employees, agents
or Subproducers to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, including any
unauthorized actions, errors or omissions by Subproducers. Producer agrees to
reimburse Company and any director or officer or controlling person of Company
for any reasonable legal or other expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred
by Company or such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with
investigating or defending any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or
actions. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that
Producer may otherwise have.
7. APPROVAL OF ADVERTISING
(a) No sales, promotion or other advertising or training materials relating to
the Products or Company ("Sales Material") shall be used unless approved in
writing by Company prior to such use. "Sales Material" shall include, but is not
limited to, any material relating to the Products or Company which are designed
to create public interest in life insurance or annuities or in an insurer, or in
an insurance producer, or to induce the public to purchase, modify, increase,
reinstate, borrow on, surrender, replace, or retain a policy of insurance or
annuity.
(b) The consideration for and the giving of such approval shall apply to each
specific request and shall not be construed to have applied to any subsequent
materials or programs. All materials shall be subject to periodic review after
initial approval to ensure compliance with applicable law, regulations, and
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Company policies. At least one hard copy of each piece of Sales Materials in the
form used shall be supplied to Company at least ten business days prior to first
use. Additional copies or longer time period may be required for Sales Materials
that must be filed for approval with any regulatory authorities prior to use.
(c) No representations in connection with the sale or solicitation for sale of
the Products, other than those contained in the currently effective registration
statement and prospectus for each Registered Product filed with the SEC, or in
the approved Sales Materials for each Product, shall be made by Producer.
Producer assumes full responsibility for all Sales Materials not prepared or
approved by Company and all such Sales Materials will be deemed to be Producer's
materials. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties it shall be Broker Dealer's
responsibility to file and obtain NASD approval of any Sales Materials prepared
by Producer.
(d) The Company will use reasonable efforts to provide Producer with
information and marketing assistance, including providing reasonable quantities
of advertising materials, sales literature, and reports on such terms and at
such costs as the Company and the Producer shall mutually agree from time to
time. Sales Material provided by the Company shall have been authorized by the
Company and shall conform to all applicable legal requirements as of the date of
delivery.
(e) Company shall not use any advertising material, prospectus, proposal, or
representation referring to Producer or its affiliates unless furnished by
Producer or until the approval of Producer shall have been first secured. The
consideration for and the giving of such approval shall relate to each specific
request and shall not be construed to have applied to any subsequent materials
or programs.
(f) The provision of Products and Sales Material to Producer, or sales material
referring to the Producer, shall not provide the receiving party with any
license to use any tradenames, trademarks, service marks or logos or proprietary
information of the providing party, except to the extent necessary to carry out
the purposes of this Agreement.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY
(a) Except as required by law, regulation, subpoena, court order, or other
lawful authority, all information communicated to one party by another party
relating to the Company or any Producer or Subproducer, or their affiliates,
including information regarding consumers, customers or policy holders, whether
before the effective date or during the term of this Agreement, shall be
received in strict confidence, shall be used by and its employees, agents,
vendors, attorneys, or accountants only for the purposes of this Agreement, and
shall not be disclosed by the recipient party, its employees, agents, vendors,
attorneys, or accountants without the prior written consent of the party that
provided the information. Each party shall take all reasonable precautions to
prevent the disclosure to outside parties of such information including, without
limitation, the terms of this Agreement.
(b) The parties shall comply with the terms of the ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ Act
("GLBA"), the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or relevant state
laws and regulations as they may apply to the parties. This includes, but is not
limited to, disclosure of the privacy policies and practices of each of the
parties as may be required (jointly if necessary), and actions required to
protect the confidentiality and security of nonpublic personal information of
consumers and customers of the parties, as those terms are or may be defined in
GLBA, the regulations thereunder or relevant state laws and regulations.
Producer shall also comply with the GLBA policies and procedures of the Company
to the extent such policies and procedures do not conflict with the GLBA
policies and procedures of the Producer. The parties
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acknowledge that each of them may be under a separate duty to effect compliance
with the GLBA. The parties shall use their best efforts to conform and
coordinate their actions under, and interpretations of, their respective
policies and procedures in the performance of the actions contemplated by this
Agreement so as to ensure both compliance with GLBA and avoid conflicts among
themselves.
9. COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS/COMPLAINT LOGS
(a) Producer and Company jointly agree to cooperate fully in any insurance or
securities regulatory or self-regulatory investigation or proceeding or judicial
proceeding arising in connection with the Products. Producer, upon receipt,
shall notify Company of any notice of any regulatory or self-regulatory
investigation or proceeding or judicial proceeding arising in connection with
the Products or the solicitation or sale of the Products no later than by next
day express or overnight mail. Producer and Company further agree to cooperate
fully in any regulatory or self-regulatory investigation or proceeding or
judicial proceeding with respect to Producer, Subproducers, Company, their
affiliates, and their agents or representatives to the extent that such
investigation or proceeding is in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereunder. Producer shall furnish applicable federal,
state, self-regulatory authorities with any information or reports in connection
with their services under this Agreement which such authorities may request in
order to ascertain whether Producer's or Company's operations are being
conducted in a manner consistent with any applicable law, regulation, or rule of
an SRO. Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses in complying with any
regulatory or self-regulatory requests, subject to any right of indemnification
that may be available pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement.
(b) Company and Producer shall each develop and maintain a log of Policyholder
complaints arising out of the Products contemplated by this Agreement. The log
will record the date and substance of each Policyholder complaint and the date
and substance of the resolution of each such complaint. Each party's log shall
be provided to the other upon reasonable request.
(c) Each party will immediately notify the other party of any Policyholder
complaint or other complaint against that party or its agents or producers or
third party vendors arising from the performance, or failure to perform, the
terms of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a Policyholder
complaint includes, but is not limited to, a written notification (including a
notification by electronic mail) that: (1) expresses a grievance or alleges
misrepresentation of information, improper sales practices or confusion over the
Product's status as an insurance product; or (2) an error or inaction or unfair
treatment by former or current employees or agents of Producer, Company or
affiliates of each, and (3) requests resolution of the matter. Each party shall
reasonably determine whether an oral or telephonic notification that clearly
meets the foregoing requirements should be treated as a written complaint for
the purposes of this Agreement. Each party will, upon receipt of any summons,
complaint, or notice of suit, forward such notice to the other party no later
than by next-day express or overnight mail.
10. TERMINATION
(a) This Agreement shall continue in force from its effective date and may be
terminated by any party providing thirty (30) days written notice to the others.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), either the Company or the
Producer may terminate this Agreement immediately and without notice if the
other party (i) ceases to be registered under the Exchange Act or to be a member
in good standing of the NASD, (ii) fails to comply with any licensing laws or
any other law or regulation, (iii) becomes insolvent or bankrupt or suffers
other financial
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impairment that may affect its or the other party's performance of this
Agreement, or (iv) is prohibited from offering the Products hereunder as a
result of any change in federal or state laws or regulations.
(c) Any party may terminate this Agreement at any time, with Cause, upon ten
(10) days' written notice to the other parties. "Cause" shall be defined as a
breach of a material provision of this Agreement. In the event of notification
of a termination for Cause, and upon request, the other party has the right to a
ten (10) day cure period for the breach. If the party is able to cure the breach
to the good faith satisfaction of the other party within the cure period, this
Agreement will continue in effect as though it were never terminated.
(d) Sections 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13(c), and 13(i) of this Agreement shall survive
the termination of this Agreement to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Producer shall settle all accounts with Company and shall continue to be
responsible for all applicable Chargebacks.
11. MARKET TIMING
Company reserves the right to terminate this Agreement immediately without
notice to any other parties if Company, in its reasonable discretion, determines
that any of Producer's or Subproducers' clients are engaging in market timing
activities (that is, programmed, large or frequent transfers) with respect to
any portfolios of the Registered Products or that any Producer or Subproducer,
is providing advice or assistance to any persons to engage in such market timing
activities. Company reserves the right to reject any purchase orders submitted
by any parties whom (or whose clients) Company determines to be engaging in
market timing activity. In addition to the indemnification provided in Section 6
of this Agreement, and any other liability Producer may have, Producer will be
liable to the Company and each portfolio affected by such market timing activity
for any damages or losses, actual or consequential, sustained by them as a
result of such market timing activity.
12. BOOKS, RECORDS
Each party shall create and maintain at its principal administrative office
books and records of all transactions under this Agreement as required by
applicable state and federal law and regulations. Each party hereto shall have
the right, during normal business hours and upon ten (10) days prior written
notice, to inspect and audit the books and records of the other party relating
solely to the business contemplated by this Agreement, including files, letters,
Sales Material, and other documents relating in any way to such business. Such
books and records shall be maintained in accordance with prudent standards of
insurance and securities recordkeeping for the term of this Agreement and for
the five-year period following the termination of this Agreement or longer if
required by applicable Federal or state law or regulation.
13. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) This Agreement shall be governed as to its validity, interpretation, and
effect by the laws of the state of domicile of the Insurer as set forth on
Schedule A without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws.
(b) This Agreement, including each Schedule, Exhibit, and Addendum to this
Agreement, contains the entire understanding and agreement among the parties
with respect to its subject matter and with respect to sales of the Products,
and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous discussions, agreements, and
understandings. Producer and Company hereby acknowledge that they have not
relied upon any
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representations other than the representations expressly contained within this
Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended or supplemented except by a written
agreement signed by the party against whom enforcement of the same is sought.
(c) This Agreement or any of the rights or obligations hereunder may not be
assigned by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties
hereto.
(d) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective successors and, to the extent permissible
hereunder, assigns.
(e) Nothing in this Agreement, nor any acts of the parties hereto, shall be
deemed or construed by the parties hereto, or any of them, or any third party,
to create the relationship of employer and employee, or a partnership or joint
venture, or, except to the extent expressly provided herein, principal and
agent, between Company and Producer.
(f) Any notice required to be given by one party to another shall be (i)
personally delivered or (ii) mailed by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, if to Insurer or Underwriter, to the addresses set forth on Schedule A,
with a copy at the same address to Division General Counsel; and if to Producer,
at the addresses set forth on Schedule A; or such different addresses as set
forth in a written notice from one party to the other in compliance with this
subsection. All such notices shall be deemed delivered when so mailed or
hand-delivered. Alternatively, such notices shall be deemed delivered by timely
transmission of the writing, delivery charges prepaid, to a third-party company
or governmental entity providing delivery services in the ordinary course of
business which guarantees delivery to the other party on the next business day.
(g) In the event any term, phrase, clause, paragraph, restriction, covenant, or
agreement contained in this Agreement or the attached Exhibits, Schedules, or
Addenda shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the same shall be severable and shall not defeat or impair the
remaining provisions thereof.
(h) A waiver by any party of the breach of any provision of this Agreement by
another party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or
subsequent breach by any party.
(i) Each party agrees to cooperate fully with each other in the resolution of
all matters arising out of the business of this Agreement. The parties agree
that this Agreement involves "commerce" within the meaning of the Federal
Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sec.1 et seq., and that any dispute between the
parties arising out of or related to this Agreement will be resolved by binding
arbitration in accordance with this Section and Commercial Dispute Resolution
Procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration will take
place in the city in which the Insurer has its principal address as set forth on
Schedule A, unless we mutually agree to another location. The arbitration will
be determined by one neutral arbitrator as agreed upon by each party. If the
parties fail to appoint an arbitrator on a timely basis or are unable to agree
on the choice of an arbitrator on a timely basis, any one of the parties may
apply to the American Arbitration Association to appoint the additional
arbitrator or arbitrators to sit and hear the arbitration. The arbitrator's
decision will be binding on the parties and the decision will be final with no
right of appeal. The award of the arbitrator may be entered as a final judgment
in any court which has jurisdiction thereof. The cost of arbitration, including
the fees of the arbitrator, will be borne by the party or parties as the
arbitrator decides. Each party hereto hereby waives the right to a trial by
either a jury or a court, including but not limited to a trial of any issue
concerning the validity of this section and the right
10
of appeal from the arbitrator's award. Each party waives any claim to recover
punitive damages and non-compensatory damages against the others.
(j) The masculine, feminine or neuter pronouns used in this Agreement shall be
interpreted without regard to gender and the use of the singular or plural shall
be deemed to include the other whenever the context so requires.
(k) For purposes of this Agreement, a document (or signature page thereto)
signed and transmitted by facsimile machine or telecopier is to be treated as an
original document.
(l) This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of
separate counterparts, and all such counterparts so executed constitute one
agreement binding on all parties hereto.
[SCHEDULE A--SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
11
SCHEDULE A--SIGNATURE PAGE
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY PRODUCT SALES AGREEMENT
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Complete and attach additional copies of this Schedule as needed. Include tax
ID number where indicated and sign on page A-2. Attach copies of current
Agency licenses for applicable states.
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Insurers and Underwriters
The following affiliated Insurers and Underwriters are deemed to be parties
to, and bound by all provisions of, the Agreement with respect to Products
issued or underwritten by such parties, including each product commission
schedules issued to the date of execution hereof by the respective Insurer,
Insurer(s) Underwriter(s)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Name:
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State of Domicile: Business Address:
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Business Address: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇. ▇▇
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Name: Name:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Domicile: Business Address:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Address:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Name:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Domicile: Business Address:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Address:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Broker Dealers and Agencies
The following affiliated Broker Dealers and Agencies are deemed to be parties
to, and bound by all provisions of, the General Agent Agreement with respect to
Products distributed by such parties:
____________________________________________________
(Print name of Broker Dealer above) Contact Person at Broker Dealer:
Address:____________________________________________ Name:________________________________________
____________________________________________ Phone:_______________________________________
____________________________________________ Fax:_________________________________________
Tax ID #:___________________________________________ E-mail:______________________________________
____________________________________________________
(Print name of Agency above) Contact Person at Agency:
Address:____________________________________________ Name:_________________________________________
___________________________________________ Phone:________________________________________
___________________________________________ Fax:__________________________________________
Tax ID #:___________________________________________ E-mail:_______________________________________
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Contact person for client policy and licensing matters Mail address for client policy and licensing matters:
(if different from above): ________________________________________
________________________________________
Name:_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Phone:________________________________________ ________________________________________
Fax:__________________________________________ Main office? Y or N (if yes, please list address here)
E-mail:_______________________________________ Branch? Y or N (if yes, enclose list of branch addresses)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Contact person for commissions matters Mail address for commission statements and checks:
(if different from above): ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Name:_________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Phone:________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Fax:__________________________________________ Main office? Y or N (if yes, please list address here)
E-mail:_______________________________________ Branch? Y or N (if yes, enclose list of branch addresses)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-1
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed
as of the dates written below.
______________________ _____________________
Insurer Underwriter
By:______________________________________________ By:______________________________________________
Title:___________________________________________ Title:___________________________________________
Date signed: ____________________________________ Date signed: ____________________________________
Insurer Underwriter
By:______________________________________________ By:______________________________________________
Title:___________________________________________ Title:___________________________________________
Date signed: ____________________________________ Date signed: ____________________________________
______________________
Insurer
By:______________________________________________
Title:___________________________________________
Date signed: ____________________________________
===================================================================================================================
_________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Print Name of Broker Dealer Above Print Name of *Agency Above (Broker Dealer should sign
here also if life insurance-licensed)
By:______________________________________________ By:______________________________________________
Title:___________________________________________ Title:___________________________________________
Date signed: ____________________________________ Date signed: ____________________________________
*Complete and attach additional copies of this page if needed for more parties.
A-2
SCHEDULE B
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY PRODUCT SALES AGREEMENT
Product Commission Schedule
[Sample]
This Schedule shall be an integral part of the Life Insurance Company Product
Sales Agreement among the parties hereto ("Agreement") and shall supersede any
portion of that Agreement which conflicts with the provisions hereof. All other
provisions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect.
Transamerica Life Insurance Company ("Insurer") and AFSG Securities Corporation
("Underwriter") authorize the listed Broker Dealers and Agencies who have signed
and are parties to the Agreement and who have been notified they are effective
and appointed to offer and solicit for sale the following securities product
through persons who are properly registered or licensed with both the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and applicable state insurance licensing
authorities as of the issue date set forth below. Such persons, where required,
have authorized Broker Dealer or Agency to receive such commissions.
Product Name: Policy Form Number:
Broker Dealer: Agency:
_____________________________________ __________________________________
_____________________________________ __________________________________
_____________________________________ __________________________________
[Additional terms as specified for particular products]
_____________________________________ __________________________________
Insurer Underwriter
By: SAMPLE By: SAMPLE
Title:_______________________________ Title: ___________________________
Issue Date:__________________________ Issue Date: ______________________
EXHIBIT A
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY PRODUCTS SALES AGREEMENT
General Letter of Recommendation
Producer hereby certifies to the Company that all the following requirements
will be fulfilled in conjunction with the submission of licensing/appointment
papers for all applicants as agents of the Company submitted by Producer.
Producer will, upon request, forward proof of compliance with same to the
Company in a timely manner.
We have made an identity, criminal, and credit investigation of each
applicant and declare that each applicant is personally known to us, and we
are unaware of any reason why each applicant would not be worthy of a
license.
When required because the applicant intends to solicit Registered Products,
we have on file a U-4 form which was completed (and has been amended, as
required) by each applicant. We have fulfilled all the necessary
investigative requirements for the registration of each applicant as a
registered representative through our NASD member firm, including but not
limited to: (i) checking for and investigating criminal arrest and
conviction records available to the Broker Dealer on the CRD system; and
(ii) communicating with each employer of the applicant for 3 years prior to
the applicant's registration with our firm. Each applicant is presently
registered as a NASD registered representative.
The above information in our files indicates no fact or condition that would
disqualify the applicant from receiving a license and all the findings of
all investigative information is favorable.
At the time of application, in those states required by the Company, we
shall provide the Company with a copy of the entire U-4 form, or designated
pages, thereof, completed by each applicant, including any amendments or
updates thereto, and we certify those items are true copies of the original.
We certify that all educational requirements have been met for the specified
state in which each applicant is requesting a license in, and that all such
persons have fulfilled the appropriate examination, education, and training
requirements.
If the applicant is required to submit a picture, a signature, and
securities registration in the state in which the applicant is applying for
a license, we certify that those items forwarded to the Company are those of
the applicant and the securities registration is a true copy of the
original.
We hereby warrant that the applicant is not applying for a license with the
Company in order to place insurance chiefly and solely on the applicant's
life or property, or lives or property of the applicant's relatives, or
property or liability of the applicant's associates.
We will not permit any applicant to transact insurance in a state as an
agent until duly licensed and appointed therefor with the appropriate state
insurance regulatory authority. No applicants have been given a contract or
furnished supplies, nor have any applicants been permitted to write, solicit
business, or act as an agent in any capacity, and they will not be so
permitted until the certificate of authority or license applied for is
received.
EXHIBIT B
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY PRODUCT SALES AGREEMENT
Agent's Guide to Professional Conduct
[SEPARATE ATTACHMENT]
