TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this day of , 1999, between M.S.D.&T. FUNDS, INC.
(the "Company"), a Maryland corporation having its principal place of business
at Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, and BISYS FUND SERVICES OHIO,
INC. ("BISYS"), an Ohio corporation having its principal place of business at
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000.
WHEREAS, the Company desires that BISYS perform certain services for
each series of the Company (individually referred to herein as a "Fund" and
collectively as the "Funds"); and
WHEREAS, BISYS is willing to perform such services on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of t
he mutual premises and covenants
herein set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Services.
--------
BISYS shall perform for the Company the transfer agent services
set forth in Schedule A hereto. BISYS also agrees to perform for the Company
such special services incidental to the performance of the services enumerated
herein as agreed to by the parties from time to time. BISYS shall perform such
additional services as are provided on an amendment to Schedule A hereof, in
consideration of such fees as the parties hereto may agree.
BISYS may, in its discretion, appoint in writing other parties
qualified to perform transfer agency services reasonably acceptable to the
Company (individually, a "Sub-transfer Agent") to carry out some or all of its
responsibilities under this Agreement with respect to a Fund; provided, however,
that the Sub-transfer Agent shall be the agent of BISYS and not the agent of the
Company or such Fund, and that BISYS s
hall be fully responsible for the acts of
such Sub-transfer Agent and shall not be relieved of any of its responsibilities
hereunder by the appointment of such Sub-transfer Agent.
2. Fees.
----
The Company shall pay BISYS for the services to be provided by
BISYS under this Agreement in accordance with, and in the manner set forth in,
Schedule B hereto. Fees for any additional services to be provided by BISYS
pursuant to an amendment to Schedule A hereto shall be subject to mutual
agreement at the time such amendment to Schedule A is proposed.
3. Reimbursement of Expenses.
-------------------------
In addition to paying BISYS the fees described in Section 2
hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse BISYS for BISYS' out-of-pocket expenses
in providing services hereunder, including without limitation, the following:
(a) All freight and other delivery and bonding charges
incurred by BISYS in delivering materials to and from the
Company and in delivering all materials to shareholders;
(b) All direct telephone, telephone transmission and telecopy
or other electronic transmission expenses incurred by
BISYS in communication with the Com
pany, the Company's
investment adviser or custodian, dealers, shareholders or
others as required for BISYS to perform the services to be
provided hereunder;
(c) Costs of postage, couriers, stock computer paper,
statements, labels, envelopes, checks, reports, letters,
tax forms, proxies, notices or other form of printed
material which shall be required by BISYS for the
performance of the services to be provided hereunder;
(d) The cost of microfilm or microfiche of records or other
materials;
(e) All systems-related expenses associated with the provision
of special reports pursuant to Schedule C attached hereto;
(f) Sales taxes paid on behalf of the Trust;
(g) Expenses associated with the tracking of "as-of" trades;
and
(h) Any expenses BISYS shall incur at the written direction of
an officer of the Company thereunto duly authorized.
4. Effective Date.
--------------
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first
written above (the "Effective Date").
5. Term.
----
This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to a Fund,
unless earlier terminated by either party hereto as provided hereunder, for a
period of one year following the Effective Date (the "Initial Term").
Thereafter, unless otherwise terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall
be renewed automatically for successive one-year periods ("Rollover Periods").
This Agreement may be terminated without penalty (i) by provision of a notice of
nonrenewal in the manner set forth below, (ii) by mutual agreement of the
parties or (iii) for
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"cause," as defined below, upon the provision of 60 days advance written notice
by the party alleging cause. Written notice of nonrenewal must be provided
within 60 days of the end of the Initial Term or any Rollover Period, as the
case may be.
For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean (a) a
material breach of this Agreement that has not been remedied for thirty (30)
days following written notice of such breach from the non-breaching party; (b) a
final, unappealable judicial, regulatory or administrative ruling or order in
which the party to be terminated has been found guilty of criminal or unethical
behavior in the conduct of its business; or (c) financial difficulties on the
part of the party to be terminated which ar evidenced
by the authorization or
commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer, consent or
acquiescence in, a voluntary or involuntary case under Title 11 of the United
States Code, as from time to time is in effect, or any applicable law, other
than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or
reorganization of debtors or to the modification or alteration of the rights of
creditors.
After such termination, for so long as BISYS, with the written
consent of the Company, in fact continues to perform any one or more of the
services contemplated by this Agreement or any Schedule or exhibit hereto, the
provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation the provisions
dealing with indemnification, shall continue in full force and effect. Fees and
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by BISYS but unpaid by the Company upon such
termination shall be immediately due and payable upon and notwithstanding such
termination. BISYS shall be entitled to collect from the Comp
any, in addition to
the fees and disbursements provided by Sections 2 and 3 hereof, the amount of
all of BISYS' cash disbursements in connection with BISYS' activities in
effecting such termination, including without limitation, the delivery to the
Company and/or its distributor or investment adviser and/or other parties, of
the Company's property, records, instruments and documents.
If, for any reason other than nonrenewal, mutual agreement of
the parties or "cause," as defined above, BISYS is replaced as transfer agent,
or if a third party is added to perform all or a part of the services provided
by BISYS under this Agreement (excluding any Sub-transfer Agent appointed by
BISYS as provided in Section 1 hereof), then the Company shall make a one-time
cash payment, in consideration of the fee structure and services to be provided
under this Agreement, and not as a penalty, to BISYS equal to the balance due
BISYS for the remainder of the then-current term of this Agreement, assuming for
purposes of calculation of the payment that such balance shall be based upon the
average number of Company shareholder accounts for the twelve months prior to
the date BISYS is replaced or a third party is added.
In the event the Company is merged into another legal entity
in part or in whole pursuant to any form of business reorganization or is
liquidated in part or in whole prior to the expiration of the then-current term
of this Agreement, the parties acknowledge and agree that the liquidated damages
provision set forth above shall be applicable in those instances in which BISYS
is not retained to provide transfer agency services consistent with this
Agreement, including the level of assets subject to such services. The one-time
cash payment referenced above shall be due and payable on the day prior to the
first day in which BISYS is replaced or a third party is added.
3
The parties further acknowledge and agree that, in the event
BISYS is replaced, or a third party is added, as set forth above, (i) a
determination of actual damages incurred by BISYS would be extremely difficult,
and (ii) the liquidated damages provision contained herein is intended to
adequately compensate BISYS for damages incurred and is not intended to
constitute any form of penalty.
6. Uncontrollable Events.
---------------------
BISYS assumes no responsibility hereunder, and shall not be
liable for any damage, loss of data, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused
by events beyond its reasonable control.
7. Legal Advice.
------------
BISYS sha
ll notify the Company at any time BISYS believes that
it is in need of the advice of counsel (other than counsel in the regular employ
of BISYS or any affiliated companies) with regard to BISYS' responsibilities and
duties pursuant to this Agreement; and after so notifying the Company, BISYS, at
its discretion, shall be entitled to seek, receive and act upon advice of legal
counsel of its choosing, such advice to be at the expense of the Company or
Funds unless relating to a matte involving BISYS' willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard with respect to BISYS'
responsibilities and duties hereunder and BISYS shall in no event be liable to
the Company or any Fund or any shareholder or beneficial owner of the Company
for any action reasonably taken pursuant to such advice.
8. Instructions.
------------
Whenever BISYS is requested or authorized to take action
hereunder pursuant to instructions from a shareholder, or a properly author
ized
agent of a shareholder ("shareholder's agent"), concerning an account in a Fund,
BISYS shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate, letter or other instrument
or communication, believed by BISYS to be genuine and to have been properly
made, signed or authorized by an officer or other authorized agent of the
Company or by the shareholder or shareholder' agent, as the case may be, and
shall be entitled to receive as conclusive proof of any fact or matter required
to be ascertained by it hereunder a certificate signed by an officer of the
Company or any other person authorized by the Company's Board of
Trustees/Directors (hereafter referred to as the "Directors") or by the
shareholder or shareholder's agent, as the case may be.
As to the services to be provided hereunder, BISYS may rely
conclusively upon the terms of the Prospectuses and Statement of Additional
Information of the Company relating to the Funds to the extent that such
services are described therein unless BISYS receiv
es written instructions to the
contrary in a timely manner from the Company.
9. Standard of Care; Reliance on Records and Instructions;
--------------------------------------------------------
Indemnification.
---------------
4
BISYS shall use its best efforts to ensure the accuracy of all
services performed under this Agreement, but shall not be liable to the Company
for any action taken or omitted by BISYS in the absence of bad faith, willful
misfeasance, negligence or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and
duties. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless BISYS, its employees,
agents, directors, officers and nominees from and against any and all claims,
demands, actions and suits, whethe groundless or otherwise, and from and against
any and all judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel
fees and other expenses of every nature and character arising out of or in any
way relating to BISYS' actions taken or nonactions wit
h respect to the
performance of services under this Agreement or based, if applicable, upon
reasonable reliance on information, records, instructions or requests given or
made to BISYS by the Company, the investment adviser and on any records provided
by any fund accountant or custodian thereof; provided that this indemnification
shall not apply to actions or omissions of BISYS in cases of its own bad faith,
willful misfeasance, negligence or from reckless disregard by it of its
obligations and duties; and further provided that prior to confessing any claim
against it which may be the subject of this indemnification, BISYS shall give
the Company written notice of and reasonable opportunity to defend against said
claim in its own name or in the name of BISYS.
10. Record Retention and Confidentiality.
------------------------------------
BISYS shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Company all books
and records which the Company or BISYS is, or may be, require
d to keep and
maintain pursuant to any applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including
without limitation Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), relating to the maintenance of books and
records in connection with the services to be provided hereunder. BISYS further
agrees that all such books and records shall be the property of the Company and
to make such books and records available for inspection by the Company or by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") at reasonable times and
otherwise to keep confidential all books and records and other information
relative to the Company and its shareholders, except when requested to divulge
such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process, or requested
by a shareholder or shareholder's agent with respect to information concerning
an account as to which such shareholder has either a legal or beneficial
interest or when requested by the Company, the shareholder, or share
holder's
agent, or the dealer of record as to such account.
11. Reports.
-------
BISYS will furnish to the Company and to its properly-authorized
auditors, investment advisers, examiners, distributors, dealers, underwriters,
salesmen, insurance companies and others designated by the Company in writing,
such reports at such times as are prescribed in Schedule C attached hereto, or
as subsequently agreed upon by the parties pursuant to an amendment to Schedule
C. The Company agrees to examine each such report or copy promptly and will
report or cause to be reported any errors or discrepancies therein.
12. Rights of Ownership.
-------------------
5
All computer programs and procedures developed to perform
services required to be provided by BISYS under this Agreement are the property
of BISYS. All records and other data except such computer programs and
procedures are the exclusive property of the Company and all such other records
and data will be furnished to the Company in appropriate form as soon as
practicable after termination of this Agreement for any reason.
13. Return of Records.
-----------------
BISYS may at its option at any time, and shall promptly upon the
Company's demand, turn over to the Company and cease to retain BISYS' files,
records and documents created and maintained by BISYS pursuant to this Agreement
which are no longe
r needed by BISYS in the performance of its services or for
its legal protection. If not so turned over to the Company, such documents and
records will be retained by BISYS for six years from the year of creation. At
the end of such six-year period, such records and documents will be turned over
to the Company unless the Company authorizes in writing the destruction of such
records and documents.
14. Bank Accounts.
-------------
The Company and the Funds shall establish and maintain such bank
accounts with such bank or banks as are selected by the Company, as are
necessary in order that BISYS may perform the services required to be performed
hereunder. To the extent that the performance of such services shall require
BISYS directly to disburse amounts for payment of dividends, redemption proceeds
or other purposes, the Company and Funds shall provide such bank or banks with
all instructions and authorizations necessary for BISYS to effect such
disbursements.
15. Representations of the Company.
------------------------------
The Company certifies to BISYS that: (a) as of the close of
business on the Effective Date, each Fund which is in existence as of the
Effective Date has authorized unlimited shares, and (b) by virtue of its
Declaration of Trust or Articles of Incorporation, shares of each Fund which are
redeemed by the Company may be sold by the Company from its treasury, and (c)
this Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed and
delivered by the Company, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation
of the Company, enforceable against the Company 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.
16. Representations of BISYS.
------------------------
BISYS represents and warrants that:
(a) BISYS has been in, and
shall continue to be in, substantial compliance with all provisions of law,
including Section 17A(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), required in connection with the performance of its duties under
this Agreement; and (b) the various procedures and systems which BISYS has
implemented with regard to safekeeping from loss or damage attributable to fire,
theft or any other cause of the blank checks, records, and other data of the
Company and
6
BISYS' records, data, equipment, facilities and other property used in the
performance of its obligations hereunder are adequate and that it will make such
changes therein from time to time as are required for the secure performance of
its obligations hereunder.
17. Insurance.
---------
BISYS shall notify the Company should its insurance coverage with
respect to professional liability or errors and omissions coverage be canceled
or reduced. Such notification shall include the date of change and the reasons
therefor. BISYS shall notify the Company of any material claims against it with
respect to services performed under this Agreement, whether or not they may be
covered by insurance, and shall notify the Company f
rom time to time as may be
appropriate of the total outstanding claims made by BISYS under its insurance
coverage.
18. Information to be Furnished by the Company and Funds.
----------------------------------------------------
The Company has furnished to BISYS the following:
(a) Copies of the Declaration of Trust or Articles of
Incorporation of the Company and of any amendments
thereto, certified by the proper official of the state in
which such Declaration or Articles has been filed.
(b) Copies of the following documents:
1. The Company's By-Laws and any amendments thereto;
2. Certified copies of resolutions of the Directors
covering the following matters:
A. Approval of this Agreement and authorization of a
specified officer of t
he Company to execute and
deliver this Agreement and authorization for
specified officers of the Company to instruct BISYS
hereunder; and
B. Authorization of BISYS to act as Transfer Agent for
the Company on behalf of the Funds.
(c) A list of all officers of the Company, together with
specimen signatures of those officers, who are authorized
to instruct BISYS in all matters.
(d) Two copies of the following (if such documents are
employed by the Company):
1. Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information;
2. Distribution Agreement; and
7
3. All other forms commonly used by the Company or its
Distributor with regard to their relationships and
transactions with shareholders of the Funds.
(e) A certificate as to shares of beneficial interest or
common stock of the Company authorized, issued, and
outstanding as of the Effective Date of BISYS' appointment
as Transfer Agent (or as of the date on which BISYS'
services are commenced, whichever is the later date) and
as to receipt of full consideration by the Company for all
shares outstanding, such statement to be certified by the
Treasurer of the Company.
19. Information Furnished by BISYS.
------------------------------
BISYS has furnished to the Company the following:
(a) BISYS' Articles of Incorporation.
(b) BISYS' Bylaws and any amendments thereto.
(c) Certified copies of actions of BISYS covering the following
matters:
1. Approval of this Agreement, and authorization of a
specified officer of BISYS to execute and deliver this
Agreement;
2. Authorization of BISYS to act as Transfer Agent for the
Company.
(d) A copy of the most recent independent accountants' report
relating to internal accounting control systems as filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 17Ad-13 under the
Exchange Act.
20. Amendments to Documents.
-----------------------
The Company shall furnish BISYS written copies of any amendments
to, or changes in, any of the items referred to in Section 18 hereof forthwith
upon such amendments or changes becoming effective. In addition, the Company
agrees that no amendments will be made to the Prospectuses or Statement of
Additional Information of the Company which might have the effect of changing
the procedures employed by BISYS in providing the services agreed to hereunder
or which amendment might affect the duties of BISYS hereunder unless the Company
first obtains BISYS' approval of such amendments or changes.
21. Reliance on Amendments.
----------------------
BISYS may rely on any amendments to or changes in any of the
documents and other items to be provided by the Company pursuant to Sections 18
and 20 of this Agreement and the Company hereby indemnifies and holds harmless
BISYS from and against any and all
8
claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs,
charges, counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and character which may
result from actions or omissions on the part of BISYS in reasonable reliance
upon such amendments and/or changes. Although BISYS is authorized to rely on the
above-mentioned amendments to and changes in the documents and other items to be
provided pursuant to Sections 18 and 20 hereof, BISYS shall be under no duty to
comply with or take any action as a result of any of such amendments or changes
unless the Company first obtains BISYS' written consent to and approval of such
amendments or changes.
22. Compliance with Law.
-------------------
Except for
the obligations of BISYS set forth in Section 10
hereof, the Company assumes full responsibility for the preparation, contents,
and distribution of each prospectus of the Company as to compliance with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act"), the 1940 Act, and any other laws, rules and regulations of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction. BISYS shall have no obligation to take
cognizance of any laws relating to the sale of th Company's shares. The Company
represents and warrants that no shares of the Company will be offered to the
public until the Company's registration statement under the 1933 Act and the
1940 Act has been declared or becomes effective.
23. Notices.
-------
Any notice provided hereunder shall be sufficiently given when
sent by registered or certified mail to the party required to be served with
such notice at the following address: 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000,
or at such other
address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party pursuant to this Section.
24. Headings.
--------
Paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for
convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
25. Assignment.
----------
This Agreement and the rights and duties hereunder shall not be assignable
by either of the parties hereto except by the specific written consent of the
other party. This Section 25 shall not limit or in any way affect BISYS' right
to appoint a Sub-transfer Agent pursuant to Section 1 hereof. This Agreement
shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
26. Governing Law.
-------------
This Agreement shall be governed by and provisions shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
9
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
M.S.D.&T. FUNDS, INC.
By:__________________________________
Title: ______________________________
BISYS FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC.
By:__________________________________
Title: ______________________________
10
SCHEDULE A
TO THE TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
M.S.D.&T. FUNDS, INC.
AND
BISYS FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC.
TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES
1. Shareholder Transactions
------------------------
a. Process shareholder purchase and redemption orders.
b. Set up account information, including address, dividend option, taxpayer
identification numbers and wire instructions.
c. Issue confirmations in compliance with Rule 10b-10 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
d. Issue periodic statements for sha
reholders.
e. Process transfers and exchanges.
f. Process dividend payments, including the purchase of new shares, through
dividend reimbursement.
2. Shareholder Information Services
--------------------------------
a. Make information available to shareholder servicing unit and other
remote access units regarding trade date, share price, current holdings,
yields, and dividend information.
b. Produce detailed history of transactions through duplicate or special
order statements upon request.
c. Provide mailing labels for distribution of financial reports,
prospectuses, proxy statements or marketing material to current
shareholders.
A-1
3. Compliance Reporting
--------------------
a. Prepare and distribute appropriate Internal Revenue Service forms for
corresponding Fund and shareholder income and capital gains.
b. Issue tax withholding reports to the Internal Revenue Service.
4. Dealer/Load Processing (if applicable)
--------------------------------------
a. Provide reports for tracking rights of accumulation and purchases made
under a Letter of Intent.
b. Account for separation of shareholder investments from transaction sale
charges for purchase of Fund shares.
c. Calculate fees due under 12b-1 plans for distribution and marketing
expenses.
d. Track sales and commission statistics by dealer and provide for payme
nt
of commissions on direct shareholder purchases in a load Fund.
5. Shareholder Account Maintenance
-------------------------------
a. Maintain all shareholder records for each account in the Company.
b. Issue customer statements on scheduled cycle, providing duplicate second
and third party copies if required.
c. Record shareholder account information changes.
d. Maintain account documentation files for each shareholder.
A-2
SCHEDULE B
TO THE TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
M.S.D.&T. FUNDS, INC.
AND
BISYS FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC.
TRANSFER AGENT FEES
Annual Fee: $ 15,000 per Fund
----------
Additional Services:
-------------------
Additional services such as XXX processing, development of interface
capabilities, servicing of 403(b) and 408(c) accounts, management of cash sweeps
between DDAs and mutual fund accounts and coordination of the printing and
distribution of prospectuses, annual reports and semi-annual reports are subject
to additional fees which
will be quoted upon request. Programming costs or
database management fees for special reports or specialized processing will be
quoted upon request.
Out-of-pocket Expenses:
----------------------
BISYS shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses including, but not limited to, the expenses set forth in Section 3 of
the Transfer Agency Agreement to which this Schedule B is attached.
B-1
SCHEDULE C
TO THE TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
M.S.D.&T. FUNDS, INC.
AND
BISYS FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC.
REPORTS
1. Daily Shareholder Activity Journal
2. Daily Fund Activity Summary Report
a. Beginning Balance
b. Dealer Transactions
c. Shareholder Transactions
d. Reinvested Dividends
e. Exchanges
f. Adjustments
g. Ending Balance
3. Daily Wire and Check Registers
4. Monthly Dealer Processing Repor
ts
5. Monthly Dividend Reports
6. Sales Data Reports for Blue Sky Registration
7. Annual report by independent public accountants concerning BISYS'
shareholder system and internal accounting control systems to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 17Ad-13 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
8. Such special reports and additional information that the parties may
agree upon, from time to time.
