Exhibit (d)(33)
FORM OF SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
ALLEGIANT INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
THIS SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT") is made as of May 1, 2009,
by and between ALLEGIANT ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a Michigan corporation
("ADVISER"), and POLARIS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Massachusetts corporation
("SUB-ADVISER").
WHEREAS, Allegiant Funds, a Massachusetts business trust ("TRUST"),
is registered as an open-end, management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 ACT"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Advisory Agreement dated May 1, 2009,
("ADVISORY AGREEMENT") by and between the Trust and the Adviser, the Trust has
appointed the Adviser to furnish investment advisory and other services to the
Trust to manage the Trust's International Equity Fund ("FUND"); and
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement authorizes the Adviser to
subcontract investment advisory services with respect to the Fund to a
sub-adviser; and
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the
Adviser desires to retain the Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory
services to the Trust; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement and the Sub-Adviser have been approved by
the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and by
the vote of a majority of those members of the Trust's Board of Trustees
("BOARD") who are not interested persons of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, in addition to the
terms defined elsewhere herein.
(a) the terms "MAJORITY OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES","INTERESTED
PERSONS", "INVESTMENT COMPANY", and "ASSIGNMENT" have the meanings ascribed to
those terms in the 1940 Act;
(b) "AVERAGE DAILY ASSETS" means, as to a Monthly Period (as defined in
Section 9 below) an amount equal to the sum of the daily market value of that
portion of the assets of the Fund that have been allocated to the Sub-Adviser
pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) below for each calendar day in the Monthly Period
divided by the number of days in the Monthly Period;
(c) "EXISTING SUBADVISER CLIENTS" means all clients of the Sub-Adviser that
are investment companies or would be investment companies but for Sections
3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. All Existing Subadviser Clients are
identified on SCHEDULE B.
2. APPOINTMENT AND ACCEPTANCE; DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS.
(a) Subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board and the terms
and provisions of this Agreement, the Adviser hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser to
act as investment adviser for the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser accepts such
appointment and agrees to furnish the services set forth herein for the
compensation provided herein, during the Services Period (as defined in Section
9 below).
(b) The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that it has received copies of the Trust's
most recent prospectuses and statements of additional information with respect
to the Fund.
3. SERVICES OF SUB-ADVISER.
(a) The Sub-Adviser will provide the following services to the Adviser:
(i) The Sub-Adviser will provide a continuous program of investment
management for that portion of the assets of the Fund that, from time to time,
may be allocated to it and according to the investment strategy stated at the
time of the allocation. The allocation may be determined by the Adviser or the
Board, in writing, by an authorized officer of the Trust. It is understood that
the assets so allocated may consist of all, a portion of, or none of the assets
of the Fund, and that the Board or the Adviser has the right to allocate and
reallocate such assets at any time, and from time to time, upon such notice to
the Sub-Adviser as may be reasonably necessary, in the view of the Trust and the
Adviser, to ensure orderly management of the Fund.
(ii) Assist the Adviser in providing a continuous investment program for
the Fund, including investment research and management with respect to all
securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents in the Fund. The Sub-Adviser
will assist the Adviser in determining from time to time what securities and
other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by the Fund with respect
to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser will provide the services rendered by it under this
Agreement in accordance with the Fund's investment objective, policies, and
restrictions as stated in the Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information,
and resolutions of the Board applicable to the Fund;
(b) Transmit trades to the Trust's custodian for proper settlement;
(c) Prepare a quarterly broker security transaction summary and monthly
security transaction listing for that portion of the assets of the Fund that may
be allocated to the Sub-Adviser pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) above;
(d) Maintain all books and records with respect to the Fund's securities
transactions effected by it as required by subparagraphs (b)(5), (6), (7), (9),
(10) and (11) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act; and
(e) Supply the Trust and the Board with reports and statistical data as
reasonably requested.
4. OTHER COVENANTS. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it:
(a) will comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and will in addition conduct its activities
under this Agreement in accordance with other applicable laws;
(b) will use the same skill and care in providing such services as it uses
in providing services to similar fiduciary accounts for which it has investment
responsibilities;
(c) will not make loans to any Person to purchase or carry shares in the
Fund or make interest-bearing loans to the Trust or the Fund;
(d) will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment
advisory services hereunder independent of any affiliated person of Polaris or
the Adviser;
(e) will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund
either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer. In selecting
brokers or dealers for executing portfolio transactions, the Sub-Adviser will
use its best efforts to seek on behalf of the Fund the best overall terms
available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction the
Sub-Adviser will consider all factors it deems relevant, including the breadth
of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial
condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the
reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and
on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in
selecting the broker or dealer to execute a particular transaction, the
Sub-Adviser also may consider the brokerage and research services (as those
terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended) provided to any fund and/or other accounts over which the Sub-Adviser
or any affiliate of the Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion. The
Sub-Adviser is authorized, subject to the prior approval of the Board, to
negotiate and pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research
services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which
is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser
determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the
value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer
viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall
responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the accounts as to which it
exercises investment discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no prior
approval by the Board will be required so long as the broker or dealer selected
by the Sub-Adviser provides best price and execution on a particular
transaction. In no instance will Fund securities be purchased from or sold to
the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser, Professional Funds Distributors, LLC ("PFD") (or
any other principal underwriter to the Trust) or an affiliated person of either
the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or PFD (or such other principal
underwriter) unless permitted by rule, regulation, or order of the SEC. In
executing portfolio transactions for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser may, but will not
be obligated to, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations,
aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased with those of other funds and
its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies
set forth in the Trust's registration statement. In such event, the Sub-Adviser
will allocate the securities so purchased or sold, and the expenses incurred in
the transaction, in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and
consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and such other clients;
(f) will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust
all records and other information relative to the Fund and prior, present or
potential shareholders, and will not use such records and information for any
purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder
(except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld and will be
deemed granted where the Sub-Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal
contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted authorities or when so requested by the Trust).
5. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under
the 1940 Act, the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains
for the Fund are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender
promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's written request;
provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. The
Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2
under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by it pursuant to
Section 3(d) of this Agreement.
6. EXPENSES. The Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection
with its activities under this Agreement other than the cost of securities,
commodities and other investments (including brokerage commissions and other
transaction costs, if any) purchased or sold for the Fund; provided, however,
that the Sub-Adviser need not pay more than $10,000 per Annual Period (as
defined in Section 9 below) for expenses incurred by it in providing marketing
support to the Adviser as requested by the Adviser.
7. FEES. For each Monthly Period (as defined in Section 9 below), the Adviser
will pay to the Sub-Adviser, monthly in arrears within ten days after the end of
the relevant Monthly Period, an annualized fee (each, a "FEE" and collectively,
the "FEES"), calculated as follows:
(a) If the Average Daily Assets for the Monthly Period is less than or equal
to $125,000,000, the Fee for the Monthly Period will equal the product of (i)
the Average Daily Assets for the Monthly Period multiplied by (ii) .029167%.
(b) If the Average Daily Net Assets for the Monthly Period is greater than
$125,000,000 but less than or equal to $200,000,000, the Fee for the Monthly
Period will equal the sum of (i) $36,458 plus (ii) the product of (A) the
difference between the Average Daily Assets for the Monthly Period less
$125,000,000 multiplied by (B) .03333%.
(c) If the Average Daily Assets for the Monthly Period is greater than
$200,000,000, the Fee for the Monthly Period shall equal the sum of (i) $61,458
plus (ii) the product of (A) the difference between the Average Daily Assets for
the Monthly Period less $200,000,000 multiplied by (B) .04167%. The foregoing
provisions are consistent with the description of fees set forth in SCHEDULE A.
8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Sub-Adviser will not be liable for any error of
judgment or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance
of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith
or gross negligence on the part of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its
duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement.
9. TERM; TERMINATION.
(a) The initial term of this Agreement will be two years ("INITIAL TERM"),
unless it is terminated earlier in accordance with its terms. Thereafter, this
Agreement will continue in effect for successive twelve month periods (each a
"RENEWAL TERM") so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually (i) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Board who are not
interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by the Board or by
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. For
purposes of this Agreement, "SERVICES PERIOD" means the Initial Term and any
Renewal Term. The Services Period will be divided into (i) consecutive annual
periods of twelve months each that commence on October 1 and expire on September
30 (each, an "ANNUAL PERIOD"), (ii) each Annual Period will be divided into four
consecutive, three-month periods (each, a "QUARTERLY PERIOD"), and (iii) each
Quarterly Period will be divided into three consecutive calendar months (each, a
"MONTHLY PERIOD").
(b) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, this Agreement
may be terminated as follows:
(i) This Agreement will terminate automatically upon the effective date
of the termination of the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund for any
reason (whether by the Trust, by the Adviser, or by operation of law).
(ii) This Agreement may be terminated as to the Fund at any time by the
Adviser or by the Trust (by vote of the majority of those members of the Board
who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund) on sixty days written
notice to the Sub-Adviser, or by the Sub-Adviser on one hundred eighty days
written notice to the Trust, provided that in the case of termination by the
Trust or the Sub-Adviser, notice shall be given simultaneously to the Adviser.
(iii) This Agreement will terminate immediately in the event of its
assignment.
10. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
10.1 The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants to the Adviser, the Trust,
and the Fund as follows:
(a) ORGANIZATION, AUTHORITY AND QUALIFICATION OF SUB-ADVISER. The
Sub-Adviser is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and has all necessary power and authority
to enter into this Agreement, to carry out its obligations hereunder and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by the Sub-Adviser, the performance by the Sub-Adviser of its
obligations hereunder and the consummation by the Sub-Adviser of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite
action on the part of the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Sub-Adviser, and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Sub-Adviser enforceable against the Sub-Adviser in
accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the
rights of creditors generally or by general equitable principles.
(b) NO CONFLICT. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by the Sub-Adviser do not and will not (i) violate, conflict with or result in
the breach of any provision of the organizational or governing documents of the
Sub-Adviser, (ii) conflict with or violate any law or governmental order
applicable to the Sub-Adviser or its business, or (iii) conflict with or result
in any breach of or constitute a default (or event which with the giving of
notice or lapse or time, or both, would become a default) under, require any
consent under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment,
acceleration, suspension, revocation, or cancellation of, or result in the
creation of any encumbrance on any of the assets or properties of the
Sub-Adviser pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage or indenture, contract,
agreement, lease, sublease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or
arrangement to which the Sub-Adviser is a party or by which any of such assets
or properties are bound or affected which would have a material adverse effect
on the ability of the Sub-Adviser to provide the services contemplated by this
Agreement.
(c) CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by the Sub-Adviser do not and will not require any consent, approval,
authorization or other order of, action by, filing with or notification to any
governmental authority, or any other person. The Sub-Adviser possesses all
necessary licenses and governmental approvals and meets all other legal
requirements needed to provide the services required hereunder.
(d) LITIGATION. No action by or against the Sub-Adviser is pending or, to
the knowledge of the Sub-Adviser after due inquiry, threatened, that (i) could
affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or (ii) seeks
to delay or prevent the consummation of, or that would be reasonably likely to
materially adversely affect the Sub-Adviser's ability to provide, the services
contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) INFRINGEMENT. No program or application used by the Sub-Adviser in the
performance or delivery of services hereunder will violate any copyright or
patent right or infringe on any proprietary rights.
(f) AGREEMENTS. Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any of its affiliates is a party
to any contract, agreement or understanding, whether oral or written, relating
specifically to the furnishing of investment advisory services for any person
that is an investment company or would be an investment company but for Sections
3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, other than an Existing Sub-Adviser Client.
10.2 The Adviser hereby represents and warrants to the Sub-Adviser as follows:
(a) ORGANIZATION, AUTHORITY AND QUALIFICATION OF ADVISER The Adviser is a
corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of
Michigan and has all necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement,
to carry out its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Adviser, the performance by the Adviser of its obligations hereunder and the
consummation by the Adviser of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of the Adviser. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Adviser, and this
Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Adviser
enforceable against the Adviser in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or by
general equitable principles.
(b) NO CONFLICT. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by the Adviser do not and will not (i) violate, conflict with or result in the
breach of any provision of the organizational or governing documents of the
Adviser, (ii) conflict with or violate any law or governmental order applicable
to the Adviser or its business, or (iii) conflict with or result in any breach
of or constitute a default (or event which with the giving of notice or lapse or
time, or both, would become a default) under, require any consent under, or give
to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration, suspension,
revocation, or cancellation of, or result in the creation of any encumbrance on
any of the assets or properties of the Adviser pursuant to, any note, bond,
mortgage or indenture, contract, agreement, lease, sublease, license, permit,
franchise or other instrument or arrangement to which the Adviser is a party or
by which any of such assets or properties are bound or affected which would have
a material adverse effect on the ability of the Adviser to provide the services
contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by the Adviser do not and will not require any consent, approval,
authorization or other order of, action by, filing with or notification to any
governmental authority, or any other person, except as otherwise provided
herein.
(d) LITIGATION. No action by or against the Adviser is pending or, to the
knowledge of the Adviser after due inquiry, threatened, that (i) could affect
the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or (ii) seeks to
delay or prevent the consummation of this Agreement.
11. AMENDMENTS. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by
the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or
termination is sought. No amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until
approved by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) The Adviser may use the Sub-Adviser's name in all prospectuses, proxy
statements, reports to shareholders, sales literature or other materials
prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Fund, to broker-dealers, or to
the public as long as the Sub-Adviser does not notify the Adviser in writing
that such use infringes the rights of any third party ("Materials"). The Adviser
will furnish the Sub-Adviser with a copy of all Materials that refer to the
Sub-Adviser before they are used. The Sub-Adviser will consent to such
references unless it reasonably objects in writing within five business days (or
such other period as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. The
Sub-Adviser's right to object to such materials is limited to the portions of
the materials that expressly relate to the Sub-Adviser, its services, and its
clients.
(b) The headings in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement will
be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
permitted successors or assigns, and will be governed by Ohio law. This
Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together
constitute one and the same instrument.
13. NAMES. The names "ALLEGIANT FUNDS" and "Trustees of ALLEGIANT FUNDS" refer
respectively to the Trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not
individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of
Trust dated January 28, 1986, as amended, which is hereby referred to and a copy
of which is on file at the office of the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the principal office of the Trust. The obligations of
"ALLEGIANT FUNDS" entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the
Trustees, representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such
capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders or
representatives of the Trust personally, but bind only the Trust Property, and
all persons dealing with any class of shares of the Trust must look solely to
the Trust Property belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims
against the Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument
to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first
above written.
POLARIS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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ALLEGIANT ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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