EXHIBIT NO. 99.5(b)
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT, dated this 16th day of October, 1997, by and
between MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Adviser") and FOREIGN & COLONIAL MANAGEMENT LTD., a company incorporated under
the laws of England and Wales (the "Sub-Adviser").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Adviser provides MFS/Foreign & Colonial Emerging Markets
Equity Series (the "Fund"), a series of MFS Variable Insurance Trust (the
"Trust"), an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), business services pursuant to the
terms and conditions of an investment advisory agreement dated October 16, 1997
(the "Advisory Agreement") between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to provide services to the Adviser
on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
of the parties hereto as herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as
follows:
1. Duties of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to the supervision of the
Trustees of the Trust and the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will: (a) manage such
portion of the Fund's assets as the Adviser and Sub-Adviser shall from time to
time mutually designate (the "Designated Assets") on behalf of the Fund (i) in
accordance with the Fund's investment objective, policies and limitations as
stated in the Fund's then current Prospectus (the "Prospectus") and Statement of
Additional Information (the "Statement"), and the Trust's Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust dated January 24, 1996 and Amended and Restated By-Laws,
each as from time to time in effect (respectively, the "Declaration" and the
"By-Laws") (the obligations of Sub-Adviser under this clause (i) are contingent
upon the Adviser fulfilling its obligations under Section 2) and (ii) in
compliance with the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations and orders thereunder;
(b) make investment decisions for the Fund with respect to the Designated
Assets; (c) place purchase and sale orders for portfolio transactions for the
Fund with respect to the Designated Assets; (d) except to the extent performed
by the Adviser, manage otherwise uninvested cash assets of the Fund with respect
to the Designated Assets; (e) as the agent of the Fund, give instructions
(including trade tickets) to the custodian and any sub-custodian of the Fund as
to deliveries of securities, transfers of currencies and payments of cash for
the account of the Fund with respect to the Designated Assets (the Sub-Adviser
shall promptly notify the Adviser of such instructions); (f) employ professional
portfolio managers to provide research services to the Fund; (g) attend periodic
meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and (h) assist in obtaining all
the registrations, qualifications and consents, on behalf of the Fund, which are
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necessary for the Fund to purchase and sell assets in each jurisdiction (other
than the United States) in which the Designated Assets are to be invested. In
providing these services, the Sub-Adviser will furnish continuously an
investment program with respect to the Designated Assets. The Sub-Adviser shall
be responsible for monitoring the Fund's compliance with the Prospectus, the
Statement, the Declaration, the By-Laws and the 1940 Act and the rules,
regulations and orders thereunder and in monitoring such compliance the
Sub-Adviser shall do so in the functional currency of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser
shall only be responsible for compliance with the above-mentioned restrictions
in regards to the Designated Assets. The Adviser agrees to provide the
Sub-Adviser with such assistance as may be reasonably requested by the
Sub-Adviser in connection with its activities under this Agreement, including,
without limitation, information concerning the Fund, its funds available, or to
become available, for investment and generally as to the conditions of the
Fund's affairs. From time to time the Adviser will notify the Sub-Adviser of the
aggregate U.S. Dollar amount of the Designated Assets. The Adviser will have
responsibility for exercising proxy, consent and other rights pertaining to the
Fund's portfolio securities; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser will, as
requested, make recommendations to the Adviser as to the manner in which such
proxy, consent and other rights shall be exercised.
Should the Trustees of the Trust or the Adviser at any time make any
determination as to investment policy and notify the Sub-Adviser thereof in
writing, the Sub-Adviser shall be bound by such determination for the period, if
any, specified in such notice or until notified that such determination has been
revoked. Further, the Adviser or the Trustees of the Trust may at any time, upon
written notice to the Sub-Adviser, suspend or restrict the right of the
Sub-Adviser to determine what assets of the Fund shall be purchased or sold and
what portion, if any, of the Fund's assets shall be held uninvested. It is
understood that the Adviser undertakes to discuss with the Sub-Adviser any such
determinations of investment policy and any such suspension or restrictions on
the right of the Sub-Adviser to determine what assets of the Fund shall be
purchased or sold or held uninvested, prior to the implementation thereof.
2. Certain Information to the Sub-Adviser. Copies of the Prospectus,
the Statement, the Declaration and the By-Laws have been delivered to the
Sub-Adviser. The Adviser agrees to notify the Sub-Adviser of each change in the
investment objectives, policies and limitations of the Fund and to provide to
the Sub-Adviser as promptly as practicable copies of all amendments and
supplements to the Prospectus, the Statement, the Declaration and the By-Laws.
In addition, the Adviser will promptly provide the Sub-Adviser with any
procedures applicable to the Sub-Adviser adopted from time to time by the
Trustees of the Trust and agrees to provide promptly to the Sub-Adviser copies
of all amendments thereto.
3. Execution of Certain Documents. Subject to any other written
instructions of the Adviser and the Trustees of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser is
hereby appointed the Adviser's and the Trust's agent and attorney-in-fact to
execute account documentation, agreements, contracts and other documents as the
Sub-Adviser shall be requested by brokers, dealers, counterparties and other
persons in connection with its management of the Designated Assets.
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4. Reports. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Trustees of the Trust
or the Adviser, or both, as may be appropriate, quarterly reports of its
activities on behalf of the Fund with respect to the Designated Assets, as
required by applicable law or as otherwise requested from time to time by the
Trustees of the Trust or the Adviser, and such additional information, reports,
evaluations, analyses and opinions as the Trustees of the Trust or the Adviser,
as appropriate, may request from time to time.
5. Brokerage. In connection with the selections of brokers, dealers or
other entities and the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
investments for the Fund with respect to the Designated Assets, the Sub-Adviser
is directed to seek for the Fund execution at the most favorable price by
responsible brokerage firms at reasonably competitive commission rates. In
fulfilling this requirement, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted
unlawfully or to have breached any duty, created by this Agreement or otherwise,
solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a broker, dealer or other
entity an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess
of the amount of commission another broker, dealer or other entity would have
charged for effecting that transaction, if the Sub-Adviser determined in good
faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of
the brokerage and research services (within the meaning of Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) provided by such broker, dealer or
other entity, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the
Sub-Adviser's overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other
clients of the Sub-Adviser as to which the Sub-Adviser exercises investment
discretion.
6. Services to Other Companies or Accounts. On occasions when the
Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest
of the Fund as well as other clients, the Sub-Adviser, to the extent permitted
by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to,
aggregate the securities to be so purchased or sold in order to obtain the most
favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. In such
event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the
expenses incurred in the transaction will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the
manner it considers to be the most equitable. The Sub-Adviser agrees to allocate
similarly opportunities to sell or otherwise dispose of securities among the
Fund and other clients of the Sub-Adviser.
7. Other Sub-Advisers. The Sub-Adviser may from time to time enter into
investment sub-advisory agreements with one or more investment advisers, (an
"Other Sub-Adviser"), to the Fund to perform some or all of the services for
which the Sub-Adviser is responsible pursuant to this Agreement upon such terms
and conditions as the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser may determine; provided,
however, that such investment sub-advisory agreements have been approved by a
majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the
Trust, or the Sub-Adviser or the Other Sub-Adviser and by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; and, provided, further, that the
Sub-Adviser shall own a majority of the voting securities of any Other
Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser may terminate the services of any Other Sub-Adviser
at any time in its sole discretion, and shall at such time assume the
responsibilities of such Other Sub-Adviser unless and until a successor Other
Sub-Adviser is selected. The Sub-Adviser shall be liable for any error of
judgment or mistake of law by any
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Other Sub-Adviser and for any act or omission in the execution and management of
the Fund by any Other Sub-Adviser.
8. Compensation of the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be rendered by
the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement, the Adviser shall pay to the Sub-Adviser
compensation, computed and paid monthly in arrears in U.S. dollars, at a rate of
0.65% of the average daily net asset value of the Designated Assets on an
annualized basis. If the Sub-Adviser shall serve for less than the whole of any
month, the compensation payable to the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund will
be prorated. The Sub-Adviser will pay its expenses incurred in performing its
duties under this Agreement. Neither the Trust nor the Fund shall be liable to
the Sub-Adviser for the compensation of the Sub-Adviser. For the purpose of
determining fees payable to the Sub-Adviser, the value of the Fund's net assets
shall be computed at the times and in the manner specified in the Prospectus
and/or Statement. In the event that the Adviser reduces its management fee
payable under the Advisory Agreement in order to comply with the expense
limitations of a State securities commission or otherwise (but not a voluntary
reduction), the Sub-Adviser agrees to reduce its fee payable under this
Agreement by a pro rata amount.
9. Limitation of Liability of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall
not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss
arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution and
management of the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties and obligations hereunder. The
Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may enforce any obligations of the Sub-Adviser
under this Agreement and may recover directly from the Sub-Adviser for any
liability it may have to the Fund.
10. Activities of the Sub-Adviser. The services of the Sub-Adviser to
the Fund are not deemed to be exclusive, the Sub-Adviser being free to render
investment advisory and/or other services to others. The Sub-Adviser may permit
other fund clients to use the words "Foreign & Colonial" in their names. The
Adviser and the Trust agree that if the Sub-Adviser shall for any reason no
longer serve as the Sub-Adviser to the Fund, the Fund will change its name so as
to delete the words "Foreign & Colonial". It is understood that the Trustees,
officers and shareholders of the Trust, the Fund or the Adviser are or may be or
become interested in the Sub-Adviser or any person controlling, controlled by or
under common control with the Sub-Adviser, as trustees, officers, employees or
otherwise and that trustees, officers and employees of the Sub-Adviser or any
person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Adviser
may become similarly interested in the Trust, the Fund or the Adviser and that
the Sub-Adviser may be or become interested in the Fund as a shareholder or
otherwise.
11. Covenants of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it (a)
will not deal with itself, "affiliated persons" of the Sub-Adviser, the Trustees
of the Trust or the Fund's distributor (provided that the Adviser provides the
Sub-Adviser with a current list, as updated from time to time as appropriate, of
"affiliated persons" of the Trustees of the Trust and of the Fund's
distributor), as principals, agents, brokers or dealers in making purchases or
sales of securities or other property for the account of the Fund, except as
permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations and orders thereunder and
subject to the prior written approval of the Adviser, (b)
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will not take a long or short position in the shares of the Fund except as
permitted by the Declaration and (c) will comply with all other provisions of
the Declaration and the By-Laws and the then-current Prospectus and Statement
relative to the Sub-Adviser and its trustees, officers, employees and
affiliates.
12. Representations, Warranties and Additional Agreements of the
Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) It: (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the
U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"),
is authorized to undertake investment business in the United
Kingdom by virtue of its membership in the Investment
Management Regulatory Organization ("IMRO") and is
registered under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the
Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment
adviser in order to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, and will continue to be so registered for so long
as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited
by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the
services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has met, and
will continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains
in effect, any other applicable Federal or State
requirements, or the applicable requirements of any
regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to
be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this
Agreement; (iv) has the authority to enter into and perform
the services contemplated by this Agreement; (v) will
immediately notify the Adviser in writing of the occurrence
of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from
serving as an investment adviser of an investment company
pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise; and
(vi) will immediately notify the Adviser in writing of any
change of control of the Sub-Adviser or any parent of the
Sub-Adviser resulting in an "assignment" of this Agreement.
(b) It will maintain, keep current and preserve on behalf of the
Fund, in the manner and for the periods of time required or
permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations and
orders thereunder and the Advisers Act and the rules,
regulations and orders thereunder, records relating to
investment transactions made by the Sub-Adviser for the Fund
as may be reasonably requested by the Adviser or the Fund
from time to time. The Sub-Adviser agrees that such records
are the property of the Fund, and will be surrendered to the
Fund promptly upon request; provided, however, that the
Sub-Adviser may retain copies of such records for archival
purposes as required by IMRO.
(c) The Sub-Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics
complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940
Act and, if it has not already done so, will provide the
Adviser and the Trust with a copy of such code of ethics,
and upon any amendment to such code of ethics, promptly
provide such amendment. At least annually the Sub-Adviser
will provide the Trust and the Adviser with a certificate
signed by the chief compliance officer (or the person
performing such function) of the Sub-Adviser certifying, to
the best of his or her knowledge, compliance with
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the code of ethics during the immediately preceding
twelve (12) month period, including any material violations
of or amendments to the code of ethics or the administration
thereof.
(d) It has provided the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of its
Form ADV as most recently filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and will, promptly after
filing any amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC, furnish a
copy of such amendment to the Adviser and the Trust.
13. Representations, Warranties and Additional Agreements of the
Adviser. The Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by it and constitutes the valid and binding
obligation of the Adviser enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms.
(b) No governmental authorization, approvals, consents or filing
by or with United States regulatory authorities are required
in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of
this Agreement by the Adviser.
(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
the Adviser will not violate or result in any default under
its Articles of Incorporation or the Trust's Declaration of
Trust or other constituent documents, or any contract or
other agreement to which either of them is a party or which
either of them or their assets may be bound or any statute,
or any rule, regulations or order of any government agency,
body or authority to which either of them is subject.
(d) At all times the Sub-Adviser shall deal with, and shall be
entitled to deal with, the Designated Assets on the basis
that the Fund has full title to or is in control of all of
the Designated Assets free from all liens, charges, options,
encumbrances or other third party rights, except as
disclosed to the Sub-Adviser by the Fund or the Adviser and
except for any such encumbrances incurred as a result of the
performance by the Sub-Adviser of its duties under this
Agreement.
(e) It has and will maintain the authority and capacity to
authorize the Sub-Adviser to enter into the documents on
behalf of the Fund contemplated by Section 3 hereof.
14. Duration and Termination of this Agreement. This Agreement shall
become effective on the date first above written and shall govern the relations
between the parties hereto thereafter, and shall remain in force until August 1,
1999 and each year thereafter but only so long as its continuance is
"specifically approved at least annually" (a) by the vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the Trust or of the
Adviser or of the Sub-Adviser at a meeting specifically called for the purpose
of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, or by
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund. This
Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of
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any penalty by the Trustees of the Trust, by "vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities" of the Fund or by the Adviser, on not more than
sixty days nor less than thirty days written notice, or by the Sub-Adviser on
not more than ninety days nor less than sixty days written notice. This
Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment" or in
the event that the Advisory Agreement shall have terminated for any reason.
15. Amendments to this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only if
such amendment is approved by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund, by the Adviser and by the Sub-Adviser.
16. Certain Definitions. The terms "specifically approved at least
annually", "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities",
"assignment", "control", "affiliated persons" and "interested person", when used
in this Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified, and shall be
construed in a manner consistent with, the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations
and orders thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by
the SEC under the 1940 Act.
17. Survival of Representations and Warranties; Duty to Update
Information. All representations and warranties made pursuant to Sections 12 and
13 hereof shall survive for the duration of this Agreement and each party shall
immediately notify, but in no event later than five (5) business days, the other
in writing upon becoming aware that any of the foregoing representations and
warranties are no longer true.
18. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All
notices provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given when received, against appropriate receipt, by the Sub-Adviser's Secretary
in the case of the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser's General Counsel in the case of the
Adviser, and the Trust's Secretary in the case of the Fund, or such other person
as a party shall designate by notice to the other parties. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto and supersedes any
prior agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. The
section headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and do not
constitute a part hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered in their names and on their behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, and their respective seals to be hereto affixed, all
as of the day and year first written above.
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
By: XXXXXXX X. XXXXXX
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
President
FOREIGN & COLONIAL MANAGEMENT LTD.
By: ILLEGIBLE
(Illegible)
By: ILLEGIBLE
(Illegible)
The foregoing is hereby agreed to:
A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the
Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The parties hereto
acknowledge that the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not
binding upon any of the Trust's trustees, officers, employees, agents or
shareholders individually, but are binding solely upon the assets and property
of the Trust in accordance with its proportionate interest hereunder. If this
instrument is executed by the Trust on behalf of one or more series of the
Trust, the parties hereto acknowledge that the assets and liabilities of each
series of the Trust are separate and distinct and that the obligations of or
arising out of this instrument are binding solely upon the assets or property of
the series on whose behalf the Trust has executed this instrument. If the Trust
has executed this instrument on behalf of more than one series of the Trust, the
parties hereto also agree that the obligations of each series hereunder shall be
several and not joint, in accordance with its proportionate interest hereunder,
and the parties hereto agree not to proceed against any series for the
obligations of another series.
MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
on behalf of MFS/FOREIGN & COLONIAL EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY SERIES
By: A. XXXXX XXXXXXX
A. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Chairman
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