Exhibit 2(k)(2)
ESCROW AGREEMENT
This Escrow Agreement (the "Agreement") dated as of November 18, 2002, is
by and among New Colony Investment Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, for and on
behalf of New Colony Equity Income Fund (the "Issuer"), Investors Capital
Corporation, a _______ corporation (the "Best Efforts Underwriter") and State
Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, as escrow agent
(the "Escrow Agent").
WHEREAS, the Best Efforts Underwriter proposes to offer, on behalf of the
Issuer, a minimum of $20,000,000 and a maximum of $75,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of shares of beneficial interest of the Issuer (the "Shares")
as exclusive Best Efforts Underwriter for the Issuer, for public sale on a "best
efforts, all or none" basis with respect to the Minimum Share Amount and on a
"best efforts" basis thereafter, at a price per Share of $20.
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter propose to establish
an escrow account with the Escrow Agent in connection with such offering and the
Escrow Agent is willing to establish such escrow account on the terms and
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is in compliance with Rule 15c2-4 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Information Sheet. Each capitalized term not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meaning set forth for such term on the information sheet which is
attached to this Agreement and is incorporated by reference herein and made a
part hereof (the "Information Sheet").
2. Establishment of the Escrow Account.
2.1 The parties hereto shall establish an escrow account at the branch
of the Escrow Agent, and bearing the designation set forth on the Information
Sheet (the "Escrow Account").
2.2 On or before the date of the initial deposit in the Escrow Account
pursuant to this Agreement, the Best Efforts Underwriter shall notify the Escrow
Agent in writing of the commencement date of the Offering Period. The Escrow
Agent shall not accept any amounts for deposit in the Escrow Account prior to
its receipt of such notification.
2.3 The Offering Period shall continue through the date set forth on
the Information Sheet. The Offering Period shall be extended by an Extension
Period only if the Escrow Agent shall have received written notice thereof at
least five (5) business days prior to the expiration of the Offering Period,
signed by both the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter. The Extension
Period, which shall be deemed to commence on the next calendar day following the
expiration of the Offering Period, shall continue through the date set forth on
the Information Sheet. The last day of the Offering Period, or the last day of
the Extension Period (if the Escrow Agent has received written notice thereof as
hereinabove provided), is referred to herein as the "Termination Date." Except
as provided in Section 4.3 hereof, after the Termination Date,
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neither the Best Efforts Underwriter nor the Issuer shall deposit, and the
Escrow Agent shall not accept, any additional amounts representing payments by
prospective purchasers.
3. Deposits in the Escrow Account.
3.1 All amounts received from prospective purchasers of the Shares
shall be deposited in the Escrow Account, which amounts shall be in the form of
checks (for U.S. funds), or wire transfers representing the payment of money.
Wire transfers to the Escrow Account shall be sent pursuant to the following
instructions:
Bank: State Street Bank and Trust Company
ABA #: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇
Attn: Corporate Trust Division
DDA #: 9903-9901
Ref.: Escrow Account for New Colony Equity Income Fund
All checks deposited into the Escrow Account shall be made payable to
"STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY - ESCROW ACCOUNT FOR NEW COLONY EQUITY
INCOME FUND". Any check payable other than as required hereby shall be returned
to the prospective purchaser, or if the Escrow Agent has insufficient
information to do so, then to the Best Efforts Underwriter (together with any
Subscription Information, as defined below, or other documents delivered
therewith) by United States mail within five (5) business days following receipt
of such check by the Escrow Agent, and such check shall be deemed not to have
been delivered to the Escrow Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. No
promissory note or notes shall be delivered to or accepted by the Escrow Agent.
3.2 Simultaneously with each deposit into the Escrow Account, the Best
Efforts Underwriter (or the Issuer, if such deposit is made by the Issuer) shall
inform the Escrow Agent in writing of the name and address of the prospective
purchaser, the number of Shares subscribed for by such purchaser, and the
aggregate dollar amount of such subscription (collectively, the "Subscription
Information").
3.3 The Escrow Agent shall not accept for deposit into the Escrow
Account checks that are not (i) drawn on U.S. funds and (ii) accompanied by the
appropriate Subscription Information. Wire transfers representing payments by
prospective purchasers shall not be deemed deposited in the Escrow Account until
the Escrow Agent has received in writing the Subscription Information required
with respect to such payments.
3.4 The Escrow Agent shall not be required to accept any amounts
representing payments by prospective purchasers, whether by check or wire
transfer, except during the Escrow Agent's regular banking hours, which are 9:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Boston, MA time.
3.5 Amounts deposited in the Escrow Account that have cleared the
banking system and have been collected by the Escrow Agent, together with any
investment income or proceeds received by the Escrow Agent from the investment
thereof from time to time pursuant
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to Section 3.7 below, are herein referred to as the "Fund." Amounts deposited in
the Escrow Account that have not cleared the banking system are herein referred
to as "uncollected amounts".
3.6 The Escrow Agent shall refund any portion of the Fund prior to
disbursement of the Fund in accordance with Section 4 hereof upon the
instructions in writing signed by both the Issuer and the Best Efforts
Underwriter.
3.7 If the Escrow Agent receives a deposit into the Escrow Account
from the Best Efforts Underwriter or any purchaser prior to 12:00 p.m., Boston,
MA time, on any business day prior to the later of the Termination Date or the
last day of the Collection Period (consisting of the number of business days set
forth on the Information Sheet), the Escrow Agent shall on the same day invest
the deposit in the Escrow Agent's "Insured Money Market Fund" (IMMA) until the
Escrow Agent disburses the Fund in accordance with Section 4 hereof. If the
Escrow Agent receives a deposit into the Escrow Account from the Best Efforts
Underwriter or any purchaser after 12:00 p.m., Boston, MA time, on any business
day prior to the later of the Termination Date or the last day of the Collection
Period, the Escrow Agent may, but is not obligated to, invest the deposit in
IMMA on the same day; provided, however, that the Escrow Agent shall invest the
deposit in IMMA no later than the next business day. The Escrow Agent shall have
no responsibility to the purchaser, the Issuer or the Best Efforts Underwriter
for any loss upon any such investment (which losses, if incurred, shall be
debited against the Escrow Account). The Escrow Agent shall have no
responsibility or liability to any purchaser, the Issuer or the Best Efforts
Underwriter for the investment performance or for any failure of any
investments.
4. Disbursement from the Escrow Account.
4.1 Subject to Section 4.3 below, in the event that at 5:00 p.m.
Boston, MA time on the Termination Date the amount constituting the Fund (a)
shall be less than the Minimum Dollar Amount, or (b) shall represent the sale of
less than the Minimum Share Amount, in each case as indicated by the
Subscription Information submitted to the Escrow Agent, then in either such
case, the Escrow Agent shall promptly but in no event later than five (5)
business days after the Termination Date refund to each prospective purchaser
the amount of payment received from such purchaser which is then held in the
Fund or which thereafter clears the banking system, together with any investment
income received thereon, and the Escrow Agent shall notify the Issuer and the
Best Efforts Underwriter of its distribution of the Fund.
4.2 Subject to Section 4.3 below, in the event that at any time up to
5:00 p.m. Boston, MA time on the Termination Date, the amount constituting the
Fund shall be at least equal to the Minimum Dollar Amount and shall represent
the sale of not less than the Minimum Share Amount, in each case as indicated by
the Subscription Information submitted to the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent
shall notify the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter of such fact in writing
(within two (2) business days thereafter.) The Escrow Agent shall hold the Fund
until the Escrow Agent receives, at least two (2) business days prior to the
date on which the Fund is to be disbursed, instructions in writing signed by
both the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter as to the disbursement of the
Fund.
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4.3 In the event that the Escrow Agent or the Best Efforts Underwriter
(or the Issuer) have received by 5:00 p.m. Boston, MA time on the Termination
Date any uncollected amounts which when added to the Fund would raise the amount
in the Fund to the Minimum Dollar Amount and result in the Fund representing the
sale of the Minimum Share Amount, in each case as indicated by the Subscription
Information submitted to the Escrow Agent, the Collection Period shall be
utilized to allow such uncollected amounts to clear the banking system, and the
Escrow Agent shall invest such uncollected amounts in accordance with Section
3.7 hereof. During the Collection Period, neither the Best Efforts Underwriter
nor the Issuer shall deposit, and the Escrow Agent shall not accept, any
additional amounts representing payments by prospective purchasers; provided,
however, that such amounts which were received by the Best Efforts Underwriter
(or the Issuer) by the close of business on the Termination Date may be
deposited with the Escrow Agent by noon of the next business day following the
Termination Date. If at 5:00 p.m. Boston, MA time on the last day of the
Collection Period an amount sufficient to raise the amount in the Fund to the
Minimum Dollar Amount and which would result in the Fund representing the sale
of the Minimum Share Amount shall not have cleared the banking system, the
Escrow Agent shall notify the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter in writing
of such fact and shall return all amounts then in the Fund, and any amounts
which thereafter clear the banking system, to the prospective purchasers as
provided in subsection 4.1 hereof. If a sufficient amount has cleared by such
time, the parties shall proceed as provided in subsection 4.2 hereof.
4.4 Subject to Section 4.5 below, in the event that at 5:00 p.m.
Boston, MA time on the Termination Date, the amount constituting the Fund
(counting all amounts deposited in the Escrow Account from the commencement date
of the Offering Period) shall be greater than the Minimum Dollar Amount and
shall represent the sale of more than the Minimum Share Amount, the Escrow Agent
shall, on the Termination Date, notify the Issuer and the Best Efforts
Underwriter of such fact in writing. The Escrow Agent shall hold any portion of
the Fund that has not previously been disbursed (in accordance with Section 4.2)
until the Escrow Agent receives, at least two (2) business days prior to the
date on which such portion of the Fund is to be disbursed, instructions in
writing signed by both the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter as to the
disbursement thereof.
4.5 In the event that at any time up to 5:00 p.m. Boston, MA time on
the Termination Date, the amount constituting the Fund (counting all amounts
deposited in the Escrow Account from the commencement date of the Offering
Period) shall be at least equal to the Maximum Dollar Amount and shall represent
the sale of not less than the Maximum Share Amount, the Escrow Agent shall
notify the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter of such fact in writing
(within two (2) business days thereafter). The Escrow Agent shall hold the
portion of the Fund that has not yet been disbursed (in accordance with Section
4.2) until the Escrow Agent receives, at least two (2) business days prior to
the date on which such portion of the Fund is to be disbursed, instructions in
writing signed by both the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter as to the
disbursement thereof.
4.6 In the event that at 5:00 p.m. Boston, MA time on the Termination
Date, the amount constituting the Fund (counting all amounts deposited in the
Escrow Account from
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the commencement date of the Offering Period) shall be greater than the Maximum
Dollar Amount and shall represent the sale of more than the Maximum Share
Amount, the Escrow Agent shall notify in writing the Issuer and the Best Efforts
Underwriter of such fact within two (2) business days following the Termination
Date. The Escrow Agent shall hold the portion of the Fund that has not
previously been disbursed (in accordance with Sections 4.2 and 4.5) until the
Escrow Agent receives, at least two (2) business days prior to the date on which
such portion of the Fund is to be disbursed, instructions in writing signed by
both the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter as to the disbursement thereof.
4.7 Upon disbursement of the Fund pursuant to the terms of this
Section 4, the Escrow Agent shall be relieved of all further obligations and
released from all liability under this Agreement. It is expressly agreed and
understood that in no event shall the aggregate amount of payments made by the
Escrow Agent exceed the amount of the Fund.
5. Rights, Duties and Responsibilities of Escrow Agent. It is understood
and agreed that the duties of the Escrow Agent are purely ministerial in nature,
and that:
5.1 The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for or be required to
enforce any of the terms or conditions or any agreement between the Best Efforts
Underwriter and the Issuer nor shall the Escrow Agent be responsible for the
performance by the Best Efforts Underwriter or the Issuer of their respective
obligations under this Agreement.
5.2 The Escrow Agent shall not accept from the Best Efforts
Underwriter (or the Issuer) any Subscription Information pertaining to
prospective purchasers unless such Subscription Information is accompanied by
checks, or wire transfers representing the payment of money, nor shall the
Escrow Agent be required to keep records of any information with respect to
payments deposited by the Best Efforts Underwriter (or the Issuer) except as to
the amount of such payments; however, the Escrow Agent shall notify the Best
Efforts Underwriter within a reasonable time of any discrepancy between the
Subscription Information and the amount delivered to the Escrow Agent therewith.
Such amount need not be accepted for deposit in the Escrow Account until such
discrepancy has been resolved.
5.3 The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty or responsibility to
enforce collection of any check delivered to it hereunder. The Escrow Agent,
within a reasonable time, shall return to the Best Efforts Underwriter any check
received which is dishonored, together with the Subscription Information, if
any, which accompanied such check.
5.4 The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely upon the accuracy, act
in reliance upon the contents, and assume the genuineness of any, notice,
instruction, certificate, signature, instrument or document which is given to
the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Agreement without the necessity of the Escrow
Agent verifying the truth or accuracy thereof. The Escrow Agent shall not be
obligated to make any inquiry as to the authority, capacity, existence or
identity of any person purporting to give any such notice or instruction or to
execute any such certificate, instrument or document.
5.5 In the event that the Escrow Agent shall be uncertain as to its
duties or
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rights hereunder or shall receive instructions with respect to the Escrow
Account or the Fund which, in its sole determination, are in conflict either
with other instructions received by it or with any provision of this Agreement,
it shall be entitled to hold the Fund, or a portion thereof, in the Escrow
Account pending the resolution of such uncertainty to the Escrow Agent's sole
satisfaction, by final judgment of a court or courts of competent jurisdiction
or otherwise; or the Escrow Agent, at its sole option, may deposit the Fund (and
any other amounts that thereafter become part of the Fund) with the clerk of any
court of competent jurisdiction in a proceeding to which all parties in interest
are joined. Upon the deposit by the Escrow Agent of the Fund with the clerk of
any such court, the Escrow Agent shall be relieved of all further obligations
and released from all liability hereunder.
5.6 The Escrow Agent may consult legal counsel (including in-house
counsel) and other professional advisors who may but need not be its counsel or
advisor (or counsel or advisor to any party having an interest in or a
connection with the Escrow Account), with respect to the meaning and
construction of this Agreement or its powers, obligations, and conduct
hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable reimbursement for
such legal counsel's and other professional advisors' fees. The Escrow Agent
shall not be liable for the consequences of, and shall be fully protected in
acting pursuant to or relying upon, the advice of such legal counsel or
advisors.
5.7 The Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility at any time to
ascertain whether or not any security interest exists in the Fund or any part
hereof or to file any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code with
respect to the Fund or any part thereof.
5.8 The obligations of the Escrow Agent herein shall be determined
solely in accordance with this Agreement and the Escrow Agent shall have no
duties or obligations other than those expressly provided for in the Agreement.
This Agreement shall not be deemed to create a fiduciary relationship between
the parties hereto under state or federal law.
5.9 The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for damage resulting from the
acts or omissions or failure to perform of any third party, including the
failure of any means of communication, loss of any document in the mails, or the
failure of any delivery service to deliver as instructed.
5.10 If multiple parties in interest are party to this Agreement,
written communications to the Escrow Agent from the parties in interest shall be
signed by all of the parties in interest unless the parties in interest have
authorized an agent to act on their behalf in a written instrument delivered to
the Escrow Agent.
5.11 The Escrow Agent shall not be liable to anyone for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder except in the case of the Escrow
Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct in breach of the terms of this
Agreement. In no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable for indirect, pUnitive,
special or consequential damage or loss (including but not limited to lost
profits) whatsoever, even if the Escrow Agent has been informed of the
likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
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5.12 The Escrow Agent shall not be obligated to take any legal action
or other action hereunder which might in its judgment involve or cause it to
incur any expense or liability unless it shall have been furnished with
acceptable indemnification.
5.13 The Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter acknowledge that for
tax reporting purposes all interest or other income earned from investment of
the Fund shall be allocated to the purchasers.
5.14 Notwithstanding any term appearing in this Agreement to the
contrary, in no instance shall the Escrow Agent be required or obligated to
distribute any of the Fund (or take other action that may be called for
hereunder to be taken by the Escrow Agent) sooner than two (2) business days
after (i) it has received the applicable documents required under this Agreement
in good form, or (ii) passage of the applicable time period (or both, as
applicable under the terms of this Agreement), as the case may be.
5.15 Unless and except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth
herein, all deposits and payments hereunder, or pursuant to the terms hereof
(including without limitation all payments to the Escrow Agent pursuant to
Sections 8 and 9 below) shall be in U.S. dollars.
6. Amendment Resignation. This Agreement may be altered or amended only
with the written consent of the Issuer, the Best Efforts Underwriter and the
Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent may resign for any reason upon three (3) business
days' written notice to the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter. Should the
Escrow Agent resign as herein provided, it shall not be required to accept any
deposit, make any disbursement or otherwise dispose of the Fund, but its only
duty shall be to hold the Fund for a period of not more than five (5) business
days following the effective date of such resignation, at which time (a) if a
successor escrow agent shall have been appointed and written notice thereof
(including the name and address of such successor escrow agent) shall have been
given to the resigning Escrow Agent by the Issuer, the Best Efforts Underwriter
and such successor escrow agent, then the resigning Escrow Agent shall pay over
the successor escrow agent the Fund, less any portion thereof previously paid
out in accordance with this Agreement; or (b) if the resigning Escrow Agent
shall not have received written notice signed by the Issuer, the Best Efforts
Underwriter and a successor escrow agent, then the resigning Escrow Agent shall
promptly but in no event later than five (5) days refund the amount in the Fund
to each prospective purchaser, together with any investment income received
thereon, and the resigning Escrow Agent shall notify the Issuer and the Best
Efforts Underwriter in writing of its liquidation and distribution of the Fund;
whereupon, in either case, the Escrow Agent shall be relieved of all further
obligations and released from all liability under this Agreement. Without
limiting the provisions of Section 8 hereof, the resigning Escrow Agent shall be
entitled to be reimbursed by the Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter for any
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with its resignation, transfer of the
Fund to a successor escrow agent or distribution of the Fund pursuant to this
Section 6.
7. Representations and Warranties. The Issuer and the Best Efforts
Underwriter hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Escrow
Agent that:
7.1 No party other than the parties hereto and the prospective
purchasers have,
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or shall have, any liens, claim or security interest in the Fund or any part
thereof.
7.2 No financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code is on
file in any jurisdiction claiming a security interest in or describing (whether
specifically or generally) the Fund of any part thereof.
7.3 The Subscription Information submitted with each deposit shall, at
the time of submission and at the time of the disbursement of the Fund, be
deemed a representation and warranty that such deposit represents a bona fide
sale to the purchaser described therein of the amount of securities set forth in
such Subscription Information.
7.4 All of the information contained in the Information Sheet is, as
of the date hereof, and will be, at the time of any disbursement of the Fund,
true and correct.
8. Fees and Expenses. The Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter agree
jointly and severally to pay or reimburse the Escrow Agent for its fees and
expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) as set forth on the Fee Schedule
attached hereto and made a part hereof, which may be subject to change hereafter
by the Escrow Agent on an annual basis. The Issuer and the Best Efforts
Underwriter jointly and severally agree to reimburse the Escrow Agent for any
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, including, but
not limited to, reasonable counsel fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing and
subject to Section 4.3, if, at the Termination Date of the Offering Period, the
Fund (a) shall be less than the Minimum Dollar Amount, or (b) shall represent
the sale of less than the Minimum Share Amount, the Escrow Agent shall promptly
refund to each prospective purchaser the amount of payment received from such
purchaser which is then held in the Escrow Account, together with any investment
income received thereon. The Escrow Agent shall ▇▇▇▇ the Issuer for any and all
charges the Escrow Agent incurs for refunding the funds to prospective
purchasers and the Issuer shall promptly pay said ▇▇▇▇.
9. Indemnification and Contribution.
9.1 Indemnification. The Issuer and the Best Efforts Underwriter (the
"Indemnitors") jointly and severally agree to indemnify Escrow Agent, its
officers, agents, directors and stockholders (collectively, "Indemnitees")
against, and hold the indemnitees harmless from, any loss, claim, cost or
expense including, without limitation, attorney's fees in connection with any
matter or claim arising under this Agreement, except to the extent that such
loss, claim, cost or expense results from Escrow Agent's gross negligence or
willful misconduct. The Indemnitees, acting in good faith, shall not be liable
for any action, omission, information or recommendation in connection with this
Agreement, except in the case of the Indemnitees' willful violation of any
applicable statute. There shall be included in the loss, liability, cost, damage
and expense against which the Indemnitees are indemnified hereunder, all sums
which the Indemnitees may pay in settlement of any such claim.
9.2 Survival of Indemnification. The provisions of this Section 9
shall survive any termination of this Agreement, whether by disbursement of the
Fund, resignation of the Escrow Agent or otherwise.
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10. Governing Law and Assignment. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and
their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that any assignment
or transfer by any party of its rights under this Agreement or with respect to
the Fund shall be void as against the Escrow Agent unless written notice thereof
shall be given to the Escrow Agent.
11. Notices. All notices required to be given in connection with this
Agreement shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, or by hand delivery with receipt acknowledged, or by the Express Mail
service offered by the United States Post Office, and addressed, if to the
Issuer or the Best Efforts Underwriter, at their respective addresses set forth
on the Information Sheet, and if the Escrow Agent, at its addresses set forth
below:
For Mail:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Corporate Trust Department
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: New Colony Equity Income Fund Escrow
Telephone No: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
For Courier:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Corporate Trust Department
2 Avenue de Lafayette
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: New Colony Equity Income Fund Escrow
Telephone No: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
12. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance shall be determined to be invalid or
unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement or the application of
such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held
invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby and shall be valid and
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
13. Execution in Several Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
several counterparts or by separate instrument and all of such counterparts and
instruments shall constitute one agreement, binding on all of the parties
thereto.
14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the
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parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements and underwritings (written or oral) of the parties in
connection herewith.
15. Tax Indemnification. The Issuer and Best Efforts underwriter agree,
jointly and severally, (i) to assume any and all obligations imposed now or
hereafter by any applicable tax law with respect to any payment or distribution
of the Fund or performance of other activities under this Agreement, (ii) to
instruct the Escrow Agent in writing with respect to the Escrow Agent's
responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other
governmental charges, and to instruct the Escrow Agent with respect to any
certifications and governmental reporting that may be required under any laws or
regulations that may be applicable in connection with its acting as Escrow Agent
under this Agreement, and (iii) to indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent harmless
from any liability or obligation on account of taxes, assessments, additions for
late payment, interest, penalties, expenses and other governmental charges that
may be assessed or asserted against the Escrow Agent in connection with, on
account of or relating to the Fund, the management established hereby, any
payment or distribution of or from the Fund pursuant to the terms hereof or
other activities performed under the terms of this Agreement, including without
limitation any liability for the withholding or deduction of (or the failure to
withhold or deduct) the same, and any liability for failure to obtain proper
certifications or to report properly governmental authorities in connection with
this Agreement, including costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees
and expenses), interest and penalties. The foregoing indemnification and
agreement to hold harmless shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
16. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service. The Issuer and Best Efforts
Underwriter hereby absolutely and irrevocably consent and submit to the
jurisdiction of the courts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of any
Federal court located in said Commonwealth in connection with any actions or
proceedings brought against the Issuer or Best Efforts Underwriter by the Escrow
Agent arising out of or relating to this Escrow Agreement. In any such action or
proceeding, the Issuer and Best Efforts Underwriter each hereby absolutely and
irrevocably (i) waive any objection to jurisdiction or venue, (ii) waive
personal service of any summons, complaint, declaration or other process, and
(iii) agree that the service thereof may be made by certified or registered
first-class mail directed to such party, as the case may be, at their respective
addresses in accordance with Section 11 hereof.
17. Waiver of Jury Trial. THE ESCROW AGENT, THE ISSUER AND BEST EFFORTS
UNDERWRITER HEREBY WAIVE A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY AND ALL ISSUES ARISING IN ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING BETWEEN THEM OR THEIR SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS, UNDER OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF ITS PROVISIONS OR ANY NEGOTIATIONS IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH.
18. Force Majeure. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for delays or
failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its control. Such acts shall
include but not be limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of
war, terrorist attacks, epidemics, governmental regulations superimposed after
the fact, fire, communication fine failures, computer viruses, power failures,
earthquakes or other disasters.
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19. Binding Effect; Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
respective parties hereto and their heirs, executors, successors and assigns. If
the Escrow Agent consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or
substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the
successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Escrow
Agent.
20. Reproduction of Documents. This Agreement and all documents relating
thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications
which may hereafter be executed, and (b) certificates and other information
previously or hereafter furnished, may be reproduced by any photographic,
photostatic, microfilm, optional disk, micro-card, miniature photographic or
other similar process. The parties agree that any such reproduction shall be
admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative
proceeding, whether or not the original in existence and whether or not such
reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any
enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall
likewise be admissible in evidence.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
as escrow agent
By: /s/ Chi C. Ma
--------------------------------------------
Name: Chi C. Ma
Title: Vice President
NEW COLONY INVESTMENT TRUST,
for and on behalf of
NEW COLONY EQUITY INCOME FUND
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
INVESTORS CAPITAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ C. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------
Name: C. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ AND TRUST COMPANY
ESCROW AGREEMENT INFORMATION SHEET
1. The Issuer
Name - New Colony Equity Income Fund
Suite 2850, The Exchange Tower
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
2. The Best Efforts Underwriter
Name- Investors Capital Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Investment Banking Group-800-709-4040
3. The Securities
Certificates of Beneficial Interest offered as Shares at $20 per Share.
4. Amounts Required for Disbursement of the Escrow Account
("Minimum Dollar Amount"): $20,000,000
("Minimum Share Amount"): 1,000,000 Shares
("Maximum Dollar Amount") $75,000,000
("Maximum Share Amount") 3,750,000 Shares
5. Plan of Distribution of the Securities
Offering Period: 90 days from the date indicated in the notice
provided pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement
Extension Period: 60 days from the date that Funds equal to or greater
than the Minimum Dollar Amount are released to the
Issuer
Collection Period: As agreed upon in writing by both the Issuer and
the Best Efforts Underwriter.
6. The Escrow Account
Title of the Escrow Account: "State Street Bank and Trust Company -
Escrow Account for New Colony Equity Income Fund". Escrow Agent
address where the Escrow Account is to be established: ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ SCHEDULE OF FEES
For Services As Escrow Agent for New Colony Equity Income Fund
APRIL 8, 2002
ACCEPTANCE FEE: $10,000.
ANNUAL ESCROW AGENT FEE: $30,000. PER YEAR OR PART THEREOF
SUBSCRIPTION CHARGES: $20. PER SUBSCRIBER
$50. per subscriber with 1099 or 1042 tax reporting
(if necessary)
SWEEP FEE: 40 BASIS POINTS PER ANNUM OF THE AVERAGE
(SSgA or selected other DAILY NET ASSETS
Money Market Funds)
WIRE FEE: $25. PER WIRE - DOMESTIC
$40. PER WIRE - INTERNATIONAL
EXTRAORDINARY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:
Fees for services not specifically set forth in this schedule will be determined
by appraisal. Such services may include, but not be limited to, additional
responsibilities and services incurred in connection with amendments or
extensions of the governing documents, unusual cash and/or investment
transactions, calculations, reports or notices, or in case of litigation.
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES:
Any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by us will be billed at cost. These items
will include, but not be limited to, legal costs, travel expenses, document
duplication and facsimiles, courier services, etc.
ESCROW AGENT'S COUNSEL:
We intend to engage ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ to represent us in this
matter. Escrow Agent's Counsel fees and disbursements will be billed at cost.
BILLING AND PAYMENTS:
The Acceptance Fee and first year Annual Fee will be payable at closing.
Subsequent Annual fees will be payable in advance at each anniversary of
closing. Other fees, charges and reimbursements will be billed as incurred.
Annual fees are not pro-rated for less than a year.
GOOD FUNDS AVAILABILITY:
Funds to make any payments must be on deposit in sufficient time to avoid
Daylight Overdrafts under Fed Guidelines.
NOTE: The transaction that its the subject of this proposal, and all related
legal documentation, is subject to review and acceptance by State Street in
accordance with its policies and procedures. Should the actual transaction
materially differ from the assumptions used herein, State Street reserves the
right, in its sole discretion, to modify or withdraw this proposal. Reasonable
adjustments to the fees and charges set forth herein may be made at any time.
After acceptance of this proposal and commencement of review and negotiation of
documents, if the transaction fails to close for reasons beyond the control of
State Street, Sentry Select Trust shall pay State Street's acceptance fee, legal
fees and out-of-pocket expenses. This proposal is a confidential document and
should not be duplicated and/or distributed.
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