F&C/CLAYMORE PREFERRED SECURITIES INCOME FUND INCORPORATED
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FORM OF AUCTION AGENCY AGREEMENT
dated as of April [ ], 2003
Relating to
Auction Market Preferred Shares ("AMPS")
Series M7, Series T7, Series W7, Series
TH7, Series F7, Series T28 and Series W28
of
F&C/CLAYMORE PREFERRED SECURITIES INCOME FUND INCORPORATED
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WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
as Auction Agent
AUCTION AGENCY AGREEMENT
This Auction Agency Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of April [ ],
2003, is by and between F&C/Claymore Preferred Securities Income Fund
Incorporated (the "Fund") and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking
corporation.
The Fund proposes to issue an aggregate of 21,680 preferred shares, par
value $.01 per share, liquidation preference $25,000 per share, designated as
Auction Market Preferred Shares, Series M7, T7, W7, TH7, F7, T28 and Series W28
(collectively, the "AMPS"), pursuant to the Articles Supplementary (as defined
below).
The Fund desires that Wilmington Trust Company perform certain duties as
agent in connection with each Auction (as defined below) (in such capacity, the
"Auction Agent"), and as the transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent
and redemption agent with respect to the AMPS (in such capacity, the "Paying
Agent"), upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the Fund hereby
appoints Wilmington Trust Company as said Auction Agent and Paying Agent in
accordance with such terms and conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein, the Fund and the Auction Agent agree as follows:
1. Definitions and Rules of Construction.
1.1 Terms Defined By Reference to the Articles Supplementary.
Capitalized terms used herein, but not defined herein shall have the
respective meanings specified in the Articles Supplementary.
1.2 Terms Defined Herein.
As used herein and in the Settlement Procedures, the following terms shall
have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Agent Member" of any Person shall mean the member of, or
participant in, the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of a Bidder.
(b) "Agreement" shall mean this Agreement.
(c) "Articles Supplementary" shall mean the Articles Supplementary
Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Auction Market Preferred
Shares of the Fund dated April [ ], 2003 specifying the powers, preferences and
rights of the AMPS.
(d) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1 hereof.
(e) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the auction procedures
constituting Part II of the Articles Supplementary as of the filing thereof.
(f) "Authorized Officer" of the Auction Agent shall mean each Vice
President, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Auction
Agent's Corporate Trust Department and every other officer or employee of the
Auction Agent designated as an "Authorized Officer" for purposes hereof in a
communication to the Fund.
(g) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean each agreement among the
Fund, the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A.
(h) "Fund Officer" shall mean the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, the President, each Vice President (whether or not designated by a
number or word or words added before or after the title "Vice President"), the
Secretary, the Treasurer, each Assistant Vice President, each Assistant
Secretary and each Assistant Treasurer of the Fund and every other officer or
employee of the Fund designated as a "Fund Officer" for purposes hereof in a
notice to the Auction Agent.
(i) "Settlement Procedures" shall mean the Settlement Procedures
attached to the Broker-Dealer Agreement as Exhibit B.
1.3 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent,
the following rules shall apply to the construction of the Agreement:
(a) words importing the singular number shall include the plural
number and vice versa.
(b) the captions and headings herein are solely for convenience of
reference and shall not constitute a part of the Agreement nor shall they affect
its meaning, construction or effect.
(c) the words "hereof", "herein", "hereto" and other words of similar
import refer to the Agreement as a whole.
(d) all references herein to a particular time of day shall be to New
York City time.
2. The Auction.
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2.1 Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction Procedures and
Settlement Procedures.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Fund has adopted a resolution
appointing Wilmington Trust Company as Auction Agent for purposes of the Auction
Procedures. The Auction Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees that,
on each Auction Date, it shall follow the procedures set forth in this Section 2
and the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate
for any Subsequent Rate Period of any series of AMPS for which the Applicable
Rate is to be determined by auction. Each periodic operation of such procedures
is hereinafter referred to as an "Auction."
(b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures and the
Settlement Procedures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and
shall be deemed to be a part hereof to the same extent as if such provisions
were fully set forth herein.
2.2 Preparation for Each Auction; Maintenance of Registry of Beneficial
Owners.
(a) Not later than seven days prior to the first Auction Date for the
first series of AMPS subject to an Auction, the Fund shall provide the Auction
Agent with a list of the Broker-Dealers. Not later than seven days prior to any
Auction Date for any series of AMPS for which any change in such list of
Broker-Dealers is to be effective, the Fund will notify the Auction Agent in
writing of such change and, if any such change involves the addition of a
Broker-Dealer to such list, shall cause to be delivered to the Auction Agent for
execution by the Auction Agent a Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by such
Broker-Dealer; provided, however, that if the Fund proposes to designate any
Special Rate Period of any series of AMPS pursuant to Section 3 of Part I of the
Articles Supplementary, not later than 11:00 A.M. on the Business Day next
preceding the Auction next preceding the first day of such Rate Period or by
such later time or date, or both, as may be agreed to by the Auction Agent, the
Fund shall provide the Auction Agent with a list of the Broker-Dealers for such
series and a manually signed copy of each Broker-Dealer Agreement or a new
Schedule A to a Broker-Dealer Agreement (which Schedule A shall replace and
supersede any previous Schedule A to such Broker-Dealer Agreement) with each
Broker-Dealer for such series. The Auction Agent and the Fund shall have entered
into a Broker-Dealer Agreement with each Broker-Dealer prior to the
participation of any such Broker-Dealer in any Auction.
(b) In the event that any Auction Date for any series of AMPS shall be
changed after the Auction Agent shall have given the notice referred to in the
Settlement Procedures, or after the notice referred to in Section 2.3 hereof, if
applicable, the Auction Agent, by such means as the Auction Agent reasonably
deems practicable, shall give notice of such change to the Broker-Dealers for
such series not later than the earlier of 9:15 A.M. on the new Auction Date or
9:15 A.M. on the old Auction Date.
(c) (i) The Auction Agent shall maintain a current registry of the
Beneficial Owners of the AMPS of each series who shall constitute Existing
Holders of AMPS of such series for purposes of Auctions and shall indicate
thereon the identity of the respective Broker-Dealer of each Existing Holder, if
any, on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted the most recent Order in any
Auction which resulted in such Existing Holder continuing to hold or purchasing
AMPS of such series. The Auction Agent shall keep such registry current and
accurate based on the information provided to it from time to time by the
Broker-Dealer. The Fund shall provide or cause to be provided to the Auction
Agent at or prior to the Date of Original Issue of the AMPS of each series a
list of the initial Existing Holders of the shares of each such series of AMPS,
the number of shares purchased by each such Existing Holder and the respective
Broker-Dealer of each such Existing Holder or the affiliate thereof through
which each such Existing Holder purchased such shares. The Auction Agent may
rely upon, as conclusive evidence of the identities of the Existing Holders of
AMPS of any series (A) such list, (B) the results of Auctions, (C) notices from
any Broker-Dealer as described in the first sentence of Section 2.2(c)(iii)
hereof and (D) the results of any procedures approved by the Fund that have been
devised for the purpose of determining
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the identities of Existing Holders in situations where AMPS may have been
transferred without compliance with any restriction on the transfer thereof set
forth in the Auction Procedures.
(ii) In the event of any partial redemption of any series of AMPS, the
Auction Agent shall, at least two Business Days prior to the next Auction for
such series, request each Broker-Dealer to provide the Auction Agent with a list
of Persons who such Broker-Dealer believes should remain Existing Holders after
such redemption based upon inquiries of those Persons such Broker-Dealer
believes are Beneficial Owners as a result of the most recent Auction and with
respect to each such Person, the number of AMPS of such series such
Broker-Dealer believes are owned by such Person after such redemption. In the
absence of receiving any such information from any Broker-Dealer, the Auction
Agent may continue to treat the Persons listed in its registry of Existing
Holders as the beneficial owner of the number of AMPS of such series shown in
such registry.
(iii) The Auction Agent shall be required to register a transfer of
AMPS of any series from an Existing Holder of such AMPS only if such transfer is
to another Existing Holder, or other Person if permitted by the Fund, and only
if such transfer is made (A) pursuant to an Auction, (B) if such transfer is
made other than pursuant to an Auction, the Auction Agent has been notified in
writing (I) in a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the
Broker-Dealer Agreements by a Broker-Dealer of such transfer or (II) in a notice
substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the Broker-Dealer Agreements by the
Broker-Dealer of any Existing Holder, or other Person if permitted by the Fund,
that purchased or sold such AMPS in an Auction of the failure of such AMPS to be
transferred as a result of such Auction or (C) pursuant to procedures approved
by the Fund that have been devised for the purpose of determining the identities
of Existing Holders in situations where AMPS may have been transferred without
compliance with any restriction on the transfer thereof set forth in the Auction
Procedures. The Auction Agent is not required to accept any such notice for an
Auction unless it is received by the Auction Agent by 1:00 P.M. on the Business
Day preceding such Auction. The Auction Agent shall rescind a transfer made on
the registry of the Existing Holders of the AMPS if the Auction Agent has been
notified in writing by the Broker-Dealer of any Person that (i) purchased any
AMPS and the seller failed to deliver such shares or (ii) sold any AMPS and the
purchaser failed to make payment to such Person upon delivery to the purchaser
of such shares.
(d) The Auction Agent may request the Broker-Dealers, as set forth in
the Broker-Dealer Agreements, to provide the Auction Agent with a list of
Persons who such Broker-Dealer believes are Beneficial Owners based upon
inquiries of those Persons such Broker-Dealer believes are Beneficial Owners as
a result of the most recent Auction and with respect to each such Person, the
number of shares of such series of AMPS such Broker-Dealer believes to be owned
by such Person. The Auction Agent shall keep confidential such registry of
Existing Holders and shall not disclose the identities of the Existing Holders
of such AMPS to any Person other than the Fund and the Broker-Dealer that
provided such information; provided, however, that the Auction Agent reserves
the right and is authorized to disclose any such information if (a) it is
ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body,
judicial or quasi-judicial agency or authority having the authority to compel
such disclosure or (b) it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so
would be unlawful.
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2.3 Auction Schedule.
The Auction Agent shall conduct Auctions in accordance with the schedule
set forth below. Such schedule may be changed by the Auction Agent with the
consent of the Fund, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The
Auction Agent shall give written notice of any such change to each
Broker-Dealer. Such notice shall be given prior to the close of business on the
Business Day next preceding the first Auction Date on which any such change
shall be effective.
TIME EVENT
By 9:30 A.M. Auction Agent advises the Fund and Broker-Dealers of
the applicable Maximum Rate and the Reference Rate(s), as
the case may be, used in determining such Maximum Rate as
set forth in Section 2.7 hereof.
9:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. Auction Agent assembles information communicated to it by
Broker-Dealers as provided in Section 2(a) of the Auction
Procedures. Submission Deadline is 1:30 P.M.
Not earlier than 1:30 P.M. Auction Agent makes determinations pursuant to Section 3(a) of the
Auction Procedures.
By approximately 3:00 P.M. Auction Agent advises Fund of results of Auction as provided
in Section 3(b) of the Auction Procedures.
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders are accepted and
rejected and AMPS allocated as provided in Section 4 of the
Auction Procedures.
Auction Agent gives notice of Auction results as set forth
in Section 2.4 hereof.
The Auction Agent shall follow the notification procedures set forth in the
Settlement Procedures.
2.4 Notice of Auction Results.
The Auction Agent will advise each Broker-Dealer who submitted a Bid or
Sell Order in an Auction whether such Bid or Sell Order was accepted or rejected
in whole or in part and of the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for
the related AMPS by telephone or through its auction processing system as set
forth in the Settlement Procedures.
2.5 Broker-Dealers.
(a) Not later than 12:00 Noon on the Business Day next succeeding each
Auction Date for any series of AMPS, the Fund shall pay to the Auction Agent an
amount in cash equal to the aggregate fees payable to the Broker-Dealers for
such series pursuant to Section 3.6 of the Broker-Dealer Agreements for such
series. The Auction Agent shall apply such moneys as set forth in Section 3.6 of
each such Broker-Dealer Agreement.
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(b) The Fund shall obtain the consent of the Auction Agent prior to
selecting any Person to act as a Broker-Dealer, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may designate
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated as Broker-Dealer.
(c) The Auction Agent shall terminate any Broker-Dealer Agreement as
set forth therein if so directed by the Fund, provided that at least one
Broker-Dealer Agreement would be in effect for each series of AMPS after such
termination.
(d) Subject to the Auction Agent's having consented to the selection
of the relevant Broker-Dealer pursuant to Section 2.5(b) hereof, the Auction
Agent shall from time to time enter into such Broker-Dealer Agreements with one
or more Broker-Dealers as the Fund shall request, and shall enter into such
schedules to any such Broker-Dealer Agreements as the Fund shall request, which
schedules, among other things, shall set forth the series of AMPS to which such
Broker-Dealer Agreement relates.
2.6 Special Rate Periods.
The provisions contained in Section 3 of Part I of the Articles
Supplementary concerning Special Rate Periods and the notification of a Special
Rate Period will be followed by the Fund and, to the extent applicable, the
Auction Agent, and the provisions contained therein are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement
to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth fully herein.
2.7 Determination of Maximum Rate.
(a) (i) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall determine the
Reference Rate and the Maximum Rate. If any "AA" Financial Composite Commercial
Paper Rate, Treasury Index Rate or Reference Rate, as the case may be, is not
quoted on an interest or bond equivalent, as the case may be, basis, the Auction
Agent shall convert the quoted rate to the interest or bond equivalent thereof
as set forth in the definition of such rate in the Articles Supplementary if the
rate obtained by the Auction Agent is quoted on a discount basis, or if such
rate is quoted on a basis other than an interest or bond equivalent or discount
basis the Auction Agent shall convert the quoted rate to an interest or bond
equivalent rate after consultation with the Fund as to the method of such
conversion.
(ii) If any "AA" Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate is to be
based on rates supplied by Commercial Paper Dealers and one or more of the
Commercial Paper Dealers shall not provide a quotation for the determination of
such "AA" Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate, the Auction Agent shall
immediately notify the Fund so that the Fund can determine whether to select a
substitute Commercial Paper Dealer or substitute Commercial Paper Dealers to
provide the quotation or quotations not being supplied by any Commercial Paper
Dealer or Commercial Paper Dealers. The Fund shall promptly advise the Auction
Agent of any such selection.
(iii) If any Treasury Index Rate is to be based on rates supplied by
U.S. Government Securities Dealers and one or more of the U.S. Government
Securities Dealers shall not provide a quotation for the determination of such
Treasury Rate, the Auction Agent shall immediately notify the Fund so that the
Fund can determine whether to select a substitute U.S. Government Securities
Dealer or substitute U.S. Government Securities Dealers to provide the quotation
or quotations not being supplied by any U.S. Government Securities Dealer or
U.S. Government Securities Dealers. The Fund shall promptly advise the Auction
Agent of any such selection.
2.8 Ownership of Shares of AMPS.
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The Fund shall notify the Auction Agent if the Fund or any affiliate of the
Fund acquires any AMPS of any series. Neither the Fund nor any affiliate of the
Fund shall submit any Order in any Auction for AMPS, except as set forth in the
next sentence. Any Broker-Dealer that is an affiliate of the Fund may submit
Orders in Auctions, but only if such Orders are not for its own account. For
purposes of this Section 2.8, a Broker-Dealer shall not be deemed to be an
affiliate of the Fund solely because one or more of the directors or executive
officers of such Broker-Dealer or of any Person controlled by, in control of or
under common control with such Broker-Dealer is also a director of the Fund. The
Auction Agent shall have no duty or liability with respect to enforcement of
this Section 2.8.
2.9 Access to and Maintenance of Auction Records.
The Auction Agent shall afford to the Fund, its agents, independent public
accountants and counsel and the Broker-Dealers, access at reasonable times
during normal business hours to review and make extracts or copies of all books,
records, documents and other information concerning the conduct and results of
Auctions (at no cost to the Auction Agent), provided that any such agent,
accountant, counsel or Broker-Dealer shall furnish the Auction Agent with a
letter from the Fund requesting that the Auction Agent afford such person
access. The Auction Agent shall maintain records relating to any Auction for a
period of six years after such Auction, and such records shall, in reasonable
detail, accurately and fairly reflect the actions taken by the Auction Agent
hereunder. Upon the expiration of this six-year period, the Auction Agent shall,
upon the written request of the Fund, deliver to the Fund all such records. The
Auction Agent also shall undertake to furnish to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, upon demand, either at its principal office or at any regional
office, complete, correct and current hard copies of any and all such records.
Thereafter, such records shall not be destroyed by the Fund without the approval
of the Auction Agent, which approval shall not be withheld unreasonably, but
will be safely stored for possible future reference. The Auction Agent agrees
that all such records prepared or maintained by it relating to the services
performed hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be preserved,
maintained and made available in accordance with the requirements of applicable
law, and will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with its
request.
3. The Auction Agent as Dividend and Redemption Price Disbursing Agent.
The Auction Agent, as dividend and redemption price disbursing agent, shall
pay to the Holders of AMPS of any series (i) on each Dividend Payment Date for
such series, dividends on the AMPS of such series, (ii) on any date fixed for
redemption of AMPS of any series, the Redemption Price of any shares of such
series called for redemption and (iii) any Late Charge related to any payment of
dividends or Redemption Price, in each case after receipt of the necessary funds
from the Fund with which to pay such dividends, Redemption Price or Late Charge.
The amount of dividends for any Rate Period for any series of AMPS to be paid by
the Auction Agent to the Holders of such shares of such series will be
determined by the Fund as set forth in Section 2 of Part I of the Articles
Supplementary with respect to such series. The Redemption Price of any shares to
be paid by the Auction Agent to the Holders will be determined by the Fund as
set forth in Section 8 of Part I of the Articles Supplementary with respect to
such series. The Fund shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of a decision to
redeem shares of any series of AMPS at least five days prior to the date a
notice of redemption is required to be mailed to the Holders of the shares to be
redeemed by paragraph (c) of Section 8 of Part I of the Articles Supplementary.
Such notice by the Fund to the Auction Agent shall contain the information
required by paragraph (c) of Section 8 of Part I of the Articles Supplementary
to be stated in the notice of redemption required to be mailed by the Fund to
such Holders.
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4. The Auction Agent as Transfer Agent and Registrar.
4.1 Issue of Stock or Shares Certificates.
Upon the Date of Original Issue of each series of AMPS, one or more
certificates representing all of the shares of such series issued on such date
shall be issued by the Fund and, at the request of the Fund, registered in the
name of Cede & Co. and countersigned by the Auction Agent. If there is no
Securities Depository, at the Fund's option and upon its receipt of such
documents as it deems appropriate, any AMPS may be registered in the Fund's
stock register in the name of the Beneficial Owner thereof, and such Beneficial
Owner thereupon will be entitled to receive certificates therefor and required
to deliver certificates therefor upon transfer or exchange thereof. For the
avoidance of doubt, such certificates should be provided by the Fund at its
expense. If the certificate or certificates for AMPS are not held by the
Securities Depository or its nominee, payment upon transfer or exchange will be
made in same-day funds to the Auction Agent against delivery of such
certificates.
4.2 Registration of Transfer of Shares.
Shares of each series of AMPS shall be registered solely in the name of the
Securities Depository or its nominee.
4.3 Removal of Legend on Restricted Shares.
All requests for removal of legends on AMPS of any series indicating
restrictions on transfer shall be accompanied by an opinion of counsel stating
that such legends may be removed and such shares freely transferred, such
opinion to be delivered under cover of a letter from a Fund Officer authorizing
the Auction Agent to remove the legend on the basis of said opinion.
4.4 Lost Stock or Share Certificates.
The Auction Agent shall issue and register replacement certificates for
certificates represented to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the
fulfillment of such requirements as shall be deemed appropriate by the Fund and
the Auction Agent, subject at all times to provisions of law, the by-laws of the
Fund governing such matters and resolutions adopted by the Fund with respect to
lost securities. The Auction Agent may issue new certificates in exchange for
and upon the cancellation of mutilated certificates. Any request by the Fund to
the Auction Agent to issue a replacement or new certificate pursuant to this
Section 4.4 shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Fund to
the Auction Agent that such issuance will comply with such provisions of law and
the by-laws and resolutions of the Fund.
4.5 Disposition of Cancelled Certificates; Record Retention.
The Auction Agent shall retain all stock or share certificates which have
been cancelled in transfer or exchange and all accompanying documentation in
accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission for two calendar years. The Fund shall also undertake to furnish to
the Securities and Exchange Commission and to the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, upon demand, at either the principal office or at any
regional office, complete, correct and current hard copies of any and all such
records.
4.6 Stock or Record Books.
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For so long as the Auction Agent is acting as the transfer agent for any
series of AMPS pursuant to the Agreement, it shall maintain a stock or record
book containing a list of the Holders of the AMPS of each such series. In case
of any request or demand for the inspection of the stock or record books of the
Fund or any other books in the possession of the Auction Agent, the Auction
Agent will notify the Fund and secure instructions as to permitting or refusing
such inspection. The Auction Agent reserves the right, however, to exhibit the
stock or record books or other books to any Person if (a) it is ordered to do so
by a court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body, judicial or
quasi-judicial agency or authority having the authority to compel such
disclosure or (b) it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would
be unlawful.
4.7 Return of Funds.
Any funds deposited with the Auction Agent hereunder by the Fund for any
reason, including but not limited to redemption of AMPS of any series, that
remain unpaid after ninety days shall be repaid to the Fund upon the written
request of the Fund. Such funds, while deposited with the Auction Agent, will be
held in trust for the payment of the applicable dividend, Redemption Price or
Late Charge.
5. Representations and Warranties.
5.1 Representations and Warranties of the Fund.
The Fund represents and warrants to the Auction Agent that:
(a) the Fund is duly organized and is an existing corporation in good
standing under the laws of the State of its incorporation or organization and
has full corporate power or all requisite power to execute and deliver the
Agreement and to authorize, create and issue the AMPS of each series, and the
AMPS of each series when issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable;
(b) the Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Fund and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
the Fund;
(c) the form of the certificate evidencing the AMPS of each series
complies or will comply with all applicable laws of the State of its
incorporation or organization;
(d) when issued, the AMPS of each series will have been duly
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no further action
by or before any governmental body or authority of the United States or of any
state thereof is required in connection with the execution and delivery of the
Agreement or will have been required in connection with the issuance of AMPS of
each series;
(e) the execution and delivery of the Agreement and the issuance and
delivery of the AMPS of each series do not and will not conflict with, violate
or result in a breach of, the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute
a default under, the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund (as amended by one or
more Articles Supplementary) or the By-Laws of the Fund, any law or regulation,
any order or decree of any court or public authority having jurisdiction, or any
mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or undertaking to which the Fund is a
party or by which it is bound the effect of which conflict, violation, default
or breach would be material to the Fund or the Fund and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole; and
(f) no taxes are payable upon or in respect of the execution of the
Agreement or the issuance of the AMPS of any series.
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5.2 Representations and Warranties of the Auction Agent.
The Auction Agent represents and warrants to the Fund that:
(i) the Auction Agent is duly organized and is validly existing
as a banking corporation in good standing under the laws of Delaware and has the
corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(ii) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Auction Agent and constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Auction Agent, enforceable against the Auction Agent
in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors'
rights and to general equitable principles; and
(iii) the Auction Agent has such licenses, consents, approvals
and registrations as are necessary or appropriate to perform the services and
duties set forth in this Agreement, and will maintain them in effect for the
duration of this Agreement.
6. The Auction Agent.
6.1 Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Fund hereunder
and owes no duties, fiduciary or otherwise, to any Person, except as provided by
this Agreement.
(b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such
duties as are specifically set forth in the Agreement or the Broker-Dealer
Agreements, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into the
Agreement against the Auction Agent. (c) In the absence of bad faith or
negligence on its part, the Auction Agent shall not be liable for any action
taken, suffered, or omitted or for any error of judgment made by it in the
performance of its duties under the Agreement. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Auction Agent be liable for
special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever
(including, but not limited to loss of profits), even if the Auction Agent has
been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form
of action.
(d) The Auction Agent shall: (i) not be required to and shall make no
representations and have no responsibilities as to the validity, accuracy, value
or genuineness of any signatures or endorsements, other than its own; and (ii)
not be responsible for or liable in any respect on account of the identity,
authority or rights of any person executing or delivering or purporting to
execute or deliver any document under this Agreement other than its employees or
agents.
6.2 Rights of the Auction Agent.
(a) The Auction Agent may conclusively rely and shall be protected in
acting or refraining from acting upon any communication authorized hereby and
upon any written instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report,
certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or document reasonably
believed in good faith by it to be genuine. The Auction Agent shall not be
liable for acting upon any telephone communication authorized hereby which the
Auction Agent reasonably
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believes in good faith to have been given by the Fund or by a Broker-Dealer. The
Auction Agent may record telephone communications with the Fund or with the
Broker-Dealers or both.
(b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel satisfactory to the
Fund and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk
its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial liability in the
performance of its duties hereunder.
(d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its rights
hereunder either directly or, with the consent of the Fund, by or through agents
or attorneys and shall be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on
the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it.
(e) The Auction Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any
failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement
arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its
reasonable control, it being understood that the Auction Agent shall use
reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking
industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
6.3 Compensation, Expenses and Indemnification.
(a) The Fund shall pay the Auction Agent compensation for all services
rendered by it under the Agreement and the Broker-Dealer Agreements as the Fund
and the Auction Agent have agreed to in writing from time to time.
(b) The Fund shall reimburse the Auction Agent upon its request for
all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or
made by the Auction Agent in accordance with any provision of the Agreement and
the Broker-Dealer Agreements (including the reasonable compensation, expenses
and disbursements of its agents and, to the extent permitted under the
indemnification provisions of this Agreement, counsel), except any expense or
disbursement attributable to its negligence or bad faith.
(c) The Fund shall indemnify the Auction Agent for and hold it
harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or
bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with its agency under the
Agreement and the Broker-Dealer Agreements, including the reasonable costs and
expenses of defending itself against any such claim or liability in connection
with its exercise or performance of any of its duties hereunder and thereunder,
except such as may result from the Auction Agent's negligence or bad faith.
6.4 Auction Agent's Disclaimer.
The Auction Agent makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
the Agreement, the Broker-Dealer Agreements or the AMPS of any series except
that the Auction Agent hereby represents that the Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Auction Agent and constitutes a legal
and binding obligation of the Auction Agent and the representations and
warranties set forth in Section 5.2.
7. Miscellaneous.
11
7.1 Term of Agreement.
(a) The term of the Agreement is unlimited unless it shall be
terminated as provided in this Section 7.1. The Fund may terminate the Agreement
at any time by so notifying the Auction Agent, provided that the Fund has
entered into an agreement in substantially the form of the Agreement with a
successor Auction Agent. The Auction Agent may terminate the Agreement upon
written notice to the Fund on the date specified in such notice, which date
shall be no earlier than 60 days after the date of delivery of such notice.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (b), the respective
rights and duties of the Fund and the Auction Agent under the Agreement with
respect to any series of AMPS shall cease upon termination of the Agreement with
respect to such series. The Fund's representations, warranties, covenants and
obligations to the Auction Agent under Sections 5 and 6.4 hereof shall survive
the termination of the Agreement with respect to any series of AMPS. Upon
termination of the Agreement with respect to any series of AMPS, the Auction
Agent shall, at the Fund's request, promptly deliver to the Fund copies of all
books and records maintained by it with respect to AMPS in connection with its
duties hereunder, resign as the Auction Agent under the Broker-Dealer Agreement
and transfer promptly to the Fund or to any successor auction agent, as
requested by the Fund, any funds deposited by the Fund with the Auction Agent
(whether in its capacity as Auction Agent or Paying Agent) pursuant to the
Agreement which have not been distributed previously by the Auction Agent in
accordance with the Agreement.
7.2 Communications.
Except for (i) communications authorized to be by telephone pursuant to the
Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii) communications in connection with
Auctions (other than those expressly required to be in writing), all notices,
requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing
(including telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given to such party,
addressed to it, at its address or telecopy number set forth below:
If to the Fund: F&C/Claymore Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated
c/o Flaherty & Xxxxxxxx, Inc.
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
cc: Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
If to the Auction Agent: Wilmington Trust Company
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Corporate Trust Administration (Xxx Xxxxxx)
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
or such other address or facsimile number as such party hereafter may
specify for such purpose by written notice to the other party. Each such notice,
request or communication shall be effective when
12
delivered at the address specified herein. Communications shall be given on
behalf of the Fund by a Fund Officer and on behalf of the Auction Agent by
telephone (confirmed by telecopy or in writing) by an Authorized Officer.
7.3 Entire Agreement.
The Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating
to, and superseding any prior agreement between the parties relating to, the
subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations, endorsements,
promises, agreements or understandings, oral, written or implied, between the
parties relating to the subject matter hereof except for agreements relating to
the compensation of the Auction Agent.
7.4 Benefits.
Nothing herein, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than
the Fund, the Auction Agent and their respective successors and assigns, any
benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim hereunder.
7.5 Amendment; Waiver.
(a) The Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified,
amended, rescinded, cancelled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a
written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to be
charged.
(b) Failure of either party hereto to exercise any right or remedy
hereunder in the event of a breach hereof by the other party shall not
constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to any subsequent
breach.
7.6 Successors and Assigns.
The Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the respective successors and assigns of each of the Fund and
the Auction Agent. The Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto
absent the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
7.7 Severability.
If any clause, provision or section hereof shall be ruled invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or
unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of
the remaining clauses, provisions or sections hereof.
7.8 Disclosure of Information.
The Auction Agent agrees that it will not disclose or use any "non-public
personal information" about the Fund's shareholders other than such uses or
disclosures as are permitted by Regulation S-P under Section 504 of the
Xxxxx-Xxxxx Xxxxxx Act ("Regulation S-P"). "Nonpublic personal information"
about a shareholder shall mean: (i) personally identifiable financial
information; (ii) any list, description, or other grouping of consumers that is
derived from using any personally identifiable information that is not publicly
available; and (iii) any other information that a customer or the transfer agent
is prohibited from using or disclosing pursuant to Regulation S-P. The Auction
Agent also agrees to comply with all federal and state anti-money laundering
laws applicable to such party, including, to the extent applicable,
13
the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and any implementing rules, regulations and
authoritative guidelines of any applicable regulatory agency thereunder.
7.9 Governing Law.
The Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of
New York.
7.10 Execution in Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall
be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.
F&C/CLAYMORE PREFERRED SECURITIES INCOME FUND INCORPORATED
By: __________________________________
Name
Title
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
By: __________________________________
Name
Title
14
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF
BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
I-1
EXHIBIT B
SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES
1-2
