TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
between
PRUDENTIAL-BACHE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC.
and
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of the Agent...... 1
Article 2 Fees and Expenses.............................. 4
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of the Agent.... 5
Article 4 Representations of Warranties of the Fund...... 5
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification............... 6
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and the
Agent.......................................... 9
Article 7 Termination of Agreement.......................10
Article 8 Assignment.....................................11
Article 9 Affiliations...................................11
Article 10 Amendment......................................12
Article 11 Applicable Law.................................12
Article 12 Miscellaneous..................................12
Article 13 Merger of Agreement............................13
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 1st day of January, 1988 by and
between PRUDENTIAL-BACHE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC., a Maryland
corporation, having its principal office and place of business at
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (the Fund), and
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., a New Jersey corporation,
having its principal office and place of business at Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx, Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000 (the Agent or PMFS).
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint PMFS as its transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent in
connection with certain other activities, and PMFS desires to
accept such appointment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of PMFS
1.01 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints PMFS to act
as, and PMFS agrees to act as, the transfer agent for the
authorized and issued shares of the common stock of each series of
the Fund, $.01 par value (Shares), dividend disbursing agent and
shareholder servicing agent in connection with any accumulation,
open-account or similar plans provided to the shareholders of the
Fund or any series thereof (Shareholders) and set out in the
currently effective prospectus and statement of additional
information (prospectus) of the Fund, including without limitation
any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program.
1.02 PMFS agrees that it will perform the following
services:
(a) In accordance with procedures established from time to
time by agreement between the Fund and PMFS, PMFS shall:
(i) Receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of
Shares, and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation
therefor to the Custodian of the Fund authorized pursuant to the
Articles of Incorporation of the Fund (the Custodian);
(ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate
number of Shares and hold such Shares in the appropriate
Shareholder account;
(iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and
redemption directions and deliver the appropriate documentation
therefor to the Custodian;
(iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies
paid to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay
over or cause to be paid over in the appropriate manner such monies
as instructed by the redeeming Shareholders;
(v) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners
thereof upon receipt of appropriate instructions;
(vi) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and
distributions declared by the Fund;
(vii) Calculate any sales charges payable by a Shareholder on
purchases and/or redemptions of Shares of the Fund as such charges
may be reflected in the prospectus;
(viii) Maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and
its Shareholders as to the foregoing; and
(ix) Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain
pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (1934 Act) a record of the total number of Shares of the Fund
which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Fund,
and issued and outstanding. PMFS shall also provide to the Fund on
a regular basis the total number of Shares which are authorized,
issued and outstanding and shall notify the Fund in case any
proposed issue of Shares by the Fund would result in an overissue.
In case any issue of Shares would result in an overissue, PMFS
shall refuse to issue such Shares and shall not countersign and
issue any certificates requested for such Shares. When recording
the issuance of Shares, PMFS shall have no obligation to take
cognizance of any Blue Sky laws relating to the issue or sale of
such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of
the Fund.
(b) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth
in the above paragraph (a), PMFS shall: (i) perform all of the
customary services of a transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent
and, as relevant, shareholder servicing agent in connection with
accumulation, open-account or similar plans (including without
limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal
program), including, but not limited to maintaining all
Shareholder accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing
proxies, receiving and tabulating proxies, mailing Shareholder
reports and prospectuses to current Shareholders, withholding taxes
on non-resident alien accounts, preparing and filing appropriate
forms required with respect to dividends and distributions by
federal tax authorities for all Shareholders, preparing and mailing
confirmation forms and statements of account to Shareholders for
all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirmable
transactions in Shareholder accounts, preparing and mailing
activity statements for Shareholders and providing Shareholder
account information and (ii) provide a system which will enable
the Fund to monitor the total number of Shares sold in each State
or other jurisdiction.
(c) In addition, the Fund shall (i) identify to PMFS in
writing those transactions and assets to be treated as exempt from
Blue Sky reporting for each State and (ii) verify the establishment
of transactions for each State on the system prior to activation
and thereafter monitor the daily activity for each State. The
responsibility of PMFS for the Fund's registration status under the
Blue Sky or securities laws of any State or other jurisdiction is
solely limited to the initial establishment of transactions subject
to Blue Sky compliance by the Fund and the reporting of such
transactions to the Fund as provided above and as agreed from time
to time by the Fund and PMFS.
PMFS may also provide such additional services and functions
not specifically described herein as may be mutually agreed between
PMFS and the Fund and set forth in Schedule B hereto.
Procedures applicable to certain of these services may be
established from time to time by agreement between the Fund and
PMFS.
Article 2 Fees and Expenses
2.01 For performance by PMFS pursuant to this Agreement,
the Fund agrees to pay PMFS an annual maintenance fee for each
Shareholder account and certain transactional fees as set out in
the fee schedule attached hereto as Schedule A. Such fees and
out-of-pocket expenses and advances identified under Section 2.02
below may be changed from time to time subject to mutual written
agreement between the Fund and PMFS.
2.02 In addition to the fees paid under Section 2.01
above, the Fund agrees to reimburse PMFS for out-of-pocket expenses
or advances incurred by PMFS for the items set out in Schedule A
attached hereto. In addition, any other expenses incurred by PMFS
at the request or with the consent of the Fund will be reimbursed
by the Fund.
2.03 The Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable
expenses within a reasonable period of time following the mailing
of the respective billing notice. Postage for mailing of
dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other mailings to all
Shareholder accounts shall be advanced to PMFS by the Fund upon
request prior to the mailing date of such materials.
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of PMFS
PMFS represents and warrants to the Fund that:
3.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing
and in good standing under the laws of New Jersey and it is duly
qualified to carry on its business in New Jersey.
3.02 It is and will remain registered with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a Transfer Agent
pursuant to the requirements of Section 17A of the 0000 Xxx.
3.03 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its
charter and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.04 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken
to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.05 It has and will continue to have access to the
necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties
and obligations under this Agreement.
Article 4 Representations and Warranties of the Fund
The Fund represents and warrants to PMFS that:
4.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and
in good standing under the laws of Maryland.
4.02 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform
this Agreement.
4.03 All corporate proceedings required by said
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws have been taken to authorize
it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.04 It is an investment company registered with the
SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940
Act).
4.05 A registration statement under the Securities Act
of 0000 (xxx 0000 Xxx) is currently effective and will remain
effective, and appropriate state securities law filings have been
made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of
the Fund being offered for sale.
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification
5.01 PMFS shall not be responsible for, and the Fund
shall indemnify and hold PMFS harmless from and against, any and
all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,
expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to:
(a) All actions of PMFS or its agents or subcontractors
required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such
actions are taken in good faith and without negligence or willful
misconduct.
(b) The Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms
of this Agreement, or which arise out of the Fund's lack of good
faith, negligence or willful misconduct or which arise out of the
breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund hereunder.
(c) The reliance on or use by PMFS or its agents or
subcontractors of information, records and documents which (i) are
received by PMFS or its agents or subcontractors and furnished to
it by or on behalf of the Fund, and (ii) have been prepared and/or
maintained by the Fund or any other person or firm on behalf of the
Fund.
(d) The reliance on, or the carrying out by PMFS or its
agents or subcontractors of, any instructions or requests of the
Fund.
(e) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any
requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations or the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any State or other jurisdiction that
such Shares be registered in such State or other jurisdiction or in
violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any
federal agency or any State or other jurisdiction with respect to
the offer or sale of such Shares in such State or other
jurisdiction.
5.02 PMFS shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from
and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel
fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or
attributable to any action or failure or omission to act by PMFS as
a result of PMFS' lack of good faith, negligence or willful
misconduct.
5.03 At any time PMFS may apply to any officer of the Fund
for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel, with respect
to any matter arising in connection with the services to be
performed by PMFS under this Agreement, and PMFS and its agents or
subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the
Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon such
instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. PMFS, its agents
and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting
upon any paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Fund,
reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the
proper person or persons, or upon any instruction, information,
data, records or documents provided to PMFS or its agents or
subcontractors by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or
other similar means authorized by the Fund, and shall not be held
to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until
receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund. PMFS, its agents
and subcontractors shall also be protected and indemnified in
recognizing stock certificates which are reasonably believed to
bear the proper manual or facsimile signature of the officers of
the Fund, and the proper countersignature of any former transfer
agent or registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
5.04 In the event either party is unable to perform its
obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of
God, strikes, equipment or transmission failure or damage
reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond
its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the
other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or
otherwise from such causes.
5.05 Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the
other party for consequential damages under any provision of this
Agreement or for any act or failure to act hereunder.
5.06 In order that the indemnification provisions contained
in this Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for
which either party may be required to indemnify the other, the
party seeking indemnification shall promptly notify the other party
of such assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with
respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party who
may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate
with the party seeking indemnification in the defense of such
claim. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess
any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other
party may be required to indemnify it except with the other party's
prior written consent.
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and PMFS
6.01 The Fund shall promptly furnish to PMFS the following:
(a) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Fund authorizing the appointment of PMFS and the
execution and delivery of this Agreement;
(b) A certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation and
By-Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto;
(c) The current registration statements and any amendments
and supplements thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act;
(d) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund
in the form approved by the Board of Directors, with a certificate
of the Secretary of the Fund as to such approval;
(e) All account application forms or other documents
relating to Shareholder accounts and/or relating to any plan
program or service offered or to be offered by the Fund; and
(f) Such other certificates, documents or opinions as the
Agent deems to be appropriate or necessary for the proper
performance of its duties.
6.02 PMFS hereby agrees to establish and maintain
facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for
safekeeping of stock certificates, check forms and facsimile
signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or
use, and for keeping account of, such certificates, forms and
devices.
6.03 PMFS shall prepare and keep records relating to the
services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it
may deem advisable. To the extent required by Section 31 of the
1940 Act, and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, PMFS agrees
that all such records prepared or maintained by PMFS relating to
the services to be performed by PMFS hereunder are the property of
the Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in
accordance with such Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the Rules and
Regulations thereunder, and will be surrendered promptly to the
Fund on and in accordance with its request.
6.04 PMFS and the Fund agree that all books, records,
information and data pertaining to the business of the other party
which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the
carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential and shall
not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person except as may be
required by law or with the prior consent of PMFS and the Fund.
6.05 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection
of the Shareholder records of the Fund, PMFS will endeavor to
notify the Fund and to secure instructions from an authorized
officer of the Fund as to such inspection. PMFS reserves the
right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person
whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable
for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
Article 7 Termination of Agreement
7.01 This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon
one hundred twenty (120) days written notice to the other.
7.02 Should the Fund exercise its right to terminate, all
out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and
other materials will be borne by the Fund. Additionally, PMFS
reserves the right to charge for any other reasonable fees and
expenses associated with such termination.
Article 8 Assignment
8.01 Except as provided in Section 8.03 below, neither
this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be
assigned by either party without the written consent of the other
party.
8.02 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted
successors and assigns.
8.03 PMFS may, in its sole discretion and without
further consent by the Fund, subcontract, in whole or in part, for
the performance of its obligations and duties hereunder with any
person or entity including but not limited to: (i) Prudential
Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities), a registered
broker-dealer, (ii) The Prudential Insurance Company of America
(Prudential), (iii) Pruco Securities Corporation, a registered
broker-dealer, (iv) any Prudential Securities or Prudential
subsidiary or affiliate duly registered as a broker-dealer and/or
a transfer agent pursuant to the 1934 Act or (vi) any other
Prudential Securities or Prudential affiliate or subsidiary;
provided, however, that PMFS shall be as fully responsible to the
Fund for the acts and omissions of any agent or subcontractor as it
is for its own acts and omissions.
Article 9 Affiliations
9.01 PMFS may now or hereafter, without the consent of
or notice to the Fund, function as Transfer Agent and/or
Shareholder Servicing Agent for any other investment company
registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act, including without
limitation any investment company whose adviser, administrator,
sponsor or principal underwriter is or may become affiliated with
Prudential Securities and/or Prudential or any of its or their
direct or indirect subsidiaries or affiliates.
9.02 It is understood and agreed that the directors,
officers, employees, agents and Shareholders of the Fund, and the
directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of the
Fund's investment adviser and/or distributor, are or may be
interested in the Agent as directors, officers, employees, agents,
shareholders or otherwise, and that the directors, officers,
employees, agents or shareholders of the Agent may be interested in
the Fund as directors, officers, employees, agents, Shareholders or
otherwise, or in the investment adviser and/or distributor as
officers, directors, employees, agents, shareholders or otherwise.
Article 10 Amendment
10.01 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a
written agreement executed by both parties and authorized or
approved by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund.
Article 11 Applicable Law
11.01 This Agreement shall be construed and the
provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the
laws of the State of New Jersey.
Article 12 Miscellaneous
12.01 In the event of an alleged loss or destruction
of any Share certificate, no new certificate shall be issued in
lieu thereof, unless there shall first be furnished to PMFS an
affidavit of loss or non-receipt by the holder of Shares with
respect to which a certificate has been lost or destroyed,
supported by an appropriate bond satisfactory to PMFS and the Fund
issued by a surety company satisfactory to PMFS, except that PMFS
may accept an affidavit of loss and indemnity agreement executed by
the registered holder (or legal representative) without surety in
such form as PMFS deems appropriate indemnifying PMFS and the Fund
for the issuance of a replacement certificate, in cases where the
alleged loss is in the amount of $1000 or less.
12.02 In the event that any check or other order for
payment of money on the account of any Shareholder or new investor
is returned unpaid for any reason, PMFS will (a) give prompt
notification to the Fund's distributor (Distributor) of such
non-payment; and (b) take such other action, including imposition
of a reasonable processing or handling fee, as PMFS may, in its
sole discretion, deem appropriate or as the Fund and the
Distributor may instruct PMFS.
12.03 Any notice or other instrument authorized or
required by this Agreement to be given in writing to the Fund or to
PMFS shall be sufficiently given if addressed to that party and
received by it at its office set forth below or at such other place
as it may from time to time designate in writing.
To the Fund:
Prudential-Bache High Yield Fund, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: President
To PMFS:
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: President
Article 13 Merger of Agreement
13.01 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with
respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf under
their seals by and through their duly authorized officers, as of
the day and year first above written.
PRUDENTIAL-BACHE HIGH
YIELD FUND, INC.
BY: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
ATTEST:
/s/ S. Xxxx Xxxx
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND
SERVICES, INC.
BY: /s/ Fredenck Xxxxxxxx
ATTEST: /s/ Xxxxx X. Pugkesi
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