VIRTUS EQUITY TRUST
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Virtus Growth & Income Fund
December 8, 2014
Rampart Investment Management Company, LLC
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
RE: Subadvisory Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Virtus Equity Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end investment
company of the series type registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), and is subject to
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The shares of
the Fund are offered or may be offered in several series,
including Virtus Growth & Income Fund (collectively, sometimes
hereafter referred to as the "Series").
Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc. (the "Adviser") evaluates and
recommends series advisers for the Series and is responsible for
the day-to-day management of the Series.
1. Employment as a Subadviser. The Adviser, being duly
authorized, hereby employs Rampart Investment Management
Company, LLC (the "Subadviser") as a discretionary series
adviser to invest and reinvest the assets of the Series
designated by the Adviser as set forth on Schedule F attached
hereto (the "Designated Series") on the terms and conditions
set forth herein.
2. Acceptance of Employment; Standard of Performance. The
Subadviser accepts its employment as a discretionary series
adviser of the Designated Series and agrees to use its best
professional judgment to make investment decisions for the
Designated Series in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement and as set forth in Schedule D attached hereto and
made a part hereof.
3. Services of Subadviser. In providing management services to
the Designated Series, the Subadviser shall be subject to the
investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund
as they apply to the Designated Series and as set forth in the
Fund's then current prospectus ("Prospectus") and statement of
additional information ("Statement of Additional Information")
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
as part of the Fund's Registration Statement, as may be
periodically amended and provided to the Subadviser by the
Adviser, and to the investment restrictions set forth in the
Act and the Rules thereunder, to the supervision and control
of the Trustees of the Fund (the "Trustees"), and to
instructions from the Adviser. The Subadviser shall not,
without the Fund's prior written approval, effect any
transactions that would cause the Designated Series at the
time of the transaction to be out of compliance with any of
such restrictions or policies.
4. Transaction Procedures. All series transactions for the
Designated Series shall be consummated by payment to, or
delivery by, the Custodian(s) from time to time designated by
the Fund (the "Custodian"), or such depositories or agents as
may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash
and/or securities due to or from the Series. The Subadviser
shall not have possession or custody of such cash and/or
securities or any responsibility or liability with respect to
such custody. The Subadviser shall advise the Custodian and
confirm in writing to the Fund all investment orders for the
Designated Series placed by it with brokers and dealers at the
time and in the manner set forth in Schedule A hereto (as
amended from time to time). The Fund shall issue to the
Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in
connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by
the Subadviser. The Fund shall be responsible for all
custodial arrangements and the payment of all custodial
charges and fees, and, upon giving proper instructions to the
Custodian, the Subadviser shall have no responsibility or
liability with respect to custodial arrangements or the act,
omissions or other conduct of the Custodian.
5. Allocation of Brokerage. The Subadviser shall have authority
and discretion to select brokers and dealers to execute
Designated Series transactions initiated by the Subadviser,
and to select the markets on or in which the transactions will
be executed.
A. In placing orders for the sale and purchase of
Designated Series securities for the Fund, the
Subadviser's primary responsibility shall be to seek
the best execution of orders at the most favorable
prices. However, this responsibility shall not
obligate the Subadviser to solicit competitive bids for
each transaction or to seek the lowest available
commission cost to the Fund, so long as the Subadviser
reasonably believes that the broker or dealer selected
by it can be expected to obtain a "best execution"
market price on the particular transaction and
determines in good faith that the commission cost is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage
and research services (as defined in Section 28(e)(3)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided by
such broker or dealer to the Subadviser, viewed in
terms of either that particular transaction or of the
Subadviser's overall responsibilities with respect to
its clients, including the Fund, as to which the
Subadviser exercises investment discretion,
notwithstanding that the Fund may not be the direct or
exclusive beneficiary of any such services or that
another broker may be willing to charge the Fund a
lower commission on the particular transaction.
B. The Subadviser may manage other portfolios and expects
that the Fund and other portfolios the Subadviser
manages will, from time to time, purchase or sell the
same securities. The Subadviser may aggregate orders
for the purchase or sale of securities on behalf of the
Designated Series with orders on behalf of other
portfolios the Subadviser manages. Securities
purchased or proceeds of securities sold through
aggregated orders, as well as expenses incurred in the
transaction, shall be allocated to the account of each
portfolio managed by the Subadviser that bought or sold
such securities in a manner considered by the
Subadviser to be equitable and consistent with the
Subadviser's fiduciary obligations in respect of the
Designated Series and to such other accounts.
C. The Subadviser shall not execute any Series
transactions for the Designated Series with a broker or
dealer that is (i) an "affiliated person" (as defined
in the Act) of the Fund, the Subadviser, any subadviser
to any other Series of the Fund, or the Adviser; (ii) a
principal underwriter of the Fund's shares; or (iii) an
affiliated person of such an affiliated person or
principal underwriter; in each case, unless such
transactions are permitted by applicable law or
regulation and carried out in compliance with any
applicable policies and procedures of the Fund. The
Fund shall provide the Subadviser with a list of
brokers and dealers that are "affiliated persons" of
the Fund or the Adviser, and applicable policies and
procedures.
D. Consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund
in respect of the Designated Series and the
requirements of best price and execution, the
Subadviser may, under certain circumstances, arrange to
have purchase and sale transactions effected directly
between the Designated Series and another account
managed by the Subadviser ("cross transactions"),
provided that such transactions are carried out in
accordance with applicable law or regulation and any
applicable policies and procedures of the Fund. The
Fund shall provide the Subadviser with applicable
policies and procedures.
6. Proxies.
A. Unless the Adviser or the Fund gives the Subadviser
written instructions to the contrary, the Subadviser,
or a third party designee acting under the authority
and supervision of the Subadviser, shall review all
proxy solicitation materials and be responsible for
voting and handling all proxies in relation to the
assets of the Designated Series. Unless the Adviser or
the Fund gives the Subadviser written instructions to
the contrary, the Subadviser will, in compliance with
the proxy voting procedures of the Designated Series
then in effect, vote or abstain from voting, all
proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of
securities in which assets of the Designated Series may
be invested. The Adviser shall cause the Custodian to
forward promptly to the Subadviser all proxies upon
receipt, so as to afford the Subadviser a reasonable
amount of time in which to determine how to vote such
proxies. The Subadviser agrees to provide the Adviser
in a timely manner with a record of votes cast
containing all of the voting information required by
Form N-PX in an electronic format to enable the Fund to
file Form N-PX as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the
Act.
B. The Subadviser is authorized to deal with
reorganizations, exchange offers and other voluntary
corporate actions with respect to securities held in
the Series in such manner as the Subadviser deems
advisable, unless the Fund or the Adviser otherwise
specifically directs in writing. With the Adviser's
approval, the Subadviser shall also have the authority
to: (i) identify, evaluate and pursue legal claims,
including commencing or defending suits, affecting the
securities held at any time in the Series, including
claims in bankruptcy, class action securities
litigation and other litigation; (ii) participate in
such litigation or related proceedings with respect to
such securities as the Subadviser deems appropriate to
preserve or enhance the value of the Series, including
filing proofs of claim and related documents and
serving as "lead plaintiff" in class action lawsuits;
(iii) exercise generally any of the powers of an owner
with respect to the supervision and management of such
rights or claims, including the settlement, compromise
or submission to arbitration of any claims, the
exercise of which the Subadviser deems to be in the
best interest of the Series or required by applicable
law, including ERISA, and (iv) employ suitable agents,
including legal counsel, and to pay their reasonable
fees, expenses and related costs from the Series.
7. Prohibited Conduct. In providing the services described in
this Agreement, the Subadviser's responsibility regarding
investment advice hereunder is limited to the Designated
Series, and the Subadviser will not consult with any other
investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory
services to the Fund or any other investment company sponsored
by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. regarding transactions for
the Fund in securities or other assets. The Fund shall
provide the Subadviser with a list of investment companies
sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and the
Subadviser shall be in breach of the foregoing provision only
if the investment company is included in such a list provided
to the Subadviser prior to such prohibited action. In
addition, the Subadviser shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Fund and the Adviser, delegate any obligation
assumed pursuant to this Agreement to any affiliated or
unaffiliated third party.
8. Information and Reports.
A. The Subadviser shall keep the Fund and the Adviser
informed of developments relating to its duties as
Subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have,
knowledge that would materially affect the Designated
Series. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide
the Fund, the Adviser and their respective officers
with such periodic reports concerning the obligations
the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement as the
Fund and the Adviser may from time to time reasonably
request. In addition, prior to each meeting of the
Trustees, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser and
the Trustees with reports regarding the Subadviser's
management of the Designated Series during the most
recently completed quarter, which reports: (i) shall
include Subadviser's representation that its
performance of its investment management duties
hereunder is in compliance with the Fund's investment
objectives and practices, the Act and applicable rules
and regulations under the Act, and the diversification
and minimum "good income" requirements of Subchapter M
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and (ii) otherwise shall be in such form as may be
mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Adviser.
B. Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser shall provide
the other party with a list, to the best of the
Adviser's or the Subadviser's respective knowledge, of
each affiliated person (and any affiliated person of
such an affiliated person) of the Adviser or the
Subadviser, as the case may be, and each of the Adviser
and Subadviser agrees promptly to update such list
whenever the Adviser or the Subadviser becomes aware of
any changes that should be added to or deleted from the
list of affiliated persons.
C. The Subadviser shall also provide the Adviser with any
information reasonably requested by the Adviser
regarding its management of the Designated Series
required for any shareholder report, amended
registration statement, or Prospectus supplement to be
filed by the Fund with the SEC.
9. Fees for Services. The compensation of the Subadviser for its
services under this Agreement shall be calculated and paid by
the Adviser in accordance with the attached Schedule C.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund
and the Adviser, the Adviser is solely responsible for the
payment of fees to the Subadviser.
10. Limitation of Liability. Except as otherwise stated in
this Agreement, the Subadviser shall not be liable for any
action taken, omitted or suffered to be taken by it in its
best professional judgment, in good faith and believed by it
to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers
conferred upon it by this Agreement, or in accordance with
specific directions or instructions from the Fund, provided,
however, that such acts or omissions shall not have
constituted a material breach of the investment objectives,
policies and restrictions applicable to the Designated Series
as defined in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information , or a material breach of any laws, rules,
regulations or orders applicable to the Designated Series, and
that such acts or omissions shall not have resulted from the
Subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties hereunder.
11. Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Subadviser and
the Fund to comply with applicable law, including any demand
of any regulatory or taxing authority having jurisdiction, the
parties hereto shall treat as confidential all information
pertaining to the Designated Series and the actions of the
Subadviser and the Fund in respect thereof. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Fund and the Adviser agree that the
Subadviser may (i) disclose in marketing materials and similar
communications that the Subadviser has been engaged to manage
assets of the Designated Series pursuant to this Agreement,
and (ii) include performance statistics regarding the Series
in composite performance statistics regarding one or more
groups of Subadviser's clients published or included in any of
the foregoing communications, provided that the Subadviser
does not identify any performance statistics as relating
specifically to the Series.
12. Assignment. This Agreement shall terminate automatically
in the event of its assignment, as that term is defined in
Section 2(a)(4) of the Act. The Subadviser shall notify the
Fund and the Adviser in writing sufficiently in advance of any
proposed change of control, as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of
the Act, as will enable the Fund to consider whether an
assignment as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act will
occur, and to take the steps necessary to enter into a new
contract with the Subadviser.
13. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the
Subadviser. The Subadviser represents, warrants and agrees
that:
A. It is registered as an "investment adviser" under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended ("Advisers
Act").
B. It will maintain, keep current and preserve on behalf
of the Fund, in the manner required or permitted by the
Act and the Rules thereunder including the records
identified in Schedule B (as Schedule B may be amended
from time to time). The Subadviser agrees that such
records are the property of the Fund, and shall be
surrendered to the Fund or to the Adviser as agent of
the Fund promptly upon request of either. The Fund
acknowledges that Subadviser may retain copies of all
records required to meet the record retention
requirements imposed by law and regulation.
C. It shall maintain a written code of ethics (the "Code
of Ethics") complying with the requirements of Rule
204A-1 under the Advisers Act and Rule 17j-l under the
Act and shall provide the Fund and the Adviser with a
copy of the Code of Ethics and evidence of its
adoption. It shall institute procedures reasonably
necessary to prevent Access Persons (as defined in Rule
17j-1) from violating its Code of Ethics. The
Subadviser acknowledges receipt of the written code of
ethics adopted by and on behalf of the Fund. Each
calendar quarter while this Agreement is in effect, a
duly authorized compliance officer of the Subadviser
shall certify to the Fund and to the Adviser that the
Subadviser has complied with the requirements of Rules
204A-1 and 17j-l during the previous calendar quarter
and that there has been no material violation of its
Code of Ethics, or of Rule 17j-1(b), or that any
persons covered under its Code of Ethics has divulged
or acted upon any material, non-public information, as
such term is defined under relevant securities laws,
and if such a violation has occurred or the code of
ethics of the Fund, or if such a violation of its Code
of Ethics has occurred, that appropriate action was
taken in response to such violation. Annually, the
Subadviser shall furnish to the Fund and the Adviser a
written report which complies with the requirements of
Rule 17j-1 concerning the Subadviser's Code of Ethics.
The Subadviser shall permit the Fund and the Adviser to
examine the reports required to be made by the
Subadviser under Rules 204A-1(b) and 17j-l(d)(1) and
this subparagraph.
D. It has adopted and implemented, and throughout the term
of this Agreement shall maintain in effect and
implement, policies and procedures reasonably designed
to prevent, detect and correct violations by the
Subadviser and its supervised persons, and, to the
extent the activities of the Subadviser in respect of
the Fund could affect the Fund, by the Fund, of
"federal securities laws" (as defined in Rule 38a-1
under the Act), and that the Subadviser has provided
the Fund with true and complete copies of its policies
and procedures (or summaries thereof) and related
information reasonably requested by the Fund and/or the
Adviser. The Subadviser agrees to cooperate with
periodic reviews by the Fund's and/or the Adviser's
compliance personnel of the Subadviser's policies and
procedures, their operation and implementation and
other compliance matters and to provide to the Fund
and/or the Adviser from time to time such additional
information and certifications in respect of the
Subadviser's policies and procedures, compliance by the
Subadviser with federal securities laws and related
matters as the Fund's and/or the Adviser's compliance
personnel may reasonably request. The Subadviser
agrees to promptly notify the Adviser of any compliance
violations which affect the Designated Series.
E. The Subadviser will immediately notify the Fund and the
Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would
disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment
adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9
of the Act or otherwise. The Subadviser will also
immediately notify the Fund and the Adviser if it is
served or otherwise receives notice of any action,
suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or
in equity, before or by any court, public board or
body, involving the affairs of the Designated Series.
14. No Personal Liability. Reference is hereby made to the
Declaration of Trust establishing the Fund, a copy of which
has been filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and
elsewhere as required by law, and to any and all amendments
thereto so filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware
and elsewhere as required by law, and to any and all
amendments thereto so filed or hereafter filed. The name
"Virtus Equity Trust" refers to the Trustees under said
Declaration of Trust, as Trustees and not personally, and no
Trustee, shareholder, officer, agent or employee of the Fund
shall be held to any personal liability in connection with the
affairs of the Fund; only the trust estate under said
Declaration of Trust is liable. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, neither the Subadviser nor any of
its officers, directors, partners, shareholders or employees
shall, under any circumstances, have recourse or cause or
willingly permit recourse to be had directly or indirectly to
any personal, statutory, or other liability of any
shareholder, Trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Fund
or of any successor of the Fund, whether such liability now
exists or is hereafter incurred for claims against the trust
estate.
15. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement, together with
the Schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements
pertaining to the provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement
may be amended at any time, but only by written agreement
among the Subadviser, the Adviser and the Fund, which
amendment, other than amendments to Schedules A, B, D, E and
F, is subject to the approval of the Trustees and the
shareholders of the Series as and to the extent required by
the Act, subject to any applicable orders of exemption issued
by the SEC.
16. Effective Date; Term. This Agreement shall become
effective on the date set forth on the first page of this
Agreement, and shall continue in effect until December 8, 2016
.. The Agreement shall continue from year to year thereafter
only so long as its continuance has been specifically approved
at least annually by the Trustees in accordance with Section
15(a) of the Act, and by the majority vote of the
disinterested Trustees in accordance with the requirements of
Section 15(c) thereof.
17. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time
without payment of any penalty (i) by the Board, or by a vote
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund
(as defined in the Act), upon 30 days' prior written notice to
the Adviser and the Subadviser, (ii) by the Subadviser upon 30
days' prior written notice to the Adviser and the Fund, or
(iii) by the Adviser upon 30 days' written notice to the
Subadviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the
payment of any penalty, by the Adviser or the Board
immediately upon the material breach by the Subadviser of this
Agreement or by the Subadviser immediately upon the material
breach by the Adviser of this Agreement. This Agreement shall
terminate automatically and immediately upon termination of
the Advisory Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate
automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment,
as such term is defined in and interpreted under the terms of
the Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Provisions of
this Agreement relating to indemnification shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.
18. Applicable Law. To the extent that state law is not
preempted by the provisions of any law of the United States
heretofore or hereafter enacted, as the same may be amended
from time to time, this Agreement shall be administered,
construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of
Delaware.
19. Severability. If any term or condition of this Agreement
shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent or in any
application, then the remainder of this Agreement shall not be
affected thereby, and each and every term and condition of
this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the fullest
extent permitted by law.
20. Notices. Any notice or other communication required to be
given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if
delivered personally or by overnight delivery service or
mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested and postage prepaid, or sent by facsimile addressed
to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below,
or at such other address as shall be designated by any party
in a written notice to the other party.
(a) To Virtus or the Fund at:
Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
E-mail: xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
(b) To the Subadviser at:
Rampart Investment Management Company, LLC
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
E-mail: xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
21. Certifications. The Subadviser hereby warrants and
represents that it will provide the requisite certifications
reasonably requested by the chief executive officer and chief
financial officer of the Fund necessary for those named
officers to fulfill their reporting and certification
obligations on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q as required under the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 to the extent that such reporting
and certifications relate to the Subadviser's duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement. Subadviser shall
provide a quarterly certification in a form substantially
similar to that attached as Schedule E.
22. Indemnification. The Subadviser shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Adviser from and against any and all claims,
losses, liabilities, or damages (including reasonable
attorney's fees and other related expenses) (collectively,
"Losses") arising from the Subadviser's willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its
duties under this Agreement in the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the
Subadviser's obligation under this Paragraph shall be reduced
to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability,
or damage experienced by the Adviser, is caused by or is
otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Adviser of
its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any
willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or
negligence of the Adviser in the performance of any of its
duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement
of a material fact contained in the Prospectus or SAI, proxy
materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other
materials pertaining to the Fund(s) or the omission to state
therein a material fact known to the Adviser that was required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made
in reliance upon information furnished to the Subadviser or
the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Adviser
for use therein.
The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Subadviser
from and against any and all Losses arising from the Adviser's
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided,
however, that the Adviser's obligation under this Paragraph 6
shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the
loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Subadviser, is
caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach
by the Subadviser of its representations or warranties made
herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless
disregard or negligence of the Subadviser in the performance
of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any
untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Prospectus or SAI, proxy materials, reports, advertisements,
sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Fund(s)
or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the
Subadviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished to the Adviser or the Trust, or the omission of such
information, by the Subadviser for use therein.
A party seeking indemnification hereunder (the "Indemnified
Party") will (i) provide prompt notice to the other of any
claim ("Claim") for which it intends to seek indemnification,
(ii) grant control of the defense and /or settlement of the
Claim to the other party, and (iii) cooperate with the other
party in the defense thereof. The Indemnified Party will have
the right at its own expense to participate in the defense of
any Claim, but will not have the right to control the defense,
consent to judgment or agree to the settlement of any Claim
without the written consent of the other party. The party
providing the indemnification will not consent to the entry of
any judgment or enter any settlement which (i) does not
include, as an unconditional term, the release by the claimant
of all liabilities for Claims against the Indemnified Party or
(ii) which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the
Indemnified Party.
No party will be liable to another party for consequential
damages under any provision of this Agreement.
23. Receipt of Disclosure Document. The Fund and the Adviser
acknowledge receipt, at least 48 hours prior to entering into
this Agreement, of a copy of Part II of the Subadviser's Form
ADV containing certain information concerning the Subadviser
and the nature of its business.
24. Counterparts; Fax Signatures. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts (including executed
counterparts delivered and exchanged by facsimile
transmission) with the same effect as if all signing parties
had originally signed the same document, and all counterparts
shall be construed together and shall constitute the same
instrument. For all purposes, signatures delivered and
exchanged by facsimile transmission shall be binding and
effective to the same extent as original signatures.
[signature page follows]
VIRTUS EQUITY TRUST
By: /s/ W. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Name: W. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer & Treasurer
VIRTUS INVESTMENT ADVISERS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Executive Vice
President
ACCEPTED:
RAMPART INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President
SCHEDULES: A. Operational Procedures
B. Record Keeping Requirements
C. Fee Schedule
D. Subadviser Functions
E. Form of Sub-Certification
F. Designated Series
SCHEDULE A
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
In order to minimize operational problems, it will be necessary
for a flow of information to be supplied by Subadviser to
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "Custodian") and BNY Mellon
Investment Servicing (US) Inc., (the "Sub-Accounting Agent") for
the Fund.
The Subadviser must furnish the Custodian and the Sub-Accounting
Agent with daily information as to executed trades, or, if no
trades are executed, with a report to that effect, no later than
5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the day of the trade each day the
Fund is open for business. When necessary, trade information
for executed trades can be sent to the Sub-Accounting Agent on
trade date +1 by 11:00 a.m. (Subadviser will be responsible for
reimbursement to the Fund for any loss caused by the
Subadviser's failure to comply.) The necessary information can
be sent via facsimile machine or electronic delivery to the
Custodian and by facsimile machine or batch files to the Sub-
Accounting Agent. Information provided to the Custodian and the
Sub-Accounting Agent shall include the following:
1. Purchase or sale;
2. Security name;
3. CUSIP number, ISIN or Sedols (as applicable);
4. Number of shares and sales price per share or
aggregate principal amount;
5. Executing broker;
6. Settlement agent;
7. Trade date;
8. Settlement date;
9. Aggregate commission or if a net trade;
10. Interest purchased or sold from interest bearing
security;
11. Other fees;
12. Net proceeds of the transaction;
13. Exchange where trade was executed;
14. Identified tax lot (if applicable); and
15. Trade commission reason: best execution, soft dollar
or research.
When opening accounts with brokers for, and in the name of, the
Fund, the account must be a cash account. No margin accounts
are to be maintained in the name of the Fund. Delivery
instructions are as specified by the Custodian. The Custodian
will supply the Subadviser daily with a cash availability report
via access to the Custodian website, or by email or by facsimile
and the Sub-Accounting Agent will provide a five day cash
projection. This will normally be done by email or, if email is
unavailable, by another form of immediate written communication,
so that the Subadviser will know the amount available for
investment purposes.
SCHEDULE B
RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE SUBADVISER
1. (Rule 31a-1(b)(5) and (6)) A record of each brokerage
order, and all other series purchases and sales, given by
the Subadviser on behalf of the Fund for, or in connection
with, the purchase or sale of securities, whether executed
or unexecuted. Such records shall include:
A. The name of the broker;
B. The terms and conditions of the order and of any
modifications or cancellations thereof;
C. The time of entry or cancellation;
D. The price at which executed;
E. The time of receipt of a report of execution; and
F. The name of the person who placed the order on behalf
of the Fund.
2. (Rule 31a-1(b)(9)) A record for each fiscal quarter,
completed within ten (10) days after the end of the
quarter, showing specifically the basis or bases upon which
the allocation of orders for the purchase and sale of
series securities to named brokers or dealers was effected,
and the division of brokerage commissions or other
compensation on such purchase and sale orders. Such
record:
A. Shall include the consideration given to:
(i) The sale of shares of the Fund by brokers or
dealers.
(ii) The supplying of services or benefits by brokers
or dealers to:
(a) The Fund,
(b) The Adviser,
(c) The Subadviser, and
(d) Any person other than the foregoing.
(iii) Any other consideration other than the
technical qualifications of the brokers and
dealers as such.
B. Shall show the nature of the services or benefits made
available.
C. Shall describe in detail the application of any
general or specific formula or other determinant used
in arriving at such allocation of purchase and sale
orders and such division of brokerage commissions or
other compensation.
D. Shall show the name of the person responsible for
making the determination of such allocation and such
division of brokerage commissions or other
compensation.
3. (Rule 31a-1(b)(10)) A record in the form of an appropriate
memorandum identifying the person or persons, committees or
groups authorizing the purchase or sale of series
securities. Where a committee or group makes an
authorization, a record shall be kept of the names of its
members who participate in the authorization. There shall
be retained as part of this record: any memorandum,
recommendation or instruction supporting or authorizing the
purchase or sale of series securities and such other
information as is appropriate to support the authorization.*
4. (Rule 31a-1(f)) Such accounts, books and other documents
as are required to be maintained by registered investment
advisers by rule adopted under Section 204 of the Advisers
Act, to the extent such records are necessary or
appropriate to record the Subadviser's transactions for the
Fund.
5. Records as necessary under Board approved Virtus Mutual
Funds policies and procedures, including without limitation
those related to valuation determinations.
SCHEDULE C
SUBADVISORY FEE
(a) For services provided to the Fund, the Adviser will
pay to the Subadviser a fee, payable monthly in arrears, at the
annual rate stated below. The fee shall be prorated for any
month during which this Agreement is in effect for only a
portion of the month. In computing the fee to be paid to the
Subadviser, the net asset value of each Designated Series shall
be valued as set forth in the then current registration
statement of the Fund.
(b)
Name of Series
Proposed Subadvisory Fee to be Paid by VIA to the Subadviser
Virtus Growth & Income Fund
50% of the net advisory fee
For this purpose, the "net advisory fee" means the
advisory fee paid to the Adviser after accounting for any
applicable fee waiver and/or expense limitation agreement, which
shall not include reimbursement of the Adviser for any expenses
or recapture of prior waivers. In the event that the Adviser
waives its entire fee and also assumes expenses of the Fund
pursuant to an applicable expense limitation agreement, the
Subadviser will similarly waive its entire fee and will share in
the expense assumption by contributing 50% of the assumed
amount. However, because the Subadviser shares the fee waiver
and/or expense assumption equally with the Adviser, if during
the term of this Agreement the Adviser later recaptures some or
all of the fees so waived or expenses so assumed by the Adviser
and the Subadviser together, the Adviser shall pay to the
Subadviser 50% of the amount recaptured.
SCHEDULE D
SUBADVISER FUNCTIONS
With respect to managing the investment and reinvestment of
the Designated Series' assets, the Subadviser shall provide, at
its own expense:
(a) An investment program for the Designated Series
consistent with its investment objectives based upon
the development, review and adjustment of buy/sell
strategies approved from time to time by the Board of
Trustees and the Adviser in paragraph 3 of this
Subadvisory Agreement and implementation of that
program;
(b) Periodic reports, on at least a quarterly basis, in
form and substance acceptable to the Adviser, with
respect to: i) compliance with the Code of Ethics and
the Fund's code of ethics; ii) compliance with
procedures adopted from time to time by the Trustees
of the Fund relative to securities eligible for resale
under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended; iii) diversification of Designated Series
assets in accordance with the then prevailing
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information
pertaining to the Designated Series and governing
laws, regulations, rules and orders; iv) compliance
with governing restrictions relating to the fair
valuation of securities for which market quotations
are not readily available or considered "illiquid" for
the purposes of complying with the Designated Series'
limitation on acquisition of illiquid securities; v)
any and all other reports reasonably requested in
accordance with or described in this Agreement; and
vi) the implementation of the Designated Series'
investment program, including, without limitation,
analysis of Designated Series performance;
(c) Promptly after filing with the SEC an amendment to its
Form ADV, a copy of such amendment to the Adviser and
the Trustees;
(d) Attendance by appropriate representatives of the
Subadviser at meetings requested by the Adviser or
Trustees at such time(s) and location(s) as reasonably
requested by the Adviser or Trustees; and
(e) Notice to the Trustees and the Adviser of the
occurrence of any event which would disqualify the
Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an
investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the
1940 Act or otherwise.
(f) Provide reasonable assistance in the valuation of
securities including the participation of appropriate
representatives at fair valuation committee meetings.
SCHEDULE E
FORM OF SUB-CERTIFICATION
To:
Re: Subadviser's Form N-CSR and Form N-Q Certification for the
[Name of Designated Series].
From: [Name of Subadviser]
Representations in support of Investment Company Act Rule
30a-2 certifications of Form N-CSR and Form N-Q.
[Name of Designated Series].
In connection with your certification responsibility under
Rule 30a-2 and Sections 302 and 906 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act of 2002, I have reviewed the following information
presented in the schedule of investments for the period
ended [Date of Reporting Period] (the "Report") which
forms part of the N-CSR or N-Q, as applicable, for the
Fund.
Schedule of Investments
Our organization has designed, implemented and maintained
internal controls and procedures, designed for the purpose of
ensuring the accuracy and completeness of relevant portfolio
trade data transmitted to those responsible for the preparation
of the Schedule of Investments. As of the date of this
certification there have been no material modifications to these
internal controls and procedures.
In addition, our organization has:
a. Designed such internal controls and procedures to ensure
that material information is made known to the appropriate
groups responsible for servicing the above-mentioned mutual
fund.
b. Evaluated the effectiveness of our internal controls and
procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the date
of this certification and we have concluded that such
controls and procedures are effective.
c. In addition, to the best of my knowledge, there has been no
fraud, whether or not material, that involves our
organization's management or other employees who have a
significant role in our organization's control and
procedures as they relate to our duties as subadviser to
the Designated Series.
I have read the draft of the Report which I understand to be
current as of [Date of Reporting Period] and based on my
knowledge, such draft of the Report does not, with respect to
the Designated Series, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the information contained therein, in light of the circumstances
under which such information is presented, not misleading with
respect to the period covered by such draft Report.
I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation, to the
Designated Series' Chief Accounting Officer:
a. All significant changes, deficiencies and material
weakness, if any, in the design or operation of the
Subadviser's internal controls and procedures which could
adversely affect the Registrant's ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial data with respect
to the Designated Series in a timely fashion;
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the
Subadviser's management or other employees who have a
significant role in the Subadviser's internal controls and
procedures for financial reporting.
I certify that to the best of my knowledge:
a. The Subadviser's Portfolio Manager(s) has/have complied
with the restrictions and reporting requirements of the
Code of Ethics (the "Code"). The term Portfolio Manager is
as defined in the Code.
b. The Subadviser has complied with the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information of the Designated
Series and the Policies and Procedures of the Designated
Series as adopted by the Designated Series Board of
Trustees.
c. I have no knowledge of any compliance violations except as
disclosed in writing to the Virtus Compliance Department by
me or by the Subadviser's compliance administrator.
d. The Subadviser has complied with the rules and regulations
of the 33 Act and 40 Act, and such other regulations as may
apply to the extent those rules and regulations pertain to
the responsibilities of the Subadviser with respect to the
Designated Series as outlined above.
e. Since the submission of our most recent certification there
have not been any divestments of securities of issuers that
conduct or have direct investments in business operations
in Sudan.
This certification relates solely to the Designated Series named
above and may not be relied upon by any other fund or entity.
The Subadviser does not maintain the official books and records
of the above Designated Series. The Subadviser's records are
based on its own portfolio management system, a record-keeping
system that is not intended to serve as the Designated Series
official accounting system. The Subadviser is not responsible
for the preparation of the Report.
_______________________________
__________________________
[Name of Subadviser] Date
[Name of Authorized Signer]
[Title of Authorized Signer]
SCHEDULE F
DESIGNATED SERIES
Virtus Growth & Income Fund
* Such information might include: current financial information,
annual and quarterly reports, press releases,
reports by analysts and from brokerage firms (including their
recommendations, i.e., buy, sell, hold) or any internal
reports or subadviser review.
