EXHIBIT (8)(k)
FORM OF PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
(AIM)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS,
AUSA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, INC.,
ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
ITS SEPARATE ACCOUNTS,
AND
AFSG SECURITIES CORPORATION
AS UNDERWRITER
OF VARIABLE CONTRACTS AND POLICIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description Page
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Section 1. Available Funds 2
1.1 Availability. 2
1.2 Addition, Deletion or Modification of Funds 2
1.3 No Sales to the General Public 2
Section 2. Processing Transactions 2
2.1 Timely Pricing and Orders 2
2.2 Timely Payments 3
2.3 Applicable Price 3
2.4 Dividends and Distributions 4
2.5 Book Entry 4
Section 3. Costs and Expenses 4
3.1 General 4
3.2 Registration 4
3.3 Other (Non-Sales-Related) 5
3.4 Other (Sales-Related) 5
3.5 Parties To Cooperate 5
Section 4. Legal Compliance 5
4.1 Tax Laws 5
4.2 Insurance and Certain Other Laws 8
4.3 Securities Laws 8
4.4 Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances 9
4.5 LIFE COMPANY To Provide Documents; Information About AVIF 10
4.6 AVIF To Provide Documents; Information About LIFE COMPANY 11
Section 5. Mixed and Shared Funding 12
5.1 General 12
5.2 Disinterested Directors 13
5.3 Monitoring for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts 13
5.4 Conflict Remedies 14
5.5 Notice to LIFE COMPANY 15
5.6 Information Requested by Board of Directors 15
5.7 Compliance with SEC Rules 15
5.8 Other Requirements 16
Section 6. Termination 16
6.1 Events of Termination 16
6.2 Notice Requirement for Termination 17
Description Page
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6.3 Funds To Remain Available 17
6.4 Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications 18
6.5 Continuance of Agreement for Certain Purposes 18
Section 7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination 18
Section 8. Assignment 18
Section 9. Notices 18
Section 10. Voting Procedures 19
Section 11. Foreign Tax Credits 20
Section 12. Indemnification 20
12.1 Of AVIF by LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER 20
12.2 Of LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER by AVIF 22
12.3 Effect of Notice 25
12.4 Successors 25
Section 13. Applicable Law 25
Section 14. Execution in Counterparts 25
Section 15. Severability 25
Section 16. Rights Cumulative 25
Section 17. Headings 25
Section 18. Confidentiality 26
Section 19. Trademarks and Fund Names 26
Section 20. Parties to Cooperate 28
FORM OF PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 1st day of May, 2002
("Agreement"), by and among AIM Variable Insurance Funds, a Maryland corporation
("AVIF"); AUSA Life Insurance Company, Inc., a New York company ("LIFE
COMPANY"), on behalf of itself and each of its segregated asset accounts listed
in Schedule A hereto, as the parties hereto may amend from time to time (each,
an "Account," and collectively, the "Accounts"); and AFSG Securities
Corporation, an affiliate of LIFE COMPANY and the principal underwriter of the
Contracts ("UNDERWRITER") (collectively, the "Parties").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, AVIF is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, AVIF currently consists of nine separate series ("Series"), shares
("Shares") of each of which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act") and are currently sold to one or more separate accounts
of life insurance companies to fund benefits under variable annuity contracts
and variable life insurance contracts; and
WHEREAS, AVIF will make Shares of each Series listed on Schedule A hereto
as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time (each a "Fund"; reference
herein to "AVIF" includes reference to each Fund, to the extent the context
requires) available for purchase by the Accounts; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will be the issuer of certain variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance contracts ("Contracts") as set forth on
Schedule A hereto, as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time, which
Contracts (hereinafter collectively, the "Contracts"), if required by applicable
law, will be registered under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will fund the Contracts through the Accounts, each of
which may be divided into two or more subaccounts ("Subaccounts"; reference
herein to an "Account" includes reference to each Subaccount thereof to the
extent the context requires); and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will serve as the depositor of the Accounts, each of
which is registered as a unit investment trust investment company under the 1940
Act (or exempt therefrom), and the security interests deemed to be issued by the
Accounts under the Contracts will be registered as securities under the 1933 Act
(or exempt therefrom); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase Shares in one or more of the Funds
on behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts; and
WHEREAS, UNDERWRITER is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and a member in good standing of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits and promises
contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Available Funds
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1.1 Availability.
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AVIF will make Shares of each Fund available to LIFE COMPANY for purchase
and redemption at net asset value and with no sales charges, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of AVIF may
refuse to sell Shares of any Fund to any person, or suspend or terminate the
offering of Shares of any Fund if such action is required by law or by
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the
Directors acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under
federal and any applicable state laws, such action is deemed in the best
interests of the shareholders of such Fund.
1.2 Addition, Deletion or Modification of Funds.
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The Parties hereto may agree, from time to time, to add other Funds to
provide additional funding media for the Contracts, or to delete, combine, or
modify existing Funds, by amending Schedule A hereto. Upon such amendment to
Schedule A, any applicable reference to a Fund, AVIF, or its Shares herein shall
include a reference to any such additional Fund. Schedule A, as amended from
time to time, is incorporated herein by reference and is a part hereof.
1.3 No Sales to the General Public.
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AVIF represents and warrants that no Shares of any Fund have been or will
be sold to the general public.
Section 2. Processing Transactions
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2.1 Timely Pricing and Orders.
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(a) AVIF or its designated agent will use its best efforts to provide LIFE
COMPANY with the net asset value per Share for each Fund by 6:00 p.m. Central
Time on each Business Day. As used herein, "Business Day" shall mean any day on
which (i) the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading, (ii) AVIF
calculates the Fund's net asset value, and (iii) LIFE COMPANY is open for
business.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will use the data provided by AVIF each Business Day
pursuant to paragraph (a) immediately above to calculate Account unit values and
to process transactions that receive that same Business Day's Account unit
values. LIFE COMPANY will perform such Account processing the same Business
Day, and will place corresponding orders to purchase or redeem Shares with AVIF
by 9:00 a.m. Central Time the following Business Day; provided, however, that
AVIF shall provide additional time to LIFE COMPANY in the event that AVIF is
unable to meet the 6:00 p.m. time stated in paragraph (a) immediately above.
Such additional time shall be equal to the additional time that AVIF takes to
make the net asset values available to LIFE COMPANY.
(c) With respect to payment of the purchase price by LIFE COMPANY and of
redemption proceeds by AVIF, LIFE COMPANY and AVIF shall net purchase and
redemption orders with respect to each Fund and shall transmit one net payment
per Fund in accordance with Section 2.2, below.
(d) If AVIF provides materially incorrect Share net asset value
information (as determined under SEC guidelines), LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled
to an adjustment to the number of Shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the
correct net asset value per Share. Any material error in the calculation or
reporting of net asset value per Share, dividend or capital gain information
shall be reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY.
2.2 Timely Payments.
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LIFE COMPANY will wire payment for net purchases to a custodial account
designated by AVIF by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the order for
Shares is placed, to the extent practicable. AVIF will wire payment for net
redemptions to an account designated by LIFE COMPANY by 1:00 p.m. Central Time
on the same day as the Order is placed, to the extent practicable, but in any
event within five (5) calendar days after the date the order is placed in order
to enable LIFE COMPANY to pay redemption proceeds within the time specified in
Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act or such shorter period of time as may be required
by law.
2.3 Applicable Price.
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(a) Share purchase payments and redemption orders that result from
purchase payments, premium payments, surrenders and other transactions under
Contracts (collectively,
"Contract transactions") and that LIFE COMPANY receives prior to
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on a Business Day
will be executed at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed
after receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the orders. For purposes of
this Section 2.3(a), LIFE COMPANY shall be the designated agent of AVIF for
receipt of orders relating to Contract transactions on each Business Day and
receipt by such designated agent shall constitute receipt by AVIF; provided that
AVIF receives notice of such orders by 9:00 a.m. Central Time on the next
following Business Day or such later time as computed in accordance with Section
2.1(b) hereof.
(b) All other Share purchases and redemptions by LIFE COMPANY will be
effected at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed after
receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the order therefor, and such orders
will be irrevocable.
2.4 Dividends and Distributions.
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AVIF will furnish notice by wire or telephone (followed by written
confirmation) on or prior to the payment date to LIFE COMPANY of any income
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Shares of any Fund. LIFE
COMPANY hereby elects to reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions
in additional Shares of the corresponding Fund at the ex-dividend date net asset
values until LIFE COMPANY otherwise notifies AVIF in writing, it being agreed by
the Parties that the ex-dividend date and the payment date with respect to any
dividend or distribution will be the same Business Day. LIFE COMPANY reserves
the right to revoke this election and to receive all such income dividends and
capital gain distributions in cash.
2.5 Book Entry.
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Issuance and transfer of AVIF Shares will be by book entry only. Stock
certificates will not be issued to LIFE COMPANY. Shares ordered from AVIF will
be recorded in an appropriate title for LIFE COMPANY, on behalf of its Account.
Section 3. Costs and Expenses
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3.1 General.
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Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, each Party will bear all
expenses incident to its performance under this Agreement.
3.2 Registration.
------------
(a) AVIF will bear the cost of its registering as a management investment
company under the 1940 Act and registering its Shares under the 1933 Act, and
keeping such registrations current and effective; including, without
limitation, the preparation of and filing with the SEC
of Forms N-SAR and Rule 24f-2 Notices with respect to AVIF and its Shares and
payment of all applicable registration or filing fees with respect to any of the
foregoing.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will bear the cost of registering, to the extent
required, each Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act and
registering units of interest under the Contracts under the 1933 Act and keeping
such registrations current and effective; including, without limitation, the
preparation and filing with the SEC of Forms N-SAR and Rule 24f-2 Notices with
respect to each Account and its units of interest and payment of all applicable
registration or filing fees with respect to any of the foregoing.
3.3 Other (Non-Sales-Related).
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(a) AVIF will bear, or arrange for others to bear, the costs of
preparing, filing with the SEC and setting for printing AVIF's prospectus,
statement of additional information and any amendments or supplements thereto
(collectively, the "AVIF Prospectus"), periodic reports to shareholders, AVIF
proxy material and other shareholder communications.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will bear the costs of preparing, filing with the SEC
and setting for printing each Account's prospectus, statement of additional
information and any amendments or supplements thereto (collectively, the
"Account Prospectus"), any periodic reports to Contract owners, annuitants,
insureds or participants (as appropriate) under the Contracts (collectively,
"Participants"), voting instruction solicitation material, and other Participant
communications.
(c) LIFE COMPANY will print in quantity and deliver to existing
Participants the documents described in Section 3.3(b) above and the prospectus
provided by AVIF in camera ready or computer diskette form. AVIF will print
the AVIF statement of additional information, proxy materials relating to AVIF
and periodic reports of AVIF.
3.4 Other (Sales-Related).
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LIFE COMPANY will bear the expenses of distribution. These expenses would
include by way of illustration, but are not limited to, the costs of
distributing to Participants the following documents, whether they relate to the
Account or AVIF: prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy
materials and periodic reports. These costs would also include the costs of
preparing, printing, and distributing sales literature and advertising relating
to the Funds, as well as filing such materials with, and obtaining approval
from, the SEC, the NASD, any state insurance regulatory authority, and any other
appropriate regulatory authority, to the extent required.
3.5 Parties To Cooperate.
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Each Party agrees to cooperate with the others, as applicable, in arranging
to print, mail and/or deliver, in a timely manner, combined or coordinated
prospectuses or other materials of AVIF and the Accounts.
Section 4. Legal Compliance
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4.1 Tax Laws.
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(a) AVIF represents and warrants that each Fund is currently qualified as
a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and represents that it will use
its best efforts to qualify and to maintain qualification of each Fund as a RIC.
AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that a Fund has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify
in the future.
(b) AVIF represents that it will use its best efforts to comply and to
maintain each Fund's compliance with the diversification requirements set forth
in Section 817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of the regulations under
the Code. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so comply or that a Fund might not
so comply in the future. In the event of a breach of this Section 4.1(b) by
AVIF, it will take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Fund so as
to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Section 1.817-5 of the
regulations under the Code.
(c) LIFE COMPANY agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
asserts in writing in connection with any governmental audit or review of LIFE
COMPANY or, to LIFE COMPANY's knowledge, of any Participant, that any Fund has
failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the
Code or LIFE COMPANY otherwise becomes aware of any facts that could give rise
to any claim against AVIF or its affiliates as a result of such a failure or
alleged failure:
(i) LIFE COMPANY shall promptly notify AVIF of such
assertion or potential claim (subject to the Confidentiality
provisions of Section 18 as to any Participant);
(ii) LIFE COMPANY shall consult with AVIF as to how to minimize
any liability that may arise as a result of such failure or
alleged failure;
(iii) LIFE COMPANY shall use its best efforts to minimize any
liability of AVIF or its affiliates resulting from such
failure, including, without limitation, demonstrating,
pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to
the Commissioner of the IRS that such failure was
inadvertent;
(iv) LIFE COMPANY shall permit AVIF, its affiliates and their
legal and accounting advisors to participate in any
conferences, settlement discussions or other administrative
or judicial proceeding or contests (including judicial
appeals thereof) with the IRS, any Participant or any other
claimant regarding any claims that could give rise to
liability to
to AVIF or its affiliates as a result of such a failure or
alleged failure; provided, however, that LIFE COMPANY will
retain control of the conduct of such conferences
discussions, proceedings, contests or appeals;
(v) any written materials to be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to the
IRS, any Participant or any other claimant in connection with
any of the foregoing proceedings or contests (including,
without limitation, any such materials to be submitted to the
IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2)),
(a) shall be provided by LIFE COMPANY to AVIF (together with
any supporting information or analysis); subject to the
confidentiality provisions of Section 18, at least ten (10)
business days or such shorter period to which the Parties
hereto agree prior to the day on which such proposed
materials are to be submitted, and (b) shall not be submitted
by LIFE COMPANY to any such person without the express
written consent of AVIF which shall not be unreasonably
withheld;
(vi) LIFE COMPANY shall provide AVIF or its affiliates and their
accounting and legal advisors with such cooperation as AVIF
shall reasonably request (including, without limitation, by
permitting AVIF and its accounting and legal advisors to
review the relevant books and records of LIFE COMPANY) in
order to facilitate review by AVIF or its advisors of any
written submissions provided to it pursuant to the preceding
clause or its assessment of the validity or amount of any
claim against its arising from such a failure or alleged
failure;
(vii) LIFE COMPANY shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS
or any Participant that would give rise to a claim against
AVIF or its affiliates (a) compromise or settle any claim,
(b) accept any adjustment on audit, or (c) forego any
allowable administrative or judicial appeals, without the
express written consent of AVIF or its affiliates, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that LIFE
COMPANY shall not be required, after exhausting all
administrative penalties, to appeal any adverse judicial
decision unless AVIF or its affiliates shall have provided an
opinion of independent counsel to the effect that a
reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal; and provided
further that the costs of any such appeal shall be borne
equally by the Parties hereto; and
(viii) AVIF and its affiliates shall have no liability as a result
of such failure or alleged failure if LIFE COMPANY fails to
comply with any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii),
and such failure could be shown to have materially
contributed to the liability.
Should AVIF or any of its affiliates refuse to give its written consent to
any compromise or settlement of any claim or liability hereunder, LIFE COMPANY
may, in its discretion, authorize AVIF or its affiliates to act in the name of
LIFE COMPANY in, and to control the
conduct of, such conferences, discussions, proceedings, contests or appeals and
all administrative or judicial appeals thereof, and in that event AVIF or its
affiliates shall bear the fees and expenses associated with the conduct of the
proceedings that it is so authorized to control; provided, that in no event
shall LIFE COMPANY have any liability resulting from AVIF's refusal to accept
the proposed settlement or compromise with respect to any failure caused by
AVIF. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliates" shall have the same
meaning as "affiliated person" as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act.
(d) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Contracts currently are
and will be treated as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under
applicable provisions of the Code and that it will use its best efforts to
maintain such treatment; LIFE COMPANY will notify AVIF immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that any of the Contracts have ceased to be so
treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
(e) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that each Account is a
"segregated asset account" and that interests in each Account are offered
exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable contract,"
within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and the
regulations thereunder. LIFE COMPANY will use its best efforts to continue to
meet such definitional requirements, and it will notify AVIF immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that such requirements have ceased to be
met or that they might not be met in the future.
4.2 Insurance and Certain Other Laws.
--------------------------------
(a) AVIF will use its best efforts to comply with any applicable state
insurance laws or regulations, to the extent specifically requested in writing
by LIFE COMPANY, including, the furnishing of information not otherwise
available to LIFE COMPANY which is required by state insurance law to enable
LIFE COMPANY to obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts in any
applicable state.
(b) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) it is an insurance
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of New York and has full corporate power, authority and legal right to
execute, deliver and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under
this Agreement, (ii) it has legally and validly established and maintains each
Account as a segregated asset account under the New York Insurance Code and the
regulations thereunder, and (iii) the Contracts comply in all material respects
with all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
(c) AVIF represents and warrants that it is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland
and has full power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver, and perform
its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
4.3 Securities Laws.
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(a) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) interests in each
Account pursuant to the Contracts will be registered under the 1933 Act to the
extent required by the 1933 Act, (ii) the Contracts will be duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws,
including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and New
York law, (iii) each Account is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act,
to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iv) each Account does and will comply
in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules
thereunder, to the extent required, (v) each Account's 1933 Act registration
statement relating to the Contracts, together with any amendments thereto, will
at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933
Act and the rules thereunder, (vi) LIFE COMPANY will amend the registration
statement for its Contracts under the 1933 Act and for its Accounts under the
1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous
offering of its Contracts or as may otherwise be required by applicable law, and
(vii) each Account Prospectus will at all times comply in all material respects
with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(b) AVIF represents and warrants that (i) Shares sold pursuant to this
Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by the
1933 Act and duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with Maryland
law, (ii) AVIF is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to the extent
required by the 1940 Act, (iii) AVIF will amend the registration statement for
its Shares under the 1933 Act and itself under the 1940 Act from time to time as
required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Shares, (iv) AVIF
does and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940
Act and the rules thereunder, (v) AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement,
together with any amendments thereto, will at all times comply in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and rules thereunder, and (vi)
AVIF's Prospectus will at all times comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(c) AVIF will at its expense register and qualify its Shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of any state or other jurisdiction if and to the extent
reasonably deemed advisable by AVIF.
(d) AVIF currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise,
although it reserves the right to make such payments in the future. To the
extent that it decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1,
AVIF undertakes to have its Board of Directors, a majority of whom are not
"interested" persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-
1 to finance distribution expenses.
(e) AVIF represents and warrants that all of its trustees, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities having access to
the funds and/or securities of the Fund are and continue to be at all times
covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the
Fund in an amount not less than the minimal coverage as required currently by
Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from
time
to time. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and
is issued by a reputable bonding company.
4.4 Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances.
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(a) AVIF will immediately notify LIFE COMPANY of (i) the issuance by any
court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other
similar order with respect to AVIF's registration statement under the 1933 Act
or AVIF Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such
registration statement or AVIF Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares
of AVIF, (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any
other purpose relating to the registration or offering of AVIF's Shares, or (iv)
any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of
Shares of any Fund in any state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation,
any circumstances in which (a) such Shares are not registered and, in all
material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state and
federal law, or (b) such law precludes the use of such Shares as an underlying
investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE COMPANY. AVIF
will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance, with respect to any
Fund, of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar order and, if
any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible
time.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will immediately notify AVIF of (i) the issuance by any
court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other
similar order with respect to each Account's registration statement under the
1933 Act relating to the Contracts or each Account Prospectus, (ii) any request
by the SEC for any amendment to such registration statement or Account
Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares of AVIF, (iii) the initiation
of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating to the
registration or offering of each Account's interests pursuant to the Contracts,
or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or
sale of said interests in any state or jurisdiction, including, without
limitation, any circumstances in which said interests are not registered and, in
all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state and
federal law. LIFE COMPANY will make every reasonable effort to prevent the
issuance of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar order and, if
any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible
time.
4.5 LIFE COMPANY To Provide Documents; Information About AVIF.
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(a) LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at least one
(1) complete copy of all SEC registration statements, Account Prospectuses,
reports, any preliminary and final voting instruction solicitation material,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to each Account or the Contracts,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at least one
(1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which AVIF or
any of its affiliates is named, at least five (5) Business Days prior to its use
or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon.
No such material shall be used if AVIF or its designated agent objects to such
use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material or such shorter
period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. AVIF hereby
designates AIM as the entity to receive such sales literature, until such time
as AVIF appoints another designated agent by giving notice to LIFE COMPANY in
the manner required by Section 9 hereof.
(c) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates, will give any
information or make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning
AVIF or its affiliates in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than
(i) the information or representations contained in the registration statement,
including the AVIF Prospectus contained therein, relating to Shares, as such
registration statement and AVIF Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or
(ii) in reports or proxy materials for AVIF; or (iii) in published reports for
AVIF that are in the public domain and approved by AVIF for distribution; or
(iv) in sales literature or other promotional material approved by AVIF, except
with the express written permission of AVIF.
(d) LIFE COMPANY shall adopt and implement procedures reasonably designed
to ensure that information concerning AVIF and its affiliates that is intended
for use only by brokers or agents selling the Contracts (i.e., information that
is not intended for distribution to Participants) ("broker only materials") is
so used, and neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates shall be liable for any
losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only
materials.
(e) For the purposes of this Section 4.5, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media, (e.g., on-
line networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials and any other material constituting sales literature or
advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇.
4.6 AVIF To Provide Documents; Information About LIFE COMPANY.
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(a) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY at least one (1) complete copy of
all SEC registration statements, AVIF Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and
final proxy material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to AVIF or the
Shares of a Fund, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the
SEC or other regulatory authorities.
(b) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY camera ready or computer diskette
copies of all AVIF prospectuses and printed copies, in an amount specified by
LIFE COMPANY, of AVIF statements of additional information, proxy materials,
periodic reports to shareholders and other materials required by law to be sent
to Participants who have allocated any Contract value to a Fund. AVIF will
provide such copies to LIFE COMPANY in a timely manner so as to enable LIFE
COMPANY, as the case may be, to print and distribute such materials within the
time required by law to be furnished to Participants.
(c) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent at least one
(1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which LIFE COMPANY, or any of its respective affiliates is named, or
that refers to the Contracts, at least five (5) Business Days prior to its use
or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon.
No such material shall be used if LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent objects
to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material or such
shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. LIFE
COMPANY shall receive all such sales literature until such time as it appoints a
designated agent by giving notice to AVIF in the manner required by Section 9
hereof.
(d) Neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates will give any information or
make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning LIFE COMPANY,
each Account, or the Contracts other than (i) the information or representations
contained in the registration statement, including each Account Prospectus
contained therein, relating to the Contracts, as such registration statement and
Account Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or (ii) in published
reports for the Account or the Contracts that are in the public domain and
approved by LIFE COMPANY for distribution; or (iii) in sales literature or other
promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates, except with the
express written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
(e) AVIF shall cause its principal underwriter to adopt and implement
procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning LIFE
COMPANY, and its respective affiliates that is intended for use only by brokers
or agents selling the Contracts (i.e., information that is not intended for
distribution to Participants) ("broker only materials") is so used, and neither
LIFE COMPANY, nor any of its respective affiliates shall be liable for any
losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only
materials.
(f) For purposes of this Section 4.6, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media, (e.g., on-
line networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional
information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material
constituting sales literature or advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act
or the 1940 Act.
Section 5. Mixed and Shared Funding
------------------------------------
5.1 General.
-------
The SEC has granted an order to AVIF exempting it from certain provisions
of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder so that AVIF may be available for
investment by certain other entities, including, without limitation, separate
accounts funding variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance
contracts, separate accounts of insurance companies unaffiliated with LIFE
COMPANY, and trustees of qualified pension and retirement plans (collectively,
"Mixed and Shared Funding"). The Parties recognize that the SEC has imposed
terms and conditions for such orders that are substantially identical to many of
the provisions of this Section 5. Sections 5.2 through 5.8 below shall apply
pursuant to such an exemptive order granted to AVIF. AVIF hereby notifies LIFE
COMPANY that, in the event that AVIF implements Mixed and Shared Funding, it may
be appropriate to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Contract is
offered disclosure regarding the potential risks of Mixed and Shared Funding.
5.2 Disinterested Directors.
-----------------------
AVIF agrees that its Board of Directors shall at all times consist of
directors a majority of whom (the "Disinterested Directors") are not interested
persons of AVIF within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder and as modified by any applicable orders of the SEC, except
that if this condition is not met by reason of the death, disqualification, or
bona fide resignation of any director, then the operation of this condition
shall be suspended (a) for a period of forty-five (45) days if the vacancy or
vacancies may be filled by the Board; (b) for a period of sixty (60) days if a
vote of shareholders is required to fill the vacancy or vacancies; or (c) for
such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by order upon application.
5.3 Monitoring for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts.
------------------------------------------------
AVIF agrees that its Board of Directors will monitor for the existence of
any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the Participants
in all separate accounts of life insurance companies utilizing AVIF
("Participating Insurance Companies"), including each Account, and participants
in all qualified retirement and pension plans investing in AVIF ("Participating
Plans"). LIFE COMPANY agrees to inform the Board of Directors of AVIF of the
existence of or any potential for any such material irreconcilable conflict of
which it is aware. The concept of a "material irreconcilable conflict" is not
defined by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder, but the Parties recognize that
such a conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including, without
limitation:
(a) an action by any state insurance or other regulatory authority;
(b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax or securities
laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or
interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax or securities
regulatory authorities;
(c) an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding;
(d) the manner in which the investments of any Fund are being managed;
(e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity
contract and variable life insurance contract Participants or by Participants of
different Participating Insurance Companies;
(f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the
voting instructions of Participants; or
(g) a decision by a Participating Plan to disregard the voting
instructions of Plan participants.
Consistent with the SEC's requirements in connection with exemptive orders
of the type referred to in Section 5.1 hereof, LIFE COMPANY will assist the
Board of Directors in carrying out its responsibilities by providing the Board
of Directors with all information reasonably necessary for the Board of
Directors to consider any issue raised, including information as to a decision
by LIFE COMPANY to disregard voting instructions of Participants.
5.4 Conflict Remedies.
-----------------
(a) It is agreed that if it is determined by a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors or a majority of the Disinterested Directors that a
material irreconcilable conflict exists, LIFE COMPANY will, if it is a
Participating Insurance Company for which a material irreconcilable conflict is
relevant, at its own expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by a majority of the Disinterested Directors), take whatever steps
are necessary to remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable conflict, which
steps may include, but are not limited to:
(i) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts
from AVIF or any Fund and reinvesting such assets in a different
investment medium, including another Fund of AVIF, or submitting
the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a
vote of all affected Participants and, as appropriate, segregating
the assets of any particular group (e.g., annuity Participants,
life insurance Participants or all Participants) that votes in
favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected Participants
the option of making such a change; and
(ii) establishing a new registered investment company of the type
defined as a "management company" in Section 4(3) of the 1940 Act
or a new separate account that is operated as a management company.
(b) If the material irreconcilable conflict arises because of LIFE
COMPANY's decision to disregard Participant voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, LIFE
COMPANY may be required, at AVIF's election, to withdraw each Account's
investment in AVIF or any Fund. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a
result of such withdrawal. Any such withdrawal must take place within six (6)
months after AVIF gives notice to LIFE COMPANY that this provision is being
implemented, and until such withdrawal AVIF shall continue to accept and
implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and redemption of Shares of
AVIF.
(c) If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to LIFE COMPANY conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then LIFE COMPANY will withdraw each
Account's investment in AVIF within six (6) months after AVIF's Board of
Directors informs LIFE COMPANY that it has determined that such decision has
created a material irreconcilable conflict, and until such withdrawal AVIF shall
continue to accept and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and
redemption of Shares of AVIF. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result
of such withdrawal.
(d) LIFE COMPANY agrees that any remedial action taken by it in resolving
any material irreconcilable conflict will be carried out at its expense and with
a view only to the interests of Participants.
(e) For purposes hereof, a majority of the Disinterested Directors will
determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any material
irreconcilable conflict. In no event, however, will AVIF or any of its
affiliates be required to establish a new funding medium for any Contracts.
LIFE COMPANY will not be required by the terms hereof to establish a new funding
medium for any Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a
majority of Participants materially adversely affected by the material
irreconcilable conflict.
5.5 Notice to LIFE COMPANY.
----------------------
AVIF will promptly make known in writing to LIFE COMPANY the Board of
Directors' determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable conflict,
a description of the facts that give rise to such conflict and the implications
of such conflict.
5.6 Information Requested by Board of Directors.
-------------------------------------------
LIFE COMPANY and AVIF (or its investment adviser) will at least annually
submit to the Board of Directors of AVIF such reports, materials or data as the
Board of Directors may reasonably request so that the Board of Directors may
fully carry out the obligations imposed upon it by the provisions hereof or
any exemptive order granted by the SEC to permit Mixed and Shared Funding, and
said reports, materials and data will be submitted at any reasonable time deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors. All reports received by the Board of
Directors of potential or existing conflicts, and all Board of Directors actions
with regard to determining the existence of a conflict, notifying Participating
Insurance Companies and
Participating Plans of a conflict, and determining whether any proposed action
adequately remedies a conflict, will be properly recorded in the minutes of the
Board of Directors or other appropriate records, and such minutes or other
records will be made available to the SEC upon request.
5.7 Compliance with SEC Rules.
-------------------------
If, at any time during which AVIF is serving as an investment medium for
variable life insurance Contracts, 1940 Act Rules 6e-3(T) or, if applicable, 6e-
2 are amended or Rule 6e-3 is adopted to provide exemptive relief with respect
to Mixed and Shared Funding, AVIF agrees that it will comply with the terms and
conditions thereof and that the terms of this Section 5 shall be deemed modified
if and only to the extent required in order also to comply with the terms and
conditions of such exemptive relief that is afforded by any of said rules that
are applicable.
5.8 Other Requirements.
------------------
AVIF will require that each Participating Insurance Company and
Participating Plan enter into an agreement with AVIF that contains in substance
the same provisions as are set forth in Sections 4.1(b), 4.1(d), 4.3(a), 4.4(b),
4.5(a), 5, and 10 of this Agreement.
Section 6. Termination
-----------------------
6.1 Events of Termination.
---------------------
Subject to Section 6.4 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a Fund:
(a) at the option of any party, with or without cause with respect to the
Fund, upon six (6) months advance written notice to the other parties, or, if
later, upon receipt of any required exemptive relief from the SEC, unless
otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties; or
(b) at the option of AVIF upon institution of formal proceedings against
LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates by the NASD, the SEC, any state insurance
regulator or any other regulatory body regarding LIFE COMPANY's obligations
under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of
each Account, or the purchase of Shares, if, in each case, AVIF reasonably
determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would
be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences
on the Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(c) at the option of LIFE COMPANY upon institution of formal proceedings
against AVIF, its principal underwriter, or its investment adviser by the NASD,
the SEC, or any state insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding
AVIF's obligations under this Agreement or related to the operation or
management of AVIF or the purchase of AVIF Shares, if, in each case, LIFE
COMPANY reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such
proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material
adverse
consequences on LIFE COMPANY, or the Subaccount corresponding to the Fund with
respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(d) at the option of any Party in the event that (i) the Fund's Shares are
not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with
any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) such law precludes the use of such
Shares as an underlying investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be
issued by LIFE COMPANY; or
(e) upon termination of the corresponding Subaccount's investment in the
Fund pursuant to Section 5 hereof; or
(f) at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund ceases to qualify as a RIC
under Subchapter M of the Code or under successor or similar provisions, or if
LIFE COMPANY reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(g) at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund fails to comply with Section
817(h) of the Code or with successor or similar provisions, or if LIFE COMPANY
reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so comply; or
(h) at the option of AVIF if the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY cease to
qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code (other
than by reason of the Fund's noncompliance with Section 817(h) or Subchapter M
of the Code) or if interests in an Account under the Contracts are not
registered, where required, and, in all material respects, are not issued or
sold in accordance with any applicable federal or state law; or
(i) upon another Party's material breach of any provision of this
Agreement.
6.2 Notice Requirement for Termination.
----------------------------------
No termination of this Agreement will be effective unless and until the
Party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to the other Party
to this Agreement of its intent to terminate, and such notice shall set forth
the basis for such termination. Furthermore:
(a) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(a) or 6.1(e) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least six (6) months in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto;
(b) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least ninety (90) days in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto; and
(c) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, such prior written
notice shall be given as soon as possible within twenty-four (24) hours after
the terminating Party learns of the event causing termination to be required.
6.3 Funds To Remain Available.
-------------------------
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, AVIF will, at the option
of LIFE COMPANY, continue to make available additional shares of the Fund
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in
effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter
referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the
owners of the Existing Contracts will be permitted to reallocate investments in
the Fund (as in effect on such date), redeem investments in the Fund and/or
invest in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the
Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 6.3 will not apply to
any terminations under Section 5 and the effect of such terminations will be
governed by Section 5 of this Agreement.
6.4 Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications.
-------------------------------------------
All warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of this
Agreement.
6.5 Continuance of Agreement for Certain Purposes.
---------------------------------------------
If any Party terminates this Agreement with respect to any Fund pursuant to
Sections 6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, this
Agreement shall nevertheless continue in effect as to any Shares of that Fund
that are outstanding as of the date of such termination (the "Initial
Termination Date"). This continuation shall extend to the earlier of the date
as of which an Account owns no Shares of the affected Fund or a date (the "Final
Termination Date") six (6) months following the Initial Termination Date, except
that LIFE COMPANY may, by written notice shorten said six (6) month period in
the case of a termination pursuant to Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or
6.1(i).
Section 7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination
-------------------------------------------------------
The Parties hereto agree to cooperate and give reasonable assistance to one
another in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the purpose of
ensuring that an Account owns no Shares of a Fund after the Final Termination
Date with respect thereto, or, in the case of a termination pursuant to Section
6.1(a), the termination date specified in the notice of termination. Such steps
may include combining the affected Account with another Account, substituting
other mutual fund shares for those of the affected Fund, or otherwise
terminating participation by the Contracts in such Fund.
Section 8. Assignment
----------------------
This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except with the written
consent of each other Party.
Section 9. Notices
-------------------
Notices and communications required or permitted by Section 9 hereof will
be given by means mutually acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each other
notice or communication required or permitted by this Agreement will be given to
the following persons at the following addresses and facsimile numbers, or such
other persons, addresses or facsimile numbers as the Party receiving such
notices or communications may subsequently direct in writing:
AIM Variable Insurance Funds
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
AUSA Life Insurance Company, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, Division General Counsel
AFSG Securities Corporation
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Compliance Officer
Section 10. Voting Procedures
------------------------------
Subject to the cost allocation procedures set forth in Section 3 hereof,
LIFE COMPANY will distribute all proxy material furnished by AVIF to
Participants to whom pass-through voting privileges are required to be extended
and will solicit voting instructions from Participants. LIFE COMPANY will vote
Shares in accordance with timely instructions received from Participants. LIFE
COMPANY will vote Shares that are (a) not attributable to Participants to whom
pass-through voting privileges are extended, or (b) attributable to
Participants, but for which no timely instructions have been received, in the
same proportion as Shares for which said instructions have been received from
Participants, so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret
the 1940 Act to require pass through voting privileges for Participants.
Neither LIFE
COMPANY nor any of its affiliates will in any way recommend action in connection
with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for the Shares held
for such Participants. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to vote shares held in
any Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law. LIFE COMPANY shall
be responsible for assuring that each of its Accounts holding Shares calculates
voting privileges in a manner consistent with that of other Participating
Insurance Companies or in the manner required by the Mixed and Shared Funding
exemptive order obtained by AVIF. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY of any changes
of interpretations or amendments to Mixed and Shared Funding exemptive order it
has obtained. AVIF will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular, AVIF either will provide for annual
meetings (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not
to require such meetings) or will comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act
(although AVIF is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act)
as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, AVIF
will act in accordance with the SEC's interpretation of the requirements of
Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of directors and with whatever
rules the SEC may promulgate with respect thereto.
Section 11. Foreign Tax Credits
--------------------------------
AVIF agrees to consult in advance with LIFE COMPANY concerning any decision
to elect or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass through the
benefit of any foreign tax credits to its shareholders.
Section 12. Indemnification
----------------------------
12.1 Of AVIF by LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER.
---------------------------------------
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.1(b) and 12.1(c),
below, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER agree to indemnify and hold harmless AVIF,
its affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls AVIF or its affiliates
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective
directors and officers, (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of
this Section 12.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of LIFE COMPANY
and UNDERWRITER) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent
reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise;
provided, the Account owns shares of the Fund and insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the
Contracts, or sales literature or advertising for the Contracts
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
provided, that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to
any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such
alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY or
UNDERWRITER by or on behalf of AVIF for use in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the
Contracts, or sales literature or advertising or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not supplied
for use therein by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or
their respective affiliates and on which such persons have
reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent
conduct of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective
affiliates or persons under their control (including, without
limitation, their employees and "Associated Persons," as that
term is defined in paragraph (m) of Article I of the NASD's By-
Laws), in connection with the sale or distribution of the
Contracts or Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising of AVIF, or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such
a statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to AVIF or its affiliates
by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective
affiliates for use in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement,
AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER
to perform the obligations, provide the services and furnish the
materials required of them under the terms of this Agreement, or
any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER; or
(v) arise as a result of failure by the Contracts issued by LIFE
COMPANY to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance
contracts under the Code,
otherwise than by reason of any Fund's failure to comply with
Subchapter M or Section 817(h) of the Code.
(b) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this
Section 12.1 with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that
Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of that Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations or duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to
AVIF.
(c) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this
Section 12.1 with respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless AVIF
shall have notified LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or
after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER of any
such action shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER from any liability
which they may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of this Section 12.1. Except as otherwise provided
herein, in case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, LIFE
COMPANY and UNDERWRITER shall be entitled to participate, at their own expense,
in the defense of such action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from LIFE
COMPANY or UNDERWRITER to such Indemnified Party of LIFE COMPANY's or
UNDERWRITER's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will
cooperate fully with LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER and shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and neither LIFE COMPANY nor
UNDERWRITER will be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for
any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party
independently in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable
costs of investigation.
12.2 Of LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER by AVIF .
---------------------------------------
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and
12.2(e), below, AVIF agrees to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER, their respective affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls
LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective directors and officers,
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 12.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of AVIF) or actions in respect thereof
(including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law, or otherwise; provided, the Account owns shares of the Fund and insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration
statement, AVIF Prospectus or sales literature or advertising
of AVIF (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading; provided, that this agreement to
indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to AVIF or its affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE
COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates for use in
AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, or in
sales literature or advertising or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement,
any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising for
the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on behalf of
AVIF or its affiliates and on which such persons have
reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent
conduct of AVIF or its affiliates or persons under its control
(including, without limitation, their employees and
"Associated Persons" as that term is defined in Section (n) of
Article I of the NASD By-Laws), in connection with the sale or
distribution of AVIF Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any
Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any Account
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the
Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if
such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates by or on behalf of
AVIF for use in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement,
any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising
covering the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any
of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by AVIF to perform the
obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials
required of it under the terms of this Agreement, or any
material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by
AVIF in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any
other material breach of this Agreement by AVIF.
(b) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and 12.2(e)
hereof, AVIF agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement thereof with, the written consent of AVIF) or actions in
respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses)
to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject directly or indirectly under
any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or actions directly or indirectly result from or arise out
of the failure of any Fund to operate as a regulated investment company in
compliance with (i) Subchapter M of the Code and regulations thereunder, or (ii)
Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations thereunder, including, without
limitation, any income taxes and related penalties, rescission charges,
liability under state law to Participants asserting liability against LIFE
COMPANY pursuant to the Contracts, the costs of any ruling and closing agreement
or other settlement with the IRS, and the cost of any substitution by LIFE
COMPANY of Shares of another investment company or portfolio for those of any
adversely affected Fund as a funding medium for each Account that LIFE COMPANY
reasonably deems necessary or appropriate as a result of the noncompliance.
(c) AVIF shall not be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an Indemnified Party
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of its duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER, each
Account or Participants.
(d) AVIF shall not be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any
action against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified Party shall have
notified AVIF in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other
first legal process giving information of the nature of the action shall have
been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall
have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to
notify AVIF of any such action shall not relieve AVIF from any liability which
it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of this Section 12.2. Except as otherwise provided
herein, in case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, AVIF
will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such
action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof (which shall
include, without limitation, the conduct of any ruling request and closing
agreement or other settlement proceeding with the IRS), with counsel approved by
the Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. After notice from AVIF to such Indemnified Party of
AVIF's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will
cooperate fully with AVIF and shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel retained by it, and AVIF will not be liable to such Indemnified Party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such Indemnified Party independently in connection with the defense thereof,
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
(e) In no event shall AVIF be liable under the indemnification provisions
contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity, including, without
limitation, LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any other Participating Insurance
Company or any Participant, with respect
to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses that arise out of or
result from (i) a breach of any representation, warranty, and/or covenant made
by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER hereunder or by any Participating Insurance
Company under an agreement containing substantially similar representations,
warranties and covenants; (ii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any Participating
Insurance Company to maintain its segregated asset account (which invests in any
Fund) as a legally and validly established segregated asset account under
applicable state law and as a duly registered unit investment trust under the
provisions of the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom); or (iii) the failure by
LIFE COMPANY or any Participating Insurance Company to maintain its variable
annuity or life insurance contracts (with respect to which any Fund serves as an
underlying funding vehicle) as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts
under applicable provisions of the Code.
12.3 Effect of Notice.
----------------
Any notice given by the indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party referred
to in Sections 12.1(c) or 12.2(d) above of participation in or control of any
action by the indemnifying Party will in no event be deemed to be an admission
by the indemnifying Party of liability, culpability or responsibility, and the
indemnifying Party will remain free to contest liability with respect to the
claim among the Parties or otherwise.
12.4 Successors.
----------
A successor by law of any Party shall be entitled to the benefits of the
indemnification contained in this Section 12.
Section 13. Applicable Law
---------------------------
This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with Maryland law, without regard for that state's
principles of conflict of laws.
Section 14. Execution in Counterparts
--------------------------------------
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 15. Severability
-------------------------
If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not
be affected thereby.
Section 16. Rights Cumulative
------------------------------
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state
laws.
Section 17. Headings
---------------------
The Table of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for purposes
of reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the provisions of
this Agreement.
Section 18. Confidentiality
----------------------------
AVIF acknowledges that the identities of the customers of LIFE COMPANY or
any of its affiliates (collectively, the "LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties" for
purposes of this Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers,
and all computer programs and procedures or other information developed by the
LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection
with LIFE COMPANY's performance of its duties under this Agreement are the
valuable property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties. AVIF agrees that if it
comes into possession of any list or compilation of the identities of or other
information about the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties' customers, or any other
information or property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties, other than such
information as may be independently developed or compiled by AVIF from
information supplied to it by the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties' customers who
also maintain accounts directly with AVIF, AVIF will hold such information or
property in confidence and refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of
such information or other property except: (a) with LIFE COMPANY's prior written
consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial process. LIFE COMPANY
acknowledges that the identities of the customers of AVIF or any of its
affiliates (collectively, the "AVIF Protected Parties" for purposes of this
Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers, and all computer
programs and procedures or other information developed by the AVIF Protected
Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection with AVIF's
performance of its duties under this Agreement are the valuable property of the
AVIF Protected Parties. LIFE COMPANY agrees that if it comes into possession of
any list or compilation of the identities of or other information about the AVIF
Protected Parties' customers or any other information or property of the AVIF
Protected Parties, other than such information as may be independently developed
or compiled by LIFE COMPANY from information supplied to it by the AVIF
Protected Parties' customers who also maintain accounts directly with LIFE
COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY will hold such information or property in confidence and
refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or other
property except: (a) with AVIF's prior written consent; or (b) as required by
law or judicial process. Each party acknowledges that any breach of the
agreements in this Section 18 would result in immediate and irreparable harm to
the other parties for which there would be no adequate remedy at law and agree
that in the event of such a breach, the other parties will be entitled to
equitable relief by way of temporary and
permanent injunctions, as well as such other relief as any court of competent
jurisdiction deems appropriate.
Section 19. Trademarks and Fund Names
--------------------------------------
(a) A I M Management Group Inc. ("AIM" or "licensor"), an affiliate of
AVIF, owns all right, title and interest in and to the name, trademark and
service ▇▇▇▇ "AIM" and such other tradenames, trademarks and service marks as
may be set forth on Schedule B, as amended from time to time by written notice
from AIM to LIFE COMPANY (the "AIM licensed marks" or the "licensor's licensed
marks") and is authorized to use and to license other persons to use such marks.
LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates are hereby granted a non-exclusive license to
use the AIM licensed marks in connection with LIFE COMPANY's performance of the
services contemplated under this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in this Section 19.
(b) The grant of license to LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates ( the
"licensee") shall terminate automatically upon termination of this Agreement.
Upon automatic termination, the licensee shall cease to use the licensor's
licensed marks, except that LIFE COMPANY shall have the right to continue to
service any outstanding Contracts bearing any of the AIM licensed marks. Upon
AIM's elective termination of this license, LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates
shall immediately cease to issue any new annuity or life insurance contracts
bearing any of the AIM licensed marks and shall likewise cease any activity
which suggests that it has any right under any of the AIM licensed marks or that
it has any association with AIM, except that LIFE COMPANY shall have the right
to continue to service outstanding Contracts bearing any of the AIM licensed
marks.
(c) The licensee shall obtain the prior written approval of the licensor
for the public release by such licensee of any materials bearing the licensor's
licensed marks. The licensor's approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(d) During the term of this grant of license, a licensor may request that
a licensee submit samples of any materials bearing any of the licensor's
licensed marks which were previously approved by the licensor but, due to
changed circumstances, the licensor may wish to reconsider. If, on
reconsideration, or on initial review, respectively, any such samples fail to
meet with the written approval of the licensor, then the licensee shall
immediately cease distributing such disapproved materials. The licensor's
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and the licensor, when requesting
reconsideration of a prior approval, shall assume the reasonable expenses of
withdrawing and replacing such disapproved materials. The licensee shall obtain
the prior written approval of the licensor for the use of any new materials
developed to replace the disapproved materials, in the manner set forth above.
(e) The licensee hereunder: (i) acknowledges and stipulates that, to the
best of the knowledge of the licensee, the licensor's licensed marks are valid
and enforceable trademarks and/or service marks and that such licensee does not
own the licensor's licensed marks and
claims no rights therein other than as a licensee under this Agreement; (ii)
agrees never to contend otherwise in legal proceedings or in other
circumstances; and (iii) acknowledges and agrees that the use of the licensor's
licensed marks pursuant to this grant of license shall inure to the benefit of
the licensor.
Section 20. Parties to Cooperate
---------------------------------
Each party to this Agreement will cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including, without limitation, the SEC,
the NASD and state insurance regulators) and will permit each other and such
authorities reasonable access to its books and records (including copies
thereof) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers
signing below.
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
Attest:___________________________ By:________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. Graha
---------------------------- -----------------------------
Title: Assistant Secretary Title: President
---------------------------- -----------------------------
AUSA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, INC.,
on behalf of itself and its separate
accounts
Attest:___________________________ By:________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------- -----------------------------
Title: Vice President Title: Vice President
--------------------------- -----------------------------
AFSG SECURITIES CORPORATION
Attest:___________________________ By:________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------- -----------------------------
Title: Secretary Title: Vice President and Chief
--------------------------- -----------------------------
Compliance Officer
-----------------------------
SCHEDULE A
----------
SERIES II SHARES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds Available Separate Accounts Policies Funded
Under the Policies Utilizing the Funds by the Separate Accounts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.. AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund Separate Account VA BNY AUSA Life Insurance Company, Inc.
.. AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Policy Form No. AV343 101 90 396
Fund under the marketing name "AUSA
Landmark Variable Annuity"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
