TRANSFER, DIVIDEND DISBURSING, SHAREHOLDER SERVICE
AND PLAN AGENCY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT effective as of February 28, 1997 by and between
COUNTRYWIDE STRATEGIC TRUST, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), and
COUNTRYWIDE FUND SERVICES, INC., an Ohio corporation (the "T/A").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to appoint the T/A as its transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent, plan agent and shareholder
purchase and redemption agent, and the T/A is willing to act in such capacities
upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound,
hereby agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF TRANSFER AGENT.
The T/A is hereby appointed transfer agent for the shares of
the Trust and dividend disbursing agent for the Trust and shall also act as plan
agent, shareholder service agent and purchase and redemption agent for
shareholders of the Trust, and the T/A accepts such appointment and agrees to
act in such capacities under the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2. DOCUMENTATION.
The Trust will furnish from time to time the following documents:
A. Each resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust authorizing the original issue of its
shares;
B. Each Registration Statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and amendments
thereof;
C. A certified copy of each amendment to the
Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Trust;
D. Certified copies of each resolution of the Board
of Trustees authorizing officers to give
instructions to the T/A;
E. Specimens of all new forms of share certificates
accompanied by Board of Trustees' resolutions
approving such forms;
F. Such other certificates, documents or opinions
which the T/A may, in its discretion, deem
necessary or appropriate in the proper performance
of its duties;
G. Copies of all Underwriting and Dealer Agreements
in effect;
H. Copies of all Administration Agreements and
Investment Advisory Agreements in effect;
I. Copies of all documents relating to special
investment or withdrawal plans which are offered
or may be offered in the future by the Trust and
for which the T/A is to act as plan agent.
3. T/A TO RECORD SHARES.
The T/A shall record issues of shares of the Trust and shall
notify the Trust in case any proposed issue of shares by the Trust shall result
in an over-issue as defined by Section 8- 104(2) of the Uniform Commercial Code,
as provided in Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code, Ohio Revised Code,
paragraph 1308.01 et. seq., and in case any issue of shares would result in such
an over-issue, shall refuse to credit said shares and shall not countersign and
issue certificates for such shares. Except as provided in Article 8 of said
Uniform Commercial Code and in Section 4 of this Agreement and as specifically
agreed in writing from time to time between the T/A and the Trust, the T/A shall
have no obligation, when countersigning and issuing and/or crediting shares, to
take cognizance of any other laws relating to issue and sale of such shares.
4. T/A TO VALIDATE TRANSFERS.
Upon receipt of a proper request for transfer and upon
surrender to the T/A of certificates, if any, in proper form for transfer, the
T/A shall approve such transfer and shall take all necessary steps to effectuate
the transfer as indicated in the transfer request. Upon approval of the
transfer, the T/A shall notify the Trust in writing of each such transaction and
shall make appropriate entries on the shareholder records maintained by the T/A.
5. SHARE CERTIFICATES.
If the Trust authorizes the issuance of share certificate, the
Trust shall supply the T/A with a sufficient supply of blank share certificates
and from time to time shall renew such supply upon request of the T/A. Such
blank share
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certificates shall be properly signed, manually or, if authorized by the Trust,
by facsimile; and notwithstanding the death, resignation or removal of any
officers of the Trust authorized to sign share certificates, the T/A may
continue to countersign certificates which bear the manual or facsimile
signature of such officer until otherwise directed by the Trust.
6. LOST OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
In case of the alleged loss or destruction of any share
certificate, no new certificate shall be issued in lieu thereof, unless there
shall first be furnished an appropriate bond satisfactory to T/A and the Trust,
and issued by a surety company satisfactory to the T/A and the Trust.
7. RECEIPT OF FUNDS.
Upon receipt of any check or other instrument drawn or
endorsed to it as agent for, or identified as being for the account of, the
Trust or Countrywide Investments, Inc. as underwriter of the Trust (the
"Underwriter"), the T/A shall stamp the check or instrument with the date of
receipt, determine the amount thereof due the Trust and the Underwriter,
respectively, and shall forthwith process the same for collection. Upon receipt
of notification of receipt of funds eligible for share purchases and payment of
sales charges in accordance with the Trust's then current prospectus and
statement of additional information, the T/A shall notify the Trust, at the
close of each business day, in writing of the amounts of said funds credited to
the Trust and deposited in its account with the Custodian, and shall similarly
notify the Underwriter of the amounts of said funds credited to the Underwriter
and deposited in its account with its designated bank.
8. PURCHASE ORDERS.
Upon receipt of a check or other order for the purchase of
shares of the Trust, accompanied by sufficient information to enable the T/A to
establish a shareholder account, the T/A shall, as of the next determination of
net asset value after receipt of such order in accordance with the Trust's then
current prospectus and statement of additional information, compute the number
of shares due to the shareholder, credit the share account of the investor,
subject to collection of the funds, with the number of shares so purchased,
shall notify the Trust in writing or by computer report at the close of each
business day of such transactions and shall mail to the investor and/or dealer
of record a notice of such credit when requested to do so by the Trust.
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9. ISSUE OF SHARE CERTIFICATES.
If the Trust authorizes the issuance of share certificates and
an investor requests a share certificate, the T/A will countersign and mail, by
insured first class mail, a share certificate to the investor at his address as
set forth on the transfer books of the Trust, subject to any other instructions
for delivery of certificates representing newly purchased shares and subject to
the limitation that no certificates representing newly purchased share shall be
mailed to the investor until the cash purchase price of such shares has been
collected and credited to the account of the Trust maintained by the Custodian.
10. RETURNED CHECKS.
In the event that the T/A is notified by the Trust's Custodian
that any check or other order for the payment of money is returned unpaid for
any reason, the T/A will:
A. Give prompt notification to the Trust and the
Underwriter of the non-payment of said check;
B. In the absence of other instructions from the
Trust or the Underwriter, take such steps as may
be necessary to redeem any shares purchased on the
basis of such returned check and cause the
proceeds of such redemption plus any dividends
declared with respect to such shares to be
credited to the account of the Trust and to
request the Trust's Custodian to forward such
returned check to the person who originally
submitted the check;
C. Notify the Trust of such actions and correct the
Trust's records maintained by the T/A pursuant to
this Agreement.
11. SALES CHARGE.
In computing the number of shares to credit to the account of
a shareholder pursuant to Paragraph 8 hereof, the T/A will calculate the total
of the applicable Underwriter and dealer of record sales charges with respect to
each purchase as set forth in the Trust's current prospectus and statement of
additional information and in accordance with any notification filed with
respect to combined and accumulated purchases; the T/A will also determine the
portio of each sales charge payable by the Underwriter to the dealer of record
participating in the sale in accordance with such schedules as are from time to
time
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delivered by the Underwriter to the T/A; provided, however, the T/A shall have
no liability hereunder arising from the incorrect selection by the T/A of the
gross rate of sales charges except that this exculpation shall not apply in the
event the rate is specified by the Underwriter or the Trust and the T/A fails to
select the rate specified.
12. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
The Trust shall furnish the T/A with appropriate evidence of
trustee action authorizing the declaration of dividends and other distributions.
The T/A shall establish procedures in accordance with the Trust's then current
prospectus and statement of additional information and with other authorized
actions of the Trust's Board of Trustees under which it will have available from
the Custodian of the Trust or the Trust any required information for each
dividend and other distribution. After deducting any amount required to be
withheld by any applicable laws, the T/A shall, as agent for each shareholder
who so requests, invest the dividends and other distributions in full and
fractional shares in accordance with the Trust's then current prospectus and
statement of additional information. If an investor has elected to receive
dividends or other distributions in cash, then the T/A shall prepare checks for
approval and verification by the Trust and signature by an authorized officer or
employee of the T/A in the appropriate amount and shall mail them to the
shareholders of record at their address of record or to such other address as
the shareholder may have designated. The T/A shall, on or before the mailing
date of such checks, notify the Trust and the Custodian of the estimated amount
of cash required to pay such dividend or distribution, and the Trust shall
instruct the Custodian to make available sufficient funds therefore in the
appropriate account of the Trust. The T/A shall mail to the shareholders
periodic statements, as requested by the Trust, showing the number of full and
fractional shares and the net asset value per share of shares so credited.
When requested by the Trust, the T/A shall assist the Trust
(i) with any withholding procedures, shareholder reports and payments, and (ii)
in the preparation and filing with the Internal Revenue Service, and when
required, with the addressing and mailing to shareholders, of such returns and
information relating to dividends and distributions paid by the Trust as are
required to be so prepared, filed and mailed by applicable laws.
13. UNCLAIMED DIVIDENDS AND UNCLAIMED REDEMPTION PROCEEDS.
The T/A shall, at least annually, furnish in writing to the
Trust the names and addresses, as shown in the shareholder accounts maintained
pursuant to Paragraph 8, of all investors for
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which there are, as of the end of the calendar year, dividends, distributions or
redemptions proceeds for which checks or share certificates mailed in payment of
distributions have been returned. The T/A shall use its best efforts to contact
the shareholders affected and to follow any other written instructions received
from the Trust concerning the disposition of any such unclaimed dividends,
distributions or redemption proceeds.
14. REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES.
A. The T/A shall process, in accordance with the Trust's then
current prospectus and statement of additional information, each order for the
redemption of shares accepted by the T/A. Upon its approval of such redemption
transactions, the T/A, if requested by the Trust, shall mail to the investor
and/or dealer of record a confirmation showing trade date, number of full and
fractional shares redeemed, the price per share and the total redemption
proceeds. For such redemption, the T/A shall either: (a) prepare checks in the
appropriate amounts for approval and verification by the Trust and signature by
an authorized officer or employee of the T/A and mail the checks to the
appropriate person, or (b) in the event redemption proceeds are to be wired
through the Federal Reserve Wire system or by bank wire, cause such proceeds to
be wired in federal funds to the commercial bank account designated by the
investor, or (c) effectuate such other redemption procedures which are
authorized by the Trust's Board of Trustees or its then current prospectus and
statement of additional information. The requirements as to instruments of
transfer and other documentation, the applicable redemption price and the time
of payment shall be as provided in the then current prospectus and statement of
additional information, subject to such supplemental instructions as may be
furnished by the Trust and accepted by the T/A. If the T/A or the Trust
determines that a request for redemption does not comply with the requirements
for redemptions, the T/A shall promptly notify the investor and/or dealer of
record indicating the reason therefor.
B. If shares of the Trust are eligible for exchange with
shares of any other investment company, the T/A, in accordance with the then
current prospectus and statement of additional information and exchange rules of
the Trust and such other investment company, or such other investment company's
transfer agent, shall review and approve all exchange requests and shall, on
behalf of the Trust's shareholders, process such approved exchange requests.
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C. The T/A shall notify the Custodian, the Underwriter and the
Trust on each business day of the amount of cash required to meet payments made
pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph 14, and, on the basis of such
notice, the Trust shall instruct the Custodian to make available from time to
time sufficient funds therefor in the appropriate account of the Trust.
D. Procedures for effecting redemption orders accepted from
investors or dealers of record by telephone or other methods shall be
established by mutual agreement between the T/A and the Trust consistent with
the then current prospectus and statement of additional information.
E. The authority of the T/A to perform its responsibilities
under Xxxxxxxxx 0, Xxxxxxxxx 12 and this Paragraph 14 shall be suspended upon
receipt of notification by it of the suspension of the determination of the
Trust's net asset value.
15. AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS.
The T/A will process automatic withdrawal orders pursuant to
the provisions of the withdrawal plans duly executed by shareholders and the
current prospectus and statement of additional information of the trust.
Payments upon such withdrawal order shall be made by the T/A from the
appropriate account maintained by the Trust with the Custodian approximately the
last business day of each month in which a payment has been requested, and the
T/A will withdraw from a shareholder's account and present for repurchase or
redemption as many shares as shall be sufficient to make such withdrawal payment
pursuant to the provisions of the shareholder's withdrawal plan and the current
prospectus and statement of additional information of the Trust. From time to
time on new automatic withdrawal plans a check for payment date already past may
be issued upon request by the shareholder.
16. LETTERS OF INTENT.
The T/A will process such letters of intent for investing in
shares of the Trust as are provided for in the Trust's current prospectus and
statement of additional information. The T/A will make appropriate deposits to
the account of the Underwriter for the adjustment of sales charges as therein
provided and will currently report the same to the Underwriter.
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17. WIRE-ORDER PURCHASES.
The T/A will send written confirmations to the dealers of
record containing all details of the wire-order purchases placed by each such
dealer by close of business on the business day following receipt of such orders
by the T/A or the Underwriter, with copies to the Underwriter. Upon receipt of
any check drawn or endorsed to the Trust (or the T/A, as agent) or otherwise
identified as being payment of an outstanding wire- order, the T/A will stamp
said check with the date of its receipt and deposit the amount represented by
such check to the T/A's deposit accounts maintained with the Custodian. The T/A
will compute the respective portions of such deposit which represent the sales
charge and the net asset value of the shares so purchased, will cause the
Custodian to transfer federal funds in an amount equal to the net asset value of
the shares so purchased to the Trust's account at the Custodian, and will notify
the Trust and the Underwriter before noon of each business day of the total
amount deposited in the Trust's deposit accounts, and in the event that payment
for a purchase order is not received by the T/A or the Custodian on the tenth
business day following receipt of the order, prepare an NASD "notice of failure
of dealer to make payment" and forward such notification to the Underwriter.
18. OTHER PLANS.
The T/A will process such accumulation plans, group programs
and other plans or programs for investing in shares of the Trust as are now
provided for in the Trust's current prospectus and statement of additional
information and will act as plan agent for shareholders pursuant to the terms of
such plans and programs duly executed by such shareholder.
19. BOOKS AND RECORDS.
The T/A shall maintain records for each investor's account
showing the following:
A. Names, addresses and tax identifying numbers;
B. Name of the dealer of record;
C. Number of shares held of each series, if
applicable;
D. Historical information regarding the account of
each shareholder, including dividends and
distributions distributed in cash or invested in
shares;
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E. Information with respect to the source of all
dividends and distributions allocated among
income, realized short-term gains and realized
long-term gains;
G. Information with respect to withholdings on
foreign accounts;
H. Any instructions from a shareholder including all
forms furnished by the Trust and executed by a
shareholder with respect to (i) dividend or
distribution elections and (ii) elections with
respect to payment options in connection with the
redemption of shares;
I. Any dividend address and correspondence relating
to the current maintenance of a shareholder's
account;
J. Certificate numbers and denominations for any
shareholder holding certificates;
K. Any information required in order for the T/A to
perform the calculations contemplated under this
Agreement;
L. The date and number of shares of the Trust purchased,
the date and number of shares of the Trust held, the
date and number of shares reinvested as dividends and
the date and number of shares redeemed.
All of the records prepared and maintained by the T/A pursuant
to this Paragraph 19 will be the property of the Trust. In the event this
Agreement is terminated, all records shall be delivered to the Trust or to any
person designated by the Trust at the Trust's expense, and the T/A shall be
relieved of responsibility for the preparation and maintenance of any such
records delivered to the Trust or any such person.
20. TAX RETURNS AND REPORTS.
The T/A will prepare, file with the Internal Revenue Service
and, if required, mail to shareholders such returns for reporting dividends and
distributions paid by the Trust as are required to be so prepared, filed and
mailed by applicable laws, rules and regulations; and the T/A will withhold such
sums as are required to be withheld under applicable federal and state tax law,
rules and regulations.
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21. OTHER INFORMATION TO THE TRUST.
Subject to such instructions, verification and approval of the
Custodian and the Trust as shall be required by any agreement or applicable law,
the T/A will also maintain such records as shall be necessary to furnish to the
Trust the following: annual shareholder meeting lists, proxy lists and mailing
materials, shareholder reports and confirmations, checks for disbursing
redemption proceeds, dividends and other distributions or expense disbursements,
portfolio printouts and general ledger printouts.
22. FORM N-SAR.
The T/A shall maintain such records within its control and as
shall be requested by the Trust to assist the Trust in fulfilling the
requirements of Form N-SAR.
23. COOPERATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS.
The T/A shall cooperate with the Trust's independent public
accountants and shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is
made available to such accountants for the expression of their unqualified
opinion where required for any document for the Trust.
24. SHAREHOLDER SERVICE AND CORRESPONDENCE.
The T/A will provide and maintain adequate personnel, records
and equipment to receive and answer all shareholder and dealer inquiries
relating to account status, share purchases, redemptions and exchanges and other
investment plans available to Trust shareholders.
The T/A will answer written correspondence from shareholders
relating to their share accounts and such other written or oral inquiries as may
from time to time be mutually agreed upon, and the T/A will notify the Trust of
any correspondence or inquiries which may require an answer from the Trust.
25. PROXIES.
The T/A shall assist the Trust in the mailing of proxy cards
and other material in connection with shareholder meetings of the Trust, shall
receive, examine and tabulate returned proxies and shall, if requested by the
Trust, provide at lest one inspector of election to attend and participate as
required by law in shareholder meetings of the Trust.
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26. FEES AND CHARGES.
For performing its services under this Agreement, the Trust
shall pay the T/A a fee in accordance with the schedule attached hereto as
Schedule A and shall promptly reimburse the T/A for any out of pocket expenses
and advances which are to be paid by the Trust in accordance with Paragraph
27(b).
27. EXPENSES.
The expenses connected with the performance of this Agreement
shall be allocated between the Trust and the T/A as follows:
(a) The T/A shall furnish, at its expense and without cost to
the Trust (i) the services of its personnel to the extent that such services are
required to carry out its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) use of data
processing equipment.
(b) All costs and expenses not expressly assumed by the T/A
under Paragraph 27(a) of this Agreement shall be paid by the Trust, including,
but not limited to costs and expenses for postage, envelopes, checks, drafts,
continuous forms, reports, communications, statements and other materials,
telephone, telegraph and remote transmission lines, use of outside mailing
firms, necessary outside record storage, media for storage or records (e.g.,
microfilm, microfiche, computer tapes), printing, confirmations and any other
shareholder correspondence and any and all assessments, taxes or levies assessed
on the T/A for services provided under this Agreement. Postage for mailings of
dividends, proxies, reports and other mailings to all shareholders shall be
advanced to the T/A three business days prior to the mailing date of such
materials.
28. COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and except for
the accuracy of information furnished to it by the T/A, the Trust assumes full
responsibility for the preparation, contents and distribution of each prospectus
and statement of additional information of the Trust, for complying with all
applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"), the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any laws, rules and regulations of
governmental authorities having jurisdiction.
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29. CONFIDENTIALITY.
The T/A agrees to treat all records and other information
relative to the Trust and its prior, present or potential shareholders
confidentially and the T/A on behalf of itself and its employees agrees to keep
confidential all such information, except (after prior notification to and
approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld and may not be withheld where the T/A may be exposed to civil or
criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply) when requested to divulge
such information by duly constituted authorities or when so requested by the
Trust.
30. REFERENCES TO THE T/A.
The Trust shall not circulate any printed matter which
contains any reference to the T/A without the prior written approval of the T/A,
excepting solely such printed matter as merely identifies the T/A as Transfer
Agent, Plan Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent, Shareholder Service Agent and
Accounting and Pricing Services Agent. The Trust will submit printed matter
requiring approval to the T/A in draft form, allowing sufficient time for review
by the T/A and its counsel prior to any deadline for printing.
31. EQUIPMENT FAILURES.
In the event of equipment failures beyond the T/A's control,
the T/A shall take all steps necessary to minimize service interruptions but
shall have no liability with respect thereto. The T/A shall endeavor to enter
into one or more agreements making provision for emergency use of electronic
data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available.
32. INDEMNIFICATION OF THE T/A.
(a) The T/A may rely on information reasonably believed by it
to be accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or
the rules thereunder, neither the T/A nor its shareholders, officers, directors,
employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject
to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust
in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission
connected with or arising out of any services rendered under or payments made
pursuant to this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates,
except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the
part of any such persons in the performance of the duties of the T/A under this
Agreement or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of the
obligations and duties of the T/A under this Agreement.
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(b) Any person, even though also a director, officer,
employee, shareholder or agent of the T/A, who may be or become an officer,
trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering
services to the Trust or acting on any business of the trust (other than
services or business in connection with the T/A's duties hereunder), to be
rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director,
officer, employee, shareholder or agent of, or one under the control or
direction of the T/A, even though paid by it.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Trust shall indemnify and hold harmless the T/A, its directors, officers,
employees, shareholders and agents from and against any and all claims, demands,
expenses and liabilities (whether with or without basis in fact or law) of any
and every nature which the T/A may sustain or incur or which may be asserted
against the T/A by any person by reason of, or as a result of: (i) any action
taken or omitted to be taken by the T/A in good faith in reliance upon any
certificate, instrument, order or share certificate believed by it to be genuine
and to be signed, countersigned or executed by any duly authorized person, upon
the oral instructions or written instructions of an authorized person of the
Trust or its own counsel; or (ii) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the
T/A in connection with its appointment in good faith in reliance upon any law,
act, regulation or interpretation of the same even though the same may
thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed. However,
indemnification under this subparagraph shall not apply to actions or omissions
of the T/A or its directors, officers, employees, shareholders or agents in
cases of its or their own gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith, or
reckless disregard of its or their own duties hereunder.
33. MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE COVERAGE.
At all times during the term of this Agreement, the T/A shall
be a named insured party on the Trust's Errors & Omissions policy and the
Trust's Fidelity Bond, both of which shall include coverage of the T/A's
officers and employees. The T/A shall pay its allocable share of the cost of
such policies in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The scope of
coverage and amount of insurance limits applicable to the Trust on such policies
shall also be made applicable to the T/A.
34. FURTHER ACTIONS.
Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute
such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof.
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35. TERMINATION.
(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be effective upon
its execution, shall continue in effect for two years from that date and shall
continue in force from year to year thereafter, but only so long as such
continuance is approved (1) by the T/A, (2) by vote, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose, of a majority of the Trust's trustees who are not
parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the Act) of any
such party, and (3) by vote of a majority of the Trust's Board of Trustees or a
majority of the Trust's outstanding voting securities.
(b) Either party may terminate this Agreement on any date by
giving the other party at least sixty (60) days prior written notice of such
termination specifying the date fixed therefor.
(c) Upon termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall pay to
the T/A such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination, and
shall likewise reimburse the T/A for any out-of-pocket expenses and
disbursements reasonably incurred by the T/A to such date, and for the T/A's
costs, expenses and disbursements reasonably incurred by the T/A to such date,
and for the T/A's costs, expenses and disbursements as contemplated by this
Agreement.
(d) In the event that in connection with termination of this
Agreement a successor to any of the T/A's duties or responsibilities under this
Agreement is designated by the Trust by written notice to the T/A, the T/A
shall, promptly upon such termination and at the expense of the Trust, transfer
to such successor a certified list of the shareholders of the Trust (with name,
address and tax identification or Social Security number), a record of the
accounts of such shareholders and the status thereof, and all other relevant
books, records and other data established or maintained by the T/A under this
Agreement and shall cooperate in the transfer of such duties and
responsibilities, including provision for assistance from the T/A's cognizant
personnel in the establishment of books, records and other data by such
successor.
36. SERVICES FOR OTHERS.
Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the T/A or any
affiliated person (as defined in the Act) of the T/A from providing services for
any other person, firm or corporation (including other investment companies);
provided, however, that the T/A expressly represents that it will undertake no
activities
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which, in its judgment, will adversely affect the performance of its obligations
to the Trust under this Agreement.
37. MISCELLANEOUS.
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
38. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.
The term "Countrywide Strategic Trust" means and refers to the
trustees from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust as the
same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto may be, amended.
It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the
trustees of the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust, acting as such, and
neither such authorization by such trustees nor such execution and delivery by
such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to
impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust
property of the Trust.
39. SEVERABILITY.
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to
be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of
this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
40. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Ohio.
(b) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of
this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or
provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of
the Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the States Courts or in the
absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or
orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued pursuant to said Act. In
addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any
provision of this Agreement is revised by rule, regulation or order of the
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Securities and Exchange Commission, such provision shall be deemed to
incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
41. NOTICES.
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until
further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust
and of the T/A for this purpose shall be 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx
00000.
42. BINDING EFFECT.
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that
he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the
party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated
to the foregoing terms.
43. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
44. FORCE MAJEURE.
If the T/A shall be delayed in its performance of services or
prevented entirely or in part from performing services due to causes or events
beyond its control, including and without limitation, acts of God, interruption
of power or other utility, transportation or communication services, acts of
civil or military authority, sabotages, national emergencies, explosion, flood,
accident, earthquake or other catastrophe, fire, strike or other labor problems,
legal action, present or future law, governmental order, rule or regulation, or
shortages of suitable parts, materials, labor or transportation, such delay or
non-performance shall be excused and a reasonable time for performance in
connection with this Agreement shall be extended to include the period of such
delay or non-performance.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
COUNTRYWIDE STRATEGIC TRUST
By /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
----------------------------
COUNTRYWIDE FUND SERVICES, INC.
By /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------------
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Schedule A
Compensation
Services Fee
As Transfer Agent and Shareholder
Servicing Agent:
U.S. Government Securities Fund payable monthly at
rate of $21.00 per
account per year
Treasury Total Return Fund payable monthly at
rate of $21.00 per
account per year
Utility Fund payable monthly at
rate of $17.00 per
account per year
Equity Fund payable monthly at
rate of $17.00 per
account per year
Each Fund offering a single class of shares will be subject to a minimum charge
of $1,000 per month. Each class of shares of a Fund offering multiple classes
will be subject to a minimum charge per class of $1,000 per month.
