EXHIBIT (3)(a)
Distribution Agreement between Pacific Mutual
Life Insurance Company and Pacific Equities Network
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
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AGREEMENT made this 7th day of September, 1988, by and between Pacific Mutual
Life Insurance Company, a California company, ("Pacific Mutual") on its own
behalf and on behalf of the Pacific Select Exec Separate Account ("Separate
Account"), and Pacific Equities Network, a California corporation, ("PEN").
WHEREAS, Pacific Mutual has established and maintains the Separate Account, a
separate investment account, for the purpose of selling variable life contracts
("Contracts") to commence after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
relating thereto filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on form S-6
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), through
PEN, acting as general agent of Pacific Mutual;
WHEREAS, the Separate Account is registered as a unit investment trust under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("the 1940 Act");
WHEREAS, PEN is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "Securities Exchange Act") and is a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"); and
WHEREAS, Pacific Mutual desires to retain PEN as the Distributor and Principal
Underwriter to provide for the sale and distribution to the public of the
Contracts issued by Pacific Mutual and funded by interests in the General
Account of Pacific Mutual and in the Separate Account and PEN is willing to
render such services:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Principal Underwriter. Pacific Mutual hereby appoints PEN, during the term
of this Agreement, subject to the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and
the 1940 Act and the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act, to be the
Distributor and Principal Underwriter for the sale of Contracts to the public in
each state and other jurisdictions in which the Contracts may be lawfully sold.
Pacific Mutual also appoints PEN as its independent General Agent for sale of
its Contracts (including any riders which Pacific Mutual may make available in
connection therewith or any contracts for which the Contracts may be exchanged
or converted) and for sale of such other insurance contracts or annuity
contracts as Pacific Mutual may, from time to time, authorize in writing by
amendment thereto. PEN shall offer the Contracts for sale and distribution at
premium rates set by Pacific Mutual.
2. Selling Agreements. PEN is hereby authorized to enter into separate written
agreements, on such terms and conditions as PEN determines are not inconsistent
with this Agreement, with such organizations which agree to participate as a
general agent and/or broker-dealer in the distribution of the Contracts and to
use their best efforts to solicit applications for Contracts. Any such broker-
dealer (hereinafter "Broker") shall be both registered as a broker-dealer under
the Securities
Exchange Act and a member of the NASD. PEN shall be responsible for ensuring
that Broker and its agents or representatives and general agent and its sub-
agents soliciting applications for Contracts shall be duly and appropriately
licensed, registered and otherwise qualified for the sale of the Contracts (and
the riders and other contracts offered in connection therewith) under the
insurance laws and any applicable blue sky laws of each state or other
jurisdiction in which such policies may be lawfully sold and in which Pacific
Mutual is licensed to sell such Contracts. Pacific Mutual shall undertake to
appoint Broker's qualified agents or representatives and general agent's sub-
agents as life insurance agents of Pacific Mutual, provided that Pacific Mutual
reserves the right to refuse to appoint any proposed representative, agent, or
sub-agent, or once appointed, to terminate such appointment. PEN shall be
responsible for ensuring that Broker and general agent supervise its agents,
representatives, or sub-agents.
PEN is also authorized to enter into separate written agreements, on such terms
and conditions as PEN determines are not inconsistent with this Agreement, with
such organizations ("wholesalers") that agree to participate in the distribution
of the Contracts and to use their best efforts to solicit Brokers and general
agents that, in turn, will solicit applications of the Contracts.
3. Life Insurance Agents. Pacific Mutual shall be responsible for ensuring
that Broker and its agents or representatives and general agent and its sub-
agents meet all qualifications and hold any licenses or authorizations that may
be required for the solicitation or sale of the Contracts under the insurance
laws of the applicable jurisdictions.
4. Suitability. Pacific Mutual desires to ensure that Contracts will be sold
to purchasers for whom the Contract will be suitable. PEN shall take reasonable
steps to ensure that the various representatives of Broker and sub-agents of
general agents shall not make recommendations to an applicant to purchase a
Contract in the absence of reasonable grounds to believe the purchase of the
Contract is suitable for such applicant. While not limited to the following, a
determination of suitability shall be based on information furnished to a
representative or sub-agent after reasonable inquiry of such applicant
concerning the applicant's other security holdings, insurance and investment
objectives, financial situation and needs, and the likelihood that the applicant
will continue to make any premium payments contemplated by the Contracts and
will keep the Policy in force for a sufficient period of time so that Pacific
Mutual's acquisition costs are amortized over a reasonable period of time.
5. Conformity With Registration Statement and Approved Sales Materials. In
performing its duties as Distributor, PEN will act in conformity with the
Prospectus and with the instructions and directions of Pacific Mutual, the
requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act, and all
other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. PEN shall not give any
information nor make any representations, concerning any aspect of the Contract
or of Pacific Mutual's operations to any persons or entity unless such
information or representations are contained in the Registration Statement and
the pertinent prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or
are contained in sales or promotional literature approved by Pacific Mutual.
PEN will not use and will take reasonable steps to ensure Broker will not use
any sales promotion material and advertising which has not been previously
approved by Pacific Mutual.
6. Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, PEN will bear all of its
expenses in complying with this Agreement, including the following expenses:
(a) costs of sales presentations, mailings, sales promotion materials,
advertising, and any other marketing efforts by PEN in connection with the
distribution or sale of the Contracts; and
(b) any compensation paid to employees of PEN and to wholesalers, Brokers
and general agents in connection with the distribution or sale of the
Contracts.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, it is understood and
agreed that Pacific Mutual shall at all times retain the ultimate responsibility
for and control of all functions performed pursuant to this Agreement, and for
marketing the Contract, and reserves the right to direct, approve or disapprove
any action hereunder taken on its behalf by PEN.
7. Applications. Completed applications for Contracts solicited by such Broker
through its agents or representatives or by general agent through its sub-agents
shall be transmitted directly to Pacific Mutual. All payments under the
Contracts shall be made by check to Pacific Mutual or by other method acceptable
to Pacific Mutual, and if received by PEN, shall be held at all times in a
fiduciary capacity and remitted promptly to Pacific Mutual. All such payments
will be the property of Pacific Mutual. Pacific Mutual has the sole authority
to approve or reject such applications or payments and maintains ultimate
responsibility for underwriting. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, Pacific Mutual retains the ultimate right to control the sale
of the Contracts and to appoint and discharge life insurance agents of Pacific
Mutual.
8. Standard of Care. PEN shall be responsible for exercising reasonable care
in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement.
9. Reports. PEN shall be responsible for maintaining the records of Broker and
general agent and their agents, representatives or sub-agents who are licensed,
registered and otherwise qualified to sell the Contracts; calculating and
furnishing the fees payable to Brokers or general agents; and for furnishing
periodic reports to Pacific Mutual as to the sale of Contracts made pursuant to
this Agreement.
10. Records. Pen shall maintain and preserve such records as are required of
it by applicable laws and regulations. The books, accounts and records of
Pacific Mutual, the Separate Account and PEN shall be maintained so as to
clearly and accurately disclose the nature and details of the transactions,
including such accounting information as necessary to support the reasonableness
of the amounts to be paid by Pacific Mutual hereunder.
11. Compensation. For the services rendered and product development in the
initial sales efforts and continuing obligations under this Agreement, Pacific
Mutual shall pay PEN in the amounts set forth in Schedule A, which schedule is
incorporated herein. Pacific Mutual shall arrange for the payment of
commissions, through PEN, to those Brokers and general agents that sell
Contracts under agreements entered into pursuant to Section 2, hereof, and to
wholesalers that solicit brokers and
general agents to sell Contracts under agreements entered into pursuant to
Section 2, hereof, in amounts as may be agreed to by Pacific Mutual and PEN
specified in such written agreements.
12. Investigation and Proceedings. PEN and Pacific Mutual agree to cooperate
fully in any insurance regulatory investigation or proceeding or judicial
proceeding arising in connection with the Contracts distributed under this
Agreement. PEN further agrees to furnish regulatory authorities with any
information or reports in connection with such services which may be requested
in order to ascertain whether the operations of Pacific Mutual and the Separate
Account are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and
regulations. PEN and Pacific Mutual further agree to cooperate fully in any
securities regulatory investigation or proceeding with respect to Pacific
Mutual, PEN, their affiliates and their agents or representatives to the extent
that such investigation or proceeding is in connection with Contracts
distributed under this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing:
(a) PEN will be notified promptly of any customer complaint or notice of
any regulatory investigation or proceeding or judicial proceeding received
by Pacific Mutual with respect to PEN or any agent, representative, or sub-
agent of a Broker or general agent or which may affect Pacific Mutual's
issuance of any Contract sold under this Agreement; and
(b) PEN will promptly notify Pacific Mutual of any customer complaint or
notice of any regulatory investigation or proceeding received by PEN or its
affiliates with respect to PEN or any agent, representative, or sub-agent
of a Broker or general agent in connection with any Contract distributed
under this Agreement or any activity in connection with any such Contract.
In the case of a meritorious customer complaint, PEN and Pacific Mutual will
cooperate in investigating such complaint and any response will be sent to the
other party to this Agreement for approval not less than five business days
prior to its being sent to the customer or regulatory authority, except that if
a more prompt response is required, the proposed response shall be communicated
by telephone or telegraph.
13. Indemnification. Pacific Mutual hereby agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless PEN and its officers and directors, and employees for any expenses
(including legal expenses), losses, claims, damages, or liabilities incurred by
reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or representation of a material
fact or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be
stated to make other statements not misleading, if made in reliance on any
prospectus, registration statement, post-effective amendment thereof, or sales
materials supplied or approved by Pacific Mutual or the Separate Account.
Pacific Mutual shall reimburse each such person for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
liability, damage, or claim. However, in no case shall Pacific Mutual be
required to indemnify for any expenses, losses, claims, damages, or liabilities
which have resulted from the willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence,
misconduct, or wrongful act of PEN.
PEN hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Pacific Mutual, its officers,
directors, and employees, and the Separate Account for any expenses, losses,
claims, damages, or liabilities arising
out of or based upon any of the following in connection with the offer or sale
of the contracts: 1) except for such statements made in reliance on any
prospectus, registration statement or sales material supplied or approved by
Pacific Mutual or the Separate Account, any untrue or alleged untrue statement
or representation made; 2) any failure to deliver a currently effective
prospectus; 3) the use of any unauthorized sales literature by any officer,
employee, agent, or sub-agent of PEN, Broker or general agent; or 4) any willful
misfeasance, bad faith, negligence, misconduct or wrongful act. PEN shall
reimburse each such person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, liability, damage,
or claim.
Promptly after receipt by a party entitled to indemnification ("indemnified
party") of notice of the commencement of any action, if a claim for
indemnification in respect thereof is to be made against Pacific Mutual or PEN
("indemnifying party") such indemnified party will notify indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof, but failure to notify the indemnifying
party of any claim shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
the person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
agreement contained in this Section 13. The indemnifying party will be entitled
to participate in the defense of the indemnified party and such participation
will not relieve such indemnifying party of the obligation to reimburse the
indemnified party for reasonable legal and other expenses incurred by such
indemnified party in defending himself.
14. Agent of Pacific Mutual or Separate Account. Any person, even though also
an officer, director, employee, or agent of PEN, who may be or become an
officer, director, employee, or agent of Pacific Mutual or the Separate Account
shall be deemed when rendering services to Pacific Mutual or the Separate
Account or acting in any business of Pacific Mutual or the Separate Account, to
be rendering such services to or acting solely for Pacific Mutual or the
Separate Account and not as an officer, director, employee, or agent or one
under the control or direction of PEN even though paid by PEN. Likewise, any
person even though also an officer, director, employee, or agent of Pacific
Mutual or the Separate Account, who may be or become an officer, director,
employee, or agent of PEN shall be deemed, when rendering services to PEN or
acting in any business of PEN, to be rendering such services to or acting solely
for PEN and not as an officer, director, employee, or agent or one under the
control or direction of Pacific Mutual or the Separate Account even though paid
by Pacific Mutual or the Separate Account.
15. Books and Records. It is expressly understood and agreed that all
documents, reports, records, books, files and other materials relating to this
Agreement and the services to be performed hereunder shall be the sole property
of Pacific Mutual and the Separate Account and that such property shall be held
by PEN as agent, during the effective term of this Agreement. This material
shall be delivered to Pacific Mutual upon the termination of this Agreement free
from any claim or retention of rights by PEN. During the term of this Agreement
and for a period of three years from the date of termination of this Agreement,
PEN will not disclose or use any records or information and will regard and
preserve as confidential all information related to the business of Pacific
Mutual or the Separate Account that may be obtained by PEN from any source as a
result of this Agreement and will disclose such information only if Pacific
Mutual or the Separate Account has authorized such disclosure, or if such
disclosure is expressly required by applicable federal or state regulatory
authorities. PEN further acknowledges and agrees that, in the event of a breach
or threatened breach by it of the provisions of this article, Pacific Mutual
will have no adequate remedy in moneys or
damages and, accordingly, Pacific Mutual shall be entitled in its discretion to
seek an injunction against such breach. However, no specification in this
Agreement of a specific legal or equitable remedy shall be construed as a waiver
or prohibition against any other legal or equitable remedy in the event of a
breach of a provision of this Agreement.
16. Employees. PEN will not employ, except with the prior written approval of
the Commissioner of Insurance of the state of California, in any material
connection with the handling of the Separate Account's assets any person who, to
the knowledge of PEN:
(a) in the last 10 years has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor
arising out of conduct involving embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, or
misappropriation of funds or securities, or involving violations of
Sections 1341, 1342, or 1343 of Xxxxx 00, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Code; or
(b) within the last 10 years has been found by any state regulatory
authority to have violated or has acknowledged violation of any provision
of any state insurance law involving fraud, deceit, or knowing
misrepresentation; or
(c) within the last 10 years has been found by any federal or state
regulatory authorities to have violated or have acknowledged violation of
any provision of federal or state securities laws involving fraud, deceit,
or knowing misrepresentation.
17. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon its
assignment without the prior written consent of both parties. This Agreement
may be terminated at any time, for any reason, by either party on 60 days'
written notice to the other party, without the payment of any penalty. Upon
termination of this Agreement, all authorizations, rights and obligations shall
cease except the obligation to settle accounts hereunder, including commissions
on premiums subsequently received for Contracts in effect at time of
termination, and the agreements contained in Sections 12 and 13 hereof.
18. Regulation. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1940
Act and the Securities Exchange Act and the rules, regulations and rulings
thereunder, and of the applicable rules and regulations of the NASD, and
applicable state insurance law and other applicable law, from time to time in
effect, and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance
therewith.
19. Independent Contractor. PEN shall act as an independent contractor and
nothing herein contained shall constitute PEN or its agents, officers or
employees as agents, officers, or employees of Pacific Mutual in connection with
the sale of the Contracts.
20. Notices. Notices of any kind to be given to PEN by Pacific Mutual or the
Separate Account shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed, first
class postage prepaid, or delivered to PEN at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx
000, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, or at such other address or to such
individual as shall be specified by PEN. Notices of any kind to be given to
Pacific Mutual or the Separate Account shall be in writing and shall be duly
given if mailed, first class postage prepaid, or delivered to them at 700
Newport Center Drive, Post Office Box 9000, Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, or at such other address or to such individual as
shall be specified by Pacific Mutual.
If any provisions of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not
be affected thereby.
21. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PACIFIC MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ATTEST: By: /s/XX XXXXXX
PRESIDENT
/s/XXXXXX X. MILFS
SECRETARY
PACIFIC EQUITIES NETWORK
By: /s/XXXXXXX X. XXXXX
PRESIDENT
/s/XXXXX X. XXXXXX
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
