1.2 “Agreement” means this agreement and any and all exhibits or schedules attached hereto and any and all amendments or modifications which may from time to time be executed.
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1.3 “Confidential Information” means any and all technical or business information relating to a party, including, without limitation, financial, marketing and product development information, Shareholder Data (including any non-public information of such Shareholder), Proprietary Information, and the terms and conditions (but not the existence) of this Agreement, that is disclosed or otherwise becomes known to the other party or its affiliates, agents or representatives before or during the term of this Agreement. Confidential Information constitutes trade secrets and is of great value to the owner (or its affiliates). Confidential Information shall not include any information that is: (a) already known to the other party or its affiliates at the time of the disclosure; (b) publicly known at the time of the disclosure or becomes publicly known through no wrongful act or failure of the other party; (c) subsequently disclosed to the other party or its affiliates on a non-confidential basis by a third party not having a confidential relationship with the owner and which rightfully acquired such information; or (d) independently developed by one party without access to the Confidential Information of the other. |
1.3 “Confidential Information” means any and all technical or business information relating to a party, including, without limitation, financial, marketing and product development information, Shareholder Data (including any non-public information of such Shareholder), Proprietary Information, and the terms and conditions (but not the existence) of this Agreement, that is disclosed or otherwise becomes known to the other party or its affiliates, agents or representatives before or during the term of this Agreement. Confidential Information constitutes trade secrets and is of great value to the owner (or its affiliates). Confidential Information shall not include any information that is: (a) already known to the other party or its affiliates at the time of the disclosure; (b) publicly known at the time of the disclosure or becomes publicly known through no wrongful act or failure of the other party; (c) subsequently disclosed to the other party or its affiliates on a non-confidential basis by a third party not having a confidential relationship with the owner and which rightfully acquired such information; or (d) independently developed by one party without access to the Confidential Information of the other. |
1.4 “DSPP” means direct stock purchase plan.
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1.5 “Non-Public Personal Information” about a Shareholder shall mean (i) personally identifiable financial information; and (ii) any list, description, or other grouping of Shareholders that is derived from using any personally identifiable information that is not publicly available.
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1.6 “Plans” means any dividend reinvestment plan, DSPP, or other investment programs administered by Trust Company for each Fund, relating to the Shares, whether as of the Effective Date or at any time during the term of this Agreement.
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1.7 “Services” means all services performed or made available by Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
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1.8 “Share” means each Fund’s common shares issued in accordance with such Fund’s Certificate of Trust or other governing documents, and other classes of Fund’s shares to be designated by Fund in writing and which Agent agrees to service under this Agreement.
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1.9 “Shareholder” means a holder of record of Shares.
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1.10 “Shareholder Data” means all information maintained on the records database of Agent concerning Shareholders.
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2. APPOINTMENT OF AGENT.
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2.1 Appointments. Each Fund hereby appoints Computershare to act as sole transfer agent and registrar for all Shares and as processor of all payments received or made by or on behalf of Fund under this Agreement and appoints Trust Company as administrator of Plans in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and Computershare and Trust Company accept the respective appointments.
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2.2 Documents. In connection with the appointments herein, Fund has provided or will provide the following appointment and corporate authority documents to Agent:
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(a)
|
A copy of the resolution appointing Computershare as the transfer agent;
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(b)
|
If applicable, specimens of all forms of outstanding Share certificates, in forms approved by the Board of Trustees/Directors of Fund, with a certificate of the Secretary of Fund as to such approval;
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(c)
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A board resolution and/or certificate of incumbency designating officers or other designated persons of Fund authorized to sign written instructions and requests and, if applicable, Share certificates, in connection with this Agreement (each an “Authorized Person”);
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(d)
|
An opinion of counsel for any Fund added after the Effective Date addressed to both Computershare and Trust Company stating that:
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(i)
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Fund is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization;
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(ii)
|
All Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof were issued as part of an offering that was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) and any other applicable federal or state statute or that was exempt from such registration;
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(iii)
|
All Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and
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(iv)
|
If applicable, the use of facsimile signatures by Agent in connection with the countersigning and registering of Share certificates has been duly authorized by Fund and is valid and effective.
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(e)
|
A certificate of each Fund as to the Shares authorized, issued and outstanding, as well as a description of all reserves of unissued Shares relating to the exercise of options;
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(f)
|
A completed Internal Revenue Service Form 2678; and
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(g)
|
A completed Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable.
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In addition, Fund acknowledges that upon any future original issuance of Shares for which Agent will act as transfer agent hereunder, Agent will require an opinion of counsel for Fund addressed to both Computershare and Trust Company stating that such Shares (i) have been issued as part of an offering that was registered under the 1933 Act and any other applicable federal or state statute, or that was exempt from such registration, and (ii) are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
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2.3 Records. Agent may adopt as part of its records all Shareholder lists, Share ledgers, records, books, and documents which have been employed by Fund or any of its agents and which are certified to be true,
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authentic and complete. Agent shall keep records relating to the Services, in the form and manner it deems advisable, but in any event consistent with the reasonable standards of the transfer agency industry. Agent agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by it relating to the Services are the property of the Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with the requirements of law and Agent’s records management policy, and will be surrendered promptly to the Fund in accordance with its request subject to applicable law and Agent’s records management policy.
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2.4 Shares. Fund shall, if applicable, inform Agent as soon as possible in advance as to: (a) the existence or termination of any restrictions on the transfer of Shares, the application to or removal from any Share of any legend restricting the transfer of such Shares (which may be subject, in the case of removal of any such legend, to delivery of a legal opinion in form and substance acceptable to Agent), or the substitution for such Share of a Share without such legend; (b) any authorized but unissued Shares reserved for specific purposes; (c) any outstanding Shares which are exchangeable for Shares and the basis for exchange; (d) reserved Shares subject to option and the details of such reservation; (e) any Share split or Share dividend; (f) any other relevant event or special instructions which may affect the Shares; and (g) any bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding regarding each Fund affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights. |
2.5 Share Certificates. If applicable, Fund shall provide Agent with (i) documentation required to print on demand Share certificates, or (ii) an appropriate supply of Share certificates which contain a signature panel for use by an authorized signor of Agent and state that such certificates are only valid after being countersigned and registered, whichever is applicable.
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2.6 Fund Responsibility. Fund shall perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, documents, instruments and assurances as Agent may reasonably require in order to carry out or perform its obligations under this Agreement.
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2.7 Scope of Agency.
|
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(a)
|
Agent shall act solely as agent for Fund under this Agreement and owes no duties hereunder to any other person. Agent undertakes to perform the duties and only the duties that are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against Agent.
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(b)
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Agent may rely upon, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith reliance upon, (i) any communication from Fund, any predecessor transfer agent or co-transfer agent or any registrar (other than Agent), predecessor registrar or co-registrar; (ii) any instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report, certificate, opinion or other instrument, paper, document or electronic transmission believed in good faith by Agent to be genuine and to have been signed or given by the proper party or parties; (iii) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (iv) any instructions received through Direct Registration System/Profile. In addition, Agent is authorized to refuse to make any transfer that it determines in good faith not to be in good order. |
|
(c)
|
From time to time, Fund may provide Agent with Instructions concerning the Services. Further, Agent may apply to any Authorized Person of Fund for instruction, and may consult with legal counsel for Agent or Fund with respect to any matter arising in connection with the Services. Agent and its agents and subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by Fund under Section 9.2 of this Agreement for any action taken or omitted by Agent In good faith reliance upon any Fund instructions or upon the advice or opinion of such counsel. Fund shall promptly provide Agent with an updated board resolution and/or certificate of incumbency regarding any change of authority for any Authorized Person. Agent shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any Authorized Person, until receipt of written notice thereof from Fund.
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(d)
|
Compliance with Laws. Agent is obligated and agrees to comply with all applicable U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations, codes, orders and government rules in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
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3. STANDARD SERVICES.
|
3.1 Share Services. Agent shall perform the Services set forth in the Fee and Service Schedule (“Fee and Service Schedule”) attached hereto and incorporated herein. Further, Agent shall issue and record Shares as authorized, hold Shares in the appropriate Account, and effect transfers of Shares upon receipt of appropriate documentation.
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3.2 Replacement Shares. Agent shall issue replacement Shares for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon receipt by Agent of an open penalty surety bond satisfactory to it and holding it and Fund harmless, absent notice to Agent that such certificates have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. Agent may, at its option, issue replacement Shares for mutilated certificates upon presentation thereof without such indemnity. Agent may, at its sole option, accept indemnification from Fund to issue replacement Shares for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed in lieu of an open penalty bond. Agent shall charge Shareholders an administrative fee for replacement of lost certificates, which shall be charged only once in instances where a single surety bond obtained covers multiple certificates. Agent may receive compensation, including in the form of surety premiums, for administrative services provided in connection with surety programs offered to Shareholders. |
3.3 Internet Services. Agent shall make available to Fund and Shareholders, through www.computershare.com (“Web Site”), online access to certain Account and Shareholder information and certain transaction capabilities (“Internet Services”), subject to Agent’s security procedures and the terms and conditions set forth herein and on the Web Site. Agent provides Internet Services “as is,” on an “as available” basis, and hereby specifically disclaims any and all representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding such Internet Services, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and Implied warranties arising from course of dealing or course of performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in providing Internet Services to Shareholders, Agent shall comply with all applicable laws concerning consent to delivery and delivery of documents electronically. |
3.4 Proprietary Information. Fund agrees that the databases, programs, screen and report formats, interactive design techniques, Internet Services, software (including methods or concepts used therein, source code, object code, or related technical information) and documentation manuals furnished to Fund by Agent as part of the Services are under the control and ownership of Agent or a third party (including its affiliates) and constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, “Proprietary Information”). Shareholder Data is not Proprietary Information. Fund agrees that Proprietary Information is of substantial value to Agent or other third party and will treat all Proprietary Information as confidential in accordance with Section 11 of this Agreement. Fund shall take reasonable efforts to advise its relevant employees and agents of its obligations pursuant to this Section 3.4. |
3.5 Third Party Content. Agent may provide real-time or delayed quotations and other market information and messages (“Market Data”), which Market Data is provided to Agent by certain third parties who may assert a proprietary interest in Market Data disseminated by them but do not guarantee the timeliness, sequence, accuracy or completeness thereof. Fund agrees and acknowledges that Agent shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, error, delay in, omission of, or interruption in any Market Data or the transmission thereof.
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3.6 Lost Shareholders: In-Depth Shareholder Search.
|
|
(a)
|
Agent shall conduct such database searches to locate lost Shareholders as are required by Rule 17Ad-17 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), without charge to the Shareholder. If a new address is so obtained in a database search for a lost Shareholder,
|
|
Agent shall conduct a verification mailing and update its records for such Shareholder accordingly.
|
|
(b)
|
Computershare may facilitate the performance of a more in-depth search for the purpose of (i) locating lost Shareholders for whom a new address is not obtained in accordance with clause (a) above, (ii) identifying Shareholders who are deceased (or locating the deceased Shareholder’s estate representative, heirs or other party entitled to act with respect to such Shareholder’s account (“Authorized Representative”)), and (in) locating Shareholders whose accounts contain an uncashed check older than 180 days, in each case using the services of a locating service provider selected by Computershare, which service provider may be an affiliate of Computershare. Such provider may compensate Computershare for processing and other services that Computershare provides in connection with such in-depth search, including providing Computershare a portion of its service fees. |
|
(c)
|
Upon locating any Shareholder (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) pursuant to clause (b) above, the locating service provider shall clearly identify to such Shareholder (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) all assets held in such Shareholder’s account. Such provider shall inform any such located Shareholders (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) that such Shareholder (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) may choose either (i) to contact Computershare directly to obtain the assets in such account, at no charge other than any applicable fees to replace lost certificates, if applicable, or (ii) to use the services of such provider for a processing fee, which may not exceed 20% of the asset value of such Shareholder’s property where the registered Shareholder is living, deceased, or not a natural person; provided that in no case shall such fee exceed the maximum statutory fee permitted by the applicable state jurisdiction. If Fund selects a locating service provider other than one selected by Computershare, then Agent shall not be responsible for the terms of any agreement between such provider and Fund and additional fees may apply. |
|
(d)
|
Pursuant to Section 2.7(c) of this Agreement, Fund hereby authorizes and instructs Agent to provide a Shareholder file or list of those Shareholders not located following the required Rule 17Ad-17 searches to any service provider administering any in-depth shareholder location program on behalf of Agent or Fund.
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3.7 Compliance Matters. Upon request, Agent shall provide reasonable and customary information or reports to Fund or Fund’s chief compliance officer, as necessary for Fund or Fund’s chief compliance officer to comply with Rule 38a-l under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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4. PLAN SERVICES.
|
4.1 Trust Company shall perform all services under the Plans, as the administrator of such Plans, with the exception of payment processing for which Computershare has been appointed as agent by each Fund, and certain other services that Trust Company may subcontract to Computershare as permitted by applicable law (e.g., ministerial services).
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4.2 To the extent Fund does not have a DSPP as of the Effective Date, Fund agrees that Trust Company may implement and administer a Trust Company-sponsored DSPP on behalf of Fund for the Shares at any time during the term of this Agreement, upon providing prior written notice to Fund. In consideration of Trust Company receiving service and transaction fees from the DSPP participants in connection with its administration of the DSPP, Agent shall not charge any fees to Fund for such administration.
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4.3 Agent shall act as agent for Shareholders pursuant to the Plans in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plans.
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5. DIVIDEND DISBURSING AND PAYMENT SERVICES.
|
5.1 Declaration of Dividends. Upon receipt of written notice from an Authorized Person declaring the payment of a dividend, Computershare shall disburse such dividend payments to Shareholders provided that
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Fund furnishes Computershare with sufficient funds one day in advance of the applicable payable date. The payment of such funds to Computershare for the purpose of being available for the payment of dividends from time to time is not intended by Fund to confer any rights in such funds on Shareholders whether in trust, contract, or otherwise.
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6.
|
ADDITIONAL SERVICES. To the extent that Fund elects to engage any entity other than Agent (“Vendor”) to provide any additional services (e.g., plans, restricted stock, corporate actions, etc.), Fund shall give Agent or its affiliates an opportunity to bid on such services upon the same terms and conditions as Vendor.
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(a)
|
If any undisputed amount in an invoice of Agent (for fees or reimbursable expenses) is not paid within 30 days after the date of such invoice, Agent may charge Fund interest thereon (from the due date to the date of payment) at a monthly rate equal to one and a half percent (1.5%). Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, such interest rate shall be no greater than permitted under applicable law.
|
|
(b)
|
The failure by Fund to (i) pay the undisputed portion of an invoice within 90 days after the date of such invoice or (ii) timely pay the undisputed portions of two consecutive invoices shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement by such Fund. Notwithstanding terms to the contrary in Section 12.2 below, Agent may terminate this Agreement with respect to such breaching Fund for such material breach immediately and shall not be obligated to provide Fund with 30 days to cure such breach.
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(c)
|
Each Fund is severally, and not jointly, responsible for its pro rata portion of the undisputed portion of the invoice.
|
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(a)
|
Governance. Computershare is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and Trust Company is a federally chartered trust company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the United States and each has full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; and
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(b)
|
Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Agent has been duly authorized by all necessary action, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Agent enforceable against Agent in accordance with its terms, will not require the consent of any third party that has not been given, and will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Agent is subject, (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority applicable to Agent, (iii) Agent’s incorporation documents or by-laws, or (iv) any material agreement to which Agent is a party.
|
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(a)
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Governance. It is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under its state of incorporation and it has full power, authority and legal right to enter into and perform this Agreement;
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(b)
|
Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Fund has been duly authorized by all necessary action, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Fund enforceable against Fund in accordance with its terms, will not require the consent of any third party that has not been given, and will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Fund is subject, (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority applicable to Fund, (iii) Fund’s governing documents or by-laws, (iv) any material agreement to which Fund is a party, or (v) any applicable stock exchange rules;
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(c)
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Securities Laws. Registration statements under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act have been filed and were effective at the time of, or will be effective prior to, the sale of any Shares, and will remain so effective for so long as required by applicable law, and all appropriate state securities law filings have been made with respect to all Shares being offered for sale except for any Shares which are offered in a transaction or series of transactions which are exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, 1934 Act and state securities laws; Fund will immediately notify Agent of any information to the contrary;
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(d)
|
Shares. The Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and are non-assessable; and any Shares to be issued hereafter, when issued, shall have been duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and will be non-assessable; and
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(e)
|
Facsimile Signatures. The use of facsimile signatures by Agent in connection with the countersigning and registering of Share certificates has been duly authorized by Fund and is valid and effective.
|
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(a)
|
notify the other party in writing of any unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of the other party’s Confidential Information by any person or entity that may become known to such party;
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|
|
|
|
(b)
|
furnish to the other party full details of the unauthorized possession, use or disclosure; and
|
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent a recurrence of any such unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of Confidential Information.
|
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If to Fund:
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Guggenheim
|
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227 West Monroe Street
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Chicago, IL 60606
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|
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If to Agent:
|
Computershare Inc.
|
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250 Royall Street
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Canton, MA 02021
|
|
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Attn: General Counsel
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Computershare Inc. and
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Computershare Trust Company, N. A.
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On Behalf of Both Entities:
|
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On behalf of each of the Guggenheim Closed-End
|
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|
|
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Investment Companies Listed on
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|
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Schedule 1 Attached Hereto
|
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By: /s/ Martin J. McHale, Jr.
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By: /s/ John L. Sullivan
|
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|
Name: Martin J. McHale, Jr.
|
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Name: John L. Sullivan
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Title: President, U.S. Equity Services
|
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Title Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
|
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Termination
Phase
|
|
Standard Services. $5,000.00
Minimum Fee Per Termination |
|
Extended Services. $2,500.00 for each of the individual Services listed below.
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|||
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|
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Test of
Conversion
Services
|
|
•
|
Not applicable
|
|
•
|
Test full audit extracts files (which are either transmitted to the agent or copied on to a protected CD); test Full Registered List, all classes Opened and/or Closed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Additional test audit extracts (includes all shareholder details. Control totals & codes sent w/extracts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Test separate exchange lists for each class
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Test certificate stop list
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Test certificate legend list
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Test RPO accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Test full transactions lists
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Test ACH debit list including plan shares and reinvestment code
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Test ACH credit list and secondary address list
|
Final
Conversion
Services
|
|
•
|
Full audit extracts
|
|
•
|
Separate exchange lists for each class
|
|
|
|
•
|
Full registered list opened and closed
|
|
•
|
Full transactions list
|
|
|
|
•
|
Certificate stop list
|
|
•
|
ACH Debit including plan shares and reinvestment code*
|
|
|
|
•
|
Certificate legend list
|
|
•
|
ACH Credit list and secondary address list*
|
|
|
|
•
|
RPO accounts
|
|
•
|
1099D detailed report*
|
|
|
|
•
|
End of year tax report*
|
|
•
|
1042S detailed report*
|
|
|
|
•
|
Parallel processing for up to 4 days
|
|
•
|
Parallel processing for more than 4 days (each additional day is considered one extended service)
|
|
|
|
•
|
Communications with new agent as applicable
|
|
|
|
|
Post
Conversion
Services
|
|
•
|
Certification letter
|
|
•
|
Not applicable
|
|
|
|
•
|
Due Diligence statement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
3 months post conversion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Check extract files
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Check reports
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Check reports and extracts to CDs
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Communications with new agent as applicable
|
|
|
|
*
|
Not applicable to terminations for non-dividend payers.
|
FUND
|
Advent Claymore Convertible Securities & Income Fund
|
Advent Claymore Convertible Securities & Income Fund II
|
Managed Duration Investment Grade Municipal Fund
|
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund
|
Guggenheim Build America Bonds Managed Duration Trust
|
Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund
|
Guggenheim Egual Weight Enhanced Eguity Income Fund
|
Advent/Claymore Enhanced Growth & Income Fund
|
Fiduciary/Claymore MLP Opportunity Fund
|
Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Strategy Fund
|
Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund
|
Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund
|