wellsfargofpa.htm

EX-99.H PARTIC AGREE 24 wellsfargofpa.htm WELLS FARGO FPA wellsfargofpa.htm

FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

This Agreement dated as of the 15^th day of November, 2004 is made by and among Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., on behalf of its subsidiary life insurance companies listed on Exhibit A (collectively “Nationwide”) and the current and any future Nationwide separate accounts as applicable (“Variable Accounts”), and Wells Fargo Management, LLC (“Adviser”) and Stephens, Inc. (“Distributor”) (collectively “the Company”) that serve as adviser and distributor, respectively, to the Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Nationwide is engaged in developing and offering variable annuity and variable life insurance products (collectively “Variable Products ”) funded through its Variable Accounts; and

WHEREAS, Nationwide also provides administrative and/or recordkeeping services for the Variable Products and in all other respects provides operational support in connection with the offering and maintenance of the Variable Products; and

WHEREAS, Nationwide and the Company mutually desire the inclusion of the investment portfolios of the Trust (each a “Fund”) listed on Exhibit B (and may be amended from time to time) as investment options in the Variable Products; and

WHEREAS, the Variable Products allow for the allocation of net amounts received by Nationwide and the Variable Accounts to the Company for investment in shares of the Funds; and

WHEREAS, selection of investment options is made by contract owners of the Variable Products and such contract owners may reallocate their investments among the investment options in accordance with the terms of the Variable Products; and

NOW THEREFORE, Nationwide and the Company, in consideration of the undertaking described herein, agree that the Funds will be available as investment options in the Variable Products offered by Nationwide, subject to the following:

ARTICLE I: REPRESENTATIONS

REPRESENTATIONS BY NATIONWIDE

Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. represents that it is a holding company duly organized and in good standing under applicable state law. Nationwide represents that its life insurance companies have been duly organized and are in good standing under applicable state law.

Nationwide represents that its life insurance company subsidiaries have validly established all separate accounts under applicable state law. Each Variable Account is or will be registered as a unit investment trust in accordance with the Provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), unless exempt from registration based on Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, or any other applicable exemption.

Nationwide represents that it will amend the registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and the 1940 Act for the Variable Products from time to time as required to effect the continuous offering of the Variable Products, unless otherwise exempt. Nationwide will also seek to have the Variable Products approved by state insurance authorities in jurisdictions where those annuity contract or life insurance policies will be offered.

Nationwide represents that: (i) the Variable Products are designed to be treated as annuity contracts and/or life insurance policies under the appropriate provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as Amended (the “Code”); (ii) for so long as the Variable Accounts hold shares of the Funds, Nationwide shall maintain such treatment; (iii) no investment portfolio of the Trust (i.e., each Fund) will fail to be eligible for “look through” treatment under Treasury Regulation 1.817-5(f) by reason of a current or future failure of Nationwide, the Variable Accounts or the Variable Products to comply with any applicable requirements of the Code or Treasury Regulations; (iv) it will promptly notify the Company upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Variable Products have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future; and (v) it will notify the Company immediately upon having any basis for believing that the failure of Nationwide, the Variable Accounts, or the Variable Products to comply with any applicable requirements of the Code or Treasury Regulations will render a Fund ineligible, or jeopardize a Fund's eligibility, for “look-through” treatment under Treasury Regulation 1.817-5(f) and will take all necessary steps to cure any such failure, including, if necessary, obtaining a waiver or closing agreement with respect to such failure from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service at Nationwide's expense.

Nationwide represents that any prospectus offering a Variable Product that is a life insurance contract where it is reasonably probable that such Variable Product would be a “modified endowment contract,” as that term is defined in Section 7702A of the Code, will identify such Variable Product as a modified endowment contract.

Nationwide represents that it will conduct its activities hereunder in material conformity with all applicable federal and state laws or regulations.

REPRESENTATIONS BY THE COMPANY

The Company represents that the Trust is duly organized and validly existing under applicable state law. The Company further represents that the shares of each Fund is duly authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable law, that each Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and will maintain its registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act.

The Company represents that the Trust shall take all such actions as are necessary to permit the sale of its shares to the Variable Accounts, including registering its shares sold to the Variable Accounts under the 1933 Act. The Company further represents that each Fund will amend the registration statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Company represents that each Fund will register and qualify its shares for sale in all states, where applicable and will promptly notify Nationwide if any shares are not qualified in a particular state.

The Company represents that each Fund is currently qualified as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and that the Trust shall maintain such qualification. The Company further represents that the Trust shall promptly notify Nationwide upon having a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it may not qualify as such in the future.

The Company represents that the risks to Fund shareholders resulting from abusive trading in the Fund and any policies and procedures adopted to deal with such risks are clearly disclosed in the Fund prospectuses and statements of additional information; and that such policies, as disclosed, will be uniformly and consistently enforced with respect to all Fund shareholders unless otherwise disclosed in the Fund prospectuses.

The Company represents that the Trust will at all times invest money from the Variable Products in such a manner as to ensure that the Variable Products will be treated as annuity contracts and/or life insurance policies under the Code and the regulations thereunder. The Company further represents that, without limiting the scope of the foregoing, each Fund will comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1-817-5, relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Code section or Treasury Regulation or successors thereto. In particular, each Fund will maintain its compliance with such diversification requirements, unless the Fund is otherwise exempt from Section 817(h) and/or except as otherwise disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus. The Company represents that the Trust will notify Nationwide promptly upon having a reasonable basis for believing it (or any of the Funds) has ceased to comply. The Company further represents that the Trust shall remedy any failure to comply with Section 817(h) within the time frame set forth by Section 817(h).

The Company represents that the Distributor: is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and will remain duly registered under all applicable federal and state securities laws; is a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”); serves as principal underwriter/distributor of the Trust; and will perform its obligations for the Trust in accordance with any applicable state and federal securities laws.

The Company represents that the Adviser: is exempt from the requirement to be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended; and will perform its obligations for the Trust in accordance with any applicable state and federal securities laws.

ARTICLE II: SALE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Nationwide shall be appointed to, and agrees to, act as a limited agent of the Company for the sole purpose of receiving instructions from duly authorized parties for the purchase and redemption of Fund shares prior to the close of regular trading each Business Day. A “Business Day” shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value as set forth in the Fund’s most recent prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. Except as particularly stated in this paragraph, Nationwide shall have no authority to act on behalf of the Company or to incur any cost or liability on its behalf. Both parties agree to follow any written guidelines or standards relating to the sale or distribution of the shares as may be provided in the provisions outlined in Exhibit C attached hereto, as well as to follow any applicable federal and/or state securities laws, rules or regulations.

The Trust agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by insurance companies that have entered into participation agreements substantially similar to this agreement (“Participating Insurance Companies”) and their separate accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC, provided, however, that the board of trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the “Trustees”) 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 is, in the sole discretion of the Trustees, acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders of any Fund.

The Company agrees that shares of the Funds will be sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts, and to qualified pension and retirement plans. No shares of the Funds will be sold to the general public.

The Company will not sell Fund shares to any insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as Articles II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of this Agreement are in effect to govern such sales.

Nationwide agrees that purchases and redemptions of Fund shares offered by the then current prospectus of each Fund shall be made in accordance with the provisions of such prospectus.

ARTICLE III: VOTING

For so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for Variable Products, Nationwide shall distribute all proxy material furnished by the Company (provided that such material is received by Nationwide or its designated agent at least 10 Business Days prior to the date scheduled for mailing to contract owners) and shall vote Fund shares in accordance with instructions received from the contract owners who have interests in such Fund shares. Nationwide shall vote the Fund shares for which no instructions have been received in the same proportion as Fund shares for which said instructions have been received from the contract owners, provided that such proportional voting is not prohibited by a contract owner’s qualified retirement plan document, if applicable. Nationwide and its agents will in no way recommend an action in connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies in the Fund shares.

Nationwide shall be responsible for assuring that each of its separate accounts participating in the Trust calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with other Participating Insurance Companies and as required by the mixed and shared funding order. The Trust will notify Nationwide of any changes of interpretation or amendment to the mixed and shared funding order.

ARTICLE IV: DOCUMENTS AND OTHER MATERIALS

DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY NATIONWIDE

Nationwide agrees to provide the Company, upon written request, any reports indicating the number of contract or policy owners having interests in the Variable Products corresponding to a Variable Account's acquisition of Fund shares and such other information (including books and records) that the Company may reasonably request or as may be necessary or advisable to enable it to comply with any law, regulation or order.

DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY

Within five (5) Business Days after the end of each calendar quarter, the Company shall provide Nationwide, or its designee, a quarterly statement of account, which shall confirm all transactions made during that particular quarter. Additionally, the Company shall provide Vision access to Nationwide.

The Company shall promptly provide Nationwide with a reasonable quantity (in light of the number of existing contract or policy owners) of the Funds’ prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information and any supplements thereto.

ARTICLE V: EXPENSES

All expenses incident to the performance by Nationwide under this Agreement shall be paid by Nationwide. Likewise, the Company and/or the Trust shall pay all expenses incident to the performance by the Trust under this Agreement.

Nationwide is responsible for: the expenses of the cost of registration of the Variable Products, unless otherwise exempt and the costs of having the Variable Products approved by state insurance authorities in the applicable jurisdictions; the cost of preparing and printing annual individual account statements as required by state insurance laws.

The Company and/or the Trust is/are responsible for the expenses of the cost of registration of the Funds’ shares, or preparation of the Funds’ prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy materials, reports and the preparation of other related statements and notices required by law (“Fund Materials”) for distribution in reasonable quantities to contract owners except as otherwise mutually agreed upon by the parties to the Agreement.

Nationwide is responsible for distributing Fund prospectuses to its existing contract owners. For Nationwide’s annual mailing to contract owners of Variable Product prospectuses and Fund prospectuses, the Company will provide updated Fund prospectuses for mailing to contract owners, or if a combined printing is done by Nationwide, the Company will pay the lesser of:

(a) The cost to print individual Fund prospectuses; or

(b) The Company's portion of the total printing costs if Nationwide does not use individual prospectuses, but reprints Fund prospectuses in another format; or

(c) The Company’s portion of the total reproduction costs if Nationwide does not use individual printed prospectuses, but reproduces the prospectuses in another allowable and appropriate medium (i.e., CD Rom or computer diskette) which is mutually agreed upon by both Nationwide and the Company and subject to reasonable costs.

For the purposes of the foregoing paragraph, the Company’s portion shall be the percentage of the total cost of the document represented by the ratio that the number of pages of the Fund prospectuses bears to the total number of pages.

ARTICLE VI: FUND SUBSTITUTION

Should the parties to this Agreement desire the removal of a Fund from a Variable Product, the parties agree to share any reasonable expenses incurred as a result of removing such Fund as an available investment option. The parties agree to provide reasonable advance notice of their election to remove a Fund. The Company acknowledges that Nationwide may need to seek the approval of the SEC under Section 26 (c) of the 1940 Act for any fund substitution.

ARTICLE VII: MIXED AND SHARED FUNDING

The Company represents that it has obtained a mixed and shared funding order issued by the SEC under Section 6(c) of the 1940 Act. Consistent with the Company's application for the mixed and shared funding order, Nationwide agrees to report any potential or existing conflicts promptly to the board of trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), and in particular whenever voting instructions of contract owners are disregarded, and recognizes that it will be responsible for assisting the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under such application. Nationwide agrees to carry out such responsibilities with a view to the interests of existing contract owners.

If a majority of the Board, or a majority of disinterested Trustees, determines that a material irreconcilable conflict exists with regard to contract owner investments in the Trust, the Board shall give prompt notice to all Participating Insurance Companies. If the Board determines that Nationwide is responsible for causing or creating said conflict, Nationwide shall at its sole cost and expense, and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees), take such action as is necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict. Such necessary action may include, but shall not be limited to:

(a) Withdrawing the assets allocable to the applicable Variable Account from the Trust and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, or submitting the question of whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected contract owners; and/or

(b) Establishing a new separate account.

If a material irreconcilable conflict arises as a result of a decision by Nationwide to disregard contract owner voting instructions and said decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote by all contract owners having an interest in the Trust, Nationwide may be required, at the Board's election, to withdraw the applicable Variable Account's investment in the Trust.

For the purpose of this Section, a majority of the disinterested Trustees shall determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event will the Trust or the Company be required to bear the expense of establishing a new funding medium for any Variable Product. Nationwide shall not be required by this Section to establish a new funding medium for any Variable Product if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of the contract owners materially and adversely affected by the irreconcilable material conflict.

The Board's determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable conflict and its implications will be made known in writing promptly to Nationwide.

Nationwide shall at least annually submit the Board such reports, materials, or data as the Board may reasonably request so that the Board may fully carry out the duties imposed upon the Board by the mixed and shared funding order, and such reports, materials and data shall be submitted more frequently if deemed appropriate by the Board.

If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding (as defined in the mixed and shared funding order) on terms and conditions materially different from those contained in the mixed and shared funding order, the Company and/or Nationwide, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable.

ARTICLE VIII: SALES LITERATURE

Nationwide represents and agrees that sales literature or other promotional material for the Variable Products prepared by Nationwide or its affiliates will be consistent with every law, rule, and regulation of any regulatory agency or self-regulatory agency that applies to the Variable Products or to the sale of the Variable Products, including, but not limited to, NASD Conduct Rule 2210 and IM-2210-2 thereunder.

Nationwide and its agents shall make no representations on behalf of or about the Trust in connection with the sale of the Variable Products except those contained in publicly available documents or other documents produced by the Company (or an entity on its behalf). Nationwide agrees to allow a reasonable period of time for the Company to review sales literature relating to the Variable Products, which discusses the Trust. Upon reasonable request, Nationwide agrees to furnish draft copies to the Company and allow a reasonable period of time for the review of such material prior to use and prior to the submission of such material to any applicable regulatory entity. The Company must either provide comments within a reasonable period of time or affirmatively decline to provide comments.

The Company represents and agrees that sales literature or other promotional material for the Trust prepared by the Trust or its affiliates in connection with the sale of the Variable Products will be consistent with every law, rule, and regulation of any regulatory agency or self regulatory agency that applies to the Company or the Trust or to the sale of Fund shares, including, but not limited to, NASD Conduct Rule 2210 and IM-2210-2 thereunder.

The Company and its agents shall make no representations about Nationwide except those contained in publicly available documents or other documents produced by Nationwide (or an entity on its behalf). The Company agrees to allow a reasonable period of time for Nationwide to review sales literature relating to the Trust that discusses the Variable Products. Upon reasonable request, the Company agrees to furnish draft copies to Nationwide and allow a reasonable period of time for the review of such material prior to use and prior to the submission of such material to any applicable regulatory entity. Nationwide must either provide comments within a reasonable period of time or affirmatively decline to provide comments.

ARTICLE IX: PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

For purposes of this Section, “Customer Information” means non-public personally identifiable information as defined in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and each party agrees not to use, disclose or distribute to others any such information except as necessary to perform the terms of this Agreement and each party agrees to comply with all applicable provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

For purposes of this Section, “Confidential Information” means any data or information regarding proprietary or confidential information concerning each of the parties. Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) was in the public domain prior to the date of this Agreement or subsequently came into the public domain through no fault of the receiving party or by violation of this Agreement; (b) was lawfully received by the receiving party from a third party free of any obligation of confidence of such third party; (c) was already in the possession of the receiving party prior to receipt thereof directly or indirectly from the disclosing party; (d) is required to be disclosed pursuant to applicable laws, regulatory or legal process, subpoena or court order; or, (e) is subsequently and independently developed by employees, consultants or agents of the receiving party without reference to or use of the Confidential Information disclosed under this Agreement. Each of the parties warrants to the other that it shall not disclose to any person any Confidential Information which it may acquire in the performance of this Agreement; nor shall it use such Confidential Information for any purposes other than to fulfill its contractual obligations under this Agreement and it will maintain the other party’s Customer and Confidential Information with reasonable care, which shall not be less than the degree of care it would use for its own such information.

In the event Confidential Information includes Customer Information, the Customer Information clause controls.

ARTICLE X: SECURITY

Both parties to this Agreement will maintain and enforce safety and physical security procedures with respect to its access and maintenance of Confidential Information (in electronic and paper format) that are in accordance with reasonable policies in these regards, and provide reasonably appropriate safeguards against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration or unauthorized disclosure or access of Confidential Information under this Agreement.

ARTICLE XI: ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING

Nationwide agrees that companies listed in Exhibit A will comply with the USA PATRIOT Act as applicable and effective. Nationwide agrees to comply with all applicable laws and regulations designed to prevent money “laundering,” and if required by such laws or regulations, to share with the Company information about individuals, entities, organizations and countries suspected of possible terrorist or money “laundering” activities.

The Company agrees that it will comply with the USA PATRIOT Act as applicable and effective. The Company agrees to comply with all applicable laws and regulations designed to prevent money “laundering,” and if required by such laws or regulations, to share with Nationwide information about individuals, entities, organizations and countries suspected of possible terrorist or money “laundering” activities in accordance with Section 314(b) of the USA Patriot Act.

ARTICLE XII: INDEMNIFICATION

A successor by law of the parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnification contained in this Article XII. The indemnification provisions contained in this Article XII shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

INDEMNIFICATION BY NATIONWIDE

(a) Nationwide agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the Company, and each of their Trustees, directors, officers, employees and agents, and any affiliated person of the Trust, Distributor or Adviser within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of Nationwide) or litigation expenses (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation expenses are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Variable Products and:

(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration statement or prospectus (which shall include the portions of any offering memoranda that contain information regarding the Trust or the Company) for the Variable Products issued by Nationwide (or in the policy forms for the Variable Products) or sales literature or other promotional material for such Variable Products (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 Nationwide by or on behalf of the Trust for use in the registration statement or prospectus for the Variable Products issued by Nationwide, or in sales literature or other promotional material (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of such Variable Products or of any Fund shares; or

(ii) arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or misrepresentation (other than misstatements or misrepresentations contained in the registration statement, prospectus, or sales literature or other promotional material of any Fund not supplied by Nationwide or persons under its control), or wrongful conduct of Nationwide or any of its affiliates, employees or agents with respect to the sale or distribution of the Variable Products issued by Nationwide or the Fund shares; or

(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or sales literature or other promotional material of any Funds or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, 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 by or on behalf of Nationwide; or

(iv) arise as a result of any failure by Nationwide to provide the services and furnish the materials or to make any payments under the terms of this Agreement; or

(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by Nationwide in this Agreement, or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by Nationwide; except to the extent provided in Sections (b) and (c) below.

(b) Nationwide shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation expenses to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of the Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.

(c) Nationwide shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Party shall have notified Nationwide in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent).

(d) In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, Nationwide shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action. Nationwide shall also be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from Nationwide to such party of Nationwide's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and Nationwide will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, unless (i) the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate because of actual or potential differing interests between them. If Nationwide assumes the defense or representation of an Indemnified Party, Nationwide shall not consent or agree to any settlement without the prior approval of the Indemnified Party.

INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Nationwide and Nationwide's affiliated principal underwriter of the Variable Products, and each of their directors, officers, employees, and agents, and any affiliated person of Nationwide within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation expenses (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation expenses are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Variable Products and:

(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration statement or prospectus or in sales literature or other promotional material of the Fund (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 the Company or the Trust or the designee of either by or on behalf of Nationwide for use in the registration statement or prospectus for any Fund or in sales literature or other promotional material (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in the registration statement or prospectus for any Fund or in sales literature or other promotional material (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Variable Products or Fund shares; or

(ii) arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or misrepresentations (other than misstatements or misrepresentations contained in the policy forms for the Variable Products, in any Variable Product or Fund registration statement and prospectus, or in sales literature or other promotional material for the Variable Products or for any Fund not supplied by the Company) or wrongful conduct of the Company, or the affiliates, employees, or agents of the Company with respect to the sale or distribution of the Variable Products or of any Fund shares; or

(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or sales literature or other promotional material covering the Variable Products (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to Nationwide by or on behalf of the Company or the Fund; or

(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to comply with the diversification requirements and procedures related thereto specified in Article I of this Agreement); or

(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company; except to the extent provided in Sections (b) and (c) below.

(b) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation expenses to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of the Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.

(c) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent).

(d) In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Company will be entitled to participate, at is own expense, in the defense thereof. The Company shall also be entitled to assume the defense of such action, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, unless (i) the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate because of actual or potential differing interests between them. If the Company assumes the defense or representation of an Indemnified Party, the Company shall not consent or agree to any settlement without the prior approval of the Indemnified Party.

ARTICLE XIII: APPLICABLE LAW

This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to conflicts of laws provisions thereof.

This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934 and 1940 Acts and the rules and regulations thereunder, including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant (including, but not limited to, the mixed and shared funding order), and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.

ARTICLE XIV: TERMINATION

This Agreement shall terminate as to the availability of shares of the Funds:

(1) at the option of Nationwide or the Company upon at least 6 months advance written notice to the other;

(2) at any time upon the Company's election, if the Company determines that liquidation of any Fund is in the best interest of the Fund or its beneficial owners. Reasonable advance notice of election to liquidate shall be provided to Nationwide in order to permit the substitution of Fund shares, if necessary, with shares of another investment company pursuant to the 1940 Act and other applicable securities regulations;

(3) at the option of Nationwide, if Fund shares are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Variable Products as determined by Nationwide. Reasonable advance notice of election to terminate (and time to cure) shall be furnished by Nationwide;

(4) upon a decision by Nationwide, in accordance with the 1940 Act and applicable regulations, to substitute such Fund shares with the shares of another investment company for the Variable Products for which the Fund shares have been selected to serve as the underlying investment medium. Nationwide shall give at least 60 days written notice to the Fund of any proposal to substitute Fund shares;

(5) if the applicable Variable Products are not treated as annuity contracts or life insurance policies by applicable regulatory entities or under applicable rules and regulations;

(6) if the Variable Accounts are not deemed “segregated asset accounts” by the applicable regulatory entities or under applicable rules and regulations;

(7) at the option of Nationwide or the Trust, upon institution of relevant formal proceedings against the broker-dealer(s) marketing the Variable Products, the Variable Accounts, Nationwide or the Trust by the NASD, the IRS, the Department of Labor, the SEC, state insurance departments or any other regulatory body;

(8) upon assignment of this Agreement unless such assignment is made with the written consent of each party and in accordance with applicable law;

(9) in the event Fund shares or the Variable Products are not registered, issued or sold pursuant to federal law and state securities laws, or such laws preclude the use of Fund shares as an underlying investment medium of the Variable Products issued or to be issued by Nationwide. Prompt written notice shall be given by either party to this Agreement to the other in the event the conditions of this provision occur;

(10) At the option of Nationwide, if Nationwide shall determine, in its sole judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that the Trust or the Company has suffered a material adverse change in its business or financial condition or is the subject of material adverse publicity and such material adverse change or material adverse publicity is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the business and operation of Nationwide. Nationwide shall notify the Company in writing of such determination and its intent to terminate this Agreement, and after considering the actions taken by the Trust or Company and any other changes in circumstances since the giving of such notice, such determination of Nationwide shall continue to apply on the sixtieth (60th) day following the giving of such notice, which sixtieth day shall be the effective date of termination;

(11) At the option of the Company, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that Nationwide has suffered a material adverse change in its business or financial condition or is the subject of material adverse publicity and such material adverse change or material adverse publicity is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the business and operation of the Trust or the Company. The Company shall notify Nationwide in writing of such determination and its intent to terminate this Agreement, and after considering the actions taken by Nationwide and any other changes in circumstances since the giving of such notice, such determination of the Company shall continue to apply on the sixtieth (60th) day following the giving of such notice, which sixtieth day shall be the effective date of termination; and

Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section and subject to Article II of this Agreement, Nationwide may require the Trust to continue to make available additional shares of a Fund for so long after the termination of this Agreement as Nationwide desires as provided below, for all Variable Products in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Existing Contracts”).

If shares of a Fund remain available after termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section, the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect, except for provision (1) above, and thereafter the Company may terminate the Agreement, as so continued pursuant to this Section, upon written notice to the other party, such notice to be for a period that is reasonable under the circumstances but need not be for more than 90 days.

Except as specifically provided herein, Nationwide shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Variable Products, except (i) as necessary to implement Variable Product owner initiated or approved transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application. Upon request, Nationwide will promptly furnish to the Company the opinion of counsel for Nationwide to the effect that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a legally required redemption.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this section (“Termination”), this Agreement and all related agreements shall remain in force and in effect for so long as allocations to any or all of the Variable Accounts remain invested in Fund shares.

ARTICLE XV: NOTICE

Each notice required by this Agreement shall be given in writing to:

If to Nationwide:

Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.

One Nationwide Plaza 1-09-V3

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Attention: Securities Officer

Fax Number: 614-677-2295

With a Copy to:

Nationwide Financial

One Nationwide Plaza, 1-12-04

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Attention: Vice President—Investment and Advisory Services

If to the Company:

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

525 Market Street, Floor 12

MAC # A0103-123

San Francisco, CA 94105

Attention: J. Sinha

Fax Number: 415-977-9300

With a Copy to:

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

525 Market Street, Floor 12

MAC # A0103-123

San Francisco, CA 94105

Attention: S. Pedrin, Business Manager

Fax Number: 415-977-9300

Any party may change its address by notifying the other party(ies) in writing.

ARTICLE XVI: MISCELLANEOUS

ENFORCEMENT OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE FUNDS

All persons dealing with the Trust must look solely to the property of the Trust for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust, as neither the Trustees, officers, agents nor shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Trust.

CAPTIONS

The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

COOPERATION AMONG PARTIES

Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the NASD, and state insurance regulators) and shall permit each other and such authorities reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Participation Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

ASSIGNMENT

This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor any rights, privileges, duties or obligations of the parties may be assigned by any party without the written consent of the other parties or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement.

ENFORCEABILITY

If any portion of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

REMEDIES NOT EXCLUSIVE

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, which the parties to this Agreement are entitled to under state and federal laws.

TRADEMARKS

Except to the extent required by applicable law, no party shall use any other party's names, logos, trademarks, trade name, service mark or symbol whether registered or unregistered, without the prior consent of such party.

SURVIVABILITY

Articles I, IX, XII hereof, and “Trademarks” above, shall survive termination of this Agreement. In addition, all provisions of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement in the event that any Variable Accounts are invested in a Fund at the time the termination becomes effective and shall survive for so long as such Variable Accounts remain so invested.

NON-EXCLUSIVITY

Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement and the arrangements described in this Agreement are intended to be non-exclusive and that each of the parties is free to enter into similar agreements and arrangements with other entities.

PARTNERSHIPS/JOINT VENTURES

Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership or joint venture by and among the parties hereto.

AMENDMENTS TO THIS AGREEMENT

This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written amendment, which includes any amendments to the Exhibits, executed by all parties to the Agreement.

EXECUTION

Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other that the persons executing this Agreement on its behalf are duly authorized and empowered to execute and deliver the Agreement and that the Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, and is enforceable in accordance with its terms. Except as particularly set forth herein, neither party assumes any responsibility hereunder and will not be liable to the other for damages, loss of data, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused by events beyond its control.

This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signature and it 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.

NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

_________________________________

By: William G. Goslee

Title: Vice-President

THE COMPANY

_________________________________

By: [Karla M. Rabusch]_____________

Title: [President/Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC]

By: [C. David Messman]____________

Title: [Secretary/Wells Fargo Funds Trust]

EXHIBIT A

SUBSIDIARY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES

Nationwide Life Insurance Company

Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company

Nationwide Life Insurance Company of America

Nationwide Life and Annuity Company of America

EXHIBIT B

FUNDS

All current and future funds available for sale through the Variable Products, including but not limited to any funds listed below.

Wells Fargo Variable Trust Asset Allocation Fund

Wells Fargo Variable Trust Large Company Growth Fund

Wells Fargo Variable Trust Money Market Fund

Wells Fargo Variable Trust Total Return Bond Fund

Wells Fargo Variable Trust Small Cap Growth Fund

EXHIBIT C

FUND/SERV

PROCESSING PROCEDURES

AND

MANUAL PROCESSING PROCEDURES

The purchase, redemption and settlement of shares of a Fund (“Shares”) will normally follow the Fund/SERV-Defined Contribution Clearance and Settlement Service (“DCCS”) Processing Procedures below and the rules and procedures of the SCC Division of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) shall govern the purchase, redemption and settlement of Shares of the Funds through NSCC by Nationwide. In the event of equipment failure or technical malfunctions or the parties’ inability to otherwise perform transactions pursuant to the FUND/SERV Processing Procedures, or the parties’ mutual consent to use manual processing, the Manual Processing Procedures below will apply.

It is understood and agreed that, in the context of Section 22 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the rules and public interpretations thereunder by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC Staff), receipt by Nationwide of any Instructions from the contract owner prior to the Close of Trade on any Business Day shall be deemed to be receipt by the Funds of such Instructions solely for pricing purposes and shall cause purchases and sales to be deemed to occur at the Share Price for such Business Day, except as provided in 4(c) of the Manual Processing Procedures. Each Instruction shall be deemed to be accompanied by a representation by Nationwide that it has received proper authorization from each contract owner whose purchase, redemption, account transfer or exchange transaction is effected as a result of such Instruction.

Fund/SERV-DCCS Processing Procedures

1. On each business day that the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) is open for business on which the Funds determine their net asset values (“Business Day”), the Distributor shall accept, and effect changes in its records upon receipt of purchase, redemption, exchanges, account transfers and registration instructions from Nationwide electronically through Fund/SERV (“Instructions”) without supporting documentation from the contract owner. On each Business Day, the Distributor shall accept for processing any Instructions from Nationwide and shall process such Instructions in a timely manner.

2. Distributor shall perform any and all duties, functions, procedures and responsibilities assigned to it under this Agreement and as otherwise established by the NSCC. Distributor shall conduct each of the foregoing activities in a competent manner and in compliance with (a) all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including NSCC Fund/SERV-DCCS rules and procedures relating to Fund/SERV; (b) the then-current Prospectus of a Fund; and (c) any provision relating to Fund/SERV in any other agreement of the Distributor that would affect its duties and obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

3. Confirmed trades and any other information provided by the Distributor to Nationwide through Fund/SERV and pursuant to this Agreement shall be accurate, complete, and in the format prescribed by the NSCC.

4. Trade information provided by Nationwide to the Distributor through Fund/SERV and pursuant to this Agreement shall be accurate, complete and, in the format prescribed by the NSCC. All Instructions by Nationwide regarding each Fund/SERV Account shall be true and correct and will have been duly authorized by the registered holder.

5. For each Fund/SERV transaction, Nationwide shall provide the Funds and the Distributor with all information necessary or appropriate to establish and maintain each Fund/SERV transaction (and any subsequent changes to such information), which Nationwide hereby certifies is and shall remain true and correct. Nationwide shall maintain documents required by the Funds to effect Fund/SERV transactions. Nationwide certifies that all Instructions delivered to Distributor on any Business Day shall have been received by Nationwide from the contract owner by the close of trading (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”)) on the Exchange (the “Close of Trading”) on such Business Day and that any Instructions received by it after the Close of Trading on any given Business Day will be transmitted to Distributor on the next Business Day.

Manual Processing Procedures

1. On each Business Day, Nationwide may receive Instructions from the contract owner for the purchase or redemption of shares of the Funds based solely upon receipt of such Instructions prior to the Close of Trading on that Business Day. Instructions in good order received by Nationwide prior to the close of trading on any given Business Day (generally, 4:00 p.m. ET (the “Trade Date”) and transmitted to the Distributor by no later than 9:00 a.m. ET the Business Day following the Trade Date (“Trade Date plus One” or “T+1”), will be executed at the NAV (“Share Price”) of each applicable Fund, determined as of the Close of Trading on the Trade Date.

2. By no later than 6:00 p.m. ET on each Trade Date (“Price Communication Time”), the Distributor will use its best efforts to communicate to Nationwide via electronic transmission acceptable to both parties, the Share Price of each applicable Fund, as well as dividend and capital gain information and, in the case of funds that credit a daily dividend, the daily accrual or interest rate factor, determined at the Close of Trading on that Trade Date.

3. As noted in Paragraph 1 above, by 9:00 a.m. ET on T+1 (“Instruction Cutoff Time”) and after Nationwide has processed all approved transactions, Nationwide will transmit to the Distributor via facsimile, telefax or electronic transmission or system-to-system, or by a method acceptable to Nationwide and the Distributor, a report (the “Instruction Report”) detailing the Instructions that were received by Nationwide prior to the Funds’ daily determination of Share Price for each Fund (i.e., the Close of Trading) on Trade Date.

(a) It is understood by the parties that all Instructions from the contract owner shall be received and processed by Nationwide in accordance with its standard transaction processing procedures. Nationwide or its designees shall maintain records sufficient to identify the date and time of receipt of all contract owner transactions involving the Funds and shall make or cause to be made such records available upon reasonable request for examination by the Funds or its designated representative or, by appropriate governmental authorities. Under no circumstances shall Nationwide change, alter or modify any Instructions received by it in good order.

(b) Following the completion of the transmission of any Instructions by Nationwide to the Distributor by the Instruction Cutoff Time, Nationwide will verify that the Distributor received the Instruction.

(c) In the event that an Instruction transmitted by Nationwide on any Business Day is not received by the Distributor by the Instruction Cutoff Time, due to mechanical difficulties or for any other reason beyond Nationwide’s reasonable control, such Instruction shall nonetheless be treated by the Distributor as if it had been received by the Instruction Cutoff Time, provided that Nationwide retransmits such Instruction by facsimile transmission to the Distributor and such Instruction is received by the Distributor’s financial control representative no later than 9:00 a.m. ET on T+1.

(d) With respect to all Instructions, the Distributor’s financial control representative will manually adjust a Fund’s records for the Trade Date to reflect any Instructions sent by Nationwide.

(e) By no later than 4:00 p.m. on T+1, and based on the information transmitted to the Distributor pursuant to Paragraph 3(c) above, Nationwide will use its best efforts to verify that all Instructions provided to the Distributor on T+1 were accurately received and that the trades for each Account were accurately completed and Nationwide will use its best efforts to notify Distributor of any discrepancies.

4. As set forth below, upon the timely receipt from Nationwide of the Instructions, the Fund will execute the purchase or redemption transactions (as the case may be) at the Share Price for each Fund computed as of the Close of Trading on the Trade Date.

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, all purchase and redemption transactions will settle on T+1. Settlements will be through net Federal Wire transfers to an account designated by a Fund. In the case of Instructions which constitute a net purchase order, settlement shall occur by Nationwide initiating a wire transfer by 1:00 p.m. ET on T+1 to the custodian for the Fund for receipt by the Funds’ custodian by no later than the Close of Business at the New York Federal Reserve Bank on T+1, causing the remittance of the requisite funds to the Distributor to cover such net purchase order. In the case of Instructions which constitute a net redemption order, settlement shall occur by the Distributor causing the remittance of the requisite funds to cover such net redemption order by Federal Funds Wire by 1:00 p.m. ET on T+1, provided that the Fund reserves the right to (i) delay settlement of redemptions for up to seven (7) Business Days after receiving a net redemption order in accordance with Section 22 of the 1940 Act and Rule 22c-1 thereunder (and any amendments thereto), or (iii) suspend redemptions pursuant to the 1940 Act or as otherwise required by law. Settlements shall be in U.S. dollars.

(b) Nationwide (and its Variable Accounts) shall be designated as record owner of each account (“Record Owner”). Distributor will provide Nationwide with all written confirmations required under federal and state securities laws.

(c) On any Business Day when the Federal Reserve Wire Transfer System is closed, all communication and processing rules will be suspended for the settlement of Instructions. Instructions will be settled on the next Business Day on which the Federal Reserve Wire Transfer System is open. The original T+1 Settlement Date will not apply. Rather, for purposes of this Paragraph 4(c) only, the Settlement Date will be the date on which the Instruction settles.

(d) Nationwide shall, upon receipt of any confirmation or statement concerning the accounts by such method acceptable to the Distributor and Nationwide, verify the accuracy of the information contained therein against the information contained in Nationwide’s internal record-keeping system and shall promptly advise the Distributor in writing of any discrepancies between such information. The Distributor and Nationwide shall cooperate to resolve any such discrepancies as soon as reasonably practicable.

Indemnification

In the event of any error or delay with respect to both the Fund/SERV Processing Procedures and the Manual Processing Procedures outlined in Exhibit C herein: (i) which is caused by the Funds or the Distributor, the Distributor shall make any adjustments on the Funds’ accounting system necessary to correct such error or delay and the responsible party or parties shall reimburse the contract owner and Nationwide, as appropriate, for any losses or reasonable costs incurred directly as a result of the error or delay but specifically excluding any and all consequential punitive or other indirect damages or (ii) which is caused by Nationwide, the Distributor shall make any adjustment on the Funds’ accounting system necessary to correct such error or delay and the affected party or parties shall be reimbursed by Nationwide for any losses or reasonable costs incurred directly as a result of the error or delay, but specifically excluding any and all consequential punitive or other indirect damages. In the event of any such adjustments on the Funds’ accounting system, Nationwide shall make the corresponding adjustments on its internal record-keeping system. In the event that more than one party contributes to errors or delays with respect to the Procedures hereto, each party shall be responsible for that portion of the loss or reasonable cost which results from its error or delay. All parties agree to provide the other parties prompt notice of any errors or delays of the type referred to herein and to use reasonable efforts to take such action as may be appropriate to avoid or mitigate any such costs or losses.

ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE

FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

AND

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE AGREEMENT

This Assignment and Amendment (“Assignment/Amendment”) is made as of June [1]_, 2005, by and between Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (“Nationwide”), Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (“NISC”), Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) and Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”) that serve as adviser and distributor, respectively, to the Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) and Stephens, Inc.. Reference is made to the Fund Participation Agreement (the “FP Agreement”) and the Administrative Service Agreement (the “Service Agreement”), each both made as of November 15, 2004, by and between Nationwide, Funds Management, Stephens, Inc. (“Stephens”) and the Trust. This Assignment/Amendment assigns the FP Agreement and the Service Agreement to Funds Distributor and makes other amendments to the FP Agreement and the Service Agreement. All capitalized terms used in this Amendment and not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the FPA Agreement and the Service Agreement.

WHEREAS, subject to the provisions hereof, Stephens desires to assign and transfer its rights, privileges, duties and obligations under the FP Agreement and the Service Agreement to Funds Distributor, and Funds Management and Funds Distributor wish to accept Stephens’ rights and privileges and to assume Stephens’ duties and obligations under the FP Agreement and Service Agreement as described herein;

WHEREAS, Nationwide is engaged in developing and offering Variable Products funded through Variable Accounts;

WHEREAS, the separate portfolios of the Trust are currently included as underlying investment options for the Variable Products issued by Nationwide through the Variable Accounts pursuant to the FP Agreement;

WHEREAS, Nationwide or its designee, pursuant to the Service Agreement, provide certain administrative services to the owners of certain Variable Products issued by Nationwide through certain Variable Accounts; and

WHEREAS, Funds Management, Funds Distributor and Nationwide (collectively, the “parties”) wish to amend certain portions of the FP Agreement and the Service Agreement;

WHEREAS, pursuant to a purchase agreement with Strong Financial Corporation, Wells Fargo & Company acquired certain of the asset management arrangements of Strong Capital Management, Inc., investment adviser to the Strong Funds;

WHEREAS, effective at the close of business on April 8, 2005, the Strong Funds were reorganized into the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds;

WHEREAS, Nationwide and the Wells Fargo Companies mutually desire that, upon execution of this Amendment, the hereinafter defined Strong Agreements will be of no further force and will be completely superceded by the Agreements;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual promises set forth below, the parties agree as follows:

Assignment and Assumption of Stephens’ Rights and Obligations. Stephens hereby assigns and transfers its rights, privileges, duties and obligations under the FP Agreement and Service Agreement to Funds Distributor. Funds Distributor agrees to accept such rights and privileges and assume such duties and obligations. Stephens shall not thereafter have any responsibility for such duties and obligations.

2.	Term. The Assignment/Amendment shall become effective as of April 11, 2005, the date upon which Stephens ceased serving as the primary distributor to the Trust.

Stephens’ Liability. Nationwide specifically acknowledges and agrees that (a) Funds Distributor does not accept or assume any liabilities of Stephens prior to April 11, 2005, and does not agree to pay, perform or discharge any indemnification obligations, under the FP Agreement and Service Agreement resulting from actions of Stephens prior to April 11, 2005, the date which the FP Agreement and Services Agreement is assigned from Stephens to Funds Distributor, and (b) Nationwide shall seek indemnification from Stephens, and not from Funds Distributor or any of its affiliates, for all claims, suits, actions, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses of any nature whatsoever resulting from actions of Stephens occurring prior to April 11, 2005, the date which the FP Agreement and Services Agreement is assigned from Stephens to Funds Distributor.

Nationwide, on behalf of itself and its subsidiary, NISC; and the Wells Fargo Companies, as successor to the Strong entities indicated below, hereby agree that the following agreements (collectively “Strong Agreements”), to the extent related to the inclusion of insurance funds as investment options in various products administered by Nationwide and services provided by Nationwide with regard to insurance funds shall, upon execution of this Amendment, be of no further force and effect and shall be completely superceded by the Agreements:

Mutual Fund Distribution and Shareholder Services Agreement, dated December 13, 2002, between Strong Investments, Inc. and NISC; and

Fund Agreement, dated May 1, 2003, among Nationwide, Strong Investor Services, Inc. and Strong Investments, Inc.

5.	Amendment to the FP Agreement.

a. Article II of the FP Agreement is hereby supplemented with the following:

“The Trust has adopted policies designed to prevent frequent purchases and redemptions of any Fund shares in quantities great enough to disrupt orderly management of the corresponding Fund’s investment portfolio. These policies are disclosed in the Trust’s prospectus. From time to time, the Trust and Funds Management may implement procedures reasonably designed to enforce the Trust’s disruptive trading policies and shall provide a written description of such procedures (and revisions thereto) to Nationwide. Such procedures may include the imposition of redemption fees. Nationwide’s policies and procedures include, but are not limited to, monitoring contract owner activity, imposing trade restrictions and enforcing redemption fees (of up to 1%) imposed by the funds (if applicable). The policies are disclosed in the Variable Product prospectuses.”

b. Article XVI of the FP Agreement is hereby supplemented with the following:

“RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES

Nationwide is an independent contractor vis-à-vis the Trust, Funds Management, or any of their affiliates for all purposes hereunder and will have no authority to act for or represent any of them. In addition, no officer or employee of Nationwide will be deemed to be an employee or agent of the Trust, the Company or any of their affiliates. Nationwide will not act as an “underwriter” or “distributor” of Trust shares, as those terms variously are used in the 1940 Act, the 1933 Act, and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Likewise, Nationwide is not a “transfer agent” of the Trust as that term is used in the 1934 Act and rules and regulations thereunder.

c. NISC shall be a party to the FP Agreement for the sole purpose of receiving payments from Funds Distributor pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

6.	Amendment to the Service Agreement.

a. Exhibit A to the Service Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and the Amended Exhibit A attached hereto shall be inserted in lieu thereof.

b. Except as specifically set forth herein, all other provisions of the Service Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above.

NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

___________________________________

By: [Karen R. Colvin]

Title: [Attorney-in-Fact]

NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT SERVICES CORPORATION

___________________________________

By: [Karen R. Colvin]

Title: [Vice President]

WELLS FARGO VARIABLE TRUST

________________________________

By:

Title: [Secretary]

WELLS FARGO FUNDS MANAGEMENT, LLC

__________________________________

By: [Karla Rabusch]

Title: [President]

WELLS FARGO FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, LLC

_________________________________

By:

Title:

STEPHENS, INC.

Agreed and accepted as to the entire Amendment, except Sections 5 and 6

________________________________

By: [Cara Peck]

Title: [President]

Stephens, Inc.

Agreed and accepted as to the entire Amendment, except Sections 5 & 6

______________________________

By:

Title: [ VP]

AMENDED EXHIBIT A

TO ADMINSTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

FUND SERVICE FEES

Variable Trust Asset Allocation Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust C&B Large Cap Value Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Discovery Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Equity Income Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust International Core Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Large Company Core Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Large Company Growth Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Money Market Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Multi Cap Value Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Opportunity Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Small Cap Growth Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Total Return Bond Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE

FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

AND

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, Nationwide is engaged in developing and offering Variable Products funded through Variable Accounts;

WHEREAS, Funds Management, Funds Distributor and Nationwide (collectively, the “parties”) wish to amend certain portions of the FP Agreement and the Service Agreement;

WHEREAS, effective at the close of business on April 8, 2005, the Strong Funds were reorganized into the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual promises set forth below, the parties agree as follows:

2.	Term. The Assignment/Amendment shall become effective as of April 11, 2005, the date upon which Stephens ceased serving as the primary distributor to the Trust.

Mutual Fund Distribution and Shareholder Services Agreement, dated December 13, 2002, between Strong Investments, Inc. and NISC; and

Fund Agreement, dated May 1, 2003, among Nationwide, Strong Investor Services, Inc. and Strong Investments, Inc.

5.	Amendment to the FP Agreement.

a. Article II of the FP Agreement is hereby supplemented with the following:

b. Article XVI of the FP Agreement is hereby supplemented with the following:

“RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES

c. NISC shall be a party to the FP Agreement for the sole purpose of receiving payments from Funds Distributor pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

7.	Amendment to the Service Agreement.

a. Exhibit A to the Service Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and the Amended Exhibit A attached hereto shall be inserted in lieu thereof.

b. Except as specifically set forth herein, all other provisions of the Service Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above.

NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

___________________________________

By: [Karen R. Colvin]

Title: [Attorney-in-Fact]

NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT SERVICES CORPORATION

___________________________________

By: [Karen R. Colvin]

Title: [Vice President]

WELLS FARGO VARIABLE TRUST

________________________________

By:

Title: [Secretary]

WELLS FARGO FUNDS MANAGEMENT, LLC

__________________________________

By: [Karla Rabusch]

Title: [President]

WELLS FARGO FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, LLC

_________________________________

By:

Title:

STEPHENS, INC.

Agreed and accepted as to the entire Amendment, except Sections 5 and 6

________________________________

By: [Cara Peck]

Title: [President]

Stephens, Inc.

Agreed and accepted as to the entire Amendment, except Sections 5 & 6

______________________________

By:

Title: [ VP]

AMENDED EXHIBIT A

TO ADMINSTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

FUND SERVICE FEES

Variable Trust Asset Allocation Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust C&B Large Cap Value Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Discovery Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Equity Income Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust International Core Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Large Company Core Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Large Company Growth Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Money Market Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Multi Cap Value Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Opportunity Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Small Cap Growth Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)

Variable Trust Total Return Bond Fund [X.XX%] (XX BPS)