EX-99.E1IV 4 ex99-e1iv.txt EXHIBIT 99.E1IV FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT Financial Intermediary Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of this 1st day of January, 2001 by and between DELAWARE DISTRIBUTORS, L.P. ("DDLP"), Delaware limited partnership, and LINCOLN FINANCIAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC. ("LFD"), a Connecticut corporation. WITNESSETH ---------- WHEREAS, DDLP serves as the distributor of a number of investment companies (individually a "Fund" and, collectively, the "Funds") registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), pursuant to distribution agreements between each Fund and DDLP; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the aforementioned distribution agreements, each Fund has engaged DDLP to promote the distribution of its shares and, in connection therewith and as agent for the Fund and not as principal, to advertise, promote, offer and sell the Fund's shares to the public; and WHEREAS, DDLP desires to enter into an agreement with LFD pursuant to which LFD shall promote the sale of the Funds' shares through broker/dealers, financial advisers and other financial intermediaries (collectively "Financial Intermediaries"). NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: 1. DDLP hereby engages LFD to promote the sale of shares of each Fund and each investment portfolio thereof listed in Appendix A hereto (as revised from time to time) through Financial Intermediaries. 2. LFD agrees to use its best efforts to promote the sale of the Funds' shares designated by DDLP to retail investors through Financial Intermediaries wherever their sale is legal, in such places and in such manner, not inconsistent with the law and the provisions of this Agreement and the Funds' Registration Statements under the Securities Act of 1933, including the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information contained therein. 3. LFD represents and warrants that it is, and shall remain at all times during the effectiveness of this Agreement, a broker/dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and qualified under applicable state securities laws in each jurisdiction in which LFD may be required to be qualified to act as a broker/dealer in securities, and a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"). DDLP represents and warrants that it is, and shall remain at all times during the effectiveness of this Agreement, a broker/dealer registered under the Exchange Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws in each jurisdiction in which DDLP may be required to be qualified to act as a broker/dealer in securities, and a member in good standing of the NASD. 4. DDLP will provide LFD with: (a) copies of the current Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for each Fund, including all supplements thereto; (b) copies of each Fund's periodic reports to shareholders as soon as reasonably practicable after DDLP receives such reports from the Fund; (c) marketing materials and advertising relating to the Funds; (d) Fund-related materials prepared by DDLP and designated for internal use only (subject to the terms and conditions established from time to time by DDLP); and (e) prompt notice of the issuance by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of any Fund, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose. 5. LFD agrees to submit to DDLP, prior to its use, the form of any sales literature and advertisements relating to the Funds prepared by LFD and proposed to be generally disseminated by or for LFD, all sales literature and advertisements relating to the Funds prepared by LFD and proposed to be used by LFD, and all sales literature and advertisements prepared by or for LFD for such dissemination or for use by others in connection with the sale of the Funds' shares. LFD also agrees that LFD will submit such sales literature and advertisements to the NASD, SEC or other regulatory agency as from time to time may be appropriate, considering practices then current in the industry. LFD agrees not to use or to permit others to use such sales literature or advertisements without the prior written consent of DDLP if any regulatory agency expresses objection thereto or if DDLP delivers to LFD a written objection thereto. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Paragraph 5, both parties acknowledge that DDLP shall be primarily responsible for preparing marketing materials and advertising relating to the Funds. 6. The responsibility of LFD hereunder shall be limited to the promotion of sales of the Funds' shares through Financial Intermediaries. LFD is not empowered to approve orders for sales of the Funds' shares or to accept payment for such orders. Sales of a Fund's shares shall be deemed to be made when and where accepted by the Fund's transfer agent on behalf of the Fund. 7. In consideration for the services provided by LFD under this Agreement, DDLP shall pay LFD the compensation set forth below: -2- (a) Sale of shares of Funds other than Delaware Group Premium Fund ("Premium Fund"). (1) With respect to each sale of non-money market Fund shares through Financial Intermediaries on or after the date of this Agreement, a non-recurring fee equal to: (A) .45% of the net asset value of such shares to the extent that the aggregate value of such shares sold during a calendar year, when combined with the aggregate value of Premium Fund shares sold during such calendar year through the products LFD wholesales and the aggregate value of wrap separate account sales generated by LFD during such calendar year, is $3.75 billion or less; or (B) .50% of the net asset value of such shares to the extent that the aggregate value of such shares sold during a calendar year, when combined with the aggregate value of Premium Fund shares sold during such calendar year through the products LFD wholesales and the aggregate value of wrap separate account sales generated by LFD during such calendar year, is more than $3.75 billion but less than $4.5 billion; or (C) .55% of the net asset value of such shares to the extent that the aggregate value of such shares sold during a calendar year, when combined with the aggregate value of Premium Fund shares sold during such calendar year through the products LFD wholesales and the aggregate value of wrap separate account sales generated by LFD during such calendar year, is more than $4.5 billion. (2) In addition to the non-recurring fee set forth in Section 7(a)(1), a fee at the annual rate of .04% of the average daily net assets of Fund shares (including money market Fund shares) outstanding and beneficially owned by shareholders through Financial Intermediaries, including those Fund shares sold before the date of this Agreement. (3) The fees payable by DDLP to LFD under this Section 7(a) shall be calculated and paid monthly. (b) Sale of Premium Fund shares through Allmerica Variable Products. (1) With respect to each sale of Premium Fund shares on or after the date of this Agreement through variable annuity and variable life insurance products for which Allmerica Investments, Inc. ("Allmerica") is the principal underwriter ("Allmerica Variable Products"), a non-recurring fee equal to the entire distribution allowance received by DDLP from Allmerica with respect to such sale. (2) The fees payable by DDLP to LFD under this Section 7(b) shall be calculated and paid monthly. -3- 8. With respect to the apportionment of costs between DDLP and LFD associated with activities with which both are concerned, the following will apply: (a) DDLP will pay the costs incurred in printing and mailing copies of Fund Prospectuses and shareholder reports to prospective investors; (b) DDLP will pay the costs of any additional copies of Fund financial and other reports and other Fund literature supplied to DDLP by the Fund for sales promotion purposes; (c) DDLP will bear the expense of its advertising and promotional activities and materials that relate exclusively to the Funds; (d) LFD will bear the expense of its advertising and promotional activities and materials, including value-added sales promotions, that do not relate directly to the Funds; and (e) DDLP and LFD will jointly bear the expense of advertising and promotional activities and materials relating both to the Funds and to the other products distributed by LFD, the apportionment of such expenses to be agreed upon by DDLP and LFD from time to time. 9. Both DDLP and LFD may engage in other business, provided such other business does not interfere with the performance by DDLP and LFD of their respective obligations under this Agreement. 10. DDLP agrees to indemnify, defend and hold LFD harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, or liabilities to which LFD may become subject by reason of DDLP's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. LFD agrees to indemnify, defend and hold DDLP harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, or liabilities to which DDLP may become subject by reason of LFD's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. 11. Copies of financial reports, Registration Statements and Prospectuses, as well as demands, notices, requests, consents, waivers, and other communications in writing which it may be necessary or desirable for either party to deliver or furnish to the other will be duly delivered or furnished, if delivered to such party at One Commerce Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, or at such other address as DDLP or LFD may designate in writing and furnish to the other. 12. This Agreement shall not be assigned, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, by LFD and shall terminate automatically in the event of its attempted assignment by LFD. This Agreement will automatically terminate with respect to a Fund upon the termination of the distribution agreement between DDLP and the Fund. This Agreement will automatically terminate with respect to all Funds in the event that LFD ceases to be a broker/dealer registered under the Exchange Act or a -4- member in good standing of the NASD. Except as specifically provided in the indemnification provision contained in Paragraph 10 herein, this Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their legal successors and no express or implied provision of this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the parties hereto and their legal successors any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained. 13. (a) This Agreement shall remain in force with respect to a Fund for a period of two years from the date hereof and from year to year thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and only if the terms and the renewal thereof have been approved by the vote of a majority of the Directors/Trustees of the Fund who are not parties hereto or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. (b) LFD may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving DDLP written notice of its intention to terminate the Agreement at the expiration of three months from the date of delivery of such written notice of intention to DDLP. (c) DDLP may terminate this Agreement at any time upon prior written notice to LFD of its intention to so terminate at the expiration of three months from the date of the delivery of such written notice to LFD. (d) The Board of Directors/Trustees of a Fund may terminate this Agreement with respect to the Fund at any time upon prior written notice to DDLP and/or LFD of its intention to so terminate at the expiration of three months from the date of delivery of such written notice to DDLP and/or LFD. 14. The validity, interpretation and construction of this Agreement, and of each part hereof, will be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. -5- 15. In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of the Agreement, which shall continue to be in force. DELAWARE DISTRIBUTORS, L.P. By: DELAWARE DISTRIBUTORS, INC., General Partner By: Name: Title: LINCOLN FINANCIAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC. By: Name: Title: -6- APPENDIX A Delaware Group Adviser Funds Delaware New Pacific Fund Delaware Overseas Equity Fund Delaware U.S. Growth Fund Delaware Group Cash Reserve Delaware Cash Reserve Fund Delaware Group Equity Funds I Delaware Balanced Fund Delaware Devon Fund Delaware Group Equity Funds II Delaware Blue Chip Fund Delaware Decatur Equity Income Fund Delaware Diversified Value Fund Delaware Growth and Income Fund Delaware Social Awareness Fund Delaware Group Equity Funds III Delaware American Services Fund Delaware Large Cap Growth Fund Delaware Research Fund Delaware Technology and Innovation Fund Delaware Trend Fund Delaware Group Equity Funds IV Delaware Diversified Growth Fund Delaware Growth Opportunities Fund Delaware Group Equity Funds V Delaware Mid-Cap Value Fund Delaware Retirement Income Fund Delaware Small Cap Contrarian Fund Delaware Small Cap Value Fund Delaware Group Foundation Funds Delaware Balanced Portfolio Delaware Growth Portfolio Delaware Income Portfolio Delaware S&P 500 Index Fund The Asset Allocation Portfolio Delaware Group Limited-Term Government Funds Delaware Limited-Term Government Fund -7- Delaware Group Global & International Funds Delaware Emerging Markets Fund Delaware Global Bond Fund Delaware Global Equity Fund Delaware International Equity Fund Delaware International Small Cap Fund Delaware Group Government Fund Delaware American Government Bond Fund Delaware Group Income Funds Delaware Corporate Bond Fund Delaware Delchester Fund Delaware Extended Duration Bond Fund Delaware High-Yield Opportunities Fund Delaware Strategic Income Fund Delaware Group Premium Fund Balanced Series Capital Reserves Series Cash Reserve Series Convertible Securities Series Devon Series Emerging Markets Series Global Bond Series Growth and Income Series Growth Opportunities Series High Yield Series International Equity Series REIT Series Select Growth Series Small Cap Value Series Social Awareness Series Strategic Income Series Technology and Innovation Series Trend Series U.S. Growth Series Delaware Group State Tax-Free Income Trust Delaware Tax-Free New Jersey Fund Delaware Tax-Free Pennsylvania Fund Delaware Group Tax-Free Fund Delaware Tax-Free Insured Fund Delaware Tax-Free USA Fund Delaware Tax-Free USA Intermediate Fund Delaware Group Tax-Free Money Fund Delaware Tax-Free Money Fund -8- Delaware Pooled Trust Real Estate Investment Trust Portfolio Voyageur Funds Delaware U.S. Government Securities Fund Voyageur Insured Funds Delaware Minnesota Insured Fund Delaware Tax-Free Arizona Insured Fund Voyageur Intermediate Tax Free Funds Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund Voyageur Investment Trust Delaware Tax-Free California Insured Fund Delaware Tax-Free Florida Fund Delaware Tax-Free Florida Insured Fund Delaware Tax-Free Kansas Fund Delaware Tax-Free Missouri Insured Fund Delaware Tax-Free New Mexico Fund Delaware Tax-Free Oregon Insured Fund Voyageur Mutual Funds Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund Delaware Montana Municipal Bond Fund Delaware National High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund Delaware Tax-Free Arizona Fund Delaware Tax-Free California Fund Delaware Tax-Free Iowa Fund Delaware Tax-Free Idaho Fund Delaware Tax-Free New York Fund Delaware Tax-Free Wisconsin Fund Voyageur Mutual Funds II Delaware Tax-Free Colorado Fund Voyageur Mutual Funds III Delaware Growth Stock Fund Delaware Select Growth Fund Delaware Tax-Efficient Equity Fund Voyageur Tax Free Funds Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund Delaware Tax-Free North Dakota Fund -9-