As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 17, 1999
Securities Act File No. 333-80993
Investment Company Act File No. 811-9393
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Post Effective Amendment No.
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 1
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
2020 E. Financial Way
Suite 100
Glendora, CA 91741
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(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(626) 852-1033
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Julie Allecta, Esq.
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
345 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the
date of effectiveness of this Registration Statement.
Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par
value.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
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PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER , 1999
VILLERE BALANCED FUND
A SERIES OF TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
The VILLERE BALANCED FUND seeks long term capital growth, consistent with
preservation of capital and balanced by current income. The Fund will pursue
this objective by investing in a combination of equity securities and high
quality fixed income obligations. The Fund's investment adviser is St. Denis J.
Villere & Co.
AS WITH ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION DOES NOT
APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE OF THESE SHARES OR DETERMINE IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS
TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE. IT MAY CHANGE. THE SHARES
OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS CANNOT BE SOLD UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT IS
DECLARED EFFECTIVE BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THIS PROSPECTUS IS
NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SHARES-AND DOES NOT SOLICIT OFFERS TO BUY-IN ANY
STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
The date of this Prospectus is ____________ , 1999
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary of Investment Strategies and Risks................................
Fees and Expenses.........................................................
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies..................
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund..................................
Investment Adviser........................................................
Shareholder Information...................................................
Pricing of Fund Shares....................................................
Dividends and Distributions...............................................
Tax Consequences..........................................................
Rule 12b-1 Fees...........................................................
Financial Highlights......................................................
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SUMMARY OF INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT GOAL?
The VILLERE BALANCED FUND seeks long term capital growth, consistent with
preservation of capital and balanced by current income. The Fund will pursue
this objective by investing in a combination of equity securities and high
quality fixed income obligations.
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S PRIMARY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS?
The Fund invests 60% - 70% of its assets in equity securities selected primarily
for their growth potential and 30% to 40% of its assets in equity and fixed
income securities selected primarily for their income potential.
In selecting investments, the Fund's investment adviser, St. Denis J. Villere &
Co., ("Adviser") places a greater emphasis on the income component of the Fund's
portfolio than might be the case for a traditional equity fund. Under normal
market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in fixed
income securities. Fixed income securities will primarily be investment grade,
with maturities of from three to ten years.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money on your
investment in the Fund. For example, the following risks could affect the value
of your investment:
* MARKET RISK -- Either the stock market as a whole, or the value of a
individual company, goes down resulting in a decrease in the value of the
Fund.
* INTEREST RATE RISK -- Interest rates go up resulting in a decrease in the
value of the fixed income securities held by the Fund.
* CREDIT RISK -- Issuers of fixed income securities held by the Fund may be
unable to make principal and interest payment when due.
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST IN THE FUND?
The Fund may be appropriate for long term investors who can accept the risks of
investing in a portfolio with significant common stock holdings. The Fund may
NOT be appropriate for investors who need regular income or stability of
principal or are pursuing a short-term goal.
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PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Because the Fund has been in operation for less than a full calendar year, its
total return bar chart and performance table have not been included.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that a shareholder in the
Fund will pay.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:
(FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases....................... 0%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load)................................... 0%
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES:*
(EXPENSES THAT ARE DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS)
Management Fees........................................................ 75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees.................................. 00%
Other Expenses......................................................... 1.35%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses................................... 2.10%
Fee Reduction and/or Expense Reimbursement............................. (0.60%)
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Net Expenses........................................................... 1.50%
* Other expenses are estimated for the first fiscal year of the Fund. The
Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or pay expenses of the
Fund for an indefinite period to insure that Total Fund Operating Expenses will
not exceed the net expense amounts shown. The Adviser reserves the right to be
reimbursed for any waiver of its fees or expenses paid on behalf of the Fund if
the Fund's expenses are less than the limit. The Trustees may terminate this
expense reimbursement arrangement at any time.
EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund
to those of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that
dividends and distributions are reinvested and that the Fund's operating
expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
under the assumptions, your costs would be:
One Year................... $ 153
Three Years................ $ 474
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund seeks long term capital growth, consistent with preservation of capital
and balanced by current income. There can be, of course, no guarantee that the
Fund will achieve its objective. This investment objective may be changed only
by approval of the Fund's shareholders. You will be notified of any changes in
the Fund's policies that are material and, if such changes are made, you should
consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment for you.
As a balanced fund, the Fund invests 60%-70% of its assets in equities selected
primarily for their growth potential; in the case of the Fund, this component is
likely to consist primarily of common stocks.
Stocks are selected based on earnings potential, low debt to total
capitalization, strong cash flow, low price to earnings ratios, and the ability
of management to enrich characteristics unique to its industry. Such
characteristics include being the low cost producer in an industry, holding
patents, or research and development efforts that have put a company ahead of
its competition. Also important are undervalued assets and growth potential
unrecognized by the investment community, which occurs in companies that are out
of favor due to economic cycles, trade at a perceived discount to their peer
group, or are otherwise undervalued based on current operations. The Adviser
looks for significant potential for future earnings growth and some catalyst for
that growth, such as a new product, improving industry trends or economic
conditions.
A stock will be considered for sale by the Fund when its price/earnings ratio
substantially exceeds its growth rate, or when other factors indicate to the
adviser that its competitive advantage is lost. Sales will also be made when
consecutive quarterly disappointments occur in which management does not meet
the Adviser's goals in revenue, earnings or cash flow.
The Fund's income component -- 30% to 40% of the Fund's assets -- will consist
of securities selected primarily for their income potential. Under normal market
conditions, at least 25% of the Fund's assets will be invested in fixed-income
securities. Fixed income securities are securities that pay a specified rate of
return and generally include bonds, notes and bills issued by the U.S.
Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, corporate bonds, as well as
preferred and convertible securities that pay fixed income. Dividend-paying
common stocks also will be considered in pursuing income as part of the Fund's
objective.
The Adviser makes its fixed income purchase decisions by analyzing interest
coverage ratios, total liabilities, debt to equity ratios and earnings quality.
These factors are continually reviewed, and if not met consistently, a
fixed-income holding will be considered for sale. It is expected that the
fixed-income portion of the Fund will have an average maturity of approximately
seven years.
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It is expected that approximately 90% of the fixed income securities held by the
Fund will be rated at least "investment grade" by one or more nationally
recognized statistical ratings organizations (each an "NRSRO"), such as Standard
and Poor's Corporation and Moody's Investors Service, Inc. The Adviser may also
purchase fixed income securities that are unrated but are believed by the
Adviser to be comparable to investment grade. Up to 10% of the Fund's assets,
however, may be invested in fixed income securities rated "BB" or lower or, if
unrated, of comparable quality. Such lower rated securities, often referred to
as "junk bonds," may be considered speculative.
The Fund anticipates that it will have a portfolio turnover rate of about 30%.
This means that the Adviser will not, under normal circumstances, purchase and
sell securities held in the portfolio in order to realize short term gains. It
also means that the Fund is likely to have lower transaction costs.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will stay fully invested in a balanced
mix of equity and fixed income issues. The Fund may temporarily, however, depart
from its balanced strategy by making short-term investments in cash equivalents
in response to adverse market, economic, or political conditions. This may
result in the Fund not achieving its investment objective.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
MARKET RISK. The value of a share of the Fund--its "net asset value" or "NAV"
depends on the market value of all of the Fund's investments. The principal risk
of investing in the Fund is that the market value of securities held by the Fund
will move up and down. These fluctuations, which can occur rapidly and
unpredictably, may cause the Fund's investments to be worth less than the price
originally paid, or less than it was worth at an earlier time; this in turn will
affect the Fund's net asset value per share. Market risk may affect a single
issue, industry, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.
INTEREST AND CREDIT RISK OF FIXED INCOME SECURITIES. A fundamental risk to the
income component of the Fund's investments is that the value of fixed income
securities will fall if interest rates rise. Generally, the value of a fixed
income portfolio will decrease when interest rates rise. Under these
circumstances, the Fund's NAV may also decrease. Also, fixed income securities
with longer maturities generally entail greater risk than those with shorter
maturities. In addition to interest rate risk, changes in the creditworthiness
of an issuer of fixed income securities and the market's perception of that
issuer's ability to repay principal and interest when due can also affect the
value of fixed income securities held by the Fund. The value of securities that
are considered below investment grade, sometimes known as junk bonds, may be
more volatile than the value of fixed income securities that carry ratings
higher than "BB." For example, the market price of junk bonds may be more
susceptible to real or perceived economic, interest rate or market changes,
political changes or adverse developments specific to the issuer. It is not
expected that the Fund will hold more than 10% of its assets in fixed-income
securities rated below investment grade.
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YEAR 2000 RISK. The risk that the Fund could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Adviser and other service providers do not properly
process and calculate information related to dates beginning January 1, 2000.
This is commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem." This situation may negatively
affect the companies in which the Fund invests and by extension the value of the
Fund's shares. Although the Fund's service providers are taking steps to address
this issue, there may still be some risk of adverse effects.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
St. Denis J. Villere & Co. is the investment Adviser to the Fund. The Adviser's
address is 210 Baronne Street, Suite 808, New Orleans, LA. The Adviser was
founded in 1911 and is controlled by its partners, Messrs. St. Denis J. Villere,
George G. Villere and George V. Young.
The Adviser provides investment advisory services to individual and
institutional clients and investment companies with assets under management of
approximately $900 million. The Adviser will provide the Fund with advice on
buying and selling securities. The Adviser also furnishes the Fund with office
space and certain administrative services and provides most of the personnel
needed by the Fund. For its services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly
management fee based which is calculated at the annual rate of 0.75% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Mr. George V. Young, a partner of the Adviser, is responsible for the management
of the Fund's portfolio. Mr. Young graduated from the University of Virginia
with a B.A. in English in 1980 and has been employed by the Adviser since 1986.
He is the nephew of George Villere and St. Denis Villere.
ADVISER'S PRIOR INVESTMENT RETURNS
Set forth in the table below are certain performance data provided by the
Adviser relating to its individually managed balanced accounts. These accounts
had substantially the same investment objective as the Fund, had the same
portfolio manager, and were managed using substantially similar investment
strategies and techniques as those that will be used in managing the Fund. This
performance data is not that of the Fund and is not indicative of the Fund's
future performance.
The results shown will differ from those of the Fund because of differences in
brokerage commissions paid, account expenses, including investment advisory fees
(which expenses and fees may be higher for the Fund than for the accounts), the
size of positions taken in relation to account size, diversification of
securities, timing of purchases and sales, timing of cash additions and
withdrawals, the private character of the composite accounts compared with the
public character of the Fund, and the tax-exempt status of account holders
compared with shareholders in the Fund.
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These accounts also are not subject to certain investment limitations,
diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if they applied, may
have adversely affected the results shown.
Investors should be aware that the use of different methods of determining
performance could result in different performance results. Investors should not
rely on the following performance data as an indication of future performance of
the Adviser or of the Fund.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
(FOR PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1999)
ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS
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Adviser's Balanced Accounts 2.80% 19.05% 14.90%
S&P 500 Index* 22.77% 27.87% 18.76%
Blended Index** 12.94% 17.93% 12.58%
* The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the market
for the stocks of large-sized U.S. companies.
** This Index is a blend of both the performance of the Lehman Brothers
Government/Corporate Bond Index (35%) and the Russell 3000 Index (65%). The
Lehman Brothers Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the U.S.
fixed-income securities markets, and the Russell 3000 Index measures the
performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market
capitalization. This blended index reflects the expected asset allocation
between equity and fixed- income securities.
1. Results were calculated in accordance with recommended standards of the
Association for Investment Management and Research ("AIMR") on a total return
basis. Returns are presented after the deduction of investment advisory fees,
brokerage commissions and expenses.
2. Investors should note that the Fund will compute and disclose its average
annual total return using the standard formula set forth in SEC rules, which is
different from the AIMR method noted above. Unlike the AIMR performance
presentation standards that link quarterly rates of return, the SEC total return
calculation method calls for computation and disclosure of an average annual
compounded rate of return for one, five and ten year periods or shorter periods
from inception. The calculation provides a rate of return that equates a
hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 to an ending redeemable value.
3. The Balanced Account Composite shown includes all accounts managed by the
Adviser that meet the criteria for inclusion in the composite for each period
presented.
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FUND EXPENSES
The Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. The Adviser has
contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or pay expenses of the Fund for an
indefinite period to insure that Total Fund Operating Expenses will not exceed
1.50% of average daily net assets annually. Any reduction in advisory fees or
payment of expenses made by the Adviser are subject to reimbursement by the Fund
if requested by the Adviser in subsequent fiscal years. The Adviser is permitted
to be reimbursed for fee reductions and/or expense payments made in the prior
three fiscal years. (After startup, the Fund is permitted to look for longer
periods of four and five years.) Any such reimbursement will be reviewed by the
Trustees, who may terminate the reimbursement arrangement at any time. The Fund
must pay its current ordinary operating expenses before the Adviser is entitled
to any reimbursement of fees and/or expenses.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may open a Fund account with $2,000 and add to your account at any time with
$500 or more. After you have opened a Fund account, you also may make automatic
subsequent monthly investments with $100 or more through the Automatic
Investment Plan. The minimum investment requirements may be waived from time to
time by the Fund.
You may purchase shares of the Fund by check or wire. All purchases by check
must be in U.S. dollars. Third party checks and cash will not be accepted. A
charge may be imposed if your check does not clear. The Fund is not required to
issue share certificates. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase in
whole or in part.
BY CHECK
If you are making an initial investment in the Fund, simply complete the
Application Form included with this Prospectus and mail it with a check (made
payable to "The Villere Balanced Fund") to:
The Villere Balanced Fund
4455 East Camelback Rd., Ste. 261-E
Phoenix, AZ 85018
If you wish to send your Application Form and check via an overnight delivery
service (such as FedEx), you should call the Transfer Agent at (800-576-8229)
for instructions:
If you are making a subsequent purchase, a stub is attached to the account
statement you will receive after each transaction. Detach the stub from the
statement and mail it together with a check made payable to "The Villere
Balanced Fund" to the Fund in the envelope provided with your statement or to
the address noted above. Your account number should be written on the check.
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BY WIRE
If you are making an initial investment in the Fund, before you wire funds you
should call the Transfer Agent at (800) 576-8229 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m., Eastern time, on a day when the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open
to advise them that you are making an investment by wire. The Transfer Agent
will ask for your name and the dollar amount you are investing. You will then
receive your account number and an order confirmation number. You should then
complete the Account Application included with this Prospectus. Include the date
and the order confirmation number on the Account Application and mail the
completed Account Application to the address at the top of the Account
Application. Your bank should transmit immediately available funds by wire in
your name to:
Firstar Bank, N.A. Cinti/Trust
ABA Routing #___________
The Villere Balanced Fund
DDA #____________________
Account name (shareholder name)
Shareholder account number
If you are making a subsequent purchase, your bank should wire funds as
indicated above. Before each wire purchase, you should be sure to notify the
Transfer Agent. It is essential that your bank include complete information
about your account in all wire instructions. If you have questions about how to
invest by wire, you may call the Transfer Agent. Your bank may charge you a fee
for sending a wire to the Fund.
You may buy and sell shares of the Fund through certain brokers (and their
agents) that have made arrangements with the Fund to sell its shares. When you
place your order with such a broker or its authorized agent, your order is
treated as if you had placed it directly with the Fund's Transfer Agent, and you
will pay or receive the next price calculated by the Fund. The broker (or agent)
holds your shares in an omnibus account in the broker's (or agent's) name, and
the broker (or agent) maintains your individual ownership records. The Fund may
pay the broker (or its agent) for maintaining these records as well as providing
other shareholder services. The broker (or its agent) may charge you a fee for
handling your order. The broker (or agent) is responsible for processing your
order correctly and promptly, keeping you advised regarding the status of your
individual account, confirming your transactions and ensuring that you receive
copies of the Fund's prospectus.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
For your convenience, the Fund offers an Automatic Investment Plan. Under this
Plan, after your initial investment, you authorize the Fund to withdraw from
your personal checking account each month an amount that you wish to invest,
which must be at least $100. If you wish to enroll in this Plan, complete the
appropriate section in the Account Application. The Fund may terminate or modify
this privilege at any time. You may terminate your participation in the Plan at
any time by notifying the Transfer Agent in writing.
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RETIREMENT PLANS
The Fund offers an Individual Retirement Account ("IRA") plan. You may obtain
information about opening an IRA account by calling (800)576-8229. If you wish
to open a Keogh, Section 403(b) or other retirement plan, please contact your
securities dealer.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may sell (redeem) your Fund shares on any day the Fund and the NYSE are open
for business either directly to the Fund or through your investment
representative.
You may redeem your shares by simply sending a written request to the Transfer
Agent. You should give your account number and state whether you want all or
some of your shares redeemed. The letter should be signed by all of the
shareholders whose names appear in the account registration. Certain redemptions
require a signature guarantee. Call the Transfer Agent for details. You should
send your redemption request to:
The Villere Balanced Fund
4455 East Camelback Rd., Ste. 261-E
Phoenix, AZ 85018
If you complete the Redemption by Telephone portion of the Account Application,
you may redeem all or some of your shares by calling the Transfer Agent at (800)
576-8229 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. Redemption
proceeds will be mailed on the next business day to the address that appears on
the Transfer Agent's records. If you request, redemption proceeds will be wired
on the next business day to the bank account you designated on the Account
Application. The minimum amount that may be wired is $1,000. Wire charges, if
any, will be deducted from your redemption proceeds. Telephone redemptions
cannot be made if you notify the Transfer Agent of a change of address within 30
days before the redemption request. If you have a retirement account, you may
not redeem shares by telephone.
When you establish telephone privileges, you are authorizing the Fund and its
Transfer Agent to act upon the telephone instructions of the person or persons
you have designated in your Account Application. Redemption proceeds will be
transferred to the bank account you have designated on your Account Application.
Before acting upon an instruction received by telephone, the Fund and the
Transfer Agent will use procedures to confirm that the telephone instructions
are genuine. These procedures will include recording the telephone call and
asking the caller for a form of personal identification. If the Fund and the
Transfer Agent follow these procedures, they will not be liable for any loss,
expense, or cost arising out of any telephone redemption request that is
reasonably believed to be genuine. This includes any fraudulent or unauthorized
request. The Fund may change, modify or terminate these privileges at any time
upon at least 60 days' notice to shareholders.
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You may request telephone redemption privileges after your account is opened by
calling the Transfer Agent at (800) 576-8229 for instructions.
You may have difficulties in making a telephone redemption during periods of
abnormal market activity. If this occurs, you may make your redemption request
in writing.
Payment of your redemption proceeds will be made promptly, but not later than
seven days after the receipt of your written request in proper form. If you made
your initial investment by wire, payment of your redemption proceeds for those
shares will not be made until one business day after your completed Account
Application is received by the Fund. If you did not purchase your shares with a
certified check or wire, the Fund may delay payment of your redemption proceeds
for up to 15 days from date of purchase or until your check has cleared,
whichever occurs first.
The Fund may redeem the shares in your account if the value of your account is
less than $5,000 as a result of redemptions you have made. This does not apply
to retirement plan or Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minors Act accounts. You
will be notified that the value of your account is less than $5,000 before the
Fund makes an involuntary redemption. You will then have 30 days in which to
make an additional investment to bring the value of your account to at least
$5,000 before the Fund takes any action.
The Fund has the right to pay redemption proceeds to you in whole or in part by
a distribution of securities from the Fund's portfolio. It is not expected that
the Fund would do so except in unusual circumstances.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PROGRAM
As another convenience, you may redeem your Fund shares through the Systematic
Withdrawal Program. If you elect this method of redemption, the Fund will send
you a check in a minimum amount of $100. You may choose to receive a check each
month or calendar quarter. Your Fund account must have a value of at least
$10,000 in order to participate in this Program. This Program may be terminated
at any time by the Fund. You may also elect to terminate your participation in
this Program at any time by writing to the Transfer Agent.
A withdrawal under the Program involves a redemption of shares and may result in
a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. In addition, if the amount
withdrawn exceeds the dividends credited to your account, the account ultimately
may be depleted.
PRICING OF FUND SHARES
The price of the Fund's shares is based on the Fund's net asset value. This is
done by dividing the Fund's assets, minus its liabilities, by the number of
shares outstanding. The Fund's assets are the market value of securities held in
its portfolio, plus any cash and other assets. The Fund's liabilities are fees
and expenses owed by the Fund. The number of Fund shares outstanding is the
amount of shares which have been issued to shareholders. The price you will pay
to buy Fund shares or the amount you will receive when you sell your Fund shares
is based on the net asset value next calculated after your order is received by
the Transfer Agent with complete information and meeting all the requirements
discussed in this Prospectus.
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The net asset value of the Fund's shares is determined as of the close of the
regular daily trading session on the NYSE. This is normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern
time. Fund shares will not be priced on days that the NYSE is closed for trading
(including certain U.S. holidays).
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund will make distributions of dividends and capital gains, if any, at
least annually, typically after year end. The Fund will make another
distribution of any additional undistributed capital gains earned during the
12-month period ended October 31 on or about December 31.
All distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares unless you request in
writing to the Transfer Agent that you wish to receive your distributions in
cash. This written request must be received by the Transfer Agent in advance of
the payment date for the distribution.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
The Fund intends to make distributions of dividends and capital gains. Dividends
are taxable to you as ordinary income. The rate you pay on capital gain
distributions will depend on how long the Fund held the securities that
generated the gains, not on how long you owned your Fund shares. You will be
taxed in the same manner whether you receive your dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares.
If you sell your Fund shares, it is considered a taxable event for you.
Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you exchange or
sell, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for
any tax liabilities generated by your transaction.
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VILLERE BALANCED FUND
A SERIES OF TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS (THE "TRUST")
For investors who want more information about the Fund, the following document
is available free upon request:
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI): The SAI provides more detailed
information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus.
You can get free copies of the SAI, request other information and discuss your
questions about the Fund by contacting the Fund at (800) 576-8229 or writing to
the Fund at:
Villere Balanced Fund
c/o ICA Fund Services Corp.
4455 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 261E
Phoenix, AZ 85018
You can review and copy information including the Fund's SAI at the Public
Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. You
can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling
1-800-SEC-0330. You can get text-only copies:
* For a fee, by writing to the Public Reference Room of the Commission,
Washington, DC 20549-6009, or
* For a fee, by calling 1-800-SEC-0330, or
* Free of charge from the Commission's Internet website at
http://www.sec.gov.
(The Trust's SEC Investment Company Act
file number is 811-09393)
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
THE VILLERE BALANCED FUND,
A SERIES OF TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
210 BARONNE STREET, SUITE 808
NEW ORLEANS, LA
(800) 576-8229
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus and it
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated September 30, 1999, as
may be revised, of the Villere Balanced Fund (the "Fund"), a series of Trust for
Investment Managers (the "Trust"). St. Denis J. Villere & Co. (the "Advisor") is
the advisor to the Fund. A copy of the Fund's Prospectus is available by calling
either of the numbers listed above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Trust.................................................................. B-2
Investment Objective and Policies.......................................... B-2
Investment Restrictions.................................................... B-9
Distributions and Tax Information.......................................... B-10
Trustees and Executive Officers............................................ B-13
The Fund's Investment Advisor.............................................. B-14
The Fund's Administrator................................................... B-14
The Fund's Distributor..................................................... B-15
Execution of Portfolio Transactions........................................ B-15
Portfolio Turnover......................................................... B-18
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information............................. B-18
Determination of Share Price............................................... B-20
Performance Information.................................................... B-21
General Information........................................................ B-21
Appendix A................................................................. B-23
Appendix B................................................................. B-24
Financial Statements....................................................... B-26
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THE TRUST
The Trust for Investment Managers (the "Trust") is an open-end management
investment company organized as a Delaware business trust. The Trust may consist
of various series which represent separate investment portfolios. This SAI
relates only to the Fund. The Fund is diversified, which under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") means that as to 75% of its total assets, no
more than 5% may be invested in the securities of a single issuer and that it
may hold no more than 10% of the voting securities of a single issuer.
The Trust is registered with the SEC as a management investment company. Such a
registration does not involve supervision of the management or policies of the
Fund. The Prospectus of the Fund and this SAI omit certain of the information
contained in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such
information may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Villere Balanced Fund is a mutual fund with the investment objective of
seeking to long term capital growth, consistent with preservation of capital,
balanced by current income. The Fund seeks to achieve this objective by
investing in a mix of common stocks and fixed income securities, including
short-term fixed income securities known as "money market instruments." It is
expected that at least 25% of the Fund's assets will be invested in fixed income
securities under normal market conditions. The following discussion supplements
the discussion of the Fund's investment objective and policies as set forth in
the Prospectus. There can be no assurance the objective of the Fund will be
attained.
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES. Fixed-income securities include traditional debt
securities issued by corporations, such as bonds and debentures and debt
securities that are convertible into common stock and interests.
Fixed income securities that will be eligible for purchase by the Fund include
investment grade corporate debt securities, those rated BBB or better by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Baa or better by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's). Securities rated BBB by S&P are considered investment
grade, but Moody's considers securities rated Baa to have speculative
characteristics.
The Fund reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its assets in securities
rated lower than BB by S&P or lower than Baa by Moody's. Lower-rated securities
generally offer a higher current yield than that available for higher grade
issues. However, lower-rated securities involve higher risks, in that they are
especially subject to adverse changes in general economic conditions and in the
industries in which the issuers are engaged, to changes in the financial
condition of the issuers and to price fluctuations in response to changes in
interest rates. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates,
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highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress which could adversely
affect their ability to make payments of interest and principal and increase the
possibility of default. In addition, the market for lower-rated debt securities
has expanded rapidly in recent years, and its growth paralleled a long economic
expansion. At times in recent years, the prices of many lower-rated debt
securities declined substantially, reflecting an expectation that many issuers
of such securities might experience financial difficulties. As a result, the
yields on lower-rated debt securities rose dramatically, but such higher yields
did not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities
expected, but rather, the risk that holders of such securities could lose a
substantial portion of their value as a result of the issuers' financial
restructuring or default. There can be no assurance that such declines will not
recur. The market for lower-rated debt issues generally is thinner and less
active than that for higher quality securities, which may limit the Fund's
ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the
economy or financial markets. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions,
whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and
liquidity of lower-rated securities, especially in a thinly traded market.
Lower-rated debt obligations also present risks based on payment expectations.
If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption, a Fund may have to replace the
security with a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for
investors. Also, as the principal value of bonds moves inversely with movements
in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of the
securities held by a Fund may decline proportionately more than a Fund
consisting of higher-rated securities. If a Fund experiences unexpected net
redemptions, it may be forced to sell its higher-rated bonds, resulting in a
decline in the overall credit quality of the securities held by the Fund and
increasing the exposure of the Fund to the risks of lower-rated securities.
Ratings of debt securities represent the rating agencies' opinions regarding
their quality, are not a guarantee of quality and may be reduced after the Fund
has acquired the security. If a security's rating is reduced while it is held by
the Fund, the Advisor will consider whether the Fund should continue to hold the
security but is not required to dispose of it. Credit ratings attempt to
evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the
risks of fluctuations in market value. Also, rating agencies may fail to make
timely changes in credit ratings in response to subsequent events, so that an
issuer's current financial conditions may be better or worse than the rating
indicates. The ratings for debt securities are described in Appendix A.
Fixed-income securities with longer maturities generally entail greater risk
than those with shorter maturities.
U. S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. Government securities in which the Fund may
invest include direct obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury, such as Treasury
bills, certificates of indebtedness, notes and bonds. U.S. Government agencies
and instrumentalities that issue or guarantee securities include, but are not
limited to, the Federal Housing Administration, Federal National Mortgage
Association, Federal Home Loan Banks, Government National Mortgage Association,
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Student Loan Marketing
Association.
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All Treasury securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities may or may
not be supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some, such
as the Federal Home Loan Banks, are backed by the right of the agency or
instrumentality to borrow from the Treasury. Others, such as securities issued
by the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported only by the credit
of the instrumentality and not by the Treasury. If the securities are not backed
by the full faith and credit of the United States, the owner of the securities
must look principally to the agency issuing the obligation for repayment and may
not be able to assert a claim against United States in the event that the agency
or instrumentality does not meet its commitment.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Among the fixed income securities in which the Fund may
invest are convertible securities and warrants. A convertible security is a
fixed-income security (a debt instrument or a preferred stock) which may be
converted at a stated price within a specified period of time into a certain
quantity of the common stock of the same or a different issuer. Convertible
securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer's capital structure, but are
usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a
fixed income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from
common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security),
a convertible security also affords an investor the opportunity, through its
conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation attendant upon a
market price advance in the convertible security's underlying common stock.
PREFERRED STOCK. The Fund may invest in preferred stocks. A preferred stock is a
blend of the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher
yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but does
not have the seniority of a bond and, unlike common stock, its participation in
the issuer's growth may be limited. Preferred stock has preference over common
stock in the receipt of dividends and in any residual assets after payment to
creditors should the issuer be dissolved. Although the dividend is set at a
fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the
issuer.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES. The Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a
"when-issued" basis. The price of such securities, which may be expressed in
yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but
delivery and payment for them take place at a later date. Normally, the
settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase; during the period
between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer
and no interest accrues to the Fund. To the extent that assets of the Fund are
held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund would
earn no income; however, it is the Fund's intention to be fully invested to the
extent practicable and subject to the policies stated above. While when-issued
securities may be sold prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to
purchase them with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale appears
desirable for investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to
purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the transaction and
reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset value. The market
value of the when-issued securities may be more or less than the purchase price.
The Fund does not believe that its net asset value or income will be adversely
affected by its purchase of securities on a when-issued basis.
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The Fund's Custodian will segregate liquid assets equal in value to commitments
for when-issued securities. Such segregated assets either will mature or, if
necessary, be sold on or before the settlement date.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. The Fund may invest in any of the following securities
and instruments:
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES AND TIME DEPOSITS. The Fund may
hold certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and time deposits.
Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds
deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a
specified return. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of
exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific
merchandise, which are "accepted" by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank
unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.
Certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances acquired by the Fund will be
dollar-denominated obligations of domestic banks, savings and loan associations
or financial institutions which, at the time of purchase, have capital, surplus
and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both
domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than
$100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured
by the U.S. Government.
In addition to buying certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, the Fund
also may make interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in
commercial or savings banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits
maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a
specified interest rate.
COMMERCIAL PAPER AND SHORT-TERM NOTES. The Fund may invest a portion of its
assets in commercial paper and short-term notes. Commercial paper consists of
unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Commercial paper and
short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and
fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to
one year.
Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time
of purchase "A-2" or higher by S&P, "Prime-1" or "Prime-2" by Moody's, or
similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization
or, if unrated, will be determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.
These rating symbols are described in Appendix B.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. Under such
agreements, the seller of the security agrees to repurchase it at a mutually
agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase
price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase
prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Fund together
with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund
is unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S. Government security itself. Such
repurchase agreements will be made only with banks with assets of $500 million
or more that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or with
Government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Board and
registered as broker-dealers with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
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or exempt from such registration. The Fund will generally enter into repurchase
agreements of short durations, from overnight to one week, although the
underlying securities generally have longer maturities. The Fund may not enter
into a repurchase agreement with more than seven days to maturity if, as a
result, more than 15% of the value of its net assets would be invested in
illiquid securities including such repurchase agreements.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from
the Fund to the seller of the U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase
agreement. It is not clear whether a court would consider the U.S. Government
security acquired by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned
by the Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the
event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect
to the seller of the U.S. Government security before its repurchase under a
repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delays and incur costs before being
able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or a decline in
price of the U.S. Government security. If a court characterizes the transaction
as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the U.S.
Government security, the Fund may be required to return the security to the
seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an
unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at the risk of losing some or all of the
principal and income involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt
instrument purchased for the Fund, the Advisor seeks to minimize the risk of
loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the
other party, in this case the seller of the U.S. Government security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the
risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, the Fund will
always receive as collateral for any repurchase agreement to which it is a party
securities acceptable to it, the market value of which is equal to at least 100%
of the amount invested by the Fund plus accrued interest, and the Fund will make
payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book
entry transfer to the account of its Custodian. If the market value of the U.S.
Government security subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the
repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the
U.S. Government security to deliver additional securities so that the market
value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement will equal or exceed
the repurchase price. It is possible that the Fund will be unsuccessful in
seeking to impose on the seller a contractual obligation to deliver additional
securities.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may not invest more than 15% of the value of its
net assets in securities that at the time of purchase have legal or contractual
restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid. The Advisor will monitor the
amount of illiquid securities in the Fund's portfolio, under the supervision of
the Trust's Board of Trustees, to ensure compliance with the Fund's investment
restrictions.
Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to
contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), securities
which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a
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maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not been registered
under the Securities Act are referred to as private placement or restricted
securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary
market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these
restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on
resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse
effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund might be unable
to sell restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices
and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemption requests within
seven days. The Fund might also have to register such restricted securities in
order to sell them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market
conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for certain
securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including
repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal
securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily
resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that
there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or
to certain institutions may not reflect the actual liquidity of such
investments. If such securities are subject to purchase by institutional buyers
in accordance with Rule 144A promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act,
the Trust's Board of Trustees may determine that such securities are not
illiquid securities despite their legal or contractual restrictions on resale.
In all other cases, however, securities subject to restrictions on resale will
be deemed illiquid.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in US
Dollar denominated securities issued by foreign companies. The Fund may also
invest without limit in securities of foreign issuers which are listed and
traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, including American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs") and European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs").
Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are denominated in U.S. dollars and are
designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, while EDRs, in bearer form, may
be denominated in other currencies and are designed for use in European
securities markets. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust
company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities. EDRs are European
receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. For purposes of the Fund's investment
policies, ADRs and EDRs are deemed to have the same classification as the
underlying securities they represent. Thus, an ADR or EDR representing ownership
of common stock will be treated as common stock. Unsponsored ADRs and EDRs
differ from sponsored ADRs and EDRs in that the establishment of unsponsored
ADRs and EDRs is not approved by the issuer of the underlying securities. As a
result, with unsponsored ADRs and EDRs, available information concerning the
issuer may not be as current or reliable and their price may be more volatile.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES. Investments in foreign securities
involve certain inherent risks, including the following:
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS. Individual foreign economies of certain
countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such
respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital
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reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and diversification and balance of
payments position. The internal politics of some foreign countries may not be as
stable as those of the United States. Governments in some foreign countries also
continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or
regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could
include restrictions on foreign investment, nationalization, expropriation of
goods or imposition of taxes, and could have a significant effect on market
prices of securities and payment of interest. The economies of many foreign
countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are affected by the
trade policies and economic conditions of their trading partners. If these
trading partners enacted protectionist trade legislation, it could have a
significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.
CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS. The Fund will invest only in securities denominated in
U.S. dollars. For this reason, the value of the Fund's assets may not be subject
to risks associated with variations in the value of foreign currencies relative
to the U.S. dollar to the same extent as might otherwise be the case. Changes in
the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar may, however, affect the
value of the assets and/or income of foreign companies whose U.S. dollar
denominated securities are held by the Fund. Such companies may also be affected
significantly by currency restrictions and exchange control regulations enacted
from time to time.
EURO CONVERSION. Several European countries adopted a single uniform currency
known as the "euro," effective January 1, 1999. The euro conversion, that will
take place over a several-year period, could have potential adverse effects on
the Fund's ability to value its portfolio holdings in foreign securities, and
could increase the costs associated with the Fund's operations. The Fund and the
Advisor are working with providers of services to the Fund in the areas of
clearance and settlement of trade to avoid any material impact on the Fund due
to the euro conversion; there can be no assurance, however, that the steps taken
will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the Fund.
MARKET CHARACTERISTICS. The Advisor expects that many foreign securities in
which the Fund invests will be purchased in over-the-counter markets or on
exchanges located in the countries in which the principal offices of the issuers
of the various securities are located, if that is the best available market.
Foreign exchanges and markets may be more volatile than those in the United
States. While growing, they usually have substantially less volume than U.S.
markets, and the Fund's foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile
than U.S. securities. Also, settlement practices for transactions in foreign
markets may differ from those in United States markets, and may include delays
beyond periods customary in the United States. Foreign security trading
practices, including those involving securities settlement where Fund assets may
be released prior to receipt of payment or securities, may expose the Fund to
increased risk in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a foreign
broker-dealer. Securities listed primarily on foreign exchanges may trade on
weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares. In such cases,
the net asset value of the Fund's shares could change on days when shareholders
would not be able to purchase or redeem shares.
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LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS. Certain foreign countries may have less
supervision of securities markets, brokers and issuers of securities, and less
financial information available to issuers, than is available in the United
States.
TAXES. The interest and dividends payable on some of the Fund's foreign
portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing
the net amount of income available for distribution to Fund shareholders.
COSTS. To the extent that the Fund invests in foreign securities, its expense
ratio is likely to be higher than those of investment companies investing only
in domestic securities, since the cost of maintaining the custody of foreign
securities is higher.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following policies and investment restrictions have been adopted by the Fund
and (unless otherwise noted) are fundamental and cannot be changed without the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities as
defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may not:
1. Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt securities in
accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) to the extent the
entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
2. (a) Borrow money, except as stated in the Prospectus and this Statement of
Additional Information. Any such borrowing will be made only if immediately
thereafter there is an asset coverage of at least 300% of all borrowings.
(b) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets except in connection
with any such borrowings.
3. Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several
basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does not
preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for
the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities).
4. Purchase or sell real estate, commodities or commodity contracts (other than
futures transactions for the purposes and under the conditions described in the
prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Information).
5. Invest 25% or more of the market value of its assets in the securities of
companies engaged in any one industry. (Does not apply to investment in the
securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.)
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6. Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that this
restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Fund from (a) making any
permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges, or (b) entering into options,
futures, forward or repurchase transactions.
7. Purchase the securities of any issuer, if as a result more than 5% of the
total assets of the Fund would be invested in the securities of that issuer,
other than obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, provided that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's assets may
be invested without regard to this limitation.
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental and
which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:
8. Purchase any security if as a result the Fund would then hold more than 10%
of any class of securities of an issuer (taking all common stock issues of an
issuer as a single class, all preferred stock issues as a single class, and all
debt issues as a single class) or more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of an issuer.
9. Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control or management.
10. Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted under
the 1940 Act.
11. Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets in securities with
legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities which are not readily
marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days to maturity.
If a percentage restriction described in the Prospectus or in this SAI is
adhered to at the time of investment, a subsequent increase or decrease in a
percentage resulting from a change in the values of assets will not constitute a
violation of that restriction, except with respect to borrowing or the purchase
of restricted or illiquid securities.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION
DISTRIBUTIONS. Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net
profits from the sale of securities are generally made annually. Also, the Fund
expects to distribute any undistributed net investment income on or about
December 31 of each year. Any net capital gains realized through the period
ended October 31 of each year will also be distributed by December 31 of each
year.
Each distribution by the Fund is accompanied by a brief explanation of the form
and character of the distribution. In January of each year the Fund will issue
to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all
distributions.
TAX INFORMATION. Each series of the Trust is treated as a separate entity for
federal income tax purposes. The Fund intends to continue to qualify and elect
to be treated as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the
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Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), provided that it complies with all
applicable requirements regarding the source of its income, diversification of
its assets and timing of distributions. It is the Fund's policy to distribute to
its shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and any net
realized capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the
distribution requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to
any federal income tax or excise taxes based on net income. To avoid the excise
tax, the Fund must also distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by
December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income for
such year, (ii) at least 98% of the excess of its realized capital gains over
its realized capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31 during
such year and (iii) any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not
distributed and on which the Fund paid no federal excise tax.
The Fund's ordinary income generally consists of interest and dividend income,
less expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal period are computed by
taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund.
Distributions of net investment income and net short-term capital gains are
taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In the case of corporate
shareholders, a portion of the distributions may qualify for the intercorporate
dividends-received deduction to the extent the Portfolio designates the amount
distributed as a qualifying dividend. This designated amount cannot, however,
exceed the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends received by the Portfolio
for its taxable year. The deduction, if any, may be reduced or eliminated if
Portfolio shares held by a corporate investor are treated as debt-financed or
are held for fewer than 46 days.
Any long-term capital gain distributions are taxable to shareholders as
long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time they have held their
shares. Capital gains distributions are not eligible for the dividends-received
deduction referred to in the previous paragraph. Distributions of any ordinary
income and net realized capital gains will be taxable as described above,
whether received in shares or in cash. Shareholders who choose to receive
distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for
federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset
value of a share on the reinvestment date. Distributions are generally taxable
when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December
to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following
January are taxable as if received on December 31. Distributions are includable
in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a shareholder's liability for
the alternative minimum tax.
Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue
Service all distributions of ordinary income and capital gains as well as gross
proceeds from the redemption of Portfolio shares, except in the case of exempt
shareholders, which includes most corporations. Pursuant to the backup
withholding provisions of the Code, distributions of any taxable income and
capital gains and proceeds from the redemption of Fund shares may be subject to
withholding of federal income tax at the current maximum federal tax rate of 31
percent in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with
their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding
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their status under the federal income tax law. If the backup withholding
provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in
cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required
to be withheld. Corporate and other exempt shareholders should provide the Fund
with their taxpayer identification numbers or certify their exempt status in
order to avoid possible erroneous application of backup withholding. The Fund
reserves the right to refuse to open an account for any person failing to
certify the person's taxpayer identification number.
The Fund will not be subject to corporate income tax in the State of Delaware as
long as its qualifies as regulated investment companies for federal income tax
purposes. Distributions and the transactions referred to in the preceding
paragraphs may be subject to state and local income taxes, and the tax treatment
thereof may differ from the federal income tax treatment.
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to the
application of that law to U.S. citizens or residents and U.S. domestic
corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each shareholder who is not a
U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership
of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be
subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent (or at a lower rate
under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting ordinary income.
In addition, the foregoing discussion of tax law is based on existing provisions
of the Code, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, and current
administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change.
Any such charges could affect the validity of this discussion. The discussion
also represents only a general summary of tax law and practice currently
applicable to the Fund and certain shareholders therein, and, as such, is
subject to change. In particular, the consequences of an investment in shares of
the Fund under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdictions are
not discussed herein. Each prospective investor should consult his or her own
tax advisor to determine the application of the tax law and practice in his or
her own particular circumstances.
B-12
<PAGE>
TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Trustees of the Trust, who were elected for an indefinite term by the
initial shareholders of the Trust, are responsible for the overall management of
the Trust, including general supervision and review of the investment activities
of the Fund. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust, who are
responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Trust and its
separate series. The current Trustees and officers, their affiliations, dates of
birth and principal occupations for the past five years are set forth below.
Unless noted otherwise, each person has held the position listed for a minimum
of five years.
George J. Rebhan 07/10/34 Trustee
1920 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030. Retired. Formerly President,
Hotchkis and Wiley Funds. (mutual funds), 1985-93.
Ashley T. Rabun 05/10/52 Trustee
2161 India St., San Diego, CA 92101. Founder and Chief Executive Officer,
InvestorReach, Inc., (financial services marketing and distribution consulting).
Formerly Partner and Director, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, 1992-96
(investment management).
James Clayburn LaForce 12/28/27 Trustee
Dean Emeritus, John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, University
of California, Los Angeles.
Robert H. Wadsworth* 01/25/40 Trustee and President
4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 261E, Phoenix, AZ 85018. President of the
Wadsworth Group (consulting); President of Investment Company Administration,
LLC ("ICA") (mutual fund administrator and the Trust's Administrator) and First
Fund Distributors, Inc. ("FFD") (registered broker-dealer and the Trust's
Distributor).
Robert M. Slotky* 6/17/47 Treasurer
2020 E. Financial Way, Suite 100, Glendora, California 91741. Senior Vice
President, ICA since May 1997; former instructor of accounting at California
State University-Northridge (1997); Chief Financial Officer, Wanger Asset
Management L.P. and Treasurer of Acorn Investment Trust (1992-1996).
* Indicates an "interested person" of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act.
B-13
<PAGE>
Set forth below is the rate of compensation received by the following Trustees
from all portfolios of the Trust. This total amount is allocated among the
portfolios. Disinterested Trustees receive an annual retainer of $7,500. The
Trustees also receive a fee of $750 for any special meeting or committee meeting
attended on a date other than that of a regularly scheduled meeting.
Disinterested trustees are also reimbursed for expenses in connection with each
Board meeting attended. No other compensation or retirement benefits were
received by any Trustee or officer from the portfolios of the Trust.
NAME OF TRUSTEE TOTAL ANNUAL COMPENSATION
- --------------- -------------------------
George J. Rebhan $7,500
Ashley T. Rabun $7,500
James Clayburn LaForce $7,500
As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group
did not own more than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT ADVISER
As stated in the Prospectus, investment advisory services are provided to the
Fund by St. Denis J. Villere & Co. (the "Adviser"), pursuant to an Investment
Advisory Agreement. (the "Advisory Agreement"). As compensation, the Fund pays
the Adviser a monthly management fee (accrued daily) based upon the average
daily net assets of the Fund at the annual rate of 0.75%.
The Advisory Agreement continues in effect for successive annual periods so long
as such continuation is approved at least annually by the vote of (1) the Board
of Trustees of the Trust (or a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund,
and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of any party
to the Advisory Agreement, in each case cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated
at any time, without penalty, by either party to the Advisory Agreement upon
sixty days' written notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its
"assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act.
THE FUND'S ADMINISTRATOR
The Fund has an Administration Agreement with Investment Company Administration,
LLC (the "Administrator"), a corporation owned and controlled in part by Mr.
Wadsworth with offices at 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 261-E, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator will prepare and
coordinate reports and other materials supplied to the Trustees; prepare and/or
supervise the preparation and filing of all securities filings, periodic
financial reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information, marketing
materials, tax returns, shareholder reports and other regulatory reports or
filings required of the Fund; prepare all required notice filings necessary to
maintain the Fund's ability to sell shares in all states where the Fund
currently does, or intends to do business; coordinate the preparation, printing
and mailing of all materials (e.g., Annual Reports) required to be sent to
B-14
<PAGE>
shareholders; coordinate the preparation and payment of Fund related expenses;
monitor and oversee the activities of the Fund's servicing agents (i.e.,
transfer agent, custodian, fund accountants, etc.); review and adjust as
necessary the Fund's daily expense accruals; and perform such additional
services as may be agreed upon by the Fund and the Administrator. For its
services, the Administrator receives a monthly fee at the following annual rate:
AVERAGE NET ASSETS FEE OR FEE RATE
- ------------------ ---------------
Under $15 million $30,000
$15 to $50 million 0.20%
$50 to $100 million 0.15%
$100 to $150 million 0.10%
Over $150 million 0.05%
THE FUND'S DISTRIBUTOR
First Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), a corporation owned in part
by Mr. Wadsworth, acts as the Fund's principal underwriter in a continuous
public offering of the Fund's shares. The Distribution Agreement between the
Fund and the Distributor continues in effect from year to year if approved at
least annually by (i) the Board of Trustees or the vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and (ii) a majority
of the Trustees who are not interested persons of any such party, in each case
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Distribution Agreement may be terminated without penalty by the parties
thereto upon sixty days' written notice, and is automatically terminated in the
event of its assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor determines which securities are
to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to
execute the Fund's portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of securities in
the over-the-counter market will generally be executed directly with a
"market-maker" unless, in the opinion of the Advisor, a better price and
execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction.
Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund also may be made directly from
issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale transactions
will be effected through dealers (including banks) which specialize in the types
of securities which the Fund will be holding, unless better executions are
available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as principal for their
own accounts. Purchases from underwriters will include a concession paid by the
issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will include the spread
between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more
than one dealer or underwriter are comparable, the order may be allocated to a
dealer or underwriter that has provided research or other services as discussed
below.
B-15
<PAGE>
In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will use its reasonable efforts
to choose broker-dealers capable of providing the services necessary to obtain
the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and quality of
services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as
the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities
of the firm involved, the firm's risk in positioning a block of securities, and
other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more
than one broker-dealer can offer the services needed to obtain the most
favorable price and execution available, consideration may be given to those
broker-dealers which furnish or supply research and statistical information to
the Advisor that it may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment
advisory capacities, as well as provide other services in addition to execution
services. The Advisor considers such information, which is in addition to and
not in lieu of the services required to be performed by it under its Agreement
with the Fund, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value.
Portfolio transactions may be placed with broker-dealers who sell shares of the
Fund subject to rules adopted by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
While it is the Fund's general policy to seek first to obtain the most favorable
price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio
transactions for the Fund, weight is also given to the ability of a
broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the
Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and
may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients. In negotiating
commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the
Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if
no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided
that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith
by the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or
research services provided by such broker-dealer. The standard of reasonableness
is to be measured in light of the Advisor's overall responsibilities to the
Fund.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other
client accounts or mutual funds ("Funds") managed or advised by the Advisor.
Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be
acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts or Funds.
In such event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) or Funds in
the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its
investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of
these client accounts or Funds seeks to acquire the same security as the Fund at
the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such
security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower
yield for such security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a
price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security
at the same time. If one or more of such client accounts or Funds simultaneously
purchases or sells the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling,
each day's transactions in such security will be allocated between the Fund and
all such client accounts or Funds in a manner deemed equitable by the Advisor,
taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being
purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a
detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the Fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of the Fund
to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for the
Fund.
B-16
<PAGE>
The Fund does not effect securities transactions through brokers in accordance
with any formula, nor does it effect securities transactions through brokers
solely for selling shares of the Fund, although the Fund may consider the sale
of shares as a factor in allocating brokerage. However, as stated above,
broker-dealers who execute brokerage transactions may effect purchase of shares
of the Fund for their customers.
B-17
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes,
portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have
been held when, in the opinion of the Advisor, investment considerations warrant
such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (1) the lesser of
purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (2) the
monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal
year. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the securities in the Fund's
portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of
acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced
within one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally
leads to transaction costs and may result in a greater number of taxable
transactions. See "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage."
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The information provided below supplements the information contained in the
Fund's Prospectus regarding the purchase and redemption of Fund shares.
HOW TO BUY SHARES. The public offering price of Fund shares is the net asset
value. Each Fund receives the net asset value. Shares are purchased at the
public offering price next determined after the Transfer Agent receives your
order in proper form. In most cases, in order to receive that day's public
offering price, the Transfer Agent must receive your order in proper form before
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), normally
4:00 p.m., Eastern time.
The NYSE annually announces the days on which it will not be open for trading.
The most recent announcement indicates that it will not be open on the following
days: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
However, the NYSE may close on days not included in that announcement.
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the continued
offering of the Fund's shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole or in
part when in the judgment of the Advisor or the Distributor such rejection is in
the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum for
initial and subsequent investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under
circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund's
shares.
Shareholders who purchase Fund shares by payment-in-kind in the form of shares
of stock, bonds or other securities will be charged the brokerage commissions on
the sale of any security so tendered it if is sold by the Fund within 90 days of
acquisition.
HOW TO SELL SHARES. You can sell your Fund shares any day the NYSE is open for
regular trading. The Fund may require documentation for the sale of shares by a
corporation, partnership, agent or fiduciary, or a surviving joint owner.
Contact the Transfer Agent for details.
B-18
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. If you sell shares having a net asset value of $10,000 or
more a signature guarantee is required. Certain other transactions, including
redemptions, also require a signature guarantee. Signature guarantees may be
obtained from a bank, broker-dealer, credit union (if authorized under state
law), securities exchange or association, clearing agency or savings
institution. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
DELIVERY OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS. Payments to shareholders for shares of the Fund
redeemed directly from the Fund will be made as promptly as possible but no
later than seven days after receipt by the Fund's Transfer Agent of the written
request in proper form, with the appropriate documentation as stated in the
Prospectus, except that the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone
the date of payment during any period when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted
as determined by the SEC or the NYSE is closed for other than weekends and
holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC making disposal of
portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably
practicable; or (c) for such other period as the SEC may permit for the
protection of the Fund's shareholders. Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may
suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for more than seven days, but only as
authorized by SEC rules.
The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the
investor's cost, depending upon the market value of the Fund's portfolio
securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS. Shareholders must have selected telephone transactions
privileges on the Account Application when opening a Fund account. Upon receipt
of any instructions or inquiries by telephone from a shareholder or, if held in
a joint account, from either party, or from any person claiming to be the
shareholder, the Fund or its agent is authorized, without notifying the
shareholder or joint account parties, to carry out the instructions or to
respond to the inquiries, consistent with the service options chosen by the
shareholder or joint shareholders in his or their latest Account Application or
other written request for services, including purchasing or redeeming shares of
the Fund and depositing and withdrawing monies from the bank account specified
in the Bank Account Registration section of the shareholder's latest Account
Application or as otherwise properly specified to the Fund in writing.
The Transfer Agent will employ these and other reasonable procedures to confirm
that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine; if it fails to employ
reasonable procedures, the Fund and the Transfer Agent may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. If these procedures are
followed, an investor agrees, however, that to the extent permitted by
applicable law, neither the Fund nor its agents will be liable for any loss,
liability, cost or expense arising out of any redemption request, including any
fraudulent or unauthorized request. For information, consult the Transfer Agent.
During periods of unusual market changes and shareholder activity, you may
experience delays in contacting the Transfer Agent by telephone. In this event,
you may wish to submit a written redemption request, as described in the
Prospectus. The Telephone Redemption Privilege may be modified or terminated
without notice.
B-19
<PAGE>
REDEMPTIONS-IN-KIND. The Fund has reserved the right to pay the redemption price
of its shares, either totally or partially, by a distribution in kind of
portfolio securities (instead of cash). The securities so distributed would be
valued at the same amount as that assigned to them in calculating the net asset
value for the shares being sold. If a shareholder receives a distribution in
kind, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the
securities to cash. The Trust has filed an election under SEC Rule 18f-1
committing to pay in cash all redemptions by a shareholder of record up to
amounts specified by the rule (approximately $250,000).
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund provides an
Automatic Investment Plan for the convenience of investors who wish to purchase
shares of the Fund on a regular basis. All record keeping and custodial costs of
the Automatic Investment Plan are paid by the Fund. The market value of the
Fund's shares is subject to fluctuation, so before undertaking any plan for
systematic investment, the investor should keep in mind that this plan does not
assure a profit nor protect against depreciation in declining markets.
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
As noted in the Prospectus, the net asset value and offering price of shares of
the Fund will be determined once daily as of the close of public trading on the
NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open for
trading. The Fund does not expect to determine the net asset value of its shares
on any day when the NYSE is not open for trading even if there is sufficient
trading in its portfolio securities on such days to materially affect the net
asset value per share. However, the net asset value of the Fund's shares may be
determined on days the NYSE is closed or at times other than 4:00 p.m. if the
Board of Trustees decides it is necessary.
In valuing the Fund's assets for calculating net asset value, readily marketable
portfolio securities listed on a national securities exchange or on NASDAQ are
valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is
being determined. If there has been no sale on such exchange or on NASDAQ on
such day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on such day. Readily
marketable securities traded only in the over-the-counter market and not on
NASDAQ are valued at the current or last bid price. If no bid is quoted on such
day, the security is valued by such method as the Board of Trustees of the Trust
shall determine in good faith to reflect the security's fair value. All other
assets of the Fund are valued in such manner as the Board of Trustees in good
faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated as follows: all
liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from the valuation of total assets
which includes accrued but undistributed income; the resulting net assets are
divided by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding at the time of the
valuation and the result (adjusted to the nearest cent) is the net asset value
per share.
B-20
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may state its total return in advertisements and
investor communications. Total return may be stated for any relevant period as
specified in the advertisement or communication. Any statements of total return
will be accompanied by information on the Fund's average annual compounded rate
of return for the most recent one, five and ten year periods, or shorter periods
from inception, through the most recent calendar quarter. The Fund may also
advertise aggregate and average total return information over different periods
of time.
The Fund's total return may be compared to relevant indices, including Standard
& Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index and indices published by Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc. From time to time, evaluations of the Fund's performance by
independent sources may also be used in advertisements and in information
furnished to present or prospective investors in the Fund.
Investors should note that the investment results of the Fund will fluctuate
over time, and any presentation of the Fund's total return for any period should
not be considered as a representation of what an investment may earn or what an
investor's total return may be in any future period.
The Fund's average annual compounded rate of return is determined by reference
to a hypothetical $1,000 investment that includes capital appreciation and
depreciation for the stated period, according to the following formula:
n
P(1+T) = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical $1,000 purchase at
the end of the period
Aggregate total return is calculated in a similar manner, except that the
results are not annualized. Each calculation assumes that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during
the period.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Investors in the Fund will be informed of the Fund's progress through periodic
reports. Financial statements certified by independent public accountants will
be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
Firstar Institutional Custody Services, located at 425 Walnut St., Cincinnati,
Ohio 45201 acts as Custodian of the securities and other assets of the Fund. ICA
Fund Services Corp., 4455 East Camelback Rd., Ste. 261-E, Phoenix, AZ 85018,
acts as the Fund's transfer and shareholder service agent. The Custodian and
Transfer Agent do not participate in decisions relating to the purchase and sale
of securities by the Fund.
B-21
<PAGE>
Tait, Weller & Baker, Eight Penn Center Plaza, Philadelphia, PA 19104, are the
independent auditors for the Fund.
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, 345 California Street, 29th Floor, San
Francisco, California 94104, are legal counsel to the Fund.
As of September 30, 1999, the Advisor holds all outstanding shares of the Fund
in the form of its initial seed capital investment of $100,000.
The Trust was organized as a Delaware business trust on April 27, 1999. The
Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the Board of Trustees to issue an
limited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest, without par
value, which may be issued in any number of series. The Board of Trustees may
from time to time issue other series, the assets and liabilities of which will
be separate and distinct from any other series.
Shares issued by the Fund have no preemptive, conversion, or subscription
rights. Shareholders have equal and exclusive rights as to dividends and
distributions as declared by the Fund and to the net assets of the Fund upon
liquidation or dissolution. The Fund, as a separate series of the Trust, votes
separately on matters affecting only the Fund (e.g., approval of the Advisory
Agreement); all series of the Trust vote as a single class on matters affecting
all series jointly or the Trust as a whole (e.g., election or removal of
Trustees). Voting rights are not cumulative, so that the holders of more than
50% of the shares voting in any election of Trustees can, if they so choose,
elect all of the Trustees. While the Trust is not required and does not intend
to hold annual meetings of shareholders, such meetings may be called by the
Trustees in their discretion, or upon demand by the holders of 10% or more of
the outstanding shares of the Trust, for the purpose of electing or removing
Trustees.
B-22
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuations or protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements: their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
B-23
<PAGE>
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP
AAA: Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This rating indicates
an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
AA: Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
A: Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and
economic conditions.
BBB: Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in
this category than for bonds in the A category.
BB, B, CCC, CC: Bonds rated BB, B, CCC and CC are regarded, on balance, as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates
the lowest degree of speculation and CC the highest degree of speculation. While
such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these
are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
conditions.
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus
sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
* Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the
rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no
obligation to do so.
APPENDIX B
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Prime-1: Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated "Prime-1" have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. "Prime-1"
repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries, high
rates of return on funds employed, conservative capitalization structures with
moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings
coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation, and
well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of
alternate liquidity.
B-24
<PAGE>
Prime-2: Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated "Prime-2" have a
strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser
degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject
to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternative liquidity is maintained.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP
A-1: This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign designation.
A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated "A-1."
B-25
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
VILLERE BALANCED FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
SEPTEMBER ___, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Cash $100,000
--------
LIABILITIES --
NET ASSETS $100,000
========
Shares of beneficial interest, unlimited authorized without par value 10,000
========
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share $ 10.00
========
At September ___, 1999 the components of net assets were as follows:
Paid-in capital $100,000
========
See notes to financial statements.
B-26
<PAGE>
VILLERE BALANCED FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SEPTEMBER ___, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME $ --
--------
EXPENSES
Organization expenses $ 43,000
--------
TOTAL EXPENSES 43,000
Reimbursement from adviser (43,000)
Net expenses --
Net increase resulting from operations $ --
========
See notes to financial statements.
B-27
<PAGE>
VILLERE BALANCED FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER ___, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) ORGANIZATION
The Trust for Investment Managers (the "COMPANY"), is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 ACT"), as an open-end
management investment company and is authorized to issue shares of
beneficial interest. The Company currently offers shares of capital stock
in one portfolio, the Villere Balanced Fund.
The Trust was incorporated in Delaware on April 27, 1999. The Trust had no
operations from that date to September ___, 1999 other than those relating
to organizational matters and the registration of its shares under
applicable securities laws. The investment adviser purchased the initial
10,000 shares of the Fund at $10 a share on September ___, 1999.
(2) START-UP COST
The Fund adviser has assumed all start-up cost associated with the
organization of the Fund. However, the investment adviser has reimbursed
the Fund for such costs.
B-28
<PAGE>
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
PART C
ITEM 23. EXHIBITS.
(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust (1)
(2) By-Laws (1)
(3) Specimen Share Certificate
(4) (a) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement
(b) Form of Operating Expense Limitation Agreement
(5) Form of Distribution Agreement
(6) Not applicable
(7) Form of Custodian Agreement
(8) (a) Form of Administration Agreement
(b) Fund Accounting Service Agreement
(c) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
(9) Opinion of Counsel
(10) Consent of auditors (2)
(11) Not applicable
(12) Initial capital agreement
(13) Not applicable
(14) Not applicable
(15) Not applicable
- ----------
(1) Incorporated by reference from Registrant's initial Registration Statement
on Form N-1A (File No. 33-80993) filed on June 18, 1999.
(2) To be filed by amendment.
ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
None.
ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION
Article VI of Registrant's By-Laws states as follows:
Section 1. AGENTS, PROCEEDINGS AND EXPENSES. For the purpose of this
Article, "agent" means any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or
other agent of this Trust or is or was serving at the request of this Trust as a
Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or was a
Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic
corporation which was a predecessor of another enterprise at the request of such
predecessor entity; "proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed
action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative;
and "expenses" includes without limitation attorney's fees and any expenses of
establishing a right to indemnification under this Article.
<PAGE>
Section 2. ACTIONS OTHER THAN BY TRUST. This Trust shall indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of this Trust) by reason of
the fact that such person is or was an agent of this Trust, against expenses,
judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred
in connection with such proceeding, if it is determined that person acted in
good faith and reasonably believed:
(a) in the case of conduct in his official capacity as a Trustee of the
Trust, that his conduct was in the Trust's best interests, and
(b) in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to the
Trust's best interests, and
(c) in the case of a criminal proceeding, that he had no reasonable cause
to believe the conduct of that person was unlawful.
The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not of
itself create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a
manner which the person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of this
Trust or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that the person's
conduct was unlawful.
Section 3. ACTIONS BY THE TRUST. This Trust shall indemnify any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action by or in the right of this Trust to procure a judgment in
its favor by reason of the fact that that person is or was an agent of this
Trust, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by that person in
connection with the defense or settlement of that action if that person acted in
good faith, in a manner that person believed to be in the best interests of this
Trust and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as an ordinarily prudent
person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.
Section 4. EXCLUSION OF INDEMNIFICATION. Notwithstanding any provision to
the contrary contained herein, there shall be no right to indemnification for
any liability arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or the reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
the agent's office with this Trust.
No indemnification shall be made under Sections 2 or 3 of this Article:
(a) In respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which that person
shall have been adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal
benefit was improperly received by him, whether or not the benefit
resulted from an action taken in the person's official capacity; or
<PAGE>
(b) In respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which that person shall
have been adjudged to be liable in the performance of that person's
duty to this Trust, unless and only to the extent that the court in
which that action was brought shall determine upon application that in
view of all the circumstances of the case, that person was not liable
by reason of the disabling conduct set forth in the preceding
paragraph and is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for the
expenses which the court shall determine; or
(c) of amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of a threatened or
pending action, with or without court approval, or of expenses
incurred in defending a threatened or pending action which is settled
or otherwise disposed of without court approval, unless the required
approval set forth in Section 6 of this Article is obtained.
Section 5. SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE BY AGENT. To the extent that an agent of this
Trust has been successful on the merits in defense of any proceeding referred to
in Sections 2 or 3 of this Article or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, before the court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought,
the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred
by the agent in connection therewith, provided that the Board of Trustees,
including a majority who are disinterested, non-party Trustees, also determines
that based upon a review of the facts, the agent was not liable by reason of the
disabling conduct referred to in Section 4 of this Article.
Section 6. REQUIRED APPROVAL. Except as provided in Section 5 of this
Article, any indemnification under this Article shall be made by this Trust only
if authorized in the specific case on a determination that indemnification of
the agent is proper in the circumstances because the agent has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 2 or 3 of this Article and
is not prohibited from indemnification because of the disabling conduct set
forth in Section 4 of this Article, by:
(a) A majority vote of a quorum consisting of Trustees who are not parties
to the proceeding and are not interested persons of the Trust (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940); or
(b) A written opinion by an independent legal counsel.
Section 7. ADVANCE OF EXPENSES. Expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding may be advanced by this Trust before the final disposition of the
proceeding upon a written undertaking by or on behalf of the agent, to repay the
amount of the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not
entitled to indemnification, together with at least one of the following as a
condition to the advance: (i)security for the undertaking; or (ii) the existence
of insurance protecting the Trust against losses arising by reason of any lawful
advances; or (iii) a determination by a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are
not parties to the proceeding and are not interested persons of the Trust, or by
an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, based on a review of readily
available facts that there is reason to believe that the agent ultimately will
be found entitled to indemnification. Determinations and authorizations of
payments under this Section must be made in the manner specified in Section 6 of
this Article for determining that the indemnification is permissible.
<PAGE>
Section 8. OTHER CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS. Nothing contained in this Article
shall affect any right to indemnification to which persons other than Trustees
and officers of this Trust or any subsidiary hereof may be entitled by contract
or otherwise.
Section 9. LIMITATIONS. No indemnification or advance shall be made under
this Article, except as provided in Sections 5 or 6 in any circumstances where
it appears:
(a) that it would be inconsistent with a provision of the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust of the Trust, a resolution of the shareholders,
or an agreement in effect at the time of accrual of the alleged cause
of action asserted in the proceeding in which the expenses were
incurred or other amounts were paid which prohibits or otherwise
limits indemnification; or
(b) that it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed by
a court in approving a settlement.
Section 10. INSURANCE. Upon and in the event of a determination by the
Board of Trustees of this Trust to purchase such insurance, this Trust shall
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of this Trust against any
liability asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising
out of the agent's status as such, but only to the extent that this Trust would
have the power to indemnify the agent against that liability under the
provisions of this Article and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the
Trust.
Section 11. FIDUCIARIES OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN. This Article does not
apply to any proceeding against any Trustee, investment manager or other
fiduciary of an employee benefit plan in that person's capacity as such, even
though that person may also be an agent of this Trust as defined in Section 1 of
this Article. Nothing contained in this Article shall limit any right to
indemnification to which such a Trustee, investment manager, or other fiduciary
may be entitled by contract or otherwise which shall be enforceable to the
extent permitted by applicable law other than this Article.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 ("Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense
of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the shares being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>
ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
With respect to the Investment Adviser, the response to this item is
incorporated by reference to the Adviser's Form ADV, as amended, File No.
801-702.
ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.
(a) The Registrant's principal underwriter also acts as principal
underwriter for the following investment companies:
Advisors Series Trust
Brandes Investment Trust
Fleming Mutual Fund Group
Fremont Mutual Funds
Guinness Flight Investment Funds
Jurika & Voyles Fund Group
Kayne Anderson Mutual Funds
Masters' Select Investment Trust
O'Shaughnessy Funds, Inc.
PIC Investment Trust
Purisima Funds
Rainier Investment Management Mutual Funds
RNC Mutual Fund Group
Professionally Managed Portfolios
(b) The following information is furnished with respect to the officers and
directors of First Fund Distributors, Inc.:
Position and Offices Position and
Name and Principal with Principal Offices with
Business Address Underwriter Registrant
- ------------------ -------------------- ------------
Robert H. Wadsworth President and Trustee
4455 E. Camelback Road Treasurer
Suite 261E
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Eric M. Banhazl Vice President None
2020 E. Financial Way
Glendora, CA 91741
Steven J. Paggioli Vice President and None
915 Broadway Secretary
New York, New York 10010
(c) Not applicable.
<PAGE>
ITEM 28. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
The accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
the rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession the Registrant's
custodian and transfer agent, except those records relating to portfolio
transactions and the basic organizational and Trust documents of the Registrant
(see Subsections (2) (iii). (4), (5), (6), (7), (9), (10) and (11) of Rule
31a-1(b)), which, with respect to portfolio transactions are kept by the Fund's
Advisor at its address set forth in the prospectus and statement of additional
information and with respect to trust documents by its administrator at 2020 E.
Financial Way, Suite 100, Glendora, CA 91741.
ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Parts A
and B.
ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS
The registrant undertakes:
(a) To furnish each person to whom a Prospectus is delivered a copy of
Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders, upon request and
without charge.
(b) If requested to do so by the holders of at least 10% of the Trust's
outstanding shares, to call a meeting of shareholders for the purposes
of voting upon the question of removal of a director and assist in
communications with other shareholders.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the Registrant has duly caused this Pre-Effective
Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Glendora in the State of
California on September 16, 1999.
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
By: /s/ Robert H. Wadsworth
-------------------------
Robert H. Wadsworth
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Robert H. Wadsworth Trustee September 16, 1999
- --------------------------
Robert H. Wadsworth
/s/ George J. Rebhan Trustee September 16, 1999
- --------------------------
George J. Rebhan
/s/ Ashley T. Rabun Trustee September 16, 1999
- --------------------------
Ashley T. Rabun
/s/ James Clayburn Laforce Trustee September 16, 1999
- --------------------------
James Clayburn Laforce
/s/ Robert M. Slotky Principal Financial September 16, 1999
- -------------------------- Officer
Robert M. Slotky
<PAGE>
EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
99B.3 Specimen Certificate
99B.4.A Form of Advisory Agreement
99B.4.B Form of Operating Expense Limitation Agreement
99B.5 Form of Distribution Agreement
99B.7 Form of Custody Agreement
99B.8.A Form of Administration Agreement
99B.8.B Form of Accounting Service Agreement
99B.8.C Form of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
99B.9 Opinion of Counsel
99B.12 Initial Capital Agreement
______________________ FUND
a series of
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
(A Delaware Business Trust)
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
ACCOUNT NO.
THIS CERTIFIES THAT CUSIP
is the owner of shares of beneficial interest in the __________ FUND (the
"Fund") series of TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS (the "Trust"), fully paid
and nonassessable, the said shares being issued and held subject to the
provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust, and all
amendments thereto. The said owner by accepting this certificate agrees to
and is bound by all of the said provisions. The shares represented hereby
are transferable in writing by the owner thereof in person or by attorney
upon surrender of this certificate to the Fund properly endorsed for
transfer. This certificate is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the
Trust as Trustees and not individually and the obligations hereof are not
binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but
are binding only upon the assets and property of the ________________ FUND
series of the Trust.
Dated,
SEAL
TREASURER PRESIDENT
For value received, ______________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
(Please print or typewrite name and address, including zip code, of assignee)
Shares of beneficial interest represented by the within Certificate, and do
hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer the said shares
on the books of TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS with full power of substitution in
the premises.
Dated, _________________
Owner
Signature guaranteed by:
NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS
WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION
OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT is made as of the 30th day of August,
1999, by and between TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS, a Delaware business trust
(hereinafter called the "Trust"), on behalf of the following series of the
Trust, VILLERE BALANCED FUND (the "Fund") and ST. DENIS J. VILLERE & COMPANY, a
partnership (hereinafter called the "Advisor").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered
as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund is a series of the Trust having separate assets and
liabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Advisor is registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act") and is engaged in the
business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Advisor to render advice and
services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and
the Advisor desires to furnish said advice and services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises
hereinafter set forth, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally
bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF ADVISOR. The Trust hereby employs the Advisor and the
Advisor hereby accepts such employment, to render investment advice and related
services with respect to the assets of the Fund for the period and on the terms
set forth in this Agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of the
Trust's Board of Trustees.
2. DUTIES OF ADVISOR.
(a) GENERAL DUTIES. The Advisor shall act as investment adviser to the
Fund and shall supervise investments of the Fund on behalf of the Fund in
accordance with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund
as set forth in the Fund's and Trust's governing documents, including, without
limitation, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws; the
Fund's prospectus, statement of additional information and undertakings; and
such other limitations, policies and procedures as the Trustees may impose from
-1-
<PAGE>
time to time in writing to the Advisor. In providing such services, the Advisor
shall at all times adhere to the provisions and restrictions contained in the
federal securities laws, applicable state securities laws, the Internal Revenue
Code, the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable law.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Advisor shall:
(i) furnish the Fund with advice and recommendations with respect to the
investment of the Fund's assets and the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities for the Fund, including the taking of such steps as may be necessary
to implement such advice and recommendations (E.G., placing the orders); (ii)
manage and oversee the investments of the Fund, subject to the ultimate
supervision and direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees; (iii) vote proxies
for the Fund, file ownership reports under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 for the Fund, and take other actions on behalf of the Fund; (iv)
maintain the books and records required to be maintained by the Fund except to
the extent arrangements have been made for such books and records to be
maintained by the administrator or another agent of the Fund; (v) furnish
reports, statements and other data on securities, economic conditions and other
matters related to the investment of the Fund's assets which the Fund's
administrator or distributor or the officers of the Trust may reasonably
request; and (vi) render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and
special reports with respect to the Fund's investment activities as the Board
may reasonably request, including at least one in-person appearance annually
before the Board of Trustees.
(b) BROKERAGE. The Advisor shall be responsible for decisions to buy
and sell securities for the Fund, for broker-dealer selection, and for
negotiation of brokerage commission rates, provided that the Advisor shall not
direct order to an affiliated person of the Advisor without general prior
authorization to use such affiliated broker or dealer for the Trust's Board of
Trustees. The Advisor's primary consideration in effecting a securities
transaction will be execution at the most favorable price. In selecting a
broker-dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Advisor may take the
following into consideration: the best net price available; the reliability,
integrity and financial condition of the broker-dealer; the size of and
difficulty in executing the order; and the value of the expected contribution of
the broker-dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing
basis. The price to the Fund in any transaction may be less favorable than that
available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified
by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered.
Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may
determine, the Advisor shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have
breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its
having caused the Fund to pay a broker or dealer that provides (directly or
indirectly) brokerage or research services to the Advisor an amount of
commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction, if the Advisor determines in good faith that such amount of
commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that
particular transaction or the Advisor's overall responsibilities with respect to
the Trust. The Advisor is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it
on behalf of the Fund to such brokers or dealers who also provide research or
-2-
<PAGE>
statistical material, or other services, to the Trust, the Advisor, or any
affiliate of either. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as
the Advisor shall determine, and the Advisor shall report on such allocations
regularly to the Trust, indicating the broker-dealers to whom such allocations
have been made and the basis therefor. The Advisor is also authorized to
consider sales of shares as a factor in the selection of brokers or dealers to
execute portfolio transactions, subject to the requirements of best execution,
I.E., that such brokers or dealers are able to execute the order promptly and at
the best obtainable securities price.
On occasions when the Advisor deems the purchase or sale of a security
to be in the best interest of one or more of the Fund as well as of other
clients, the Advisor, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and
regulations, may aggregate the securities to be so purchased or sold in order to
obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and the most
efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or
sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the
Advisor in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with
its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients.
3. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ADVISOR.
(a) The Advisor shall use its best judgment and efforts in rendering
the advice and services to the Fund as contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) The Advisor shall maintain all licenses and registrations
necessary to perform its duties hereunder in good order.
(c) The Advisor shall conduct its operations at all times in
conformance with the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act , and any other
applicable state and/or self-regulatory organization regulations.
(d) The Advisor shall maintain errors and omissions insurance in an
amount at least equal to that disclosed to the Board of Trustees in connection
with their approval of this Agreement.
4. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The Advisor shall, for all purposes herein, be
deemed to be an independent contractor, and shall, unless otherwise expressly
provided and authorized to do so, have no authority to act for or represent the
Trust or the Fund in any way, or in any way be deemed an agent for the Trust or
for the Fund. It is expressly understood and agreed that the services to be
rendered by the Advisor to the Fund under the provisions of this Agreement are
not to be deemed exclusive, and the Advisor shall be free to render similar or
different services to others so long as its ability to render the services
provided for in this Agreement shall not be impaired thereby.
5. ADVISOR'S PERSONNEL. The Advisor shall, at its own expense, maintain
such staff and employ or retain such personnel and consult with such other
persons as it shall from time to time determine to be necessary to the
-3-
<PAGE>
performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Advisor shall be
deemed to include persons employed or retained by the Advisor to furnish
statistical information, research, and other factual information, advice
regarding economic factors and trends, information with respect to technical and
scientific developments, and such other information, advice and assistance as
the Advisor or the Trust's Board of Trustees may desire and reasonably request.
6. EXPENSES.
(a) With respect to the operation of the Fund, the Advisor shall be
responsible for (i) providing the personnel, office space and equipment
reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund, (ii) the expenses of
printing and distributing extra copies of the Fund's prospectus, statement of
additional information, and sales and advertising materials (but not the legal,
auditing or accounting fees attendant thereto) to prospective investors (but not
to existing shareholders), and (iii) the costs of any special Board of Trustees
meetings or shareholder meetings convened for the primary benefit of the
Advisor. If the Advisor has agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund,
the Advisor shall also be responsible on a monthly basis for any operating
expenses that exceed the agreed upon expense limit.
(b) The Fund is responsible for and has assumed the obligation for
payment of all of its expenses, other than as stated in Subparagraph 6(a) above,
including but not limited to: fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
issuance, registration and transfer of its shares; brokerage and commission
expenses; all expenses of transfer, receipt, safekeeping, servicing and
accounting for the cash, securities and other property of the Trust for the
benefit of the Fund including all fees and expenses of its custodian,
shareholder services agent and accounting services agent; interest charges on
any borrowings; costs and expenses of pricing and calculating its daily net
asset value and of maintaining its books of account required under the
Investment Company Act; taxes, if any; a pro rata portion of expenditures in
connection with meetings of the Fund's shareholders and the Trust's Board of
Trustees that are properly payable by the Fund; salaries and expenses of
officers and fees and expenses of members of the Trust's Board of Trustees or
members of any advisory board or committee who are not members of, affiliated
with or interested persons of the Advisor; insurance premiums on property or
personnel of the Fund which inure to its benefit, including liability and
fidelity bond insurance; the cost of preparing and printing reports, proxy
statements, prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Fund or
other communications for distribution to existing shareholders; legal, auditing
and accounting fees; trade association dues; fees and expenses (including legal
fees) of registering and maintaining registration of its shares for sale under
federal and applicable state and foreign securities laws; all expenses of
maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including all charges for
transfer, shareholder recordkeeping, dividend disbursing, redemption, and other
agents for the benefit of the Fund, if any; and all other charges and costs of
its operation plus any extraordinary and non-recurring expenses, except as
herein otherwise prescribed.
(c) The Advisor may voluntarily absorb certain Fund expenses or waive
the Advisor's own advisory fee.
-4-
<PAGE>
(d) To the extent the Advisor incurs any costs by assuming expenses
which are an obligation of the Fund as set forth herein, the Fund shall promptly
reimburse the Advisor for such costs and expenses, except to the extent the
Advisor has otherwise agreed to bear such expenses. To the extent the services
for which the Fund is obligated to pay are performed by the Advisor, the Advisor
shall be entitled to recover from the Fund to the extent of the Advisor's actual
costs for providing such services. In determining the Advisor's actual costs,
the Advisor may take into account an allocated portion of the salaries and
overhead of personnel performing such services.
7. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE.
(a) The Fund shall pay to the Advisor, and the Advisor agrees to
accept, as full compensation for all investment management and advisory services
furnished or provided to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement, an annual
management fee at the annual rate of 0.75%.
(b) The management fee shall be accrued daily by the Fund and paid to
the Advisor on the first business day of the succeeding month.
(c) The initial fee under this Agreement shall be payable on the first
business day of the first month following the effective date of this Agreement
and shall be prorated as set forth below. If this Agreement is terminated prior
to the end of any month, the fee to the Advisor shall be prorated for the
portion of any month in which this Agreement is in effect which is not a
complete month according to the proportion which the number of calendar days in
the month during which the Agreement is in effect bears to the number of
calendar days in the month, and shall be payable within ten (10) days after the
date of termination.
(d) The fee payable to the Advisor under this Agreement will be
reduced to the extent of any amount owed by the Advisor to the Fund and as
required under any expense limitation applicable to the Fund.
(e) The Advisor voluntarily may reduce any portion of the compensation
or reimbursement of expenses due to it pursuant to this Agreement and may agree
to make payments to limit the expenses which are the responsibility of the Fund
under this Agreement. Any such reduction or payment shall be applicable only to
such specific reduction or payment and shall not constitute an agreement to
reduce any future compensation or reimbursement due to the Advisor hereunder or
to continue future payments. Any such reduction will be agreed to prior to
accrual of the related expense or fee and will be estimated daily and reconciled
and paid on a monthly basis.
(f) Any such reductions made by the Advisor in its fees or payment of
expenses which are the Fund's obligation are subject to reimbursement by the
Fund to the Advisor, if so requested by the Advisor, in subsequent fiscal years
if the aggregate amount actually paid by the Fund toward the operating expenses
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<PAGE>
for such fiscal year (taking into account the reimbursement) does not exceed the
applicable limitation on Fund expenses. The Advisor is permitted to be
reimbursed only for fee reductions and expense payments made in the previous
three fiscal years, but is permitted to look back five years and four years,
respectively, during the initial six years and seventh year of the Fund's
operations. Any such reimbursement is also contingent upon review and approval
by the Board of Trustees at the time the reimbursement is made. Such
reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Fund's payment of current ordinary
operating expenses.
(g) The Advisor may agree not to require payment of any portion of the
compensation or reimbursement of expenses otherwise due to it pursuant to this
Agreement. Any such agreement shall be applicable only with respect to the
specific items covered thereby and shall not constitute an agreement not to
require payment of any future compensation or reimbursement due to the Advisor
hereunder.
8. NO SHORTING; NO BORROWING. The Advisor agrees that neither it nor any of
its officers or employees shall take any short position in the shares of the
Fund. This prohibition shall not prevent the purchase of such shares by any of
the officers or employees of the Advisor or any trust, pension, profit-sharing
or other benefit plan for such persons or affiliates thereof, at a price not
less than the net asset value thereof at the time of purchase, as allowed
pursuant to rules promulgated under the Investment Company Act. The Advisor
agrees that neither it nor any of its officers or employees shall borrow from
the Fund or pledge or use the Fund's assets in connection with any borrowing not
directly for the Fund's benefit. For this purpose, failure to pay any amount due
and payable to the Fund for a period of more than thirty (30) days shall
constitute a borrowing.
9. CONFLICTS WITH TRUST'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND APPLICABLE LAWS. Nothing
herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Fund to take any
action contrary to the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, or
any applicable statute or regulation, or to relieve or deprive the Board of
Trustees of the Trust of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of
the affairs of the Trust and Fund. In this connection, the Advisor acknowledges
that the Trustees retain ultimate plenary authority over the Fund and may take
any and all actions necessary and reasonable to protect the interests of
shareholders.
10. REPORTS AND ACCESS. The Advisor agrees to supply such information to
the Fund's administrator and to permit such compliance inspections by the Fund's
administrator as shall be reasonably necessary to permit the administrator to
satisfy its obligations and respond to the reasonable requests of the Trustees.
11. ADVISOR'S LIABILITIES AND INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Advisor shall have responsibility for the accuracy and
completeness (and liability for the lack thereof) of the statements in the
Fund's offering materials (including the prospectus, the statement of additional
information, advertising and sales materials), except for information supplied
by the administrator or the Trust or another third party for inclusion therein.
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<PAGE>
(b) The Advisor shall be liable to the Fund for any loss (including
brokerage charges) incurred by the Fund as a result of any improper investment
made by the Advisor.
(c) In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the obligations or duties hereunder on the
part of the Advisor, the Advisor shall not be subject to liability to the Trust
or the Fund or to any shareholder of the Fund for any act or omission in the
course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses
that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security by the
Fund.
(d) Each party to this Agreement shall indemnify and hold harmless the
other party and the shareholders, directors, officers and employees of the other
party (any such person, an "Indemnified Party") against any loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating and
defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expenses and reasonable
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising out of the Indemnified
Party's performance or non-performance of any duties under this Agreement
provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect any
Indemnified Party against any liability to which such Indemnified Party would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence
in the performance of duties hereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of
obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(e) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to protect any
Trustee or officer of the Trust, or officer of the Advisor, from liability in
violation of Sections 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act.
12. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; TRADING FOR ADVISOR'S OWN ACCOUNT. The Trust's
employment of the Advisor is not an exclusive arrangement. The Trust may from
time to time employ other individuals or entities to furnish it with the
services provided for herein. Likewise, the Advisor may act as investment
adviser for any other person, and shall not in any way be limited or restricted
from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or their own accounts or
the accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided, however,
that the Advisor expressly represents that it will undertake no activities which
will adversely affect the performance of its obligations to the Fund under this
Agreement; and provided further that the Advisor will adhere to a code of ethics
governing employee trading and trading for proprietary accounts that conforms to
the requirements of the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act and has been
approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees.
13. TERM.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective at the time the Fund
commences operations pursuant to the Trust's Registration Statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 and shall remain in effect for a period of two (2) years,
unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided. This Agreement shall continue
in effect thereafter for additional periods not exceeding one (l) year so long
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<PAGE>
as such continuation is approved for the Fund at least annually by (i) the Board
of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the
Trust who are not parties to this Agreement nor interested persons thereof, cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities" and "interested persons"
shall have the meanings as set forth in the Investment Company Act.
(b) The Fund may use the name VILLERE BALANCED FUND or any name
derived from or using the name ST. DENIS J. VILLERE & COMPANY only for so long
as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remains in
effect. Within sixty (60) days from such time as this Agreement shall no longer
be in effect, the Fund shall cease to use such a name or any other name
connected with the Advisor.
14. TERMINATION; NO ASSIGNMENT.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated by the Trust on behalf of the
Fund at any time without payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the
Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,
upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Advisor, and by the Advisor upon
sixty (60) days' written notice to the Fund. In the event of a termination, the
Advisor shall cooperate in the orderly transfer of the Fund's affairs and, at
the request of the Board of Trustees, transfer any and all books and records of
the Fund maintained by the Advisor on behalf of the Fund.
(b) This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of any
transfer or assignment thereof, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
15. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise rendered
invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
16. CAPTIONS. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
17. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of California without giving effect to
the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be
construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or
rule, including the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act and any rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
-8-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first
above written.
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS ST. DENIS J. VILLERE
on behalf of the & COMPANY, a partnership
Villere Balanced Fund
By: By:
------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Robert H. Wadsworth Name:
Title: President Title:
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TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AGREEMENT
THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is effective
as of 1999, by and between TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS, a Delaware business
trust (the "Trust"), on behalf of the VILLERE BALANCED FUND (the "Fund"), a
series of the Trust, and the Advisor of such Fund, ST. DENIS J. VILLERE &
COMPANY (the "Advisor").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Advisor renders advice and services to the Fund pursuant to
the terms and provisions of an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust
and the Advisor dated August 30, 1999 (the "Investment Advisory Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund, is responsible for, and has assumed the obligation for,
payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement that
have not been assumed by the Advisor; and
WHEREAS, the Advisor desires to limit the Fund's Operating Expenses (as
that term is defined in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement) pursuant to the terms and
provisions of this Agreement, and the Trust (on behalf of the Fund) desires to
allow the Advisor to implement those limits;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises
hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby,
mutually agree as follows:
1. LIMIT ON OPERATING EXPENSES. The Advisor hereby agrees to limit the
Fund's current Operating Expenses to an annual rate, expressed as a percentage
of the Fund's average annual net assets, of 1.50% (the "Annual Limit"). In the
event that the current Operating Expenses of the Fund, as accrued each month,
exceed its Annual Limit, the Advisor will pay to the Fund, on a monthly basis,
the excess expense within 30 days of being notified that an excess expense
payment is due.
2. DEFINITION. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Operating
Expenses" with respect to the Fund is defined to include all expenses necessary
or appropriate for the operation of the Fund, including the Advisor's investment
advisory or management fee detailed in the Investment Advisory Agreement, any
Rule 12b-1 fees and other expenses described in the Investment Advisory
Agreement, but does not include any front-end or contingent deferred loads,
taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection
with any merger or reorganization, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation.
3. REIMBURSEMENT OF FEES AND EXPENSES. The Advisor retains its right to
receive reimbursement of any excess expense payments paid by it pursuant to this
Agreement under the same terms and conditions as it is permitted to receive
<PAGE>
reimbursement of reductions of its investment management fee under the
Investment Advisory Agreement.
4. TERM. This Agreement shall become effective on the date specified herein
and shall remain in effect indefinitely and for a period of not less than one
year, unless sooner terminated as provided in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement.
5. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without
payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, on behalf of the
Fund, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Advisor. This Agreement may
not be terminated by the Advisor without the consent of the Board of Trustees of
the Trust, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. This Agreement will
automatically terminate if the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated, with
such termination effective upon the effective date of the Investment Advisory
Agreement's termination.
6. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may
not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.
7. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise rendered
invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
8. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of California without giving effect to
the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be
construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or
rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and
year first above written.
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS ST. DENIS J. VILLERE
on behalf of the & COMPANY, a partnership
Villere Balanced Fund
By: By:
------------------------------- --------------------------------
Print name: Print name:
------------------------ ------------------------
Title: Title:
----------------------------- -----------------------------
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This Agreement made as of the 30th day of August, 1999 by and between TRUST
FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS, a Delaware business trust, (the "Trust"), and FIRST
FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"); and it is in
the interest of the Trust to offer its shares for sale continuously; and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and is a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD");
and
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement with
each other with respect to the continuous offering of the shares of each
existing and future series (the "Shares") of the Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF DISTRIBUTOR. The Trust hereby appoints the Distributor as
exclusive agent to sell and to arrange for the sale of the Shares, on the terms
and for the period set forth in this Agreement, and the Distributor hereby
accepts such appointment and agrees to act hereunder directly and/or through the
Trust's transfer agent in the manner set forth in the Prospectuses (as defined
below). It is understood and agreed that the services of the Distributor
hereunder are not exclusive, and the Distributor may act as principal
underwriter for the shares of any other registered investment company.
2. SERVICES AND DUTIES OF THE DISTRIBUTOR.
(a) The Distributor agrees to sell the Shares, as agent for the Trust,
from time to time during the term of this Agreement upon the terms described in
a Prospectus. As used in this Agreement, the term "Prospectus" shall mean a
prospectus and statement of additional information included as part of the
Trust's Registration Statement, as such prospectus and statement of additional
information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and the term
"Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement filed from time
to time by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and
currently effective under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") and the
1940 Act, as such Registration Statement is amended by any amendments thereto at
the time in effect. The Distributor shall not be obligated to sell any certain
number of Shares.
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<PAGE>
(b) Upon commencement of operations of any series, the Distributor
will hold itself available to receive orders, satisfactory to the Distributor,
for the purchase of the Shares and will accept such orders and will transmit
such orders and funds received by it in payment for such Shares as are so
accepted to the Trust's transfer agent or custodian, as appropriate, as promptly
as practicable. Purchase orders shall be deemed accepted and shall be effective
at the time and in the manner set forth in the series' Prospectuses. The
Distributor shall not make any short sales of Shares.
(c) The offering price of the Shares shall be the net asset value per
share of the Shares, plus the sales charge, if any, (determined as set forth in
the Prospectuses). The Trust shall furnish the Distributor, with all possible
promptness, an advice of each computation of net asset value and offering price.
(d) The Distributor shall have the right to enter into selected dealer
agreements with securities dealers of its choice ("selected dealers") for the
sale of Shares. Shares sold to selected dealers shall be for resale by such
dealers only at the offering price of the Shares as set forth in the
Prospectuses. The Distributor shall offer and sell Shares only to such selected
dealers as are members in good standing of the NASD, unless such dealers are not
eligible for membership in the NASD.
3. DUTIES OF THE TRUST.
(a) MAINTENANCE OF FEDERAL REGISTRATION. The Trust shall, at its
expense, take, from time to time, all necessary action and such steps, including
payment of the related filing fees, as may be necessary to register and maintain
registration of a sufficient number of Shares under the 1933 Act. The Trust
agrees to file from time to time such amendments, reports and other documents as
may be necessary in order that there may be no untrue statement of a material
fact in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary in order that there
may be no omission to state a material fact in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus which omission would make the statements therein misleading.
(b) MAINTENANCE OF "BLUE SKY" QUALIFICATIONS. The Trust shall, at its
expense, use its best efforts to qualify and maintain the qualification of an
appropriate number of Shares for sale under the securities laws of such states
as the Distributor and the Trust may approve, and, if necessary or appropriate
in connection therewith, to qualify and maintain the qualification of the Trust
or the series as a broker or dealer in such states; provided that the Trust
shall not be required to amend its Agreement and Declaration of Trust or By-Laws
to comply with the laws of any state, to maintain an office in any state, to
change the terms of the offering of the Shares in any state, to change the terms
of the offering of the Shares in any state from the terms set forth in
Prospectuses, to qualify as a foreign trust in any state or to consent to
service of process in any state other than with respect to claims arising out of
the offering and sale of the Shares. The Distributor shall furnish such
information and other material relating to its affairs and activities as may be
required by the Trust or its series in connection with such qualifications.
(c) COPIES OF REPORTS AND PROSPECTUSES. The Trust shall, at its
expense, keep the Distributor fully informed with regard to its affairs and in
2
<PAGE>
connection therewith shall furnish to the Distributor copies of all information,
financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably
request for use in connection with the distribution of Shares, including such
reasonable number of copies of Prospectuses and annual and interim reports as
the Distributor may request and shall cooperate fully in the efforts of the
Distributor to sell and arrange for the sale of the Shares and in the
performance of the Distributor under this Agreement.
4. CONFORMITY WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND RULES. The Distributor agrees that in
selling Shares hereunder it shall conform in all respects with the laws of the
United States and of any state in which Shares may be offered, and with
applicable rules and regulations of the NASD.
5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. In performing its duties hereunder, the
Distributor shall be an independent contractor and neither the Distributor, nor
any of its officers, directors, employees, or representatives is or shall be an
employee of the Trust in the performance of the Distributor's duties hereunder.
The Distributor shall be responsible for its own conduct and the employment,
control, and conduct of its agents and employees and for injury to such agents
or employees or to others through its agents or employees. The Distributor
assumes full responsibility for its agents and employees under applicable
statutes and agrees to pay all employee taxes thereunder.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUST. The Distributor agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Trust and each of its present or former Trustees, officers,
employees, representatives and each person, if any, who controls or previously
controlled the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against
any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims or expenses (including the
reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability,
damage, claims or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred in
connection therewith) to which the Trust or any such person may become subject
under the 1933 Act, under any other statute, at common law, or otherwise,
arising out of the acquisition of any Shares by any person which (i) may be
based upon any wrongful act by the Distributor or any of the Distributor's
directors, officers, employees or representatives, or (ii) may be based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a
Registration Statement, Prospectus, shareholder report or other information
covering Shares filed or made public by the Trust 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 statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to the Trust by the Distributor. In
no case (i) is the Distributor's indemnity in favor of the Trust, or any person
indemnified to be deemed to protect the Trust or such indemnified person against
any liability to which the Trust or such person would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of the Trust's or such person's duties or by reason of reckless disregard of the
Trust's or such person's obligations and duties under this Agreement or (ii) is
the Distributor to be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this
Paragraph with respect to any claim made against the Trust or any person
indemnified unless the Trust or such person, as the case may be, shall have
notified the Distributor in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after
the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature
3
<PAGE>
of the claim shall have been served upon the Trust or upon such person (or after
the Trust or such person shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent). However, failure to notify the Distributor of any such claim
shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability which the Distributor may
have to the Trust or any person against whom such action is brought otherwise
than on account of the Distributor's indemnity agreement contained in this
Paragraph.
The Distributor shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense,
in the defense, or, if the Distributor so elects, to assume the defense of any
suit brought to enforce any such claim, but, if the Distributor elects to assume
the defense, such defense shall be conducted by legal counsel chosen by the
Distributor and satisfactory to the Trust, and to the persons indemnified as
defendant or defendants, in the suit. In the event that the Distributor elects
to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such legal counsel, the Trust,
and the persons indemnified as defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear
the fees and expenses of any additional legal counsel retained by them. If the
Distributor does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, the
Distributor will reimburse the Trust and the persons indemnified defendant or
defendants in such suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any legal
counsel retained by them. The Distributor agrees to promptly notify the Trust of
the commencement of any litigation of proceedings against it or any of its
officers, employees or representatives in connection with the issue or sale of
any Shares.
(b) INDEMNIFICATION OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. The Trust agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its present or former directors,
officers, employees, representatives and each person, if any, who controls or
previously controlled the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims or expenses
(including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss,
liability, damage, claim or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred
in connection therewith) to which the Distributor or any such person may become
subject under the 1933 Act, under any other statute, at common law, or
otherwise, arising out of the acquisition of any Shares by any person which (i)
may be based upon any wrongful act by the Trust or any of the Trust's Trustees,
officers, employees or representatives, or (ii) may be based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a
Registration Statement, Prospectus, shareholder report or other information
covering Shares filed or made public by the Trust 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 unless such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Trust by the
Distributor. In no case (i) is the Trust's indemnity in favor of the
Distributor, or any person indemnified to be deemed to protect the Distributor
or such indemnified person against any liability to which the Distributor or
such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such person's duties or by
reason of reckless disregard of such person's obligations and duties under this
Agreement or (ii) is the Trust to be liable under their indemnity agreement
contained in this Paragraph with respect to any claim made against Distributor,
or person indemnified unless the Distributor, or such person, as the case may
be, shall have notified the Trust in writing of the claim within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of
the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Distributor or upon such
person (or after the Distributor or such person shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify the Trust of
4
<PAGE>
any such claim shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which the Trust
may have to the Distributor or any person against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of the Trust's indemnity agreement contained in this
Paragraph.
The Trust shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the
defense, or, if the Trust so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought
to enforce any such claim, but if the Trust elects to assume the defense, such
defense shall be conducted by legal counsel chosen by the Trust and satisfactory
to the Distributor and to the persons indemnified as defendant or defendants, in
the suit. In the event that the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such
suit and retain such legal counsel, the Distributor, the persons indemnified as
defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional legal counsel retained by them. If the Trust does not elect to assume
the defense of any such suit, the Trust will reimburse the Distributor and the
persons indemnified as defendant or defendants in such suit for the reasonable
fees and expenses of any legal counsel retained by them. The Trust agrees to
promptly notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or
proceedings against it or any of its Trustees, officers, employees or
representatives in connection with the issue or sale of any Shares.
7. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIONS. The Distributor is not authorized by the
Trust to give on behalf of the Trust any information or to make any
representations in connection with the sale of Shares other than the information
and representations contained in a Registration Statement or Prospectus filed
with the SEC under the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, covering Shares, as such
Registration Statement and Prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or contained in shareholder reports or other material that may be
prepared by or on behalf of the Trust for the Distributor's use. This shall not
be construed to prevent the Distributor from preparing and distributing
tombstone ads and sales literature or other material as it may deem appropriate.
No person other than the Distributor is authorized to act as principal
underwriter (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) for the Trust.
8. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date
first above written, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this
Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years from the date first
above written. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect from year to
year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions
thereof, so long as such continuation shall be specifically approved at least
annually by (i) the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of each series of the Trust and, (ii) by the vote,
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval,
of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement
or interested persons of any such party. The Distributor shall furnish to the
Trust, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be
necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or
amendment hereof.
9. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may not be amended
or assigned except as permitted by the 1940 Act, and this Agreement shall
automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment.
5
<PAGE>
10. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be terminated by either
party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than upon 60 days'
nor less than 30 days' prior notice in writing to the other party; provided,
that in the case of termination by the Trust such action shall have been
authorized by resolution of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not
parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, or by vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each series of the Trust.
11. MISCELLANEOUS. 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.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust to take any
action contrary to its Agreement and Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or any
applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by
which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Board of Trustees of the Trust
of responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust.
12. DEFINITION OF TERMS. Any question of interpretation of any term or
provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a
term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or
provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United
States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court,
by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940
Act. Specifically, the terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities", "interested persons," "assignment," and "affiliated person," as
used in Paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 hereof, shall have the meanings assigned to them
by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement
of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a
rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general
application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such
rule, regulation or order.
13. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS. The Trust represents that it is
registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and
agrees that it will comply with all the provisions of the 1940 Act and of the
rules and regulations thereunder. The Trust and the Distributor each agree to
comply with all of the applicable terms and provisions of the 1940 Act, the 1933
Act and, subject to the provisions of Section 4(d), all applicable "Blue Sky"
laws. The Distributor agrees to comply with all of the applicable terms and
provisions of the 1934 Act.
14. NOTICES. Any notice required to be given pursuant to this Agreement
shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage
prepaid, to the Distributor at 4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix,
Arizona 85018 or to the Trust at 2020 E. Financial Way, Suite 100, Glendora,
California 91741.
15. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
6
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their officers designated below on the date first written above.
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
By:
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Name:
-------------------------------------
Title:
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FIRST FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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7
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of the 30th day of
August, 1999, by and between TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS, (the "Trust") and
FIRSTAR BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, (the "Custodian"), a national banking
association having its principal office at 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio,
45202.
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Custodian desire to enter into this Agreement to
provide for the custody and safekeeping of the assets of the Trust as required
by the Act (as hereafter defined).
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth,
the Trust and the Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases, when used in this Agreement, unless the
context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
ACT - the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
1934 ACT - the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
AUTHORIZED PERSON - any (i) Officer of the Trust or (ii) any other person,
whether or not any such person is an officer or employee of the Trust, who is
duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Trust to give Oral Instructions
and Written Instructions on behalf of the Trust or any Fund, and named in
Appendix A attached hereto and as amended from time to time by resolution of the
Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, and received by the Custodian.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES - the Trustees from time to time serving under the
Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as from time to time amended.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM - a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart O of
Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFR Part 350, or in
such book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially in the form
of Subpart O.
BUSINESS DAY - any day recognized as a settlement day by The New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. and any other day for which the Trust computes the net asset
value of Shares of any fund.
<PAGE>
DEPOSITORY - The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a limited purpose trust
company, its successor(s) and its nominee(s). Depository shall include any other
clearing agency registered with the SEC under Section 17A of the 1934 Act which
acts as a system for the central handling of Securities where all Securities of
any particular class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are
treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry
without physical delivery of the Securities provided that the Custodian shall
have received a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an
Officer, specifically approving the use of such clearing agency as a depository
for the Funds.
DIVIDEND AND TRANSFER AGENT - the dividend and transfer agent appointed,
from time to time, pursuant to a written agreement between the dividend and
transfer agent and the Trust.
FOREIGN SECURITIES - a) securities issued and sold primarily outside of the
United States by a foreign government, a national of any foreign country, or a
trust or other organization incorporated or organized under the laws of any
foreign country or; b) securities issued or guaranteed by the government of the
United States, by any state, by any political subdivision or agency thereof, or
by any entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any state
thereof, which have been issued and sold primarily outside of the United States.
FUND - each series of the Trust listed in Appendix B and any additional
series added pursuant to Proper Instructions. A series is individually referred
to as a "Fund" and collectively referred to as the "Funds."
MONEY MARKET SECURITY - debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to
principal and/or interest by the government of the United States or agencies or
instrumentalities thereof, commercial paper, obligations (including certificates
of deposit, bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase
agreements with respect to the same), and time deposits of domestic banks and
thrift institutions whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, and short-term corporate obligations where the purchase and sale of
such securities normally require settlement in federal funds or their equivalent
on the same day as such purchase and sale, all of which mature in not more than
thirteen (13) months.
<PAGE>
NASD - the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
OFFICER - the Chairman, President, Secretary, Treasurer, any Vice
President, Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of the Trust.
ORAL INSTRUCTIONS - instructions orally transmitted to and received by the
Custodian from an Authorized Person (or from a person that the Custodian
reasonably believes in good faith to be an Authorized Person) and confirmed by
Written Instructions in such a manner that such Written Instructions are
received by the Custodian on the Business Day immediately following receipt of
such Oral Instructions.
PROPER INSTRUCTIONS - Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. Proper
Instructions may be continuing Written Instructions when deemed appropriate by
both parties.
PROSPECTUS - the Trust's then currently effective prospectus and Statement
of Additional Information, as filed with and declared effective from time to
time by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SECURITY OR SECURITIES - Money Market Securities, common stock, preferred
stock, options, financial futures, bonds, notes, debentures, corporate debt
securities, mortgages, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances,
mortgage-backed securities or other obligations and any certificates, receipts,
warrants, or other instruments or documents representing rights to receive,
purchase, or subscribe for the same or evidencing or representing any other
rights or interest therein, or any similar property or assets that the Custodian
has the facilities to clear and to service.
SEC - the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of
America.
SHARES - with respect to a Fund, the units of beneficial interest issued by
the Trust on account of such Fund.
TRUST - Trust for Investment Managers, a business trust organized under the
laws of Delaware which is a open-end management investment company registered
under the Act.
WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS - communications in writing actually received by the
Custodian from an Authorized Person. A communication in writing includes a
communication by facsimile, telex or between electro-mechanical or electronic
devices (where the use of such devices have been approved by resolution of the
Trustee and the resolution is certified by an Officer and delivered to the
Custodian). All written communications shall be directed to the Custodian,
attention: Mutual Fund Custody Department.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT; ACCEPTANCE; AND FURNISHING OF DOCUMENTS
A. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN. The Trust hereby constitutes and appoints the
Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash owned by the Trust at any time
during the term of this Agreement.
B. ACCEPTANCE OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as
such custodian and agrees to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set
forth.
C. DOCUMENTS TO BE FURNISHED. The following documents, including any
amendments thereto, will be provided contemporaneously with the execution of the
Agreement, to the Custodian by the Trust:
1. A copy of the Certificate of Trust of the Trust certified by the
Secretary.
2. A copy of the By-Laws of the Trust certified by the Secretary.
3. A copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust
appointing the Custodian, certified by the Secretary.
4. A copy of the then current Prospectus.
5. A Certificate of the President and Secretary of the Trust setting
forth the names and signatures of the current Officers of the Trust
and other Authorized Persons.
D. NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF DIVIDEND AND TRANSFER AGENT. The Trust agrees
to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment, termination or change in
appointment of any Dividend and Transfer Agent.
ARTICLE III
RECEIPT OF TRUST ASSETS
A. DELIVERY OF MONEYS. During the term of this Agreement, the Trust will
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all moneys to be held by the
Custodian for the account of any Fund. The Custodian shall be entitled to
reverse any deposits made on any Fund's behalf where such deposits have been
entered and moneys are not finally collected within 30 days of the making of
such entry.
B. DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. During the term of this Agreement, the Trust
will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all Securities to be held
by the Custodian for the account of any Fund. The Custodian will not have any
duties or responsibilities with respect to such Securities until actually
received by the Custodian.
<PAGE>
C. PAYMENTS FOR SHARES. As and when received, the Custodian shall deposit
to the account(s) of a Fund any and all payments for Shares of that Fund issued
or sold from time to time as they are received from the Trust's distributor or
Dividend and Transfer Agent or from the Trust itself.
D. DUTIES UPON RECEIPT. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any
Securities, moneys or other assets of any Fund until actually received by it.
E. VALIDITY OF TITLE. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the title,
validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received or
delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
DISBURSEMENT OF TRUST ASSETS
A. DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS BY TRUST. The Trust shall furnish to the
Custodian a copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
certified by the Trust's Secretary, either (i) setting forth the date of the
declaration of any dividend or distribution in respect of Shares of any Fund of
the Trust, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which the Fund
shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per
share to Fund shareholders of record as of that date, and the total amount to be
paid by the Dividend and Transfer Agent on the payment date, or (ii) authorizing
the declaration of dividends and distributions in respect of Shares of a Fund on
a daily basis and authorizing the Custodian to rely on Written Instructions
setting forth the date of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution,
the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which the Fund shareholders
entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per share to Fund
shareholders of record as of that date, and the total amount to be paid by the
Dividend and Transfer Agent on the payment date.
On the payment date specified in the resolution or Written Instructions
described above, the Custodian shall segregate such amounts from moneys held for
the account of the Fund so that they are available for such payment.
B. SEGREGATION OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions
so directing it, the Custodian shall segregate amounts necessary for the payment
of redemption proceeds to be made by the Dividend and Transfer Agent from moneys
held for the account of the Fund so that they are available for such payment.
<PAGE>
C. DISBURSEMENTS OF CUSTODIAN. Upon receipt of a Certificate directing
payment and setting forth the name and address of the person to whom such
payment is to be made, the amount of such payment, the name of the Fund from
which payment is to be made, and the purpose for which payment is to be made,
the Custodian shall disburse amounts as and when directed from the assets of
that Fund. The Custodian is authorized to rely on such directions and shall be
under no obligation to inquire as to the propriety of such directions.
D. PAYMENT OF CUSTODIAN FEES. Upon receipt of Written Instructions
directing payment, the Custodian shall disburse moneys from the assets of the
Trust in payment of the Custodian's fees and expenses as provided in Article
VIII hereof.
ARTICLE V
CUSTODY OF TRUST ASSETS
A. SEPARATE ACCOUNTS FOR EACH FUND. As to each Fund, the Custodian shall
open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in
the name of the Trust coupled with the name of such Fund, subject only to draft
or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and
shall hold all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other
than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used by the
Fund in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Act. Moneys held by the Custodian
on behalf of a Fund may be deposited by the Custodian to its credit as Custodian
in the banking department of the Custodian. Such moneys shall be deposited by
the Custodian in its capacity as such, and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in such capacity.
B. SEGREGATION OF NON-CASH ASSETS. All Securities and non- cash property
held by the Custodian for the account of a Fund (other than Securities
maintained in a Depository or Book-entry System) shall be physically segregated
from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian
(including the Securities and non-cash property of the other Funds) and shall be
identified as subject to this Agreement.
C. SECURITIES IN BEARER AND REGISTERED FORM. All Securities held which are
issued or issuable only in bearer form, shall be held by the Custodian in that
form; all other Securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name of
the Custodian, any sub- custodian appointed in accordance with this Agreement,
or the nominee of any of them. The Trust agrees to furnish to the Custodian
appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold, or deliver in proper
form for transfer, any Securities that it may hold for the account of any Fund
and which may, from time to time, be registered in the name of a Fund.
<PAGE>
D. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN AS TO SECURITIES. Unless otherwise instructed by the
Trust, with respect to all Securities held for the Trust, the Custodian shall on
a timely basis (concerning items 1 and 2 below, as defined in the Custodian's
Standards of Service Guide, as amended from time to time, annexed hereto as
Appendix D):
1.) Collect all income due and payable with respect to such Securities;
2.) Present for payment and collect amounts payable upon all Securities
which may mature or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise
become payable;
3.) Surrender interim receipts or Securities in temporary form for
Securities in definitive form; and
4.) Execute, as Custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of
ownership under the Federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations
of any other taxing authority, including any foreign taxing authority,
now or hereafter in effect.
E. CERTAIN ACTIONS UPON WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS. Upon receipt of a Written
Instructions and not otherwise, the Custodian shall:
1.) Execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such
Written Instructions proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other
instruments whereby the authority of the Trust as beneficial owner of
any Securities may be exercised;
2.) Deliver any Securities in exchange for other Securities or cash issued
or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization,
refinancing, merger, consolidation, or recapitalization of any trust,
or the exercise of any conversion privilege;
3.) Deliver any Securities to any protective committee, reorganization
committee, or other person in connection with the reorganization,
refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, or sale of
assets of any trust, and receive and hold under the terms of this
Agreement such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other
instruments or documents as may be issued to it to evidence such
delivery;
4.) Make such transfers or exchanges of the assets of any Fund and take
such other steps as shall be stated in the Written Instructions to be
for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized plan of
liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization
of the Trust; and
5.) Deliver any Securities held for any Fund to the depository agent for
tender or other similar offers.
<PAGE>
F. CUSTODIAN TO DELIVER PROXY MATERIALS. The Custodian shall promptly
deliver to the Trust all notices, proxy material and executed but unvoted
proxies pertaining to shareholder meetings of Securities held by any Fund. The
Custodian shall not vote or authorize the voting of any Securities or give any
consent, waiver or approval with respect thereto unless so directed by Written
Instructions.
G. CUSTODIAN TO DELIVER TENDER OFFER INFORMATION. The Custodian shall
promptly deliver to the Trust all information received by the Custodian and
pertaining to Securities held by any Fund with respect to tender or exchange
offers, calls for redemption or purchase, or expiration of rights. If the Trust
desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or other
similar transaction, the Trust shall notify the Custodian at least five Business
Days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action. The Trust
will provide or cause to be provided to the Custodian all relevant information
for any Security which has unique put/option provisions at least five Business
Days prior to the beginning date of the tender period.
ARTICLE VI
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES
A. PURCHASE OF SECURITIES. Promptly after each purchase of Securities by
the Trust, the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each
purchase of Securities which are not Money Market Securities, Written
Instructions, and (ii) with respect to each purchase of Money Market Securities,
Proper Instructions, specifying with respect to each such purchase the;
1.) name of the issuer and the title of the Securities,
2.) the number of shares, principal amount purchased (and accrued
interest, if any) or other units purchased,
3.) date of purchase and settlement,
4.) purchase price per unit,
<PAGE>
5.) total amount payable,
6.) name of the person from whom, or the broker through which, the
purchase was made,
7.) the name of the person to whom such amount is payable, and
8.) the Fund for which the purchase was made.
The Custodian shall, against receipt of Securities purchased by or for the
Trust, pay out of the moneys held for the account of such Fund the total amount
specified in the Written Instructions, or Oral Instructions, if applicable, to
the person named therein. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay
out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Securities for a Fund, if in the
relevant Fund custody account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund
for which such purchase was made.
B. SALE OF SECURITIES. Promptly after each sale of Securities by a Fund,
the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities, Written Instructions, and (ii)
with respect to each sale of Money Market Securities, Proper Instructions,
specifying with respect to each such sale the:
1.) name of the issuer and the title of the Securities,
2.) number of shares, principal amount sold (and accrued interest, if any)
or other units sold,
3.) date of sale and settlement,
4.) sale price per unit,
5.) total amount receivable,
6.) name of the person to whom, or the broker through which, the sale was
made,
7.) name of the person to whom such Securities are to be delivered, and
8.) Fund for which the sale was made.
The Custodian shall deliver the Securities against receipt of the total amount
specified in the Written Instructions, or Oral Instructions, if applicable.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Custodian, when
properly instructed as provided herein to deliver Securities against payment,
shall be entitled, if in accordance with generally accepted market practice, to
<PAGE>
deliver such Securities prior to actual receipt of final payment therefor. In
any such case, the Fund for which the Securities were delivered shall bear the
risk that final payment for the Securities may not be made or that the
Securities may be returned or otherwise held or disposed of by or through the
person to whom they were delivered, and the Custodian shall have no liability
for any of the foregoing.
C. PAYMENT ON SETTLEMENT DATE. On contractual settlement date, the account
of the Fund will be charged for all purchased Securities settling on that day,
regardless of whether or not delivery is made. Likewise, on contractual
settlement date, proceeds from the sale of Securities settling that day will be
credited to the account of the Fund, irrespective of delivery. Any such credit
shall be conditioned upon actual receipt by Custodian of final payment and may
be reversed if final payment is not actually received in full.
D. CREDIT OF MONEYS PRIOR TO RECEIPT. With respect to any credit given
prior to actual receipt of final payment, the Custodian may, in its sole
discretion and from time to time, permit a Fund to use funds so credited to its
Fund custody account in anticipation of actual receipt of final payment. Any
such funds shall be deemed a loan from the Custodian to the Trust payable on
demand and bearing interest accruing from the date such loan is made up to but
not including the date on which such loan is repaid at the rate per annum
customarily charged by the Custodian on similar loans.
E. SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of Proper
Instructions so directing it, establish and maintain a segregated account or
accounts for and on behalf of a Fund. Cash and/or Securities may be transferred
into such account or accounts for specific purposes, to-wit:
1.) in accordance with the provision of any agreement among the Trust, the
Custodian, and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act, and also
a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the
rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange, the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, any registered contract market, or any similar
organization or organizations requiring escrow or other similar
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
<PAGE>
2.) for purposes of segregating cash or Securities in connection with
options purchased, sold, or written by the Fund or commodity futures
contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund;
3.) for the purpose of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required
for reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements, standby
commitment agreements, and short sales by Act Release No. 10666, or
any subsequent release or releases or rule of the SEC relating to the
maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies;
4.) for the purpose of segregating collateral for loans of Securities made
by the Fund; and
5.) for other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees, certified by an Officer, setting forth the purposes of
such segregated account.
Each segregated account established hereunder shall be established and
maintained for a single Fund only. All Proper Instructions relating to a
segregated account shall specify the Fund involved.
F. ADVANCES FOR SETTLEMENT. Except as otherwise may be agreed upon by the
parties hereto, the Custodian shall not be required to comply with any Written
Instructions to settle the purchase of any Securities on behalf of a Fund unless
there is sufficient cash in the account(s) pertaining to such Fund at the time
or to settle the sale of any Securities from such an account(s) unless such
Securities are in deliverable form. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
purchase price of such Securities exceeds the amount of cash in the account(s)
at the time of such purchase, the Custodian may, in its sole discretion, advance
the amount of the difference in order to settle the purchase of such Securities.
The amount of any such advance shall be deemed a loan from the Custodian to the
Trust payable on demand and bearing interest accruing from the date such loan is
made up to but not including the date such loan is repaid at the rate per annum
customarily charged by the Custodian on similar loans.
ARTICLE VII
TRUST INDEBTEDNESS
In connection with any borrowings by the Trust, the Trust will cause to be
delivered to the Custodian by a bank or broker requiring Securities as
collateral for such borrowings (including the Custodian if the borrowing is from
the Custodian), a notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by such
bank or broker setting forth the amount of collateral. The Trust shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian Written Instructions specifying with respect to each
such borrowing: (a) the name of the bank or broker, (b) the amount and terms of
the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating by reference an attached
promissory note duly endorsed by the Trust, or a loan agreement, (c) the date,
and time if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (d) the date on
which the loan becomes due and payable, (e) the total amount payable to the
Trust on the borrowing date, and (f) the description of the Securities securing
the loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares
<PAGE>
or other units or the principal amount. The Custodian shall deliver on the
borrowing date specified in the Written Instructions the required collateral
against the lender's delivery of the total loan amount then payable, provided
that the same conforms to that which is described in the Written Instructions.
The Custodian shall deliver, in the manner directed by the Trust, such
Securities as additional collateral, as may be specified in Written
Instructions, to secure further any transaction described in this Article VII.
The Trust shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be
returned directly to the Custodian and the Custodian shall receive from time to
time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it.
The Custodian may, at the option of the lender, keep such collateral in its
possession, subject to all rights therein given to the lender because of the
loan. The Custodian may require such reasonable conditions regarding such
collateral and its dealings with third-party lenders as it may deem appropriate.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
A. LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN. Except as otherwise provided
herein, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss or damage resulting from
its action or omission to act or otherwise, except for any such loss or damage
arising out of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Trust shall
defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and its directors, officers,
employees and agents with respect to any loss, claim, liability or cost
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or alleged to arise from or
relating to the Trust's duties hereunder or any other action or inaction of the
Trust or its Trustees, officers, employees or agents, except such as may arise
from the grossly negligent action or omission, willful misconduct or breach of
this Agreement by the Custodian. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and
may act upon the advice and opinion of counsel on all matters, at the expense of
the Trust, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice or opinion of counsel. The provisions under this
paragraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
B. ACTIONS NOT REQUIRED BY CUSTODIAN. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Custodian, acting in the capacity of Custodian hereunder,
shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
<PAGE>
1.) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by or for the
account of any Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof, or the
propriety of the amount paid therefor;
2.) The legality of the sale of any Securities by or for the account of
any Fund, or the propriety of the amount for which the same are sold;
3.) The legality of the issue or sale of any Shares of any Fund, or the
sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor;
4.) The legality of the redemption of any Shares of any Fund, or the
propriety of the amount to be paid therefor;
5.) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by the
Trust in respect of Shares of any Fund;
6.) The legality of any borrowing by the Trust on behalf of the Trust or
any Fund, using Securities as collateral;
7.) Whether the Trust or a Fund is in compliance with the 1940 Act, the
regulations thereunder, the provisions of the Trust's charter
documents or by- laws, or its investment objectives and policies as
then in effect.
C. NO DUTY TO COLLECT AMOUNTS DUE FROM DIVIDEND AND TRANSFER AGENT. The
Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to effect
collection of any amount due to the Trust from any Dividend and Transfer Agent
of the Trust nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by any
Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust of any amount paid by the Custodian to
any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust in accordance with this Agreement.
<PAGE>
D. NO ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. Notwithstanding Section D of Article V, the
Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action, by legal
means or otherwise, to effect collection of any amount, if the Securities upon
which such amount is payable are in default, or if payment is refused after due
demand or presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such
action by Written Instructions and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction
(including prepayment thereof) of reimbursement of its costs and expenses in
connection with any such action.
E. AUTHORITY TO USE AGENTS AND SUB-CUSTODIANS. The Trust acknowledges and
hereby authorizes the Custodian to hold Securities through its various agents
described in Appendix C annexed hereto. The Fund hereby represents that such
authorization has been duly approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust as
required by the Act.
In addition, the Trust acknowledges that the Custodian may appoint one or
more financial institutions, as agent or agents or as sub-custodian or
sub-custodians, including, but not limited to, banking institutions located in
foreign countries, for the purpose of holding Securities and moneys at any time
owned by the Fund. The Custodian shall not be relieved of any obligation or
liability under this Agreement in connection with the appointment or activities
of such agents or sub-custodians. Any such agent or sub-custodian shall be
qualified to serve as such for assets of investment companies registered under
the Act. The Funds shall reimburse the Custodian for all costs incurred by the
Custodian in connection with opening accounts with any such agents or sub-
custodians. Upon request, the Custodian shall promptly forward to the Trust any
documents it receives from any agent or sub-custodian appointed hereunder which
may assist trustees of registered investment companies to fulfill their
responsibilities under Rule 17f-5 of the Act.
F. NO DUTY TO SUPERVISE INVESTMENTS. The Custodian shall not be under any
duty or obligation to ascertain whether any Securities at any time delivered to
or held by it for the account of the Trust are such as properly may be held by
the Trust under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Trust's
By- Laws.
G. ALL RECORDS CONFIDENTIAL. The Custodian shall treat all records and
other information relating to the Trust and the assets of all Funds as
confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other
person unless (i) the Trust shall have consented thereto in writing or (ii) such
disclosure is required by law.
<PAGE>
H. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive
and the Trust agrees to pay to the Custodian such compensation as shall be
determined pursuant to Appendix E attached hereto, or as shall be determined
pursuant to amendments to Appendix E. The Custodian shall be entitled to charge
against any money held by it for the account of any Fund, the amount of any of
its fees, any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel fees
attributable to that Fund. The expenses which the Custodian may charge against
the account of a Fund include, but are not limited to, the expenses of agents or
sub-custodians incurred in settling transactions involving the purchase and sale
of Securities of the Fund.
I. RELIANCE UPON INSTRUCTIONS. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon
any Proper Instructions. The Trust agrees to forward to the Custodian Written
Instructions confirming Oral Instructions in such a manner so that such Written
Instructions are received by the Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telex,
facsimile or otherwise, on the same Business Day on which such Oral Instructions
were given. The Trust agrees that the failure of the Custodian to receive such
confirming instructions shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions
or enforceability of the transactions hereby authorized by the Trust. The Trust
agrees that the Custodian shall incur no liability to the Trust for acting upon
Oral Instructions given to the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions.
J. BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Custodian will (i) set up and maintain proper
books of account and complete records of all transactions in the accounts
maintained by the Custodian hereunder in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Act, with particular attention to Section 31
thereof and Rules 3la- 1 and 3la-2 thereunder and those records are the property
of the Trust, and (ii) preserve for the periods prescribed by applicable Federal
statute or regulation all records required to be so preserved. All such books
and records shall be the property of the Trust, and shall be available, upon
request, for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the
Trust and employees of the SEC.
K. INTERNAL ACCOUNTING CONTROL SYSTEMS. The Custodian shall send to the
Trust any report received on the systems of internal accounting control of the
Custodian, or its agents or sub- custodians, as the Trust may reasonably request
from time to time.
L. NO MANAGEMENT OF ASSETS BY CUSTODIAN. The Custodian performs only the
services of a custodian and shall have no responsibility for the management,
investment or reinvestment of the Securities or other assets from time to time
owned by any Fund. The Custodian is not a selling agent for Shares of any Fund
and performance of its duties as custodian shall not be deemed to be a
<PAGE>
recommendation to any Fund's depositors or others of Shares of the Fund as an
investment. The Custodian shall have no duties or obligations whatsoever except
such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and
no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement against the
Custodian.
M. ASSISTANCE TO TRUST. The Custodian shall take all reasonable action,
that the Trust may from time to time request, to assist the Trust in obtaining
favorable opinions from the Trust's independent accountants, with respect to the
Custodian's activities hereunder, in connection with the preparation of the
Fund's Form N- IA, Form N-SAR, or other annual reports to the SEC.
N. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST. The Trust hereby pledges to and grants the
Custodian a security interest in the assets of any Fund to secure the payment of
any liabilities of the Trust to the Custodian, whether acting in its capacity as
Custodian or otherwise, or on account of money borrowed from the Custodian. This
pledge is in addition to any other pledge of collateral by the Trust to the
Custodian.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
A. TERMINATION. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement at any
time for any reason by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying
the date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days
after the date of giving of such notice. If such notice is given by the Trust,
it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of
the Trust, certified by the Secretary of the Trust, electing to terminate this
Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the event such
notice is given by the Custodian, the Trust shall, on or before the termination
date, deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees
of the Trust, certified by the Secretary, designating a successor custodian or
custodians to act on behalf of the Trust. In the absence of such designation by
the Trust, the Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a
bank or trust company having not less than $100,000,000 aggregate capital,
surplus, and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this
Agreement shall terminate, and the Custodian, provided that it has received a
notice of acceptance by the successor custodian, shall deliver, on that date,
directly to the successor custodian all Securities and moneys then owned by the
Fund and held by it as Custodian. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Trust
shall pay to the Custodian on behalf of the Trust such compensation as may be
due as of the date of such termination. The Trust agrees on behalf of the Trust
that the Custodian shall be reimbursed for its reasonable costs in connection
with the termination of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
B. FAILURE TO DESIGNATE SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE. If a successor custodian is not
designated by the Trust, or by the Custodian in accordance with the preceding
paragraph, or the designated successor cannot or will not serve, the Trust
shall, upon the delivery by the Custodian to the Trust of all Securities (other
than Securities held in the Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the
Trust) and moneys then owned by the Trust, be deemed to be the custodian for the
Trust, and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and
responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to
Securities held in the Book-Entry System, which cannot be delivered to the
Trust, which shall be held by the Custodian in accordance with this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
FORCE MAJEURE
Neither the Custodian nor the Trust shall be liable for any failure or
delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or
caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control,
including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars;
civil or military disturbances; sabotage; strikes; epidemics; riots; power
failures; computer failure and any such circumstances beyond its reasonable
control as may cause interruption, loss or malfunction of utility,
transportation, computer (hardware or software) or telephone communication
service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority;
governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or
transportation; provided, however, that the Custodian, in the event of a failure
or delay, shall use its best efforts to ameliorate the effects of any such
failure or delay.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
A. DESIGNATION OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS. Appendix A sets forth the names and
the signatures of all Authorized Persons as of this date, as certified by the
Secretary of the Trust. The Trust agrees to furnish to the Custodian a new
Appendix A in form similar to the attached Appendix A, if any present Authorized
Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or if any other or additional
Authorized Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new Appendix A shall be
received, the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under the provisions
of this Agreement upon Oral Instructions or signatures of the then current
Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Appendix A.
<PAGE>
B. LIMITATION OF PERSONAL LIABILITY. No recourse under any obligation of
this Agreement or for any claim based thereon shall be had against any
organizer, shareholder, officer, trustee, past, present or future as such, of
the Trust or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the
Trust or any such predecessor or successor, whether by virtue of any
constitution, statute or rule of law or equity, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood
that this Agreement and the obligations thereunder are enforceable solely
against the Trust, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to,
or is or shall be incurred by, the organizers, shareholders, officers, or
trustees of the Trust or of any predecessor or successor, or any of them as
such. To the extent that any such liability exists, it is hereby expressly
waived and released by the Custodian as a condition of, and as a consideration
for, the execution of this Agreement.
C. AUTHORIZATION BY BOARD. The obligations set forth in this Agreement as
having been made by the Trust have been made by the Board of Trustees, acting as
such Trustees for and on behalf of the Trust, pursuant to the authority vested
in them under the laws of the State of Delaware, the Declaration of Trust and
the By-Laws of the Trust. This Agreement has been executed by Officers of the
Trust as officers, and not individually, and the obligations contained herein
are not binding upon any of the Trustees, Officers, agents or holders of shares,
personally, but bind only the Trust.
D. CUSTODIAN'S CONSENT TO USE OF ITS NAME. The Trust shall review with the
Custodian all provisions of the Prospectus and any other documents (including
advertising material) specifically mentioning the Custodian (other than merely
by name and address) and shall obtain the Custodian's consent prior to the
publication and/or dissemination or distribution thereof.
E. NOTICES TO CUSTODIAN. Any notice or other instrument in writing,
authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, shall be
sufficiently given if addressed to the Custodian and mailed or delivered to it
at its offices at Firstar Bank Center, 425 Walnut Street, M. L. 6118,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, attention Mutual Fund Custody Department, or at such
other place as the Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
F. NOTICES TO TRUST. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized
or required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust shall be sufficiently
given when delivered to the Trust or on the second Business Day following the
time such notice is deposited in the U.S. mail postage prepaid and addressed to
the Trust at its office at 2020 E. Financial Way, Suite 100,Glendora, CA 91741
or at such other place as the Trust may from time to time designate in writing.
<PAGE>
G. AMENDMENTS IN WRITING. This Agreement, with the exception of the
Appendices, may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written
agreement executed by both parties with the same formality as this Agreement,
and authorized and approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust.
H. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be
binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust or
by the Custodian, and no attempted assignment by the Trust or the Custodian
shall be effective without the written consent of the other party hereto.
I. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Ohio.
J. JURISDICTION. Any legal action, suit or proceeding to be instituted by
either party with respect to this Agreement shall be brought by such party
exclusively in the courts of the State of Ohio or in the courts of the United
States for the Southern District of Ohio, and each party, by its execution of
this Agreement, irrevocably (i) submits to such jurisdiction and (ii) consents
to the service of any process or pleadings by first class U.S. mail, postage
prepaid and return receipt requested, or by any other means from time to time
authorized by the laws of such jurisdiction.
K. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such
counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
L. HEADINGS. The headings of paragraphs in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction
of any provision of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized as of the day
and year first above written.
ATTEST: TRUST: Trust for Investment Managers
- ----------------------------- By:
-------------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------
ATTEST: CUSTODIAN: Firstar Bank, N.A.
- ----------------------------- By:
-------------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 30th day of August, 1999 by and between TRUST FOR
INVESTMENT MANAGERS, a Delaware business trust, (the "Trust") and INVESTMENT
COMPANY ADMINISTRATION, L.L.C., an Arizona limited liability company, (the
"Administrator").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), with shares
of beneficial interest organized into separate series (each, a "series" or a
"Fund"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to retain the Administrator to provide certain
administrative services in connection with the management of the operations of
the initial Fund and future various Funds of the Trust as set forth on Schedule
A hereto, which Schedule may be revised from time to time, and the Administrator
is willing to furnish such services:
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein
contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT. The Trust hereby appoints the Administrator to provide
certain administrative services, hereinafter enumerated, in connection with the
management of the Funds' operations for the period and on the terms set forth in
this Agreement. The Administrator agrees to comply with all relevant provisions
of the 1940 Act, applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and other
applicable law.
2. SERVICES ON A CONTINUING BASIS. The Administrator will perform the
following services on a regular basis which would be daily, weekly or as
otherwise appropriate:
(A) prepare and coordinate reports and other materials to be supplied
to the Board of Trustees of the Trust;
(B) prepare and/or supervise the preparation and filing of all
securities filings, periodic financial reports, prospectuses, statements of
additional information, marketing materials, tax returns, shareholder
reports and other regulatory reports or filings required of the Trust and
the Funds.
(C) prepare all required filings necessary for the sale of shares of
the Funds in all states where the officers of the Trust deem it
appropriate;
1
<PAGE>
(D) coordinate the preparation, printing and mailing of all materials
(E.G., Annual Reports) required to be sent to shareholders;
(E) coordinate the preparation and payment of Trust and Fund related
expenses;
(F) conduct relations with, and monitor and oversee the activities of
the Trust's and the Funds' servicing agents (I.E., transfer agent,
custodian, fund accounting agent, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and
dealers, corporate fiduciaries and banks) and such other persons in any
such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable;
(G) review and adjust as necessary the Funds' daily expense accruals;
(H) maintain and keep such books and records of the Trust as required
by law or for the proper operation of the Trust and the Funds other than
those maintained and kept by the Trust's Adviser and other servicing
agents;
(I) provide the Trust with (i) the services of persons competent to
perform the administrative and clerical functions described herein, and
(ii) personnel to serve as officers of the Trust;
(J) provide the Funds with office space as well as administrative
offices and such data processing facilities as are necessary for the
performance of its duties under this Agreement.
(K) monitor each Fund's compliance with investment policies and
restrictions as set forth in the Fund's currently effective Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"1933 Act").
(L) perform such additional services as may be agreed upon by the
Trust and the Administrator.
3. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. The Administrator shall be under no
duty to take any action on behalf of the Trust or the Funds except as set forth
herein or as may be agreed to by the Administrator in writing. In the
performance of its duties hereunder, the Administrator shall be obligated to
exercise reasonable care and diligence and to act in good faith and to use its
best efforts. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other
provision of this Agreement, the Administrator shall not be liable for delays or
errors or loss of data occurring by reason of circumstances beyond the
Administrator's control.
4. RELIANCE UPON INSTRUCTIONS. The Trust agrees that the Administrator
shall be entitled to rely upon any instructions, oral or written, actually
received by the Administrator from the Board of Trustees of the Trust and shall
incur no liability to the Trust or the investment adviser to any Fund in acting
upon such oral or written instructions, provided such instructions reasonably
appear to have been received from a person duly authorized by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust to give oral or written instructions on behalf of the
Trust or any Fund.
2
<PAGE>
5. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Administrator agrees on behalf of itself and its
employees to treat confidentially all records and other information relative to
the Trust and Funds and all prior, present or potential shareholders of any and
all Funds, except after prior notification to, and approval of release of
information in writing by, the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld where the Administrator may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt
proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by
duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust or by a Fund.
6. EQUIPMENT FAILURES. In the event of equipment failures or the occurrence
of events beyond the Administrator's control which render the performance of the
Administrator's functions under this Agreement impossible, the Administrator
shall take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions and is authorized
to engage the services of third parties to prevent or remedy such service
interruptions.
7. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services rendered by the Administrator
during the term of this Agreement, each Fund set forth in Schedule A will pay to
the Administrator a monthly fee at the rate set forth in Schedule B, which
Schedule may be amended from time to time, pursuant to Section 10 of this
Agreement.
8. INDEMNIFICATION. The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Administrator from all taxes, filing fees, charges, expenses, assessments,
losses, claims and liabilities (including without limitation, liabilities
arising under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 1940 Act,
and any state and foreign securities laws, all as amended from time to time) and
expenses, including (without limitation) reasonable attorneys fees and
disbursements, reasonably arising directly or indirectly from any action or
thing which the Administrator takes or does or omits to take or do at the
request of or in reliance upon the advice of the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
provided that the Administrator will not be indemnified against any liability to
a Fund or to shareholders (or any expenses incident to such liability) arising
out of the Administrator's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or
reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The
Administrator agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each of its
Trustees from all losses, claims and liabilities (including without limitation,
liabilities under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 1940
Act, and any state and foreign securities laws, all as amended from time to
time) and expenses, including (without limitation) reasonable attorneys fees and
disbursements, arising directly or indirectly from any action or thing which the
Administrator takes or does or omits to take or do which is in violation of this
Agreement or not in accordance with instructions properly given to the
Administrator, or arising out of the Administrator's own willful misfeasance,
bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under
this Agreement.
9. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue until
termination by the Trust on behalf of any Fund (by resolution of the Board of
Trustees) or the Administrator on 60 days' written notice to the other party.
All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing.
3
<PAGE>
10. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement or any part hereof may be changed or waived
only by instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of
such change or waiver is sought, provided such amendment is specifically
approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
11. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties thereto with respect to the services to be
performed hereunder, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings,
relating to the subject matter hereof. The captions in this Agreement are
included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of
the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. This
Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in Arizona and governed by
Arizona law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by
a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement
will not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their officers designated below on the date first written above.
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
----------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------
INVESTMENT COMPANY ADMINISTRATION, L.L.C.
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
----------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------
4
<PAGE>
Schedule A
SERIES OR FUNDS
- ---------------
Villere Balanced Fund
5
<PAGE>
Schedule B
ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FEES
----------------------------
BASIS POINTS AVERAGE NET ASSETS
------------ ------------------
.20% First $50 million
.15% Next $50 million
.10% Next $50 million
.05% Next $50 million, and
thereafter
PER FUND ANNUAL MINIMUM
-----------------------
$30,000 Per Fund
$15,000 For each additional share class
6
FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 30th day of August, 1999 by and between TRUST FOR
INVESTMENT MANAGERS (the "Trust"), a Delaware business trust, on behalf of the
Villere Balanced Fund (the "Fund"), a series of the Trust, and ICA FUND SERVICES
CORP., a Delaware corporation ("ICA").
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management series investment company
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to have ICA perform for the Trust certain
services appropriate to the operations of the Fund, and ICA is willing to
furnish such services in accordance with the terms hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
hereinafter contained, the Trust and ICA hereby agree as follows:
1. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT; DUTIES OF ICA
1.01. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Trust hereby employs and appoints ICA, and ICA agrees to act, as accounting
agent for the Fund.
1.02. ICA will perform the following services for the Fund:
(a) Timely calculate and transmit to the Fund and, if applicable, to
NASDAQ the Fund's daily net asset value and communicate such value to the
Fund and its transfer agent. All portfolio securities will be valued in
accordance with the methods that are specified by the Board of Trustees of
the Trust;
(b) Maintain and keep current all books and records of the Fund as
required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, as such rule or any successor
rule may be amended from time to time, that are applicable to the
fulfillment of ICA's duties hereunder, as well as any other documents
necessary or advisable for compliance with applicable regulations as may be
mutually agreed to between the Trust and ICA.
1.03. In the performance of these services, ICA agrees that it shall
exercise the care and adhere to the standards that are usual and customary for
mutual fund accounting services agents.
1.04. ICA shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent
contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no
authority to act for or represent the Fund or the Trust in any way or otherwise
be deemed an agent of the Fund or the Trust.
-1-
<PAGE>
2. COMPENSATION OF ICA
In consideration of the services to be performed by ICA as set forth
herein, ICA shall be entitled to receive, and the Trust agrees to pay, the fees
as set forth in the fee schedule attached hereto as Schedule A as well as
reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. ICA agrees that it
shall look only to the assets of the Fund to satisfy fees earned and expenses
incurred by ICA.
3. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ICA AND INDEMNIFICATION
3.01. ICA may rely upon the advice of the Trust, or of counsel for the
Trust and upon statements of the Trust's independent accountants, brokers and
other persons reasonably believed by it in good faith to be expert in the
matters upon which they are consulted, and for any actions reasonably taken in
good faith reliance upon such statements and without negligence or misconduct,
ICA shall not be liable to anyone.
3.02. ICA shall be liable to the Trust for any losses arising out of any
act or omission in the course of its duties, arising out of its gross
negligence, misfeasance, bad faith of ICA or breach of the agreement by ICA or
disregard of ICA's obligations and duties under this agreement or the willful
violation of any applicable law or inaccurate information supplied by pricing
agents selected by ICA.
3.03. ICA and the Trust (each an "Indemnifying Party") agree to the
following indemnifications:
(a) Except as may otherwise be provided by applicable law, no
Indemnified Party (an "Indemnified Party" shall mean ICA, the Trust and
their respective shareholders, officers, directors, trustees, employees and
agents) shall be subject to, and the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and
hold such Indemnified Party harmless from and against, any liability for
and any damages, expenses or losses incurred by reason of the inaccuracy of
information furnished to such Indemnified Party, provided that the Trust
shall not have any indemnification obligations with respect to inaccurate
information supplied by affiliates or pricing agents selected by ICA and
ICA shall not have any indemnification obligations with respect to
inaccurate information supplied by pricing agents selected by the Trust or
in circumstances where ICA has acted in accordance with the standard of
care established in Sections 1.03 or 3.02 of this Agreement.
(b) An Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party
of the assertion of a claim for which the Indemnifying Party may be
required to indemnify the Indemnified Party and shall keep the Indemnifying
Party advised with respect to all developments regarding such claim. The
Indemnifying Party shall have the option to participate in the defense of
such claim. An Indemnified Party in no case shall confess any claim or make
any compromise in any case in which the Indemnifying Party may be required
to indemnify the Indemnified Party except with the Indemnifying Party's
prior written consent.
-2-
<PAGE>
4. ACTIVITIES OF ICA
The services of ICA under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive,
and ICA shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its
services hereunder are not impaired thereby.
5. ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
The accounts and records maintained by ICA shall be the property of the
Trust, and shall be surrendered to the Trust promptly upon request by the Trust
in the form in which such accounts and records have been maintained or preserved
(including the electronic or computerized format in which such accounts and
records have been maintained). ICA shall assist the Trust's independent
auditors, or, upon approval of the Trust, any regulatory body, in any requested
review of the Trust's accounts and records. ICA shall preserve the accounts and
records as they are required to be maintained and preserved by Rule 31a-2 under
the1940 Act.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY
ICA agrees that it will, on behalf of itself and its officers and
employees, treat all information obtained pursuant to, and all transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and all other information germane thereto, as
confidential and not to be disclosed to any person except as may be authorized
by the Trust.
7. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and shall
remain in force for an indefinite period, provided that both parties to this
Agreement have the option to terminate the Agreement, without penalty, upon
thirty (30) days' prior written notice.
Should the Trust exercise its right to terminate, all expenses incurred by
ICA associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the
Trust. Such expenses will include all out-of-pocket expenses and the reasonable
cost of all time incurred to train or consult with the successor fund accounting
agent with regard to the transfer of fund accounting responsibilities.
8. AMENDMENTS TO THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto only if such amendment
is in writing and signed by both parties.
9. MERGER OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto
and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof
whether oral or written.
-3-
<PAGE>
10. NOTICES
All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall
be deemed to have been given when received or when sent by telex or facsimile,
and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to
which notice is given):
To the Trust: To ICA:
Trust for Investment Managers ICA Fund Services Corp.
2020 E. Financial Way, Suite 100 4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E
Glendora, CA 91741 Phoenix, AZ 85018
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS ICA FUND SERVICES CORP.
on behalf of the
Villere Balanced Fund
By: By:
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Title: Title:
----------------------------- -----------------------------
-4-
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as the 30th day of August, 1999 by and between TRUST FOR
INVESTMENT MANAGERS (the "Trust"), a Delaware business trust, on behalf of the
Villere Balanced Fund (the "Fund"), a series of the Trust, and ICA FUND SERVICES
CORP., a Delaware corporation ("ICA").
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management series investment company
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, ICA is registered as a transfer agent under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to appoint ICA as the transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent and agent of the Fund in connection with certain other
activities, and ICA desires to accept such appointment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
hereinafter contained, the Trust and ICA hereby agree as follows:
1. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT; DUTIES OF ICA
1.01. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement, the
Trust hereby employs and appoints ICA, and ICA agrees, to act as the transfer
agent for the Fund's authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest
("Shares") and the dividend disbursing agent and agent in connection with any
accumulation, open-account or similar plans provided to the shareholders of the
Fund ("Shareholders").
1.02. ICA agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with the Trust's Registration Statement with respect
to the Fund, which describes how sales and redemptions of Shares shall be
made, ICA shall:
(i) Receive for acceptance orders for the purchase of Shares, and
promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation therefor to the
Custodian of the Fund authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Trust
(the "Custodian");
(ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of
full and fractional Shares and hold such Shares in the appropriate
Shareholder account;
(iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and redemption
directions and deliver the appropriate documentation therefor to the
Custodian;
(iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid
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<PAGE>
to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or
cause to be paid over in the appropriate manner such monies as
instructed by the redeeming Shareholders;
(v) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof
upon receipt of appropriate instructions;
(vi) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and
distributions declared by the Fund, and effect dividend and capital
gains distribution reinvestments in accordance with Shareholder
instructions;
(vii) Serve as a record keeping transfer agent for the Fund, and
maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and its
Shareholders as to the foregoing; and
(viii) Record the issuance of Shares and maintain pursuant to
Rule 17Ad-10(e) under the 1934 Act a record of the total number of
Shares which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the
Fund, and issued and outstanding.
(b) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth in the
above paragraph (a), ICA shall:
(i) Perform all of the customary services of a transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent, including but not limited to: maintaining
all Shareholder accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing
proxies, receiving and tabulating proxies, mailing Shareholder reports
and prospectuses to current Shareholders, withholding taxes on U.S.
resident and non-resident alien accounts, preparing and filing U.S.
Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate forms required
with respect to dividends and distributions by federal authorities for
all Shareholders, preparing and mailing confirmation forms and
statements of account to Shareholders for all purchases and
redemptions of Shares and other confirmable transactions in
Shareholder accounts as prescribed in the federal securities laws or
as described in the Trust's Registration Statement, preparing and
mailing activity statements for Shareholders, and providing
Shareholder account information; and
(ii) provide a system and reports which will enable the Fund to
monitor the total number of Shares sold in each State. The
responsibility of ICA pursuant to this Agreement for the Fund's blue
sky State registration status is solely limited to the initial
establishment of transactions subject to blue sky compliance by the
Fund and the reporting of such transactions to the Fund as provided
above.
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Procedures applicable to certain of these services may be established from
time to time by agreement between the Trust and ICA.
1.03. The Fund agrees that it will:
(i) identify to ICA in writing those transactions and shares to
be treated as exempt from blue sky reporting for each State; and
(ii) monitor the daily activity for each State, as provided by
ICA.
1.04. In the performance of these services, ICA agrees that it shall
exercise the care and adhere to the standards that are usual and customary for
mutual fund transfer agents.
2. FEES AND EXPENSES
2.01. For performance by ICA pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust agrees
to pay ICA fees as set out in the fee schedule attached hereto. Such fees and
out-of pocket expenses and advances identified under Section 2.02 below may be
changed from time to time subject to mutual written agreement between the Trust
and ICA.
2.02. In addition to the fee paid under Section 2.01 above, the Trust
agrees to reimburse ICA for out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by ICA
in connection with its duties under this Agreement. In addition, any other
expenses incurred by ICA at the request or with the consent of the Trust, will
be reimbursed by the Trust.
2.03. Unless otherwise stated, ICA shall look only to the assets of the
Fund to satisfy the fees earned and expenses incurred by ICA.
3. INDEMNIFICATION
3.01. ICA shall not be responsible for, and the Trust shall indemnify and
hold ICA harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges,
counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable
to:
(a) All actions of ICA or its agents or subcontractors required to be
taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in
good faith and without negligence, willful misconduct, or in reckless
disregard of its duties under this Agreement..
(b) The Trust's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, or which arise out of the Trust's lack of good faith, negligence
or willful misconduct or which arise out of the breach of any
representation or warranty of the Trust hereunder.
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<PAGE>
(c) The reliance on or use by ICA or its agents or subcontractors of
information, records and documents which (i) are received by ICA or its
agents or subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf of the Trust,
and (ii) have been prepared and/or maintained by the Trust or any other
person or firm on behalf of the Trust.
(d) The reliance on, or the carrying out by ICA or its agents or
subcontractors of any written instruction signed by an officer of the
Trust, or any legal opinion of counsel to the Trust.
(e) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under
the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or
regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such state or in
violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal
agency or any state with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in
such state.
(f) The content, adequacy or completeness of any prospectus, proxy
statement, financial report or other document required or requested by the
Trust to be transmitted to Shareholders.
3.02. ICA shall indemnify and hold the Trust harmless from and against any
and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and
liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure or omission to
act by ICA as a result of ICA's lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful
misconduct or the breach of any warranty or representation of ICA hereunder.
3.03. At any time ICA may apply to any officer of the Trust for
instructions, and may consult with the Trust's legal counsel with respect to any
matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by ICA under this
Agreement, and ICA and its agents or subcontractors shall not be liable and
shall be indemnified by the Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in
reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. ICA, its
agents and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon any
paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Trust, reasonably believed to
be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any
instruction, information, data, records or documents provided ICA or its agents
or subcontractors by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or other
similar means authorized by the Trust, and shall not be held to have notice of
any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof
from the Trust. ICA, its agents and subcontractors shall also be protected and
indemnified in recognizing stock certificates which are reasonably believed to
bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the Trust, and
the proper countersignature of any former transfer agent or registrar, or of a
co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
3.04. In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under
the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or
transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes
reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the
other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from
such causes.
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<PAGE>
3.05. Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party
for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any act
or failure to act hereunder.
3.06. In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this
Article 3 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may
be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall
promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other
party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party
who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the
party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim. The party seeking
indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any
case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the
other party's prior written consent.
4. COVENANTS OF THE TRUST AND ICA
4.01. ICA shall keep records relating to the services to be performed
hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable, provided such form
and manner of recordkeeping conforms to the applicable provisions of the 1934
Act and the 1940 Act. To the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and
the Rules thereunder, ICA agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by
ICA relating to the services to be performed by ICA hereunder are the property
of the Trust and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance
with such Section and Rules, and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust on
and in accordance with its request.
4.02. ICA and the Trust agree that all books, records, information and data
pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or received
pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall remain
confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except
as may be required by law.
4.03. In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the
Shareholder records of the Fund, ICA will endeavor to notify the Trust and to
secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Trust as to such
inspection. ICA reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records
to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable
for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person, and shall
promptly notify the Trust of any unusual request to inspect or copy the
shareholder records of the Fund or the receipt of any other unusual request to
inspect, copy or produce the records of the Trust.
4.04. The Trust covenants that it shall keep its Registration Statement
with respect to the Fund current and in effect; that such Registration Statement
shall contain all the information required by Form N-1A under the 1940 Act; that
such Registration Statement shall contain no material misstatements of fact or
fail to state any facts the omission of which would render the facts stated
misleading; and that the Trust shall be responsible for the payment of all
registration fees applicable to the Shares. The Trust agrees to notify ICA of
all states in which the Fund's Shares are registered for sale, any limitations
on the amount of Shares that can be sold in any state and any changes in the
status of a state registration.
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<PAGE>
5. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
5.01. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and shall
remain in force for an indefinite period, provided however, that both parties to
this Agreement have the option to terminate the Agreement, without penalty, upon
thirty (30) days' prior written notice.
5.02. Should the Trust exercise its right to terminate, all expenses
incurred by ICA associated with the movement of records and material will be
borne by the Trust. Such expenses will include all out-of-pocket expenses and
the reasonable cost of all time incurred to train or consult with the successor
transfer agent with regard to the transfer of shareholder accounting and stock
transfer responsibilities.
6. AMENDMENTS TO THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto only if such amendment
is in writing and signed by both parties.
7. MERGER OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto
and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof
whether oral or written.
8. NOTICES.
All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall
be deemed to have been given when received or when sent by telex or facsimile,
and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to
which notice is given):
To the Trust: To ICA:
Trust for Investment Managers ICA Fund Services Corp.
2020 E. Financial Way, Suite 100 4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E
Glendora, CA 91741 Phoenix, AZ 85018
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS ICA FUND SERVICES CORP.
on behalf of the
Villere Balanced Fund
By: By:
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Title: Title:
----------------------------- -----------------------------
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Law Offices of
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
345 California Street
San Francisco, California 94104-2635
Telephone (415) 835-1600
Facsimile (415) 217-5333
Internet www.phjw.com
September 16, 1999
(415) 835-1600 30448.96161
Trust for Investment Managers
2020 East Financial Way, Suite 100
Glendora, CA 91741
RE: TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as legal counsel to Trust for Investment Managers, a Delaware
business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1,
and the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Registration Statement") and relating to the
issuance by the Trust of an indefinite number of $.01 par value shares of
beneficial interest (the "Shares") of the initial series of the Trust, the
Villere Balanced Fund (the "Fund").
In connection with this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all
records, documents and instruments submitted to us as originals, the genuineness
of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, and the conformity
to the originals of all records, documents, and instruments submitted to us as
copies. We have based our opinion on the following:
(a) the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated April 27, 1999
(the "Declaration of Trust"), and the Trust's Certificate of Trust as
originally filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on April 28,
1999, certified to us by an officer of the Trust as being true and
complete and in effect on the date hereof;
(b) the By-laws of the Trust certified to us by an officer of the Trust as
being true and complete and in effect on the date hereof;
<PAGE>
(c) resolutions of the Trustees of the Trust adopted at a meeting on April
27, 1999, authorizing the establishment of the Fund and the issuance
of the Shares;
(d) a certificate of an officer of the Trust as to certain factual matters
relevant to this opinion.
Our opinion below is limited to the federal law of the United States of
America and the business trust law of the State of Delaware. We are not licensed
to practice law in the State of Delaware, and we have based our opinion below
solely on our review of Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code and the case
law interpreting such Chapter as reported in Delaware Code Annotated. We have
not undertaken a review of other Delaware law or of any administrative or court
decisions in connection with rendering this opinion. We disclaim any opinion as
to any law other than that of the United States of America and the business
trust law of the State of Delaware as described above, and we disclaim any
opinion as to any statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, order or other
promulgation of any regional or local governmental authority.
Based on the foregoing and our examination of such questions of law as we
have deemed necessary and appropriate for the purpose of this opinion, and
assuming that (i) all of the Shares will be issued and sold for cash at the
per-share public offering price on the date of their issuance in accordance with
statements in the Fund's Prospectus included in the Pre-Effective Amendment and
in accordance with the Declaration of Trust, (ii) all consideration for the
Shares will be actually received by the Fund, and (iii) all applicable
securities laws will be complied with, it is our opinion that, when issued and
sold by the Fund, the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
This opinion is rendered to you in connection with the filing of the
registration statement on Form N-1A with respect to the above Fund of the Trust
and is solely for your benefit. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for
any other purpose or relied upon by any other person, firm, corporation or other
entity for any purpose, without our prior written consent. We disclaim any
obligation to advise you of any developments in areas covered by this opinion
that occur after the date of this opinion.
We hereby consent to (i) the reference to our firm as Legal Counsel in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A; and (ii) the
filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ PAUL, HASTINGS, JANOFSKY & WALKER, LLP
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS (the "Trust") , a registered open-end
management investment company, and St. Denis J. Villere & Co., (the
"Purchaser"), intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. In order to provide the Trust with its initial capital, the Trust hereby
sells to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser hereby purchases 10,000 shares of
beneficial interest, no par value of the Trust (the "Shares"), at a price of
$10.00 per share. The Trust hereby acknowledges receipt from the Purchaser of
funds in the amount of $100,000 in full payment for the shares.
2. The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Trust that the Shares are
being acquired for investment and not with a view to distribution thereof and
that the Purchaser has no present intention to redeem or dispose of any of the
Shares.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this agreement as of the __
day of September, 1999.
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS
By:
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ST. DENIS J. VILLERE & CO.
By:
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