UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
----------------------
This Agreement made as of December 12, 2000 by and between The Appleton
Funds (the "Trust") and IFS Fund Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Underwriter").
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"); and
WHEREAS, Underwriter is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust and Underwriter are desirous of entering into an
agreement providing for the distribution by Underwriter of shares of beneficial
interest (the "Shares") of each series of shares of the Trust (the "Series");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and agreements of the
parties contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment.
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The Trust hereby appoints Underwriter as its exclusive agent for the
distribution of the Shares, and Underwriter hereby accepts such appointment
under the terms of this Agreement. While this Agreement is in force, the Trust
shall not sell any Shares except on the terms set forth in this Agreement.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Trust may terminate, suspend or
withdraw the offering of Shares whenever, in its sole discretion, it deems such
action to be desirable.
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2. Sale and Repurchase of Shares.
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(a) Underwriter will have the right, as agent for the Trust, to enter
into dealer agreements with responsible investment dealers, and to sell Shares
to such investment dealers against orders therefor at the public offering price
(as defined in subparagraph 2(d) hereof) stated in the Trust's effective
Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, including the then current prospectus and statement of additional
information (the "Registration Statement"). Upon receipt of an order to purchase
Shares from a dealer with whom Underwriter has a dealer agreement, Underwriter
will promptly cause such order to be filled by the Trust.
(b) Underwriter will also have the right, as agent for the Trust, to
sell such Shares to the public against orders therefor at the public offering
price; provided, however, that all sales of the Shares shall be subject to
acceptance or rejection by the Trust. Any sale shall be conclusively presumed to
have been accepted by the Trust if the Trust fails to notify Underwriter of the
rejection of such sale prior to the computation of the net asset value of the
Shares next following receipt by the Trust of notice of such sale, as provided
in this Agreement.
(c) Underwriter will also have the right to take, as agent for the
Trust, all actions which, in Underwriter's judgment, are necessary to carry into
effect the distribution of the Shares.
(d) The public offering price for the Shares of each Series shall be
the respective net asset value of the Shares of that Series then in effect, plus
any applicable sales charge determined in the manner set forth in the
Registration Statement or as permitted by the Act and the rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder. In no event
shall any applicable sales charge exceed the maximum sales charge permitted by
the Rules of the NASD.
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(e) The net asset value of the Shares of each Series shall be
determined in the manner provided in the Registration Statement, and when
determined shall be applicable to transactions as provided for in the
Registration Statement. The net asset value of the Shares of each Series shall
be calculated by the Trust or by another entity on behalf of the Trust.
Underwriter shall have no duty to inquire into or liability for the accuracy of
the net asset value per Share as calculated.
(f) On every sale, the Trust shall receive the applicable net asset
value of the Shares promptly, but in no event later than the third business day
following the date on which Underwriter shall have received an order for the
purchase of the Shares.
(g) Upon receipt of purchase instructions, Underwriter will transmit
such instructions to the Trust or its transfer agent for registration of the
Shares purchased.
(h) The Trust agrees to make prompt and reasonable efforts to effect
and keep in effect, at its own expense, the registration or qualification of the
Shares for the sale in such jurisdictions as the Trust may designate.
(i) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Underwriter or any
affiliated person (as defined in the Act) of Underwriter from acting as
underwriter or distributor for any other person, firm or corporation (including
other investment companies) or in any way limit or restrict Underwriter or any
such affiliated person from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or
their own account or for the accounts of others for whom it or they may be
acting;
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provided, however, that Underwriter expressly represents that it will undertake
no activities which, in its judgment, will adversely affect the performance of
its obligations to the Trust under this Agreement.
(j) Underwriter, as agent of and for the account of the Trust, may
repurchase the Shares at such prices and upon such terms and conditions as shall
be specified in the Registration Statement.
3. Sale of Shares by the Trust.
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The Trust reserves the right to issue any Shares at any time directly
to the holders of Shares ("Shareholders"), to sell Shares to its Shareholders or
to other persons approved by Underwriter at not less than net asset value and to
issue Shares in exchange for substantially all the assets of any corporation or
trust or for the shares of any corporation or trust.
4. Basis of Sale of Shares.
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Underwriter does not agree to sell any specific number of Shares.
Underwriter, as agent for the Trust, undertakes to sell Shares on a best efforts
basis only against orders therefor.
5. Rules of NASD, etc.
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(a) Underwriter hereby certifies that it is a member of the NASD and
agrees to maintain its membership in the NASD. Underwriter agrees that it shall
conform to the Rules of the NASD and the securities laws of any jurisdiction in
which it sells, directly or indirectly, any Shares. Underwriter further agrees
to comply with all applicable state and federal laws and the rules and
regulations of authorized regulatory agencies.
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(b) Underwriter will require each dealer with whom Underwriter has a
dealer agreement to conform to the applicable provisions hereof and the
Registration Statement with respect to the public offering price of the Shares,
and neither Underwriter nor any such dealers shall withhold the placing of
purchase orders so as to make a profit thereby.
(c) Underwriter agrees to furnish to the Trust copies of any
agreements, plans or other materials it intends to use in connection with any
sales of Shares in adequate time for the Trust to file and clear them with the
proper authorities before they are put in use, and not to use them until so
filed and cleared. Underwriter shall furnish to the Trust any such additional
information related to the distribution of the Shares as the Trust may
reasonably request.
(d) Underwriter, at its own expense, will qualify as dealer or
broker, or otherwise, under all applicable State or federal laws required in
order that Shares may be sold in such States as may be mutually agreed upon by
the parties.
(e) Underwriter shall not make, or permit any representative, broker
or dealer to make, in connection with any sale or solicitation of a sale of the
Shares, any representations concerning the Shares except those contained in the
then current prospectus and statement of additional information covering the
Shares and in printed information approved in writing by the Trust as
information supplemental to such prospectus and statement of additional
information. Copies of the then effective prospectus and statement of additional
information and any such printed supplemental information will be supplied by
the Trust to Underwriter in reasonable quantities upon request.
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6. Records to be Supplied by Trust.
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The Trust shall furnish to Underwriter copies of all information,
financial statements and other papers which Underwriter may reasonably request
for use in connection with the distribution of the Shares, and this shall
include, but shall not be limited to, one certified copy, upon request by
Underwriter, of all financial statements prepared for the Trust by independent
public accountants.
7. Expenses.
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In the performance of its obligations under this Agreement,
Underwriter will pay only the costs incurred in qualifying as a broker or dealer
under state and federal laws and in establishing and maintaining its
relationships with the dealers selling the Shares. All other costs in connection
with the offering of the Shares will be paid by the Trust or the Trust's
investment adviser (the "Adviser") in accordance with agreements between them as
permitted by applicable law, including the Act and rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder. These costs include, but are not limited to, licensing
fees, filing fees, travel and such other expenses as may be incurred by
Underwriter on behalf of the Trust.
8. Indemnification of Underwriter.
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Underwriter, its directors, officers, employees, shareholders and
control persons shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which
this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence on the part of any of such persons in the performance
of Underwriter's duties or from the reckless disregard by any of such persons of
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Underwriter's obligations and duties under this Agreement. The Trust will
advance reasonable attorneys' fees or other expenses incurred by any such person
in defending a proceeding, upon the undertaking by or on behalf of such person
to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that such person is not
entitled to indemnification. Any person employed by Underwriter who may also be
or become an officer or employee of the Trust shall be deemed, when acting
within the scope of his employment by the Trust, to be acting in such employment
solely for the Trust and not as an employee or agent of Underwriter.
9. Termination and Amendment of this Agreement.
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This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without the payment of
any penalty, in the event of its assignment. This Agreement may be amended only
if such amendment is approved by each of (i) Underwriter, (ii) the Trust, either
by action of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or at a meeting of the
Shareholders of the Trust by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding Shares, and (iii) a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are
not interested persons of the Trust or of Underwriter by vote cast in person at
a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
Either the Trust or Underwriter may, at any time, terminate this
Agreement without the payment of any penalty, on sixty (60) days' written notice
delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other party.
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10. Effective Period of this Agreement.
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This Agreement shall take effect upon its execution and shall remain
in full force and effect for a period of two (2) years from the date of its
execution (unless terminated automatically as set forth in Section 10), and from
year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by each of (i) Underwriter,
(ii) the Trust, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or a vote of a majority of
the outstanding Shares, and (iii) a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who
are not interested persons of the Trust or of Underwriter by vote cast in person
at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
11. Limitation of Liability.
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The term "The Appleton Funds" means and refers to the Trustees from
time to time serving under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust as the
same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It
is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the Trustees, Shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of
the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither
such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such
officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to
impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust
property of the Trust as provided in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
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12. New Series.
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The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall become automatically
applicable to any additional series of the Trust established during the initial
or renewal term of this Agreement.
13. Successor Investment Company.
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Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with Paragraph
10, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall become automatically
applicable to any investment company which is a successor to the Trust as a
result of reorganization, recapitalization or change of domicile.
14. Severability.
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In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void
or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this
Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
15. Questions of Interpretation.
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(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Ohio.
(b) 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 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 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 Securities and Exchange Commission issued pursuant to said Act. In
addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any
provision of this Agreement is revised by rule, regulation or order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such provision shall be deemed to
incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
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16. Notices.
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Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and
delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such
other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice
to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust for this purpose
shall be 45 Milk Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, and that the address of
Underwriter for this purpose shall be 221 East Fourth Street, Suite 300,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and Underwriter have each caused this
Agreement to be signed in duplicate on their behalf, all as of the day and year
first above written.
ATTEST: THE APPLETON FUNDS
----------------------------- By:
Its: President
ATTEST: IFS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
----------------------------- By:
Its: President
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