BANK AFFILIATED BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
(FULLY DISCLOSED BASIS)
Dreyfus Service Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Gentlemen:
We are a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"). We desire to make available to our customers shares of
beneficial interest or common stock of open-end registered investment
companies managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its
subsidiaries or affiliates (hereinafter referred to individually as a "Fund"
and collectively as the "Funds"). You are the principal underwriter (as such
term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the
offering of shares of the Funds and the exclusive agent for the continuous
distribution of such shares pursuant to the terms of a Distribution
Agreement between you and each Fund. Unless the context otherwise requires,
as used herein the term "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus and related
statement of additional information (the "Statement of Additional
Information") incorporated therein by reference (as amended or supplemented)
of each of the respective Funds included in the then currently effective
registration statement (or post-effective amendment thereto) of each such
Fund, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement").
In consideration for the mutual covenants contained herein, it is hereby
agreed that our respective rights and obligations shall be as follows:
1. With respect to any and all transactions in the shares of any Fund
pursuant to this Agreement, it is understood and agreed in each case that:
(a) we shall be acting solely as agent for the account of our customer; (b)
each transaction shall be initiated solely upon the order of our customer;
(c) you shall execute transactions only upon receiving instructions from us
acting as agent for our customer; (d) as between us and our customer, our
customer will have full beneficial ownership of all Fund shares; and (e)
each transaction shall be for the account of our customer and not for our
account. We represent and warrant to you that (a) we will have full right,
power and authority to effect transactions (including, without limitation,
any purchases, exchanges and redemptions) in Fund shares on behalf of all
customer accounts provided by us to you or to any transfer agent as such
term is defined in the Prospectus of each Fund (the "Transfer Agent"); and
(b) we have taken appropriate verification measures to ensure transactions
are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations concerning
foreign exchange controls and money laundering.
2. All orders for the purchase of any Fund shares shall be executed at the
then current public offering price per share (i.e., the net asset value per
share plus the applicable sales charge, if any) and all orders for the
redemption of any Fund shares shall be executed at the net asset value per
share less the applicable deferred sales charge, redemption fee or similar
charge or fee, if any, in each case as described in the Prospectus of such
Fund. The minimum initial purchase order and minimum subsequent purchase
order shall be as set forth in the Prospectus of such Fund. All orders are
subject to acceptance or rejection by you at your sole discretion. Unless
otherwise mutually agreed in writing, each transaction shall be promptly
confirmed in writing directly to the customer on a fully disclosed basis and
a copy of each confirmation shall be sent simultaneously to us. You reserve
the right, at your discretion and without notice, to suspend the sale of
shares or withdraw entirely the sale of shares of any or all of the Funds.
3. In ordering shares of any Fund, we shall rely solely and conclusively
on the representations contained in the Prospectus of such Fund. We agree
that we shall not make shares of any Fund available to our customers except
in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, and the rules,
regulations, requirements and conditions of all applicable regulatory and
self-regulatory agencies or authorities. We agree that we shall not purchase
any Fund shares, as agent for any customer, unless we deliver or cause to be
delivered to such customer, at or prior to the time of such purchase, a copy
of the Prospectus of such Fund, or unless such customer has acknowledged
receipt of the Prospectus of such Fund. We further agree to obtain from each
customer for whom we act as agent for the purchase of Fund shares any
taxpayer identification number certification and such other information as
may be required from time to time under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and to
provide you or your designee with timely written notice of any failure to
obtain such taxpayer identification number certification or other
information in order to enable the implementation of any required
withholding. We will be responsible for the proper instruction and training
of all sales personnel employed by us. Unless otherwise mutually agreed in
writing, you shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each of the customers
who purchases shares of any of the Funds through us pursuant to this
Agreement copies of all annual and interim reports, proxy solicitation
materials and any other information and materials relating to such Funds and
prepared by or on behalf of you, the Fund or its investment adviser,
custodian, Transfer Agent or dividend disbursing agent for distribution to
each such customer. You agree to supply us with copies of the Prospectus,
Statement of Additional Information, annual reports, interim reports, proxy
solicitation materials and any such other information and materials relating
to each Fund in reasonable quantities upon request.
4. We shall not make any representations concerning any Fund shares other
than those contained in the Prospectus of such Fund or in any promotional
materials or sales literature furnished to us by you or the Fund. We shall
not furnish or cause to be furnished to any person or display or publish any
information or materials relating to any Fund (including, without
limitation, promotional materials and sales literature, advertisements,
press releases, announcements, statements, posters, signs or other similar
materials), except such information and materials as may be furnished to us
by you or the Fund, and such other information and materials as may be
approved in writing by you. In making Fund shares available to our customers
hereunder, or in providing investment advice regarding such shares to our
customers, we shall at all tim.es act in compliance with the Interagency
Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit Investment Products issued by The
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and
the Office of Thrift Supervision (February 15, 1994) or any successor
interagency requirements as in force at the time such services are provided.
5. In determining the amount of any reallowance payable to us hereunder,
you reserve the right to exclude any sales which you reasonably determine
are not made in accordance with the terms of the applicable Fund
Prospectuses or the provisions of this Agreement.
6. (a) In the case of any Fund shares sold with a sales charge, customers
may be entitled to a reduction in the sales charge on purchases made under a
letter of intent ("Letter of Intent") in accordance with the Fund
Prospectus. In such a case, our reallowance will be paid based upon the
reduced sales charge, but an adjustment to the reallowance will be made in
accordance with the Prospectus of the applicable Fund to reflect actual
purchases of the customer if such customer's Letter of Intent is not
fulfilled. The sales charge and/or reallowance may be changed at any time in
your sole discretion upon written notice to us.
(b) Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus of
each Fund sold with a sales charge, a reduced sales charge may be
applicable with respect to customer accounts through a right of
accumulation under which customers are permitted to purchase shares of a
Fund at the then current public offering price per share applicable to
the total of (i) the dollar amount of shares then being purchased plus
(ii) an amount equal to the then current net asset value or public
offering price originally paid per share, whichever is higher, of the
customer's combined holdings of the shares of such Fund and of any other
open-end registered investment company as may be permitted by the
applicable Fund Prospectus. In such case, we agree to furnish to you or
the Transfer Agent sufficient information to permit your confirmation of
qualification for a reduced sales charge, and acceptance of the purchase
order is subject to such confirmation.
(c) With respect to Fund shares sold with a sales charge, we agree
to advise you promptly at your request as to amounts of any and all
purchases of Fund shares made by us, as agent for our customers,
qualifying for a reduced sales charge.
(d) Exchanges (i.e., the investment of the proceeds from the
liquidation of shares of one open-end registered investment company
managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its
subsidiaries or affiliates in the shares of another open-end registered
investment company managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation or its subsidiaries or affiliates) shall, where available,
be made subject to and in accordance with the terms of each relevant
Fund's Prospectus.
(e) Unless at the time of transmitting an order we advise you or the
Transfer Agent to the contrary, the shares ordered will be deemed to be
the total holdings of the specified customer.
7. Subject to and in accordance with the terms of each Fund Prospectus and
Service Plan, Shareholder Services Plan, Distribution Plan or other similar
plan, if any, we understand that you may pay to certain financial
institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals with which
you have entered into an agreement in substantially the form annexed hereto
as Appendix A, B or C (or such other form as may be approved from time to
time by the board of directors, or trustees or managing general partners of
the Fund) such fees as may be determined by you in accordance with such
agreement for shareholder, administrative or distribution-related services
as described therein.
8. The procedures relating to all orders and the handling thereof will be
subject to the terms of the Prospectus of each Fund and your written
instructions to us from time to time. No conditional orders will be
accepted. We agree to place orders with you immediately for the same number
of shares and at the same price as any orders we receive from our customers.
We shall not withhold placing orders received from customers so as to profit
ourselves as a result of such withholding by a change in the net asset value
from that used in determining the offering price to such customers, or
otherwise; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the
purchase of shares of any Fund by us for our own bona fide investment. We
agree that: (a) we shall not effect any transactions (including, without
limitation, any purchases, exchanges and redemptions) in any Fund shares
registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, any customer unless
such customer has granted us full right, power and authority to effect such
transactions on such customer's behalf, and (b) you, each Fund, the Transfer
Agent and your and their respective officers, directors, trustees, managing
general partners, agents, employees and affiliates shall not be liable for,
and shall be fully indemnified and held harmless by us from and against, any
and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) which may be incurred by you or any
of the foregoing persons entitled to indemnification from us hereunder
arising out of or in connection with the execution of any transactions in
Fund shares registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, any
customer in reliance upon any oral or written instructions reasonably
believed to be genuine and to have been given by or on behalf of us.
9. (a) We agree to remit on behalf of our customers the purchase price for
purchase orders of any Fund shares placed by us in accordance with the terms
of the Prospectus of the applicable Fund. On or before the settlement date
of each purchase order for shares of any Fund, we shall either (i) remit to
an account designated by you with the Transfer Agent an amount equal to the
then current public offering price of the shares of such Fund being
purchased less our reallowance, if any, with respect to such purchase order
as determined by you in accordance with the terms of the applicable Fund
Prospectus, or (ii) remit to an account designated by you with the Transfer
Agent an amount equal to the then current public offering price of the
shares of such Fund being purchased without deduction for our reallowance,
if any, with respect to such purchase order as determined by you in
accordance with the terms of the applicable Fund Prospectus, in which case
our reallowance, if any, shall be payable to us by you on at least a monthly
basis. If payment for any purchase order is not received in accordance with
the terms of the applicable Fund Prospectus, you reserve the right, without
notice, to cancel the sale and to hold us responsible for any loss sustained
as a result thereof.
(b) If any shares sold to us as agent for our customers under the
terms of this Agreement are sold with a sales charge and are redeemed for
the account of the Fund or are tendered for redemption within seven (7)
business days after the date of purchase: (i) we shall forthwith refund
to you the full reallowance received by us on the sale; and (ii) you
shall forthwith pay to the Fund your portion of the sales charge on the
sale which had been retained by you and shall also pay to the Fund the
amount refunded by us.
10. Certificates for shares sold to us as agent for our customers hereunder
shall only be issued in accordance with the terms of each Fund's Prospectus
upon our customers' specific request and, upon such request, shall be
promptly delivered to our customers by the Transfer Agent unless other
arrangements are made by us. However, in making delivery of such share
certificates to our customers, the Transfer Agent shall have adequate time
to clear any checks drawn for the payment of Fund shares.
11. Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other party that: (a)
it is a corporation, partnership or other entity duly organized and validly
existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was
organized; (b) it is duly registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and, to the extent required, with applicable state
agencies or authorities having jurisdiction over securities matters, and it
is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the
"NASD"); (c) it will comply with all applicable federal and state laws, and
the rules, regulations, requirements and conditions of all applicable
regulatory and self-regulatory agencies or authorities in the performance of
its duties and responsibilities hereunder; (d) the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby
have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and all other
authorizations and approvals (if any) required for its lawful execution and
delivery of this Agreement and its performance hereunder have been obtained;
and (e) upon execution and delivery by it, and assuming due and valid
execution and delivery by the other party, this Agreement will constitute a
valid and binding agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Each
party agrees to provide the other party with such information and access to
appropriate records as may be reasonably required to verify its compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement.
12. You agree to inform us, upon our request, as to the states in which you
believe the shares of the Funds have been qualified for sale under, or are
exempt from the requirements of, the respective securities laws of such
states, but you shall have no obligation or responsibility as to our right
to make shares of any Funds available to our customers in any jurisdiction.
We agree to notify you immediately in the event of (a) our expulsion or
suspension from the NASD, or (b) our violation of any applicable federal or
state law, rule, regulation, requirement or condition arising out of or in
connection with this Agreement, or which may otherwise affect in any
material way our ability to act in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. Our expulsion from the NASD will automatically terminate this
Agreement immediately without notice. Our suspension from the NASD for
violation of any applicable federal or state law, rule, regulation,
requirement or condition will terminate this Agreement effective immediately
upon your written notice of termination to us.
13. (a) You agree to indemnify, defend and hold us, our several officers
and directors, and any person who controls us within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and
against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the
cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and
any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which we, our officers
and directors, or any such controlling person, may incur under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law or otherwise,
arising out of or based upon (i) any breach of any representation, warranty
or covenant made by you herein, or (ii) any failure by you to perform your
obligations as set forth herein, or (iii) any untrue statement, or alleged
untrue statement, of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement
or any Prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged
omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in either any
Registration Statement or any Prospectus, or necessary to make the
statements in any thereof not misleading; provided, however, that your
agreement to indemnify us, our officers and directors, and any such
controlling person shall not be deemed to cover any claims, demands,
liabilities or expenses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to you or the Fund by us specifically for use in the
preparation thereof. Your agreement to indemnify us, our officers and
directors, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly
conditioned upon your being notified of any action brought against our
officers or directors, or any such controlling person, such notification to
be given by letter or by telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of
same day delivery received by you at your address as specified in Paragraph
18 of this Agreement within seven (7) days after the summons or other first
legal process shall have been served. The failure so to notify you of any
such action shall not relieve you from any liability which you may have to
the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any such breach,
failure or untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged
omission, otherwise than on account of your indemnity agreement contained in
this Paragraph 1 3(a). You will be entitled to assume the defense of any
suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand, liability or expense. In the
event that you elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
counsel, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case you
do not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, you will reimburse us,
our officers and directors, and any controlling persons named as defendants
in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by us and/or
them. Your indemnification agreement contained in this Paragraph 1 3(a)
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any person entitled to indemnification
pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a), and shall survive the delivery of any Fund
shares and termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will
inure exclusively to the benefit of the persons entitled to indemnification
from you pursuant to this Agreement and their respective estates, successors
and assigns.
(b) We agree to indemnify, defend and hold you and your several
officers and directors, and each Fund and its several officers and
directors or trustees or managing general partners, and any person who
controls you and/or each Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost
of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which you and your several
officers and directors, or the Fund and its officers and directors or
trustees or managing general partners, or any such controlling person,
may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common
law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant made by us herein, or (ii) any
failure by us to perform our obligations as set forth herein, or (iii)
any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in
the information furnished in writing by us to you or any Fund
specifically for use in such Fund's Registration Statement or Prospectus,
or used in the answers to any of the items of the Registration Statement
or in the corresponding statements made in the Prospectus, or arising out
of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material
fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by us to
you or the Fund and required to be stated in such answers or necessary to
make such information not misleading. Our agreement to indemnify you and
your officers and directors, and the Fund and its officers and directors
or trustees or managing general partners, and any such controlling
person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon our being notified of
any action brought against any person or entity entitled to
indemnification hereunder, such notification to be given by letter or by
telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of same day delivery
received by us at our address as specified in Paragraph 18 of this
Agreement within seven (7) days after the summons or other first legal
process shall have been served. The failure so to notify us of any such
action shall not relieve us from any liability which we may have to you
or your officers and directors, or to the Fund or its officers and
directors or trustees or managing general partners, or to any such
controlling person, by reason of any such breach, failure or untrue, or
alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise
than on account of our indemnity agreement contained in this Paragraph
13(b). We will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to
enforce any such claim, demand, liability or expense. In the event that
we elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel, the
defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of
any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case we do not
elect to assume the defense of any such suit, we will reimburse you and
your officers and directors, and the Fund and its officers and directors
or trustees or managing general partners, and any controlling persons
named as defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any
counsel retained by you and/or them. Our indemnification agreements
contained in Paragraph 8 above, Paragraph 16 below and this Paragraph
13(b) shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of
any investigation made by or on behalf of any person entitled to
indemnification pursuant to Paragraph 8 above, Paragraph 16 below or this
Paragraph 13(b), and shall survive the delivery of any Fund shares and
termination of this Agreement. Such agreements of indemnity will inure
exclusively to the benefit of the persons entitled to indemnification
hereunder and their respective estates, successors and assigns.
14. The names and addresses and other information concerning our customers
are and shall remain our sole property, and neither you nor your affiliates
shall use such names, addresses or other information for any purpose except
in connection with the performance of your duties and responsibilities
hereunder and except for servicing and informational mailings relating to
the Funds. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Paragraph 14 shall not
prohibit you or any of your affiliates from utilizing for any purpose the
names, addresses or other information concerning any of our customers if
such names, addresses or other h~formation are obtained in any manner other
than from us pursuant to this Agreement. The provisions of this Paragraph 14
shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
15. We agree to serve as a service agent or to provide distribution
assistance, in accordance with the terms of the Form of Service Agreement
annexed hereto as Appendix A, Form of Shareholder Services Agreement annexed
hereto as Appendix B, and/or Form of Distribution Plan Agreement annexed
hereto as Appendix C, as applicable, for all of our customers who purchase
shares of any and all Funds whose Prospectuses provide therefor. By
executing this Agreement, each of the parties hereto agrees to be bound by
all terms, conditions, rights and obligations set forth in the forms of
agreement annexed hereto and further agrees that such forms of agreement
supersede any and all prior service agreements or other similar agreements
between the parties hereto relating to any Fund or Funds. It is recognized
that certain parties may not be permitted to collect distribution fees under
the Form of Distribution Plan Agreement annexed hereto, and if we are such a
party, we will not collect such fees.
16. By completing the Expedited Redemption Information Form annexed hereto
as Appendix D, we agree that you, each Fund with respect to which you permit
us to exercise an expedited redemption privilege, the transfer agent of each
such Fund, and your and their respective officers, directors or trustees or
managing general partners, agents, employees and affiliates shall not be
liable for and shall be fully indemnified and held harmless by us from and
against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including,
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in
connection with any expedited redemption payments made in reliance upon the
information set forth in such Appendix D.
17. Neither this Agreement nor the performance of the services of the
respective parties hereunder shall be considered to constitute an exclusive
arrangement, or to create a partnership, association or joint venture
between you and us. Neither party hereto shall be, act as, or represent
itself as, the agent or representative of the other, nor shall either party
have the right or authority to assume, create or incur any liability or any
obligation of any kind, express or implied, against or in the name of, or on
behalf of, the other party. This Agreement is not intended to, and shall
not, create any rights against either party hereto by any third party solely
on account of this Agreement. Neither party hereto shall use the name of the
other party in any manner without the other party's prior written consent,
except as required by any applicable federal or state law, rule, regulation,
requirement or condition, and except pursuant to any promotional programs
mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto.
18. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices required
or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be given in
writing and delivered by personal delivery or by postage prepaid, registered
or certified United States first class mail, return receipt requested, or by
telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of same day delivery (with a
confirming copy by mail as provided herein). Unless otherwise notified in
writing, all notices to you shall be given or sent to you at your offices
located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, Attention: General
Counsel, and all notices to us shall be given or sent to us at our address
shown below.
19. This Agreement shall become effective only when accepted and signed by
you, and may be terminated at any time by either party hereto upon 15 days'
prior written notice to the other party. This Agreement, including the
Appendices hereto, may be amended by you upon 15 days' prior written notice
to us, and such amendment shall be deemed accepted by us upon the placement
of any order for the purchase of Fund shares or the acceptance of a fee
payable under this Agreement, including the Appendices hereto, after the
effective date of any such amendment. This Agreement may not be assigned by
us without your prior written consent. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties hereto relating to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements between
the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof.
20. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of laws.
Very truly yours,
Firm Name (Please Print or Type)
Address
Date: By:
Authorized Signature
NOTE: Please sign and return both copies of this Agreement to Dreyfus
Service Corporation. Upon acceptance one countersigned copy will be returned
to you for your files.
Accepted:
DREYFUS SERVICE CORPORATION
Date: By:
Authorized Signature
APPENDIX A
TO BANK AFFILIATED BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERVICE AGREEMENT
Dreyfus Service Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Gentlemen:
We wish to enter into an Agreement with you for servicing shareholders of,
and administering shareholder accounts in, certain mutual fund(s) managed,
advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its subsidiaries or
affiliates (hereinafter referred to individually as the "Fund" and
collectively as the "Funds"). You are the principal underwriter as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), and the
exclusive agent for the continuous distribution of shares of the Funds.
The terms and conditions of this Agreement are as follows:
1. We agree to provide shareholder and administrative services for our
clients who own shares of the Funds ("clients"), which services may include,
without limitation: assisting clients in changing dividend options, account
designations and addresses; performing sub-accounting; establishing and
maintaining shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and
redemption transactions; providing periodic statements and/or reports
showing a client's account balance and integrating such statements with
those of other transactions and balances in the client's other accounts
serviced by us; arranging for bank wires; and providing such other
information and services as you reasonably may request, to the extent we are
permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation. In this regard, if we
are a subsidiary or affiliate of a federally chartered and supervised bank
or other banking organization, you recognize that we may be subject to the
provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act and other laws, rules, regulations or
requirements governing, among other things, the conduct of our activities.
As such, we are restricted in the activities we may undertake and for which
we may be paid and, therefore, intend to perform only those activities as
are consistent with our statutory and regulatory obligations. We represent
and warrant to, and agree with you, that the compensation payable to us
hereunder, together with any other compensation payable to us by clients in
connection with the investment of their assets in shares of the Funds, will
be properly disclosed by us to our clients.
2. We shall provide such office space and equipment, telephone facilities
and personnel (which may be all or any part of the space, equipment and
facilities currently used in our business, or all or any personnel employed
by us) as is necessary or beneficial for providing information and services
to each Fund's shareholders, and to assist you in servicing accounts of
clients. We shall transmit promptly to clients all communications sent to us
for transmittal to clients by or on behalf of you, any Fund, or any Fund's
investment adviser, custodian or transfer or dividend disbursing agent.
3. We agree that neither we nor any of our employees or agents are
authorized to make any representation concerning shares of any Fund, except
those contained in the then current Prospectus for such Fund, copies of
which will be supplied by you to us in reasonable quantities upon request.
If we are a subsidiary or an affiliate of a federally supervised bank or
thrift institution, we agree that in providing services hereunder we shall
at all times act in compliance with the Interagency Statement on Retail
Sales of Nondeposit Investment Products issued by The Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift
Supervision (February 15, 1994) or any successor interagency requirements as
in force at the time such services are provided. We shall have no authority
to act as agent for the Funds or for you.
4. You reserve the right, at your discretion and without notice, to
suspend the sale of shares or withdraw the sale of shares of any or all of
the Funds.
5.We acknowledge that this Agreement shall become effective for a Fund
only when approved by vote of a majority of (i) the Fund's Board of
Directors or Trustees or Managing General Partners, as the case may be
(collectively "Directors," individually "Director"), and (ii) Directors
who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of the Fund and
have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
6.This Agreement shall continue until the last day of the calendar year
next following the date of execution, and thereafter shall continue
automatically for successive annual periods ending on the last day of
each calendar year. For all Funds as to which Board approval of this
Agreement is required, such continuance must be approved specifically at
least annually by a vote of a majority of (i) the Fund's Board of
Directors and (ii) Directors who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the Act) of the Fund and have no direct or indirect financial
interest in this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval. For any Fund as to which
Board approval of this Agreement is required, this Agreement is
terminable without penalty, at any time, by a majority of the Fund's
Directors who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) and
have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement or, upon
not more than 60 days' written notice, by vote of holders of a majority
of the Fund's shares. As to all Funds, this Agreement is terminable
without penalty upon 15 days' notice by either party. In addition, you
may terminate this Agreement as to any or all Funds immediately, without
penalty, if the present investment adviser of such Fund(s) ceases to
serve the Fund(s) in such capacity, or if you cease to act as
distributor of such Fund(s). Notwithstanding anything contained herein,
if we fail to perform the shareholder servicing and administrative
functions contemplated herein by you as to any or all of the Funds, this
Agreement shall be terminable effective upon receipt of notice thereof
by us. This Agreement also shall terminate automatically in the event of
its assignment (as defined in the Act).
7. In consideration of the services and facilities described herein, we
shall be entitled to receive from you, and you agree to pay to us, the fees
described as payable to us in each Fund's Service Plan adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Act, and Prospectus and related Statement of Additional
Information. We understand that any payments pursuant to this Agreement
shall be paid only so long as this Agreement and such Plan are in effect. We
agree that no Director, officer or shareholder of the Fund shall be liable
individually for the performance of the obligations hereunder or for any
such payments.
8. We agree to provide to you and each applicable Fund such information
relating to our services hereunder as may be required to be maintained by
you and/or such Fund under applicable federal or state laws, and the rules,
regulations, requirements or conditions of applicable regulatory and self-
regulatory agencies or authorities.
9. This Agreement shall not constitute either party the legal
representative of the other, nor shall either party have the right or
authority to assume, create or incur any liability or any obligation of any
kind, express or implied, against or in the name of or on behalf of the
other party.
10. All notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to this
Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or by
postage prepaid, registered or certified United States first class mail,
return receipt requested, or by telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means
of same day delivery (with a confirming copy by mail as provided herein).
Unless otherwise notified in writing, all notices to you shall be given or
sent to you at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, Attention:
General Counsel, and all notices to us shall be given or sent to us at our
address which shall be furnished to you in writing on or before the
effective date of this Agreement.
11. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the internal laws
of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of conflict of
laws.
