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Exhibit (a) under Forn N-1A
Exhibit (3)(i) under Item 601/Reg. S-K
RESTATEMENT AND AMENDMENT #10
DECLARATION OF TRUST
INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL TRUST
Dated: April 2, 1999
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST made April 2, 1999, by the undersigned, and by the holders of shares of beneficial interest to be issued hereunder as hereinafter provided.
WHEREAS, the Trustees now desire to amend and restate the Declaration of Trust to permit the Board of Trustees to liquidate assets of the Trust without seeking shareholder approval.
NOW THEREFORE, the Trustees declare that all money and property contributed to the trust fund hereunder shall be held and managed under this Declaration of Trust IN TRUST as herein set forth below.
ARTICLE I
NAMES AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1. Name.
The Trust shall be known as the Intermediate Municipal Trust.
Section 2. Definitions.
Wherever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE OF TRUST
The purpose of this Trust is to provide investors a continuous source of managed investments by investing primarily in securities.
ARTICLE III
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 1. Shares of Beneficial Interest.
Section 2. Ownership of Shares.
The ownership of Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Trust or a transfer agent which books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Series or Class. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust or any transfer agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive as to who are the Shareholders of each Series or Class and as to the number of Shares of each Series or Class held from time to time by each.
Section 3. Investment in the Trust.
The Trustees shall accept investments in the Trust from such persons and on such terms as they may from time to time authorize. After the date of the initial contribution of capital (which shall occur prior to the initial public offering of Shares), the number of Shares to represent the initial contribution shall be considered as outstanding and the amount received by the Trustees on account of the contribution shall be treated as an asset of the Trust to be allocated among any Series or Classes in the manner described in Section 5(a) of this Article. Subsequent to such initial contribution of capital, Shares (including Shares which may have been redeemed or repurchased by the Trust) may be issued or sold at a price which will net the relevant Series or Class, as the case may be, before paying any taxes in connection with such issue or sale, not less than the net asset value (as defined in Article X, Section 4) thereof; provided, however, that the Trustees may in their discretion impose a sales charge upon investments in the Trust.
Section 4. No Pre-Emptive Rights.
Shareholders shall have no pre-emptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or the Trustees.
Section 5. Establishment and Designation of Series or Class.
Without limiting the authority of the Trustees set forth in Article XII, Section 8, inter alia, to establish and designate any additional series or class or to modify the rights and preferences of any existing Series or Class, the initial series shall be, and is established and designated as, Federated Intermediate Municipal Trust.
Shares of any Series or Class established in this Section 5 shall have the following relative rights and preferences:
ARTICLE IV
THE TRUSTEES
Section 1. Management of the Trust.
The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary and desirable to carry out that responsibility. The Trustees who shall serve as Trustees are the undersigned.
Section 2. Election of Trustees at Meeting of Shareholders.
On a date fixed by the Trustees, which shall be subsequent to the initial public offering of Shares of the Trust, the Shareholders shall elect Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be determined by the Trustees pursuant to Article IV, Section 6.
Section 3. Term of Office of Trustees.
The Trustees shall hold office during the lifetime of this Trust, and until its termination as hereinafter provided; except (a) that any Trustee may resign his office at any time by written instrument signed by him and delivered to the other Trustees, which shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; (b) that any Trustee may be removed at any time by written instrument signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective; (c) that any Trustee who requests in writing to be retired or who has become mentally or physically incapacitated may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his retirement; and (d) a Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of Shareholders of the Trust by a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares.
Section 4. Termination of Service and Appointment of Trustees.
In case of death, resignation, retirement, removal or mental or physical incapacity of any of the Trustees, or in case a vacancy shall, by reason of an increase in number, or for any other reason, exist, the remaining Trustees shall fill such vacancy by appointing such other person as they in their discretion shall see fit. Such appointment shall be effected by the signing of a written instrument by a majority of the Trustees in office. Within three months of such appointment, the Trustees shall cause notice of such appointment to be mailed to each Shareholder at his address as recorded on the books of the Trust. An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office and notice thereof mailed to Shareholders as aforesaid in anticipation of a vacancy to occur by reason of retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees effective at a later date, provided that said appointment shall become effective only at or after the effective date of said retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees. As soon as any Trustee so appointment shall have accepted this Trust, the trust estate shall vest in the new Trustee or Trustees, together with the continuing Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and he shall be deemed a Trustee hereunder. Any appointment authorized by this Section 4 is subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.
Section 5. Temporary Absence of Trustee.
Any Trustee may, by power of attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six months at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees, provided that in no case shall less than two of the Trustees personally exercise the other power hereunder except as herein otherwise expressly provided.
Section 6. Number of Trustees.
The number of Trustees, not less than three (3) nor more than twenty (20) serving hereunder at any time, shall be determined by the Trustees themselves.
Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled or while any Trustee is physically or mentally incapacitated, the other Trustees shall have all the powers hereunder and the certificate signed by a majority of the other Trustees of such vacancy, absence or incapacity, shall be conclusive, provided, however, that no vacancy which reduces the number of Trustees below three (3) shall remain unfilled for a period longer than six calendar months.
Section 7. Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee.
The death, resignation, retirement, removal, or mental or physical incapacity of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust.
Section 8. Ownership of Assets.
The assets belonging to each Series or Class shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or any successor Trustee. All of the assets belonging to each Series or Class or owned by the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trustees. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership interest in any individual asset belonging to any Series or Class or owned by the Trust or any right of partition or possession thereof, but each Shareholder shall have a proportionate undivided beneficial interest in a Series or Class.
ARTICLE V
POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES
Section 1. Powers.
The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust or a Series or Class. The Trustees shall not be bound or limited by present or future laws or customs in regard to trust investments, but shall have full authority and power to make any and all investments which they, in their uncontrolled discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purpose of this Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees shall have the following specific powers and authority, subject to any applicable limitation in this Declaration of Trust or in the By-Laws of the Trust:
No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon their order.
The Trustees shall have all of the powers set forth in this Section 1 with respect to all assets and liabilities of each Series and Class.
Section 2. Principal Transactions.
The Trustees shall not cause the Trust on behalf of any Series or Class to buy any securities (other than Shares) from or sell any securities (other than Shares) to, or lend any assets belonging to any Series or Class to, any Trustees or officer or employee of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member acting as principal unless permitted by the 1940 Act, but the Trust may employ any such other party or any such person or firm or company in which any such person is an interested person in any capacity not prohibited by the 1940 Act.
Section 3. Trustees and Officers as Shareholders.
Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust or any Series or Class may acquire, own and dispose of Shares of any Series or Class to the same extent as if he were not a Trustee, officer or agent; and the Trustees may issue and sell or cause to be issued or sold Shares of any Series or Class to and buy such Shares from any such person or any firm or company in which he is an interested person subject only to the general limitations herein contained as to the sale and purchase of such Shares; and all subject to any restrictions which any be contained in the By-Laws.
Section 4. Parties to Contract.
The Trustees may enter into any contract of the character described in Article VII or in Article IX hereof or any other capacity not prohibited by the 1940 Act with any corporation, firm, trust or association, although one or more of the shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust or any Series or Class or their affiliates may be an officer, director, Trustee, shareholder or interested person of such other party to the contract, and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence of any such relationship, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust or any Series or Class under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, in the absence of actual fraud. The same person (including a firm, corporation, trust or association) may be the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Article VII or Article IX or any other capacity deemed legal under the 1940 Act, and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise an interested person of persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 4.
ARTICLE VI
TRUSTEES' EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION
Section 1. Trustee Reimbursement.
The Trustees shall be reimbursed from the assets belonging to each particular Series or Class for all of their expenses as such expenses are allocated to and among any one or more of the Series or Classes pursuant to Article III, Section 5(b), including, without limitation, expenses of organizing the Trust or any Series or Class and continuing its or their existence; fees and expenses of Trustees and officers of the Trust; fees for investment advisory services, administrative services and principal underwriting services provided for in Article VII, Sections 1, 2 and 3; fees and expenses of preparing and printing Registration Statements under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act and any amendments thereto; expenses of registering and qualifying the Trust and any Series or Class and the Shares of any Series or Class under federal and state laws and regulations; expenses of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and any amendments thereof sent to shareholders, underwriters, broker-dealers and to investors who may be considering the purchase of Shares; expenses of registering, licensing or other authorization of the Trust or any Series or Class as a broker-dealer and of its or their officers as agents and salesmen under federal and state laws and regulations; interest expenses, taxes, fees and commissions of every kind; expenses of issue (including cost of share certificates), purchase, repurchase and redemption of Shares, including expenses attributable to a program of periodic issue; charges and expenses of custodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, Shareholder servicing agents and registrars; printing and mailing costs; auditing, accounting and legal expenses; reports to Shareholders and governmental officers and commissions; expenses of meetings of Shareholders and proxy solicitations therefor; insurance expenses; association membership dues and nonrecurring items as may arise, including all losses and liabilities by them incurred in administering the Trust and any Series or Class, including expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings and claims and the obligations of the Trust under Article XI hereof and the By-Laws to indemnify its Trustees, officers, employees, shareholders and agents, and any contract obligation to indemnify principal underwriters under Section 3 of Article VII; and for the payment of such expenses, disbursements, losses and liabilities, the Trustees shall have a lien on the assets belonging to each Series or Class prior to any rights or interests of the Shareholders of any Series or Class. This section shall not preclude the Trust from directly paying any of the aforementioned fees and expenses.
Section 2. Trustee Compensation.
The Trustees shall be entitled to compensation from the Trust from the assets belonging to any Series or Class for their respective services as Trustees, to be determined from time to time by vote of the Trustees, and the Trustees shall also determine the compensation of all officers, consultants and agents whom they may elect or appoint. The Trust may pay out of the assets belonging to any Series or Class any Trustee or any corporation, firm, trust or other entity of which a Trustee is an interested person for services rendered in any capacity not prohibited by the 1940 Act, and such payments shall not be deemed compensation for services as a Trustee under the first sentence of this Section 2 of Article VI.
ARTICLE VII
INVESTMENT ADVISER, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND TRANSFER AGENT
Section 1. Investment Adviser.
Subject to a Majority Shareholder Vote by the relevant Series or Class, the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into an investment advisory contract whereby the other party to such contract shall undertake to furnish the Trustees investment advisory services for such Series or Class upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation as the Trustees may in their discretion determine. Subject to a Majority Shareholder Vote by the relevant Series or Class, the investment adviser may enter into a sub-investment advisory contract to receive investment advice and/or statistical and factual information from the sub-investment adviser for such Series or Class upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation as the Trustees may, in their discretion, agree to. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize the investment adviser or sub-investment adviser or any person furnishing administrative personnel and services as set forth in Article VII, Section 2 (subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time adopt) to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio securities belonging to a Series or Class on behalf of the Trustees or may authorize any officer or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales, or exchanges pursuant to recommendations of the investment adviser (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases, sales and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by the Trustees. The Trustees may also authorize the investment adviser to determine what firms shall be employed to effect transactions in securities for the account of a Series or Class and to determine what firms shall participate in any such transactions or shall share in commissions or fees charged in connection with such transactions.
Section 2. Administrative Services.
The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time contract for administrative personnel and services whereby the other party shall agree to provide the Trustees administrative personnel and services to operate the Trust or a Series or Class on a daily basis, on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine. Such services may be provided by one or more entities.
Section 3. Principal Underwriter.
The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into an exclusive or nonexclusive contract or contracts providing for the sale of the Shares of a Series or Class to net such Series or Class not less than the amount provided in Article III, Section 3 hereof, whereby a Series or Class may either agree to sell the Shares to the other party to the contract or appoint such other party its sales agent for such shares. In either case, the contract shall be on such terms and conditions (including indemnification of principal underwriters allowable under applicable law and regulation) as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VII; and such contract may also provide for the repurchase or sale of Shares of a Series or Class by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust and may provide that the other party may maintain a market for shares of a Series or Class.
Section 4. Transfer Agent.
The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into transfer agency and shareholder services contracts whereby the other party shall undertake to furnish transfer agency and shareholder services. The contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust or of the By-Laws. Such services may be provided by one or more entities.
Section 5. Provisions and Amendments.
Any contract entered into pursuant to Sections 1 or 3 of this Article VII shall be consistent with and subject to the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act (including any amendments thereof or other applicable Act of Congress hereafter enacted) with respect to its continuance in effect, its termination and the method of authorization and approval of such contract or renewal thereof.
ARTICLE VIII
SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Section 1. Voting Powers.
Subject to the provisions set forth in Article III, Section 5(d), the Shareholders shall have power to vote, (i) for the election of Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 2; (ii) for the removal of Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 3(d); (iii) with respect to any investment adviser or sub-investment adviser as provided in Article VII, Section 1; (iv) with respect to the amendment of this Declaration of Trust as provided in Article XII, Section 7; (v) to the same extent as the shareholders of a Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim should be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders; and (vi) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law, by this Declaration of Trust, or the By-Laws of the Trust or any regulation of the Trust or the Commission or any State, or as the Trustees may consider desirable. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote, and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. Until Shares of a Series or Class are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders of such Series or Class with respect to matters affecting such Series or Class, and may take any action with respect to the Trust or such Series or Class required or permitted by law, this Declaration of Trust or any By-Laws of the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
Section 2. Meetings.
A Shareholders meeting shall be held as specified in Section 2 of Article IV at the principal office of the Trust or such other place as the Trustees may designate. Special meetings of the Shareholders may be called by the Trustees or the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust and shall be called by the Trustees upon the written request of Shareholders owning at least one-tenth of the outstanding Shares of all Series and Classes entitled to vote. Shareholders shall be entitled to at least fifteen days' notice of any meeting.
Section 3. Quorum and Required Vote.
Except as otherwise provided by law, to constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any meeting of Shareholders there must be present, in person or by proxy, holders of one-fourth of the total number of outstanding Shares of all Series and Classes entitled to vote at such meeting. When any one or more Series and Classes entitled to vote at such meeting. When any one or more Series or Classes is entitled to vote as a single Series or Class, one-fourth of the shares of each such Series or Class entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a Shareholder's meeting of that Series or Class. If a quorum shall not be present for the purpose of any vote that may properly come before the meeting, the Shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at such meeting on such matter may, by plurality vote, adjourn the meeting from time to time to such place and time without further notice than by announcement to be given at the meeting until a quorum entitled to vote on such matter shall be present, whereupon any such matter may be voted upon at the meeting as though held when originally convened. Subject to any applicable requirement of law or of this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, a plurality of the votes cast shall elect a Trustee, and all other matters shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast and entitled to vote thereon.
Section 4. Additional Provisions.
The By-Laws may include further provisions for Shareholders' votes and meetings and related matters.
ARTICLE IX
CUSTODIAN
Section 1. Appointment and Duties.
The Trustees shall appoint or otherwise engage a bank or trust company having an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits (as shown in its last published report) of at least two million dollars ($2,000,000) as custodian with authority as its agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other requirements, if any, as may be contained in the By-Laws of the Trust:all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the Trustees and the custodian. If so directed by a Majority Shareholder Vote, the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Trust or any Series held by it as specified in such vote.
The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or more sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the custodian upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees, provided that in every case such sub-custodian shall be a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States or one of the states thereof and having an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits (as shown in its last published report) of at least two million dollars ($2,000,000).
Section 2. Central Certificate System.
Subject to such rules, regulations and orders as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct the custodian to deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust or any Series in a system for the central handling of securities established by a national securities exchange or a national securities association registered with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or such other person as may be permitted by the Commission or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act, pursuant to which system all securities of any particular class or series of any issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such securities, provided that all such deposits shall be subject to withdrawal only upon the order of the custodian at the discretion of the Trustees.
ARTICLE X
DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
Section 1. Distributions.
Section 2. Redemptions and Repurchases.
Section 3. Determination of Accumulated Net Income.
The Accumulated Net Income of any Series or Class of the Trust shall be determined by or on behalf of the Trustees at such time or times as the Trustees shall in their discretion determine. Such determination shall be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices and may include realized and/or unrealized gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or other property of the relevant Series. The power and duty to determine Accumulated Net Income for any Series or Class may be delegated by the Trustees from time to time to one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust, to the other party to any contract entered into pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of Article VII, or to the custodian or to a transfer agent.
Section 4. Net Asset Value of Shares.
The net asset value of each Share of a Series or Class outstanding shall be determined at such time or times as may be determined by or on behalf of the Trustees. The power and duty to determine net asset value may be delegated by the Trustees from time to time to one or more of the Trustees or Officers of the Trust, to the other party to any contract entered into pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of Article VII or to the custodian or to a transfer agent or other person designated by the Trustees.
The net asset value of each Share of a Series or Class as of any particular time shall be the quotient (adjusted to the nearer cent) obtained by dividing the value, as of such time, of the net assets belonging to such Series or Class (i.e., the value of the assets belonging to such Series or Class less the liabilities belonging to such Series or Class exclusive of capital and surplus) by the total number of Shares outstanding of the Series or Class at such time in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and applicable provisions of the By-Laws of the Trust in conformity with generally accepted accounting practices and principles.
The Trustees may declare a suspension of the determination of net asset value for the whole or any part of any period in accordance with the 1940 Act.
Section 5. Suspension of the Right of Redemption.
The Trustees may declare a suspension of the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment for the whole or any part or any period in accordance with the 1940 Act.
Section 6. Trust's Right to Redeem Shares.
The Trust shall have the right to cause the redemption of Shares of any Series or Class in any Shareholder's account for their then current net asset value and promptly make payment to the shareholder (which payment may be reduced by any applicable redemption charge), if at any time the total investment in the account does not have a minimum dollar value determined from time to time by the Trustees in their sole discretion. Shares of any Series or Class of the Trust are redeemable at the option of the Trust if, in the opinion of the Trustees, ownership of such Shares has or may become concentrated to an extent which would cause the Trust or any Series to be a personal holding company within the meaning of the Federal Internal Revenue Code (and thereby disqualified under Sub-chapter M of said Code); in such circumstances the Trust may compel the redemption of Shares of such Series or Class, reject any order for the purchase of such Shares or refuse to give effect to the transfer of such Shares.
ARTICLE XI
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Limitation of Personal Liability and Indemnification of Shareholders.
The Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust shall have no power to bind any Shareholder of any Series or Class personally or to call upon such Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever, other than such as the Shareholder may at any time agree to pay by way of subscription to any Shares or otherwise.
No Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series or Class shall be liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder for any debt, claim, action, demand, suit, proceeding, judgment, decree, liability or obligation of any kind, against, or with respect to the Trust or any Series or Class arising out of any action taken or omitted for or on behalf of the Trust or such Series or Class, and the Trust or such Series or Class shall be solely liable therefor and resort shall be had solely to the property of the relevant Series or Class of the Trust for the payment or performance thereof.
Each Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series or Class (or their heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in case of a corporate entity, its corporate or general successor) shall be entitled to indemnity and reimbursement out of Trust property to the full extent of such liability and the costs of any litigation or other proceedings in which such liability shall have been determined, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel if, contrary to the provisions hereof, such Shareholder or former Shareholder of such Series or Class shall be held to be personally liable. Such indemnification and reimbursement shall come exclusively from the assets of the relevant Series or Class.
The Trust shall, upon request by a Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against any Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust or any Series or Class and satisfy any judgment thereon.
Section 2. Limitation of Personal Liability of Trustees, Officers, Employees or Agents of the Trust.
No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have the power to bind any other Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust personally. The Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust incurring any debts, liabilities or obligations, or in taking or omitting any other actions for or in connection with the Trust are, and each shall be deemed to be, acting as Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust and not in his own individual capacity.
Provided they have acted under the belief that their actions are in the best interest of the Trust, the Trustees and officers shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for neglect or wrongdoing by them or any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust or of any entity providing administrative services to the Trust, but nothing herein contained shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Section 3. Express Exculpatory Clauses and Instruments.
The Trustees shall use every reasonable means to assure that all persons having dealings with the Trust or any Series or Class shall be informed that the property of the Shareholders and the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust or any Series or Class shall not be subject to claims against or obligations of the Trust or any other Series or Class to any extent whatsoever. The Trustees shall cause to be inserted in any written agreement, undertaking or obligations made or issued on behalf of the Trust or any Series or Class (including certificates for Shares of any Series or Class) an appropriate reference to this Declaration, providing that neither the Shareholders, the Trustees, the officers, the employees not any agent of the Trust or any Series or Class shall be liable thereunder, and that the other parties to such instrument shall look solely to the assets belonging to the relevant Series or Class for the payment of any claim thereunder or for the performance thereof; but the omission of such provisions from any such instrument shall not render any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable, not shall the Trustee, or any officer, agent or employee of the Trust or any Series or Class be liable to anyone for such omission. If, notwithstanding this provision, any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent shall be held liable to any other person by reason of the omission of such provision from any such agreement, undertaking or obligation, the Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent shall be entitled to indemnity and reimbursement out of the Trust property, as provided in Article XI.
Section 4. Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, Employees and Agents.
(a) Every person who is or has been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or of any Series of the Trust and persons who serve at the Trust's request as director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall be indemnified by the Trust or the relevant Series to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any debt, claim, action, demand, suit, proceeding, judgment, decree, liability or obligation of any kind in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or of such Series or of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of the Trust or of such Series and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof.
(b) The words "claim," "action," "suit" or "proceeding" shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include, without limitations, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
(c) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Trustee, officer, employee or agent against any liability to the Trust or any Series or the Trust or to its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
(d) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust or any Series, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Trustee, officer, employee or agent may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such Trustee, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(e) In the absence of a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before which such proceeding was brought, an indemnification payment will not be made, except as provided in paragraph (f) of this Section 4, unless in the absence of such decision, a reasonable determination based upon a factual review has been made (i) by a majority vote of a quorum of non-party trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or any Series, or (ii) by independent legal counsel in a written opinion that the indemnitee was not liable for an act of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties.
(f) The Trust or any Series further undertakes that advancement of expenses incurred in the defense of a proceeding (upon undertaking for repayment unless it is ultimately determined that indemnification is appropriate) against any officer, trustee or controlling person of the Trust or any Series will not be made absent the fulfillment of at least one of the following conditions: (i) the indemnitee provides security for his undertaking, (ii) the Trust or any Series is insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances or (iii) a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party trustees or independent legal counsel in a written opinion makes a factual determination that there is a reason to believe the indemnitee will be entitled to indemnification.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Trust is not a Partnership.
It is hereby expressly declared that a trust and not a partnership is created hereby.
Section 2. Trustee Action Binding, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety.
The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder in good faith and with reasonable care under the circumstances then prevailing, shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of Article XI, the Trustees shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust, and subject to the provisions of Article XI, shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
Section 3. Establishment of Record Dates.
The Trustees may close the Share transfer books of the Trust maintained with respect to any Series or Class for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of Shareholders of the Trust or any Series or Class, or the date for the payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution to Shareholders, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of Shares of any Series or Class shall go into effect; or in lieu of closing the Share transfer books as aforesaid, the Trustees may fix in advance a date, not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of Shareholders of the Trust or any Series or Class, or the date for the payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution to Shareholders of any Series or Class, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of Shares of any Series or Class shall go into effect, or the last day on which the consent or dissent of Shareholders of any Series or Class may be effectively expressed for any purpose, as a record date for the determination of the Shareholders entitled to notice of, and, to vote at, any such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend or distribution, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of shares, or to exercise the right to give such consent or dissent, and in such case such Shareholder and only such Shareholders as shall be Shareholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, or to receive payment of such dividend or distribution, or to receive such allotment or rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding, after such date fixed aforesaid, any transfer of any Shares on the books of the Trust maintained with respect to any Series or Class. Nothing in the foregoing sentence shall be construed as precluding the Trustees from setting different record dates for different Series or Classes.
Section 4. Termination of Trust.
Section 5. Offices of the Trust, Filing of Copies, Headings, Counterparts.
The Trust shall maintain a usual place of business in Massachusetts, which, initially, shall be One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts, and shall continue to maintain an office at such address unless changed by the Trustees to another location in Massachusetts. The Trust may maintain other offices as the Trustees may from time to time determine. The original or a copy of this instrument and of each declaration of trust supplemental hereto shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. A copy of this instrument and of each supplemental declaration of trust shall be filed by the Trustees with the Massachusetts Secretary of State and the Boston City Clerk, as will as any other governmental office where such filing may from time to time be required. Anyone dealing with the Trust may relay on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as to whether or not any such supplemental declaration of trust has been made and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any such supplemental declaration of trust. In this instrument or in any such supplemental declaration of trust, references to this instrument, and all expressions like "herein," "hereof," and "hereunder," shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as amended or affected by any such supplemental declaration of trust. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the text of this instrument, rather than the headings, shall control. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 6. Applicable Law.
The Trust set forth in this instrument is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a Massachusetts business trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust.
Section 7. Amendments -- General.
Prior to the initial issuance of Shares pursuant to Section 3 of Article III, a majority of the Trustees then in office may amend or otherwise supplement this instrument by making a Declaration of Trust supplemental hereto, which thereafter shall form a part hereof. Subsequent to such initial issuance of Shares, amendments or supplements to this instrument may be authorized by a majority of the Trustees than in office and by a Majority Shareholder Vote of all Series and classes then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon (except that any amendments or supplements changing the name of the Trust or pursuant to Section 8 hereunder may be made without shareholder approval), or by any larger vote which may be required by applicable law or this Declaration of Trust in any particular case, which amendment or supplement thereafter shall form a part hereof. Any such amendment or supplement (which may be in the form of a complete restatement) may be evidenced by either (i) a supplemental Declaration of Trust signed by at least a majority of the Trustees then in office or (ii) by a certificate of the President and Secretary of the Trust setting forth such amendment or supplement and certifying that such amendment or supplement has been duly authorized by the Trustees, and if required, by the shareholders. Copies of the supplemental Declaration of Trust or the certificate of the President and Secretary, as the case may be, shall be filed as specified in Section 5 of this Article XII.
Section 8. Amendments - Series and Classes.
Section 9. Use of Name.
The Trust acknowledges that Federated Investors has reserved the right to grant the non-exclusive use of the name "Federated" or any derivative thereof to any other investment company, investment company portfolio, investment adviser, distributor, or other business enterprise, and to withdraw from the Trust or one or more Series or Classes any right to the use of the name "Federated".
The undersigned hereby certify that the above stated Amendment and Restatement is a true and correct Amendment and Restatement to the Declaration of Trust, as adopted by the Board of Trustees at a meeting held on the 17th day of November, 1998, and effective as of April 2, 1999.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument the day and year first above written.
/s/ John F. Donahue | /s/ Peter E. Madden | ||
John F. Donahue | Peter E. Madden | ||
/s/ Thomas G. Bigley | /s/ Charles F. Mansfield, Jr. | ||
Thomas G. Bigley | Charles F. Mansfield, Jr. | ||
/s/ John T. Conroy, Jr | /s/ John E. Murray, Jr. | ||
John T. Conroy, Jr | John E. Murray, Jr. | ||
/s/ John F. Cunningham | /s/ Marjorie P. Smuts | ||
John F. Cunningham | Marjorie P. Smuts | ||
/s/ Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D | /s/ John S. Walsh | ||
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D | John S. Walsh |
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA | ) | ||||
: | ss: | ||||
COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY | ) |
I hereby certify that on April 2, 1999, before me, the subscriber, a Notary Public of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in for the County of Allegheny, personally appeared JOHN F. DONAHUE, THOMAS G. BIGLEY, JOHN T. CONROY, JR., JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM, LAWRENCE D. ELLIS, M.D., PETER E. MADDEN, CHARLES F. MANSFIELD, JR., JOHN E. MURRAY, JR., MARJORIE P. SMUTS, AND JOHN S. WALSH who acknowledged the foregoing Declaration of Trust to be their act.
Witness my hand and notarial seal the day and year above written.
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