As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 1998
File Nos.
2-10103
811-334
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ______
Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 (X)
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 24 (X)
FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
777 MARINERS ISLAND BLVD., SAN MATEO, CA 94404
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code (650) 312-2000
HARMON E. BURNS, 777 MARINERS ISLAND BLVD., SAN MATEO, CA 94404
(Name and Address of Agent for Service of Process)
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[x] on January 1, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
Title of Securities being Registered:
Shares of Common Stock:
Franklin Equity Fund - Class A
Franklin Equity Fund - Class B
Franklin Equity Fund - Class C
The Registrant's Class A and C prospectus and statement of additional
information dated November 1, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Form Type 497 on November 2, 1998 (File Nos. 02-10103 and
811-334) are hereby incorporated by reference.
134 *P
SHARE CLASS REDESIGNATION
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1999
Class A - Formerly Class I
Class B - New Share Class
Class C - Formerly Class II
SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 1, 1999
TO THE PROSPECTUS OF
FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND
DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1998
The prospectus is amended as follows:
I. As of January 1, 1999, the fund offers four classes of shares: Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class. Before January 1, 1999, Class A shares
were designated Class I and Class C shares were designated Class II. All
references in the prospectus to Class I shares are replaced with Class A,
and all references to Class II shares are replaced with Class C.
II. The second paragraph on the cover of the prospectus is replaced with the
following:
This prospectus describes the fund's Class A, B and C shares. The fund
currently offers another share class with a different sales charge and
expense structure, which affects performance.
III. The section "Expense Summary" is replaced with the following:
EXPENSE SUMMARY
This table is designed to help you understand the costs of investing in the
fund. It is based on the fund's historical expenses for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1998. The fund's actual expenses may vary.
CLASS A1 CLASS B2 CLASS C1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES3
Maximum Sales Charge
(as a percentage of Offering Price) 5.75% 4.00% 1.99%
Paid at time of purchase4 5.75% None 1.00%
Paid at redemption5 None 4.00% 0.99%
Exchange Fee (per transaction)6 None None None
B. ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET
ASSETS)
Management Fees 0.50% 0.50% 0.50%
Rule 12b-1 Fees7 0.21% 1.00% 1.00%
Other Expenses 0.19% 0.19% 0.19%
--------------------------------
Total Fund Operating Expenses 0.90% 1.69% 1.69%
--------------------------------
C. EXAMPLE
Assume the annual return for each class is 5%, operating expenses are as
described above, and you sell your shares after the number of years
shown. These are the projected expenses for each $10,000 that you invest
in the fund.
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A $6628 $845 $1,045 $1,619
CLASS B
Assuming you sold your
shares at the end of the
period $572 $833 $1,118 $1,788 9
Assuming you stayed in the
fund $172 $533 $ 918 $1,788 9
CLASS C $368 10 $627 $1,009 $2,078
THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE. IT DOES NOT REPRESENT PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES
OR RETURNS. ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURNS MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE
SHOWN. The fund pays its operating expenses. The effects of these
expenses are reflected in the Net Asset Value or dividends of each class
and are not directly charged to your account.
1. Before January 1, 1999, Class A shares were designated Class I and Class C
shares were designated Class II.
2. The fund began offering Class B shares on January 1, 1999. Annual fund
operating expenses are based on the expenses for Class A and C for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1998. The Rule 12b-1 fees are based on the maximum fees
allowed under Class B's Rule 12b-1 plan.
3. If your transaction is processed through your Securities Dealer, you may be
charged a fee by your Securities Dealer for this service.
4. There is no front-end sales charge if you invest $1 million or more in Class
A shares. Although Class B and C have a lower front-end sales charge than Class
A, their Rule 12b-1 fees are higher. Over time you may pay more for Class B and
C shares. Please see "How Do I Buy Shares? - Choosing a Share Class."
5. A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge of 1% may apply to Class A purchases of $1
million or more if you sell the shares within one year and to any Class C
purchase if you sell the shares within 18 months. A Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge of up to 4% may apply to any Class B purchase if you sell the shares
within six years. A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may also apply to purchases
by certain retirement plans that qualify to buy Class A shares without a
front-end sales charge. The charge is based on the value of the shares sold or
the Net Asset Value at the time of purchase, whichever is less. The number in
the table shows the charge as a percentage of Offering Price. While the
percentage for Class C is different depending on whether the charge is shown
based on the Net Asset Value or the Offering Price, the dollar amount you would
pay is the same. See "How Do I Sell Shares? - Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"
for details.
6. There is a $5 fee for exchanges by Market Timers.
7. These fees may not exceed 0.25% for Class A and 1.00% for Class B and C. The
combination of front-end sales charges and Rule 12b-1 fees could cause long-term
shareholders to pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end
sales charge permitted under the NASD's rules.
8. Assumes a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge will not apply.
9. Assumes conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after eight years,
lowering your annual expenses from that time on.
10. For the same Class C investment, you would pay projected expenses of $270 if
you did not sell your shares at the end of the first year. Your projected
expenses for the remaining periods would be the same.
IV. The following paragraph is added under "What Are the Risks of Investing in
the Fund?":
YEAR 2000. When evaluating current and potential portfolio positions, Year
2000 is one of the factors the manager considers.
The manager will rely upon public filings and other statements made by
companies about their Year 2000 readiness. Issuers in countries outside the
U.S. may not be required to make the same level of disclosure about Year
2000 readiness as is required in the U.S. The manager, of course, cannot
audit each company and its major suppliers to verify their Year 2000
readiness.
If a company in which the fund is invested is adversely affected by Year
2000 problems, it is likely that the price of its security will also be
adversely affected. A decrease in the value of one or more of the fund's
portfolio holdings will have a similar impact on the price of the fund's
shares. Please see "Year 2000 Problem" under "Who Manages the Fund?" for
more information.
V. In the section "Who Manages the Fund?",
(a) the section "Year 2000 Issue" is replaced with the following:
YEAR 2000 PROBLEM. The fund's business operations depend on a worldwide
network of computer systems that contain date fields, including securities
trading systems, securities transfer agent operations and stock market
links. Many of the systems currently use a two digit date field to
represent the date, and unless these systems are changed or modified, they
may not be able to distinguish the Year 1900 from the Year 2000 (commonly
referred to as the Year 2000 problem). In addition, the fact that the Year
2000 is a non-standard leap year may create difficulties for some systems.
When the Year 2000 arrives, the fund's operations could be adversely
affected if the computer systems used by the manager, its service providers
and other third parties it does business with are not Year 2000 ready. For
example, the fund's portfolio and operational areas could be impacted,
including securities trade processing, interest and dividend payments,
securities pricing, shareholder account services, reporting, custody
functions and others. The fund could experience difficulties in effecting
transactions if any of its foreign subcustodians, or if foreign
broker-dealers or foreign markets are not ready for Year 2000.
The manager and its affiliated service providers are making a concerted
effort to take steps they believe are reasonably designed to address their
Year 2000 problems. Of course, the fund's ability to reduce the effects of
the Year 2000 problem is also very much dependent upon the efforts of third
parties over which the fund and the manager may have no control.
(b) the first sentence under "The Rule 12b-1 Plans" is replaced with the
following:
Each class has a separate distribution or "Rule 12b-1" plan under which the
fund shall pay or may reimburse Distributors or others for the expenses of
activities that are primarily intended to sell shares of the class.
(c) and the following paragraphs are added to the section "The Rule 12b-1
Plans":
Under the Class B plan, the fund pays Distributors up to 0.75% per year of
Class B's average daily net assets to pay Distributors for providing
distribution and related services and bearing certain Class B expenses. All
distribution expenses over this amount will be borne by those who have
incurred them. Securities Dealers are not eligible to receive this portion
of the Rule 12b-1 fees associated with the purchase.
The fund may also pay a servicing fee of up to 0.25% per year of Class B's
average daily net assets under the Class B plan. This fee may be used to
pay Securities Dealers or others for, among other things, helping to
establish and maintain customer accounts and records, helping with requests
to buy and sell shares, receiving and answering correspondence, monitoring
dividend payments from the fund on behalf of customers, and similar
servicing and account maintenance activities. Securities Dealers may be
eligible to receive this portion of the Rule 12b-1 fees from the date of
purchase. After 8 years, Class B shares convert to Class A shares and
Securities Dealers may then receive the Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class
A.
The expenses relating to the Class B plan are also used to pay Distributors
for advancing the commission costs to Securities Dealers with respect to
the initial sale of Class B shares. Further, the expenses relating to the
Class B plan may be used by Distributors to pay third party financing
entities that have provided financing to Distributors in connection with
advancing commission costs to Securities Dealers.
VI. Under "How Is the Fund Organized?",
(a) the first paragraph is replaced with the following:
The fund is a diversified, open-end management investment company, commonly
called a mutual fund. It was organized as a California corporation on
August 30, 1984, and is registered with the SEC. The fund offers four
classes of shares: Franklin Equity Fund - Class A, Franklin Equity Fund -
Class B, Franklin Equity Fund - Class C and Franklin Equity Fund - Advisor
Class. Additional classes of shares may be offered in the future.
(b) and the following sentence is added:
As of December 7, 1998, Franklin Templeton Growth Target Fund owned of
record and beneficially more than 25% of the outstanding Advisor Class
shares of the fund.
VII. The sections "Choosing a Share Class" and "Purchase Price of Fund Shares,"
found under "How Do I Buy Shares?", are replaced with the following:
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
Each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to
choose the class that best meets your situation. Your investment
representative can help you decide.
CLASS A* CLASS B* CLASS C*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Front-end sales o No front-end sales o Front-end sales
charge of 5.75% charge charge of 1%
or less
o Contingent o Contingent Deferred o Contingent Deferred
Deferred Sales Sales Charge of 4% or Sales Charge of 1%
Charge of 1% on less on shares you on shares you sell
purchases of $1 sell within six years within 18 months
million or more
sold within one
year
o Lower annual o Higher annual o Higher annual
expenses than expenses than Class A expenses than Class A
Class B or C due (same as Class C) due (same as Class B) due
to lower Rule to higher Rule 12b-1 to higher Rule 12b-1
12b-1 fees fees. Automatic fees. No conversion to
conversion to Class A Class A shares, so
shares after eight annual expenses do not
years, reducing future decrease.
annual expenses.
o No maximum o Maximum purchase o Maximum purchase
purchase amount amount of $249,999. We amount of $999,999.
invest any investment of We invest any
$250,000 or more in investment of $1
Class A shares, since million or more in
a reduced front-end sales Class A shares, since
charge is available there is no front-end
and Class A's annual sales charge available
expenses are lower. and Class A's annual
expenses are lower.
*Before January 1, 1999, Class A shares were designated Class I and Class C
shares were designated Class II. The fund began offering Class B shares on
January 1, 1999. Class B shares are not available to all retirement plans.
Class B shares are only available to IRAs (of any type), Trust Company
403(b) plans, and Trust Company qualified plans with participant or
earmarked accounts.
PURCHASE PRICE OF FUND SHARES
For Class A shares, the sales charge you pay depends on the dollar amount
you invest, as shown in the table below. The sales charge for Class C
shares is 1% and, unlike Class A, does not vary based on the size of your
purchase. There is no front-end sales charge for Class B shares.
TOTAL SALES CHARGE AMOUNT PAID TO
AS A PERCENTAGE OF DEALER AS A
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE OFFERING NET AMOUNT PERCENTAGE OF
AT OFFERING PRICE PRICE INVESTED OFFERING PRICE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A
Under $50,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than
$100,000 4.50% 4.71% 3.75%
$100,000 but less than 3.50% 3.63% 2.80%
$250,000
$250,000 but less than 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000
$500,000 but less than 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
$1,000,000
$1,000,000 or more* None None None
CLASS B* None None None
CLASS C
Under $1,000,000* 1.00% 1.01% 1.00%
*A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge of 1% may apply to Class A purchases of
$1 million or more and any Class C purchase. A Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge of up to 4% may apply to any Class B purchase. Please see "How Do I
Sell Shares? - Contingent Deferred Sales Charge." Please also see "Other
Payments to Securities Dealers" below for a discussion of payments
Distributors may make out of its own resources to Securities Dealers for
certain purchases.
VIII.In the section "Sales Charge Waivers," found under "How Do I Buy Shares? -
Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers,"
(a) the first paragraph is replaced with the following:
SALES CHARGE WAIVERS. If one of the following sales charge waivers applies
to you or your purchase of fund shares, you may buy shares of the fund
without a front-end sales charge or a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. All
of the sales charge waivers listed below apply to purchases of Class A
shares only, except for items 1 and 2 which also apply to Class B and C
purchases.
(b) and the second waiver category is replaced with the following:
2. Redemption proceeds from the sale of shares of any Franklin Templeton
Fund. The proceeds must be reinvested in the same class of shares,
except proceeds from the sale of Class B shares will be reinvested in
Class A shares.
If you paid a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge when you sold your
Class A or C shares, we will credit your account with the amount of
the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge paid but a new Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge will apply. For Class B shares reinvested in
Class A, a new Contingent Deferred Sales Charge will not apply,
although your account will not be credited with the amount of any
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge paid when you sold your Class B
shares. If you own both Class A and B shares and you later sell your
shares, we will sell your Class A shares first, unless otherwise
instructed.
Proceeds immediately placed in a Franklin Bank CD also may be
reinvested without a front-end sales charge if you reinvest them
within 365 days from the date the CD matures, including any rollover.
This waiver does not apply to shares you buy and sell under our
exchange program. Shares purchased with proceeds from a money fund
may be subject to a sales charge.
IX. The section "How Do I Buy Shares in Connection with Retirement Plans?",
found under "How Do I Buy Shares?", is replaced with the following:
HOW DO I BUY SHARES IN CONNECTION WITH RETIREMENT PLANS?
Your individual or employer-sponsored retirement plan may invest in the
fund. Plan documents are required for all retirement plans. Trust Company
can provide the plan documents for you and serve as custodian or trustee.
Trust Company can provide you with brochures containing important
information about its plans. These plans require separate applications and
their policies and procedures may be different than those described in this
prospectus. For more information, including a free retirement plan brochure
or application, please call Retirement Plan Services.
Please consult your legal, tax or retirement plan specialist before
choosing a retirement plan. Your investment representative or advisor can
help you make investment decisions within your plan.
X. The section "How Do I Buy Shares? - Other Payments to Securities Dealers"
is replaced with the following:
OTHER PAYMENTS TO SECURITIES DEALERS
The payments described below may be made to Securities Dealers who initiate
and are responsible for Class B and C purchases and certain Class A
purchases made without a sales charge. The payments are subject to the sole
discretion of Distributors, and are paid by Distributors or one of its
affiliates and not by the fund or its shareholders.
1. Class A purchases of $1 million or more - up to 1% of the amount
invested.
2. Class B purchases - up to 4% of the amount invested.
3. Class C purchases - up to 1% of the purchase price.
4. Class A purchases made without a front-end sales charge by certain
retirement plans described under "Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
Retirement Plans" above - up to 1% of the amount invested.
5. Class A purchases by trust companies and bank trust departments,
Eligible Governmental Authorities, and broker-dealers or others on
behalf of clients participating in comprehensive fee programs - up to
0.25% of the amount invested.
6. Class A purchases by Chilean retirement plans - up to 1% of the
amount invested.
A Securities Dealer may receive only one of these payments for each
qualifying purchase. Securities Dealers who receive payments in connection
with investments described in paragraphs 1, 3 or 6 above or a payment of up
to 1% for investments described in paragraph 4 will be eligible to receive
the Rule 12b-1 fee associated with the purchase starting in the thirteenth
calendar month after the purchase.
FOR BREAKPOINTS THAT MAY APPLY AND INFORMATION ON ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION
PAYABLE TO SECURITIES DEALERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF FUND SHARES,
PLEASE SEE "HOW DO I BUY, SELL AND EXCHANGE SHARES? - OTHER PAYMENTS TO
SECURITIES DEALERS" IN THE SAI.
XI. The second and third paragraphs under "May I Exchange Shares for Shares of
Another Fund?" are replaced with the following:
If you own Class A shares, you may exchange into any of our money funds
except Franklin Templeton Money Fund. Franklin Templeton Money Fund is the
only money fund exchange option available to Class B and C shareholders.
Unlike our other money funds, shares of Franklin Templeton Money Fund may
not be purchased directly and no drafts (checks) may be written on Franklin
Templeton Money Fund accounts.
Before making an exchange, please read the prospectus of the fund you are
interested in. This will help you learn about the fund, its investment goal
and policies, and its rules and requirements for exchanges. For example,
some Franklin Templeton Funds do not accept exchanges and others may have
different investment minimums. Some Franklin Templeton Funds do not offer
Class B or C shares.
XII. In the section "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge," found under "May I
Exchange Shares for Shares of Another Fund? - Will Sales Charges Apply to
My Exchange?",
(a) the following sentence is added to the end of the first paragraph:
The purchase price for determining a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge on
exchanged shares will be the price you paid for the original shares.
(b) and the third paragraph is replaced with the following:
If you exchange Class A shares into one of our money funds, the time your
shares are held in that fund will not count towards the completion of any
Contingency Period. If you exchange your Class B or C shares for the same
class of shares of Franklin Templeton Money Fund, however, the time your
shares are held in that fund will count towards the completion of any
Contingency Period.
XIII.The second and third items in the section "Exchange Restrictions," found
under "May I Exchange Shares for Shares of Another Fund?", are replaced
with the following:
You may only exchange shares within the same class, except as noted
below. If you exchange your Class B shares for the same class of shares
of another Franklin Templeton Fund, the time your shares are held in
that fund will count towards the eight year period for automatic
conversion to Class A shares.
Generally exchanges may only be made between identically registered
accounts, unless you send written instructions with a signature
guarantee. You may, however, exchange shares from a fund account
requiring two or more signatures into an identically registered money
fund account requiring only one signature for all transactions. PLEASE
NOTIFY US IN WRITING IF YOU DO NOT WANT THIS OPTION TO BE AVAILABLE ON
YOUR ACCOUNT. Additional procedures may apply. Please see "Transaction
Procedures and Special Requirements."
XIV. In the "By Phone" section of the chart under "How Do I Sell Shares?",
(a) the first bulleted item is replaced with the following:
If the request is $100,000 or less. Institutional accounts may exceed
$100,000 by completing a separate agreement. Call Institutional Services to
receive a copy.
(b) and the third bulleted item is deleted.
XV. In the section "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge," found under "How Do I
Sell Shares?",
(a) the following is added after the second paragraph:
For Class B shares, there is a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge if you sell
your shares within six years, as described in the table below. The charge
is based on the value of the shares sold or the Net Asset Value at the time
of purchase, whichever is less.
THIS % IS DEDUCTED FROM YOUR
IF YOU SELL YOUR CLASS B SHARES PROCEEDS AS A CONTINGENT
WITHIN THIS MANY YEARS AFTER BUYING THEM DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Year 4
2 Years 4
3 Years 3
4 Years 3
5 Years 2
6 Years 1
7 Years 0
(b) and the section "Waivers" is replaced with the following:
WAIVERS. We waive the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for:
Account fees
Sales of Class A shares purchased without a front-end sales charge by
certain retirement plan accounts if (i) the account was opened before May
1, 1997, or (ii) the Securities Dealer of record received a payment from
Distributors of 0.25% or less, or (iii) Distributors did not make any
payment in connection with the purchase, or (iv) the Securities Dealer of
record has entered into a supplemental agreement with Distributors
Redemptions by the fund when an account falls below the minimum required
account size
Redemptions following the death of the shareholder or beneficial owner
Redemptions through a systematic withdrawal plan set up before February 1,
1995
Redemptions through a systematic withdrawal plan set up on or after
February 1, 1995, up to 1% monthly, 3% quarterly, 6% semiannually or 12%
annually of your account's Net Asset Value depending on the frequency of
your plan
Redemptions by Trust Company employee benefit plans or employee benefit
plans serviced by ValuSelect(R) (not applicable to Class B)
Distributions from IRAs due to death or disability or upon periodic
distributions based on life expectancy (for Class B, this applies to all
retirement plan accounts, not only IRAs)
Returns of excess contributions (and earnings, if applicable) from
retirement plan accounts
Participant initiated distributions from employee benefit plans or
participant initiated exchanges among investment choices in employee
benefit plans (not applicable to Class B)
XVI. The third paragraph under "What Distributions Might I Receive From the
Fund?" is replaced with the following:
Dividends and capital gains are calculated and distributed the same way for
each class. The amount of any income dividends per share will differ,
however, generally due to the difference in the Rule 12b-1 fees of each
class.
XVII.The paragraph following distribution option 3 in the section "What
Distributions Might I Receive From the Fund? - Distribution Options" is
replaced with the following: Distributions may be reinvested only in the
same class of shares, except as follows: (i) Class C shareholders who chose
to reinvest their distributions in Class A shares of the fund or another
Franklin Templeton Fund before November 17, 1997, may continue to do so;
and (ii) Class B and C shareholders may reinvest their distributions in
shares of any Franklin Templeton money fund.
XVIII. Under "Transaction Procedures and Special Requirements,"
(a) the section "Joint Accounts" is replaced with the following:
JOINT ACCOUNTS. For accounts with more than one registered owner, the fund
accepts written instructions signed by only one owner for transactions and
account changes that could otherwise be made by phone. For all other
transactions and changes, all registered owners must sign the instructions.
Please keep in mind that if you have previously told us that you do not
want telephone exchange or redemption privileges on your account, then we
can only accept written instructions to exchange or redeem shares if they
are signed by all registered owners on the account.
(b) the reference to $50,000 in the section "Signature Guarantees" is
replaced with $100,000.
(c) and the section "Trust Company Retirement Plan Accounts," found under
"Telephone Transactions," is deleted.
XIX. In the section "Services to Help You Manage Your Account - TeleFACTS(R),"
(a) the third bulleted item is replaced with the following:
exchange shares (within the same class) between identically registered
Franklin Templeton Class A, B or C accounts; and
(b) and the last sentence is replaced with the following:
The code number is 134 for Class A, 334 for Class B and 234 for Class C.
XX. In the "Useful Terms and Definitions" section,
(a) the definition of "Class I, Class II and Advisor Class" is replaced
with the following:
CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C AND ADVISOR CLASS - The fund offers four classes
of shares, designated "Class A," "Class B," "Class C" and "Advisor Class."
The four classes have proportionate interests in the fund's portfolio. They
differ, however, primarily in their sales charge and expense structures.
(b) and the following definitions are revised:
CONTINGENCY PERIOD - For Class A shares, the 12 month period during which a
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may apply. The contingency period is six
years for Class B shares and 18 months for Class C shares. The holding
period begins on the day you buy your shares. For example, if you buy
shares on the 18th of the month, they will age one month on the 18th day of
the next month and each following month.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC) - A sales charge of 1% that may
apply if you sell your Class A or C shares within the Contingency Period.
For Class B, the maximum CDSC is 4% and declines to 0% after six years.
OFFERING PRICE - The public offering price is based on the Net Asset Value
per share of the class and includes the front-end sales charge. The maximum
front-end sales charge is 5.75% for Class A and 1% for Class C. There is no
front-end sales charge for Class B. We calculate the offering price to two
decimal places using standard rounding criteria.
Please keep this supplement for future reference.
134 *SA
SHARE CLASS REDESIGNATION
Effective January 1, 1999
Class A - Formerly Class I
Class B - New Share Class
Class C - Formerly Class II
SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 1, 1999
TO THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF
FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND
DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1998
The Statement of Additional Information is amended as follows:
I. As of January 1, 1999, the fund offers four classes of shares: Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class. Before January 1, 1999, Class A shares
were designated Class I and Class C shares were designated Class II. All
references in the Statement of Additional Information to Class I shares are
replaced with Class A, and all references to Class II shares are replaced
with Class C.
II. The first sentence of the second paragraph on the cover is revised to read:
This SAI describes the fund's Class A, B and C shares.
III. The following is added to the "Officers and Directors" section:
As of December 7, 1998, the officers and Board members, as a group, owned
of record and beneficially the following shares of the fund: approximately
8,540 Class A shares and 89,295 Advisor Class shares, or less than 1% and
4.22%, respectively, of the total outstanding Class A and Advisor Class
shares of the fund.
IV. The first sentence in the section "Additional Information on Exchanging
Shares," found under "How Do I Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares?", is replaced
with the following:
If you request the exchange of the total value of your account, declared
but unpaid income dividends and capital gain distributions will be
reinvested in the fund and exchanged into the new fund at Net Asset Value
when paid.
V. In the section "The Rule 12b-1 Plans," found under "The Fund's
Underwriter,"
(a) the first sentence is replaced with the following:
Each class has a separate distribution or "Rule 12b-1" plan that was
adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act.
(b) the following paragraphs are added after the section "The Class I
Plan":
THE CLASS B PLAN. Under the Class B plan, the fund pays Distributors up to
0.75% per year of the class' average daily net assets, payable quarterly,
to pay Distributors or others for providing distribution and related
services and bearing certain expenses. All distribution expenses over this
amount will be borne by those who have incurred them. The fund may also pay
a servicing fee of up to 0.25% per year of the class' average daily net
assets, payable quarterly. This fee may be used to pay Securities Dealers
or others for, among other things, helping to establish and maintain
customer accounts and records, helping with requests to buy and sell
shares, receiving and answering correspondence, monitoring dividend
payments from the fund on behalf of customers, and similar servicing and
account maintenance activities.
The expenses relating to the Class B plan are also used to pay Distributors
for advancing the commission costs to Securities Dealers with respect to
the initial sale of Class B shares. Further, the expenses relating to the
Class B plan may be used by Distributors to pay third party financing
entities that have provided financing to Distributors in connection with
advancing commission costs to Securities Dealers.
(c) and the section "The Class I and Class II Plans" is renamed "The Class
A, B and C Plans."
VI. Under "Miscellaneous Information,"
(a) the fourth paragraph is replaced with the following:
The fund offers four classes of shares: Franklin Equity Fund, Franklin
Equity Fund Series, Franklin Equity Fund - Class A; Franklin Equity Fund,
Franklin Equity Fund Series, Franklin Equity Fund - Class B; Franklin
Equity Fund, Franklin Equity Fund Series, Franklin Equity Fund - Class C;
and Franklin Equity Fund, Franklin Equity Fund Series, Franklin Equity Fund
- Advisor Class.
(b) and the following is added:
The Information Services & Technology division of Resources established a
Year 2000 Project Team in 1996. This team has already begun making
necessary software changes to help the computer systems that service the
fund and its shareholders to be Year 2000 compliant. After completing these
modifications, comprehensive tests are conducted in one of Resources' U.S.
test labs to verify their effectiveness. Resources continues to seek
reasonable assurances from all major hardware, software or data-services
suppliers that they will be Year 2000 compliant on a timely basis.
Resources is also beginning to develop a contingency plan, including
identification of those mission critical systems for which it is practical
to develop a contingency plan. However, in an operation as complex and
geographically distributed as Resources' business, the alternatives to use
of normal systems, especially mission critical systems, or supplies of
electricity or long distance voice and data lines are limited.
As of December 7, 1998, the principal shareholders of the fund, beneficial
or of record, were as follows:
NAME AND ADDRESS SHARE AMOUNT PERCENTAGE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS
FTTC Trust Services FBO 135,063.222 6.39%
Martin Wiskemann IRA
P.O. Box 5086
San Mateo, CA 94402-0086
FTTC TTEE for ValuSelect 262,647.473 12.42%
Franklin Resources PSP
Attn: Trading
P.O. Box 2438
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-2438
FT Fund Allocator 467,093.686 22.09%
Moderate Target Fund
C/O Fund Accounting Department
Attn: Kimberley Monasterio
1810 Gateway 3rd Floor
San Mateo, CA 94404-2470
FT Fund Allocator 936,917.652 44.32%
Growth Target Fund
C/O Fund Accounting Department
Attn: Kimberley Monasterio
1810 Gateway 3rd Floor
San Mateo, CA 94404-2470
VII. In the "Useful Terms and Definitions" section, the definitions of "Class I,
Class II and Advisor Class" and "Offering Price" are replaced with the
following:
CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C AND ADVISOR CLASS - The fund offers four classes
of shares, designated "Class A," "Class B," "Class C" and "Advisor Class."
The four classes have proportionate interests in the fund's portfolio. They
differ, however, primarily in their sales charge and expense structures.
OFFERING PRICE - The public offering price is based on the Net Asset Value
per share of the class and includes the front-end sales charge. The maximum
front-end sales charge is 5.75% for Class A and 1% for Class C. There is no
front-end sales charge for Class B. We calculate the offering price to two
decimal places using standard rounding criteria.
Please keep this supplement for future reference.
FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND
File Nos. 2-10103
811-334
FORM N-1A
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
a) Financial Statements incorporated herein by reference to the
Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders dated June 30, 1998 as
filed with the SEC on Form Type N-30D on August 20, 1998:
(i) Financial Highlights
(ii) Independent Auditor's Report
(iii) Statement of Investments in Securities and Net Assets - June
30, 1998
(iv) Statement of Assets and Liabilities - June 30, 1998
(v) Statement of Operations - for the year ended June 30, 1998
(vi) Statements of Changes in Net Assets - for the years ended
June 30, 1998 and 1997
(vii)Notes to Financial Statements
b) Exhibits:
The following exhibits are incorporated herein by reference, except, 6(ii),
8(v) and 11(i) which are attached.
(1) copies of the charter as now in effect;
(i) Articles of Incorporation dated August 28, 1984
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(ii) Certificate of Amendment of Articles of
Incorporation dated March 17, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(iii) Certificate of Amendment of Articles of
Incorporation dated April 11, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: October 30, 1996
(2) copies of the existing By-Laws or instruments
corresponding thereto;
(i) By-Laws
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(ii) Amendment to By-Laws dated September 29, 1987
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(iii) Amendment to By-Laws dated November 17, 1987
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(iv) Amendment to By-Laws dated February 28, 1994
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(3) copies of any voting trust agreement with respect to
more than five percent of any class of equity
securities of the Registrant;
Not Applicable
(4) copies of all instruments defining the rights of the holders of
the securities being registered including, where applicable, the
relevant portion of the articles of incorporation or by-laws of
the Registrant;
Not Applicable
(5) copies of all investment advisory contracts relating
to the management of the assets of the Registrant;
(i) Management Agreement between Registrant and
Franklin Advisers, Inc. dated November 1, 1986
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(6) copies of each underwriting or distribution contract
between the Registrant and a principal underwriter, and
specimens or copies of all agreements between principal
underwriters and dealers;
(i) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement
between Registrant and Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc. dated April 23, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(ii) Forms of Dealer Agreement between
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. and
Securities Dealers
(7) copies of all bonus, profit sharing, pension or other
similar contracts or arrangements wholly or partly for
the benefit of directors or officers of the Registrant
in their capacity as such; any such plan that is not
set forth in a formal document, furnish a reasonably
detailed description thereof;
Not Applicable
(8) copies of all custodian agreements and depository
contracts
(i) Master Custody Agreement between Registrant and
Bank of New York dated February 16, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: October 30, 1996
(ii) Amendment to Master Custody Agreement dated February 27,
1998 on behalf of all funds listed on Exhibit A
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: August 24, 1998
(iii) Amendment dated May 7, 1997 to the Master Custody Agreement
dated February 16, 1996 between Registrant and Bank of New
York
Filing Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: October 30, 1997
(iv) Terminal Link Agreement between Registrant and
Bank of New York dated February 16, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: October 30, 1996
(v) Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Registrant
and bank of New York dated July 30, 1998.
(9) copies of all other material contracts not made in the
ordinary course of business which are to be performed
in whole or in part at or after the date of filing the
Registration Statement;
(i) Agreement of Merger between Franklin Equity Fund
and Research Equity Fund, Inc. dated October 24,
1984
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(ii) Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services dated October
1, 1996 and Amendment thereto dated April 30, 1998 between
Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Services Inc.
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: August 24, 1998
(10) an opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of
the securities being registered, indicating whether
they will when sold be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable;
(i) Opinion and Consent of Counsel
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: August 24, 1998
(11) copies of any other opinions, appraisals or rulings
and consents to the use thereof relied on in the
preparation of this registration statement and required
by Section 7 of the 1933 Act;
(i) Consent of Independent Auditors
(12) all financial statements omitted from Item 23;
Not Applicable
(13) copies of any agreements or understandings made in
consideration for providing the initial capital between
or among the Registrant, the underwriter, adviser,
promoter or initial stockholders and written assurances
from promoters or initial stockholders that their
purchases were made for investment purposes without any
present intention of redeeming or reselling;
(i) Letter of Understanding dated April 12, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(14) copies of the model plan used in the establishment of
any retirement plan in conjunction with which
Registrant offers its securities, any instructions
thereto and any other documents making up the model
plan. Such form(s) should disclose the costs and fees
charged in connection therewith;
Not Applicable
(15) copies of any plan entered into by Registrant pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which describes all
material aspects of the financing of distribution of
Registrant's shares, and any agreements with any person
relating to implementation of such plan.
(i) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between
Registrant and Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc. effective May 1, 1994
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(ii) Class II Distribution Plan pursuant to
Rule 12b-1, dated March 30, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: April 21, 1995
(iii) Form of Class B Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1
dated October 16, 1998
(16) schedule for computation of each performance quotation
provided in the registration statement in response to
Item 22 (which need not be audited).
Not Applicable
(17) Power of Attorney
(i) Power of Attorney dated March 19, 1998
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: August 24, 1998
(ii) Certificate of Secretary dated March 19, 1998
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 2-10103
Filing Date: August 24, 1998
(18) Copies of any plan entered into by Registrant pursuant to Rule
18f-3 under the 1940 Act
(i) Form of Multiple Class Plan dated March 19, 1998
(27) Financial Data Schedule
Not applicable
ITEM 25 PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT
None
ITEM 26 NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Not Applicable
ITEM 27 INDEMNIFICATION
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Please see the By-Laws, Management, and Distribution Agreements, previously
filed as exhibits and incorporated herein by reference.
Notwithstanding the provisions contained in the Registrant's By-Laws, in the
absence of authorization by the appropriate court on the merits pursuant to
said By-Laws, any indemnification under said Article shall be made by
Registrant only if authorized in the manner provided by such By-Laws.
ITEM 28 BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
The officers and directors of the Registrant's manager also serve as officers
and/or directors for (1) the manager's corporate parent, Franklin Resources,
Inc., and/or (2) other investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds. In addition, Mr. Charles B. Johnson was formerly a director of
General Host Corporation. For additional information please see Part B and
Schedules A and D of Form ADV of Advisers (SEC File 801-26292), incorporated
herein by reference, which sets forth the officers and directors of the
Investment Manager and information as to any business, profession, vocation
or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by those officers and
directors during the past two years.
ITEM 29 PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
a) Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., ("Distributors") also acts as
principal underwriter of shares of:
Franklin Asset Allocation Fund
Franklin California Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
Franklin California Tax-Free Trust
Franklin Custodian Funds, Inc.
Franklin Federal Money Fund
Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund
Franklin Floating Rate Trust
Franklin Gold Fund
Franklin High Income Trust
Franklin Investors Securities Trust
Franklin Managed Trust
Franklin Money Fund
Franklin Mutual Series Fund Inc.
Franklin Municipal Securities Trust
Franklin New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Franklin New York Tax-Free Trust
Franklin Real Estate Securities Trust
Franklin Strategic Mortgage Portfolio
Franklin Strategic Series
Franklin Tax-Exempt Money Fund
Franklin Tax-Free Trust
Franklin Templeton Fund Allocator Series
Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Franklin Templeton Money Fund Trust
Franklin Value Investors Trust
Institutional Fiduciary Trust
Templeton American Trust, Inc.
Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc.
Templeton Developing Markets Trust
Templeton Funds, Inc.
Templeton Global Investment Trust
Templeton Global Opportunities Trust
Templeton Global Real Estate Fund
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
Templeton Growth Fund, Inc.
Templeton Income Trust
Templeton Institutional Funds, Inc.
Templeton Variable Products Series Fund
b) The information required by this Item 29 with respect to each director
and officer of Distributors is incorporated by reference to Part B of this
N-1A and Schedule A of Form BD filed by Distributors with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1934 (SEC File No.
8-5889).
c) Not Applicable. Registrant's principal underwriter is an affiliated
person of an affiliated person of the Registrant.
ITEM 30 LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
The accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained by Section
31 (a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 are kept by the Fund or its
shareholder services agent, Franklin/Templeton Investors Services, Inc., both
of whose address is 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94404.
ITEM 31 MANAGEMENT SERVICES
There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Part A or
Part B.
ITEM 32 UNDERTAKINGS
a) The Registrant hereby undertakes to comply with the information
requirement in Item 5A of the Form N-1A by including the required information
in the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders and to furnish each person to
whom a prospectus is delivered a copy of the Annual Report upon request and
without charge.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Registration Statement
pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized in the City of San Mateo and the State of
California, on the 22nd day of December, 1998.
FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND
(Registrant)
By: CHARLES E. JOHNSON*
Charles E. Johnson,
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
and on the dates indicated:
CHARLES E. JOHNSON* Principal Executive Officer
Charles E. Johnson and Director
Dated: December 22, 1998
MARTIN L. FLANAGAN* Principal Financial Officer
Martin L. Flanagan Dated: December 22, 1998
DIOMEDES LOO-TAM* Principal Accounting Officer
Diomedes Loo-Tam Dated: December 22, 1998
FRANK H. ABBOTT III* Director
Frank H. Abbott III Dated: December 22, 1998
HARRIS J. ASHTON* Director
Harris J. Ashton Dated: December 22, 1998
S. JOSEPH FORTUNATO* Director
S. Joseph Fortunato Dated: December 22, 1998
CHARLES B. JOHNSON* Director
Charles B. Johnson Dated: December 22, 1998
RUPERT H. JOHNSON, JR.* Director
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. Dated: December 22, 1998
FRANK W.T. LAHAYE* Director
Frank W.T. LaHaye Dated: December 22, 1998
GORDON S. MACKLIN* Director
Gordon S. Macklin Dated: December 22, 1998
R. MARTIN WISKEMANN* Director
R. Martin Wiskemann Dated: December 22, 1998
*By Larry L. Greene
Attorney-in-Fact
(Pursuant to Power of Attorney previously filed)
FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
EXHIBITS INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION LOCATION
EX-99.B 1(i) Articles of Incorporation dated *
August 28, 1984
EX-99.B1(ii) Amendment to Articles of *
Incorporation dated March 17, 1995
EX-99.B1(iii) Certificate of Amendment of Articles *
of Incorporation dated April 11, 1995
EX-99.B2(i) By-Laws *
EX-99.B2(ii) Amendment to By-Laws dated September *
29, 1987
EX-99.B2(iii) Amendment to By-Laws dated November *
17, 1987
EX-99.B2(iv) Amendment to By-Laws dated January *
18, 1994
EX-99.B5(i) Management Agreement between *
Registrant and Franklin Advisers,
Inc. dated November 1, 1986
EX-99.B6(i) Amended and Restated dated April 23, *
1995 Distribution Agreement between
Registrant and Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc.
EX-99.B6(ii) Forms of Dealer Agreements between Attached
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.
and Securities Dealers
EX-99.B8(i) Master Custody Agreement between *
Registrant and Bank of New York dated
February 16, 1996
EX-99.B8(ii) Amendment to Master Custody Agreement *
dated February 27, 1998 on behalf of
all funds listed on Exhibit A
EX-99.B8(iii) Amendment dated May 7, 1997 to the *
Master Custody Agreement dated
February 16, 1996 between Registrant
and Bank of New York
EX-99.B8(iv) Terminal Link Agreement between *
Registrant and Bank of New York dated
February 16, 1996
EX-99.B8(v) Foreign Custody Manager Agreement Attached
between the Registrant and Bank of
New York dated July 30, 1998
EX-99.B9(i) Agreement of Merger dated October 24, *
1984
EX-99.B9(ii) Subcontract for Fund Administrative *
Services dated October 1, 1996 and
Amendment thereto dated April 30,
1998 between Franklin Advisers, Inc.
and Franklin Templeton Services Inc.
EX-99.B10(i) Opinion and Consent of Counsel *
EX-99.B11(i) Consent of Independent Auditor Attached
EX-99.B15(i) Distribution Plan between Franklin *
Equity Fund and Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc. dated May 1, 1994
EX-99.B15(ii) Class II Distribution Plan between *
Franklin Equity Fund and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.
dated March 30, 1995
EX-99.B15(iii) Form of Class B Distribution Plan Attached
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 dated
October 16, 1998
EX-99.B17(i) Power of Attorney dated March 19, 1998 *
EX-99.B17(ii) Certificate of Secretary March 19, *
1998
EX-99.B18(i) Form of Multiple Class Plan dated Attached
March 19, 1998
*Incorporated by Reference
DEALER AGREEMENT
Effective: March 1, 1998
Dear Securities Dealer:
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. ("we" or "us") invites you to
participate in the distribution of shares of the Franklin Templeton
investment companies (the "Funds") for which we now or in the future serve as
principal underwriter, subject to the terms of this Agreement. We will notify
you from time to time of the Funds which are eligible for distribution and
the terms of compensation under this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any
prior dealer agreements between us, as stated in Section 18, below.
1. LICENSING.
(a) You represent that you are (i) a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and are presently
licensed to the extent necessary by the appropriate regulatory agency of each
jurisdiction in which you will offer and sell shares of the Funds, or (ii) a
broker, dealer or other company licensed, registered or otherwise qualified to
effect transactions in securities in a country (a "foreign country") other than
the United States of America (the "U.S.") where you will offer or sell shares of
the Funds. You agree that termination or suspension of such membership with the
NASD, or of your license to do business by any regulatory agency having
jurisdiction, at any time shall terminate or suspend this Agreement forthwith
and shall require you to notify us in writing of such action. If you are not a
member of the NASD but are a broker, dealer or other company subject to the laws
of a foreign country, you agree to conform to the Conduct Rules of the NASD.
This Agreement is in all respects subject to the Conduct Rules of the NASD,
particularly Conduct Rule 2830 of the NASD, which shall control any provision to
the contrary in this Agreement.
(b) You agree to notify us immediately in writing if at any time you are
not a member in good standing of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation
("SIPC").
2. SALES OF FUND SHARES. You may offer and sell shares of each Fund and class of
each Fund only at the public offering price which shall be applicable to, and in
effect at the time of, each transaction. The procedures relating to all orders
and the handling of them shall be subject to the terms of the applicable then
current prospectus and statement of additional information (hereafter, the
"prospectus") and new account application, including amendments, for each such
Fund and each class of such Fund, and our written instructions from time to
time. This Agreement is not exclusive, and either party may enter into similar
agreements with third parties.
3. DUTIES OF DEALER: You agree:
(a) To act as principal, or as agent on behalf of your customers, in all
transactions in shares of the Funds except as provided in Section 4 hereof. You
shall not have any authority to act as agent for the issuer (the Funds), for the
Principal Underwriter, or for any other dealer in any respect, nor will you
represent to any third party that you have such authority or are acting in such
capacity.
(b) To purchase shares only from us or from your customers.
(c) To enter orders for the purchase of shares of the Funds only from us
and only for the purpose of covering purchase orders you have already received
from your customers or for your own bona fide investment.
(d) To maintain records of all sales, redemptions and repurchases of shares
made through you and to furnish us with copies of such records on request.
(e) To distribute prospectuses and reports to your customers in compliance
with applicable legal requirements, except to the extent that we expressly
undertake to do so on your behalf.
(f) That you will not withhold placing customers' orders for shares so as
to profit yourself as a result of such withholding or place orders for shares in
amounts just below the point at which sales charges are reduced so as to benefit
from a higher sales charge applicable to an amount below the breakpoint.
(g) That if any shares confirmed to you hereunder are repurchased or
redeemed by any of the Funds within seven business days after such confirmation
of your original order, you shall forthwith refund to us the full concession,
allowed to you on such orders, including any payments we made to you from our
own resources as provided in Section 6(b) hereof with respect to such orders. We
shall forthwith pay to the appropriate Fund the share, if any, of the sales
charge we retained on such order and shall also pay to such Fund the refund of
the concession we receive from you as herein provided (other than the portion of
such concession we paid to you from our own resources as provided in Section
6(b) hereof). We shall notify you of such repurchase or redemption within a
reasonable time after settlement. Termination or suspension of this Agreement
shall not relieve you or us from the requirements of this subsection.
(h) That if payment for the shares purchased is not received within the
time customary or the time required by law for such payment, the sale may be
canceled without notice or demand and without any responsibility or liability on
our part or on the part of the Funds, or at our option, we may sell the shares
which you ordered back to the Funds, in which latter case we may hold you
responsible for any loss to the Funds or loss of profit suffered by us resulting
from your failure to make payment as aforesaid. We shall have no liability for
any check or other item returned unpaid to you after you have paid us on behalf
of a purchaser. We may refuse to liquidate the investment unless we receive the
purchaser's signed authorization for the liquidation.
(i) That you shall assume responsibility for any loss to the Funds caused
by a correction made subsequent to trade date, provided such correction was not
based on any error, omission or negligence on our part, and that you will
immediately pay such loss to the Funds upon notification.
(j) That if on a redemption which you have ordered, instructions in proper
form, including outstanding certificates, are not received within the time
customary or the time required by law, the redemption may be canceled forthwith
without any responsibility or liability on our part or on the part of any Fund,
or at our option, we may buy the shares redeemed on behalf of the Fund, in which
latter case we may hold you responsible for any loss to the Fund or loss of
profit suffered by us resulting from your failure to settle the redemption.
(k) To obtain from your customers all consents required by applicable
privacy laws to permit us, any of our affiliates or the Funds to provide you
either directly or through a service established for that purpose with
confirmations, account statements and other information about your customers'
investments in the Funds.
4. DUTIES OF DEALER: RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. In connection with orders for the
purchase of shares on behalf of an Individual Retirement Account, Self-Employed
Retirement Plan or other retirement accounts, by mail, telephone, or wire, you
shall act as agent for the custodian or trustee of such plans (solely with
respect to the time of receipt of the application and payments), and you shall
not place such an order until you have received from your customer payment for
such purchase and, if such purchase represents the first contribution to such a
plan, the completed documents necessary to establish the plan and enrollment in
the plan. You agree to indemnify us and Franklin Templeton Trust Company and/or
Templeton Funds Trust Company as applicable for any claim, loss, or liability
resulting from incorrect investment instructions received from you which cause a
tax liability or other tax penalty.
5. CONDITIONAL ORDERS; CERTIFICATES. We will not accept from you any conditional
orders for shares of any of the Funds. Delivery of certificates or confirmations
for shares purchased shall be made by the Funds only against constructive
receipt of the purchase price, subject to deduction for your concession and our
portion of the sales charge, if any, on such sale. No certificates for shares of
the Funds will be issued unless specifically requested.
6. DEALER COMPENSATION.
(a) On each purchase of shares by you from us, the total sales charges and
your dealer concessions shall be as stated in each Fund's then current
prospectus, subject to NASD rules and applicable laws. Such sales charges and
dealer concessions are subject to reductions under a variety of circumstances as
described in the Funds' prospectuses. For an investor to obtain these
reductions, we must be notified at the time of the sale that the sale qualifies
for the reduced charge. If you fail to notify us of the applicability of a
reduction in the sales charge at the time the trade is placed, neither we nor
any of the Funds will be liable for amounts necessary to reimburse any investor
for the reduction which should have been effected.
(b) In accordance with the Funds' prospectuses, we or our affiliates may,
but are not obligated to, make payments to you from our own resources as
compensation for certain sales which are made at net asset value ("Qualifying
Sales"). If you notify us of a Qualifying Sale, we may make a contingent advance
payment up to the maximum amount available for payment on the sale. If any of
the shares purchased in a Qualifying Sale are repurchased or redeemed within
twelve months of the month of purchase, we shall be entitled to recover any
advance payment attributable to the repurchased or redeemed shares by reducing
any account payable or other monetary obligation we may owe to you or by making
demand upon you for repayment in cash. We reserve the right to withhold advances
to you, if for any reason we believe that we may not be able to recover unearned
advances from you. Termination or suspension of this Agreement shall not relieve
you or us from the requirements of this subsection.
7. REDEMPTIONS OR REPURCHASES. Redemptions or repurchases of shares of the Funds
will be made at the net asset value of such shares, less any applicable deferred
sales or redemption charges, in accordance with the applicable prospectuses.
Except as permitted by applicable law, you agree not to purchase any shares from
your customers at a price lower than the net asset value of such shares next
computed by the Funds after the purchase (the "Redemption/Repurchase Price").
You shall, however, be permitted to sell shares of the Funds for the account of
the record owner to the Funds at the Redemption/Repurchase Price for such
shares.
8. EXCHANGES. Telephone exchange orders will be effective only for
uncertificated shares or for which share certificates have been previously
deposited and may be subject to any fees or other restrictions set forth in the
applicable prospectuses. Exchanges from a Fund sold with no sales charge to a
Fund which carries a sales charge, and exchanges from a Fund sold with a sales
charge to a Fund which carries a higher sales charge may be subject to a sales
charge in accordance with the terms of the applicable Fund's prospectus. You
will be obligated to comply with any additional exchange policies described in
the applicable Fund's prospectus, including without limitation any policy
restricting or prohibiting "Timing Accounts" as therein defined.
9. TRANSACTION PROCESSING. All orders are subject to acceptance by us and by the
Fund or its transfer agent, and become effective only upon confirmation by us.
If required by law, each transaction shall be confirmed in writing on a fully
disclosed basis and if confirmed by us, a copy of each confirmation shall be
sent simultaneously to you if you so request. All sales are made subject to
receipt of shares by us from the Funds. We reserve the right in our discretion,
without notice, to suspend the sale of shares of the Funds or withdraw the
offering of shares of the Funds entirely. Orders will be effected at the
price(s) next computed on the day they are received if, as set forth in the
applicable Fund's current prospectus, the orders are received by us, an agent
appointed by us or the Funds prior to the time the price of the Fund's shares is
calculated. Orders received after that time will be effected at the price(s)
computed on the next business day. All orders must be accompanied by payment in
U.S. Dollars. Orders payable by check must be drawn payable in U.S. Dollars on a
U.S. bank, for the full amount of the investment.
10. MULTIPLE CLASSES. We may from time to time provide to you written compliance
guidelines or standards relating to the sale or distribution of Funds offering
multiple classes of shares (each, a "Class") with different sales charges and
distribution related operating expenses. In addition, you will be bound by any
applicable rules or regulations of government agencies or self-regulatory
organizations generally affecting the sale or distribution of shares of
investment companies offering multiple classes of shares.
11. RULE 12B-1 PLANS. You are invited to participate in all distribution plans
(each, a "Plan") adopted for a Class of a Fund or for a Fund that has only a
single Class (each, a "Plan Class") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
To the extent you provide administrative and other services, including, but
not limited to, furnishing personal and other services and assistance to your
customers who own shares of a Plan Class, answering routine inquiries regarding
a Fund or Class, assisting in changing account designations and addresses,
maintaining such accounts or such other services as a Fund may require, to the
extent permitted by applicable statutes, rules, or regulations, we shall pay you
a Rule 12b-1 servicing fee. To the extent that you participate in the
distribution of Fund shares that are eligible for a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee,
we shall also pay you a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee. All Rule 12b-1 servicing
and distribution fees shall be based on the value of shares attributable to
customers of your firm and eligible for such payment, and shall be calculated on
the basis and at the rates set forth in the compensation schedule then in effect
for the applicable Plan (the "Schedule"). Without prior approval by a majority
of the outstanding shares of a particular Class of a Fund which has a Plan, the
aggregate annual fees paid to you pursuant to such Plan shall not exceed the
amounts stated as the "annual maximums" in such Plan Class' prospectus, which
amount shall be a specified percent of the value of such Plan Class' net assets
held in your customers' accounts which are eligible for payment pursuant to this
Agreement (determined in the same manner as such Plan Class uses to compute its
net assets as set forth in its effective prospectus).
You shall furnish us and each Fund that has a Plan Class (each, a "Plan
Fund") with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Board of
Directors, Trustees or Managing General Partners (hereinafter referred to as
"Directors") of such Plan Fund with respect to the fees paid to you pursuant to
the Schedule of such Plan Fund. We shall furnish to the Boards of Directors of
the Plan Funds, for their review on a quarterly basis, a written report of the
amounts expended under the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures
were made.
Each Plan and the provisions of any agreement relating to such Plan must be
approved annually by a vote of the Directors of the Fund that has such Plan,
including such persons who are not interested persons of such Plan Fund and who
have no financial interest in such Plan or any related agreement ("Rule 12b-1
Directors"). Each Plan or the provisions of this Agreement relating to such Plan
may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1
Directors, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Class
that has such Plan, on sixty (60) days' written notice, without payment of any
penalty. A Plan or the provisions of this Agreement may also be terminated by
any act that terminates the Underwriting Agreement between us and the Fund that
has such Plan, and/or the management or administration agreement between
Franklin Advisers, Inc. or Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc. or their
affiliates and such Plan Fund. In the event of the termination of a Plan for any
reason, the provisions of this Agreement relating to such Plan will also
terminate.
Continuation of a Plan and provisions of this Agreement relating to such
Plan are conditioned on Rule 12b-1 Directors being ultimately responsible for
selecting and nominating any new Rule 12b-1 Directors. Under Rule 12b-1,
Directors of any of the Plan Funds have a duty to request and evaluate, and
persons who are party to any agreement related to a Plan have a duty to furnish,
such information as may reasonably be necessary to an informed determination of
whether the Plan or any agreement should be implemented or continued. Under Rule
12b-1, a Plan Fund is permitted to implement or continue a Plan or the
provisions of this Agreement relating to such Plan from year-to-year only if,
based on certain legal considerations, the Board of Directors of such Plan Fund
is able to conclude that such Plan will benefit the Plan Class. Absent such
yearly determination, such Plan and the provisions of this Agreement relating to
such Plan must be terminated as set forth above. In addition, any obligation
assumed by a Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to
the assets of such Fund and no person shall seek satisfaction thereof from
shareholders of a Fund. You agree to waive payment of any amounts payable to you
by us under a Fund's Plan until such time as we are in receipt of such fee from
the Fund.
The provisions of the Plans between the Plan Funds and us shall control
over the provisions of this Agreement in the event of any inconsistency.
12. REGISTRATION OF SHARES. Upon request, we shall notify you of the states or
other jurisdictions in which each Fund's shares are currently noticed,
registered or qualified for offer or sale to the public. We shall have no
obligation to make notice filings of, register or qualify, or to maintain notice
filings of, registration of or qualification of, Fund shares in any state or
other jurisdiction. We shall have no responsibility, under the laws regulating
the sale of securities in any U.S. or foreign jurisdiction, for the
registration, qualification or licensed status of persons offering or selling
Fund shares or for the manner of offering or sale of Fund shares. If it is
necessary to file notice of, register or qualify Fund shares in any foreign
jurisdictions in which you intend to offer the shares of any Funds, it will be
your responsibility to arrange for and to pay the costs of such notice filing,
registration or qualification; prior to any such notice filing, registration or
qualification, you will notify us of your intent and of any limitations that
might be imposed on the Funds, and you agree not to proceed with such notice
filing, registration or qualification without the written consent of the
applicable Funds and of ourselves. Except as stated in this section, we shall
not, in any event, be liable or responsible for the issue, form, validity,
enforceability and value of such shares or for any matter in connection
therewith, and no obligation not expressly assumed by us in this Agreement shall
be implied. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a condition,
stipulation or provision binding any person acquiring any security to waive
compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"),
the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, or any applicable laws or regulations of any government or
authorized agency in the U.S. or any other country having jurisdiction over the
offer or sale of shares of the Funds, or to relieve the parties hereto from any
liability arising under such laws, rules and regulations.
13. CONTINUOUSLY OFFERED CLOSED-END FUNDS. This Section 13 relates solely to
shares of Funds that represent a beneficial interest in the Franklin Floating
Rate Trust and shares issued by any other continuously offered closed-end
investment company registered under the 1940 Act for which we or an affiliate of
ours serve as principal underwriter and that periodically repurchases its shares
(each, a "Trust"). Shares of a Trust that are offered to the public will be
registered under the 1933 Act, and are expected to be offered during an offering
period that may continue indefinitely ("Continuous Offering Period"). There is
no guarantee that such a continuous offering will be maintained by a Trust. The
Continuous Offering Period, shares of a Trust and certain of the terms on which
such shares are offered shall be as described in the prospectus of the Trust.
As set forth in a Trust's then current prospectus, we may, but are not
obligated to, provide you with appropriate compensation for selling shares of
the Trust. In addition, you may be entitled to a fee for servicing your clients
who are shareholders in a Trust, subject to applicable law and NASD Conduct
Rules. You agree that any repurchases of shares of a Trust that were originally
purchased as Qualifying Sales shall be subject to Subsection 6(b) hereof.
You expressly acknowledge and understand that, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Agreement:
(a) No Trust has a Rule 12b-1 Plan and in no event will a Trust pay, or
have any obligation to pay, any compensation directly or indirectly to
you.
(b) Shares of a Trust will not be repurchased by either the Trust (other
than through repurchase offers by the Trust from time to time, if any)
or by us and no secondary market for such shares exists currently, or
is expected to develop. Any representation as to a repurchase or
tender offer by a Trust, other than that set forth in the Trust's then
current prospectus, notification letters, reports or other related
material provided by the Trust, is expressly prohibited.
(c) An early withdrawal charge payable by shareholders of a Trust to us
may be imposed on shares accepted for repurchase by the Trust that
have been held for less than a stated period, as set forth in the
Trust's then current Prospectus.
(d) In the event your customer cancels his or her order for shares of a
Trust after confirmation, such shares will not be repurchased,
remarketed or otherwise disposed of by or though us.
14. FUND INFORMATION. No person is authorized to give any information or make
any representations concerning shares of any Fund except those contained in the
Fund's then current prospectus or in materials issued by us as information
supplemental to such prospectus. We will supply reasonable quantities of
prospectuses, supplemental sales literature, sales bulletins, and additional
information as issued by the Fund or us. You agree not to use other advertising
or sales material relating to the Funds except that which (a) conforms to the
requirements of any applicable laws or regulations of any government or
authorized agency in the U.S. or any other country having jurisdiction over the
offering or sale of shares of the Funds, and (b) is approved in writing by us in
advance of such use. Such approval may be withdrawn by us in whole or in part
upon notice to you, and you shall, upon receipt of such notice, immediately
discontinue the use of such sales literature, sales material and advertising.
You are not authorized to modify or translate any such materials without our
prior written consent.
15. INDEMNIFICATION. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless us, the
Funds, and the respective officers, directors and employees of the Funds and us
from any and all losses, claims, liabilities and expenses arising out of (1) any
alleged violation of any statute or regulation (including without limitation the
securities laws and regulations of the U.S. or any state or foreign country) or
any alleged tort or breach of contract, in or related to the offer or sale by
you of shares of the Funds pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that
our negligence or failure to follow correct instructions received from you is
the cause of such loss, claim, liability or expense), (2) any redemption or
exchange pursuant to telephone instructions received from you or your agents or
employees, or (3) the breach by you of any of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. This Section 15 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
16. TERMINATION; SUCCESSION; ASSIGNMENT; AMENDMENT. Each party to this Agreement
may terminate its participation in this Agreement by giving written notice to
the other parties. Such notice shall be deemed to have been given and to be
effective on the date on which it was either delivered personally to the other
parties or any officer or member thereof, or was mailed postpaid or delivered by
electronic transmission to the other parties' chief legal officers at the
addresses shown herein or in the most recent NASD Manual. This Agreement shall
terminate immediately upon the appointment of a Trustee under the Securities
Investor Protection Act or any other act of insolvency by you. The termination
of this Agreement by any of the foregoing means shall have no effect upon
transactions entered into prior to the effective date of termination. A trade
placed by you subsequent to your voluntary termination of this Agreement will
not serve to reinstate the Agreement. Reinstatement, except in the case of a
temporary suspension of a dealer, will be effective only upon written
notification by us to you. This Agreement will terminate automatically in the
event of its assignment by us. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the word
"assignment" shall have the meaning given to it in the 1940 Act. This Agreement
may not be assigned by you without our prior written consent. This Agreement may
be amended by us at any time by written notice to you and your placing of an
order or acceptance of payments of any kind after the effective date and receipt
of notice of any such Amendment shall constitute your acceptance of such
Amendment.
17. SETOFF; DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Should any of your concession accounts with us
have a debit balance, we may offset and recover the amount owed to us or the
Funds from any other account you have with us, without notice or demand to you.
In the event of a dispute concerning any provision of this Agreement, either
party may require the dispute to be submitted to binding arbitration under the
commercial arbitration rules of the NASD or the American Arbitration
Association. Judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered by any court
having jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of California, not including any provision that would require
the general application of the law of another jurisdiction.
18. ACCEPTANCE; CUMULATIVE EFFECT. This Agreement is cumulative and supersedes
any agreement previously in effect. It shall be binding upon the parties hereto
when signed by us and accepted by you. If you have a current dealer agreement
with us, your first trade or acceptance of payments from us after your receipt
of this Agreement, as it may be amended pursuant to Section 16, above, shall
constitute your acceptance of its terms. Otherwise, your signature below shall
constitute your acceptance of its terms.
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By /s/ Greg Johnson
------------------------
Greg Johnson, President
777 Mariners Island Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Attention: Chief Legal Officer (for legal notices only)
415/312-2000
700 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-3628
813/823-8712
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dealer: If you have NOT previously signed a Dealer Agreement with us, please
complete and sign this section and return the original to us.
__________________________________
DEALER NAME:
By _______________________________
(Signature)
Name:_____________________________
Title: ___________________________
Address: ______________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Telephone: _______________________
NASD CRD # _______________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Templeton Dealer # ______________________
(Internal Use Only)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 12/31/97
232567.4
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
777 Mariners Island Boulevard
San Mateo, CA 94403-7777
May 15, 1998
Re: Amendment of Dealer Agreement - Notice Pursuant to Section 16
Dear Securities Dealer:
This letter constitutes notice of amendment of the current Dealer Agreement (the
"Agreement") between Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. ("we" or "us") and
you pursuant to Section 16 of the Agreement. The Agreement is hereby amended as
follows:
1. Defined terms in this amendment have the meanings as stated in the
Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
2. Section 6 is modified to add a subsection 6(c), as follows:
(c) The following limitations apply with respect to shares of each Trust as
described in Section 13 of this Agreement.
(1) Consistent with the NASD Conduct Rules, the total compensation to
be paid to us and selected dealers and their affiliates, including you and your
affiliates, in connection with the distribution of shares of a Trust will not
exceed the underwriting compensation limitation prescribed by NASD Conduct Rule
2710. The total underwriting compensation to be paid to us and selected dealers
and their affiliates, including you and your affiliates, may include: (i) at the
time of purchase of shares a payment to you or another securities dealer of 1%
of the dollar amount of the purchased shares by the Distributor; and (ii) a
quarterly payment at an annual rate of .50% to you or another securities dealer
based on the value of such remaining shares sold by you or such securities
dealer, if after twelve (12) months from the date of purchase, the shares sold
by you or such securities dealer remain outstanding.
(2) The maximum compensation shall be no more than as disclosed in the
section "Payments to Dealers" of the prospectus of the applicable Trust.
Pursuant to Section 16 of the Agreement, your placement of an order or
acceptance of payments of any kind after the effective date and receipt of
notice of this amendment shall constitute your acceptance of this amendment.
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By /s/ Greg Johnson
--------------------------
Greg Johnson, President
777 Mariners Island Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Attention: Chief Legal Officer (for legal notices only)
650/312-2000
100 Fountain Parkway
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
813/299-8712
MUTUAL FUND PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENT
FOR ACCOUNTS OF BANK AND TRUST COMPANY CUSTOMERS
EFFECTIVE: APRIL 1, 1998
1. INTRODUCTION
The parties to this Agreement are the undersigned bank or trust company
("Bank") and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. ("FTDI"). This Agreement sets
forth the terms and conditions under which FTDI will execute purchases and
redemptions of shares of the Franklin or Templeton investment companies or
series of such investment companies for which FTDI now or in the future serves
as principal underwriter (each, a "Fund"), at the request of the Bank upon the
order and for the account of Bank's customers ("Customers"). In this Agreement,
"Customer" shall include the beneficial owners of an account and any agent or
attorney-in-fact duly authorized or appointed to act on the owners' behalf with
respect to the account; and "redemptions" shall include redemptions of shares of
Funds that are open-end management investment companies and repurchases of
shares of Funds that are closed-end investment companies by the Fund that is the
issuer of such shares. FTDI will notify Bank from time to time of the Funds
which are eligible for distribution and the terms of compensation under this
Agreement. This Agreement is not exclusive, and either party may enter into
similar agreements with third parties.
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BANK
Bank warrants and represents to FTDI and the Funds that:
a) Bank is a "bank" as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act");
b) Bank is authorized to enter into this Agreement as agent for the
Customers, and Bank's performance of its obligations and receipt of
consideration under this Agreement will not violate any law,
regulation, charter, agreement, or regulatory restriction to which
Bank is subject; and
c) Bank has received all regulatory agency approvals and taken all legal
and other steps necessary for offering the services Bank will provide
to Customers and receiving any applicable compensation in connection
with this Agreement.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
FTDI warrants and represents to Bank that:
a) FTDI is a broker/dealer registered under the 1934 Act; and
b) FTDI is the principal underwriter of the Funds.
4. COVENANTS OF BANK
a) For each purchase or redemption transaction under this Agreement
(each, a "Transaction"), Bank will:
1) be authorized to engage in the Transaction;
2) act as agent for the Customer, unless Bank is the Customer;
3) act solely at the request of and for the account of the Customer,
unless Bank is the Customer;
4) not submit an order unless Bank has already received the order
from the Customer, unless Bank is the Customer;
5) not offer to sell shares of Fund(s) or submit a purchase order
unless Bank has already delivered to the Customer a copy of the
then current prospectuses for the Fund(s) whose shares are
offered or are to be purchased;
6) not withhold placing any Customer's order for the purpose of
profiting from the delay or place orders for shares in amounts
just below the point at which sales charges are reduced so as to
benefit from a higher Fee (as defined in Paragraph 5(e) below)
applicable to a Transaction in an amount below the breakpoint;
7) have no beneficial ownership of the securities in any purchase
Transaction (the Customer will have the full beneficial
ownership), unless Bank is the Customer (in which case, Bank will
not engage in the Transaction unless the Transaction is legally
permissible for Bank);
8) not accept or withhold any Fee (as defined in Paragraph 5(e) of
this Agreement) otherwise allowed under Paragraphs 5(d) and (e)
of this Agreement, if prohibited by the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or trust or similar laws
to which Bank is subject, in the case of Transactions of Fund
shares involving retirement plans, trusts, or similar accounts;
9) maintain records of all Transactions of Fund shares made through
Bank and furnish FTDI with copies of such records on request; and
10) distribute prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports to Customers in compliance with applicable legal
requirements, except to the extent that FTDI expressly undertakes
to do so on behalf of Bank.
b) While this Agreement is in effect, Bank will:
1) not purchase any Fund shares from any person at a price lower
than the redemption or repurchase price as applicable next
determined by the applicable Fund;
2) repay FTDI the full Fee received by Bank under Paragraphs 5(d)
and (e) of this Agreement, and any payments FTDI or its
affiliates made to Bank from their own resources under Paragraph
5(e) of this Agreement ("FTDI Payments"), for any Fund shares
purchased under this Agreement which are redeemed or repurchased
by the Fund within 7 business days after the purchase; in turn,
FTDI shall pay to the Fund the amount repaid by Bank (other than
any portion of such repayment that is a repayment of FTDI
Payments) and will notify Bank of any such redemption within a
reasonable time (termination or suspension of this Agreement
shall not relieve Bank or FTDI from the requirements of this
subparagraph);
3) in connection with orders for the purchase of Fund shares on
behalf of an Individual Retirement Account, Self-Employed
Retirement Plan or other retirement accounts, by mail, telephone,
or wire, act as agent for the custodian or trustee of such plans
(solely with respect to the time of receipt of the application
and payments) and shall not place such an order until Bank has
received from its Customer payment for such purchase and, if such
purchase represents the first contribution to such a plan, the
completed documents necessary to establish the plan and
enrollment in the plan (Bank agrees to indemnify FTDI and
Franklin Templeton Trust Company and/or Templeton Funds Trust
Company as applicable for any claim, loss, or liability resulting
from incorrect investment instructions received from Bank which
cause a tax liability or other tax penalty);
4) be responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations,
including those of the applicable federal and state bank and
securities regulatory authorities, with regard to Bank and Bank's
Customers; and
5) obtain from its Customers any consents required by applicable
federal and/or state privacy laws to permit FTDI, any of its
affiliates or the Funds to provide Bank with confirmations,
account statements and other information about Customers'
investments in the Funds.
5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR TRANSACTIONS
a) Price
Purchase orders for Fund shares received from Bank will be accepted only at
the public offering price and in compliance with procedures applicable to each
purchase order as set forth in the then current prospectus and statement of
additional information (hereinafter, collectively, "prospectus") for the
applicable Fund. All purchase orders must be accompanied by payment in U.S.
Dollars. Orders payable by check must be drawn payable in U.S. Dollars on a U.S.
bank, for the full amount of the investment. All sales are made subject to
receipt of shares by FTDI from the Funds. FTDI reserves the right in its
discretion, without notice, to suspend the sale of shares or withdraw the
offering of shares entirely.
b) Orders and Confirmations
All orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by FTDI and by the Fund
or its transfer agent at their sole discretion, and become effective only upon
confirmation by FTDI. Transaction orders shall be made using the procedures and
forms required by FTDI from time to time. Orders received by FTDI or an agent
appointed by FTDI or the Funds on any business day after the time for
calculating the price of Fund shares as set forth in each Fund's current
prospectus will be effected at the price determined on the next business day. No
order will be accepted unless Bank or the Customer shall have provided FTDI with
the Customer's full name, address and other information normally required by
FTDI to open a customer account, and FTDI shall be entitled to rely on the
accuracy of the information provided by Bank. A written confirming statement
will be sent to Bank and to Customer upon settlement of each Transaction.
c) Multiple Class Guidelines
FTDI may from time to time provide to Bank written compliance guidelines or
standards relating to the sale or distribution of Funds offering multiple
classes of shares (each, a "Class") with different sales charges and
distribution-related operating expenses. Bank will comply with FTDI's written
compliance guidelines and standards, as well as with any applicable rules or
regulations of government agencies or self-regulatory organizations generally
affecting the sale or distribution of investment companies offering multiple
classes of shares, whether or not Bank deems itself otherwise subject to such
rules or regulations.
d) Payments by Bank for Purchases
On the settlement date for each purchase, Bank shall either (i) remit the
full purchase price by wire transfer to an account designated by FTDI, or (ii)
following FTDI's procedures, wire the purchase price less the Fee allowed by
Paragraph 5(e) of this Agreement. Twice monthly, FTDI will pay Bank Fees not
previously paid to or withheld by Bank. Each calendar month, FTDI, as
applicable, will prepare and mail an activity statement summarizing all
Transactions.
e) Fees and Payments
Where permitted by the prospectus for a Fund, a charge, concession, or fee
(each of the foregoing forms of compensation, a "Fee") may be paid to Bank,
related to services provided by Bank in connection with Transactions in shares
of such Fund. The amount of the Fee, if any, is set by the relevant prospectus.
Adjustments in the Fee are available for certain purchases, and Bank is solely
responsible for notifying FTDI when any purchase or redemption order is
qualified for such an adjustment. If Bank fails to notify FTDI of the
applicability of a reduction in the sales charge at the time the trade is
placed, neither FTDI nor any of the Funds will be liable for amounts necessary
to reimburse any Customer for the reduction which should have been effected.
In accordance with the Funds' prospectuses, FTDI or its affiliates may, but
are not obligated to, make payments from their own resources to Bank as
compensation for certain sales that are made at net asset value ("Qualifying
Sales"). If Bank notifies FTDI of a Qualifying Sale, FTDI may make a contingent
advance payment up to the maximum amount available for payment on the sale. If
any of the shares purchased in a Qualifying Sale are redeemed or repurchased
within twelve months of the month of purchase, FTDI shall be entitled to recover
any advance payment attributable to the redeemed or repurchased shares by
reducing any account payable or other monetary obligation FTDI may owe to Bank
or by making demand upon Bank for repayment in cash. FTDI reserves the right to
withhold any one or more advances, if for any reason FTDI believes that FTDI may
not be able to recover unearned advances. Termination or suspension of this
Agreement does not relieve Bank from the requirements of this paragraph.
f) Rule 12b-1 Plans
Bank is also invited to participate in all distribution plans (each, a
"Plan") adopted for a Class of a Fund or for a Fund that has only a single Class
(each, a "Plan Class") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
To the extent Bank provides administrative and other services, including,
but not limited to, furnishing personal and other services and assistance to
Customers who own shares of a Plan Class, answering routine inquiries regarding
a Fund or Class, assisting in changing account designations and addresses,
maintaining such accounts or such other services as a Fund may require, to the
extent permitted by applicable statutes, rules, or regulations, FTDI shall pay
Bank a Rule 12b-1 servicing fee. To the extent that Bank participates in the
distribution of Fund shares that are eligible for a Rule 12b-1 distribution
fee,FTDI shall also pay Bank a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee. All Rule 12b-1
servicing and distribution fees shall be based on the value of shares
attributable to Customers and eligible for such payment, and shall be calculated
on the basis and at the rates set forth in the compensation schedule then in
effect for the applicable Plan (the "Schedule"). Without prior approval by a
majority of the outstanding shares of a particular Class of a Fund, the
aggregate annual fees paid to Bank pursuant to such Plan shall not exceed the
amounts stated as the "annual maximums" in such Plan Class' prospectus, which
amount shall be a specified percent of the value of such Plan Class' net assets
held in Customers' accounts which are eligible for payment pursuant to this
Agreement (determined in the same manner as such Plan Class uses to compute its
net assets as set forth in its effective Prospectus).
Bank shall furnish FTDI and each Fund that has a Plan Class (each, a "Plan
Fund") with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Board of
Directors, Trustees or Managing General Partners (hereinafter referred to as
"Directors") of such Plan Fund with respect to the fees paid to Bank pursuant to
the Schedule of such Plan Fund. FTDI shall furnish to the Boards of Directors of
the Plan Funds, for their review on a quarterly basis, a written report of the
amounts expended under the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures
were made.
Each Plan and the provisions of any agreement relating to such Plan must be
approved annually by a vote of the Directors of the Fund that has such Plan,
including such persons who are not interested persons of such Plan Fund and who
have no financial interest in such Plan or any related agreement ("Rule 12b-1
Directors"). Each Plan or the provisions of this Agreement relating to such Plan
may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority of Rule 12b-1 Directors
of the Fund that has such Plan, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Class that has such Plan on sixty (60) days' written notice,
without payment of any penalty. A Plan or the provisions of this Agreement may
also be terminated by any act that terminates the Underwriting Agreement between
FTDI and the Fund that has such Plan, and/or the management or administration
agreement between Franklin Advisers, Inc. or Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc.
or their affiliates and such Plan Fund. In the event of the termination of a
Plan for any reason, the provisions of this Agreement relating to such Plan will
also terminate.
Continuation of a Plan and the provisions of this Agreement relating to
such Plan are conditioned on Rule 12b-1 Directors being ultimately responsible
for selecting and nominating any new Rule 12b-1 Directors. Under Rule 12b-1,
Directors of any of the Plan Funds have a duty to request and evaluate, and
persons who are party to any agreement related to a Plan have a duty to furnish,
such information as may reasonably be necessary to an informed determination of
whether the Plan or any agreement should be implemented or continued. Under Rule
12b-1, a Plan Fund is permitted to implement or continue a Plan or the
provisions of this Agreement relating to such Plan from year-to-year only if,
based on certain legal considerations, the Board of Directors of such Plan Fund
is able to conclude that the Plan will benefit the Plan Class. Absent such
yearly determination, a Plan and the provisions of this Agreement relating to
such Plan must be terminated as set forth above. In addition, any obligation
assumed by a Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to
the assets of such Fund and no person shall seek satisfaction thereof from
shareholders of a Fund. Bank agrees to waive payment of any amounts payable to
Bank by FTDI under a Fund's Plan until such time as FTDI is in receipt of such
fee from the Fund.
The provisions of the Plans between the Plan Funds and FTDI shall control
over the provisions of this Agreement in the event of any inconsistency.
g) Other Distribution Services
From time to time, FTDI may offer telephone and other augmented services in
connection with Transactions under this Agreement. If Bank uses any such
service, Bank will be subject to the procedures applicable to the service,
whether or not Bank has executed any agreement required for the service.
h) Conditional Orders; Certificates
FTDI will not accept any conditional Transaction orders. Delivery of
certificates or confirmations for shares purchased shall be made by a Fund only
against constructive receipt of the purchase price, subject to deduction of any
Fee and FTDI's portion of the sales charge, if any, on such sale. No
certificates for shares of the Funds will be issued unless specifically
requested.
i) Cancellation of Orders
If payment for shares purchased is not received within the time customary
or the time required by law for such payment, the sale may be canceled without
notice or demand, and neither FTDI nor the Fund(s) shall have any responsibility
or liability for such a cancellation; alternatively, at FTDI's option, the
unpaid shares may be sold back to the Fund, and Bank shall be liable for any
resulting loss to FTDI or to the Fund(s). FTDI shall have no liability for any
check or other item returned unpaid to Bank after Bank has paid FTDI on behalf
of a purchaser. FTDI may refuse to liquidate the investment unless FTDI receives
the purchaser's signed authorization for the liquidation.
j) Order Corrections
Bank shall assume responsibility for any loss to a Fund(s) caused by a
correction made subsequent to trade date, provided such correction was not based
on any error, omission or negligence on FTDI's part, and Bank will immediately
pay such loss to the Fund(s) upon notification.
k) Redemptions; Cancellation
Redemptions or repurchases of shares will be made at the net asset value of
such shares, less any applicable deferred sales or redemption charges, in
accordance with the applicable prospectuses. If Bank sells shares for the
account of the record owner to the Funds, Bank shall be deemed to represent to
FTDI that Bank is doing so as agent for the Customer and that Bank is authorized
to do so in such capacity. Such sales to the Funds shall be at the redemption or
repurchase price then currently in effect for such shares. If on a redemption
which Bank has ordered, instructions in proper form, including outstanding
certificates, are not received within the time customary or the time required by
law, the redemption may be canceled forthwith without any responsibility or
liability on the part of FTDI or any Fund, or at the option of FTDI, FTDI may
buy the shares redeemed on behalf of the Fund, in which latter case FTDI may
hold Bank responsible for any loss to the Fund or loss of profit suffered by
FTDI resulting from Bank's failure to settle the redemption.
l) Exchanges
Telephone exchange orders will be effective only for uncertificated shares
or for which share certificates have been previously deposited and may be
subject to any fees or other restrictions set forth in the applicable
prospectuses. Exchanges from a Fund sold with no sales charge to a Fund which
carries a sales charge, and exchanges from a Fund sold with a sales charge to a
Fund which carries a higher sales charge may be subject to a sales charge in
accordance with the terms of the applicable Fund's prospectus. Bank will be
obligated to comply with any additional exchange policies described in the
applicable Fund's prospectus, including without limitation any policy
restricting or prohibiting "Timing Accounts" as therein defined.
m) Qualification of Shares; Indemnification
Upon request, FTDI shall notify Bank of the states or other jurisdictions
in which each Fund's shares are currently noticed, registered or qualified for
offer or sale to the public. FTDI shall have no obligation to make notice
filings of, register or qualify, or to maintain notice filings of, registration
of or qualification of, Fund shares in any state or other jurisdiction. FTDI
shall have no responsibility, under the laws regulating the sale of securities
in any U.S. or foreign jurisdiction, for the registration, qualification or
licensed status of Bank or any of its agents or sub-agents in connection with
the purchase or sale of Fund shares or for the manner of offering, sale or
purchase of Fund shares. Except as stated in this paragraph, FTDI shall not, in
any event, be liable or responsible for the issue, form, validity,
enforceability and value of such shares or for any matter in connection
therewith, and no obligation not expressly assumed by FTDI in this Agreement
shall be implied. If it is necessary to file notice of, register or qualify
shares of any Fund in any country, state or other jurisdiction having authority
over the purchase or sale of Fund shares that are purchased by a Customer, it
will be Bank's responsibility to arrange for and to pay the costs of such notice
filing, registration or qualification; prior to any such notice filing,
registration or qualification, Bank will notify FTDI of its intent and of any
limitations that might be imposed on the Funds, and Bank agrees not to proceed
with such notice filing, registration or qualification without the written
consent of the applicable Funds and of FTDI. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
deemed to be a condition, stipulation, or provision binding any person acquiring
any security to waive compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, the rules and
regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or any applicable
laws or regulations of any government or authorized agency in the U.S. or any
other country having jurisdiction over the offer or sale of shares of the Funds,
or to relieve the parties hereto from any liability arising under such laws,
rules or regulations.
Bank further agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless FTDI, the Funds,
their officers, directors and employees from any and all losses, claims,
liabilities and expenses, arising out of (1) any alleged violation of any
statute or regulation (including without limitation the securities laws and
regulations of the United States of America or any state or foreign country) or
any alleged tort or breach of contract, in or related to any offer, sale or
purchase of shares of the Funds involving Bank or any Customer pursuant to this
Agreement (except to the extent that FTDI's negligence or failure to follow
correct instructions received from Bank is the cause of such loss, claim,
liability or expense), (2) any redemption or exchange pursuant to telephone
instructions received from Bank or its agents or employees, or (3) the breach by
Bank of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. This Paragraph 5(m)
shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
n) Prospectus and Sales Materials; Limit on Advertising
No person is authorized to give any information or make any representations
concerning shares of any Fund except those contained in the Fund's current
prospectus or in materials issued by FTDI as information supplemental to such
prospectus. FTDI will supply prospectuses, reasonable quantities of supplemental
sale literature, sales bulletins, and additional information as issued. Bank
agrees not to use other advertising or sales material or other material or
literature relating to the Funds except that which (a) conforms to the
requirements of any applicable laws or regulations of any government or
authorized agency in the U.S. or any other country having jurisdiction over the
offering or sale of shares of the Funds, and (b) is approved in writing by FTDI
in advance of such use. Such approval may be withdrawn by FTDI in whole or in
part upon notice to Bank, and Bank shall, upon receipt of such notice,
immediately discontinue the use of such sales literature, sales material and
advertising. Bank is not authorized to modify or translate any such materials
without the prior written consent of FTDI.
o) Customer Information
1) DEFINITION. For purposes of this Paragraph 5(o), "Customer
Information" means customer names and other identifying
information pertaining to one or more Customers which is
furnished by Bank to FTDI in the ordinary course of business
under this Agreement. Customer Information shall not include any
information obtained from any sources other than the Customer or
the Bank.
2) PERMITTED USES. FTDI may use Customer Information to fulfill its
obligations under this Agreement, the Distribution Agreements
between the Funds and FTDI, the Funds' prospectuses, or other
duties imposed by law. In addition, FTDI or its affiliates may
use Customer Information in communications to shareholders to
market the Funds or other investment products or services,
including without limitation variable annuities, variable life
insurance, and retirement plans and related services. FTDI may
also use Customer Information if it obtains Bank's prior written
consent.
3) PROHIBITED USES. Except as stated above, FTDI shall not disclose
Customer Information to third parties, and shall not use Customer
Information in connection with any advertising, marketing or
solicitation of any products or services, provided that Bank
offers or soon expects to offer comparable products or services
to mutual fund customers and has so notified FTDI.
4) SURVIVAL; TERMINATION. The agreements described in this paragraph
5(o) shall survive the termination of this Agreement, but shall
terminate as to any account upon FTDI's receipt of valid
notification of either the termination of that account with Bank
or the transfer of that account to another bank or dealer.
6. CONTINUOUSLY OFFERED CLOSED-END FUNDS
This Paragraph 6 relates solely to shares of Funds that represent a
beneficial interest in the Franklin Floating Rate Trust or that are issued by
any other continuously offered closed-end investment company registered under
the 1940 Act for which FTDI or an affiliate of FTDI serves as principal
underwriter and that periodically repurchases its shares (each, a "Trust").
Shares of a Trust being offered to the public will be registered under the 1933
Act and are expected to be offered during an offering period that may continue
indefinitely ("Continuous Offering Period"). There is no guarantee that such a
continuous offering will be maintained by the Trust. The Continuous Offering
Period, shares of a Trust and certain of the terms on which such shares are
being offered are more fully described in the prospectus of the Trust.
As set forth in a Trust's then current prospectus, FTDI shall provide Bank
with appropriate compensation for purchases of shares of the Trust made by the
Bank for the account of Customers or by Customers. In addition, Bank may be
entitled to a fee for servicing Customers who are shareholders in a Trust,
subject to applicable law. Bank agrees that any repurchases of shares of a Trust
that were originally purchased as Qualifying Sales shall be subject to Paragraph
5(e) hereof.
Bank expressly acknowledges and understands that, notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement:
a) No Trust has a Rule 12b-1 Plan and in no event will a Trust pay, or
have any obligation to pay, any compensation directly or indirectly to
Bank.
b) Shares of a Trust will not be repurchased by either the Trust (other
than through repurchase offers by the Trust from time to time, if any)
or by FTDI and no secondary market for such shares exists currently,
or is expected to develop. Any representation as to a repurchase or
tender offer by the Trust, other than that set forth in the Trust's
then current Prospectus, notification letters, reports or other
related material provided by the Trust, is expressly prohibited.
c) An early withdrawal charge payable by shareholders of a Trust to FTDI
may be imposed on shares accepted for repurchase by the Trust that
have been held for less than a stated period, as set forth in the
Trust's then current Prospectus.
d) In the event a Customer cancels his or her order for shares of a Trust
after confirmation, such shares will not be repurchased, remarketed or
otherwise disposed of by or though FTDI.
7. GENERAL
a) Successors and Assignments
This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and
their respective successors and assigns; provided that this Agreement will
terminate automatically in the event of its assignment by FTDI. For purposes of
the preceding sentence, the word "assignment" shall have the meaning given to it
in the 1940 Act. Bank may not assign this Agreement without the advance written
consent of FTDI.
b) Paragraph Headings
The paragraph headings of this Agreement are for convenience only, and
shall not be deemed to define, limit, or describe the scope or intent of this
Agreement.
c) Severability
Should any provision of this Agreement be determined to be invalid or
unenforceable under any law, rule, or regulation, that determination shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
d) Waivers
There shall be no waiver of any provision of this Agreement except a
written waiver signed by Bank and FTDI. No written waiver shall be deemed a
continuing waiver or a waiver of any other provision, unless the waiver
expresses such intention.
e) Sole Agreement
This Agreement is the entire agreement of Bank and FTDI and supersedes all
oral negotiations and prior writings.
f) Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of California, not including any provision which would require the general
application of the law of another jurisdiction, and shall be binding upon the
parties hereto when signed by FTDI and accepted by Bank, either by Bank's
signature in the space provided below or by Bank's first trade entered after
receipt of this Agreement.
g) Arbitration
Should Bank owe any sum of money to FTDI under or in relation to this
Agreement for the purchase, sale, redemption or repurchase of any Fund shares,
FTDI may offset and recover the amount owed by Bank to FTDI or the Funds from
any amount owed by FTDI to Bank or from any other account Bank has with FTDI,
without notice or demand to Bank. Either party may submit any dispute under this
Agreement to binding arbitration under the commercial arbitration rules of the
American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon any arbitration award may be
entered by any court having jurisdiction.
h) Amendments
FTDI may amend this Agreement at any time by depositing a written notice of
the amendment in the U.S. mail, first class postage pre-paid, addressed to
Bank's address given below. Bank's placement of any Transaction order or
acceptance of any payments after the effective date and receipt of notice of any
such amendment shall constitute Bank's acceptance of the amendment.
i) Term and Termination
This Agreement shall continue in effect until terminated and shall
terminate automatically in the event that Bank ceases to be a "bank" as set
forth in paragraph 2(a) of this Agreement. FTDI or Bank may terminate this
Agreement at any time by written notice to the other, but such termination shall
not affect the payment or repayment of Fees on Transactions prior to the
termination date. Termination also will not affect the indemnities given under
this Agreement.
j) Acceptance; Cumulative Effect
This Agreement is cumulative and supersedes any agreement previously in
effect. It shall be binding upon the parties hereto when signed by FTDI and
accepted by Bank. If Bank has a current agreement with FTDI, Bank's first trade
or acceptance of payments from FTDI after receipt of this Agreement, as it may
be amended pursuant to paragraph 7(h), above, shall constitute Bank's acceptance
of the terms of this Agreement.
Otherwise, Bank's signature below shall constitute Bank's acceptance of
these terms.
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Greg Johnson
-----------------------
Greg Johnson, President
777 Mariners Island Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Attention: Chief Legal Officer (for legal
notices only)
650/312-2000
100 Fountain Parkway
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
813/299-8712
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Bank or Trust Company: If you have not previously signed an agreement
with FTDI for the sale of mutual fund shares to your customers, please complete
and sign this section and return the original to us.
BANK OR TRUST COMPANY:
____________________________________
(Bank's name)
By: ____________________________________
(Signature)
Name: _________________________________
Title: _________________________________
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
777 Mariners Island Boulevard
San Mateo, CA 94403-7777
May 15, 1998
Re: Amendment of Mutual Fund Purchase and Sales Agreement for Accounts of
Bank and Trust Company Customers - Notice Pursuant to Paragraph 7(h)
Dear Bank or Trust Company:
This letter constitutes notice of amendment of the current Mutual Fund Purchase
and Sales Agreement for Accounts of Bank and Trust Company Customers (the
"Agreement") between Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. ("FTDI") and the bank
or trust company ("the Bank") pursuant to Paragraph 7(h) of the Agreement. The
Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
1. Defined terms in this amendment have the meanings as stated in the
Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
2. Paragraph 5(e) is modified to add the following language:
With respect to shares of each Trust as described in Paragraph 6 of this
Agreement, the total compensation to be paid to FTDI and selected dealers and
their affiliates, including the Bank and the Bank's affiliates, in connection
with the distribution of shares of a Trust will not exceed the underwriting
compensation limitation prescribed by NASD Conduct Rule 2710. The total
underwriting compensation to be paid to FTDI and selected dealers and their
affiliates, including the Bank and the Bank's affiliates, may include: (i) at
the time of purchase of shares a payment to the Bank or a securities dealer of
1% of the dollar amount of the purchased shares by FTDI; and (ii) a quarterly
payment at an annual rate of .50% to the Bank or a securities dealer based on
the value of such remaining shares sold by the Bank or such securities dealer,
if after twelve (12) months from the date of purchase, the shares sold by the
Bank or such securities dealer remain outstanding.
The maximum compensation shall be no more than as disclosed in the section
"Payments to Dealers" of the prospectus of the applicable Trust.
Pursuant to Paragraph 7(h) of the Agreement, the Bank's placement of an order or
acceptance of payments of any kind after the effective date and receipt of
notice of this amendment shall constitute the Bank's acceptance of this
amendment.
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By /s/ Greg Johnson
------------------------
Greg Johnson, President
777 Mariners Island Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Attention: Chief Legal Officer (for legal notices only)
650/312-2000
100 Fountain Parkway
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
813/299-8712
FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of July 30, 1998, effective as of February 27, 1998
(the "Effective Date"), between Each of the Investment Companies Listed on
Schedule I attached hereto (each a "Fund") and The Bank of New York ("BNY").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint BNY as a Foreign Custody Manager
on the terms and conditions contained herein;
WHEREAS, BNY desires to serve as a Foreign Custody Manager and perform
the duties set forth herein on the terms and condition contained herein;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter
contained in this Agreement, the Fund and BNY hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases,
unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
1. "BOARD" shall mean the board of directors or board of trustees,
as the case may be, of the Fund.
2. "ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN" shall have the meaning provided in
the Rule.
3. "MONITORING SYSTEM" shall mean a system established by BNY to
fulfill the Responsibilities specified in clauses l(b)(i) and l(b)(ii) and
l(d) of Article III of this Agreement.
4. "QUALIFIED FOREIGN BANK" shall have the meaning provided in the
Rule.
5. "RESPONSIBILITIES" shall mean the responsibilities delegated to
BNY as a Foreign Custody Manager with respect to each Specified Country and
each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by BNY, as such responsibilities are
more fully described in Article III of this Agreement.
6. "RULE" shall mean Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, as such Rule became effective on June 16, 1997.
7. "SECURITIES DEPOSITORY" shall mean any securities depository or
clearing agency within the meaning of Section (a)(1)(ii) or (a)(1)(iii) of
the Rule.
8. "COMPULSORY DEPOSITORY" shall mean a Securities Depository the
use of which is mandatory by law or regulation or because securities cannot
be withdrawn from such Securities Depository, or because maintaining
securities outside the Securities Depository would not permit purchases and
sales of these securities to occur in accordance with routine settlement
timing and procedures in the relevant market.
9. "SPECIFIED COUNTRY" shall mean each country listed on Schedule 2
attached hereto and each country, other than the United States, constituting
the primary market for a security with respect to which the Fund has given
settlement instructions to The Bank of New York as custodian (the
"Custodian") under its Custody Agreement with the Fund.
ARTICLE II
BNY AS A FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER
1. The Fund on behalf of its Board hereby delegates to BNY with
respect to each Specified Country the Responsibilities.
2. BNY accepts the Board's delegation of Responsibilities with
respect to each Specified Country and agrees in performing the
Responsibilities as a Foreign Custody Manager to exercise reasonable care,
prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the
safekeeping of the Fund's assets would exercise.
3. BNY shall provide to the Board at such times as the Board deems
reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of the Fund's foreign
custody arrangements written reports notifying the Board of the placement of
assets of the Fund with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian within a
Specified Country and of any material change in the arrangements (including,
in the case of Qualified Foreign Banks, any material change in any contract
governing such arrangements and in the case of Securities Depositories, any
material change in the established practices or procedures of such Securities
Depositories) with respect to assets of the Fund with any such Eligible
Foreign Custodian.
ARTICLE III
RESPONSIBILITIES
1 . (a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, BNY shall with
respect to each Specified Country select an Eligible Foreign Custodian (other
than a Compulsory Depository) which is not functioning as the Fund's Eligible
Foreign Custodian as of the Effective Date. In connection therewith, BNY
shall: (i) determine that assets of the Fund held by such Eligible Foreign
Custodian will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards
applicable to custodians in the relevant market in which such Eligible
Foreign Custodian operates, after considering all factors relevant to the
safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation, those contained in
Section (c)(1) of the Rule; (ii) determine that the Fund's foreign custody
arrangements with each Qualified Foreign Bank are governed by a written
contract with the Custodian (or, in the case of a Securities Depository other
than a Compulsory Depository, by such a contract, by the rules or established
practices or procedures of the Securities Depository, or by any combination
of the foregoing) which will provide reasonable care for the Fund's assets
based on the standards specified in paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule; and (ii)
determine that each contract with a Qualified Foreign Bank shall include the
provisions specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) through (F) of the Rule or,
alternatively, in lieu of any or all of such (c)(2)(i)(A) through (F)
provisions, such other provisions as BNY determines will provide, in their
entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for the assets
of the Fund as such specified provisions.
(b) In addition, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, BNY
shall with respect to each Eligible Foreign Custodian (other than a
Compulsory Depository), regardless of when and by whom selected, (i)
monitor pursuant to the Monitoring System the appropriateness of
maintaining the assets of the Fund with a particular Eligible Foreign
Custodian pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule and in the case of a
Qualified Foreign Bank, any material change in the contract governing such
arrangement and in the case of a Securities Depository, any material change
in the established practices or procedures of such Securities Depository;
and (ii) advise the Fund whenever an arrangement (including, in the case of
a Qualified Foreign Bank, any material change in the contract governing
such arrangement and in the case of a Securities Depository, any material
change in the established practices or procedures of such Securities
Depository) described in preceding clause (b)(i) no longer meets the
requirements of the Rule, it being understood that BNY shall provide such
advice promptly upon learning of such noncompliance.
(c) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, after execution of
this Agreement with respect to each Compulsory Depository which has been
established, as of the Effective Date, in countries in which BNY has
appointed a Subcustodian and thereafter in connection with each new or
additional Compulsory Depository established in countries in which BNY
appoints, or has appointed, as the case may be, a Subcustodian, BNY shall
determine, with respect to each such Compulsory Depository, that:
(i) the Eligible Foreign Custodian which is utilizing the services of
the Compulsory Depository has undertaken to adhere to the rules,
practices and procedures of such Compulsory Depository;
(ii)no regulatory authority with oversight responsibility for the
Compulsory Depository has issued a public notice that the Compulsory
Depository is not in compliance with any material capital, solvency,
insurance or other similar financial strength requirements imposed by
such authority or, in the case of such notice having been issued,
that such notice has been withdrawn or the remedy of such
noncompliance has been publicly announced by the Compulsory
Depository;
(iii) no regulatory authority with oversight responsibility over
the Compulsory Depository has issued a public notice that the
Compulsory Depository is not in compliance with any material internal
controls requirement imposed by such authority or, in the case such
notice having been issued, that such notice has been withdrawn or the
remedy of such noncompliance has been publicly announced by the
Compulsory Depository;
(iv)the Compulsory Depository maintains the assets of the Fund's
Eligible Foreign Custodian which is utilizing the services of the
Compulsory Depository under no less favorable safekeeping conditions
than those that apply generally to other participants in the
Compulsory Depository;
(v) the Compulsory Depository maintains records that segregate the
Compulsory Depository's own assets from the assets of participants in
the Compulsory Depository;
(vi)the Compulsory Depository maintains records that identify the
assets of each of its participants;
(vii) the Compulsory Depository provides periodic reports to its
participants with respect to the safekeeping of assets maintained by
the Compulsory Depository, including, by way of example, notification
of any transfer to or from a participant's account; and
(viii) the Compulsory Depository is subject to periodic review,
such as audits by independent accountants or inspections by
regulatory authorities.
BNY shall make the foregoing determinations (i) with respect to each
Compulsory Depository which has been established as of the Effective Date in
countries in which BNY has appointed a Subcustodian by September 30, 1998 and
(ii) with respect to each new or additional Compulsory Depository established
in countries in which BNY appoints, or has appointed, as the case may be, a
Subcustodian, to the extent feasible in light of the circumstances then
prevailing within ninety (90) days of the date such Compulsory Depository
commences operations; and, in each case, shall advise the Fund and its
investment advisor promptly after each such determination is made.
In the event that the US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
adopts standards or criteria different from those set forth above, the
above provisions shall be deemed to be amended to conform to the standards
or criteria adopted by the SEC.
(d) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, with respect to each
Compulsory Depository in which Fund's assets are maintained at any time
during the term of this Agreement, BNY shall monitor, pursuant to the
Monitoring System, each such Compulsory Depository's compliance with the
criteria set forth in clause l(c) of this Article III and, upon determining
that any Compulsory Depository is not in compliance with any of such
criteria, shall promptly advise the Fund and its investment advisor of such
non-compliance.
2. (a) For purposes of clauses (a)(i), (a)(ii) and (c) of preceding
Section I of this Article, BNY's determination with respect to each
Securities Depository will be based upon publicly available information,
which may be limited, plus any other information which is made available by
each such Securities Depository to BNY or its Qualified Foreign Bank.
(b) For purposes of clause (b)(i) of preceding Section I of
this Article, BNY's determination of appropriateness shall not include, nor
be deemed to include, any evaluation of Country Risks associated with
investment in a particular country. For purposes hereof, "Country Risks"
shall mean systemic risks of holding assets in a particular country
including, but not limited to, (i) the use of Compulsory Depositories, (ii)
such country's financial infrastructure, (iii) such country's prevailing
custody and settlement practices, (iv) nationalization, expropriation or
other governmental actions, (v) regulation of the banking or securities
industry, (vi) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or
fluctuations, and (vii) market conditions which affect the orderly
execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS
1. The Fund hereby represents that: (a) this Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund, constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of the Fund enforceable in accordance with its
terms, and no statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding
on the Fund prohibits the Fund's execution or performance of this Agreement;
(b) this Agreement has been approved and ratified by the Board at a meeting
duly called and at which a quorum was at all times present; and (c) the Board
or its investment advisor has considered the Country Risks associated with
investment in each Specified Country and will have considered such risks
prior to any settlement instructions being given to the Custodian with
respect to any other Specified Country.
2. BNY hereby represents that: (a) BNY is duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, with full power to carry on
its businesses as now conducted, and to enter into this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder; (b) this Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by BNY, constitutes a valid and legally
binding obligation of BNY enforceable in accordance with its terms, and no
statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding on BNY
prohibits BNY's execution or performance of this Agreement; and (c) BNY has
established the Monitoring System.
ARTICLE V
CONCERNING BNY
1 . BNY shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages,
liabilities or claims, including attorneys' and accountants' fees, sustained
or incurred by, or asserted against, the Fund except to the extent the same
arises out of the failure of BNY to exercise the care, prudence and diligence
required by Section 2 of Article II hereof. In no event shall BNY be liable
to the Fund, the Board, or any third party for special, indirect or
consequential damages, or for lost profits or loss of business, arising in
connection with this Agreement.
2. The Fund shall indemnify BNY and hold it harmless from and
against any and all costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims,
including attorneys' and accountants' fees, sustained or incurred by, or
asserted against, BNY by reason or as a result of any action or inaction, or
arising out of BNY's performance hereunder, provided that the Fund shall not
indemnify BNY to the extent any such costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or
claims arises out of BNY's failure to exercise the reasonable care, prudence
and diligence required by Section 2 of Article II hereof.
3. For its services hereunder, the Fund agrees to pay to BNY such
compensation and out-of-pocket expenses as shall be mutually agreed.
4. BNY shall have only such duties as are expressly set forth
herein. In no event shall BNY be liable for any Country Risks associated
with investments in a particular country.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
1 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Fund
and BNY, and no provision in the Custody Agreement between the Fund and the
Custodian shall affect the duties and obligations of BNY hereunder, nor shall
any provision in this Agreement affect the duties or obligations of the
Custodian under the Custody Agreement.
2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required
by this Agreement to be given to BNY, shall be sufficiently given if received
by it at its offices at 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286, or at
such other place as BNY may from time to time designate in writing.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required
by this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if
received by it at its offices at Franklin Resources, 777 Mariners Island
Boulevard, San Mateo, California, 94404, Attn: Deborah R. Gatzek, General
Counsel and Senior Vice President, or at such other place as the Fund may
from time to time designate in writing.
4. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way
be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties. This
Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and
their respective successors and assigns; provided however, that this
Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent
of the other.
5. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the
substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of
laws principles thereof
6. The parties hereto agree that in performing hereunder, BNY is
acting solely on behalf of the Fund and no contractual or service
relationship shall be deemed to be established hereby between BNY and any
other person.
7. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall,
together, constitute only one instrument.
8. This Agreement shall terminate simultaneously with the
termination of the Custody Agreement between the Fund and the Custodian, and
may otherwise be terminated by either party giving to the other party a
notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not
less than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund and BNY have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the
date first above written.
EACH INVESTMENT COMPANY
LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 ATTACHED
HERETO.
By: Deborah R. Gatzek
Title: Vice President
Of Each Such Investment Company
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: Stephen E. Grunston
Title: Vice President
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Post-Effective Amendment No. 88
to the Registration Statement of Franklin Equity Fund on Form N-1A File Nos.
2-10103 of our report dated August 5, 1998 on our audit of the financial
statements and financial highlights of Franklin Equity Fund, which report is
included in the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended June 30, 1998,
which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Francisco, California
December 18, 1998
CLASS B DISTRIBUTION PLAN
I. Investment Company: FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND
II. Fund: FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND - CLASS B
III. Maximum Per Annum Rule 12b-1 Fees for Class B Shares (as a percentage of
average daily net assets of the class)
A. Distribution Fee: 0.75%
B. Service Fee: 0.25%
Preamble to Class B Distribution Plan
The following Distribution Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") by the
Investment Company named above ("Investment Company") for the class B shares
(the "Class") of the Fund named above ("Fund"), which Plan shall take effect as
of the date Class B shares are first offered (the "Effective Date of the Plan").
The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the
Investment Company (the "Board"), including a majority of the Board members who
are not interested persons of the Investment Company and who have no direct, or
indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan (the "non-interested
Board members"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such Plan.
In reviewing the Plan, the Board considered the schedule and nature of
payments and terms of the Management Agreement between the Investment Company
and Franklin Advisers, Inc. and the terms of the Underwriting Agreement between
the Investment Company and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.
("Distributors"). The Board concluded that the compensation of Advisers, under
the Management Agreement, and of Distributors, under the Underwriting Agreement,
was fair and not excessive. The approval of the Plan included a determination
that in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment and in light of their
fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit
the Fund and its shareholders.
The Board recognizes that Distributors has entered into an arrangement
with a third party in order to finance the distribution activities of the Class
pursuant to which Distributors may assign its rights to the fees payable
hereunder to such third party. The Board further recognizes that it has an
obligation to act in good faith and in the best interests of the Fund and its
shareholders when considering the continuation or termination of the Plan and
any payments to be made thereunder.
Distribution Plan
1. (a) The Fund shall pay to Distributors a monthly fee not to exceed the
above-stated maximum distribution fee per annum of the Class' average daily net
assets represented by shares of the Class, as may be determined by the Board
from time to time.
(b) In addition to the amounts described in (a) above, the Fund
shall pay (i) to Distributors for payment to dealers or others, or (ii) directly
to others, an amount not to exceed the above-stated maximum service fee per
annum of the Class' average daily net assets represented by shares of the Class,
as may be determined by the Investment Company's Board from time to time, as a
service fee pursuant to servicing agreements which have been approved from time
to time by the Board, including the non-interested Board members.
2. (a) The monies paid to Distributors pursuant to Paragraph 1(a) above
shall be treated as compensation for Distributors' distribution-related services
including compensation for amounts advanced to securities dealers or their firms
or others selling shares of the Class who have executed an agreement with the
Investment Company, Distributors or its affiliates, which form of agreement has
been approved from time to time by the Board, including the non-interested Board
members, with respect to the sale of Class shares. In addition, such monies may
be used to compensate Distributors for other expenses incurred to assist in the
distribution and promotion of shares of the Class. Payments made to Distributors
under the Plan may be used for, among other things, the printing of prospectuses
and reports used for sales purposes, expenses of preparing and distributing
sales literature and related expenses, advertisements, and other
distribution-related expenses, including a pro-rated portion of Distributors'
overhead expenses attributable to the distribution of Class shares, as well as
for additional distribution fees paid to securities dealers or their firms or
others who have executed agreements with the Investment Company, Distributors or
its affiliates, or for certain promotional distribution charges paid to
broker-dealer firms or others, or for participation in certain distribution
channels. None of such payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its
designee.
(b) The monies to be paid pursuant to paragraph 1(b) above shall be
used to pay dealers or others for, among other things, furnishing personal
services and maintaining shareholder accounts, which services include, among
other things, assisting in establishing and maintaining customer accounts and
records; assisting with purchase and redemption requests; arranging for bank
wires; monitoring dividend payments from the Fund on behalf of customers;
forwarding certain shareholder communications from the Fund to customers;
receiving and answering correspondence; and aiding in maintaining the investment
of their respective customers in the Class. Any amounts paid under this
paragraph 2(b) shall be paid pursuant to a servicing or other agreement, which
form of agreement has been approved from time to time by the Board. None of such
payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its designee.
3. In addition to the payments which the Fund is authorized to make
pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, to the extent that the Fund, Advisers,
Distributors or other parties on behalf of the Fund, Advisers or Distributors
make payments that are deemed to be payments by the Fund for the financing of
any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class shares issued by
the Fund within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, then such payments
shall be deemed to have been made pursuant to the Plan.
In no event shall the aggregate asset-based sales charges which include
payments specified in paragraphs 1 and 2, plus any other payments deemed to be
made pursuant to the Plan under this paragraph, exceed the amount permitted to
be paid pursuant to Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
4. Distributors shall furnish to the Board, for its review, on a quarterly
basis, a written report of the monies paid to it and to others under the Plan,
and shall furnish the Board with such other information as the Board may
reasonably request in connection with the payments made under the Plan in order
to enable the Board to make an informed determination of whether the Plan should
be continued.
5. (a) Distributors may assign, transfer or pledge ("Transfer") to one or
more designees (each an "Assignee"), its rights to all or a designated portion
of the fees to which it is entitled under paragraph 1 of this Plan from time to
time (but not Distributors' duties and obligations pursuant hereto or pursuant
to any distribution agreement in effect from time to time, if any, between
Distributors and the Fund), free and clear of any offsets or claims the Fund may
have against Distributors. Each such Assignee's ownership interest in a Transfer
of a specific designated portion of the fees to which Distributors is entitled
is hereafter referred to as an "Assignee's 12b-1 Portion." A Transfer pursuant
to this Section 5(a) shall not reduce or extinguish any claims of the Fund
against Distributors.
(b) Distributors shall promptly notify the Fund in writing of each
such Transfer by providing the Fund with the name and address of each such
Assignee.
(c) Distributors may direct the Fund to pay any Assignee's 12b-1
Portion directly to each Assignee. In such event, Distributors shall provide the
Fund with a monthly calculation of the amount to which each Assignee is entitled
(the "Monthly Calculation"). In such event, the Fund shall, upon receipt of such
notice and Monthly Calculation from Distributors, make all payments required
directly to the Assignee in accordance with the information provided in such
notice and Monthly Calculation upon the same terms and conditions as if such
payments were to be paid to Distributors.
(d) Alternatively, in connection with a Transfer, Distributors may
direct the Fund to pay all or a portion of the fees to which Distributors is
entitled from time to time to a depository or collection agent designated by any
Assignee, which depository or collection agent may be delegated the duty of
dividing such fees between the Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and the balance (such
balance, when distributed to Distributors by the depository or collection agent,
the "Distributors' 12b-1 Portion"), in which case only Distributors' 12b-1
Portion may be subject to offsets or claims the Fund may have against
Distributors.
6. The Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year
only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by
the Board, including the non-interested Board members, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. In determining whether
there is a reasonable likelihood that the continuation of the Plan will benefit
the Fund and its shareholders, the Board may, but is not obligated to, consider
that Distributors has incurred substantial cost and has entered into an
arrangement with a third party in order to finance the distribution activities
for the Class.
7. This Plan and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan may be
terminated with respect to the shares of the Class, without penalty, at any time
by vote of a majority of the non-interested Board members of the Investment
Company, or by vote of a majority of outstanding Shares of such Class. Upon
termination of this Plan with respect to the Class, the obligation of the Fund
to make payments pursuant to this Plan with respect to such Class shall
terminate, and the Fund shall not be required to make payments hereunder beyond
such termination date with respect to expenses incurred in connection with Class
shares sold prior to such termination date, provided, in each case that each of
the requirements of a Complete Termination of this Plan in respect of such
Class, as defined below, are met. For purposes of this Section 7, a "Complete
Termination" of this Plan in respect of the Class shall mean a termination of
this Plan in respect of such Class, provided that: (i) the non-interested Board
members of the Investment Company shall have acted in good faith and shall have
determined that such termination is in the best interest of the Investment
Company and the shareholders of the Fund and the Class; (ii) and the Investment
Company does not alter the terms of the contingent deferred sales charges
applicable to Class shares outstanding at the time of such termination; and
(iii) unless Distributors at the time of such termination was in material breach
under the distribution agreement in respect of the Fund, the Fund shall not, in
respect of such Fund, pay to any person or entity, other than Distributors or
its designee, either the payments described in paragraph 1(a) or 1(b) or in
respect of the Class shares sold by Distributors prior to such termination.
8. The Plan, and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan, may
not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for distribution
pursuant to Paragraph 1 hereof without approval by a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Class of the Fund.
9. All material amendments to the Plan, or any agreements entered into
pursuant to this Plan, shall be approved by the non-interested Board members
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such
amendment.
10. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the
Fund's non-interested Board members shall be committed to the discretion of such
non-interested Board members.
This Plan and the terms and provisions thereof are hereby accepted and
agreed to by the Investment Company and Distributors as evidenced by their
execution hereof.
DATE: October 16, 1998
FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND
By: /S/ DEBORAH R. GATZEK
Deborah R. Gatzek
Vice President & Secretary
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /S/ HARMON E. BURNS
Harmon E. Burns
Executive Vice President
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
on behalf of
FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND
This Multiple Class Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted by a majority of
the Board of Directors of FRANKLIN EQUITY FUND (the "Fund"). The Board has
determined that the Plan, including the expense allocation, is in the best
interests of each class and the Fund as a whole. The Plan sets forth the
provisions relating to the establishment of multiple classes of shares of the
Fund, and supersedes any Plan previously adopted for the Fund.
1. The Fund shall offer four classes of shares, to be known as Class A
Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Advisor Class Shares.
2. Class A Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge ranging from 0% -
5.75 %, and Class C Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge of 1.00%. Class
B Shares and the Advisor Class Shares shall not be subject to any front-end
sales charges.
3. Class A Shares shall not be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC"), except in the following limited circumstances. On investments
of $1 million or more, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser
of the then-current net asset value or the original net asset value at the time
of purchase applies to redemptions of those investments within the contingency
period of 12 months from the calendar month following their purchase. The CDSC
is waived in certain circumstances, as described in the Fund's prospectus.
Class B Shares shall be subject to a CDSC with the following CDSC
schedule: (a) Class B Shares redeemed within 2 years of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 4% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the
original net asset value at the time of purchase; (b) Class B Shares redeemed
within the third and fourth years of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of
3% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net asset
value at the time of purchase; (c) Class B Shares redeemed within 5 years of
their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 2% on the lesser of the then-current
net asset value or the original net asset value at the time of purchase; and (d)
Class B Shares redeemed within 6 years of their purchase shall be assessed a
CDSC of 1% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net
asset value at the time of purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances
described in the Fund's prospectus.
Class C Shares redeemed within 18 months of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 1.00% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase. The CDSC is waived in
certain circumstances as described in the Fund's prospectus.
Advisor Class Shares shall not be subject to any CDSC.
4. The distribution plan adopted by the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "Rule 12b-1 Plan")
associated with the Class A Shares may be used to reimburse Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") or others for expenses incurred in the
promotion and distribution of the Class A Shares. Such expenses include, but are
not limited to, the printing of prospectuses and reports used for sales
purposes, expenses of preparing and distributing sales literature and related
expenses, advertisements, and other distribution-related expenses, including a
prorated portion of the Distributor's overhead expenses attributable to the
distribution of the Class A Shares, as well as any distribution or service fees
paid to securities dealers or their firms or others who have executed a
servicing agreement with the Fund for the Class A Shares, the Distributor or its
affiliates.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class B Shares has two components.
The first component is an asset-based sales charge to be retained by Distributor
to compensate Distributor for amounts advanced to securities dealers or their
firms or others with respect to the sale of Class B Shares. In addition, such
payments may be retained by the Distributor to be used in the promotion and
distribution of Class B Shares in a manner similar to that described above for
Class A Shares. The second component is a shareholder servicing fee to be paid
to securities dealers or others who provide personal assistance to shareholders
in servicing their accounts.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class C Shares has two components.
The first component is a shareholder servicing fee, to be paid to
broker-dealers, banks, trust companies and others who provide personal
assistance to shareholders in servicing their accounts. The second component is
an asset-based sales charge to be retained by the Distributor during the first
year after the sale of shares, and in subsequent years, to be paid to dealers or
retained by the Distributor to be used in the promotion and distribution of
Class C Shares, in a manner similar to that described above for Class A Shares.
No Rule 12b-1 Plan has been adopted on behalf of the Advisor Class Shares
and, therefore, the Advisor Class Shares shall not be subject to deductions
relating to Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Rule 12b-1 Plans for the Class A, Class B and Class C Shares shall
operate in accordance with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Article III, section 26(d).
5. The only difference in expenses as between Class A, Class B, Class C,
and Advisor Class Shares shall relate to differences in Rule 12b-1 plan
expenses, as described in the applicable Rule 12b-1 Plans; however, to the
extent that the Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses of one Class are the same as the Rule
12b-1 Plan expenses of another Class, such classes shall be subject to the same
expenses.
6. There shall be no conversion features associated with the Class A,
Class C, and Advisor Class Shares. Each Class B Share, however, shall be
converted automatically, and without any action or choice on the part of the
holder of the Class B Shares, into Class A Shares on the conversion date
specified, and in accordance with the terms and conditions approved by the
Franklin Equity Fund's Board of Directors and as described, in the fund's
prospectus relating to the Class B Shares, as such prospectus may be amended
from time to time; provided, however, that the Class B Shares shall be converted
automatically into Class A Shares to the extent and on the terms permitted by
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations adopted
thereunder.
7. Shares of Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class may be exchanged
for shares of another investment company within the Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds according to the terms and conditions stated in the fund's prospectus, as
it may be amended from time to time, to the extent permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
8. Each class will vote separately with respect to any Rule 12b-1 Plan
related to, or which now or in the future may affect, that class.
9. On an ongoing basis, the Board members, pursuant to their fiduciary
responsibilities under the 1940 Act and otherwise, will monitor the Fund for the
existence of any material conflicts between the Board members interests of the
various classes of shares. The Board members, including a majority of the
independent Board members, shall take such action as is reasonably necessary to
eliminate any such conflict that may develop. Franklin Advisers, Inc. and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. shall be responsible for alerting the
Board to any material conflicts that arise.
10. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved by a majority of
the Board members, including a majority of the Board members who are not
interested persons of the Fund.
11. I, Deborah R. Gatzek, Secretary of the Franklin Group of Funds, do
hereby certify that this Multiple Class Plan was adopted by FRANKLIN EQUITY
FUND, by a majority of the Directors of the Fund on March 19, 1998.
/S/ DEBORAH R. GATZEK
Deborah R. Gatzek
Secretary
