Services and Duties of USBFS USBFS shall provide the following transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent services to the Fund:
A. Receive and process all orders for the purchase, exchange, transfer, and/or redemption of Fund shares in accordance with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act, other applicable regulations, and as specified in the Fund's prospectus (the "Prospectus”).
B. Process purchase and redemption orders with prompt delivery, where appropriate, of payment and supporting documentation to the shareholder based on the shareholder’s or the Trust’s custodian instructions, and record the appropriate number of shares being held in the appropriate shareholder account.
C. Process redemption requests received in good order and, where relevant, deliver appropriate documentation to the Trust's custodian.
D. Pay proceeds upon receipt from the Trust's custodian, where relevant, in accordance with the instructions of redeeming shareholders.
E. Process transfers of shares in accordance with the shareholder's instructions, after receipt of appropriate documentation from the shareholder as specified in the Prospectus.
F. Prepare and transmit payments, or apply reinvestments for income dividends and capital gains distributions declared by the Trust with respect to a Fund, after deducting any amount required to be withheld by any applicable laws, rules and regulations and in accordance with shareholder instructions.
G. Serve as the Fund’s agent in connection with systematic plans including, but not limited to, systematic investment plans, systematic withdrawal plans, and systematic exchange plans.
H. Make changes to shareholder records, including, but not limited to, address and plan changes (e.g., systematic investment and withdrawal, dividend reinvestment).
I. Handle load and multi-class processing, including rights of accumulation and purchases by letters of intent in accordance with the Prospectus.
J. Record the issuance of shares of each Fund and maintain, pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), a record of the total number of shares of each Fund which are authorized, issued and outstanding.
K. Prepare ad-hoc reports as necessary at prevailing rates.
L. Mail shareholder reports and Prospectuses to current shareholders.
M. Prepare and file U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate information returns required with respect to dividends and distributions for all shareholders.
N. Provide shareholder account information upon shareholder or Trust requests and prepare and mail confirmations and statements of account to shareholders for all purchases, redemptions and other confirmable transactions as agreed upon with the Trust.
O. Mail and/or obtain shareholders’ certifications under penalties of perjury and pay on a timely basis to the appropriate federal or state authorities any taxes to be withheld on dividends and distributions paid by the Trust, all as required by applicable federal and state tax laws and regulations.
P. Answer correspondence from shareholders, securities brokers and others relating to USBFS’ duties hereunder within required time periods established by applicable regulation.
Q. Reimburse the Fund for all material losses resulting from “as of” processing errors for which USBFS is responsible in accordance with the “as of” processing guidelines set forth on Exhibit B hereto.
R. Calculate average assets held in shareholder accounts for purposes of paying Rule 12b-1 and/or shareholder servicing fees as directed by a Fund
S. Provide service and support to financial intermediaries including but not limited to trade placements, settlements, and corrections.
Appointment and Duties of the Manager (a) The Company, Operating Company and each of the other Subsidiaries hereby appoint the Manager to manage the assets and the day-to-day operations of the Company, Operating Company and the other Subsidiaries subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Manager hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to perform each of the duties set forth herein, except where a higher standard of care is specified in this Agreement, in which case such higher standard of care shall apply. The appointment of the Manager shall be exclusive to the Manager except to the extent that the Manager otherwise agrees, in its sole and absolute discretion, and except to the extent that the Manager elects, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to cause the duties of the Manager hereunder to be provided by third parties.
(b) The Manager, in its capacity as manager of the assets and the day-to-day operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, at all times will be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors, and the Manager will have only such functions and authority as the Company may delegate to it, including the functions and authority identified herein and delegated to the Manager hereby. Without limiting the power and authority granted to the Manager pursuant to Section 2(c), the Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries and will perform (or cause to be performed) such services and activities relating to the assets and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries as may be appropriate, including:
(i) serving as the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ consultant with respect to the periodic review of the investment guidelines and other parameters for the Investments, financing activities and operations, which review shall occur no less often than annually, any modification to which shall be approved by a majority of the Independent Directors (such guidelines as initially approved and attached hereto as Exhibit A, as the same may be modified, supplemented or waived with such approval, the “Investment Guidelines”);
(ii) identifying, investigating, analyzing and selecting possible investment opportunities and acquiring, negotiating, monitoring, financing, retaining, selling, restructuring or disposing of Investments consistent in all material respects with the Investment Guidelines;
(iii) with respect to prospective purchases, sales or exchanges of Investments, conducting negotiations on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries with sellers, purchasers, trustees, primary dealers, custodians and brokers and, if applicable, their respective agents and representatives;
(iv) negotiating and entering into, on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries, bank credit facilities, repurchase agreements, interest rate swap agreements, agreements relating to borrowings under programs established by the U.S. Government and/or any agencies thereunder and other agreements and instruments required for the Company and the Subsidiaries to conduct their business;
(v) engaging and supervising, on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries and at the expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), independent contractors that provide investment banking, securities brokerage, mortgage brokerage, other financial services, due diligence services, underwriting review services, legal and accounting services, and all other services (including transfer agent and registrar services) as may be required relating to the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ operations or Investments (or potential investments);
(vi) advising on, preparing, negotiating and entering into, on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries, applications and agreements relating to programs established by the U.S. Government and/or any agencies thereunder;
(vii) coordinating and managing operations of any joint venture or co-investment interests held by the Company and the Subsidiaries and conducting all matters with the joint venture or co-investment partners;
(viii) providing executive and administrative personnel, office space and office services required in rendering services to the Company and the Subsidiaries, including office space for any persons who are employed directly by the Company or its Subsidiaries and who are not simultaneously employed by the Manager or any of its Affiliates;
(ix) administering the day-to-day operations and performing and supervising the performance of such other administrative functions necessary to the management of the Company and the Subsidiaries as may be agreed upon by the Manager and the Board of Directors, including the services in respect of any equity incentive plans, the collection of revenues and the payment of the debts and obligations of the Company and the Subsidiaries and maintenance of appropriate computer services to perform such administrative functions;
(x) communicating on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries with the holders of any of their equity or debt securities as required to satisfy the reporting and other requirements of any governmental bodies or agencies or trading markets and to maintain effective relations with such holders, including website maintenance, logo design, analyst presentations, investor conferences and annual meeting arrangements;
(xi) counseling the Company in connection with policy decisions to be made by the Board of Directors;
(xii) evaluating and recommending to the Board of Directors hedging strategies and engaging in hedging activities on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries, consistent with such strategies as modified from time to time, while maintaining the Company’s qualification as a REIT and within the Investment Guidelines;
(xiii) counseling the Company regarding the maintenance of its qualification as a REIT and monitoring compliance with the various REIT qualification tests and other rules set forth in the Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder and using commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes;
(xiv) counseling the Company and the Subsidiaries regarding the maintenance of their exemptions from the status of an investment company required to register under the Investment Company Act, monitoring compliance with the requirements for maintaining such exemptions and using commercially reasonable efforts to cause them to maintain such exemptions from such status;
(xv) furnishing reports and statistical and economic research to the Company and the Subsidiaries regarding their activities and services performed for the Company and the Subsidiaries by the Manager and its Affiliates;
(xvi) monitoring the operating performance of Investments and providing periodic reports with respect thereto to the Board of Directors, including comparative information with respect to such operating performance and budgeted or projected operating results;
(xvii) investing and reinvesting on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries any money and securities of the Company and the Subsidiaries (including investing in short-term Investments pending investment in other Investments, payment of fees, costs and expenses and payment of dividends or other distributions to stockholders, members and partners of the Company and the Subsidiaries) and advising the Company and the Subsidiaries as to their capital structure and capital raising;
(xviii) causing the Company and the Subsidiaries to retain qualified accountants, tax professionals and legal counsel, as applicable, to assist in developing appropriate accounting procedures and systems, internal controls and other compliance procedures and testing systems with respect to financial reporting obligations and compliance with the provisions of the Code applicable to REITs and, if applicable, domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries, and to conduct quarterly compliance reviews with respect thereto;
(xix) assisting the Company and the Subsidiaries in qualifying to do business in all applicable jurisdictions and to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses;
(xx) assisting the Company and the Subsidiaries in complying with all regulatory requirements applicable to them with respect to their business activities, including preparing or causing to be prepared all financial statements required under applicable regulations and contractual undertakings and all reports and documents, if any, required under the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, or by the applicable National Securities Exchange on which the Common Stock is listed;
(xxi) assisting the Company and the Subsidiaries in taking all necessary actions to enable them to make required tax filings and reports, including soliciting stockholders for all information required by the provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations applicable to REITs;
(xxii) placing, or arranging for the placement of, all orders pursuant to the Manager’s investment determinations on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries, either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer (including any affiliated broker or dealer);
(xxiii) handling and resolving on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries all claims, disputes or controversies (including all litigation, arbitration, settlement or other proceedings or negotiations) in which the Company and/or the Subsidiaries may be involved or to which they may be subject arising out of their day-to-day operations (other than with the Manager or its Affiliates), subject to such reasonable limitations or parameters as may be imposed from time to time by the Board of Directors;
(xxiv) using commercially reasonable efforts to cause expenses incurred by the Company and the Subsidiaries or on their behalf to be commercially reasonable or commercially customary and within any budgeted parameters or expense guidelines set by the Board of Directors from time to time;
(xxv) advising the Company and the Subsidiaries with respect to and structuring (1) long-term financing vehicles for their portfolio of assets and (2) the offering and selling of securities publicly or privately in connection with any such structured financing;
(xxvi) serving as the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ consultant with respect to decisions regarding any financings, hedging activities or borrowings undertaken by the Company and/or the Subsidiaries, including (1) assisting the Company and/or the Subsidiaries in developing criteria for debt and equity financing that are specifically tailored to the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ investment objectives, and (2) advising the Company and the Subsidiaries with respect to obtaining appropriate financing for the Investments;
(xxvii) arranging marketing materials, advertising, industry group activities (such as conference participations and industry organization memberships) and other promotional efforts designed to promote the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ business; and
(xxviii) performing such other services as may be required from time to time for the management of, and other activities relating to, the assets, business and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries as the Board of Directors shall reasonably request or as the Manager shall deem appropriate under the particular circumstances. Without limiting the foregoing, the Manager will perform portfolio management services (the “Portfolio Management Services”) on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries with respect to the Investments. Such services will include, but not be limited to, consulting with the Company and the Subsidiaries on the purchase and sale of, and other investment opportunities in connection with, assets; the collection of information and the submission of reports pertaining to the Company’s assets, interest rates and general economic conditions; periodic review and evaluation of the performance of the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ portfolio of assets; acting as a liaison between the Company and the Subsidiaries and banking, mortgage banking, investment banking and other parties with respect to the purchase, financing and disposition of assets; and other customary functions related to portfolio management. Additionally, the Manager will perform monitoring services (the “Monitoring Services”) on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries with respect to any activities provided by third parties. Such Monitoring Services will include, but not be limited to, negotiating servicing agreements; acting as a liaison between servicer providers of the assets and the Company and the Subsidiaries; reviewing servicers’ delinquency, foreclosure and other reports on assets; supervising claims filed under any insurance policies; and enforcing the obligation of any servicer to repurchase assets.
(c) For the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company, Operating Company and each of the other Subsidiaries hereby constitutes, appoints and authorizes the Manager, and any officer of the Manager acting on its behalf from time to time, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, in its name, place and stead, to negotiate, execute, deliver and enter into such finance agreements and arrangements and securities repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and arrangements, brokerage agreements, interest rate swap agreements, “to be announced” forward contracts, agreements relating to borrowings under programs established by the U.S. Government and/or any agencies thereunder and such other certificates, agreements, instruments and authorizations on their behalf, on such terms and conditions as the Manager, acting in its sole and absolute discretion, deems necessary or appropriate. This power of attorney is deemed to be coupled with an interest. In performing such services, as an agent of the Company, Operating Company and each of the other Subsidiaries, the Manager shall have the right to exercise all powers and authority that are reasonably necessary and customary to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the following powers, subject in each case to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the Investment Guidelines:
(i) to purchase, exchange or otherwise acquire and to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of, any Investment at public or private sale;
(ii) to borrow and, for the purpose of securing the repayment thereof, to pledge, mortgage or otherwise encumber investments and enter into agreements in connection therewith, including repurchase agreements, master repurchase agreements, International Swap Dealer Association swap, caps and other agreements and annexes thereto and other futures and forward agreements;
(iii) to purchase, take and hold Investments subject to mortgages or other liens;
(iv) to extend the time of payment of any liens or encumbrances that may at any time be encumbrances upon any Investment, irrespective of by whom the same were made;
(v) to foreclose, to reduce the rate of interest on, and to consent to the modification and extension of the maturity or other terms of any Investments, or to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure;
(vi) to join in a voluntary partition of any investment;
(vii) to cause to be demolished any structures on any real estate Investment;
(viii) to cause renovations and capital improvements to be made to any real estate Investment;
(ix) to abandon any real estate Investment deemed to be worthless;
(x) to enter into joint ventures or otherwise participate in investment vehicles investing in Investments;
(xi) to cause any real estate Investment to be leased, operated, developed, constructed or exploited;
(xii) to obtain and maintain insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are prudent in accordance with customary and sound business practices in the appropriate geographic area;
(xiii) to cause any property to be maintained in good state of repair and upkeep; and to pay the taxes, upkeep, repairs, carrying charges, maintenance and premiums for insurance;
(xiv) to use the personnel and resources of its Affiliates in performing the services specified in this Agreement; and
(xv) to take any and all other actions as are necessary or appropriate in connection with the Investments. The Manager shall be authorized to represent to third parties that it has the power to perform the actions that it is authorized to perform