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MARKETING COORDINATION AND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Agreement entered into this ____ day of April, 1997, between Nationwide
Life Insurance Company ("Nationwide"), and Nationwide Investment Services
Corporation ("NISC").
Nationwide proposes to develop, issue and administer, and NISC proposes to
provide the exclusive national distribution services for certain annuity
products (the "Products"). The Products to be sold hereunder are the Group
Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts (The "Products") and such other products as
may hereafter be agreed upon by the parties.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
A. ADMINISTRATION OF PRODUCTS
--------------------------
1. Appointment of Product Administration
-------------------------------------
Nationwide is hereby appointed Product Administrator for the
Products.
2. Duties of Nationwide
--------------------
Nationwide will perform in a proper and timely manner, those
functions enumerated in the column marked "Nationwide" in the
"Analysis of Administrative Functions," attached hereto as
EXHIBIT A, and incorporated herein by reference.
3. Duties of NISC
--------------
NISC will perform in a proper and timely manner, those
functions enumerated in the column marked "NISC" in the
"Analysis of Administrative Functions," attached hereto as
EXHIBIT A, and incorporated herein by reference.
B. MARKETING COORDINATION AND SALES ADMINISTRATION
-----------------------------------------------
1. Distribution of Products
------------------------
The Products will be distributed through registered
representatives of NASD broker-dealer firms, appointed by
Nationwide, who shall be duly qualified and licensed as agents
(the "Agents"), in accordance with applicable state insurance
authority.
2. NISC shall be the exclusive National Distributor of the
Products.
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3. Appointment and Termination of Agents
-------------------------------------
Appointment and termination of Agents shall be processed and
executed by Nationwide. NISC reserves the right to require
Nationwide to consult with it regarding licensing decisions.
4. Advertising
-----------
NISC shall not print, publish or distribute any advertisement,
circular or document relating to the Products or relating to
Nationwide unless such advertisement, circular or document has
been approved in writing by Nationwide. Such approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld, and shall be given promptly,
normally within three (3) business days. Neither Nationwide
nor any of its affiliates shall print, publish or distribute
any advertisement, circular or document relating to the
Products or relating to NISC unless such advertisement,
circular or document has been approved in writing by NISC.
Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and shall be
given promptly, normally within three (3) business days.
However, nothing herein shall prohibit any person from
advertising the Products on a generic basis.
5. Marketing Conduct
-----------------
The parties will jointly develop standards, practices and
procedures respecting the marketing of the Products. Such
standards, practices and procedures are intended to help
Nationwide meet its obligations as an issuer under the
securities laws, to assure compliance with state insurance
laws, and to help NISC meet its obligations under the
securities laws as National Distributor. These standards,
practices and procedures are subject to continuing review and
neither Nationwide nor NISC will object unreasonably to
changes to such standards, practices and procedures
recommended by the other to comply with the intent of this
provision.
6. Sales Material and Other Documents
----------------------------------
a. Sales Material
--------------
1) Nationwide shall develop and prepare all
promotional material to be used in the
distribution of the Products, in
consultation with NISC.
2) Nationwide is responsible for the printing
and the expense of providing such
promotional material.
3) Nationwide is responsible for approval of
such promotional material by state insurance
regulators, where required.
4) NISC and Nationwide agree to abide by the
Advertising and Sales Promotion Material
Guidelines, attached hereto as EXHIBIT B,
and incorporated herein by reference.
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b. Prospectuses
------------
1) Nationwide is responsible for the
preparation and regulatory clearance of any
required registration statements and
prospectuses for the Products. NISC is
responsible for the preparation and
regulatory clearance of any underlying
mutual fund registration statements and
prospectuses.
2) Nationwide is responsible for the printing
of Product prospectuses in such quantities
as the parties agree are necessary to assure
sufficient supplies.
3) Nationwide will bear the cost of providing
the required supply of mutual fund
prospectuses.
4) Nationwide is responsible for supplying
Agents with sufficient quantities of Product
prospectuses.
c. Contracts, Applications and Related Forms
-----------------------------------------
1) Nationwide, in consultation with NISC, is
responsible for the design and printing of
adequate supplies of Product applications,
contracts, related forms, and such service
forms as the parties agree are necessary.
2) Nationwide is responsible for supplying
adequate quantities of all such forms to the
Agents.
7. Appointment of Agents
---------------------
a. NISC will assist Nationwide in facilitating the
appointment of Agents by Nationwide.
b. Nationwide will forward all appointment forms and
applications to the appropriate states and maintain
all contacts with the states.
c. Nationwide will maintain appointment files on Agents,
and NISC will have access to such files as needed.
8. Licensing and Appointment Guide
-------------------------------
Nationwide shall provide to NISC a Licensing and Appointment
Guide (as well periodic updates thereto), setting forth the
requirements for licensing and appointment, in such quantities
as NISC may reasonably require.
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9. Other
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a. Product Training
----------------
Nationwide is responsible for any Product training
for the Agents.
b. Field Sales Material
--------------------
1) Nationwide, in consultation with NISC, is
responsible for the development, printing
and distribution of non-public field sales
material to be used by Agents.
2) NISC shall have the right to review all
field sales materials and to require any
modification mandated by regulatory
requirements.
c. Production Reports
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Nationwide will deliver to NISC the items listed in
Production Reports to be Provided, attached hereto as
EXHIBIT C, and incorporated herein by reference.
d. Customer Service
----------------
Each party will notify the other of all material
pertinent inquiries and complaints it receives, from
whatever source and to whomever directed, and will
consult with the other in responding to such
inquiries and complaints.
10. Auditing
--------
NISC will maintain all records relating to the mutual funds or
other investment options in accordance with generally accepted
accounting procedures. Any such records shall be made
available to Nationwide or its accountants or auditors upon
reasonable written request. Nationwide will provide NISC with
any records, reports or other materials relative to the
distribution of the Products as may reasonably be required by
NISC or as may be required by any governmental agency having
jurisdiction.
C. GENERAL PROVISIONS
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1. Waiver
------
The forbearance or neglect of either party to insist upon
strict compliance by the other with any of the provisions of
this Agreement, whether continuing or not, or to declare a
forfeiture of termination against the other, shall not be
construed as a waiver of any rights or privileges of the
forbearing party in the event of a further default or failure
of performance.
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2. Limitations
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Neither party shall have authority on behalf of the other to:
make, alter or discharge any contractual terms of the
Products; waive any forfeiture; extend the time of making any
contributions to the products; guarantee dividends; alter the
forms which either may prescribe; nor substitute other forms
in place of those prescribed by the other.
3. Binding Effect
--------------
This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties to it and their respective successors
and assigns, provided that neither party shall assign or
sub-contract this Agreement or any rights or obligations
hereunder without prior written consent of the other.
4. Indemnification
---------------
Each party ("Indemnifying Party") hereby agrees to release,
indemnify and hold harmless the other party, its officers,
directors, employers, agents, servants, predecessors or
successors from any claims or liability arising out of the
acts or omissions of the Indemnifying Party not authorized by
this Agreement, including the violation of any federal or
state law or regulation.
5. Notices
-------
All notices, requests, demands and other communication under
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been given on the date of service if served personally on the
party to whom notice is to be given, or on the date of mailing
if sent postage prepaid by First Class Mail, Registered or
Certified mail, by overnight mail, properly addressed as
follows:
TO NATIONWIDE:
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, Vice President-Sales
Sales - Financial Services
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
TO NISC:
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, Vice President-Compliance
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
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6. Governing Law
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This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
7. Arbitration
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The parties agree that misunderstandings or disputes arising
from this Agreement shall be decided by arbitration, conducted
upon request of either party before three arbitrators (unless
the parties agree on a single arbitrator) designated by the
American Arbitration Association, and in accordance with the
rules of such Association. The expenses of the arbitration
proceedings conducted hereunder shall be borne equally by both
parties.
8. Confidentiality
---------------
Any information, documents and materials, whether printed or
oral, furnished by either party or its agents or employees to
the other shall be held in confidence. No such information
shall be given to any third party, other than to such
sub-contractors of NISC as may be permitted herein, or under
requirements of a lawful authority, without the express
written consent of the other party.
D. TERM OF AGREEMENT
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This Agreement, including the Exhibits attached hereto, shall remain in
full force and effect until terminated, and may be amended only by
mutual agreement of the parties in writing. Any decision by either
party to cease issuance or distribution of any specific Product shall
not effect a termination of the Agreement unless such termination is
mutually agreed upon, or unless notice is given pursuant to Section
E.2. hereof.
E. TERMINATION
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1. Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause at any
time, upon written notice to the other, if the other knowingly
and willfully: (a) fails to comply with the laws or
regulations of any state or governmental agency or body having
jurisdiction over the sale of insurance or securities; (b)
misappropriates any money or property belonging to the other;
(c) subjects the other to any actual or potential liability
due to misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance; (d) commits
any fraud upon the other; (e) has an assignment for the
benefit of creditors; (f) incurs bankruptcy; or (g) commits a
material breach of this Agreement.
2. Either party may terminate this Agreement, without regard to
cause, upon six months prior written notice to the other.
3. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the following
conditions shall apply:
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a) The parties irrevocably acknowledge the continuing
right to use any Product trademark that might then be
associated with any Products, but only with respect
to all business in force at the time of termination.
b) NISC will continue to sell to Nationwide at net asset
value, shares of all mutual funds which serve as
underlying investments for Products actually issued
by Nationwide pursuant to this Agreement, until such
time as mutually agreed upon by the parties. NISC may
discontinue the sale at net asset value of such
shares in connection with the issuance by Nationwide
of new products after termination.
c) In the event this Agreement is terminated the parties
will use their best efforts to preserve in force the
business issued pursuant to this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to
be effective as of the date first above written.
NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY
By
---------------------------------
Title
-----------------------------
NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT SERVICES
CORPORATION
By
---------------------------------
Title
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EXHIBIT A
ANALYSIS OF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
A. PRODUCT UNDERWRITING/ISSUE
--------------------------
NATIONWIDE NISC
- Establishes underwriting criteria for - Consults with regard to new business
application processing and rejections. procedures and processing.
- Reviews the completed application.
Applies underwriting/issue criteria to
application.
- Notifies Agent and/or customer of any
error or missing data necessary to
underwrite application and establish
records for owner of Product ("Contract
Owner").
- Prepares policy data page for approved
business and mails with policy to
Contract Owner.
- Establishes and maintains all records
required for each Contract Owner, as
applicable.
- Prepares and mails confirmation and
other statements to Contract Owners
and Agents, as required.
- Prints, provides all forms ancillary to
issue of contract/policy forms for
Products.
- Maintains supply of approved
specimen policy forms and all
ancillary forms, distributes
same to Agents.
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B. BILLING AND COLLECTION
----------------------
NATIONWIDE
- Receives premium/purchase payments
and reconciles amount received with
remittance media.
- Updates Contract Owner records to
reflect receipt of premium/purchase
payment and performs accounting/
investment allocation of each payment
received.
- Deposits all cash received under the
Products in accordance with the terms
of the Products.
C. BANKING
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NATIONWIDE
- Balances, edits, endorses and prepares
daily deposit.
- Places deposits in depository account.
- Transfers funds from depository account
to NISC within 24 hours following
underwriting approval, in accordance
with investment allocation.
- Prepares daily cash journal summary
reports and maintains same for review
by NISC.
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D. PRICING/VALUATION/ACCOUNTING
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NATIONWIDE NISC
- Determines the "Net Amount Available for - Issues Fund Shares to Nationwide at
Investment" in Fund Shares and places Fund net asset Value.
Share purchase or redemption orders with
the Fund, by facsimile each day by 10:00 - Confirms Nationwide's Fund
a.m. E.T. If for any reason Nationwide is purchases and redemptions.
unable to process such orders, it will
provide NISC with estimates. - Transmit by facsimile Fund Share
prices to Nationwide by 6:00 p.m.
- Maintains and makes available, as EST each day.
reasonably requested, records used in
determining "Net Amount Available for - Maintains records of all Fund Shares
Investment." owned by Nationwide, including the
date purchased and sold, cost, and
- Collects information needed in determining other information maintained by
Variable Account unit values from the NISC in its ordinary course of
Funds including daily net asset value, business.
capital gains or dividend distributions, and
the number of Fund Shares acquired or sold - Cooperates in annual audit of
during the immediately preceding valuation separate account financials
period. conducted for purposes of financial
statement certification and
- Performs daily unit valuation calculation. publication.
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E. CONTRACT OWNER SERVICE/
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RECORD MAINTENANCE
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NATIONWIDE NISC
- Receives and processes all Contract - Accommodates customer service function
Owner service requests, including but by providing any supporting information
not limited to informational requests, or documentation which may be in the
beneficiary changes, and transfers of control of NISC.
Contract Value among eligible
investment options.
- Maintains daily records of all changes
made to Contract Owner accounts.
- Researches and responds to all Contract - Researches and responds to Nationwide's
Owner/Agent inquiries. inquiries regarding fund performance.
- Keeps all required Contract Owner
records.
- Maintains adequate number of toll free
lines to service Contract Owner/Agent
inquiries.
F. DISBURSEMENTS
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(SURRENDERS, DEATH
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CLAIMS, LOANS)
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NATIONWIDE NISC
- Receives and processes surrenders, loans,
and death claims in accordance with
established guidelines.
- Prepares checks for surrenders, loans,
and death claims, and forwards to
Contract Owner or Beneficiary. Prepares
and mails confirmation statement of
disbursement to Contract Owner/
Beneficiary with copy to Agent.
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G. COMMISSIONS
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NATIONWIDE NISC
- Ascertains, on receipt of applications,
whether writing Agent is appropriately
licensed.
- Pays commissions and other fees in
accordance with agreements relating to
same.
H. PROXY PROCESSING
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NATIONWIDE NISC
- Receives record date information from - Provides proxy, solicitation materials, and
Funds Receives proxy solicitation record date information.
materials from Funds.
- Prepares Voting Instruction cards and
mails solicitation, if necessary.
- Tabulates and votes all Fund Shares in
accordance with SEC requirements.
I. PERIODIC REPORTS TO CONTRACT OWNERS
-----------------------------------
NATIONWIDE NISC
- Prepares and mails quarterly and annual
Statements of Account to Contract
Owners.
- Prepares and mails all semi-annual and - Prepares and mails to Nationwide all
annual reports of Variable Account(s) to required semi-annual and annual financial
Contract Owners. reports to shareholder of the Funds.
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J. REGULATORY/STATEMENT REPORTS
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NATIONWIDE NISC
- Prepares and files Separate Account
Annual Statements.
- Prepares and mails the appropriate,
required IRS reports at the Contract
Owner level. Files same with required
regulatory agencies.
- Prepares and files form N-SAR for the - Prepares and files form N-SAR for the
Separate Account. Funds.
K. PREMIUM TAXES
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NATIONWIDE NISC
- Collects, pays and accounts for premium
taxes as appropriate.
- Prepares and maintains all premium tax
records by state.
- Maintains liabilities in General Account
ledger for accrual of premium tax
collected.
- Integrates all company premium taxes
due and performs related accounting.
L. FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT REPORTS
--------------------------------
NATIONWIDE NISC
- Provides periodic reports in accordance - Provides periodic reports in accordance
with the Schedule of Reports to be with the Schedule of Reports to be
prepared jointly by Nationwide and prepared jointly by Nationwide and NISC.
NISC. (See EXHIBIT C) (See EXHIBIT C)
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M. AGENT LICENSE RECORDKEEPING
---------------------------
NATIONWIDE NISC
- Receives, establishes, processes, and - Cooperates with Nationwide in the Agent
maintains Agent appointment records. appointment process with the broker-
dealer firms.
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EXHIBIT B
ADVERTISING AND SALES PROMOTION MATERIAL GUIDELINES
FOR APPROVAL BY THE OFFICE OF SALES-FINANCIAL SERVICES
In order to assure compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements and
to maintain control over the distribution of promotional materials dealing with
the Products, Nationwide and NISC require that ALL variable contract promotional
materials be REVIEWED and APPROVED by both Nationwide and NISC PRIOR to their
use. These guidelines are intended to provide appropriate regulatory and
distribution controls.
1. Sufficient lead time must be allowed in the submission of all
promotional material. The Office of Sales-Financial Services ("OS-FS")
and NISC shall approve in writing all promotional material. Such
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and shall be given
promptly, normally within three (3) days.
2. All promotional material will be submitted in "draft" form to permit
any changes or corrections to be made prior to the printing.
3. Nationwide and NISC will provide each other with details as to each and
every use of all promotional material submitted. Approval for one use
will not constitute approval for any other use. Different standards of
review may apply when the same advertising material is intended for
different uses. The following information will be provided for each
item of promotional material:
a. In what jurisdiction(s) the material will be used.
b. Whether distribution will be used (e.g., brochure, mailing,
482 ads, etc.).
c. How the material will be used (e.g., brochure, mailing, 482
ads, etc.).
d. The projected date of initial use and, if a special promotion,
the projected date of last use.
4. Each party will advise the other of the date it discontinues the use of
any material.
5. Any changes to previously approved promotional material must be
resubmitted, following these procedures. When approved material is to
be put to a different use, request for approval of the material for the
new use must be submitted.
6. OS-FS and NISC will assign a form number to each item of advertising
and sales promotional material. This number will appear on each piece
of advertising and sales promotional material. It will be used to aid
in necessary filings, and to maintain appropriate controls.
7. OS-FS and NISC will provide WRITTEN APPROVAL for all material to be
used.
8. Nationwide and NISC will provide each other with a minimum of 50 copies
of all material in final print form to effect necessary state filings.
9 NISC will coordinate SEC/NASD filings of sales and promotional
material.
10. All telephone communication and written correspondence regarding
promotional materials should be directed to Marketing Director, Office
of Sales-Financial Services, Nationwide Life Insurance Company, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (phone (▇▇▇)▇▇▇- ▇▇▇▇) or to
President, Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ (phone (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇).
EXHIBIT C
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PRODUCTION REPORTS TO BE PROVIDED
Nationwide agrees to provide the following reports to NISC:
1. Daily Receipt Report: Indicates which Agents are generating sales.
2. Daily Approval Report: Indicates which applications have been approved.
3. Daily Activity Summary: Indicates top firms' sales and liquidation by month, year-to-
date as well as total assets by firm.
4. Dealer Activity Indicates top firms' sales and
Summary by Territory: liquidation by month, year-to-date.
5. Summary of Sales by Indicates sales
Territory and Dealer: by territory/dealer/branch, including non-commissionable
amounts and actual commission payments, as well as
chargebacks. (Internal use only)
6. Summary of Sales by Indicates sales by territory/
Territory and Dealer: dealer/branch, including chargebacks.
7. Commission Report: Indicates commissions paid and chargebacks, matched to
commission checks.
In addition, Nationwide will provide reports detailing current appointments and
other information, as reasonably requested by NISC.