ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of , 1999 by and between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ RESEARCH TRUST, a Delaware business trust (the "Fund"), and PFPC INC., a
Delaware corporation ("PFPC"), which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
PFPC Worldwide, Inc.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC to provide administration and
accounting services to its investment portfolios listed on Exhibit A attached
hereto and made a part hereof, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to
time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto (each a "Portfolio"), and PFPC
wishes to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS AGREEMENT:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c) "Authorized Person" means any officer of the Fund and any other
person duly authorized by the Fund's Board of Trustees to give Oral
Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund and listed
on the Authorized Persons Appendix attached hereto and made a part
hereof or any amendment thereto as may be received by PFPC. An
Authorized Person's scope of authority may be limited by the Fund by
setting forth such limitation in the Authorized Persons Appendix.
(d) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.
(e) "Oral Instructions" mean oral instructions received by PFPC from an
Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC to be
an Authorized Person.
(f) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(g) "Securities Laws" means the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and
the CEA.
(h) "Shares" means the shares of beneficial interest of any class of any
Portfolio.
(i) "Written Instructions" mean written instructions signed by an
Authorized Person and received by PFPC. The instructions may be
delivered by hand, mail, tested telegram, cable, telex or facsimile
sending device.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC to provide administration and
accounting services to the each of the Portfolios, in accordance with the
terms set forth in this Agreement. PFPC accepts such appointment and
agrees to furnish such services.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Fund has provided or, where applicable, will
provide PFPC with the following:
(a) certified or authenticated copies of the resolutions of the Fund's
Board of Trustees, approving the appointment of PFPC or its affiliates
to provide services to each Portfolio and approving this Agreement;
(b) a copy of Fund's most recent effective registration statement;
(c) a copy of each Portfolio's advisory agreement or agreements;
(d) a copy of the distribution agreement with respect to each class of
Shares representing an interest in a Portfolio;
(e) a copy of any additional administration agreements with respect to a
Portfolio;
(f) a copy of any shareholder servicing agreement made in respect of any
Portfolio; and
(g) copies (certified or authenticated, where applicable) of any and all
amendments or supplements to the foregoing.
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4. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS.
PFPC undertakes to comply with all applicable requirements of the
Securities Laws, and any laws, rules and regulations of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction with respect to the duties to be performed
by PFPC hereunder. Except as specifically set forth herein, PFPC assumes
no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund or any Portfolio.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC shall act only upon
Oral Instructions and Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instructions and Written
Instructions it receives from an Authorized Person (or from a person
reasonably believed by PFPC to be an Authorized Person) pursuant to
this Agreement. PFPC may assume that any Oral Instruction or Written
Instruction received hereunder is not in any way inconsistent with the
provisions of organizational documents or this Agreement or of any
vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's Board of Trustees or of
the Fund's shareholders, unless and until PFPC receives Written
Instructions to the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Written Instructions confirming
Oral Instructions (except where such Oral Instructions are given by
PFPC or its affiliates) so that PFPC receives the Written Instructions
by the close of business on the same day that such Oral Instructions
are received. The fact that such confirming Written Instructions are
not received by PFPC shall in no way invalidate the transactions or
enforceability of the transactions authorized by the
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Oral Instructions. Where Oral Instructions or Written Instructions
reasonably appear to have been received from an Authorized Person,
PFPC shall incur no liability to the Fund in acting upon such Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions provided that PFPC's actions
comply with the other provisions of this Agreement.
6. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
(a) ADVICE OF THE FUND. If PFPC is in doubt as to any action it should or
should not take, PFPC may request directions or advice, including Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions, from the Fund.
(b) ADVICE OF COUNSEL. If PFPC shall be in doubt as to any question of
law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, PFPC may
request advice at its own cost from such counsel of its own choosing
(who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund's investment advisor or
PFPC, at the option of PFPC).
(c) CONFLICTING ADVICE. In the event of a conflict between directions,
advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC receives from
the Fund and the advice PFPC receives from counsel, PFPC may rely upon
and follow the advice of counsel. In the event PFPC so relies on the
advice of counsel, PFPC remains liable for any action or omission on
the part of PFPC which constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard by PFPC of any duties,
obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.
(d) PROTECTION OF PFPC. PFPC shall be protected in any action it takes or
does not take in reliance upon directions, advice or Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions it receives from the Fund or from counsel and
which PFPC believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those
directions, advice and Oral Instructions
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or Written Instructions. Nothing in this section shall be construed
so as to impose an obligation upon PFPC (i) to seek such directions,
advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in
accordance with such directions, advice or Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions unless, under the terms of other provisions of
this Agreement, the same is a condition of PFPC's properly taking or
not taking such action. Nothing in this subsection shall excuse PFPC
when an action or omission on the part of PFPC constitutes willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard by PFPC
of any duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this
Agreement.
7. RECORDS; VISITS.
(a) The books and records pertaining to the Fund and the Portfolios which
are in the possession or under the control of PFPC shall be the
property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and
maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities
laws, rules and regulations. The Fund and Authorized Persons shall
have access to such books and records at all times during PFPC's
normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund,
copies of any such books and records shall be provided by PFPC to the
Fund or to an Authorized Person, at the Fund's expense.
(b) PFPC shall keep the following records:
(i) all books and records with respect to each Portfolio's books
of account;
(ii) records of each Portfolio's securities transactions; and
(iii) all other books and records as PFPC is required to maintain
pursuant to Rule 31a-1 of the 1940 Act in connection with the
services provided hereunder.
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8. CONFIDENTIALITY. PFPC agrees to keep confidential all records of the Fund
and information relating to the Fund and its shareholders, unless the
release of such records or information is otherwise consented to, in
writing, by the Fund. The Fund agrees that such consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where PFPC may be exposed to
civil or criminal contempt proceedings or when required to divulge such
information or records to duly constituted authorities.
9. LIAISON WITH ACCOUNTANTS. PFPC shall act as liaison with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall provide account analyses, fiscal
year summaries, and other audit-related schedules with respect to each
Portfolio. PFPC shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its
duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is
made available to such accountants for the expression of their opinion, as
required by the Fund.
10. DISASTER RECOVERY. PFPC shall enter into and shall maintain in effect with
appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for
emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent
appropriate equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures,
PFPC shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to
minimize service interruptions. PFPC shall have no liability with respect
to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure,
provided such loss or interruption is not caused by PFPC's own willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
duties or obligations under this Agreement.
11. YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE. PFPC (a) has reviewed its business and
operations as they relate to the services provided hereunder, (b) has
developed or is developing a program to remediate or replace computer
applications and systems, and (c) has
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developed a testing plan to test the remediation or replacement of computer
applications/systems, in each case, to address on a timely basis the risk
that certain computer applications/systems used by PFPC may be unable to
recognize and perform properly date sensitive functions involving dates
prior to, including and after December 31, 1999, including dates such as
February 29, 2000 (the "Year 2000 Challenge"). To the best of PFPC's
knowledge and belief, the reasonably foreseeable consequences of the Year
2000 Challenge will not adversely effect PFPC's ability to perform its
duties and obligations under this Agreement.
12. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services rendered by PFPC during the
term of this Agreement, the Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio, will pay to
PFPC a fee or fees as may be agreed to from time to time in writing by the
Fund and PFPC.
13. INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio, agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless PFPC and its affiliates from all taxes,
charges, expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including, without
limitation, liabilities arising under the Securities Laws and any state or
foreign securities and blue sky laws, and amendments thereto), and
expenses, including (without limitation) attorneys' fees and disbursements
arising directly or indirectly from any action or omission to act which
PFPC takes (i) at the request or on the direction of or in reliance on the
advice of the Fund or (ii) upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
Neither PFPC, nor any of its affiliates, shall be indemnified against any
liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) arising out of
PFPC's or its affiliates' own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement. Any amounts payable by the Fund hereunder shall be satisfied
only against the relevant Portfolio's assets and not against the
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assets of any other investment portfolio of the Fund.
14. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf of the Fund
or any Portfolio except as specifically set forth herein or as may be
specifically agreed to by PFPC in writing. PFPC shall be obligated to
exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties
hereunder, to act in good faith and to use its best efforts, within
reasonable limits, in performing services provided for under this
Agreement. PFPC shall be liable for any damages arising out of PFPC's
failure to perform its duties under this Agreement to the extent such
damages arise out of PFPC's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of such duties.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other
provision of this Agreement, (i) PFPC shall not be liable for losses
beyond its control, provided that PFPC has acted in accordance with
the standard of care set forth above; and (ii) PFPC shall not be
liable for (A) the validity or invalidity or authority or lack thereof
of any Oral Instruction or Written Instruction, notice or other
instrument which conforms to the applicable requirements of this
Agreement, and which PFPC reasonably believes to be genuine; or (B)
subject to Section 10, delays or errors or loss of data occurring by
reason of circumstances beyond PFPC's control, including acts of civil
or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire,
flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure
of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
PFPC nor its
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affiliates shall be liable to the Fund or to any Portfolio for any
consequential, special or indirect losses or damages which the Fund or
any Portfolio may incur or suffer by or as a consequence of PFPC's or
any affiliates' performance of the services provided hereunder,
whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by
PFPC or its affiliates.
15. DESCRIPTION OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.
PFPC will perform the following accounting services with respect to each
Portfolio:
(i) Journalize investment, capital share and income and expense
activities;
(ii) Verify investment buy/sell trade tickets when received from the
investment advisor for a Portfolio (the "Advisor") and transmit
trades to each Portfolio's custodian (the "Custodian") for proper
settlement;
(iii) Maintain individual ledgers for investment securities;
(iv) Maintain historical tax lots for each security;
(v) Reconcile cash and investment balances of each Portfolio with the
Custodian, and provide the Advisor with the beginning cash balance
available for investment purposes;
(vi) Update the cash availability throughout the day as required by the
Advisor;
(vii) Post to and prepare the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and
the Statement of Operations;
(viii) Calculate various contractual expenses (E.G., advisory and custody
fees);
(ix) Monitor the expense accruals and notify an officer of the Fund of
any proposed adjustments;
(x) Control all disbursements and authorize such disbursements upon
Written Instructions;
(xi) Calculate capital gains and losses;
(xii) Determine net income;
(xiii) Obtain security market quotes from independent pricing services
approved by the
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Advisor, or if such quotes are unavailable, then obtain such
prices from the Advisor, and in either case calculate the market
value of each Portfolio's Investments;
(xiv) Transmit or mail a copy of the daily portfolio valuation to the
Advisor;
(xv) Compute net asset value;
(xvi) As appropriate, compute yields, total return, expense ratios,
portfolio turnover rate, and, if required, portfolio average
dollar-weighted maturity; and
(xvii) Prepare a monthly financial statement, which will include the
following items:
Schedule of Investments
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Cash Statement
Schedule of Capital Gains and Losses.
16. DESCRIPTION OF ADMINISTRATION SERVICES ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.
PFPC will perform the following administration services with respect to
each Portfolio:
(i) Prepare quarterly broker security transactions summaries;
(ii) Prepare monthly security transaction listings;
(iii) Supply various normal and customary Portfolio and Fund statistical
data as requested on an ongoing basis;
(iv) Prepare for execution and file the Fund's Federal and state tax
returns;
(v) Monitor each Portfolio's status as a regulated investment
company under Sub-chapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended;
(vi) Prepare and file with the SEC the Fund's annual, semi-annual, and
quarterly shareholder reports;
(vii) Prepare, coordinate with the Fund's counsel and file with the SEC
Post-Effective Amendments to the Fund's Registration Statement,
prepare reports to the SEC including, the preparation and filing of
(i) semi-annual reports on Form N-SAR and (ii) Notice pursuant to
Rule 24F-2;
(viii) Assist in the preparation of notices of Annual or Special Meetings
of Shareholders and Proxy materials relating to such meetings;
(ix) Assist in obtaining the fidelity bond and directors' and
officers'/errors and omissions insurance policies for the Fund in
accordance with the requirements of Rule 17g-1 and 17d-1(d)(7)
under the 1940 Act as such bond and policies are approved by the
Fund's Board of Trustees;
(x) Monitor the Fund's assets to assure adequate fidelity bond coverage
is maintained;
(xi) Draft agendas, resolutions and materials for quarterly and special
Board meetings;
(xii) Coordinate the preparation, assembly and mailing of Board
materials;
(xiii) Maintain the Fund's corporate calendar to assure compliance with
various filing deadlines;
(xiv) Coordinate contractual relationships and communications between
the Fund and its contractual service providers; and
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(xv) Monitor the Fund's compliance with the amounts and conditions of
each state qualification.
17. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue until terminated
by the Fund or by PFPC on sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the
other party.
18. NOTICES. All notices and other communications, including Written
Instructions, shall be in writing or by confirming telegram, cable, telex
or facsimile sending device. If notice is sent by confirming telegram,
cable, telex or facsimile sending device, it shall be deemed to have been
given immediately. If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be
deemed to have been given three days after it has been mailed. If notice
is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it
is delivered. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC, at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇; (b) if to the Fund, at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attn: ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ with a copy
to Vedder, Price, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Kammholz, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ; or (c) if to neither of
the foregoing, at such other address as shall have been provided by like
notice to the sender of any such notice or other communication by the other
party.
20. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or waived
only by written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement of
such change or waiver is sought.
21. DELEGATION; ASSIGNMENT. PFPC may assign its rights and delegate its duties
hereunder to any majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PFPC or
PNC Bank Corp., provided that (i) PFPC gives the Fund 30 days prior written
notice of such assignment or delegation, (ii) the assignee or delegate
agrees to comply with the relevant provision of
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the 1940 Act, and (iii) PFPC and such assignee or delegate promptly provide
such information as the Fund may reasonably request, and respond to such
questions as the Fund may reasonably ask, relative to the assignment or
delegation (including, without limitation, the capabilities of the assignee
or delegate).
22. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
23. FURTHER ACTIONS. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.
24. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between
the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings
relating to the subject matter hereof, provided that the parties may
embody in one or more separate documents their agreement, if any, with
respect to delegated duties and Oral Instructions. The captions in
this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in
no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect. Notwithstanding any provision
hereof, the services of PFPC are not, nor shall they be, construed as
constituting legal advice or the provision of legal services for or on
behalf of the Fund or any other person.
(b) This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in Delaware and
governed by Delaware law, without regard to principles of conflicts of
law.
(c) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court
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decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement
shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
(d) The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall
constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PFPC INC.
By:___________________
Title:________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ RESEARCH TRUST
By:___________________
Title:________________
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EXHIBIT A
THIS EXHIBIT A, dated as of _______________, 1999, is Exhibit A to that
certain Administration and Accounting Services Agreement dated as of
_____________, 1999 between PFPC Inc. and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Research Trust.
PORTFOLIOS
Senbanc Fund
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AUTHORIZED PERSONS APPENDIX
NAME (Type) SIGNATURE
_____________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________ _____________________________
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