EXHIBIT 9(c)(i)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS,
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.
and
CUNA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made and entered into as of the 20th day
of February, 1997 by and among CUNA Mutual Life Insurance Company (hereinafter
the "Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate account of the
Company named in Schedule 1 to this Agreement, as may be amended from time to
time by mutual consent (hereinafter collectively the "Accounts"), ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Variable Account Funds (hereinafter the "Fund") and OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
(hereinafter the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end management investment company and is
available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts now in
existence or to be established at any date hereafter for variable life insurance
policies and variable annuity contracts (collectively, the "Variable Insurance
Products") offered by insurance companies (hereinafter "Participating Insurance
Company");
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several series
of shares, each designated a "Portfolio", and each representing the interests in
a particular managed pool of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission, dated July 16, 1986 (File No. 812-6324) granting Participating
Insurance Company and variable annuity and variable life insurance separate
accounts exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and
15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940
Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent
necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable
annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and
unaffiliated life insurance companies (hereinafter the "Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order")
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable
annuity and/or life insurance contracts under the 1933 Act (hereinafter
"Contracts") (unless an exemption from registration is available);
WHEREAS, the Accounts are or will be duly organized, validly existing
segregated asset accounts, established by resolution of the Board of Directors
of the Company, to set aside and
invest assets attributable to the aforesaid variable contracts (the Contract(s)
and the Account(s) covered by the Agreement are specified in Schedule 2 attached
hereto, as may be modified by mutual consent from time to time);
WHEREAS, the Company have registered or will register the Accounts as unit
investment trusts under the 1940 Act (unless an exemption from registration is
available);
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intend to purchase shares in the Portfolios (the
Portfolios covered by this Agreement are specified in Schedule 3 attached hereto
as may be modified by mutual consent from time to time), on behalf of the
Accounts to fund the Contracts named in Schedule 2, as may be amended from time
to time by mutual consent, and the Fund is authorized to sell such shares to
unit investment trusts such as the Accounts at net asset value; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Fund, the
Adviser and the Company agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1. The Fund agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the Fund which
the Company orders on behalf of the Account, executing such orders on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its
designee of the order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of this Section
1.1, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders
from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the
Fund; provided that the Fund receives written (or facsimile) notice of such
order by 9:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business Day. "Business
Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading
and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of
the SEC.
1.2. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day after
it places an order to purchase Fund shares in accordance with Section 1.1
hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire or by a credit for
any shares redeemed.
1.3. The Fund agrees to make Fund shares available for purchase at the
applicable net asset value per share by the Company for their separate Accounts
listed in Schedule 1 on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset
value pursuant to rules of the SEC; provided, however, that the Board of
Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Trustees") may refuse to sell shares of
any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of
any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities
having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Trustees, acting in
good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and any
applicable state laws, in the best interests of the shareholders of any
Portfolio.
1.4. The Fund agrees to redeem, upon the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or
its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this Section 1.6,
the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by
the Fund; provided that the Fund receives written (or facsimile) notice of such
request for redemption by 9:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business
Day. Payment shall be made within the time period specified in the Fund's
prospectus or statement of additional information, in federal funds transmitted
by wire to the Company's account as designated by the Company in writing from
time to time.
1.5. The Company shall pay for the Fund shares on the next Business Day
after an order to purchase shares is made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1.4 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire
pursuant to the instructions of the Fund's treasurer or by a credit for any
shares redeemed.
1.6. The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of the Portfolios
named in Schedule A offered by the then current prospectus and statement of
additional information of the Fund in accordance with the provisions of such
prospectus and statement of additional information. The Company shall not permit
any person other than a Contract owner to give instructions to the Company which
would require the Company to redeem or exchange shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE II. Sales Material, Prospectuses and Other Reports
2.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund
or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Fund or the Adviser is named, at least ten Business Days prior to its
use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its designee reasonably
object to such use within ten Business Days after receipt of such material.
"Business Day" shall mean any day in which the New York Stock Exchange is open
for trading and in which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any representations
or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with
the sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the Fund shares, as
such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in sale
literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its designee,
except with the permission of the Fund.
2.3. For purposes of this Article II, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" means advertisements (such as material published, or
designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio,
television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboard
or electronic media), and sales literature (such as brochures, circulars, market
letters and form letters), distributed or made generally available to customers
or the public.
2.4. The Fund shall provide a copy of its current prospectus within a
reasonable period of its filing date, and provide other assistance as is
reasonably necessary in order for the
Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus for the Fund is
supplemented or amended) to have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's
prospectus printed together in one document (such printing to be at the
Company's expense). The Adviser shall be permitted to review and approve the
typeset form of the Fund's Prospectus prior to such printing.
2.5. The Fund or the Adviser shall provide the Company with either: (i) a
copy of the Fund's proxy material, reports to shareholders, other information
relating to the Fund necessary to prepare financial reports, and other
communications to shareholders for printing and distribution to Contract owners
at the Company's expense, or (ii) camera ready and/or printed copies, if
appropriate, of such material for distribution to Contract owners at the
Company' expense, within a reasonable period of the filing date for definitive
copies of such material. The Adviser shall be permitted to review and approve
the typeset form of such proxy material and shareholder reports prior to such
printing provided such materials have been provided within a reasonable period.
ARTICLE III. Fees and Expenses
3.1. The Fund and Adviser shall pay no fee or other compensation to the
Company under this agreement, and the Company shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Fund or Adviser, except as provided herein.
3.2. All expenses incident to performance by each party of its respective
duties under this Agreement shall be paid by that party. The Fund shall see to
it that all its shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance
with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent advisable by the Fund, in
accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear
the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's
shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, and the preparation of all statements
and notices required by any federal or state law.
3.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of typesetting, printing and
distributing the Fund's prospectus, proxy materials and reports to owners of
Contracts issued by the Company.
3.4. In the event the Fund adds one or more additional Portfolios and the
parties desire to make such Portfolios available to the respective Contract
owners as an underlying investment medium, a new Schedule A or an amendment to
this Agreement shall be executed by the parties authorizing the issuance of
shares of the new Portfolios to the particular Account. The amendment may also
provide for the sharing of expenses for the establishment of new Portfolios
among Participating Insurance Company desiring to invest in such Portfolios and
the provision of funds as the initial investment in the new Portfolios.
ARTICLE IV. Potential Conflicts
4.1. The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the "Board") will monitor the Fund
for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests
of the Contract owners of all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An
irreconcilable material conflict may arise
for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f)
a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of Contract
owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
4.2. The Company has reviewed a copy of the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, and in particular, has reviewed the conditions to the requested
relief set forth therein. The Company agrees to be bound by the responsibilities
of a participating insurance company as set forth in the Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order, including without limitation the requirement that the
Company report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware to the
Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities in
monitoring such conflicts under the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by
providing the Board in a timely manner with all information reasonably necessary
for the Board to consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited
to, an obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever Contract owner
voting instructions are disregarded and by confirming in writing, at the Fund's
request, that the Company are unaware of any such potential or existing material
irreconcilable conflicts.
4.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its
disinterested Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company shall, at their expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by a majority of the disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are
necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to an
including: (1) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate
accounts from the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a
different investment medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of
the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation should be
implemented to a vote of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate,
segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners,
life insurance contract owners, or variable contract owners of one or more
Participating Insurance Company) that votes in favor of such segregation, or
offering to the affected Contract owners the option of making such a change; and
(2) establishing a new registered management investment company or managed
separate account.
4.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by
the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the Account's investment in
the Fund and terminate this Agreement; provided, however, that such withdrawal
and termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board. Any such withdrawal and termination must
take place within six (6) months after the Fund gives written notice that this
provision is being implemented, and until
the end of the six month period the Fund shall continue to accept and implement
orders by the Company for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund.
4.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six months
after the Board informs the Company in writing that it has determined that such
decision has created an irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however,
that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by
the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of
the disinterested members of the Board. Until the end of the foregoing six month
period, the Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company
for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund, subject to applicable
regulatory limitation.
4.6. For purposes of Sections 4.3 through 4.6 of this Agreement, a majority
of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts.
The Company shall not be required by Section 4.3 to establish a new funding
medium for Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a
majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable
material conflict. In the event that the Board determines that any proposed
action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then the
Company will withdraw the particular Account's investment in the Fund and
terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs the
Company in writing of the foregoing determination, provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board.
ARTICLE V. Applicable Law
5.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
5.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934
and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including
such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and
Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the Mixed and
Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and
construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE VI. Termination
6.1 This Agreement shall terminate with respect to some or all Portfolios:
(a) at the option of any party upon six month's advance written notice
to the other parties;
(b) at the option of the Company to the extent that shares of
Portfolios are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of
its Contracts or are not appropriate funding vehicles for the
Contracts, as determined by the Company reasonably and in good faith.
Prompt notice of the election to terminate for such cause and an
explanation of such cause shall be furnished by the Company; or
(c) as provided in Article IV
6.2. It is understood and agreed that the right of any party hereto to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1(a) may be exercised for cause
or for no cause.
ARTICLE VII. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify to the other party.
If to the Fund:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Variable Account Funds
c/o OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: Legal Department
If to the Adviser:
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: General Counsel
If to the Company:
CUNA Mutual Group
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Legal Department
ARTICLE VIII. Miscellaneous
8.1. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority,
each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the
owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information without the express written consent
of the affected party until such time as it may come into the public domain.
8.2. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
8.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
8.4. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
8.5. Each party hereto shall cooperate with, and promptly notify each other
party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation
the Securities and Exchange Commission, the NASD and state insurance regulators)
and shall permit such authorities reasonable access to its books and records in
connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
8.6. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
8.7. It is understood by the parties that this Agreement is not an
exclusive arrangement in any respect.
8.8. The Company and the Adviser each understand and agree that the
obligations of the Fund under this Agreement are not binding upon any
shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and the Fund's
property; the Company and the Adviser each represent that it has notice of the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
8.9. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party hereto without the
prior written consent of all the parties.
8.10. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties
and supercedes all prior communications, agreements and understandings, oral or
written, between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative
and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the date specified below.
CUNA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By its authorized officer,
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. Kitchen
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. Kitchen
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 26, 1997
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Secretary
Date: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇, ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
Date: March 3, 1997
SCHEDULE 1
CUNA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
CUNA Mutual Life Variable Annuity Account
CUNA Mutual Life Variable Account
CUNA Mutual Life Group Variable Annuity Account
As of September 21, 1999
SCHEDULE 2
CUNA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY CONTRACTS
COVERED BY SEPARATE ACCOUNTS LISTED IN SCHEDULE 1
CUNA Mutual Life Variable Annuity Account
MEMBERS Variable Annuity Product
CUNA Mutual Life Variable Account
MEMBERS Variable Universal Life Product
MEMBERS Variable Universal Life II Product
CUNA Mutual Life Group Variable Annuity Account
UltraSaver Group Annuity Product
CU Pension Saver Group Annuity Product
CU UltraSaver Group Annuity Product
As of September 21, 1999
SCHEDULE 3
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS PORTFOLIOS
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Income Fund/VA