ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of February 28, 1997 between Maplewood Investment
Trust, a series company (the "Trust"), and Countrywide Fund Services, Inc.
("Countrywide"), an Ohio corporation.
WHEREAS, the Trust is an investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to employ the services of Countrywide to
serve as its administrative agent; and
WHEREAS, Countrywide wishes to provide such services under the
conditions set forth below;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained in this Agreement, the Trust and Countrywide agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT.
The Trust hereby appoints and employs Countrywide as agent to
perform those services described in this Agreement for the Trust. Countrywide
shall act under such appointment and perform the obligations thereof upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
2. DOCUMENTATION.
The Trust will furnish from time to time the following
documents:
A. Each resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust
authorizing the original issue of its shares;
B. Each Registration Statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and amendments
thereof;
C. A certified copy of each amendment to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Trust;
D. Certified copies of each resolution of the Board of
Trustees authorizing officers to give instructions to
Countrywide;
E. Specimens of all new forms of share certificates
accompanied by Board of Trustees' resolutions approving
such forms;
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F. Such other certificates, documents or opinions which
Countrywide may, in its discretion, deem necessary or
appropriate in the proper performance of its duties;
G. Copies of all Underwriting and Dealer Agreements in
effect;
H. Copies of all Investment Advisory Agreements in effect;
and
I. Copies of all documents relating to special investment
or withdrawal plans which are offered or may be offered
in the future by the Trust and for which Countrywide is
to act as plan agent.
3. TRUST ADMINISTRATION.
Subject to the direction and control of the Trustees of the
Trust, Countrywide shall supervise the Trust's business affairs not otherwise
supervised by other agents of the Trust. To the extent not otherwise the primary
responsibility of, or provided by, other agents of the Trust, Countrywide shall
supply (i) office facilities, (ii) internal auditing and regulatory services,
and (iii) executive and administrative services. Countrywide shall coordinate
the preparation of (i) tax returns, (ii) reports to shareholders of the Trust,
(iii) reports to and filings with the SEC and state securities authorities
including preliminary and definitive proxy materials, post-effective amendments
to the Trust's registration statement, and the Trust's Form N-SAR, and (iv)
necessary materials for Board of Trustees' meetings unless prepared by other
parties under agreement with the Trust. Countrywide shall provide personnel to
serve as officers of the Trust if so elected by the Board of Trustees; provided,
however, that the Trust shall reimburse Countrywide for the reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such personnel in attending Board of
Trustees' meetings and shareholders' meetings of the Trust.
4. RECORDKEEPING AND OTHER INFORMATION.
Countrywide shall create and maintain all records required by
applicable laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to records
required by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, as the same
may be amended from time to time, pertaining to the various functions performed
by it and not otherwise created and maintained by another party pursuant to
contract with the Trust. All such records shall be the property of the Trust at
all times and shall be available for inspection and use by the Trust. Where
applicable, such records shall be maintained by Countrywide for the periods and
in the places required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. The retention of such
records shall be at the expense of the Trust. Countrywide shall
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make available during regular business hours all records and other data created
and maintained pursuant to this Agreement for reasonable audit and inspection by
the Trust, any person retained by the Trust, or any regulatory agency having
authority over the Trust.
5. FURTHER ACTIONS.
Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute
such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof.
6. COMPENSATION.
For the performance of Countrywide's obligations under this
Agreement, each series of the Trust shall pay Countrywide, on the first business
day following the end of each month, a monthly fee at the annual rate of .15% of
such series' average daily net assets up to $50 million; .125% of such assets
from $50 to $100 million; and .1% of such assets in excess of $100 million;
provided, however, that the minimum fee shall be $1,000 per month for each
series. Countrywide shall not be required to reimburse the Trust or the Trust's
investment advisers for (or have deducted from its fees) any expenses in excess
of expense limitations imposed by certain state securities commissions having
jurisdiction over the Trust.
7. COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS.
The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that nothing
contained herein shall be construed to require Countrywide to perform any
services for the Trust which services could cause Countrywide to be deemed an
"investment adviser" of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(20) of the
1940 Act or to supersede or contravene the Trust's prospectus or statement of
additional information or any provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules
thereunder. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and except for the
accuracy of information furnished to it by Countrywide, the Trust assumes full
responsibility for complying with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act,
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other laws, rules and
regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction.
8. REFERENCES TO COUNTRYWIDE.
The Trust shall not circulate any printed matter which
contains any reference to Countrywide without the prior written approval of
Countrywide, excepting solely such printed matter as merely identifies
Countrywide as Administrative Services Agent, Transfer, Shareholder Servicing
and Dividend Disbursing Agent and Accounting Services Agent. The Trust will
submit printed matter requiring approval to Countrywide in draft form, allowing
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sufficient time for review by Countrywide and its counsel prior to any deadline
for printing.
9. INDEMNIFICATION OF COUNTRYWIDE.
A. Countrywide may rely on information reasonably believed by it to be
accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the 1940 Act and
the rules thereunder, neither Countrywide nor its shareholders, officers,
directors, employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall
be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by
the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or
omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under or
payments made pursuant to this Agreement or any other matter to which this
Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of the duties of
Countrywide under this Agreement or by reason of reckless disregard by any of
such persons of the obligations and duties of Countrywide under this Agreement.
B. Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee,
shareholder or agent of Countrywide, or any of its affiliates, who may be or
become an officer, trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed,
when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust, to
be rendering such services to or acting solely as an officer, trustee, employee
or agent of the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee, shareholder or
agent of or one under the control or direction of Countrywide or any of its
affiliates, even though paid by one of these entities.
C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Trust
shall indemnify and hold harmless Countrywide, its directors, officers,
employees, shareholders, agents, control persons and affiliates from and against
any and all claims, demands, expenses and liabilities (whether with or without
basis in fact or law) of any and every nature which Countrywide may sustain or
incur or which may be asserted against Countrywide by any person by reason of,
or as a result of: (i) any action taken or omitted to be taken by Countrywide in
good faith in reliance upon any certificate, instrument, order or share
certificate reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed,
countersigned or executed by any duly authorized person, upon the oral
instructions or written instructions of an authorized person of the Trust or
upon the opinion of legal counsel for the Trust or its own counsel; or (ii) any
action taken or omitted to be taken by Countrywide in connection with its
appointment in good faith in reliance upon any law, act, regulation or
interpretation of the same even though the same may thereafter have been
altered, changed, amended or repealed. However, indemnification under this
subparagraph shall not apply to actions or omissions
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of Countrywide or its directors, officers, employees, shareholders or agents in
cases of its or their own gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith, or
reckless disregard of its or their own duties hereunder.
10. TERMINATION
A. The provisions of this Agreement shall be effective on the
date first above written, shall continue in effect for two years from that date
and shall continue in force from year to year thereafter, but only so long as
such continuance is approved (1) by Countrywide, (2) by vote, cast in person at
a meeting called for the purpose, of a majority of the Trust's trustees who are
not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇)
of any such party, and (3) by vote of a majority of the Trust's Board of
Trustees or a majority of the Trust's outstanding voting securities.
B. Either party may terminate this Agreement on any date by
giving the other party at least sixty (60) days' prior written notice of such
termination specifying the date fixed therefore. Upon termination of this
Agreement, the Trust shall pay to Countrywide such compensation as may be due as
of the date of such termination, and shall likewise reimburse Countrywide for
any out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements reasonably incurred by Countrywide
to such date.
C. In the event that in connection with the termination of
this Agreement a successor to any of Countrywide's duties or responsibilities
under this Agreement is designated by the Trust by written notice to
Countrywide, Countrywide shall, promptly upon such termination and at the
expense of the Trust, transfer all records maintained by Countrywide under this
Agreement and shall cooperate in the transfer of such duties and
responsibilities, including provision for assistance from Countrywide's
cognizant personnel in the establishment of books, records and other data by
such successor.
11. SERVICES FOR OTHERS.
Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Countrywide or any
affiliated person (as defined in the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) of Countrywide from providing
services for any other person, firm or corporation (including other investment
companies); provided, however, that Countrywide expressly represents that it
will undertake no activities which, in its judgment, will adversely affect the
performance of its obligations to the Trust under this Agreement.
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12. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust
hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees,
officers, agents or employees of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust
property of the Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been
authorized by the Trustees of the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust,
acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any
of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but
shall bind only the trust property of the Trust.
13. SEVERABILITY.
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to
be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of
this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
14. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Ohio. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement
having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the
1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940
Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States Courts or in
the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations
or orders of the SEC issued pursuant to said 1940 Act. In addition, where the
effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this
Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation or order of the SEC, such provision
shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
15. NOTICES.
All notices, requests, consents and other communications
required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing (including telex
and telegraphic communication) and shall be (as elected by the person giving
such notice) hand delivered by messenger or courier service, telecommunicated,
or mailed (airmail if international) by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid), return receipt requested, addressed to:
To the Trust: Maplewood Investment Trust, a series company
▇/▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: O. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ III
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To Countrywide: Countrywide Fund Services, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
or to such other address as any party may designate by notice complying with the
terms of this Section 15. Each such notice shall be deemed delivered (a) on the
date delivered if by personal delivery; (b) on the date telecommunicated if by
telegraph; (c) on the date of transmission with confirmed answer back if by
telex, telefax or other telegraphic method; and (d) on the date upon which the
return receipt is signed or delivery is refused or the notice is designated by
the postal authorities as not deliverable, as the case may be, if mailed.
16. AMENDMENT.
This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a
written agreement executed by both parties.
17. BINDING EFFECT.
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that
he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the
party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated
to the foregoing terms.
18. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
19. FORCE MAJEURE.
If Countrywide shall be delayed in its performance of services
or prevented entirely or in part from performing services due to causes or
events beyond its control, including and without limitation, acts of God,
interruption of power or other utility, transportation or communication
services, acts of civil or military authority, sabotages, national emergencies,
explosion, flood, accident, earthquake or other catastrophe, fire, strike or
other labor problems, legal action, present or future law, governmental order,
rule or regulation, or shortages of suitable parts, materials, labor or
transportation, such delay or non-performance shall be excused and a reasonable
time for performance in connection with this Agreement shall be extended to
include the period of such delay or non-performance.
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20. MISCELLANEOUS.
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
MAPLEWOOD INVESTMENT TRUST,
A SERIES COMPANY
By: /s/ O. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Its: Chairman
COUNTRYWIDE FUND SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Its: President
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