Registration Nos. 2-98326
811-4323
EXHIBIT 5(N)
FORM OF SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT FOR NEW ENGLAND STAR WORLDWIDE FUND
BETWEEN NEFM AND FOUNDERS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
NEW ENGLAND STAR WORLDWIDE FUND
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Founders Asset Management, Inc.
This Sub-Advisory Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of
January 1, 1996 by and between New England Funds Management, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership (the "Manager"), and Founders Asset Management, Inc., a
_____________ corporation (the "Sub-Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into an Advisory Agreement dated January
1, 1996 (the "Advisory Agreement") with New England Funds Trust I (the "Trust"),
pursuant to which the Manager provides portfolio management and administrative
services to New England Star Worldwide Fund, a series of the Trust (the
"Series");
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement provides that the Manager may delegate any
or all of its portfolio management responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement
to one or more sub-advisers;
WHEREAS, the Manager and the trustees of the Trust desire to retain the
Sub-Adviser to render portfolio management services in the manner and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth in this Agreement, the Manager and the Sub-Adviser agree as follows:
1. Sub-Advisory Services.
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a. The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Manager
and of any administrator appointed by the Manager (the "Administrator"), manage
the investment and reinvestment of such portion of the assets of the Series as
the Manager may from time to time allocate to the Sub-Adviser for management
(such portion, the "Segment"). The Sub-Adviser shall manage the Segment in
conformity with (1) the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the
Series set forth in the Trust's prospectus and statement of additional
information relating to the Series, (2) any additional policies or guidelines
established by the Manager or by the Trust's trustees that have been furnished
in writing to the Sub-Adviser and (3) the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code (the "Code") applicable to "regulated investment companies" (as defined in
Section 851 of the Code), all as from time to time in effect (collectively, the
"Policies"), and with all applicable provisions of law, including without
limitation all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"1940 Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder. For purposes of compliance
with the Policies,
the Sub-Adviser shall be entitled to treat the Segment as though the Segment
constituted the entire Series, and the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible in
any way for the compliance of any assets of the Series, other than the Segment,
with the Policies, or for the compliance of the Series, taken as a whole, with
the Policies. Subject to the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser is authorized, in its
discretion and without prior consultation with the Manager, to buy, sell, lend
and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds and other securities and investment
instruments on behalf of the Series, without regard to the length of time the
securities have been held and the resulting rate of portfolio turnover or any
tax considerations; and the majority or the whole of the Segment may be invested
in such proportions of stocks, bonds, other securities or investment
instruments, or cash, as the Sub-Adviser shall determine. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this Section 1.a, however, the Sub-Adviser shall, upon
written instructions from the Manager, effect such portfolio transactions for
the Segment as the Manager shall determine are necessary in order for the Series
to comply with the Policies.
b. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Manager and the Administrator
monthly, quarterly and annual reports concerning transactions and performance of
the Segment in such form as may be mutually agreed upon, and agrees to review
the Segment and discuss the management of it. The Sub-Adviser shall permit all
books and records with respect to the Segment to be inspected and audited by the
Manager and the Administrator at all reasonable times during normal business
hours, upon reasonable notice. The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Manager
with such other information and reports as may reasonably be requested by the
Manager from time to time, including without limitation all material requested
by or required to be delivered to the Trustees of the Trust.
c. The Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Manager a copy of the Sub-
Adviser's Form ADV as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a
list of the persons whom the Sub-Adviser wishes to have authorized to give
written and/or oral instructions to custodians of assets of the Series.
2. Obligations of the Manager.
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a. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Series' Custodian (as
defined in Section 3 hereof) to provide) timely information to the Sub-Adviser
regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the Segment, cash
requirements and cash available for investment in the Segment, and all other
information as may be reasonably necessary for the Sub-Adviser to perform its
responsibilities hereunder.
b. The Manager has furnished the Sub-Adviser a copy of the prospectus
and statement of additional information of the Series and agrees during the
continuance of this Agreement to furnish the Sub-Adviser copies of any revisions
or supplements thereto at, or, if practicable, before the time the revisions or
supplements become effective. The Manager agrees to furnish the Sub-Adviser with
minutes of meetings of the trustees of the Trust applicable to the Series to the
extent they may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser, and with
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copies of any financial statements or reports made by the Series to its
shareholders, and any further materials or information which the Sub-Adviser may
reasonably request to enable it to perform its functions under this Agreement.
3. Custodian. The Manager shall provide the Sub-Adviser with a copy of
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the Series's agreement with the custodian designated to hold the assets of the
Series (the "Custodian") and any modifications thereto (the "Custody
Agreement"), copies of such modifications to be provided to the Sub-Adviser a
reasonable time in advance of the effectiveness of such modifications. The
assets of the Segment shall be maintained in the custody of the Custodian
identified in, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of, the Custody
Agreement (or any sub-custodian properly appointed as provided in the Custody
Agreement). The Sub-Adviser shall have no liability for the acts or omissions
of the Custodian, unless such act or omission is taken in reliance upon
instruction given to the Custodian by a representative of the Sub-Adviser
properly authorized to give such instruction under the Custody Agreement. Any
assets added to the Segment shall be delivered directly to the Custodian.
4. Proprietary Rights. The Manager agrees and acknowledges that the Sub-
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Adviser is the sole owner of the name and ▇▇▇▇ "Founders Asset Management, Inc."
and that all use of any designation consisting in whole or part of "Founders
Asset Management, Inc." (a "Founders ▇▇▇▇") under this Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of the Sub-Adviser. The Manager on its own behalf and on behalf of
the Series agrees not to use any Founders ▇▇▇▇ in any advertisement or sales
literature or other materials promoting the Series, except with the prior
written consent of the Sub-Adviser. Without the prior written consent of the
Sub-Adviser, the Manager shall not, and the Manager shall use its best efforts
to cause the Series not to, make representations regarding the Sub-Adviser in
any disclosure document, advertisement or sales literature or other materials
relating to the Series. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the
Manager shall cease, and the Manager shall use its best efforts to cause the
Series to cease, all use of any Founders ▇▇▇▇(s) as soon as reasonably
practicable.
5. Expenses. Except for expenses specifically assumed or agreed to be
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paid by the Sub-Adviser pursuant hereto, the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for
any organizational, operational or business expenses of the Manager or the Trust
including, without limitation, (a) interest and taxes, (b) brokerage commissions
and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other
investment instruments with respect to the Series, and (c) custodian fees and
expenses. Any reimbursement of advisory fees required by any expense limitation
provision of any law shall be the sole responsibility of the Manager. The
Manager and the Sub-Adviser shall not be considered as partners or participants
in a joint venture. The Sub-Adviser will pay its own expenses incurred in
furnishing the services to be provided by it pursuant to this Agreement.
Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any affiliated person thereof shall be entitled to
any compensation from the Manager or the Trust with respect to service by any
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affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser as an officer or trustee of the Trust
(other than the compensation to the Sub-Adviser payable by the Manager pursuant
to Section 7 hereof).
6. Purchase and Sale of Assets. Absent instructions from the Manager to
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the contrary, the Sub-Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale
of securities for the Segment with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-
Adviser, which may include brokers or dealers affiliated with the Sub-Adviser,
provided such orders comply with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act in all respects.
To the extent consistent with applicable law, purchase or sell orders for the
Segment may be aggregated with contemporaneous purchase or sell orders of other
clients of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall use its best efforts to
obtain execution of transactions for the Segment at prices which are
advantageous to the Series and at commission rates that are reasonable in
relation to the benefits received. However, the Sub-Adviser may select brokers
or dealers on the basis that they provide brokerage, research or other services
or products to the Series and/or other accounts serviced by the Sub-Adviser. To
the extent consistent with applicable law, the Sub-Adviser may pay a broker or
dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess
of the amount of commission or dealer spread another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines in good
faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of
the brokerage and research products and/or services provided by such broker or
dealer. This determination, with respect to brokerage and research services or
products, may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the
overall responsibilities which the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates have with
respect to the Series or to accounts over which they exercise investment
discretion. Not all such services or products need be used by the Sub-Adviser
in managing the Segment.
7. Compensation of the Sub-Adviser. As full compensation for all
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services rendered, facilities furnished and expenses borne by the Sub-Adviser
hereunder, the Manager shall pay the Sub-Adviser compensation at the annual rate
of 0.65% of the first $50 million of the average daily net assets (including
cash or cash equivalents) of the Segment, 0.60% of the next $50 million of such
assets and 0.55% of such assets in excess of $100 million. Such compensation
shall be payable monthly in arrears or at such other intervals, not less
frequently than quarterly, as the Manager is paid by the Series pursuant to the
Advisory Agreement.
8. Non-Exclusivity. The Manager and the Series agree that the services
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of the Sub-Adviser are not to be deemed exclusive and that the Sub-Adviser and
its affiliates are free to act as investment manager and provide other services
to various investment companies and other managed accounts, except as the Sub-
Adviser and the Manager or the Administrator may otherwise agree from time to
time in writing before or after the date hereof. This Agreement shall not in any
way limit or restrict the Sub-Adviser or any of its directors, officers,
employees or agents from buying, selling or trading any securities or other
investment instruments for its or their own account or for the account of others
for whom it or they may be acting, provided that such activities do not
adversely affect or otherwise impair the performance by the Sub-Adviser of its
duties and obligations under this Agreement. The
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Manager and the Series recognize and agree that the Sub-Adviser may provide
advice to or take action with respect to other clients, which advice or action,
including the timing and nature of such action, may differ from or be identical
to advice given or action taken with respect to the Series. The Sub-Adviser
shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be an independent contractor and
shall, unless otherwise provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or
represent the Series or the Manager in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent
of the Series or the Manager.
9. Liability. Except as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act or
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other federal securities laws, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any of its officers,
directors, employees or agents (the "Indemnified Parties") shall be subject to
any liability to the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any shareholder of the
Series for any error of judgment, any mistake of law or any loss arising out of
any investment or other act or omission in the course of, connected with, or
arising out of any service to be rendered under this Agreement, except by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the
Sub-Adviser's duties or by reason of reckless disregard by the Sub-Adviser of
its obligations and duties hereunder. The Manager shall hold harmless and
indemnify the Sub-Adviser for any loss, liability, cost, damage or expense
(including reasonable attorneys fees and costs) arising from any claim or demand
by any past or present shareholder of the Series that is not based upon the
obligations of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Segment under this Agreement.
Without limiting the foregoing, it is expressly understood and agreed that
the Manager and the Series shall hold harmless and indemnify the Indemnified
Parties for any loss arising out of any act or omission of any other sub-adviser
to the Series, or for any loss arising out of the failure of the Series to
comply with the Policies, except for losses arising out of the Sub-Adviser's
failure to comply with the Policies with respect to the Segment. The Manager
acknowledges and agrees that the Sub-Adviser makes no representation or
warranty, express or implied, that any level of performance or investment
results will be achieved by the Series or the Segment or that the Series or the
Segment will perform comparably with any standard or index, including other
clients of the Sub-Adviser, whether public or private.
10. Effective Date and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective
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as of the date of its execution, and
a. unless otherwise terminated, this Agreement shall continue in
effect for two years from the date of execution, and from year to year
thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually (i) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Series, and (ii) by vote of a majority
of the trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, the
Manager or the Sub-Adviser, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval;
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b. this Agreement may at any time be terminated on sixty days'
written notice to the Sub-Adviser either by vote of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Series;
c. this Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment or upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement;
d. this Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser on sixty days'
written notice to the Manager and the Trust, or by the Manager on sixty days'
written notice to the Sub-Adviser.
Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without
the payment of any penalty.
11. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual
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consent of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, provided that, if required by law,
such amendment shall also have been approved by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Series and by vote of a majority of the
trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, the Manager
or the Sub-Adviser, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval.
12. Certain Definitions. For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms
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"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested person,"
"affiliated person" and "assignment" shall have their respective meanings
defined in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted
by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act.
13. General.
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a. The Sub-Adviser may perform its services through any employee,
officer or agent of the Sub-Adviser, and the Manager shall not be entitled to
the advice, recommendation or judgment of any specific person; provided,
however, that the persons identified in the prospectus of the Series shall
perform the portfolio management duties described therein until the Sub-Adviser
notifies the Manager that one or more other employees, officers or agents of the
Sub-Adviser, identified in such notice, shall assume such duties as of a
specific date.
b. If any term or provision or this Agreement or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances is held to be invalid or unenforceable to
any extent, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision
to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be
enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
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c. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance
with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NEW ENGLAND FUNDS
MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By NEF Corporation, its general partner
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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FOUNDERS ASSET
MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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