EXHIBIT 99.6A
SOLICITING DEALER AGREEMENT
[LOGO]
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS, INC.
BOSTON -- MASSACHUSETTS -- 02199-7603
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS, INC.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
SOLICITING DEALER AGREEMENT
Date
------------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds, Inc. ("the Distributor" or "Distributor") is the
principal distributor of the shares of beneficial interest (the "securities") of
each of the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds, ("We" or "us"), (the "Funds"). Such Funds are
those listed on Schedule A hereto which may be amended or supplemented from time
to time by the Distributor to include additional Funds for which the Distributor
is the principal distributor. You represent that you are a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., (the "NASD") and, accordingly,
we invite you to become a non-exclusive soliciting dealer to distribute the
securities of the Funds and you agree to solicit orders for the purchase of the
securities on the following terms. Securities are offered pursuant to each
Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information, as such prospectus
and statement of additional information may be amended from time to time. To the
extent that the prospectus or statement of additional information contains
provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of
the prospectus or statement of additional information shall be controlling.
OFFERINGS
1. You agree to abide by the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD and to all other
rules and regulations that are now or may become applicable to transactions
hereunder.
2. As principal distributor of the Funds, we shall have full authority to take
such action as we deem advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the
distribution. This offer of shares of the Funds to you is made only in such
jurisdictions in which we may lawfully sell such shares of the Funds.
3. You shall not make any representation concerning the Funds or their
securities except those contained in the then- current prospectus or statement
of additional information for each Fund.
4. With the exception of listings of product offerings, you agree not to furnish
or cause to be furnished to any person or display, or publish any information or
materials relating to any Fund (including, without limitation, promotional
materials, sales literature, advertisements, press releases, announcements,
posters, signs and other similar materials), except such information and
materials as may be furnished to you by the Distributor or the Fund. All other
materials must receive written approval by the Distributor before distribution
or display to the public. Use of all approved advertising and sales literature
materials is restricted to appropriate distribution channels.
5. You are not authorized to act as our agent. Nothing shall constitute you as a
syndicate, association, joint venture, partnership, unincorporated business, or
other separate entity or otherwise partners with us, but you shall be liable for
your proportionate share of any tax, liability or expense based on any claim
arising from the sale of shares of the Funds under this Agreement. We shall not
be under any liability to you, except for obligations expressly assumed by us in
this Agreement and liabilities under Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of
1933, and no obligations on our part shall be implied or inferred herefrom.
6. DEALER COMPLIANCE/SUITABILITY STANDARDS (CLASS A AND CLASS B SHARES) -
Certain mutual funds distributed by the Distributor are being offered with two
or more classes of shares of the same investment portfolio ("Fund") - refer to
each Fund prospectus for availability and details. It is essential that the
following minimum compliance/suitability standards be adhered to in offering and
selling shares of these Funds to investors. All dealers offering shares of the
Funds and their associated persons agree to comply with these general
suitability and compliance standards.
-2-
SUITABILITY
With two classes of shares of certain funds available to individual
investors, (Class A and Class B), it is important that each investor purchases
not only the fund that best suits his or her investment objective but also the
class of shares that offers the most beneficial distribution financing method
for the investor based upon his or her particular situation and preferences.
Fund share recommendations and orders must be carefully reviewed by you and your
registered representatives in light of all the facts and circumstances, to
ascertain that the class of shares to be purchased by each investor is
appropriate and suitable. These recommendations should be based on several
factors, including but not limited to:
(A) the amount of money to be invested initially and over a period of
time;
(B) the current level of front-end sales load or back-end sales load
imposed by the Fund;
(C) the period of time over which the client expects to retain the
investment;
(D) the anticipated level of yield from fixed income funds' Class A and
Class B shares;
(E) any other relevant circumstances such as the availability of reduced
sales charges under letters of intent and/or rights of accumulation.
There are instances when one distribution financing method may be more
appropriate than another. For example, shares subject to a front-end sales
charge may be more appropriate than shares subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge for large investors who qualify for a significant quantity discount
on the front-end sales charge. In addition, shares subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge may be more appropriate for investors whose orders would
not qualify for quantity discounts and who, therefore, may prefer to defer sales
charges and also for investors who determine it to be advantageous to have all
of their funds invested without deduction of a front-end sales commission.
However, if it is anticipated that an investor may redeem his or her shares
within a short period of time, the investor may, depending on the amount of his
or her purchase, bear higher distribution expenses by purchasing contingent
deferred sales charge shares than if he or she had purchased shares subject to a
front-end sales charge.
COMPLIANCE
Your supervisory procedures should be adequate to assure that an
appropriate person reviews and approves transactions entered into pursuant to
this Soliciting Dealer Agreement for compliance with the foregoing standards. In
certain instances, it may be appropriate to discuss the purchase with the
registered representatives involved or to review the advantages and
disadvantages of selecting one class of shares over another with the client. The
Distributor will not accept orders for Class B Shares in any Fund from you for
accounts maintained in street name. Trades for Class B Shares will only be
accepted in the name of the shareholder.
7. CLASS C SHARES - Certain mutual funds distributed by the Distributor may be
offered with Class C shares. Refer to each Fund prospectus for availability and
details. Class C shares are designed for institutional investors and qualified
benefit plans, including pension funds, and are sold without a sales charge or
12b-1 fee. If a commission is paid to you for transactions in Class C shares, it
will be paid by the Distributor out of its own resources.
SALES
8. Orders for securities received by you from investors will be for the sale of
the securities at the public offering price, which will be the net asset value
per share as determined in the manner provided in the relevant Fund's
prospectus, as now in effect or as amended from time to time, next after receipt
by us (or the relevant Fund's transfer agent) of the purchase application and
payment for the securities, plus the relevant sales charges set forth in the
relevant Fund's then- current prospectus (the "Public Offering Price"). The
procedures relating to the handling of orders shall be subject to our
instructions which we will forward from time to time to you. All orders are
subject to acceptance by us, and we reserve the right in our sole discretion to
reject any order.
-3-
In addition to the foregoing, you acknowledge and agree to the initial and
subsequent investment minimums, which may vary from year to year, as described
in the then-current prospectus for each Fund.
9. You agree to sell the securities only (a) to your customers at the public
offering price then in effect, or (b) back to the Funds at the currently quoted
net asset value.
10. The amount of sales charge to be reallowed to you (the "Reallowance") as a
percentage of the offering price is set forth in the then-current prospectus of
each Fund.
If a sales charge on the purchase is reduced in accordance with the
provisions of the relevant Fund's then-current prospectus pertaining to "Methods
of Obtaining Reduced Sales Charges," the Reallowance shall be reduced pro rata.
11. We shall pay a Reallowance subject to the provisions of this agreement as
set forth in Schedule B hereto on all purchases made by your customers pursuant
to orders accepted by us (a) where an order for the purchase of securities is
obtained by a registered representative in your employ and remitted to us
promptly by you, (b) where a subsequent investment is made to an account
established by a registered representative in your employ or (c) where a
subsequent investment is made to an account established by a broker/dealer other
than you and is accompanied by a signed request from the account shareholder
that your registered representative receive the Reallowance for that investment
and/or for subsequent investments made in such account. If for any reason, a
purchase transaction is reversed, you shall not be entitled to receive or retain
any part of the Reallowance on such purchase and shall pay to us on demand in
full the amount of the Reallowance received by you in connection with any such
purchase. We may withhold and retain from the amount of the Reallowance due you
a sum sufficient to discharge any amount due and payable by you to us.
12. Certain of the Funds have adopted a plan under Investment Company Act Rule
12b-1 ("Distribution Plan" as described in the the prospectus). To the extent
you provide distribution and marketing services in the promotion of the sale of
shares of these Funds, including furnishing services and assistance to your
customers who invest in and own shares of such Funds and including, but not
limited to, answering routine inquiries regarding such Funds and assisting in
changing distribution options, account designations and addresses, you may be
entitled to receive compensation from us as set forth in Schedule C hereto. All
compensation, including 12b-1 fees, shall be payable to you only to the extent
that funds are received and in the possession of the Distributor.
13. We will advise you as to the jurisdictions in which we believe the shares
have been qualified for sale under the respective securities or "blue sky" laws
of such jurisdictions, but we assume no responsibility or obligations as to your
right to sell the shares of the Funds in any state or jurisdiction.
14. Orders may be placed through:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
SETTLEMENT
15. Settlements for wire orders shall be made within five business days after
our acceptance of your order to purchase shares of the Funds. Certificates, when
requested, will be delivered to you upon payment in full of the sum due for the
sale of the shares of the Funds. If payment is not so received or made, we
reserve the right forthwith to cancel the sale, or, at our option, to liquidate
the shares of the Fund subject to such sale at the then prevailing net asset
value, in which latter case you will agree to be responsible for any loss
resulting to the Funds or to us from your failure to make payments as aforesaid.
-4-
INDEMNIFICATION
16. The parties to this agreement hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless
each other, their officers and directors, and any person who is or may be deemed
to be a controlling person of each other, from and against any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel), whether
joint or several, to which any such person or entity may become subject insofar
as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon, (a) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of material fact, or any omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact made or omitted by it herein, or, (b) any willful misfeasance or
gross misconduct by it in the performance of its duties and obligations
hereunder.
17. NSCC INDEMNITY - SHAREHOLDER AND HOUSE ACCOUNTS - In consideration of the
Distributor and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investor Services Corporation ("Investor Services")
liquidating, exchanging, and/or transferring unissued shares of the Funds for
your customers without the use of original or underlying documentation
supporting such instructions (e.g., a signed stock power or signature
guarantee), you hereby agree to indemnify the Distributor, Investor Services and
each respective Fund against any losses, including reasonable attorney's fees,
that may arise from such liquidation exchange, and/or transfer of unissued
shares upon your direction. This indemnification shall apply only to the
liquidation, exchange and/or transfer of unissued shares in shareholder and
house accounts executed as wire orders transmitted via NSCC's Fund/SERVsystem.
You represent and warrant to the Funds, the Distributor and Investor Services
that all such transactions shall be properly authorized by your customers.
The indemnification in this Section 16 shall not apply to any losses
(including attorney's fees) caused by a failure of the Distributor, Investor
Services or a Fund to comply with any of your instructions governing any of the
above transactions, or any negligent act or omission of the Distributor,
Investor Services or a Fund, or any of their directors, officers, employees or
agents. All transactions shall be settled upon your confirmation through NSCC
transmission to Investor Services.
The Distributor, Investor Services or you may revoke the indemnity
contained in this Section 16 upon prior written notice to each of the other
parties hereto, and in the case of such revocation, this indemnity agreement
shall remain effective as to trades made prior to such revocation.
MISCELLANEOUS
18. We will supply to you at our expense additional copies of the prospectus and
statement of additional information for each of the Funds and any printed
information supplemental to such material in reasonable quantities upon request.
19. Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at
your address as registered from time to time with the NASD.
20. Miscellaneous provisions, if any, are attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference.
21. This agreement, which shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, may be terminated by any party hereto at any time
upon written notice.
-5-
SOLICITING DEALER
-------------------------------------------------
Name of Organization
By:-------------------------------------------------
Authorized Signature of Soliciting Dealer
-------------------------------------------------
Please Print or Type Name
-------------------------------------------------
Title
-------------------------------------------------
Print or Type Address
-------------------------------------------------
Telephone Number
Date:
-------------------------------------------------
In order to service you efficiently, please provide the following
information on your Mutual Funds Operations Department:
OPERATIONS MANAGER:
---------------------------------------------
ORDER ROOM MANAGER:
---------------------------------------------
OPERATIONS ADDRESS:
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
TELEPHONE: FAX:
-------------------------------- ------------------------------
TO BE COMPLETED BY: TO BE COMPLETED BY:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS, INC. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ INVESTOR
SERVICES CORPORATION
BY: BY:
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
TITLE TITLE
DEALER NUMBER:
------------------------------------
-6-
JOHNHANCOCK
MUTUAL FUNDS
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Broker Distrubution Services, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ 1-800-225-5291
/s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS, INC.
SCHEDULE A
DATED JANUARY 1, 1995 TO THE
SOLICITING DEALER AGREEMENT RELATING TO SHARES OF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Sovereign Achievers Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ National Aviation & Technology Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Sovereign Investors Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Regional Bank Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Sovereign Balanced Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Gold and Government Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Sovereign Bond Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Rx Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Sovereign U.S. Government Income Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Technology Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Special Equities Fund* ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Special Opportunities Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pacific Basin Equities Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Discovery Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Income Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Growth Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ International Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Strategic Income Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Resources Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Limited-Term Government Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Emerging Growth Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ Management Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Capital Growth Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Managed Tax-Exempt Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Growth & Income Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Tax-Exempt Income Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Yield Bond Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Tax-Exempt Series Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investment Quality Bond Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Special Value Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Government Securities Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Strategic Short-Term Income Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ U.S. Government Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CA Tax-Free Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Government Income Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Yield Tax-Free Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Intermediate Government Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Tax-Free Bond Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Adjustable U.S. Government Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ U.S. Government Cash Reserve Fund ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ Reserve Money Market B Fund
From time to time ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds, Inc., as principal distributor of the
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ funds, will offer additional funds for sale. These funds will
automatically become part of this Agreement and will be subject to all its
provisions unless otherwise directed by ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds, Inc.
*Closed to new investors as of 9/30/94
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS, INC.
SCHEDULE B
DATED JANUARY 1, 1995 TO THE
SOLICITING DEALER AGREEMENT RELATING TO SHARES OF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS
I. REALLOWANCE
The Reallowance paid to the selling Brokers for sales of ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds
is set forth in each Fund's then- current prospectus. No Commission will be paid
on sales of ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ Management Fund or any ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Fund that is
without a sales charge. Purchases of Class A shares of $1 million or more, or
purchases into an account or accounts whose aggregate value of fund shares is $1
million or more will be made at net asset value with no initial sales charge. On
purchases of this type, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds, Inc. will pay a commission as set
forth in each Fund's then-current prospectus. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds, Inc. will pay
Brokers for sales of Class B shares of the Funds a marketing fee as set forth in
each Fund's then-current prospectus.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS, INC.
SCHEDULE C
DATED JANUARY 1, 1995 TO THE
SOLICITING DEALER AGREEMENT RELATING TO SHARES OF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS
FIRST YEAR SERVICE FEES
Pursuant to the Distribution Plan applicable to each of the Funds listed in
Schedule A, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds, Inc. will advance to you a First Year Service
Fee related to the purchase of Class A shares (only if subject to sales charge)
or Class B shares of any of the Funds, as the case may be, sold by your firm.
This Service Fee will be compensation for your personal service and/or the
maintenance of shareholder accounts ("Customer Servicing") during the
twelve-month period immediately following the purchase of such shares, in the
amount not to exceed .25 of 1% of net assets invested in Class A shares or Class
B shares of the Fund, as the case may be, purchased by your customers.
SERVICE FEE SUBSEQUENT TO THE FIRST YEAR
Pursuant to the Distribution Plan applicable to each of the Funds listed in
Schedule A, the Distributor will pay you quarterly, in arrears, a Service Fee
commencing at the end of the twelve month period immediately following the
purchase of Class A shares (only if subject to sales charge) or Class B shares,
as the case may be, sold by your firm, for Customer Servicing, in an amount not
to exceed .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class A
shares or Class B shares of the Fund, as the case may be, purchased by your
customers, provided your firm has under management with the Funds combined
average daily net assets for the preceding quarter of no less than $1 million,
or an individual representative of your firm has under management with the Funds
combined average daily net assets for the preceding quarter of no less than
$250,000 (an "Eligible Firm").
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ BROKER DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, INC.
SCHEDULE D
DATED JULY 1, 1992 TO THE
SOLICITING DEALER AGREEMENT RELATING TO SHARES OF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MUTUAL FUNDS
No broker/dealer shall represent the FUnds or Distribution Services in any
written communications without prior receipt of written approval from ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Broker Distribution Services, Inc. This includes but is not limited to
all advertising, public relations, marketing and sales literature, and media
contacts.
Further, subsequent to the creation of such materialsbefore written
approval from JHBDS will be given, a copy of the NASD review document applicable
to such materials must be furnished to ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Broker Distribution
Services, Inc. for its review and files.
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SCHEDULE D, THE FOLLOWING TERMS ARE DEFINED:
Advertising:
materials designed for the mass market, e.g. print ads, radio and tv
commercials, billboards, etc.
Sales literature:
materials designed for a directed market, e.g. prospecting letters,
brochures, mailers, stuffers, etc.
Coop Advertising:
advertising materials (as defined above) used by selling group members
for which ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ pays some or all of the costs of publication
whether the materials were developed by JHBDS Marketing or not.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Broker Distribution Services, Inc. Approval of Advertising:
Approval has four meanings:approval of the material itself from a
marketing perspective (JHBDS product managers), proactive compliance
officer), parent company corporate advertising approval (▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Mutual Life Insurance Company Advertising Dept. personnel) and approval
for use and related cost-sharing arrangements (national sales
coordinators).
NASD Filing:
Materials created by JHBDS will be filed with the NASD by the JHBDS
Compliance Department. Materials not created by JHBDS but to be included
in the coop program will be filed with the NASD by the broker-dealer
creating the materials. However, prior to use of the materials in our
coop program, we will need a copy of the final version of the material
as well as the NASDcomment letter. When this is received, the above
approvals can be obtained.