INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT Between SECURITY INVESTORS, LLC and
Between
SECURITY INVESTORS, LLC
and
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT, made as of the 1st day of August, 2010, between Security Investors, LLC (“Adviser”), a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Kansas, and ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Associates, Inc. (“Sub-Adviser”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland.
WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated as of the 1st day of August, 2010 (“Advisory Agreement”) with SBL Fund (“Company”), which is engaged in business as an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Company is authorized to issue shares of Series N (“Fund”), a separate series of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is engaged principally in the business of rendering investment supervisory services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to retain the Sub-Adviser as sub-adviser to furnish certain investment advisory services to the Adviser and the Fund and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual promises herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Appointment. Adviser hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser as its investment sub-adviser with respect to the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2. Duties of the Sub-Adviser.
A. Investment Sub-Advisory Services. Subject to the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”) and the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall act as the investment sub-adviser and shall supervise and direct the investments of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as currently in effect and as amended or
(1) buy, sell, exchange, convert, lend, and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds, and other securities or assets; and
(2) directly or through the trading desks of ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Associates, Inc.and its affiliates, place orders and negotiate the commissions (if any) for the execution of transactions in securities or other assets with or through such brokers, dealers, underwriters or issuers as the Sub-Adviser may select.
B. Further Duties of Sub-Adviser. In all matters relating to the performance of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and currently effective Registration Statement (as defined below) and with the written instructions and directions of the Board and the Adviser, and shall comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the rules thereunder, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
C. In carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall ensure that the Fund complies with all applicable statutes and regulations necessary to qualify the Fund as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor or similar provision), and shall notify the Adviser immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the fund has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
D. In carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall invest the Fund assets in such a manner as to ensure that the Fund complies with the diversification provisions of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder relating to the diversification requirements for variable insurance contracts and any prospective amendments or other modifications to Section 817 or regulations thereunder. Sub-Adviser shall notify the Adviser immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to comply and will take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation 1.817.5.
3. Compensation. For the services provided and the expenses assumed by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall receive a monthly investment management fee as set forth in Schedule 1, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The management fee shall be payable monthly to the Sub-Adviser on or before the 25th day of the next succeeding calendar month. If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates before the end of any month, the investment management fee for the period from the effective date to
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4. Duties of the Adviser.
A. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement.
B. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies of each of the following documents and will furnish to the Sub-Adviser at its principal office all future amendments and supplements to such documents, if any, as soon as practicable after such documents become available:
(1) The Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Secretary of State, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time;
(2) The By-Laws of the Company as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time (“By-Laws”);
(3) Certified resolutions of the Board of the Company authorizing the appointment of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and approving the form of the Advisory Agreement and this Agreement;
(4) The Company’s Registration Statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form N-1A, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) relating to the Fund and its shares and all amendments thereto (“Registration Statement”);
(5) The Notification of Registration of the Company under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed with the SEC and any amendments thereto;
(6) The Fund’s Prospectus (as defined above); and
(7) A certified copy of any financial statement or report prepared for the Fund by certified or independent public accountants, and copies of any financial statements or reports made by the Fund to its shareholders or to any governmental body or securities exchange.
The Adviser shall furnish the Sub-Adviser with any further documents, materials or information that the Sub-Adviser may reasonably request to enable it to perform its duties pursuant to this Agreement.
C. During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser shall furnish to the Sub-Adviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, sales literature, or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Fund or the public, which refer to the Sub-Adviser or its clients in any way, prior to the use thereof, and the
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5. Confidentiality.
A. The Sub-Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information obtained pursuant to this Agreement (“Confidential Information”) (and any other information obtained for the use of its clients excluding investment research and investment advice) in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or in the ordinary course of business in connection with placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities or obtaining investment licenses in various countries or the opening of brokerage or other accounts or the opening of custody accounts and dealing with settlement agents in various countries, and will keep confidential any information obtained pursuant to the Agreement, and disclose such information only if the Board has authorized such disclosure, or if such disclosure is required by applicable federal or state law or regulations or regulatory authorities having the requisite authority or is otherwise publicly available. The Company and the Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information with respect to the Sub-Adviser obtained pursuant to this Agreement, in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement, and will keep confidential any information obtained pursuant to this Agreement, and disclose such information only as expressly authorized in this Agreement, or if such disclosure is required by applicable federal or state law or regulations or regulatory authorities having the requisite authority.
B. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser each agrees that it, its trustees, officers and employees, or any service provider to whom the entity may disclose Confidential Information in the ordinary course of business, will not use the Confidential Information to make investments for themselves or others or to make recommendations for others. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser each agrees to establish and enforce appropriate procedures to ensure that all such persons will use the Confidential Information only as permitted under this Agreement. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser each shall take reasonable security precautions, at least as great as the precautions it takes to protect its own confidential information, to prevent the Confidential Information from being disclosed to third persons.
C. In the event that the recipient of Confidential Information (the “Recipient”) is requested or required (by deposition, interrogatories, requests for information or documents in legal proceedings, subpoenas, civil investigative demand or similar process), in connection with any proceeding, to disclose any of the discloser’s Confidential Information, the Recipient will give the discloser prompt written notice of such request or requirement to allow the discloser an opportunity to obtain a protective order or otherwise obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded to such Confidential Information. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, disclosure shall be made of only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed. All Confidential Information disclosed as required by law shall nonetheless continue to be deemed Confidential Information.
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6. Brokerage.
A. The Sub-Adviser agrees that, in placing orders with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, it shall attempt to obtain best execution at favorable security prices; provided that, on behalf of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion, agree to pay a broker-dealer that furnishes brokerage or research services as such services are defined under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), a higher commission than that which might have been charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same transactions, if the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the accounts as to which it exercises investment discretion (as such term is defined under Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act). In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Sub-Adviser, or any affiliated person thereof (“Principal Transactions”), except in accordance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Regardless of the provisions of the federal securities laws relating to Principal Transactions, as currently in effect or as may be amended in the future, no such transactions will be effected for the Fund without the express written authorization of the Adviser.
B. On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner the Sub-Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to its other clients.
7. Ownership of Records. The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to transactions on behalf of the Fund. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees (i) that all records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Company, (ii) to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any records that it maintains for the Company and that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and (iii) agrees to surrender promptly to the Company any records that it maintains for the Company upon request by the Company; provided, however, the Sub-Adviser may retain copies of such records.
8. Reports. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Board or the Adviser, or both, as appropriate, such information, reports, evaluations, analyses and opinions as the Sub-Adviser and the Board or the Adviser, as appropriate, may mutually agree upon from time to time.
9. Services to Others Clients. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit or restrict (i) the freedom of the Sub-Adviser, or any affiliated person thereof, to render investment management and corporate administrative services to other investment companies, to act as
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10. Sub-Adviser’s Use of the Services of Others. The Sub-Adviser may (at its cost except as contemplated by Paragraph 5 of this Agreement) employ, retain, or otherwise avail itself of the services or facilities of other persons or organizations for the purpose of providing the Sub-Adviser or the Company or Fund, as appropriate, with such statistical and other factual information, such advice regarding economic factors and trends, such advice as to occasional transactions in specific securities, or such other information, advice, or assistance as the Sub-Adviser may deem necessary, appropriate, or convenient for the discharge of its obligations hereunder or otherwise helpful to the Company or the Fund, as appropriate, or in the discharge of Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the other accounts that it serves as investment manager or counselor. However, the Sub-Adviser shall not assign or delegate any of its duties under this Agreement without the approval of the Adviser and the Board.
11. Limitation of Liability of the Sub-Adviser. Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any of its officers, directors, or employees, nor any person performing executive, administrative, trading, or other functions for the Company, the Fund (at the direction or request of the Sub-Adviser) or the Sub-Adviser in connection with the Sub-Adviser’s discharge of its obligations undertaken or reasonably assumed with respect to this Agreement, shall be liable for (i) any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company or Fund or (ii) any error of fact or mistake of law contained in any report or data provided by the Sub-Adviser, except for any error, mistake or loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its or his duties on behalf of the Company or Fund or from reckless disregard by the Sub-Adviser or any such person of the duties of the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement.
12. Representations of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants, and agrees as follows:
A. The Sub-Adviser: (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has met, and will continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (v) will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
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B. The Sub-Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Company with a copy of such code of ethics, together with evidence of its adoption.
C. The Sub-Adviser has provided the Adviser and the Company with a copy of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will, promptly after filing any amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC, furnish a copy of such amendment to the Adviser.
13. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the date first above written, provided that this Agreement shall not take effect unless it has first been approved (i) by a vote of a majority of those directors of the Company who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities if required by applicable law. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from its effective date. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year, with respect to the Fund, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, so long as such continuation shall be specifically approved at least annually (a) by either the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; (b) in either event, by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the directors of the Company who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party; and (c) the Sub-Adviser shall not have notified the Company, in writing, at least 60 days prior to such approval that it does not desire such continuation. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Company, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal, or amendment hereof.
14. Termination of Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement may also be terminated by the Adviser: (i) on at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser, without the payment of any penalty; (ii) upon material breach by the Sub-Adviser of any of the representations and warranties set forth in Paragraph 11 of this Agreement, if such breach shall not have been cured within a 20-day period after notice of such breach; or (iii) if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser may terminate this Agreement at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days’ prior notice to the Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment or upon termination of the Advisory Agreement.
15. Amendment of Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged, or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge, or termination is sought, and no material amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved in accordance with applicable law.
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16. Miscellaneous.
A. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof and the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Maryland conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
B. Captions. The captions contained 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.
C. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto and shall supersede any prior agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and all such prior agreements shall be deemed terminated upon the effectiveness of this Agreement.
D. Interpretation. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Company to take any action contrary to its Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Board of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Fund.
E. Definitions. 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 validly issued pursuant to the Act. As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “affiliated person,” “interested person,” “assignment,” “broker,” “investment adviser,” “net assets,” “sale,” “sell,” and “security” shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act, subject to such exemption as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation, or order. Where the effect of a requirement of the federal securities laws reflected in any provision of this Agreement is made less restrictive by a rule, regulation, or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, or order.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their duly authorized signatories as of the date and year first above written.
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Attest
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SECURITY INVESTORS, LLC
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By:
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▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Secretary
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President
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Attest
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▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
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By:
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▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
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Vice President
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SCHEDULE 1
FEE SCHEDULE
For the services provided and the expenses assumed by the Sub-Adviser under the terms of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall receive a monthly investment management fee as set forth below:
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Average Daily Net Assets of the Fund
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Compensation
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The first $25 million
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.50% plus
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$25 million or more
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.35%
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For purposes of Section 3 of the Agreement, the value of the net assets of the Fund shall be computed in the same manner at the end of the business day as the value of such net assets is computed in connection with the determination of the net asset value of the Fund’s shares as described in the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information.