PRINCIPAL VARIABLE CONTRACTS FUNDS, INC. SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT MELLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION SUB-ADVISED SERIES
PRINCIPAL VARIABLE CONTRACTS FUNDS, INC.
MELLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION SUB-ADVISED SERIES
AGREEMENT executed as of the 15th day of May, 2012, by and between PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, an Iowa Corporation (hereinafter called "the Manager") and MELLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, a Delaware Corporation (hereinafter called "the Sub-Advisor").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Manager is the manager and investment adviser to each Series of Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc., (the "Fund"), an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Manager desires to retain the Sub-Advisor to render discretionary investment advisory services with respect to assets allocated by the Manager for management by the Sub-Advisor for a portion of the portfolio for the Fund’s Bond Market Index Account Series (hereinafter called the “Series”), and the Sub-Advisor desires to furnish such services; and
WHEREAS, The Manager has furnished the Sub-Advisor with copies properly certified or authenticated of each of the following and will promptly provide the Sub-Advisor with copies properly certified or authenticated of any amendment or supplement thereto:
| (a) | Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement") with the Fund; |
| (b) | The Fund's registration statement and financial statements as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; |
| (c) | The Fund's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws; |
| (d) | Policies, procedures or instructions adopted or approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund relating to obligations and services provided by the Sub-Advisor. |
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
| 1. | Appointment of Sub-Advisor |
In accordance with and subject to the Management Agreement, the Manager hereby appoints the Sub-Advisor to perform the services described in Section 2 below for investment and reinvestment of the securities and other assets of the Series, subject to the control and direction of the Fund's Board of Directors, for the period and on the terms hereinafter set forth. The Sub-Advisor accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services hereinafter set forth for the compensation herein provided. The Sub-Advisor shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund or the Manager in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund or the Manager.
| 2. | Obligations of and Services to be Provided by the Sub-Advisor |
| (a) | Provide investment advisory services, including but not limited to research, advice and supervision for the Series. |
| (b) | Furnish to the Board of Directors of the Fund for approval (or any appropriate committee of such Board), and revise from time to time as economic conditions require, a recommended investment program for the Series consistent with the Series’ investment objective and policies. |
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| (c) | Implement the approved investment program by opening accounts and placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities without prior consultation with the Manager and without regard to the length of time the securities have been held, the resulting rate of portfolio turnover or any tax considerations, subject always to the provisions of the Fund's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and the requirements of the 1940 Act, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect. |
| (d) | Advise and assist the officers of the Fund in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of its Board of Directors, and any appropriate committees of such Board, regarding the general conduct of the investment business of the Series. |
| (e) | Report to the Board of Directors of the Fund at such times and in such detail as the Board of Directors may reasonably deem appropriate in order to enable it to determine that the investment policies, procedures and approved investment program of the Series are being observed. |
| (f) | Provide assistance and recommendations for the determination of the fair value of certain securities when reliable market quotations are not readily available for purposes of calculating net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Fund's Board of Directors. |
| (g) | Furnish, at its own expense, (i) all necessary investment and management facilities, including salaries of clerical and other personnel required for it to execute its duties faithfully, and (ii) administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, clerical personnel and equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the investment advisory affairs of the Series. |
| (h) | Select brokers and dealers to effect all transactions for the Series, place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and negotiate brokerage commissions if applicable. To the extent consistent with applicable law, purchase or sell orders for the Series may be aggregated with contemporaneous purchase or sell orders of other clients of the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-Advisor shall use its best efforts to obtain execution of transactions for the Series at prices which are advantageous to the Series and at commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. However, the Sub-Advisor 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-Advisor. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Sub-Advisor 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-Advisor determines in good faith that such amount of commission is 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-Advisor 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-Advisor in managing the Series. |
| (i) | Maintain all accounts, books and records with respect to the Series as are required of an investment advisor of a registered investment company pursuant to the 1940 Act and Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Investment Advisors Act") and the rules thereunder. |
| 3. | Prohibited Conduct |
In providing the services described in this agreement, the Sub-Advisor will not consult with any other investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to any investment company sponsored by Principal Life Insurance Company regarding transactions for the Fund in securities or other assets.
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| 4. | Compensation |
As full compensation for all services rendered and obligations assumed by the Sub-Advisor hereunder with respect to the Series, the Manager shall pay the compensation specified in Appendix A to this Agreement.
| 5. | Liability of Sub-Advisor |
Neither the Sub-Advisor nor any of its directors, officers, employees or affiliates shall be liable to the Manager, the Fund or its shareholders for any loss suffered by the Manager or the Fund resulting from the Sub-Advisor's provision of services under this Agreement except for losses resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of, or from reckless disregard of, the duties of the Sub-Advisor or any of its directors, officers, employees or affiliates.
| 6. | Supplemental Arrangements |
The Sub-Advisor may enter into arrangements with other persons affiliated with the Sub-Advisor or with unaffiliated third parties to better enable the Sub-Advisor to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement for the provision of certain personnel and facilities to the Sub- Advisor, subject to written notification to and approval of the Manager and the Board of Directors of the Fund.
| 7. | Regulation |
The Sub-Advisor shall submit to all regulatory and administrative bodies having jurisdiction over the services provided pursuant to this Agreement any information, reports or other material which any such body may reasonably request or require pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.
| 8. | Duration and Termination of This Agreement |
This Agreement shall become effective on the latest of (i) the date of its execution, (ii) the date of its approval by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including approval by the vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Manager, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company or the Fund cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval or (iii) if required by the 1940 Act, the date of its approval by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. It shall continue in effect thereafter from year to year provided that the continuance is specifically approved at least annually either by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and in either event by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Manager, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Sub-Advisor or the Fund cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
If the shareholders of the Series fail to approve the Agreement or any continuance of the Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Sub-Advisor will continue to act as Sub-Advisor with respect to the Series pending the required approval of the Agreement or its continuance or of any contract with the Sub-Advisor or a different manager or sub-advisor or other definitive action; provided, that the compensation received by the Sub-Advisor in respect to the Series during such period is in compliance with Rule 15a-4 under the 1940 Act.
This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice, be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Sub-Advisor or the Manager or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. In interpreting the provisions of this Section 8, the definitions contained in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act (particularly the definitions of "interested person," "assignment" and "voting security") shall be applied.
| 9. | Amendment of this Agreement |
No material amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved, if required by the 1940 Act or the rules, regulations, interpretations or orders issued thereunder, by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series and by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Manager, the Sub-Advisor, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company or the Fund cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
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| 10. | General Provisions |
| (a) | Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Iowa. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. |
| (b) | Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage pre-paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notices. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Manager for this purpose shall be The Principal Financial Group, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, and the address of the Sub-Advisor shall be ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇. |
| (c) | The Sub-Advisor will promptly notify the Manager in writing of the occurrence of any of the following events: |
| (1) | the Sub-Advisor fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Advisor is required to be registered as an investment advisor in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement. |
| (2) | the Sub-Advisor is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Series. |
| (d) | The Manager shall provide (or cause the Series’ custodian to provide) timely information to the Sub-Advisor regarding such matters as the composition of the assets of the Series, cash requirements and cash available for investment in the Series, and all other reasonable information as may be necessary for the Sub-Advisor to perform its duties and responsibilities hereunder. |
| (e) | The Sub-Advisor represents that it will not enter into any agreement, oral or written, or other understanding under which the Fund directs or is expected to direct portfolio securities transactions, or any remuneration, to a broker or dealer in consideration for the promotion or sale of Fund shares or shares issued by any other registered investment company. Sub-advisor further represents that it is contrary to the Sub-advisor’s policies to permit those who select brokers or dealers for execution of fund portfolio securities transactions to take into account the broker or dealer’s promotion or sale of Fund shares or shares issued by any other registered investment company. |
| (f) | The Sub-Advisor agrees that neither it nor any of its affiliates will in any way refer directly or indirectly to its relationship with the Fund, the Series, or the Manager or any of their respective affiliates in offering, marketing or other promotional materials without the express written consent of the Manager. |
| (g) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary contained herein, the Sub-Advisor shall not be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to the Fund or Series resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of the Sub-Advisor or its agents, including but not limited to nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, seizure, or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Fund’s or Series’ property; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts of war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. |
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| (h) | This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement on the date first above written.
| PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION | ||
| By | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. Beer | |
| ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. Beer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | ||
| MELLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION | ||
| By | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ | |
| Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ | |
| Title: | Director | |
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APPENDIX A
The Sub-Advisor shall serve as investment sub-advisor for the Fund. The Manager will pay the Sub-Advisor, as full compensation for all services provided under this Agreement, a fee computed at an annual rate as follows (the "Sub-Advisor Percentage Fee"):
Bond Market Index Account Series
| Daily | Fee as a Percentage |
| Net Assets | of Daily Net Assets |
| First $200 million | 0.08% |
| Next $300 million | 0.06% |
| Next $500 million | 0.05% |
| Assets over $1 billion | 0.04% |
In calculating the fee for the Bond Market Index Account series, assets of any unregistered separate account of Principal Life Insurance Company and any investment company sponsored by Principal Life Insurance Company to which provides investment advisory services and which have the same investment mandate as the Bond Market Index will be combined with the assets of the series to arrive at net assets.
The Sub-Advisor Percentage Fee shall be accrued for each calendar day and the sum of the daily fee accruals shall be paid monthly to the Sub-Advisor. The daily fee accruals will be computed by multiplying the fraction of one over the number of calendar days in the year by the applicable annual rate described above and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series as determined in accordance with the Series’ prospectus and statement of additional information as of the close of business on the previous business day on which the Series was open for business.
If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates before the end of any month, the fee (if any) for the period from the effective date to the end of such month or from the beginning of such month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination occurs.
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