The Agreement between ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Retirement Plan
Services, Inc. and the Taxable Funds, dated January 1, 1996.
PAGE 1
AGREEMENT
between
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES, INC.
and
EACH OF THE PARTIES INDICATED ON APPENDIX A
PAGE 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article A Terms of Appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Article B Duties of RPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1. Purchases - Retirement Plans and Retirement
Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Retirement Plans - Redemptions to Cover
Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3. Exchanges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4. Shares held by Retirement Accounts . . . . 4
5. Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6. Tax Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
7. Other Information to be furnished to the
Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
8. Correspondence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
9. Mailings/Confirmation Statements . . . . . 6
10. Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
11. Form N-SAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
12. Backup Withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article C Fee and Out-of-Pocket Expenses . . . . . . . . . 7
1. Postage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2. Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3. Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4. Record Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5. Disaster Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article D Representations and Warranties of RPS . . . . . 8
Article E Representations and Warranties of the Fund . . . 8
Article F Standard of Care/Indemnification . . . . . . . . 9
Article G Dual Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Article H Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Article I Recordkeeping/Confidentiality . . . . . . . . 13
Article J Ownership of Software and Related Material . . 13
PAGE 3
Article K As of Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1. Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2. Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Article L Term and Termination of Agreement . . . . . . 16
Article M Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article N Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article O Amendment/Interpretive Provisions . . . . . . 17
Article P Further Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article Q Maryland Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article R Merger of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article S Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article T The Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article U Directors, Trustees and Shareholders and
Massachusetts Business Trust . . . . . . . . . 18
Article V Captions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
PAGE 4
AGREEMENT, made as of the first day of January, 1996, by and
between ▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES, INC., a Maryland
corporation having its principal office and place of business at
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ("RPS"), and
EACH FUND WHICH IS LISTED ON APPENDIX A (as such Appendix may be
amended from time to time) and which evidences its agreement to
be bound hereby by executing a copy of this Agreement (each Fund
hereinafter referred to as "the Fund") whose definition may be
found in Article T;
WHEREAS, the Funds are named investment options under various
tax-sheltered plans, including, but not limited to, state
deferred compensation plans, 403(b) plans, and profit sharing,
thrift, and money purchase pension plans for self-employed
individuals, professional partnerships and corporations,
(collectively referred to as "Retirement Plans"); and the Fund
has determined that such investments of Retirement Plans in the
Funds are in the best long-term interest of the Funds;
WHEREAS, RPS has the capability of providing special
services, on behalf of the Fund, for the accounts ("Retirement
Accounts") of shareholders participating in these Retirement
Plans;
WHEREAS, RPS represents that it is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as a Transfer Agent under
PAGE 5
Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("the '34
Act").
WHEREAS, RPS may subcontract or jointly contract with other
parties on behalf of the Funds to perform certain of the
functions described herein, RPS may also enter into, on behalf of
the Funds, certain banking relationships to perform various
banking services, including, but not limited to, check deposits,
disbursements, automatic clearing house transactions ("ACH") and
wire transfers. Subject to guidelines mutually agreed upon by
the Funds and RPS, excess balances, if any, resulting from these
banking relationships will be invested and the income therefrom
will be used to offset fees which would otherwise be charged to
the Funds under this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to contract with RPS the foregoing
functions and services described herein in connection with the
Retirement Plans and Retirement Accounts;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
A. Terms of Appointment
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints RPS to perform
the services and functions described herein in connection with
PAGE 6
certain Retirement Plan and Retirement Accounts as agreed upon by
the parties.
B. Duties of RPS:
RPS agrees that it will perform the following services:
1. Purchases - Retirement Plans and Retirement Accounts
After RPS has received monies from Retirement Plans and
has determined the proper allocation of such monies to the
Retirement Accounts or Retirement Plan participants
("Participants") based upon instructions received from
Participants, Retirement Plans or their designees, or
Retirement Plan Administrator(s) ("Administrator(s)"), RPS
will, as a responsibility under the Agreement:
a. Transmit by check or wire the aggregate money
allocated to each Fund to the Fund's custodian;
b. In the case of a new Participant, establish and
maintain a Retirement Account for such Participant;
and
c. Compute the number of shares of each Fund to which
the Participant is entitled according to the price of
such Fund shares as provided by such Fund for
purchases made at that time and date, and credit each
such Account with the number of shares of the Fund so
purchased.
PAGE 7
2. Retirement Plans - Redemptions to Cover Distributions.
After RPS has received instructions from the Administrator
regarding distributions to be made to Participants or their
designated beneficiaries from Funds designated as investment
options under the Retirement Plan, RPS will, as a
responsibility under the Agreement:
a. Compute the amount due for shares to be redeemed from
each Retirement Account or compute the number of
shares to be redeemed from each such Retirement
Account for such distributions and the total number
of all shares of each Fund to be redeemed in
accordance with the price per share at that time and
date of such Fund as calculated and provided by the
Fund. After such computation, inform the Fund of the
amount necessary to be redeemed. Distribute to
Participants or their designated beneficiaries the
amount to be disbursed.
b. After RPS has received instructions from the
Administrator regarding disbursements to be made
regarding the payment of fees due the Administrator,
or other persons including RPS, RPS will, as a
responsibility under this Agreement:
PAGE 8
i. Compute the number of shares to be redeemed from
each Retirement Account to pay for such
disbursements and the total number of all shares
to be redeemed in accordance with the price per
share at that time and date, of such Fund as
calculated and provided by the Fund;
ii. Effect the necessary redemption from the Fund's
custodian to cover such disbursements; and
iii. Mail to the Administrator or such other person as
designated by the Administrator the amount to be
disbursed.
c. Other Provisions
i. If any instruction tendered by an Administrator to
redeem shares in a Retirement Account is not
satisfactory to RPS, RPS shall promptly notify the
Administrator of such fact together with the
reason therefor;
ii. The authority of RPS to perform its
responsibilities under Paragraph B(2) with respect
to each Fund shall be suspended upon receipt of
notification by such Fund of the suspension of the
determination of the Fund's net asset value per
PAGE 9
share and shall remain suspended until proper
notification; and
iii. The Fund will promptly inform RPS of the
declaration of any dividend or distribution on
account of the capital stock of any Fund so that
RPS may properly credit income and capital gain
payments to each Retirement Account.
3. Exchanges
Effect exchanges of shares of the Funds upon receipt of
appropriate instructions from the Administrator and/or
Participant.
4. Shares held by Retirement Accounts will be
Noncertificate Shares
RPS will have neither responsibility nor authority to
issue stock certificates evidencing ownership of Fund shares
held by Participants. All shares held in Retirement Accounts
maintained by RPS shall be noncertificated shares.
5. Books and Records
RPS shall maintain records showing for each Retirement
Plan or Retirement Account, the following:
a. Names, addresses and tax identification numbers, when
provided;
b. Number of shares held;
PAGE 10
c. Historical information regarding the account of each
Participant and/or Retirement Plan, including
dividends and distributions invested in shares;
d. Pertinent information regarding the establishment and
maintenance of Retirement Plans and Retirement
Accounts necessary to properly administer each
account.
e. Any instructions from a Participant or Administrator
including, all forms furnished by the Fund and
executed by a Participant with respect to elections
with respect to payment options in connection with
the redemption of shares; or distribution elections,
if applicable; and
f. Any information required in order for RPS to perform
the calculations contemplated under this Agreement.
Any such records maintained pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("the Act") will be
preserved for the periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2
thereunder. Disposition of such records after such
prescribed periods shall be as mutually agreed upon from time
to time by RPS and the Funds. The retention of such records,
which may be inspected by the Fund at reasonable times, shall
be at the expense of the Funds. All records maintained by
PAGE 11
RPS in connection with the performance of its duties under
this Agreement will remain the property of the Funds and, in
the event of termination of this Agreement, will be delivered
to the Fund as of the date of termination or at such other
time as may be mutually agreed upon.
6. Tax Information
RPS shall also prepare and file with appropriate federal
and state agencies, such information returns and reports as
required by applicable Federal and State statutes relating to
redemptions effected in Retirement Accounts which constitute
reportable distributions. RPS will also prepare and submit
to Participants, such reports containing information as is
required by applicable Federal and State law.
7. Other Information to be furnished to the Funds
RPS will furnish to the Fund, such information, including
shareholder lists and statistical information as may be
agreed upon from time to time between RPS and the Fund.
8. Correspondence
RPS will promptly and fully answer correspondence from
Administrators and in some cases, Participants, relating to
Retirement Accounts, transfer agent procedures, and such
other correspondence as may from time to time be mutually
agreed upon with the Funds. Unless otherwise instructed,
PAGE 12
copies of all correspondence will be retained by RPS in
accordance with applicable law.
9. Mailings/Confirmation Statements
RPS will be responsible for mailing all confirmations and
other enclosures and mailings, as requested by the
Administrators and as may be required of the Funds by
applicable Federal or state law.
10. Proxies
RPS shall monitor the mailing of proxy cards and other
material supplied to it by the Fund in connection with
shareholder meetings of the Fund and shall coordinate the
receipt, examination and tabulation of returned proxies and
the certification of the vote to the Fund.
11. Form N-SAR
RPS shall maintain such records, if any, as shall enable
the Fund to fulfill the requirements of Form N-SAR.
12. Withholding
The Fund and RPS shall agree to procedures to be followed
with respect to RPS's responsibilities in connection with
compliance for federal withholding for Participants.
PAGE 13
C. Fees and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Each Fund shall pay to RPS for its services hereunder fees
computed as set forth in the Schedule attached hereto. Except as
provided below, RPS will be responsible for all expenses relating
to the providing of services. Each Fund, however, will reimburse
RPS for the following out-of-pocket expenses and charges incurred
in providing services:
1. Postage. The cost of postage and freight for mailing
materials to Participants, or their agents, including
overnight delivery, UPS and other express mail services
and special courier services required to transport mail
between RPS locations and mail processing vendors.
2. Proxies. The cost to mail proxy cards and other
material supplied to it by the Fund and costs related to
the receipt, examination and tabulation of returned
proxies and the certification of the vote to the Fund.
3. Communications
a. Print. The printed forms used internally and
externally for documentation and processing
Participant, or their agent's, inquiries and
requests; paper and envelope supplies for letters,
notices, and other written communications sent to
Administrators and Participants, or their agents.
PAGE 14
b. Print & Mail House. The cost of internal and third
party printing and mail house services, including
printing of statements and reports.
c. Voice and Data. The cost of equipment (including
associated maintenance), supplies and services used
for communicating to and from the Participants, or
their agents, the Fund's transfer agent, other Fund
offices, and other agents of either the Fund or RPS.
These charges shall include:
o telephone toll charges (both incoming and outgoing,
local, long distance and mailgrams); and
o data and telephone lines and associated equipment
such as modems, multiplexers, and facsimile
equipment.
4. Record Retention. The cost of maintenance and supplies
used to maintain, microfilm, copy, record, index,
display, retrieve, and store, in microfiche or microfilm
form, documents and records.
5. Disaster Recovery. The cost of services, equipment,
facilities and other charges necessary to provide
disaster recovery for any and all services listed in
this Agreement.
PAGE 15
D. Representations and Warranties of RPS
RPS represents and warrants to the Fund that:
1. It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of Maryland.
2. It is duly qualified to carry on its business in
Maryland.
3. It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter
and by-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4. All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
5. It has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and
obligations under this Agreement.
6. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as a Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 17A of the
'34 Act.
E. Representations and Warranties of the Fund
The Fund represents and warrants to RPS that:
1. It is a corporation or business trust duly organized and
existing and in good standing under the laws of Maryland, or
Massachusetts, as the case may be.
2. It is empowered under applicable laws and by its
Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the
PAGE 16
case may be, and By-Laws to enter into and perform this
Agreement.
3. All proceedings required by said Articles of
Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the case may be,
and By-Laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into and
perform this Agreement.
4. It is an investment company registered under the Act.
5. A registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933 ("the '33 Act") is currently effective and will remain
effective, and appropriate state securities law filing have
been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all
shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
F. Standard of Care/Indemnification
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:
1. RPS shall not be liable to the Fund for any act or
failure to act by it or its agents or subcontractors on
behalf of the Fund in carrying or attempting to carry out the
terms and provisions of this Agreement provided RPS has acted
in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct
and selected and monitored the performance of its agents and
subcontractors with reasonable care.
2. The Fund shall indemnify and hold RPS harmless from and
against all losses, costs, damages, claims, actions and
PAGE 17
expenses, including reasonable expenses for legal counsel,
incurred by RPS resulting from: (i) any action or omission by
RPS or its agents or subcontractors in the performance of
their duties hereunder; (ii) RPS acting upon instructions
believed by it to have been executed by a duly authorized
officer of the Fund; or (iii) RPS acting upon information
provided by the Fund in form and under policies agreed to by
RPS and the Fund. RPS shall not be entitled to such
indemnification in respect of actions or omissions
constituting negligence or willful misconduct of RPS or where
RPS has not exercised reasonable care in selecting or
monitoring the performance of its agents or subcontractors.
3. Except as provided in Article K of this Agreement, RPS
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund from all losses,
costs, damages, claims, actions and expenses, including
reasonable expenses for legal counsel, incurred by the Fund
resulting from negligence or willful misconduct of RPS or
which result from RPS' failure to exercise reasonable care in
selecting or monitoring the performance of its agents or
subcontractors. The Fund shall not be entitled to such
indemnification in respect of actions or omissions
PAGE 18
constituting negligence or willful misconduct of such Fund or
its agents or subcontractors; unless such negligence or
misconduct is attributable to RPS.
4. In determining RPS' liability, an isolated error or
omission will normally not be deemed to constitute negligence
when it is determined that:
o RPS had in place "appropriate procedures".
o the employees responsible for the error or omission had
been reasonably trained and were being appropriately
monitored; and
o the error or omission did not result from wanton or
reckless conduct on the part of the employees.
It is understood that RPS is not obligated to have in place
separate procedures to prevent each and every conceivable
type of error or omission. The term "appropriate
procedures" shall mean procedures reasonably designed to
prevent and detect errors and omissions. In determining the
reasonableness of such procedures, weight will be given to
such factors as are appropriate, including the prior
occurrence of any similar errors or omissions when such
procedures were in place and transfer agent industry
standards in place at the time of the occurrence.
PAGE 19
5. In the event either party is unable to perform its
obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of
acts of God, strikes or other causes reasonably beyond its
control, such party shall not be liable to the other party
for any loss, cost, damage, claims, actions or expense
resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from
such causes.
6. In order that the indemnification provisions contained
in this Article F shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim
for which either party may be required to indemnify the
other, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly
notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the
other party advised with respect to all developments
concerning such claim. The party who may be required to
indemnify shall have the option to participate with the
party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim,
or to defend against said claim in its own name or in the
name of the other party. The party seeking indemnification
shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in
any case in which the other party may be required to
indemnify it except with the other party's prior written
consent.
PAGE 20
7. Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the
other party for consequential damages under any provision of
this Agreement.
G. Dual Interests
It is understood that some person or persons may be
directors, officers, or shareholders of both RPS and the Fund and
that the existence of any such dual interest shall not affect the
validity of this Agreement or of any transactions hereunder
except as otherwise provided by a specific provision of
applicable law.
H. Documentation
1. As requested by RPS, the Fund shall promptly furnish to
RPS the following:
a. A certified copy of the resolution of the
Directors/Trustees of the Fund authorizing the
appointment of RPS and the execution and delivery
of this Agreement;
b. A copy of the Articles of Incorporation or
Declaration of Trust, as the case may be, and By-
Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto;
c. Specimens of all forms of outstanding and new
stock/share certificates in the forms approved by
the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund with a
PAGE 21
certificate of the Secretary of the Fund as to such
approval;
d. All account application forms and other documents
relating to shareholders' accounts;
e. An opinion of counsel for the Fund with respect to
the validity of the stock, the number of Shares
authorized, the status of redeemed Shares, and the
number of Shares with respect to which a
Registration Statement has been filed and is in
effect; and
f. A copy of the Fund's current prospectus.
The delivery of any such document for the purpose of any
other agreement to which the Fund and RPS are or were parties
shall be deemed to be delivery for the purposes of this
Agreement.
2. As requested by RPS, the Fund will also furnish from
time to time the following documents:
a. Each resolution of the Board of Directors/Trustees
of the Fund authorizing the original issue of its
shares;
b. Each Registration Statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and amendments
PAGE 22
and orders thereto in effect with respect to the
sale of shares with respect to the Fund;
c. A certified copy of each amendment to the Articles
of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, and the
By-Laws of the Fund;
d. Certified copies of each vote of the Board of
Directors/Trustees authorizing officers to give
instructions to the Fund;
e. Specimens of all new certificates accompanied by
the Board of Directors/Trustees' resolutions
approving such forms;
f. Such other documents or opinions which RPS, in its
discretion, may reasonably deem necessary or
appropriate in the proper performance of its
duties; and
g. Copies of new prospectuses issued.
3. RPS hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities
and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for
safekeeping of check forms and facsimile signature
imprinting devices, if any, and for the preparation or use,
and for keeping account of, such forms and devices.
PAGE 23
I. Recordkeeping/Confidentiality
1. RPS shall keep records relating to the services to be
performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem
advisable, provided that RPS shall keep all records in such
form and in such manner as required by applicable law,
including the Act and the '34 Act.
2. RPS and the Fund agree that all books, records,
information and data pertaining to the business of the other
party which are exchanged or received pursuant to the
negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall
remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed
to any other person, except: (a) after prior notification
to and approval in writing by the other party hereto, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be
withheld where RPS or the Fund may be exposed to civil or
criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply; (b)
when requested to divulge such information by duly
constituted governmental authorities; or (c) after so
requested by the other party hereto.
J. Ownership of Software and Related Material
All computer programs, magnetic tapes, written procedures
and similar items purchased and/or developed and used by RPS in
PAGE 24
performance of the Agreement shall be the property of RPS and
will not become the property of the Fund.
K. As Of Transactions
For purposes of this Article K, the term "Transaction" shall
mean any single or "related transaction" (as defined below)
involving the purchase or redemption of shares (including
exchanges) that are processed at a time other than the time of
the computation of the Fund's net asset value per share next
computed after receipt of any such transaction order by RPS. If
more than one Transaction ("Related Transaction") in the Fund is
caused by or occurs as a result of the same act or omission, such
transactions shall be aggregated with other transactions in the
Fund and be considered as one Transaction.
1. Reporting
RPS shall:
a. Utilize a system to identify all Transactions, and
shall compute the net effect of such Transactions
upon the Fund on a daily, monthly and rolling 365
day basis. The Monthly and rolling 365 day periods
are hereinafter referred to as ("Cumulative").
b. Supply to the Fund, from time to time as mutually
agreed upon, a report summarizing the Transactions
and the daily and Cumulative net effects of such
PAGE 25
Transactions both in terms of aggregate dilution
and loss ("Dilution") or gain and negative dilution
("Gain") experienced by the Fund, and the impact
such Gain or Dilution has had upon the Fund's net
asset value per share.
c. With respect to any Transaction which causes
Dilution to the Fund of $25,000 or more,
immediately provide the Fund: (i) a report
identifying the Transaction and the Dilution
resulting therefrom, (ii) the reason such
Transaction was processed as described above, and
(iii) the action that RPS has or intends to take to
prevent the reoccurrence of such as of processing
("Report").
2. Liability
a. It will be the normal practice of the Fund not to
hold RPS liable with respect to any Transaction
which causes Dilution to any single Fund of less
than $25,000. RPS will, however, closely monitor
for each Fund the daily and Cumulative
Gain/Dilution which is caused by Transactions of
less than $25,000. When the Cumulative Dilution to
any Fund exceeds 3/10 of 1% per share, RPS, in
PAGE 26
consultation with counsel to the Fund, will make
appropriate inquiry to determine whether it should
take any remedial action. RPS will report to the
Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund ("Board"),
as appropriate, any action it has taken.
b. Where a Transaction causes Dilution to a Fund of
$25,000 or more ("Significant Transaction"), RPS
will review with counsel to the Fund, the Report
and the circumstances surrounding the underlying
Transaction to determine whether the Transaction
was caused by or occurred as a result of a
negligent act or omission by RPS. If it is
determined that the Dilution is the result of a
negligent action or omission by RPS, RPS and
outside counsel for the Fund, as appropriate, will
negotiate settlement. All such Significant
Transactions will be reported to the Board at its
next meeting (unless the settlement fully
compensates the Fund for any Dilution). Any
Significant Transaction, however, causing Dilution
in excess of the lesser of $100,000 or a ▇▇▇▇▇ per
share will be promptly reported to the Board.
PAGE 27
Settlement will not be entered into with RPS until
approved by the Board. The factors the Board or
the Funds would be expected to consider in making
any determination regarding the settlement of a
Significant Transaction would include but not be
limited to:
i. Procedures and controls adopted by RPS to
prevent As Of processing;
ii. Whether such procedures and controls were being
followed at the time of the Significant
Transaction;
iii. The absolute and relative volume of all
transactions processed by RPS on the day of the
Significant Transaction;
iv. The number of Transactions processed by RPS
during prior relevant periods, and the net
Dilution/Gain as a result of all such
transactions to the Fund and to all other Price
Funds; and
v. The prior response of RPS to recommendations
made by the Funds regarding improvement to the
Transfer Agent's As Of Processing Procedures.
PAGE 28
c. In determining RPS' liability with respect to a
Significant Transaction, an isolated error or omission will
normally not be deemed to constitute negligence when
it is determined that:
o RPS had in place "appropriate procedures".
o the employees responsible for the error or omission
had been reasonably trained and were being
appropriately monitored; and
o the error or omission did not result from wanton or
reckless conduct on the part of the employees.
It is understood that RPS is not obligated to have in
place separate procedures to prevent each and every
conceivable type of error or omission. The term
"appropriate procedures" shall mean procedures
reasonably designed to prevent and detect errors and
omissions. In determining the reasonableness of such
procedures, weight will be given to such factors as are
appropriate, including the prior occurrence of any
similar errors or omissions when such procedures were
in place and transfer agent industry standards in place
at the time of the occurrence.
L. Term and Termination of Agreement
1. This Agreement shall run for a period of one (1) year
from the date first written above and will be renewed from
PAGE 29
year to year thereafter unless terminated by either party as
provided hereunder.
2. This Agreement may be terminated by the Funds upon one
hundred twenty (120) days' written notice to RPS; and by
RPS, upon three hundred sixty-five (365) days' writing
notice to the Fund.
3. Upon termination hereof, the Fund shall pay to RPS such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such
termination, and shall likewise reimburse for out-of-pocket
expenses related to its services hereunder.
M. Notice
Any notice as required by this Agreement shall be
sufficiently given (i) when sent to an authorized person of the
other party at the address of such party set forth above or at
such other address as such party may from time to time specify in
writing to the other party; or (ii) as otherwise agreed upon by
appropriate officers of the parties hereto.
N. Assignment
Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations
hereunder may be assigned either voluntarily or involuntarily, by
operation of law or otherwise, by either party without the prior
written consent of the other party
PAGE 30
O. Amendment/Interpretive Provisions
The parties by mutual written agreement may amend this
Agreement at any time. In addition, in connection with the
operation of this Agreement, RPS and the Fund may agree from time
to time on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the
provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such
interpretive or additional provisions are to be signed by all
parties and annexed hereto, but no such provision shall
contravene any applicable federal or state law or regulation and
no such interpretive or additional provision shall be deemed to
be an amendment of this Agreement.
P. Further Assurances
Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute
such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the
purposes hereof.
Q. Maryland Law to Apply
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of Maryland.
R. Merger of Agreement
This Agreement, including the attached Schedule supersede
any prior agreement with respect to the subject hereof, whether
oral or written.
PAGE 31
S. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any
number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken
together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same
instruments.
T. The Parties
All references herein to "the Fund" are to each of the Funds
listed on Appendix A individually, as if this Agreement were
between such individual Fund and RPS. In the case of a series
Fund or trust, all references to "the Fund" are to the individual
series or portfolio of such fund or trust, or to such Fund or
trust on behalf of the individual series or portfolio, as
appropriate. Any reference in this Agreement to "the parties"
shall mean RPS and such other individual Fund as to which the
matter pertains. The "Fund" also includes any ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Fund
which may be established after the date of this Agreement.
Any reference in this Agreement to "the parties" shall mean
the Funds and RPS.
U. Directors, Trustees and Shareholders and Massachusetts
Business Trust
It is understood and is expressly stipulated that neither
the holders of shares in the Fund nor any Directors or Trustees
of the Fund shall be personally liable hereunder. With respect
PAGE 32
to any Fund which is a party to this Agreement and which is
organized as a Massachusetts business trust, the term "Fund"
means and refers to the trustees from time to time serving under
the applicable trust agreement (Declaration of Trust) of such
Trust as the same may be amended from time to time. It is
expressly agreed that the obligations of any such 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, as provided in the
Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement has been authorized by the trustees and signed by
an authorized 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, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as
provided in its Declaration of Trust.
V. Captions
The captions in the 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.
PAGE 33
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf under
their seals by and through their duly authorized officers.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN DATED: _______________________
SERVICES, INC.
ATTEST:
/s/▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
By: ________________________ ________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
PAGE 34
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE BALANCED FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE BLUE CHIP GROWTH FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE CORPORATE INCOME FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE GNMA FUND
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE GROWTH STOCK FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE INDEX TRUST, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Equity Index Fund
INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
Foreign Equity Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price International Bond Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price International Discovery Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price International Stock Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price European Stock Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price New Asia Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Global Government Bond Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Japan Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Short-Term Global Income Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Latin America Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Global Stock Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INC.
PAGE 35
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE OTC FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price OTC Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE NEW AMERICA GROWTH FUND
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE NEW ERA FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE NEW HORIZONS FUNDS, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE NEW INCOME FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE PERSONAL STRATEGY FUNDS, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Personal Strategy Balanced Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Personal Strategy Growth Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Personal Strategy Income Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE PRIME RESERVE FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE SHORT-TERM BOND FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND,
INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE SMALL-CAP VALUE FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE SPECTRUM FUND, INC.
Spectrum Growth Fund
Spectrum Income Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE VALUE FUND, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE U.S. TREASURY FUNDS, INC.
U.S. Treasury Intermediate Fund
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Fund
U.S. Treasury Money Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE SUMMIT FUNDS, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Cash Reserves Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Limited-Term Bond Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit GNMA Fund
PAGE 36
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE SUMMIT MUNICIPAL FUNDS, INC.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Municipal Money Market Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Municipal Intermediate Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Municipal Income Fund
DATED: ______________________
ATTEST:
/s/▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
______________________________ BY: __________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
PAGE 37
APPENDIX A
The following Funds are parties to this Agreement, and have so
indicated their intention to be bound by such Agreement by
executing the Agreement on the dates indicated thereon.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Balanced Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Blue Chip Growth Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Capital Appreciation Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Capital Opportunity Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Corporate Income Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Dividend Growth Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Equity Income Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price GNMA Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Growth & Income Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Growth Stock Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Health Sciences Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price High Yield Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Index Trust, Inc. on behalf of the
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Equity Index Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Institutional International Funds, Inc. on
behalf of the
Foreign Equity Fund
PAGE 38
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price International Funds, Inc. on behalf of the
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price International Bond Fund and
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price International Discovery Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price International Stock Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price European Stock Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price New Asia Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Global Government Bond Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Japan Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Short-Term Global Income Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Latin America Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Global Stock Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price New America Growth Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price New Era Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price New Horizons Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price New Income Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price OTC Fund, Inc. on behalf of the
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price OTC Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Personal Strategy Funds, Inc. on behalf of
the
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Personal Strategy Balanced Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Personal Strategy Growth Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Personal Strategy Income Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Prime Reserve Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Science & Technology Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Short-Term Bond Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Short-Term U.S. Government Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Small-Cap Value Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Spectrum Fund, Inc. on behalf of the
Spectrum Growth Fund
Spectrum Income Fund
PAGE 39
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Value Fund, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price U.S. Treasury Funds, Inc. on behalf of the
U.S. Treasury Intermediate Fund
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Fund
U.S. Treasury Money Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Funds, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Cash Reserves Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Limited-Term Bond Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit GNMA Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Municipal Funds, Inc.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Municipal Money Market Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Municipal Intermediate Fund
▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Summit Municipal Income Fund
PAGE 40
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES, INC.
FEE SCHEDULE
Fees for transfer agent services performed for retirement plan
accounts serviced by ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc.
("RPS").
Effective January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996.
A. Base Fee
A monthly base fee of $750,000 ($9,000,000 per year)
allocated pro rata by account.
B. Per Participant Fee
A monthly per participant fee of $3.583 for each active
(non-zero balance) participant being serviced at the end of
the month. This fee will be allocated among the Funds based
on the relative percentage of ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price assets at the
end of the month.
C. Per Transaction Fee
A fee for each Account transaction will be charged at the
rate of $.15 per transaction, except for dividend
transactions.
D. Institutional Support Group (ISG) Telephone Call
A fee of $5.50 per ISG telephone call will be charged to the
Fund (s) involved in the telephone call.
E. New Participant Fee
A one-time new participant fee of $3.50 will be charged each
time a participant is added to the records.
F. Perks Fee
Fees for PERKS plans will be $10 per account, maximum $40
per participant, capped at 25 basis points.
PAGE 41
G. Billing Procedures
RPS will render a monthly invoice which shall include: the
number of participants in existence at month-end and the
Fund's pro rata share; the assets by Fund at month-end; the
number of transactions recorded during the month for each
Fund; and the number of new participants added during the
month and the Fund's pro rata share. RPS will render a
separate invoice for out-of-pocket expenses for which RPS is
entitled to reimbursement under the Agreement and the Fund's
pro rata share.
H. New Funds
Funds added during the term of this Agreement may have their
Maintenance and Transaction charges waived for a period of
time agreed upon between RPS and the Funds following the
establishment of the Fund. Out-of-pocket expenses will be
billed to the Fund from the Fund's inception.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price Funds and ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Price
Retirement Plan Services, Inc. have agreed upon this fee schedule
to be executed in their names and on their behalf through their
duly authorized officers:
▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE FUNDS ▇. ▇▇▇▇ PRICE RETIREMENT PLAN
SERVICES, INC.
Name /s/▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Name /s/▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Title Treasurer Title President
Date __________________________ Date _______________________