FORM OF GE CONTRA FUND INTERIM INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Exhibit d(17)
FORM OF
GE CONTRA FUND
INTERIM INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS INTERIM INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT is made as of the 6th day of December, 2005, by and between GE Private Asset Management, Inc., a California corporation (the “Adviser”), in respect of GE Private Asset Management Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and its GE Contra Trust series (the “Fund”), and Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is a series of the Trust having separate assets and liabilities; and
WHEREAS, each of the Adviser and Sub-adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to retain the Sub-adviser to render advice and services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Sub-adviser desires to furnish said advice and services;
WHEREAS, the Sub-adviser renders advice and services to the Fund under an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated December 6, 2001 (the “Old Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser enter into this Agreement pursuant to Rule 15a-4 under the Investment Company Act and intend for this Agreement’s term to extend only for so long as necessary to obtain the requisite vote of the shareholders of the Fund, as required by law and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-laws, to approve a new Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (“New Agreement”) or one hundred and fifty (150) days from the date of the termination of the Old Agreement, whichever occurs first:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:
| 1. | Investment Description; Appointment. |
(a) The Trust desires to employ the Fund’s capital by investing and reinvesting in investments of the kind and in accordance with the investment objectives, policies and limitations specified in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust dated September 8, 2005, as amended from time to time (the “Declaration”), in the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) and in the statement of additional information (the “Statement of Additional Information”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as part of the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as amended from time to time (the “Registration Statement”), and in such manner and to such extent as may from time to time be approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Copies of the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information and the Declaration have been or will be submitted to the Sub-adviser.
(b) The Adviser, with the approval of the Trust, hereby appoints the Sub-adviser to act as an investment Sub-adviser to the Fund for the periods and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services set forth below for the compensation herein provided.
| 2. | Services as Sub-adviser. |
(a) Subject to the supervision and written direction of the Adviser, the Sub-adviser will manage the Fund’s assets (“Assets”) in accordance with: (1) the Declaration, (2) the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act, all applicable rules and regulations thereunder and all other applicable laws and regulations, (3) the Fund’s investment objective and policies as stated in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and (4) investment parameters provided in writing by the Adviser from time to time and procedures adopted by the Trust’s Trustees. In connection therewith, the Sub-adviser will:
(i) provide a continuous investment program for the Assets, including investment research and determining whether to purchase, retain or sell securities and other investments on behalf of the Fund. The Sub-adviser is hereby authorized to execute, or place orders for the execution of, all transactions on behalf of the Fund;
(ii) assist the Trust’s custodians and accounting agent in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, the value of any portfolio securities or other portfolio assets represented in the Fund for which the custodians and accounting agent seek assistance from or identify for review by the Sub-adviser;
(iii) monitor the execution of transactions and the settlement and clearance of the Fund’s securities transactions;
(iv) exercise voting rights in respect of the Fund’s portfolio securities; and
(v) provide reports to the Trust’s Trustees for consideration at quarterly meetings of the Board on the investment program for the Fund and the issuers and securities represented in the Fund, and furnish the Adviser and the Trust’s Trustees with such periodic and special reports as the Trust or the Adviser may reasonably request.
(b) In connection with the performance of the services of the Sub-adviser provided for herein, the Sub-adviser may contract at its own expense with third parties for the acquisition of research, clerical services and other administrative services that would not require such parties to be required to register as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act; provided that the Sub-adviser shall remain responsible and liable for the performance of its duties hereunder.
| 3. | Execution of Transactions. |
(a) The Sub-adviser agrees that it will execute transactions for the Fund only through brokers or dealers appearing on a list of brokers and dealers approved by the Adviser. The Sub-adviser may place orders with respect to the Fund with Mutual Management Corp. or its affiliates in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, Section 17(e) of the Investment Company Act and Rule 17e-1 thereunder and other applicable laws and regulations.
(b) In executing transactions for the Fund, selecting brokers or dealers and negotiating any brokerage commission rates, the Sub-adviser will use its best efforts to seek the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any portfolio transaction, the Sub-adviser will consider all factors it deems relevant including, but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of any commission for the specific transaction and for transactions executed through the broker or dealer in the aggregate.
(c) In selecting brokers or dealers to execute a particular transaction and in evaluating the best overall terms available, to the extent that the execution and price offered by more than one broker or dealer are comparable the Sub-adviser may consider any brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided to the Sub-adviser or to the Adviser for use on behalf of the Fund and/or other accounts over which the Sub-adviser or Adviser, or an affiliate of either, exercise investment discretion.
(d) The Sub-adviser will not effect orders for the purchase or sale of securities on behalf of the Fund through brokers or dealers as agents.
(e) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities for the Fund, the Sub-adviser will provide such information as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Trust’s custodians and administrator to perform their administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Fund.
| 4. | Information Provided to the Adviser and the Trust; Certain Representations of the Sub-adviser. |
(a) The Sub-adviser agrees that it will make available to the Adviser and the Trust promptly upon their request copies of all of its investment records and ledgers with respect to the Fund, including without limitation records relating to trading by employees of the Sub-adviser for their own accounts and on behalf of other clients, to assist the Adviser and the Trust in monitoring compliance with the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act, as well as other applicable laws and guidelines. The Sub-adviser agrees to cooperate with the Trust and the Adviser and their respective representatives in connection with any such monitoring efforts. The
Sub-adviser will furnish the Trust’s Trustees with respect to the Fund such periodic and special reports as the Adviser and the Trustees may reasonably request.
(b) The Sub-adviser agrees that it will immediately notify the Adviser and the Trust: (i) in the event that the Sub-adviser or any of its affiliates becomes subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-adviser from serving as an investment Sub-adviser pursuant to this Agreement, or becomes or expects to become the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; (ii) of a change in the Sub-adviser, financial or otherwise, that adversely affects its ability to perform services under this Agreement; (iii) of any reorganization or change in the Sub-adviser, including any change in its ownership or key employees; or (iv) upon having a reasonable basis for believing that, as a result of the Sub-adviser’s managing the Assets, the Fund’s investment portfolio has ceased to adhere to the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in the Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information or is otherwise in violation of applicable law.
(c) The Sub-adviser has provided the information about itself set forth in the Registration Statement and has reviewed the description of its operations, duties and responsibilities as stated therein and acknowledges that they are true and correct and contain no material misstatement or omission; and it further agrees to notify the Adviser and the Trust immediately of any material fact known to the Sub-adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-adviser that is not contained in the Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect.
(d) The Sub-adviser represents and warrants that it is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act and other applicable laws and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in order to perform the services provided in this Agreement. The Sub-adviser has supplied the Adviser and the Trust copies of its Form ADV with all exhibits and attachments thereto and will hereinafter supply the Adviser and the Trust, promptly upon preparation thereof, copies of all amendments or restatements of such document. The Sub-adviser further represents that the statements contained in its Form ADV, as of the date hereof, are true and correct and do not omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statement therein not misleading. The Sub-adviser agrees to maintain the completeness and accuracy of its registration on Form ADV in accordance with all legal requirements relating to that Form and to maintain all necessary registrations, licenses and approvals in effect during the term of this Agreement. The Sub-adviser acknowledges that it is an “investment adviser” to the Fund within the meaning of the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act.
(e) The Sub-adviser represents that it has adopted a written Code of Ethics in compliance with Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act and will provide the Trust with any amendments to such Code.
| 5. | Books and Records. |
(a) In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Sub-adviser hereby agrees that all records that it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust copies of any such
records upon the Trust’s request. The Sub-adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act and to preserve the records required by Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act for the period specified therein.
(b) The Sub-adviser hereby agrees to furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with services that the Sub-adviser renders pursuant to this Agreement which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Fund are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
| 6. | Proprietary and Confidential Information. |
(a) The Sub-adviser agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other information relative to the Fund, the Adviser and prior, present or potential shareholders of the Trust and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder except after prior notification to and approval in writing of the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Sub-adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply or when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities.
(b) The Sub-adviser represents and warrants that neither it nor any affiliate will use the name of the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser or any of their affiliates in any prospectus, sales literature or other material in any manner without the prior written approval of the Trust or the Adviser, as applicable.
| 7. | Compensation. |
(a) In consideration of services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-adviser a fee that is computed daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily net assets of the Fund (the “Fund Advisory Fee”).
(b) The Fund Advisory Fee for the period from the date of this Agreement becomes effective to the end of the month during which this Agreement becomes effective shall be prorated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of a month, the fee for such part of that month shall be prorated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement.
(c) For the purpose of determining fees payable to the Sub-adviser, the value of the Fund’s net assets shall be computed at the time and in the manner specified in the Prospectus and/or the Statement of Additional Information.
(d) The Sub-adviser shall have no right to obtain compensation directly from the Fund or the Trust for services provided hereunder and agrees to look solely to the Adviser for payment of fees due.
| 8. | Costs and Expenses. |
During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it and its staff in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, including the payment of salaries of all officers and employees who are employed by it and the Trust.
| 9. | Standard of Care. |
The Sub-adviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering the services provided by it under this Agreement. The Sub-adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Adviser or the Trust in connection with the matter to which this Agreement relates, except that the Sub-adviser shall be liable for a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty by the Sub-adviser with respect to the receipt of compensation for services; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to protect or purport to protect the Sub-adviser against any liability to the Adviser or the Trust or to holders of the Trust’s shares representing interests in the Fund to which the Sub-adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or by reason of the Sub-adviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
| 10. | Services to Other Companies or Accounts. |
(a) It is understood that the services of the Sub-adviser are not exclusive, and nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Sub-adviser from providing similar services to other investment companies (whether or not their investment objectives and policies are similar to those of the Fund) or from engaging in other activities, provided that those activities do not adversely affect the ability of the Sub-adviser to perform its services under this Agreement.
(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 of other investment advisory clients of the Sub-adviser, the Sub-adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients. 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 a manner that is fair and equitable in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients. The Sub-adviser shall provide to the Adviser and the Trust all information reasonably requested by the Adviser and the Trust relating to the decisions made by the Sub-adviser regarding allocation of securities purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in a transaction, among the Fund and the Sub-adviser’s other investment advisory clients.
(c) The Trust and the Adviser understand and acknowledge that the persons employed by the Sub-adviser to assist in the performance of its duties under this Agreement will not devote their full time to that service. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Sub-adviser or any affiliate of the Sub-adviser to engage in and devote time and attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever kind or nature,
provided that those activities do not adversely affect the ability of the Sub-adviser to perform its services under this Agreement.
| 11. | Duration and Termination. |
(a) This Agreement shall be effective as an interim agreement as described in Rule 15a-4 under the Investment Company Act commencing on the date hereof (the “Interim Agreement Date”), and shall continue in effect until the earlier of (i) 150 days after the date hereof, (ii) termination of this Agreement for any reason by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, or (iii) approval of the New Agreement by (1) Board of Trustees of the Trust including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not a party to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any such person, and (2) by a vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
(b) This Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act and in rules adopted under the Investment Company Act) by any party hereto.
(c) In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, all records relating to the Fund kept by the Sub-adviser shall promptly be returned to the Adviser or the Trust, free from any claim or retention of rights in such records by the Sub-adviser.
| 12. | Amendments. |
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 whom enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved in accordance with applicable law.
| 13. | Notices. |
All communications hereunder shall be given (a) if to the Sub-adviser, to Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.), telephone: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, telecopy: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, and (b) if to the Adviser or the Trust, c/o GE Private Asset Management, Inc., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, Esq.), telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇.
| 14. | Miscellaneous. |
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, provided that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act, or rules or orders of the SEC thereunder.
(b) The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions thereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(c) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
(d) Nothing herein shall be construed as constituting the Sub-adviser as an agent of the Trust or the Adviser.
(e) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, with the same effect as if the signatures were upon the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the day and year first above written.
| GE PRIVATE ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. | ||
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| CREDIT SUISSE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC | ||
| By: |
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