RMR F.I.R.E. FUND
--------------------
FORM OF AUCTION AGENCY AGREEMENT
dated as of December __, 2004
Relating to Series W Auction Preferred Shares
of
RMR F.I.R.E. FUND
--------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
as Auction Agent
This Auction Agency Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of December
__, 2004, is between RMR F.I.R.E. FUND (the "Fund") and The Bank of New York, a
New York banking corporation.
The Fund proposes to issue a series of auction preferred shares, par
value $.0001 per share, designated Series W Preferred Shares, liquidation
preference $25,000 per share ("Preferred Shares"), pursuant to Article X of the
Fund's Bylaws (as defined below).
The Fund desires that The Bank of New York perform certain duties as
agent in connection with each Auction (as defined below) of Preferred Shares (in
such capacity, the "Auction Agent"), and as the transfer agent, registrar,
distribution paying agent and redemption agent with respect to the Preferred
Shares (in such capacity, the "Paying Agent"), upon the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, and the Fund hereby appoints The Bank of New York as said
Auction Agent and Paying Agent in accordance with those terms and conditions
(hereinafter generally referred to as the "Auction Agent," except in Sections 3
and 4 below).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein, the Fund and the Auction Agent agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
1.1 TERMS DEFINED BY REFERENCE TO THE BYLAWS.
Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
specified in the Bylaws.
1.2 CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings,
unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Agent Member" of any Person shall mean such Person's
agent member of a participant in the Securities Depository that will act on
behalf of a Bidder.
(b) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1
hereof.
(c) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures
that are set forth in Part II of Article X of the Bylaws.
(d) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Vice President,
Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the Auction Agent assigned
to the Dealing and Trading Group of its Corporate Trust Department, and every
other officer or employee of the Auction Agent designated as an "Authorized
Officer" for purposes hereof in a written communication from the Auction Agent
to the Fund.
(e) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean each agreement
between the Auction Agent and a broker-dealer substantially in the form attached
hereto as EXHIBIT A.
(f) "Bylaws" shall mean the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the
Fund specifying the powers, preferences and rights of the Preferred Shares.
(g) "Closing" with respect to the Preferred Shares, shall mean
the date the Fund consummates the transactions for the initial issuance and sale
of the Preferred Shares.
(h) "Fund Officer" shall mean the President, each Vice
President (whether or not designated by a number or word or words added before
or after the title "Vice President"), the Secretary, the Treasurer, each
Assistant Secretary of the Fund and every other officer or employee of the Fund
designated as a "Fund Officer" for purposes hereof in a written notice from the
Fund to the Auction Agent.
(i) "Holder" shall be a holder of record of one or more
Preferred Shares, listed as such in the stock register maintained by the Paying
Agent pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof.
(j) "Interest Equivalent" means a yield on a 360-day basis of
a discount basis security which is equal to the yield on an equivalent
interest-bearing security.
1.3 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or
intent, the following rules shall apply to the construction of this Agreement:
(a) Words importing the singular number shall include the
plural number and vice versa.
(b) The captions and headings herein are solely for
convenience of reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement nor
shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.
(c) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereto," and other words of
similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole.
(d) All references herein to a particular time of day shall be
to New York City time.
(e) Regardless of the capacity in which The Bank of New York
is acting under this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement that are of
general applicability (e.g. Sections I, V, VI and VII) shall apply to The Bank
of New York, in spite of referring to The Bank of New York as "Auction Agent."
II. THE AUCTION.
2.1 PURPOSE; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF AUCTION PROCEDURES.
(a) The Bylaws provide that the Applicable Rate on Preferred
Shares for each Distribution Period therefor after the initial Distribution
Period shall be the rate per annum that a commercial bank, trust company or
other financial institution appointed by the Fund advises results from the
implementation of the Auction Procedures. The Board of Trustees of the Fund has
adopted a resolution appointing The Bank of New York as Auction Agent for
purposes of the Auction Procedures. The Auction Agent hereby accepts such
appointment and agrees that, on each Auction Date, it shall follow the
procedures set forth in this Section 2 and the Auction Procedures for the
purpose of determining the Applicable Rate for the Preferred Shares for the next
Distribution Period. Each periodic operation of such procedures is hereinafter
referred to as an "Auction."
(b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be
a part hereof to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth fully
herein. In the case of any conflict between the terms of any document
incorporated herein by reference and the terms hereof, the Auction Agent shall
not be liable for its actions or inaction in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
2
2.2 PREPARATION FOR EACH AUCTION; MAINTENANCE OF REGISTRY OF
EXISTING HOLDERS.
(a) As of the date hereof, the Fund shall provide the Auction
Agent with a list of the Broker-Dealers and shall cause to be delivered to the
Auction Agent for execution by the Auction Agent a Broker-Dealer Agreement
signed by each such Broker-Dealer. The Auction Agent shall keep such list
current and accurate based upon information provided to it by Broker-Dealers and
shall indicate thereon, or on a separate list, the identity of each Existing
Holder, if any, whose most recent Order was submitted by a Broker-Dealer on such
list and resulted in such Existing Holder continuing to hold or purchase
Preferred Shares. Not later than five Business Days prior to any Auction Date
for which any change in such list of Broker-Dealers is to be effective, the Fund
shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of such change and, if any such change
is the addition of a Broker-Dealer to such list, the Fund shall cause to be
delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction Agent a
Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by such Broker-Dealer. The Auction Agent shall
have entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement with each Broker-Dealer prior to the
participation of any such Broker-Dealer in any Auction.
(b) The provisions contained in Section 4 of Part I of Article
X of the Bylaws concerning Special Rate Periods and the notification of a
Special Rate Period will be followed by the Fund and, to the extent applicable,
the Auction Agent, and the provisions contained therein are incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this
Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth fully herein.
In the case of any conflict between the terms of any document incorporated
herein by reference and the terms hereof, the Auction Agent shall not be liable
for its actions or inaction in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c) The current Applicable Percentage is 150%. In the event
that the credit rating of the Preferred Shares changes in a way that results in
a change in the Applicable Percentage, the Fund shall send prompt notice of such
change to the Auction Agent. In the absence of its actual receipt of any such
notice, the Auction Agent is authorized to apply, and shall be fully protected
in applying, the Applicable Percentage last communicated to it by the Fund in a
notice or set forth above in this paragraph.
(d) (i) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall
determine the distribution rate and the Maximum Rate. If any LIBOR Rate,
Treasury Index Rate, Treasury Note Rate or Reference Rate, as the case may be,
is not quoted on an interest equivalent basis, the Auction Agent shall convert
the quoted rate to the interest equivalent thereof as set forth in the
definition of such rate in the Bylaws if the rate obtained by the Auction Agent
is quoted on a discount basis, or if such rate is quoted on a basis other than
an interest equivalent or discount basis the Auction Agent shall convert the
quoted rate to an interest equivalent rate after consultation with the Fund as
to the method of such conversion.
(ii) If any LIBOR Rate is to be based on rates
supplied by LIBOR Dealers and one or more of the LIBOR Dealers shall not provide
a quotation for the determination of such LIBOR Rate, the Auction Agent shall
promptly notify the Fund so that the Fund can determine whether to select a
substitute LIBOR Dealer or substitute LIBOR Dealers to provide the quotation or
quotations not being supplied by any LIBOR Dealer or LIBOR Dealers. The Fund
shall promptly advise the Auction Agent of any such selection.
(iii) If any Treasury Index Rate or Treasury Note
Rate is to be based on rates supplied by U.S. Government Securities Dealers and
one or more of the U.S. Government Securities Dealers shall not provide a
quotation for the determination of such Treasury Rate, the Auction Agent shall
promptly notify the Fund so that the Fund can determine whether to select a
substitute U.S. Government Securities Dealer or substitute U.S. Government
Securities Dealers to provide the quotation or quotations not being supplied by
any U.S. Government Securities Dealer or U.S. Government Securities Dealers. The
Fund shall promptly advise the Auction Agent of any such selection.
3
(e) (i) The Auction Agent shall maintain a current registry of
the Existing Holders of the Preferred Shares based upon information provided to
it by Broker-Dealers for purposes of each individual Auction. The Fund shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to provide or cause to be provided to the
Auction Agent within ten Business Days following the date of the Closing a list
of the initial Existing Holders of Preferred Shares, and the Broker-Dealer of
each such Existing Holder through which such Existing Holder purchased such
shares. The Auction Agent may conclusively rely upon, as evidence of the
identities of the Existing Holders, such list, the results of each Auction and
written notices from any Existing Holder, the Agent Member of any Existing
Holder or the Broker-Dealer of any Existing Holder with respect to such Existing
Holder's transfer of any Preferred Shares to another Person.
(ii) In the event of any partial redemption of
Preferred Shares, upon notice in writing by the Fund to the Auction Agent of
such partial redemption, the Auction Agent promptly shall request the Securities
Depository to notify the Auction Agent in writing of the identities of the Agent
Members (and the respective numbers of shares) from the accounts of which shares
have been called for redemption and the person or department at such Agent
Member to contact regarding such redemption. At least two Business Days prior to
the Auction preceding the date of redemption, the Auction Agent shall request
each Agent Member so identified to disclose to the Auction Agent (upon selection
by such Agent Member of the Existing Holders whose shares are to be redeemed)
the number of Preferred Shares of each such Existing Holder, if any, to be
redeemed by the Fund, provided that the Auction Agent has been furnished with
the name and telephone number of a person or department at such Agent Member
from which it is to request such information. In the absence of receiving any
such information with respect to an Existing Holder, from such Existing Holder's
Agent Member or otherwise, the Auction Agent may continue to treat such Existing
Holder as having ownership of the number of Preferred Shares shown in the
Auction Agent's registry of Existing Holders.
(iii) The Auction Agent shall register a transfer of
the ownership of Preferred Shares from an Existing Holder to another Existing
Holder, or to another Person if permitted by the Fund, only if (A) such transfer
is made pursuant to an Auction or (B) if such transfer is made other than
pursuant to an Auction, the Auction Agent has been notified of such transfer in
writing, in a notice substantially in the form of EXHIBIT B to the Broker-Dealer
Agreement, by such Existing Holder or by the Agent Member of such Existing
Holder. The Auction Agent is not required to accept any notice of transfer
delivered for an Auction unless it is received by the Auction Agent by 3:00 p.m.
on the Business Day next preceding the Auction Date. The Auction Agent shall
rescind a transfer made on the registry of the Existing Holders of any Preferred
Shares if the Auction Agent has been notified in writing, in a notice
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT C to the Broker-Dealer Agreement, by the
Agent Member or the Broker-Dealer of any Person that (i) purchased any Preferred
Shares and the seller failed to deliver such shares or (ii) sold any Preferred
Shares and the purchaser failed to make payment to such Person upon delivery to
the purchaser of such shares.
(f) The Broker-Dealer may, but shall not be obligated to,
as set forth in Section 3.2(b) of the Broker-Dealer Agreements, provide the
Auction Agent with a list of their respective customers that such
Broker-Dealers believe are Beneficial Owners of Preferred Shares. The Auction
Agent shall keep confidential any such information and shall not disclose any
such information so provided to any Person other than the relevant
Broker-Dealer and the Fund; provided, however, that the Auction Agent
reserves the right and is authorized to disclose any such information if (a)
it is ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory
body, judicial or quasi-judicial agency or authority having the authority to
compel such disclosure, (b) it is advised by its counsel that its failure to
do so would be unlawful or (c) failure to do so would expose the Auction
Agent to loss, liability, claim, damage or expense for which it has not
received indemnity or security satisfactory to it.
4
2.3 AUCTION SCHEDULE.
The Auction Agent shall normally conduct Auctions every seven days
after the first Auction, in accordance with the schedule set forth below. Such
schedule may be changed by the Auction Agent with the consent of the Fund, which
consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. The Auction Agent shall give notice
of any such change to each Broker-Dealer. Such notice shall be received prior to
the first Auction Date on which any such change shall be effective.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Auction Agent will follow the Bond Market
Association's Market Practice U.S. Holiday Recommendations for shortened trading
days for the bond markets (the "BMA Recommendation") unless the Auction Agent is
instructed otherwise. In the event of a BMA Recommendation on an Auction Date
the Submission Deadline will be 11:30 a.m., instead of 1:00 p.m., and as a
result the notice of auction results will occur at an earlier time.
Time Event
---- -----
By 9:30 am. Auction Agent shall advise the Fund and the Broker-Dealers of Maximum Rate as
set forth in Section 2.2(d)(i) hereof.
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Auction Agent shall assemble information communicated to it by Broker-Dealers as
provided in Section 3(a) of Part II of Article X of the Bylaws. Submission
deadline is 1:00 p.m.
Not earlier than 1:00p.m. Auction Agent shall make determinations pursuant to Section 3(a) of Part II of
Article X of the Bylaws.
By approximately 3:30 p.m. (and Auction Agent shall advise the Fund of the results of the Auction as provided
not later than the close of business) in Section 3(b) of Part II of Article X of the Bylaws.
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders will be accepted and rejected in whole
or in part and Preferred Shares will be allocated as provided in Section 4 of
Part II of Article X of the Bylaws. Auction Agent shall give notice of the
Auction results as set forth in Section 2.4 hereof.
2.4 NOTICE OF AUCTION RESULTS.
On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify Broker-Dealers of
the results of the Auction (I.E., the resulting rate and those bids accepted and
rejected) by telephone or other electronic means acceptable to the parties.
2.5 BROKER-DEALERS.
(a) Not later than 12:00 noon on each Auction Date, the Fund
shall pay to the Auction Agent in federal funds or similar same-day funds an
amount in cash equal to the aggregate fees payable to Broker-Dealers pursuant to
Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer Agreements. The Auction Agent shall apply such
moneys as set forth in Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer Agreements and shall
thereafter remit to the Fund any remaining funds paid to the Auction Agent
pursuant to this Section 2.5(a).
(b) The Auction Agent shall terminate any Broker-Dealer
Agreement as set forth therein if so directed in writing by the Fund.
(c) The Auction Agent from time to time shall enter into such
Broker-Dealer Agreements as the Fund shall request in writing.
5
2.6 OWNERSHIP OF PREFERRED SHARES AND SUBMISSION OF BIDS BY THE
FUND AND ITS AFFILIATES.
Neither the Fund nor any Affiliate of the Fund may submit any Sell
Order or Bid, directly or indirectly, in any Auction, except that an Affiliate
of the Fund that is a Broker-Dealer may submit a Sell Order or Bid on behalf of
a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner. The Fund shall notify the
Auction Agent in writing if the Fund or, to the best of the Fund's knowledge,
any Affiliate of the Fund becomes a Beneficial Owner of any Preferred Shares.
Any Preferred Shares redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired (i) by the Fund
shall not be reissued, except in accordance with the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act") or (ii) by its Affiliates
shall not be transferred (other than to the Fund). The Auction Agent shall have
no duty or liability with respect to enforcement of this Section 2.6.
2.7 ACCESS TO AND MAINTENANCE OF AUCTION RECORDS.
The Auction Agent shall afford to the Fund, its agents, independent
public accountants and counsel, access at reasonable times during normal
business hours to review and make extracts or copies (at the Fund's sole cost
and expense) of all books, records, documents and other information concerning
the conduct and results of Auctions, provided that any such agent, accountant or
counsel shall furnish the Auction Agent with a letter from the Fund requesting
that the Auction Agent afford such person access at least one Business Day prior
to the date of such access. The Auction Agent shall maintain records relating to
any Auction for a period of at least two years after such Auction (unless
requested in writing by the Fund to maintain such records for such longer period
not in excess of six years, then for such longer period), and such records, in
reasonable detail, shall accurately and fairly reflect the actions taken by the
Auction Agent hereunder. The Fund agrees to keep confidential any information
regarding the customers of any Broker-Dealer received from the Auction Agent in
connection with this Agreement or any Auction, and shall not disclose such
information or permit the disclosure of such information without the prior
written consent of the applicable Broker-Dealer to anyone except such agent,
accountant or counsel engaged to audit or review the results of Auctions as
permitted by this Section 2.7. The Fund reserves the right to disclose any such
information if it is ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or a
regulatory body, judicial or quasi-judicial agency or authority having authority
to compel such disclosure, or if it is advised by its counsel that its failure
to do so would (i) be unlawful or (ii) expose it to liability, unless the
Broker-Dealer shall have offered indemnification satisfactory to the Fund. Any
such agent, accountant or counsel, before having access to such information,
shall agree to keep such information confidential and not to disclose such
information or permit disclosure of such information without the prior written
consent of the applicable Broker-Dealer, provided that such agent, accountant or
counsel may reserve the right to disclose any such information if it is ordered
to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body, judicial or
quasi judicial agency or authority having authority to compel such disclosure,
or if it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would (i) be
unlawful or (ii) expose it to liability, unless the Broker-Dealer shall have
offered indemnification satisfactory to such agent, accountant or counsel. The
Auction Agent shall have no responsibility for, and shall have no liability in
connection with, the Fund's performance of its duties under this Section 2.7;
nothing in this sentence shall relieve the Auction Agent of its duties under
this Section 2.7.
III. THE AUCTION AGENT AS PAYING AGENT.
3.1 THE PAYING AGENT.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has adopted a resolution appointing
The Bank of New York as Auction Agent and Paying Agent. The Paying Agent hereby
accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with its standard
procedures and the provisions of Article X of the Bylaws which are specified
herein with respect to the Preferred Shares and as set forth in this Section 3.
If there is any conflict between its standard procedures and this Agreement, the
terms of this Agreement will govern.
6
3.2 THE FUND'S NOTICES TO THE PAYING AGENT.
Whenever any Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the Fund promptly
shall deliver to the Paying Agent a Notice of Redemption, which will be mailed
by the Paying Agent to each Holder at least five Business Days prior to the date
such Notice of Redemption is required to be mailed pursuant to Article X of the
Bylaws. Subject to the standards of Section 6.1 of this Agreement, the Paying
Agent shall have no responsibility to confirm or verify the accuracy of any such
notice.
3.3 THE FUND TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS.
(a) Not later than 12:00 noon on each Distribution Payment
Date, the Fund shall deposit with the Paying Agent an aggregate amount of
federal funds or similar same-day funds equal to the declared distributions to
be paid to Holders on such Distribution Payment Date, and shall give the Paying
Agent irrevocable written instructions to apply such funds to the payment of
such distributions on such Distribution Payment Date.
(b) If the Fund shall give a Notice of Redemption, then by
noon of the date fixed for redemption, the Fund shall deposit in trust with the
Paying Agent an aggregate amount of federal funds or similar same-day funds
sufficient to redeem such Preferred Shares called for redemption and shall give
the Paying Agent irrevocable written instructions and authority to pay the
redemption price to the Holders of Preferred Shares called for redemption upon
surrender of the certificate or certificates therefor.
3.4 DISBURSING DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTION PRICE.
After receipt of the funds and instructions from the Fund described in
Section 3.3 above, the Paying Agent shall pay to the Holders (or former Holders)
entitled thereto (i) on each corresponding Distribution Payment Date,
distributions on the Preferred Shares, and (ii) on any date fixed for
redemption, the redemption price of any shares of Preferred Shares called for
redemption. The amount of distributions for any Distribution Period to be paid
by the Paying Agent to Holders will be determined by the Fund as set forth in
Section 2 of Part I of Article X of the Bylaws. The redemption price to be paid
by the Paying Agent to the Holders of any shares of Preferred Shares called for
redemption will be determined by the Fund as set forth in Section 11 of Part I
of Article X of the Bylaws. The Paying Agent shall have no duty to determine the
redemption price and may rely on the amount thereof set forth in the Notice of
Redemption.
IV. THE PAYING AGENT AS TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.
4.1 ORIGINAL ISSUE OF SHARE CERTIFICATES.
On the Date of Original Issue for any Preferred Shares, one certificate
for the Preferred Shares shall be issued by the Fund and registered in the name
of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Securities Depository, and countersigned by the
Paying Agent.
4.2 REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE OF SHARES.
Except as provided in this Section 4.2, the Preferred Shares shall be
registered solely in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee. If
the Securities Depository shall give notice of its intention to resign as such,
and if the Fund shall not have selected a substitute Securities Depository
acceptable to the Paying Agent prior to such resignation, then, upon such
resignation of the Securities Depository, the Preferred Shares, at the Fund's
request, may be registered for transfer or exchange, and new certificates
thereupon shall be issued in the name of the designated transferee or
transferees, upon surrender of the old certificate in form deemed by the Paying
Agent to be properly endorsed for transfer with (a) all necessary
7
endorsers' signatures guaranteed in such manner and form and by such guarantor
as the Paying Agent may reasonably require, (b) such assurances as the Paying
Agent shall deem necessary or appropriate to evidence the genuineness and
effectiveness of each necessary endorsement and (c) satisfactory evidence of
compliance with all applicable laws relating to the collection of taxes in
connection with any registration of transfer or exchange or funds necessary for
the payment of such taxes. During any period when the certificate or
certificates for Preferred Shares are not held by a Securities Depository or its
nominee in book-entry form, no Auctions shall be held and this Agreement may be
terminated at the instance of either party as soon as practicable.
4.3 REMOVAL OF LEGEND.
Any request for removal of a legend indicating a restriction on
transfer from a certificate evidencing Preferred Shares shall be accompanied by
an opinion of counsel stating that such legend may be removed and such shares
may be transferred free of the restriction described in such legend, said
opinion to be delivered under cover of a letter from a Fund Officer authorizing
the Paying Agent to remove the legend on the basis of said opinion.
4.4 LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED SHARES CERTIFICATES.
The Paying Agent shall issue and register replacement certificates for
certificates represented to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the
fulfillment of such requirements as shall be deemed appropriate by the Fund. The
Paying Agent may issue new certificates in exchange for and upon the
cancellation of mutilated certificates. Any request by the Fund to the Paying
Agent to issue a replacement or new certificate pursuant to this Section 4.4
shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Fund to the Paying
Agent that such issuance will comply with provisions of applicable law and
Article X of the Bylaws and resolutions of the Fund.
4.5 DISPOSITION OF CANCELED CERTIFICATES: RECORD RETENTION.
The Paying Agent shall retain stock certificates which have been
canceled in transfer or in exchange and accompanying documentation in accordance
with applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") for at least two calendar years from the date of such
cancellation. The Paying Agent, upon written request by the Fund, shall afford
to the Fund, its agents and counsel access at reasonable times during normal
business hours to review and make extracts or copies (at the Fund's sole cost
and expense) of such certificates and accompanying documentation. Upon written
request by the Fund at any time within the six month period commencing
immediately after the expiration of this two-year period, the Paying Agent shall
deliver to the Fund the canceled certificates and accompanying documentation.
The Fund, at its expense, shall retain such records for a minimum additional
period of at least four calendar years from the date of delivery of the records
to the Fund and shall make such records available during this period at any
time, or from time to time, for reasonable periodic, special, or other
examinations by representatives of the Commission. The Fund also shall undertake
to furnish to the Commission, upon demand, either at its principal office or at
any regional office, complete, correct and current hard copies of any and all
such records. Thereafter, such records shall not be destroyed by the Fund
without the approval of the Paying Agent, which approval shall not be withheld
unreasonably, but will be safely stored for possible future reference.
4.6 STOCK REGISTER.
The Paying Agent shall maintain the stock register, which shall contain
a list of the Holders, the number of shares held by each Holder and the address
of each Holder. The Paying Agent shall record in the stock register any change
of address of a Holder upon written notice by such Holder. In case of any
written request or demand for the inspection of the stock register or any other
books of the Fund in the
8
possession of the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will notify the Fund and secure
instructions as to permitting or refusing such inspection. The Paying Agent
reserves the right, however, to exhibit the stock register or other records to
any person in case (a) it is ordered to do so by a court of competent
jurisdiction or a regulatory body, judicial or quasi-judicial agency or
authority having the authority to compel such disclosure, (b) it is advised by
its counsel that its failure to do so would be unlawful or (c) failure to do so
would expose the Auction Agent to loss, liability, claim, damage or expense for
which it has not received indemnity or security satisfactory to it.
4.7 RETURN OF FUNDS.
Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent by the Fund for any reason
(other than for the payment of amounts due to the Paying Agent) under this
Agreement, including for the payment of distributions or the redemption of
Preferred Shares, that remain with the Paying Agent after 12 months shall be
repaid to the Fund upon written request by the Fund.
V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
5.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE FUND.
The Fund represents and warrants to the Auction Agent that:
(i) the Fund is duly organized and is validly
existing as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and has full power to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
authorize, create and issue the Preferred Shares;
(ii) the Fund is registered with the Commission
under the 1940 Act as a closed-end, non-diversified, management investment
company;
(iii) this Agreement has been duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and constitutes the legal, valid
and binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable against the Fund in accordance
with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws
of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
general equitable principles;
(iv) the form of the certificate evidencing the
Preferred Shares complies with all applicable laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts;
(v) the Preferred Shares have been duly and
validly authorized by the Fund and, upon completion of the initial sale of the
Preferred Shares and receipt of payment therefor, will be validly issued by the
Fund, fully paid and nonassessable;
(vi) at the time of the offering of the Preferred
Shares, the shares offered will be registered under the Securities Act and no
further action by or before any governmental body or authority of the United
States or of any state thereof is required in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or will be required in connection with the issuance
of shares of the Preferred Shares, except such action as required by applicable
state securities laws;
(vii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the issuance and delivery of the Preferred Shares do not and will not
conflict with, violate, or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Agreement and Declaration of
Trust of the Fund, as amended, any order or decree of any court or public
authority having jurisdiction over the Fund, or any mortgage, indenture,
contract, agreement or undertaking to which the Fund is a party or by which it
is bound; and
9
(viii) no taxes are payable upon or in respect of the
execution of this Agreement or will be payable upon or in respect of the
issuance of the Preferred Shares.
5.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE AUCTION AGENT.
The Auction Agent represents and warrants to the Fund that:
(i) the Auction Agent is duly organized and is
validly existing as a banking corporation in good standing under the laws of the
State of New York and has the corporate power to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement; and
(ii) this Agreement has been duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Auction Agent and constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Auction Agent, enforceable against
the Auction Agent in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to
or affecting creditors' rights and to general equitable principles.
VI. THE AUCTION AGENT.
6.1 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Fund
hereunder, owes no fiduciary duties to any Person by reason of this Agreement,
and owes no duties, fiduciary or otherwise, to any other Person by reason of
this Agreement.
(b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and
only such duties as are set forth specifically in this Agreement, and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Auction
Agent.
(c) In the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence
on its part, the Auction Agent shall not be liable for any action taken,
suffered or omitted by it or for any error of judgment made by it in the
performance of its duties under this Agreement.
(d) In no event shall the Auction Agent be liable for special,
punitive, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever
(including, but not limited to, lost profits), even if the Auction Agent has
been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form
of action.
6.2 RIGHTS OF THE AUCTION AGENT.
(a) The Auction Agent may conclusively rely upon, and shall be
fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any communication
authorized hereby and any written instruction, notice, request, direction,
consent, report, certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or
document reasonably believed by it to be genuine. The Auction Agent shall not be
liable for acting or refraining from acting upon any telephone communication
authorized hereby which the Auction Agent reasonably believes in good faith to
have been given by the Fund or by a Broker-Dealer. The Auction Agent may record
telephone communications with the Fund or with the Broker-Dealers or with both.
(b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel of its choice,
and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in reasonable reliance thereon.
10
(c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial
liability in the performance of its duties hereunder. The Auction Agent shall be
under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as
otherwise agreed in writing with the Fund.
(d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its
rights hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys (other
than its officers and employees) and shall not be responsible for the negligence
or misconduct of any such agent or attorney selected and appointed by it with
due care.
(e) The Auction Agent shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith unless the Auction Agent shall have been grossly
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts necessary to make such judgment.
(f) The Auction Agent shall not be required to and shall make
no representations and have no responsibilities as to the validity, accuracy,
value or genuineness of any signatures or endorsements, other than its own and
those of its Authorized Officers, employees, agents, and attorneys. The Auction
Agent makes no representations as to and shall have no liability with respect to
the correctness of the recitals in, or the validity, accuracy or adequacy of
this Agreement, any Broker-Dealer Agreement, any offering material used in
connection with the offer and sale of the Preferred Shares or any other
agreement or instrument executed in connection with the transactions
contemplated herein or in any thereof. The Auction Agent shall have no
obligation or liability in respect of the registration or exemption therefrom of
the Preferred Shares under federal or state securities laws in respect of the
sufficiency or the conformity of any transfer of the Preferred Shares pursuant
to the terms of the
Auction Agency Agreement, any Broker Dealer Agreement, or
any other document contemplated thereby or related thereto.
(g) Whenever in the administration of the provisions of this
Agreement the Auction Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter
be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action to be taken
hereunder, such matter may, in the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of the Auction Agent, be deemed to be conclusively proved
and established by a certificate signed by the Fund or the Broker-Dealer, and
delivered to the Auction Agent and such certificate, in the absence of gross
negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Auction Agent, shall be full
warrant to the Auction Agent for any action taken or omitted by it under the
provisions of this Agreement upon the faith thereof. Upon receipt of any such
certificate signed by the Fund or a Broker-Dealer, the Auction Agent shall
promptly provide a copy of said certificate to the Broker-Dealer or the Fund,
respectively.
(h) The Auction Agent shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, entitlement
order, approval or other paper or document furnished by Fund or the
Broker-Dealer, except to the extent that such failure to investigate would be
deemed grossly negligent.
(i) Any corporation into which the Auction Agent may be merged
or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Auction Agent shall be
a party, or any corporation succeeding to the Dealing and Trading business of
the Auction Agent shall be the successor of the Auction Agent hereunder, with
the consent of the Fund but without the execution or filing of any paper with
any party hereto or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto,
except where any instrument of transfer or assignment may be required by law to
effect such succession, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.
11
6.3 COMPENSATION, EXPENSES AND INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Fund shall pay to the Auction Agent from time to time
such reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it under this
Agreement and under the Broker-Dealer Agreements as shall be set forth in a
separate writing signed by the Fund and the Auction Agent, subject to
adjustments if the Preferred Shares no longer are held of record by the
Securities Depository or its nominee or if there shall be such other change as
shall increase or decrease materially the Auction Agent's obligations hereunder
or under the Broker-Dealer Agreements.
(b) The Fund shall reimburse the Auction Agent upon its
request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made
by the Auction Agent in accordance with any provision of this Agreement and of
the Broker-Dealer Agreements (including the reasonable compensation, expenses
and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any expense, disbursement
or advance attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct, or that
of its officers, directors or employees.
(c) The Fund shall indemnify the Auction Agent and its
officers, directors, employees and agents for, and hold it harmless against, any
loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of the Auction Agent arising out of or in connection with
its agency under this Agreement and under the Broker-Dealer Agreements,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of
liability in connection with its exercise or performance of any of its duties
hereunder and thereunder, except such as may result from its gross negligence or
willful misconduct, or that its officers, directors or employees.
6.4 FORCE MAJEURE
The Auction Agent shall not be responsible for or liable for
any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement
arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its
reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes;
fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; acts of
terrorism; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities;
computer (hardware or software) or communications services (provided that
Auction Agent has not been grossly negligent with respect to selection,
operation or maintenance of such utilities, computer (hardware or software) or
communications service); accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military
authority or governmental actions; it being understood that the Auction Agent
shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the
banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the
circumstances.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS.
7.1 TERM OF AGREEMENT.
(a) The term of this Agreement is unlimited unless it shall be
terminated as provided in this Section 7.1. The Fund may terminate this
Agreement at any time by so notifying the Auction Agent in writing, provided
that, if any Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Fund shall have entered
into an agreement with a successor auction agent. The Auction Agent may
terminate this Agreement upon prior notice to the Fund on the date specified in
such notice, which date shall be no earlier than 60 days after delivery of such
notice. The Auction Agent may resign after 30 days following the delivery of
notice to the Fund that the Auction Agent has not been paid amounts due to it.
If the Auction Agent terminates this Agreement while any Preferred Shares
remains outstanding, the Fund shall use its best efforts to enter into an
agreement with a successor auction agent containing substantially the same terms
and conditions as this Agreement.
12
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.1(b), the
respective rights and duties of the Fund and the Auction Agent under this
Agreement shall cease upon termination of this Agreement. The Fund's
representations, warranties, covenants and obligations to the Auction Agent
under Sections 5.1 and 6.3 hereof, and the Auction Agent's representations and
warranties under Section 5.2 hereof shall survive the termination hereof. Upon
termination of this Agreement, the Auction Agent shall (i) resign as Auction
Agent under the Broker-Dealer Agreements, (ii) at the Fund's written request,
deliver promptly to the Fund copies of all books and records maintained by it in
connection with its duties hereunder, and (iii) at the written request of the
Fund, transfer promptly to the Fund's custodian or to any successor auction
agent any funds deposited by the Fund with the Auction Agent (whether in its
capacity as Auction Agent or as Paying Agent) pursuant to this Agreement which
have not been distributed previously by the Auction Agent in accordance with
this Agreement.
7.2 COMMUNICATIONS.
Except for (i) communications authorized to be made by telephone
pursuant to this Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii) communications in
connection with Auctions (other than those expressly required to be in writing),
all notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be
in writing (including telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given to such
party at its address or telecopier number set forth below:
If to the Fund,
RMR F.I.R.E. Fund
addressed to: Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇'▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
cc: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Worcester LLP
▇▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
If to the Auction Agent, The Bank of New York
addressed to: Corporate Trust Administration
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Dealing and Trading Group -
Auction Desk
Telephone No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
or such other address or telecopier number as such party hereafter may specify
for such purpose by notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or
communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified herein.
Communications shall be given on behalf of the Fund by a Fund Officer and on
behalf of the Auction Agent by an Authorized Officer.
7.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations,
endorsements, promises, agreements or understandings,
13
oral, written or implied, between the parties relating to the subject matter
hereof, except for written agreements relating to the compensation of the
Auction Agent.
7.4 BENEFITS.
Nothing herein, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other
than the Fund, the Auction Agent and their respective successors and assigns,
any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim hereunder.
7.5 AMENDMENT; WAIVER.
(a) This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be
modified, amended, rescinded, canceled or waived, in whole or in part, except by
a written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to
be charged. The Fund shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of any change in
Article X of the Bylaws prior to the effective date of any such change. If any
such change in Article X of the Bylaws materially increases the Auction Agent's
obligations hereunder, the Fund shall obtain the written consent of the Auction
Agent prior to the effective date of such change.
(b) Failure of either party hereto to exercise any right or
remedy hereunder in the event of a breach hereof by the other party shall not
constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to any subsequent
breach.
7.6 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the
Fund and the Auction Agent. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party
hereto absent the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall
not be withheld unreasonably.
7.7 SEVERABILITY.
If any clause, provision or section hereof shall be ruled invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or
unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of
the remaining clauses, provisions or sections hereof.
7.8 EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which
shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.
7.9 GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be
performed wholly in said state.
7.10 JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.
The parties agree that all actions and proceedings arising out of this
Auction Agency Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
brought in the County of New York, and, in connection with any such action or
proceeding, submit to the jurisdiction of, and venue in, such County. Each of
the parties hereto also irrevocably waives all right to trial by jury in any
action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
[Signature pages follow]
14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the date first above written.
RMR F.I.R.E. FUND
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Auction Agent
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO
AUCTION AGENCY AGREEMENT]
EXHIBIT A
RMR F.I.R.E. FUND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Auction Agent
--------------------
BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
dated as of ___________, 2004
Relating to
Series W Auction Preferred Shares (Preferred Shares)
of
RMR F.I.R.E. FUND
--------------------
BROKER DEALER
A-1
EXHIBIT B
(Note: To be used only for transfers made other than pursuant to an Auction)
TRANSFER FORM
Re:
RMR F.I.R.E. FUND
Auction Preferred Shares ("Preferred Shares")
We are (check one):
\ \ the Existing Holder named below;
\ \ the Broker-Dealer for such Existing Holder; or
\ \ the Agent Member for such Existing Holder.
We hereby notify you that such Beneficial Owner has transferred _______
Series ___ Preferred Shares to __________________________________.
----------------------------------------
(Name of Existing Holder)
----------------------------------------
(Name of Broker-Dealer)
----------------------------------------
(Name of Agent Member)
By:
-----------------------
Printed Name:
Title:
B-1
EXHIBIT C
(Note: To be used only for failures to deliver or to pay for
Preferred Shares sold pursuant to an Auction)
NOTICE OF A FAILURE TO DELIVER
We are a Broker-Dealer for ___________________ (the "Purchaser"), which
purchased ________ Series __ Preferred Shares of RMR ▇.▇.▇▇. FUND in the Auction
held on _____________________ from the seller of such shares.
We hereby notify you that (check one):
/ / the Seller failed to deliver such shares to the Purchaser.
/ / the Purchaser failed to make payment to the Seller upon delivery
of such shares.
Name:
----------------------------------------
(Name of Broker-Dealer)
By:
----------------------------------------
Printed Name:
Title:
C-1