11 Hanover Square, New York, New York
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10005
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code)
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It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
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x
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
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o
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
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o
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
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o
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
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o
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
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o
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
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If appropriate, check the following box:
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o
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this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
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●
MIDAS PERPETUAL PORTFOLIO
Ticker: MPERX
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●
MIDAS FUND
Ticker: MIDSX
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●
MIDAS MAGIC
Ticker: MISEX
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3 | |
MIDAS PERPETUAL PORTFOLIO | 3 |
MIDAS FUND | 7 |
MIDAS MAGIC | 11 |
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 14 |
15 | |
19 | |
20 | |
MANAGEMENT FEES | 20 |
20 | |
PURCHASING SHARES | 20 |
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES | 22 |
REDEEMING SHARES | 22 |
ACCOUNT AND TRANSACTION POLICIES | 23 |
24 | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 25 |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
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NONE
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||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
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NONE
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||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
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NONE
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Redemption Fee on shares redeemed within 30 days of purchase
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1.00%
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1
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The total annual fund operating expenses listed above do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets listed in the “Financial Highlights” on page 25, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.
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2
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The investment manager has contractually agreed with the Fund to waive its management fee for the period that is one year from the effective date of the Fund’s registration statement.
The fee waiver agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
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MIDAS PERPETUAL PORTFOLIO
– Year-by-year total return as of 12/31 each year (%)
|
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Best Quarter:
7/1/09 - 9/30/09
7.69%
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Worst Quarter:
7/1/11 - 9/30/11
(3.10)%
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10 Years
|
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Return Before Taxes
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0.96%
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7.05%
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4.15%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions
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(0.24)%
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6.36%
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3.57%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
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1.94%
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5.82%
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3.30%
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S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
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2.11%
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(0.25)%
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2.92%
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LMTACFI
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2.53%
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3.69%
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4.37%
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LMATAMI
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0.37%
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1.40%
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4.06%
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
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NONE
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
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NONE
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
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NONE
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Redemption Fee on shares redeemed within 30 days of purchase
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1.00%
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Management Fees
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1.00%
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Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
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0.25%
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Other Expenses
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1.06%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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2.31%
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MIDAS FUND
– Year-by-year total return as of 12/31 each year (%)
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Best Quarter:
1/1/02 - 3/31/02
32.63%
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Worst Quarter:
7/1/08 - 9/30/08
(41.51)%
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Return Before Taxes
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(35.97)%
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(2.15)%
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15.06%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions
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(36.27)%
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(2.65)%
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14.75%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
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(23.33)%
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(2.12)%
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13.47%
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S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
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2.11%
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(0.25)%
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2.92%
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PMA (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
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(20.68)%
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7.91%
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20.10%
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
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NONE
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
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NONE
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
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NONE
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Redemption Fee on shares redeemed within 30 days of purchase
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1.00%
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Management Fees .
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0.99%
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Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
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1.00%
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Other Expenses
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2.17%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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4.16%
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EXAMPLE:
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. This example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. This example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses were those in the table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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||||||||||||||
One Year
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Three Years
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Five Years
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Ten Years
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|||||||||||
$ | 418 | $ | 1,264 | $ | 2,124 | $ | 4,339 |
MIDAS MAGIC
– Year-by-year total return as of 12/31 each year (%)
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Best Quarter:
7/1/09 - 9/30/09
23.28%
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Worst Quarter:
10/1/08 - 12/31/08
(32.60)%
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Return Before Taxes
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8.62%
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(0.90)%
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1.02%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions
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8.62%
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(0.90)%
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1.02%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
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5.60%
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(0.76)%
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0.88%
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S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
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2.11%
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(0.25)%
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2.92%
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Russell 2000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
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(4.18)%
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0.15%
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5.62%
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Account Type
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Initial
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Subsequent
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IRAs and HSAs
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Initial
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Subsequent
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||||||||||||
Regular
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$ | 1,000 | $ | 100 |
Traditional, Roth IRA, HSA
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$ | 1,000 | $ | 100 | ||||||||
UGMA/UTMA
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$ | 1,000 | $ | 100 |
Spousal, Rollover IRA
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$ | 1,000 | $ | 100 | ||||||||
Education Savings Account
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$ | 1,000 | $ | 100 |
SEP, SAR-SEP, SIMPLE IRA
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$ | 1,000 | $ | 100 | ||||||||
Automatic Investment Program
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$ | 100 | $ | 100 |
Health Savings Account
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$ | 1,000 | $ | 100 |
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MIDAS PERPETUAL PORTFOLIO
seeks to preserve and increase the purchasing power value of its shares over the long term. The investment strategy of the Fund acknowledges a broad range of economic possibilities and seeks to incorporate investments appropriate for each of them. Investors who wish to invest all or a portion of their capital in a way that does not depend on any particular outcome for the economy should consider purchasing shares in the Fund.
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Investment Category
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Target Percentage
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Gold
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20%
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Silver
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10%
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Swiss Franc Assets
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20%
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Hard Asset Securities
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25%
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Large Capitalization Growth Stocks
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25%
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Total
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100%
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Target Percentage with Leverage
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||
Investment Category
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As an Approximate Percent of Net Assets
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As an Approximate Percent of Total Assets
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Gold
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20%
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16%
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Silver
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10%
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8%
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Swiss Franc Assets
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20%
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16%
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Hard Asset Securities
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25%
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20%
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Large Capitalization Growth Stocks
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50%
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40%
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Total
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125%
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100%
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MIDAS FUND
seeks primarily capital appreciation and protection against inflation and, secondarily, current income. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in Natural Resources Companies and gold, silver, and platinum bullion. Up to 35% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities of companies that derive a portion of their gross revenues, directly or indirectly, from the business of mining, processing, fabricating, distributing, or otherwise dealing in gold, silver, platinum, or other natural resources, in securities of selected growth companies, and in fixed income securities of any issuer, including U.S. Government Securities, of any credit quality or maturity, although the Fund has no current intention of investing more than 5% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated less than investment grade. The Fund may invest in both domestic or foreign companies of any size. The investment manager seeks companies that it believes have attractive fundamentals and often looks at company characteristics such as people, projects, and pricing.
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MIDAS MAGIC
invests aggressively for solely capital appreciation. The Fund will exercise a flexible strategy in the selection of securities and will not be limited by the issuer’s location, size, or market capitalization. The Fund may invest in equity and fixed income securities of new and seasoned U.S. and foreign issuers with no minimum rating, including securities convertible into common stock, debt securities, futures, options, derivatives, and other instruments. The Fund also may employ aggressive and speculative investment techniques, such as selling securities short and borrowing money for investment purposes, a practice known as “leveraging” and may invest defensively in cash, bank deposits, money market funds, money market securities of U.S. and foreign issuers, short term bonds, repurchase agreements, and similar investments. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any issuer, including U.S. Government Securities, of any credit quality or maturity, although the Fund has no current intention of investing more than 5% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated less than investment grade. The Fund also may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions.
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Opening Your Account
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Adding to Your Account
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Transaction
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Tax treatment
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I
ncome dividend
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Ordinary income or qualified dividend income
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Net short term capital gain distribution
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Ordinary income
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Net long term capital gain distribution
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Long term capital gain
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Sale or exchange of shares held for more than one year
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Long term capital gain or loss
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Sale or exchange of shares held for one year or less
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Gains that are not offset by capital losses are treated as ordinary income; net losses are subject to special rules
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MIDAS PERPETUAL PORTFOLIO
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For the Year Ended December 31,
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||||||||||||||||||||
2011
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2010
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2009
(1)
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2008
(1)
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2007
(1)
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||||||||||||||||
Per Share Data (for a share outstanding throughout each period)
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||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period
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$ | 1.30 | $ | 1.15 | $ | 1.00 | $ | 1.000 | $ | 1.000 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
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||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)
(2)
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(0.01 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.01 | ) | 0.012 | 0.039 | ||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
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0.02 | 0.16 | 0.18 | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations
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0.01 | 0.15 | 0.17 | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Less distributions:
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||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income
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(0.01 | ) | - | - | (0.012 | ) | (0.039 | ) | ||||||||||||
Realized gains
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(0.08 | ) | - | (0.02 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||
Total distributions
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(0.09 | ) | - | (0.02 | ) | (0.012 | ) | (0.039 | ) | |||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period
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$ | 1.22 | $ | 1.30 | $ | 1.15 | $ | 1.000 | $ | 1.000 | ||||||||||
Total Return
(3)
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0.96 | % | 13.04 | % | 17.03 | % | 1.22 | % | 4.00 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data
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||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)
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$ | 15,459 | $ | 10,620 | $ | 8,311 | $ | 7,191 | $ | 14,516 | ||||||||||
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets
(4)
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1.85 | % | 2.51 | % | 2.98 | % | 1.77 | % | 1.91 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
(3)
(5)
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1.35 | % | 1.93 | % | 2.23 | % | 1.21 | % | 1.16 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses excluding loan interest and fees to average net assets
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1.35 | % | 1.90 | % | 2.22 | % | - | - | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
(3)
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(0.45 | )% | (1.03 | )% | (1.29 | )% | 1.22 | % | 3.92 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate
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44 | % | 4 | % | 24 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % |
MIDAS FUND
|
For the Year Ended December 31,
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||||||||||||||||||||
201
1
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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||||||||||||||||
Per Share Data (for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period
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$ | 5.65 | $ | 3.82 | $ | 2.11 | $ | 5.64 | $ | 4.29 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment loss
(1)
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(0.06 | ) | (0.07 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.06 | ) | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
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(1.96 | ) | 1.90 | 1.80 | (3.36 | ) | 1.44 | |||||||||||||
Total from investment operations
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(2.02 | ) | 1.83 | 1.75 | (3.42 | ) | 1.36 | |||||||||||||
Less distributions:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income
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(0.06 | ) | - | (0.04 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.01 | ) | |||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period
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$ | 3.57 | $ | 5.65 | $ | 3.82 | $ | 2.11 | $ | 5.64 | ||||||||||
Total Return
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(35.97 | )% | 47.91 | % | 83.88 | % | (60.89 | )% | 31.70 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)
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$ | 72,973 | $ | 139,644 | $ | 116,311 | $ | 77,502 | $ | 251,394 | ||||||||||
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets
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2.31 | % | 2.29 | % | 2.39 | % | 2.37 | % | 2.43 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
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2.31 | % | 2.29 | % | 2.39 | % | 2.37 | % | 2.43 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses excluding loan interest and fees to average
net assets
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2.16 | % | 2.14 | % | 2.29 | % | 2.02 | % | 1.87 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets
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(1.30 | )% | (1.58 | )% | (1.67 | )% | (1.42 | )% | (1.58 | )% | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate
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44 | % | 63 | % | 82 | % | 129 | % | 126 | % |
MIDAS MAGIC
|
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||||||||
Per Share Data (for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$ | 14.73 | $ | 13.94 | $ | 10.36 | $ | 19.13 | $ | 16.74 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment loss
(1)
|
(0.48 | ) | (0.48 | ) | (0.37 | ) | (0.43 | ) | (0.50 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
|
1.75 | 1.27 | 3.95 | (8.34 | ) | 2.89 | ||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations
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1.27 | 0.79 | 3.58 | (8.77 | ) | 2.39 | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period
|
$ | 16.00 | $ | 14.73 | $ | 13.94 | $ | 10.36 | $ | 19.13 | ||||||||||
Total Return
|
8.62 | % | 5.67 | % | 34.56 | % | (45.84 | )% | 14.28 | % | ||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)
|
$ | 11,768 | $ | 12,240 | $ | 11,582 | $ | 8,911 | $ | 17,334 | ||||||||||
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets
|
4.16 | % | 4.22 | % | 4.46 | % | 3.89 | % | 4.06 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
|
4.16 | % | 4.22 | % | 4.46 | % | 3.89 | % | 4.06 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses excluding loan interest and fees to average
n
et assets
|
3.83 | % | 3.84 | % | 4.11 | % | 3.32 | % | 3.22 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets
|
(3.17 | )% | (3.39 | )% | (3.23 | )% | (2.71 | )% | (2.85 | )% | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate
|
4 | % | 0 | % | 9 | % | 13 | % | 36 | % |
●
|
Annual/Semi-Annual reports.
Includes performance data, portfolio holdings, and a letter from the Funds’ managers discussing recent market conditions, economic trends, and Fund strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during the last fiscal period.
|
●
|
Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Provides a fuller technical and legal description of the Funds’ policies, investment restrictions, and business structure. A current SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference (is legally considered part of this prospectus).
|
THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENT PROGRAMS | 3 |
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
|
11 |
OPTIONS, FUTURES, AND FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACT STRATEGIES | 13 |
FUND COMPLEX | 20 |
PROXY VOTING | 25 |
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 25 |
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT | 26 |
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS | 26 |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 28 |
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES | 30 |
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE | 31 |
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES | 32 |
ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE | 34 |
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES | 36 |
CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION | 39 |
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS | 40 |
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT | 40 |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 40 |
APPENDIX A – DESCRIPTIONS OF BOND RATINGS | A-1 |
APPENDIX B – PROXY VOTING | B-1 |
1.
|
Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act;
|
2.
|
Engage in the business of underwriting the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws in connection with the disposition of the Fund’s authorized investments;
|
3.
|
Purchase or sell real estate, provided that the Fund may invest in securities (excluding limited partnership interests) secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests therein;
|
4.
|
Purchase or sell physical commodities (other than precious metals), although it may enter into (a) commodity and other futures contracts and options thereon, (b) options on commodities, including foreign currencies and precious metals, (c) forward contracts on commodities, including foreign currencies and precious metals, and (d) other financial contracts or derivative instruments;
|
5.
|
Lend its assets, provided however, that the following are not prohibited: (a) the making of time or demand deposits with banks, (b) the purchase of debt securities such as bonds, debentures, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and short term obligations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, and (c) engaging in securities, precious metals, and other asset loan transactions to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act;
|
6.
|
Issue senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act. The following will not be deemed to be senior securities prohibited by this provision: (a) evidences of indebtedness that the Fund is permitted to incur, (b) the issuance of additional series or classes of securities that the Board of Directors may establish, (c) the Fund’s futures, options, and forward transactions, and (d) to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act and applicable rules and policies adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), (i) the establishment or use of a margin account with a broker for the purpose of effecting securities transactions on margin and (ii) short sales; or
|
7.
|
Purchase any securities, other than obligations of the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, if, immediately after such purchase, more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers in the same industry, except that the Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in securities of Natural Resources Companies.
|
1.
|
Issue senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act. The following will not be deemed to be senior securities for this purpose: (a) evidences of indebtedness that the Fund is permitted to incur, (b) the issuance of additional series or classes of securities that the Board of Directors may establish, (c) the Fund’s futures, options, and forward currency transactions, and (d) to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act and applicable rules and policies adopted by the SEC, (i) the establishment or use of a margin account with a broker for the purpose of effecting securities transactions on margin and (ii) short sales;
|
2.
|
Lend its assets, provided however, that the following are not prohibited: (a) the making of time or demand deposits with banks, (b) the purchase of debt securities such as bonds, debentures, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and short term obligations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and (c) engaging in securities and other asset loan transactions limited to one third of the Fund’s total assets;
|
3.
|
Underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws in connection with the disposition of the Fund’s authorized investments;
|
4.
|
Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act;
|
5.
|
Purchase or sell commodities or commodity futures contracts, although it may enter into (i) financial and foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon, (ii) options on foreign currencies, and (iii) forward contracts on foreign currencies;
|
6.
|
Purchase or sell real estate, provided that the Fund may invest in securities (excluding limited partnership interests) secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests therein; or
|
7.
|
Purchase any securities, other than obligations of the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, if, immediately after such purchase, more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers in the same industry.
|
1.
|
Issue senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act. The following will not be deemed to be senior securities for this purpose: (a) evidence of indebtedness that the Fund is permitted to incur, (b) the issuance of additional series or classes of securities that the Board of Directors may establish, (c) the Fund futures, options, and forward currency transactions, and (d) to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act and applicable rules and policies adopted by the SEC, (i) the establishment or use of a margin account with a broker for the purpose of effecting securities transactions on margin and (ii) short sales;
|
2.
|
Lend its assets, provided however, that the following are not prohibited: (a) the making of time or demand deposits with banks, (b) the purchase of debt securities such as bonds, debentures, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and short term obligations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and (c) engaging in securities and other asset loan transactions limited to one third of the Fund’s total assets;
|
3.
|
Underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws in connection with the disposition of the Fund’s authorized investments;
|
4.
|
Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act;
|
5.
|
Purchase or sell physical commodities (other than precious metals), although it may enter into (a) commodity and other futures contracts and options thereon, (b) options on commodities, including foreign currencies and precious metals, (c) forward contracts on commodities, including foreign currencies and precious metals, and (d) other financial contracts or derivative instruments;
|
6.
|
Purchase or sell real estate, provided that the Fund may invest in securities (excluding limited partnership interests) secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests therein; or
|
7.
|
Purchase any securities, other than obligations of domestic branches of U.S. or foreign banks, or the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, if, immediately after such purchase, more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers in the same industry.
|
1.
|
Invest up to 15% of the value of its net assets in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice;
|
2.
|
Purchase securities issued by other investment companies to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act; and
|
3.
|
Pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber its assets to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.
|
Name, Address, and
Date of Birth
|
Director Since
1
|
Funds in
Complex
Overseen
|
Principal Occupation,
Business Experience for Past Five Years
|
Other Directorships held by Director
2
|
Independent Directors
3
:
|
||||
Bruce B. Huber, CLU, ChFC, MSFS
11 Hanover Square,
New York, NY 10005
Born February 7, 1930
|
1995 (Midas Fund)
1986 (Midas Magic)
1981 (Perpetual Portfolio)
|
6
|
Retired. He is a former Financial Representative with New England Financial, specializing in financial, estate, and insurance matters. He is a member of the Board, emeritus, of the Millbrook School, and Chairman of the Endowment Board of the Community YMCA of Red Bank, NJ.
|
None
|
James E. Hunt
11 Hanover Square
New York, NY 10005
Born December 14, 1930
|
1995 (Midas Fund)
1986 (Midas Magic)
1980 (Perpetual Portfolio)
|
6
|
Limited Partner of Hunt Howe Partners LLC, executive recruiting consultants.
|
None
|
Peter K. Werner
11 Hanover Square
New York, NY 10005
Born August 16, 1959
|
2004 (All Funds)
|
6
|
Since 1996, he has taught, directed, and coached many programs at The Governor’s Academy of Byfield, MA. Currently, he serves as chair of the History Department. Previously, he held the position of Vice President in the Fixed Income Departments of Lehman Brothers and First Boston. His responsibilities included trading sovereign debt instruments, currency arbitrage, syndication, medium term note trading, and money market trading.
|
None
|
Name, Address,
Date of Birth
|
Director Since
1
|
Funds in
Complex
Overseen
|
Principal Occupation,
Business Experience for Past Five Years
|
Other Directorships held by Director
2
|
Interested Director
4
:
|
||||
Thomas B. Winmill, Esq. Director, Chief Executive Officer, President, General Counsel, and Chief Legal Officer of the Funds
Born June 25, 1959
|
1995 (Midas Fund)
1997 (Midas Magic)
1993 (Perpetual Portfolio)
|
6
|
Since 1999, President of the Fund Complex and the Investment Manager and the Distributor, and of their affiliates (collectively, the “IMDA”). He is Chairman of the Investment Policy Committee (“IPC”) of the Investment Manager. He is a member of the SEC Rules Committee of the Investment Company Institute, and the New York Section member society of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc. He is a son of Bassett S. Winmill.
|
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.
|
Name and Date of Birth
|
Title and Officer Since:
|
Principal Occupation, Business Experience for Past Five Years
|
|
Thomas B. Winmill, Esq.
Born June 25, 1959
|
Chief Executive Officer, President, and General Counsel since 1999 and Chief Legal Officer since 2004.
|
See biographical information above.
|
|
Bassett S. Winmill
Born February 10, 1930
|
Chief Investment Strategist since 1999.
|
Chief Investment Strategist of the Investment Manager and the Chairman of the Board of Winco and its affiliates, and of two investment companies in the Fund Complex. He is a member of the IPC and the New York Society of Security Analysts, the Association for Investment Management and Research, and the International Society of Financial Analysts. He is the father of Thomas B. Winmill.
|
|
Thomas O’Malley
Born July 22, 1958
|
Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Vice President since 2005.
|
Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Vice President since 2005. He also is Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Vice President of the Fund Complex and the IMDA. He is a certified public accountant.
|
|
Heidi Keating
(also known as
Irene K. Kawczynski)
Born March 28, 1959
|
Vice President since 1988.
|
Vice President since 1988. She is a member of the IPC. She is also Vice President of the Fund Complex and the IMDA.
|
|
John F. Ramírez, Esq.
Born April 29, 1977
|
Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary, and Vice President since 2005 and Associate General Counsel since 2008.
|
CCO, VP, and Secretary since 2005 and Associate General Counsel since 2008. He is also CCO, Associate General Counsel, VP, and Secretary of the Fund Complex and the IMDA. He is a member of the IPC. He is a member of the CCO Committee and the Compliance Advisory Committee of the Investment Company Institute.
|
Name of Director
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Perpetual Portfolio
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Midas Fund
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Midas Magic
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Director in Fund Complex
|
Independent Directors:
|
||||
Bruce B. Huber
|
None
|
$1 - $10,000
|
$10,001 - $50,000
|
$10,001 - $50,000
|
James E. Hunt
|
$10,001 - $50,000
|
$10,001 - $50,000
|
$10,001 - $50,000
|
$50,001 - $100,000
|
Peter K. Werner
|
$10,001 - $50,000
|
$1- $10,000
|
$1 - $10,000
|
$10,001 - $50,000
|
Interested Director:
|
||||
Thomas B. Winmill
|
$1 - $10,000
|
$10,001 - $50,000
|
Over $100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
Name of Person, Position
|
Aggregate Compensation From Each Fund
|
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses
|
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement
|
Total Compensation From Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Directors
|
Bruce B. Huber, Director
|
$10,727 (Midas Fund)
$3,190 (Midas Magic)
$1,023 (Midas Perpetual)
|
None
|
None
|
$28,750
|
James E. Hunt, Director
|
$10,727 (Midas Fund)
$3,190 (Midas Magic)
$1,023 (Midas Perpetual)
|
None
|
None
|
$28,750
|
Peter K. Werner,
Director
|
$11,228 (Midas Fund)
$3,690 (Midas Magic)
$1,523 (Midas Perpetual)
|
None
|
None
|
$33,250
|
Affiliated Person
|
Position(s) with Funds
|
Position(s) with Investment Manager
|
Position(s) with Distributor
|
Thomas B. Winmill
|
Director, CEO, President, General Counsel, CLO
|
Director, CEO, President, General Counsel, Chairman IPC, Portfolio Manager
|
Director, Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel, and Chief Legal Officer
|
Bassett S. Winmill
|
Chief Investment Strategist
|
Chief Investment Strategist, Control Person, Portfolio Manager, Member IPC
|
Control Person
|
Thomas O’Malley
|
Vice President, CFO, CAO, Treasurer
|
Director, Vice President, CFO, Treasurer
|
Director, Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Chief Financial Officer
|
Heidi Keating
|
Vice President
|
Vice President, Member IPC
|
Vice President
|
John F. Ramírez
|
Vice President, CCO, Associate General Counsel, Secretary
|
Vice President, CCO, Associate General Counsel, Secretary, Member IPC
|
Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, Associate General Counsel, and Secretary
|
Year
|
Fund Name
|
Amount Paid
|
Fees Waived
|
2009
|
Perpetual Portfolio
Midas Fund
Midas Magic
|
$0
$934,032
$99,652
|
$35,847
$0
$0
|
2010
|
Perpetual Portfolio
Midas Fund
Midas Magic
|
$0
$1,145,898
$110,504
|
$44,078
$0
$0
|
2011
|
Perpetual Portfolio
Midas Fund
Midas Magic
|
$0
$1,037,279
$111,348
|
$76,363
$0
$0
|
Year
|
Fund Name
|
Reimbursement Amount
|
2009
|
Perpetual Portfolio
Midas Fund
Midas Magic
|
$11,790
$134,384
$14,680
|
2010
|
Perpetual Portfolio
Midas Fund
Midas Magic
|
$8,599
$129,915
$13,000
|
2011
|
Perpetual Portfolio
Midas Fund
Midas Magic
|
$20,065
$125,160
$12,260
|
Name
|
Title
|
Business Experience During Past Five Years
|
Thomas B. Winmill
|
Chairman
|
See biographical information above.
|
Bassett S. Winmill
|
Chief Investment Strategist
|
See biographical information above.
|
John F. Ramírez
|
Director of Fixed Income
|
See biographical information above.
|
Heidi Keating
|
Trading
|
See biographical information above.
|
Portfolio Managers
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
|
Other Accounts
|
|
Thomas B. Winmill
|
Number:
|
4
|
N/A
|
2
|
Assets (millions):
|
$215
|
N/A
|
$0
|
|
Bassett S. Winmill
|
Number:
|
5
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Assets (millions):
|
$159
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
John F. Ramírez
|
Number:
|
2
|
N/A
|
2
|
Assets (millions):
|
$108
|
N/A
|
$0
|
|
Heidi Keating
|
Number:
|
2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Assets (millions):
|
$108
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Activity
|
Perpetual Portfolio
|
Midas Fund
|
Midas Magic
|
Advertising
1
|
$2,453
|
$21,458
|
$11,092
|
Printing and Mailing Prospectuses
2
|
$7,595
|
$22,333
|
$12,702
|
Payments to the Third Parties
3
|
$11,729
|
$79,483
|
$1,536
|
Compensation of Sales Personnel
4
|
$14,003
|
$116,109
|
$74,839
|
Miscellaneous Expenses
5
|
$2,401
|
$19,936
|
$12,812
|
•
|
the Fund shall identify before 4:00 p.m. ET of the day on which such in-kind redemptions will be required, assets held by the Fund that are available for in-kind redemption;
|
•
|
the asset price used to effect the redemption shall be the respective asset price used to calculate the net asset value of the shares being redeemed; and
|
•
|
in-kind redemptions may be limited to assets for which market quotations are readily available.
|
Year
|
Fund Name
|
Total Amount Paid
|
2009
|
Perpetual Portfolio
Midas Fund
Midas Magic
|
$444
$245,447
$617
|
2010
|
Perpetual Portfolio
Midas Fund
Midas Magic
|
$176
$219,407
$473
|
2011
|
Perpetual Portfolio
Midas Fund
Midas Magic
|
$1,914
$144,589
$341
|
1.1.
|
The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote recommendation is not up for election -- any or all appropriate nominees (except new) may be held accountable;
|
1.2.
|
The board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers. Sustained poor performance is measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns in the bottom half of a company’s four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000 companies only). Take into consideration the company’s five-year total shareholder return and five-year operational metrics. Problematic provisions include but are not limited to: |
1.3.
|
The company’s poison pill has a “dead-hand” or “modified dead-hand” feature. Vote WITHOLD or AGAINST every year until this feature is removed; |
1.4.
|
The board adopts a poison pill with a term of more than 12 months (“long-term pill”), or renews any existing pill, including any “short-term” pill (12 months or less), without shareholder approval. A commitment or policy that puts a newly adopted pill to a binding shareholder vote may potentially offset an adverse vote recommendation. Review such companies with classified boards every year, and such companies with annually elected boards at least once every three years, and vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD votes from all nominees if the company still maintains a non-shareholder-approved poison pill. This policy applies to all companies adopting or renewing pills after the announcement of this policy (Nov. 19, 2009); or
|
1.5.
|
The board makes a material adverse change to an existing poison pill without shareholder approval.
|
1.6.
|
The board adopts a poison pill with a term of 12 months or less (“short-term pill”) without shareholder approval, taking into account the following factors:
|
1.7.
|
The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive (see discussion under “Auditor Ratification”);
|
1.8.
|
The company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor; or
|
1.9.
|
There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.
|
1.10.
|
Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures. Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence and duration, as well as the company’s efforts at remediation or corrective actions, in determining whether WITHHOLD/AGAINST votes are warranted.
|
1.11.
|
There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);
|
1.12.
|
The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;
|
1.13.
|
The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders;
|
1.14.
|
The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder vote; or
|
1.15.
|
The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment made to shareholders.
|
1.16.
|
The company's previous say-on-pay proposal received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:
|
1.17.
|
Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;
|
1.18.
|
Failure to replace management as appropriate; or
|
1.19.
|
Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.
|
2.1.
|
The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of the shares outstanding the previous year;
|
2.2.
|
The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of shares cast in the last year and one of the two previous years;
|
2.3.
|
The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of shares are tendered;
|
2.4.
|
At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote; or
|
2.5.
|
The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received the majority of votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency.
|
2.6.
|
The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received a plurality, but not a majority, of the votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency, taking into account:
|
3.1.
|
The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees: audit, compensation, or nominating;
|
3.2.
|
The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee;
|
3.3.
|
The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee; or
|
3.4.
|
Independent directors make up less than a majority of the directors.
|
4.1.
|
The company’s proxy indicates that not all directors attended 75 percent of the aggregate board and committee meetings, but fails to provide the required disclosure of the names of the director(s) involved.
|
4.2.
|
Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings (with the exception of new nominees). Acceptable reasons for director absences are generally limited to the following:
|
4.3.
|
Sit on more than six public company boards; or
|
4.4.
|
Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own– withhold only at their outside boards.
|
(a)
|
Articles of Incorporation. (1)
|
|
(b)
|
Amended Bylaws. (2)
|
|
(c)
|
(1)
|
Articles of Incorporation. (1)
|
(2)
|
Amended Bylaws. (2)
|
|
(d)
|
Form of Investment Management Agreement. (3)
|
|
(e)
|
Distribution Agreement. (9)
|
|
(f)
|
Not applicable.
|
|
(g)
|
(1)
|
Form of Custody Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company. (4)
|
(2)
|
Supplement to Custody Agreement. (5)
|
|
(3)
|
Precious Metals Depository Agreement. (10)
|
|
(h)
|
(1)
|
Form of Master Repurchase Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company. (8)
|
(2)
|
Mutual Fund Services Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 28(h)(2).
|
|
(3) |
(i) Lending Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 28(h)(3)(i).
|
|
(ii) Committed Facility Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 28(h)(3)(ii).
|
||
(iii) Special Custody and Pledge Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 28(h)(3)(iii). | ||
(4)
|
Form of Segregated Account Procedural and Safekeeping Agreement. (7)
|
|
(5)
|
Form of Securities Lending Authorization Agreement. (10)
|
|
(i) Form of First Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement. (12)
|
||
(ii) Form of Second Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement. (12)
|
||
(iii) Form of Third Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement. (13) | ||
(6)
|
Form of Securities Lending and Services Agreement. (12)
|
|
(i) Form of First Amendment to Securities Lending and Services Agreement. (12)
|
||
(i)
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel as to Legality of Securities Being Registered filed herewith as Exhibit 28(i).
|
|
(j)
|
Accountant's Consent filed herewith as Exhibit 28(j).
|
|
(k)
|
Not applicable.
|
|
(l)
|
Agreement for providing initial capital. (3)
|
|
(m)
|
Plan of Distribution. (3)
|
|
(n)
|
Not applicable.
|
|
(o)
|
Reserved.
|
|
(p)
|
Code of Ethics. (11)
|
|
(1)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on April 28, 2000.
|
|
(2)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Annual Report of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on March 2, 1998.
|
|
(3)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on March 1, 2000.
|
|
(4)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on April 22, 2002.
|
|
(5)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibits to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 33-2847, filed on May 1, 2001.
|
|
(6)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on April 29, 2004.
|
|
(7)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on March 31, 1998.
|
|
(8)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on May 1, 2003.
|
|
(9)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on April 29, 2005.
|
|
(10)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on April 29, 2008.
|
|
(11)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on December 15, 2008.
|
|
(12)
|
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on April 29, 2009.
|
|
(13) |
Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the registration statement of the Registrant, SEC file number 2-98229, filed on April 30, 2010.
|
a)
|
Midas Securities serves as principal underwriter of the Registrant, Midas Perpetual Portfolio, Inc., and Midas Magic, Inc.
|
b)
|
Midas Securities serves as the Registrant’s principal underwriter. The directors and officers of Midas Securities, their principal business addresses, their positions and offices with Midas Securities and their positions and offices with the Registrant (if any) are set forth below.
|
Chairman, Director, President,
|
||
/s/ Thomas B. Winmill
|
Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel, and Chief Legal Officer
|
April 30, 2012
|
Thomas B. Winmill
|
||
/s/ Thomas O'Malley
|
Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Financial Officer
|
April 30, 2012
|
Thomas O'Malley
|
||
/s/ Bruce B. Huber*
|
Director
|
April 30, 2012
|
Bruce B. Huber
|
||
/s/ James E. Hunt*
|
Director
|
April 30, 2012
|
James E. Hunt
|
||
/s/ Peter K. Werner*
|
Director
|
April 30, 2012
|
Peter K. Werner
|
||
1.
|
execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned’s capacity as an individual, officer and/or director of Dividend and Income Fund, Inc., Foxby Corp., Global Income Fund, Inc., Midas Fund, Inc., Midas Perpetual Portfolio, Inc., Midas Special Fund, Inc. and any future company or other entity (“Companies”), Forms 3, 4, 5, Form 144, registration statements, proxy statements, forms and schedules, and all other documents in accordance with all rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Securities Act of 1933, Investment Company Act of 1940, Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and all other applicable law (the “Documents”);
|
2.
|
do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Documents and file same with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange, clearing firm, registrar or transfer agent, as appropriate, or similar authority, and
|
3.
|
take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Durable Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.
|
1.
|
execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned’s capacity as an individual, officer and/or director of Dividend and Income Fund, Inc., Foxby Corp., Global Income Fund, Inc., Midas Fund, Inc., Midas Perpetual Portfolio, Inc., Midas Special Fund, Inc. and any future company or other entity (“Companies”), Forms 3, 4, 5, Form 144, registration statements, proxy statements, forms and schedules, and all other documents in accordance with all rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Securities Act of 1933, Investment Company Act of 1940, Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and all other applicable law (the “Documents”);
|
2.
|
do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Documents and file same with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange, clearing firm, registrar or transfer agent, as appropriate, or similar authority, and
|
3.
|
take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Durable Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.
|
1.
|
execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned’s capacity as an individual, officer and/or director of Dividend and Income Fund, Inc., Foxby Corp., Global Income Fund, Inc., Midas Fund, Inc., Midas Perpetual Portfolio, Inc., Midas Special Fund, Inc. and any future company or other entity (“Companies”), Forms 3, 4, 5, Form 144, registration statements, proxy statements, forms and schedules, and all other documents in accordance with all rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Securities Act of 1933, Investment Company Act of 1940, Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and all other applicable law (the “Documents”);
|
2.
|
do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Documents and file same with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange, clearing firm, registrar or transfer agent, as appropriate, or similar authority, and
|
3.
|
take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Durable Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.
|
Exhibit
|
|
28(h)(2)
|
Mutual Fund Services Agreement.
|
28(h)(3)(i)
|
Lending Agreement. |
28(h)(3)(ii) |
Committed Facility Agreement.
|
28(h)(3)(iii)
|
Special Custody and Pledge Agreement. |
28(i)
|
Opinion and Consent of Counsel as to Legality of Securities Being Registered.
|
28(j)
|
Accountant's Consent.
|
§
|
the party seeking indemnification has received an opinion of counsel from counsel to either party stating that the use of common counsel would present an impermissible conflict of interest;
|
§
|
the defendants in, or targets of, any such action or proceeding include both HASI and a Fund or Funds, and legal counsel to either party has reasonably concluded that there are legal defenses available to a party which are different from or additional to those available to the other party or which may be adverse to or inconsistent with defenses available to a party; or
|
§
|
the party from whom indemnification is sought authorizes the other party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party.
|
·
|
Maintain portfolio records on a trade date + 1 basis using security trade information communicated by each Fund’s investment advisor.
|
·
|
For each valuation date, obtain prices from a pricing source approved by each Fund’s Board of Directors and apply those prices to the portfolio positions.
|
·
|
Account for dividends, interest and corporate actions received by each Fund.
|
·
|
Transmit a copy of the portfolio valuation to each Fund’s investment advisor daily.
|
·
|
Reconcile cash of each Fund with the Fund’s custodian.
|
·
|
Reconcile portfolio holdings of each Fund with the Fund’s custodian.
|
·
|
Reconcile capital stock of each Fund with the Fund’s transfer agent.
|
·
|
Assist each Fund’s administrator in the preparation of each Fund’s expense projections and establishment of daily accruals.
|
·
|
Process and record payments for Fund expenses upon receipt of written authorization.
|
·
|
Account for fund share purchases, sales, exchanges, transfers, dividend reinvestments, and other Fund share activity as reported by each Fund’s transfer agent on a timely basis.
|
·
|
Determine net investment income for each Fund as of each valuation date. Account for periodic distributions of earnings to shareholders and maintain undistributed net investment income balances as of each valuation date.
|
·
|
Maintain the books and records and accounting controls for each Fund’s assets.
|
·
|
Determine the net asset value of each Fund according to the accounting policies and procedures set forth in each Fund’s current prospectus.
|
·
|
For each day the market is open calculate per share net asset value, per share net earnings, and other per share amounts reflective of each Fund operations for each class of each Fund
|
·
|
Communicate the daily net asset value and per share distributions to each Fund’s investment advisor, transfer agent, and (once the Portfolio meets eligibility requirements) transmit to NASDAQ and to such other entities as directed by each Fund.
|
·
|
Produce transaction data, financial reports, and such other periodic and special reports as the Board, auditors or regulators may reasonably request.
|
·
|
Maintain tax lot detail for each Fund’s investment portfolio.
|
·
|
Calculate taxable gain/loss on a security sale using the tax lot relief method specified by each Fund’s investment advisor.
|
·
|
In conjunction with each Fund’s Administrator, provide the necessary reports and information deemed necessary to calculate the annual dividend and capital gains distribution in accordance with the policies and procedures detailed in each Fund’s prospectus.
|
·
|
Assist in the preparation (for execution by each Fund) and filing of all federal income and excise tax returns and state income tax returns (and such other required tax filings as may be agreed to by the parties) other than those required to be made by a Fund’s custodian or transfer agent, subject to the review and approval of the Fund and the Fund’s independent accountants.
|
o
|
Analysis of Wash Sales Losses deferrals and reversals for Excise (10/31) and Fiscal (12/31) tax year.
|
o
|
PFIC identification and mark-to-market analysis and tax character reclassification.
|
o
|
Other derivative taxation analysis as needed (Sec. 1256, Sec. 988, any potential straddles, constructive sales caused by short sales, etc.)
|
o
|
Analysis of Return of Capital distributions from closed-end funds.
|
o
|
Quarterly distribution calculation as needed.
|
o
|
Annual Excise Dividend calculation as needed.
|
o
|
Preparation of Federal tax returns Form 1120-RIC and Form 8613 and other filing requirements such as Form 8621 and Form 6781 as required.
|
o
|
Preparation of New York State and New York City income tax returns.
|
o
|
Preparation of Federal, New York State, and New York City extensions of time to file the returns.
|
o
|
Recommendations to management of the amount of spillover distributions necessary to comply with Internal Revenue Code distribution requirements for regulated investment companies; the election to defer post-October losses; or the application of wash sale rules and other investment-related tax positions each Fund may take.
|
o
|
Dividends received from investments in closed-end funds.
|
o
|
Analysis for year-end primary, secondary, and NRA reporting.
|
(a)
|
Account Agreement
, attached as Exhibit A hereto;
|
(b)
|
Rehypothecation Exhibit
, attached as Exhibit B hereto;
|
BNP PARIBAS, acting through its NEW YORK BRANCH, for itself and as agent for the BNPP Entities
|
|
By:
|
/s/ M. Andrews Yeo |
Name: M. Andrews Yeo
Title: Managing Director
|
|
MIDAS FUND, INC.
|
|
Name of Customer
|
|
By:
|
/s/ John F. Ramirez |
Name: John F. Ramirez
|
|
Title: Vice President
|
|
Maryland | |
Jurisdiction of organization
|
|
Corporation | |
Type of organization
|
|
New York, NY | |
Place of business / chief executive office
|
|
Organizational identification number
|
1.
|
Collateral Maintenance, Repayment of Financing
- The provisions of this Subsection shall apply except to the extent any such provisions contravene the Committed Facility Agreement. Customer will at all times maintain in, and upon written or oral demand furnish to, the Accounts, or otherwise provide to the BNPP Entities in a manner satisfactory to the BNPP Entities, assets of the types and in the amounts required by the BNPP Entities in light of outstanding Contracts (“
Deliverable Collateral
”). Immediately upon written or oral demand by BNPP NY, Customer shall pay to BNPP NY in immediately available U.S. funds any principal balance of, accrued unpaid interest on, and any other Obligation owing in respect of, any Account
.
|
2.
|
Security Interest
-
|
(a)
|
Grant of Security Interest.
Customer hereby assigns and pledges to the BNPP Entities all Collateral, and Customer hereby grants a continuing first priority security interest therein, a lien thereon and a right of set off against any Collateral, and all such Collateral shall be subject to a general lien and a continuing first security interest and fixed charge, in each case securing the discharge of all Obligations, Contracts with BNPP Entities and liabilities of Customer to the BNPP Entities hereunder and thereunder, whether now existing or hereafter arising and irrespective of whether or not the BNPP Entities have made advances in connection with such Collateral, and irrespective of the number of accounts Customer may have with the BNPP Entities, and of which BNPP Entity holds such Collateral.
|
(b)
|
No other Liens.
All Collateral delivered to a BNPP Entity shall be free and clear of all prior liens, claims and encumbrances (other than liens solely in favor of the BNPP Entities), and Customer will not cause or allow any of the Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be or become subject to any liens, security interests, mortgages or encumbrances of any nature other than security interests solely in the BNPP Entities’ favor. Furthermore, Collateral consisting of securities shall be delivered in good deliverable form (or the BNPP Entities shall have the power to place such securities in good deliverable form) in accordance with the requirements of the primary market or markets for such securities.
|
(c)
|
Perfection.
Customer shall execute such documents and take such other actions as the BNPP Entities shall reasonably request in order to perfect the BNPP Entities’ rights with respect to any such Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Customer agrees to record the security interests granted hereunder in any internal or external register of mortgages and charges maintained by or with respect to Customer under Applicable Law. Customer shall pay the fees for any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by this Agreement and pay, or cause to be paid, from the Accounts any and all Taxes imposed on the Collateral by any authority. In addition, Customer appoints the BNPP Entities as Customer’s attorney-in-fact to act on Customer’s behalf to sign, seal, execute and deliver all documents, and do all acts, as may be required, or as a BNPP Entity shall determine to be advisable, to perfect the security interests created hereunder in, provide for a BNPP Entity to have control of, or realize upon any rights of a BNPP Entity in, any or all of the Collateral. The BNPP Entities and Customer each acknowledge and agree that each account maintained by a BNPP Entity to which any Collateral is credited is a “securities account” within the meaning of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect in the State of New York (the “
NYUCC
”), and all property and assets held in or credited from time to time to such an account (other than any commodity contract (as defined in Section 9-115 of the NYUCC) shall be treated as a “financial asset” for purposes of Article 8 of the NYUCC,
provided
that
any such account may also be a “deposit account” (within the meaning of Section 9-102(a)(29) of the NYUCC) or a “commodity account” (within the meaning of Section 9-102(a)(14) of the NYUCC). Each BNPP Entity represents and warrants that it is a “securities intermediary” within the meaning of Article 8 of the NYUCC and is acting in such capacity with respect to each such account maintained by it.
|
(d)
|
Effect of Security Interest.
The BNPP Entities’ security interest in the Collateral shall (i) remain in full force and effect until the payment and performance in full of Customer’s Obligations, (ii) be binding upon Customer, its successors and permitted assigns, and (iii) inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the BNPP Entities and their respective successors, transferees and assigns.
|
(e)
|
Contract Status.
The parties acknowledge that this Agreement and each Contract entered into pursuant to this Agreement are each a “securities contract”, “swap agreement,” “forward contract,” or “commodity contract” within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) (the “
Bankruptcy Code
”) and that each delivery, transfer, payment and grant of a security interest made or required to be made hereunder or thereunder or contemplated hereby or thereby or made, required to be made or contemplated in connection herewith or therewith is a “transfer” and a “margin payment” or a “settlement payment” within the meaning of Sections 362(b)(6),(7),(17) and/or (27) and Sections 546(e), (f), (g) and/or (j) of the Bankruptcy Code. The parties further acknowledge that this Agreement is a “master netting agreement” within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Code and a “netting contract” within the meaning of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991.
|
3.
|
Maintenance of Collateral
-
|
(a)
|
General.
Each BNPP Entity that holds Collateral holds such Collateral for itself and also as agent and bailee for any other applicable BNPP Entity. Except where otherwise required by Applicable Law or where adverse regulatory capital, reserve or other similar costs (“
Adverse Costs
”) would thereby arise, the security interests of the BNPP Entities in any Collateral shall rank in such order of priority as the BNPP Entities may agree from time to time;
provided, however,
that
BNPP NY shall have first priority interest in the assets that it holds other than assets held in a cash account. In the event that a BNPP Entity is obliged by Applicable Law to maintain a first priority lien, or where such BNPP Entity would suffer Adverse Costs if it did not maintain a first priority lien, such BNPP Entity’s interest in the applicable Collateral shall have priority over that of the other BNPP Entities to the extent required to satisfy the requirements of Applicable Law or avoid such Adverse Costs
.
In the event that two or more BNPP Entities are so obliged to maintain a first priority lien, or would suffer Adverse Costs if they did not maintain a first priority lien, the BNPP Entities shall determine among themselves the priority of their respective interests in the relevant Collateral. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except as otherwise agreed among the BNPP Entities, the security interest of the BNPP Entities in any Collateral consisting of the Customer’s right, title or interest in, to or under any Contract shall be subject to any enforceable right of setoff or netting (including, without limitation, any such right granted pursuant to Section 8 hereof) that a BNPP Entity that is party to such Contract may have with respect to the obligations of the Customer to such BNPP Entity (whether arising under such Contract or any other Contract).
|
(b)
|
Transfers of Collateral between Accounts.
Customer agrees that the BNPP Entities, at any time, at any BNPP Entity’s discretion and without prior notice to Customer, may use, apply, or transfer any and all Collateral interchangeably between the BNPP Entities in any accounts in which Customer has an interest. With respect to Collateral pledged principally to secure Obligations under any Contract, the BNPP Entities shall have the right, but in no event the obligation, to apply all or any portion of such Collateral to Customer’s Obligations to any of the BNPP Entities under any other Contract, to transfer all or any portion of such Collateral to secure Customer’s Obligations to any of the BNPP Entities under any other Contract or to release any such Collateral. Under no circumstances shall any Collateral pledged principally to secure Obligations to any of the BNPP Entities under any Contract be required to be applied or transferred to secure Obligations to any of the other BNPP Entities or to be released if (i) any BNPP Entity determines that such transfer would render it undersecured with respect to any Obligations, (ii) an event of default has occurred with respect to Customer under any Contract or Obligation or (iii) any such application, transfer or release would be contrary to Applicable Law.
|
(c)
|
Control by BNPP Entities.
Each BNPP Entity that (i) is the securities intermediary in respect of any securities account constituting Collateral, or to which any Collateral is credited or in which any Collateral is held or carried, agrees that it will comply with entitlement orders originated by any other BNPP Entity with respect to any such securities account or Collateral without any further consent by Customer, (ii) is the bank in respect of any deposit account constituting Collateral, or to which any Collateral is credited or in which any Collateral is held or carried, agrees with Customer and each other BNPP Entity (which so agrees with it) that it will comply with instructions originated by any other BNPP Entity directing disposition of the funds in such deposit account without further consent by Customer and (iii) is the commodity intermediary in respect of any commodity contract or commodity account constituting Collateral, or any commodity account to which any Collateral is credited or in which any Collateral is held or carried, agrees with Customer and any other BNPP Entity (which so agrees with it) that it will apply any value on account of any such Collateral as directed by any other BNPP Entity without further consent by Customer. Customer hereby consents to the foregoing agreements of the BNPP Entities. Each of the BNPP Entities that is the securities intermediary, commodity intermediary or bank with respect to any such securities, commodity or deposit account or any such commodity contract represents and warrants that it has not, and agrees that it will not, agree to comply with entitlement orders, directions or instructions concerning any such account or any security entitlements, financial assets, commodity contracts or funds credited thereto or held or carried thereon that are originated by any person other than (x) a BNPP Entity or (y) (until a BNPP Entity shall have given a “notice of sole control”) Customer
.
Each BNPP Entity hereby notifies each other BNPP Entity of its security interest in, and the assignment by way of security to it of, the Collateral. Each BNPP Entity acknowledges such notice from each other BNPP Entity and each BNPP Entity and Customer consent to the security interest granted by this Section.
|
4.
|
Rehypothecation
-
See Exhibit B.
|
5.
|
Representations and Warranties of Customer
-
Customer (and, if a person or entity is signing this Agreement on behalf of Customer, such person or entity) hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof, which representations and warranties will be deemed repeated on each date on which this Agreement is in effect, that:
|
(a)
|
Due Organization; Organizational Information.
Customer is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization; Customer’s jurisdiction of organization, type of organization, place of business (if it has only one place of business) or chief executive office (if it has more than one place of business) and organizational identification number are, in each case as set forth on the cover page hereof or as shall have been notified to BNPP NY not less than 30 days prior to any change of such information; and unless Customer otherwise informs BNPP NY in writing, Customer does not have any place of business in the United Kingdom.
|
(b)
|
Non-Contravention; Compliance with Applicable Laws
.
Customer has at all times been, is, and will at all times be, in compliance with Applicable Law, all orders and awards binding on Customer or its property, Customer’s internal documents and policies (including organizational documents), and all material contracts (including this Agreement) or other instruments binding on or affecting Customer or any of its property. Further, Customer maintains adequate controls to be reasonably assured of such compliance. There are and have been no legal or governmental proceedings or investigations pending or threatened to which Customer or any Related Person is a party or to which any of the properties of Customer or any Related Person is subject, except as disclosed to the BNPP Entities prior to the date of execution of this Agreement. Further, the education, employment and other qualifications for the officers for the Customer in the prospectus provided to any investors or otherwise made available by the Customer are correct and complete.
|
(c)
|
Full Power.
Customer has full power and is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. Customer has full power to enter into and engage in any and all transactions (i) in any Account with a BNPP Entity or (ii) that is subject to this Agreement. Further, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Customer, and constitutes a valid, binding and enforceable agreement of Customer, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.
|
(d)
|
No Consent.
No consent of any person and no authorization or other action by, and no notice to, or filing with, any governmental authority or any other person is required that has not already been obtained (i) for the due execution, delivery and performance by Customer of this Agreement; or (ii) for the exercise by the BNPP Entities of the rights or remedies provided for in this Agreement, including rights and remedies in respect of the Collateral.
|
(e)
|
No Prior Lien.
Customer is the lawful owner of all Collateral, free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances and transfer restrictions, except such as are created under this Agreement, other liens in favor of a BNPP Entity, and Customer will not cause or allow any of the Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be or become subject to any liens, security interests, mortgages or encumbrances of any nature other than those in favor of the BNPP Entities. No person (other than a BNPP Entity) has an interest in any Account or any other accounts of Customer with the BNPP Entities, any Collateral or other assets or property held therein or credited thereto or any other Collateral. Unless Customer has notified BNPP NY to the contrary, none of the Collateral are “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.
|
(f)
|
ERISA.
(i) The assets used to consummate the transactions provided hereunder shall not constitute the assets of (A) an “employee benefit plan” that is subject to Part 4, Subtitle B, Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“
ERISA
”), (B) a “plan” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “
Code
”
),
that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code, or (C) a person or entity the underlying assets of which are deemed to include plan assets as determined under Section 3(42) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, and (ii) either (A) the assets used to consummate the transactions provided hereunder shall not constitute the assets of a governmental plan that is subject to any federal, state or local law that is substantially similar to the provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (a “
Similar Law
”) or (B) the transactions hereunder do not violate any applicable Similar Law. Customer will notify BNPP NY (1) if Customer is aware in advance that it will breach the foregoing representation and warranty (the “
Representation
”), reasonably in advance of it breaching the Representation, or (2) promptly upon becoming aware that it is in breach of the Representation. If Customer provides such notice or if BNPP NY is aware that Customer is in breach or will be in breach of the Representation, upon a BNPP Entity's written request, Customer will terminate any or all transactions under this Agreement (x) if Customer gave advance notice that it would breach the Representation, prior to breaching the Representation, (y) if Customer gave no notice but BNPP NY is aware that Customer will be in breach of the Representation, prior to breaching the Representation (unless Customer avoids the occurrence of such breach) or, (z) if Customer is in breach of the Representation, immediately
.
|
(g)
|
Market Timing.
Customer does not presently engage in and will not engage in any Market-Timing Trading Activity, and Customer will not use the proceeds of any financing in furtherance of any Market-Timing Trading Activity. Customer does not presently engage in and will not engage in any transactions and does not and will not cause any person to engage in any transactions, that would constitute, for any party to such transactions, a violation of (i) Rule 22c-1 of the Investment Company Act or (ii) analogous Applicable Law relating to the timing of purchases, sales and exchanges of non-U.S. mutual funds, non-U.S. unit trusts or analogous non-U.S. investment vehicles. Customer will not use the proceeds of any financing to invest, whether directly or indirectly, in Market-Timing Investment Entities and Customer is, and at all times will be, in compliance with (x) Investment Company Act Rule 22c-1 in connection with the purchase, sale and exchange of all U.S. mutual funds and (y) all analogous Applicable Law relating to the timing of purchases, sales and exchanges of non-U.S. mutual funds, non-U.S. unit trusts or analogous non-U.S. investment vehicles. To the extent that Customer learns that Customer has invested in a Market-Timing Investment Entity, Customer shall immediately notify BNPP NY of such investment, including the name of each such Market-Timing Investment Entity and the amount of the investment, as well as Customer’s plan to divest Customer’s investment in such entity in a timely manner, and Customer shall immediately commence such divestment and complete the same in a timely manner.
|
(h)
|
Information Provided by Customer; Financial Statements.
Any information provided by Customer to a BNPP Entity in connection with this Agreement is correct and complete, and Customer agrees promptly to notify the relevant BNPP Entity if there is any material change with respect to any such information
.
Customer’s financial statements or similar documents previously or hereafter provided to the BNPP Entities (i) do or will fairly present the financial condition of Customer as of the date of such financial statements and the results of its operations for the period for which such financial statements are applicable, (ii) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and, (iii) if audited, have been certified without reservation by a firm of independent public accountants. Customer will promptly furnish to the relevant BNPP Entity any information (including financial information) about Customer upon such BNPP Entity’s request.
|
(i)
|
Anti-Money Laundering.
To the best of Customer’s knowledge, none of Customer, any person controlling or controlled by Customer, any person having a beneficial interest in Customer, or any person for whom Customer acts as agent or nominee in connection herewith is: (i) an individual or entity, country or territory, that is named on a list issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“
OFAC
”), or an individual or entity that resides, is organized or chartered, or has a place of business, in a country or territory subject to OFAC’s various sanctions/embargo programs; (ii) a resident in, or organized or chartered under the laws of (A) a jurisdiction that has been designated by the Secretary of the Treasury under the USA PATRIOT Act as warranting special measures and/or as being of primary money laundering concern, or (B) a jurisdiction that has been designated as non-cooperative with international anti-money laundering principles by a multinational or inter-governmental group such as the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (“
FATF
”) of which the United States is a member; (iii) a financial institution that has been designated by the Secretary of the Treasury as warranting special measures and/or as being of primary money laundering concern; (iv) a “senior foreign political figure,” or any “immediate family” member or “close associate” of a senior foreign political figure, in each case within the meaning of Section
5318(i) of Title 31 of the United States Code or regulations issued thereunder; or (v) a prohibited “foreign shell bank” as defined in Section 5318(j) of Title 31 of the United States Code or regulations issued thereunder, or a U.S. financial institution that has established, maintains, administers or manages an account in the U.S. for, or on behalf of, a prohibited “foreign shell bank.”
|
6.
|
Short Sales -
Customer agrees to comply with Applicable Law relating to short sales, including but not limited to any requirement that Customer designate a sale as “long” or “short”.
|
7.
|
[Reserved]
|
8.
|
Events of Default; Setoff
-
|
(a)
|
Events of Default.
The following shall apply only to the extent the Committed Facility Agreement has been terminated or the commitment therein has expired. (i) In the event of default by Customer on any Obligation under any transaction or contract or a default, event of default, declaration of default, termination event, exercise of default remedies, or other similar condition or event under any transaction or contract (howsoever characterized, which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes the occurrence of an Additional Termination Event or Specified Condition under an ISDA Master Agreement between Customer and a BNPP Entity, affiliate of a BNPP Entity or a third party entity, if applicable) in respect of Customer or any guarantor or credit support provider of Customer, (ii) if Customer shall become bankrupt, insolvent, or subject to any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or similar proceeding or all or substantially all its assets become subject to a suit, levy, enforcement, or other legal process where a secured party maintains possession of such assets, has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger), seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets, has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets, or takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts, (iii) if any representation or warranty made or deemed made by Customer under the Agreement proves false or misleading when made or deemed made or (iv) if for any reason any BNPP Entity deems it advisable for its protection (each of the foregoing, an “
Event of Default
”), the BNPP Entities are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to take Default Action
.
If a BNPP Entity elects to sell any Collateral, buy in any property, or cancel any orders upon an Event of Default, such sale, purchase or cancellation may be made on the exchange or other market where such business is then usually transacted, or at public auction or at private sale, without advertising the same and without any notice of the time or place of sale to Customer or to the personal representatives of Customer, and without prior tender, demand or call of any kind upon Customer or upon the personal representatives of Customer, all of which are expressly waived. The BNPP Entities may purchase or sell the property to or from a BNPP Entity or third parties in whole or in any part thereof free from any right of redemption, and Customer shall remain liable for any deficiency. A prior tender, demand or call of any kind from the BNPP Entities, or prior notice from the BNPP Entities, of the time and place of such sale or purchase shall not be considered a waiver of the BNPP Entities’ right to sell or buy any Collateral at any time as provided herein.
|
(b)
|
Close-out.
Upon the Close-out of any Contract, the Close-out Amount for such Contract shall be due. If, however, Applicable Law would stay or otherwise impair the enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement or any Contract upon the occurrence of an insolvency related Close-out or Event of Default, then Close-out shall automatically occur immediately prior to the occurrence of such insolvency related Close-out or Event of Default.
|
(c)
|
Setoff.
At any time and from time to time, the BNPP Entities are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to set off and otherwise apply any and all of the obligations of a BNPP Entity then due to Customer against any and all Obligations of Customer then due to the BNPP Entities (whether at maturity, upon acceleration or termination or otherwise). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the occurrence of the Close-out of any Contract, each BNPP Entity shall have the right to net the Close-out Amounts due from it to Customer and from Customer to it, so that a single settlement payment (the “
Net Payment
”) shall be payable by one party to the other, which Net Payment shall be immediately due and payable (subject to the other provisions hereof and of any Contract);
provided
that
,
if any Close-out Amounts may not be netted against all other Close-out Amounts, such excluded Close-out Amounts shall be netted among themselves to the fullest extent permitted under Applicable Law. Upon the occurrence of a Close-out
,
each BNPP Entity may also (i) liquidate, apply and set off any or all Collateral against any Net Payment, payment, or Obligation owed to it or any other BNPP Entity under any Contract and (ii) set off and net any Net Payment, payment or obligation owed by it or any other BNPP Entity under any Contract against (x) any or all collateral or margin (or the Cash value thereof) posted by it or any other BNPP Entity to Customer under any Contract and (y) any Net Payment, payment or Obligation owed by Customer to a BNPP Entity (whether mature or unmatured, fixed or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated).
|
(d)
|
Reinstatement of Obligations.
If the exercise of any right to reduce and set-off pursuant to this Agreement shall be avoided or set aside by a court or shall be restrained, stayed or enjoined under Applicable Law, the obligations in respect thereof shall be reinstated or, in the event of restraint, stay or injunction, preserved in at least the amounts as of the date of restraint, stay or injunction between the BNPP Entities, on the one hand, and Customer on the other, until such time as such restraint, stay or injunction shall no longer prohibit exercise of such right.
|
(e)
|
BNPP Entity Consent
. No BNPP Entity shall make any payment to Customer in respect of a Close-Out Amount without the consent of any other BNPP Entity that has a security interest in such Close-Out Amount.
|
9.
|
Indemnity
-
|
(a)
|
General.
Customer agrees to indemnify and hold the BNPP Entities harmless from and fully reimburse the BNPP Entities for any Indemnified Losses. The indemnities under this Section 9 shall be separate from and in addition to any other indemnity under any Contract.
|
(b)
|
Delivery Failures.
In case of the sale of any security, commodity, or other property by the BNPP Entities at the direction of Customer and the BNPP Entities’ inability to deliver the same to the purchaser by reason of failure of Customer to supply the BNPP Entities therewith, Customer authorizes the BNPP Entities to borrow or purchase any such security, commodity, or other property necessary to make delivery thereof. Customer hereby agrees to be responsible for any cost, expense or loss which the BNPP Entities may sustain thereby.
|
10.
|
Limitation of Liability
-
|
(a)
|
General.
No BNPP Entity, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or counsel, shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them hereunder or in connection herewith except for the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the applicable BNPP Entity. No BNPP Entity shall be liable for any error of judgment made by it in good faith
.
The BNPP Entities may consult with legal counsel and any action taken or suffered in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel shall be full justification and protection to them.
|
(b)
|
Third Parties.
The BNPP Entities may execute any of their duties and exercise their rights hereunder by or through agents (which may include affiliates) or employees. No BNPP Entity shall be liable for the acts or omissions of any subcustodian or other agent selected by it with reasonable care. All transactions effected with a third party for Customer shall be for the account of Customer and the BNPP Entities shall have no responsibility to Customer or such third party with respect thereto. Nothing in this Agreement shall create, or be deemed to create, any third party beneficiary rights in any person or entity (including any investor or adviser of Customer), other than the BNPP Entities.
|
(c)
|
No Liability for Indirect, Consequential, Exemplary or Punitive Damages; Force Majeure.
In no event shall either party be held liable for indirect, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages. In no event shall the BNPP Entities be held liable for any loss of any kind caused, directly or indirectly, by any Force Majeure Event.
|
11.
|
Taxes
-
|
(a)
|
Withholding Tax.
Except as required by Applicable Law,
each payment by Customer and all deliveries of Deliverable Collateral or Collateral under this Agreement shall be made, and the value of any Deliverable Collateral or Collateral shall be calculated, without withholding or deducting any Taxes. If any Taxes are required to be withheld or deducted, Customer shall pay such additional amounts as necessary to ensure that the actual net amount received by the BNPP Entities is equal to the amount that the BNPP Entities would have received had no such withholding or deduction been required. Customer will provide the BNPP Entities with any forms or documentation reasonably requested by the BNPP Entities in order to reduce or eliminate withholding tax on payments made to Customer with respect to this Agreement. The BNPP Entities are hereby authorized to withhold Taxes from any payment in delivery made hereunder and remit such Taxes to the relevant taxing authorities to the extent required by Applicable Law.
|
(b)
|
Qualified Dividends.
Customer acknowledges that, with respect to the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate that applies to dividends received from U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations by individuals who are citizens or residents of the United States, (i) the individual must satisfy applicable holding period requirements in order to be eligible for the reduced tax rate; (ii) the reduced tax rate does not apply to substitute or "in lieu" dividend payments paid to shareholders by broker-dealers under cash lending or securities lending arrangements which permit the broker-dealers to borrow securities from investors; and (iii) the reduced tax rate may not apply to dividends received from certain corporations, including money market funds, bond mutual funds, and Real Estate Investment Trusts. Customer further acknowledges that although Customer may receive from BNPP NY a Form 1099-DIV indicating which dividends may qualify for the reduced tax rate, as required by applicable rules, Customer is responsible for determining which dividends qualify for the reduced tax rate based on Customer's own tax situation.
|
(c)
|
Income and Other Taxes.
Except as otherwise expressly stated herein: (i) the BNPP Entities have no obligation or responsibility to Customer with respect to the accounting or reporting of income or other taxes with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each related agreement and each transaction hereunder or thereunder (for the sake of clarity, including without limitation, with respect to any related margin lending agreement and each related transaction) (each a “
Transaction
”), including, without limitation, unrelated business taxable income under section 514 of the Code; and (ii) Customer shall alone be responsible for the payment of any and all taxes and related penalties, interests and costs arising from or relating to the Transactions. Customer represents and warrants, on and as of the date hereof and each date any Transaction remains outstanding, that Customer has in place policies and procedures necessary to ensure proper accounting and reporting of any and all taxation of the Customer and/or Accounts in connection with the Transactions.
|
12.
|
Notices; Instructions
-
|
(a)
|
Notices
.
All notices and other communications provided hereunder shall be (i) in writing and delivered to the address of the intended recipient specified on the cover page hereof or to such other address as such intended recipient may provide or (ii) posted onto the website maintained by the BNPP Entities for Customer or (iii) in such other form agreed to by the parties. All communications sent to Customer, shall be deemed delivered to Customer as of (x) the date sent, if sent via facsimile
,
email or posted onto the Internet, (y) the date the messenger arrives at Customer’s address as set forth on the signature page hereof, if sent via messenger; or (z) the next Business Day if sent via mail, in each case, whether actually received or not. Failure by Customer to object in writing to any communication within five Business Days of delivery shall be deemed evidence, in the absence of manifest error, that such communication is complete and correct.
|
(b)
|
Instructions
.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Customer agrees that the BNPP Entities may rely upon any authorized instructions or any notice, request, waiver, consent, receipt or other document which the BNPP Entities reasonably believe to be genuine and transmitted by authorized persons.
|
13.
|
BNPP Entities Are Not Advisers or Fiduciaries
- Customer represents that it is capable of assessing the merits (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and any transaction it may undertake with the BNPP Entities. Customer acknowledges that (a) no BNPP Entity is (i) acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to Customer in respect of this Agreement or any transaction it may undertake with the BNPP Entities; (ii) advising it, performing any analysis, or making any judgment on any matters pertaining to the suitability of any transaction, or (iii) offering any opinion, judgment or other type of information pertaining to the nature, value, potential or suitability of any particular investment or transaction, (b) the BNPP Entities do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information that the BNPP Entities may from time to time provide or make available to Customer and (c) the BNPP Entities may take positions in financial instruments discussed in the information provided Customer (which positions may be inconsistent with the information provided) and may execute transactions for themselves or others in those instruments and may provide investment banking and other services to the issuers of those instruments or with respect to those instruments. Customer agrees that (x) it is solely responsible for monitoring compliance with its own internal restrictions and procedures governing investments, trading limits and manner of authorizing investments, and with the Applicable Law affecting its authority and ability to trade and invest and (y) in no event shall any BNPP Entity undertake to assess whether a Contract or transaction is appropriate or legal for Customer.
|
14.
|
Litigation in Court, Sovereign Immunity, Service
-
|
(a)
|
ANY LITIGATION BETWEEN CUSTOMER AND THE BNPP ENTITIES OR INVOLVING THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTY MUST BE INSTITUTED IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK OR THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK FOR THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF
FORUM NON CONVENIENS
, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS. EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES THAT A JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH DISPUTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.
|
(b)
|
ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER LEGAL ACTION IS HEREBY WAIVED BY ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT.
|
(c)
|
EACH PARTY HERETO, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IRREVOCABLY WAIVES WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF AND ITS REVENUES AND ASSETS (IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR USE OR INTENDED USE) ALL IMMUNITY ON THE GROUNDS OF SOVEREIGNTY OR SIMILAR GROUNDS FROM (I) SUIT, (II) JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT, (III) RELIEF BY WAY OF INJUNCTION, ORDER FOR SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE, OR RECOVERY OF PROPERTY, (IV) ATTACHMENT OF ITS ASSETS (WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER JUDGMENT) AND (V) EXECUTION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT TO WHICH IT OR ITS REVENUES OR ASSETS MIGHT OTHERWISE BE ENTITLED IN ANY ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS IN SUCH COURTS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT CLAIM SUCH IMMUNITY IN ANY SUCH ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS.
|
(d)
|
EACH PARTY HEREBY CONSENTS TO PROCESS BEING SERVED BY ANY BNPP ENTITY ON CUSTOMER IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING OF THE NATURE SPECIFIED IN CLAUSE (a) ABOVE BY THE MAILING OF A COPY THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED AIRMAIL, POSTAGE PRE-PAID, TO CUSTOMER AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH AFTER CUSTOMER’S SIGNATURE BELOW; SUCH SERVICE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED AND EFFECTIVE AS FROM 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.
|
15.
|
Applicable Law, Enforceability
- THIS AGREEMENT, ITS ENFORCEMENT, ANY CONTRACT (UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY THEREIN), AND ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE BNPP ENTITIES AND CUSTOMER, WHETHER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO CUSTOMER’S ACCOUNTS OR OTHERWISE INCIDENTAL TO SUCH ACCOUNTS OR THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. The parties hereto further agree that (a) the securities intermediary’s jurisdiction, within the meaning of Section 8-110(e) of the NYUCC, in respect of any securities account constituting Collateral or to which any Collateral is credited or in which any Collateral is held or carried and in respect of any Collateral consisting of security entitlements; (b) the bank’s jurisdiction, within the meaning of Section 9-304(b) of the NYUCC, in respect of any deposit account constituting Collateral, or to which any Collateral is credited or in which any Collateral is held or carried; and (c) the commodity intermediary’s jurisdiction, within the meaning of Section 9-305(b) of the NYUCC, in respect of any commodity account constituting Collateral, or to which any Collateral is credited or in which any Collateral is held or carried and in respect of any Collateral consisting of commodity contracts, is the State of New York and agree that none of them has or will enter into any agreement to the contrary. Customer and BNPP NY agree that, in respect of any Account maintained by BNPP NY, the law applicable to all the issues specified in Article 2(1) of the “Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to Certain Rights in Respect of Securities Held with an Intermediary (Hague Securities Convention)” is the law in force in the State of New York and agree that none of them has or will enter into any agreement to the contrary.
|
16.
|
Modification; Termination; Assignment
-
|
(a)
|
Modification
.
Any modification of the terms of this Agreement must be made in writing and executed by the parties to this Agreement.
|
(b)
|
Termination.
Subject to the Committed Facility Agreement, either BNPP NY or Customer may terminate this Agreement upon delivery of written notice to the other party,
provided that
Customer’s termination notice is only effective if it is accompanied by instructions as to the transfer of all property held in the Accounts. Sections 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 14 and 15 and each representation made hereunder shall survive any termination.
|
(c)
|
Assignment
.
BNPP NY may assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein or under any other Contract to any affiliate and otherwise on thirty days prior written notice to an unaffiliated entity. Customer may not assign its rights under or any interest in (i) any Contract without the prior written consent of each BNPP Entity that is a party thereto or (ii) this Agreement, including without limitation its right to any Close-Out Amount, without the prior written consent of each BNPP Entity. Any attempted assignment by Customer in violation of this Agreement shall be null, void and without effect.
|
17.
|
Miscellaneous
-
|
(a)
|
Fees
.
The provisions of this Subsection shall apply except to the extent any such provisions contravene the Committed Facility Agreement. Customer agrees to pay all brokerage commissions, markups or markdowns in connection with the execution of transactions and other fees for custody and other services rendered to Customer as determined by BNPP NY. Customer authorizes the BNPP Entities to pay themselves or others for fees, commissions, markups and other charges, expenses and Obligations from any Account.
|
(b)
|
Contingency.
The fulfillment of the obligations of a BNPP Entity to Customer under any Contract is contingent upon there being no breach, repudiation, misrepresentation or default (however characterized) by Customer which has occurred and is continuing under any Contract.
|
(c)
|
Conversion of Currencies.
The BNPP Entities shall have the right to convert currencies in connection with the effecting of transactions and the exercise of any of their rights hereunder in a commercially reasonable manner.
|
(d)
|
Truth-in-Lending Statement.
Customer hereby acknowledges receipt of a Truth-in-Lending disclosure statement. Subject to the Committed Facility Agreement, interest will be charged on any debit balances in the Accounts in accordance with the methods described in such statement or in any amendment or revision thereto which may be provided to Customer. Any debit balance which is not paid at the close of an interest period will be added to the opening balance for the next interest period.
|
(e)
|
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Unless explicitly stated otherwise, transactions hereunder and funds held in the Accounts (i) are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency, (ii) are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by, BNP Paribas or any other bank; and (iii) involve market and investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
|
(f)
|
USA Patriot Act Disclosure.
BNPP NY, like all financial institutions, is required by Federal law to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each customer who opens an account with BNPP NY. When Customer opens an account with BNPP NY, BNPP NY will ask for Customer’s name, address, date of birth, government-issued identification number and/or other information that will allow BNPP NY to form a reasonable belief as to Customer’s identity, such as documents that establish legal status.
|
(g)
|
Anti-Money Laundering.
Customer understands and acknowledges that the BNPP Entities are, or may in the future become, subject to money laundering statutes, regulations and conventions of the United States or other international jurisdictions, and Customer agrees to execute instruments, provide information, or perform any other acts as may reasonably be requested by a BNPP Entity for the purpose of carrying out due diligence as may be required by Applicable Law. Customer agrees that it will provide the BNPP Entities with such information as a BNPP Entity may reasonably require to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws or regulations. Customer understands, acknowledges and agrees that to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, a BNPP Entity may provide information, including confidential information, to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or any other agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, in connection with a request for information on behalf of a U.S. federal law enforcement agency investigating terrorist activity or money laundering.
|
(h)
|
[
Reserved
]
.
|
(i)
|
No Waivers
.
No failure or delay in exercising any right, or any partial exercise of a right will operate as a waiver of the full exercise of that right. The rights provided in the Contracts are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights provided by law.
|
(j)
|
Counterparts
.
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered will be an original, but all of which counterparts will together constitute one and the same instrument.
|
(k)
|
Integration; Severability
.
This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements as to matters within its scope. To the extent this Agreement contains any provision which is inconsistent with provisions in any other Contract or agreement between Customer and the BNPP Entities, or of which Customer is a beneficiary, the provisions of this Agreement shall control except if such other Contract explicitly states that it is intended to supersede this Agreement by name, in which case such other Contract shall prevail. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes inconsistent with Applicable Law, that provision will be deemed modified or, if necessary, rescinded in order to comply. All other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. To the extent that this Agreement is not enforceable as to any Contract, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and be enforceable in accordance with its terms as to all other Contracts.
|
(l)
|
Master Agreement
. This Agreement, together with each Contract and any supplements, modifications or amendments hereto or thereto, shall constitute a single business and contractual relationship among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
|
(m)
|
Captions.
Section designations and captions are provided for convenience of reference, do not constitute a part of this Agreement, and are not to be considered in its interpretation.
|
(n)
|
Recording of Conversations.
Customer is aware that the BNPP Entities may record conversations between any of them and Customer or Customer’s representatives relating to the matters referred to in this Agreement and Customer has no objection and hereby agrees to such recording.
|
(o)
|
Proxy Disclosures.
Any attempt to vote securities will be void to the extent that such securities are not in the possession or control of a BNPP Entity, including (i) securities not yet delivered to a BNPP Entity and (ii) securities purchased and not paid for by settlement date. Please be advised that for the purposes of proxy voting, Customer will not be notified that the securities are not in a BNPP Entity’s possession or control. Furthermore, no BNPP Entity will notify Customer that a vote was void.
|
(p)
|
Limitation of Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, absent fraud and gross negligence, any amounts owed or liabilities incurred by Customer in respect of any Obligations owed by Customer under any Contract may be satisfied solely from the assets of Customer. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, absent fraud and gross negligence, in no event shall BNPP NY or the BNPP Entities have recourse, whether by setoff or otherwise, with respect to any amounts owed or liabilities incurred, to or against (i) any assets of any persons or entity (including, without limitation, any person or entity whose account is under the management of the investment manager of Customer) other than Customer, (ii) any assets of any affiliate of Customer, or (iii) any assets of the adviser or manager of Customer or any affiliate of such manager or adviser
.
|
18.
|
Certain Definitions
-
|
(a)
|
“
Applicable Law
” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations and customs, including, without limitation, those of all U.S. and non-U.S., federal, state and local governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations, markets, exchanges and clearing facilities, in all cases where applicable.
|
(b)
|
“
BNPP Entities
” means BNP Paribas and any and all branches of BNP Paribas, and any of the current and future subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, divisions, officers, directors, agents and/or employees of the foregoing entities, either collectively or individually, as the context requires.
|
(c)
|
“
Business Day
” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
the
New York Stock Exchange is closed.
|
(d)
|
“
Close-out
” means the termination, cancellation, liquidation
,
acceleration, or other similar action with respect to all transactions under one or more Contracts.
|
(e)
|
“
Close-out Amount
” means with respect to each Contract, the amount (expressed in U.S. Dollars or the U.S. Dollar Equivalent) calculated as payable by one party to the other upon Close-out of such Contract determined in accordance with the provisions of such Contract, or if no such provisions are specified, by following such procedures as the BNPP Entities determine in good faith are commercially reasonable and in accordance with industry practice.
|
(f)
|
“
Collateral
” means all right, title and interest of Customer in and to (i) each deposit, custody, securities, commodity or other account maintained by Customer with a BNPP Entity (including, but not limited to, any or all Accounts); (ii) any cash, securities, commodity contracts, general intangibles and other property which may from time to time be deposited, credited, held or carried in any such account, that is due to Customer from a BNPP Entity, or that is delivered to or in the possession or control of a BNPP Entity or any of the BNPP Entities’ agents and all security entitlements with respect to any of the foregoing; (iii) all of Customer’s right, title or interest in, to or under any Contract, including obligations owed by a BNPP Entity (after any netting or set off, in each case to the extent enforceable, of amounts owed under such Contract); (iv) all of Customer’s security interests (or similar interests) in any property of a BNPP Entity securing a BNPP Entity’s obligations to Customer under any Contract; (v) any property of Customer in which the BNPP Entities is granted a security interest under any Contract or otherwise (howsoever held); (vi) all income and profits on any of the foregoing, all dividends, interest and other payments and distributions with respect to any of the foregoing, all other rights and privileges appurtenant to any of the foregoing, including any voting rights and any redemption rights, and any substitutions for any of the foregoing; and (vii) all proceeds of any of the foregoing, in each case whether now existing or owned by Customer or hereafter arising or acquired.
|
(g)
|
“
Contract
” means this Agreement, the Committed Facility Agreement (“
Committed Facility Agreement
”) between Customer and BNPP NY dated the date hereof, and any Special Custody and Pledge Agreement (“
Special Custody and Pledge Agreement
”) between Customer, BNPP NY, and a custodian bank, including in each case, the schedules, exhibits, and appendices thereto.
|
(h)
|
“
Default Action
” means (i) to terminate, liquidate and accelerate any Contract, (ii) to exercise any right under any security relating to any Contract, (iii) to net or set off payments which may arise under any Contract or other agreement or under Applicable Law, (iv) to cancel any outstanding orders for the purchase or sale or borrowing or lending of any securities or other property, (v) to sell, apply or collect on any or all of the Collateral (either individually or jointly with others), (vi) to buy in any securities, commodities or other property of which any Account of Customer may be short, and (vii) to exercise any rights and remedies available to a secured creditor under any Applicable Law or under the NYUCC (whether or not the NYUCC is otherwise applicable in the relevant jurisdiction).
|
(i)
|
“
Force Majeure Event
” means government restrictions, exchange or market actions or rulings, suspension of trading, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorist acts, insurrection, riots, fires, floods, strikes, failure of utility or similar services, accidents, adverse weather or other events of nature (including but not limited to earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes) and any other conditions beyond the BNPP Entities’ control and any event where any communications network, data processing system or computer system used by the BNPP Entities or Customer or by market participants is rendered wholly or partially inoperable
.
|
(j)
|
“
Indemnified Losses
” means any loss, claim, damage, liability, penalty, fine or excise tax (including any reasonable legal fees and expenses relating to any action, proceeding
,
investigation and preparation therefor) when and as incurred by the BNPP Entities (i) pursuant to authorized instructions received by the BNPP Entities’ from Customer or its agents, (ii) as a consequence of a breach by Customer of any covenant, representation or warranty hereunder, (iii)
in settlement of any claim or litigation relating to BNPP Entities’ acting as agent for Customer or (iv) in connection with or related to any Account, this Agreement, any Contract, any transactions hereunder or thereunder, any activities or services of the BNPP Entities in connection with this Agreement or otherwise (including, without limitation, (A) any technology services, reporting, trading, research or capital introduction services or (B) any DK or disaffirmance of any transaction hereunder). “Indemnified Losses” shall (x) include without limitation any damage, loss, cost and expense that is incurred to put the BNPP Entities in the same economic position as they would have been in had a default (howsoever defined) under any Contract not occurred, or that arises out of any other commitment a BNPP Entity has entered into in connection with or as a hedge in connection with any transaction or in an effort to mitigate any resulting loss to which a BNPP Entity is exposed because of a default (howsoever defined) under any Contract and (y) not include any losses of a BNPP Entity resulting directly from such BNPP Entity’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
|
(k)
|
“
Market-Timing Investment Entities
” means hedge funds, private investment funds or other companies or partnerships that engage in Market Timing Trading Activity.
|
(l)
|
“
Market-Timing Trading Activity
” means (i) purchasing and selling, or exchanging, mutual fund or similar investment units to exploit short-term differentials in the prices of such funds or similar units and their underlying assets, and similar trading strategies or (ii) purchasing and selling, or exchanging mutual fund or similar investment units more than twice within a thirty-day period. Notwithstanding the above, the following shall not constitute “Market-Timing Trading Activity”: (x) trading of money market funds, short-term bond funds or exchange-traded funds or (y) trading of mutual funds in the manner consistent with such fund’s prospectus or other offering documents.
|
(m)
|
“
Obligations
” means any and all obligations of Customer to a BNPP Entity arising at any time and from time to time under or in connection with any Contract (including but not limited to obligations to deliver or return Deliverable Collateral or other assets or property (howsoever described) under or in connection with any such Contract), in each case whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not mature or contingent.
|
(n)
|
“
Related Person
” means principals, directors and senior employees (in such official capacity as principal, director or senior employee, as the case may be) of (i) Customer, (ii) Customer's affiliates, (iii) Customer's investment manager or (iv) any person or entity for which Customer's investment manager acts as investment manager.
|
(o)
|
“
Taxes
” means any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, assessments or fees of any nature, including interest, penalties and additions thereto that are imposed by any taxing authority.
|
(p)
|
“
U.S. Dollar Equivalent
” of an amount, as of any date, means: in respect of any amount denominated in a currency, including a composite currency, other than U.S. Dollars (an “
Other Currency
”), the amount expressed in U.S. Dollars, as determined by the BNPP Entities, that would be required to purchase such amount (where the BNPP Entities would require Customer to deliver such Other Currency in connection with a Contract) or would be received for the sale of such amount of such Other Currency (where the BNPP Entities would deliver such Other Currency to Customer in connection with a Contract), as of such date at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of a foreign exchange agent (selected in good faith by the BNPP Entities) at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) or such later time as the BNPP Entities in their reasonable discretion shall determine.
|
19.
|
Software
-
|
(a)
|
License; Use
.
Upon a BNPP Entity’s delivering to Customer, or making available for use by Customer, any computer software or application, as such may be delivered, made available, and modified by a BNPP Entity from time to time in its sole discretion (the “
Software
”), the BNPP Entities grant to Customer a personal, non-transferable and non-exclusive license to use the Software solely for Customer’s own internal and proper business purposes and not in the operation of a service bureau or other business outside of or in addition to Customer’s ordinary course of business. The Software includes all associated “Information” as that term is used in this Section. The Software may include trade blotter functions, capital accounting functions, interfaces with other systems and accounting functions, a Customer website, and other software or communication or encryption systems that may be developed from time to time. Except as set forth herein, no license or right of any kind is granted to Customer with respect to the Software.
|
(b)
|
Ownership.
Customer acknowledges that the BNPP Entities and their suppliers retain and have title and exclusive proprietary rights to the Software, including any trade secrets or other ideas, concepts, know-how, methodologies, or information incorporated therein and the exclusive rights to any copyrights, trademarks and patents (including registrations and applications for registration of either), or other statutory or legal protections available in respect thereof. Customer further acknowledges that all or a part of the Software may be copyrighted or trademarked (or a registration or claim made therefore) by a BNPP Entity or its suppliers. Customer may not remove any statutory copyright notice or other notice included in the Software or on any media containing the Software. Customer shall not take any action with respect to the Software inconsistent with the foregoing acknowledgments
.
|
(c)
|
Limitation on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation and Disassembly.
Customer shall not, nor shall it attempt to decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, modify, or create derivative works from the Software.
|
(d)
|
Transfer.
Customer may not, directly or indirectly, sell
,
rent, lease or lend the Software or provide any of the Software or any portion thereof to any other person or entity without the BNPP Entities’ prior written consent. Customer may not copy or reproduce except to create a backup copy or to move the Software to a different computer.
|
(e)
|
Upgrades.
The Software includes all updates or supplements to the Software and this Section 19 applies to all such updates or supplements, unless the BNPP Entities provide other terms along with the update or supplement.
|
(f)
|
Equipment.
Customer shall obtain and shall maintain all equipment, software and services, including but not limited to computer equipment and telecommunications services, necessary for it to use the Software, and the BNPP Entities shall not be responsible for the reliability or availability of any such equipment, software or services.
|
(g)
|
Proprietary Information.
The Software, any database and any proprietary data, processes, information and documentation made available to Customer (other than those that are or become part of the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public) (collectively, the “
Information
”), are the exclusive and confidential property of the BNPP Entities or their suppliers. Customer shall keep the Information confidential by using the same care and discretion that Customer uses with respect to its own confidential property and trade secrets, but not less than reasonable care. Upon termination of the Account Agreement or the Software license granted herein for any reason, Customer shall return to the BNPP Entities any and all copies of the Information that are in its possession or under its control.
|
(h)
|
Support Services.
Other than the assistance provided in the Information, the BNPP Entities do not offer any support services in connection with the Software.
|
(i)
|
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE BNPP ENTITIES AND THEIR SUPPLIERS PROVIDE THE SOFTWARE TO CUSTOMER, AND ANY (IF ANY) SUPPORT SERVICES RELATED TO THE SOFTWARE AS IS AND WITH ALL FAULTS; AND THE BNPP ENTITIES AND THEIR SUPPLIERS HEREBY DISCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY (IF ANY) WARRANTIES, DUTIES OR CONDITIONS OF OR RELATED TO: MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, LACK OF VIRUSES, ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF RESPONSES, RESULTS, WORKMANLIKE EFFORT AND LACK OF NEGLIGENCE. ALSO THERE IS NO WARRANTY, DUTY OR CONDITION OF TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, QUIET POSSESSION, CORRESPONDENCE TO DESCRIPTION OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE AND ANY SUPPORT SERVICES REMAINS WITH CUSTOMER.
|
(j)
|
EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL AND CERTAIN OTHER DAMAGES.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE BNPP ENTITIES OR THEIR SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR CONFIDENTIAL OR OTHER INFORMATION, FOR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, FOR PERSONAL INJURY, FOR LOSS OF PRIVACY, FOR FAILURE TO MEET ANY DUTY INCLUDING OF GOOD FAITH OR OF REASONABLE CARE, FOR NEGLIGENCE, AND FOR ANY OTHER PECUNIARY OR OTHER LOSS WHATSOEVER) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, THE PROVISION OF OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES, OR OTHERWISE UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PROVISION OF THIS SECTION 19, EVEN IN THE EVENT OF THE FAULT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR BREACH OF WARRANTY OF THE BNPP ENTITIES OR ANY SUPPLIER, AND EVEN IF THE BNPP ENTITIES OR ANY SUPPLIER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY BNPP ENTITY OR ANY SUPPLIER BE LIABLE FOR ACTS OF GOD, ACTS OF WAR OR TERRORISM, MACHINE OR COMPUTER BREAKDOWN OR MALFUNCTION, INTERRUPTION OR MALFUNCTION OF COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, LABOR DIFFICULTIES OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR OR DISSIMILAR CAUSE BEYOND THEIR REASONABLE CONTROL.
|
(k)
|
Security; Reliance; Unauthorized Use.
Customer will cause all persons using the Software to treat all applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and authentication keys with extreme care, and Customer will establish internal control and safekeeping procedures to restrict the availability of the same to duly authorized persons only. No BNPP Entity shall be liable or responsible to Customer or any third party for any unauthorized use of the Software or of the user and authorization codes, passwords and authentications keys that may be used in connection with the Software.
|
(l)
|
Encryption.
Customer acknowledges and agrees that encryption may not be available for any or all data or communications between Customer and a BNPP Entity. Customer agrees that a BNPP Entity may, at any time, deactivate any encryption features such BNPP Entity may in its sole discretion provide, without notice or liability to Customer.
|
(m)
|
Termination.
Customer acknowledges and agrees that a BNPP Entity may, in its sole discretion, at any time, and without any notice or liability to Customer, suspend or terminate this license of the Software to Customer and deny Customer’s access to and use of the Software.
|
(n)
|
Other Terms and Conditions
.
Customer shall comply with all other terms and conditions that may be posted by a BNPP Entity on any website or web page through which Customer accesses or uses the Software or that may otherwise be delivered in any form to Customer in connection with its use of the Software. The use by Customer of the Software constitutes Customer’s acceptance of and agreement to be bound by all such other terms and conditions.
|
(o)
|
Compliance with Law.
Customer shall comply with all Applicable Law applicable to Customer’s use of the Software.
|
1.
|
Rehypothecation
-
|
(a)
|
Customer expressly grants BNPP NY the right, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under Applicable Law, to re-register the Collateral in its own name or in another name other than Customer’s, to use or invest the proceeds of any securities lending transaction at its own risk, and to pledge, repledge, hypothecate, rehypothecate, sell, lend, or otherwise transfer or use the Collateral (the “
Hypothecated Securities
”), with all attendant rights of ownership except as provided below. For the purposes of the return of any Hypothecated Securities to Customer, BNPP NY’s return obligations shall be satisfied by delivering the Hypothecated Securities or securities identical to such Hypothecated Securities (such securities having the same cusip number as the subject Hypothecated Securities, or in the case of a reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer, the equivalent of the subject Hypothecated Securities) (“
Equivalent Securities
”). For the avoidance of doubt, Customer hereby grants BNPP NY its consent to hypothecate its securities for the purposes of Rule 15c2-1(a)(1) of the Exchange Act, subject to the limits of this Agreement.
|
(b)
|
Collateral held by Custodian (including any successor thereto) pursuant to the Special Custody Agreement (the “
Margin Collateral
”) shall be transferred to BNPP NY for purposes of rehypothecation only against a request to Custodian for release of Margin Collateral (“
Hypothecation Request
”) that meets the following requirements: (i) the Hypothecation Request is issued by a duly authorized representative of BNPP NY in accordance with the requirements for instructions set forth for in the Special Custody Agreement, (ii) subject to Section 2(c)(B), the fair market value of the securities which are subject to the Hypothecation Request, together with the value of any outstanding Hypothecated Securities, shall not exceed the value of the loan against which the Margin Collateral was pledged (“
Hypothecation Limit
”),
provided that
if the Maximum Commitment Financing (as defined in the Committed Facility Agreement) is increased pursuant to the mutual agreement of the parties, then the fair market value of the securities which are subject to the Hypothecation Request, together with the value of any outstanding Hypothecated Securities, shall not exceed the lesser of (A) the Hypothecation Limit or (B) thirty-three and one-third percent (33⅓%) of the total assets of the Customer based on the most recent financial information provided by the Customer, (iii) the securities which are subject to the Hypothecation Request shall not represent the entire position of such security held by Customer, and (iv) the securities which are subject to the Hypothecation Request are not Ineligible Securities (as defined below) and have not been recalled by the Customer or if the securities which are subject to the Hypothecation Request were recalled by the Customer other than for the purpose of selling the securities, the record date that was the reason for the recall or event has passed.
|
2.
|
Eligibility; Recall Rights -
|
(a)
|
Customer shall have the right, in its sole discretion and without condition, to designate any Margin Collateral as ineligible for rehypothecation for any valid business reason including an imminent sale, dividend declaration or other corporate action (“
Ineligible Securities
”),
provided that
the amount of Ineligible Securities designated by Customer cannot cause the market value of the Margin Collateral that has not been designated as Ineligible Securities to be below the Outstanding Debit Financing (as defined in the Committed Facility Agreement). Except as limited herein, Customer shall have the right, upon demand and without condition, to recall any Hypothecated Securities and BNPP NY shall, to the extent commercially reasonable under the circumstances, return such security or an Equivalent Security to the Special Custody Account (as defined in the Special Custody Agreement, the “
Special Custody Account
”) within a commercially reasonable period (in any event, no sooner than the standard settlement cycle for such securities).
|
(b)
|
Customer shall provide, or cause the Custodian to provide, a daily report to BNPP NY of portfolio transactions relating to securities in the Special Custody Account. With respect to any Hypothecated Security that is the subject of a sell order, on the date such report is delivered to BNPP NY, BNPP NY shall, without any further action by Customer and to the extent commercially reasonable under the circumstances, return such security or an Equivalent Security to the Special Custody Account within a commercially reasonable period (in any event, no sooner than the standard settlement cycle for such securities).
|
(c)
|
If as of the close of business on any Business Day the value of all outstanding Hypothecated Securities exceeds the Hypothecation Limit (such excess amount, the “
Rehypothecation Excess
”), BNPP NY shall, at its option, either (A) reduce the amount of outstanding Hypothecated Securities so that the total value of such securities does not exceed the Hypothecation Limit or (B) deliver to, and maintain within, the Special Custody Account an amount of cash at least equal to any Rehypothecation Excess (for the avoidance of doubt, if there is no Rehypothecation Excess, BNPP NY can recall any cash delivered hereunder).
|
3.
|
Corporate Actions -
|
(a)
|
Income Payments.
Customer shall be entitled to receive with respect to any Hypothecated Security, an amount equal to any principal thereof and all interest, dividends or other distributions paid or distributed on or in respect of the Hypothecated Securities (“
Income
”) that is not otherwise received by Customer. BNPP NY shall, on the date such Income is paid or distributed either transfer to or credit to the Special Custody Account such Income with respect to any Hypothecated Securities,
provided that
BNPP NY shall make commercially reasonable efforts to return Hypothecated Securities receiving Income prior to the record date for a distribution.
|
(b)
|
Income in the Form of Securities.
Where Income, in the form of securities, is paid in relation to any Hypothecated Securities, such securities shall be delivered to the Special Custody Account.
|
(c)
|
Other Corporate Actions.
Where, in respect of any Hypothecated Securities, any rights relating to conversion, sub-division, consolidation, pre-emption, rights arising under a takeover offer, rights to receive securities or a certificate which may at a future date be exchanged for securities or other rights, including those requiring election by the record holder of such securities at the time of the relevant election, become exercisable prior to the redelivery of Equivalent Securities, then Customer may, within a reasonable time before the latest time for the exercise of the right or option give written notice to BNPP NY that on redelivery of Equivalent Securities, it wishes to receive Equivalent Securities in such form as will arise if the right is exercised or, in the case of a right which may be exercised in more than one manner, is exercised as is specified in such written notice, and BNPP NY shall, to the extent commercially reasonable under the circumstances, return such Hypothecated Security or an Equivalent Security to the Special Custody Account within a commercially reasonable period (in any event, no sooner than the standard settlement cycle for such securities).
|
4.
|
Segregation of Hypothecated Securities
-
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, any transfer of Hypothecated Securities to the Customer or any transfer of cash pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 shall be effected by delivery or other transfer to or for credit to the Special Custody Account. BNPP NY expressly acknowledges that all securities that it is obligated to transfer hereunder shall be transferred to the Special Custody Account and shall not be held by BNPP NY
|
5.
|
Re-hypothecation Failure -
Hypothecated Securities shall be marked-to-market daily and valued in accordance with the Special Custody Agreement and this Agreement (together such agreements, the “
Account Documents
”). Upon the failure of BNPP NY to return Hypothecated Securities or the equivalent thereof (e.g., securities of the quantity, class or tranche, and issuer that are identical in every respect to such Hypothecated Securities) pursuant to this Agreement or Applicable Law, Customer shall be entitled to reduce the value of the loan against which the Margin Collateral was pledged by an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the then-current fair market value of such Hypothecated Securities as reasonably agreed to between the parties without any fee or penalty;
provided, however
that the terms of the Committed Facility Agreement shall not be altered or amended by such reduction.
|
6.
|
Failure to Process Instructions
-
If (i) Customer provides BNPP NY with instructions in respect of corporate actions on the Hypothecated Securities (excluding any exercise of voting rights) which do not require Customer to be a record holder at the time of exercise, (ii) Customer provides at least five Business Days notice prior to the relevant exercise deadline, and (iii) BNPP NY fails to process Customer’s instructions in a commercially reasonable manner, BNPP NY shall provide Customer the cash equivalent of payments or distributions actually made but which Customer did not receive due to BNPP NY’s failure.
|
7.
|
Fees -
BNPP NY agrees to pay Customer a rehypothecation fee (the “
Rehypothecation Fee
”), computed daily at a rate as set forth herein, as modified from time to time by mutual agreement of the parties. Except as BNPP NY and Customer may otherwise agree, the Rehypothecation Fee shall accrue from and including the date on which the BNPP NY rehypothecates Margin Collateral to, but excluding, the date on which securities or other financial assets of the same issuer and class as the Margin Collateral initially rehypothecated are returned to Customer’s Special Custody Account. Unless otherwise agreed, any Rehypothecation Fee payable hereunder shall be payable upon the earlier of (i) the day that is two (2) Business Days prior to the calendar month end in the month in which such fee was incurred (the “
Scheduled Payment Date
”) or (ii) the termination of the Agreement (the “
Termination Payment Date
”) (or, if such Scheduled Payment Date or Termination Payment Date, as the case may be, is not a Business Day, the next Business Day.
|
8.
|
Fee Amount
– 80% of the difference between the fair market rate (as determined by BNPP NY) and Fed Funds Open. To the extent the fair market rate (as determined by BNPP NY) is in excess of Fed Funds Open, a minimum fee of 5 bps annualized will be paid to Customer on the market value of the Hypothecated Securities.
|
1.
|
Definitions
-
|
(a)
|
Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement have the respective meanings assigned to them in the NY Lending Agreement. The 40 Act Financing Agreements are included in the term “Contract,” as defined in the NY Lending Agreement.
|
(b)
|
“
Account Agreement
” means the Account Agreement attached as Exhibit A to the NY Lending Agreement.
|
(c)
|
“
Borrowing
” means a draw of cash financing by Customer from BNPP NY pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement.
|
(d)
|
“
Closing Date
” means March 29, 2012.
|
(e)
|
“
Collateral Requirements”
means the collateral requirements set forth in Section 1 of Appendix A attached hereto.
|
(f)
|
“
Custodian
” means State Street Bank and Trust Company.
|
(g)
|
“
Financing Cap
” means $25 million USD.
|
(h)
|
“
Liquidity Event
” means that as of any day (each such day, a “
Date of Determination
”) the average Liquidity Spread over the ten (10) Business Days immediately prior to the Date of Determination is greater than 200 basis points.
|
(i)
|
“
Liquidity Spread
” means, as of any day, the difference between the one-month USD LIBOR rate and the one-month USD overnight index swap rate as published by Bloomberg.
|
(j)
|
“
Maximum Commitment Financing
” means $20 million USD,
provided
that, Customer may reduce the Maximum Commitment Financing by any amount upon thirty (30) calendar days’ prior written notice, which reduction shall take effect on such thirtieth day if such day is a Business Day, and otherwise, the Business Day immediately following,
provided further
that, Customer shall have the right to reduce the Maximum Commitment Financing by an amount not to exceed $5 million USD upon one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice to BNPP NY In addition, Customer may, subject to BNPP NY’s approval, increase the Maximum Commitment Financing upon one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice to BNPP NY,
provided
that the Maximum Commitment Financing shall not exceed the Financing Cap.
|
(k)
|
“
Net Asset Value
” means, with respect to Customer, the aggregate net asset value of the common stock issued by Customer calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
|
(l)
|
“
Net Asset Value Floor
” means, with respect to Customer, an amount equal to the greater of (i) the $36,000,000 USD or (ii) 50% of the Net Asset Value of Customer, calculated based on the Customer’s Net Asset Value as of its most recent fiscal year end.
|
(m)
|
“
Outstanding Debit Financing
” means the aggregate net cash balance (excluding current short sale proceeds) held under the 40 Act Financing Agreements if such net cash balance is a debit, or zero if such aggregate net cash balance is a credit. For the purposes of calculating such aggregate net cash balance, if Customer holds credit or debit cash balances in non-USD currencies, BNPP NY will convert each of these balances into USD at prevailing market rates to determine Customer’s aggregate net cash balance.
|
(n)
|
“
1940 Act
” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
|
2.
|
Borrowings
-
|
3.
|
Repayment
-
|
(a)
|
Upon the occurrence of a Facility Termination Event, an event described in Section 16(a) hereof, or the date specified in the Facility Modification Notice as described in Section 6, all Borrowings (including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder) may be recalled by BNPP NY in accordance with Section 1 of the NY Lending Agreement.
|
(b)
|
Upon the occurrence of a Default, the BNPP Entities shall have the right to take any action described in Section 13(b) hereof.
|
4.
|
Prepayments
-
|
5.
|
Interest
-
|
6.
|
Scope of Committed Facility
-
|
(a)
|
modify the Collateral Requirements; other than in accordance with the terms of Appendix A;
|
(b)
|
demand immediate repayment of any cash loan under the 40 Act Financing Agreements;
|
(c)
|
modify the Customer Debit Rate, as set forth in Appendix B attached hereto;
provided
that, on any day on which a Liquidity Event occurs, BNPP NY may increase the Customer Debit Rate by an amount equal to the Liquidity Spread minus 200 basis points,
provided
that if the Liquidity Spread is not published by Bloomberg on any Date of Determination, then BNPP NY may increase the Customer Debit Rate by an amount determined in its commercially reasonable discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, if on any day, a Liquidity Event is not occurring, this Agreement has not been terminated and the commitment herein has not otherwise expired, the Customer Debit Rate shall be the rate specified in Appendix B;
|
(d)
|
modify the fees, charges or expenses other than those described in clause
(b)
above, as set forth in Appendix B attached hereto (the “
Fees
”),
provided that
BNPP NY may modify any Fees immediately if (i) the amount of such Fees charged to BNPP NY, as the case may be, have been increased by the provider of the relevant services or (ii) consistent with increases generally to customers; or
|
(e)
|
terminate any of the 40 Act Financing Agreements.
|
7.
|
Conditions for Committed Facility
-
|
(a)
|
Customer satisfies the Collateral Requirements;
|
(b)
|
no Default or Facility Termination Event has occurred; and
|
(c)
|
there has not occurred any automatic termination as provided under Section 14.
|
8.
|
Commitment Fee
-
|
9.
|
Substitution
-
|
(a)
|
After BNPP NY sends a Facility Modification Notice, Customer may not substitute any collateral,
provided that
Customer may purchase and sell portfolio securities in the ordinary course of business consistent with its investment restrictions;
provided further
that BNPP NY may permit substitutions upon request, which permission shall not be unreasonably withheld;
provided further
that
for substitutions of rehypothecated collateral, such collateral shall be returned for substitution within a commercially reasonable period (in any event no sooner than the standard settlement period applicable to such collateral).
|
(b)
|
Prior to BNPP NY sending a Facility Modification Notice, Customer may substitute collateral,
provided that
for substitutions of rehypothecated collateral, such collateral shall be returned for substitution within a reasonable period (in any event no sooner than the standard settlement period applicable to such collateral).
|
10.
|
Collateral Delivery
-
|
11.
|
Representations and Warranties
-
|
12.
|
Financial Information
-
|
(a)
|
the most recent annual report of Customer containing financial statements certified by independent certified public accountants and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as soon as available and in any event within 120 calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of Customer;
|
(b)
|
a monthly statement of its leverage and asset coverage ratios as of the last day of each calendar month as soon as available and in any event within 15 calendar days after the end of each calendar month;
|
(c)
|
the most recent monthly financial statement of Customer, including performance returns and Net Asset Value of Customer, as soon as available and in any event within 30 calendar days after the end of each month; and
|
(d)
|
the estimated Net Asset Value statement of Customer as of any Business Day, upon request therefor by BNPP NY
|
13.
|
Termination
-
|
(a)
|
Upon the occurrence of a Facility Termination Event, BNPP NY shall have the right to terminate this Agreement, recall any Outstanding Debit Financing, modify Collateral Requirements, and modify any interest rate spread, fees, charges, or expenses, in each case, in accordance with the timeframes specified in the NY Lending Agreement.
|
(b)
|
Upon the occurrence of a Default, the BNPP Entities may terminate any of the 40 Act Financing Agreements and take Default Action.
|
(c)
|
Each of the following events constitutes a “
Default
”:
|
i.
|
Customer fails to meet the Collateral Requirements within the time periods set forth in Section 10;
|
ii.
|
Customer fails to deliver the financial information within the time periods set out in Section 12 and such failure is not remedied within (A) five (5) days for a failure under Sections 12(a), 12(b), and 12(c) and (B) one (1) Business Day for a failure under Section 12(d);
|
iii.
|
the Net Asset Value of Customer declines below the Net Asset Value Floor;
|
iv.
|
any representation or warranty made or deemed made by Customer to BNPP NY under any 40 Act Financing Agreements (including under Section 11 herein) proves false or misleading when made or deemed made;
|
v.
|
Customer fails to comply with or perform any other agreement or obligation under this Agreement or the other 40 Act Financing Agreements;
|
|
Customer becomes bankrupt, insolvent, or subject to any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or similar proceeding or all or substantially all its assets become subject to a suit, levy, enforcement, or other legal process where a secured party maintains possession of such assets, has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger), seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets, has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets, or takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts;
|
vii.
|
the occurrence of a repudiation, misrepresentation, material breach or the occurrence of a default, termination event or similar condition (howsoever characterized, which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes the occurrence of an Additional Termination Event under an ISDA Master Agreement between Customer and a BNPP Entity, if applicable) by Customer under any contract with a BNPP Entity; or
|
viii.
|
Customer fails to comply with the provisions set forth in Section 8.
|
(d)
|
Each of the following events constitutes a “
Facility Termination Event
”:
|
i.
|
the occurrence of a repudiation, misrepresentation, material breach or the occurrence of a default, termination event or similar condition (howsoever characterized, which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes the occurrence of an Additional Termination Event under an ISDA Master Agreement) by Customer under any contract with a third party entity, where the aggregate principal amount of any such contract (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes any obligations with respect to borrowed money or other assets in connection with such contract) is not less than the lesser of (A) 3% of Customer’s Net Asset Value or (B) $10,000,000;
|
ii.
|
there occurs any change in BNPP NY’s interpretation of any Applicable Law or the adoption of or any changes in the same (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any new or amended rules, requests, guidelines and directives promulgated in connection with current Applicable Law, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act), which in the reasonable opinion of counsel to BNPP NY has the effect with regard to BNPP NY of impeding or prohibiting the arrangements under the 40 Act Financing Agreements (including but not limited to, imposing or adversely modifying or affecting the amount of regulatory capital to be maintained by BNPP NY);
|
iii.
|
(A) as of any day, the Net Asset Value of Customer has declined by thirty percent (30%) or more from the highest Net Asset Value in the preceding one-month period then ending; or (B) as of any day, the Net Asset Value of Customer has declined by forty percent (40%) or more from the highest Net Asset Value in the preceding three-month period then ending; or (C) as of any day, the Net Asset Value of Customer, has declined by fifty percent (50%) or more from the highest Net Asset Value in the preceding 12-month period then ending (for purposes of (A), (B) and (C), any decline in the Net Asset Value shall take into account any positive or negative change caused by capital transfers, such as redemptions, withdrawals, subscriptions, contributions or investments, howsoever characterized, and all amounts set forth in redemption notices received by or on behalf of Customer (notwithstanding the date the actual redemption shall occur));
|
iv.
|
the investment management agreement between Customer and its investment advisor (“
Advisor
”) is terminated or the Advisor otherwise ceases to act as investment advisor of Customer;
provided, however
, such termination or cessation shall not constitute a Facility Termination Event if there is a replacement investment advisor appointed immediately who is acceptable to BNPP NY in its sole discretion;
|
v.
|
A violation of Section 18 of the Investment 1940 Act;
|
vi.
|
Customer fails to make any filing necessary to comply with the rules of any exchange in which its shares are listed where such failure continues for five (5) Business Days after notice to Customer by BNPP NY;
provided
that Customer must notify BNPP NY immediately when it becomes aware that it has failed to comply with the rules of any exchange in which its shares are listed, and such failure to provide such notice shall itself constitute a Facility Termination Event;
|
vii.
|
Customer enters into any additional indebtedness with a party other than a BNPP Entity or its affiliates beyond the financing provided hereunder through the 40 Act Financing Agreements, including without limitation any further borrowings constituting ‘senior securities’ (as defined for purposes of Section 18 of the 1940 Act) or any promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness, whether with a bank or any other person;
|
viii.
|
Customer changes its fundamental investment policies; or
|
ix.
|
Customer pledges to any other party, other than a BNPP Entity or its affiliates, any securities owned or held by Customer over which Custodian has a lien.
|
14.
|
Reserved
-
|
15.
|
Notices
-
|
16.
|
Compliance with Applicable Law
-
|
(a)
|
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, if required by Applicable Law –
|
i.
|
the BNPP Entities may terminate any 40 Act Financing Agreement and any Contract;
|
ii.
|
BNPP NY may recall any outstanding loan under the 40 Act Financing Agreements;
|
iii.
|
BNPP NY may modify the Collateral Requirements; and
|
iv.
|
the BNPP Entities may take Default Action.
|
(b)
|
This Agreement will not limit the ability of BNPP NY to change the product provided under this Agreement and the 40 Act Financing Agreements as necessary to comply with Applicable Law.
|
(c)
|
The BNPP Entities may exercise any remedies permitted under the Contracts if Customer fails to comply with Applicable Law.
|
17.
|
Miscellaneous
-
|
(a)
|
In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the other 40 Act Financing Agreements, this Agreement prevails.
|
(b)
|
This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws doctrine.
|
(c)
|
Section 16(c) of the Account Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provision had been set forth in full herein.
|
(d)
|
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original instrument and all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.
|
MIDAS FUND, INC.
|
|
By:
|
/s/ John F. Ramirez |
Name: John F. Ramirez
|
|
Title: Vice President
|
BNP PARIBAS, ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK BRANCH
|
|
By:
|
/s/ M. Andrews Yeo |
Name: M. Andrews Yeo
|
|
Title: Managing Director
|
1.
|
Collateral Requirements -
|
2.
|
Eligible Securities -
|
(a)
|
Positions in the following eligible equity and fixed income security types (“
Eligible Securities
”, which term shall exclude any securities described in Section 2(b)) are covered under the Committed Facility Agreement:
|
i.
|
USD common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, NYSE Arca, and NYSE Amex Equities held long or short;
|
ii.
|
convertible and non-convertible corporate debt securities or preferred securities,
provided
such securities are (A) issued by an issuer incorporated in one of the following countries: USA, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Japan, Australia or Portugal and (B) denominated in USD; or
|
iii.
|
USD and non-USD common stock held long or short, provided such stock is (A) listed in the FTSE All-World Index, (B) traded on a major exchange in one of the following countries: Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong or Portugal and (C) denominated in one of the following currencies: USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, JPY, CHF, AUD, or SEK.
|
(b)
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following will not be part of the collateral commitment and shall have no collateral value:
|
i.
|
any security type not covered above, as determined by BNPP NY in its sole discretion;
|
ii.
|
any security offered through a private placement or any restricted securities;
|
iii.
|
any security that is not maintained as a book-entry security on a major depository, such as The Depository Trust Company;
|
iv.
|
any securities that are municipal securities, asset-backed securities, mortgage securities, or Structured Securities (notwithstanding the fact that such securities would otherwise be covered);
|
v.
|
any security where Customer or Customer’s Advisor (A) is an Affiliate of the Issuer of the relevant equity securities or (ii) beneficially owns more than 9% of either (a) the voting interests of the Issuer or (b) any voting class of equity securities of the Issuer (in each case, whether such positions are held in accounts established pursuant to the 40 Act Financing Agreements or otherwise). For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of determining beneficial ownership, any convertible debt of preferred debt shall be treated as converted;
|
vi.
|
to the extent that the Gross Market Value of non-USD-denominated Positions exceeds 50% of the Portfolio Gross Market Value, any such securities in excess of such 50% (and BNPP NY shall determine in its sole discretion which specific securities shall be considered to be in excess of 50%);
|
vii.
|
to the extent that the Gross Market Value of non-investment grade corporate debt securities and/or preferred securities (for the avoidance of doubt, unrated securities are considered to be non-investment grade) Positions exceeds 30% of the Portfolio Gross Market Value, any non-investment grade corporate debt securities and preferred securities in excess of such 30% (and BNPP NY shall determine in its sole discretion which specific securities shall be considered to be in excess of 30%);
|
viii.
|
any security with a market capitalization of less than USD $300,000,000;
|
ix.
|
any Debt Security which trades below 40% of its nominal value;
|
x.
|
any Debt Security Position which has a Current Market Value that is greater than 10% of the Issue Size;
|
xi.
|
to the extent that the Gross Market Value of Positions in any industry sector (as defined by Bloomberg) exceeds 35% of the Portfolio Gross Market Value, any Positions in excess of such 35% (and BNPP NY shall determine in its sole discretion which specific securities shall be considered to be in excess of such 35%);
|
xii.
|
any Positions with an Issuer Position Concentration equal to or greater than 10%;
|
xiii.
|
any Positions with Days of Trading Volume greater than 4; and
|
xiv.
|
any Positions with Equity Volatility equal to or greater than 100%.
|
3.
|
Equity Securities Collateral Percentage
-
|
i.
|
subject to paragraph ii below, the sum of (A) the Equity Core Collateral Rate and (B) the product of (I) the Equity Core Collateral Rate and (II) the sum of the Equity Concentration Factor, the Equity Liquidity Factor, and the Equity Volatility Factor, or
|
ii.
|
100% if the product determined under paragraph (i) above is greater than 100%.
|
(a)
|
Equity Concentration Factor.
|
Issuer Position Concentration
|
Equity Concentration Factor
|
Equal to or greater than 5%
and less than 10%
|
0.5
|
(b)
|
Equity Liquidity Factor.
|
Days of Trading Volume
|
Equity Liquidity Factor
|
Less than 2
|
0
|
Equal to or greater than 2 and less than or equal to 4
|
1
|
(c)
|
Equity Volatility Factor.
|
Equity Volatility
|
Equity Volatility Factor
|
Less than 35%
|
0
|
Equal to or greater than 35% and less than 50%
|
0.5
|
Equal to or greater than 50% and less than 75%
|
1
|
Equal to or greater than 75% and less than 100%
|
2
|
4.
|
Debt Securities Collateral Percentage
-
|
(a)
|
Debt Core Collateral Rate.
|
(b)
|
Debt Concentration Factor
|
Issuer Position Concentration
|
Debt Concentration Factor
|
Equal to or greater than 5%
and less than 10%
|
0.5
|
5.
|
Positions Outside the Scope of this Appendix -
|
6.
|
One-off Collateral Requirements -
|
7.
|
Certain Definitions -
|
(a)
|
“
Affiliate
”
means an affiliate as defined in Rule 144(a)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933.
|
(b)
|
“
Bloomberg
” means the Bloomberg Professional service.
|
(c)
|
“
Collateral Percentage
” means the percentage as determined by BNPP NY according to this Appendix A.
|
(d)
|
“
Current Market Value
” means with respect to a Position, an amount equal to the absolute value of the product of (i) the number of units of the relevant security and (ii) the price per unit of the relevant security (determined by BNPP NY).
|
(e)
|
“
Days of Trading Volume
” means with respect to an equity security, an amount equal to the quotient of (i) the number of shares of such security constituting the Position, as numerator and (ii) the 90-day average daily trading volume of such security as shown on Bloomberg (or, if the 90-day average daily trading volume of such security is unavailable, the 30-day average daily trading volume of such security, as determined by BNPP NY in its sole discretion), as denominator.
|
(f)
|
“
Debt Security
” means convertible and non-convertible preferred securities and corporate debt securities.
|
(g)
|
“
Equity Core Collateral Rate
” means 15%.
|
(h)
|
“Equity Volatility
” means with respect to an equity security, the 90-day historical volatility of such security as determined by BNPP NY in its sole discretion or, if the 90-day historical price volatility of such security is unavailable, the 30-day historical price volatility of such security as determined by BNPP NY in its sole discretion.
|
(i)
|
“
Gross Market Value
” of one or more Positions means an amount equal to the sum of all Current Market Values of all such Positions, where, for the avoidance of doubt, the Current Market Value of each Position is expressed as a positive number whether or not such Position is held long.
|
(j)
|
“
Issuer
”
means, with respect to a Debt Security or equity security, the ultimate parent company or similar term as used by Bloomberg;
provided that
, if the relevant security was issued by a company or a subsidiary of a company that has issued common stock, the Issuer shall be deemed to be the entity that has issued common stock;
provided further that
, with respect to any exchange-traded funds, the Issuer of such securities shall be the index to which the relevant securities relate, if any.
|
(k)
|
“
Issuer Position
Concentration
” means with respect to a Position issued by an Issuer, an amount equal to the quotient of (i) the Gross Market Value of all Positions (whether debt or equity) issued by the same Issuer, as numerator and (ii) the Portfolio Gross Market Value, expressed as a percentage.
|
(l)
|
“
Issue Size
” means with respect to a Position in a Debt Security of an Issuer, the Current Market Value of all such Debt Securities issued by the Issuer and still outstanding.
|
(m)
|
“
Moody’s
” means Moody’s Investor Service, Inc.
|
(n)
|
“Portfolio Gross Market Value
”
means the Gross Market Value of all of the Positions that are Eligible Securities.
|
(o)
|
“
Position
Concentration
” means with respect to a Position, an amount equal to the quotient of (i) the Current Market Value of such Position and (ii) the Gross Market Value of all of Customer’s Positions, expressed as a percentage;
provided that,
in the event that two Positions hedge one another as determined by BNPP NY, only the Current Market Value of the unhedged portion of such Positions shall be considered for the purposes of Section 3(a).
|
(p)
|
“
Structured Securities
” means any security (i) the payment to a holder of which is linked to a different security, provided that such different security is issued by a different issuer or (ii) structured in such a manner that the credit risk of acquiring the security is primarily related to an entity other than the issuer of the security itself.
|
(q)
|
“
S&P
” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
|
Commitment Fee
|
|
Copies of Custodian's confirmations, statements and advices issued pursuant to paragraph 3 should be sent to:
|
Name | Telephone /Fax Number | Signature | |||
1. Dave Koppel | Tel: 201-850-5391 | /s/ Dave Koppel | |||
Fax. 201-850-4618 | |||||
2. Vincent Gazzillo | Tel: 201-850-4163 | /s/ Vincent Gazzillo | |||
Fax: 201-850-6594 | |||||
3. Dean Anastos | Tel: 201-850-5293 | /s/ Dean Anastos | |||
Fax: 201-850-6594 | |||||
4. Jeff Hoffmann | Tel: 201-850-5376 | /s/ Jeff Hoffmann | |||
Fax: 201-850-6594 | |||||
5. Thomas Anderson
|
Tel: 201-850-4161 | /s/ Thomas Anderson | |||
Fax: 201-850-6594 | |||||
6. Cindy Yeung | Tel: 201-850-5480 | ||||
Fax: 201-850-6594 |
Name
|
Telephone/Fax
|
Signature
|
1. John Ramirez
|
212-480-6432/212-363-1101 |
1.
/s/ John F. Ramirez
|
2. Heidi Keating
|
212-480-6432/212-363-1101 |
2.
|
3. Thomas O'Malley
|
212-480-6432/212-363-1101 |
3.__________________________
|
4. Thomas Winmill
|
603-756-2544 |
4.
/s/ Thomas Winmill
|
5.
|
5.__________________________
|
|
6.
|
6.__________________________
|
|
7.
|
7.__________________________
|
|
1.
|
The Shares to be issued pursuant to the Post-Effective Amendment have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company; and
|
|
2.
|
When issued and paid for upon the terms provided in the Post-Effective Amendment, the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Post-Effective Amendment will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
|