As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2012
1933 Act Registration No. 333-122847
1940 Act Registration No. 811-21715
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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[ X ]
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Pre-Effective Amendment No.
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Post-Effective Amendment No.
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17
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[ X ]
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and/or
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
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[ X ]
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19
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[ X ]
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(Check appropriate box or boxes)
_____________________
Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
c/o Neuberger Berman Management LLC
605 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, New York 10158-0180
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 476-8800
Robert Conti
Chief Executive Officer and President
Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds
c/o Neuberger Berman Management LLC
605 Third Avenue, 2
nd
Floor
New York, New York 10158-0180
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
With copies to:
Arthur C. Delibert, Esq.
K&L Gates LLP
1601 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006-1600
___________________________________
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: Continuous
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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on _________________ pursuant to paragraph (b)
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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on ____________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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on ____________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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If appropriate, check the following box:
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this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
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The sole purpose of this filing is to file certain exhibits and update the information in Part C contained in Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A on April 23, 2012 for Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares of Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund.
Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds
CONTENTS OF POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 17 ON FORM N-1A
This Post-Effective Amendment consists of the following papers and documents.
Cover Sheet
Contents of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 on Form N-1A
Part A – Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund Prospectus*
Part B – Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund Statement of Additional Information**
Part C – Other Information
Signature Pages
Exhibit Index
Exhibits
This registration statement does not affect the registration of any series or any class of a series of the Registrant not included herein.
* Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed April 23, 2012).
**
Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed April 23, 2012), and subsequently filed in definitive form pursuant to Rule 497 on May 10, 2012.
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 17 ON FORM N-1A
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28
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Exhibits.
Exhibit Number
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Description
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(a)
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(1)
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Restated Certificate of Trust. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds’ (“Registrant’s”) Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed October 15, 2010).
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(2)
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Trust Instrument, Amended and Restated. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed October 15, 2010).
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(3)
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Amended Trust Instrument Schedule A- Listing the Current Series and Classes of Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(b)
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By-Laws, Amended and Restated. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed October 15, 2010).
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(c)
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(1)
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By-Laws, Amended and Restated, Articles V, VI, and VIII. Incorporated by Reference to Item (b) above.
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(2)
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Trust Instrument, Amended and Restated, Articles IV, V and VI. Incorporated by Reference to Item (a)(2) above.
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(d)
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(1)
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(i) Management Agreement Between Registrant and Neuberger Berman Management LLC (“NB Management”). Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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(ii) Amended Management Agreement Schedules listing the current series of Registrant subject to the Management Agreement and the compensation under the Management Agreement. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(iii) Form of Addendum to the Management Agreement with respect to Neuberger Berman Risk Balanced Commodity Strategy Fund. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 28, 2011).
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(2)
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(i) Sub-Advisory Agreement Between NB Management and Neuberger Berman Fixed Income LLC (“NBFI”) with respect to the Registrant. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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(ii) Amended Sub-Advisory Agreement Schedule listing the current series of Registrant subject to the NBFI Sub-Advisory Agreement. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 28, 2011).
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Exhibit Number
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Description
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(iii) Form of Addendum to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to Neuberger Berman Risk Balanced Commodity Strategy Fund. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 28, 2011).
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(3)
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Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management and Neuberger Berman LLC with respect to Registrant
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Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 28, 2011).
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(4)
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Investment
Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management and
NB Alternative Investment Management, LLC (“
NBAIM”) with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund.
(Filed herewith)
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(5)
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(i)
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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(Filed herewith)
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(ii)
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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(Filed herewith)
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(iii)
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
GAMCO Asset Management, Inc.
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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(Filed herewith)
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(iv)
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Levin Capital Strategies, L.P
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with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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(Filed herewith)
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(v)
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
MacKay Shields LLC
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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(Filed herewith)
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(vi)
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Sound Point Capital Management, L.P.
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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(Filed herewith)
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(vii)
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Turner Investments, L.P
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with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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(Filed herewith)
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(viii)
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Visium Asset Management, L.P.
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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(Filed herewith)
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(e)
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(1)
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(i) Distribution and Services Agreement Between Registrant and NB Management with respect to Class A shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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(ii) Amended Distribution and Services Agreement Schedule with respect to Class A shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(2)
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(i) Distribution and Services Agreement Between Registrant and NB Management with respect to Class C shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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(ii) Amended Distribution and Services Agreement Schedule with respect to Class C shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(3)
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(i) Distribution Agreement Between Registrant and NB Management with respect to Institutional Class shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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Exhibit Number
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Description
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(ii) Amended Distribution Agreement Schedule with respect to Institutional Class shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(f)
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Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. None.
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(g)
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(1)
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Custodian Contract Between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company. Incorporated by Reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 15, 2006).
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(2)
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Custodian Contract Between Registrant and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Filed herewith)
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(h)
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(1)
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Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company. Incorporated by Reference to Post Effective Amendment No. 116 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Neuberger Berman Equity Funds, File Nos. 2-11357 and 811-00582 (Filed June 2, 2006).
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(2)
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(i) Administration Agreement Between Registrant and NB Management with respect to Class A shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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(ii) Amended Administration Agreement Schedule with respect to Class A shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(3)
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(i) Administration Agreement Between Registrant and NB Management with respect to Class C shares for Neuberger Berman Global Allocation Fund. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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(ii) Amended Administration Agreement Schedule with respect to Class C shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(4)
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(i) Administration Agreement Between Registrant and NB Management with respect to Institutional Class shares for Neuberger Berman Global Allocation Fund. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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(ii) Amended Administration Agreement Schedule with respect to Institutional Class shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(5)
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Expense Limitation Agreement with respect to Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares for Neuberger Berman Global Allocation Fund. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed February 28, 2012).
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(6)
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Expense Limitation Agreement with respect to Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares for Neuberger Berman Long Short Fund and Neuberger Berman Risk Balanced Commodity Strategy Fund. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 28, 2011).
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(7)
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Expense Limitation Agreement with respect to Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares for Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed April 23, 2012).
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(i)
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Opinion and Consent of K&L Gates LLP with Respect to Securities Matters of Registrant. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed April 23, 2012).
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Exhibit Number
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Description
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(j)
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Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. None.
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(k)
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Financial Statements Omitted from Prospectus. None.
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(l)
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Letter of Investment Intent. Incorporated by Reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 15, 2006).
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(m)
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(1)
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(i) Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 with respect to Class A shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 with Respect to Class A Shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(2)
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(i) Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 with respect to Class C shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed December 29, 2010).
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(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 with Respect to Class C Shares. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(n)
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Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 for Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares, as amended February 22, 2012. (Filed herewith)
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(o)
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Powers of Attorney for Registrant. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed October 15, 2010).
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(p)
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(1)
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Code of Ethics for Registrant, NB Management and NBAIM. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 158 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Neuberger Berman Equity Funds, File Nos. 2-11357 and 811-582 (Filed December 15, 2011).
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(2)
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Code of Ethics for
The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC
. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(3)
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Code of Ethics for
Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn LLC.
Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(4)
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Code of Ethics for
GAMCO Asset Management Inc., LLC
. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(5)
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Code of Ethics for
Levin Capital Strategies, L.P
. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(6)
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Code of Ethics for MacKay Shields LLC, Amended and Restated. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(7)
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Code of Ethics for
Sound Point Capital Management, L.P.
Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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(8)
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Code of Ethics for
Turner Investments, L.P
. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed January 18, 2012).
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Exhibit Number
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Description
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(9)
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Code of Ethics for Visium Asset Management L.P. Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715 (Filed April 23, 2012).
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Item 29
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Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with Registrant
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No person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.
Item 30
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Indemnification
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A Delaware business trust may provide in its governing instrument for indemnification of its officers and trustees from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. Article IX, Section 2 of the Trust Instrument provides that “every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee or agent of the Trust (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust or the appropriate Series to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof…”. Indemnification will not be provided to a person adjudicated by a court or other body to be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders by reason of “willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office” (“Disabling Conduct”), or not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Registrant. In the event of a settlement, no indemnification may be provided unless there has been a determination that the officer or trustee did not engage in Disabling Conduct (i) by the court or other body approving the settlement; (ii) by at least a majority of those trustees who are neither interested persons, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), of the Registrant (“Independent Trustees”), nor parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts; or (iii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts.
Pursuant to Article IX, Section 3 of the Trust Instrument, if any present or former shareholder of any series (“Series”) of the Registrant shall be held personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason, the present or former shareholder (or his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of any entity, its general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Registrant, on behalf of the affected Series, shall, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Series.
Section 9 of the Management Agreement between Neuberger Berman Management LLC (“NB Management”) and the Registrant provides that neither NB Management nor any director, officer or employee of NB Management performing services for any series of the Registrant at the direction or request of NB Management in connection with NB Management’s discharge of its obligations under the Agreement shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a series in connection with any matter to which the Agreement relates; provided, that nothing in the Agreement shall be construed (i) to protect NB Management against any liability to the Registrant or any series thereof or its interest holders to which NB Management would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of NB Management’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, officer or employee of NB Management who is or was a trustee or officer of the Registrant against any liability to the Registrant or its interest holders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office with the Registrant.
Section 6 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between NB Management and Neuberger Berman Fixed Income LLC (“NBFI”) with respect to the Registrant provides that, neither NBFI nor any director, officer or employee of NBFI performing services for any series of the Registrant shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by NB Management or the Registrant in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Agreement. Section 6 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between NB Management and NBAIM includes the same provision.
Section 11 of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between NB Management, NBAIM and each Subadviser of the Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund generally requires the Subadviser to indemnify the Registrant, NB Management and NBAIM and their directors and officers for losses caused by the Subadviser’s disabling conduct (as described in the Agreement), except where such person would otherwise be liable by reason of willful malfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligations and duties under the agreement. In addition, NB Management and NBAIM are similarly required to indemnify each Subadviser under Section 11 of the Agreement for any losses arising from the conduct of NB Management, NBAIM or the Fund.
Section 12 of the Administration Agreement between the Registrant and NB Management on behalf of each series of the Registrant provides that the Registrant shall indemnify NB Management and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred by NB Management that result from: (i) any claim, action, suit or proceeding in connection with NB Management’s entry into or performance of this Agreement with respect to such series; or (ii) any action taken or omission to act committed by NB Management in the performance of its obligations under the Agreement with respect to such series; or (iii) any action of NB Management upon instructions believed in good faith by it to have been executed by a duly authorized officer or representative of the Registrant with respect to such series;
provided
, that NB Management shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of actions or omissions constituting negligence or misconduct on the part of NB Management or that of its employees, agents or contractors. Before confessing any claim against it which may be subject to indemnification by a series under the Agreement, NB Management shall give such series reasonable opportunity to defend against such claim in its own name or in the name of NB Management. Section 13 of the Administration Agreement provides that NB Management will indemnify the Registrant and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred by the Registrant that result from: (i) NB Management’s failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement; or (ii) NB Management’s lack of good faith in performing its obligations under the Agreement; or (iii) the negligence or misconduct of NB Management, or its employees, agents or contractors in connection with the Agreement. The Registrant shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of actions or omissions constituting negligence or misconduct on the part of the Registrant or its employees, agents or contractors other than NB Management, unless such negligence or misconduct results from or is accompanied by negligence or misconduct on the part of NB Management, any affiliated person of NB Management, or any affiliated person of an affiliated person of NB Management.
Section 11 of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and NB Management provides that NB Management shall look only to the assets of a class of a series for the performance of the Agreement by the Registrant on behalf of such series, and neither the Shareholders, the Trustees nor any of the Registrant’s officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
Section 14 of the Distribution and Services Agreement between the Registrant and NB Management provides that NB Management shall look only to the assets of a class of a series for the performance of the Agreement by the Registrant on behalf of such series, and neither the Shareholders, the Trustees nor any of the Registrant’s officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The Registrant also maintains Directors and Officers Insurance.
Item 31.
Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
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There is set forth below information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each director or officer of NB Management and each executive officer of Neuberger Berman LLC is, or at any time during the past two years has been, engaged for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.
NAME
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BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS
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Joseph V. Amato
Chief Investment Officer (Equities) and Managing Director, NB Management
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Chief Executive Officer and President, Neuberger Berman Holdings LLC (including its predecessor, Neuberger Berman Inc.); President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Neuberger Berman LLC; Director and Managing Director of NBFI; Board member, NBFI; Trustee, Neuberger Berman Income Funds; Trustee, Neuberger Berman Equity Funds; Trustee, Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust; Trustee, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds; Director, Neuberger Berman Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Director, Neuberger Berman New York Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Director, Neuberger Berman California Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Director, Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund Inc.; Director, Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.; formerly, Global Head of Asset Management in the Investment Management Division, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., 2006-2009; formerly, Member of the Investment Management Division’s Executive Management Committee, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., 2006-2009.
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Thanos Bardas
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
John J. Barker
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Ann H. Benjamin
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Managing Director, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
Michael L. Bowyer
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Associate Portfolio Manager.
|
Claudia A. Brandon
Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Neuberger Berman Equity Funds; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Neuberger Berman Income Funds; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Neuberger Berman Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Neuberger Berman New York Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Neuberger Berman California Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund Inc.; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
|
David M. Brown
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
David H. Burshtan
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Portfolio Manager.
|
NAME
|
BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS
|
Robert Conti
President and Chief Executive Officer, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee, Neuberger Berman Income Funds; President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee, Neuberger Berman Equity Funds; President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee, Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust; President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Neuberger Berman Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Neuberger Berman New York Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Neuberger Berman California Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund Inc.; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
|
William R. Covode
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Timothy Creedon
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Robert W. D’Alelio
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
John C. Donohue
Vice President, NB Management
|
Portfolio Manager.
|
John Dorogoff
Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director, NB Management
|
Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director, Neuberger Berman, LLC.
|
Ingrid Dyott
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Associate Portfolio Manager; Portfolio Manager.
|
Lawrence K. Fisher
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Daniel J. Fletcher
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Michael Foster
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Senior Vice President, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
Greg Francfort
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
William J. Furrer
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
NAME
|
BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS
|
Maxine L. Gerson
Secretary, General Counsel and Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Neuberger Berman LLC; Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Neuberger Berman Income Funds; Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Neuberger Berman Equity Funds; Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust; Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds; Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Neuberger Berman Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Neuberger Berman New York Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Neuberger Berman California Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund Inc.; Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
|
Anthony Gleason
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Richard Grau
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Senior Vice President, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
Michael C. Greene
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Ian Hass
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, NBAIM; Portfolio Manager
|
Todd E. Heltman
Vice President, NB Management
|
None; Formerly, Portfolio Manager.
|
William Hunter
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Frank Ingham
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, NBAIM; Portfolio Manager.
|
James L. Iselin
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
Andrew A. Johnson
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
Brian Jones
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Kristina Kalebich
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Gerald Kaminsky
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
NAME
|
BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS
|
Michael Kaminsky
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Brian Kerrane
Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Income Funds; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Equity Funds; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Vice President, Neuberger Berman New York Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Vice President, Neuberger Berman California Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund Inc.; Vice President, Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
|
David Kupperman
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, NBAIM; Portfolio Manager.
|
Sajjad S. Ladiwala
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Associate Portfolio Manager.
|
David M. Levine
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Richard S. Levine
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Kristian J. Lind
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
James Majit
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, NBAIM; Portfolio Manager.
|
James F. McAree
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Senior Vice President, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
S. Blake Miller
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
Arthur Moretti
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Richard S. Nackenson
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Benjamin H. Nahum
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Thomas P. O’Reilly
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Managing Director, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
Loraine Olavarria
Assistant Secretary, NB Management
|
None.
|
NAME
|
BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS
|
Kevin Pemberton
Vice President, NB Management
|
None.
|
Alexandra Pomeroy
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Elizabeth Reagan
Managing Director, NB Management
|
None.
|
Brett S. Reiner
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Associate Portfolio Manager.
|
Daniel D. Rosenblatt
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Conrad A. Saldanha
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Eli M. Salzmann
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Mindy Schwartzapfel
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Benjamin E. Segal
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Saurin Shah
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Steve S. Shigekawa
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Neil S. Siegel
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Income Funds; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Equity Funds; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Vice President, Neuberger Berman New York Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Vice President, Neuberger Berman California Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Vice President, Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund Inc.; Vice President, Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
|
Amit Soloman
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Thomas A. Sontag
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Managing Director, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
Michelle B. Stein
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Portfolio Manager.
|
NAME
|
BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS
|
Mamundi Subhas
Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Bradley C. Tank
Chief Investment Officer (Fixed Income) and Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Managing Director, NBFI; Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Director, NBFI; Portfolio Manager.
|
Kenneth J. Turek
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Judith M. Vale
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Eric Weinstein
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, NBAIM; Portfolio Manager.
|
Richard Werman
Managing Director, NB Management
|
Managing Director, Neuberger Berman LLC; Portfolio Manager.
|
Chamaine Williams
Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, NB Management
|
Chief Compliance Officer, Neuberger Berman Income Funds; Chief Compliance Officer, Neuberger Berman Equity Funds; Chief Compliance Officer, Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust; Chief Compliance Officer, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds; Chief Compliance Officer, Neuberger Berman Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer, Neuberger Berman New York Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer, Neuberger Berman California Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer, Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer, Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.
|
The principal address of NB Management, Neuberger Berman LLC and of each of the investment companies named above, is 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158.
Information as to the directors and officers of NBFI, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of NBFI in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-61757) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of
NBAIM
, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of
NBAIM
in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-60730) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of
The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC
, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of
The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC
in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-6829) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of
Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC
, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of
Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC
in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-55244) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of
GAMCO Asset Management, Inc.
, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-14132) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of
Levin Capital Strategies, LP
, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of
Levin Capital Strategies, LP
in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-65045) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of
MacKay Shields LLC
, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of
MacKay Shields LLC
in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-5594) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of
Sound Point Capital Management, L.P.
, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of
Sound Point Capital Management, L.P.
in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-72515) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of
Turner Investments, L.P.
, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of
Turner Investments, L.P.
in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-36220) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of
Visium Asset Management, LP
, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of
Visium Asset Management, LP
in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-72280) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated by reference thereto.
Item 32
.
Principal Underwriters.
(a) NB Management, the principal underwriter distributing securities of the Registrant, is also the principal underwriter and distributor for each of the following investment companies:
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
Neuberger Berman Equity Funds
Neuberger Berman Income Funds
(b)
Set forth below is information concerning the directors and officers of the Registrant’s principal underwriter. The principal business address of each of the persons listed is 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158-0180, which is also the address of the Registrant’s principal underwriter.
NAME
|
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
WITH UNDERWRITER
|
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
WITH REGISTRANT
|
Joseph V. Amato
|
Chief Investment Officer (Equities) and Managing Director
|
Trustee
|
Thanos Bardas
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
John J. Barker
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Ann H. Benjamin
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Michael L. Bowyer
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Claudia A. Brandon
|
Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
|
Executive Vice President and Secretary
|
David M. Brown
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
David H. Burshtan
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Robert Conti
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee
|
William R. Covode
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Timothy Creedon
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Robert W. D’Alelio
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
John C. Donohue
|
Vice President
|
None
|
John Dorogoff
|
Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
|
None
|
Ingrid Dyott
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Lawrence K. Fisher
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Daniel J. Fletcher
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Michael Foster
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Greg Francfort
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
William J. Furrer
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Maxine L. Gerson
|
Secretary, General Counsel and Managing Director
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer (only for purposes of sections 307 and 406 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002)
|
Anthony Gleason
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Richard Grau
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Michael C. Greene
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Ian Hess
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Todd E. Heltman
|
Vice President
|
None
|
William Hunter
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Fred Ingham
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
James L. Iselin
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Andrew A. Johnson
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Brian Jones
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Kristina Kalebich
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Gerald Kaminsky
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Michael Kaminsky
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Brian Kerrane
|
Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President
|
Senior Vice President
|
NAME
|
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
WITH UNDERWRITER
|
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
WITH REGISTRANT
|
David Kupperman
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Sajjad S. Ladiwala
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
David M. Levine
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Richard S. Levine
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Kristian Lind
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Jeff Majit
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
James F. McAree
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
S. Blake Miller
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Arthur Moretti
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Richard S. Nackenson
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Benjamin H. Nahum
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Thomas P. O’Reilly
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Loraine Olavarria
|
Assistant Secretary
|
None
|
Kevin Pemberton
|
Vice President
|
None
|
Alexandra Pomeroy
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Elizabeth Reagan
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Brett S. Reiner
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Daniel D. Rosenblatt
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Conrad A. Saldanha
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Eli M. Salzmann
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Mindy Schwartzapfel
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Benjamin E. Segal
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Saurin Shah
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Steve S. Shigekawa
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Neil S. Siegel
|
Managing Director
|
Vice President
|
Amit Soloman
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Thomas A. Sontag
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Michelle B. Stein
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Mamundi Subhas
|
Senior Vice President
|
None
|
Bradley C. Tank
|
Chief Investment Officer (Fixed Income) and Managing Director
|
None
|
Kenneth J. Turek
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Judith M. Vale
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Eric Weinstein
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Richard Werman
|
Managing Director
|
None
|
Chamaine Williams
|
Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
(c) No commissions or other compensation were received directly or indirectly from the Registrant by any principal underwriter who was not an affiliated person of the Registrant.
Item 33
.
Location of Accounts and Records.
All accounts, books and other documents, except for the Registrant’s Trust Instrument and By-Laws, minutes of meetings of the Registrant’s Trustees and shareholders and the Registrant’s policies and contracts, required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to the Registrant are maintained at the offices of the Funds’ transfer agent and, except for the Neuberger
Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund, the Funds’ custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, and, with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund, are maintained at the offices of the Fund’s custodian, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., 14201 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75254, and the Fund’s subadvisers at their respective locations shown in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Registrant’s Trust Instrument and By-Laws, minutes of meetings of the Registrant’s Trustees and shareholders and the Registrant’s policies and contracts, are maintained at the offices of the Registrant, 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158-0180.
Item 34
.
Management Services.
Other than as set forth in Parts A and B of this Post-Effective Amendment, the Registrant is not a party to any management-related service contract.
Item 35
.
Undertakings.
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City and State of New York on the 14
th
day of May, 2012.
|
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Robert Conti
|
|
Name:
|
Robert Conti
|
|
Title:
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
/s/ Robert Conti
|
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Robert Conti
|
|
|
/s/ John M. McGovern
|
Treasurer and Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer
|
May 14, 2012
|
John M. McGovern
|
|
|
/s/ Joseph V. Amato
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Joseph V. Amato*
|
|
|
/s/ John Cannon
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
John Cannon*
|
|
|
/s/ Faith Colish
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Faith Colish*
|
|
|
/s/ Martha C. Goss
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Martha C. Goss*
|
|
|
/s/ C. Anne Harvey
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
C. Anne Harvey*
|
|
|
/s/ Robert A. Kavesh
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Robert A. Kavesh*
|
|
|
/s/ Michael M. Knetter
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Michael M. Knetter*
|
|
|
/s/ Howard A. Mileaf
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Howard A. Mileaf*
|
|
|
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
/s/ George W. Morriss
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
George W. Morriss*
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Edward I. O’Brien
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Edward I. O’Brien*
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jack L. Rivkin
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Jack L. Rivkin*
|
|
|
/s/ Cornelius T. Ryan
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Cornelius T. Ryan*
|
|
|
/s/ Tom D. Seip
|
Chairman of the Board and Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Tom D. Seip*
|
|
|
/s/ Candace L. Straight
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Candace L. Straight*
|
|
|
/s/ Peter P. Trapp
|
Trustee
|
May 14, 2012
|
Peter P. Trapp*
|
|
|
*Signatures affixed by Lori L. Schneider on May 14, 2012 pursuant to a power of attorney filed
with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Nos. 333-122847 and 811-21715
on October 15, 2010
.
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
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Description
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(d) (4)
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Investment
Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management and
NB Alternative Investment Management, LLC (“
NBAIM”) with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund.
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(d) (5)(i)
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Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
.
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(d) (5)(ii)
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Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn LLC
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
.
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(d) (5)(iii)
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Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
GAMCO Asset Management, Inc.
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
.
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(d) (5)(iv)
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Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Levin Capital Strategies, L.P
.
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
.
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(d) (5)(v)
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Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
MacKay Shields LLC
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
.
|
(d) (5)(vi)
|
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Sound Point Capital Management, L.P.
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
.
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(d) (5)(vii)
|
Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Turner Investments, L.P
.
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
.
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(d) (5)(viii)
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Sub-Advisory Agreement b
etween NB Management, NBAIM and
Visium Asset Management
with respect to Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
.
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(g) (2)
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Custodian Contract Between Registrant and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
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(n)
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Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 for Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares
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INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
This Investment Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2012, between Neuberger Berman Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Manager”) and NB Alternative Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has established one or more separate series of shares (“Series”) with each Series having its own assets and investment policies; and
WHEREAS, Trust has retained Manager to provide investment advisory and administrative services to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement dated December 29, 2010, which agreement specifically provides for the retention of an investment adviser to provide the investment advisory services described therein; and
WHEREAS, Manager desires to retain Adviser as investment adviser to furnish investment advisory and portfolio management services to each Series listed in Schedule A attached hereto, to such other Series of Trust hereinafter established as agreed to from time to time by the parties, evidenced by an addendum to Schedule A (hereinafter “Series” shall refer to each Series which is subject to this Agreement), and the Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. SERVICES OF THE ADVISER
1.1 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Series and, as such, shall: (i) be responsible for the selection, oversight and monitoring of the sub-advisers to the Series with respect to the sub-advisers’ investment program, including the amount of the Series’ assets to allocate to each sub-adviser; (ii) provide on-going investment research and analysis regarding investment strategies used and that may be used by the Series; (iii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Series in a manner consistent with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and (iv) provide discretionary investment management services in accordance with the Series’ then current registration statement, which shall include determining from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Series, and implementing those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a)
will attempt to obtain the best net price and most favorable execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers and dealers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers and dealers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers or dealers.
The Series hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect or execute any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Series which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Series hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).
The Adviser shall carry out its duties with respect to the Series' investments in accordance with applicable law and the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series adopted by the trustees of Trust (“Trustees”), and subject to such further limitations as the Series may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Adviser shall:
1.2.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that all records required to be maintained and preserved by Trust and/or the Series with respect to securities transactions made pursuant to Section 1.1(iv) of this Agreement are maintained and preserved by it or on its behalf in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.2 REPORTS AND FILINGS. Assist in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by Trust or the Series to Interestholders of the Series and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Series, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Series, under federal and state securities and tax laws.
1.2.3 REPORTS TO THE MANAGER. Prepare and furnish to Manager such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as Manager may reasonably request.
1.2.4 OTHER SERVICES. The Adviser shall perform such other functions of management and supervision as may be requested by the Manager and agreed to by the Adviser.
2. ADVISORY FEE
2.1 FEE. As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, Manager shall pay the Adviser an annual fee as set out in Schedule B to this Agreement.
2.2 COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The advisory fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable monthly on the first business day of the next succeeding calendar month. The daily fee accruals shall be computed by multiplying the
fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual advisory fee rate (as set forth in Schedule B hereto), and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series, determined in the manner established by the Trustees, as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on which the Series' net asset value was determined. The fee provided in this Agreement for any Series shall be adjusted proportionately with any waiver or rebate of the fee due to the Manager from that Series, whether voluntary, contractual, or compelled by law.
2.3 EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any) purchased for any Series.
3. OWNERSHIP AND HOLDING PERIOD OF RECORDS
All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Series pursuant to the rules or regulations under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Series are the property of the Series and shall be surrendered by the Adviser promptly on request by the Series; provided, that the Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records. The Adviser agrees to preserve for the period prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
4. REPORTS TO ADVISER
Manager shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such copies of each Series' registration statements, financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to the Series' business and affairs as the Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
5. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS
Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser to render investment management services to other investment companies, to act as investment adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.
6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER AND ITS PERSONNEL
Neither the Adviser nor any director, officer or employee of the Adviser performing services for the Series at the direction or request of the Adviser in connection with the Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Manager or a Series in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect the Adviser against any liability to Trust or a Series or its Interestholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of the Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under this Agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, officer or employee of the Adviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of Trust against any liability to Trust or a Series or its Interestholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's office with Trust.
7. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first above written with respect to each Series listed in Schedule A on that date and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through October 31, 2013. With respect to each Series added by execution of an Addendum to Schedule A, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of such execution and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through the second October 31 following the date of execution. Thereafter, in each case, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Series from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, provided, such continuance with respect to a Series is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series or by the Trustees, provided, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto; and provided further that neither party hereto shall have notified the other party in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the first expiration date hereof or at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date hereof of any year thereafter that it does not desire such continuation. The Adviser shall furnish to the Manager, promptly upon its request, such information as the Trustees of the Trust deem reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
8. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized on behalf of any Series (i) by resolution of the Trustees, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii), as and to the extent required under the 1940 Act, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
9. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Series by either party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately with respect to a Series if the Management Agreement between the Trust and Manager terminates with respect to that Series. This Agreement may also be terminated with respect to any Series on sixty (60) days notice to the Adviser, without the payment of any
penalty, by a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series.
10. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
11. CHOICE OF LAW
This Agreement is made and to be principally performed in the State of New York and except insofar as the 1940 Act or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
12. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
13. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Robert Conti
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Name:
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Robert Conti
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Title:
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President
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NB ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
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/s/ Tia Lowe
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Name:
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Tia Lowe
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer
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Date: May 15, 2012
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
SERIES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
Date: May 15, 2012
EXECUTION VERSION
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
This Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2012, by and among Neuberger Berman Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Manager”), NB Alternative Investment Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser” and together with the Manager, the “NB Parties”) and The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company (“Sub-Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has established one or more separate series of shares (“Series” or “Fund”) with each Series having its own assets and investment policies; and
WHEREAS, Trust has retained Manager to provide investment advisory and administrative services to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement dated May 15, 2012 which agreement specifically provides for the retention of a sub-adviser to provide the investment advisory services described therein; and
WHEREAS, Manager has retained Adviser to provide certain investment advisory service to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated Decemeber 29, 2010, which agreement provides that Adviser is responsible for the selection and monitoring of sub-advisers for certain Series; and
WHEREAS, NB Parties desire to retain Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory and portfolio management services to the portion of each Series listed in Schedule A attached hereto that has been allocated to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser and to the portion of such other Series of Trust hereinafter established as agreed to from time to time by the parties (“Allocated Portion”), evidenced by an addendum to Schedule A (hereinafter “Series” shall refer to each Series which is subject to this Agreement), and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUB-ADVISER
1.1 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall act as the investment subadviser to the Series and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Allocated Portion in a manner consistent with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions and the investment guidelines as provided to the Subadviser and incorporated herein by
reference, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained, borrowed or lent by the Allocated Portion, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Sub-Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer.
The Sub-Adviser will select brokers and dealers to effect all portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and will negotiate brokerage commissions, if applicable. The Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek to execute transactions for the Allocated Portion (i) in accordance with any written policies, practices or procedures that may be established by the Board of Trustees or the Manager from time to time and which have been provided to the Sub-Adviser or (ii) as described in the Series’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). In placing any orders for the purchase or sale of investments for the Series, in the name of the Allocated Portion or its nominees, the Sub-Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain for the Allocated Portion “best execution”, considering all of the circumstances, and shall maintain records adequate to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Manager, Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, or any of their affiliated persons, except in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Series.
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will not execute any portfolio transactions for the Allocated Portion with a broker or dealer which is (i) an affiliated person of the Fund, including the Manager, Adviser or any sub-adviser for the Fund; (ii) a principal underwriter of the Fund's shares; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter, unless such transactions are (x) exempt under Rules 10f-3(b) or 17a-10, (y) executed in accordance with Rule 17e-1 of the 1940 Act and the Fund's Rule 17e-1 procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 or (z)executed in accordance with Rule 10f-3(c) of the 1940 and the Fund's Rule 10f-3(c) procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 10f-3. The Manager agrees that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of such brokers and dealers and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide the Manager with a written list of brokers and dealers that are affiliates of the Sub-Adviser and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary.
Subject to the appropriate policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) cause the Allocated Portion to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage or research services to the Manager, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Allocated Portion an amount of commission for effecting a Series transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines, in good faith, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relationship to the value of such brokerage or research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Series or its other advisory clients. To the
extent authorized by Section 28(e) and the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of such action. Subject to seeking best execution, the Board of Trustees or the Manager may direct the Sub-Adviser to effect transactions in portfolio securities through broker-dealers in a manner that will help generate resources to pay the cost of certain expenses that the Trust is required to pay or for which the Trust is required to arrange payment.
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Allocated Portion as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner which the Sub-Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Allocated Portion and to its other clients over time.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide assistance to the Manager, the custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A with respect to the Series (“Registration Statement”), the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Allocated Portion for which the Manager, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Manager’s Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) assisting the Manager or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Allocated Portion, upon the reasonable request of the Manager or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Manager or the custodian, confirming pricing and providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Manager or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Trust records.
The Series hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Sub-Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect or execute any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Series which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Series hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).
The Sub-Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the officers and Trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”) and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series as adopted by the Trustees, and subject to
such further limitations as the Series may from time to time impose by written notice to the Sub-Adviser and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust, Series or the NB Parties in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust, Series or the NB Parties except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust, the NB Parties and the Sub-Adviser.
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall:
1.2.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that all records required to be maintained and preserved by Trust and/or the Series with respect to securities transactions are maintained and preserved by it or on its behalf in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.2 REPORTS AND FILINGS. Provide reasonable assistance as needed in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by Trust or the Series to shareholders of the Series and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Series, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Series, under federal and state securities and tax laws. Sub-Adviser shall review draft reports to shareholders, Registration Statements or portions thereof that relate to the Series or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents. Sub-Adviser will prepare and cause to be filed in a timely manner Form 13F and, if required, Schedule 13G with respect to securities held for the account of the Series that is advised by Sub-Adviser.
1.2.3 REPORTS TO THE MANAGER, THE ADVISER AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Prepare and furnish to Manager, Adviser and/or the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as Manager, Adviser and/or the Board may reasonably request. Sub-Adviser shall also make available to the Manager, Adviser and the Board at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Manager, Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Manager, Adviser the Board and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone or other electronic media, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Series;
1.2.4 NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO MANAGER. The Sub-Adviser shall:
(i) Promptly notify the NB Parties in the event that the Sub-Adviser becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (a) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (b) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser
in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (c) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; (d) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, or the NB Parties; or (e) is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act).
The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the NB Parties promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Series, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively, in both cases either prior to or immediately after such event. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board of any change in the Sub-Adviser’s financial condition which would impact its abilities to perform its duties hereunder and of any reduction in the amount of coverage under the Sub-Adviser’s errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage;
(ii) Provide the NB Parties, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Manager, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund’s Registration Statement, Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(iii) As reasonably requested by the Trust on behalf of the Trust’s officers and in accordance with the scope of Sub-Adviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement (i.e., with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder), Sub-Adviser will provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in connection with the Trust’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Sub-Adviser agrees to (a) certify periodically, upon the reasonable request of the Trust, that with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder, it is in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws”, as required by Rule 38a-l under the 1940 Act, and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (b) upon request and reasonable prior notice, cooperate with third-party audits arranged by the Trust to evaluate the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance controls; (c) upon request and reasonable prior notice, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with direct access to its chief compliance officer (or his/her designee); (d) upon request, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with periodic reports and (e) promptly provide notice of any material compliance matters; and
(iv) Within forty-five days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise requested, provide the NB Parties with a certification from the president, chief operating officer or chief compliance officer of the Sub-Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the NB Parties, the Sub-Adviser shall permit the NB Parties, their employees or agents to examine the reports required to be made to the Sub-Adviser by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) and all other records relevant to the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics at the offices of the Sub-Adviser.
1.2.4 OTHER SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall perform such other functions of management and supervision as may be reasonably requested by the NB Parties and agreed to by the Sub-Adviser.
2. REPRESENTATIONS
2.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser represents warrants and agrees that:
(i) It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”) and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) It has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”) and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of such Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto;
(iv) It has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents (“Compliance Procedures”) and, the Adviser and the Trust have been provided a copy or a summary of the Compliance Procedures and any amendments thereto;
(v) It has delivered to the NB Parties copies of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of any future filings of Form ADV or any amendments thereto;
(vi) It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as
an investment adviser to a Fund pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation;
(vii) It shall use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in or come into its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates or employees, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Series; and
(viii) It maintains an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage from an insurance company that has a minimum credit rating of A- from at least one national recognized credit rating agency.
2.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE NB PARTIES: The NB Parties each represent warrants and agrees that:
(i)_ It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement.
3. ADVISORY FEE
3.1 FEE. As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement, Manager shall pay the Sub-Adviser an annual fee as set out in Schedule B to this Agreement.
3.2 COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The advisory fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable within 30 days of the last day of each calendar quarter (
i.e.
, March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). The daily fee accruals shall be computed by multiplying the fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual advisory fee rate (as set forth in Schedule B hereto), and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series, determined in the manner established by the Trustees, as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on which the Series' net asset value was determined.
3.3 EXPENSES
During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any) purchased for any Series. The Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for all the costs associated with any special meetings of the Trustees or shareholders convened for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser (including, but not limited to, the legal fees associated with preparing a proxy statement and associated mailing and solicitation costs).
4. OWNERSHIP AND HOLDING PERIOD OF RECORDS
All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Series pursuant to the rules or regulations under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and maintained and preserved by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Series are the property of the Series and shall be surrendered by the Sub-Adviser promptly on request by the Series or the NB Parties; provided, that the Sub-Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records. The Sub-Adviser agrees to preserve for the period prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
5. TRANSACTIONS AND CUSTODY
All transactions will be consummated by payment to or delivery by the custodian designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Allocated Portion, and the Sub-Adviser shall not have possession or custody thereof. The Sub-Adviser shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust, to the
NB Parties
and any other designated agent of the Fund, including the Fund’s Administrator, all investment orders for the Allocated Portion placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, communication via electronic means will be acceptable as agreed to in writing from time to time by the
NB Parties
. The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by the Sub-Adviser.
6. REPORTS TO SUB-ADVISER
NB Parties shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Sub-Adviser such copies of the Registration Statement, financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to the Series' business and affairs as the Sub-Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sub-Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as reasonably required to execute transactions on behalf of the Series, and will keep confidential any non-public information obtained directly as a result of this service relationship, and the Sub-Adviser shall disclose such non-public information only if the NB Parties or the Trustees have authorized such disclosure by prior written consent, or if such information is or hereafter otherwise is known by the Sub-Adviser or has been disclosed, directly or indirectly, by the Manager, Adviser or the Trust to others becomes
ascertainable from public or published information or trade sources, or if such disclosure is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state regulatory authorities, or to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required by auditors or attorneys of the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of their professional services or as may otherwise be contemplated by this Agreement. Sub-Adviser shall not disclose information regarding characteristics of the Series or Allocated Portion, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings and/or as required by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may disclose the total return earned by the Allocated Portion and may include such total return in the calculation of composite performance information.
Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Series concerning transactions in securities or other assets for any investment portfolio of the Trusts, including the Funds, except that such consultations are permitted between the current and successor sub-advisers of a Fund in order to effect an orderly transition of sub-advisory duties so long as such consultations are not concerning transactions prohibited by Section 17(a) of the 1940 Act.
8. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS
The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants that in no event shall it enter into an agreement to manage assets of any other unaffiliated investment company registered under the 1940 Act (“40 Act Fund(s)”) in substantially the same investment strategy used in managing the Allocated Portion for either a period of two (2) years after the date hereof or before the Series set forth in Schedule A reaches $1 billion in assets under management, whichever occurs first. Existing clients that are 40 Act Funds and any 40 Act Fund that is a current prospect shall be excluded.
9. PROXY VOTING
The Sub-Adviser shall vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Allocated Portfion may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Allocation Portion; and provide information to the Trust, Manager or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust’s compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act.
10. USE OF NAMES AND LOGOS
The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name in the Trust’s disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Manager. It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other
party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any director, officer or employee of the Sub-Adviser performing services for the Series in connection with the Sub-Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Manager or a Series in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to protect the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser against any liability to Trust or a Series or its shareholders to which the Sub-Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Sub-Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus and SAI, Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Allocated Portion or the Sub-Adviser or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser for use therein.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the NB Parties and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, agents and employeesagainst any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the NB Parties or its affiliates or such directors, officers, agents or employees are subject, which are caused by Sub-Adviser’s disabling conduct as provided in (i) and (ii) of the above paragraph; provided, however, that in no case is the Sub-Adviser’s indemnity in favor of any person deemed to protect such other persons against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligation and duties under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the NB Parties theirofficers, directors, agents, employees, controlling persons or shareholders or to the Trust or its shareholders for (i) any acts of the NB Parties or any other subadviser to the Series with respect to the portion of the assets of Series not managed by Sub-Adviser and (ii) acts of the Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts of the NB Parties, including, but not limited to, a failure of the NB Parties to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by NB Parties or any other subadviser to the Series, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser or, to the extent such records relate to the portion of the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser, otherwise available to the Sub-Adviser upon
reasonable request. The NB Parties and Sub-Adviser each agree that the Sub-Adviser shall manage the Allocated Portion as if it was a separate operating portfolio and shall comply with subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1 of this Sub-Advisory Agreement (including, but not limited to, the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Series and qualifications of the Series as a regulated investment company under the Code) only with respect to the Allocated Portion. The NB Parties shall indemnify the Sub-Adviser from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) arising from the conduct of the NB Parties or the Series.
12. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first above written with respect to each Series listed in Schedule A on that date and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through October 31, 2014. With respect to each Series added by execution of an Addendum to Schedule A, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of such execution and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through the second October 31, following the date of execution. Thereafter, in each case, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Series from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, provided, such continuance with respect to a Series is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series or by the Trustees, provided, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto; and provided further that neither party hereto shall have notified the other party in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the first expiration date hereof or at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date hereof of any year thereafter that it does not desire such continuation. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the NB Parties, promptly upon its request, such information as the Trustees of the Trust deem reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
13. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized on behalf of any Series (i) by resolution of the Trustees, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii), as and to the extent required under the 1940 Act, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
14. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Series by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Series, voting separately from any other series of the Trust, or by the NB Parties, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than 30 nor more than sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately with respect to a Series if the Management Agreement between the Trust and Manager terminates with respect to that Series. This Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ written notice to the NB Parties and the Trust. The termination of this Agreement with respect to any Series or the addition of any Series to Schedule A hereto (in the manner required by the Act) shall not affect the continued effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to each other Series subject hereto.
15. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
16. CHOICE OF LAW
This Agreement is made and to be principally performed in the State of New York and except insofar as the 1940 Act or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
17. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
18. FORCE MAJEURE
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, NB Parties shall not be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to the
Account resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of Manager or its agents, including but not limited to, nationalization, strikes, expropriation, devaluation, seizure, or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Assets of the Account; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry, including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts of war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. This Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
19. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Maxine L. Gerson
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Name:
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Maxine L. Gerson
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Title:
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Managing Director
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NB ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
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/s/ Tia Lowe
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Name:
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Tia Lowe
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer
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THE BOSTON COMPANY ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
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/s/ Joseph P. Gennaco
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Name:
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Joseph P. Gennaco
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Title:
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President and Chief Operating Officer
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Date: May 15, 2012
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
SERIES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE B
RATE OF COMPENSATION
FUND
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RATE OF COMPENSATION
BASED ON EACH FUND'S
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
ALLOCATED TO THE
SUBADVISER
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Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
This Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2012, by and among Neuberger Berman Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Manager”), NB Alternative Investment Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser” and together with the Manager, the “NB Parties”) and Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sub-Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has established one or more separate series of shares (“Series”) with each Series having its own assets and investment policies; and
WHEREAS, Trust has retained Manager to provide investment advisory and administrative services to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement dated December 29, 2010, which agreement specifically provides for the retention of a sub-adviser to provide the investment advisory services described therein; and
WHEREAS, Manager has retained Adviser to provide certain investment advisory service to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 15, 2012, which agreement provides that Adviser is responsible for the selection and monitoring of sub-advisers for certain Series, and
WHEREAS, NB Parties desire to retain Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory and portfolio management services to the portion of each Series listed in Schedule A attached hereto that has been allocated to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser and to the portion of such other Series of Trust hereinafter established as agreed to from time to time by the parties (“Allocated Portion”), evidenced by an addendum to Schedule A (hereinafter “Series” shall refer to each Series which is subject to this Agreement), and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUB-ADVISER
1.1 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall act as the investment subadviser to the Series and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder,
(ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Allocated Portion in a manner consistent with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions and the investment guidelines as provided to the Sub-Adviser, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained, borrowed or lent by the Allocated Portion, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Sub-Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer.
The Sub-Adviser will select brokers and dealers to effect all portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and will negotiate brokerage commissions, if applicable. The Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek to execute transactions for the Allocated Portion (i) in accordance with any written policies, practices or procedures that may be established by the Board of Trustees or the Manager from time to time and which have been provided to the Sub-Adviser or (ii) as described in the Series’ Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. In placing any orders for the purchase or sale of investments for the Series, in the name of the Allocated Portion or its nominees, the Sub-Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain for the Allocated Portion “best execution”, considering all of the circumstances, and shall maintain records adequate to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Manager, Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, or any of their affiliated persons, except in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Series.
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will not execute any portfolio transactions for the Allocated Portion with a broker or dealer which is (i) an affiliated person of the Fund, including the Manager, Adviser or any sub-adviser for the Fund; (ii) a principal underwriter of the Fund's shares; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter, unless such transactions are (x) exempt under Rules 10f-3(b) or 17a-10, (y) executed in accordance with Rule 17e-1 of the 1940 Act and the Fund's Rule 17e-1 procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 or (z)executed in accordance with Rule 10f-3(c) of the 1940 and the Fund's Rule 10f-3(c) procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 10f-3. The Manager agrees that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of such brokers and dealers and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide the Manager with a written list of brokers and dealers that are affiliates of the Sub-Adviser and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary.
Subject to the appropriate policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) cause the Allocated Portion to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage or research services to the Manager, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Allocated Portion an amount of commission for effecting a Series transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines, in good faith, that
such amount of commission is reasonable in relationship to the value of such brokerage or research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Series or its other advisory clients. To the extent authorized by Section 28(e) and the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of such action. Subject to seeking best execution, the Board of Trustees or the Manager may direct the Sub-Adviser to effect transactions in portfolio securities through broker-dealers in a manner that will help generate resources to pay the cost of certain expenses that the Trust is required to pay or for which the Trust is required to arrange payment. If the Board of Trustees or the Manager directs Sub-Adviser to use a particular broker, it should be understood that, under those circumstances, the Sub-Adviser will not have the authority to negotiate commissions or to obtain volume discounts, and best execution may not necessarily be achieved.
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Allocated Portion as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner which the Sub-Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Allocated Portion and to its other clients over time.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide assistance to the Manager, the custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A with respect to the Series (“Registration Statement”), the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Allocated Portion for which the Manager, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Manager’s Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) assisting the Manager or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Allocated Portion, upon the reasonable request of the Manager or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Manager or the custodian, confirming pricing and providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Manager or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Trust records.
The Series hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Sub-Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect or execute any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Series which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the
Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Series hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).
The Sub-Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the officers and Trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”) and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series as adopted by the Trustees, and subject to such further limitations as the Series may from time to time impose by written notice to the Sub-Adviser and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust, Series or the NB Parties in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust, Series or the NB Parties except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust, the NB Parties and the Sub-Adviser.
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall:
1.2.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that all records required to be maintained and preserved by Trust and/or the Series with respect to securities transactions are maintained and preserved by it or on its behalf in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.2 REPORTS AND FILINGS. Provide reasonable assistance as needed in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by Trust or the Series to shareholders of the Series and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Series, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Series, under federal and state securities and tax laws. Sub-Adviser shall review draft reports to shareholders, Registration Statements or portions thereof that relate to the Series or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents. Sub-Adviser will prepare and cause to be filed in a timely manner Form 13F and, if required, Schedule 13G with respect to securities held for the account of the Series that is advised by Sub-Adviser.
1.2.3 REPORTS TO THE MANAGER, THE ADVISER AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Prepare and furnish to Manager, Adviser and/or the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as Manager, Adviser and/or the Board may reasonably request. Sub-Adviser shall also make available to the Manager, Adviser and the Board at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Manager, Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Manager, Adviser the Board and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone or other electronic media, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Series;
1.2.4 NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO MANAGER. The Sub-Adviser shall:
(i) Promptly notify the NB Parties in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (a) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (b) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (c) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; (d) is served or otherwise receives notice of any material action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, or the NB Parties; or (e) is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons related to its investment advisory services (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act).
The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the NB Parties promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Series, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively, in both cases either prior to or immediately after such event. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board of any change in the Sub-Adviser’s financial condition which would impact its abilities to perform its duties hereunder and of any reduction in the amount of coverage under the Sub-Adviser’s errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage;
(ii) Provide the NB Parties, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Manager, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund’s Registration Statement, Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(iii) As reasonably requested by the Trust on behalf of the Trust’s officers and in accordance with the scope of Sub-Adviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement (i.e., with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder), Sub-Adviser will provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in connection with the Trust’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Sub-Adviser agrees to (a) certify
periodically, upon the reasonable request of the Trust, that with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder, it is in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws”, as required by Rule 38a-l under the 1940 Act, and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (b) upon request and reasonable prior notice, cooperate with third-party audits arranged by the Trust to evaluate the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance controls; (c) upon request and reasonable prior notice, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with direct access to its chief compliance officer (or his/her designee); (d) upon reasonable request, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with periodic reports and (e) promptly provide notice of any material compliance matters; and
(iv) Within forty-five days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise requested, provide the NB Parties with a certification from the president, chief operating officer or a vice-president of the Sub-Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the NB Parties, the Sub-Adviser shall permit the NB Parties, theiremployees or agents to examine the reports required to be made to the Sub-Adviser by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) and all other records relevant to the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics.
1.2.4 OTHER SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall perform such other functions of management and supervision as may be reasonably requested by the NB Parties and agreed to by the Sub-Adviser.
2. REPRESENTATIONS
2.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser represents warrants and agrees that:
(i)
It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) It
has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”) and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of such Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto;
(iv) It
has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and
agents (“Compliance Procedures”) and, the Adviser and the Trust have been provided a copy of a summary of the Compliance Procedures and any amendments thereto;
(v) It has delivered to the NB Parties copies of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of any future filings of Form ADV or any amendments thereto;
(vi) It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to a Fund pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation;
(vii) It shall use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in or come into its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates or employees, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Series; and
(viii) It maintains an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage from an insurance company that has a minimum credit rating of A- from at least one national recognized credit rating agency.
2.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE NB PARTIES: The NB Parties each represent warrant and agree that:
(i)
It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement.
3. ADVISORY FEE
3.1 FEE. As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement, Manager shall pay the Sub-Adviser an annual fee as set out in Schedule B to this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants that in no event shall the Sub-Adviser provide investment advisory services to any U.S. registered investment company client with a similar investment strategy to the strategy it employs in providing such services to the Allocated Portion pursuant to this Agreement at a rate of compensation less than that provided for in Schedule B.
3.2 COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The advisory fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable within 30 days of the last day of each calendar quarter (
i.e.
, March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). The daily fee accruals shall be computed by multiplying the fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual advisory fee rate (as set forth in Schedule B.
hereto), and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series, determined in the manner established by the Trustees, as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on which the Series' net asset value was determined.
3.3 EXPENSES
During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any) purchased for any Series. The Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for all the costs associated with any special meetings of the Trustees or shareholders convened at the request of and for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser (including, but not limited to, the legal fees associated with preparing a proxy statement and associated mailing and solicitation costs). Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for any expenses, costs or fees associated with the Custodian.
4. OWNERSHIP AND HOLDING PERIOD OF RECORDS
All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Series pursuant to the rules or regulations under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and maintained and preserved by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Series are the property of the Series and shall be surrendered by the Sub-Adviser promptly on request by the Series or the NB Parties; provided, that the Sub-Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records. The Sub-Adviser agrees to preserve for the period prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
5. TRANSACTIONS AND CUSTODY
All transactions will be consummated by payment to or delivery by the custodian designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Allocated Portion, and
the Sub-Adviser
shall not have possession or custody thereof
. The Sub-Adviser
shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust, to the NB Parties and any other designated agent of the Trust, including the Trust’s Administrator, all investment orders
for the Allocated Portion
placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, communication via electronic means will be acceptable as agreed to in writing
from time to time
by the NB Parties. The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by
the Sub-Adviser
.
6. REPORTS TO SUB-ADVISER
NB Parties shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Sub-Adviser such copies of the Registration Statement, financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to the Series' business and affairs as the Sub-Adviser may, at
any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sub-Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as reasonably required to execute transactions on behalf of the Series, and will keep confidential any non-public information obtained directly as a result of this service relationship, and the Sub-Adviser shall disclose such non-public information only if the NB Parties or the Trustees have authorized such disclosure by prior written consent, or if such information is or hereafter otherwise is known by the Sub-Adviser or has been disclosed, directly or indirectly, by the Manager, Adviser or the Trust to others becomes ascertainable from public or published information or trade sources, or if such disclosure is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state regulatory authorities, or to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required by auditors or attorneys of the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of their professional services or as may otherwise be contemplated by this Agreement.
Sub-Adviser shall
not disclose information regarding characteristics of the Series or Allocated Portion, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings and/or as required by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may disclose the total return earned by the Allocated Portion and may include such total return in the calculation of composite performance information.
Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Series concerning transactions in securities or other assets for any investment portfolio of the Trusts, including the Funds, except that such consultations are permitted between the current and successor sub-advisers of a Fund in order to effect an orderly transition of sub-advisory duties so long as such consultations are not concerning transactions prohibited by Section 17(a) of the 1940 Act.
8. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS
Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser to render investment management services to other investment companies, to act as investment Sub-Adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.
9. PROXY VOTING
The Sub-Adviser shall vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Allocated Portion may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Allocation Portion; and provide information to the Trust, Manager or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust’s compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act.
10. USE OF NAMES AND LOGOS
The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name and the names of its affiliates in the Trust’s disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications. Except as otherwise agreed by the parties, the Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Manager. It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any director, officer or employee of the Sub-Adviser performing services for the Series in connection with the Sub-Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the NB Parties, the Trust or a Series in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to protect the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, or employee of the Sub-Adviser against any liability to the NB Parties, Trust or a Series or its shareholders to which the Sub-Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Sub-Adviser's reckless disregard or material breach of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus and SAI, Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Allocated Portion or the Sub-Adviser or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, or employee of the Sub-Adviser for use therein.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the NB Parties and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, and employees against any and all direct and actual losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the NB Parties or its affiliates or such directors, officers, agents or employees are subject, which are caused by Sub-Adviser’s disabling conduct as provided in (i) and (ii) of the above paragraph; provided, however, that in no case is the Sub-Adviser’s indemnity in favor of any person
deemed to protect such other persons against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligation and duties under this Agreement. In no event shall Sub-Adviser be liable for or indemnify for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred by reason of any act or omission of the Manager, the Trust, the Trustees, any broker or the Custodian.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the NB Parties their officers, directors, agents, employees, controlling persons or shareholders or to the Trust or its shareholders for (i) any acts of the NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series with respect to the portion of the assets of Series not managed by Sub-Adviser and (ii) acts of the Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts of the NB Parties, including, but not limited to, a failure of the NB Parties to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser or, to the extent such records relate to the portion of the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser, otherwise available to the Sub-Adviser upon reasonable request. The NB Parties and Sub-Adviser each agree that the Sub-Adviser shall manage the Allocated Portion as if it was a separate operating portfolio and shall comply with subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1 of this Sub-Advisory Agreement (including, but not limited to, the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Series and qualifications of the Series as a regulated investment company under the Code) only with respect to the Allocated Portion. The NB Parties shall indemnify the Sub-Adviser from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) arising from the conduct of the NB Parties or the Series.
In no event will the parties be liable for or indemnify for any indirect, consequential or special damages.
12. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first above written with respect to each Series listed in Schedule A on that date and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through October 31, 2013. With respect to each Series added by execution of an Addendum to Schedule A, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of such execution and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through the second October 31 following the date of execution. Thereafter, in each case, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Series from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, provided, such continuance with respect to a Series is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series or by the Trustees, provided, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of
either party hereto; and provided further that neither party hereto shall have notified the other party in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the first expiration date hereof or at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date hereof of any year thereafter that it does not desire such continuation. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the NB Parties, promptly upon its request, such information as the Trustees of the Trust deem reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
13. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized on behalf of any Series (i) by resolution of the Trustees, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii), as and to the extent required under the 1940 Act, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
14. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Series by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Series, voting separately from any other series of the Trust, or by the NB Parties, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than 30 nor more than sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately with respect to a Series if the Management Agreement between the Trust and Manager terminates with respect to that Series. This Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 120 days’ written notice to the NB Parties and the Trust. The termination of this Agreement with respect to any Series or the addition of any Series to Schedule A hereto (in the manner required by the Act) shall not affect the continued effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to each other Series subject hereto.
15. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special
or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
16. CHOICE OF LAW
This Agreement is made and to be principally performed in the State of New York and except insofar as the 1940 Act or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
17. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
18. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Maxine L. Gerson
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Name:
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Maxine L. Gerson
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Title:
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Managing Director
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NB ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
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/s/ Tia Lowe
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Name:
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Tia Lowe
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer
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CRAMER ROSENTHAL McGLYNN, LLC
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/s/ Carlos Leal
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Name:
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Carlos Leal
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Title:
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Chief Financial Officer
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Date: May 15, 2012
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
SERIES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE B
RATE OF COMPENSATION
FUND
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RATE OF COMPENSATION BASED ON EACH
FUND'S AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
ALLOCATED TO THE SUBADVISER
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Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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Date May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
This Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2012, by and among Neuberger Berman Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (“Manager”) NB Alternative Investment Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser” and together with the Manager, the “NB Parties”) and GAMCO Asset Management Inc., a New York corporation (“Sub-Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has established one or more separate series of shares (“Series” or the “Fund”) with each Series having its own assets and investment policies; and
WHEREAS, Trust has retained Manager to provide investment advisory and administrative services to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement dated December 29, 2010, which agreement specifically provides for the retention of a sub-adviser to provide the investment advisory services described therein; and
WHEREAS, Manager has retained Adviser to provide certain investment advisory service to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 15, 2012, which agreement provides that Adviser is responsible for the selection and monitoring of sub-advisers for certain Series; and
WHEREAS, NB Parties desires to retain Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory and portfolio management services to the portion of each Series listed in Schedule A attached hereto that has been allocated to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser and to the portion of such other Series of Trust hereinafter established as agreed to from time to time by the parties (“Allocated Portion”), evidenced by an addendum to Schedule A (hereinafter “Series” shall refer to each Series which is subject to this Agreement), and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUB-ADVISER
1.1 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall act as the investment subadviser to the Series and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Allocated Portion in a manner consistent with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions
and the investment guidelines as provided to Sub-Adviser, and (iii) determine from time to time securities and other assets to be purchased, sold, retained, borrowed or lent by the Allocated Portion, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Sub-Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer or other authorized party.
The Sub-Adviser will select brokers and dealers to effect all portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or other authorized parties, and will negotiate brokerage commissions, if applicable. The Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek to execute transactions for the Allocated Portion (i) in accordance with any written policies, practices or procedures that may be established by the Board of Trustees or the Manager from time to time and which have been provided to the Sub-Adviser or (ii) as described in the Series’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. In placing any orders for the purchase or sale
of investments for the Series, in the name of the Allocated Portion or its nominees, the Sub-Adviser shall seek to obtain for the Allocated Portion “best execution”, considering all of the circumstances, and shall maintain records adequate to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Manager, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, or any of their affiliated persons, except in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Series.
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will not execute any portfolio transactions for the Allocated Portion with a broker or dealer which is (i) an affiliated person of the Fund, including the NB Parties or any other sub-adviser for the Fund; (ii) a principal underwriter of the Fund's shares; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter, unless such transactions are (x) exempt under Rules 10f-3(b) or 17a-10 under the 1940 Act, (y) executed in accordance with Rule 17e-1 of the 1940 Act and the Fund's Rule 17e-1 procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 or (z) executed in accordance with Rule 10f-3(c) of the 1940 Act and the Fund's Rule 10f-3(c) procedures, as adopted in
accordance with Rule 10f-3. The Manager agrees that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of such brokers and dealers and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide the Manager with a written list of brokers and dealers that are affiliates of the Sub-Adviser and will, upon request of the Manager, update such list as necessary.
Subject to the appropriate policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) cause the Allocated Portion to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage or research services to the Manager, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the Allocated Portion an amount of commission for effecting a Series transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines, in good faith, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relationship to the value of such brokerage or research
services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-
Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Series or its other advisory clients. To the extent authorized by Section 28(e) and the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of such action. The NB Parties and the Trust understand that any transactions in accordance with Section 28(e) may not be for the exclusive benefit of the Trust.
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Allocated Portion as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner which the Sub-Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Allocated Portion and to its other clients over time.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide reasonable assistance to the Manager, the custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A with respect to the Series (“Registration Statement”), the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Allocated Portion for which the Manager, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the
security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Manager’s Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) assisting the Manager or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Allocated Portion, upon the reasonable request of the Manager or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Manager or the custodian, providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Manager or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Trust records.
It is understood and agreed that the words “Gabelli”, “GAMCO” and any derivatives thereof are and shall remain the property of the Sub-Adviser for copyright and all other purposes. The Sub-Adviser hereby grants a limited license to Manager for the use of such words solely for the purpose of regulatory or other required governmental filings or reports, and for use with Sub-Adviser’s prior consent in marketing and sales materials relating to the Series sub-advised by the Sub-Advisor, which limited license shall be revocable at any time and immediately upon notice by Sub-Adviser. The Manager further agrees that the words “Gabelli”, “GAMCO” and
any derivatives thereof may freely be used by the Sub-Adviser and any affiliates thereof for other investment companies, entities or products. The Manager further agrees that, in the event that the Sub-Adviser shall cease to act as investment adviser to the Series, the NB Parties shall take, and shall cause such Series to take, as soon as practicable thereafter all necessary
and appropriate action to change its name to a name or names not including the words “Gabelli”, “GAMCO” or any derivatives thereof; provided, however, that the NB Parties (including the Fund) may continue to use such words if the Sub-Adviser gives its prior written consent to such use.
The Series hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Sub-Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect or execute any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Series which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Series hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).
The Sub-Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the officers and Trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”) and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series as adopted by the Trustees, and subject to such further limitations as the Series may from time to time impose by written notice to the Sub-Adviser and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust, Series or the NB Parties in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust, Series or the NB Parties except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust, the NB Parties and the Sub-Adviser.
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall:
1.2.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that all records required to be maintained and preserved by the Trust and/or the Series with respect to securities transactions effected by the Sub-Adviser are maintained and preserved by it or on its behalf in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.2 REPORTS AND FILINGS. Provide reasonable assistance as needed in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by Trust or the Series to shareholders of the Series and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Series, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Series, under federal and state securities and tax laws. Sub-Adviser shall review draft reports to shareholders, Registration Statements or portions thereof that relate to the Series or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications
or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents. Sub-Adviser will prepare and cause to be filed in a timely manner Form 13F and, if required, Schedule 13G with respect to securities held for the account of the Allocated Portion that is advised by Sub-Adviser.
1.2.3 REPORTS TO THE NB PARTIES AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Prepare and furnish to NB Parties and/or the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at
such intervals as NB Parties and/or the Board may reasonably request. Sub-Adviser shall also make available to the NB Parties and the Board at reasonable times its portfolio managers for the Series and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the NB Parties and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the NB Parties, the Board and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone or other electronic media, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Series;
1.2.4 NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO NB PARTIES. The Sub-Adviser shall:
(i) Promptly notify the NB Parties in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (a) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (b) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (c) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; (d) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or
investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, or the NB Parties or any of their affiliates; or (e) is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act).
The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the NB Parties promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Series, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement
contained therein relating to the Sub-Adviser or its investment program that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively, in both cases either prior to or immediately after such event. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board of any change in the Sub-Adviser’s financial condition which would adversely impact its abilities to perform its duties hereunder and of any reduction in the amount of coverage under the Sub-Adviser’s errors and omissions or professional liability
insurance coverage;
(ii) Provide the NB Parties, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the NB Parties, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund’s Registration Statement, Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(iii) As reasonably requested by the Trust on behalf of the Trust’s officers and in accordance with the scope of Sub-Adviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement (i.e., with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder), Sub-Adviser will provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in connection with the Trust’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Sub-Adviser agrees to (a) certify periodically, upon the reasonable request of the Trust, that with respect to the Allocated Portion and the
Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder, it is in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws”, as required by Rule 38a-l under the 1940 Act, and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (b) upon request and reasonable prior notice, cooperate with third-party audits arranged by the Trust to evaluate the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance controls; (c) upon request and reasonable prior notice, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with direct access to its chief compliance officer (or his/her designee); (d) upon request, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with periodic reports and (e) promptly provide notice of any material compliance matters relating to the Sub-Adviser’s provision of services hereunder; and
(iv) Within forty-five days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise requested, provide the NB Parties with a certification from the president, chief operating officer or a vice-president of the Sub-Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the Manager, the Sub-Adviser shall permit the NB Parties or its employees to examine the reports
required to be made to the Trust’s Board under Rule 17j-1(c)(2)(ii) and other records relevant to such report.
1.2.4 OTHER SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall perform such other functions of management and supervision as may be reasonably requested by the NB Parties and agreed to by the Sub-Adviser.
2. REPRESENTATIONS
2.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser represents warrants and agrees that:
(i)
It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”) and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) It has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”) and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of such Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto;
(iv) It has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents (“Compliance Procedures”) and, the Adviser and the Trust have been provided a copy of a summary of the Compliance Procedures and any amendments thereto;
(v) It has delivered to the NB Parties copies of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and upon request will provide the Manager and the Trust with a copy of any future filings of Form ADV or any amendments thereto;
(vi) It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to a Fund pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation;
(vii) It shall use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in or come into its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates or employees, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Series; and
(viii) It maintains an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage from an insurance company that has a minimum credit rating of A- from at least one national recognized credit rating agency.
2.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE NB PARTIES: The NB Parties each represent warrant and agree that:
(i)_
It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement.
(iii) It maintains an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage from an insurance company that has a minimum credit rating of A- from at least one national recognized credit rating agency.
3. ADVISORY FEE
3.1 FEE. As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement, Manager shall pay the Sub-Adviser an annual fee as set out in Schedule B to this Agreement.
3.2 COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The advisory fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable within 30 days of the last day of each calendar quarter (
i.e.
, March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). The daily fee accruals shall be computed by multiplying the fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual advisory fee rate (as set forth in Schedule B hereto), and multiplying this product by the net assets of the relevant Series or Allocated Portion thereof, determined in the manner established by the Trustees, as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on
which the Series' net asset value was determined.
3.3 EXPENSES
During the term of this agreement, the Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses directly incurred by it on its own behalf in connection with its activities under this Agreement other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any) purchased for any Series. The Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for all the costs associated with any special meetings of the Trustees or shareholders convened for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser (including, but not limited to, the legal fees associated with preparing a proxy statement and associated mailing and solicitation costs).
4. OWNERSHIP AND HOLDING PERIOD OF RECORDS
All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Series pursuant to the rules or regulations under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and maintained and preserved by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Series are the property of the Series and shall be surrendered by the Sub-Adviser promptly on request by the Series or the NB Parties; provided, that the Sub-Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records. The Sub-Adviser agrees to preserve for the period prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
5. TRANSACTIONS AND CUSTODY
All transactions will be consummated by payment to or delivery by a custodian, which may include a futures commission merchant, designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Allocated Portion, and
the Sub-Adviser
shall not have possession or custody
thereof
. The Sub-Adviser
shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust, to the
NB Parties
and any other designated agent of the Fund, including the Fund’s Administrator, all investment orders
for the Allocated Portion
placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, communication via
electronic means will be acceptable as agreed to in writing
from time to time
by the
NB Parties
. The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by
the
Sub-Adviser
. The Sub-Adviser will not serve as a custodian to the Trust.
6. REPORTS TO SUB-ADVISER
NB Parties shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Sub-Adviser such copies of the Registration Statement, financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to the Series' business and affairs as the Sub-Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sub-Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as reasonably required to execute transactions on behalf of the Series, and will keep confidential any non-public information obtained directly as a result of this service relationship, and the Sub-Adviser shall disclose such non-public information only if the NB Parties or the Trustees have authorized such disclosure by prior written consent, or if such information is or hereafter otherwise is known by the Sub-Adviser or has been disclosed, directly or indirectly, by the NB Parties or the Trust to others becomes ascertainable from public
or published information or trade sources, or if such disclosure is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state regulatory authorities, or to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required by auditors or attorneys of the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of their professional services or as may otherwise be contemplated by this Agreement. Sub-Adviser shall not disclose information regarding characteristics of the Series or Allocated Portion, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings and/or as required or permitted by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may disclose the total return earned by the Allocated Portion and may include such total return in the
calculation of composite performance information.
Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Series concerning transactions in securities or other assets for any investment portfolio of the Trusts, including the Funds, except that such consultations are permitted between the current and successor sub-advisers of a Fund in order to effect an orderly transition of sub-advisory duties so long as such consultations are not concerning transactions prohibited by Section 17(a) of the 1940 Act.
8. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS
Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser to render investment management services to other investment companies, to act as investment Sub-Adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.
9. PROXY VOTING
The Sub-Adviser shall vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Allocated Portion may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Allocation Portion; and provide information to the Trust, NB Parties or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust’s compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act.
10. USE OF NAMES AND LOGOS OF TRUST AND MANAGER
The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the NB Parties, the Trust, the Series or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the NB Parties. It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in
effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any director, officer, agent, employee or controlling person of the Sub-Adviser performing services for the Series in connection with the Sub-Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the NB Parties or a Series in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to protect the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent, employee or controlling person of the Sub-Adviser against any liability to Trust or a Series or its shareholders to which the Sub-Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) the Sub-Adviser's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Sub-Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus and SAI, Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Sub-Adviser or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the NB Parties or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the
Sub-Adviser for use therein, The Sub-Adviser will not be liable for any acts or omissions by the NB Parties or any third parties selected by the NB Parties, Trustees or the Trust.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the NB Parties and its controlling persons and each of their directors, officers, agents and employees, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the NB Parties or its controlling persons or such directors, officers, agents or employees are subject under a final nonappealable order or judgment or a settlement to which Sub-Adviser has consented, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and which are caused by Sub-Adviser’s disabling conduct as provided in (i) and (ii) of the above paragraph; provided, however, that in no case is the
Sub-Adviser’s indemnity in favor of any person deemed to protect such other persons against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the NB Parties its officers, directors, agents, employees, controlling persons or shareholders or to the Trust or its shareholders for (i) any acts of the NB Parties or any other subadviser to the Series with respect to the portion of the assets of Series not managed by Sub-Adviser and (ii) acts of the Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts of the NB Parties, including, but not limited to, a failure of the NB Parties to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by NB Parties or any other subadviser to the Series, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser or, to the extent such records relate to the
portion of the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser, otherwise available to the Sub-Adviser upon reasonable request. The NB Parties and Sub-Adviser agree that the Sub-Adviser shall manage the Allocated Portion as if it was a separate operating portfolio and shall comply with subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1 of this Sub-Advisory Agreement (including, but not limited to, the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Series and qualifications of the Series as a regulated investment company under the Code) only with respect to the Allocated Portion. The NB Parties shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, agents and employees, against any and all Losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) arising from the conduct of the NB
Parties, its affiliates or the Series.
12. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first above written with respect to each Series listed in Schedule A on that date and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided or as provided by law, this Agreement shall remain in effect through October 31, 2013. With respect to each Series added by execution of an Addendum to Schedule
A, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of such execution and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through the second October 31following the date of execution. Thereafter, in each case, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Series from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, provided, such continuance with respect to a Series is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series or by the Trustees, provided, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto; and provided further that neither party hereto shall have notified the other party in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the first expiration date hereof or at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date hereof of any year thereafter that it does not desire such continuation. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the NB Parties, promptly upon its request, such information as the Trustees of the Trust deem reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
13. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized on behalf of any Series (i) by resolution of the Trustees, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii), as and to the extent required under the 1940 Act, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
14. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Series by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Series, voting separately from any other series of the Trust, or by the NB Parties, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately with respect to a Series if the Management Agreement between the Trust and Manager terminates with respect to that Series. This Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than one
hundred twenty (120) days’ written notice to the NB Parties and the Trust. The termination of this Agreement with respect to any Series or the addition of any Series to Schedule A hereto (in the manner required by the Act) shall not affect the continued effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to each other Series subject hereto.
15. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be
resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person,” “assignment,” “affiliated person” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified,
interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
16. CHOICE OF LAW
This Agreement is made and to be principally performed in the State of New York and except insofar as the 1940 Act or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
17. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
18. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Maxine L. Gerson
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Name:
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Maxine L. Gerson
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Title:
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Managing Director
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NB ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
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/s/ Tia Lowe
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Name:
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Tia Lowe
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer
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GAMCO ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
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/s/ Douglas R. Jamieson
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Name:
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Douglas R. Jamieson
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Title:
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President and Chief Operating Officer
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Date: May 15, 2012
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
SERIES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE B
RATE OF COMPENSATION
FUND
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RATE OF COMPENSATION BASED
ON EACH FUND'S AVERAGE
DAILY NET ASSETS ALLOCATED
TO THE SUBADVISER
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Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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Date: May 15, 2012
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
This Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2012, by and among Neuberger Berman Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Manager”), NB Alternative Investment Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser” and together with the Manager, the “NB Parties”) and Levin Capital Strategies, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Sub-Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has established one or more separate series of shares (“Series or “Fund”) with each Series having its own assets and investment policies; and
WHEREAS, Trust has retained Manager to provide investment advisory and administrative services to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement dated December 29, 2010, which agreement specifically provides for the retention of sub-advisers to provide the investment advisory services described therein; and
WHEREAS, Manager has retained Adviser to provide certain investment advisory service to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 15, 2012, which agreement provides that Adviser is responsible for the selection and monitoring of sub-advisers for certain Series; and
WHEREAS, NB Parties desire to retain Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory and portfolio management services to such portion of the assets of each Series listed in Schedule A attached hereto as is allocated to Sub-Adviser from time to time by the Adviser and to such portion of the assets of such other Series of Trust hereinafter established as agreed to from time to time by the parties (“Allocated Portion”), evidenced by an addendum to Schedule A (hereinafter the term “Series” shall refer to each Series which is subject to this Agreement), and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUB-ADVISER
1.1 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall act as an investment sub-adviser to each Series and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such relevant information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the Allocated
Portion of the Series in a manner consistent with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series, as set forth in the registration statement of Trust filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as the same may from time to time be amended (“Registration Statement”), and the investment guidelines as provided to Subadviser, and (iii) determine from time to time securities and other investments to be purchased, sold, retained or borrowed by the Allocated Portion, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected. The Sub-Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer or bank (“Brokers”) selected by the Sub-Adviser or with a futures commission merchant designated in writing delivered to the Sub-Adviser by the Manager from time to time. Any direction to the Sub-Adviser to use a particular futures commission merchant modifies the Sub-Adviser’s obligations with respect to its duty to seek best execution described herein. Manager agrees to provide reasonable advance notice in writing to the Sub-Adviser of any changes in the investment objectives, policies or restrictions of the Series and of any changes in the investment guidelines and, in the absence of such notice, the Sub-Adviser shall have no responsibility for compliance therewith. Manager further agrees to provide the Sub-Adviser copies of each amendment of the Registration Statement that includes the Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) of the Series upon the filing thereof with the SEC. The Sub-Adviser will select Brokers to effect portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser will place all necessary orders with Brokers and will negotiate brokerage commissions, if applicable. The Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek executions of transactions for the Allocated Portion (i) in accordance with such written policies, practices or procedures that may be established by the Board of Trustees or the Manager from time to time or (ii) as described in the Series’s Prospectus and SAI. Manager agrees to provide reasonable advance notice in writing to the Sub-Adviser of any changes in the polices, practices or procedures relating to portfolio transaction and, in the absence of such notice, the Sub-Adviser shall have no responsibility for compliance therewith. In placing any orders for the purchase or sale of investments for the Series, the Sub-Adviser shall seek to obtain “best execution”, considering all of the circumstances, and shall maintain records adequate to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Manager, Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, or any of their affiliated persons, except in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Series.
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will not execute any portfolio transactions for the Allocated Portion with a Broker which is (i) an affiliated person of the Series, including the Manager, Adviser or any sub-adviser for the Series; (ii) a principal underwriter of the shares of a Series; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter (collectively, “Affiliated Brokers”), unless such transactions are (x) exempt under Rules 10f-3(b) or 17a-10, (y) executed in accordance with Rule 17e-1 of the 1940 Act and the Rule 17e-1 procedures of the Series, as adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 or (z)executed in accordance with Rule 10f-3(c) of the 1940 Act and the Rule 10f-3(c) procedures of the Series, as adopted in accordance with Rule 10f-3. The Manager agrees
that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of such Affiliated Brokers to which the foregoing restrictions apply and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide the Manager with a written list of its affiliates that are Affiliated Brokers and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary. In addition, the Manager agrees that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of affiliates of the Manager and the Trust to which investment restrictions apply, including identification of all publicly traded issuers in which the Series may not invest (including ticker symbols) and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary.
Subject to the appropriate policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) cause a Series to pay a Broker that provides brokerage or research services to the Sub-Adviser an amount of commission for effecting a transaction for a Series in excess of the amount of commission another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines, in good faith, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relationship to the value of such brokerage or research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Series or its other advisory clients. To the extent authorized by Section 28(e) and the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of such action. Subject to the ability of the Sub-Adviser to obtain best executions, the Board of Trustees or the Manager may direct the Sub-Adviser to effect transactions in portfolio securities for a Series through Brokers designated by the Manager in a manner that will help generate resources to pay the cost of certain expenses that such Series is required to pay or for which such Series is required to arrange payment. The Sub-Adviser shall have no responsibility to Manager or to a Series for acting pursuant to any such direction and shall be fully indemnified therefor, and Manager acknowledges that the Series may be affected adversely by any such direction to the extent that: (i) the Sub-Adviser will be unable to seek benefits for the Series that might otherwise be obtained through the aggregation of orders of the Series with orders for other clients of the Sub-Adviser; or (ii) under the policies of the Sub-Adviser, aggregated orders for clients may be placed prior to any directed brokerage orders for the Series.
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security or other investment to be in the best interest of a Series as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate orders of the Series and such other clients for the purchase or sale of such security or other investment to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in a manner that the Sub-Adviser considers to be the fair and equitable to the Series and to its other clients over time.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide assistance to the Manager, the custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust's registration statement on Form N-1A with respect to the Series ("Registration Statement"), the value of any portfolio securities or
other assets of the Allocated Portion for which the Manager, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be made reasonably available to the Manager for consultation; (ii) assisting the Manager or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from Brokers with respect to securities held by the Allocated Portion, upon the reasonable request of the Manager or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Manager or the custodian, confirming pricing and providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Manager or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Trust records.
The Series hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Manager or the Sub-Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect or execute any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Series which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Series hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).
The Sub-Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the officers and Trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series as adopted by the Trustees, and subject to such further investment limitations as the Series may from time to time impose by prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust, Series or the NB Parties in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust, Series or the NB Parties except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust, the NB Parties and the Sub-Adviser.
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall:
1.2.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that such records required to be maintained and preserved with respect to transactions by the Series pursuant to paragraphs (b)(5), (b)(6), (b)(9), (b)(10) and (f) of Rule 30a-1 under the 1940 Act for the Allocated Portion, in each case solely with respect to transactions for the Allocated Portion and services rendered to the Allocated Portion by the Sub-Adviser.
1.2.2 REPORTS AND FILINGS. Provide reasonable assistance as needed in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by Trust or the Series to shareholders of the Series and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Series, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Series, under federal and state securities and tax laws. Sub-Adviser shall review draft
reports to shareholders, Registration Statements or portions thereof that relate to the Series or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents. Sub-Adviser will prepare and cause to be filed in a timely manner Form 13F and, if required, Schedule 13G with respect to securities held for the account of the Series that is advised by Sub-Adviser. Manager shall provide Sub-Adviser drafts of all such documents reasonably in advance of any date by which such documents require comments and/or are required to be reviewed, certified, sub-certified, prepared and/or filed, as applicable.
1.2.3 REPORTS TO THE MANAGER, THE ADVISER AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Prepare and furnish to Manager, Adviser and/or the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as Manager, Adviser and/or the Board may reasonably request. Sub-Adviser shall also make available to the Manager, Adviser and the Board at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Manager, Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Manager, Adviser, the Board and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone or other electronic media, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Series.
1.2.4 NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO MANAGER. The Sub-Adviser shall:
(i) Promptly notify the NB Parties in the event that the Sub-Adviser becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (a) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (b) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act
or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement
; (c) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; (d) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of
the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, or the NB Parties
relating to services provided to the Trust; or (e) is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act).
The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the NB Parties promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Registration Statement, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will notify the NB Parties if its chief executive officer or any member of its portfolio management team for the Series named in the Registration Statement changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and
Advisers Act, respectively, in both cases either prior to or immediately after such event. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the NB Parties of any change in the Sub-Adviser’s financial condition which would impact its abilities to perform its duties hereunder
and of any reduction in the amount of the stated coverage under the Sub-Adviser's errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage
;
(ii) Provide the NB Parties, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Manager, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Registration Statement or Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs of the Trust;
(iii) As reasonably requested by the Trust on behalf of the Trust’s officers and in accordance with the scope of Sub-Adviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement (i.e., with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder), Sub-Adviser will provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in connection with the Trust’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Sub-Adviser agrees to (a) certify periodically, upon the reasonable request of the Trust, that with respect to the management of the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder, such management and services have been rendered in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws”, as defined by Rule 38a-l under the 1940 Act and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (b) upon request and reasonable prior notice, cooperate with third-party audits arranged by the Trust to evaluate the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance controls; (c) upon request and reasonable prior notice, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with direct access to its chief compliance officer (or his/her designee); (d) upon request, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with periodic reports as he or she may reasonably request; and (e) promptly provide notice of any material compliance matters; and
(iv) Within forty-five days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise requested, provide the NB Parties with a certification from the president, chief operating officer or a vice-president of the Sub-Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the NB Parties, the Sub-Adviser shall provide the NB Parties, their employees or agents with such information relating to compliance by the Sub-Adviser and its personnel with Rule 17j-1 as applicable to the Trust and the procedures of the Sub-Adviser relating thereto as may reasonably be necessary for the Manager to monitor such compliance.
1.2.4 OTHER SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall perform such other functions of management and supervision as may be reasonably requested by the NB Parties and agreed to by the Sub-Adviser.
2. REPRESENTATIONS
2.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser represents warrants and agrees that:
(i) It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act
and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement
;
(iii) It has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”) and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of such Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto;
(iv) It has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents, and has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the “federal securities laws,” as defined by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, with respect to services provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement (“Compliance Procedures”), and the Manager has been provided a copy of a summary of the Compliance Procedures and any amendments thereto;
(v) It has delivered to the NB Parties copies of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will provide the Manager with a copy of any future filings of Form ADV or any amendments thereto;
(vi) It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly notify the Manager of the occurrence of any event of which the Sub-Adviser has knowledge that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to the Series pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation;
(vii) It shall use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in or come into its possession or, to the knowledge of the Sub-Adviser, the possession of any of its affiliates or employees, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Series; and
(viii) It maintains what it believes in its sole judgement to be an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage, from an insurance company. that has a minimum credit rating of A- from at least one national recognized credit rating agency at the time the policy is obtained or renewed.
2.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE NB PARTIES. The NB Parties each represent warrant and agree that:
(i) It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) It has delivered to the Sub-Adviser copies of the Registration Statement as most recently filed with the SEC and will provide the Sub-Adviser with a copy of all amendments and supplements thereto relating to the Series;
(iv) This Agreement has been duly approved by the Trust and the Board in accordance with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
3. ADVISORY FEE
3.1 FEE. As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement, Manager shall pay the Sub-Adviser a fee with respect to each Series computed at the applicable annual percentage rate set forth in Schedule B to this Agreement.
3.2 COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The advisory fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable within 30 days of the last day of each calendar quarter
(i.e., March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). The daily fee accruals shall be computed by multiplying the fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by
the applicable annual
advisory fee rate (as set forth in Schedule B hereto), and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series, determined in the manner established by the Trustees, as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on which the Series'' net asset value was determined.
In the event that with respect to a Series this Agreement becomes effective after the beginning of a calendar quarter or terminates prior to the end of a calendar quarter, the advisory fee payable by such Series for such quarter shall be pro rated based upon the number of days in such quarter for which this Agreement was effective bears to the total number of days in such quarter. In computing the advisory fee, the value of the net assets of a Series shall be determined in accordance with the valuation policies and procedures of the Trust applicable to such Series.
3.3 EXPENSES . During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its providing of services under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible, however, for any investment-related expenses of the Series (including, but not limited to, the cost of securities and other investments purchased by the Series, transaction-related expenses such as brokerage commissions or any fees or charges associated with transactions), taxes, interest or any other expenses of the Series. The Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for all reasonable costs associated with
any special meetings of the Trustees convened for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser (including, but not limited to, legal fees).
4. OWNERSHIP AND HOLDING PERIOD OF RECORDS
All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Series pursuant to the rules or regulations under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act that are maintained and preserved by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with Section 1.2.1 of this Agreement (other than the records specified by paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1) are the property of the Series and shall be surrendered by the Sub-Adviser promptly on request by the Series or the NB Parties; provided, that the Sub-Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records. The Sub-Adviser agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records it is required to maintain pursuant to Section 1.2.1 of this Agreement.
5. TRANSACTIONS AND CUSTODY
All transactions for the Series will be consum
mated by payment to or delivery by the custodian designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Allocated Portion, and the Sub-Adviser shall not have possession or custody thereof. The Sub-Adviser shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust, to the NB Parties and any other designated agent of the
Trust, including the Trust’
s Administrator, all investment orders for the Allocated Portion placed by it with
Brokers. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, communication via electronic means will be acceptable as agreed to in writing from time to time by the NB Parties. The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions
as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by the Sub-Adviser.
6. REPORTS TO SUB-ADVISER
NB Parties shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Sub-Adviser such copies of the Registration Statement, financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to the Series’’ business and affairs as the Sub-Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sub-Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement as reasonably required to provide services pursuant to this Agreement, or upon express and written authorization by the Manager or Trust, and will otherwise: (i) keep confidential any non-public information obtained directly as a result of this service relationship, and (ii) disclose such non-public information only if the NB Parties or the Board has authorized such disclosure by prior written consent, or if such information is or hereafter otherwise is known by the Sub-Adviser or has been disclosed, directly or
indirectly, by the Manager, Adviser or the Trust to others becomes ascertainable from public or published information or trade sources, or if such disclosure is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state regulatory authorities, or to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required by auditors or attorneys of the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of their professional services or as may otherwise be contemplated by this Agreement. Sub-Adviser shall not disclose information regarding the trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information of the Allocated Portion to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings and/or as required by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may disclose the total return earned by the Allocated Portion and may include such total return in its calculation of composite performance information.
Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Series concerning transactions in securities or other assets for any investment portfolio of the Trust, including the Series, in any manner that would violate Section 7 hereof or that would violate applicable law.
8. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS
The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants that in no event shall it enter into an agreement after the date hereof to manage assets of any other investment company registered under the 1940 Act in substantially the same investment strategy used in managing the Allocated Portion for a period of one-year from the date the Fund commences investment operations.
The Manager acknowledges receipt of Part 2 of Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser (the “ADV”), on or before the date of this Agreement.
9. PROXY VOTING
The Sub-Adviser shall: vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Allocated Portion may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Series in respect of the Allocated Portion; and provide information to the Trust, Manager or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust’s compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act.
10. USE OF NAMES AND LOGOS
The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name and the names of its affiliates in the Trust’s disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any of their
affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Manager. It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any partner, officer or employee of the Sub-Adviser performing services for the Series in connection with the Sub-Adviser’’s discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the NB Parties or a Series in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to protect the Sub-Adviser against any liability to Trust or a Series or its shareholders to which the Sub-Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) the Sub-Adviser’’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence, or the Sub-Adviser’’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact pertaining to the Sub-Adviser contained in the Prospectus and SAI, Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements or sales literature or the omission to state therein a material fact pertaining to the Sub-Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements regarding the Sub-Adviser therein not misleading, but only if and to the extent such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser specifically for use in such document.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the NB Parties and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, agents and employees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the NB Parties or its affiliates or such directors, officers, agents or employees are subject, which are caused by Sub-Adviser’s disabling conduct as provided in (i) and (ii) of the above paragraph; provided, however, that in no case shall Sub-Adviser be required to indemnify any such person against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligation and duties under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the NB Parties, their officers, directors, agents, employees, controlling persons or shareholders or to the Trust or its shareholders for (i) any acts of the NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series or (ii) acts of the Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts or directions of the NB Parties or the Trust (or any of their agents) or information provided by the NB Parties or the Trust (or any of their agents), including, but not limited to, a failure of the NB Parties or the Trust
to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser or, to the extent such records relate to the portion of the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser, otherwise available to the Sub-Adviser upon reasonable request. The NB Parties and Sub-Adviser each agree that the Sub-Adviser shall manage the Allocated Portion and comply with subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1 of this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Series and qualifications of the Series as a regulated investment company under the Code) as if the Allocated Portion were a separate operating portfolio of the Trust and without regard to any other holdings, transactions, income of the Series. The NB Parties shall indemnify the Sub-Adviser from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal fees and other expenses) arising from the conduct of the NB Parties, the Trust or the Series.
After receipt by the NB Parties or Sub-Adviser or any party entitled to be indemnified under this Agreement (the “Indemnified Party”) of notice of commencement of any action if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any person obligated to provide indemnification pursuant to this Agreement (the “Indemnifying Party”), such Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement thereof as soon as practicable after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim that has been served upon the Indemnified Party; provided that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability under this Agreement except to the extent that the failure to provide such notice results in a failure of actual notice to the Indemnifying Party and such Indemnifying Party is damaged solely as a result of the failure to give such notice. The Indemnifying Party, upon the request of the Indemnified Party, shall retain counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party in the proceeding, and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party and representation by both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Party against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement of judgment to the extent provided by this Agreement.
12. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first above written with respect to each Series listed in Schedule A on that date and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter
provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through October 31, 2013. With respect to each Series added by execution of an Addendum to Schedule A, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of such execution and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through the second October 31 following the date of such execution. Thereafter, in each case, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Series from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, provided, that each such continuance with respect to a Series is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series or by the Trustees and that, in either event, such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party
hereto; and provided further that neither party hereto shall have notified the other party in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the first expiration date hereof or at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date hereof of any year thereafter that it is
thereby giving prior written notice of termination of this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the NB Parties, promptly upon their request, such information as the Board deems reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
13. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective unless approved on behalf of any Series by the Board and by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto in such manner as may be required by the 1940 Act, and (ii) as and to the extent required under the 1940 Act, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
14. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Series by a vote of a majority of Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Series, voting separately from any other series of the Trust, or by the NB Parties, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than 30 nor more than sixty (60) days’’ prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately with respect to a Series if the Management Agreement between the Trust and Manager terminates with respect to that Series. This Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the NB Parties and the Trust. The termination of this Agreement with respect to any Series or the addition of any Series to Schedule A hereto (in the manner required by the 1940 Act) shall not affect the continued effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to each other Series subject hereto. Provisions of this Agreement relating to indemnification shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
15. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of or term used in this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision or term shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
16. CHOICE OF LAW
This Agreement is made and to be principally performed in the State of New York and, except insofar as the 1940 Act or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
17. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
18. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Maxine L. Gerson
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Name:
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Maxine L. Gerson
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Title:
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Managing Director
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NB ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
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/s/ Tia Lowe
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Name:
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Tia Lowe
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer
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LEVIN CAPITAL STRATEGIES, L.P.
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/s/ Glenn A. Aigen
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Name:
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Glenn A. Aigen
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Title:
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President
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
SERIES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE B
RATE OF COMPENSATION
SERIES
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ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE OF COMPENSATION BASED ON EACH SERIES’S AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE ALLOCATED PORTION
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Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
This Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2012, by and among Neuberger Berman Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Manager”), NB Alternative Investment Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser” and together with the Manager, the “NB Parties”) and MacKay Shields LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sub-Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has established one or more separate series of shares (“Series”) with each Series having its own assets and investment policies; and
WHEREAS, Trust has retained Manager to provide investment advisory and administrative services to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement dated December 29, 2010, which agreement specifically provides for the retention of a sub-adviser to provide the investment advisory services described therein; and
WHEREAS, Manager has retained Adviser to provide certain investment advisory service to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 15, 2012, which agreement provides that Adviser is responsible for the selection and monitoring of sub-advisers for certain Series; and
WHEREAS, NB Parties desire to retain Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory and portfolio management services to the portion of each Series listed in Schedule A attached hereto that has been allocated to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser and to the portion of such other Series of Trust hereinafter established as agreed to from time to time by the parties (“Allocated Portion”), evidenced by an addendum to Schedule A (hereinafter “Series” shall refer to each Series which is subject to this Agreement), and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUB-ADVISER
1.1 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall act as the investment subadviser to the Series and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Allocated Portion in a manner consistent with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions
and the investment guidelines as provided to the Subadviser, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained, borrowed or lent by the Allocated Portion, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Sub-Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer.
The Sub-Adviser will select brokers and dealers to effect all portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and will negotiate brokerage commissions, if applicable. The Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek to execute transactions for the Allocated Portion (i) in accordance with any written policies, practices or procedures that may be established by the Board of Trustees or the Manager from time to time and which have been provided in writing to the Sub-Adviser or (ii) as described in the Series’ Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information in effect from time to time and as furnished to the Sub-Adviser. In placing any orders for the purchase or sale of investments for the Series, in the name of the Allocated Portion or its nominees, the Sub-Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain for the Allocated Portion “best execution”, considering all of the circumstances, and shall maintain records adequate to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Manager, Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, or any of their affiliated persons, except in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Series. The Manager agrees that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of affiliated persons of the Manager and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary.
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will not execute any portfolio transactions for the Allocated Portion with a broker or dealer which is (i) an affiliated person of the Fund, including the Manager, Adviser or any sub-adviser for the Fund; (ii) a principal underwriter of the Fund's shares; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter, unless such transactions are (x) exempt under Rules 10f-3(b) or 17a-10, (y) executed in accordance with Rule 17e-1 of the 1940 Act and the Fund's Rule 17e-1 procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 or (z) executed in accordance with Rule 10f-3(c) of the 1940 and the Fund's Rule 10f-3(c) procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 10f-3. The Manager agrees that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of such brokers and dealers and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide the Manager with a written list of brokers and dealers that are affiliates of the Sub-Adviser and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary.
Subject to the appropriate policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) cause the Allocated Portion to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage or research services to the Manager, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the Allocated Portion an amount of commission for effecting a Series transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines, in good faith, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relationship to the value of such brokerage or research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Series or its other advisory clients. To the extent authorized by Section 28(e) and the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of such action. Subject to seeking best execution, the Board of Trustees or the Manager may direct the Sub-Adviser to effect transactions in portfolio securities through broker-dealers in a manner that will help generate resources to pay the cost of certain expenses that the Trust is required to pay or for which the Trust is required to arrange payment.
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Allocated Portion as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner which the Sub-Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Allocated Portion and to its other clients over time.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide assistance to the Manager, the custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A with respect to the Series (“Registration Statement”), the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Allocated Portion for which the Manager, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Manager’s Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) assisting the Manager or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Allocated Portion, upon the reasonable request of the Manager or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Manager or the custodian, confirming pricing and providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Manager or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Trust records.
The Series hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Sub-Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect or execute any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Series which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Series hereby consents to the
retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).
The Sub-Adviser is authorized to retain legal counsel and financial advisors, negotiate and execute documentation relating to investments by the Series and, in connection with the foregoing, participate in, settle or dispose of legal proceedings on behalf of the Series, as reasonable in the Sub-Adviser’s judgment on behalf of the Series. Such documentation and legal proceedings may relate to investments to be made or sold, currently held or previously held. The Sub-Adviser is authorized to negotiate and execute (i) documentation relating to private placements and bank debt, (ii) waivers, consents, amendments or other modifications relating to investments, and (iii) purchase agreements, sales agreements, commitment letters, pricing letters, registration rights agreements, indemnities and contributions, escrow agreements and other investment related agreements that it deems reasonably necessary to carrying out its duties under the Agreement. The Manager agrees that the Series shall pay the costs of such legal counsel and financial advisors relating to the foregoing matters so long as the Manager is notified in advance of such engagement, is provided with an estimate of such costs and does not object to incurring such costs.
The Sub-Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the officers and Trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”) and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series as adopted by the Trustees, and subject to such further limitations as the Series may from time to time impose by written notice to the Sub-Adviser and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust, Series or the NB Parties in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust, Series or the NB Parties except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust, the NB Parties and the Sub-Adviser.
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall:
1.2.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that all records required to be maintained and preserved by Trust and/or the Series with respect to securities transactions are maintained and preserved by it or on its behalf in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.2 REPORTS AND FILINGS. Provide reasonable assistance as needed in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by Trust or the Series to shareholders of the Series and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Series, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Series, under federal and state securities and tax laws. Sub-Adviser shall review draft reports to shareholders, Registration Statements or portions thereof that relate to the Series or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents. Sub-Adviser will prepare and cause to be filed in a timely manner Form 13F
and, if required, Schedule 13G with respect to securities held for the account of the Series that is advised by Sub-Adviser.
1.2.3 REPORTS TO THE MANAGER, THE ADVISER AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Prepare and furnish to Manager, Adviser and/or the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as Manager, Adviser and/or the Board may reasonably request. Sub-Adviser shall also make available to the Manager, Adviser and the Board at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Manager, Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Manager, Adviser the Board and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone or other electronic media, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Series;
1.2.4 NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO MANAGER. The Sub-Adviser shall:
(i) Promptly notify the NB Parties in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (a) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (b) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (c) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; (d) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, or the NB Parties; or (e) is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding relating to investment management activities brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act).
The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the NB Parties promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Series, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively, in both cases either prior to or immediately after such event. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board of any change in the Sub-Adviser’s financial condition which would impact its abilities to perform its duties hereunder and of any reduction in the amount of coverage under the Sub-Adviser’s errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage;
(ii) Provide the NB Parties, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Manager, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund’s Registration Statement, Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(iii) As reasonably requested by the Trust on behalf of the Trust’s officers and in accordance with the scope of Sub-Adviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement (i.e., with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder), Sub-Adviser will provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in connection with the Trust’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Sub-Adviser agrees to (a) certify periodically, upon the reasonable request of the Trust, that with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder, it is in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws”, as required by Rule 38a-l under the 1940 Act, and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (b) upon written request and reasonable prior notice, cooperate with third-party audits arranged by the Trust to evaluate the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance controls; (c) upon written request and reasonable prior notice, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with direct access to its chief compliance officer (or his/her designee); (d) upon written request, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with periodic reports and (e) promptly provide notice of any material compliance matters; and
(iv) Within forty-five days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise requested, provide the NB Parties with a certification from the president, chief compliance officer or a managing director of the Sub-Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the NB Parties with reasonable prior notice, the Sub-Adviser shall permit the NB Parties, their employees or agents to examine the reports required to be made to the Sub-Adviser by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) and all other records relevant to the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics at a mutually convenient time during regular business hours.
1.2.5 OTHER SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall perform such other functions of management and supervision as may be reasonably requested by the NB Parties and agreed to by the Sub-Adviser.
2. REPRESENTATIONS
2.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser represents warrants and agrees that:
(i)
It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) It has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”) and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of such Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto;
(iv) It has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents (“Compliance Procedures”) and, the Adviser and the Trust have been provided a copy of the Compliance Procedures and any amendments thereto;
( v) It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to a Fund pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation;
(vi) In providing investment advice or investment management services to the Series, it shall not use any material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in or come into its possession or the possession of any of its employees, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information; and
(vii) It maintains an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage from an insurance company that has a minimum credit rating of A- from at least one national recognized credit rating agency.
2.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE NB PARTIES: The NB Parties each represent warrants and agrees that:
(i)_
It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement.
3. SUB-ADVISORY FEE
3.1 FEE. As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement, Manager shall pay the Sub-Adviser
an annual sub-advisory fee as set out in Schedule B to this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants that in no event shall the Sub-Adviser provide investment advisory services to any U.S. registered open-end investment company client (i) with a similar investment strategy to the strategy it employs in providing such services to the Allocated Portion pursuant to this Agreement and presented in the same performance composite, and (ii) not affiliated with the Sub-Adviser, at a rate of compensation less than that provided for in Schedule B.
3.2 COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The sub-advisory fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable within 30 days of the last day of each calendar quarter (
i.e.
, March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). The daily fee accruals shall be computed by multiplying the fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual sub-advisory fee rate (as set forth in Schedule B hereto), and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series, determined in the manner established by the Trustees, as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on which the Series' net asset value was determined.
3.3 EXPENSES
During the term of this Agreement, except as provided in Section 1.1, the Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any) purchased for any Series. The Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for all the costs associated with any special meetings of the Trustees or shareholders convened for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser (including, but not limited to, the legal fees associated with preparing a proxy statement and associated mailing and solicitation costs).
4. OWNERSHIP AND HOLDING PERIOD OF RECORDS
All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Series pursuant to the rules or regulations under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and maintained and preserved by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Series are the property of the Series and shall be surrendered by the Sub-Adviser promptly on request by the Series or the NB Parties; provided, that the Sub-Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records. The Sub-Adviser agrees to preserve for the period prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
5. TRANSACTIONS AND CUSTODY
All transactions will be consummated by payment to or delivery by the custodiandesignated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Allocated Portion, and
the Sub-Adviser
shall not have possession or custody thereof
. The Sub-Adviser
shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust, to the NB Parties and any other designated agent of the Trust, including the Trust’s Administrator, all investment orders
for the Allocated Portion
placed by it with brokers and dealers at
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the time and in the manner set forth in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, communication via electronic means will be acceptable as agreed to in writing
from time to time
by the NB Parties. The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by
the Sub-Adviser
.
6. REPORTS TO SUB-ADVISER
NB Parties shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Sub-Adviser such copies of the Registration Statement, financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to the Series' business and affairs as the Sub-Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sub-Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as reasonably required to execute transactions on behalf of the Series, and will keep confidential any non-public information obtained directly as a result of this service relationship, and the Sub-Adviser shall disclose such non-public information only if the NB Parties or the Trustees have authorized such disclosure by prior written consent, or if such information is or hereafter otherwise is known by the Sub-Adviser or has been disclosed, directly or indirectly, by the Manager, Adviser or the Trust to others becomes ascertainable from public or published information or trade sources, or if such disclosure is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state regulatory authorities, or to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required by auditors or attorneys of the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of their professional services or as may otherwise be contemplated by this Agreement. Sub-Adviser shall not disclose information regarding characteristics of the Series or Allocated Portion, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings and/or as required by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may disclose the total return earned by the Allocated Portion and may include such total return in the calculation of composite performance information.
Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Series concerning transactions in securities or other assets for any investment portfolio of the Trusts, including the Funds, except that such consultations are permitted between the current and successor sub-advisers of a Fund in order to effect an orderly transition of sub-advisory duties so long as such consultations are not concerning transactions prohibited by Section 17(a) of the 1940 Act.
8. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS
Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser to render investment management services to other investment companies, to act as investment Sub-Adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.
9. PROXY VOTING
The Sub-Adviser shall vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Allocated Portion may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Allocation Portion; and provide information to the Trust, Manager or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust’s compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act.
10. USE OF NAMES AND LOGOS
The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name in the Trust’s disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Manager. It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any director, officer or employee of the Sub-Adviser performing services for the Series in connection with the Sub-Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the NB Parties or a Series in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to protect the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser against any liability to Trust or a Series or its shareholders to which the Sub-Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Sub-Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus and SAI, Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Allocated Portion or the Sub-Adviser or the omission to state
therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if (x) the Sub-Adviser was provided the opportunity to review in advance such Prospectus and SAI, Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials in advance and to provide written comments thereon within a reasonable time, and (y) such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished in writing to the Manager or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser for use therein.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the NB Parties and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, agents and employees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the NB Parties or its affiliates or such directors, officers, agents or employees are subject, which are caused by Sub-Adviser’s disabling conduct as provided in (i) and (ii) of the above paragraph; provided, however, that in no case is the Sub-Adviser’s indemnity in favor of any person deemed to protect such other persons against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligation and duties under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the NB Parties their officers, directors, agents, employees, controlling persons or shareholders or to the Trust or its shareholders for (i) any acts of the NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series with respect to the portion of the assets of Series not managed by Sub-Adviser and (ii) acts of the Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts of the Manager, including, but not limited to, a failure of the NB Parties to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser or, to the extent such records relate to the portion of the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser, otherwise available to the Sub-Adviser upon reasonable request. The NB Parties and Sub-Adviser each agree that the Sub-Adviser shall manage the Allocated Portion as if it was a separate operating portfolio and shall comply with subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1 of this Sub-Advisory Agreement (including, but not limited to, the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Series and qualifications of the Series as a regulated investment company under the Code) only with respect to the Allocated Portion. The NB Parties shall indemnify the Sub-Adviser from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) arising from the conduct of the NB Parties or the Series.
12. DELIVERY OF FORM ADV; ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
The Sub-Adviser represents that it has furnished the NB Parties with a copy of its Form ADV Part 2A and the applicable Form ADV Part 2B (collectively, “Form ADV Part 2”) relating to the individuals responsible for managing the Series, and the Manager acknowledges that it has received such Form ADV Part 2. The Sub-Adviser further
represents that it will furnish the NB Parties with any amendments to the Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV Part 2. The NB Parties understand and agree that it is the NB Parties’ responsibility to notify the Sub-Adviser with any change to its contact information, including its email address. The NB Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Sub-Adviser may deliver in electronic form the Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV Part 2 and may deliver to the NB Parties and make reports, statements and other communications available to the NB Parties in electronic form such as electronic mail or by posting on a web site.
13. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first above written with respect to each Series listed in Schedule A on that date and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through October 31, 2013. With respect to each Series added by execution of an Addendum to Schedule A, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of such execution and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through the second October 31 following the date of execution. Thereafter, in each case, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Series from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, provided, such continuance with respect to a Series is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series or by the Trustees, provided, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto; and provided further that neither party hereto shall have notified the other party in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the first expiration date hereof or at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date hereof of any year thereafter that it does not desire such continuation. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the NB Parties, as promptly as reasonably possible upon its written request, such information as the Trustees of the Trust deem reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
14. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized on behalf of any Series (i) by resolution of the Trustees, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii), as and to the extent required under the 1940 Act, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
15. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Series by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Series, voting separately from any other series of the Trust, or by the NB Parties, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than 30 nor more than sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately with respect to a Series if the Management Agreement between the Trust and Manager terminates with respect to that Series. This Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 120 days’ written notice to the NB Parties and the Trust. The termination of this Agreement with respect to any Series or the addition of any Series to Schedule A hereto (in the manner required by the Act) shall not affect the continued effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to each other Series subject hereto.
16. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
17. CHOICE OF LAW
This Agreement is made and to be principally performed in the State of New York and except insofar as the 1940 Act or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
18. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
19. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Maxine L. Gerson
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Name:
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Maxine L. Gerson
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Title:
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Managing Director
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NB ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
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/s/ Tia Lowe
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Name:
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Tia Lowe
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer
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MACKAY SHIELDS LLC
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/s/ Lucille Protas
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Name:
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Lucille Protas
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Title:
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President
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
SERIES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE B
RATE OF COMPENSATION
FUND
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RATE OF COMPENSATION BASED
ON
EACH FUND'S AVERAGE
DAILY NET
ASSETS ALLOCATED
TO THE
SUBADVISER
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Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
This Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2012, by and among Neuberger Berman Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Manager”), NB Alternative Investment Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser” and together with the Manager, the “NB Parties”) and Sound Point Capital Management, L.P., (“Sub-Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has established one or more separate series of shares (“Series”) with each Series having its own assets and investment policies; and
WHEREAS, Trust has retained Manager to provide investment advisory and administrative services to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement dated December 29, 2010, which agreement specifically provides for the retention of a sub-adviser to provide the investment advisory services described therein; and
WHEREAS, Manager has retained Adviser to provide certain investment advisory service to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 15, 2012, which agreement provides that Adviser is responsible for the selection and monitoring of sub-advisers for certain Series;and
WHEREAS, NB Parties desire to retain Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory and portfolio management services to the portion of each Series listed in Schedule A attached hereto that has been allocated to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser and to the portion of such other Series of Trust hereinafter established as agreed to from time to time by the parties (“Allocated Portion”), evidenced by an addendum to Schedule A (hereinafter “Series” shall refer to each Series which is subject to this Agreement), and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUB-ADVISER
1.1 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall act as the investment subadviser to the Series and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Allocated Portion in a manner consistent with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions
and the investment guidelines as provided to the Subadviser, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained, borrowed or lent by the Allocated Portion, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Sub-Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer.
The Sub-Adviser will select brokers and dealers to effect all portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and will negotiate brokerage commissions, if applicable. The Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek to execute transactions for the Allocated Portion (i) in accordance with any written policies, practices or procedures that may be established by the Board of Trustees or the Manager from time to time and which have been provided to the Sub-Adviser or (ii) as described in the Series’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. In placing any orders for the purchase or sale of investments for the Series, in the name of the Allocated Portion or its nominees, the Sub-Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain for the Allocated Portion “best execution”, considering all of the circumstances, and shall maintain records adequate to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Manager, Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, or any of their affiliated persons, except in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Series.
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will not execute any portfolio transactions for the Allocated Portion with a broker or dealer which is (i) an affiliated person of the Trust, including the Manager Adviser or any sub-adviser for the Trust; (ii) a principal underwriter of the Trust's shares; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter, unless such transactions are (x) exempt under Rules 10f-3(b) or 17a-10, (y) executed in accordance with Rule 17e-1 of the 1940 Act and the Trust's Rule 17e-1 procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 or (z)executed in accordance with Rule 10f-3(c) of the 1940 and the Trust's Rule 10f-3(c) procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 10f-3. The Manager agrees that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of such brokers and dealers and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide the Manager with a written list of brokers and dealers that are affiliates of the Sub-Adviser and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary.
Subject to the appropriate policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) cause the Allocated Portion to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage or research services to the Manager, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Allocated Portion an amount of commission for effecting a Series transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines, in good faith, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relationship to the value of such brokerage or research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-
Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Series or its other advisory clients. To the extent authorized by Section 28(e) and the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of such action. Subject to seeking best execution, the Board of Trustees or the Manager may direct the Sub-Adviser to effect transactions in portfolio securities through broker-dealers in a manner that will help generate resources to pay the cost of certain expenses that the Trust is required to pay or for which the Trust is required to arrange payment.
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Allocated Portion as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner which the Sub-Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Allocated Portion and to its other clients over time.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide assistance to the Manager, the custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A with respect to the Series (“Registration Statement”), the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Allocated Portion for which the Manager, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Manager’s Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) assisting the Manager or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Allocated Portion, upon the reasonable request of the Manager or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Manager or the custodian, confirming pricing and providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Manager or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Trust records.
The Series hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Sub-Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect or execute any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Series which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Series hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).
The Sub-Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the officers and Trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”) and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series as adopted by the Trustees, and subject to such further limitations as the Series may from time to time impose by written notice to the Sub-Adviser and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust, Series or the NB Parties in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust, Series or the NB Parties except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust, the NB Parties and the Sub-Adviser.
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall:
1.2.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that all records required to be maintained and preserved by Trust and/or the Series with respect to securities transactions are maintained and preserved by it or on its behalf in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.2 REPORTS AND FILINGS. Provide reasonable assistance as needed in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by Trust or the Series to shareholders of the Series and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Series, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Series, under federal and state securities and tax laws. Sub-Adviser shall review draft reports to shareholders, Registration Statements or portions thereof that relate to the Series or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents. Sub-Adviser will prepare and cause to be filed in a timely manner Form 13F and, if required, Schedule 13G with respect to securities held for the account of the Series that is advised by Sub-Adviser.
1.2.3 REPORTS TO THE MANAGER, THE ADVISER AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Prepare and furnish to Manager, Adviser and/or the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as Manager, Adviser and/or the Board may reasonably request. Sub-Adviser shall also make available to the Manager, Adviser and the Board at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Manager, Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Manager, Adviser, the Board and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone or other electronic media, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Series;
1.2.4
NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO MANAGER. The Sub-Adviser shall:
(i) Promptly notify the NB Parties in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (a) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (b) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (c) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; (d) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, or the NB Parties; or (e) is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act).
The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the NB Parties promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Series, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Trust changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively, in both cases either prior to or immediately after such event. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board of any change in the Sub-Adviser’s financial condition which would impact its abilities to perform its duties hereunder and of any reduction in the amount of coverage under the Sub-Adviser’s errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage;
(ii) Provide the NB Parties, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Manager, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Trust’s Registration Statement, Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(iii) As reasonably requested by the Trust on behalf of the Trust’s officers and in accordance with the scope of Sub-Adviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement (i.e., with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder), Sub-Adviser will provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in connection with the Trust’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Sub-Adviser agrees to (a) certify periodically, upon the reasonable request of the Trust, that with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder, it is in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws”, as required by Rule 38a-l
under the 1940 Act, and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (b) upon request and reasonable prior notice, cooperate with third-party audits arranged by the Trust to
evaluate the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance controls; (c) upon request and reasonable prior notice, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with direct access to its chief compliance officer (or his/her designee); (d) upon request, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with periodic reports and (e) promptly provide notice of any material compliance matters; and
(iv) Within forty-five days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise requested, provide the NB Parties with a certification from the president, chief operating officer or a vice-president of the Sub-Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the NB PartiesManager, the Sub-Adviser shall permit the NB Parties, their employees or agents to examine the reports required to be made to the Sub-Adviser by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) and all other records relevant to the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics.
1.2.4 OTHER SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall perform such other functions of management and supervision as may be reasonably requested by the NB Parties and agreed to by the Sub-Adviser.
2. REPRESENTATIONS
2.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser represents warrants and agrees that:
(i)
It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) It has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”) and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Manager and the Trust with a copy of such Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto;
(iv) It has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents (“Compliance Procedures”) and, the Manager and the Trust have been provided a copy of a summary of the Compliance Procedures and any amendments thereto;
(v) It has delivered to the NB Parties copies of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will provide the Manager and the Trust with a copy of any future filings of Form ADV or any amendments thereto;
(vi) It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly notify the Manager and the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to a Series pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation;
(vii) It shall use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in or come into its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates or employees, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Series; and
(viii) It maintains an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage from an insurance company that has a minimum credit rating of A- from at least one national recognized credit rating agency.
2.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE NB PARTIES: The NB Parties each represent warrants and agrees that:
(i)
It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement.
3. ADVISORY FEE
3.1 FEE. As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement, Manager shall pay the Sub-Adviser an annual fee as set out in Schedule B to this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants that in no event shall the Sub-Adviser provide investment advisory services to any U.S. registered investment company client with a similar investment strategy to the strategy it employs in providing such services to the Allocated Portion pursuant to this Agreement at a rate of compensation less than that provided for in Schedule B.
3.2 COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The advisory fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable within 30 days of the last day of each calendar quarter (
i.e.
, March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). The daily fee accruals shall be computed by multiplying the fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual advisory fee rate (as set forth in Schedule B hereto), and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series, determined in the manner established by the Trustees, as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on which the Series' net asset value was determined.
3.3 EXPENSES
During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any) purchased for any Series. The Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for all the costs associated with any special meetings of the Trustees or shareholders convened for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser (including, but not limited to, the legal fees associated with preparing a proxy statement and associated mailing and solicitation costs).
4. OWNERSHIP AND HOLDING PERIOD OF RECORDS
All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Series pursuant to the rules or regulations under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and maintained and preserved by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Series are the property of the Series and shall be surrendered by the Sub-Adviser promptly on request by the Series or the NB Parties; provided, that the Sub-Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records. The Sub-Adviser agrees to preserve for the period prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
5. TRANSACTIONS AND CUSTODY
All transactions will be consummated by payment to or delivery by the custodian designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Allocated Portion, and
the Sub-Adviser
shall not have possession or custody thereof
. The Sub-Adviser
shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust, to the NB Parties and any other designated agent of the Trust, including the Trust’s Administrator, all investment orders
for the Allocated Portion
placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, communication via electronic means will be acceptable as agreed to in writing
from time to time
by the NB Parties. The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by
the Sub-Adviser
.
6. REPORTS TO SUB-ADVISER
NB Parties shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Sub-Adviser such copies of the Registration Statement, financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to the Series' business and affairs as the Sub-Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sub-Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as reasonably required to execute transactions on behalf of the Series, and will keep confidential any non-public information obtained directly as a result of this service relationship, and the Sub-Adviser shall disclose such non-public information only if the NB Parties or the Trustees have authorized such disclosure by prior written consent, or if such information is or hereafter otherwise is known by the Sub-Adviser or has been disclosed, directly or indirectly, by the Manager, Adviser or the Trust to others becomes ascertainable from public or published information or trade sources, or if such disclosure is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state regulatory authorities, or to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required by auditors or attorneys of the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of their professional services or as may otherwise be contemplated by this Agreement.
Sub-Adviser shall
not disclose information regarding characteristics of the Series or Allocated Portion, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings and/or as required by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may disclose the total return earned by the Allocated Portion and may include such total return in the calculation of composite performance information.
Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Series concerning transactions in securities or other assets for any investment portfolio of the Trust, except that such consultations are permitted between the current and successor sub-advisers of a series in order to effect an orderly transition of sub-advisory duties so long as such consultations are not concerning transactions prohibited by Section 17(a) of the 1940 Act.
8. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS
Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser to render investment management services to other investment companies, to act as investment sub-adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.
9. PROXY VOTING
The Sub-Adviser shall vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Allocated Portion may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Series in respect of the Allocated Portion; and provide information to the Trust, Manager or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust’s compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act.
10. USE OF NAMES AND LOGOS
The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name and the names of its affiliates in the Trust’s disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Manager. It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any director, officer or employee of the Sub-Adviser performing services for the Series in connection with the Sub-Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the NB Parties or a Series in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to protect the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser against any liability to Trust or a Series or its shareholders to which the Sub-Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Sub-Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus and SAI, Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Allocated Portion or the Sub-Adviser or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser for use therein.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the NB Parties and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, agents and employees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the NB Parties or its affiliates or such directors, officers, agents or employees are subject, which are caused by Sub-Adviser’s disabling conduct as provided in (i) and (ii) of the above paragraph; provided, however, that in no case is the Sub-Adviser’s indemnity in favor of any person deemed to protect such other persons against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or
by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligation and duties under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the NB Parties its officers, directors, agents, employees, controlling persons or shareholders or to the Trust or its shareholders for (i) any acts of the NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series with respect to the portion of the assets of Series not managed by Sub-Adviser and (ii) acts of the Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts of the NB Parties, including, but not limited to, a failure of the NB Parties to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by NB Parties or any other subadviser to the Series, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser or, to the extent such records relate to the portion of the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser, otherwise available to the Sub-Adviser upon reasonable request. The NB Parties and Sub-Adviser each agree that the Sub-Adviser shall manage the Allocated Portion as if it was a separate operating portfolio and shall comply with subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1 of this Sub-Advisory Agreement (including, but not limited to, the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Series and qualifications of the Series as a regulated investment company under the Code) only with respect to the Allocated Portion. The NB Parties shall indemnify the Sub-Adviser from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) arising from the conduct of the NB Parties or the Series.
12. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first above written with respect to each Series listed in Schedule A on that date and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through October 31, 2013. With respect to each Series added by execution of an Addendum to Schedule A, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of such execution and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through the second October 31, following the date of execution. Thereafter, in each case, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Series from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, provided, such continuance with respect to a Series is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series or by the Trustees, provided, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto; and provided further that neither party hereto shall have notified the other party in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the first expiration date hereof or at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date hereof of any year thereafter that it does not desire such continuation. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the NB Parties, promptly upon its request, such information as the Trustees of the Trust deem reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
13. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized on behalf of any Series (i) by resolution of the Trustees, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii), as and to the extent required under the 1940 Act, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
14. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Series by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Series, voting separately from any other series of the Trust, or by the Manager, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than 30 nor more than sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately with respect to a Series if the Management Agreement between the Trust and Manager terminates with respect to that Series. This Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 120 days’ written notice to the NB Parties and the Trust. The termination of this Agreement with respect to any Series or the addition of any Series to Schedule A hereto (in the manner required by the Act) shall not affect the continued effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to each other Series subject hereto.
15. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
16. CHOICE OF LAW
This Agreement is made and to be principally performed in the State of New York and except insofar as the 1940 Act or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
17. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
18. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Maxine L. Gerson
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Name: Maxine L. Gerson
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Title: Managing Director
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NB ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Tia Lowe
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Name: Tia Lowe
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Title: Chief Operating Officer
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Date: Sound Point Capital Management, L.P.
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/s/ Stephen Ketchum
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Name: Stephen Ketchum
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Title: Managing Member
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
SERIES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE B
RATE OF COMPENSATION
FUND
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RATE OF COMPENSATION BASED
ON EACH FUND'S AVERAGE
DAILY NET ASSETS ALLOCATED
TO THE SUBADVISER
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Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
This Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2012, by and among Neuberger Berman Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Manager”), NB Alternative Investment Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser” and together with the Manager, the “NB Parties”) and Turner Investments, L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership (“Sub-Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has established one or more separate series of shares (“Series”) with each Series having its own assets and investment policies; and
WHEREAS, Trust has retained Manager to provide investment advisory and administrative services to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement dated December 29, 2010, which agreement specifically provides for the retention of a sub-adviser to provide the investment advisory services described therein; and
WHEREAS, Manager has retained Adviser to provide certain investment advisory service to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 15, 2012, which agreement provides that Adviser is responsible for the selection and monitoring of sub-advisers for certain Series; and
WHEREAS, NB Parties desire to retain Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory and portfolio management services to the portion of each Series listed in Schedule A attached hereto that has been allocated to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser and to the portion of such other Series of Trust hereinafter established as agreed to from time to time by the parties (“Allocated Portion”), evidenced by an addendum to Schedule A (hereinafter “Series” shall refer to each Series which is subject to this Agreement), and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUB-ADVISER
1.1 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall act as the investment subadviser to the Series and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Allocated Portion in a manner consistent with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions
and the investment guidelines as provided to the Sub-Adviser, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained, borrowed or lent by the Allocated Portion, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Sub-Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer.
The Sub-Adviser will select brokers and dealers to effect all portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and will negotiate brokerage commissions, if applicable. The Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek to execute transactions for the Allocated Portion (i) in accordance with any written policies, practices or procedures that may be established by the Board of Trustees or the Manager from time to time and which have been provided to the Sub-Adviser or (ii) as described in the Series’ Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). In placing any orders for the purchase or sale of investments for the Series, in the name of the Allocated Portion or its nominees, the Sub-Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain for the Allocated Portion “best execution”, considering all of the circumstances, and shall maintain records adequate to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Manager, Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, or any of their affiliated persons, except in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Series.
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will not execute any portfolio transactions for the Allocated Portion with a broker or dealer which is (i) an affiliated person of the Fund, including the Manager, Adviser or any sub-adviser for the Fund; (ii) a principal underwriter of the Fund's shares; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter, unless such transactions are (x) exempt under Rules 10f-3(b) or 17a-10, (y) executed in accordance with Rule 17e-1 of the 1940 Act and the Fund's Rule 17e-1 procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 or (z)executed in accordance with Rule 10f-3(c) of the 1940 and the Fund's Rule 10f-3(c) procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 10f-3. The Manager agrees that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of such brokers and dealers and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide the Manager with a written list of brokers and dealers that are affiliates of the Sub-Adviser and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary.
Subject to the appropriate policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) cause the Allocated Portion to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage or research services to the Manager, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Allocated Portion an amount of commission for effecting a Series transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines, in good faith, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relationship to the value of such brokerage or research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-
Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Series or its other advisory clients. To the extent authorized by Section 28(e) and the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of such action. Subject to seeking best execution, the Board of Trustees or the Manager may direct the Sub-Adviser to effect transactions in portfolio securities through broker-dealers in a manner that will help generate resources to pay the cost of certain expenses that the Trust is required to pay or for which the Trust is required to arrange payment.
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Allocated Portion as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner which the Sub-Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Allocated Portion and to its other clients over time.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide assistance to the Manager, the custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A with respect to the Series (“Registration Statement”), the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Allocated Portion for which the Manager, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Manager’s Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) assisting the Manager or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Allocated Portion, upon the reasonable request of the Manager or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Manager or the custodian, confirming pricing and providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Manager or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Trust records.
The Series hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Sub-Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect or execute any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Series which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Series hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).
The Sub-Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the officers and Trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”) and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series as adopted by the Trustees, and subject to such further limitations as the Series may from time to time impose by written notice to the Sub-Adviser and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust, Series or the NB Parties in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust, Series or the NB Parties except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust, the NB Parties and the Sub-Adviser.
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall:
1.2.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that all records required to be maintained and preserved by Trust and/or the Series with respect to securities transactions are maintained and preserved by it or on its behalf in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.2 REPORTS AND FILINGS. Provide reasonable assistance as needed in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by Trust or the Series to shareholders of the Series and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Series, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Series, under federal and state securities and tax laws. Sub-Adviser shall review draft reports to shareholders, Registration Statements or portions thereof that relate to the Series or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents. Sub-Adviser will prepare and cause to be filed in a timely manner Form 13F and, if required, Schedule 13G with respect to securities held for the account of the Series that is advised by Sub-Adviser.
1.2.3 REPORTS TO THE MANAGER, THE ADVISER AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Prepare and furnish to Manager, Adviser and/or the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as Manager, Adviser and/or the Board may reasonably request. Sub-Adviser shall also make available to the Manager, Adviser and the Board at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Manager, Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Manager, Adviser the Board and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone or other electronic media, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Series;
1.2.4 NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO MANAGER. The Sub-Adviser shall:
(i) Promptly notify the NB Parties in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (a) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (b) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (c) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; (d) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, or the NB Parties; or (e) is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act).
The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the NB Parties promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Series, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively, in both cases either prior to or immediately after such event. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board of any change in the Sub-Adviser’s financial condition which would impact its abilities to perform its duties hereunder and of any reduction in the amount of coverage under the Sub-Adviser’s errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage;
(ii) Provide the NB Parties, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Manager, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund’s Registration Statement, Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(iii) As reasonably requested by the Trust on behalf of the Trust’s officers and in accordance with the scope of Sub-Adviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement (i.e., with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder), Sub-Adviser will provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in connection with the Trust’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Sub-Adviser agrees to (a) certify periodically, upon the reasonable request of the Trust, that with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder, it
is in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws”, as required by Rule 38a-l under the 1940 Act, and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (b) upon request and reasonable prior notice, cooperate with third-party audits arranged by the Trust to evaluate the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance controls; (c) upon request and reasonable prior notice, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with direct access to its chief compliance officer (or his/her designee); (d) upon request, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with periodic reports and (e) promptly provide notice of any material compliance matters; and
(iv) Within forty-five days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise requested, provide the NB Parties with a certification from the president, chief operating officer or a vice-president of the Sub-Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the NB Parties, the Sub-Adviser shall permit the NB Parties, their employees or agents to examine the reports required to be made to the Sub-Adviser by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) and all other records relevant to the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics.
1.2.4 OTHER SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall perform such other functions of management and supervision as may be reasonably requested by the NB Parties and agreed to by the Sub-Adviser.
2. REPRESENTATIONS
2.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser represents warrants and agrees that:
(i) It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) It has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”) and, if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of such Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto;
(iv) It has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents (“Compliance Procedures”) and, the Adviser and the Trust have been provided a copy of a summary of the Compliance Procedures and any amendments thereto;
(v) It has delivered to the NB Parties copies of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of any future filings of Form ADV or any amendments thereto;
(vi) It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to a Fund pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation;
(vii) It shall use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in or come into its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates or employees, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Series; and
(viii) It maintains an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage from an insurance company that has a minimum credit rating of A- from at least one national recognized credit rating agency.
2.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE NB PARTIES: The NB Parties each represent warrant and agree that:
(i)_ It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement.
3. ADVISORY FEE
3.1 FEE. As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement, Manager shall pay the Sub-Adviser an annual fee as set out in Schedule B to this Agreement.
3.2 COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The advisory fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable within 30 days of the last day of each calendar quarter (
i.e.
, March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). The daily fee accruals shall be computed by multiplying the fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual advisory fee rate (as set forth in Schedule B hereto), and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series, determined in the manner established by the Trustees, as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on which the Series' net asset value was determined.
3.3 EXPENSES
During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any) purchased for any Series. The Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for all the costs associated with any special meetings of the Trustees or shareholders convened for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser (including, but not limited to, the legal fees associated with preparing a proxy statement and associated mailing and solicitation costs).
4. OWNERSHIP AND HOLDING PERIOD OF RECORDS
All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Series pursuant to the rules or regulations under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and maintained and preserved by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Series are the property of the Series and shall be surrendered by the Sub-Adviser promptly on request by the Series or the NB Parties; provided, that the Sub-Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records. The Sub-Adviser agrees to preserve for the period prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
5. TRANSACTIONS AND CUSTODY
All transactions will be consummated by payment to or delivery by the custodian designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Allocated Portion, and
the Sub-Adviser
shall not have possession or custody thereof
. The Sub-Adviser
shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust, to the NB Parties and any other designated agent of the Trust, including the Trust’s Administrator, all investment orders
for the Allocated Portion
placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, communication via electronic means will be acceptable as agreed to in writing
from time to time
by the NB Parties. The Trust shall issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by
the Sub-Adviser
.
6. REPORTS TO SUB-ADVISER
NB Parties shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Sub-Adviser such copies of the Registration Statement, financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to the Series' business and affairs as the Sub-Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sub-Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as reasonably required to execute transactions on behalf of the Series, and will keep confidential any non-public information obtained directly as a result of this service relationship, and the Sub-Adviser shall disclose such non-public information only if the NB Parties or the Trustees have authorized such disclosure by prior written consent, or if such information is or hereafter otherwise is known by the Sub-Adviser or has been disclosed, directly or indirectly, by the Manager, Adviser or the Trust to others becomes ascertainable from public or published information or trade sources, or if such disclosure is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state regulatory authorities, or to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required by auditors or attorneys of the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of their professional services or as may otherwise be contemplated by this Agreement. Sub-Adviser shall not disclose information regarding characteristics of the Series or Allocated Portion, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings and/or as required by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may disclose the total return earned by the Allocated Portion and may include such total return in the calculation of composite performance information.
Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Series concerning transactions in securities or other assets for any investment portfolio of the Trusts, including the Funds, except that such consultations are permitted between the current and successor sub-advisers of a Fund in order to effect an orderly transition of sub-advisory duties so long as such consultations are not concerning transactions prohibited by Section 17(a) of the 1940 Act.
8. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS
The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants that in no event shall it enter into an agreement after the date hereof for a twelve (12) month period to manage assets of any other investment company registered under the 1940 Act in substantially the same investment strategy used in managing the Allocated Portion.
9. PROXY VOTING
The Sub-Adviser shall vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Allocated Portion may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Allocation Portion; and provide information to the Trust, Manager or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust’s compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act.
10. USE OF NAMES AND LOGOS
The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name and the names of its affiliates in the Trust’s disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales
literature and similar communications. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Manager. It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Neither the Sub-Adviser nor any director, officer or employee of the Sub-Adviser performing services for the Series in connection with the Sub-Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the NB Parties or a Series in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to protect the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser against any liability to Trust or a Series or its shareholders to which the Sub-Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Sub-Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus and SAI, Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Allocated Portion or the Sub-Adviser or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser for use therein.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the NB Parties and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, agents and employees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the NB Parties or its affiliates or such directors, officers, agents or employees are subject, which are caused by Sub-Adviser’s disabling conduct as provided in (i) and (ii) of the above paragraph; provided, however, that in no case is the Sub-Adviser’s indemnity in favor of any person deemed to protect such other persons against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligation and duties under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the NB Parties their officers, directors, agents, employees, controlling persons or shareholders or to the Trust or its shareholders for (i) any acts of the NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series with respect to the portion of the assets of Series not managed by Sub-Adviser and (ii) acts of the Sub- Adviser which result from or are based upon acts of the NB Parties, including, but not limited to, a failure of the NB Parties to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser or, to the extent such records relate to the portion of the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser, otherwise available to the Sub-Adviser upon reasonable request. The NB Parties and Sub-Adviser each agree that the Sub-Adviser shall manage the Allocated Portion as if it was a separate operating portfolio and shall comply with subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1 of this Sub-Advisory Agreement (including, but not limited to, the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Series and qualifications of the Series as a regulated investment company under the Code) only with respect to the Allocated Portion.
The NB Parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, agents and employees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates or such directors, officers, agents or employees are subject, arising from the conduct of the NB Parties or the Series.
12. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first above written with respect to each Series listed in Schedule A on that date and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through October 31, 2013. With respect to each Series added by execution of an Addendum to Schedule A, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of such execution and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through the second October 31 following the date of execution. Thereafter, in each case, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Series from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, provided, such continuance with respect to a Series is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series or by the Trustees, provided, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto; and provided further that neither party hereto shall have notified the other party in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the first expiration date hereof or at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date hereof of any year thereafter that it does not desire such continuation. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the NB Parties, promptly upon its request, such information as the Trustees of the Trust deem reasonably
necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
13. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized on behalf of any Series (i) by resolution of the Trustees, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii), as and to the extent required under the 1940 Act, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
14. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Series by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Series, voting separately from any other series of the Trust, or by the NB Parties, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than 30 nor more than sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately with respect to a Series if the Management Agreement between the Trust and Manager terminates with respect to that Series. This Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ written notice to the NB Parties and the Trust. The termination of this Agreement with respect to any Series or the addition of any Series to Schedule A hereto (in the manner required by the Act) shall not affect the continued effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to each other Series subject hereto.
15. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
16. CHOICE OF LAW
This Agreement is made and to be principally performed in the State of New York and except insofar as the 1940 Act or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling,
this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
17. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
18. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Maxine L. Gerson
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Name:
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Maxine L. Gerson
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Title:
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Managing Director
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NB ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
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/s/ Tia Lowe
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Name:
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Tia Lowe
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer
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TURNER INVESTMENTS, L.P.
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/s/ Thomas R. Trala, Jr.
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Name:
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Thomas R. Trala, Jr.
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Title:
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President of Its General Partner
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
SERIES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
Date: May 12, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE B
RATE OF COMPENSATION
FUND
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RATE OF COMPENSATION BASED ON
EACH FUND'S AVERAGE DAILY NET
ASSETS ALLOCATED TO THE
SUBADVISER
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Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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Date: May 12, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
This Sub-Advisory Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2012, by and among Neuberger Berman Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Manager”), NB Alternative Investment Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser” and together with the Manager, the “NB Parties”) and Visium Asset Management, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Sub-Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has established one or more separate series of shares (“Series”) with each Series having its own assets and investment policies; and
WHEREAS, Trust has retained Manager to provide investment advisory and administrative services to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement dated December 29, 2010, which agreement specifically provides for the retention of a sub-adviser to provide the investment advisory services described therein; and
WHEREAS, Manager has retained Adviser to provide certain investment advisory service to certain of the Series of the Trust pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 15, 2012, which agreement provides that Adviser is responsible for the selection and monitoring of sub-advisers for certain Series; and
WHEREAS, NB Parties desire to retain Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory and portfolio management services to the portion of each Series listed in Schedule A attached hereto that has been allocated to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser and to the portion of such other Series of Trust hereinafter established as agreed to from time to time by the parties (“Allocated Portion”), evidenced by an addendum to Schedule A (hereinafter “Series” shall refer to each Series which is subject to this Agreement), and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUB-ADVISER
1.1 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall act as the investment subadviser to the Series and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Allocated Portion in a manner consistent with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions
and the investment guidelines as provided to Sub-Adviser, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained, borrowed or lent by the Allocated Portion, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Sub-Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer.
The Sub-Adviser will select brokers and dealers to effect all portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and will negotiate brokerage commissions, if applicable. The Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek to execute transactions for the Allocated Portion (i) in accordance with any written policies, practices or procedures that may be established by the Board of Trustees or the Manager from time to time and which have been provided to the Sub-Adviser or (ii) as described in the Series’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). In placing any orders for the purchase or sale of investments for the Series, in the name of the Allocated Portion or its nominees, the Sub-Adviser shall seek to obtain for the Allocated Portion “best execution”, considering all of the circumstances
1
, and shall maintain records adequate to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Manager, Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, or any of their affiliated persons, except in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Series.
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will not execute any portfolio transactions for the Allocated Portion with a broker or dealer which is (i) an affiliated person of the Fund, including the Manager, Adviser or any sub-adviser for the Fund; (ii) a principal underwriter of the Fund's shares; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter, unless such transactions are (x) exempt under Rules 10f-3(b) or 17a-10, (y) executed in accordance with Rule 17e-1 of the 1940 Act and the Fund's Rule 17e-1 procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 or (z) executed in accordance with Rule 10f-3(c) of the 1940 Act and the Fund's Rule 10f-3(c) procedures, as adopted in accordance with Rule 10f-3. The Manager agrees that it will provide the Sub-Adviser with a written list of such brokers and dealers and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide the Manager with a written list of brokers and dealers that are affiliates of the Sub-Adviser and will, from time to time, update such list as necessary.
Subject to the appropriate policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) cause the Allocated Portion to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage or research services to the Manager, the Adviser, the
1
Circumstances which the Sub-Adviser is permitted to take into consideration include, but are not limited to, the best net price available; the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer; the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and the trading characteristics of the security (
e.g.
, volatility, relative liquidity, etc.).
Sub-Adviser and the Allocated Portion an amount of commission for effecting a Series transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines, in good faith, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of such brokerage or research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Series or its other advisory clients. To the extent authorized by Section 28(e) and the Board of Trustees, the Sub-Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of such action. Subject to seeking best execution, the Board of Trustees or the Manager may direct the Sub-Adviser to effect transactions in portfolio securities through broker-dealers in a manner that will help generate resources to pay the cost of certain expenses that the Trust is required to pay or for which the Trust is required to arrange payment.
On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Allocated Portion as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub-Adviser in the manner which the Sub-Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Allocated Portion and to its other clients over time.
The Sub-Adviser shall provide reasonable assistance to the Manager, the custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A with respect to the Series (“Registration Statement”), the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Allocated Portion for which the Manager, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing reasonable access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Manager’s Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) assisting the Manager or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Allocated Portion, upon the reasonable request of the Manager or custodian; (iii) upon the reasonable request of the Manager or the custodian, confirming pricing and providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Manager or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Trust records.
The Series hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Sub-Adviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect or execute any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Series which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Series hereby consents to the
retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv).
The Sub-Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the officers and Trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”) and consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Series as adopted by the Trustees, and subject to such further limitations as the Series may from time to time impose by written notice to the Sub-Adviser and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust, Series or the NB Parties in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust, Series or the NB Parties except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust, the NB Parties and the Sub-Adviser.
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall:
1.2.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS. Assure that all records required to be maintained and preserved by Trust and/or the Series with respect to securities transactions are maintained and preserved by it or on its behalf in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.2 REPORTS AND FILINGS. Provide reasonable assistance as needed in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by Trust or the Series to shareholders of the Series and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Series, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Series, under federal and state securities and tax laws. Sub-Adviser shall review draft reports to shareholders, Registration Statements or portions thereof that relate to the Series or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents. Sub-Adviser will prepare and cause to be filed in a timely manner Form 13F and, if required, Schedule 13G with respect to securities held for the account of the Series that is advised by Sub-Adviser.
1.2.3 REPORTS TO THE MANAGER, THE ADVISER AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Prepare and furnish to Manager, Adviser and/or the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as Manager, Adviser and/or the Board may reasonably request. Sub-Adviser shall also make available to the Manager, Adviser and the Board at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Manager, Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Manager, Adviser the Board and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone or other electronic media, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Series.
1.2.4 NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO MANAGER. The Sub-Adviser shall:
(i) Promptly notify the NB Parties in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (a) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (b) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (c) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; (d) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, or the NB Parties, and that is related to their business or
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on their business, either individually or in the aggregate
; or (e) is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act) that
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its business, either individually or in the aggregate
.
The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the NB Parties promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement (as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Series, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively, in both cases either prior to or immediately after such event. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the NB Parties and the Board of any change in the Sub-Adviser’s financial condition which would negatively impact its abilities to perform its duties hereunder and of any material reduction in the amount of coverage under the Sub-Adviser’s errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage;
(ii) Provide the NB Parties, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Manager, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund’s Registration Statement, Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(iii) As reasonably requested by the Trust on behalf of the Trust’s officers and in accordance with the scope of Sub-Adviser’s obligations and responsibilities contained in this Agreement (i.e., with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder), Sub-Adviser will provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in connection with the Trust’s compliance with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, a
nd Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Sub-Adviser agrees to (a) certify periodically, upon the reasonable request of the Trust, that with respect to the Allocated Portion and the Sub-Adviser’s provision of portfolio management services hereunder, it is in compliance with all applicable “federal securities laws”, as required by Rule 38a-l under the 1940 Act, and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (b) upon request and reasonable prior notice, cooperate with third-party audits arranged by the Trust to evaluate the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance controls; (c) upon request and reasonable prior notice, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with direct access to its chief compliance officer (or his/her designee); (d) upon reasonable request, provide the Trust’s chief compliance officer with periodic reports and (e) promptly provide to the Trust notice of material compliance matters that the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes are related to the Fund's compliance obligations pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act; and
(iv) Within forty-five days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise reasonably requested, provide the NB Parties with a certification from the president, chief operating officer or a vice-president of the Sub-Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the NB Parties, the Sub-Adviser shall permit the NB Parties, their employees or agents to examine the reports required to be made to the Sub-Adviser by Rule 17j-1(c)(2)(ii) and all other records relevant to the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics.
1.2.4 OTHER SERVICES. The Sub-Adviser shall perform such other functions of management and supervision as may be reasonably requested by the NB Parties and agreed to by the Sub-Adviser.
2. REPRESENTATIONS
2.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that:
(i)
It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) It has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”) and, if it has not
already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of such Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto;
(iv) It has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Sub-Adviser, its employees, officers, and agents (“Sub-Adviser Compliance Procedures”) and, the Adviser and the Trust have been provided a copy of a summary of the Sub-Adviser Compliance Procedures and any amendments thereto;
(v) It has delivered to the NB Parties copies of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will provide the Adviser and the Trust with a copy of any future filings of Form ADV or any amendments thereto;
(vi) It is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement and will promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to a Fund pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation;
(vii) It shall use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in or come into its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates or employees, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Series; and
(viii) It maintains an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage from an insurance company that has a minimum credit rating of A- from at least one national recognized credit rating agency.
2.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE NB PARTIES: The NB Parties each represent warrant and agree that:
(i) It has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
(ii) It is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered during the term of this Agreement; and
(iii) It has adopted and implemented a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Code of Ethics”); and
(iv) It has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures, as required by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of federal securities laws by the Manager, its employees, officers, and agents (“Manager Compliance Procedures”); and
3. ADVISORY FEE
3.1 FEE. As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement, Manager shall pay the Sub-Adviser an annual fee as set out in Schedule B to this Agreement.
3.2 COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT OF FEE. The advisory fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable within 30 days of the last day of each calendar quarter (
i.e.
, March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). The daily fee accruals shall be computed by multiplying the fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual advisory fee rate (as set forth in Schedule B hereto), and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Series, determined in the manner established by the Trustees, as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on which the Series' net asset value was determined.
3.3 EXPENSES
During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it on its own behalf in connection with its activities under this Agreement. The expenses that shall be incurred by the Series and not the Sub-Adviser, include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) brokerage commissions for transactions in the portfolio investments of the Allocated Portion, and similar fees and charges for the acquisition, disposition, lending or borrowing of such portfolio investments; (b) custodian fees and expenses; and (c) interest payable on any borrowing by the Series. The Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for all the costs associated with any special meetings of the Trustees or shareholders convened for the primary benefit of the Sub-Adviser (including, but not limited to, the legal fees associated with preparing a proxy statement and associated mailing and solicitation costs).
4. OWNERSHIP AND HOLDING PERIOD OF RECORDS
All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Series pursuant to the rules or regulations under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and maintained and preserved by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Series are the property of the Series and shall be surrendered by the Sub-Adviser promptly on request by the Series or the NB Parties; provided, that the Sub-Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records. The Sub-Adviser agrees to preserve for the period prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
5. TRANSACTIONS AND CUSTODY
All transactions will be consummated by payment to or delivery by the custodian designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Allocated Portion, and
the Sub-Adviser
shall not have possession or custody thereof
. The
Sub-Adviser
shall advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust, to the NB Parties and any other designated agent of the Fund, including the Fund’s Administrator, all investment orders
for the Allocated Portion
placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, communication via electronic means will be acceptable as agreed to in writing
from time to time
by the NB Parties. The Trust shall issue to the Custodian
such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by
the Sub-Adviser
.
6. REPORTS TO SUB-ADVISER
NB Parties shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Sub-Adviser such copies of the Registration Statement, financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information relating to the Series' business and affairs as the Sub-Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sub-Adviser will not disclose or use any records or information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in any manner whatsoever except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as reasonably required to execute transactions on behalf of the Series, and will keep confidential any non-public information obtained directly as a result of this service relationship, and the Sub-Adviser shall disclose such non-public information only if the NB Parties or the Trustees have authorized such disclosure by prior written consent, or if such information becomes ascertainable from public or published information or trade sources, or if such disclosure is expressly required or requested by applicable federal or state regulatory authorities, or to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required by auditors or attorneys of the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of their professional services or as may otherwise be contemplated by this Agreement.
Sub-Adviser shall
not disclose information regarding characteristics of the Series or Allocated Portion, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings and/or as required by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may disclose the total return earned by the Allocated Portion and may include such total return in the calculation of composite performance information.
Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Series concerning transactions in securities or other assets for any investment portfolio of the Trusts, including the Funds, except that such consultations are permitted between the current and successor sub-advisers of a Fund in order to effect an orderly transition of sub-advisory duties so long as such consultations are not concerning transactions prohibited by Section 17(a) of the 1940 Act.
8. SERVICES TO OTHER CLIENTS
The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants that in no event before the second anniversary of the date hereof shall it enter into an agreement after the date hereof to manage assets of any other investment company registered under the 1940 Act in substantially the same investment strategy used in managing the Allocated Portion.
9. PROXY VOTING
The Sub-Adviser shall vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Allocated Portion may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Allocation Portion; and provide information to the Trust, Manager or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust’s compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act.
10. USE OF NAMES AND LOGOS
The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name and the names of its affiliates, (which shall not include the name of any investment fund or limited partnership advised by the Sub-Adviser), in the Trust’s disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Manager. Likewise, the Manager, the Trust, or the Series shall not use any trade name, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Sub-Adviser without the prior written approval of the Sub-Adviser; provided, however, that Sub-Adviser expressly consents to use of such in the Series’ disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications regarding the Series. Manager agrees to provide templates of the initial fact sheets, pitch books and other sales literature that pertain to the Sub-Adviser and are produced in connection with the launch of the Series to the Sub-Adviser, prior to first use. Sub-Adviser shall provide Manager with comments, if any, or approval in writing, no later than three business days after receipt of such materials. If Manager does not receive comments or written approval from Sub-Adviser within this time frame, then Sub-Adviser shall be deemed to have approved such materials in writing.
Subadviser may
withdraw this consent upon a reasonable determination that use of such materials: (i) would have a material adverse effect on its reputation; or (ii) that the materials use of such names or identifying marks are materially misleading.
It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long
as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
None of the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates or any of their directors, controlling persons, officers, agents, or employees performing services for the Series in connection with the Sub-Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the NB Parties or a Series in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to protect the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser against any liability to the Trust or a Series or its shareholders to which the Sub-Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Sub-Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact pertaining to the Allocated Portion or the Sub-Adviser which is contained in the Prospectus and SAI, Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials or the omission to state therein a material fact pertaining to the Allocated Portion or the Sub-Adviser known to the Sub-Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser or any director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Adviser for use therein.
The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the NB Parties and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, agents and employees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the NB Parties or its affiliates or such directors, officers, agents or employees are subject, which are caused by Sub-Adviser’s disabling acts or omissions as described in (i) and (ii) of the immediately preceding paragraph; provided, however, that in no case is the Sub-Adviser’s indemnity in favor of any person deemed to protect such other persons against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligation and duties under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the NB Parties their officers, directors, agents, employees, controlling persons or shareholders or to the Trust or its shareholders for (i) any acts of the NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series with respect to the portion of the assets of Series not managed by Sub-Adviser and (ii) acts of the Sub-Adviser which result from or are based upon acts of the NB Parties, including, but not limited to, a failure of the NB Parties to provide accurate and
current information with respect to any records maintained by NB Parties or any other sub-adviser to the Series, which records are not also maintained by the Sub-Adviser or, to the extent such records relate to the portion of the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser, otherwise available to the Sub-Adviser upon reasonable request. The NB Parties and Sub-Adviser each agree that the Sub-Adviser shall manage the Allocated Portion as if it was a separate operating portfolio and shall comply with subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1 of this Sub-Advisory Agreement (including, but not limited to, the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Series and qualifications of the Series as a regulated
investment company under the Code) only with respect to the Allocated Portion. The NB Parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates and each of their directors, controlling persons, officers, agents and employees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates or such directors, controlling persons, officers, agents or employees are subject, arising from the conduct of the NB Parties or the Series; provided, however, that in no case is the NB Parties’ indemnity in favor of any person deemed to protect such other persons against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his, her or its duties or by reason of his, her or its reckless disregard of obligation and duties under this Agreement.
12. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first above written with respect to each Series listed in Schedule A on that date and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through October 31, 2013.With respect to each Series added by execution of an Addendum to Schedule A, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of such execution and, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through the second October 31following the date of execution. Thereafter, in each case, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Series from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, provided, such continuance with respect to a Series is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series or by the Trustees, provided, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto; and provided further that neither party hereto shall have notified the other party in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the first expiration date hereof or at least sixty (60) days prior to any expiration date hereof of any year thereafter that it does not desire such continuation. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the NB Parties, promptly upon its request, such information as the Trustees of the Trust deem reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
13. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized on behalf of any Series (i) by resolution of the Trustees, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii), as and to the extent required under the 1940 Act, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
14. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Series by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Series, voting separately from any other series of the Trust, or by the NB Parties, without the payment of any penalty, on not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately with respect to a Series if the Management Agreement between the Trust and Manager terminates with respect to that Series. This Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the NB Parties and the Trust. The termination of this Agreement with respect to any Series or the addition of any Series to Schedule A hereto (in the manner required by the Act) shall not affect the continued effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to each other Series subject hereto.
15. INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
16. CHOICE OF LAW
This Agreement is made and to be principally performed in the State of New York and except insofar as the 1940 Act or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
17. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
18. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This
Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN MANAGEMENT LLC
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/s/ Maxine L. Gerson
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Name:
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Maxine L. Gerson
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Title:
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Managing Director
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NB ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
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/s/ Tia Lowe
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Name:
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Tia Lowe
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer
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VISIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
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/s/ Mark Gottlieb
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Name:
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Mark Gottlieb
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Title:
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Authorized Signatory
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SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
SERIES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
Date: May 15, 2012
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
SCHEDULE B
RATE OF COMPENSATION
FUND
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RATE OF COMPENSATION
BASED ON EACH FUND'S
AVERAGE DAILY NET
ASSETS ALLOCATED TO
THE SUBADVISER
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Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
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Date: May 15, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
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INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS
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2
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1.1
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Intention of the Parties
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2
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1.2
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Definitions
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2
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2.
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WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO
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2
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2.1
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Set Up Accounts
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2
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2.2
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Cash Account
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3
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2.3
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Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name
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3
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2.4
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Settlement of Transactions
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3
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2.5
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Contractual Settlement Date Accounting
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4
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2.6
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Actual Settlement Date Accounting
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4
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2.7
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Income Collection
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4
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2.8
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Miscellaneous Administrative Duties
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4
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2.9
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Corporate Actions
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5
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2.10
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Class Action Litigation
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5
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2.11
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Proxies
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5
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2.12
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Statements of Account
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5
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2.13
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Access to J.P. Morgan's Records
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6
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2.14
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Maintenance of Financial Assets at Subcustodian Locations
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6
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2.15
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Foreign Exchange Transactions
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6
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2.16
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Notifications
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6
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2.17
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Securities Lending Transactions
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6
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3.
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INSTRUCTIONS
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7
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3.1
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Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction and Unclear Instructions
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7
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3.2
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Verification and Security Procedures
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7
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3.3
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Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice
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7
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3.4
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Cut-Off Times
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7
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3.5
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Electronic Access
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7
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4.
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FEES, EXPENSES AND OTHER AMOUNTS OWING TO J.P. MORGAN
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7
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4.1
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Fees and Expenses
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7
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4.2
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Overdrafts
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7
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4.3
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J.P. Morgan’s Right Over Securities; Set-off
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8
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5.
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SUBCUSTODIANS, SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES, AND OTHER AGENTS
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8
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5.1
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Appointment of Subcustodians; Use of Securities Depositories
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8
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5.2
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Liability for Subcustodians
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9
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6.
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ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO CUSTOMER
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9
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6.1
|
Representations of Customer and J.P. Morgan
|
9
|
|
6.2
|
Customer is Liable to J.P. Morgan Even if it is Acting for Another Person
|
9
|
|
6.3
|
J.P. Morgan Not Required to Make Payments on Behalf of Customer
|
10
|
7.
|
WHEN J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO CUSTOMER
|
10
|
|
7.1
|
Standard of Care; Liability
|
10
|
|
7.2
|
Force Majeure
|
10
|
|
7.3
|
J.P. Morgan May Consult With Counsel
|
10
|
|
7.4
|
J.P. Morgan Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result
|
11
|
|
7.5
|
Assets Held Outside J.P. Morgan’s Control
|
11
|
|
7.6
|
Ancillary services
|
11
|
8.
|
TAXATION
|
11
|
|
8.1
|
Tax Obligations
|
11
|
9.
|
TERMINATION
|
11
|
|
9.1
|
Termination
|
11
|
|
9.2
|
Exit Procedure
|
12
|
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
10.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
12
|
|
10.1
|
Notifications
|
12
|
|
10.2
|
Successors and Assigns
|
12
|
|
10.3
|
Interpretation
|
12
|
|
10.4
|
Entire Agreement
|
12
|
|
10.5
|
Information Concerning Deposits at J.P. Morgan’s London Branch
|
13
|
|
10.6
|
Insurance
|
13
|
|
10.7
|
Security Holding Disclosure
|
13
|
|
10.8
|
USA PATRIOT Act Disclosure
|
13
|
|
10.9
|
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
|
13
|
|
10.10
|
Severability; Waiver; and Survival
|
13
|
|
10.11
|
Confidentiality
|
14
|
|
10.12
|
Pricing
|
14
|
|
10.13
|
Counterparts
|
14
|
|
10.14
|
No Third Party Beneficiaries
|
14
|
|
10.15
|
Customer as a Business Trust
|
14
|
|
10.16
|
Obligations and Liabilities of Separate Series to be Kept Separate
|
14
|
SCHEDULE 1
|
List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan
|
17
|
SCHEDULE 2
|
Persons Authorized To Give Instructions
|
18
|
SCHEDULE 3
|
Authorized Fund Managers/Advisers
|
19
|
SCHEDULE 4
|
Form of Board Resolution
|
20
|
ANNEX A
|
Electronic Access
|
23
|
Schedule A
|
List of Series
|
24
|
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This agreement, dated May 8, 2011, is between
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(
“J.P. Morgan”
), with a place of business at 14201 Dallas Parkway, 2nd Floor, Mail code: TX1-J165,Dallas, TX 75254, Attention: CTC Operations; Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds (the “Trust”) on behalf of itself and on behalf of
each series listed on Schedule A hereto (
“Customer”
) with a place of business at 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158.
1. INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS
1.1 Intention of the Parties
(a) This Agreement sets out the terms on which J.P. Morgan will be providing custodial, settlement and other associated services to Customer. J.P. Morgan will be responsible for the performance of only those duties set forth in this Agreement.
(b) J.P. Morgan hereby accepts appointment as custodian of the cash and Financial Assets of Customer and agrees to keep safely all cash and financial assets of Customer delivered to Custodian and to perform its duties as custodian, all in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of this Agreement.
(C) Investing in Financial Assets and cash in foreign jurisdictions may involve risks of loss or other special features. Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan is not providing any legal, tax or investment advice in providing the services under this Agreement and will not be liable for any losses resulting from Country Risk.
1.2 Definitions
As used herein, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated.
“Account”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
“Account Assets”
means each Account and all cash, Financial Assets, and any other property of every kind that are credited to the Account or otherwise held for Customer pursuant to this Agreement.
“Affiliate”
means, as context requires, an entity controlling, is controlled by, or is under common control with, J.P. Morgan or Customer.
“Affiliated Subcustodian”
means a Subcustodian that is an Affiliate of J.P. Morgan.
“Applicable Law”
means any applicable statute, treaty, rule, regulation or common law and any applicable decree, injunction, judgment, order, formal interpretation or ruling issued by a court or governmental entity.
“Authorized Person”
means any person who has been designated by written notice from Customer in the form of Schedules 2 or 3 as the case may be (or by written notice in the form of Appendix A from any agent designated by Customer, including, without limitation, an investment manager) to act on behalf of Customer under this Agreement. Such persons will continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as J.P. Morgan receives and has had reasonable time to act upon Instructions from Customer (or its agent) that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person.
“Cash Account”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(ii).
“Code”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a)(vi) of this Agreement.
“Confidential Information”
means and includes all non-public information concerning Customer or the Accounts which J.P. Morgan receives in the course of providing services under this Agreement. Nevertheless, the term Confidential Information shall not include information which is or becomes available to the general public by means other than J.P. Morgan’s breach of the terms of this Agreement or information which J.P. Morgan obtains on a non-confidential basis from a person who is not known to be subject to any obligation of confidence to any person with respect to that information.
“Corporate Action”
means any subscription right, bonus issue, stock repurchase plan, redemption, exchange, tender offer, or similar matter with respect to a Financial Asset in the Securities Account that requires discretionary action by the beneficial owner of the Security, but does not include rights with respect to class action litigation or proxy voting.
“Counterparty”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement.
“Country Risk”
means the risk of investing or holding assets in a particular country or market, including, but not limited to, risks arising from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; the country’s financial infrastructure, including prevailing custody, tax and settlement practices; laws applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Financial Assets and cash held in custody; the regulation of the banking and securities industries, including changes in market rules; currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; and market conditions affecting the orderly execution of securities transactions or the value of assets.
“Entitlement Holder”
means the person named on the records of a Securities Intermediary as the person having a Securities Entitlement against the Securities Intermediary.
“ERISA”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a)(vi)
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
of this Agreement.
“Financial Asset”
means a Security and refers, as the context requires, either to the asset itself or to the means by which a person’s claim to it is evidenced, including a Security, a security certificate, or a Securities Entitlement.
“
Financial Asset
”
does not include cash.
“
Institutional Account Agreement
” means the Institutional Account Agreement, dated May 8, 2012, among J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, certain affiliates thereof, and the Customer, as amended and supplemented from time to time, or any subsequent Institutional Account Agreement
“Instructions”
means an instruction that has been verified in accordance with a Security Procedure or, if no Security Procedure is applicable, which J.P. Morgan believes in good faith to have been given by an Authorized Person in the manner specified next to their name in the relevant Schedule.
“J.P. Morgan Indemnitees”
means J.P. Morgan, its Affiliates, its Subcustodians, and their respective nominees, directors, officers, employees and agents.
“J.P. Morgan’s London Branch”
means the London branch office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
“JPM Secured Party”
has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(c) of this Agreement.
“Liabilities”
means any liabilities, losses, claims, costs, damages, penalties, fines, obligations, or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ or experts’ fees and disbursements).
“Proxy Voting Service”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(a) of this Agreement.
“Securities”
means shares, stocks, debentures, bonds, notes or other like obligations, whether issued in certificated or uncertificated form, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the same that are commonly traded or dealt in on securities exchanges or financial markets or other obligations of an issuer, or shares, participations and interests in an issuer recognized in the country in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment and any other property as may be acceptable to J.P. Morgan for the Securities Account.
“
Securities
”
does not include cash.
“Securities Account”
means each Securities custody account on J.P. Morgan’s records to which Financial Assets are or may be credited under this Agreement.
“Securities Depository”
means any clearing system, securities depository, dematerialized book entry system or similar system for the central handling of Securities.
“Securities Entitlement”
means the rights and property interests of an Entitlement Holder with respect to a Financial Asset as set forth in Part 5 of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York, as the same may be amended from time to time.
“Securities Intermediary”
means J.P. Morgan, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository, and any other financial institution which in the ordinary course of business maintains securities accounts for others and acts in that capacity.
“
Securities Loan Agreement
” means that certain Master Securities Loan Agreement dated as of May 8, 2012, between Customer and J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Security Procedure”
means security procedures to be followed by Customer upon the issuance of an Instruction and/or by J.P. Morgan upon the receipt of an Instruction, so as to enable J.P. Morgan to verify that such Instruction is authorized, as set forth in service level documentation in effect from time to time with respect to the services set forth in this Agreement or as instituted by J.P. Morgan and notified to Customer. A Security Procedure may, without limitation, involve the use of algorithms, codes, passwords, encryption and telephone call backs. Customer acknowledges that Security Procedures are designed to verify the authenticity of, and not detect errors in, Instructions. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that a SWIFT message issued in the name of Customer through any third party utility agreed upon by the parties as being a method for providing Instructions and authenticated in accordance with that utility’s customary procedures, shall be deemed to be an authorized Instruction.
“Subcustodian”
means any of the subcustodians appointed by J.P. Morgan from time to time to hold Securities and act on its behalf in jurisdictions other than the U.S. (and being at the date of this Agreement the entities listed in Schedule 1 as well as J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.) and includes any Affiliated Subcustodian.
All terms in the singular will have the same meaning in the plural unless the context otherwise provides and vice versa.
2. WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO
2.1 Set Up Accounts
(a) J.P. Morgan will establish and maintain the following accounts (
“
Accounts
”
):
(i) one or more Securities Accounts in the name of Customer (or in another name requested by Customer
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
that is acceptable to J.P. Morgan) for Financial Assets, which may be held by J.P. Morgan or its Subcustodian or a Securities Depository for J.P. Morgan on behalf of Customer, including as an Entitlement Holder; and
(ii) one or more accounts in the name of Customer (or in another name requested by Customer that is acceptable to J.P. Morgan) (
“
Cash Account
”
) for any and all cash in any currency received by or on behalf of J.P. Morgan for the account of Customer.
Notwithstanding paragraph (ii), cash held in respect of those markets where Customer is required to have a cash account in its own name held directly with the relevant Subcustodian or Securities Depository will be held in that manner and will not be part of the Cash Account.
(b) At the request of Customer, additional Accounts may be opened in the future, and such additional Accounts shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement;
(c) In the event that Customer requests the opening of any additional Account for the purpose of holding collateral pledged by Customer to a securities exchange, clearing corporation, or other central counterparty (a
“
Counterparty
”
) to secure trading activity by Customer, or the pledge to a Counterparty of cash or individual Securities held in an Account, that Account (or the pledged cash or Securities) shall be subject to the collateral arrangements in effect between J.P. Morgan and the Counterparty in addition to the terms of this Agreement;
(d) J.P. Morgan’s obligation to open Accounts pursuant to Section 2.1(a) is conditional upon J.P. Morgan receiving such of the following documents as J.P. Morgan may require:
(i) a certified copy of Customer's constitutional documents as currently in force;
(ii) a certified copy of a resolution of Customer's board of directors or equivalent governing body, substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4;
(iii) J.P. Morgan’s standard form fund manager mandate (in the form set out in Appendix A), completed by any persons designated in Schedule 3; and
(iv) in the case of any Account opened in a name not that of Customer, documentation with respect to that name similar to that set forth in sub-sections (i) – (iii).
2.2 Cash Account
(a) Any amount standing to the credit of the Cash Account is a debt due from J.P. Morgan to Customer as banker. Except as otherwise provided in Instructions acceptable to J.P. Morgan, all cash held in the Cash Account will be deposited during the period it is credited to the Accounts in one or more deposit accounts at J.P. Morgan or at J.P. Morgan’s London Branch. Any cash so deposited with J.P. Morgan’s London Branch will be payable exclusively by J.P. Morgan’s London Branch in the applicable currency, subject to compliance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, any restrictions on transactions in the applicable currency imposed by the country of the applicable currency. U.S. cash (other than U.S. cash paid as dividend, principal, or interest or otherwise derived from non-U.S. securities) shall be held by J.P. Morgan in the U.S. Cash on deposit with J.P. Morgan in the United States is insured by the FDIC to the extent, if any, set forth in applicable FDIC regulations from time to time.
(b) Any amounts credited by J.P. Morgan to the Cash Account on the basis of a notice or an interim credit from a third party, may be reversed if J.P. Morgan does not receive final payment in a timely manner. J.P. Morgan will notify Customer promptly of any such reversal.
2.3 Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name
(a) J.P. Morgan will identify in its books that Financial Assets credited to Customer’s Securities Account belong to Customer (except as otherwise may be agreed by J.P. Morgan and Customer).
(b) To the extent permitted by Applicable Law or market practice, J.P. Morgan will require each Subcustodian to identify in its own books that Financial Assets held at such Subcustodian by J.P. Morgan on behalf of its customers belong to customers of J.P. Morgan, such that it is readily apparent that the Financial Assets do not belong to J.P. Morgan or the Subcustodian.
(c) J.P. Morgan is authorized, in its discretion,
(i) to hold in bearer form, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in bearer form or are delivered to J.P. Morgan or its Subcustodian in bearer form;
(ii) to hold Securities in or deposit Securities with any Securities Depository;
(iii) to hold Securities in omnibus accounts on a fungible basis and to accept delivery of Securities of the same class and denomination as those deposited with J.P. Morgan or its Subcustodian; and
(iv) to register in the name of Customer, J.P. Morgan, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository, or their respective nominees, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in registered form.
2.4 Settlement of Transactions
Subject to Article 3 and Section 4.2 of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan will act in accordance with Instructions with respect to settlement of transactions. Settlement will be conducted in accordance with prevailing
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
standards of the market in which the transaction occurs. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to deliver Financial Assets or payment in accordance with applicable market practice in advance of receipt or settlement of consideration expected in connection with such delivery or payment, and Customer acknowledges and agrees that such action alone will not of itself constitute negligence, fraud, or willful misconduct of J.P. Morgan, and the risk of loss arising from any such action will be borne by Customer. In the case of the failure of Customer’s counterparty (or other appropriate party) to deliver the expected consideration as agreed, J.P. Morgan will contact the counterparty to seek settlement and will notify Customer of such failure. If Customer’s counterparty continues to fail to deliver the expected consideration, J.P. Morgan will provide information reasonably requested by Customer that J.P. Morgan has in its possession to allow Customer to enforce rights that Customer has against Customer’s counterparty, but neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians will be obliged to institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action.
2.5 Contractual Settlement Date Accounting
(a) J.P. Morgan will effect book entries on a contractual settlement date accounting basis as described below with respect to the settlement of transactions in those markets where J.P. Morgan generally offers contractual settlement date accounting.
(i) Sales: On the settlement date for a sale, J.P. Morgan will credit the Cash Account with the proceeds of the sale and transfer the relevant Financial Assets to an account at J.P. Morgan pending settlement of the transaction where not already delivered.
(ii) Purchases: On the settlement date for the purchase (or earlier, if market practice requires delivery of the purchase price before the settlement date), J.P. Morgan will debit the Cash Account for the settlement amount and credit a separate account at J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan, in its sole discretion, may post the Securities Account as awaiting receipt of the expected Financial Assets. Customer will not be entitled to the delivery of Financial Assets that are awaiting receipt until J.P. Morgan or a Subcustodian actually receives them.
Upon request, J.P. Morgan shall provide Customer with a list of those markets for which it provides contractual settlement date accounting. J.P. Morgan may add markets to or remove markets from this list with notice to Customer. J.P. Morgan reserves the right to restrict in good faith the availability of contractual settlement date accounting for credit or operational reasons.
(b) J.P. Morgan may reverse any debit or credit made pursuant to Section 2.5(a) prior to a transaction's actual settlement upon notice to Customer in cases where J.P. Morgan reasonably believes that the transaction will not settle in the ordinary course within a reasonable time. Customer will be responsible for any costs or liabilities resulting from such reversal. Customer acknowledges that the procedures described in Section 2.5 are of an administrative nature, and J.P. Morgan does not undertake to make loans of cash and/or Financial Assets available to Customer.
2.6 Actual Settlement Date Accounting
With respect to settlement of a transaction that is not posted to the Account on the contractual settlement date as referred to in Section 2.5, J.P. Morgan will post the transaction on the date on which the cash or Financial Assets received as consideration for the transaction is actually received and cleared by J.P. Morgan.
2.7 Income Collection
(a) Income on Financial Assets (net of any taxes withheld by J.P. Morgan or any third party) will be credited only after actual receipt and reconciliation.
(b) J.P. Morgan will use reasonable efforts to contact appropriate parties to collect unpaid interest, dividends or redemption proceeds and notify the Customer of late or outstanding payments, which shall be deemed given when sent electronically or posted on J.P. Morgan’s website, but neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians will be obliged to file any formal notice of default, institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action. If J.P. Morgan does not institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action, then, at the written request of Customer, J.P. Morgan shall assign its rights to do so to the Customer, provided that J.P. Morgan shall have no obligation to assign its rights to claims against an Affiliate of J.P. Morgan.
2.8 Miscellaneous Administrative Duties
(a) Until J.P. Morgan receives Instructions to the contrary, J.P. Morgan will:
(i) present all Financial Assets for which J.P. Morgan has received notice of a call for redemption or that have otherwise matured, and all income and interest coupons and other income items that call for payment upon presentation;
(ii) execute in the name of Customer such certificates as may be required to obtain payment in respect of Financial Assets; and
(iii) exchange interim or temporary documents of title held in the Securities Account for definitive
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
documents of title.
(b) In the event that, as a result of holding Financial Assets in an omnibus account, Customer receives fractional interests in Financial Assets arising out of a Corporate Action or class action litigation, J.P. Morgan will credit Customer with the amount of cash it would have received had the Financial Assets not been held in an omnibus account, and Customer shall relinquish to J.P. Morgan its interest in such fractional interests.
(c) If some, but not all, of an outstanding class of Financial Asset is called for redemption, J.P. Morgan may allot the amount redeemed among the respective beneficial holders of such class of Financial Assets on a pro rata basis or in any manner J.P. Morgan reasonably deems fair and equitable.
2.9 Corporate Actions
(a) J.P. Morgan will act in accordance with local market practice to obtain information concerning Corporate Actions that is publicly available in the local market. J.P. Morgan also will review information obtained from sources to which it subscribes for information concerning such Corporate Actions. J.P. Morgan will promptly provide that information (or summaries that accurately reflect the material points concerning the applicable Corporate Action) to Customer or its Authorized Person.
(b) J.P. Morgan will act in accordance with Customer’s Instructions in relation to such Corporate Actions. If Customer fails to provide J.P. Morgan with timely Instructions with respect to any Corporate Action, neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians or their respective nominees will take any action in relation to that Corporate Action.
2.10 Class Action Litigation
Any notices received by J.P. Morgan’s corporate actions department about U.S. settled securities class action litigation that requires action by affected owners of the underlying Financial Assets will be promptly notified to Customer if J.P. Morgan, using reasonable care and diligence in the circumstances, identifies that Customer was a shareholder and held the relevant Financial Assets in custody with J.P. Morgan at the relevant time. J.P. Morgan will not make filings in the name of Customer in respect to such notifications.
2.11 Proxies
(a) J.P. Morgan will monitor information distributed to holders of Financial Assets about upcoming shareholder meetings, promptly notify Customer or Customer’s Authorized Person of such information and, subject to Section 2.11(c), act in accordance with Customer’s Instructions in relation to such meetings (
“
the Proxy Voting Service
”
).
(b) The Proxy Voting Service is available only in certain markets, details of which are available from J.P. Morgan on request. Provision of the Proxy Voting Service is conditional upon receipt by J.P. Morgan of a duly completed enrolment form as well as additional documentation that may be required for certain markets.
(c) The Proxy Voting Service does not include physical attendance at shareholder meetings. Requests for physical attendance at shareholder meetings can be made but they will be evaluated and agreed to by J.P. Morgan on a case by case basis.
(d) Customer acknowledges that the provision of the Proxy Voting Service may be precluded or restricted under a variety of circumstances. These circumstances include, but are not limited to:
(i) the Financial Assets being on loan or out for registration;
(ii) the pendency of conversion or another corporate action;
(iii) the Financial Assets being held in a margin or collateral account at J.P. Morgan or another bank or broker, or otherwise in a manner which affects voting;
(iv) local market regulations or practices, or restrictions by the issuer; and
(v) J.P. Morgan being required to vote all shares held for a particular issue for all of J.P. Morgan’s customers on a net basis (i.e., a net yes or no vote based on voting instructions received from all its customers). Where this is the case, J.P. Morgan will inform Customer.
2.12 Statements of Account
(a) J.P. Morgan will provide Customer with a statement of account for each Account, identifying cash and Financial Assets held in the Account and any transfers to and from the Account. Statements of account may be delivered electronically or on-line over the Internet and are deemed delivered when sent electronically or posted on the Internet. Customer will review its statement of account and give J.P. Morgan written notice of (i) any suspected error or omission or (ii) non-receipt of a statement of account within a reasonable time after the statement of accounts is sent or made available to Customer or would have been sent, as the case may be.
(b) Customer acknowledges that information available to it on-line with respect to transactions posted after the close of the prior business day may not be accurate due to mis-postings, delays in updating Account records, and other causes. J.P. Morgan will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of any such information accessed on-line that is updated or
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
corrected no later than the close of business on the business day after the transaction was posted.
2.13 Access to J.P. Morgan's Records
(a) J.P. Morgan will allow Customer's auditors and independent public accountants
or other Authorized Persons of Customer as are reasonably acceptable to J.P. Morgan,
such reasonable access to the records of J.P. Morgan relating to Financial Assets as is required in connection with their examination of books and records pertaining to Customer's affairs. Subject to restrictions under the relevant local law, J.P. Morgan also directs any Subcustodian that is a bank to permit Customer’s auditors and independent public accountants
, or other Authorized Persons of Customer as are reasonably acceptable to J.P. Morgan
, reasonable access to the records of any Subcustodian of Financial Assets held in the Securities Account as may be required in connection with such examination.
(b) J.P. Morgan will, upon reasonable written notice, allow Customer reasonable access during normal working hours to the records of J.P. Morgan relating to the Accounts. J.P. Morgan may impose reasonable restrictions on the number of individuals allowed access, the frequency and length of such access, and the scope of the records made available. Customer shall reimburse J.P. Morgan for the cost of copying, collating and researching archived information at a mutually agreed upon rate.
2.14 Maintenance of Financial Assets at Subcustodian Locations
Unless Instructions require another location acceptable to J.P. Morgan, Financial Assets will be held in the country or jurisdiction in which their principal trading market is located, where such Financial Assets may be presented for payment where such Financial Assets were acquired, or where such Financial Assets are located. J.P. Morgan reserves the right to refuse to accept delivery of Financial Assets or cash in countries and jurisdictions other than those referred to in Schedule 1 to this Agreement, as in effect from time to time. J.P. Morgan may modify Schedule 1 to this Agreement upon notice to Customer.
2.15 Foreign Exchange Transactions
To facilitate the administration of Customer's trading and investment activity, J.P. Morgan may, but will not be obliged to, enter into spot or forward foreign exchange contracts with Customer, or an Authorized Person, and may also provide foreign exchange contracts and facilities through its Affiliates or Subcustodians. Instructions, including standing Instructions, may be issued with respect to such contracts, but J.P. Morgan may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available. In all cases where J.P. Morgan, its Affiliates or Subcustodians enter into a master foreign exchange contract that covers foreign exchange transactions for the Accounts, the terms and conditions of that foreign exchange contract and, to the extent not inconsistent, this Agreement, will apply to such transactions.
2.16 Notifications
If Customer has agreed to access information concerning the Accounts through J.P. Morgan’s website, J.P. Morgan may make any notifications required under this Agreement by posting it on the website.
2.17 Securities Lending Transactions
(a) If and to the extent that the necessary funds and securities have been entrusted to it under this Agreement, and subject to J.P. Morgan’s rights pursuant to Section 4.3 below, J.P. Morgan, as agent of Customer, shall from time to time make from the Accounts the transfers of funds and deliveries of securities that Customer has agreed to make pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreement and shall receive for the Accounts the transfers of funds and deliveries of Securities that the borrower under the Securities Loan Agreement is required to make pursuant thereto. J.P. Morgan shall make and receive such transfers and deliveries pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Securities Loan Agreement.
(b) Customer shall not issue any orders or Instructions to transfer Account Assets out of any Accounts (and J.P. Morgan shall have no obligations to follow any such orders or Instructions) unless such transfer accords with Customer’s obligations under Section 4.2 of the Securities Loan Agreement.
(c) J.P. Morgan shall daily mark to market, in the manner provided for in the Securities Loan Agreement, all loans of securities that may from time to time be outstanding thereunder. In performing such marks to market, J.P. Morgan shall use securities prices determined in such manner as J.P. Morgan may from time to time approve. J.P. Morgan shall, without further instruction from Customer, exercise the right of Customer under the Securities Loan Agreement to call upon J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp. to deliver to Customer such additional funds and/or Securities as may be required pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreement to be delivered by J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp as a result of such mark-to-market.
(d) J.P. Morgan shall promptly notify Customer of any failure or inability to deliver or receive Securities or funds under the Securities Loan Agreement of which it has actual knowledge.
(e) J.P. Morgan hereby acknowledges its receipt from Customer of a copy of the Securities Loan
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
Agreement in effect on the date hereof. Customer shall provide J.P. Morgan, prior to the effectiveness thereof, with a copy of any amendment to the Securities Loan Agreement.
(f) J.P. Morgan may rely upon a recognized pricing service or a recognized credit rating service in determining the value or credit rating of any Securities, as applicable, and shall in no circumstances be liable for any errors made by such service or its equivalent.
3. INSTRUCTIONS
3.1 Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction and Unclear Instructions
(a) Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to accept, rely upon and/or act upon any Instructions received by it without inquiry. Customer will indemnify J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold each of them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against J.P. Morgan Indemnitees as a result of any action or omission taken in accordance with any Instruction.
(b) Customer will where reasonably practicable use automated and electronic methods of sending Instructions.
(c) J.P. Morgan shall promptly notify an Authorized Person if J.P. Morgan determines that an Instruction does not contain all information reasonably necessary for J.P. Morgan to carry out the Instruction. J.P. Morgan may decline to act upon an Instruction if it does not receive clarification or confirmation reasonably satisfactory to it. J.P. Morgan will not be liable for any loss arising from any reasonable delay in carrying out any such Instruction while it seeks information, clarification or confirmation or in declining to act upon any Instruction for which it does not receive clarification satisfactory to it.
3.2 Verification and Security Procedures
(a) J.P. Morgan and Customer shall comply with any applicable Security Procedures with respect to the delivery or authentication of Instructions and shall ensure that any codes, passwords or similar devices are reasonably safeguarded.
(b) Either party may record any of their telephone communications.
3.3 Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice
J.P. Morgan need not act upon Instructions which it reasonably believes to be contrary to law, regulation or market practice, but J.P. Morgan shall be under no duty to investigate whether any Instructions comply with Applicable Law or market practice. In the event J.P. Morgan does not act upon such Instructions, J.P. Morgan will promptly notify, subject to Applicable Law, Customer where reasonably practicable.
3.4 Cut-Off Times
J.P. Morgan has established cut-off times for receipt of Instructions, which will be made available to Customer. If J.P. Morgan receives an Instruction after its established cut-off time, J.P. Morgan will attempt to act upon the Instruction on the day requested if J.P. Morgan deems it practicable to do so or otherwise as soon as practicable after that day.
3.5 Electronic Access
Access by Customer to certain applications or products of J.P. Morgan via J.P. Morgan’s web site or otherwise shall be governed by this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth in Schedule 5.
4. FEES, EXPENSES AND OTHER AMOUNTS OWING TO J.P. MORGAN
4.1 Fees and Expenses
Customer will pay J.P. Morgan for its services under this Agreement such fees as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time, together with J.P. Morgan's out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including, but not limited to, legal fees and tax or related fees incidental to processing charged directly or indirectly by governmental authorities, issuers, or their agents. Any annual fee payable by Customer, and any transaction charges incurred by it, shall be paid monthly by automatic deduction from funds available therefor in the Account or, if there are no such funds, upon presentation of an invoice therefor. The annual fee shall be calculated on the basis of the total market value of the assets in the Account on the last business day of the month for which such fee is charged. Out-of-pocket expenses incurred by J.P. Morgan in the performance of its services hereunder, any and all taxes (including any interest and penalties with respect thereto) which may be levied or assessed under present or future laws upon or in respect of the Account or income thereof, and all other proper charges and disbursements of the Account, shall be charged to the Account by J.P. Morgan and paid in the same manner as the annual fee referred to in this Section 4.1 Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s other rights, J.P. Morgan reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts from the due date until actual payment at the applicable rate in the applicable fee schedule between J.P. Morgan and Customer, or, if no fee schedule is applicable, at such rate as J.P. Morgan customarily charges for similar overdue amounts.
4.2 Overdrafts
If a debit to any currency in the Cash Account results in a debit balance in such currency, then J.P. Morgan may, in its discretion, (i) advance an amount equal to the overdraft, (ii) refuse to settle in whole or in part the transaction which, if effected, would cause such
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debit balance, or (iii) if any such transaction is posted to the Securities Account, reverse any such posting. If J.P. Morgan elects to make such an advance, the advance will be deemed a loan to Customer, payable on demand, bearing interest at the applicable rate in the applicable fee schedule between J.P. Morgan and Customer, or, if no fee schedule is applicable, the applicable rate charged by J.P. Morgan from time to time for such overdrafts, from the date of such advance to the date of payment (both after as well as before judgment) and otherwise on the terms on which J.P. Morgan makes similar overdrafts available from time to time. No prior action or course of dealing on J.P. Morgan’s part with respect to the settlement of transactions on Customer’s behalf will be asserted by Customer against J.P. Morgan for J.P. Morgan’s refusal to make advances to the Cash Account or to settle any transaction for which Customer does not have sufficient available funds in the applicable currency in the Account. J.P. Morgan will provide reasonably prompt notice to Customer of any overdraft provided however notice shall be deemed given when sent electronically or posted on J.P. Morgan’s website.
4.3 J.P. Morgan’s Right Over Securities; Set-off
(a) Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s rights under Applicable Law, Customer grants to J.P. Morgan a first-priority, perfected security interest in and a lien on the Account and all Account Assets as security for any and all Liabilities outstanding from time to time (whether actual or contingent) of Customer to (i) J.P. Morgan under this Agreement or under any agreement where J.P. Morgan acts as custodian, depository, trustee, or escrow agent or (ii) any of J.P. Morgan’s Affiliates under the Institutional Account Agreement or the Securities Loan Agreement, and J.P. Morgan shall be entitled without notice to Customer, to withhold delivery of such Account Assets, sell or otherwise realize any of such Account Assets and to apply the proceeds and any other monies credited to the Cash Account in satisfaction of such Liabilities. For this purpose, J.P. Morgan may make such currency conversions as may be necessary at its then current rates for the sale and purchase of relevant currencies.
(b) Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s rights under Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan may set off against any obligation owed by Customer to J.P. Morgan, any J.P. Morgan branch or office, or any of its Affiliates any obligation owed to Customer by J.P. Morgan, any J.P. Morgan branch or office, or any Affiliate of J.P. Morgan. For this purpose, J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to accelerate the maturity of any fixed term deposits and to effect such currency conversions as may be necessary at its current rates for the sale and purchase of the relevant currencies.
(c) J.P. Morgan shall, without any further consent from Customer, promptly and fully comply with any order or instruction of J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp. or any Affiliate of J.P. Morgan to which Customer has granted a security interest in any part of the Account Assets (each a “JPM Secured Party”). Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan shall not be obligated to comply with any order or instruction of Customer if such instruction conflicts with an instruction issued by a JPM Secured Party, or if and to the extent that any such Security or other property credited to the Account is required as collateral for any outstanding advance or other obligation under this Agreement or any loan or other agreement between J.P. Morgan, or a JPM Secured Party, and Customer.
5. SUBCUSTODIANS, SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES, AND OTHER AGENTS
5.1 Appointment of Subcustodians; Use of Securities Depositories
(a) J.P. Morgan is authorized under this Agreement to act through and hold Customer’s Financial Assets with Subcustodians. J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care in the selection, monitoring and continued appointment of such Subcustodians. In addition, J.P. Morgan and each Subcustodian may deposit Securities with, and hold Securities in, any Securities Depository on such terms as such Securities Depository customarily operates and Customer will provide J.P. Morgan with such documentation or acknowledgements that J.P. Morgan may require to hold the Financial Assets in such Securities Depository.
(b) Any agreement J.P. Morgan enters into with a Subcustodian for holding J.P. Morgan’s customers’ assets will provide that such assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors except a claim for payment for their safe custody or administration, or, in the case of cash deposits, except for liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Subcustodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, and that the beneficial ownership thereof will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration. J.P. Morgan shall be responsible for all claims for payment of fees for safe custody or administration so that no Subcustodian exercises any claim for such payment against Customer’s assets. Where a Subcustodian deposits Securities with a Securities Depository, J.P. Morgan will cause the Subcustodian to identify on its records as belonging to J.P. Morgan, as agent, the Securities shown on the Subcustodian’s account at such Securities Depository. This Section 5.1(b) will not apply to the extent of any agreement or arrangement made by Customer with J.P.
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Morgan, any particular Subcustodian or any other third party.
(c) J.P. Morgan is not responsible for the selection or monitoring of any Securities Depository and will not be liable for any act or omission by (or the insolvency of) any Securities Depository. In the event Customer incurs a loss due to the negligence, willful default, or insolvency of a Securities Depository, J.P. Morgan will make reasonable efforts, in its discretion, to seek recovery from the Securities Depository, but J.P. Morgan will not be obligated to institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action.
5.2 Liability for Subcustodians
(a) Subject to Section 7.1(b), J.P. Morgan will be liable for direct losses incurred by Customer that result from:
(i) the failure by a Subcustodian to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services by it in accordance with the standards prevailing in the relevant market or from the fraud or willful misconduct of such Subcustodian in the provision of custodial services by it; or
(ii) the insolvency of any Affiliated Subcustodian.
(b) Subject to Section 5.1(a) and J.P. Morgan’s duty to use reasonable care in the monitoring of a Subcustodian’s financial condition as reflected in its published financial statements and other publicly available financial information concerning it customarily reviewed by J.P. Morgan in its oversight process, J.P. Morgan will not be responsible for any losses (whether direct or indirect) incurred by Customer that result from the insolvency of any Subcustodian which is not a branch or an Affiliated Subcustodian.
(c) J.P. Morgan reserves the right to add, replace or remove Subcustodians. J.P. Morgan will give prompt notice of any such action, which will be advance notice if practicable. Upon request by Customer, J.P. Morgan will identify the name, address and principal place of business of any Subcustodian and the name and address of the governmental agency or other regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such Subcustodian.
6. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO CUSTOMER
6.1 Representations of Customer and J.P. Morgan
(a) Customer represents and warrants that (i) it has full authority and power, and has obtained all necessary authorizations and consents, to deposit and control the Financial Assets and cash in the Accounts, to use J.P. Morgan as its custodian in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and to borrow money (either short term or intraday borrowings in order to settle transactions prior to receipt of covering funds), grant a lien over Financial Assets as contemplated by Section 4.3, and enter into foreign exchange transactions; (ii) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan, this Agreement is Customer’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against Customer in accordance with its terms and it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement (iii) it has not relied on any oral or written representation made by J.P. Morgan or any person on its behalf, and acknowledges that this Agreement sets out to the fullest extent the duties of J.P. Morgan; (iv) it is a resident of the United States and shall notify J.P. Morgan of any changes in residency, (v) the Financial Assets and cash deposited in the Accounts are not subject to any encumbrance or security interest whatsoever and Customer undertakes that, so long as Liabilities are outstanding, it will not create or permit to subsist any encumbrance or security interest over such Financial Assets or cash and (vi) as of the date hereof, none of Customer’s assets and at all times, none of Customer’s assets will constitute, directly or indirectly, plan assets subject to the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction sections of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (
“
ERISA
”
), the prohibited transaction provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or any federal, state, local or non-U.S. law that is similar to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
J.P. Morgan may rely upon the certification of such other facts as may be required to administer J.P. Morgan’s obligations under this Agreement and Customer shall indemnify J.P. Morgan against all losses, liability, claims or demands arising directly or indirectly from any such certifications.
(b) J.P. Morgan represents and warrants that (i) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by Customer, this Agreement is J.P. Morgan’s legal, valid and binding obligation and (ii) it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement.
6.2 Customer is Liable to J.P. Morgan Even if it is Acting for Another Person
If Customer is acting as an agent or for another person as envisaged in Section 2.1(a) in respect of any transaction, cash, or Financial Asset, J.P. Morgan nevertheless will treat Customer as its principal for all
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purposes under this Agreement. In this regard, Customer will be liable to J.P. Morgan as a principal in respect of any transactions relating to the Account. The foregoing will not affect any rights J.P. Morgan might have against Customer’s principal or the other person envisaged by Section 2.1(a).
6.3 J.P. Morgan Not Required to Make Payments on Behalf of Customer
J.P. Morgan shall not be required to make any payments on behalf of Customer to Customer’s equity holders, members, managers, partners, shareholders, or beneficiaries, as applicable, and J.P. Morgan’s sole obligation with respect to the payment of distributions and other amounts to Customer’s equity holders, members, managers, partners, shareholders, or beneficiaries, as applicable, shall be, upon instructions from Customer, to transfer, from funds available in a Cash Account for such purpose, to such bank (other than J.P. Morgan) as Customer may designate in such instructions the aggregate amount of such distributions or other amounts specified in such instructions.
7. WHEN J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO CUSTOMER
7.1 Standard of Care; Liability
(a) J.P. Morgan will use the reasonable care of a professional custodian in performing its obligations under this Agreement. J.P. Morgan will not be in violation of this Agreement with respect to any matter as to which it has satisfied its obligation of reasonable care.
(b) J.P. Morgan will be liable for Customer’s direct damages to the extent they result from J.P. Morgan’s fraud, negligence or willful misconduct in performing its duties as set out in this Agreement and to the extent provided in Section 5.2(a). Nevertheless, under no circumstances will J.P. Morgan be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including, without limitation, lost profits) (except in the event of fraud or willful misconduct) of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought, with respect to the Accounts, J.P. Morgan’s performance under this Agreement, or J.P. Morgan’s role as custodian.
(c) Customer will indemnify J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of J.P. Morgan Indemnitees in connection with or arising out of (i) J.P. Morgan’s performance under this Agreement, provided J.P. Morgan Indemnitees have not acted with negligence or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct in connection with the Liabilities in question or (ii) any J.P. Morgan Indemnitee’s status as a holder of record of Customer’s Financial Assets. Customer shall not be liable to J.P. Morgan Indemnitees for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including, without limitation, lost profits) of any form incurred by J.P. Morgan Indemnitees in connection with this Agreement, provided however, that any liabilities J.P. Morgan Indemnitees may have to third parties which are indemnifiable under this Agreement shall not be considered indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages. Nevertheless, Customer will not be obligated to indemnify any J.P. Morgan Indemnitee under the preceding sentence with respect to any Liability for which J.P. Morgan is liable under Section 5.2 of this Agreement.
(d) Customer agrees that J.P. Morgan provides no service in relation to, and therefore has no duty or responsibility to: (i) question Instructions or make any suggestions to Customer or an Authorized Person regarding such Instructions; (ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments or the retention of Financial Assets; (iii) advise Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any default in the payment of principal or income of any security other than as provided in Section 2.7(b) of this Agreement; (iv) evaluate or report to Customer or an Authorized Person regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent or other party to which J.P. Morgan is instructed to deliver Financial Assets or cash.
7.2 Force Majeure
J.P. Morgan will maintain and update from time to time business continuation and disaster recovery procedures with respect to its global custody business that it determines from time to time meet reasonable commercial standards. J.P. Morgan will have no liability, however, for any damage, loss, expense or liability of any nature that Customer may suffer or incur, caused by an act of God, fire, flood, civil or labor disturbance, war, terrorism, act of any governmental authority or other act or threat of any authority (de jure or de facto), legal constraint, fraud or forgery (other than on the part of J.P. Morgan or its employees or Affiliates in connection with providing services under this Agreement), malfunction of equipment or software (except where such malfunction is primarily attributable to J.P. Morgan’s negligence in maintaining the equipment or software), failure of or the effect of rules or operations of any external funds transfer system, inability to obtain or interruption of external communications facilities, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of J.P. Morgan (including without limitation, the non-availability of appropriate foreign exchange).
7.3 J.P. Morgan May Consult With Counsel
J.P. Morgan will be entitled to rely on, and may act
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upon the advice of qualified counsel selected with reasonable care in relation to matters of law, regulation or market practice (which may be the counsel of Customer), and will not be liable to Customer under this Agreement for any action taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to such advice.
7.4 J.P. Morgan Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result
Customer hereby authorizes J.P. Morgan to act under this Agreement notwithstanding that: (a) J.P. Morgan or any of its divisions, branches or Affiliates may have a material interest in transactions entered into by Customer with respect to the Account or that circumstances are such that J.P. Morgan may have a potential conflict of duty or interest, including the fact that J.P. Morgan or its Affiliates may act as a market maker in the Financial Assets to which Instructions relate, provide brokerage services to other customers, act as financial adviser to the issuer of such Financial Assets, act in the same transaction as agent for more than one customer, have a material interest in the issue of the Financial Assets; or earn profits from any of the activities listed herein and (b) J.P. Morgan or any of its divisions, branches or Affiliates may be in possession of information tending to show that the Instructions received may not be in the best interests of Customer. J.P. Morgan is not under any duty to disclose any such information.
7.5 Assets Held Outside J.P. Morgan’s Control
J.P. Morgan will not be obliged to hold Securities or cash with any person not agreed to by J.P. Morgan. Furthermore, J.P. Morgan will not be obliged to register or record Securities in the name of any person not agreed to by J.P. Morgan. If, however, Customer makes such a request and J.P. Morgan agrees to the request, the consequences of doing so will be at Customer’s own risk. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any losses incurred as a result and may be precluded from providing some of the services referred to in this Agreement (for example, and without limitation, income collection, proxy voting, class action litigation and Corporate Action notification and processing).
7.6 Ancillary Services
J.P. Morgan and its Subcustodians may use third party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions, tax services and class action litigation and use local agents to provide extraordinary services such as attendance at annual meetings of issuers of Securities). Although J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care (and procure that its Subcustodians use reasonable care) in the selection and retention of such third party providers and local agents, it will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services.
8. TAXATION
8.1 Tax Obligations
(a) Customer will pay or reimburse J.P. Morgan, and confirms that J.P. Morgan is authorized to deduct from any cash received or credited to the Cash Account, any taxes or levies required by any revenue or governmental authority for whatever reason in respect of Customer’s Accounts.
(b) Customer will provide to J.P. Morgan such certifications, declarations, documentation, and information as it may require in connection with taxation, and warrants that, when given, this information is true and correct in every respect, not misleading in any way, and contains all material information. Customer undertakes to notify J.P. Morgan immediately if any information requires updating or correcting. J.P. Morgan provides no service of controlling or monitoring, and therefore has no duty in respect of, or liability for any taxes, penalties, interest or additions to tax, payable or paid that result from (i) the inaccurate completion of documents by Customer or any third party; (ii) provision to J.P. Morgan or a third party of inaccurate or misleading information by Customer or any third party; (iii) the withholding of material information by Customer or any third party; or (iv) as a result of any delay by any revenue authority or any other cause beyond J.P. Morgan’s control.
(c) If J.P. Morgan does not receive appropriate certifications, documentation and information then, as and when appropriate and required, additional tax shall be deducted from all income received in respect of the Financial Assets (including, but not limited to, United States non-resident alien tax and/or backup withholding tax).
(d) Customer will be responsible in all events for the timely payment of all taxes relating to the Financial Assets in the Securities Account provided, however, that J.P. Morgan will be responsible for any penalty or additions to tax due solely as a result of J.P. Morgan’s negligent acts or omissions with respect to paying or withholding tax or reporting interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Cash Account.
9. TERMINATION
9.1 Termination
(a) The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a period of three years following the date on which J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under the Agreement. Following the initial term, Customer may
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terminate this Agreement on sixty (60) days’ written notice to J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement on one hundred and eighty (180) days’ written notice to Customer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Institutional Account Agreement is terminated, J.P. Morgan shall have the right to terminate this Agreement on the date such Institutional Account Agreement terminates.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 9.1(a):
(i) Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately on written notice to the other party in the event that a material breach of this Agreement by the other party has not been cured within thirty (30) days’ of that party being given written notice of the material breach;
(ii) Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately on written notice to the other party upon the other party being declared bankrupt, entering into a composition with creditors, obtaining a suspension of payment, being put under court controlled management or being the subject of a similar measure;
(iii) J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement on sixty (60) days’ written notice to Customer in the event that J.P. Morgan reasonably determines that Customer has ceased to satisfy J.P. Morgan’s customary credit requirements; and
(iv) Customer may terminate this Agreement at any time on sixty (60) days’ written notice to J.P. Morgan upon payment of a termination fee. The termination fee will be an amount equal to six (6) times the average monthly fees paid during the six month period prior to Customer’s notice of termination, or since the date J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under this Agreement if that period is less than six months. The termination fee shall be waived in the event the termination date is more than three years after the date J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under this Agreement or if the Customer is terminating this Agreement pursuant to a material breach by, or the bankruptcy of, J.P. Morgan under Section 9.1(b)(i) or (ii) hereof or as a result of an assignment to an Affiliates or subsidiary of J.P. Morgan under Section 10.2(a) of this Agreement or a reorganization or sale of the business by J.P. Morgan under Section 10.2(b) of this Agreement.
9.2 Exit Procedure
Customer will provide J.P. Morgan full details of the persons to whom J.P. Morgan must deliver Financial Assets and cash within a reasonable period before the effective time of termination of this Agreement. If Customer fails to provide such details in a timely manner, J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to continue to be paid fees under this Agreement until such time as it is able to deliver the Financial Assets and cash to its successor custodian, but J.P. Morgan may take such steps as it reasonably determines to be necessary to protect itself following the effective time of termination, including ceasing to provide transaction settlement services in the event that J.P. Morgan is unwilling to assume any related credit risk. J.P. Morgan will in any event be entitled to deduct any amounts owing to it prior to delivery of the Financial Assets and cash (and, accordingly, J.P. Morgan will be entitled to sell Financial Assets and apply the sale proceeds in satisfaction of amounts owing to it). J.P. Morgan shall notify Customer of amounts deducted, which notification may be made after such deduction. Customer will reimburse J.P. Morgan promptly for all out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in delivering Financial Assets upon termination. Termination will not affect any of the liabilities either party owes to the other arising under this Agreement prior to such termination.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Notifications
Notices pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement shall be sent or served by registered mail, overnight delivery services, such as Federal Express (FedEx) or United Parcel Service (UPS), etc., courier services or hand delivery to the address of the respective parties as set out on the first page of this Agreement, unless notice of a new address is given to the other party in writing. Notice will not be deemed to be given unless it has been received.
10.2 Successors and Assigns
This Agreement will be binding on each of the parties’ successors and assigns, but the parties agree that neither party can assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; except J.P. Morgan may assign this Agreement without Customer’s consent to (a) any Affiliate or subsidiary of J.P. Morgan or (b) in connection with a merger, reorganization, stock sale or sale of all or substantially all of J.P. Morgan’s custody business. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.2, Customer may assign the right to recover losses to its insurer, investment manager or its affiliates that pay for losses sustained by Customer.
10.3 Interpretation
Headings are for reference and convenience only and are not intended to affect interpretation. References to Sections are to Sections of this Agreement and references to sub-Sections and paragraphs are to sub-Sections of the Sections and paragraphs of the sub-Sections in which they appear.
10.4 Entire Agreement
This Agreement, including the Schedules and the
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Exhibits (and any separate agreement which J.P. Morgan and Customer may enter into with respect to any Cash Account), sets out the entire Agreement between the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof, and this Agreement supersedes any other agreement, statement or representation relating to custody, whether oral or written. Amendments must be in writing and, except where this Agreement provides for amendments by notice from J.P. Morgan, signed by both parties.
10.5 Information Concerning Deposits at J.P. Morgan’s London Branch
Under U.S. federal law, deposit accounts that Customer maintains in J.P. Morgan’s foreign branches (outside of the U.S.) are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In the event of J.P. Morgan’s liquidation, foreign branch deposits have a lesser preference than U.S. deposits, and such foreign deposits are subject to cross-border risks.
10.6 Insurance
Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan will not be required to maintain any insurance coverage specifically for the benefit of Customer. J.P. Morgan will, however, provide summary information regarding its own general insurance coverage to Customer upon written request.
10.7 Security Holding Disclosure
With respect to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 under the U.S Shareholder Communications Act, regarding disclosure of beneficial owners to issuers of Securities, J.P. Morgan is instructed not to disclose the name, address or Security positions of Customer in response to shareholder communications requests regarding the Account.
10.8 USA PATRIOT Act Disclosure
Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (
“
USA PATRIOT Act
”
) requires J.P. Morgan to implement reasonable procedures to verify the identity of any person that opens a new account with it. Accordingly, Customer acknowledges that Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and J.P. Morgan’s identity verification procedures require J.P. Morgan to obtain information which may be used to confirm Customer’s identity including without limitation Customer’s name, address and organizational documents (
“
identifying information
”
). Customer may also be asked to provide information about its financial status such as its current audited and unaudited financial statements. Customer agrees to provide J.P. Morgan with and consents to J.P. Morgan obtaining from third parties any such identifying and financial information required as a condition of opening an account with or using any service provided by J.P. Morgan.
10.9 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE CONSTRUED, REGULATED, AND ADMINISTERED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OR STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLICABLE, WITHOUT REGARD TO NEW YORK’S PRINCIPLES REGARDING CONFLICT OF LAWS, EXCEPT THAT THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT REDUCE ANY STATUTORY RIGHT TO CHOOSE NEW YORK LAW OR FORUM. THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK WILL HAVE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER ANY LAWSUIT OR OTHER JUDICIAL PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING FROM THIS AGREEMENT. IF THAT COURT LACKS FEDERAL SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK COUNTY WILL HAVE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION. EITHER OF THESE COURTS WILL HAVE PROPER VENUE FOR ANY SUCH LAWSUIT OR JUDICIAL PROCEEDING, AND THE PARTIES WAIVE ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OR THEIR CONVENIENCE AS A FORUM. THE PARTIES AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY OF THE COURTS SPECIFIED AND TO ACCEPT SERVICE OF PROCESS TO VEST PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THEM IN ANY OF THESE COURTS. THE PARTIES FURTHER HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH LAWSUIT OR JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ARISING OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. TO THE EXTENT THAT IN ANY JURISDICTION CUSTOMER MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER BE ENTITLED TO CLAIM, FOR ITSELF OR ITS ASSETS, IMMUNITY FROM SUIT, EXECUTION, ATTACHMENT (BEFORE OR AFTER JUDGMENT) OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS, CUSTOMER SHALL NOT CLAIM, AND IT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, SUCH IMMUNITY.
10.10 Severability; Waiver; and Survival
(a) If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired.
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right under this Agreement operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No waiver
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
by a party of any provision of this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced.
(c) The parties’ rights, protections, and remedies under this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 4.3, shall survive its termination.
10.11 Confidentiality
(a) Subject to Clause 10.11(b) J.P. Morgan will hold all Confidential Information in confidence and will not disclose any Confidential Information except as may be required by Applicable Law, a regulator with jurisdiction over J.P. Morgan’s business, or with the consent of Customer. J.P. Morgan shall provide Customer with notice to the extent reasonably practicable and to the extent permitted by law where it is the subject of any legal process or regulatory request involving Customer’s Confidential Information.
(b) Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to disclose Confidential Information to:
(i) any Subcustodian, subcontractor, agent, Securities Depository, securities exchange, broker, third party agent, proxy solicitor, issuer, or any other person, provided in each case that J.P. Morgan believes is reasonably required in connection with J.P. Morgan’s provision of relevant services under this Agreement;
(ii) its professional advisors, auditors or public accountants;
(iii) its Affiliates and branches, and
(iv) any revenue authority or any governmental entity in relation to the processing of any tax relief claim.
(c) Except as otherwise required by Applicable Law or as needed to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the parties shall hold the terms and conditions, including, without limitation, any commercial terms, of this Agreement in confidence.
10.12 Pricing
In providing Customer with an estimated price or indicative valuation, J.P. Morgan is not undertaking to render investment advice, manage money, act as a fiduciary with respect to the Accounts, or place a bid for any security or derivatives transaction. Such estimated prices and indicative valuations may have been obtained from third party sources J.P. Morgan believes to be reliable. J.P. Morgan expressly disclaims any responsibility for (and Customer agrees to hold J.P. Morgan harmless for any loss in respect of) any use to which Customer puts an estimated price or indicative valuation and, by accepting it, Customer hereby agrees that Customer will not provide it (or any part thereof) to any third parties without J.P. Morgan’s prior written consent. The estimated price or indicative valuation may differ significantly from prices at which securities or derivatives transactions could be or could have been purchased or sold in any market or to or from any person or the prices at which J.P. Morgan or any other person would be willing to enter into, terminate, unwind or assign the relevant derivatives transactions. The disclaimers contained in this Section 10.12 are in addition to those contained in any account statement or in any agreement with J.P. Morgan or any Affiliate of J.P. Morgan to which Customer is a party.
10.13 Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts each of which will be deemed to be an original and together will constitute one and the same agreement.
10.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries
Other
than J.P. Morgan’s Affiliates, a
person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right to enforce any term of this Agreement.
10.15 Customer as a Business Trust
J.P. Morgan acknowledges and agrees that the obligations assumed by Customer hereunder shall be limited in all cases to the assets of the Customer and that J.P. Morgan may not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the officers, agents, employees, trustees, directors or shareholders of the Customer or of any Fund, and to the extent such trustees or officers are regarded as entering into this Agreement, they do so only as trustees or officers and not individually and that the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any such trustee, officer, employee or shareholder individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of said Customer or Fund. J.P. Morgan hereby agrees that such trustees, officers, employees or shareholders shall not be personally liable under this Agreement and that J.P. Morgan shall look solely to the property of the Customer or Fund for the performance of the Agreement or payment of any claim under the Agreement.
10.16 Obligations and Liabilities of Separate Series to be Kept Separate
This Agreement is an agreement entered into between J.P. Morgan and Customer with respect to each Fund. With respect to any obligation or liability of the Customer on behalf of any Fund arising out of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall look for payment or satisfaction of such obligation or liability solely to the assets of the Fund to which such obligation relates with the same effect as if J.P. Morgan had separately contracted with the Customer by separate written instrument with respect to each Fund. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
paragraph shall relieve any entity from any liability which it may otherwise have in such capacity under Applicable Law. [Signature Page Follows]
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE
FUNDS
on behalf of itself and on behalf of
each series listed on Schedule A hereto
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JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
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By:
/s/ Robert Conti
Name: Robert Conti
Title: President
Date: May 8, 2012
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By:
/s/ Melissa Welsman
Name: Melissa Welsman
Title: Vice President
Date: May 9, 2012
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With respect to Section 4.3(c)
Agreed and Acknowledged:
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J.P. MORGAN CLEARING CORP.
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By:
/s/ Michael Minikes
Name: Michael Minikes
Title: Chairman and President
Date: May 9, 2012
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PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan as of the Date First Specified Above
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
SCHEDULE 2
Persons Authorized To Give Instructions
Full Name and Official
Position
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Method of
Instruction*
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Telephone
Number
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Specimen
Signature
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Signed for and on behalf of Customer by:
Signature:
Name:
Position:
*
i.e. writing, telephone or facsimile
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
SCHEDULE 3
Authorized Fund Managers/Advisers
Persons authorized as fund managers will also have to complete an authority in similar form to Schedule 2, but with some additional wording. A specimen copy is attached as Appendix A.
Full name of Fund
Manager/Adviser
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Address
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Accounts for which
a
uthorized*
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Signature:
Name:
Title:
*
If left blank, the Fund Manager is authorized to give instructions on
all
accounts.
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
SCHEDULE 4
Form of Board Resolution
To:
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JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
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........................... 20...
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We hereby certify that the following is a true copy of the minutes of the Board of Directors of .........................................................................................
*
(the
“Company”
) which was duly called and held on ......................................, 20....... and at which a duly qualified quorum was present throughout and entitled to vote.
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1.
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There was produced to the meeting a form of Custody Agreement provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (
“
J.P. Morgan
”
) for use in connection with the opening of one or more cash and securities accounts and the conduct of such other transactions between the Company and J.P. Morgan as referred to therein. The form of Custody Agreement produced had been completed by an officer of the Company, and in particular it was noted that details of the Authorized Persons (as defined therein) and details of persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Company had been completed in Schedule 2. Details of any Fund Managers and Advisers had been completed in Schedule 3. The indemnities given to J.P. Morgan in the Custody Agreement were also noted. The meeting considered the form of the Custody Agreement.
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2.
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IT WAS RESOLVED that the form of Custody Agreement (together with the Schedule and Appendices), completed in the manner and form produced at the meeting, be and is hereby approved and that ....................................................................................................................** be and he/she is hereby authorized, for and on behalf of the Company, to sign and deliver the same together with such changes and amendments thereto as he/she may in his/her sole discretion think fit.
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3.
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There was produced to the meeting a form of power of attorney (
“power of attorney”
) to be given by the Company to J.P. Morgan to enable J.P. Morgan to provide tax reclaim services as provided for in the Custody Agreement. The meeting considered the form of the power of attorney and in particular the indemnities contained in it. IT WAS RESOLVED that that power of attorney be and it is hereby approved and that it be executed under seal in accordance with the Company's constitution.
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........................................................................ Director
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...................................................................... Secretary
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*
Name of Company in full.
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
APPENDIX A
Specimen Fund Manager Mandate
TO:
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JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
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GLOBAL CUSTODY DIVISION
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DATE: ____________________
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Dear Sirs,
Re:
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Global Custody for
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(the
“
Customer
”
).
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We warrant that we have been appointed by Customer as its fund manager for the account(s) listed below and that we have full authority from Customer to give instructions in respect of all transactions relating to the account(s). We agree to indemnify and hold J.P. Morgan harmless for any losses, costs or liabilities it or its agents incur as a result of any breach of this warranty.
We set out overleaf the names and specimen signatures of those individuals authorized by us to operate accounts and give instructions on behalf of Customer in respect of the account(s).
J.P. Morgan may accept and act on any instructions that have been verified in accordance with a Security Procedure, as defined in the Global Custody Agreement between J.P. Morgan and Customer, or, if no such Security Procedure is applicable, which J.P. Morgan believes in good faith to have been given by one of those individuals listed below.
We acknowledge that J.P. Morgan may record our telephone conversations and agree to ensure that any codes, passwords or similar devices are reasonably safeguarded.
Unless specified otherwise, all persons authorized to give instructions shall be authorized to give instructions in respect of all securities and cash accounts, for foreign exchange, and shall be authorized to give instructions notwithstanding that they may result in an overdraft on any cash account.
Signed for and on behalf of [Name of fund manager]
Signature:
Name:
Position:
Evidence of Authority to sign this Letter is enclosed
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
ACCOUNT(S) COVERED BY THIS MANDATE
:
Full Name and
Official Position
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Method of
Instruction*
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Telephone
Number
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Specimen
Signature
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*
i.e. writing, telephone or facsimile
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
Annex A
Electronic Access
1.
J.P. Morgan may permit the Customer and its Authorized Persons to access certain electronic systems, applications and Data (as defined below) in connection with the Agreement (collectively, the “
Products
”). J.P. Morgan may, from time to time, introduce new features to the Products or otherwise modify or delete existing features of the Products in its sole discretion. J.P. Morgan shall endeavor to give the Customer reasonable notice of its termination or suspension of access to the Products, but may do so immediately if J.P. Morgan determines, in its sole discretion, that providing access to the Products would violate Applicable Law or that the security or integrity of the Products is at risk. Access to the Products shall be subject to the Security Procedures.
2.
In consideration of the fees paid by the Customer to J.P. Morgan and subject to any applicable software license addendum in relation to J.P. Morgan-owned or sublicensed software provided for a particular application
and Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan grants to the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited and revocable license to use the Products and the information and data made available through the Products (the “
Data
”) for the Customer’s internal business use only. The Customer may download the Data and print out hard copies for its reference, provided that it does not remove any copyright or other notices contained therein. The license granted herein will permit use by Customer’s Authorized Person, provided that such use shall be in compliance with the Agreement, including this Annex.
3.
The Customer acknowledges that there are security, corruption, transaction error and access availability risks associated with using open networks such as the internet, and the Customer hereby expressly assumes such risks. The Customer is solely responsible for obtaining, maintaining and operating all software (including antivirus software, anti-spyware software, and other internet security software) and personnel necessary for the Customer to access and use the Products. All such software must be interoperable with J.P. Morgan’s software. Each of the Customer and J.P. Morgan shall be responsible for the proper functioning, maintenance and security of its own systems, services, software and other equipment.
4.
In cases where J.P. Morgan’s web site
is unexpectedly down or otherwise unavailable, J.P. Morgan shall, absent a force majeure event, provide other appropriate means for the Customer or its Authorized Persons to instruct J.P. Morgan or obtain reports from J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any Liabilities arising out of Customer’s use of, access to or inability to use the Products via J.P. Morgan’s web site in the absence of J.P. Morgan’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
5.
Use of the Products may be monitored, tracked, and recorded. In using the Products, the Customer hereby expressly consents to such monitoring, tracking, and recording. Individuals and organizations should have no expectation of privacy unless local law, regulation, or contract provides otherwise. J.P. Morgan shall own all right, title and interest in the data reflecting Customer usage of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s web site (including, but not limited to, general usage data and aggregated transaction data). J.P. Morgan may use and sublicense data obtained by it regarding the Customer’s use of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s website, as long as J.P. Morgan does not disclose to others that the Customer was the source of such data or the details of individual transactions effected using the Products or web site.
6.
Neither J. P. Morgan nor the Customer shall not knowingly use the Products to transmit (i) any virus, worm, or destructive element or any programs or data that may be reasonably expected to interfere with or disrupt the Products or servers connected to the Products; (ii) material that violates the rights of another, including but not limited to the intellectual property rights of another; and (iii) “junk mail”, “spam”, “chain letters” or unsolicited mass distribution of e-mail.
7.
The Customer shall promptly and accurately designate in writing to J.P. Morgan the geographic location of its users upon written request. The Customer further represents and warrants to J.P. Morgan that the Customer shall not access the service from any jurisdiction which J.P. Morgan informs the Customer or where the Customer has actual knowledge that the service is not authorized for use due to local regulations or laws, including applicable software export rules and regulations. Prior to submitting any document which designates the persons authorized to act on the Customer’s behalf, the Customer shall obtain from each individual referred to in such document all necessary consents to enable J.P. Morgan to process the data set out therein for the purposes of providing the Products.
8.
The Parties will be subject to and shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning restricting collection, use, disclosure, processing and free movement of the Data (collectively, the “
Privacy Regulations
”). The Privacy Regulations may include, as applicable, the Federal “Privacy of Consumer Financial Information” Regulation (12 CFR Part 30), as amended from time to time, issued pursuant to Section 504 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (15 U.S.C. §6801,
et seq
.), the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. §1320d), The Data Protection Act 1998 and Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to processing of personal data and the free movement of such data.
9.
The Customer shall be responsible for the compliance of its Authorized Persons with the terms of the Agreement, including this Annex.
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
Schedule A
List of Series
Neuberger Berman Absolute Return Multi-Manager Fund
PAWS Plus Global custody Agreement - JPMCB New York -
CTC Platform - October 2011
Mutual Fund Rider to Global Custody Agreement Between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds on behalf of itself and on behalf of
each series listed on Schedule A thereto
effective May 8, 2012.
The following modifications are made to the Agreement:
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A.
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Add a new Section 2.18 to the Agreement as follows:
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2.18
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Compliance With Securities And Exchange Commission ("SEC") Rule
17f-5 (“Rule 17f-5”).
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(a)
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Customer’s board of directors (or equivalent body) (hereinafter ‘Board’) hereby delegates to J.P. Morgan, and, except as to the country or countries as to which J.P. Morgan may, from time to time, advise Customer that it does not accept such delegation, J.P. Morgan hereby accepts the delegation to it, of the obligation to perform as Customer’s ‘Foreign Custody Manager’ (as that term is defined in rule 17f-5(a)(3) as promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act")), including for the purposes of: (i) selecting Eligible Foreign Custodians (as that term is defined in rule 17f-5(a)(1), and as the same may be amended from time to time, or that have otherwise been exempted pursuant to an SEC exemptive order) to hold foreign Financial Assets and Cash, (ii) evaluating the contractual arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(2)), (iii) monitoring such foreign custody arrangements (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(3)).
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(b)
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In connection with the foregoing, J.P. Morgan shall:
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(i)
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provide written reports notifying Customer’s Board of the placement of Financial Assets and Cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and of any material change in the arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians, with such reports to be provided to Customer’s Board at such times as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of Customer’s foreign custody arrangements (and until further notice from Customer such reports shall be provided not less than quarterly with respect to the placement of Financial Assets and Cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and with reasonable promptness upon the occurrence of any material change in the arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians);
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(ii)
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exercise such reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing as Customer’s Foreign Custody Manager as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of foreign Financial Assets and cash would exercise;
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(iii)
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in selecting an Eligible Foreign Custodian, first have determined that foreign Financial Assets and cash placed and maintained in the safekeeping of such Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be
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Mutual Fund Rider to Global Custody Agreement
November 15, 2010 Version
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subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, after having considered all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such foreign Financial Assets and cash, including, without limitation, those factors set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(1)(i)-(iv);
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(iv)
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determine that the written contract with an Eligible Foreign Custodian requires that the Eligible Foreign Custodian shall provide reasonable care for foreign Financial Assets and Cash based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market.
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(v)
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have established a system to monitor the continued appropriateness of maintaining foreign Financial Assets and cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and of the governing contractual arrangements; it being understood, however, that in the event that J.P. Morgan shall have determined that the existing Eligible Foreign Custodian in a given country would no longer afford foreign Financial Assets and cash reasonable care and that no other Eligible Foreign Custodian in that country would afford reasonable care, J.P. Morgan shall promptly so advise Customer and shall then act in accordance with the Instructions of Customer with respect to the disposition of the affected foreign Financial Assets and cash.
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Subject to (b)(i)-(v) above, J.P. Morgan is hereby authorized to place and maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash on behalf of Customer with Eligible Foreign Custodians pursuant to a written contract deemed appropriate by J.P. Morgan.
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(c)
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Except as expressly provided herein, Customer shall be solely responsible to assure that the maintenance of foreign Financial Assets and cash hereunder complies with the rules, regulations, interpretations and exemptive orders as promulgated by or under the authority of the SEC.
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(d)
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J.P. Morgan represents to Customer that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(7). Customer represents to J.P. Morgan that: (1) the foreign Financial Assets and cash being placed and maintained in J.P. Morgan's custody are subject to the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time; (2) its Board: (i) has determined that it is reasonable to rely on J.P. Morgan to perform as Customer’s Foreign Custody Manager (ii) or its investment adviser shall have determined that Customer may maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash in each country in which Customer’s Financial Assets and cash shall be held hereunder and determined to accept Country Risk. Nothing contained herein shall require J.P. Morgan to make any selection or to engage in any monitoring on behalf of Customer that would entail consideration of Country Risk.
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(e)
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J.P. Morgan shall provide to Customer such information relating to Country Risk as is specified in Appendix 1 hereto. Customer hereby acknowledges that: (i) such information is solely designed to inform Customer of market conditions and procedures and is not intended as a recommendation to invest or not invest in particular markets; and (ii) J.P. Morgan has gathered the information from sources it considers reliable, but that J.P. Morgan shall have no responsibility for inaccuracies or
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incomplete information.
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B.
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Add a new Section 2.19 to the Agreement as follows:
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2.19
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Compliance with SEC Rule 17f-7 ("rule 17f-7").
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(a)
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J.P. Morgan shall, for consideration by Customer, provide an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer’s foreign Financial Assets with each Eligible Securities Depository used by J.P. Morgan as of the date hereof (or, in the case of an Eligible Securities Depository not used by J.P. Morgan as of the date hereof, prior to the initial placement of Customer’s foreign Financial Assets at such Depository) and at which any foreign Financial Assets of Customer are held or are expected to be held. The foregoing analysis will be provided to Customer at J.P. Morgan’s Website. In connection with the foregoing, Customer shall notify J.P. Morgan of any Eligible Securities Depositories at which it does not choose to have its foreign Financial Assets held. J.P. Morgan shall monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer’s foreign Financial Assets at each such Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis and shall promptly notify Customer or its adviser of any material changes in such risks.
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(b)
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J.P. Morgan shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the requirements set forth in Section 2.19(a) above.
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(c)
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Based on the information available to it in the exercise of diligence, J.P. Morgan shall determine the eligibility under rule 17f-7 of each depository before including it on Schedule 2 hereto and shall promptly advise Customer if any Eligible Securities Depository ceases to be eligible. (Eligible Securities Depositories used by J.P. Morgan as of the date hereof are set forth in Schedule 2 hereto, and as the same may be amended on notice to Customer from time to time.)
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C.
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Add the following after the first sentence of Section 5.1(a) of the Agreement: “At the request of Customer, J.P. Morgan may, but need not, add to Schedule 1 an Eligible Foreign Custodian where J.P. Morgan has not acted as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the selection thereof. J.P. Morgan shall notify Customer in the event that it elects to add any such entity.”
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D.
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Add the following language as Sections 5.1(d), (e) and (f) of the Agreement:
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(d)
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The term Subcustodian as used herein shall mean the following:
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(i)
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a ‘U.S. Bank,’ which shall mean a U.S. bank as defined in rule 17f-5(a)(7);
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(ii)
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an ‘Eligible Foreign Custodian,’ which shall mean: (i) a banking institution or trust company, incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States, that is regulated as such by that country's government or an agency thereof, and (ii) a majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. bank or bank holding company which subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States. In addition, an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall also mean any
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Mutual Fund Rider to Global Custody Agreement
November 15, 2010 Version
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other entity that shall have been so qualified by exemptive order, rule or other appropriate action of the SEC.
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(iii)
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For purposes of clarity, it is agreed that as used in Section 5.2(a), the term Subcustodian shall not include any Eligible Foreign Custodian as to which J.P. Morgan has not acted as Foreign Custody Manager.
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(e)
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The term ‘securities depository’ as used herein when referring to a securities depository located outside the U.S. shall mean:
an “Eligible Securities Depository” which, in turn, shall have the same meaning as in rule 17f-7(b)(1)(i)-(vi) as the same may be amended from time to time, or that has otherwise been made exempt pursuant to an SEC exemptive order; provided that, prior to the compliance date with rule 17f-7 for a particular securities depository the term “securities depositories” shall be as defined in (a)(1)(ii)-(iii) of the 1997 amendments to rule 17f-5.
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(f)
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The term “securities depository” as used herein when referring to a securities depository located in the U.S. shall mean a “securities depository” as defined in rule 17f-4(c)(6).
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Mutual Fund Rider to Global Custody Agreement
November 15, 2010 Version
Appendix 1-A
Information Regarding Country Risk
1.
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To aid Customer in its determinations regarding Country Risk, J.P. Morgan shall furnish annually and upon the initial placing of Financial Assets and cash into a country the following information (check items applicable):
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A.
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Opinions of local counsel concerning
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i.
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Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the access afforded Customer’s independent public accountants to books and records kept by an eligible foreign custodian located in that country.
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ii.
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Whether applicable foreign law would restrict Customer's ability to recover its Financial Assets and cash in the event of the bankruptcy of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country.
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iii.
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Whether applicable foreign law would restrict Customer's ability to recover Financial Assets that are lost while under the control of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in the country.
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B.
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Written information concerning:
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i.
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The foreseeability of expropriation, nationalization, freezes, or confiscation of Customer's Financial Assets.
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ii.
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Whether difficulties in converting Customer's cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars are reasonably foreseeable.
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C.
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A market report with respect to the following topics:
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(i) securities regulatory environment, (ii) foreign ownership restrictions, (iii) foreign exchange, (iv) securities settlement and registration, (v) taxation, and (vi) depositories (including depository evaluation), if any.
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2.
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To aid Customer in monitoring Country Risk, J.P. Morgan shall furnish board the following additional information:
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Market flashes, including with respect to changes in the information in market reports
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Mutual Fund Rider to Global Custody Agreement
November 15, 2010 Version
SCHEDULE 2
ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES
Mutual Fund Rider to Global Custody Agreement
November 15, 2010 Version
NEUBERGER BERMAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
AMENDED AND RESTATED MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3
Neuberger Berman Alternative Funds (“Trust”) hereby adopts this Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) on behalf of its current series and any series that may commence operations in the future (each a “Series”).
A.
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General Description of Classes Offered.
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Each Series shall have one or more of the following Classes, as may from time to time be created by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“Board”) acting pursuant to the Amended and Restated Trust Instrument.
1.
Institutional Class Shares.
As set forth in each Series’ prospectus, Institutional Class shares are sold to the general public and/or are available for purchase by pension and profit-sharing plans (collectively, “Plans”), broker-dealers, banks, pension administrators and certain other investment providers (collectively, “Institutions”) and any client that meets the investment minimum set forth in the Series’ prospectus.
Institutional Class shares are subject to no front-end or back-end sales load and pay no distribution fee. Institutional Class shares pay a fee for administration and shareholder services at an annual rate of 0.15% of average daily net assets plus an amount approved by the Board for certain technology costs, as set forth in the Administration Agreement for the Class.
Shareholder services are provided to Institutional Class shareholders by Neuberger Berman Management LLC (“NBM”) and the transfer agent. Shareholder services are provided to Institutional Class beneficial owners (or trusts holding on behalf of beneficial owners) by the Institutions through which they hold shares, and where appropriate, the recordkeeper.
2.
Class A Shares.
As set forth in each Series’ prospectus, Class A shares are available for purchase directly by a beneficial owner that is a “grandfathered investor” as defined in the Series’ prospectus
and/or by Institutions who act as record owners on behalf of their clients and customers, who are the beneficial owners or trusts holding on behalf of the beneficial owners.
Class A shares are offered and sold subject to an initial sales load set forth in the Series’ prospectus. This initial sales charge may be waived for certain eligible purchasers and reduced for certain other eligible purchasers, as described in the Series’ prospectus. The maximum sales charge is 5.75% of the public offering price for Class A shares. Class A shares purchased pursuant to the sales charge waiver for purchases of $1 million or more are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% of net asset value of the Class A shares of the Series at the time of the purchase or sale, whichever is less, on shares redeemed within 18 months of
purchase. Class A shares held 18 months or longer, and Class A shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions on shares otherwise subject to this Class A CDSC, are not subject to the CDSC.
Class A shares pay a fee for administration and shareholder services at an annual rate of 0.26% of average daily net assets plus an amount approved by the Board for certain technology costs, as set forth in the Administration Agreement for the Class. Class A shares also pay a fee for distribution and shareholder services at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets pursuant to a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
Shareholder services are provided to Class A recordholders or beneficial owners, as applicable, by NBM and the transfer agent. Shareholder services are provided to Class A beneficial owners (or trusts holding on behalf of beneficial owners), who purchase through Institutions, by the Institutions through which they hold shares.
3.
Class C Shares.
As set forth in each Series’ prospectus, Class C shares are available for purchase by Institutions who act as record owners on behalf of their clients and customers, who are the beneficial owners or trusts holding on behalf of the beneficial owners.
Class C shares are subject to no front-end sales load but are offered and sold subject to a CDSC and the purchase maximum set forth in the Series’ prospectus. This CDSC may be waived for certain eligible purchasers, as described in the Series’ prospectus. The maximum CDSC is 1.00% of net asset value of the Class C shares of the Series at the time of the purchase or sale, whichever is less, on shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class C shares held one year or longer, and Class C shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions on shares otherwise subject to this Class C CDSC, are not subject to the CDSC.
Class C shares pay a fee for administration and shareholder services at an annual rate of 0.26% of average daily net assets plus an amount approved by the Board for certain technology costs, as set forth in the Administration Agreement for the Class. Class C shares also pay a fee for distribution and shareholder services at an annual rate of up to 1.00% of average daily net assets pursuant to a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
Shareholder services are provided to Class C recordholders by NBM and the transfer agent. Shareholder services are provided to Class C beneficial owners (or trusts holding on behalf of beneficial owners), who purchase through Institutions, by the Institutions through which they hold shares.
B.
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Expense Allocations of Each Class
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1. Certain expenses may be attributable to a particular Class of shares (“Class Expenses”). Class Expenses are charged directly to the net assets of the particular Class and, thus, are borne on a pro rata basis by the outstanding shares of that Class. Fees and expenses that are not Class Expenses are allocated among the Classes on the basis of their respective net asset values.
In addition to the administration, service and distribution fees described above, each Class also could pay a different amount of the following other expenses:
(a) transfer agent fees identified as being attributable to a specific Class of shares;
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(b)
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stationery, printing, postage and delivery expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy statements to current shareholders of a specific Class of shares;
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(c)
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Blue Sky fees incurred by a specific Class of shares;
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(d)
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SEC registration fees incurred by a specific Class of shares;
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(e)
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Trustees’ fees or expenses incurred as a result of issues relating to a specific Class of shares;
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(f)
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accounting expenses relating solely to a specific Class of shares;
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(g)
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auditors’ fees, litigation expenses and legal fees and expenses relating to a specific Class of shares;
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(h)
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expenses incurred in connection with shareholders meetings as a result of issues relating to a specific Class of shares; and
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(i)
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other expenses incurred attributable to a specific Class of shares.
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2. NBM may agree to waive or forgo current payment of fees and/or reimburse the Class Expenses of any Class of any Series.
3. NBM may agree to waive or forgo current payment of fees and/or reimburse the non-Class Expenses of any Series. Such waiver or reimbursement will be allocated to each Class of the Series in the same proportion as the fee or expense being waived or reimbursed.
C. Exchange Privileges
Class A shares of any Series where NBM or its affiliate is the Institution acting as the record owner on behalf of the Class A shareholder may be exchanged for (i) Investor Class shares of any series of Neuberger Berman Income Funds (“Income Series”), or of any series of Neuberger Berman Equity Funds (“Equity Series”), (ii) Trust Class shares of any Income Series or Equity Series if that Income Series or Equity Series does not have an Investor Class, or (iii) Class A shares of a Series, Income Series or Equity Series on a load-waived basis if that Series, Income Series or Equity Series does not have an Investor Class or Trust Class, provided (i) NBM or its affiliate is the Institution
acting as the record owner on behalf of the shareholder making the exchange, and (ii) the conditions of exchange set forth in the prospectuses and SAIs of each Series, Income Series or Equity Series, as the case may be, involved in the exchange are complied with.
Class A shares (except Class A shares of a Series where NBM or its affiliate is the Institution acting as the record owner on behalf of the Class A shareholder) and Class C shares of any Series may be exchanged for Class A and Class C shares, respectively, of any other Series or
any Income Series or Equity Series, provided (i) the conditions of exchange set forth in the prospectuses and SAIs of each Series, Income Series or Equity Series, as the case may be, involved in the exchange are complied with, (ii) the Institution, broker-dealer or other institution (“BD”), or Plan that is the recordholder of the shares, if applicable, permits such an exchange, and (iii) any conditions duly established by the Institution, BD, or Plan, if applicable, are complied with.
Institutional Class shares of any Series may be exchanged for Institutional Class shares of any other Series or Institutional Class shares of any Income Series or Equity Series, provided that either (a)(i) NBM or its affiliate is the Institution acting as the record owner on behalf of the shareholder making the exchange, and (ii) the conditions of exchange set forth in the prospectuses and SAIs of each Series, Income Series or Equity Series, as the case may be, involved in the exchange are complied with; or (b)(i) the conditions of exchange set forth in the prospectuses and SAIs of each Series, Income Series or Equity Series, as the case may be, involved in the exchange are complied with, (ii) the Institution,
BD, or Plan that is the recordholder of the shares, if applicable, permits such an exchange, and (iii) any conditions duly established by the Institution, BD, or Plan, if applicable, are complied with.
Institutional Class shares and Class A shares of any Series may be exchanged for Investment Class shares of State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Investment Class shares of State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, Investment Class shares of State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, Institutional Class shares of JPMorgan Tax Free Money Market Fund or Morgan Class shares of JPMorgan New York Municipal Money Market Fund (each fund, a “State Street/JP Morgan Series”), provided that (i) NBM or its affiliate is the Institution acting as the record owner on behalf of the shareholder making the exchange, and (ii) the conditions of exchange set forth in the
prospectuses and SAIs of each Series or State Street/JPMorgan Series, as the case may be, involved in the exchange are complied with.
D. Conversion Features
Consistent with an investment provider’s program, Class A and Class C shares of a Series that have been purchased by an investment provider on behalf of clients participating in (i) 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans or (ii) investment programs in which the clients pay a fixed or asset-based fee, may be converted into Institutional Class shares of the same Series if the investment provider satisfies any then-applicable eligibility requirements for investment in Institutional Class shares of the Series. Any such conversion will be effected at net asset
value without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charges by the Series.
Except as the Board may approve in a Plan of Share Class conversion, there are no other conversion features among the Classes.
E. Class Designation
Subject to approval by the Board, a Series may alter the nomenclature for the designations of one or more of its Classes of shares.
F. Additional Information
The prospectus and SAI for each Class may contain additional information about the Classes and the Trust’s multiple class structure.
G. Effective Date; Amendments
This Plan was originally effective on December 29, 2010 and amended on February 22, 2012. Before any material amendments can be made to this Plan, a majority of the Board, and a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) must find that the Plan as proposed to be amended, including the expense allocation, is in the best interests of each Class individually and the Trust as a whole.
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