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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2022

 

Securities Act File No. 333-261239

 Investment Company Act File No. 811-22472

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 FORM N-2

(check appropriate box or boxes)

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [  ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 [X]
and/or  
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 32 [X]

 

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

 (Address of principal executive offices)

(303) 623-2577

 

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

 Marcus L. Collins, Esq.

RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC

 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

 (Names and addresses of agents for service)

 

Copies to:

 Joshua B. Deringer

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

 One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 (215) 988-2700

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: This post-effective amendment is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act and will be effective upon filing.

 

  [  ] Check box if the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans.

 

 

  [X] Check box if any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan.
  [  ] Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto.
  [  ] Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act.
  [  ] Check box if this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act.
     

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

 

  [  ] when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c) of the Securities Act

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

  [  ] This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].
  [  ] This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: _____.
  [  ] This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: _____.
  [X] This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: 333-261239.
     

Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:

 

  [X] Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”)).
  [  ] Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act).
  [  ] Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act).
  [X] A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form).
  [  ] Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act).
  [  ] Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”).
  [  ] If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.
  [  ] New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing).
   

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-261239 and 811-22472) of the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (as amended, the “Registration Statement”) is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), solely for the purpose of filing Exhibits a.3, d.1, d.2, g, j.1., j.2, k.1, k.4, k.5, n and s to the Registration Statement. No changes have been made to Part A, B or Part C of the Registration Statement, other than Item 25 (2) of Part C as set forth below. Accordingly, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 consists only of the facing page, this explanatory note and Item 25 (2) of the Registration Statement setting forth the exhibits to the Registration Statement. Pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The contents of the Registration Statement are hereby incorporated by reference.

 

 

PART C - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 25: Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

1. Financial Statements:
  Part A - Financial Highlights for the period from December 24, 2015 to October 31, 2016, fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, period ended July 31, 2018, fiscal years ended July 31, 2019, July 31, 2020, July 31, 2021, and July 31, 2022.
   
  Part B - Incorporated by reference in the Statement of Additional Information included herewith are the Registrant’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2022, notes to such financial statements and the report of independent registered public accounting firm thereon, as contained in the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2022. The unaudited Semi-Annual Report for the fiscal period ending January 31, 2022, is incorporated by reference.

 

2. Exhibits:
  a.1 Articles of Amendment and Restatement. (1)
  a.2 Certificate of Correction. (15)
  a.3 Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Perpetual Preferred Shares as of April 6, 2022. **
  b. Bylaws, as amended July 16, 2018. (5)
  c. Not applicable.
  d.1 Form of Subscription Certificate for Rights Offering. **
  d.2 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery for Rights Offering. **
  e. Form of Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan. (1)
  f. Not applicable.
  g. Investment Advisory Agreement. **
  h.1. Form of Sales Agreement. (6)
  i. Not applicable.
  j.1 Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company. **
  j.2 Letter Agreement incorporating the Custody Agreement as of September 30, 2022, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company. **
  j.3 Special Custody Agreement. (2)
  k.1 Administrative, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement. **
  k.2 Transfer Agency, Registrar and Dividend Disbursing Agency Agreement. (1)
  k.3 Security Agreement (3)
  k.4 Subscription Agent Agreement. **
  k.5 Information Agent Agreement. **
  k.6 Amendment to Administrative Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement. (5)
  k.7 Distribution Agreement. (12)
  k.8 Form of Credit Agreement. (12)
  k.9 Sub-Placement Agent Agreement. (13)
  k.10 Amendment to Distribution Agreement. (16)
  k.11 Amendment to Sub-Placement Agent Agreement. (16)
  k.12 Form of Fund of Funds Investment Agreement +
  k.13 Amendment No. 2 to Distribution Agreement. (19)
  k.14 Amendment No. 2 to Sub-Placement Agent Agreement. (19)
  l.1 Opinion of McDermott Will & Emery LLP. (18)
  l.2 Consent of Dechert LLP. (18)
  m. Not applicable.
  n. Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. **
  o. Not applicable.
  p. Initial Subscription Agreement. (1)
  q. Not applicable.
  r.1 Code of Ethics of the Fund. (2)

 

 

  r.2 Code of Ethics of the Investment Manager. (5)
  r.3 Code of Ethics of the Subadviser. (17)
  s. Powers of Attorney. **
(1) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2/A, File no. 333-169317 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 25, 2015.
(2) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-220156 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 24, 2017.
(3) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2/A, File no. 333-220156 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 3, 2017.
(4) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2018.
(5) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2018.
(6) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2018.
(7) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2018.
(8) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2019.
(9) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2019.
(10) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 27, 2019.
(11) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2020.
(12) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2020.
(13) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 18, 2020.
(14) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-257554 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2021.
(15) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-257554 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2021.
(16) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-257554 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2021.
(17) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-261239 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 19, 2021.
(18) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-261239 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 2022.
(19) Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-261239 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 27, 2022.
+ To be filed by amendment.
** To be filed herewith.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant, has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of West Palm Beach, and the state of Florida, on the 14th day of October, 2022.

 

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.  
   
By /s/ Patrick W. Galley  
  Patrick W. Galley, President  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

/s/ Patrick W. Galley   President
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 14, 2022
Patrick W. Galley        
         
/s/ Jonathan M. Mohrhardt  

Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  October 14, 2022
Jonathan M. Mohrhardt        
         
/s/ Patrick W. Galley   Chairman of the Board and Director   October 14, 2022
Patrick W. Galley        
         
*   Director   October 14, 2022
John K. Carter        
         
*   Director   October 14, 2022
J. Wayne Hutchens        
         
*   Director   October 14, 2022
John S. Oakes        
         
*   Director   October 14, 2022
Jerry R. Raio        

 

*   Director   October 14, 2022
David M. Swanson        

 

* By: /s/ Patrick W. Galley  
  Name: Patrick W. Galley  
  Title: Attorney-in-Fact  
  Date: October 14, 2022  

 

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No. Description
a.3 Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Perpetual Preferred Shares as of April 6, 2022.
d.1 Form of Subscription Certificate for Rights Offering.
d.2 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery for Rights Offering.
g. Investment Advisory Agreement.
j.1 Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company.
j.2 Letter Agreement incorporating the Custody Agreement as of September 30, 2022, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company.
k.1 Administrative, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement.
k.4 Subscription Agent Agreement.
k.5 Information Agent Agreement.
n. Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
s. Powers of Attorney.

 

RiverNorth OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.

 

ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

 

ESTABLISHING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES

 

OF PERPETUAL Preferred sTOCK

 

DATED AS OF APRIL 12, 2022

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

 

RECITALS

 

FIRST: The Corporation is authorized under Article V of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) to issue up to 37,500,000 shares of stock (“Capital Stock”), all of which are shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”).

 

SECOND: Pursuant to the authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) by Article V of the Charter and Section 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors has, by resolutions duly adopted on March 17, 2022, and April 12, 2022 (a) reclassified and designated 3,910,000 authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock as shares of Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Perpetual Preferred Stock”), with such class of stock to be issued in one or more series; and (b) reclassified and designated 3,910,000 authorized but unissued shares of Perpetual Preferred Stock as shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock”).

 

THIRD: The preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, of each series of Perpetual Preferred Stock, as established by the Board of Directors, are set forth in these Articles Supplementary, as modified, amended or supplemented from time to time in any Appendix (each, an “Appendix” and, collectively, the “Appendices”) to these Articles Supplementary specifically relating to such series (each such series being referred to herein as a “Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares”, “Perpetual Preferred Shares of a Series” or a “Series” and shares of all such Series being referred to herein individually as a “Perpetual Preferred Share” and, collectively, as the “Perpetual Preferred Shares”), which (upon any restatement of the Charter) shall become part of Article V of the Charter (or any successor provision thereto), with any necessary or appropriate renumbering or relettering of the sections or subsections hereof, as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1.     Definitions. Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent and except with respect to any Series as specifically provided in the Appendix applicable to such Series, each of the following terms when used in these Articles Supplementary shall have the meaning ascribed to it below, whether such term is used in the singular or plural and regardless of tense:

 

 

1940 Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or any successor statute.

 

1940 Act Asset Coverage means the Asset Coverage specified in Section 18(a)(2)(B) of the 1940 Act as in effect on the date hereof.

 

Appendicesand Appendix shall have the respective meanings as set forth in the Recitals of these Articles Supplementary.

 

Articles Supplementary means these Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Perpetual Preferred Stock, as they may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms.

 

Asset Coverage shall mean the “asset coverage” of a class of senior security which is stock, as specified in Section 18 of the 1940 Act as in effect on the date hereof.

 

Asset Coverage Cure Date means, with respect to the failure by the Corporation to maintain Asset Coverage as of the close of business on the last Business Day of a Calendar Quarter (as required by Section 2.4(a)), the date that is thirty (30) calendar days following the Filing Date with respect to such Calendar Quarter.

 

Board of Directors shall have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals of these Articles Supplementary.

 

Business Day means any calendar day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.

 

Calendar Quarter shall mean any of the three month periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31 of each year.

 

Capital Stock shall have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals of these Articles Supplementary.

 

Chartershall have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals of these Articles Supplementary.

 

Commissionmeans the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock shall have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals of these Articles Supplementary.

 

Corporationshall have the meaning as set forth in the Preamble to these Articles Supplementary.

- 2 -

 

Custodianmeans a bank, as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act, that has the qualifications prescribed in paragraph 1 of Section 26(a) of the 1940 Act, or such other entity as shall be providing custodian services to the Corporation as permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, and shall include, as appropriate, any similarly qualified sub-custodian duly appointed by the Custodian.

 

Custodian Agreement means the Custodian Agreement by and among the Custodian and the Corporation.

 

Date of Original Issue means, with respect to any Series, the date specified as the Date of Original Issue for such Series in the Appendix for such Series.

 

Defaultshall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(g)(i).

 

Default Period shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(g)(i).

 

Default Rate shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(g)(i).

 

Deposit Securities means, as of any date, any United States dollar-denominated security or other investment of a type described below that either (i) is a demand obligation payable to the holder thereof on any Business Day or (ii) has a maturity date, mandatory redemption date or mandatory payment date, on its face or at the option of the holder, preceding the relevant Redemption Date, Dividend Payment Date or other payment date in respect of which such security or other investment has been deposited or set aside as a Deposit Security:

 

(i)       cash or any cash equivalent;

 

(ii)      any U.S. Government Obligation;

 

(iii)     any Short-Term Money Market Instrument;

 

(iv)     any investment in any money market fund registered under the 1940 Act that qualifies under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, or similar investment vehicle described in Rule 12d1-1(b)(2) under the 1940 Act, that invests principally in Short-Term Money Market Instruments or U.S. Government Obligations or any combination thereof; or

 

(v)      any letter of credit from a bank or other financial institution that has a credit rating from at least one rating agency that is the highest applicable rating generally ascribed by such rating agency to bank deposits or short-term debt of similar banks or other financial institutions as of the date of these Articles Supplementary (or such rating’s future equivalent).

 

Dividend Default shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(g)(i).

 

Dividend Payment Date means, with respect to any Series, each of the Dividend Payment Dates for such Series set forth in the Appendix for such Series.

- 3 -

 

Dividend Period means, with respect to any Series, the Dividend Period for such Series set forth in the Appendix for such Series.

 

Dividend Rate means, with respect to any Series and as of any date, the Fixed Dividend Rate for that Series as adjusted, if a Default Period shall be in existence on such date, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2(g).

 

Electronic Means means email transmission, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic means of communication providing evidence of transmission (but excluding online communications systems covered by a separate agreement) acceptable to the sending party and the receiving party, in any case if operative as between any two parties, or, if not operative, by telephone (promptly confirmed by any other method set forth in this definition), which, in the case of notices to the Redemption and Paying Agent and the Custodian, shall be sent by such means to each of its representatives set forth in the Redemption and Paying Agent Agreement and the Custodian Agreement, respectively.

 

Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Filing Date means, with respect to any Calendar Quarter, the date of filing of the Corporation’s SEC Report with respect to such Calendar Quarter.

 

Fixed Dividend Rate means, with respect to any Series, the rate per annum specified as the Fixed Dividend Rate for such Series in the Appendix for such Series.

 

Holdermeans, with respect to the Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series or any other security issued by the Corporation, a Person in whose name such security is registered in the registration books of the Corporation maintained by the Redemption and Paying Agent or otherwise.

 

Liquidation Preference means, with respect to any Series, the amount specified as the liquidation preference per share for that Series in the Appendix for such Series.

 

Mandatory Redemption Price shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(a)(i).

 

Market Value of any asset of the Corporation means, for securities for which market quotations are readily available, the market value thereof determined by an independent third-party pricing service designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Market Value of any asset shall include any interest accrued thereon. The pricing service shall value portfolio securities at the mean between the quoted bid and asked price or the yield equivalent when quotations are readily available. Securities for which quotations are not readily available shall be valued at fair value as determined by the pricing service using methods that include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating; indications as to value from dealers; and general market conditions. The pricing service may employ electronic data processing techniques or a matrix system, or both, to determine recommended valuations.

- 4 -

 

Non-Call Period means, with respect to any Series, the period (if any) during which such Series shall not be subject to redemption at the option of the Corporation, as set forth in the Appendix for such Series.

 

Notice of Redemption shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(d).

 

NRSROmeans any nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act that is not an “affiliated person” (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) of the Corporation.

 

Optional Redemption Date shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(b)(i).

 

Optional Redemption Premium means, with respect to any Series, the premium (expressed as a percentage of the Liquidation Preference of the shares of such Series), if any, payable by the Corporation upon the redemption of Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series at the option of the Corporation, as set forth in the Appendix for such Series.

 

Optional Redemption Price shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(b)(i).

 

Outstandingmeans, as of any date with respect to Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series, the number of Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series theretofore issued by the Corporation except (without duplication):

 

(i)        any shares of such Series theretofore cancelled or redeemed or delivered to the Redemption and Paying Agent for cancellation or redemption in accordance with the terms hereof;

 

(ii)       any shares of such Series as to which the Corporation shall have given a Notice of Redemption and irrevocably deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent sufficient Deposit Securities to redeem such shares in accordance with Section 2.5 hereof;

 

(iii)      any shares of such Series as to which the Corporation shall be the Holder or the beneficial owner; and

 

(iv)      any shares of such Series represented by any certificate in lieu of which any new certificate has been executed and delivered by the Corporation.

 

Perpetual Preferred Shares shall have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals of these Articles Supplementary.

 

Personmeans and includes an individual, a partnership, a trust, a corporation, a limited liability company, an unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Preferred Stock means any Capital Stock of the Corporation classified as preferred stock, including shares of each Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares, shares of any other series of such preferred stock now or hereafter issued by the Corporation, and any other shares of Capital Stock hereafter authorized and issued by the Corporation of a class having priority over any other class as to distribution of assets or payments of dividends.

- 5 -

 

Rating Agency means, as of any date and in respect of a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares, (i) Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., to the extent it maintains a rating on the Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series on such date and has not been replaced as a Rating Agency in accordance with Section 2.8 and (ii) any other NRSRO designated as a Rating Agency on such date in accordance with Section 2.8. Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. has initially been designated as Rating Agency for purposes of the Perpetual Preferred Shares subject to this Statement. In the event that at any time any Rating Agency (i) ceases to be a Rating Agency for purposes of any Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares and such Rating Agency has been replaced by another Rating Agency in accordance with Section 2.8, any references to any credit rating of the replaced Rating Agency in this Statement or any Appendix shall be deleted for purposes hereof as provided below and shall be deemed instead to be references to the equivalent credit rating of the Rating Agency that has replaced such Rating Agency as of the most recent date on which such replacement Rating Agency published credit ratings for such Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares or (ii) designates a new rating definition for any credit rating of such Rating Agency with a corresponding replacement rating definition for such credit rating of such Rating Agency, any references to such replaced rating definition of such Rating Agency contained in this statement or any Appendix shall instead be deemed to be references to such corresponding replacement rating definition. In the event that at any time the designation of any Rating Agency as a Rating Agency for purposes of any Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares is terminated in accordance with Section 2.8, any rating of such terminated Rating Agency, to the extent it would have been taken into account in any of the provisions of this Statement or the Appendix for such Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares, shall be disregarded, and only the ratings of the then-designated Rating Agency for such Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be taken into account for purposes of this Statement and such Appendix.

 

Rating Agency Guidelines means the guidelines of any Rating Agency, as they may be amended or modified from time to time, compliance with which is required to cause such Rating Agency to continue to issue a rating with respect to a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares for so long as any Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series are Outstanding.

 

Redemption and Paying Agent means, with respect to any Series, DST Systems, Inc. and its successors or any other redemption and paying agent appointed by the Corporation with respect to such Series.

 

Redemption and Paying Agent Agreement means, with respect to any Series, the Redemption and Paying Agent Agreement or other similarly titled agreement by and among the Redemption and Paying Agent for such Series and the Corporation with respect to such Series.

 

Redemption Date shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5(d).

 

Redemption Default shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2(g)(i).

 

Redemption Price shall mean the Mandatory Redemption Price or the Optional Redemption Price, as applicable.

- 6 -

 

SEC Reportmeans, with respect to any Calendar Quarter, the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR or Form N-CEN, Semi-Annual Report on Form N-CSRS, or Monthly Report on Form N-PORT, as applicable, filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the fiscal period ending as of the last day of such Calendar Quarter.

 

Securities Depository shall mean The Depository Trust Company and its successors and assigns or any other securities depository selected by the Corporation that agrees to follow the procedures required to be followed by such securities depository as set forth in these Articles Supplementary with respect to the Perpetual Preferred Shares.

 

Senior Security shall have the meaning specified in Section 18 under the 1940 Act, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

Seriesshall have the meaning as set forth in the Recitals of these Articles Supplementary.

 

Short-Term Money Market Instruments means the following types of instruments if, on the date of purchase or other acquisition thereof by the Corporation, the remaining term to maturity thereof is not in excess of 180 days:

 

(i)       commercial paper rated A-1 if such commercial paper matures in 30 days or A-1+ if such commercial paper matures in over 30 days;

 

(ii)      demand or time deposits in, and banker’s acceptances and certificates of deposit of (A) a depository institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or (B) a United States branch office or agency of a foreign depository institution (provided that such branch office or agency is subject to banking regulation under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia); and

 

(iii)     overnight funds.

 

U.S. Government Obligations means direct obligations of the United States or of its agencies or instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States and that, other than United States Treasury Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption.

 

Voting Period shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.6(b)(i).

 

With respect to any Series, any additional definitions specifically set forth in the Appendix relating to such Series and any amendments to any definitions specifically set forth in the Appendix relating to such Series, as such Appendix may be amended from time to time, shall be incorporated herein and made part hereof by reference thereto, but only with respect to such Series.

 

1.2.       Interpretation. The headings preceding the text of Articles and Sections included in these Articles Supplementary are for convenience only and shall not be deemed part of these Articles Supplementary or be given any effect in interpreting these Articles Supplementary. The use of the masculine, feminine or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words herein shall not limit any provision of these Articles Supplementary. The use of the terms “including” or “include” shall in all cases herein mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. Reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns to the extent such successors and assigns are permitted by the terms of any applicable agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually. Reference to any agreement (including these Articles Supplementary), document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, reference to any law means such law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or re-enacted, in whole or in part, including rules, regulations, enforcement procedures and any interpretations promulgated thereunder. Underscored references to Articles or Sections shall refer to those portions of these Articles Supplementary. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto” and words of similar import shall refer to these Articles Supplementary as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or clause of these Articles Supplementary.

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ARTICLE II
TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL SERIES OF
PERPETUAL PREFERRED SHARES

 

Except for such changes and amendments hereto with respect to a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares that are specifically contemplated by the Appendix relating to such Series, each Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall have the following terms:

 

2.1.       Number of Shares; Ranking.

 

(a)       The number of authorized shares constituting any Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be as set forth with respect to such Series in the Appendix hereto relating to such Series. No fractional Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be issued.

 

(b)       The Perpetual Preferred Shares of each Series shall rank on parity with shares of each other Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares and with shares of any other series of Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation. The Perpetual Preferred Shares of each Series shall have preference with respect to the payment of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation over the Common Stock as set forth herein.

 

(c)       No Holder of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall have, solely by reason of being such a Holder, any preemptive or other right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any Perpetual Preferred Shares or shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation which it may hereafter issue or sell.

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2.2.       Dividends and Distributions.

 

(a)        The Holders of any Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by, or under authority granted by, the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor and in preference to dividends and distributions on the Common Stock, cumulative cash dividends and distributions on each share of such Series, calculated separately for each Dividend Period for such Series at the Dividend Rate in effect from time to time for such Series during such Dividend Period, computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, on an amount equal to the Liquidation Preference for a share of such Series, and no more. Dividends and distributions on the Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series shall accumulate from the Date of Original Issue with respect to such Series and shall be payable quarterly in arrears as provided in Section 2.2(f). Dividends payable on any Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series for any period of less than a full quarterly Dividend Period, upon any redemption of such shares on any Redemption Date other than on a Dividend Payment Date, or, in the case of the first Dividend Period, more than a full quarterly period, shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and the actual number of days elapsed for any period of less than, or, in the case of the first Dividend Period, greater than, one quarter.

 

(b)        Dividends on shares of each Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares with respect to any Dividend Period shall be declared to the Holders of record of such shares as their names shall appear on the registration books of the Corporation at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be such date designated by the Board of Directors that is not more than twenty (20) nor less than ten (10) calendar days prior to the Dividend Payment Date with respect to such Dividend Period, and shall be paid as provided further in Section 2.2(f) hereof.

 

(c)        (i)      No full dividends and distributions shall be declared or paid on shares of a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares for any Dividend Period or part thereof unless full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates therefor for all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock (including shares of other Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares) have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid through the most recent dividend payment dates therefor. If full cumulative dividends and distributions due have not been declared and paid on all outstanding Preferred Stock of any series, any dividends and distributions being declared and paid on a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares will be declared and paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends and distributions accumulated but unpaid on each such series of Preferred Stock on the relevant dividend payment date for such series. No Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be entitled to any dividends and distributions, whether payable in cash, property or shares, in excess of full cumulative dividends and distributions as provided in this Section 2.2(c)(i) on such Perpetual Preferred Shares.

 

(ii)      Except as noted below, for so long as any Perpetual Preferred Shares are Outstanding, the Corporation shall not: (x) declare any dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Common Stock) in respect of the Common Stock, (y) call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Common Stock, or (z) pay any proceeds of the liquidation of the Corporation in respect of the Common Stock, unless, in each case, (A) immediately thereafter, the Corporation shall have 1940 Act Asset Coverage after deducting the amount of such dividend or distribution or redemption or purchase price or liquidation proceeds, (B) all cumulative dividends and distributions on all Perpetual Preferred Shares and all other Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Perpetual Preferred Shares due on or prior to the earlier of the declaration, record or payment date, as applicable, of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition shall have been declared and paid (or shall have been declared and Deposit Securities or sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock) for the payment thereof shall have been deposited irrevocably with the paying agent for such Preferred Stock) and (C) the Corporation shall have deposited Deposit Securities pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.5(d)(ii) hereof with respect to Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series to be redeemed pursuant to Section 2.5(a) hereof for which a Notice of Redemption shall have been given or shall have been required to be given in accordance with the terms hereof on or prior to the date of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not, at any time, be prohibited or otherwise restricted in its ability to call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of its Capital Stock in compliance with the 1940 Act.

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(iii)     Any dividend payment made on shares of a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be credited against the dividends and distributions accumulated with respect to the Dividend Period or Dividend Periods for such Series for which dividends and distributions have not been paid, in chronological order.

 

(d)        Not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Dividend Payment Date for a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares, the Corporation shall deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent Deposit Securities having an aggregate Market Value on such date sufficient to pay the dividends and distributions that are payable on such Dividend Payment Date in respect of such Series. The Corporation may direct the Redemption and Paying Agent with respect to the investment or reinvestment of any such Deposit Securities prior to the Dividend Payment Date, provided that such investment or reinvestment consists exclusively of Deposit Securities and provided further that the proceeds of any such investment will be available as same day funds at the opening of business on such Dividend Payment Date.

 

(e)        All Deposit Securities paid to the Redemption and Paying Agent for the payment of dividends payable on a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be held in trust for the payment of such dividends by the Redemption and Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders of such Series entitled to the payment of such dividends pursuant to Section 2.2(f). Any moneys paid to the Redemption and Paying Agent in accordance with the foregoing but not applied by the Redemption and Paying Agent to the payment of dividends, including interest earned on such moneys while so held, will, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Corporation as soon as possible after the date on which such moneys were to have been so applied, upon request of the Corporation.

 

(f)        Dividends on shares of a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be paid on each Dividend Payment Date for such Series to the Holders of shares of such Series as their names appear on the registration books of the Corporation at the close of business on the applicable record date for such dividend, which record date shall be determined as set forth in Section 2.2(b). Dividends in arrears on shares of a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares for any past Dividend Period may be declared and paid at any time, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to the Holders of shares of such Series as their names appear on the registration books of the Corporation on such date, not exceeding twenty (20) nor less than ten (10) calendar days preceding the payment date thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on shares of any Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares which may be in arrears.

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(g)       (i) The Dividend Rate on a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be adjusted to the Default Rate (as defined below) in the following circumstances. Subject to the cure provisions below, a “Default Period” with respect to a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall commence on any date the Corporation fails to deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on (A) a Dividend Payment Date for such Series, Deposit Securities that will provide funds available to the Redemption and Paying Agent on such Dividend Payment Date sufficient to pay the full amount of any dividend on such Series payable on such Dividend Payment Date (a “Dividend Default”) or (B) an applicable Redemption Date for such Series, Deposit Securities that will provide funds available to the Redemption and Paying Agent on such Redemption Date sufficient to pay the full amount of the Redemption Price payable in respect of such Series on such Redemption Date (a “Redemption Default” and together with a Dividend Default, hereinafter referred to as “Default”). Subject to the cure provisions of Section 2.2(g)(ii) below, a Default Period with respect to a Dividend Default or a Redemption Default on a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall end on the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, an amount equal to all unpaid dividends on such Series and any unpaid Redemption Price on such Series shall have been deposited irrevocably in trust in same-day funds with the Redemption and Paying Agent. In the case of any Default on a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares, the Dividend Rate for such Series for each calendar day during the Default Period will be equal to the Default Rate. The “Default Rate” on a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares for any calendar day shall be equal to the Fixed Dividend Rate for such Series plus two percent (2%) per annum.

 

(h)       No Default Period for a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares with respect to any Default on such Series shall be deemed to commence if the amount of any dividend or any Redemption Price due in respect of such Series (if such Default is not solely due to the willful failure of the Corporation) is deposited irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds, with the Redemption and Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day that is not later than three (3) Business Days after the applicable Dividend Payment Date or Redemption Date for such Series with respect to which such Default occurred, together with an amount equal to the Default Rate on such Series applied to the amount and period of such non-payment on such Series, based on the actual number of calendar days comprising such period divided by 360.

 

2.3.       Liquidation Rights.

 

(a)       In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfying claims of creditors but before any distribution or payment shall be made in respect of the Common Stock, a liquidation distribution equal to the Liquidation Preference for such shares, plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions on such shares accumulated to (but excluding) the date fixed for such distribution or payment on such shares (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation, but excluding interest thereon), and such Holders shall be entitled to no further participation in any distribution or payment in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

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(b)       If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets of the Corporation available for distribution among the Holders of all Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares and any other outstanding Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full to such Holders of the Liquidation Preference of such Perpetual Preferred Shares plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions on such shares as provided in Section 2.3(a) above and the amounts due upon liquidation with respect to such other Preferred Stock, then such available assets shall be distributed among the Holders of such Perpetual Preferred Shares and such other Preferred Stock ratably in proportion to the respective preferential liquidation amounts to which they are entitled. In connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, unless and until the Liquidation Preference on each Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions on such shares as provided in Section 2.3(a) above have been paid in full to the Holders of such shares, no dividends, distributions or other payments will be made on, and no redemption, purchase or other acquisition by the Corporation will be made by the Corporation in respect of, shares of the Common Stock.

 

(c)       Neither the sale of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Corporation, nor the merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Corporation into or with any other business or statutory trust, corporation or other entity, nor the merger, consolidation or reorganization of any other business or statutory trust, corporation or other entity into or with the Corporation shall be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, for the purpose of this Section 2.3.

 

2.4.       Coverage Test.

 

(a)       Asset Coverage Requirement. For so long as any shares of a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares are Outstanding, the Corporation shall have Asset Coverage of at least 200% as of the close of business on the last Business Day of each Calendar Quarter. If the Corporation shall fail to maintain such Asset Coverage as of any time as of which such compliance is required to be determined as aforesaid, the provisions of Section 2.5(a)(i) shall be applicable, which provisions shall constitute the sole remedy for the Corporation’s failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 2.4(a).

 

(b)       Calculation of Asset Coverage. For purposes of determining whether the requirements of Section 2.4(a) are satisfied, (i) no Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series or other Preferred Stock shall be deemed to be Outstanding for purposes of any computation required by Section 2.4(a) if, prior to or concurrently with such determination, either (x) sufficient Deposit Securities or other sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such Series or other Preferred Stock) to pay the full redemption price for such Series or other Preferred Stock (or the portion thereof to be redeemed) shall have been deposited in trust with the paying agent for such Series or other Preferred Stock and the requisite notice of redemption for such Series or other Preferred Stock (or the portion thereof to be redeemed) shall have been given or (y) sufficient Deposit Securities or other sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such Series or other Preferred Stock) to pay the full redemption price for such Series or other Preferred Stock (or the portion thereof to be redeemed) shall have been segregated by the Custodian and the Corporation from the assets of the Corporation, by means of appropriate identification on the Custodian’s books and records or otherwise in accordance with the Custodian’s normal procedures, and (ii) the Deposit Securities or other sufficient funds that shall have been deposited with the applicable paying agent and/or segregated by the Custodian, as applicable, as provided in clause (i) of this sentence shall not be included as assets of the Corporation for purposes of such computation.

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2.5.       Redemption. Each Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be subject to redemption by the Corporation as provided below:

 

(a)        Asset Coverage Mandatory Redemption.

 

(i)         If the Corporation fails to comply with the Asset Coverage requirement as provided in Section 2.4(a) as of the last Business Day of any Calendar Quarter and such failure is not cured as of the Asset Coverage Cure Date, the Corporation shall, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Maryland law and pursuant to the terms and conditions of any credit agreement, loan agreement, credit facility or other agreement representing borrowings of the Corporation (a “Credit Agreement”) that is in effect at such time, by the close of business on such Asset Coverage Cure Date, fix a redemption date and proceed to redeem in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock, a sufficient number of shares of Preferred Stock, which at the Corporation’s sole option (to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Maryland law) may include any number or proportion of Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series, to enable it to meet the requirements of Section 2.5(a)(ii). In the event that any shares of a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares then Outstanding are to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 2.5(a)(i), the Corporation shall redeem such shares at a price per share equal to the Liquidation Preference per share of such Series plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions on such share of such Series accumulated to (but excluding) the date fixed for such redemption by the Board of Directors (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation, but excluding interest thereon) (the “Mandatory Redemption Price”).

 

(ii)        On the Redemption Date for a redemption contemplated by Section 2.5(a)(i), the Corporation shall redeem, out of funds legally available therefor and to the extent permitted by any Credit Agreement in effect on such date, such number of shares of Preferred Stock (which may include at the sole option of the Corporation any number or proportion of Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series) as shall be equal to the lesser of (x) the minimum number of shares of Preferred Stock, the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Asset Coverage Cure Date, would result in the Corporation having Asset Coverage on such Asset Coverage Cure Date of at least 200% (provided, however, that if there is no such minimum number of Perpetual Preferred Shares and other shares of Preferred Stock the redemption or retirement of which would have such result, all Perpetual Preferred Shares and other shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be redeemed), and (y) the maximum number of shares of Preferred Stock that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available therefor in accordance with the Charter and applicable law and to the extent permitted by any Credit Agreement in effect on such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that shares of Preferred Stock are redeemed pursuant to this Section 2.5(a), the Corporation may at its sole option, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of shares of any Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares pursuant to this Section 2.5(a) that, when aggregated with other shares of Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation, would result, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Asset Coverage Cure Date, in the Corporation having Asset Coverage on such Asset Coverage Cure Date of up to and including 285%. The Corporation shall effect such redemption on the date fixed by the Corporation therefor, which date shall not be later than ninety (90) calendar days after such Asset Coverage Cure Date, except that if the Corporation does not have funds legally available for the redemption of all of the required number of Perpetual Preferred Shares and other shares of Preferred Stock which have been designated to be redeemed or the Corporation otherwise is unable to effect such redemption on or prior to ninety (90) calendar days after such Asset Coverage Cure Date, the Corporation shall redeem those Perpetual Preferred Shares and other shares of Preferred Stock which it was unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is able to effect such redemption. If fewer than all of the Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares of a Series are to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 2.5(a), the number of Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series to be redeemed shall be redeemed (A) from each Holder pro rata based upon the number of Outstanding shares of such Series held by such Holder, or (B) by lot.

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(b)        Optional Redemption.

 

(i)         Subject to the provisions of Section 2.5(b)(ii), on any Business Day following the expiration of the Non-Call Period (if any) for a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares (any such Business Day referred to in this sentence, an “Optional Redemption Date”), the Corporation may redeem in whole or from time to time in part the Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series, at a redemption price per Perpetual Preferred Share (the “Optional Redemption Price”) equal to (x) the Liquidation Preference per Perpetual Preferred Share of such Series plus (y) an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions on such Perpetual Preferred Share of such Series accumulated to (but excluding) the Optional Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation, but excluding interest thereon) plus (z) the Optional Redemption Premium per share (if any) with respect to an optional redemption of Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series that is effected on such Optional Redemption Date.

 

(ii)        If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares are to be redeemed pursuant to Section 2.5(b)(i), the shares of such Series to be redeemed shall be selected either (A) from each Holder pro rata based upon the number of Outstanding shares of such Series held by such Holder, or (B) by lot. Subject to the provisions of these Articles Supplementary and applicable law, the Board of Directors will have the full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which Perpetual Preferred Shares will be redeemed pursuant to this Section 2.5(b) from time to time.

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(iii)       The Corporation may not on any date deliver a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 2.5(b) in respect of a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant to this Section 2.5(b) unless on such date the Corporation has available Deposit Securities for the Optional Redemption Date contemplated by such Notice of Redemption having a Market Value not less than the amount (including any applicable premium) due to Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares by reason of the redemption of such Perpetual Preferred Shares on such Optional Redemption Date.

 

(c)        Procedures for Redemption.

 

(i)         If the Corporation shall determine or be required to redeem, in whole or in part, Perpetual Preferred Shares of a Series pursuant to Section 2.5(a), or (b) the Corporation shall deliver a notice of redemption (the “Notice of Redemption”), by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means to Holders thereof, or request the Redemption and Paying Agent, on behalf of the Corporation, to promptly do so by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means. A Notice of Redemption shall be provided not more than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the date fixed for redemption in such Notice of Redemption (the “Redemption Date”). The Redemption Date shall be not less than thirty (30) calendar days and not more than ninety (90) calendar days following the date upon which the Notice of Redemption is provided to Holders thereof. Each such Notice of Redemption shall state: (A) the Redemption Date; (B) the Series and number of Perpetual Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (C) the CUSIP number for Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series; (D) the applicable Redemption Price on a per share basis; (E) if applicable, the place or places where the certificate(s) for such shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors requires and the Notice of Redemption states) are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; (F) that dividends on the Perpetual Preferred Shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate from and after such Redemption Date; and (G) the provisions of these Articles Supplementary under which such redemption is made. If fewer than all Perpetual Preferred Shares held by any Holder are to be redeemed, the Notice of Redemption delivered to such Holder shall also specify the number of Perpetual Preferred Shares to be redeemed from such Holder or the method of determining such number. The Corporation may provide in any Notice of Redemption relating to a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant to these Articles Supplementary that such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent and that the Corporation shall not be required to effect such redemption unless each such condition has been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. No defect in the Notice of Redemption or delivery thereof shall affect the validity of redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.

 

(ii)        If the Corporation shall give a Notice of Redemption, then at any time from and after the giving of such Notice of Redemption and prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date (so long as any conditions precedent to such redemption have been met or waived by the Corporation), the Corporation shall (A) deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent Deposit Securities having an aggregate Market Value on the date thereof no less than the Redemption Price of the Perpetual Preferred Shares to be redeemed on the Redemption Date and (B) give the Redemption and Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the applicable Redemption Price to the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares called for redemption on the Redemption Date. The Corporation may direct the Redemption and Paying Agent with respect to the investment or reinvestment of any Deposit Securities prior to the Redemption Date, provided that such investment or reinvestment consists exclusively of Deposit Securities and provided further that the proceeds of any such investment shall be available at the opening of business on the Redemption Date as same day funds.

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(iii)       Upon the date of the deposit of such Deposit Securities, provided that notice has been published that sufficient funds will be made available to Holders within ninety (90) calendar days, all rights of the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares so called for redemption shall cease and terminate except the right of the Holders thereof to receive the Redemption Price thereof and such Perpetual Preferred Shares shall no longer be deemed Outstanding for any purpose whatsoever (other than (A) the transfer thereof prior to the applicable Redemption Date and (B) the accumulation of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms hereof up to (but excluding) the applicable Redemption Date, which accumulated dividends shall be payable only as part of the applicable Redemption Price on the Redemption Date). The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, promptly after the Redemption Date, any Deposit Securities in excess of the aggregate Redemption Price of the Perpetual Preferred Shares called for redemption on the Redemption Date. Any Deposit Securities so deposited that are unclaimed at the end of ninety (90) calendar days from the Redemption Date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Corporation, after which the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares so called for redemption shall look only to the Corporation for payment of the Redemption Price thereof. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time after the Redemption Date, any interest on the Deposit Securities so deposited. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.5(c)(iv) to the contrary, the rights of the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares called for redemption shall not be terminated in the event that there is a default in funds available for redemption.

 

(iv)       On or after the Redemption Date, each Holder of Perpetual Preferred Shares in certificated form (if any) that are subject to redemption shall surrender the certificate(s) evidencing such Perpetual Preferred Shares to the Corporation at the place designated in the Notice of Redemption and shall then be entitled to receive the Redemption Price for such Perpetual Preferred Shares, without interest, and in the case of a redemption of fewer than all the Perpetual Preferred Shares represented by such certificate(s), a new certificate representing the Perpetual Preferred Shares that were not redeemed.

 

(v)        Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 2.5, except as otherwise required by law, the Corporation shall not redeem any Perpetual Preferred Shares unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions on all Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares and other series of Preferred Shares ranking on a parity with the Perpetual Preferred Shares with respect to dividends and distributions for all applicable past dividend periods (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation) (x) shall have been or are contemporaneously paid or (y) shall have been or are contemporaneously declared and Deposit Securities or sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock) for the payment of such dividends and distributions shall have been or are contemporaneously deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent for such Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares pursuant to an otherwise lawful purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to Holders of all Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares and any other series of Preferred Stock for which all accumulated and unpaid dividends and distributions have not been paid.

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(vi)       To the extent that any redemption for which Notice of Redemption has been provided is not made (A) by reason of the absence of legally available funds therefor in accordance with the Charter and applicable law or (B) pursuant to the terms and conditions of any Credit Agreement in effect on the date on which such redemption is scheduled, such redemption shall be made as soon as practicable to the extent such funds become available. No Redemption Default shall be deemed to have occurred if the Corporation shall fail to deposit in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent the Redemption Price with respect to any shares where (1) the Notice of Redemption relating to such redemption provided that such redemption was subject to one or more conditions precedent and (2) any such condition precedent shall not have been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. Notwithstanding the fact that a Notice of Redemption has been provided with respect to any Perpetual Preferred Shares, dividends may be declared and paid on such Perpetual Preferred Shares in accordance with their terms if Deposit Securities for the payment of the Redemption Price of such Perpetual Preferred Shares shall not have been deposited in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent for that purpose.

 

(d)        Redemption and Paying Agent as Trustee of Redemption Payments by Corporation. All Deposit Securities transferred to the Redemption and Paying Agent for payment of the Redemption Price of Perpetual Preferred Shares called for redemption shall be held in trust by the Redemption and Paying Agent for the benefit of Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares so to be redeemed until paid to such Holders in accordance with the terms hereof or returned to the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.5(c)(iii) above.

 

(e)        Compliance With Applicable Law and Credit Agreement. In effecting any redemption pursuant to this Section 2.5, the Corporation shall use its best efforts to comply with all applicable conditions precedent to effecting such redemption under the 1940 Act and any applicable Maryland law and pursuant to the terms and conditions of any Credit Agreement in effect as of the date of such redemption, but shall effect no redemption except in accordance with the 1940 Act and any applicable Maryland law and pursuant to the terms and conditions of any Credit Agreement in effect as of the date of such redemption. In determining for the purposes of Section 2-311 of the Maryland General Corporation Law or otherwise under Maryland General Corporation Law whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation), by dividend, redemption, or otherwise, is permitted, amounts that would be needed, if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the liquidation preference of any series of Preferred Stock with preferential rights on dissolution senior to the Perpetual Preferred Shares will not be added to the Corporation’s total liabilities.

 

(f)         Modification of Redemption Procedures. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.5, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion and without a stockholder vote, modify the procedures set forth above with respect to notification of redemption for the Perpetual Preferred Shares, provided that such modification does not materially and adversely affect the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares or cause the Corporation to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation; and provided further that no such modification shall in any way alter the rights or obligations of the Redemption and Paying Agent without its prior consent.

- 17 -

 

2.6.       Voting Rights.

 

(a)        One Vote Per Perpetual Preferred Share. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter or as otherwise required by law, (i) each Holder of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each Perpetual Preferred Share held by such Holder on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation, and (ii) the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares, and of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class; provided, however, that the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Shares, shall be entitled, voting as a separate class on a one-vote-per-share basis (to the exclusion of the Holders of all other securities and classes of Capital Stock of the Corporation), to elect two Directors of the Corporation at all times. Subject to Section 2.6(b), the Holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, including Perpetual Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, shall elect the balance of the Directors.

 

(b)        Voting For Additional Directors.

 

(i)        Voting Period. During any period in which any one or more of the conditions described in clauses (A) or (B) of this Section 2.6(b)(i) shall exist (such period being referred to herein as a “Voting Period”), the number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be automatically increased by the smallest number that, when added to the two Directors elected by the Holders of Preferred Stock, including Perpetual Preferred Shares, would constitute a majority of the Board of Directors as so increased by such smallest number; and the Holders of Preferred Shares, including Perpetual Preferred Shares, shall be entitled, voting as a separate class on a one-vote-per-share basis (to the exclusion of the Holders of all other securities and classes of Capital Stock of the Corporation), to elect such smallest number of additional Directors, together with the two Directors that such Holders are in any event entitled to elect. A Voting Period shall commence:

 

(A)      if, at the close of business on any dividend payment date for any outstanding Preferred Share including any Outstanding Perpetual Preferred Share, accumulated dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such outstanding share of Preferred Stock equal to at least two (2) full years’ dividends shall be due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities shall not have been deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent for the payment of such accumulated dividends; or

 

(B)      if at any time Holders of shares of Preferred Stock are otherwise entitled under the 1940 Act to elect a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights described in this Section 2.6(b)(i) shall cease, subject always, however, to the revesting of such voting rights in the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock upon the further occurrence of any of the events described in this Section 2.6(b)(i).

- 18 -

 

(ii)       Notice of Special Meeting. As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors as described in Section 2.6(b)(i), at the request of any Holder, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or the Board of Directors shall call a special meeting of such Holders and notify the Redemption and Paying Agent and/or such other Person as is specified in the terms of such Preferred Stock to receive notice in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (i) by mailing or delivery by Electronic Means or (ii) in such other manner and by such other means as are specified in the terms of such Preferred Stock, a notice of such special meeting to such Holders, such meeting to be held not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) calendar days after the date of the delivery by Electronic Means or mailing of such notice. If the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or the Board of Directors fails to call such a special meeting, it may be called at the expense of the Corporation by any such Holder on like notice. The record date for determining the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting shall be the close of business on the fifth (5th) Business Day preceding the calendar day on which such notice is mailed or otherwise delivered, provided that the record date may not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed. At any such special meeting and at each meeting of Holders of shares of Preferred Stock held during a Voting Period at which Directors are to be elected, such Holders, voting together as a class (to the exclusion of the Holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Corporation), shall be entitled to elect the number of Directors prescribed in Section 2.6(b)(i) on a one-vote-per-share basis.

 

(iii)      Terms of Office of Existing Directors. The terms of office of the incumbent Directors of the Corporation at the time of a special meeting of Holders of the shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors in accordance with Section 2.6(b)(i) shall not be affected by the election at such meeting by the Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares and such other Holders of shares of Preferred Stock of the number of Directors that they are entitled to elect, and the Directors so elected by the Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares and such other Holders of shares of Preferred Stock, together with the two (2) Directors elected by the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 2.6(a) hereof and the remaining Directors elected by the holders of the shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, shall constitute the duly elected Directors of the Corporation.

 

(iv)      Certain Directors to Stand for Election Each Year that a Voting Period Continues. For so long as a Voting Period continues, the additional Directors elected by the Holders of the Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.6(b)(i) shall stand for election each year.

 

(v)       Terms of Office of Certain Directors to Terminate Upon Termination of Voting Period. Simultaneously with the termination of a Voting Period, the terms of office of the additional Directors elected by the Holders of the shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.6(b)(i) shall terminate, the remaining Directors shall constitute the Directors of the Corporation and the voting rights of the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors pursuant to Section 2.6(b)(i) shall cease, subject to the provisions of the last sentence of Section 2.6(b)(i).

- 19 -

 

(c)        Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares to Vote on Certain Matters.

 

(i)         Certain Amendments Requiring Approval of Perpetual Preferred Shares. Except as otherwise permitted by the terms of these Articles Supplementary, so long as any Perpetual Preferred Shares are Outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Perpetual Preferred Shares of all Series Outstanding at the time, voting together as a separate class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter, or these Articles Supplementary, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any preference, conversion or other right, voting power, restriction, limitation as to dividends, qualification, or term and condition, of redemption of such Perpetual Preferred Shares or the Holders thereof; provided, however, that (i) a change in the capitalization of the Corporation in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof shall not be considered to materially and adversely affect the rights and preferences of the Perpetual Preferred Shares, and (ii) a division of a Perpetual Preferred Share shall be deemed to affect such preferences, rights or powers only if the terms of such division materially and adversely affect the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares. For purposes of the foregoing, no matter shall be deemed to adversely affect any preference, right or power of a Perpetual Preferred Share of such Series or the Holder thereof unless such matter (i) alters or abolishes any preferential right of such Perpetual Preferred Share, or (ii) creates, alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such Perpetual Preferred Share (other than as a result of a division of a Perpetual Preferred Share). So long as any Perpetual Preferred Shares are Outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares Outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, file a voluntary application for relief under Federal bankruptcy law or any similar application under state law for so long as the Corporation is solvent and does not foresee becoming insolvent.

 

(ii)        1940 Act Matters. Unless a higher percentage is provided for in the Charter, the affirmative vote of the Holders of at least “a majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock,” as determined in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, including Perpetual Preferred Shares Outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, shall be required to approve (A) any plan of reorganization (as such terms is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares, or (B) any action requiring a vote of security holders of the Corporation pursuant to Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act.

 

(iii)       Certain Amendments Requiring Approval of Specific Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares. Except as otherwise permitted by the terms of these Articles Supplementary, so long as any Perpetual Preferred Shares of a Series are Outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series, Outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Appendix relating to such Series, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any preference, right or power set forth in such Appendix of the Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series or the Holders thereof; provided, however, that (i) a change in the capitalization of the Corporation in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof shall not be considered to materially and adversely affect the rights and preferences of the Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series, and (ii) a division of a Perpetual Preferred Share shall be deemed to affect such preferences, rights or powers only if the terms of such division materially and adversely affect the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series; and provided, further, that no amendment, alteration or repeal of the obligation of the Corporation to accumulate dividends at the Dividend Rate (as set forth in these Articles Supplementary and the applicable Appendix hereto) for a Series shall be effected without, in each case, the prior unanimous vote or consent of the Holders of such Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares. For purposes of the foregoing, no matter shall be deemed to adversely affect any preference, right or power of a Perpetual Preferred Share of a Series or the Holder thereof unless such matter (i) alters or abolishes any preferential right of such Perpetual Preferred Share, or (ii) creates, alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such Perpetual Preferred Share.

- 20 -

 

(d)       Voting Rights Set Forth Herein Are Sole Voting Rights. Unless otherwise required by law or the Charter, the Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall not have any relative voting rights or preferences or other special rights with respect to voting other than those expressly set forth in this Section 2.6.

 

(e)       No Cumulative Voting. The Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall have no rights to cumulative voting.

 

(f)        Voting for Directors Sole Remedy for Corporation’s Failure to Declare or Pay Dividends. In the event that the Corporation fails to declare or pay any dividends on any Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares on the Dividend Payment Date therefor, the exclusive remedy of the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be the right to vote for Directors pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6. Nothing in this Section 2.6(f) shall be deemed to affect the obligation of the Corporation to accumulate and, if permitted by applicable law, the Charter and these Articles Supplementary, pay dividends at the Default Rate in the circumstances contemplated by Section 2.2(g) hereof.

 

(g)       Holders Entitled to Vote. For purposes of determining any rights of the Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares to vote on any matter, whether such right is created by these Articles Supplementary, by the Charter, by statute or otherwise, no Holder of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be entitled to vote any Perpetual Preferred Share and no Perpetual Preferred Share shall be deemed to be “Outstanding” for the purpose of voting or determining the number of shares required to constitute a quorum if, prior to or concurrently with the time of determination of shares entitled to vote or the time of the actual vote on the matter, as the case may be, the requisite Notice of Redemption with respect to such Perpetual Preferred Share shall have been given in accordance with these Articles Supplementary and Deposit Securities for the payment of the Redemption Price of such Perpetual Preferred Share shall have been deposited in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent for that purpose. No Perpetual Preferred Share held by the Corporation shall have any voting rights or be deemed to be outstanding for voting or for calculating the voting percentage required on any other matter or other purposes.

 

(h)       Maryland General Corporation Law Matters. The Corporation shall take such actions as may be necessary to effect the provisions of this Section 2.6 in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law.

 

2.7.       Maturity. The Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be perpetual.

 

2.8.       Rating Agency. The Corporation shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause at least one Rating Agency to issue long-term credit ratings with respect to each Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares for so long as such Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares is Outstanding. The Corporation shall use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with any applicable Rating Agency Guidelines. If a Rating Agency shall cease to rate the securities of closed-end management investment companies generally, the Board of Directors shall terminate the designation of such Rating Agency as a Rating Agency hereunder. The Board of Directors may elect to terminate the designation of any Rating Agency as a Rating Agency hereunder with respect to a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares so long as either (i) immediately following such termination, there would be at least one Rating Agency with respect to such Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares or (ii) it replaces the terminated Rating Agency with another NRSRO and provides notice thereof to the Holders of such Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares; provided that such replacement shall not occur unless such replacement Rating Agency shall have at the time of such replacement (i) published a rating for the Perpetual Preferred Shares of such Series and (ii) entered into an agreement with the Corporation to continue to publish such rating subject to the Rating Agency’s customary conditions. The Board of Directors may also elect to designate one or more other NRSROs as Rating Agencies hereunder with respect to a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares by notice to the Holders of the Perpetual Preferred Shares. The Rating Agency Guidelines of any Rating Agency may be amended by such Rating Agency without the vote, consent or approval of the Corporation, the Board of Directors or any Holder of Preferred Shares, including any Perpetual Preferred Shares, or Common Stock.

- 21 -

 

2.9.       Issuance of Additional Preferred Stock.

 

So long as any Perpetual Preferred Shares are Outstanding, the Corporation may, without the vote or consent of the Holders thereof, authorize, establish and create and issue and sell shares of one or more series of a class of senior securities of the Corporation representing stock under Section 18 of the 1940 Act, ranking on a parity with Perpetual Preferred Shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or the winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, in addition to then Outstanding Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares, including additional Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares, and authorize, issue and sell additional shares of any such series of Preferred Stock then outstanding or so established and created, including additional Perpetual Preferred Shares of any Series, in each case in accordance with applicable law, provided that the Corporation shall, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such additional shares of Preferred Stock and to its receipt and application of the proceeds thereof, including to the redemption of shares of Preferred Stock with such proceeds, have Asset Coverage (calculated in the same manner as is contemplated by Section 2.4(b) hereof) of at least 200%.

 

2.10.     Status of Redeemed or Repurchased Perpetual Preferred Shares.

 

Perpetual Preferred Shares that at any time have been redeemed or purchased by the Corporation shall, after such redemption or purchase, have the status of authorized but unissued shares of Capital Stock.

 

2.11.     Global Certificate.

 

For so long as any Perpetual Preferred Shares are Outstanding (i) all shares of any Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares Outstanding from time to time shall be represented by one global certificate for such Series registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee and (ii) no registration of transfer of shares of such Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be made on the books of the Corporation to any Person other than the Securities Depository or its nominee. The foregoing restriction on registration of transfer shall be conspicuously noted on the face or back of the global certificates.

- 22 -

 

2.12.     Notice.

 

All notices or communications hereunder, unless otherwise specified in these Articles Supplementary, shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person, by telecopier, by Electronic Means or by overnight mail or delivery or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid. Notices delivered pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be deemed given on the date received or, if mailed by first class mail, on the date five (5) calendar days after which such notice is mailed.

 

2.13.     Termination.

 

In the event that no shares of a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares are Outstanding, all rights and preferences of the shares of such Series established and designated hereunder shall cease and terminate, and all obligations of the Corporation under these Articles Supplementary with respect to such Series shall terminate, other than in respect to the payment of and the right to receive the Redemption Price in accordance with Section 2.5 of these Articles Supplementary.

 

2.14.     Appendices.

 

The designation of each Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall be set forth in an Appendix to these Articles Supplementary. The Board of Directors may, by resolution duly adopted, without stockholder approval (except as otherwise provided by these Articles Supplementary or required by applicable law) (1) amend the Appendix to these Articles Supplementary relating to a Series so as to reflect any amendments to the terms applicable to such Series including an increase in the number of authorized shares of such Series and (2) add additional Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares by including a new Appendix to these Articles Supplementary relating to such Series.

 

2.15.     Actions on Other than Business Days.

 

Unless otherwise provided herein, if the date for making any payment, performing any act or exercising any right, in each case as provided for in these Articles Supplementary, is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made, act performed or right exercised on the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made or done on the nominal date provided therefor, and, with respect to any payment so made, no dividends, interest or other amount shall accrue for the period between such nominal date and the date of payment.

 

2.16.     Modification.

 

The Board of Directors, without the vote of the Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares, may interpret, supplement or amend the provisions of these Articles Supplementary or any Appendix hereto to supply any omission, resolve any inconsistency or ambiguity or to cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision, including any provision that is inconsistent or otherwise conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, any order issued thereunder by the Commission, or any interpretive position of the staff of the Commission pertaining thereto, in each case, that is applicable to the Corporation, or any provision that becomes defective after the date hereof because of impossibility of performance or any provision that is inconsistent with any provision of any other Capital Stock of the Corporation.

- 23 -

 

2.17.     No Additional Rights.

 

Unless otherwise required by law or the Charter, the Holders of Perpetual Preferred Shares shall not have any relative rights or preferences or other special rights other than those specifically set forth in these Articles Supplementary.

 

FOURTH: The shares of Perpetual Preferred Stock and shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been classified and designated by the Board of Directors under the authority contained in the Charter.

 

FIFTH: As contemplated by these Articles Supplementary, the designation of shares of Series A Perpetual Stock is set forth in Appendix A attached hereto and made a part hereof (“Appendix A”).

 

FIFTH: These Articles Supplementary, together with Appendix A, have been approved by the Board of Directors in the manner and by the vote required by law.

 

SIXTH: These Articles Supplementary, together with Appendix A, shall be effective upon the acceptance of these Articles Supplementary for record by the SDAT.

 

SEVENTH: The undersigned Chairman and President acknowledges these Articles Supplementary, together with Appendix A, to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of her knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties of perjury.

 

[Signature Page Begins on the Following Page]

- 24 -

 

In Witness Whereof, these Articles Supplementary, together with Appendix A, are executed on behalf of the Corporation by its President and attested to by its Secretary on this 12th day of April, 2022.

 

ATTEST:   RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.  
       
/s/ Sareena Khwaja-Dixon   /s/ Kathryn A. Burns  
Name: Sareena Khwaja-Dixon   Name: Kathryn A. Burns  
Title: Secretary   Title: President  

 

[Signature Page to the Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and
Preferences of Perpetual Preferred Stock]

- 25 -

 

APPENDIX A

 

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.

 

SERIES A PERPETUAL PREFERRED STOCK

 

This Appendix establishes a Series of Perpetual Preferred Shares of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. Except as set forth below, this Appendix incorporates by reference the terms set forth with respect to all Series of such Perpetual Preferred Shares in those “Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Perpetual Preferred Stock” dated April 6, 2022 (the “PP Articles Supplementary”). This Appendix has been adopted by resolution of the Board of Directors of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the PP Articles Supplementary.

 

Section 1.    Designation as to Series.

 

Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock: A series of 3,910,000 shares of Perpetual Preferred Stock is hereby classified and designated as shares of “Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock” (collectively, “Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares”). Each share of such Series shall have such preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption, in addition to those required by applicable law and those that are expressly set forth in the Charter and the PP Articles Supplementary (except as the PP Articles Supplementary may be expressly modified by this Appendix), as are set forth in this Appendix A. The Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares shall constitute a separate series of Capital Stock and of the Perpetual Preferred Shares and each Series A Perpetual Preferred Share shall be identical. The following terms and conditions shall apply solely to the Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares:

 

Section 2.    Number of Authorized Shares of Series.

 

The number of authorized shares is 3,910,000.

 

Section 3.    Date of Original Issue with respect to Series.

 

The Date of Original Issue is on or about April 20, 2022.

 

Section 4.    Fixed Dividend Rate Applicable to Series.

 

The Fixed Dividend Rate is 6.00%.

 

Section 5.    Liquidation Preference Applicable to Series.

 

The Liquidation Preference is $25.00 per share.

- 26 -

 

Section 6.    Dividend Payment Dates Applicable to Series.

 

The Dividend Payment Dates are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 of each year (each a “Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on May 15, 2022. If any Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the dividend with respect to that Dividend Payment Date will be paid on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay.

 

Section 7.    Non-Call Period Applicable to Series.

 

The Non-Call Period is the period beginning on the Date of Original of Issue and ending at the close of business on May 14, 2027.

 

Section 8.    Exceptions to Certain Definitions Applicable to the Series.

 

The following definitions contained under the heading “Definitions” in the PP Articles Supplementary are hereby amended as follows:

 

Not applicable.

 

Section 9.    Additional Definitions Applicable to the Series.

 

The following terms shall have the following meanings (with terms defined in the singular having comparable meanings when used in the plural and vice versa), unless the context otherwise requires:

 

Dividend Period means, each period from and including a Dividend Payment Date (or the Date of Original Issue in the case of the first Dividend Period) to but excluding the following Dividend Payment Date.

 

Section 10.  Amendments to Terms of Perpetual Preferred Shares Applicable to the Series.

 

The following provisions contained under the heading “Terms of the Perpetual Preferred Shares” in the PP Articles Supplementary are hereby amended as follows:

 

Not applicable.

 

Section 11.  Additional Terms and Provisions Applicable to the Series.

 

The following provisions shall be incorporated into and be deemed part of the PP Articles Supplementary:

 

Not applicable.

 

-27-

 

     (GRAPHIC)  (GRAPHIC)
       
  RiverNorth Opportunities
Fund, Inc.
Subscription Agent: Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Information Agent: Georgeson LLC
Banks, brokers and shareholders call toll-free: 1-888-624-2255
 

 

 

 

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS CERTIFICATE

VOID IF NOT RECEIVED BY THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT BEFORE 5:00 P.M.
EASTERN TIME ON THE EXPIRATION DATE: November 8, 2022 (unless extended)

 

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS FOR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

In order to exercise your rights, you must complete both sides of this Subscription Rights Certificate.

 

The registered holder (the "Holder") of this Subscription Certificate named below, or its assignee, is entitled to the number of rights (each, a "Right") to purchase shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value (the ''Shares"), of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") as generally described in the Prospectus Supplement dated October 11, 2022 (the "Prospectus Supplement"). Each holder of the Fund's Shares on the record date ("Record Date Stockholder") of October 14, 2022 (the "Record Date") is entitled to receive one (1) Right for each Share held of record on the Record Date. The number of Rights to be issued to a Record Date Stockholder will be rounded up to the nearest number of Rights evenly divisible by three. For every three (3) Rights held, a Holder may subscribe for and purchase one (1) new Share (the "Primary Subscription"). In addition, Record Date Stockholders who fully exercise their Rights may subscribe for additional Shares not subscribed for by others in the Primary Subscription ("Over-Subscription Privilege") subject to limitations and allotment. Rights acquired in the secondary market may not participate in the Over-Subscription Privilege. The Board of Directors of the Fund has the right in its absolute discretion to eliminate the Over-Subscription Privilege if it considers it to be in the best interest of the Fund to do so. The Board of Directors may make that determination at any time, without prior notice to Rights Holders or others, up to and including the fifth day following the expiration date of November 8, 2022 (unless extended by the Board of Directors) (the "Expiration Date"). Fractional shares will not be issued upon the exercise of the Rights. Accordingly, new Shares may be purchased only pursuant to the exercise of Rights in integral multiples of three.

 

Rights Holders will not know the subscription price at the time of exercise and will be required initially to pay for both the Shares subscribed for pursuant to the Primary Subscription and, if eligible, any additional Shares subscribed for pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege, at the estimated subscription price of $11.82 per Share. An exercising Rights Holder will generally have no right to rescind a purchase after the Subscription Agent has received payment. Any refund in connection with an over subscription will be delivered as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date and after all over-subscription allocations, if any, have been effected.

 

The Rights represented by this Subscription Rights Certificate may be exercised, as described further in the Prospectus Supplement by delivering to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. ("Computershare" or the "Subscription Agent"), prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Expiration Date of November 8, 2022 (unless extended), either, (1) this Subscription Rights Certificate, properly completed and executed, together with full payment for all the Rights the Holder elects to exercise under the Primary Subscription and Over-Subscription Privilege, or (2) a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery guaranteeing delivery of (i) a properly completed and executed Subscription Certificate and (ii) payment of the estimated Subscription Price in full for each share of Common Share subscribed for under the Primary Subscription Privilege and Over Subscription Privilege (if applicable) (which certificate and full payment must then be delivered by the close of business on the second Business Day after the Expiration Date). This Subscription Rights Certificate may be transferred by duly completing and signing Section 2 on the reverse side hereof. All Rights not exercised prior to 5:00 p.m. on November 8, 2022 shall be null and void.

 

Holder ID COY Class Rights Qty Issued Rights Cert #

 

Signature of Owner and U.S. Person for Tax Certification   Signature of Co-Owner (if more than one registered holder listed)   Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
         
       

 

 

 

 

(GRAPHIC)  X R T 2 (GRAPHIC)

 

03PFZA

 

 

To subscribe for your primary shares please complete line "A" on the card below. Example:
You own 88 shares as of the Record Date = You will receive 90 rights (as rounded up to the nearest number divisible by three)
90 rights divided by 3 = 30 Shares. The maximum number of Shares you can subscribe pursuant to the Primary Subscription would be 30.
             
  30   $ 11.82 = $354.60  
  (No. of shares)   (Estimated Subscription Price)   (Payment to be Remitted)  
             

 

If you are not exercising in full your Primary Subscription, check box D below and we will attempt to sell any remaining unexercised Rights.

 

Please note that $11.82 is an estimated price only. The Subscription Price will be determined on November 8, 2022, the Expiration Date (unless extended), and could be higher or lower than the Estimated Subscription Price depending on changes in the net asset value and share price of the Shares. The subscription price per Share will be determined based upon a formula equal 95% of the reported NAV or 95% of the market price per Share, whichever is higher, on the Expiration Date, unless the Offer is extended. Market price per Common Share will be determined based on the average of the last reported sales price of a Share on the New York Stock Exchange for the five trading days preceding (and not inclusive of) the Expiration Date.

 

To subscribe for any Shares in the Over-Subscription Privilege, please complete line "B" below. Please Note: Only Record Date Shareholders who have exercised their Primary Subscription in full may apply for shares pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege.

 

Payment of Shares: Full payment for both the primary subscription and over-subscription shares. Please reference your rights card control number on your check or cashier’s check (and on the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, if applicable). For Holders who wish to make such payment by cashier's check, the cashier's check must have the registered Holder's name imprinted (not simply written) on the check by the financial institution.

 

If the aggregate Subscription Price paid by a Record Date Shareholder is insufficient to purchase the number of Shares that the Holder indicates are being subscribed for, or a Record Date Shareholder does not specify the number of Common Shares to be purchased, then the Record Date Shareholder will be deemed to have exercised first, the Primary Subscription Right (if not already fully exercised) and second, the Over-Subscription Privilege to purchase Common Shares to the full extent of the payment rendered. If the aggregate Subscription Price paid by a Record Date Shareholder exceeds the amount necessary to purchase the number of Common Shares for which the Record Date Shareholder has indicated an intention to subscribe, then the Record Date Shareholder will be deemed to have exercised first the Primary Subscription Right (if not already fully exercised) and second, the Over-Subscription Privilege to the full extent of the excess payment tendered.

 

Expiration Date: (November 8, 2022 unless extended)

 

PLEASE FILL IN ALL APPLICABLE INFORMATION    
               
A. Primary Subscription   ÷ 3 =   x $11.82 = $    
  (3 Rights= 1 Share) Rights Exercised   No. of Shares Subscribed For   (Estimated Subscription Price)        
                   
B. Over-Subscription Privilege*   x $11.82 = $    
  In addition, I wish to  apply for additional shares Maximum No. Of Additional   (Estimated Subscription Price)        
pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege Shares Subscribed For            

 

*The Over-Subscription Privilege may only be exercised if the Primary Subscription is exercised in full, and may only be exercised by Record Date Shareholders, as described in the Prospectus Supplement. Over-Subscriptions may not be accepted by the Fund and are subject to pro rata reductions.

 

C. Amount of Check Enclosed (A+B) = $   

D. [  ]  Sell any remaining Rights [  ]  Sell all of my Rights

 

SECTION 1. TO SUBSCRIBE: I hereby irrevocably subscribe for the number of Shares indicated above upon the terms and conditions specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, receipt of which is acknowledged. I hereby agree that if I fail to pay for the Shares for which I have subscribed (or are deemed to have subscribed for as set forth above), the Fund may exercise any of the remedies set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.

 

TO SELL: If I have checked the box on line D, I authorize the sale of Rights by the Subscription Agent according to the procedures described in the Prospectus.

Signature(s) of Subscriber(s)/Sellers:  
Please give your telephone number:  
Please give your e-mail  address:  

SECTION 2. TO TRANSFER RIGHTS : For value received, _______________ of the Rights represented by this Subscription Certificate are assigned

to:    

(Print Full Name of Assignee)     Social Security Number  

(Print Full Address)  
(Print Full Address)  

Signature(s) of Assignor(s)  

 

IMPORTANT: The signature(s) must correspond in every particular, without alteration, with the name(s) as printed on your Subscription Certificate.

 

Your Signature must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution as that term is defined under Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which may include:

a)a commercial bank or trust company, or

b)a member firm of a domestic stock exchange, or

c)a savings bank or credit union

 

Signature Guaranteed By  

 

(name of Bank or Firm)   (Signature of Officer and title)

 

Return Subscription Certificate by first class mail or overnight courier to: Computershare

 

By Mail:   By Express Mail or Overnight Courier:   For questions pertaining to this offer, please call:
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.   RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.   Georgeson LLC
Attn: Corporate Actions Voluntary Offer   Attn: Corporate Actions Voluntary Offer   Banks, brokers and shareholders call toll-free:
P.O. Box 43011   150 Royall Street, Suite V   888-624-2255
Providence, RI 02940-3011   Canton, MA 02021    

 

NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

 

For Common Stock of
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Subscribed for under the Primary Subscription Privilege
and Pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege

 

As set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, dated October 11, 2022 (the “Prospectus”), this form or one substantially equivalent hereto may be used as a means of effecting subscription and payment for all of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) common stock subscribed for under the Primary Subscription Privilege and pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege (the “Common Stock”). Such form may be delivered by first class mail, overnight courier or sent by email transmission to the Subscription Agent and must be received prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 8, 2022, unless such time is extended by Fund as described in the Prospectus (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the “Expiration Date”). The terms and conditions of the Rights Offering set forth in the Prospectus are incorporated by reference herein. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meaning attributed to them in the Prospectus.

 

The Subscription Agent is:

 

Computershare

 

 

If By Mail: Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Attn: Corporate Actions Voluntary Offer
P.O. Box 43011
Providence, RI 02940-3011
   
If By Overnight Courier: Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Attn: Corporate Actions Voluntary Offer
150 Royall Street, Suite V
Canton, MA 02021
   
If By Email: canoticeofguarantee@computershare.com

 

For information call the information agent, Georgeson LLC: 888-624-2255

 

DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION VIA AN EMAIL ADDRESS OTHER THAN ONE LISTED ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE ABOVE EMAIL ADDRESS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY. ANY TRANSMISSION OF OTHER MATERIALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED A VALID SUBMISSION FOR THE OFFER.

 

The undersigned, a member firm of the NYSE, Nasdaq or other national exchange, or bank or trust company which completes this form must communicate this guarantee and the number of Common Shares subscribed for in connection with this guarantee (separately disclosed as to the Primary Subscription and the Over- Subscription Privilege) to the Subscription Agent and must deliver this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, to the Subscription Agent, prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, guaranteeing delivery of (a) payment in full for all subscribed Common Shares and (b) a properly completed and signed Subscription Certificate (which certificate and full payment (at the estimated Subscription Price of $11.82 per Common Share) must then be delivered to the Subscription Agent no later than the close of business on the second business day after the Expiration Date). Failure to do so will result in a forfeiture of the Rights.

 

VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: RIVN

 
 

GUARANTEE

 

The undersigned, a member firm of the NYSE, Nasdaq or other national exchange, or a bank or trust company, having an office or correspondent in the United States, guarantees delivery to the Subscription Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Second Business Day after November 8, 2022, which is the Expiration Date, unless extended, as described in the Prospectus) of (a) a properly completed and executed Rights Certificate and (b) payment in full for all subscribed shares of Common Stock. Participants should notify the Depositary prior to covering through the submission of a physical security directly to the Depositary based on a guaranteed delivery that was submitted via the PTOP platform of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

 

Price for shares of Common Stock subscribed for under the Primary Subscription Privilege and for any additional shares of Common Stock subscribed for pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege, subject, in the case of the Over-Subscription Privilege, to proration, as described in the Prospectus, as subscription for such shares of Common Stock is indicated herein or in the Rights Certificate

 

RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Broker Assigned Control # _____________________
       
1.    Primary
Subscription
Privilege
Number of Rights to be
exercised
Number of shares of Common Stock under the Primary Subscription Privilege requested for which you are guaranteeing delivery of Rights and payment Payment to be made in connection with the shares of Common Stock subscribed for under the Primary Subscription Privilege
       
  _____________ Rights _____________ Shares of Common Stock (Rights ÷ 3) $___________________
       
2.    Over-Subscription
Privilege
  Number of Shares of Common Stock requested pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege for which you are guaranteeing payment Payment to be made in connection with the shares of Common Stock requested pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege
       
    _____________ Shares of Common Stock $___________________
       
3.    Totals Total number of Rights to be delivered Total number of shares of Common Stock subscribed for and/or requested  
       
  _____________ Rights ____________ Shares of Common Stock $_________________
Total Payment

 

Method of delivery of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (circle one)

 

A. Through DTC

 

B. Direct to Computershare, as Subscription Agent.

 

Please reference below the registration of the Rights to be delivered.

 

 

 

VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: RIVN

 
 

PLEASE ASSIGN A UNIQUE CONTROL NUMBER FOR EACH GUARANTEE SUBMITTED. This number needs to be referenced on any direct delivery of Rights or any delivery through DTC.

 

Name of Firm   Authorized Signature  
DTC Participant Number   Title  
Address   Name (Please Type or Print)  
Zip Code   Phone Number  
Contact Name   Date  

 

VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: RIVN

 

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

TO:RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC

360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420

West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

 

Dear Sirs:

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) herewith confirms our agreement with you.

 

The Company has been organized to engage in the business of a closed-end management investment company.

 

You have been selected to act as the sole investment manager of the series of the Company set forth on the Exhibit to this Agreement (the “Fund”) and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and you are willing to act as such investment manager and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Company agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.

 

1.ADVISORY SERVICES

 

Subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Company, you will provide or arrange to be provided to the Fund such investment advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish or arrange to be furnished a continuous investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. You will determine or arrange for others to determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund, the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the Fund’s assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the Board may from time to time establish. You will furnish such reports, evaluations, information or analyses to the Company as the Board of Directors of the Company may request from time to time or as you may deem to be desirable. You also will advise and assist the officers of the Company in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of the Board and the appropriate committees of the Board regarding the conduct of the business of the Company.

 

2.USE OF SUB-ADVISERS

 

You may delegate any or all of the responsibilities, rights or duties described above to one or more sub-advisers who shall enter into agreements with you, provided the agreements are approved and ratified (i) by the Board including a majority of the Directors who are not interested persons of you or of the Company, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) if required under interpretations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”) by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund (unless the Company has obtained an exemption from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Act). Any such delegation shall not relieve you from any liability hereunder.

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3.ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES

  

As part of the unified management fee payable hereunder, you will provide or cause to be furnished all supervisory and administrative and other services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund, except (unless otherwise described in the Fund’s Prospectus or otherwise agreed to in writing), the Fund will pay, in addition to the unified management fee, taxes and governmental fees, if any, levied against the Fund; brokerage fees and commissions and other portfolio transaction expenses incurred by or for the Fund; costs, including interest expenses, of borrowing money or engaging in other types of leverage financing including, without limit, through the use by the Fund of tender option bond transactions; costs, including dividend and/or interest expenses and other costs (including, without limit, offering and related legal costs, fees to brokers, fees to auction agents, fees to transfer agents, fees to ratings agencies and fees to auditors associated with satisfying ratings agency requirements for preferred shares or other securities issued by the Fund and other related requirements in the Fund’s organizational documents) associated with the Fund’s issuance, offering, redemption and maintenance of preferred shares or other instruments (such as the use of tender option bond transactions) for the purpose of incurring leverage; fees and expenses of any Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests; dividend and interest expenses on short positions taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel expenses and fees and expenses of legal counsel retained for the benefit of the Fund or directors of the Fund who are not officers, employees, partners, shareholders or members of the Adviser or its affiliates; fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations involving contested elections of directors, shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated or proposed by the Adviser; legal, marketing, printing, accounting and other expenses associated with any future share offerings, such as rights offerings and shelf offerings, following the Fund’s initial offering; expenses associated with tender offers and other share repurchases and redemptions; and other extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses, as may arise, including, without limit, expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims and the legal obligations of the Fund to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors and agents with respect thereto.

 

You will also pay the compensation of any sub-adviser retained pursuant to paragraph 2 above and the compensation and expenses of any persons rendering portfolio management services to the Company who are directors, officers, employees, members or stockholders of your corporation or limited liability company. You will make available to the Board of Directors, without expense to the Fund, such of your employees as the Board may request to participate in Board meetings and provide such reports and other assistance as the Directors may reasonably request.

 

4.COMPENSATION OF THE MANAGER

 

For all of the services to be rendered as provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month, the Fund will pay you a fee based on the average value of the daily managed assets of the Fund and paid at an annual rate as set forth on the Exhibit executed with respect to the Fund and attached hereto.

 

The average value of the daily managed assets of a Fund shall be determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or a resolution of the Board of Directors, if required. If, pursuant to such provisions, the determination of net asset value of a Fund is suspended for any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value of the managed assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time as the value of the Fund’s net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day. If the determination of the net asset value of a Fund has been suspended for a period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined (whether during or prior to such month).

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5.EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS

 

In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the account of a Fund, it is understood that you (or the applicable sub-adviser retained pursuant to paragraph 2 above) will arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account with brokers or dealers selected by you (or the sub-adviser), subject to review of this selection by the Board of Directors from time to time. You (or the sub-adviser) will be responsible for the negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you (or the sub-adviser) are directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer.

 

You (or the sub-adviser) should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative execution, you (or the sub-adviser) are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. You (or the sub-adviser) are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if you (or the sub-adviser) determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or your (or the sub-adviser’s) overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you (or the sub-adviser) exercise investment discretion. The Fund and you (and the sub-adviser) understand and acknowledge that, although the information may be useful to the Fund and you (and the sub-adviser), it is not possible to place a dollar value on such information. The Board of Directors shall periodically review the commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund.

 

A broker’s or dealer's sale or promotion of Fund shares shall not be a factor considered by your personnel responsible for selecting brokers to effect securities transactions on behalf of the Fund. You and your personnel shall not enter into any written or oral agreement or arrangement to compensate a broker or dealer for any promotion or sale of Fund shares by directing to such broker or dealer (i) the Fund's portfolio securities transactions or (ii) any remuneration, including but not limited to, any commission, mark-up, mark down or other fee received or to be received from the Fund's portfolio transactions through such broker or dealer. However, you may place Fund portfolio transactions with brokers or dealers that sell or promote shares of the Fund provided the Board of Directors has adopted policies and procedures under Rule 12b-1(h) under the Act and such transactions are conducted in compliance with those policies and procedures.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other applicable law, you (or the sub-adviser), any of your (and the sub-adviser’s) affiliates or any affiliates of your (or the sub-adviser’s) affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting a Fund’s portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion should arise in which you (or the sub-adviser) give any advice to your clients (or clients of the sub-adviser) concerning the shares of a Fund, you (or the sub-adviser) will act solely as investment counsel for such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund.

 

6.PROXY VOTING

 

You will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. You agree to provide a copy of your proxy voting policy, and any amendments thereto, to the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement

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7.CODE OF ETHICS

 

You have adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Company with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, you will provide to the Board of Directors of the Company a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Directors, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that you have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent access persons (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.

 

8.SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE/USE OF NAME

 

Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies, provided, however, that such other services and activities do not, during the term of this Agreement, interfere in a material manner, with your ability to meet all of your obligations with respect to rendering services to the Fund.

 

The Company and you acknowledge that all rights to the name “RiverNorth” or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Company is being granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Company’s right to the use of the name “RiverNorth” shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days’ written notice by you to the Company. Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any respect, your right to use the name “RiverNorth” in the name of, or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may become associated. There is no charge to the Company for the right to use this name.

 

9.LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF MANAGER

 

You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or the rules thereunder, neither you nor your directors, officers, employees, shareholders, members, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Company in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.

 

Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee, shareholder, member or agent of you, who may be or become a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Company or acting on any business of the Company (other than services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Company and not as a director, officer, employee, shareholder, member, or agent of you, or one under your control or direction, even though paid by you.

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10.DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT

 

The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date of this Agreement for the Fund that has executed an Exhibit hereto as of the date of this Agreement and shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund (and any subsequent Fund added pursuant to an Exhibit executed during the initial two-year term of this Agreement) for a period of two years. This Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter, subject to termination as hereinafter provided, if such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by vote of the Company’s Board of Directors, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by vote of a majority of the Directors of the Company who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If a Fund is added pursuant to an Exhibit executed after the date of this Agreement as described above, this Agreement shall become effective with respect to that Fund upon execution of the applicable Exhibit and shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the date thereof and from year to year thereafter, subject to approval as described above.

 

This Agreement may, on sixty (60) days written notice, be terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Directors, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

 

11.AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT

 

No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are not interested persons of you or of the Company, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to which the amendment relates.

 

12.LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO COMPANY PROPERTY

 

The term “RiverNorth Funds” means and refers to the Directors from time to time serving under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation as the same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Company hereunder shall not be binding upon any of Directors, officers, employees, agents or nominees of the Company, or any shareholders of any series of the Company, personally, but bind only the property of the Company (and only the property of the applicable Fund), as provided in the Articles of Incorporation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Directors and shareholders of the applicable Fund and signed by officers of the Company, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Directors and shareholders nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the property of the Company (and only the property of applicable Fund) as provided in its Articles of Incorporation. A copy of the Articles of Incorporation is on file with the Secretary of State of Maryland.

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13.SEVERABILITY

 

In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.

 

14.BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Act, you agree that all record which you maintain for the Company are the property of the Company and you agree to surrender promptly to the Company such records upon the Company’s request. You further agree to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Act all records which you maintain for the Company that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Act.

 

15.QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION

 

(a)          This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

(b)          For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms “assignment,” “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “control” and “interested person” shall have their respective meanings as defined in the Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act; and the term “brokerage and research services” shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

(c)         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 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 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 the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.

 

16.NOTICES

 

Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Company is 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 645 Chicago, IL 60610.

 

17.CONFIDENTIALITY

 

You agree to treat all records and other information relating to the Company and the securities holdings of the Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, you, and your officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings. You agree that, consistent with your Code of Ethics, neither your nor your officers, directors or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about the Fund's portfolio holdings. 

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18.COUNTERPARTS

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

19.BINDING EFFECT

 

Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to the foregoing terms.

 

20.CAPTIONS

 

The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such counterpart to the Company, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract upon the date thereof.

 

  Yours very truly,  
     
  RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.  
     
Dated: as of October 1, 2022 By: /s/ Patrick W. Galley  
  Print Name: Patrick W. Galley  
  Title: President and Chairman of the Board  
       
ACCEPTANCE:      

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.

 

  RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC  
     
Dated: as of October 1, 2022 By: /s/ Jonathan M. Mohrhardt  
  Print Name: Jonathan M. Mohrhardt  
  Title: President and Chief Operating Officer  

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Exhibit 1

 

Fund Percentage of Average Daily Managed Assets
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. 1.30%

 

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Master Custodian Agreement

 

This Agreement is made as of March 3, 2014 by and between each management investment company identified on Appendix A hereto (each such investment company and each management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 20.5 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as a Fund), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the Custodian).

 

Witnesseth:

 

Whereas, each Fund may or may not be authorized to issue shares of common stock or shares of beneficial interest in separate series (Shares), with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;

 

Whereas, each Fund so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to each of its series set forth on Appendix A hereto (such series together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 20.5 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as the Portfolio(s));

 

Whereas, each Fund not so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to it and all references hereinafter to one or more “Portfolio(s)” shall be deemed to refer to such Fund(s); and

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1.       Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It.

 

Each Fund hereby employs the Custodian as a custodian of assets of the Portfolios, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, desires to be held in places within the United States (domestic securities) and securities it desires to be held outside the United States (foreign securities). Each Fund, on behalf of its Portfolio(s), agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such Shares as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio which is not received by it or which is delivered out in accordance with Proper Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof). With respect to uncertificated shares (the Underlying Shares) of registered “investment companies” (as defined in Section 3(a)(l) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time (the 1940 Act)), whether in the same “group of investment companies” (as defined in Section 12(d)(l)(G)(ii) of the 1940 Act) or otherwise, including pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the Underlying Portfolios) the holding of confirmation statements that identify the shares as being recorded in the Custodian’s name on behalf of the Portfolios will be deemed custody for purposes hereof.

 

 

Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall on behalf of a Fund appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities located in the United States and designated in such Proper Instructions to act as a sub-custodian for the purposes of effecting such transaction(s) as may be designated by a Fund. Each such designated sub-custodian is referred to herein as a Special Sub-Custodian. The Custodian may place and maintain each Fund’s foreign securities with foreign banking institution sub-custodians employed by the Custodian and/or foreign securities depositories, in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4 hereof.

 

Section 2.Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Portfolios to be Held in the United States.

 

Section 2.1     Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property to be held by it in the United States, including all domestic securities owned by such Portfolio other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a U.S. Securities System) and (b) Underlying Shares owned by each Fund which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof in an account with State Street Bank and Trust Company or such other entity which may from time to time be appointed by the Fund to act as a transfer agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is provided with Proper Instructions (the Underlying Transfer Agent).

 

Section 2.2     Delivery of Domestic Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian, in a U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, specifying (a) the domestic securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

 

Section 2.3     Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other registered management investment companies having the same investment adviser as the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall be in “street name” or other good delivery form. If, however, a Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in “street name,” the Custodian shall utilize reasonable efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.

 

Section 2.4     Payment of Fund Monies. The Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, specifying (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

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Section 2.5     Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio of each Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the board of directors or trustees, as applicable, of the Fund (the Board). Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.

 

Section 2.6     Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent. The Custodian shall present for payment all income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. The Custodian shall credit income to the Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with the Custodian’s then current payable date income schedule. Any credit to the Portfolio in advance of receipt may be reversed when the Custodian determines that payment will not occur in due course and the Portfolio may be charged at the Custodian’s applicable rate for time credited. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned shall be the responsibility of the applicable Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.

 

Section 2.7     Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company which is itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall not be deemed an agent or sub-custodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.8     Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

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Section 2.9     Segregated Account. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, the Custodian shall establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Portfolio for any purpose, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof.

 

Section 2.10  Deposit of Fund Assets with the Underlying Transfer Agent. Underlying Shares beneficially owned by the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account or accounts maintained with an Underlying Transfer Agent and the Custodian’s only responsibilities with respect thereto shall be limited to the following:

 

1)Upon receipt of a confirmation or statement from an Underlying Transfer Agent that such Underlying Transfer Agent is holding or maintaining Underlying Shares in the name of the Custodian (or a nominee of the Custodian) for the benefit of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall identify by book-entry that such Underlying Shares are being held by it as custodian for the benefit of such Portfolio.

 

2)In respect of the purchase of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall pay out monies of such Portfolio as so directed, and record such payment from the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records.

 

3)In respect of the sale or redemption of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall transfer such Underlying Shares as so directed, record such transfer from the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records and, upon the Custodian’s receipt of the proceeds therefor, record such payment for the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records.

 

Section 2.11   Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.

 

Section 2.12  Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.

 

Section 2.13  Communications Relating to Domestic Portfolio Securities. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with domestic securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian is in actual possession of such domestic securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power. For avoidance of doubt, upon and after the effective date of any termination of this Agreement, with respect to a Fund or its Portfolio(s), as may be applicable, the Custodian shall have no responsibility to so transmit any information under this Section 2.13.

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Section 3.      Provisions Relating to Rules 17f-5 and 17f-7.

 

Section 3.1.     Definitions. As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:

 

Country Risk means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, risks arising from such country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country); prevailing or developing custody, tax and settlement practices; nationalization, expropriation or other government actions; currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; market conditions affecting the orderly execution of securities transactions or the value of assets; the regulation of the banking and securities industries, including changes in market rules; and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country.

 

Eligible Foreign Custodian has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5.

 

Eligible Securities Depository has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.

 

Foreign Assets means any of the Portfolios’ investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States, and any cash and cash equivalents that are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolios’ transactions in those investments.

 

Foreign Custody Manager has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5.

 

Foreign Securities System means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B hereto.

 

Rule 17f-5 means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

 

Rule 17f-7 means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

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Section 3.2.     The Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager.

 

3.2.1     Delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. Each Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolios.

 

3.2.2     Countries Covered. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by any Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the assets of the Portfolios, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.

 

Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A, and the fulfillment by each Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), of the applicable account opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by such Fund’s Board on behalf of such Portfolio(s) responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by each Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board on behalf of such Portfolio to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager with respect to such Portfolio with respect to that country.

 

The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to the country as to which the Custodian’s acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.

 

3.2.3     Scope of Delegated Responsibilities:

 

(a)       Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodians. Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(l).

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(b)       Contracts With Eligible Foreign Custodians. The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).

 

(c)       Monitoring. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.

 

3.2.4     Guidelines for the Exercise of Delegated Authority. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

 

3.2.5     Reporting Requirements. The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.

 

3.2.6     Standard of Care as Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of the Foreign Assets would exercise, in performing the delegated responsibilities.

 

3.2.7     Representations with Respect to Rule 17f-5. The Foreign Custody Manager represents to each Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to the Custodian that its Board has determined that it is reasonable for such Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

 

3.2.8     Effective Date and Termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. Each Board’s delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios with respect to designated countries.

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Section 3.3     Eligible Securities Depositories.

 

3.3.1     Analysis and Monitoring. The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor (Investment Advisor)) with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance with section (a)(l)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis, and promptly notify the Fund (or its Investment Advisor) of any material change in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(l)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.

 

3.3.2     Standard of Care. The Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1.

 

Section 4.Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Portfolios to be Held Outside the United States.

 

Section 4.1.    Holding Securities. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities held by each Eligible Foreign Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Eligible Foreign Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Portfolios and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Eligible Foreign Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Eligible Foreign Custodian or of other customers of such Eligible Foreign Custodian.

 

Section 4.2.     Foreign Securities Systems. Foreign securities shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through arrangements implemented by the Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian, as applicable, in such country.

 

Section 4.3.     Transactions in Foreign Custody Account.

 

4.3.1.    Delivery of Foreign Securities. The Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or such Eligible Foreign Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, specifying (a) the foreign securities to be delivered and (b) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

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4.3.2.     Payment of Portfolio Monies. The Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Eligible Foreign Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of a Portfolio only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

 

4.3.3.    Market Conditions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.

 

The Custodian shall provide to each Board the information with respect to custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs an Eligible Foreign Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided that no such revision shall result in a Board being provided with substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.

 

Section 4.4.     Registration of Foreign Securities. Foreign securities maintained in the custody of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Eligible Foreign Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the foregoing, and the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.

 

Section 4.5.     Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the applicable Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United States on behalf of a Portfolio with an Eligible Foreign Custodian. All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Eligible Foreign Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the account of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian (including its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

Section 4.6.    Collection of Income. The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures. The Custodian shall credit income to the applicable Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with Custodian’s then current payable date income schedule. Any credit to the Portfolio in advance of receipt may be reversed when the Custodian determines that payment will not occur in due course and the Portfolio may be charged at the Custodian’s applicable rate for time credited. Income on securities loaned other than from the Custodian’s securities lending program shall be credited as received.

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Section 4.7    Shareholder Rights. With respect to the foreign securities held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. Each Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of such Fund to exercise shareholder rights.

 

Section 4.8.    Communications Relating to Foreign Portfolio Securities. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials received by the Custodian via Eligible Foreign Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with foreign securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Eligible Foreign Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power. For avoidance of doubt, upon and after the effective date of any termination of this Agreement, with respect to a Fund or its Portfolio(s), as may be applicable, the Custodian shall have no responsibility to so transmit any information under this Section 4.8.

 

Section 4.9.    Contracts With Eligible Foreign Custodians. Each contract pursuant to which the Custodian employs an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall meet the requirements of Rule 17f-5 and, to the extent possible, require the Eligible Foreign Custodian to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the Eligible Foreign Custodian’s performance of such obligations. At a Fund’s election, the Portfolios shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against an Eligible Foreign Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Portfolios have not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim. In no event shall the Custodian be obligated to bring suit in its own name or to allow suit to be brought in its name.

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Section 5.Contractual Settlement Services (Purchase / Sales).

 

Section 5.1    The Custodian shall, in accordance with the terms set out in this section, debit or credit the appropriate cash account of each Portfolio in connection with (i) the purchase of securities for such Portfolio, and (ii) proceeds of the sale of securities held on behalf of such Portfolio, on a contractual settlement basis.

 

Section 5.2    The services described above (the Contractual Settlement Services) shall be provided for such instruments and in such markets as the Custodian may advise from time to time. The Custodian may terminate or suspend any part of the provision of the Contractual Settlement Services under this Agreement at its sole discretion immediately upon notice to the applicable Fund on behalf of each Portfolio, including, without limitation, in the event of force majeure events affecting settlement, any disorder in markets, or other changed external business circumstances affecting the markets or the Fund.

 

Section 5.3    The consideration payable in connection with a purchase transaction shall be debited from the appropriate cash account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that monies would ordinarily be required to settle such transaction in the applicable market. The Custodian shall promptly recredit such amount at the time that the Portfolio or the Fund notifies the Custodian by Proper Instruction that such transaction has been canceled.

 

Section 5.4    With respect to the settlement of a sale of securities, a provisional credit of an amount equal to the net sale price for the transaction (the Settlement Amount) shall be made to the account of the Portfolio as if the Settlement Amount had been received as of the close of business on the date that monies would ordinarily be available in good funds in the applicable market. Such provisional credit will be made conditional upon the Custodian having received Proper Instructions with respect to, or reasonable notice of, the transaction, as applicable; and the Custodian or its agents having possession of the asset(s) (which shall exclude assets subject to any third party lending arrangement entered into by a Portfolio) associated with the transaction in good deliverable form and not being aware of any facts which would lead them to believe that the transaction will not settle in the time period ordinarily applicable to such transactions in the applicable market.

 

Section 5.5.    Simultaneously with the making of such provisional credit, the Portfolio agrees that the Custodian shall have, and hereby grants to the Custodian, a security interest in any property at any time held for the account of the Portfolio to the full extent of the credited amount, and each Portfolio hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Custodian a continuing security interest and a lien on any and all such property under the Custodian’s possession, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event that the applicable Portfolio fails to promptly repay any provisional credit, the Custodian shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

Section 5.6    The Custodian shall have the right to reverse any provisional credit or debit given in connection with the Contractual Settlement Services at any time when the Custodian believes, in its reasonable judgment, that such transaction will not settle in accordance with its terms or amounts due pursuant thereto, will not be collectable or where the Custodian has not been provided Proper Instructions with respect thereto, as applicable, and the Portfolio shall be responsible for any costs or liabilities resulting from such reversal. Upon such reversal, a sum equal to the credited or debited amount shall become immediately payable by the Portfolio to the Custodian and may be debited from any cash account held for benefit of the Portfolio.

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Section 5.7    In the event that the Custodian is unable to debit an account of the Portfolio, and the Portfolio fails to pay any amount due to the Custodian at the time such amount becomes payable in accordance with this Agreement, (i) the Custodian may charge the Portfolio for costs and expenses associated with providing the provisional credit, including without limitation the cost of funds associated therewith, (ii) the amount of any accrued dividends, interest and other distributions with respect to assets associated with such transaction may be set off against the credited amount, (iii) the provisional credit and any such costs and expenses shall be considered an advance of cash for purposes of the Agreement and (iv) the Custodian shall have the right to setoff against any property and to sell, exchange, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of any property at any time held for the account of the Portfolio to the full extent necessary for the Custodian to make itself whole.

 

Section 6.Tax Services.

 

Subject to and to the extent of receipt by the Custodian of relevant and necessary documentation and information with respect to the Funds and Portfolios that the Custodian has requested, the Custodian shall perform the following services: (i) file claims for exemptions, reductions in withholding taxes, or refunds of any tax with respect to withheld foreign (non-U.S.) taxes in instances in which such claims are appropriate; (ii) withhold appropriate amounts as required by U.S. tax laws with respect to amounts received on behalf of nonresident aliens; and (iii) provide to the Funds such information actually received by the Custodian that could, in the Custodian’s reasonable belief and sole discretion, assist any of the Funds in their submission of any reports or returns with respect to taxes. Other than the servicing responsibilities identified herein, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on any Fund, the Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of any country or of any state or political subdivision thereof.

 

It shall be the responsibility of each Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on such Fund or the Custodian as custodian by the tax law of countries, states and political subdivisions thereof, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which such Fund has provided sufficient information and documentation. As the Custodian does not provide tax advice, it is specifically understood and agreed that the Custodian shall not be considered the Fund’s tax advisor or tax counsel. In connection with the provision of services pursuant to this Section 6, the Custodian shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to a Fund for any obligations, including taxes, withholding and reporting requirements, claims for exemption and refund, additions for late payment, interest, penalties and other expenses that may be assessed against the Fund, the Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the assets of such Fund or Portfolios. Each of the Funds agrees that the Custodian is authorized to deduct from any cash received or credited to the account of a Portfolio any taxes or levies required by any tax or other governmental authority having jurisdiction in respect of such Portfolio’s transactions, and that the Custodian is authorized to disclose any information required by any such tax or other governmental authority in relation to processing any claim for exemption from or reduction or refund of any taxes relating to Portfolio transactions and holdings.

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Section 7.Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares.

 

The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of the Shares or from the Fund’s transfer agent (the Transfer Agent) and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the applicable Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to such Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.

 

From such funds as may be available for the purpose, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by a Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between such Fund and the Custodian.

 

Section 8.Proper Instructions.

 

Proper Instructions, which may also be standing instructions, shall mean instructions received by the Custodian from a Fund, its Investment Advisor, or a person or entity duly authorized by either of them. Such instructions may be in writing signed by the authorized person or persons or may be in a tested communication or in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may be agreed from time to time by the Custodian and the person(s) or entity giving such instruction, provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures agreed to from time to time by the applicable Fund and the Custodian including, but not limited to, the security procedures selected by the Fund via the form of Funds Transfer Addendum hereto, the terms of which are hereby agreed to. The Custodian may agree to accept oral instructions, and in such case oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. The Custodian shall be entitled conclusively to rely and act upon Proper Instructions until the Custodian has received notice of any change from the Fund and has had a reasonable time to implement such change. The Custodian may act on a Proper Instruction if it reasonably believes it contains sufficient information, and may refrain from acting on any Proper Instructions until such time that it has determined, in its sole discretion, that is has received any required clarification and/or authentication of Proper Instructions. The Custodian may rely upon and shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the applicable Fund.

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If the Custodian is not provided with reasonable time to execute a Proper Instruction (including any Proper Instruction not to execute, or any other modification to, a prior Proper Instruction) the Custodian will use good faith efforts to execute the Proper Instruction but will not be responsible or liable if such efforts are not successful (including any inability to change any actions that the Custodian had taken pursuant to the prior Proper Instruction). The inclusion of a statement of purpose or intent (or any similar notation) in a Proper Instruction shall not impose any additional obligations on the Custodian or condition or qualify its authority to effect such Proper Instruction. The Custodian will not assume a duty to ensure that the stated purpose or intent is fulfilled, and will have no responsibility or liability when it follows the Proper Instruction without regard to such purpose or intent.

 

Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian an officer’s certificate setting forth the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund. Such certificate may be accepted and conclusively relied upon by the Custodian and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary.

 

Section 9.Actions Permitted without Express Authority.

 

The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the applicable Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:

 

1)Make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Agreement; provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;

 

2)Surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form;

 

3)Endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

 

4)In general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the applicable Board.

 

Section 10.Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income.

 

The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the applicable Board to keep the books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per Share of the outstanding Shares or, if directed in writing to do so by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per Share. If and as so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as described in the Fund’s currently effective prospectus (Prospectus) and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net income among its various components. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the number of shares of a fund held by it on behalf of a Portfolio and that the Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its duties under this Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 10 and in Section 11 hereof; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer Agent. If and as so directed, the calculations of the net asset value per Share and the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times described from time to time in the Prospectus.

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Section 11.Records.

 

The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of each Fund under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of such Fund and employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at the Fund’s request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations. In the event that the Custodian is requested or authorized by a Fund, or required by subpoena, administrative order, court order or other legal process, applicable law or regulation, or required in connection with any investigation, examination or inspection of the Fund by state or federal regulatory agencies, to produce the records of the Fund or the Custodian’s personnel as witnesses or deponents, the Fund agrees to pay the Custodian for the Custodian’s time and expenses, as well as the fees and expenses of the Custodian’s counsel, incurred in such production.

 

Section 12.Opinion of Fund’s Independent Accountant.

 

The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as a Fund with respect to a Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund’s independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s Form N-lA or Form N-2, as applicable, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.

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Section 13.Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants.

 

The Custodian shall provide the applicable Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios at such times as such Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities System (either, a Securities System), relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.

 

Section 14.Compensation of Custodian.

 

The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses, as agreed upon from time to time between each Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.

 

Section 15.Responsibility of Custodian.

 

The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, and shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to any Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence, including, without limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. The Custodian shall be without liability to any Fund or Portfolio for any loss or expense resulting from or caused by Country Risk. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of an Eligible Foreign Custodian to the same extent as if such action or omission were performed by the Custodian itself, taking into account the facts and circumstances and the established local market practices and laws prevailing in the particular jurisdiction in which the Fund elects to invest. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Custodian shall not be liable for the insolvency of any Eligible Foreign Custodian. In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or consequential damages.

 

The Custodian shall be without responsibility or liability to any Fund for: (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian, including, without limitation, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market or system, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism or other similar force majeure events or acts; (ii) errors by any Fund, its Investment Advisor or any other duly authorized person in their instructions to the Custodian; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System, Underlying Transfer Agent or Special Sub-Custodian; (iv) the failure of any Fund, its Investment Advisor or any duly authorized person to adhere to the Custodian’s operational policies and procedures;(v) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian’s sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (vi) any delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, any Fund, the Custodian’s sub-custodians, nominees or agents including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (vii) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and (viii) the effect of any provision of any law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.

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The Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon the information it receives from the Fund or any third party on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian shall have no responsibility to review, confirm or otherwise assume any duty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any data supplied to it by or on behalf of any Fund. The Custodian shall have no liability in respect of any loss, damage or expense suffered by the Fund arising from the performance of the Custodian’s duties hereunder in reliance upon records that were maintained for the Fund by entities other than the Custodian prior to its appointment as custodian.

 

If a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio instructs the Custodian to take any action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, such Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to the Custodian taking such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties.

 

Any property at any time held for the account of the applicable Portfolio shall be security for the Fund’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement. The obligations include the Fund’s obligations to reimburse the Custodian if the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents advances cash or securities to the Fund for any purpose (including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement), or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, as well as the Fund’s obligation to compensate the Custodian pursuant to Section 14 hereof. Should the Fund fail to reimburse or otherwise pay the Custodian any obligation under this Agreement promptly, the Custodian shall have the rights and remedies of a secured party under this Agreement, the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable law, including the right to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio’s assets to the extent necessary to obtain payment or reimbursement. The Custodian may at any time decline to follow Proper Instructions to deliver out to the Fund cash or securities if the Custodian determines in its reasonable discretion that, after giving effect to the Proper Instructions, the cash or securities remaining will not have sufficient value fully to secure the Fund’s payment or reimbursement obligations, whether contingent or otherwise.

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The Custodian has no responsibility to monitor or oversee the investment activity undertaken by a Fund or its Investment Advisor. The Custodian has no duty to ensure (or to inquire whether) an Investment Advisor complies with any investment objectives or restrictions agreed between a Fund and such Investment Advisor, or whether such Investment Advisor complies with its legal obligations to under applicable securities laws or other laws, including laws intended to protect the interests of investors. The Custodian shall neither assess nor take any responsibility or liability for the suitability or appropriateness of the investments made by a Fund or on its behalf.

 

A Fund’s receipt of securities from a counterparty in connection with any of its purchase transactions and its receipt of cash from a counterparty in connection with any sale of securities will be at the Fund’s sole risk, and the Custodian shall not be obligated to make demands on the Fund’s behalf if the Fund’s counterparty defaults. If a Fund’s counterparty fails to deliver securities or cash, the Custodian will, as its sole responsibility, notify the Investment Advisor of such failure within a reasonable time after becoming aware of the same.

 

Section 16.Effective Period and Termination.

 

This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for an initial term ending March 3, 2017 (the “Initial Term”). After the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms (each, a Renewal Term) unless a written notice of non-renewal is delivered by the non-renewing party no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as the case may be. During the Initial Term and thereafter, either party may terminate this Agreement: (i) in the event of the other party’s material breach of a material provision of this Agreement that the other party has either (a) failed to cure or (b) failed to establish a remedial plan to cure that is reasonably acceptable, within 60 days’ written notice of such breach, or (ii) in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the other party or upon the happening of a like event to the other party at the direction of an appropriate agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph with respect to any Fund or Portfolio, the applicable Fund shall pay Custodian its compensation due and shall reimburse Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.

 

In the event of: (i) any Fund's termination of this Agreement with respect to such Fund or its Portfolio(s) for any reason other than as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph or (ii) a transaction not in the ordinary course of business pursuant to which the Custodian is not retained to continue providing services hereunder to a Fund or Portfolio (or its respective successor), the applicable Fund shall pay the Custodian its compensation due through the end of the then-current term (based upon the average monthly compensation previously earned by Custodian with respect to such Fund or Portfolio) and shall reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements. Upon receipt of such payment and reimbursement, the Custodian will deliver such Fund’s or Portfolio’s securities and cash as set forth hereinbelow. For the avoidance of doubt, no payment will be required pursuant to clause (ii) of this paragraph in the event of any transaction such as (a) the liquidation or dissolution of a Fund or a Portfolio and distribution of such Fund’s or Portfolio’s assets as a result of the Board’s determination in its reasonable business judgment that the Fund or Portfolio is no longer viable (b) a merger of a Fund or Portfolio into, or the consolidation of a Fund or Portfolio with, another entity, or (c) the sale by a Fund or Portfolio of all, or substantially all, of its assets to another entity, in each of (b) and (c) where the Custodian is retained to continue providing services to such Fund or Portfolio (or its respective successor) on substantially the same terms as this Agreement.

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Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund or Portfolio shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Portfolio. The provisions of Sections 14 and 15 and the indemnification obligations of Section 6 of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

Section 17.Successor Custodian.

 

If a successor custodian for one or more Portfolios shall be appointed by the applicable Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination and receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities, funds and other properties of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in a Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.

 

If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with Proper Instructions.

 

In the event that no Proper Instructions designating a successor custodian or alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts or New York, New York, of its own selection, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property of each applicable Portfolio then held by it under this Agreement on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.

 

In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of any Fund to provide Proper Instructions as aforesaid, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 18. Remote Access Services Addendum. The Custodian and each Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum hereto.

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Section 19. Loan Services Addendum. In the event the Fund directs Custodian in writing to perform loan services, Custodian and the Fund hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Loan Services Addendum attached hereto and the Fund shall reimburse Custodian for its fees and expenses related thereto as agreed upon from time to time in writing by the Fund and Custodian.

 

Section 20. General.

 

Section 20.1   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to any conflict of laws rules.

 

Section 20.2  Prior Agreements; Amendments. This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior agreements between each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the Custodian relating to the custody of such Fund’s assets. This Agreement may be amended at any time in writing by mutual agreement of the parties hereto.

 

Section 20.3  Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by (a) any Fund without the written consent of the Custodian or (b) by the Custodian without the written consent of each applicable Fund, except that the Custodian may assign this Agreement to a successor of all or a substantial portion of its business, or to a party controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Custodian.

 

Section 20.4  Interpretive and Additional Provisions. In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by all parties, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable laws or regulations or any provision of a Fund’s articles of organization and by-laws or agreement or declaration of trust, as applicable, and Prospectus (collectively, Governing Documents). No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.

 

Section 20.5  Additional Funds and Portfolios. In the event that any management investment company in addition to those listed on Appendix A hereto desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such management investment company shall become a Fund hereunder and be bound by all terms and conditions and provisions hereof including, without limitation, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 20.6 below. In the event that any Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in addition to those set forth on Appendix A hereto with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.

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Section 20.6   The Parties. All references herein to the “Fund” are to each of the management investment companies listed on Appendix A hereto, and each management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 20.5 above, individually, as if this Agreement were between such individual Fund and the Custodian. In the case of a series corporation, trust or other entity, all references herein to the “Portfolio” are to the individual series or portfolio of such corporation, trust or other entity, or to such corporation, trust or other entity on behalf of the individual series or portfolio, as appropriate. Any reference in this Agreement to “the parties” shall mean the Custodian and such other individual Fund as to which the matter pertains. Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is organized and validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization; (b) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its Governing Documents to enter into and perform this Agreement; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable agreement; and (e) its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law or regulation applicable to it.

 

Section 20.7   Notices. Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder will be in writing and may be sent by hand, or by facsimile transmission, or overnight delivery by any recognized delivery service, to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.

 

To any Fund:                            c/o RiverNorth Funds 

325 N. LaSalle St., Suite 645 

Chicago, IL 60654 

Attention: Jonathan Mohrdardt 

Telephone: 312-840-9012 

Telecopy: 312-832-1461

 

To the Custodian:                     State Street Bank and Trust Company 

801 Pennsylvania 

Kansasa City, MO 64105 

Attention: Vice President – Mutual Funds 

Telephone: 816-871-4100 

Telecopy: 816-871-9675

 

Section 20.8   Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Counterparts may be executed in either original or electronically transmitted form (e.g., faxes or emailed portable document format (PDF) form), and the parties hereby adopt as original any signatures received via electronically transmitted form.

 

Section 20.9   Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The failure of a party hereto to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion or the failure of a party hereto to - exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any such term, right or remedy or a waiver of any other rights or remedies, and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement shall prevent any further exercise of the right or remedy or the exercise of any other right or remedy.

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Section 20.10 Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially all information provided by each party to the other party regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering or receiving services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (i) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (ii) that is independently derived by any party hereto without the use of any information provided by the other party hereto in connection with this Agreement, (iii) that is required in any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other similar process, or by operation of law or regulation, or (iv) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Custodian and its affiliates may report and use nonpublic portfolio holdings information of its clients, including a Fund or Portfolio, on an aggregated basis with all or substantially all other client information and without specific reference to any Fund or Portfolio.

 

Section 20.11 Reproduction of Documents. This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, appendices, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

 

Section 20.12 Regulation GG. Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that it does not engage in an “Internet gambling business,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(r) of Federal Reserve Regulation GG (12 CFR233) (Regulation GG). Each Fund hereby covenants that it shall not engage in an Internet gambling business. In accordance with Regulation GG, each Fund is hereby notified that “restricted transactions,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(y) of Regulation GG, are prohibited in any dealings with the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise between or among any party hereto.

 

Section 20.13 Data Privacy. The Custodian will implement and maintain a written information security program that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal information of the Funds’ shareholders, employees, directors and/or officers that the Custodian receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. For these purposes, “personal information” shall mean (i) an individual’s name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (a) Social Security number, (b) driver’s license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number or (f) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person’s account, or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual’s account. Notwithstanding the foregoing “personal information” shall not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.

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Section 20.14 Shareholder Communications Election. SEC Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, as may be applicable, the Custodian needs each Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide such Fund’s name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If a Fund tells the Custodian “no,” the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells the Custodian “yes” or does not check either “yes” or “no” below, the Custodian is required by the rule, as applicable, to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For a Fund’s protection, the Rule, as applicable, prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund’s name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

 

YES [  ]The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

 

NO [X]The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

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Signature Page

 

In Witness Whereof, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative under seal as of the date first above-written.

 

EACH OF THE ENTITIES

SET FORTH ON APPENDIX A HERETO

 
     
By: /s/ Jonathan M. Mohrhardt  
  Name: Jonathan M. Mohrhardt  
  Title: Treasurer  

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY  
     
By: /s/ Michael F. Rogers  
Name: Michael F. Rogers  
Title: Executive Vice President  

 

Master Custodian Agreement

 

 

APPENDIX A
to
Master Custodian Agreement

 

Management Investment Companies Registered with the SEC and Portfolios thereof, If Any

 

RiverNorth Funds

 

RiverNorth Core Opportunity Fund

RiverNorth Managed Volatility Fund 

RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund – RiverNorth 

RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund - Oaktree 

RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund – RiverNorth 

RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund – DoubleLine 1 

RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund – DoubleLine 2 

RiverNorth Equity Opportunity Fund

 

D-1

 

Execution Copy

 

 

 

September 30, 2022

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company

801 Pennsylvania Avenue 

Kansas City, Missouri 64105 

Attention: Vice President – Mutual Funds

 

Re:RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Please be advised that the undersigned Fund has been incorporated and registered as a management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

In accordance with Section 20.5, the Additional Funds and Portfolios provision, of the Master Custodian Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2014, as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time (the “Agreement”), by and among each registered investment company party thereto, and State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), the undersigned Fund hereby requests that State Street act as Custodian for the new Fund under the terms of the Agreement, and that Appendix A to the Agreement is hereby amended and restated as set forth on Appendix A attached hereto. In connection with such request, the undersigned Fund hereby confirms, as of the date hereof, its representations and warranties set forth in Section 20.6 of the Agreement.

 

Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing this letter agreement and returning a copy to the Fund.

 

  Sincerely,  
       
  RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.  
       
  By: /s/ Marcus L. Collins  
  Name: Marcus Collins  
  Title: Secretary Elect, Duly Authorized  

 

Agreed and Accepted:  
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY  
     
By: /s/ Brock M. Hill  
Name: Brock M. Hill  
Title: Sr. Vice President              , Duly Authorized  
Effective Date: September, 27, 2022  

 

Information Classification: Limited Access

 

 

APPENDIX A TO 

MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

 

RiverNorth Funds 

RiverNorth Core Opportunity Fund 

RiverNorth Core Opportunity Fund – Collateral REFLOW

RiverNorth Core Opportunity Fund – Collateral FBO Goldman Sachs

 

RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund – RiverNorth

RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund – Oaktree

RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund – Collateral 

RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund – Collateral FBO Goldman Sachs

RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund – Collateral FBO REFLOW

 

RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund – RiverNorth

RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund – Collateral FBO REFLOW

RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund – Collateral FBO Goldman Sachs

RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund – DoubleLine 1

RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund – DoubleLine 2

 

RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. 

RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. – Collateral

RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. – MacKay Shields 

RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. – MacKay Shields Collateral

RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. – MacKay Shields TOBs

 

RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Fund, Inc. 

RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Fund, Inc. – RN Collateral

RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Fund, Inc. – MacKay

RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Fund, Inc. – MacKay Collateral

RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Fund, Inc. – MacKay TOB

 

RiverNorth DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. 

RiverNorth DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. – RiverNorth

RiverNorth DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. - DoubleLine 

 

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. 

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. – RiverNorth

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. – RN Collateral

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. – MacKay

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. – MacKay Collateral

 

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. 

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. – RiverNorth 

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. – RN Collateral 

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. – MacKay

RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. – MacKay Collateral

 

RiverNorth Specialty Finance Corporation

RiverNorth Specialty Finance Corporation – RN Collateral

 

Information Classification: Limited Access

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. 

RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. – RiverNorth

RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. – MacKay

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Information Classification: Limited Access

 

ADMINISTRATION, BOOKKEEPING AND 

PRICING SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 30, 2022, between RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., organized as a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“RiverNorth”), and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“ALPS”).

 

WHEREAS, the Fund is or will be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as a closed-end management investment company;

 

WHEREAS, RiverNorth is or will be investment adviser to the Fund and is responsible for managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative and management services;

 

WHEREAS, ALPS provides certain administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services to investment companies; and

 

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint ALPS to perform certain administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services for the Fund, and ALPS has indicated its willingness to so act, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows.

 

1.ALPS Appointment and Duties.

 

(a)The Fund hereby appoints ALPS to provide the administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services set forth in Appendix A hereto, as amended from time to time, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. ALPS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such specified services. ALPS shall for all purposes be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as otherwise expressly authorized in this Agreement, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund. The Fund acknowledges that ALPS does not render legal, tax or investment advice and that ALPS is not a registered broker-dealer.

 

(b)ALPS may employ or associate itself with such person(s) or organization(s) as ALPS believes to be desirable in the performance of its duties hereunder; provided that, in such event, the compensation of such person(s) or organization(s) shall be paid by and be the sole responsibility of ALPS, and the Fund shall bear no cost or obligation with respect thereto; and provided further that ALPS shall not be relieved of any of its obligations under this Agreement in such event and shall be responsible for all acts of any such person(s) or organization(s) taken in furtherance of this Agreement to the same extent it would be for its own acts.

 

 

2.ALPS Compensation; Expenses.

 

(a)In consideration for the services to be performed hereunder by ALPS, the Fund will pay ALPS the fees and expenses set forth in the fee letter(s) (a “Fee Letter”), which may be amended from time to time: except that, during all periods that RiverNorth serves as investment adviser to the Fund and is paid a unitary advisory fee from which RiverNorth is responsible for paying substantially all the operating expenses of the Fund (“Unitary Fee Period”), RiverNorth agrees that will be primarily responsible for and will pay the fees and expenses due to ALPS under this Agreement. If RiverNorth fails to pay the fees and expenses described within 30 days of receipt of an ALPS invoice, the Fund will pay such amounts, (in addition to any late fees that would be applicable) immediately upon notice of RiverNorth’s failure to pay. During the Unitary Fee Period, the Fund and RiverNorth agree that they are jointly and severally liable for all fees and expenses incurred and due to ALPS under this Agreement, and in no respects should RiverNorth’s promise to be the primary payor of such fees to ALPS be construed as relieving the Fund of its ultimate liability for any fees, expenses, or other liabilities incurred pursuant to this Agreement. Each Fee Letter is incorporated by reference into this Agreement and subject to the terms of this Agreement. Payment by the Fund shall not limit SS&C’s rights of recourse against the Fund.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, fees billed for the services to be performed by ALPS under this Agreement are based on information provided by the Fund’s investment adviser and such fees are subject to renegotiation between the parties to the extent such information is determined by ALPS to be materially different from what the Fund’s investment adviser originally provided to ALPS. On each January 1 (pro-rated for a previous partial year), the minimum fees reflected in Fee Letter shall be increased by a cost of living adjustment as described in Fee Letter. ALPS will provide notice to the Fund of the amount of such cost of living increase prior to its implementation.

 

(b)ALPS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided herein and in Fee Letter. ALPS will not bear any of the costs of Fund personnel. Other Fund expenses incurred shall be borne by the Fund or its investment adviser, including, but not limited to, initial organization and offering expenses; litigation expenses; requests from or as otherwise required by any regulatory body concerning the Fund’s investment adviser; taxes; costs of preferred shares; listing expenses; expenses related to assistance with any tender offers or repurchase offers (if applicable); transfer agency and custodial expenses; interest; Fund trustee or directors’ fees; brokerage fees and commissions; state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; Fund and investment advisory related legal expenses; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the Fund’s directors; printing and mailing of shareholder reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information, other offering documents, supplements, proxy materials and other communications to shareholders; securities pricing data and expenses in connection with electronic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); fees and expenses upon termination as provided in Section 15(e) hereof.

2 

 

3.Right to Receive Advice.

 

(a)Advice of the Fund and Service Providers. If ALPS is in doubt as to any action it should or should not take, ALPS may request directions, advice or instructions from the Fund or, as applicable, the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian or other service providers.

 

(b)Advice of Counsel. If ALPS is in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, ALPS may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund’s independent board members, the Fund’s investment adviser or ALPS, at the option of ALPS).

 

(c)Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions, advice or instructions ALPS receives from the Fund or any service provider and the advice ALPS receives from counsel, ALPS may in its sole discretion rely upon and follow the advice of counsel. ALPS will provide the Fund with prior written notice of its intent to follow advice of counsel that is materially inconsistent with directions, advice or instructions from the Fund. Upon request, ALPS will provide the Fund with a copy of such advice of counsel.

 

4.Standard of Care; Limitation of Liability; Indemnification.

 

(a)ALPS shall be obligated to act in good faith and to exercise commercially reasonable care and diligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

 

(b)In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard by ALPS in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement, ALPS and its affiliates, including their respective officers, directors, agents and employees, shall not be liable for, and the Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless such persons from, all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from the following:

 

(i)the inaccuracy of factual information furnished to ALPS by the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian or other service providers;

 

(ii)any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates;

 

(iii)any actions taken on advice of counsel;

3 

 

(iv)losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God, action or inaction of civil or military authority, war, terrorism, riot, fire, flood, sabotage, labor disputes, elements of nature or non-performance by a third party;

 

(v)ALPS’ reliance on any instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other information that ALPS reasonably believes to be genuine;

 

(vi)loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure; or

 

(vii)any other action or omission to act which ALPS takes in connection with the provision of services to the Fund.

 

(c)ALPS shall be entitled to rely on information and data provided by third-party service provider(s) (including pricing vendors as directed by the Fund or the Adviser pursuant to Section 13(b)) to the Fund, the Fund’s Adviser, or other authorized representative of such parties without further investigation or verification. ALPS shall have no liability and shall be indemnified by the Fund for any losses or claims with respect to such reliance.

 

(d)ALPS shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser and their respective officers, directors, trustees, agents, and employees from and against any and all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from ALPS’ willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.

 

(e)Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable under this Agreement to the other party hereto for any punitive, consequential, special or indirect losses or damages; and (ii) the maximum cumulative amount of liability of ALPS to the Fund arising out of the subject matter of, or in any way related to, this Agreement shall not exceed the aggregate fees paid by the Fund to ALPS under this Agreement for the most recent 24 months immediately preceding the date of the event giving rise to the claim; or, if the Agreement had been effective for less than 24 months, the average monthly fees payable since the Effective Date times a number equal to 24.

 

(f)In any case in which either party (the “Indemnifying Party”) may be asked to indemnify or hold the other party (the “Indemnified Party”) harmless, the Indemnified Party will notify the Indemnifying Party promptly after identifying any situation which it believes presents or appears likely to present a claim for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party (although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Indemnified Party) and shall keep the Indemnifying Party advised with respect to all developments concerning such situation. The Indemnifying Party shall have the option to defend the Indemnified Party against any claim which may be the subject of this indemnification, and, in the event that the Indemnifying Party so elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and thereupon the Indemnifying Party shall take over complete defense of the claim and the Indemnified Party shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in respect of such claim. The Indemnified Party will not confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the Indemnifying Party will be asked to provide indemnification, except with the Indemnifying Party’s prior written consent.

4 

 

5.Activities of ALPS. The services of ALPS under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive and ALPS shall be free to render similar services to others. The Fund recognizes that, from time to time, directors, officers and employees of ALPS may serve as directors, officers and employees of other corporations or businesses (including other investment companies) and that such other corporations and businesses may include ALPS as part of their name and that ALPS or its affiliates may enter into administrative, bookkeeping, pricing agreements or other agreements with such other corporations and businesses.

 

6.Accounts and Records. The accounts and records maintained by ALPS shall be the property of the Fund. ALPS shall prepare, maintain and preserve such accounts and records as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. ALPS shall surrender such accounts and records to the Fund, in the form in which such accounts and records have been maintained or preserved, promptly upon receipt of instructions from the Fund. The Fund shall have access to such accounts and records at all times during ALPS’ normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by ALPS to the Fund at the Fund’s expense. ALPS shall assist the Fund, the Fund’s independent auditors, or, upon approval of the Fund, any regulatory body, in any requested review of the Fund’s accounts and records and reports by ALPS or its independent accountants concerning its accounting system and internal auditing controls will be open to such entities for audit or inspection upon reasonable request. The Fund agrees to cooperate with ALPS and take delivery of Fund records within 120 days of termination of this Agreement and to pay all reasonable costs associated with the return of Fund records to the Fund.

 

7.Confidential and Proprietary Information. ALPS agrees that it will, on behalf of itself and its officers and employees, treat all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all records and information relative to the Fund and its current and former shareholders and other information germane thereto, as confidential and as proprietary information of the Fund. ALPS further agrees that it will not use, sell, transfer or divulge such information or records to any person for any purpose other than performance of its duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing from the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Approval may not be withheld where ALPS may be exposed to civil, regulatory, or criminal proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when requested by the Fund. When requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, ALPS shall use reasonable commercial efforts to request confidential treatment of such information. ALPS shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of records and information relating to the Fund and its current and former shareholders.

5 

 

8.Compliance with Rules and Regulations. ALPS shall comply (and to the extent ALPS takes or is required to take action hereunder shall cause the Fund to comply) with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and codes of ethics, as well as all investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Fund of which ALPS has knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures set out in the Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS). Except as set out in this Agreement, ALPS assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund. ALPS shall maintain at all times a program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the services provided hereunder, and shall provide to the Fund a certification to such effect no less frequently than annually or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Fund. ALPS shall make available its compliance personnel and shall provide at its own expense summaries and other relevant materials relating to such program as reasonably requested by the Fund.

 

Portfolio compliance with: (i) the investment objective and certain policies and restrictions as disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional information, as applicable; and (ii) certain SEC rules and regulations (collectively, “Portfolio Compliance”) is required daily and is the responsibility of the Fund’s advisor or sub-advisor, as applicable. ALPS will perform Portfolio Compliance testing (post-trade, daily on a T+2 basis) to test the Fund’s Portfolio Compliance (the “Portfolio Compliance Testing”).

 

The frequency and nature of the Portfolio Compliance Testing and the methodology and process in accordance with which the Portfolio Compliance Testing are conducted, are mutually agreed to between ALPS and the Fund. ALPS will report violations, if any, to the Fund and the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer as promptly as practicable following discovery.

 

ALPS independently tests Portfolio Compliance based upon information contained in the source reports received by ALPS’ fund accounting department and supplemental data from certain third-party sources. As such, Portfolio Compliance Testing performed by ALPS is limited by the information contained in the fund accounting source reports and supplemental data from third-party sources. The Fund agrees and acknowledges that ALPS’ performance of the Portfolio Compliance Testing shall not relieve the Fund’s investment adviser of its primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such Portfolio Compliance, including on a pre-trade basis, and ALPS shall not be held liable for any act or omission of the Fund’s investment advisor or sub-advisor, as applicable, with respect to Portfolio Compliance.

6 

 

9.Representations and Warranties of ALPS. ALPS represents and warrants to the Fund that:

 

(a)It is duly organized and existing as a corporation and in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado.

 

(b)It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

(c)All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

(d)It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with industry standards.

 

10.Representations and Warranties of the Fund. The Fund represents and warrants to ALPS that:

 

(a)It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Maryland and is registered with the SEC as a closed-end management investment company.

 

(b)It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws (together, the “Organizational Documents”) to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

(c)The Board of Directors of the Fund has duly authorized it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

(d)Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees not to make any modifications to its registration statement or adopt any policies which would affect materially the obligations or responsibilities of ALPS hereunder without the prior written approval of ALPS, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

(e)The (i) execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Fund does not breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Fund is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Fund is subject; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Fund has been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action; and (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by ALPS and the Fund, this Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of the Fund.

7 

 

(f)The officer position(s) filled by ALPS, to the extent applicable, shall be covered by the Fund’s Directors & Officers/Errors & Omissions Policy (the “Policy”), and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that such coverage be (i) reinstated should the Policy be cancelled; (ii) continued after such officer(s) cease to serve as officer(s) of the Fund on substantially the same terms as such coverage is provided for the other persons serving as officers of the Fund after such persons are no longer officers of the Fund; or (iii) continued in the event the Fund merges or terminates, on substantially the same terms as such coverage is continued for the other Fund officers (but, in any event, for a period of no less than six years). The Fund shall provide ALPS with proof of current coverage, including a copy of the Policy, and shall notify ALPS immediately should the Policy be cancelled or terminated.

 

(g)The Fund’s officer position(s) filled by ALPS are named officer(s) in the Fund’s corporate resolutions and are subject to the provisions of the Fund’s Organizational Documents regarding indemnification of its officers.

 

11.Documents. The Fund has furnished or will furnish, upon request, ALPS with copies of the Fund’s Organizational Documents, advisory agreement, sub-advisory agreement (if applicable), custodian agreement, transfer agency agreement, administration agreement, other service agreements, current prospectus, statement of additional information, periodic Fund reports and all forms relating to any plan, program or service offered by the Fund. The Fund shall furnish, within a reasonable time period, to ALPS a copy of any amendment or supplement to any of the above-mentioned documents. Upon request, the Fund shall furnish promptly to ALPS any additional documents necessary or advisable to perform its functions hereunder. As used in this Agreement the terms “registration statement,” “prospectus” and “statement of additional information” shall mean any registration statement, prospectus and statement of additional information filed by the Fund with the SEC and any amendments and supplements thereto that are filed with the SEC.

 

12.Consultation Between the Parties. ALPS and the Fund shall regularly consult with each other regarding ALPS’ performance of its obligations under this Agreement. In connection therewith, the Fund shall submit to ALPS at a reasonable time in advance of filing with the SEC reasonably final copies of any amended or supplemented registration statement (including exhibits) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Fund’s right to file at any time such amendments to any registration statement and/or supplements to any prospectus or statement of additional information, of whatever character, as the Fund may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.

 

13.Liaison with Accountants, Custodians and Pricing Services; Assistance with Regulatory Examinations.

 

(a)       Accountants. ALPS shall act as a liaison with the Fund’s independent public accountants and shall provide account analyses, fiscal year summaries, and such other audit-related schedules as may be requested by the Fund’s independent public accountants or the Fund with respect to the services provided by ALPS hereunder. ALPS shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is made available to such accountants as reasonably requested or required by the Fund.

8 

 

(b)       Pricing Services. ALPS shall utilize one or more pricing services, as directed by the Fund. The Fund shall identify in writing to ALPS the pricing service(s) to be utilized on behalf of the Fund. For those securities where prices are not provided by the pricing service(s), the Fund shall approve, in good faith, the method for determining the fair value of such securities and shall determine or obtain the valuation of the securities in accordance with such method and shall deliver to ALPS the resulting price(s). In the event the Fund desires to provide a price that varies from the price provided by the pricing service(s), the Fund shall promptly notify and supply ALPS with the valuation of any such security on each valuation date. All pricing changes made by the Fund will be provided to ALPS in writing or e-mail and must specifically identify the securities to be changed by security identifier, name of security, new price or rate to be applied, and, if applicable, the time period for which the new price(s) is/are effective.

 

(c)       Custodians. The Fund acknowledges that ALPS may rely on and shall have no responsibility to validate the existence of assets reported by the Fund, the Adviser, or the Fund’s custodian, other than ALPS’ completion of a reconciliation of the assets reported by the parties. The Fund acknowledges that it is the responsibility of the Fund to validate the existence of assets reported to ALPS. ALPS may rely, and has no duty to investigate the representations of the Adviser, Fund, or the Fund’s custodian.

 

(d)       Examinations. ALPS shall provide reasonable assistance in connection with any examination of or inquiry related to the Fund by a regulatory authority that includes a review of Fund records maintained by ALPS.

 

14.Business Continuation Plan. ALPS shall maintain in effect a business continuation plan, and enter into any agreements necessary with appropriate parties making reasonable provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment customary in the industry. In the event of equipment failures, ALPS shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take commercially reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions.

 

15.Duration and Termination of this Agreement.

 

(a)Initial Term. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above (the “Start Date”) and shall continue thereafter throughout the period that ends three (3) years after the Start Date (the “Initial Term”).

 

(b)Renewal Term. If not sooner terminated, this Agreement shall renew at the end of the Initial Term and shall thereafter continue for successive terms of two (2) years each (each a “Renewal Term” and collectively, with the Initial Term, a “Term”) until terminated by either party upon not less than sixty (60) days’ written notice prior to the expiration of the then current renewal term or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof. This Agreement may only be terminated upon the end of the then applicable Term or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof.

9 

 

(c)Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Fund may terminate this Agreement for cause immediately at any time, without penalty, without default and without the payment of any liquidated damages, upon written notice to ALPS which shall describe the specific details of the circumstances upon which the termination under this Section 15(c) is based. For purposes of this Section 15, “cause” shall mean:

 

(i)willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard on the part of ALPS in the performance of its duties, obligations and responsibilities set forth in this Agreement;

 

(ii)in the event ALPS is no longer permitted to perform its duties, obligations, or responsibilities hereunder pursuant to applicable law, or regulatory, administrative or judicial proceedings against ALPS which result in a determination that ALPS has violated, or has caused the Fund to violate, in any material respect any applicable law, rule, regulation, order or code of ethics, or any material investment restriction, policy or procedure adopted by the Fund of which ALPS had knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures set out in the Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS); or

 

(iii)financial difficulties on the part of ALPS which are evidenced by the authorization or commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer, consent or acquiescence in, a voluntary or involuntary case under Title 11 of the United States Code, as from time to time in effect, or any applicable law other than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or reorganization of debtors or to the modification or alteration of the rights of creditors.

 

(d)Deliveries Upon Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement, ALPS agrees to cooperate in the orderly transfer of administrative duties and shall deliver to the Fund or as otherwise directed by the Fund (at the expense of the Fund) all records and other documents made or accumulated in the performance of its duties for the Fund hereunder. In the event ALPS gives notice of termination under this Agreement, it will continue to provide the services contemplated hereunder after such termination at the contractual rate for up to 120 days, provided that the Fund uses all reasonable commercial efforts to appoint such replacement on a timely basis.

 

(e)Fees and Expenses Upon Termination. Should either party exercise its right to terminate, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Fund. Additionally, the Fund agrees to pay to ALPS a reasonable fee determined by ALPS for ALPS’ services provided in connection with the Fund liquidating or converting to another service provider.

10 

 

16.Assignment. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the prior written consent of ALPS, or by ALPS without the prior written consent of the Fund.

 

17.Governing Law. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado and the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. To the extent that the laws of the State of Colorado conflict with the 1940 Act or such rules, the latter shall control.

 

18.Names. The obligations of the Fund entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any director, shareholder, representative, or agent thereof are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the directors, shareholders, representatives or agents of the Fund personally, but bind only the property of the Fund, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of such Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund.

 

19.Amendments to this Agreement. This Agreement may only be amended by the parties in writing.

 

20.Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given when received or when sent by electronic mail or facsimile, and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to which notice is given):

 

To ALPS:
  
 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc. 

1290 Broadway, Suite 1000 

Denver, Colorado 80203 

Attn: General Counsel 

notices@sscinc.com

 

To the Fund:

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. 

c/o RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC 

Attn: General Counsel 

360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420 

West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 

mcollins@rivernorth.com

11 

 

 

To RiverNorth:

 

RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC 

Attn: General Counsel 

360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420 

West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 

mcollins@rivernorth.com

  

21.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

22.Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that ALPS may embody in one or more separate documents its agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties and oral instructions.

 

23.Severability. Any covenant, provision, agreement or term contained in this Agreement that is prohibited or that is held to be void or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without in any way invalidating, effecting or impairing the other provisions hereof.

 

24.Survival. The provisions of Sections 4, 6, 10(f), 10(g), 15(e), 17, 23 and this Section 24 hereof shall survive termination of this Agreement.

12 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

  RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.  
       
  By: /s/ Patrick W. Galley  
  Name: Patrick W. Galley  
  Title: Director and Portfolio Manager  

 

  RIVERNORTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC  
       
  By: /s/ Marcus L. Collins  
  Name: Marcus L. Collins  
  Title: General Counsel  

 

  ALPS FUND SERVICES, INC.  
       
  By: /s/ Kenneth Fullerton  
  Name: Kenneth Fullerton  
  Title: Authorized Signatory  

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

SERVICES

 

The below services to be performed by ALPS are included in the compensation in the Fee Letter.

 

Fund Administration

 

Prepare annual and semi-annual financial statements

Utilizing templates for standard layout and printing

Prepare Forms N-CEN1 and N-CSR

Coordinate filing of Form N-CEN1

Host annual audits

Prepare required reports for quarterly Board meetings

Monitor expense ratios

Maintain budget vs. actual expenses

Manage fund invoice approval and bill payment process

Assist with placement of Fidelity Bond and E&O insurance

Prepare initial draft of routine and scheduled distribution related press releases

 

Fund Accounting

 

Calculate net asset values as required by the Fund and in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), SEC Regulation S-X (or any successor regulation) and the Internal

Revenue Code

Transmit net asset values to the advisor, NASDAQ, Transfer Agent & other third parties

Reconcile cash & investment balances with the custodian

Provide data and reports to support preparation of financial statements and filings

Prepare required Fund Accounting records in accordance with the 1940 Act

Apply security valuations as directed and determined by the Fund consistent with the Fund’s pricing and valuation policies

Participate, when requested, in Fair Value Committee meetings as a non-voting member

Calculate monthly SEC standardized total return performance figures

Coordinate reporting to outside agencies including Morningstar, etc.

Prepare and file Form N-PORT1

 

Legal Administration

 

Coordinate filing of Forms N-CSR and N-PX

Coordinate EDGARization and filing of SEC documents

Coordinate annual shareholder proxy filing and mailing process

Compile and distribute board materials for quarterly board meetings

Attend quarterly board meetings telephonically and prepare first draft of quarterly minutes

On the direction from the Fund, assist and coordinate the filing of routine or regular notices, reports, and similar filings required by NYSE rules and regulations (including the annual written affirmations). Coordination of Assistance with any supplemental listing applications and other non-routine and substantial filings with the NYSE may be provided upon the prior request of the Fund and will be billed at ALPS’ standard rates.

 

Compliance Administration

 

Perform daily prospectus & SAI, SEC investment restriction monitoring

Provide warning/Alert notification with supporting documentation

Provide quarterly compliance testing certification to Board of Directors

 

 

Tax Administration

 

Calculate dividend and capital gain distribution rates

Prepare ROCSOP and required tax designations for Annual Report

Prepare and coordinate filing of income and excise tax returns

Audit firm to sign all returns as paid preparer

Calculate/monitor book-to-tax differences

Provide quarterly Subchapter M compliance monitoring and reporting

Provide tax re-allocation data for shareholder 1099 reporting

Prepare and distribute 19a-1 filings as required

 

SS&C Client Portal

 

Document Management/Sharing

Initiate requests or provide feedback

Retrieval of current and up to 15 months of historical reports

Access to daily fund accounting data and static reports

Portfolio compliance alerting with drill-down capability

Portfolio data warehouse with reporting engine

 

1 - See Appendix B for additional terms applicable to these services.

 

Revisions to, or the addition of new services to the services listed above (including but not limited to new or revised services related to regulatory changes or special projects) shall be subject to additional fees and will be billed at ALPS’ standard rates.

 

 

APPENDIX B

 

ADDITIONAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO REPORT MODERIZATION SERVICES

 

In addition to the terms and conditions otherwise contained in the Agreement, the following terms and conditions apply to the “Preparation of and Filing of Forms N-PORT and N-CEN” (referred to as “Report Mod. Services”).

 

1.Provision of Services.

 

i.ALPS may engage persons or organizations (referred to as a “supplier”) to assist in the provision of its duties of providing the Report Mod. Services; provided that, in such event, ALPS shall not be relieved of any of its obligations otherwise applicable under the Agreement. Except as to provide the Data (hereafter defined) utilized in the provision of the Report Mod. Services, or as otherwise agreed to by the parties, the cost of third parties engaged by ALPS will be the responsibility of ALPS. All uses of the term “supplier” in Section 2 of this Appendix B shall include any third party Data supplier otherwise selected by the Fund, if applicable.

 

2.Use of Data; No Warranty; Termination of Rights.

 

i.As part of the provision of the Report Mod. Services, ALPS may provide or utilize security including issuer level reference data, risk metrics calculations, taxonomy data and other similar holdings classifications (collectively, the “Data”) that may be supplied by ALPS or one of its suppliers, or a supplier selected by the Fund. Any Data being provided to the Fund by ALPS or the suppliers are being supplied to the Fund for the sole purpose of completion of the Report Mod. Services. The Fund may use the Data only for purposes necessary for the Report Mod. Services. The Fund does not have any license or right to use the Data for purposes beyond the Report Mod. Services including, but not limited to, resale to other users or use to create any type of historical database. Data cannot be passed to or shared with any other non-affiliated entity.

 

The Fund acknowledges the proprietary rights that ALPS and the suppliers have in the Data.

 

ii.ALPS and the suppliers shall have no liability to the Fund, or a third party, for errors, omissions or malfunctions in the Data or related services, other than the obligation of ALPS to endeavor, upon receipt of notice from the Fund, to correct a malfunction, error, or omission in any Data or related services.

 

iii.The Fund acknowledges that the Data and related services are intended for use as an aid to institutional investors, registered brokers or professionals of similar sophistication in making informed judgments concerning securities, in connection to the Report Mod. Services. The Fund accepts responsibility for, and acknowledges it exercises its own independent judgment in, its selection of the Data and related services, its selection of the use or intended use of such, and any results obtained. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver of any rights existing under applicable law for the protection of investors.

 

iv.The Fund shall indemnify ALPS and the suppliers against and hold ALPS harmless from any and all losses, damages, liability, costs, including attorney's fees, resulting directly or indirectly from any claim or demand against ALPS or its suppliers by a third party arising out of or related to the accuracy or completeness of any Data or related services received by the Fund, or any data, information, service, report, analysis or publication derived therefrom. Neither ALPS nor its suppliers shall be liable for any claim or demand against the Fund by a third party related to the Data or provision of the Report Mod. Services.

 

 

v.ALPS and the suppliers, nor the Fund shall be liable for (i) any special, indirect or consequential damages (even if advised of the possibility of such), (ii) any delay by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, mechanical breakdown, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, or failure beyond its control of transportation or power supply, or (iii) any claim that arose more than one year prior to the institution of suit therefor.

 

vi.THE FUND HEREBY ACCEPTS THE DATA AS IS, WHERE IS, ALPS AND ITS SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS OR ANY OTHER MATTER.

 

 

Subscription Agent Agreement

 

Between

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

And

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

And

 

Computershare Inc.

 Page 1

 

This SUBSCRIPTION AGENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of this 12th day of October 2022 (the “Effective Date”) by and among RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., a company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (the "Company"), and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association (“Trust Company”), and Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Computershare” and, collectively with Trust Company, the “Agent”).

 

1.Appointment.

 

1.1         Company is making an offer (the “Subscription Offer”) to issue to holders of record of its outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), at the close of business on October 14, 2022 (the “Record Date”), the right to subscribe for and purchase (each, a “Right”, and collectively, the “Rights”) shares of common stock (the “Additional Common Stock”) at an initial estimated purchase price of $11.82 per share of the Additional Common Stock (the “Subscription Price”), payable as described on the Subscription Form (as defined below) sent to eligible shareholders, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. The term “Subscribed” shall mean submitted for purchase from Company by a stockholder in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Offer, and the term “Subscription(s)” shall mean any such submission. Company hereby appoints Agent to act as subscription agent in connection with the Subscription Offer and Agent hereby accepts such appointment in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

1.2         The Subscription Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 8, 2022 (the “Expiration Time”), unless Company shall have extended the period of time for which the Subscription Offer is open, in which event the term “Expiration Time” shall mean the latest time and date at which the Subscription Offer, as so extended by Company from time to time, shall expire.

 

1.3         Company filed a shelf registration statement relating to the Additional Common Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), on January 24, 2022, which became effective on January 25, 2022. The terms of the Additional Common Stock are more fully described in the prospectus forming a part of the registration statement as it was declared effective. All terms used and not defined herein shall have the same meaning(s) as in the prospectus.

 

1.4         Promptly after the Record Date, Company will furnish Agent with, or will instruct Agent, in its capacity as transfer agent for Company, to prepare, a certified list in a format acceptable to Agent of holders of record of the Common Stock at the Record Date, including each such holder’s name, address, taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), share amount with applicable tax lot detail, any certificate detail and information regarding any applicable account stops or blocks (the “Record Stockholders List”).

 

1.5         No later than the earlier of (i) forty-five (45) days after the Record Date or (ii) January 15 of the year following the year in which the Record Date occurs, Company shall deliver to Agent written direction on the adjustment of cost basis for covered securities that arise from or are affected by the Subscription Offer in accordance with current Internal Revenue Service regulations (see the Tax Instruction/Cost Basis Information Letter attached hereto as Exhibit B for additional information)

 

2.Subscription of Rights.

 

2.1         The Rights entitle the holders to subscribe, upon payment of the Subscription Price, for shares of the Additional Common Stock at the rate of one share(s) for every three Rights (the “Basic Subscription Privilege”). No fractional Rights will be issued. The number of Rights to be issued to a Record Date Stockholder will be rounded up to the nearest number of Rights evenly divisible by three. Fractional shares will not be issued upon the exercise of the Rights. Accordingly, new shares of common stock may be purchased only pursuant to the exercise of Rights in integral multiples of three.

 Page 2

 

2.2         If subscribing shareholders who exercise their Rights in full are entitled to exercise an oversubscription right, then Company shall provide Agent with instructions regarding the allocation to such shareholders of the Additional Common Stock after the initial allocation thereof.

 

2.3         Except as otherwise indicated to Agent by Company in writing, all of the Common Stock delivered hereunder upon the exercise of the Rights will be delivered free of restrictive legends. Company shall, if applicable, inform Agent as soon as possible in advance as to whether any Common Stock issued hereunder is to be issued with restrictive legend(s) and, if so, Company shall provide the appropriate legend(s) and a list identifying the affected shareholders, certificate numbers (if applicable) and share amounts for such affected shareholders.

 

3.Duties of Subscription Agent.

 

3.1         Agent shall issue the Rights in accordance with this Agreement in the names of the holders of the Common Stock of record on the Record Date, keep such records as are necessary for the purpose of recording such issuance(s), and furnish a copy of such records to Company.

 

3.2         Promptly after Agent receives the Record Stockholders List, Agent shall:

 

(a)mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, to each holder of the Common Stock of record on the Record Date whose address of record is within the United States of America and Canada, (i) a subscription form with respect to the Rights to which such stockholder is entitled under the Subscription Offer (the “Subscription Form”), a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, (ii) a copy of the prospectus and (iii) a return envelope addressed to Agent.

 

(b)At the direction of Company, mail or cause to be mailed, to each holder of the Common Stock of record on the Record Date whose address of record is outside the United States of America and Canada, or is an A.P.O. or a F.P.O. address, a copy of the prospectus. Agent shall refrain from mailing the Subscription Form to any holder of the Common Stock of record on the Record Date whose address of record is outside the United States of America and Canada, or is an A.P.O. or a F.P.O. address, and hold such Subscription Form for the account of such stockholder subject to such stockholder making satisfactory arrangements with Agent for the exercise or other disposition of the Rights described therein, and effect the exercise, sale or delivery of such Rights in accordance with the terms of this Agreement if notice of such arrangements is received at or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on October 28, 2022. In the event that a request to exercise the Rights is received from such a holder, Agent will consult with Company for instructions as to the number of shares of the Additional Common Stock, if any, Agent is authorized to issue.

 

(c)Upon request by Company, Agent shall mail or deliver a copy of the prospectus (i) to each assignee or transferee of the Rights upon receiving appropriate documentation satisfactory to Agent to register the assignment or transfer thereof and (ii) with shares of the Additional Common Stock when such are issued to persons other than the registered holder of the Rights.

 

(d)Agent shall accept Subscriptions upon the due exercise of the Rights (including payment of the Subscription Price) on or prior to the Expiration Time in accordance with the Subscription Form.

 Page 3

 

(e)Agent shall accept Subscriptions, without further authorization or direction from Company, without procuring supporting legal papers or other proof of authority to sign (including, without limitation, proof of appointment of a fiduciary or other person acting in a representative capacity), and without signatures of co-fiduciaries, co-representatives or any other person:

 

(i)         If the Right is registered in the name of a fiduciary and the Subscription Form is executed by such fiduciary, provided, that the Additional Common Stock is to be issued in the name of such fiduciary;

 

(ii)        If the Right is registered in the name of joint tenants and the Subscription Form is executed by one of the joint tenants, provided, that the Additional Common Stock is to be issued in the names of such joint tenants; or

 

(iii)       If the Right is registered in the name of a corporation and the Subscription Form is executed by a person in a manner which appears or purports to be done in the capacity of an officer or agent thereof, provided, that the Additional Common Stock is to be issued in the name of such corporation.

 

(f)Each document received by Agent relating to its duties hereunder shall be dated and time stamped when received at the applicable address(es) as outlined in the offering documents.

 

(g)Agent shall, absent specific and mutually agreed upon instructions between Agent and Company, follow its normal and customary procedures with respect to the acceptance or rejection of all Subscriptions received after the Expiration Time. Subscriptions not authorized to be accepted pursuant to this Section 3 and Subscriptions otherwise failing to comply with the terms and conditions of the Subscription Form will be rejected and returned to the applicable shareholder.

 

4.Acceptance of Subscriptions.

 

4.1         Following Agent’s first receipt of Subscriptions, on each business day, or more frequently if reasonably requested as to major tally figures, forward a report by email to RNOperations@rivernorth.com; (the “Company Representative(s)”) as to the following information, based upon preliminary review (and at all times subject to a final determination by Company) as of the close of business on the preceding business day or the most recent practicable time prior to such request, as the case may be: (i) the total number of shares of the Additional Common Stock Subscribed for; (ii) the total number of the Rights sold; (iii) the total number of the Rights partially Subscribed for; (iv) the amount of funds received; and (v) the cumulative totals in categories (i) through (iv), above.

 

4.2         As promptly as possible following the Expiration Time, advise the Company Representative by email of (i) the number of shares of the Additional Common Stock Subscribed for and (ii) the number of shares of the Additional Common Stock unsubscribed for.

 

4.3         Upon acceptance of a Subscription, all funds received by Computershare under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by Computershare in the performance of services hereunder (the “Funds”) shall be held by Computershare as agent for Company and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by Computershare in its name as agent for Company. Computershare may hold or invest the Funds through such accounts in: (i) bank accounts, short term certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements, and disbursement accounts with commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.). (ii) AAA Fixed NAV money market funds that comply with Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, a AAA rated 3C-7 fund, or similar, (iii) funds backed by obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America, municipal securities, or (iv) debt or commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation (“S&P”) or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), respectively. Computershare shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Funds that may result from any deposit or investment made by Computershare in accordance with this paragraph, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party. Computershare may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits or investments. Computershare shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to the Company, any holder or any other party.

 Page 4

 

5.Intentionally Omitted.

 

6.Completion of Subscription Offer.

 

6.1         Upon completion of the Subscription Offer, Agent shall request the transfer agent for the Common Stock to issue the appropriate number of shares of the Additional Common Stock as required in order to effectuate the Subscriptions.

 

6.2         The Rights shall be issued in registered, book-entry form only. Agent shall keep books and records of the registration, transfer and exchange of the Rights (the “Rights Register”).

 

6.3         All of the Rights issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of the Rights shall be the valid obligations of Company, evidencing the same obligations and entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Rights surrendered for such registration of transfer or exchange; provided, that until such transfer or exchange is registered in the Rights Register, Company and Agent may treat the registered holder thereof as the owner for all purposes.

 

6.4         For so long as this Agreement shall be in effect, Company will reserve for issuance and keep available free from preemptive rights a sufficient number of shares of the Additional Common Stock to permit the exercise in full of all of the Rights issued pursuant to the Subscription Offer.

 

6.5         Company shall take any and all action, including, without limitation, obtaining the authorization, consent, lack of objection, registration or approval of any governmental authority, or the taking of any other action under the laws of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof, to insure that all of the shares of the Additional Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (subject to payment of the Subscription Price) will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Common Stock, free from all preemptive rights and taxes, liens, charges and security interests created by or imposed upon Company with respect thereto.

 

6.6         Company shall, from time to time, take all action necessary or appropriate to obtain and keep effective all registrations, permits, consents and approvals of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any other governmental agency or authority and make such filings under federal and state laws, which may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the issuance, sale, transfer and delivery of the Rights or the Additional Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Rights.

 

7.           Procedure for Discrepancies. Agent shall follow its regular procedures to attempt to reconcile any discrepancies between the number of shares of Additional Common Stock that any Subscription Form may indicate are to be issued to a stockholder upon the exercise of the Rights and the number that the Record Stockholders List indicates may be issued to such stockholder. In any instance where Agent cannot reconcile such discrepancies by following such procedures, Agent will consult with Company for instructions as to the number of shares of Additional Common Stock, if any, Agent is authorized to issue. In the absence of such instructions, Agent is authorized not to issue any shares of Additional Common Stock to such stockholder and will return to the subscribing stockholder (at Agent’s option by either first class mail under a blanket surety bond or insurance protecting Agent and Company from losses or liabilities arising out of the non-receipt or non-delivery of the Subscription Form or by registered mail insured separately for the value of the applicable Rights) to such stockholder’s address as set forth in the Subscription Form, any Subscription Form delivered to Agent, any other documents delivered therewith and a letter explaining the reason for the return of such documents.

 Page 5

 

8.Procedure for Deficient Items.

 

8.1         Agent shall examine the Subscription Form(s) received by it as agent to ascertain whether they appear to have been completed and executed in accordance with the Subscription Offer. In the event that Agent determines that any Subscription Form does not appear to have been properly completed or executed, or to be in proper form, or any other deficiency in connection with the Subscription Form appears to exist, Agent shall follow, where possible, its regular procedures to attempt to cause such irregularity to be corrected. Agent is not authorized to waive any deficiency in connection with the Subscription, unless Company provides written authorization to waive such deficiency.

 

8.2         If a Subscription Form specifies that shares of the Additional Common Stock are to be issued to a person other than the person in whose name a surrendered Right is registered, Agent will not issue such shares until such Subscription Form has been properly endorsed with the signature guaranteed in a manner acceptable to Agent (or otherwise put in proper form for transfer).

 

8.3         If any such deficiency is neither corrected nor waived, Agent will return to the subscribing stockholder (at Agent’s option by either first class mail under a blanket surety bond or insurance protecting Agent and Company from losses or liabilities arising out of the non-receipt or non-delivery of the Subscription Form or by registered mail insured separately for the value of the applicable Rights) to such stockholder’s address as set forth in the Subscription Form, any Subscription Form delivered to Agent, any other documents delivered therewith and a letter explaining the reason for the return of such documents.

 

9.Tax Reporting.

 

9.1         Agent shall prepare and file with the appropriate governmental agency and mail to each stockholder, as applicable, all appropriate tax information forms, including, but not limited to, Forms 1099-B, covering payments or any other distributions made by Agent pursuant to this Agreement during each calendar year, or any portion thereof, during which Agent performs services hereunder, as described in the attached Exhibit B.

 

9.2         With respect to any surrendering stockholder whose TIN has not been certified as correct, Agent shall deduct and withhold the appropriate backup withholding tax from any payment made to such stockholder pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.

 

9.3         Should any issue arise regarding federal income tax reporting or withholding, Agent shall take such reasonable action as Company may reasonably request in writing. Such action may be subject to additional fees.

 Page 6

 

10.Authorizations and Protections.

 

As agent for Company hereunder, Agent:

 

10.1       Shall have no duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth herein or as may subsequently be agreed to in writing by Agent and Company;

 

10.2       Shall have no obligation to deliver the Additional Common Stock unless Company shall have provided a sufficient number of shares of the Additional Common Stock to satisfy the exercise of the Rights by holders as set forth hereunder;

 

10.3       Shall be regarded as making no representations and having no responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value, or genuineness of any certificates, if applicable, or the Rights represented thereby surrendered hereunder or the Additional Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, and will not be required to or be responsible for and will make no representations as to, the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of the Subscription Offer;

 

10.4       Shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder; if, however, Agent determines to take any legal action hereunder, and where the taking of such action might, in Agent’s judgment, subject or expose it to any expense or liability, Agent shall not be required to act unless it shall have been furnished with an indemnity satisfactory to it;

 

10.5       May rely on and shall be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or other document or security delivered to Agent and believed by Agent to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or parties;

 

10.6       Shall not be liable or responsible for any recital or statement contained in the Subscription Offer or any other documents relating thereto;

 

10.7       Shall not be liable or responsible for any failure of the Company or any other party to comply with any of its covenants and obligations relating to the Subscription Offer, including without limitation obligations under applicable securities laws;

 

10.8       Shall not be liable to any holder of the Rights for any Additional Common Stock or dividends thereon or, if applicable, and any related unclaimed property that has been delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property law;

 

10.9       May, from time to time, rely on instructions provided by Company concerning the services provided hereunder. Further, Agent may apply to any officer or other authorized person of Company for instruction, and may consult with legal counsel for Agent or Company with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services provided hereunder. Agent and its agents and subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by Company under Section 11.2 of this Agreement for any action taken or omitted by Agent in reliance upon any Company instructions or upon the advice or opinion of such counsel. Agent shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from Company;

 

10.10     May rely on and be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon (a) any guaranty of signature by an eligible guarantor institution that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable signature guarantee program or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (b) any law, act, regulation or any interpretation of the same even though such law, act, or regulation may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed;

 

10.11     Either in connection with, or independent of the instruction term in Section 10.9, above, Agent may consult counsel satisfactory to Agent (including internal counsel), and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by Agent hereunder in good faith and in reliance upon the advice of such counsel;

 Page 7

 

10.12     May perform any of its duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with reasonable care hereunder; and

 

10.13     Is not authorized, and shall have no obligation, to pay any brokers, dealers, or soliciting fees to any person.

 

11.Representations, Warranties and Covenants.

 

11.1       Agent. Agent represents and warrants to Company that:

 

(a)Governance. Trust Company is a federally chartered trust company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the United States and Computershare is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and each has full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; and

 

(b)Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Agent has been duly authorized by all necessary action, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Agent enforceable against Agent in accordance with its terms, will not require the consent of any third party that has not been given, and will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of (A) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Agent is subject, (B) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority applicable to Agent, (C) Agent’s incorporation documents or by- laws, or (D) any material agreement to which Agent is a party.

 

11.2       Company. Company represents and warrants to Agent that:

 

(a)Governance. It is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, and it has full power, authority and legal right to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

(b)Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Company has been duly authorized by all necessary action, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Company enforceable against Company in accordance with its terms, will not require the consent of any third party that has not been given, and will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of (A) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Company is subject, (B) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority applicable to Company, (C) Company’s incorporation documents or by-laws, (D) any material agreement to which Company is a party, or (E) any applicable stock exchange rules;

 

(c)Securities Laws. Registration statements under the 1933 Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) have been filed and are currently effective, or will be effective prior to the sale of any Additional Common Stock, and will remain so effective, and all appropriate state securities law filings have been made with respect to all of the Additional Common Stock being offered for sale, except for any shares of Additional Common Stock which are offered in a transaction or series of transactions which are exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, 1934 Act and state securities laws; Company will immediately notify Agent of any information to the contrary; and

 Page 8

 

(d)Shares. The Additional Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date hereof have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and are non-assessable; and any Additional Common Stock to be issued hereafter, when issued, shall have been duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and will be non-assessable.

 

12.Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.

 

12.1       Liability. Agent shall only be liable for any loss or damage determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a result of Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct; provided that any liability of Agent will be limited in the aggregate to the amounts paid hereunder by Company to Agent as fees and charges, but not including reimbursable expenses.

 

12.2       Indemnity. Company shall indemnify and hold Agent harmless from and against, and Agent shall not be responsible for, any and all losses, claims, damages, costs, charges, penalties and related interest, counsel fees and expenses, payments, expenses and liability (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of or attributable to Agent’s duties under this Agreement or this appointment, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any Loss or enforcing this Agreement, except for any liability of Agent as set forth in Section 11.1, above.

 

12.3       Limitation of the Company and Shareholders. It is understood and expressly stipulated that none of the directors, officers, agents or shareholders of the Company shall be personally liable hereunder for the obligations of the Company. All persons dealing with the Company must look solely to the property of the Company for the enforcement of any claims against the Company, as neither the directors, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Company.

 

12          Damages. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable to the other for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages of any nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, loss of anticipated profits, occasioned by a breach of any provision of this Agreement even if apprised of the possibility of such damages.

 

13.Intentionally Omitted

 

14.Confidentiality.

 

14.1       Definition. “Confidential Information” shall mean any and all technical or business information relating to a party, including, without limitation, financial, marketing and product development information, shareholder data (including any non-public information of such Shareholder), proprietary information, and the terms and conditions (but not the existence) of this Agreement, that is disclosed or otherwise becomes known to the other party or its affiliates, agents or representatives before or during the term of this Agreement. Confidential Information constitutes trade secrets and is of great value to the owner (or its affiliates). Confidential Information shall not include any information that is: (a) already known to the other party or its affiliates at the time of the disclosure; (b) publicly known at the time of the disclosure or becomes publicly known through no wrongful act or failure of the other party; (c) subsequently disclosed to the other party or its affiliates on a non-confidential basis by a third party not having a confidential relationship with the owner and which rightfully acquired such information; or (d) independently developed by one party without access to Confidential Information of the other.

 Page 9

 

14.2       Use and Disclosure. All Confidential Information of a party will be held in confidence by the other party with at least the same degree of care as such party protects its own confidential or proprietary information of like kind and import, but not less than a reasonable degree of care. Neither party will disclose in any manner Confidential Information of the other party in any form to any person or entity without the other party's prior consent. However, each party may disclose relevant aspects of the other party's Confidential Information to its officers, affiliates, agents, subcontractors and employees to the extent reasonably necessary to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement and such disclosure is not prohibited by applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, each party will implement physical and other security measures and controls designed to protect (a) the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) against any threats or hazards to the security and integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) against any unauthorized access to or use of Confidential Information. To the extent that a party delegates any duties and responsibilities under this Agreement to an agent or other subcontractor, the party ensures that such agent and subcontractor are contractually bound to confidentiality terms consistent with the terms of this Section 14.

 

14.3       Required or Permitted Disclosure. In the event that any requests or demands are made for the disclosure of Confidential Information, other than requests to Agent for Shareholder records pursuant to standard subpoenas from state or federal government authorities (e.g., divorce and criminal actions), the party receiving such request will promptly notify the other party to secure instructions from an authorized officer of such party as to such request and to enable the other party the opportunity to obtain a protective order or other confidential treatment, unless such notification is otherwise prohibited by law or court order. Each party expressly reserves the right, however, to disclose Confidential Information to any person whenever it is advised by counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to disclose such Confidential Information or if required by law or court order.

 

14.4       Unauthorized Disclosure. As may be required by law and without limiting any party's rights in respect of a breach of this Section 13, each party will promptly:

(a)Notify the other party in writing of any unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of the other party's Confidential Information by any person or entity that may become known to such party;
(b)Furnish to the other party full details of the unauthorized possession, use or disclosure; and
(c)Use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent a recurrence of any such unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

14.5       Costs. Each party will bear the costs it incurs as a result of compliance with this Section 13.

 

15.Compensation and Expenses.

 

15.1       Company shall pay to Agent compensation in accordance with the fee schedule attached as Exhibit B hereto, together with reimbursement for reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, regardless of whether any Rights are surrendered to Agent, for Agent’s services hereunder.

 

15.2       Company shall be charged for certain expenses advanced or incurred by Agent in connection with Agent’s performance of its duties hereunder. Such charges include, but are not limited to, stationery and supplies, such as checks, envelopes and paper stock, as well as any disbursements for telephone and document creation and delivery. While Agent endeavors to maintain such charges (both internal and external) at competitive rates, these charges may not reflect actual out-of-pocket costs, and may include handling charges to cover internal processing and use of Agent’s billing systems.

 Page 10

 

15.3       All amounts owed to Agent hereunder are due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date. Delinquent payments are subject to a late payment charge of one and one half percent (1.5%) per month commencing forty-five (45) days from the invoice date. Company agrees to reimburse Agent for any attorney’s fees and any other costs associated with collecting delinquent payments.

 

16.         Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the other party. Unless so terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect until ninety (90) days following the Expiration Time. In the event of such early termination, Company will appoint a successor agent and inform Agent of the name and address of any successor agent so appointed, provided, that no failure by Company to appoint such a successor agent shall affect the termination of this Agreement or the discharge of Agent as agent hereunder. Upon any such termination, Agent shall be relieved and discharged of any further responsibilities with respect to its duties hereunder. Upon payment of all outstanding fees and expenses hereunder, Agent shall promptly forward to Company or its designee any Subscription Forms or other documents relating to the Subscription Offer that Agent may receive after its appointment has so terminated.

 

17.         Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Company or Agent without the written consent of the other; provided, however, that Agent may, without further consent of Company, assign any of its rights and obligations hereunder to any affiliated agent registered under Rule 17Ac2-1 promulgated under the 1934 Act.

 

18.Subcontractors and Unaffiliated Third Parties.

 

18.1       Subcontractors. Agent may, without further consent of Company, subcontract with (a) any affiliates, or (b) unaffiliated subcontractors for such services as may be required from time to time (e.g., lost shareholder searches, escheatment, telephone and mailing services); provided, however, that Agent shall be as fully responsible to Company for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions.

 

18.2       Unaffiliated Third Parties. Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon Agent in connection with or make Agent liable for the actions or omissions to act of unaffiliated third parties (other than subcontractors referenced in Section 18.1, above) such as, by way of example and not limitation, airborne services, delivery services, the U.S. mails, and telecommunication companies, provided, if Agent selected such company, Agent exercised due care in selecting the same.

 

19.Miscellaneous.

 

19.1       Notices. All notices, demands and other communications given pursuant to the terms and provisions hereof shall be in writing, shall be deemed effective on the date of receipt, and may be sent by electronic mail (except for notices of default or termination of this Agreement by Agent), overnight delivery services, or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested to:

 

If to Company:

 

Marcus L. Collins, Secretary

360 S. Rosemary

Avenue, Suite 1420

West Palm Beach, FL

33401

mcollins@rivernort h.com

312.445.2251

 Page 11

 

Invoice for fees and services (if different than above):

 

The above address, plus:

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. c/o ALPS Fund

Services Inc.

1290 Broadway, Denver CO 80203

Attn: Accounting/Expenses

 

mcollins@rivernorth.com; jmohrardt@rivernorth.com; justin.newman@sscinc.com atermaat@rivernorth.com; clakumb@rivernorth.com

 

If to Agent: with an additional copy to:

Computershare Inc.

480 Washington Blvd., 29th Floor

Jersey City, NJ 07310

Attn: Corp Actions Relationship Manager

Or

Computershare Inc.

150 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

Attn: Corp Actions Relationship Manager

Computershare Inc.

150 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

Attn: Legal Department

 

19.2       No Expenditure of Funds. No provision of this Agreement shall require Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if it shall believe in good faith that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

19.3       Publicity. Neither party hereto shall issue a news release, public announcement, advertisement, or other form of publicity concerning the existence of this Agreement or the services to be provided hereunder without obtaining the prior written approval of the other party, which may be withheld in the other party’s sole discretion; provided, that Agent may use Company’s name in its customer lists or otherwise as required by law or regulation.

 

19.4       Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of Company or Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

 

19.5       Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written amendment executed by the parties hereto and, to the extent required, authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors of Company.

 

19.6       Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

 

19.7       Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. The parties hereto irrevocably (a) submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in New York City or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (b) waive, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, any defense based on inconvenient forum, improper venue or lack of jurisdiction to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding, and (c) waive all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Agent shall not be required hereunder to comply with the laws or regulations of any country other than the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof. Agent may consult with foreign counsel, at Company's expense, to resolve any foreign law issues that may arise as a result of Company or any other party being subject to the laws or regulations of any foreign jurisdiction.

 Page 12

 

19.8       Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Agent shall not be liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, war, or civil unrest.

 

19.9       Third Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to benefit only Agent, Company and their respective permitted successors and assigns. No rights shall be granted to any other person by virtue of this Agreement, and there are no third party beneficiaries hereof.

 

19.10     Survival. All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability and limits thereon, compensation and expenses and confidentiality and protection of proprietary rights and trade secrets shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

19.11     Priorities. In theevent of any conflict, discrepancy, or ambiguity between the terms and conditions contained in (a) this Agreement, (b) any exhibits, schedules or attachments hereto, and (c) the Subscription Offer, the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement shall take precedence.

 

19.12     Merger of Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.

 

19.13     No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event any ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by all parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

 

19.14     Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

 

19.15     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Agreement executed and/or transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.

 

[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.]

 Page 13

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement by their duly authorized officers as of the Effective Date hereof.

 

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.

 

By: /s/ Marcus L. Collins  
Name: Marcus L. Collins  
Title: Secretary  

 

COMPUTERSHARE INC. and

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

For both entities

 

By: /s/ Thomas Borbely  
Name: Thomas Borbely  
Title: Senior Manager, Corporate Actions  

 

Exhibit A Form of Subscription Form
Exhibit B Tax Instruction and Cost Basis Information Letter
Exhibit C Schedule of Fees

 Page 14

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION FORM

 Page 15

 

Exhibit B;

Section 1

Standard Tax Reporting Instructions

 

Pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, financial intermediaries such as Computershare must report cost basis for certain types of securities acquired after January 1, 2011 to both security holders and the IRS. In preparation for the year-end tax reporting to be performed by Computershare under our service agreement for the corporate actions event described in Section 2 of this agreement, please (a) complete the below Year End Tax Reporting Package and (b) provide us with the pertinent issuer statement (i.e., hard copy or website link requested in Section 4 below) as required of issuers under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045B and the underlying Treasury regulations.

 

In the event that you have not yet produced the issuer statement, kindly provide us with the requisite information at your earliest convenience when completed. You may find it helpful to refer to the below link on the IRS website for some background information regarding the issuer’s obligation to produce the issuer statement.

 

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/form-8937-report-of-organizational-actions-affecting-basis-of-securities

 

Please review, complete, execute and return the Year End Tax Reporting Package or the Form 8937, attached documents via e-mail. By requesting cost basis information, Computershare has fulfilled its regulatory obligation. Failure to provide correct basis information may result in a liability to you as an issuer, but if we can provide additional details, please feel free to call upon us.

 

Additional information may be required based on the completion of the information provided below.

 

PLEASE NOTE: If IRC sections 302/304 apply to this Corporate Actions event, please reach out to the Corporate Actions Relationship Manager listed on Wire Instruction Exhibit of this Agreement to provide further details.

 Page 16

 

Year End Tax Reporting Package

 

Computershare cannot provide tax advice for purposes of completing this worksheet. Please consult your tax counsel to determine your respective tax reporting requirements.

 

Shareholder accounts without certified TIN, or certification of foreign status on our system of record will be subject to backup withholding tax at the applicable rate in accordance with IRS rules and regulations regarding 1099 tax reporting. The applicable backup withholding tax deducted from their payment will be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Holders will need to claim any refund of over withholding directly from the IRS and not Computershare. Please note residents or holders that are uncertified, and reside in the state of CA will be withheld an additional 7% which will be remitted to the state of CA.

 

Important: Computershare uses Constructive Receipt (refer to below definition) reporting for its standard tax reporting default. Deviations from our Standard Default Tax Terms, late submissions and subsequent corrections after the event is over will be subject to additional fees, by appraisal. If Computershare does not receive the completed tax letter by the expiration of the offer /effective date of the distribution or exchange, Computershare will use our Standard Default Tax Terms.

 

Computershare will perform form suppression on de minimis reporting for the following: on 1099-B tax forms less than $20 in proceeds and fractional share issuance if no withholding; 1099-DIV tax forms less than $10 in dividend income if no withholding.

 

Computershare will not be liable for any IRS penalties resulting from any client changes to this tax letter or client delay in any final tax instructions that will alter our initial tax reporting instructions. Should any withholding be remitted late to the IRS as a result of any changes to your initial tax reporting instructions. Company and/or Purchaser will be responsible for obligations related to penalties and interest as noted under the Section of the Agreement titled “Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.”

 

Definitions:

Constructive Receipt: Constructive Receipt means that any corporate action exchange proceeds would be reported to the IRS in the year the merger is effective, whether or not the shareholder has presented the requisite and valid documentation in such year.

 

Standard Default Tax Terms: The share consideration (if any) is considered a non-taxable event with no Fair Market Value Reporting (FMV) on shares. Principal and CIL are reported on form 1099B as constructive receipt. In the event of an exchange, dividends declared after the effective date, will accrue on the shares issuable to un-exchanged holders and tax reported “as if” paid currently.

 Page 17

 

Section 2 – Client Information

 

Client Name:  

 

Tax ID/EIN:  

 

Issue Description/Type:  

 

CUSIP Number(s):  

 

Will you require Computershare to perform tax reporting services for this transaction?

[  ] Yes [  ]  No***

 

***If you mark the above box “No”, an explanation of either how the consideration will be tax reported, or why tax reporting is not applicable (i.e. K1, W-2, etc.), is required. Please provide this explanation in Section 5 where it indicates “If you answered “No” in Section 2.

 

Section 3 – Standard 1099 Reporting

 

3.A – Principal payment / cash in lieu of fractional shares

 

If 3.A is not applicable, please check here and move to 3.B           [  ]

 

Computershare to report principal payment on Form 1099-B.

Yes, on Form 1099-B [  ]  Yes, on a form other than Form 1099-B. Please complete Section 3.C  [  ]

 

Computershare to report cash in lieu payment for fractional shares made to holders.

Yes, on Form 1099-B [  ]  Yes, on a form other than Form 1099-B. Please complete Section 3.C   [  ]

 

3.B – Dividend Reporting (including accrued dividends for unexchanged accounts)

 

If 3.B is not applicable, please check here and move to Section 3.C   [  ]

 

Dividends that have been paid in conjunction with Corporate Actions payments, deemed or accrued, such payment will be reported as Constructive Receipt on Form 1099-DIV or 1042-S.

 

Computershare to report dividends on Forms 1099-DIV / 1042-S.

Yes, Form 1099-DIV/1042-SB [  ]     Yes, on a form other than Form 1099-DIV/1042=S. [  ]     Please explain

 

Did the Company and or Purchaser distribute qualified dividends (100% ordinary & 100% qualified) for this tax year on the Newco shares?

 

Yes   [  ] *No   [  ]

 Page 18

 

*If no, please provide us with your worksheet to ensure all reportable income or reclassification income, paid by Computershare as agent, is reported correctly. Please note that up to five decimal points can be utilized in the reallocation process. If you choose to use less than five decimal points this could result in rounding issues. Due to time constraints inherent with tax season, we will not be able to re-run tax forms due to rounding issues. Please provide us with your worksheet reflecting all distributions for this applicable tax year.

 

3.C – Additional reporting

 

If 3.C is not applicable, please check here and move to Section 4     [  ]

 

Does any of the following reporting need to be performed by Computershare for cash paid (i.e., principal, cash in lieu) if not to be tax reported on Form 1099-B?

 

1099-INT   [  ]   1099-OID   [  ]   1099-MISC   [  ]   1099-DIV   [  ]   1042-S   [  ]

 

If you selected 1099-INT, 1099-OID or 1099-MISC above, please complete the below. Specify which box on the Form should be used for reportable amounts:

 

Reporting Box for 1099-INT:  

 

Reporting Box for 1099-OID:  

 

Reporting Box for 1099-MISC:  

 

If you selected 1099-DIV and/or 1042-S above, please complete the below.

 

Reporting for merger consideration (other than accrued and unpaid dividends as outlined below), on Form 1099-DIV and/or 1042-S is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Page 19

 

Section 4 – Cost Basis

 

Please provide a copy of the completed Issuer Statement (IRS Form 8937) or link to where the Tax & Cost Basis information can be found. If you are unable to provide the link or information pertaining to the Issuer Statement or such IRS filing requirement does not apply, you must answer the questions below.

 

What are the Cost Basis implications due to this Corporate Action? Please include the details of any calculation that needs to be applied to existing cost basis, or provide an explanation if the IRS filing requirement for Form 8937 does not apply to this event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section 5 – Additional Information

 

Did any of the following corporate changes occur during the same year in which this corporate action took place?

 

a) Name Change? Yes [  ] No [  ]
b) Tax Id Number Change? Yes [  ] No [  ]
c) CUSIP Number Change? Yes [  ] No [  ]
d) Cash Liquidating Distribution Yes [  ] No [  ]
e) Non-Cash Liquidating Distribution Yes [  ] No [  ]
f) Sale of Rights payment Yes [  ] No [  ]

 

Is any additional tax reporting required, other than what has been stated in Section 3 above (specify below)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you answered “No” in Section 2 above indicating that you do not require Computershare to perform tax reporting, please explain below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Page 20

 

Section 6 – Additional Information continued

 

Is any additional tax withholding required other than what has been stated in Section 3 above (specify below)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section 7

 

Fair Market Value (FMV) Tax Reporting Instructions

 

Pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, financial intermediaries such as Computershare must report cost basis for certain types of securities acquired after January 1, 2011 to both security holders and the IRS. In preparation for the year-end tax reporting to be performed by Computershare under our service agreement for the corporate actions event described in Section 1 of this agreement, please (a) complete the below Tax and Cost Basis package and (b) provide us with the pertinent issuer statement (i.e., hard copy or website link requested in Section 8 below) as required of issuers under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045B and the underlying Treasury regulations.

 

In the event that you have not yet produced the issuer statement, kindly provide us with the requisite information at your earliest convenience when completed. You may find it helpful to refer to the below link on the IRS website for some background information regarding the issuer’s obligation to produce the issuer statement.

 

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/form-8937-report-of-organizational-actions-affecting-basis-of-securities

 

Please review, complete, execute and return the below Tax Letter and either the Cost Basis word document or the Form 8937, attached documents via e-mail. By requesting cost basis information, Computershare has fulfilled its regulatory obligation. Failure to provide correct basis information may result in a liability to you as an issuer, but if we can provide additional details, please feel free to call upon us.

 

Additional information may be required based on the completion of the information provided below.

 

PLEASE NOTE: If 302/304 Tax Reporting is requirements please reach out to the Corporate Actions Relationship Manager listed on the Wire Instruction Exhibit of this Agreement

 Page 21

 

Year End Tax Reporting Package

 

Computershare cannot provide tax advice for purposes of completing this worksheet. Please consult your tax counsel to determine your respective tax reporting requirements.

 

Shareholder accounts without certified TIN, or foreign status on our system of record will be subject to backup withholding tax at the applicable rate in accordance with IRS rules and regulations regarding 1099 tax reporting. The applicable backup withholding tax deducted from their payment will be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Holders will need to claim any refund of over withholding directly from the IRS and not Computershare. Please note residents or holders that are uncertified, and reside in the state of CA will be withheld an additional 7% which will be remitted to the state of CA.

 

Important: Computershare uses Constructive Receipt reporting for its standard tax reporting default. Deviations from our Standard Default Tax Terms, late submissions and subsequent corrections after the event is over will be subject to additional fees, by appraisal. If Computershare does not receive the completed tax letter by the expiration of the offer /effective date of the distribution or exchange, Computershare will use our Standard Default Tax Terms.

 

Fair Market Value Reporting (FMV) is subject to additional fees, by appraisal.

 

Computershare will perform form suppression on de minimis reporting for the following: on 1099-B tax forms less than $20 in proceeds and fractional share issuance if no withholding; 1099-DIV tax forms less than $10 in dividend income if no withholding.

 

Computershare will not be liable for any IRS penalties resulting from any client changes to this tax letter or client delay in any final tax instructions that will alter our initial tax reporting instructions. Should any withholding be remitted late to the IRS as a result of any changes to your initial tax reporting instructions. Company will be responsible for obligations related to penalties and interest as noted under the Section of the Agreement titled “Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.”

 

Definitions:

Constructive Receipt: Constructive Receipt means that any corporate action exchange proceeds would be reported to the IRS in the year the merger is finalized, regardless of whether the shareholder has already processed the exchange or not.

 

Standard Default Tax Terms: The share distribution is considered a non-taxable event with no Fair Market Value Reporting (FMV) on shares. Principal and CIL are reported on form 1099B as constructive receipt. In the event of an exchange, dividends declared after the effective date, will accrue on the shares issuable to un-exchanged holders.

 

Fair Market Value (FMV) tax reporting: Refers to an exchange where the share consideration) is treated as fully taxable and reportable on Form 1099-B at the per share valuation provided by client.

 Page 22

 

Section 8 – Client Information

 

Client Name:  
   
*Tax ID/EIN:  

 

*If FMV reporting is required, the Issuer (Acquirer) will be deemed the payor and you must provide your EIN for reporting purposes. In addition, Client must provide Computershare with completed IRS Form 2678 in order for Computershare to remit any backup withholding tax to the IRS on client’s behalf.

 

Issue Description/Type:  

 

 

 

 

CUSIP Number(s):  

 

 

 

 

Will you require Computershare to perform FMV tax reporting services for this transaction?

[  ] Yes [  ] No***

 

***If you mark the above box “No” the value of all newly issued shares will NOT be tax reported to the holders and any cost basis and acquisition date of the surrendered target company shares will be carried over to the new shares. Please refer to Section 3.

 Page 23

 

Section 9

 

Fair Market Value reporting

 

We ask that you read each question below carefully and respond to each question accordingly as this questionnaire requires a great deal of attention.

 

Taxable Event Information

 

Please check one of the boxes below regarding the following statement.

 

This event requires Fair Market Value (FMV) reporting on Form 1099-B as the share consideration received in this transaction is a taxable event to former target holders and as such the basis of the new shares received will be the FMV rate and become covered shares (i.e., date of acquisition is the effective date).

 

True  [  ] *False [  ]

 

*If the above statement is “False”, please provide an explanation as to why:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the FMV share consideration is nontaxable, and not tax reportable, please confirm by checking a box below:

 

*True [  ] **False [  ]

 

*If you selected “True”, please explain briefly why the FMV share consideration is nontaxable, and whether the “cash” (if any) is tax reportable on Form 1099-B:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Page 24

 

 

**If you selected “False” from the above, is the FMV of the share consideration treated as taxable and reportable on a 1099-B?

 

Yes  [  ] *No  [  ]

 

*If you selected “No”, please advise on the IRS Form & box number in which it should be reported:

 

 

  

Gross Proceeds Information

 

If the transaction with a shareholder should be reported on a 1099-B, and the full amount of the consideration is treated as taxable, is the FMV of the stock consideration, as well as the cash (if any), reportable on Form 1099-B in Box 1d as “Proceeds”?

 

Yes  [  ] *No  [  ]

 

*If you selected “No”, please advise on the rationale as to why the cash and/or stock is not considered as “proceeds” for 1099-B reporting purposes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Form 1099-B reporting is required, should Box 7 on the Form 1099-B (“Check if loss is not allowed based on amount in 1d”) be checked?

 

Yes  [  ] *No  [  ]

 Page 25

 

Backup Withholding Information

 

If you selected “Yes” and indicated that FMV of the share consideration is a taxable exchange and reportable on a 1099-B as “Proceeds”, - please advise on the following questions:

 

Is the share consideration subject to backup withholding? (Uncertified accounts would be entitled to a lowered share amount upon exchange due to withholding of shares to satisfy remittance to the IRS.)

 

Yes  [  ] *No  [  ]

 

*If you selected “No”, please provide the basis for selecting “No” so that Tax can review this further.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you selected “Yes” and indicated that shares are subject to backup withholding, please confirm the following statement by selecting “Issuer/Acquirer Agrees”:

 

Computershare is hereby authorized by the Issuer/Acquirer to sell the appropriate number of shares from each shareholder’s share entitlement to cover applicable tax withholding obligations. The withholding obligation arises on the date the reportable consideration is paid. The shares sold to fund any backup withholding will be based on the amount of withholding required. The current share price may not be exactly the FMV price and may result in a shortage or overage that will either need to be returned to the company or covered by the company.

 

Issuer/Acquirer Agrees [  ]

 

If you would prefer that Computershare does not fund the backup withholding obligation by selling the shares, the Issuer/Acquirer can fund the amount of backup withholding required to remit to the IRS in lieu of selling shares. Should you wish to proceed with this alternative, please select the box below:

 

Yes, we will fund the entire balance due in one single wire to Computershare for the backup withholding obligation  [  ]

 

If you checked the box above, to fund the backup withholding on FMV reporting, the funds you provided will be included in a “gross -up” calculation (to increase a net amount to include deductions, such as taxes, that would be incurred by the receiver) reported on a 1099-B as additional proceeds to the holder.

 Page 26

 

Fair Market Value (FMV)

 

Please provide the value per share associated with the FMV reporting of the share consideration:

 

 

 

Form 8937

 

Please provide a copy of the Issuer Statement (IRS Form 8937) or link to where the Tax & Cost Basis information can be found. If you are unable to provide the link or information pertaining to the Issuer Statement, you must answer the questions below.

 

What are the Tax & Cost Basis implications due to this Corporate Action? Please include the details of any calculation that needs to be applied to determine the per share basis of the share consideration received by the target’s holders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Page 27

 

 

EXHIBITC

 

SCHEDULE OF FEES

 

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

SUBSCRIPTION AGENT FEE SCHEDULE FOR

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC. RIGHTS OFFERING

 

A.FEES FOR SERVICES *

 

Subscription Agent Event Management Fee                   
Per subscription form issued and mailed          
Per subscription form processed (registered and beneficial)            
Per defective subscription form received            
Calculating pro-rata items, each          
Per notice of guaranteed delivery received            
Per sale of right, if applicable            
Per refund check issued and mailed, if applicable          
Per confirmation statement mailed (if applicable)               
Extensions/ Midnight expiration, if applicable                  
DTC CUSIP Fee (pass through charge from DTC), per CUSIP                 
Tax Administration, if applicable               
Legal Review               

 

*The above fees exclude expenses and assume the use of Computershare's standard agency agreement and Rights Card. We agree that in the event that the transaction and/or your services are begun but not completed for any reason, the above Project Management fee will be charged, plus the expense(s) associated with work performed up to the point Computershare is notified. It is required that this Agreement be executed on or before the Expiration Time. Mailing and processing will not begin until this Agreement has been executed by Company and Computershare. This fee schedule is based upon information provided to date and may be subject to change. CRM# ANQA- STXLFQ

 

B.SERVICES COVERED
·Designating an operational team to carry out subscription agent duties, including document review and execution of legal agreement, review of subscription form and communication materials, project management, and on-going project updates and reporting
·Converting RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. shareholder file to Computershare's corporate actions system
·Coordinating the offering with the Depositary Trust Company
·Interfacing with the information agent
·Calculating the rights to be distributed to each shareholder
·Printing shareholder information on the subscription form
·Coordinating the mailing of subscription materials to shareholders with the information agent
·Tracking and reporting the number of subscriptions made, as required
·Processing the rights received and exercised

 Page 28

 

·Selling the rights as requested by shareholders
·Depositing participant checks daily
·Providing receipt summation of checks received
·Prorating subscriptions as required
·Forwarding funds to RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.at the end of the offering period
·Calculating, issuing and mailing shares and refund checks
·Calculating, issuing, mailing and collecting invoices, if applicable
·Calculating, issuing and mailing of solicitation checks, if applicable

 

C.ITEMS NOT COVERED
·Items not specified in the "Services Covered" section set forth in this Agreement, including any services associated with new duties, legislation or regulatory fiat, which become effective after the date of this Agreement (these will be provided on an appraisal basis)
·Surcharge(s) for services, including, without limitation, Project Management services, rendered outside of normal business hours (i.e. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, weekends, and U.S. holidays observed by the New York Stock Exchange). Additional fees will be provided on an appraisal basis.
·All expenses, such as telephone line charges, overprinting, certificates, checks, postage, stationery, wire transfers, and excess material disposal (these will be billed as incurred)
·Reasonable legal review fees if referred to outside counsel
·Special reporting requests (including, but not limited to, escheatment, reconciliation and audit reports) and requests to expedite processed items outside of our standard target of 7- 10 day turnaround time

 

D.ASSUMPTIONS
·Fee schedule based upon information known at this time about the transaction
·Significant changes made in the terms or requirements of this transaction could require modifications to this fee schedule
·Fee schedule must be executed prior to the initial mailing
·Company responsible for printing of materials (rights card, prospectus and ancillary documents)
·Material to be mailed to shareholders must be received no less than five (5) business days prior to the start of the mailing project

 

E.PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

The Project Management fee will be rendered and payable on the effective date of the transaction. An invoice for any expense and per item fees realized will be rendered and payable on a monthly basis, except for postage expenses in excess of $5,000. Funds for such mailing expenses must be received one (1) business day prior to the scheduled mailing date, provided, however, that Agent shall provide five (5) business days’ notice of any such amount to be paid.

 Page 29

 

 

 

Georgeson LLC

1290 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10104

www.georgeson.com

 

October 6, 2022

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

 

Re: Information Agent

 

This Letter of Agreement, including the Appendix attached hereto (collectively, this “Agreement”), sets forth the terms and conditions of the engagement of Georgeson LLC (“Georgeson”) by RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) to act as Information Agent in connection with the Company’s upcoming rights offering (the “Offer”). The term of this Agreement shall be the term of the Offer, including any extensions thereof.

 

(a)Services. Georgeson shall perform the services described in the Fees & Services Schedule attached hereto as Appendix I (such services, collectively, the “Services”).

 

(b)Fees. In consideration of Georgeson’s performance of the Services, the Company shall pay Georgeson the amounts, and pursuant to the terms, set forth on the Fees & Services Schedule attached hereto as Appendix I, together with the Expenses (as defined below). The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Fees & Services Schedule shall be subject to adjustment if the Company requests Georgeson to provide services with respect to additional matters or a revised scope of work.

 

(c)Expenses. In addition to the fees and charges described in paragraphs (b) and (d) hereof, Georgeson shall charge the Company, and the Company shall be solely responsible, for the following costs and expenses (collectively, the “Expenses”):

 

·

costs and expenses incidental to the Offer, including without limitation the mailing or delivery of Offer materials;

 

·

reasonable costs and expenses relating to Georgeson’s work with its agents or other parties involved in the Offer, including without limitation charges for bank threshold lists, data processing, market information, institutional advisory reports, telephone directory assistance, facsimile transmissions or other forms of electronic communication;

 

·

reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Georgeson at the Company’s request or for the Company’s convenience, including without limitation for copying, printing of additional and/or supplemental material and travel by Georgeson’s personnel; and

 

·

any other reasonable costs and expenses authorized by the Company and resulting from extraordinary contingencies which arise during the course of the Offer, including without limitation those relating to advertising (including production and posting), media relations and analytical services.

 

The Company shall pay all applicable taxes incurred in connection with the delivery of the Services or Expenses.

   

 

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

October 6, 2022

Page 2

 

(d)Custodial Charges. Georgeson agrees to check, itemize and pay on the Company’s behalf the charges of brokers and banks, with the exception of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (which will bill the Company directly), for forwarding the Company’s offering material to beneficial owners. The Company shall reimburse Georgeson for such broker and bank charges in the manner described in the Fees & Services Schedule.

 

(e)Compliance with Applicable Laws. The Company and Georgeson hereby represent to one another that each shall comply with all applicable laws relating to the Offer, including, without limitation, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(f)Indemnification; Limitation of Liability.

 

(i)The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Georgeson, its affiliates and their respective stockholders, officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and expenses, payments, expenses and liability (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of or relating to the performance of the Services, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending against any Loss or enforcing this Agreement, except to the extent such Losses shall have been determined by the parties, themselves, a court of competent jurisdiction, arbitrator, mediator or other neutral objective third party trier of fact mutually agreed upon between the parties to be a result of Georgeson’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

 

(ii)Georgeson shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company from and against any and all Losses arising out of or relating to the performance of the Services, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending against any Loss or enforcing this Agreement, to the extent such Losses shall have been determined by the parties, themselves, a court of competent jurisdiction, arbitrator, mediator or other neutral objective third party trier of fact mutually agreed upon between the parties to be a result of Georgeson’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

 

(iii)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but without limiting the Company’s indemnification obligations set forth in clause (i) above, neither party shall be liable for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages of any nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, loss of anticipated profits, occasioned by a breach of any provision of this Agreement, even if apprised of the possibility of such damages.

 

(iv)Any liability whatsoever of Georgeson, its affiliates or any of their respective stockholders, officers, directors, employees or agents hereunder or otherwise relating to or arising out of performance of the Services will be limited in the aggregate to the fees and charges paid hereunder by the Company to Georgeson (but not including Expenses).
   

 

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

October 6, 2022

Page 3

 

(v)It is understood and expressly stipulated that none of the trustees, officers, agents or shareholders of the Company shall be personally liable hereunder. All persons dealing with the Company must look solely to the property of the Company for the enforcement of any claims against the Company, as neither the trustees, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Company.

 

(vi)This paragraph (f) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

(g)Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the substantive laws of the State of New York without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws, and shall not be modified in any way, unless pursuant to a written agreement which has been executed by each of the parties hereto. The parties agree that any and all disputes, controversies or claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement (including any breach hereof) shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in New York County, New York and the parties hereby waive any defenses on the grounds of lack of personal jurisdiction of such courts, improper venue or forum non conveniens. The parties waive all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of this Agreement.

 

(h)Relationship. The Company agrees and acknowledges that Georgeson shall be the primary information agent retained by the Company in connection with the Offer.

 

(i)Confidentiality. Georgeson agrees to preserve the confidentiality of (i) all material non- public information provided by the Company or its agents for Georgeson’s use in fulfilling its obligations hereunder and (ii) any information developed by Georgeson based upon such material non-public information (collectively, “Confidential Information”); provided that Georgeson may disclose such Confidential Information as required by law and otherwise to its officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates to the extent reasonably necessary to perform the Services hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall not be deemed to include any information which (w) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by Georgeson or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates; (x) was available to Georgeson on a nonconfidential basis and in accordance with law prior to its disclosure to Georgeson by the Company; (y) becomes available to Georgeson on a nonconfidential basis and in accordance with law from a person other than the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates who is not otherwise bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company or is not otherwise prohibited from transmitting such information to a third party; or (z) was independently and lawfully developed by Georgeson without access to the Confidential Information. The Company agrees that all reports, documents and other work product provided to the Company by Georgeson pursuant to the terms of this Agreement are for the exclusive use of the Company and may not be disclosed to any other person or entity without the prior written consent of Georgeson. The confidentiality obligations set forth in this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
   

 

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

October 6, 2022

Page 4

 

(j)Invoices. Invoices for amounts due hereunder shall be delivered to Company at:

 

 

ADDRESS:

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

c/o ALPS Fund Services Inc

1290 Broadway, Denver CO 80203

   
   
  ATTENTION: Accounting/Expenses
   
  (Contact Name, Email, Phone)

 

(k)Force Majeure. Neither party will be liable for any delay or failure in performance when such delay or failure arises from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation acts of God, acts of government in its sovereign or contractual capacity, acts of public enemy or terrorists, acts of civil or military authority, war, riots, civil strife, terrorism, blockades, sabotage, rationing, embargoes, epidemics, pandemics, outbreaks of infectious diseases or any other public health crises, earthquakes, fire, flood, other natural disaster, quarantine or any other employee restrictions, power shortages or failures, utility or communication failure or delays, labor disputes, strikes, or shortages, supply shortages, equipment failures, or software malfunctions; provided that a such circumstances under this section shall not include (a) the novel coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic which is ongoing as of the date of the execution of this Agreement; (b) financial distress nor the inability of either party to make a profit or avoid a financial loss, (c) changes in the market prices or conditions, or (d) a party’s financial inability to perform its obligations hereunder. In the event that a Force Majeure event occurs, the affected party will provide prompt written notice to the other party of the occurrence of the Force Majeure event in reasonable detail and the expected duration of the event's effect on the party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of such a Force Majeure Event, the affected party agrees to make a good faith effort to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(l)Entire Agreement; Appendix. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Appendix to this Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. This Agreement shall be binding upon all successors to the Company (by operation of law or otherwise).

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.]

   

 

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

October 6, 2022

Page 5

 

If the above is acceptable, please execute and return the enclosed duplicate of this Agreement to Georgeson LLC, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 9th floor, New York, NY 10104, Attention: Christopher M. Hayden.

 

      Sincerely,
       
      GEORGESON LLC
       
      By: /s/ Christopher M. Hayden
        Christopher M. Hayden
         
      Title: Chief Operating Officer > US
         

Agreed to and accepted as of

the date first set forth above:

     
         

RIVERNORTH

OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.

     
         
By: /s/ Marcus L. Collins       
         
Title: Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer      
   

 

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

September 9, 2022

Page 6

 

APPENDIX I

 

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.

FEES & SERVICES SCHEDULE

 

BASE SERVICES           

·Review of preliminary offering documents
·Assistance with the preparation and placement of press releases and advertisements in newspapers (at prevailing rates)
·Coordination of the mailing of offering documents to all eligible security holders
·Call center staffing and training
·Advisory services geared to maximize investor response to the offering
·Communication with Depositary Agent to monitor the progress of the offering
·Outreach to Professional Investors
·Provide progress updates to the advisory team

 

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

·If necessary, telephone setup and installation, provide toll-free number for shareholder inquiries; respond to inquiries from investors and their advisors          
·Direct telephone communication with retail (i.e., registered and NOBO shareholders)          
·           per account contacted (outgoing calls)
·           per minute per incoming call
·           per phone number lookup

 

 

 

NOTE: The foregoing fees are exclusive of Expenses and custodial charges as described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Agreement. In addition, the Company will be charged a fee of           per extension if the Offer is extended for any reason.

 

FEE PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

The Company shall pay Georgeson as follows:

 

·Upon execution of this Agreement, the Company shall pay Georgeson         , which amount is in consideration of Georgeson’s commitment to represent the Company and is non-refundable;

 

·If applicable, immediately prior to the commencement of the mailing, the Company shall advance to Georgeson a portion of anticipated custodial charges; as described in paragraph (d) of this Agreement; and

 

·Upon completion of the Offer, the Company shall pay Georgeson the sum of (i) any variable fees as described above under “Additional Services” which have accrued over the course of the Offer, (ii) all unreimbursed custodial charges, as described in paragraph (d) of this Agreement, and (iii) all Expenses.

 

Georgeson will send the Company an invoice for each of the foregoing payments, which invoices will include written transfer instructions. 

   

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of our report dated September 28, 2022, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., for the year ended July 31, 2022, and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Prospectus Supplement.

 

/s/ Cohen & Company, Ltd.

 

Cohen & Company, Ltd.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

October 13, 2022

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Know All Men By These Presents, that the undersigned, a Director of the above-referenced corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints Joshua B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering securities of the above-referenced corporation, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of securities thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

In Witness Whereof, the undersigned Director of the above-referenced corporation has hereunto set his hand this 13th day of October, 2022.

 

  /s/ J. Wayne Hutchens  
  J. Wayne Hutchens  

 

State of Illinois )
  )  SS
County of Cook )

 

On this 13th day of October, 2022, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, the person named above who is known to me to be the person whose name and signature is affixed to the foregoing Power of Attorney and who acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the intent and purposes therein set forth.

 

“Official Seal”

 

  /s/ Melissa Hale  
Notary Public, State of Illinois   Notary Public  

 

My Commission Expires: 4/16/23

 

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Know All Men By These Presents, that the undersigned, a Director of the above-referenced corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints Joshua B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering securities of the above-referenced corporation, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of securities thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

In Witness Whereof, the undersigned Director of the above-referenced corporation has hereunto set his hand this 13th day of October, 2022.

 

  /s/ John S. Oakes  
  John S. Oakes  

 

State of Illinois )
  )  SS
County of Cook )

 

On this 13th day of October, 2022, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, the person named above who is known to me to be the person whose name and signature is affixed to the foregoing Power of Attorney and who acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the intent and purposes therein set forth.

 

“Official Seal”

 

  /s/ Melissa Hale  
Notary Public, State of Illinois   Notary Public  

  

My Commission Expires: 4/16/23

 

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Know All Men By These Presents, that the undersigned, a Director of the above-referenced corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints Joshua B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering securities of the above-referenced corporation, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of securities thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

In Witness Whereof, the undersigned Director of the above-referenced corporation has hereunto set his hand this 13th day of October, 2022.

 

  /s/ David M. Swanson  
  David M. Swanson  

 

State of Illinois )
  )  SS
County of Cook )

 

On this 13th day of October, 2022, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, the person named above who is known to me to be the person whose name and signature is affixed to the foregoing Power of Attorney and who acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the intent and purposes therein set forth.

 

“Official Seal”

 

  /s/ Melissa Hale  
Notary Public, State of Illinois   Notary Public  

 

My Commission Expires: 4/16/23

 

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Know All Men By These Presents, that the undersigned, a Director of the above-referenced corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints Joshua B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering securities of the above-referenced corporation, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of securities thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

In Witness Whereof, the undersigned Director of the above-referenced corporation has hereunto set his hand this 13th day of October, 2022.

 

  /s/ Jerry R. Raio  
  Jerry R. Raio  

 

State of Illinois )
  )  SS
County of Cook )

 

On this 13th day of October, 2022, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, the person named above who is known to me to be the person whose name and signature is affixed to the foregoing Power of Attorney and who acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the intent and purposes therein set forth.

 

“Official Seal”

 

  /s/ Melissa Hale  
Notary Public, State of Illinois   Notary Public  

 

My Commission Expires: 4/16/23

 

 

 

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Know All Men By These Presents, that the undersigned, a Director of the above-referenced corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints Joshua B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering securities of the above-referenced corporation, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of securities thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

In Witness Whereof, the undersigned Director of the above-referenced corporation has hereunto set his hand this 14th day of October, 2022.

 

  /s/ John K. Carter  
  John K. Carter  

 
State of Illinois )
  )  SS
County of Cook )

 

On this 14th day of October, 2022, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, the person named above who is known to me to be the person whose name and signature is affixed to the foregoing Power of Attorney and who acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the intent and purposes therein set forth.

 

“Official Seal”

 

  /s/ Melissa Hale  

Notary Public, State of Illinois Notary Public

 

My Commission Expires: 4/16/23