-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, OkBRCiHMG+RsgwDl5Nxnxhmk8GnVDSURmRhcEOstfKA0ME0+f6gWJVnBa6ja7wws FuDJXg97H4x0FnIf7LjUbQ== 0000950144-03-010559.txt : 20030903 0000950144-03-010559.hdr.sgml : 20030903 20030903143417 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950144-03-010559 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 485APOS PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 12 FILED AS OF DATE: 20030903 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NATIONS FUNDS TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001097519 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 485APOS SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-89661 FILM NUMBER: 03878800 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28255 BUSINESS PHONE: 8003217854 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE BANKOF AMERICA PLAZA CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28255 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NATIONS FUNDS TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001097519 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 485APOS SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-09645 FILM NUMBER: 03878801 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28255 BUSINESS PHONE: 8003217854 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE BANKOF AMERICA PLAZA CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28255 485APOS 1 g84302ae485apos.txt NATIONS FUNDS TRUST N-1A/A PE AM#33 As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 3, 2003 Registration No. 333-89661; 811-09645 ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ---------------------- FORM N-1A* REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ ] Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 [X] REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ ] Amendment No. 34 [X] (Check appropriate box or boxes) ------------------- NATIONS FUNDS TRUST (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in Charter) 101 South Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28255 (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code) -------------------------- Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (800) 321-7854 Robert B. Carroll c/o Bank of America Corporation One Bank of America Plaza 101 South Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28255 (Name and Address of Agent for Service) With copies to: Marco E. Adelfio, Esq. Carl Frischling, Esq. Steven G. Cravath, Esq. Kramer Levin Naftalis Morrison & Foerster LLP & Frankel 2000 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. 919 3rd Avenue Suite 5500 New York, New York 10022 Washington, D.C. 20006 It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box): [ ] Immediately upon filing pursuant [ ] on (date) pursuant to Rule 485(b), or to Rule 485(b), or [X] 60 days after filing pursuant [ ] on (date) pursuant to Rule 485(a),* or to Rule 485(a). [ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to [ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) paragraph(a)(2) of Rule 485 If appropriate, check the following box: [ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. * The Registrant has requested acceleration of effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment to September 30, 2003 or as soon thereafter as possible. EXPLANATORY NOTE The Registrant is filing this Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement of Nations Funds Trust (the "Trust") in order to make certain changes to the investment objective and principal investment strategies of Nations Capital Growth Fund. With the exception of the portion Part A included in this filing, Part A and Part B are hereby incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. Please note that pursuant to Rule 461(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant is requesting that the effective date of this Registrations Statement be accelerated to September 30, 2003 or as soon thereafter as possible. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
Part A Item No. Prospectus - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- 1. Front and Back Cover Pages ....................... Front and Back Cover Pages 2. Risk/Return Summary: Investments, Risks and Performance................................... About this Prospectus 3. Risk/Return Summary: Fee Tables................... About the Funds; Financial Highlights 4. Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies, and Related Risks.......... About the Funds; Other Important Information 5. Management's Discussion of Fund Performance....................................... About the Funds 6. Management, Organization, and Capital Structure................................. What's Inside; About the Funds; How the Funds Are Managed; About your Investment 7. Shareholder Information........................... About the Funds; About your Investment 8. Distribution Arrangements......................... Information for Investors 9. Financial Highlights Information.................. Financial Highlights; About the Funds
Part B Item No. - ------------------------------------------------------- 10. Cover Page and Table of Contents................. Cover Page and Table of Contents 11. Fund History..................................... Introduction
12. Description of the Fund and Its Investments and Risks........................... Additional Information on Portfolio Investments 13. Management of the Funds......................... Trustees And Officers; Investment Advisory, Administration, Custody Transfer Agency, Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Agreements 14. Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities........................... Not Applicable 15. Investment Advisory and Other Services.......... Investment Advisory, Administration, Custody, Transfer Agency, Shareholder Servicing And Distribution Agreements 16. Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices........ Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage--General Brokerage Policy 17. Capital Stock and Other Securities...................................... Description Of Shares; Investment Advisory, Administration, Custody, Transfer Custody, Transfer Agency, Shareholder Servicing And Distribution Agreements 18. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares....................................... Net Asset Value -- Purchases And Redemptions; Distributor 19. Taxation of the Fund............................ Additional Information Concerning axes 20. Underwriters.................................... Investment Advisory, Administration Custody, Transfer Agency Shareholder Servicing And Distribution Agreements; Distributor 21. Calculation of Performance Data................. Additional Information on Performance 22. Financial Statements............................ Independent Accountant and Reports
Part C Item No. Other Information - -------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate Item, so numbered, in Part C of this Document
NATIONS CAPITAL GROWTH FUND - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THE SUB-ADVISER BACAP IS THIS FUND'S ADVISER, AND MARSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC (MARSICO CAPITAL) IS ITS SUB-ADVISER. THOMAS F. MARSICO AND JAMES A. HILLARY ARE THE CO-PORTFOLIO MANAGERS AND MAKE THE DAY-TO-DAY INVESTMENT DECISIONS FOR THE FUND. WHY INVEST IN A GROWTH FUND? GROWTH FUNDS INVEST IN COMPANIES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN REVENUE OR EARNINGS. THESE ARE TYPICALLY COMPANIES THAT ARE DEVELOPING OR APPLYING NEW TECHNOLOGIES, PRODUCTS OR SERVICES IN GROWING INDUSTRY SECTORS. WHILE THIS FUND INVESTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES, IT HOLDS FEWER INVESTMENTS THAN OTHER KINDS OF FUNDS. THIS MEANS IT CAN HAVE GREATER PRICE SWINGS THAN MORE DIVERSIFIED FUNDS. IT ALSO MEANS IT MAY HAVE RELATIVELY HIGHER RETURNS WHEN ONE OF ITS INVESTMENTS PERFORMS WELL, OR RELATIVELY LOWER RETURNS WHEN AN INVESTMENT PERFORMS POORLY. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (TARGET GRAPHIC) INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. (COMPASS GRAPHIC) PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large capitalization companies that are selected for their growth potential. It generally holds a core position of between 35 and 50 securities. It may hold up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities.
The Fund may also invest in securities that aren't part of its principal investment strategies, but it won't hold more than 10% of its assets in any one type of these securities. These securities are described in the SAI. Marsico Capital uses an approach that combines "top-down" economic analysis with "bottom-up" stock selection. The "top-down" approach takes into consideration such macroeconomic factors as interest rates, inflation, the regulatory environment and the global competitive landscape. In addition, Marsico Capital also examines such factors as the most attractive global investment opportunities, industry consolidation and the sustainability of economic trends. As a result of the "top-down" analysis, Marsico Capital identifies sectors, industries and companies which it believes should benefit from the overall trends that Marsico Capital has observed. Marsico Capital then looks for individual companies with earnings growth potential that may not be recognized by the market at large. In determining whether a particular company is suitable for investment, Marsico Capital focuses on a number of different attributes including the company's specific market expertise or dominance, its franchise durability and pricing power, solid fundamentals (e.g. a strong balance sheet, improving returns on equity, the ability to generate free cash flow, apparent use of conservative accounting standards and transparent financial disclosure), strong and ethical management, apparent commitment to shareholder interests and reasonable valuations in the context of projected growth rates. This is called "bottom-up" stock selection. As part of this fundamental, "bottom-up" research, Marsico Capital may visit with various levels of a company's management as well as with its customers, suppliers and competitors. Marsico Capital also prepares detailed earnings and cash flow models of companies. These models permit Marsico Capital to project earnings growth and other important characteristics under different scenarios. Each model is customized to follow a particular company and is intended to replicate and describe a company's past, present and future performance. The models include quantitative information and detailed narratives that reflect updated interpretations of corporate data. Marsico Capital may sell a security when it believes there is a deterioration in the company's financial situation, the security is overvalued, when there is a negative development in the company's competitive, regulatory or economic environment, or for other reasons. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YOU'LL FIND MORE ABOUT OTHER RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND IN OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND IN THE SAI. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (LINE GRAPH) RISKS AND OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER Nations Capital Growth Fund has the following risks:
- INVESTMENT STRATEGY RISK -- Marsico Capital uses an investment strategy that tries to identify equities with growth potential. There is a risk that the value of these investments will not rise as high as Marsico Capital expects, or will fall. - STOCK MARKET RISK -- The value of the stocks the Fund holds can be affected by changes in U.S. or foreign economies and financial markets, and the companies that issue the stocks, among other things. Stock prices can rise or fall over short as well as long periods. In general, stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. - TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED RISK -- The Fund may invest in technology and technology-related companies, which can be significantly affected by obsolescence of existing technology, short product cycles, falling prices and profits, and competition from new market entrants. - FOREIGN INVESTMENT RISK -- Because the Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities, it can be affected by the risks of foreign investing. Foreign investments may be riskier than U.S. investments because of political and economic conditions, changes in currency exchange rates, foreign controls on investment, difficulties selling some securities and lack of or limited financial information. Significant levels of foreign taxes, including withholding taxes, also may apply to some foreign investments. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST ONE BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA 33rd FLOOR CHARLOTTE, NC 28255 1-800-626-2275 FORM N-1A PART C OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 23. EXHIBITS All references to the "Registration Statement" in the following list of Exhibits refer to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-89661; 811-09645)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT LETTER DESCRIPTION - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Articles of Incorporation: (a)(1) Certificate of Trust dated October 22, 1999, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed February 10, 2000. (a)(2) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust last amended July 28, 2003, to be filed by amendment. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (b) Bylaws: Not Applicable - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) Instruments Defining Rights of Securities Holders: Not Applicable - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (d) Investment Advisory Contracts: (d)(1) Investment Advisory Agreement between Banc of America Capital Management, LLC ("BACAP") and Nations Funds Trust ("Registrant") dated January 1, 2003, Schedule I dated August 1, 2003, filed herewith. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C-1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT LETTER DESCRIPTION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (d)(2) BACAP Assumption Agreement on behalf of the LifeGoal Portfolios dated January 1, 2003, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30, filed June 18, 2003. (d)(3) Investment Advisory Agreement between BACAP and the Registrant on behalf of the Fixed Income Sector Portfolios dated January 1, 2003, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30, filed June 18, 2003. (d)(4) BACAP Assumption Agreement on behalf of the Fixed Income Sector Portfolios dated January 1, 2003, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30, filed June 18, 2003. (d)(5) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among BACAP, Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. ("Brandes") and the Registrant dated January 1, 2003, Schedule I dated July 18, 2003, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (e) Underwriting Contract: (e)(1) Distribution Agreement with BACAP Distributors dated January 1, 2003, Schedule I dated August 1, 2003, filed herewith. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts: (f)(1) Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 9, 1999 last amended February 28, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20, filed May 1, 2002. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (g) Custodian Agreements: (g)(1) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York ("BNY") dated July 2, 2001, Schedule I dated August 1, 2003, filed herewith. (g)(2) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Bank of America, N.A. on behalf of the LifeGoal Portfolios dated June 8, 2001, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed July 31, 2001. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (h) Other Material Contracts: (h)(1) Administration Agreement between the Registrant and BACAP Distributors, Schedule A dated August 1, 2003, filed herewith. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C-2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT LETTER DESCRIPTION - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (h)(2) Sub-Administration Agreement among the Registrant, BNY and BACAP Distributors, Schedule I dated August 1, 2003, filed herewith. (h)(3) Shareholder Servicing Plan relating to Investor B Shares, Exhibit I amended July 18, 2003, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. (h)(4) Shareholder Servicing Plan relating to Investor C Shares, Exhibit I amended July 18, 2003, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. (h)(5) Shareholder Servicing Plan relating to Adviser Class Shares, Exhibit I amended May 10, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. (h)(6) Shareholder Servicing Plan relating to Daily Class Shares, Exhibit I amended May 10, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. (h)(7) Shareholder Servicing Plan relating to Investor Class Shares, Exhibit I amended May 10, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. (h)(8) Shareholder Servicing Plan relating to Liquidity Class Shares, Exhibit I amended May 10, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. (h)(9) Shareholder Servicing Plan relating to Market Class Shares, Exhibit I amended May 10, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. (h)(10) Shareholder Servicing Plan relating to Service Class Shares, Schedule I amended May 10, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. (h)(1) Shareholder Administration Plan relating to Investor B and Investor C Shares, Exhibit I amended May 10, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. (h)(12) Shareholder Administration Plan relating to Institutional Class Shares, Exhibit I amended May 10, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C-3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT LETTER DESCRIPTION - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (h)(13) Shareholder Administration Plan relating to Trust Class Shares, Exhibit I amended May 10, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. (h)(14) Transfer Agency and Services Agreement between PFPC Inc. (formerly First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.) ("PFPC") and the Nations Funds family dated June 1, 1995, Schedule G dated August 1, 2003, filed herewith. (h)(15) Adoption Agreement and Amendment to Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated February 14, 2000, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed February 10, 2000. (h)(16) Amendment to Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated January 1, 1999, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed February 10, 2000. (h)(17) Sub-Transfer Agency Agreement between PFPC and Bank of America, N.A. ("Bank of America") dated September 11, 1995, Schedule A dated August 1, 2003, filed herewith. (h)(18) Amendment No. 1 to the Sub-Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated January 3, 2000, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6, filed December 27, 2000. (h)(19) Amendment No. 2 to the Sub-Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated December 1, 2000, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6, filed December 27, 2000. (h)(20) Amended and Restated Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between BNY and the Nations Funds family dated July 2, 2001, Appendix dated August 1, 2003, filed herewith. (h)(21) Cross Indemnification Agreement among Nations Fund Trust, Nations Fund, Inc., Nations Reserves, Nations Master Investment Trust and the Registrant dated February 14, 2000, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed February 10, 2000. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Legal Opinion (i)(1) Not Applicable. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C-4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT LETTER DESCRIPTION - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (j) Other Opinions (j)(1) Not Applicable. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (k) Omitted Financial Statements Not Applicable - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (l) Initial Capital Agreements: (l)(1) Investment Letter, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed February 10, 2000. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (m) Rule 12b-1 Plans: (m)(1) Shareholder Administration Plan relating to Primary B Shares, Exhibit A amended August 1, 2003, filed herewith. (m)(2) Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plan relating to Investor A Shares, Exhibit A amended August 1, 2003, filed herewith. (m)(3) Form of Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plan relating to Investor R Shares, dated September [ ], 2003, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31, filed July 3, 2003. (m)(4) Distribution Plan relating to Investor B Shares, Exhibit A amended July 18, 2003, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. (m)(5) Distribution Plan relating to Investor C Shares, Exhibit A amended July 18, 2003, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. (m)(6) Distribution Plan relating to Daily Class Shares, Exhibit A amended October 8, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. (m)(7) Distribution Plan relating to Investor Class Shares, Exhibit A amended October 8, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. (m)(8) Distribution Plan relating to Liquidity Class Shares, Exhibit A amended October 8, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C-5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT LETTER DESCRIPTION - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (m)(9) Distribution Plan relating to Market Class Shares, Exhibit A amended October 8, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. (m)(10) Distribution Plan relating to Service Class Shares, Exhibit A amended October 8, 2002, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed July 31, 2003. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (n) Financial Data Schedule: Not Applicable. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (o) Rule 18f-3 Plan: (o)(1) Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan, last amended August 1, 2003, filed herewith. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (p) Codes of Ethics: (p)(1) Nations Funds Family Code of Ethics, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26, filed July 31, 2002. (p)(2) BACAP and BACAP Distributors Code of Ethics, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20, filed May 1, 2002. (p)(3) Brandes Code of Ethics, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9, filed April 9, 2001. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (q)(1) Powers of Attorney for Edmund L. Benson, Charles B. Walker, A. Max Walker, Thomas S. Word, Jr., William H. Grigg, Thomas F. Keller, Carl E. Mundy, Jr., James B. Sommers, Cornelius J. Pings, William P. Carmichael, Robert H. Gordon and Edward D. Bedard, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29, filed April 21, 2003. (q)(2) Power of Attorney for Minor Mickel Shaw, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30, filed June 18, 2003. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OF UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE FUND No person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant. C-6 ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION Article VII of the Declaration of Trust provides for the indemnification of the Registrant's trustees, officers, employees and other agents. Indemnification of the Registrant's administrators, distributor, custodian and transfer agents is provided for, respectively, in the Registrant's: 1. Administration Agreement with BACAP Distributors; 2. Sub-Administration Agreement with BNY and BACAP Distributors; 3. Distribution Agreement with BACAP Distributors; 4. Custody Agreement with BNY; 5. Custody Agreement with Bank of America, N.A.; 6. Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with PFPC; and 7. Sub-Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with PFPC and Bank of America. The Registrant has entered into a Cross Indemnification Agreement with Nations Fund Trust (the "Trust") Nations Fund, Inc. (the "Company"), Nations Reserves ("Reserves") and Nations Master Investment Trust ("Master Trust") dated February 14, 2000. The Trust, the Company, Reserves and/or Master Trust will indemnify and hold harmless the Registrant against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, to which the Registrant may become subject, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any prospectuses, any preliminary prospectuses, the registration statements, any other prospectuses relating to the securities, or any amendments or supplements to the foregoing (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Offering Documents"), or arise out of or are based upon the omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Offering Documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Registrant by the Trust, the Company, Reserves and/or Master Trust expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Registrant for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Registrant in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim; provided, however, that the Trust, the Company, Reserves and/or Master Trust shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Offering Documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Trust, the Company, Reserves and/or Master Trust by the Registrant expressly for use in the Offering Documents. C-7 Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. The Registrant has obtained from a major insurance carrier a trustees' and officers' liability policy covering certain types of errors and omissions. In no event will the Registrant indemnify any of its trustees, officers, employees, or agents against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of his/her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of his/her duties, or by reason of his/her reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his/her office or arising under his agreement with the Registrant. The Registrant will comply with Rule 484 under the 1933 Act and Release No. 11330 under the 1940 Act, in connection with any indemnification. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any act, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues. ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of BACAP, the adviser to the Registrant's portfolios, or Brandes, the investment sub-adviser to certain portfolios, except those set forth below, are or have been, at any time during the past two calendar years, engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, except that certain directors and officers also hold C-8 various positions with, and engage in business for, the company that owns all the outstanding stock (other than directors' qualifying shares) of BACAP or other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. (a) BACAP performs investment advisory services for the Registrant and certain other customers. BACAP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. Information with respect to each director and officer of the investment sub-adviser is incorporated by reference to Form ADV filed by BACAP (formerly TradeStreet Investment Associates, Inc.) with the SEC pursuant to the Advisers Act (file no. 801-50372). (b) Brandes performs investment sub-advisory services for the Registrant and certain other customers. Information with respect to each director and officer of the investment sub-adviser is incorporated by reference to Form ADV filed by Brandes with the SEC pursuant to the Advisers Act (file no. 801-24986). ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS (a) BACAP Distributors, placement agent for the Registrant, does not presently act as investment adviser for any other registered investment companies, but does act as distributor for Nations Separate Account Trust and Nations Funds Trust both of which are registered open-end management investment companies. (b) Information with respect to each director and officer of the placement agent is incorporated by reference to Form ADV filed by BACAP Distributors with the SEC pursuant to the 1940 Act (file no. 801-49874). (c) Not applicable. ITEM 28. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS (1) BACAP, One Bank of America Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28255 (records relating to its function as investment sub-adviser). (2) Brandes, 11988 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130 (records relating to its function as investment sub-adviser). (3) PFPC, 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809 (records relating to its function as transfer agent). (4) BACAP Distributors, One Bank of America Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28255 (records relating to its function as distributor and administrator). (5) BNY, 100 Church Street, New York, NY 10286 (records relating to its function as custodian and sub-administrator). (6) Bank of America, One Bank of America Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28255 (records relating to its function as sub-transfer agent). C-9 ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES Not Applicable ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS Not Applicable C-10 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(a) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Charlotte, State of North Carolina on the 3rd day of September, 2003. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST By: * ------------------------------------------ Robert H. Gordon President (Principal Executive Officer) and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE ---------- ----- ---- * Chairman September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ of the Board of Trustees (William P. Carmichael) * Chief Financial Officer September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (Principal Financial and (Edward D. Bedard) Accounting Officer) * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (Edmund L. Benson, III) * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ President (Principal Executive Officer) (Robert H. Gordon) and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (William H. Grigg) * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (Thomas F. Keller) * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (Carl E. Mundy, Jr.) * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (Cornelius J. Pings) * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (Minor Mickel Shaw) * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (Charles B. Walker) * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (Thomas S. Word) * Trustee September 3, 2003 - ------------------------ (James B. Sommers)
/s/ Robert B. Carroll - --------------------- Robert B. Carroll *Attorney-in-Fact EXHIBIT INDEX NATIONS FUNDS TRUST FILE NO. 333-89661 EX.-99.23(d)(1) Investment Advisory Agreement between BACAP and Nations Funds Trust EX.-99.23(e)(1) Distribution Agreement with BACAP Distributors EX.-99.23(g)(1) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement with The Bank of New York EX.-99.23(h)(1) Administration Agreement between BACAP Distributors and Nations Funds Trust EX.-99.23(h)(2) Sub-Administration Agreement among BNY, BACAP Distributors and Nations Funds Trust EX.-99.23(h)(14) Transfer Agency and Services Agreement between PFPC Inc. and the Nations Funds family EX.-99.23(h)(17) Sub-Transfer Agency Agreement between PFPC and Bank of America, N.A. EX.-99.23(h)(20) Amended and Restated Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between BNY and the Nations Funds family EX.-99.23(m)(1) Shareholder Administration Plan relating to Primary B Shares EX.-99.23(m)(2) Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plan relating to Investor A Shares EX.-99.23(o)(1) Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan EX-99.23(D)(1) 3 g84302aexv99w23xdyx1y.txt INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT / BACAP & NFST INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT NATIONS FUNDS TRUST THIS AGREEMENT is made as of January 1, 2003, by and between NATIONS FUNDS TRUST, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), and BANC OF AMERICA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company (the "Adviser"), on behalf of those series of the Trust now or hereafter identified on Schedule I (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"). WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"); WHEREAS, the Trust desires that the Adviser manage the investment operations of the Funds and the Adviser desires to manage said operations; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board"), including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined herein) of any party to this Agreement, have approved this arrangement; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows: 1. APPOINTMENT OF ADVISER. The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser and the Adviser hereby agrees to manage the investment operations of each Fund subject to the terms of this Agreement and subject to the supervision of the Board. The Trust and the Adviser contemplate that certain duties of the Adviser under this Agreement may be delegated to one or more investment sub-adviser(s) (the "Sub-Adviser(s)") pursuant to separate investment sub-advisory agreement(s) (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement(s)"). The Adviser may, in its discretion, provide services under this Agreement through its own employees or through one or more affiliated companies that are qualified to act as investment advisers under applicable law and are under common control of Bank of America Corporation. 2. SERVICES OF ADVISER. The Adviser shall perform, or arrange for the performance of, the management services necessary for the investment operations of each Fund, including but not limited to: (a) Managing the investment and reinvestment of all assets, now or hereafter acquired by each Fund, including determining what securities and other investments are to be purchased or sold for each Fund and executing transactions accordingly; (b) Transmitting trades to each Fund's custodian for settlement in accordance with each Fund's procedures and as may be directed by the Trust; -1- (c) Assisting in the preparation of all shareholder communications, including shareholder reports, and participating in shareholder relations; (d) Making recommendations as to the manner in which voting rights, rights to consent to Fund action and any other rights pertaining to each Fund's portfolio securities shall be exercised; (e) Making recommendations to the Board with respect to Fund investment policies and procedures, and carrying out such investment policies and procedures as are adopted by the Board; (f) Supplying reports, evaluations, analyses, statistical data and information to the Board or to the Funds' officers and other service providers as the Board may reasonably request from time to time or as may be necessary or appropriate for the operation of the Trust as an open-end investment company or as necessary to comply with Section 3(a) of this Agreement; (g) Maintaining all required books and records with respect to the investment decisions and securities transactions for each Fund; (h) Furnishing any and all other services, subject to review by the Board, that the Adviser from time to time determines to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement or as the Board may reasonably request from time to time. 3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADVISER. In carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, the Adviser agrees that it will: (a) Comply with all applicable law, including but not limited to the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act, the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and the conditions of any order affecting the Trust or a Fund issued thereunder; (b) Use the same skill and care in providing such services as it uses in providing services to other fiduciary accounts for which it has investment responsibilities; (c) Not make loans to any person for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Fund shares; (d) Place, or arrange for the placement of, all orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Funds either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer (including any affiliated broker or dealer). In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the -2- breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker or dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Adviser may also consider whether such broker or dealer furnishes research and other information or services to the Adviser; (e) Adhere to the investment objective, strategies and policies and procedures of the Trust adopted on behalf of each Fund; and (f) Maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment advisory services hereunder independently of the commercial banking operations of its affiliates. In making investment recommendations for a Fund, the Adviser's investment advisory personnel will not inquire or take into consideration whether the issuers (or related supporting institutions) of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the Fund's account are customers of the commercial departments of its affiliates. In dealing with commercial customers, such commercial departments will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those customers are held by the Fund. 4. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION. Each party agrees that it will treat confidentially all information provided by the other party regarding such other party's business and operations, including without limitation the investment activities or holdings of a Fund. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall not be disclosed to any unaffiliated third party without the prior consent of the providing party. The foregoing shall not apply to any information that is public when provided or thereafter becomes public or which is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority in the lawful and appropriate exercise of its jurisdiction over a party, by any auditor of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or regulation. 5. DELEGATION OF DUTIES. Subject to the approval of the Board and, if required, the shareholders of the Funds, the Adviser may delegate to one or more Sub-Adviser(s) any or all of its duties hereunder, provided that the Adviser shall continue to supervise and monitor the performance of the duties delegated to the Sub-Adviser(s) and any such delegation shall not relieve the Adviser of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser shall be solely responsible for compensating the Sub-Adviser(s) for performing any of the duties delegated to them. The Adviser may request that the Trust pay directly to the Sub-Adviser(s) the portion of the Adviser's compensation that the Adviser is obligated to pay to the Sub-Adviser(s). If the Trust agrees to such request, it will pay such portion to the Sub-Adviser(s) on behalf of the Adviser, thereby reducing the compensation paid to the Adviser by the amount paid directly to the Sub-Adviser(s). However, such an arrangement will not relieve the Adviser of its responsibility for compensating the Sub-Adviser(s). In the event that any Sub-Adviser appointed hereunder is terminated, the Adviser may provide investment advisory services pursuant to this Agreement through its own employees or through one or more affiliated companies that are -3- qualified to act as investment advisers under applicable law and are under common control of Bank of America Corporation or through other Sub-Adviser(s) as approved by the Trust in accordance with applicable law. 6. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The services furnished by the Adviser hereunder are deemed not to be exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to furnish similar services to others so long as its provision of services under this Agreement is not impaired thereby. To the extent that the purchase or sale of securities or other investments of the same issuer may be deemed by the Adviser to be suitable for two or more accounts managed by the Adviser, the available securities or investments may be allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each account. It is recognized that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtainable for or disposed of by a Fund. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Adviser's partners, officers or employees to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Adviser's right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association. 7. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Trust has furnished the Adviser with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of each of the following: (a) the Trust's Certificate of Trust, as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and Declaration of Trust (such Declaration of Trust, as presently in effect and as from time to time amended, is herein called the "Declaration of Trust"); (b) the most recent prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional information relating to each Fund (such prospectus(es) together with the related statement(s) of additional information, as presently in effect and all amendments and supplements thereto, are herein called the "Prospectus"); and (c) any and all applicable policies and procedures approved by the Board. The Trust will promptly furnish the Adviser with copies of any and all amendments of or additions or supplements to the foregoing. 8. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Adviser hereby agrees that all records that it maintains for each Fund under this Agreement are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon request. The Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. 9. EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS. Except to the extent expressly assumed by the Adviser and except to any extent required by law to be paid or reimbursed by the Adviser, the Adviser -4- shall have no duty to pay any ordinary operating expenses incurred in the organization and operation of the Funds. Ordinary operating expenses include, but are not limited to, brokerage commissions and other transaction charges, taxes, legal, auditing, printing, or governmental fees, other service providers' fees and expenses, expenses of issue, sale, redemption and repurchase of shares, expenses of registering and qualifying shares for sale, expenses relating to Board and shareholder meetings, the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders and interest payments and other fees or charges associated with any credit facilities established by or on behalf of the Funds. 10. COMPENSATION. Except as otherwise provided herein, for the services provided to each Fund and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust will pay the Adviser and the Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor a fee determined in accordance with Schedule I attached hereto; provided, however, that the compensation paid to the Adviser shall be reduced by any amount paid by the Trust directly to the Sub-Advisor(s) pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement. In addition, the Adviser or its affiliated persons may receive compensation or reimbursement of recordkeeping, bookkeeping, accounting, administrative and transactional fees or charges incurred in connection with any credit facilities established by or on behalf of the Funds. The fees or charges attributable to each Fund shall be a separate charge to such Fund and shall be the several (and not joint or joint and several) obligation of each such Fund. The Trust and the Adviser may, from time to time, agree to reduce, limit or waive the amounts payable hereunder with respect to one or more Funds for such period or periods they deem advisable. 11. LIABILITY OF ADVISER. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services, or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on the part of the Adviser or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents, in the performance of their duties under this Agreement, or from reckless disregard by it of obligations and duties under this Agreement. 12. TERM AND APPROVAL. This Agreement will become effective as of the date set forth herein above, and shall continue in effect until the second anniversary of its effective date. This Agreement will become effective with respect to each additional Fund as of the date set forth on Schedule I when each such Fund is added thereto. The Agreement shall continue in effect for a Fund after the second anniversary of the effective date for successive annual periods ending on each anniversary of such date, provided that the continuation of the Agreement is specifically approved for the Fund at least annually: (a)(i) by the Board or (ii) by the vote of "a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act); and (b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a party to this Agreement (other than as Trustees of the -5- Trust), by votes cast in person at a meeting specifically called for such purpose. 13. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated without payment of any penalty at any time by: (a) the Trust with respect to a Fund, by vote of the Board or by vote of a majority of a Fund's outstanding voting securities, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Adviser; or (b) the Adviser with respect to a Fund, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Trust. Any party entitled to notice may waive the notice provided for herein. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, unless an order is issued by the Commission conditionally or unconditionally exempting such assignment from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the 1940 Act, in which event this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect subject to the terms of such order. For the purposes of this paragraph, the definitions contained in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act and the applicable rules under the 1940 Act shall apply. 14. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. 15. NOTICES. Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to such address as may be designated for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice, it is agreed that the address of the Trust shall be One Bank of America Plaza, 33rd Floor, 101 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255, Attention: Secretary, and that of the Adviser shall be One Bank of America Plaza, 33rd Floor, 101 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255, Attention: President. 16. RELEASE. The names "Nations Funds Trust" and "Trustees of Nations Funds Trust" refer respectively to the Trust created by the Declaration of Trust and the Trustees as Trustees but not individually or personally. All parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any and all liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement will be satisfied solely out of the assets of the Trust and that no Trustee, officer or shareholder shall be personally liable for any such liabilities. All persons dealing with any Fund of the Trust must look solely to the property belonging to such Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust. 17. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto. Each provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. 18. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, Delaware law and the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act. -6- 19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. -7- IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST on behalf of the Funds By: /s/ Robert H. Gordon -------------------- Robert H. Gordon President BANC OF AMERICA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC By: /s/ Edward D. Bedard -------------------- Edward D. Bedard Senior Vice President -8- SCHEDULE I The Trust shall pay the Adviser, as full compensation for services provided and expenses assumed hereunder, an advisory fee for each Fund, computed daily and payable monthly at the annual rates listed below as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund:
RATE OF EFFECTIVE FUND COMPENSATION DATE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nations MidCap Index Fund 0.40% 03/30/00 Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund 0.50% 07/14/00 Nations Global Value Fund 0.90% 04/09/01 Nations Asset Allocation Fund 0.65% 06/08/01 Nations Government Securities Fund 0.50% up to $200 million 06/08/01 0.45% up to $250 million 0.40% in excess of $250 million Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio 0.25% 06/08/01 Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio 0.25% 06/08/01 Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio 0.25% 06/08/01 Nations MidCap Value Fund 0.75% 11/19/01 Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves 0.15% 02/15/02 Nations Value Fund 0.65% 05/17/02 Nations Capital Growth Fund 0.65% 05/10/02 Nations MidCap Growth Fund 0.65% 05/10/02 Nations LargeCap Index Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations SmallCap Index Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund 0.30% 05/10/02 Nations Municipal Income Fund 0.50% 05/10/02 Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 0.30% 05/10/02 Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations Short-Term Income Fund 0.30% 05/10/02 Nations Strategic Income Fund 0.50% 05/10/02 Nations Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund 0.50% 05/10/02 Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 05/10/02 Nations Cash Reserves 0.15% 05/10/02 Nations Treasury Reserves 0.15% 05/10/02 Nations Municipal Reserves 0.15% 05/10/02 Nations Government Reserves 0.15% 05/10/02 Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves 0.15% 05/10/02 Nations Money Market Reserves 0.15% 05/10/02 Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves 0.15% 05/10/02 Nations Convertible Securities Fund 0.65% 05/10/02 Nations California Municipal Bond Fund 0.50% 05/17/02
-9-
RATE OF EFFECTIVE FUND COMPENSATION DATE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nations Small Company Fund 0.90% 05/17/02 Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.40% 08/14/02
Approved: November 21, 2002 Last Amended: August 1, 2003 -10- IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this amended Schedule I to be executed by their officers designated below as of the 1st day of August, 2003. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST on behalf of the Funds By: /s/ Robert B. Carroll --------------------- Robert B. Carroll Secretary BANC OF AMERICA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC By: /s/ Edward D. Bedard -------------------- Edward D. Bedard Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Vice President and Treasurer -11- EX-99.23(E)(1) 4 g84302aexv99w23xeyx1y.txt DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT W/BACAP DISTRIBUTORS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT NATIONS FUNDS TRUST THIS AGREEMENT is made as of January 1, 2003, by and between NATIONS FUNDS TRUST, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust") on behalf of each series of the Trust now or hereafter identified on Schedule I (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"), and BACAP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company (the "Distributor"). Absent written notification to the contrary by either the Trust or the Distributor, each new investment portfolio established in the future shall automatically become a "Fund" for all purposes hereunder and shares of each new class established in the future shall automatically become "Shares" for all purposes hereunder as if set forth on Schedule I. WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Distributor as the exclusive distributor of the units of beneficial interest in all classes of shares ("Shares") of the Funds, and the Distributor is willing to render such services; and WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"). NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows: 1. SERVICES AS DISTRIBUTOR. 1.1. The Distributor will act as agent for the distribution of Shares in accordance with any instructions of the Trust's Board of Trustees and with the Trust's registration statement then in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and will transmit promptly any orders properly received by it for the purchase or redemption of Shares to the Trust or its transfer agent, or their designated agents. As used in this Agreement, the term "registration statement" shall mean any registration statement, specifically including, among other items, any then-current prospectus together with any related then-current statement of additional information, filed with the SEC with respect to Shares, and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been filed. 1.2. The Distributor agrees to use appropriate efforts to solicit orders for the sale of Shares and will undertake such advertising and promotion, as it believes appropriate in connection with such solicitation. The Distributor agrees to offer and sell Shares at the applicable public offering price or net asset value next determined after an order is received. The Trust understands that the Distributor is and may in the future be the distributor of shares of other investment company portfolios including portfolios having investment objectives similar to those of the Funds. The Trust further understands that existing and future investors in the Funds may 1 invest in shares of such other portfolios. The Trust agrees that the Distributor's duties to such portfolios shall not be deemed in conflict with its duties to the Trust under this paragraph 1.2. 1.3. The Distributor shall, at its own expense, finance such activities as it deems reasonable and which are primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares, including, but not limited to, advertising, compensation of underwriters, dealers and sales personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature. The Distributor shall be responsible for reviewing and providing advice on all sales literature (e.g., advertisements, brochures and shareholder communications) with respect to each of the Funds, and shall file with the NASD or the appropriate regulators all such materials as are required to be filed under applicable laws and regulations in compliance with such laws and regulations. In addition, the Distributor will provide sufficient personnel, during normal business hours, reasonably necessary to respond to telephone questions with respect to the Funds. 1.4. In connection with all matters relating to this Agreement, the Distributor agrees to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, the regulations of the NASD and all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. 1.5. Whenever in their judgment such action is warranted by unusual market, economic or political conditions, or by other circumstances of any kind, the Trust's officers may decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of Shares until such time as those officers deem it advisable to accept such orders and to make such sales. 1.6. The Trust agrees at its own expense to execute any and all documents and to furnish any and all information and otherwise to take, or cause to be taken, all actions that may be reasonably necessary in connection with the qualification of Shares for sale in such states as the Trust directs and in such states as the Distributor may recommend to the Trust which the Trust approves, and the Trust shall pay all fees and other expenses incurred in connection with such qualification. 1.7. The Trust shall furnish from time to time, for use in connection with the sale of Shares, such information with respect to the Funds and Shares as the Distributor may reasonably request and the Trust warrants that the statements contained in any such information shall fairly show or represent what they purport to show or represent. The Trust shall also furnish the Distributor upon request with: (a) audited annual and unaudited semi-annual statements of the Trust's books and accounts with respect to each Fund, and (b) from time to time such additional information regarding the Funds' financial condition as the Distributor may reasonably request. 1.8. The Distributor may be reimbursed for all or a portion of the expenses described above and/or compensated for services rendered hereunder, to the extent permitted by a distribution plan adopted by the Trust on behalf of a Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit any payments by a Fund to the Distributor or by a Fund or the Distributor to banks, broker/dealers or other financial institutions 2 through whom Shares of the Fund are sold where such payments are made under a distribution plan adopted by the Trust on behalf of such Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Distributor shall be entitled to retain any front-end sales charge imposed upon the sale of Shares (and reallow a portion thereof) as specified in the Trust's registration statement and the Trust shall pay to the Distributor the proceeds from any contingent deferred sales charge imposed on the redemption of Shares as specified in the Trust's registration statement. 1.9. The Distributor shall prepare reports for the Board of Trustees of the Trust regarding its activities under this Agreement as from time to time shall be reasonably requested by the Board, including reports regarding the use of Rule 12b-1 payments received by the Distributor, if any. 1.10. The Distributor shall enter into written agreements with banks, broker/dealers and other financial institutions, based on such form(s) of sales support agreements as may be approved by the Board of Trustees from time to time. The Distributor also may enter into such agreements based on such additional forms of agreement as it deems appropriate, provided that the Distributor determines that the Trust's and the Funds' responsibility or liability to any person on account of any acts or statements of any such selling agent under any such sales support agreement do not exceed their responsibility or liability under the form(s) approved by the Board of Trustees, and provided further that the Distributor determines that the overall terms of any such sales support agreement are not materially less advantageous to the Trust than the overall terms of the form(s) approved by the Board of Trustees. In entering into and performing such agreements, the Distributor shall act as principal and not as agent for the Trust or any Fund. 2. REPRESENTATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION. 2.1. The Trust represents to the Distributor that all registration statements filed by the Trust with the SEC under the 1933 Act, with respect to Shares have been prepared in conformity with the requirements of the 1933 Act and rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder. The Trust represents and warrants to the Distributor that any registration statement, when such registration statement becomes effective, will contain all statements required to be stated therein in conformity with the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC; that all statements of fact contained in any such registration statement will be true and correct when such registration statement becomes effective; and that no registration statement, when such registration statement becomes effective, will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of Shares. The Trust authorizes the Distributor and authorized banks, broker/dealers and other financial institutions to use any prospectus or statement of additional information in the form furnished from time to time in connection with the sale of Shares and represented by the Trust as being the then-current form of prospectus or then-current form of statement of additional information. 2.2. The Trust agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor, its several officers and directors, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of 3 Section 15 of the 1933 Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Distributor, its officers and directors, or any such controlling person, may incur under the 1933 Act or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact contained in any registration statement or arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any registration statement or necessary to make any statement in such documents not misleading; provided, however, that the Trust's agreement to indemnify the Distributor, its officers and directors, and any such controlling person shall not be deemed to cover any claims, demands, liabilities or expenses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any registration statement or in any financial or other statements in reliance upon and in conformity with any information furnished to the Trust by the Distributor or any affiliate thereof and used in the preparation thereof; and further provided that the Trust's agreement to indemnify the Distributor, its officers and directors, and any such controlling person shall not be deemed to cover any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Distributor, its officers and directors, or any such controlling person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Distributor's, its officer's or director's, or any such controlling person's duties, or by reason of the Distributor's, its officer's or director's, or any such controlling person's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this indemnity agreement, to the extent that it might require indemnity of any person who is an officer or director of the Distributor or any person who controls the Distributor and who is also an officer or Trustee of the Trust, shall not inure to the benefit of such officer, director or controlling person unless a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine, or it shall have been determined by controlling precedent, that such result would not be against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act. The Trust's agreement to indemnify the Distributor, its officers and directors, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Trust's being notified of any action brought against the Distributor, its officers or directors, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given in writing and to be transmitted by personal delivery, first class mail, overnight courier, facsimile or other electronic means to the address or facsimile number contained in paragraph 9 of this Agreement, or to such other addresses or facsimile numbers as the parties hereto may specify from time to time in writing and such notification to be sent to the Trust within a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first legal process shall have been served. The failure to so notify the Trust of any such action shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which the Trust may have to the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any such untrue, or allegedly untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of the Trust's indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph 2.2. The Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand or liability, but, in such case, such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by the Trust and approved by the Distributor, which approval shall not unreasonably be withheld. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing approved by the Distributor, the 4 defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Distributor reasonably does not approve of counsel chosen by the Trust, the Trust will reimburse the Distributor, its officers and directors, or the controlling person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the Distributor or them. The Trust's indemnification agreement contained in this paragraph 2.2 and the Trust's representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Distributor, its officers or directors, or any controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Distributor's benefit, to the benefit of its several officers and directors, and their respective estates, and to the benefit of the controlling persons and their successors. The Trust agrees promptly to notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Trust or any of its officers or Trustees in connection with the issue and sale of any Shares. 2.3. The Distributor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, its several officers and Trustees, and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the costs of investigation or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Trust, its officers or Trustees or any such controlling person, may incur under the 1933 Act or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Trust, its officers or Trustees, or such controlling person resulting from such claims or demands, shall arise out of or be based upon (a) any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in information furnished by the Distributor or any affiliate thereof to the Trust or its counsel and used in the Trust's registration statement, or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with such information furnished by the Distributor or any affiliate thereof to the Trust or its counsel required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not misleading or (b) any alleged willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Distributor's obligations and duties under the Agreement or by reason of its alleged reckless disregard thereof. The Distributor's agreement to indemnify the Trust, its officers and Trustees, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Distributor's being notified of any action brought against the Trust, its officers or Trustees, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given in writing and to be transmitted by personal delivery, first class mail, overnight courier, facsimile or other electronic means to the address or facsimile number contained in paragraph 9 of this Agreement, or to such other addresses or facsimile numbers as the parties hereto may specify from time to time in writing and such notification to be sent to the Distributor by the person against whom such action is brought, within a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first legal process shall have been served. The Distributor shall have the right to control the defense of such action, with counsel of good standing of its own choosing, approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, if such action is based solely upon such alleged misstatement or omission on the Distributor's part or any affiliate thereof, and in any other event the Trust, its officers or Trustees or such controlling person shall each have the right to participate in the 5 defense or preparation of the defense of any such action. The failure to so notify the Distributor of any such action shall not relieve the Distributor or any affiliate thereof from any liability which the Distributor or any affiliate thereof may have to the Trust, its officers or Trustees, or to such controlling person by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission, or other conduct covered by this indemnity agreement, otherwise than on account of the Distributor's indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph 2.3. 2.4. No Shares shall be offered by either the Distributor or the Trust under any of the provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long as the effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the 1933 Act, or if and so long as a current prospectus, as required by Section 10(b) of the 1933 Act is not on file with the SEC; provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph 2.4 shall in any way restrict or have any application to or bearing upon the Trust's obligation to repurchase Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the Trust's prospectus or Declaration of Trust. 2.5. The Trust agrees to advise the Distributor as soon as reasonably practicable of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or of the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose. 3. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Distributor agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other information relative to the Funds and/or the Trust and its prior, present or potential shareholders, and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except when so requested by the Trust or after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Distributor may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities. In accordance with Regulation S-P, the Distributor and its affiliates will not disclose any non-public personal information, as defined in Regulation S-P, received from the Trust or any Fund regarding any shareholder; provided, however, that the Distributor and its affiliates may disclose such information to any party as necessary in the ordinary course of business to carry out the purposes for which such information was disclosed to the Distributor and its affiliates, or as may be permitted by law. The Distributor agrees to use reasonable precautions to protect and prevent the unintentional disclosure of such non-public personal information. 6 4. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM. The Distributor represents and warrants that it (a) has adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program ("AML Program") that satisfies the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations; and (b) will notify the Trust promptly if an inspection by the appropriate regulatory authorities of its AML Program identifies any material deficiency, and will promptly remedy any material deficiency of which it learns. 5. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. Except as provided in paragraph 2.3, the Distributor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or any Fund in connection with matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. 6. TERM. This Agreement shall become effective on the date of its execution and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the date written above. This Agreement shall thereafter continue from year to year, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Trust's Board of Trustees, or (ii) a vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by the majority of the Trust's Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. This Agreement is not assignable and is terminable with respect to a Fund, without penalty, on not less than sixty (60) days' written notice, by the Trust's Board of Trustees, by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund, or by the Distributor. This Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). 7. RELEASE The names "Nations Funds Trust" and "Trustees of Nations Funds Trust" refer respectively to the Trust created by the Declaration of Trust and the Trustees as Trustees but not individually or personally. All parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any and all liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement will be satisfied solely out of the assets of the Trust and that no Trustee, officer or shareholder shall be personally liable for any such liabilities. All persons dealing with any Fund of the Trust must look solely to the property belonging to such Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust. 8. MISCELLANEOUS. 8.1. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which an enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. 7 8.2 This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. 9. NOTICES. Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to such address as may be designated for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice, it is agreed that the address of the Trust shall be One Bank of America Plaza, 33rd Floor, 101 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255, Attention: Secretary, and that of the Distributor shall be One Bank of America Plaza, 33rd Floor, 101 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255, Attention: Senior Vice President. 10. COUNTERPARTS. 10.1 This Agreement may be executed in any manner of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. 8 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST on behalf of the Funds By: /s/ Robert H. Gordon -------------------- Robert H. Gordon President BACAP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC By: /s/ Edward D. Bedard -------------------- Edward D. Bedard Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer 9 SCHEDULE I NATIONS FUNDS TRUST: 1. Corporate Bond Portfolio 2. High Income Portfolio 3. Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Portfolio 4. Nations Asset Allocation Fund 5. Nations Bond Fund 6. Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 7. Nations California Municipal Bond Fund 8. Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves 9. Nations Capital Growth Fund 10. Nations Cash Reserves 11. Nations Convertible Securities Fund 12. Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 13. Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund 14. Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 15. Nations Global Value Fund 16. Nations Government Reserves 17. Nations Government Securities Fund 18. Nations High Yield Bond Fund 19. Nations Intermediate Bond Fund 20. Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 21. Nations International Equity Fund 22. Nations International Value Fund 23. Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund 24. Nations LargeCap Index Fund 25. Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio 26. Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio 27. Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio 28. Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund 29. Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund 30. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund 31. Nations Marsico Growth Fund 32. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund 33. Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 34. Nations MidCap Growth Fund 35. Nations MidCap Index Fund 36. Nations MidCap Value Fund 37. Nations Money Market Reserves 38. Nations Municipal Income Fund 39. Nations Municipal Reserves 40. Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves 10 41. Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 42. Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund 43. Nations Short-Term Income Fund 44. Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 45. Nations SmallCap Index Fund 46. Nations SmallCap Value Fund 47. Nations Small Company Fund 48. Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 49. Nations Strategic Growth Fund 50. Nations Strategic Income Fund 51. Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves 52. Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 53. Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 54. Nations Treasury Reserves 55. Nations Value Fund 56. Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Approved: October 8, 2002 Last Amended: August 1, 2003 11 EX-99.23(G)(1) 5 g84302aexv99w23xgyx1y.txt AM & RESTATED CUSTODY AGREEMENT W/BOFNY AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODY AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 2nd day of July, 2001 by and between The Bank of New York, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business ("Custodian"), and Nations Funds Trust, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"). WITNESSETH WHEREAS, the Trust is a registered open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and WHEREAS, by a Custody Agreement made as of the 14th day of February, 2000 (the "Original Custody Agreement") the Trust retained Custodian to serve as custodian for the Trust, on behalf of its portfolios listed on Schedule I (individually a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds") and to provide the services described therein, and Custodian agreed to serve and to provide such services; and WHEREAS, the Trust and Custodian desire to amend and restate the Original Custody Agreement in a single agreement (hereinafter the "Agreement"); NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, the Trust and Custodian hereby agree as follows: 1. APPOINTMENT. The Trust hereby appoints Custodian to act as custodian of its portfolio securities, cash and other property on the terms set forth in this Agreement. Custodian accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth in return for the compensation as provided in Paragraph 23 hereof. Custodian agrees to comply with all relevant provisions of the 1940 Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder. The Trust may from time to time issue separate series or classes, and classify and reclassify shares of any such series or class. The Trust shall promptly specify to Custodian in writing such series or classes, or any reclassification and thereafter Custodian shall identify to each such series or class Property, as hereinafter defined, belonging to such series or class, and such reports, confirmations and notices to the Trust as are called for under this Agreement shall identify the series or class to which such report, confirmation or notice pertains. 2. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Trust has furnished Custodian with copies properly certified or authenticated of each of the following: (a) votes of the Trust's Board of Trustees authorizing the appointment of Custodian as custodian of portfolio securities, cash and other property of the Trust, respectively, and approving and consenting to this Agreement; (b) schedules identifying and containing the signatures of all of the Trust's officers and any other persons authorized to issue Oral Instructions and to sign Written Instructions, as hereinafter defined, on behalf of the Funds of the Trust; (c) the Trust's current registration statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and under the 1940 Act (File Nos. 333-89661 and 811-09645), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), relating to the Funds' shares of beneficial interest, without par value (the "Shares"); (d) the current prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional information of each of the Funds, including all amendments and supplements thereto (collectively the "Prospectuses"); and (e) a copy of the opinion of counsel for the Trust, filed with the SEC as part of the Trust's current Registration Statement. The Trust will furnish Custodian from time to time with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements to any of the foregoing, if any. 3. DEFINITIONS. (a) "Authorized Person". As used in this Agreement, the term "Authorized Person" means any of the Trust's officers, and any other person, whether or not any such person is an officer or employee of the Trust, duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Trust to give Oral and Written Instructions to Custodian on behalf of the Trust and listed on a schedule provided to Custodian pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement. Authorized Persons duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Trust to buy and sell foreign currency on a spot and forward basis and options to buy and sell foreign currency are denoted by an asterisk thereon. (b) "Book-Entry System". As used in this Agreement, the term "Book-Entry System" means the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or successors and its nominee or nominees and any book-entry system maintained by a clearing agency registered with the SEC under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"). I-2 (c) "Composite Currency Unit". Shall mean the European Currency Unit or any other composite unit consisting of the aggregate of specified amounts of specified Currencies as such unit may be constituted from time to time. (d) "Currency". Shall mean money denominated in a lawful currency of any country or the European Currency Unit. (e) "FX Transaction". Shall mean any transaction for the purchase by one party of an agreed amount in one Currency against the sale by it to the other party of an agreed amount in another Currency. (f) "Instructions". Shall mean instruction communications transmitted by appropriately safeguarded (whether by password protection or other means) electronic or telecommunications media including but not limited to S.W.I.F.T., LASER, computer-to-computer interface, dedicated transmission line and tested telex. (g) "Oral Instructions". As used in this Agreement, the term "Oral Instructions" means oral instructions actually received by Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person. (h) "Officer's Certificate". The term "Officer's Certificate" as used in this Agreement means instructions delivered by hand, mail, tested telegram, cable, telex, or facsimile sending device, and actually received by Custodian signed or reasonably believed by Custodian to be signed by two officers of the Trust listed on a schedule provided to Custodian pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement. (i) "Property". The term "Property", as used in this Agreement, means: (i) any and all securities and other property of the Trust which the Trust may from time to time deliver to Custodian, as applicable, or which Custodian may from time to time hold for the Trust; (ii) all income in respect of any securities or other property described in immediately preceding clause (i); (iii) all proceeds of sales of any of such securities or other property described in preceding clause (i) actually received by Custodian; and (iv) proceeds of the sale of Shares received by Custodian from time to time from or on behalf of the Trust. (j) "Securities Depository". As used in this Agreement, the term "Securities Depository" shall not include any Eligible Securities Depository as defined in Paragraph 27B hereof and shall mean The Depository Trust Company, a clearing agency I-3 registered with the SEC or its successor or successors and its nominee or nominees; and shall also mean any other registered clearing agency, its successor or successors specifically identified in a certified copy of a vote of the Trust's Board of Trustees approving deposits by Custodian therein. (k) "Written Instructions". As used in this Agreement, "Written Instructions" means instructions delivered by hand, mail, tested telegram, cable, telex, or facsimile sending device, and actually received by Custodian, signed or reasonably believed by Custodian to be signed by an appropriate number of Authorized Person(s), and the term Written Instructions shall also include Instructions, except that Instructions need not be signed or reasonably believed to be signed by any Authorized Person(s) where such Instructions are transmitted by Software pursuant to Paragraph 26A. A fax receipt or comparable confirmation of transmission of any Written Instructions shall be deemed evidence of actual receipt by Custodian. 4. DELIVERY AND REGISTRATION OF THE PROPERTY. The Trust shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Custodian all securities and all monies owned by the Funds, including cash received for the issuance of Shares, at any time during the period of this Agreement, except for securities and monies to be delivered to any sub-custodian appointed, with approval of the Trust, by Custodian pursuant to Paragraphs 7, 27, or 28(g) hereof. Custodian will not be responsible for such securities and such monies until actually received by it. All securities delivered to Custodian or any such sub-custodian (other than in bearer form) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee of a Fund or in the name of Custodian or any nominee of Custodian (with or without indication of fiduciary status) or in the name of any sub-custodian or any nominee of such sub-custodian appointed, with approval of the Trust, pursuant to Paragraphs 7, 27, or 28(g) hereof or shall be properly endorsed and in form for transfer satisfactory to Custodian. 5. VOTING AND OTHER RIGHTS. With respect to all securities, however registered, it is understood that the voting and other rights and powers shall be exercised by the Trust. Custodian's only duty with respect to such rights shall be to mail to the Trust within two (2) business days following receipt by Custodian any documents received by Custodian as custodian, including notices of corporate action, proxies, proxy soliciting materials and offering circulars, with any elections or proxies for securities registered in a nominee name executed by such nominee. In addition, Custodian shall provide notice of Custodian's receipt of such documents by electronic means (e.g., posting notice on LASER), as agreed between the parties. Where warrants, options, tenders or other securities have fixed expiration dates, the Trust understands that in order for Custodian to act, Custodian must receive the Trust's instructions at its offices in New York, addressed as Custodian may from time to time request, by no later than noon (New York City time) at least one (1) business day prior to the last scheduled date to act with respect thereto (or such earlier date or time as Custodian may reasonably notify the Trust). Absent Custodian's timely receipt of such instructions, such instructions will I-4 expire without liability to Custodian. Custodian shall have no duty to forward to the Trust any annual, quarterly or special reports issued by companies whose securities are held by Custodian hereunder. 6. RECEIPT AND DISBURSEMENT OF MONEY. (a) Custodian shall open and maintain a custody account for each Fund of the Trust, subject only to draft or order by Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and, subject to Paragraphs 7, 27, or 28(g) hereof, shall hold in such account, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the Funds. Custodian shall make payments of cash to, or for the account of, each Fund from such cash only: (i) for the purchase of securities for the Funds as provided in Paragraph 14 hereof; (ii) upon receipt of an Officer's Certificate for the payment of dividends or other distributions on or with respect to Shares, or for the payment of interest, taxes, administration, distribution or advisory fees or expenses which are to be borne by the Funds under the terms of this Agreement and, with respect to each Fund, and under the terms of any investment advisory agreements, administration agreements or distribution agreements; (iii) upon receipt of Written Instructions for payments in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned or subscribed to by the Funds and held by or to be delivered to Custodian; (iv) to a sub-custodian pursuant to Paragraphs 7, 27, or 28(g) hereof; (v) for the redemption of Shares; or (vi) upon receipt of an Officer's Certificate for other corporate purposes. (b) Custodian is hereby authorized to endorse and collect all checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money received as Custodian for the Funds. 7. RECEIPT OF SECURITIES. (a) Except as provided by Paragraphs 7(c), 8, 27, or 28(g) hereof, and except as otherwise directed by Oral or Written Instructions described in Paragraph 11 hereof, Custodian shall hold and physically segregate in a separate account with respect to each Fund, identifiable from those of any other person, all securities and non-cash property received by it for the Funds. All such securities and non-cash property are to be held or disposed of by Custodian for each Fund pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. In the absence of Written Instructions accompanied by a certified vote authorizing the specific transaction by the Trust's Board of Trustees, and subject to Paragraph 25 hereof, Custodian shall have no power or authority to withdraw, deliver, assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any such securities and investments, except in accordance with the express terms provided for in this Agreement. In no case may any Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust withdraw any securities. In connection with its duties under this Paragraph 7(a), Custodian may enter into sub-custodian agreements with other banks or trust companies for the receipt of certain securities and cash to be held by Custodian for the account of a Fund pursuant to this Agreement, provided Custodian obtains the prior written approval of the Trust to any such sub-custody arrangement. Custodian will provide the Trust with a copy of each sub-custodian agreement it executes I-5 pursuant to this Paragraph 7(a). Custodian shall be liable for acts or omissions of any such sub-custodian selected by it pursuant to this Paragraph 7(a), under the standards of care provided for herein, except for any such sub-custodian engaged at the specific direction of the Funds. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Paragraph 7(a) shall not apply to Custodian's engagement of foreign sub-custodians, which shall instead be governed by Paragraph 27 hereof. (b) Promptly after the close of business on each day, Custodian shall furnish the Trust with confirmations and a summary of all transfers to or from the account of each Fund during said day. Where securities are transferred to the account of any Fund established at a Securities Depository or the Book Entry System pursuant to Paragraph 8 herein, Custodian shall also, by book-entry or otherwise, identify as belonging to such Fund the quantity of securities in a fungible bulk of securities registered in the name of Custodian (or its nominee) or shown in Custodian's account on the books of a Securities Depository or the Book-Entry System. At least monthly and from time to time, Custodian shall furnish the Trust with a detailed statement of the Property held for each Fund under this Agreement. (c) Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained herein, Custodian shall not be required to obtain possession of any instrument or certificate representing any futures contract, any option, or any futures contract option until after it shall have determined, or shall have received an Officer's Certificate from the Trust stating that any such instruments or certificates are available. The Trust shall deliver to Custodian such an Officer's Certificate no later than the business day preceding the availability of any such instrument or certificate. Prior to such availability, Custodian shall comply with the 1940 Act in connection with the purchase, sale, settlement, closing out or writing of futures contracts, options, or futures contract options by making payments or deliveries specified in such Officer's Certificates or Written Instructions received by Custodian in connection with any such purchase, sale, writing, settlement or closing out upon its receipt from a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant of a statement or confirmation reasonably believed by Custodian to be in the form customarily used by brokers, dealers, or future commission merchants with respect to such futures contracts, options, or futures contract options, as the case may be, confirming that the same is held by such broker, dealer or futures commission merchant, in book-entry form or otherwise, in the name of Custodian (or any nominee of Custodian) as Custodian for the Fund, provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Paragraph 13(b) hereof, payments to or deliveries from any margin account, and payments with respect to future contracts, options, or future contract options to which a margin account relates, shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Trust's relevant margin account agreement. Whenever any such instruments or certificates are available, Custodian shall, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, make payment for any futures contract, option, or futures contract option for which such instruments or such certificates are available against the delivery to Custodian of such instrument or such certificate, and deliver any futures I-6 contract, option or futures contract option for which such instruments or such certificates are available only against receipt by Custodian of payment therefor. Any such instrument or certificate delivered to Custodian shall be held by Custodian hereunder in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of this Agreement. 8. USE OF SECURITIES DEPOSITORY OR THE BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM. The Trust shall deliver to Custodian a certified vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust approving, authorizing and instructing Custodian on a continuous and ongoing basis until instructed to the contrary by Written Instructions: (i) to deposit in a Securities Depository or the Book-Entry System all securities of the Funds held hereunder eligible for deposit therein, and (ii) to utilize a Securities Depository or the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, including without limitation, settlements of purchases and sales of securities by the Funds, and deliveries and returns of securities loaned, subject to repurchase agreements or used as collateral in connection with borrowings. Without limiting the generality of such use, the following provisions shall apply thereto: (a) Securities and any cash of the Funds deposited by Custodian in a Securities Depository or the Book-Entry System will at all times be segregated from any assets and cash controlled by Custodian in other than a fiduciary or custodian capacity. Subject to Paragraph 28(m) hereof, Custodian and its sub-custodians, if any, will pay out money only upon receipt of securities and will deliver securities only upon receipt of money, absent Written Instructions to the contrary. (b) All books and records maintained by Custodian that relate to the Funds' participation in a Securities Depository or the Book-Entry System will at all times during Custodian's regular business hours be open to inspection by the Trust's duly authorized employees or agents and the Trust's independent auditors in accordance with applicable regulations, it being understood, however, that such records may be kept in an off-site Custodian storage location and the Trust will be furnished with all information in respect of the services rendered to it as it may require. (c) Custodian will provide the Trust with copies of any report obtained by Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Securities Depository or Book-Entry System promptly after receipt of such a report by Custodian. Custodian will also provide the Trust with such reports on its own system of internal control as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time. 9. INSTRUCTIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARTER, ETC. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, Custodian shall act only upon Officer's Certificates, Oral Instructions and/or Written Instructions. Custodian may assume that any Officer's Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions received hereunder are not in any way inconsistent with any provision of the Declaration of Trust or any vote of the Trust's Board of Trustees, or any committee thereof. Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instructions or Written Instructions actually received by Custodian pursuant to this I-7 Agreement, and upon any certificate, oral instructions, or written instructions reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Officer's Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. The Trust agrees to forward to Custodian, Written Instructions confirming Oral Instructions in such manner that the Written Instructions are received by Custodian at the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming Written Instructions are not received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity of any of the transactions authorized by the Trust by giving Oral Instructions, and that Custodian's records with respect to the content of Oral Instructions shall be controlling. 10. TRANSACTIONS NOT REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS. Custodian is authorized to take the following action without Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or an Officer's Certificate: (a) Collection of Income and Other Payments. Custodian shall subject to Paragraph 28(f) hereof: (i) Collect and receive for the account of any Fund, all income and other payments and distributions, including (without limitation) stock dividends, rights, warrants and similar items, included or to be included in the Property of any Fund, and promptly advise the Trust of such receipt and shall credit such income, as collected, to such Fund of the Trust. From time to time, Custodian may elect, but shall not be so obligated, to credit the account with interest, dividends or principal payments on the payable or contractual settlement date, in anticipation of receiving same from a payor, central depository, Securities Depository, broker or other agent employed by the Trust or Custodian. Any such crediting and posting shall be at the Trust's sole risk, and Custodian shall be authorized to reverse (A) any such advance posting in the event it does not receive good funds from any such payor, central depository, Securities Depository, broker or agent, and (B) any other payment or crediting, including, without limitation, payments made by check or draft, in the event it does not receive good funds or final payment; (ii) With respect to securities of foreign issue, and subject to Paragraph 27 hereof, effect collection of dividends, interest and other income, and to promptly transmit to the Trust all reports, written information or notices actually received by Custodian as Custodian, including notices of any call for redemption, offer of exchange, right of subscription, reorganization, or other proceedings affecting such securities, or any default in payments due thereon. It is understood, however, that Custodian shall be under no responsibility for any failure or delay in effecting such collections or giving such notice with respect to securities of foreign issue, regardless of whether or not the relevant information is published in any financial service available to it unless such failure or delay is due to Custodian's own negligence. Collections of income in foreign currency are, to the extent possible, to be converted into United States dollars unless otherwise instructed in writing, and in effecting such conversion Custodian I-8 may use such methods or agencies as it may see fit, including the facilities of its own foreign division at customary rates. All risk and expenses incident to such collection and conversion are for the account of the Funds and Custodian shall have no responsibility for fluctuations in exchange rates affecting any such conversions; (iii) Endorse and deposit for collection in the name of the Trust and each of its Funds, checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money on the same day as received; (iv) Receive and hold for the account of each of the Fund's securities received by the Funds as a result of a stock dividend, share split-up or reorganization, recapitalization, readjustment or other rearrangement or distribution of rights or similar securities issued with respect to any portfolio securities of the Funds held by Custodian hereunder; (v) Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon all securities which may mature or be called, redeemed or retired, or otherwise become payable on the date such securities become payable, but, with respect to calls, early redemptions, or early retirements, only if Custodian either: (i) receives a written notice of the same, or (ii) notice of the same appears in one or more of the publications then listed in Appendix A hereto, which Appendix may be amended to add other publications at any time by Custodian without prior notice to or consent from the Trust and which may be amended to delete a publication with the prior notice and consent from the Trust; (vi) Subject to Paragraphs 28(e) and (f) hereof, take any action which may be necessary and proper in connection with the collection and receipt of such income and other payments and the endorsement for collection of checks, drafts and other negotiable instructions; and (vii) With respect to domestic securities, to exchange securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form, to effect an exchange of the shares where the par value of stock is changed, and to surrender securities at maturity or when advised by the Trust or the investment adviser to the Trust of an earlier call for redemption, against payment therefor in accordance with accepted industry practice. When fractional shares of stock of a declaring corporation are received as a stock distribution, Custodian is authorized to sell the fraction received and credit the Trust's account. Unless specifically instructed to the contrary in writing, Custodian is authorized to exchange securities in bearer form for securities in registered form. If any Property registered in the name of a nominee of Custodian is called for partial redemption by the issuer of such Property, Custodian is authorized to allot the called portion to the respective beneficial holders of the Property in such manner deemed to be fair and equitable by Custodian in its reasonable discretion. I-9 (b) Miscellaneous Transactions. Custodian is authorized to deliver or cause to be delivered Property against payment or other consideration or written receipt therefor in the following cases: (i) for examination by a broker selling for the account of the Trust in accordance with street delivery custom; (ii) for the exchange for interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; (iii) for transfer of securities into the name of the Funds or Custodian or a nominee of either, or for exchange of securities for a different number of bonds, certificates, or other evidence, representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units bearing the same interest rate, maturity date and call provisions, if any; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to Custodian. 11. TRANSACTIONS REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS. Upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions, and not otherwise, Custodian, directly or through the use of a Securities Depository or the Book-Entry System, shall: (a) execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such Oral or Written Instructions, proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the authority of the Funds as owners of any securities may be exercised; (b) deliver any securities held for any Fund against receipt of other securities or cash issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of any conversion privilege; (c) deliver any securities held for any Fund to any protective committee, reorganization committee or other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation, against receipt of such certificates or deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery; (d) make such transfers or exchanges of the assets of any Fund and take such other steps as shall be stated in said instructions to be for the purposes of effectuating any duly authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Funds; (e) subject to Paragraph 25(b) hereof, release securities belonging to any Fund to any bank or trust company for the purpose of pledge or hypothecation to secure any loan incurred by such Fund; provided, however, that securities shall be released only upon payment to Custodian of the monies borrowed, except that in cases where additional collateral is required to secure a borrowing already made, subject to I-10 proper prior authorization, further securities may be released for that purpose; and pay such loan upon redelivery to it of the securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon surrender of the note or notes evidencing the loan; (f) deliver any securities held for any Fund upon the exercise of a covered call option written by such Fund on such securities; (g) release and deliver securities owned by a Fund in connection with any repurchase agreement entered into on behalf of such Fund, but subject to Paragraph 28(m) hereof, only on receipt of payment therefor; and pay out monies of such Fund in connection with such repurchase agreements, but only upon the delivery of the securities; (h) otherwise transfer, exchange or deliver securities in accordance with Oral or Written Instructions specifying the purpose of such transfer, including without limitation, loans of securities, short sales, or reverse repurchase agreements, and subject to Paragraph 7(a) hereof. 12. SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS. Custodian shall upon receipt of Written or Oral Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts on its records for and on behalf of any Fund, into which account or accounts shall be credited, but only pursuant to an Officer's Certificate or Written Instructions specifying the particular securities and/or amount of cash, cash and/or securities, including securities in the Book-Entry System: (i) for the purposes of compliance by the Funds and the Trust with the procedures required by a securities or option exchange, (ii) for the purpose of compliance by the Funds and the Trust with the 1940 Act and Release No. 10666 or any subsequent release, releases or any other guidance of the SEC relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, and (iii) for other proper corporate purposes. 13. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. (a) The Trust shall furnish Custodian with appropriate evidence of action by the Trust's Board of Trustees declaring and authorizing the payment of any dividends and distributions. Upon receipt by Custodian of an Officer's Certificate with respect to dividends and distributions declared by the Trust's Board of Trustees and payable to interestholders of any Fund who are entitled to receive cash for fractional shares and those who have elected in the proper manner to receive their distributions on dividends in cash, and in conformance with procedures mutually agreed upon by Custodian and the Trust, and the Trust's administrator or transfer agent, Custodian shall pay to the Fund's transfer agent, as agent for the interestholders, an amount equal to the amount indicated in said Officer's Certificate as payable by the Fund to such interestholders for distribution in cash by the transfer agent to such interestholders. I-11 (b) Custodian may enter into separate custodial agreements with various futures commission merchants ("FCMs") that the Trust uses (each a "FCM Agreement"), pursuant to which the Funds' margin deposits in any transactions involving futures contracts and options on futures contracts will be held by Custodian in accounts (each a "FCM Account") subject to the disposition by the FCM involved in such contracts in accordance with the customer contract between the FCM and the Trust ("FCM Contract"), SEC rules governing such segregated accounts, Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") rules and the rules of the applicable commodities exchange. Such FCM Agreements shall only be entered into by Custodian upon receipt by Custodian of Written Instructions from the Trust which state that: (i) an FCM Contract has been entered into; (ii) the Trust is in compliance with all the rules and regulations of the CFTC; and (iii) the FCM Agreement is acceptable to the Trust. Transfers of initial margin shall be made into a FCM Account only upon Written Instructions; transfers of premium and variation margin may be made into an FCM Account pursuant to Oral Instructions. Transfers of funds from a FCM Account to the FCM for which Custodian holds such an account may only occur in accordance with the terms of the FCM Agreement. 14. PURCHASE OF SECURITIES. Promptly after each purchase of securities by the Trust on behalf of any Fund, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian Oral or Written Instructions specifying with respect to each such purchase: (a) the name of the issuer and the title of the securities; (b) the number of shares of the principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any; (c) the dates of purchase and settlement; (d) the purchase price per unit; (e) the total amount payable upon such purchase; (f) the name of the person from whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made; and (g) the Fund for which the purchase was made. Custodian shall upon receipt of securities purchased by or for the Trust pay out of the monies held for the account of the Trust the total amount payable to the person from whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Oral or Written Instructions. 15. SALES OF SECURITIES. Promptly after each sale of securities by the Funds, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian Oral or Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) the name of the issuer and the title of the security; (b) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued interest, if any; (c) the dates of sale; (d) the sale price per unit; (e) the total amount payable to the Trust upon such sale; (f) the name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made; and (g) the Fund for which the sale was made. Custodian shall, subject to Paragraph 28(m) hereof, deliver the securities against payment of the total amount payable to the Trust upon such sale, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Oral and Written Instructions. 16. RECORDS. The books and records pertaining to the Funds and the Trust which are in the possession of Custodian shall be the property of the Trust. Such books I-12 and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. The SEC, the Trust, or the Trust's authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records at all times during Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to the Trust or the Trust's authorized representative, and the Trust shall reimburse Custodian reasonable expenses for providing such copies. Upon reasonable request of the Trust, Custodian shall provide in hard copy, tape or on micro-film, or such other medium as agreed to among the Trust and Custodian, and any books and records maintained by Custodian. 17. REPORTS. (a) Custodian shall furnish the Trust the following reports: (i) such periodic and special reports as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time; (ii) a monthly statement summarizing all transactions and entries for the account of each Fund; (iii) a monthly report of portfolio securities belonging to each Fund showing the adjusted average cost of each issue and market value at the end of such month; (iv) a monthly report of the cash account of each Fund showing disbursements; (v) the reports to be furnished to the Trust pursuant to Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act; and (vi) such other information as may be agreed upon from time to time between the Trust and Custodian. (b) Subject to Paragraphs 5 and 27(g) hereof, Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Trust any proxy statement, proxy materials, notice of a call or conversion or similar communications actually received by Custodian as custodian of the Property. (c) Custodian shall report as the market value at the end of each month the last closing bid, offer or sale price to the extent, and as the same, is furnished to Custodian by a pricing or similar service utilized or subscribed to by Custodian. Custodian shall not be responsible for, have any liability with respect to, or be under any duty to inquire into, nor deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy or completeness of such information, even if The Bank of New York in performing services for others, including services similar to those performed hereunder, receives different valuations of the same or different securities of the same issuer. I-13 18. COOPERATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS. Custodian shall cooperate with the Trust's independent certified public accountants and shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, to assure that the necessary information is made available to such accountants. 19. CONFIDENTIALITY. Custodian agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat all record and other information relative to the Trust, its prior, present or potential interestholders, its service providers and its prior, present or potential customers, as confidential information, and to protect and safeguard the same to the extent required by applicable law, provided, however, that Custodian may make such disclosure as required by applicable law, regulation, court order, decrees or legal process and upon receipt of any of the foregoing requiring such disclosure, Custodian's only obligation shall be to notify the Trust thereof. Custodian further agrees not to otherwise use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust. 20. EQUIPMENT FAILURES. In the event of equipment failures beyond Custodian's control, Custodian shall take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions but shall not have any further liability with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Custodian shall maintain sufficient back up electronic data processing equipment to enable Custodian to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement consistent with standard industry practices. 21. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE. (a) Advice of Fund. If Custodian shall be in doubt as to any action to be taken or omitted by Custodian, it may request, and shall receive, from the Trust clarification or advice, including Oral or Written Instructions. (b) Advice of Counsel. If Custodian shall be in doubt as to any question of law involved in any action to be taken or omitted by Custodian, it may request at its option advice from its own counsel, at its own expense, or advice from the Trust's counsel. (c) Conflicting Advice. In case of conflict between directions, advice or Oral or Written Instructions received by Custodian pursuant to subparagraph (a) of this paragraph and advice received by Custodian pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and follow the advice received pursuant to subparagraph (b) alone. (d) Protection of Custodian. Custodian shall be protected in any action or inaction which it takes or omits to take in reliance on any directions, advice or Oral or Written Instructions received pursuant to subparagraphs (a) or (b) of this section which it, after receipt of any such directions, advice or Oral or Written Instructions, in good faith reasonably believes to be consistent with such directions, advice or Oral or I-14 Written Instructions, as the case may be. Nothing in this Paragraph 21 shall be construed as imposing upon Custodian any obligation: (i) to seek such directions, advice or Oral or Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with such directions, advice or Oral or Written Instructions when received, unless, under the terms or another provision of this Agreement, the same is a condition to Custodian's properly taking or omitting to take such action. Nothing in this Paragraph 21(d) shall excuse Custodian when an action or omission on the part of Custodian constitutes willful misfeasance or bad faith, or negligence or reckless disregard by Custodian of its duties under this Agreement. 22. COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS. Custodian undertakes to comply with the laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over Custodian and its express duties hereunder. 23. COMPENSATION. As compensation for the services rendered by Custodian during the term of this Agreement, the Trust shall pay to Custodian, in addition to reimbursement of its out-of-pocket expenses, such compensation as may be agreed upon from time to time in writing by the Trust and Custodian as set forth in Schedule III. 24. INDEMNIFICATION. The Trust agrees to indemnify Custodian against, and hold harmless from all taxes, charges, expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), assessments, claims, losses, demands and liabilities whatsoever (including, without limitation, liabilities arising under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act, and any state and foreign securities laws, all as currently in effect or as may be amended from time to time) and expenses, including without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and disbursements, howsoever arising or incurred because of or in connection with this Agreement, except for such liability, claim, loss, demand, charge, expense, tax or assessment arising out of Custodian's, or such nominees', willful misconduct or negligence or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement. For the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, for purposes of Paragraphs 24 and 28, neither Custodian's acceptance of Instructions in accordance with Paragraph 26A nor Custodian's use of Foreign Sub-Custodians pursuant to agreements that do not permit actual examination by independent public accountants, nor the denial of examination by any Foreign Sub-Custodian, as defined in Paragraph 27, shall, in and of itself, constitute, or be deemed to constitute, a breach by Custodian of this Agreement or negligence, willful misconduct, or reckless disregard of its duties by Custodian, provided the relevant agreement between Custodian and a Foreign Sub-Custodian satisfies the requirements of Rule 17f-5. 25. OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS. (a) Custodian shall advance funds under this Agreement with respect to any Fund which results in an overdraft because the moneys held by Custodian in the separate account for such Fund shall be insufficient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of securities by such Fund, as set forth in an Officer's Certificate or Oral or Written Instructions, or which results in an overdraft in the separate account of such Fund I-15 for some other reason, or if the Trust is for any other reason indebted to Custodian, including any indebtedness to The Bank of New York under the Trust's Cash Management and Related Services Agreement, (except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the provisions of Paragraph 25(b) hereof), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to the Trust for such Fund payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum (based on a 360-day year for the actual number of days involved) equal to the overdraft rate specified in Schedule III to this Agreement. In addition, the Trust hereby agrees that to the extent of such overdraft or indebtedness, Custodian shall have a continuing lien, security entitlement and security interest in and to any property at any time held by it for the benefit of such Fund or in which the Fund may have an interest which is then in Custodian's possession or control or in possession or control of any third party acting on Custodian's behalf. The Trust authorizes Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account standing to such Fund's credit on Custodian's books. In addition, the Trust hereby covenants that on each Business Day on which either it intends to enter a Reverse Repurchase Agreement and/or otherwise borrow from a third party, or which next succeeds a Business Day on which at the close of business the Trust had outstanding a Reverse Repurchase Agreement or such a borrowing, it shall prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, advise Custodian, in writing, of each such borrowing, shall specify the Fund to which the same relates, and shall not incur any indebtedness not so specified other than from Custodian. (b) The Trust will cause to be delivered to Custodian by any bank (including, if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement, Custodian) from which it borrows money for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using securities held by Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, a notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by such bank setting forth the amount which such bank will loan to the Trust against delivery of a stated amount of collateral. The Trust shall promptly deliver to Custodian Written Instructions specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Fund to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank; (c) the amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating by reference an attached promissory note, duly endorsed by the Fund, or other loan agreement; (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into; (e) the date on which the loan becomes due and payable; (f) the total amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date; (g) the market value of securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular securities and (h) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the 1940 Act and the Fund's prospectus. Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in Written Instructions the specified collateral and the executed promissory note, if any, against delivery by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable I-16 as set forth in such Written Instructions. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. Custodian shall deliver such securities as additional collateral as may be specified in Written Instructions to collateralize further any transaction described in this Paragraph 25(b). The Trust shall cause all securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Trust fails to specify in Written Instructions the Fund, the name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of any particular securities to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any securities. 26A. INSTRUCTIONS. (a) It is understood and agreed that Custodian may, from time to time, provide software to the Trust for purposes of enabling a Fund to transmit Instructions to Custodian (the "Software"). Such Software has been designed to include password protection or other features to restrict the use of the Software to Authorized Persons; provided, however, that the Custodian makes no warranty or representations of any kind with respect to such protections or features, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The Trust and the Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to develop other mechanisms (i) to enable the Trust to restrict the use of the Software to Authorized Persons, (ii) to identify transmissions from a terminal other than an authorized terminal, and (iii) for the prompt and accurate transmission of Instructions by Authorized Persons to Custodian. It is further understood and agreed that Custodian may provide specialized hardware or other equipment to enable the Trust and the Funds to utilize the Software. With respect to any such Software, Custodian grants to the Trust and its service providers a personal, nontransferable and nonexclusive license to use the Software solely for the purpose of transmitting Instructions to, and receiving communications from, Custodian in connection with its account(s). The Trust and its service providers agree not to sell, reproduce, lease or otherwise provide, directly or indirectly, the Software or any portion thereof to any third party without the prior written consent of Custodian. At no time shall the Trust be obligated to use the Software to transmit Instructions to Custodian. (b) The Trust shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense all equipment and services, including but not limited to communications services, necessary for it to utilize the Software and transmit Instructions to Custodian; provided, however, that the parties acknowledge and agree that if any specialized equipment is necessary to enable the Trust to utilize the Software, Custodian shall, at its own expense, provide and maintain such equipment. (c) The Trust acknowledges that the Software, all databases made available to the Trust by utilizing the Software (other than databases relating solely to the I-17 assets of the Funds and transactions with respect thereto), and any proprietary data, processes, information and documentation (other than those which are or become part of the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public) (collectively, the "Information"), are the exclusive and confidential property of Custodian. The Trust shall keep the Information confidential by using the same care and discretion that the Trust uses with respect to its own confidential property and trade secrets and shall neither make nor permit any disclosure without the prior written consent of Custodian. Upon termination of this Agreement or the Software license granted hereunder for any reason, the Trust shall return to Custodian all copies of the Information which are in its possession or under its control or which the Trust distributed to third parties. (d) Custodian reserves the right to modify the Software from time to time upon reasonable prior notice and the Trust shall, if it desires in its sole discretion to continue to use the Software, install new releases of the Software as Custodian may direct. The Trust agrees not to modify or attempt to modify the Software without Custodian's prior written consent. The Trust acknowledges that any modifications to the Software, whether by the Trust or Custodian and whether with or without Custodian's consent, shall become the property of Custodian. (e) Where the method for transmitting Instructions by the Trust involves an automatic systems acknowledgment to the Trust by Custodian of its receipt of such Instructions, including any transmission of Instructions using the Software, then (i) if an acknowledgment is not actually received by the Trust, Custodian shall not be deemed to have received any such Instructions, and (ii) if an acknowledgment is actually received by the Trust, the Custodian shall be deemed to have received such Instructions and shall be responsible for any error, omission, interruption or delay in connection with the transmission of such Instructions; provided, however, that the Trust shall promptly review all acknowledgments actually received and notify the Custodian in the event of any apparent discrepancy. (f) (i) The Trust agrees that where it delivers to Custodian Instructions hereunder using the Software, it shall be the Trust's sole responsibility to ensure that only persons duly authorized by the Trust and the correct number of such persons transmit such Instructions to Custodian and the Trust will cause all such persons to treat applicable use and authorization codes, passwords and authentication keys with extreme care, and authorizes Custodian to act in accordance with and rely upon Instructions received by it pursuant hereto using the Software. (ii) The Trust hereby represents, acknowledges and agrees that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to Custodian and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions to Custodian than the method(s) selected by the Trust. (iii) With respect to all Oral Instructions and all Written Instructions other than Instructions delivered to Custodian using the Software provided by Custodian, Custodian shall exercise all commercially reasonable efforts to form a reasonable belief that each I-18 such instruction has been given by an Authorized Person and, where required, signed by an appropriate number of Authorized Person(s). (g) The Trust shall notify Custodian of any errors, omissions or interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of, its ability to send Instructions using the Software provided by Custodian as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours after the earliest of (i) discovery thereof, (ii) the business day on which discovery should have occurred through the exercise of reasonable care and (iii) in the case of any error, the date of actual receipt of the earliest notice which reflects such error, it being agreed that discovery and receipt of notice may only occur on a business day. Custodian shall, as promptly as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours after the earliest of (i) discovery thereof, (ii) the business day on which discovery should have occurred through the exercise of reasonable care and (iii) in the case of any error, the date of actual receipt of the earliest notice which reflects such error, it being agreed that discovery and receipt of notice may only occur on a business day, advise the Trust whenever Custodian learns or reasonably should have learned, of any errors, omissions or interruption in, or delay or unavailability of, the Trust's ability to send Instructions using the Software provided by Custodian. 26B. FX TRANSACTIONS. (a) Whenever a Fund shall enter into a FX Transaction, the Fund shall promptly deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Oral Instructions specifying with respect to such FX Transaction: (i) the Series to which such FX Transaction is specifically allocated; (ii) the type and amount of Currency to be purchased by the Fund; (iii) the type and amount of Currency to be sold by the Fund; (iv) the date on which the Currency to be purchased is to be delivered; (v) the date on which the Currency to be sold is to be delivered; and (vi) the name of the person from whom or through whom such Currencies are to be purchased and sold. Unless otherwise instructed by a Certificate or Oral Instructions, Custodian shall deliver, or shall instruct a Foreign Sub-Custodian to deliver, the Currency to be sold on the date on which such delivery is to be made, as set forth in the Certificate, and shall receive, or instruct a Foreign Sub-Custodian to receive, the Currency to be purchased on the date as set forth in the Certificate. (b) Where the Currency to be sold is to be delivered on the same day as the Currency to be purchased, as specified in the Certificate or Oral Instructions, Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian may arrange for such deliveries and receipts to be made in accordance with the customs prevailing from time to time among brokers or dealers in Currencies, and such receipt and delivery may not be completed simultaneously. The Fund assumes all responsibility and liability for all credit risks involved in connection with such receipts and deliveries, which responsibility and liability shall continue until the Currency to be received by the Fund has been received in full. I-19 (c) Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with Custodian, any office, branch or subsidiary of The Bank of New York, or any Foreign Sub-Custodian (as defined below) acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels. The Fund may issue a standing Certificate with respect to foreign exchange transactions but Custodian may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Fund. The Fund shall bear all risks of investing in securities or holding Currency. Without limiting the foregoing, the Fund shall bear the risks that rules or procedures imposed by a Foreign Sub-Custodian or foreign depositories, exchange controls, asset freezes or other laws, rules, regulations or orders shall prohibit or impose burdens or costs on the transfer to, by or for the account of the Fund of securities or any cash held outside the Fund's jurisdiction or denominated in Currency other than its home jurisdiction or the conversion of cash from one Currency into another Currency. Custodian shall not be obligated to substitute another Currency for a Currency (including a Currency that is a component of a Composite Currency Unit) whose transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected by such law, regulation, rule or procedure. Neither Custodian nor any Foreign Sub-Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss resulting from any of the foregoing events. 27A. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF ANY FUND HELD OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES BY A FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIAN. (a) Custodian is authorized and instructed to employ, as sub-custodian for each Fund's Foreign Assets, as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, Eligible Foreign Custodians as defined in said Rule 17f-5 selected from time to time by Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager appointed by the Trust's Board of Trustees ("Foreign Sub-Custodians") to carry out their respective responsibilities in accordance with the terms of the sub-custodian agreement between each such Foreign Sub-Custodian and Custodian (each such agreement, a "Foreign Sub-Custodian Agreement"). Upon receipt of an Officer's Certificate, the Trust may designate any additional foreign sub-custodian with which Custodian has an agreement for such entity to act as Custodian's agent, as its sub-custodian and any such additional foreign sub-custodian shall be deemed a Foreign Sub-Custodian hereunder. Upon receipt of an Officer's Certificate, Custodian shall cease using any one or more Foreign Sub-Custodians for the Fund's assets. (b) Each Foreign Sub-Custodian Agreement shall be substantially in the form delivered to the Trust herewith and will not be amended in a way that materially or adversely affects the Trust without the Trust's prior written consent. (c) Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to each Fund the Foreign Assets of such Fund held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian. At the election of the Trust, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to any claims by the Trust or any Fund against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim sustained or incurred by the Trust or any Fund if and to the extent that the Trust or I-20 such Fund has been made whole by Custodian for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim. (d) Upon request of the Trust, Custodian will, consistent with the terms of the applicable Foreign Sub-Custodian Agreement, use reasonable efforts to arrange for the independent accountants of the Trust to be afforded access to the books and records of any Foreign Sub-Custodian insofar as such books and records relate to the performance of such Foreign Sub-Custodian under its agreement with Custodian on behalf of the Trust. (e) Custodian will supply to the Trust from time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the Foreign Assets of each Fund held by Foreign Sub-Custodians, including but not limited to, an identification of entities having possession of each Fund's Foreign Assets, and advises or notifications of any transfers of Foreign Assets to or from each custodial account maintained by a Foreign Sub-Custodian for Custodian on behalf of the Fund. (f) Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Trust all notices, reports or other written information received pertaining to the Funds' Foreign Assets, including without limitation, notices of corporate action, proxies and proxy solicitation materials. (g) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for securities received for the account of the Trust or any Fund and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Trust or any Fund may be effected in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery of securities to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such securities from such purchaser or dealer. (h) With respect to any losses or damages arising out of or relating to any actions or omissions of any Foreign Sub-Custodian, the sole responsibility and liability of Custodian shall be to take all appropriate and reasonable action at the Trust's expense to recover such loss or damage from the Foreign Sub-Custodian. It is expressly understood and agreed that, unless Custodian has breached its standard of care set forth in Paragraph 28 hereof, Custodian's sole responsibility and liability shall be limited to amounts so recovered from the Foreign Sub-Custodian. 27B. PROPERTY OF ANY FUND HELD OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES BY A FOREIGN DEPOSITORY. (a) Custodian is authorized and instructed to employ, and to authorize any Foreign Sub-Custodian to employ, an Eligible Securities Depository as defined in Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act (the "Rule") to hold foreign securities and other assets of each Fund. The use of any particular Eligible Securities Depository as defined in the I-21 Rule shall be authorized by an Officer's Certificate provided to Custodian specifying, or by delivery of Oral or Written Instructions contemplating or requiring the use of, such Eligible Securities Depository. Use of any such Eligible Securities Depository shall be subject to the rules and procedures of any such Eligible Securities Depository. (b) The Trust hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon any delivery of an Officer's Certificate specifying such an Eligible Securities Depository, or any giving of Oral or Written Instructions contemplating or requiring the use of a Foreign Depository, as the case may be, that the Trust or its investment advisor has determined that the custody arrangements of such Eligible Securities Depository provide reasonable safeguards against the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Eligible Securities Depository within the meaning of the Rule. (c) With respect to each Eligible Securities Depository as defined in the Rule, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence such as a person having responsibilities for the safekeeping of the Fund's Foreign Assets would exercise in (i) providing the Fund and its investment adviser with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository, and (ii) monitoring such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notifying the Fund and its investment adviser of any material change in such risks. Custodian shall also provide to a Fund with respect to the status of an institution as an Eligible Securities Depository information gathered from Foreign Sub-Custodians or trade associations of which Custodian is a member and other publicly available information obtained by Custodian. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall not include any evaluation of Country Risks. Custodian will endeavor to include in its analysis and monitoring, where appropriate among other things, a Foreign Depository's expertise and market reputation, the quality of its services, its financial strength, any insurance or indemnification arrangements, the extent and quality of regulation and independent examination of the depository, its standing in published ratings, its internal controls and other procedures for safeguarding investments, and any related legal protections. As used herein the term "Country Risks" shall mean with respect to any Foreign Depository: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it is organized, but not of any Foreign Depository to the extent covered by an analysis described in clause (i) of this Section, (b) such country's prevailing settlement practices, (c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such country's regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions which affect the order execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities. (d) With respect to any losses or damages arising out of or relating to any actions or omissions of any Eligible Securities Depository as defined in the Rule, the sole responsibility and liability of Custodian shall be to take all appropriate and reasonable action at the Trust's expense to recover such loss or damage from the Eligible Securities Depository. It is expressly understood and agreed that, unless Custodian has I-22 breached its standard of care set forth in Paragraph 28 hereof, Custodian's sole responsibility and liability shall be limited to amounts so recovered from the Eligible Securities Depository. 28. CONCERNING CUSTODIAN. (a) (i) Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence and act in good faith and use all commercially reasonable efforts in the performance of its duties hereunder. Custodian shall be responsible to the Trust for its own failure or the failure of any sub-custodian that it shall appoint (other than a Foreign Sub-Custodian referred to in Paragraph 27 or a sub-custodian appointed by Custodian at the specific direction of the Trust) or that of its employees or agents, to perform its duties, obligations or responsibilities in accordance with this Agreement, but only to the extent that such failure results from acts or omissions that constitute willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on the part of Custodian, or on the part of its employees or agents, or reckless disregard of such duties, obligations and responsibilities. (ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, in no event shall Custodian be liable to the Fund or any third party nor, except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph for special, indirect or consequential damages or lost profits or loss of business, arising under or in connection with this Agreement, even if previously informed of the possibility of such damages and regardless of the form of action. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law arising under any FCM Agreement, apply for and obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Trust at the expense of the Trust, or of its own counsel at its own expense, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such advice or opinion. Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for any loss or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or any Securities Depository arising by reason of any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Custodian or any of its employees or agents. (iii) Custodian's liability pursuant to the last sentence of subparagraph (a)(i) shall include, but not be limited to, reimbursing the Trust for court-ordered damage awards, fines, penalties, and judicially-approved settlements (and attorney's fees and disbursements relating thereto) arising out of or in connection with the conduct giving rise to such liability. (iv) If the Trust receives notice of the commencement of any action, suit, or proceeding (an "Action"), or notice that any Action may be commenced, for which Custodian may be liable to the Trust pursuant to this Paragraph 28, the Trust shall give notice to Custodian of the commencement of the Action or of the possibility that an Action will be commenced. Any omission to notify Custodian will not relieve Custodian from any liability which it may have under this Paragraph, except to the extent the failure to notify Custodian prejudices the rights of Custodian. Custodian will be entitled at its sole expense and liability, to exercise full control of the defense, I-23 compromise or settlement of any such Action, provided that Custodian: (1) notifies the Trust in writing of Custodian's intention to assume such defense; and (2) retains legal counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trust to conduct the defense of such Action. If Custodian advises the Trust that it does not wish to exercise full control of any defense, compromise or settlement of any Action, Custodian shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of counsel selected by the Trust, in addition to any other amounts for which Custodian may be liable pursuant to this Paragraph 28. The other person will cooperate with the person assuming the defense, compromise or settlement of any Action in accordance with this Paragraph in any manner that such person reasonably may request. If Custodian so assumes the defense of any such Action, the Trust will have the right to employ a separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise or settlement of the Action, but the fees and expenses of such counsel will be at the expense of the Trust unless: (a) Custodian has agreed to pay such fees and expenses, (b) any relief other than the payment of money damages is sought against the Trust, or (c) the Trust has been advised by its counsel that there may be one or more defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to Custodian and that a conflict of interest therefore exists, and in any such case that portion of the fees and expenses of such separate counsel that are reasonably related to matters for which Custodian is liable pursuant to this Paragraph will be paid by Custodian. The Trust will not settle or compromise any such Action for which Custodian is liable pursuant to this Paragraph without the prior written consent of Custodian, unless Custodian has failed, after reasonable notice, to undertake control of such Action in the manner provided in this Paragraph. Custodian will not settle or compromise any such Action in which any relief other than the payment of money damages is sought against the Trust without the consent of the Trust, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. In the event that Custodian intends to settle or compromise any Action in which solely money damages are sought, Custodian shall give the Trust fifteen (15) business days prior written notice. (b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for: (i) the validity of the issue of any securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Trust or any Fund, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor; (ii) the legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor; (iii) the legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by the Trust; (iv) the legality of any borrowing by the Trust using securities as collateral; I-24 (v) the legality of any loan of portfolio securities, or under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer, or financial institution or held by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio securities is adequate collateral for or against any loss Custodian, the Trust or any Fund might sustain as a result of such loan. Custodian specifically, but not by way of limitation, shall not be under any duty or obligation periodically to check or notify the Trust or any Fund that the amount of such cash collateral held by Custodian for the Trust is sufficient collateral for the Trust, but such duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust. In addition, Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which portfolio securities are lent makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Trust during the period of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however, that Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and received when due; or (vi) the sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or securities held in any segregated account described in Paragraph 12(a) hereof in connection with transactions by the Funds, or whether such segregated account provides the compliance intended to be achieved. In addition, Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer, FCM or Clearing Member makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Fund may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, FCM or Clearing Member, to see that any payment received by Custodian from any broker, dealer, FCM or Clearing Member is the amount the Trust is entitled to receive, or to notify the Trust or a Fund of Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment. (c) Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be sub-custodian or custodian of, any money, whether or not represented by any check, draft, or other instrument for the payment of money, received by Custodian on behalf of the Trust until Custodian actually receives and collects such money directly or by the final crediting of the account representing the Fund's interest at the Book-Entry System or a Securities Depository. (d) Custodian shall not have any responsibility or be liable for ascertaining or acting upon any calls, conversions, exchange offers, tenders, interest rate changes or similar matters relating to securities held in a Securities Depository, unless Custodian shall have actually received timely notice from such Securities Depository. In no event shall Custodian have any responsibility or liability for the failure of any Securities Depository to collect, or for the late collection or late crediting by a Securities Depository of any amount payable upon securities deposited in a Securities Depository which may mature or be redeemed, retired, called or otherwise become payable. Upon receipt of Written Instructions from the Trust of an overdue amount on securities held in a Securities Depository, Custodian shall make a claim against a Securities Depository on behalf of the Trust, except that Custodian shall not be under any obligation to appear in, I-25 prosecute or defend any action suit or proceeding in respect to any securities held by a Securities Depository which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability be furnished as often as may be required. (e) Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of any amount due to the Trust from a transfer agent of the Trust nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by the transfer agent of the Trust of any amount paid by Custodian to the transfer agent of the Trust in accordance with this Agreement. (f) Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of any amount, if the securities upon which such amount is payable are in default, or if payment is refused after due demand or presentation, unless and until: (i) it shall be directed to take such action by Written Instructions, and (ii) it shall be assured to its reasonable satisfaction of reimbursement of its costs and expenses in connection with any such action. (g) Custodian may in addition to the employment of Foreign Sub-Custodians pursuant to Paragraphs 7 and 27, hereof appoint one or more banking institutions as Depository or Depositories, as a sub-custodian or as sub-custodians, or as a co-custodian or as co-custodians, including, but not limited to, banking institutions located in foreign countries, of securities and moneys at any time owned by the Funds, upon such terms and conditions as may be approved in an Officer's Certificate or contained in an agreement executed by Custodian and the Trust and the appointed institution. (h) Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation: (i) to ascertain whether any securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by any Foreign Sub-Custodian, for the account of the Trust and specifically allocated to a Fund are such as properly may be held by the Trust or such Fund under the provisions of its Prospectus, or (ii) to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Fund. (i) Custodian shall charge its compensation and any expenses with respect to the Funds of the Trust incurred by Custodian in the performance of its duties under this Agreement only against the money of the Fund or Funds of the Trust from which such compensation or expenses is actually due and payable, and under no circumstances shall any compensation or expenses due to Custodian be considered to be a joint, or joint and several, obligation of the Funds of the Trust. To the extent that Custodian is entitled to recover from the Trust any loss, damage, liability or expense (including counsel fees) under this Agreement, Custodian shall charge the amount due in respect of such loss, damage, liability or expense (including counsel fees) only against the money held by it for the Fund or Funds of the Trust that is/are identified by the Trust in an Officer's Certificate, unless and until the Trust instructs Custodian by an Officer's I-26 Certificate to charge against money held by it for the account of a Fund such Fund's pro rata share (based on such Fund's net asset value at the time of the charge in proportion to the aggregate net asset value of all Funds at that time) of the amount of such loss, damage, liability or expense (including counsel fees). (j) Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Officer's Certificate, Written Instructions, notice or other instrument in writing received by Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian, to be an Officer's Certificate or Written Instructions. Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instructions actually received by Custodian. The Trust agrees to forward to Custodian Written Instructions confirming such Oral Instructions in such manner so that such Written Instructions are received by Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telecopier or other similar device, or otherwise, by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are received by Custodian. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming instructions are not received, or that contrary instructions are received, by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions or enforceability of the transactions hereby authorized by the Trust. The Trust agrees that Custodian shall not incur any liability to the Trust in acting upon Oral Instructions given to Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions provided such instructions reasonably appear to have been received from an Authorized Person. (k) Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any instrument, instruction or notice received by it and reasonably believed by it to be given in accordance with the terms and conditions of any FCM Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall not be under any duty to inquire into, and Custodian shall not be liable for, the accuracy of any statements or representations contained in any such instrument or other notice including, without limitation, any specification of any amount to be paid to a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member. (l) Custodian shall provide the Trust with any report obtained by Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Book-Entry System, any Securities Depository utilized hereunder the Depository or the Options Clearing Corporation, and with such reports on its own systems of internal accounting control as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time. (m) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, those contained in Paragraph 27 hereof, Custodian may deliver and receive securities, and receipts with respect to such securities, and arrange for payments to be made and received by Custodian in accordance with the customs prevailing from time to time among brokers or dealers in such securities. When Custodian is instructed to deliver securities against payment, delivery of such securities and receipt of payment therefor may not be completed simultaneously. The Fund assumes all responsibility and liability for all credit risks involved in connection with Custodian's delivery of securities I-27 pursuant to proper instructions of the Fund, which responsibility and liability shall continue until final payment in full has been received by Custodian. (n) Custodian shall not have any duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement against Custodian. 29. TERMINATION. Any of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other parties a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such notice. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and Custodian shall on that date deliver directly to the Trust or a successor custodian designated by the Trust all securities and moneys then owned by the Trust and held by Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled; provided, however, that transaction fees and expenses payable by the Trust in connection with a deconversion to a successor custodian shall be limited to Custodian's actual direct cost. 30. NOTICES. All notices and other communications (collectively referred to as "Notice" or "Notices" in this paragraph) hereunder shall be in writing or by confirm in telegram, cable, telex, or facsimile sending device. Notices shall be addressed: (a) if to Custodian, at Custodian's address, 90 Washington Street, 22nd Floor, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Frank Ajosa; (b) if to the Trust, at the address of the Trust's Secretary, 111 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201, Attention: Richard H. Blank, Jr., Secretary; or (c) if to none of the foregoing, at such other address as shall have been notified to the sender of any such Notice or other communication. Notice shall be deemed to have been given when actually received by the other party. All postage, cable, telegram, telex and facsimile sending device charges arising from the sending of a Notice hereunder shall be paid by the sender. 31. FURTHER ACTIONS. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as it deems necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof. 32. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement or any part hereof may be changed or waived only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change or waiver is sought. 33. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) The Trust agrees that Custodian may be a counterparty in any purchase or sale of foreign currency by or for the Trust on a spot or forward basis, and on any option to buy or sell foreign currency. (b) This Agreement embodies the entire Agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings I-28 relating to the subject matter hereof. 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. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in New York and governed by New York law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. 34. RELEASE. The names "Nations Funds Trust" and "Trustees of Nations Funds Trust" refer respectively to the Trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of Trust which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is on file at the principal office of the Trust. The obligations of "Nations Funds Trust" entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, Interestholders, or representatives of the Trust personally, but bind only the Trust Property (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), and all persons dealing with any class of Shares of the Trust Property, and all persons dealing with any class of Shares of the Trust must look solely to the Trust Property belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust. 35. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. I-29 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST By: /s/ A. Max Walker ------------------------------------ A. Max Walker President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees THE BANK OF NEW YORK By: /s/ Ira Rosner ------------------------------------ Ira Rosner Vice President I-30 SCHEDULE I The Custody Agreement between Nations Funds Trust and Sub-Custodian applies to the following Funds of the Trust: 1. Corporate Bond Portfolio 2. High Income Portfolio 3. Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Portfolio 4. Nations Asset Allocation Fund 5. Nations Bond Fund 6. Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 7. Nations California Municipal Bond Fund 8. Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves 9. Nations Capital Growth Fund 10. Nations Cash Reserves 11. Nations Convertible Securities Fund 12. Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 13. Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund 14. Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 15. Nations Global Value Fund 16. Nations Government Reserves 17. Nations Government Securities Fund 18. Nations High Yield Bond Fund 19. Nations Intermediate Bond Fund 20. Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 21. Nations International Equity Fund 22. Nations International Value Fund 23. Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund 24. Nations LargeCap Index Fund 25. Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio 26. Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio 27. Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio 28. Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund 29. Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund 30. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund 31. Nations Marsico Growth Fund 32. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund 33. Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 34. Nations MidCap Growth Fund 35. Nations MidCap Index Fund I-1 36. Nations MidCap Value Fund 37. Nations Money Market Reserves 38. Nations Municipal Income Fund 39. Nations Municipal Reserves 40. Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves 41. Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 42. Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund 43. Nations Short-Term Income Fund 44. Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 45. Nations SmallCap Index Fund 46. Nations SmallCap Value Fund 47. Nations Small Company Fund 48. Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 49. Nations Strategic Growth Fund 50. Nations Strategic Income Fund 51. Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves 52. Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 53. Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 54. Nations Treasury Reserves 55. Nations Value Fund 56. Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Approved: May 23, 2001 Last Amended: August 1, 2003 I-2 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the amended Schedule I to be executed by their officers designated below as of the 1st day of August, 2003. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST By: /s/ Robert B. Carroll ------------------------------------ Robert B. Carroll Secretary THE BANK OF NEW YORK By: /s/ Ira Rosner ------------------------------------ Ira Rosner Vice President SCHEDULE II PUBLICATIONS I, Ira Rosner, a Vice President with THE BANK OF NEW YORK do hereby designate the following publications: The Bond Buyer Depository Trust Company Services Financial Daily Card Service JJ Kenney Municipal Bond Service London Financial Times New York Times Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record Wall Street Journal I-4 SCHEDULE III DOMESTIC CUSTODIAN FEE SCHEDULE FOR NATIONS FUNDS TRUST MONEY MARKET FUNDS SAFEKEEPING/INCOME COLLECTION/REPORTING DTC-ID AFFIRMATION ALL SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND USAGE CHARGES 1/2 of one basis point per annum on the aggregate net assets of all Nations' Money Market Funds. SECURITY TRANSACTION CHARGES $ 7 DTC/FRB/PTC $15 Physicals $40 Euro C/D's OTHER CHARGES $ 5 Bank official checks $ 2 Money transfers in/out of the Fund's custodian account not related to securities transactions. EARNINGS CREDITS ON BALANCES/INTEREST ON OVERDRAFTS Earnings credits are provided to each Fund on 80% of the daily balance in the domestic custodian account computed at the 90-day T-bill rate on the day of the balance. Overdrafts, excluding bank errors, will cause a reduction of earnings credits daily, computed at 1% above the average Federal Funds rate on the day of the overdraft. Credits and debits will be accumulated daily and offset monthly against the Bank's domestic custodian fees. To the extent a net debit is accumulated, each Fund will be billed for the expense. To the extent a net earnings credit is generated, such excess earnings credit can be carried forward to the next succeeding month. However, no earnings credit will be carried forward after year-end. I-5 DOMESTIC CUSTODIAN FEE SCHEDULE FOR NATIONS FUNDS TRUST MONEY MARKET FUNDS OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES None. BILLING CYCLE The above fees are billed monthly. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST THE BANK OF NEW YORK Approved by: /s/ A. Max Walker Approved by: /s/ Ira Rosner ------------------------- ------------------------ A. Max Walker Ira Rosner President and Chairman of Vice President the Board of Trustees Date: July 2, 2001 Date: July 2, 2001 I-6 DOMESTIC CUSTODIAN FEE SCHEDULE FOR NATIONS FUNDS TRUST NON-MONEY MARKET FUNDS SAFEKEEPING/INCOME COLLECTION/REPORTING/DTC-ID AFFIRMATION ALL SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND USAGE CHARGES 3/4ths of one basis point per annum on the aggregate net assets of all Nations' Non-Money Market Funds up to $10 billion. 1/2 of a basis point on the excess. SECURITY TRANSACTION CHARGES/PAYDOWNS $ 5 Paydowns $ 7 DTC/FRB/PTC $15 Physicals, options, and futures $40 Euro C/D's OTHER CHARGES $ Bank official checks 5 $ Money transfer in/out of the Fund's custodian account not 2 related to securities transactions. EARNINGS CREDITS ON BALANCES/INTEREST ON OVERDRAFTS Earnings credits are provided to each Fund on 80% of the daily balance in the domestic custodian account computed at the 90-day T-bill rate on the day of the balance. Overdrafts, excluding bank errors, will cause a reduction of earnings credits daily, computed at 1% above the average Federal Funds rate on the day of the overdraft. Credits and debits will be accumulated daily and offset monthly against the Bank's domestic custodian fees. To the extent a net debit is accumulated, each Fund will be billed for the expense. To the extent a net earnings credit is generated, such excess earnings credit can be carried forward to the next succeeding month. However, no earnings credit will be carried forward after year-end. I-7 DOMESTIC CUSTODIAN FEE SCHEDULE FOR NATIONS FUNDS TRUST NON-MONEY MARKET FUNDS OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES None. BILLING CYCLE The above fees are billed monthly. NATIONS FUNDS TRUST THE BANK OF NEW YORK Approved by: /s/ A. Max Walker Approved by: /s/ Ira Rosner -------------------------- ------------------------ A. Max Walker Ira Rosner President and Chairman of Vice President the Board of Trustees Date: July 2, 2001 Date: July 2, 2001 CUSTOMER CONTACT Portfolio trades are coordinated by a dedicated administrative group reacting to instructions from your authorized persons. The group consists of a senior officer in charge, administrators assigned based on activity and complexity and ample backup on hand to ensure responsiveness to your needs. SAFEKEEPING OF SECURITIES We are a direct member of all major depositor systems, i.e., Depository Trust Company, Federal Reserve Book Entry, Participants Trust Company, etc. Agreements are in place with sub-custodians for book-entry municipal bond programs. Arrangements have been completed for numerous multi-party repurchase transactions. Vault Operations are constantly monitored via closed-circuit security systems. I-8 OPTIONS/FUTURES Issue escrow or depository receipts. Collect premiums and effect closing purchase transactions for covered call options. Issue guarantee letters for put options. Agreements are in place with numerous Futures Commission Merchants (FCMs), to settle transactions and service maintenance margin requirements. Segregated accounts are maintained to comply with collateral agreements with contra-brokers. INCOME COLLECTION/PAYDOWNS Dividends and interest due to the account are pre-posted on the payable date. Proceeds from maturing securities are credited on the redemption date. Paydowns on GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC, and CMOs are posted on payable date and credited in Federal Funds on the business day after payable date when the factor is available (95% of issues held). Securities requiring registration are held in our nominee name to facilitate both sales and income collection. REPORTS The following reports are provided to allow your staff to monitor portfolio cash and security transactions: Daily Custodian Account Journal includes portfolio and cash transactions of the previous business day. Cash Balance Projection Report includes all trades reported to us that have not settled through the previous business day. Pending dividends, interest, maturities and called bonds are also listed on this report. Daily report of affirmed/unaffirmed trades. List of Assets reflects securities and cash held in the custodian account available daily, weekly, monthly, etc. I-9 Monthly Cash Statement - summary of all Daily Custodian Account Journal activity for the previous month. WORKSTATION Our workstation will afford you the ability to review, edit, enter, and transmit all trade settlement instructions to the Bank for processing. Easily accessed via a PC, using a local telephone number, it increases your flexibility to input and retrieve information while significantly reducing your communication costs. The system is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Cash Management Report is another of our on-line systems capabilities providing real-time settlement data regarding the current day's activity in your account. The activity would include pending and settled trades, income, paydowns and maturity payments as well as cash balances. This information puts effective cash management in your hands. Another of our dynamic on-line systems is called Q-TRAK. This on-line module of our system can be used to notify the bank of any inquiries regarding securities related problems. You can use Q-TRAK to route your inquiries directly to your Custody Administrative Team. Q-TRAK allows for prioritization of each inquiry and response, and permits you to monitor progress on each item as it is being researched. Many of the Bank's clients have found Q-TRAK to be an excellent tool in achieving timely resolutions to their questions. GENERAL SERVICING Prompt notification of corporate actions. Corporate literature directly forwarded upon receipt. Proxies for securities held in our nominee are executed and forwarded to the Fund for voting. Payment of your authorized corporate expenses. I-10 SCHEDULE IV OVERDRAFT RATE I-11 EX-99.23(H)(1) 6 g84302aexv99w23xhyx1y.txt ADMIN AGREEMENT / BACAP DISTRIBUTORS & NFST ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT NATIONS FUNDS TRUST This ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of January 1, 2003 by and between BACAP Distributors, LLC ("BACAP Distributors") and NATIONS FUNDS TRUST (the "Trust"). WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain BACAP Distributors to render certain administrative services for the investment portfolios of the Trust listed on Schedule A (individually, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"), and BACAP Distributors is willing to render such services. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed among the parties hereto as follows: 1. Appointment. The Trust hereby appoints BACAP Distributors to act as Administrator of the Funds, and BACAP Distributors hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to render such services and duties set forth in Paragraph 3, for the compensation and on the terms herein provided. Absent written notification to the contrary by either the Trust or BACAP Distributors, each new investment portfolio established in the future by the Trust shall automatically become a "Fund" for all purposes hereunder as if listed on Schedule A. 2. Delivery of Documents. The Trust has furnished BACAP Distributors with copies properly certified or authenticated of each of the following: (a) The Trust's registration statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under the 1940 Act (File Nos. 333-89661 and 811-09645), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Funds' shares of beneficial interest (the "Shares"); (b) The Funds' most recent prospectus(es); and (c) The Funds' most recent statement(s) of additional information. The Trust will furnish BACAP Distributors from time to time with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing. Furthermore, the Trust will provide BACAP Distributors with any other documents that BACAP Distributors may reasonably request and will notify BACAP Distributors as soon as possible of any matter materially affecting BACAP Distributors's performance of its services under this Agreement. 1 3. Duties as Co-Administrator. Subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, BACAP Distributors, as Administrator, will assist in supervising various aspects of the Trust's administrative operations and undertakes to perform the following specific services from and after the effective date of this Agreement: (a) Maintaining office facilities for the Trust (which may be in the offices of BACAP Distributors or a corporate affiliate); (b) Furnishing clerical services, internal executive and administrative services and stationery and office supplies in connection with the foregoing; (c) Assist in furnishing statistical and research data and data processing services in connection with the foregoing; (d) Furnishing corporate secretarial services, including assisting in the coordination of the preparation and distribution of materials for Board of Trustees meetings; (e) Providing the services of certain persons who may be appointed as officers of the Trust by the Trust's Board of Trustees; (f) Assist in coordinating the provision of legal advice and counsel to the Trust with respect to regulatory matters, including monitoring regulatory and legislative developments which may affect the Trust and assisting in the strategic response to such developments, counseling and assisting the Trust in routine regulatory examinations or investigations of the Trust, and working closely with outside counsel to the Trust in connection with any litigation in which the Trust is involved; (g) Assist in coordinating the preparation of reports to the Trust's shareholders of record and the SEC including, but not necessarily limited to, annual reports and semi-annual reports to shareholders and on Form N-SAR and notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the 1940 Act; (h) Coordinating with the Trust regarding the jurisdictions in which the Shares shall be registered or qualified for sale and, in connection therewith, being responsible for the registration or qualification and the maintenance of such registration or qualification of Shares for sale under the securities laws of any state. Payment of share registration fees and any fees for qualifying or continuing the qualification of the Trust or any Fund as a dealer or broker shall be made or reimbursed by the Trust or that Fund, respectively; (i) Assisting in the preparation and filing on a timely basis of various reports, registration statements and post-effective amendments thereto, and other documents required by federal, state and other applicable laws and regulations, other than those filed or required to be filed by the Funds' adviser, sub-advisers, transfer agent, sub-transfer agent or custodian; 2 (j) Performing certain compliance procedures for the Trust which will include, among other matters, monitoring compliance with personal trading guidelines by the Trust's Board of Trustees; (k) Providing accounting and bookkeeping services (including the maintenance for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act of such accounts, books and records of the Trust as may be required by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder). BACAP Distributors further agrees that all such records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request; (l) Valuing each Fund's assets and calculating the net asset value and the net income of the shares of each Fund in accordance with the Trust's current prospectus(es), applicable pricing procedures and resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees, provided, that in performing such services, BACAP Distributors shall obtain security market quotes from independent pricing services, or if such quotes are unavailable, obtain such prices from the Funds' adviser or sub-advisers; (m) Accumulating information for reports to the Trust's shareholders of record and the SEC including, but not necessarily limited to, annual reports and semi-annual reports to shareholders and on Form N-SAR and notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the 1940 Act; (n) Preparing and filing on a timely basis the Trust's tax returns and other tax filings; (o) Monitoring the development and implementation of certain compliance procedures for the Trust including, but not limited to, monitoring (i) each Fund's status as a regulated investment company under Sub-Chapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including performing, on a monthly basis and based upon information provided by the Fund's adviser or sub-advisers, the 90% gross income and asset diversification tests derived from such Sub-Chapter; and (ii) compliance by each Fund with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and applicable laws and regulations; (p) Preparing and furnishing to the Trust monthly broker security transaction summaries and monthly security transaction listings and (at the Trust's request) performance information (including yield and total return information) calculated in accordance with applicable U.S. securities laws and reporting to external databases such information as may reasonably be requested; (q) Assisting the Trust and its agents in their accumulation and preparation of materials for the Board of Trustees' meetings and for regulatory examinations and inspections of the Trust, to the extent such materials relate to the services being performed for the Trust by BACAP Distributors; (r) Coordinate the provisions of services to the Trust by other service providers to the Trust, including the transfer agent, sub-transfer agent and custodian; and 3 (s) Generally assisting in all aspects of the Trust's operations. In performing all services under this Agreement, BACAP Distributors shall (i) act in conformity with the Trust's Declaration of Trust, the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, and other applicable laws and regulations, as the same may be amended from time to time, and the Trust's Registration Statement, as such Registration Statement may be amended from time to time; (ii) consult and coordinate with the Trust, as necessary and appropriate; and (iii) advise and report to the Trust, as necessary or appropriate, with respect to any compliance matters that come to its attention. In connection with its duties under this Paragraph 3, it is understood and agreed that BACAP Distributors may, at its own expense, enter into sub-administration agreements with other service providers and the Fund(s), provided that each such service provider agrees with BACAP Distributors and the Fund(s) to comply with all relevant provisions of the 1940 Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder. 4. Compensation. BACAP Distributors shall bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, except those enumerated in 4(b) below. (a) BACAP Distributors will from time to time employ or associate with such person or persons as BACAP Distributors may believe to be particularly suited to assist it in performing services under this Agreement. Such person or persons may be officers and employees of both BACAP Distributors and the Trust. The compensation of such person or persons shall be paid by BACAP Distributors and no obligation shall be incurred on behalf of the Trust in such respect. (b) BACAP Distributors shall not be required to pay any of the following expenses incurred by the Trust: investment advisory expenses; costs of printing and mailing stock certificates, prospectuses, reports and notices; interest on borrowed money; brokerage fees and commissions; taxes and fees payable to federal, state and other governmental agencies; fees of Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with BACAP Distributors; outside auditing expenses, including tax preparation; outside legal expenses; fees of independent pricing services utilized by BACAP Distributors to value each Fund's assets; fees of any other service provider to the Trust (other than a sub-administrator engaged pursuant to Paragraph 3); or other expenses not specified in this Section 4 which may be properly payable by the Trust and which are approved by the Trust's President, Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer. (c) The Trust will compensate BACAP Distributors for its services rendered pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with Schedule B. In addition, the Trust shall reimburse BACAP Distributors for certain reasonable out-of pocket distributions made in connection with fulfilling its obligations under the Agreement. The items eligible for reimbursement are set forth on Schedule B. 4 5. Limitation of Liability; Indemnification. (a) BACAP Distributors shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, except a loss resulting from BACAP Distributors's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of such obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard thereof. (b) The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, will indemnify BACAP Distributors against and hold it harmless from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit relating to the particular Fund and not resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence of BACAP Distributors in the performance of such obligations and duties or by reason of their reckless disregard thereof. BACAP Distributors will not confess any claim or settle or make any compromise in any instance in which the Trust will be asked to provide indemnification, except with the Trust's prior written consent. Any amounts payable by the Trust under this Section 5(b) shall be satisfied only against the assets of the Fund involved in the claim, demand, action or suit and not against the assets of any other investment portfolio of the Trust. 6. Effective Date; Termination of Agreement. (a) This Agreement shall become effective on the date of its execution. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect with respect to such Fund(s) unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6(b). (b) This Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days' written notice, by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, or by BACAP Distributors. BACAP Distributors will cooperate with and assist the Trust, its agents and any successor administrator or administrators in any substitution/conversion process. (c) Sections 5 and 8 shall survive this Agreement's termination. 7. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, discharge or termination is sought. 8. Confidentiality. All books, records, information and data pertaining to the business of the Trust, its prior, present or potential shareholders and BACAP Distributors's customers that are exchanged or received pursuant to the performance of BACAP Distributors's duties under this Agreement shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to any other person, except as specifically authorized by the Trust or as may be required by law, and shall not be used for any purpose other than performance of BACAP Distributors's responsibilities and duties hereunder. 9. Service to Other Companies or Accounts. The Trust acknowledges that BACAP Distributors now acts, will continue to act and may act in the future as 5 investment adviser to fiduciary and other managed accounts, and as distributor, investment adviser, investment sub-adviser and/or administrator to other investment companies or series of investment companies, and the Trust has no objection to BACAP Distributors so acting. The Trust further acknowledges that the persons employed by BACAP Distributors to assist in the performance of their duties under this Agreement may not devote their full time to such service and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of BACAP Distributors or any affiliate of BACAP Distributors to engage in and devote time and attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever kind or nature. 10. Miscellaneous. (a) Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by this Agreement to be given in writing to the Trust or BACAP Distributors shall be sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in writing. To the Trust: Nations Funds Trust One Bank of America Plaza Charlotte, NC 28255 Attention: Secretary To BACAP Distributors: BACAP Distributors, LLC One Bank of America Plaza Charlotte, NC 28255 Attention: Senior Vice President (b) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable without the written consent of the other parties. (c) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. (d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original and which collectively shall be deemed to constitute only one instrument. (e) The captions of 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. (f) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters described herein. 6 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be duly executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date first written above. BACAP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC By: /s/ Edward D. Bedard -------------------- Edward D. Bedard Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer NATIONS FUNDS TRUST By: /s/ Robert H. Gordon -------------------- Robert H. Gordon President 7 SCHEDULE A NATIONS FUNDS TRUST: 1. Corporate Bond Portfolio 2. High Income Portfolio 3. Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Portfolio 4. Nations Asset Allocation Fund 5. Nations Bond Fund 6. Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 7. Nations California Municipal Bond Fund 8. Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves 9. Nations Capital Growth Fund 10. Nations Cash Reserves 11. Nations Convertible Securities Fund 12. Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 13. Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund 14. Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 15. Nations Global Value Fund 16. Nations Government Reserves 17. Nations Government Securities Fund 18. Nations High Yield Bond Fund 19. Nations Intermediate Bond Fund 20. Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 21. Nations International Equity Fund 22. Nations International Value Fund 23. Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund 24. Nations LargeCap Index Fund 25. Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio 26. Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio 27. Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio 28. Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund 29. Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund 30. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund 31. Nations Marsico Growth Fund 32. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund 33. Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 34. Nations MidCap Growth Fund 35. Nations MidCap Index Fund 36. Nations MidCap Value Fund 37. Nations Money Market Reserves 38. Nations Municipal Income Fund 39. Nations Municipal Reserves 40. Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves 41. Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 42. Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund 43. Nations Short-Term Income Fund 44. Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 45. Nations SmallCap Index Fund 46. Nations SmallCap Value Fund 47. Nations Small Company Fund 48. Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 49. Nations Strategic Growth Fund 50. Nations Strategic Income Fund 51. Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves 52. Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 53. Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 54. Nations Treasury Reserves 55. Nations Value Fund 56. Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Approved: November 21, 2002 Last Amended: August 1, 2003 SCHEDULE B For services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust will pay BACAP Distributors, an administration fee, computed daily and payable monthly, based on annual rate of each Fund's daily net assets as follows: 1. Money Market Funds: 0.10% 2. Fixed Income Funds (except Nations High Yield Bond 0.22% Fund): 3. Nations High Yield Bond Fund: 0.18% 4. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund: 0.12% 5. Domestic Equity Funds (except Nations Marsico 21st 0.23% Century Fund, Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund and Nations Marsico Growth Fund): 6. Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund, Nations Marsico 0.13% Focused Equities Fund and Nations Marsico Growth Fund: 7. Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio, Nations LifeGoal As mutually agreed upon by the Trust and Balanced Growth Portfolio, Nations LifeGoal Income BACAP Distributors from time to time. and Growth Portfolio, Corporate Bond Portfolio, Pursuant to separate agreements for these Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Portfolio and High Income Funds, an affiliate of BACAP Distributors Portfolio: has agreed to absorb all fees and expenses incurred under this Agreement.
In addition to the asset-based fee set forth above, the Trust shall reimburse BACAP Distributors and any sub-administrator engaged pursuant to Paragraph 3 for certain reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with the performance of their respective duties hereunder. Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses shall include the following: reasonable costs associated with postage (including overnight services), telephone, telecommunications (including facsimiles), duplicating, pricing services, and forms and supplies and such other out-of-pocket expenses as the parties may agree to from time to time. EX-99.23(H)(2) 7 g84302aexv99w23xhyx2y.txt SUB-ADMIN AGREEMENT / BNY, BACAP DISTRIB AND NFST SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT NATIONS FUNDS TRUST This SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of January 1, 2003 by and among THE BANK OF NEW YORK ("BNY"), BACAP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC ("BACAP Distributors") and NATIONS FUNDS TRUST (the "Trust"). WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); WHEREAS, BACAP Distributors serves as the Administrator for the investment portfolios of the Trust pursuant to a separate Administration Agreement; and WHEREAS, BACAP Distributors desires to retain BNY to render certain sub-administrative services to the Trust and to BACAP Distributors, as Administrator of the Trust, and BNY is willing to render such services. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed among the parties hereto as follows: 1. Appointment and Duties as Sub-Administrator. (a) BACAP Distributors hereby appoints BNY to act as Sub-Administrator of the Trust and to render sub-administrative services for each portfolio of the Trust listed on Schedule I (individually, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") and BNY hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services and duties set forth in Schedule II as it may be amended from time to time, for the compensation and on the terms herein provided. Each new investment portfolio established in the future by the Trust or BACAP Distributors will become a "Fund" for all purposes hereunder when BNY receives a revised Schedule I from BACAP Distributors or the Trust that includes such new portfolio. (b) Subject to the other provisions of this Section 1, in performing all services under this Agreement, BNY shall (i) act in conformity with the Trust's Declaration of Trust, the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, including but not limited to Rules 31a-1 to 31a-3, and other applicable laws and regulations, as the same may be amended from time to time, and the Trust's Registration Statement (defined below) as such Registration Statement may be amended from time to time; (ii) consult and coordinate with BACAP Distributors and the Trust, as necessary and appropriate; and (iii) advise and report to BACAP Distributors and the Trust, as necessary or appropriate, with respect to any compliance matters that come to its attention. In performing all services under this Agreement BNY shall meet the minimum quality of service standards set forth on Schedule III. (c) The Trust has furnished BNY and BACAP Distributors with copies properly certified or authenticated of each of the following: (i) the Trust's Declaration of Trust or other 1 organizational document and all amendments thereto (the "Declaration"); (ii) votes of the Trust's Board of Trustees or other governing body (the "Board") authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust; (iii) the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under the 1940 Act (File Nos. 333-89661 and 881-09645), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Funds' shares of beneficial interest (the "Shares"); (iv) the Funds' current prospectus(es); (v) the Funds' current statement(s) of additional information; and (v) the pricing procedures applicable to the calculation of the Funds' net asset values as approved by the Trust's Board (the "Pricing Procedures"). It is solely the Trust's responsibility to furnish BNY from time to time with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing, and BNY will not be held to have knowledge of any such amendments or supplements until the same are actually received by BNY. Furthermore, the Trust will provide BNY with any other documents that BNY and BACAP Distributors may reasonably request and will notify BNY and BACAP Distributors as soon as possible of any matter materially affecting either BNY's or BACAP Distributors's performance of its services under this Agreement. (d) Subject to the direction and approval of the Trust's Board and appropriate officers and the provisions of this Agreement, BNY shall provide to each Fund the administrative services set forth on Schedule II attached hereto. In performing such services hereunder, BNY shall provide, at its expense, office space, facilities, equipment and personnel. BNY shall not provide any services relating to the management, investment advisory or sub-advisory functions of any Fund, distribution of shares of any Fund, maintenance of any Fund's financial records (except as otherwise agreed by the parties) or any services normally performed by the Funds' counsel or independent accountants. Upon receipt of the Trust's prior written consent, BNY may delegate any of its duties and obligations hereunder to any delegee or agent whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate. Unless expressly agreed in writing, BNY shall not be relieved of liability or responsibility for the performance of any duties or obligations delegated to a delegee or agent, provided that BNY shall have no liability for duties or obligations that are delegated to a delegee or agent at the instruction of the Trust or BACAP Distributors. The Trust and BACAP Distributors shall cause their respective officers, and shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Trust's or BACAP Distributors's legal counsel, independent accountants, and transfer agent to cooperate with BNY and to provide BNY, upon BNY's reasonable written request, such information, documents and advice relating to such Fund as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, in order to enable BNY to perform its duties hereunder. Such cooperation or provision of information, documents or advice shall be at no cost to BNY, provided BNY's request is reasonable and BACAP Distributors shall have been notified of the request. In connection with its duties hereunder, BNY shall be entitled to reasonably rely upon any documents relating to a Fund provided to BNY by any of the aforementioned persons. BNY may apply to the Trust or BACAP Distributors for written instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with BNY's performance hereunder. If, after a reasonable period of time, BNY receives no response to any such application, BNY may then notify the Trust or BACAP Distributors of reasonable action that BNY shall take if written instructions are not received within a stated period of time after such notice, and then BNY shall not be liable for taking such reasonable action as if written instructions had been 2 provided. BNY is entitled to reasonably rely and act in accordance with written instructions believed to have been given by authorized persons and shall incur no costs for such reasonable reliance. BNY shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and Schedule II hereto, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against BNY in connection with this Agreement. (e) The Trust and BACAP Distributors, for itself and not for the others, hereby represents and warrants to BNY, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing, that: (i) it is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; (ii) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms; (iii) it is conducting its business substantially in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; (iv) there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its Declaration, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and (v) the Trust and BACAP Distributors will use reasonable efforts to promptly notify BNY of any errors or omissions contained in any reports, calculations, valuations and other items of information, provided that any failure by the Trust or BACAP Distributors to detect any such errors or omissions shall not relieve BNY of any resulting liability therefrom. To the extent that BACAP Distributors has actual knowledge of any such error or omission and fails to use reasonable efforts to promptly notify BNY, BNY shall be relieved of any liability that BNY may have mitigated had BACAP Distributors provided notice of such error or omission to BNY. (f) BNY hereby represents and warrants to the Trust and BACAP Distributors, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing, that: (i) it is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; (ii) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms; and (iii) it is conducting its business substantially in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its Charter, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement. 2. Compensation. For the services to be rendered, the facilities to be furnished and the compensation and other expenses to be borne by BNY, as provided for in this Agreement, BNY shall be entitled to receive a monthly fee from BACAP Distributors and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses as set forth in Schedule IV to this Agreement. It is understood that BACAP Distributors shall be responsible for BNY's monthly fee for its services hereunder, and 3 BNY agrees that it shall have no claim against the Trust or the Funds with respect to compensation under this Agreement. 3. Recordkeeping. BNY shall, as agent for the Trust, and subject to the direction and approval of the Trust's Board and the provisions of this Agreement, maintain and keep current the books, accounts and other documents, if any, pursuant to the services and duties provided by BNY as set forth in Schedule II of this Agreement, and preserve any such books, accounts and other documents in accordance with the applicable provisions of Rule 31a-2 of the 1940 Act. Such books, accounts and other documents shall be made available upon reasonable request for inspection by officers, employees and auditors of the Trust and BACAP Distributors during BNY's normal business hours. All records maintained and preserved by BNY pursuant to this Agreement which the Trust is required to maintain and preserve in accordance with Rule 31a-2 of the 1940 Act shall be and remain the property of the Trust and shall be surrendered to the Trust promptly upon request in the form in which such records have been maintained and preserved. Upon reasonable request of the Trust, BNY shall provide in data files or hard copy, whichever the Trust shall reasonably elect, any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by BNY on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained, and the Trust shall reimburse BNY for its expenses of providing such hard copy. 4. Standard of Care; Indemnification. (a) BNY shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best efforts to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to the Trust unless such loss or damage is caused by BNY's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct or that of its directors, officers or employees. BNY shall be responsible hereunder for all direct damages resulting from its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, provided however that it shall not be responsible for lost profits or lost business arising under or in connection with this Agreement. It is understood and agreed that for purposes of this Section 4(a), "direct damages" shall include, but shall not be limited to, all legal costs, penalties, reimbursement for excess distribution and redemption payments, repurchasing costs for servicing agents and reimbursement to the Funds for net asset value breaks (as calculated under the Pricing Procedures). (b) The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, will indemnify BNY against and hold it harmless from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses of a defense against any claim, demand, action or suit), relating to the particular Fund and arising from any one or more of the following: (i) errors in records or instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation of any kind, as the case may be, supplied to BNY by any person described in Section 1 hereof or by any third party described in Section 5; (ii) action or inaction taken or omitted to be taken by BNY pursuant to written or oral instructions described in this Agreement (or otherwise without bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct); (iii) any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNY in good faith in accordance with the advice or opinion of counsel for a Fund, the Trust, BACAP Distributors (obtained in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement) or its own counsel; (iv) any improper use by the Fund, the Trust, BACAP Distributors or their respective agents, of any valuations or computations supplied by BNY pursuant to this Agreement; (v) the 4 method of valuation of the securities and the method of computing a Fund's net asset value or any other amount computed by BNY hereunder, provided BNY has followed the Pricing Procedures; and (vi) any valuation of securities, net asset value or other amount provided by a Fund or BACAP Distributors. BNY will not confess any claim or settle or make any compromise in any instance in which the Trust will be asked to provide indemnification, except with the Trust's prior written consent. Any amounts payable by the Trust under this Section 4(b) shall be satisfied only against the assets of the Fund involved in the claim, demand, action or suit and not against the assets of any other investment portfolio of the Trust. 5. Fund Accounting Services. (a) BNY, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall be entitled to rely fully on the accuracy and validity of any and all instructions, explanations, information, specifications and documentation furnished to it by a Fund and shall have no duty or obligation to review the accuracy, validity or propriety of such instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation, including, without limitation, evaluations of securities; the amounts or formula for calculating the amounts and times of accrual of Fund's liabilities and expenses; the amounts receivable and the amounts payable on the sale or purchase of securities; and amounts receivable or amounts payable for the sale or redemption of Fund shares effected by or on behalf of the Fund. In the event BNY's computations hereunder rely, in whole or in part, upon information, including, without limitation, bid, offer or market values of securities or other assets, or accruals of interest or earnings thereon, from a pricing or similar service utilized, or subscribed to, by BNY which BNY in its judgment deems reliable, or any other third party pricing source designated by the Trust, BNY shall not be responsible for, under any duty to inquire into, or deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy or completeness of such information. BNY shall not be required to inquire into any valuation of securities or other assets by the Fund or any third party described in this Section, even though BNY in performing services similar to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement for others may receive different valuations of the same or different securities of the same issuers. (b) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and the direction and approval of the Trust's Board, BNY shall perform the computations described in Schedule II at such times and dates and in the manner specified or described in the then-current prospectus(es) of a Fund. To the extent valuation of securities or a computation specified or described in a Fund's Pricing Procedures or then-current effective prospectus(es) is at any time inconsistent with any applicable laws or regulations, the Trust or BACAP Distributors shall immediately so notify BNY in writing and thereafter shall furnish BNY at all appropriate times with the values of such securities and such Fund's net asset value or other amounts otherwise to be calculated by BNY, or, subject to the prior approval of BNY, instruct BNY in writing to value securities and make such computations in a manner which the Trust or BACAP Distributors then represents in writing to be consistent with all applicable laws and regulations. The Trust or BACAP Distributors may also from time to time, subject to the prior approval of BNY, instruct BNY in writing to make computations other than as specified in this Section of this Agreement. By giving such instruction, the Trust or BACAP Distributors shall be deemed to have represented that such instruction is consistent with all applicable laws and regulations and the then-current effective prospectus(es) of the particular Fund. The Trust or BACAP Distributors shall have sole 5 responsibility for determining the method of valuation of securities and the method of computations, and all computations, valuation of securities and the method of computing each Fund's net asset value shall be subject to approval by the Trust and BACAP Distributors. BNY shall not be liable for relying on any price provided by any pricing service believed by BNY to be reliable, and the Trust or BACAP Distributors shall furnish values when the same are not available from a pricing service utilized by BNY, with such furnishing to constitute an instruction to BNY to rely on the provided values. (c) BNY shall be responsible for determining and properly reflecting in the computations made by it under this Agreement: (i) the taxable nature of any distribution or amount received or deemed received by, or payable to, a Fund; (ii) the taxable nature or effect on a Fund or its shareholders of any corporate actions, class actions, tax reclaims, tax refunds, or similar events; (iii) the taxable nature or taxable amount of any distribution or dividend paid, payable or deemed paid, by a Fund to its shareholders; (iv) the effect under any federal, state, or foreign income tax laws of a Fund making or not making any distribution or dividend payment, or any election with respect thereto; or (v) any tax accounting; provided, however, that if BNY is not certain of the taxable nature, amount or effect of any such item, it may seek instructions regarding the proper treatment of such item from the Trust or BACAP Distributors in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 1(e), above, and shall have no liability for acting in reliance on such instructions. 6. Termination of Agreement. (a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first set forth above and shall remain in full force and effect unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6(b). (b) This Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days' written notice to BNY, by BACAP Distributors or by vote of the Board of the Trust, or upon 180 days' written notice to BACAP Distributors and the Trust, by BNY. Upon any such termination, BNY will cooperate with and assist the Trust, BACAP Distributors, their agents and any successor administrator(s) or sub-administrator(s) in the substitution/conversion process. In connection with any termination of this Agreement, unless BNY is in breach of this Agreement, the Funds and BACAP Distributors agree to pay BNY any compensation and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses as may then be due and payable, as well as agreed-upon out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with a termination. If BNY is in breach of this Agreement, the Funds and BACAP Distributors may offset any compensation or reimbursement amounts owed to BNY by the amount of damages, costs and expenses incurred as a result of BNY's breach, including costs, expenses and reasonable incremental fees for a period not to exceed one year incurred in connection with a conversion by the Trust and BACAP Distributors to a successor service provider. In the event of a dispute as to the amount of such damages, the Funds and BACAP Distributors agree to escrow the set-off amount. (c) Sections 4 and 8 shall survive this Agreement's termination. 7. Amendments. Except as expressly provided in the first paragraph of Section 1, no provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified orally, but only by an instrument in 6 writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment or modification is sought. 8. Confidentiality. All books, records, information and data pertaining to the business of the Trust, or its prior, present or potential shareholders that are exchanged or received in connection with the performance of BNY's duties under this Agreement shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to any other person, except as specifically authorized by the Trust or as may be required by law, and shall not be used for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, and except that BNY retains the right to disclose matters subject to confidentiality to its examiners, regulators, internal or external auditors, its accountants, its internal and external counsel, and to any other entity whenever it is advised by its internal or external counsel that it is reasonably likely that BNY would be liable for a failure to do so. BNY will endeavor to provide written notice to the Trust and BACAP Distributors at least five business days prior to any disclosures pursuant to this Section 8, but, provided it shall have provided as much notice as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances, BNY shall have no liability for any failure to do so. 9. Service to Other Companies. The Trust and BACAP Distributors acknowledge that BNY now provides, will continue to provide and may in the future provide administrative or other services to other investment companies or series of investment companies, and the Trust and BACAP Distributors have no objection to BNY so doing. The Trust and BACAP Distributors further acknowledge that the persons employed by BNY to assist in the performance of BNY's duties under this Agreement may not devote their full time to such service and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of BNY or any affiliate of BNY to engage in and devote time and attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever kind or nature. 10. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof. Each Fund, the Trust and BACAP Distributors hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. To the extent that in any such jurisdiction any of the aforementioned persons may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, each irrevocably agrees not to claim, and it hereby waives, such immunity. (b) In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances. (c) Each and every right granted to BNY, the Trust or BACAP Distributors hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of 7 BNY, the Trust or BACAP Distributors to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by BNY, the Trust or BACAP Distributors of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. (d) BNY shall not be responsible for delays or errors that occur by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, provided that reasonable back-up and disaster recovery systems are in place, including, without limitation, labor difficulties, mechanical breakdowns, computer breakdowns or malfunctions (hardware or software), flood or catastrophe, acts of God, failures of transportation, communication or power supply, or other similar circumstances. Nor shall BNY be responsible for delays or failures to supply the information or services specified in this Agreement where such delays or failures are caused by the failure of any person(s) other than BNY to supply any instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation deemed necessary by BNY in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. (e) Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by this Agreement to be given in writing to the Trust, BNY and/or BACAP Distributors shall be sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in writing. To the Trust: Nations Funds Trust One Bank of America Plaza 101 South Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28255-0001 Attention: Secretary To BACAP Distributors: BACAP Distributors, LLC One Bank of America Plaza 101 South Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28255-0001 Attention: Secretary To BNY: The Bank of New York 90 Washington Street 22nd Floor New York, NY 10286 Attention: Stephen E. Grunston 8 (f) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be assigned by BNY, nor may BNY delegate responsibility for the performance of any of its duties hereunder, without the written consent of the other parties hereto. (g) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and which collectively shall be deemed to constitute only one instrument. (h) The captions of 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. (i) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the provision by BNY of sub-administrative services and the receipt of fees therefor, and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings, written or oral, with respect to the provision by BNY of such services and the receipt of fees therefor. 9 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be duly executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date first written above. THE BANK OF NEW YORK By: /s/ Ira Rosner -------------- Ira Rosner Vice President BACAP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC By: /s/ Edward D. Bedard --------------------- Edward D. Bedard Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer NATIONS FUNDS TRUST By: /s/ Robert H. Gordon -------------------- Robert H. Gordon President 10 SCHEDULE I 1. Corporate Bond Portfolio 2. High Income Portfolio 3. Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Portfolio 4. Nations Asset Allocation Fund 5. Nations Bond Fund 6. Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 7. Nations California Municipal Bond Fund 8. Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves 9. Nations Capital Growth Fund 10. Nations Cash Reserves 11. Nations Convertible Securities Fund 12. Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 13. Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund 14. Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 15. Nations Global Value Fund 16. Nations Government Reserves 17. Nations Government Securities Fund 18. Nations High Yield Bond Fund 19. Nations Intermediate Bond Fund 20. Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 21. Nations International Equity Fund 22. Nations International Value Fund 23. Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund 24. Nations LargeCap Index Fund 25. Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio 26. Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio 27. Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio 28. Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund 29. Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund 30. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund 31. Nations Marsico Growth Fund 32. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund 33. Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 34. Nations MidCap Growth Fund 35. Nations MidCap Index Fund 36. Nations MidCap Value Fund 37. Nations Money Market Reserves 38. Nations Municipal Income Fund 39. Nations Municipal Reserves 40. Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves 41. Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund I-1 42. Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund 43. Nations Short-Term Income Fund 44. Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 45. Nations SmallCap Index Fund 46. Nations SmallCap Value Fund 47. Nations Small Company Fund 48. Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 49. Nations Strategic Growth Fund 50. Nations Strategic Income Fund 51. Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves 52. Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 53. Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 54. Nations Treasury Reserves 55. Nations Value Fund 56. Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Approved: November 21, 2002 Last Amended: August 1, 2003 I-2 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this amended Schedule I to be executed by their officers designated below as of the 1st day of August, 2003. THE BANK OF NEW YORK By: /s/ Ira Rosner -------------- Ira Rosner Vice President BACAP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC By: /s/ Edward D. Bedard -------------------- Edward D. Bedard Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer NATIONS FUNDS TRUST By: /s/ Robert B. Carroll --------------------- Robert B. Carroll Secretary I-3 SCHEDULE II FUND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES BNY shall perform the following sub-administrative services, in addition to any other services agreed to from time to time: - - Monitor and document compliance by the Funds with their policies and restrictions as delineated in their prospectuses and statements of additional information, including any supplements or amendments thereto, and with the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act utilizing Charles River Development's compliance monitoring system or by such other means as the parties may agree. BACAP Distributors shall be responsible for communicating such policies and restrictions, including any changes thereto, to BNY by such means as the parties agree. - - Provide income attribution summary schedules necessary for year-end tax reporting. Provide a gross up for foreign taxes on a per share basis and the redesignation of income and capital gains on a per share basis. - - Prepare federal, state, excise and local income tax returns for the Funds and file such returns upon the approval of the Funds' independent accountants; monitor, report on and prepare periodic worksheet and tax provision packages with respect to Sub-Chapter M qualifications; prepare and file all Form 1099s with respect to the Funds' Trustees; monitor compliance with Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code; calculate and maintain records pertaining to original issue discount and premium amortization as required; identify wash sales and all other book/tax differences, and report results to the Funds' independent accountants and Funds management; and such other duties relating to federal and/or state tax compliance as the parties may agree. BNY shall be responsible for providing all pertinent tax information to the Funds' independent accountants. - - Prepare Return of Capital Statement of Position 93-2 adjustments. - - Support BACAP Distributors in its preparation of the schedules and provide BACAP Distributors unaudited quarterly and semi-annual and audited annual financial statements and schedules of Fund investments by providing, without limitation, each Funds' schedule of investments and general ledger in electronic format and/or hard copy, as required, and such other information as may be necessary to complete such financial reports. - - Prepare statistical reports for outside information services (referenced in Schedule V), and such other information services as the parties may agree, including the ICI expense survey. - - Prepare calculations for capital gains pursuant to IRS rules in conjunction with BACAP Distributors and the Funds' independent accountant. - - Attend Fund shareholder and Board of Trustees meetings as requested by BACAP Distributors, including making such presentations as are appropriate, and, with respect to the II-1 Fund administration services described herein, provide such periodic and special reports to the Trust and BACAP Distributors as the Trust and BACAP Distributors shall reasonably request. FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES BNY shall provide all accounting and recordkeeping services necessary and appropriate for the business of the Funds, including but not limited to those set forth below. Required Records; Ledgers and Journals BNY shall keep current the following accounts and records relating to the business of the Funds, in such form as is required by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, and generally accepted accounting principles, to support all filings under applicable federal and state tax laws and regulations and as may be mutually agreed to among the Trust, BACAP Distributors and BNY, and shall make available to BACAP Distributors and/or the Trust upon request: 1. Cash Receipts Journal 2. Cash Disbursements Journal 3. Dividends Paid and Payable Schedule (book vs. tax basis) 4. Purchase and Sales Journals - Portfolio Securities 5. Realized/Unrealized Gain (Loss) Reports 6. Subscription and Redemption Journals 7. Security Ledgers - Transaction Report and Tax Lot Holdings Report 8. Broker Ledger - Commission Report 9. Daily Expense Accruals 10. Daily Interest Accruals 11. Daily Trial Balance 12. Portfolio Interest Receivable and Income Journal 13. Portfolio Dividend Receivable and Income Register 14. Listing of Portfolio Holdings - showing cost, market value and percentage of portfolio comprised of each security 15. Aged Receivables (dividends, interest, tax reclaiming) 16. Portfolio Turnover Rate 17. Cash reconciliations 18. Position reconciliations BNY will be responsible for maintaining, in accordance with Section 31 and the rules thereunder of the 1940 Act, all books and records so required and generated in the course of performing their duties under this agreement. Further, at a minimum, BNY shall maintain on-site the above referenced reports as of each month end for the most recent fiscal year-ended and the current fiscal year. II-2 Daily Accounting Services BNY shall perform the following services on each Business Day: 1. Calculate Net Asset Value (NAV), and Public Offering Price (POP) Per Share Pursuant to SEC formulas: - Update the valuation of security positions held by each Fund's portfolio in accordance with the Fund's Pricing Procedures and any other appropriate procedures established by the Board and BACAP Distributors as BACAP Distributors shall provide BNY in writing - When instructed by BACAP Distributors, enter manual prices supplied by broker and link to pricing procedures - Calculate each Fund's NAV/POP in accordance with the applicable Pricing Procedures approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees and prepare NAV proof sheet. Review components of change in NAV for reasonableness based on the tolerance levels as BACAP Distributors shall direct BNY in writing - Review variance reporting for price changes in individual securities using variance levels established by Fund and report to Fund portfolio managers and to BACAP Distributors - Review for ex-dividend items indicated by pricing sources; trace to general ledger for agreement - Communicate required pricing and yield information (NAV/POP), as appropriate, to BACAP Distributors, the Funds' transfer agent and sub-transfer agent and, electronically, to NASDAQ and to such other third parties as designated by the Funds with respect to its various distribution channels. In addition, provide Fund share activity to BACAP Distributors. 2. Dividend Rates/Yields/Dollar Weighted Average Maturity: - Calculate, subject to the approval of BACAP Distributors, net investment income available for distribution daily as appropriate - Calculate daily dividend rate, and 1, 7, 30-day yields/SEC yields - Calculate dollar weighted average maturity 3. Determine and Report Cash Availability: - Receive daily cash and transaction statements from the Funds' custodian - Complete daily bank cash reconciliations (including documentation of any reconciling items) and notify the Funds' custodian - Report investable cash to BACAP Distributors and Fund sub-advisers 4. Daily Expense Accruals: - Accrue individual expenses on a daily basis based on Instructions provided by BACAP Distributors, except for those instances where such an adjustment would cause a full penny break in NAV, in which case such adjustment will be included in the calculation of NAV on the day received II-3 - If applicable, accrue daily amortization of organization expense as instructed by BACAP Distributors - If applicable, accrue daily Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses - Adjust expense accruals as instructed by BACAP Distributors and provide reports as requested by BACAP Distributors 5. Verify and Record All Daily Income Accruals for Debt Issues: - Track income and provide year end tax schedules - Review and verify all interest and amortization reports - Periodic tie-out of receivables - Ensure security masters denote proper interest and amortization methods as per the fund set up sheets as instructed by BACAP Distributors 6. Monitor Securities: - Review each Fund's portfolio holdings and current day's security trades for dividend activity - Interface with Funds' custodian for timely collection and postings of corporate actions, dividends and interest pre-payments 7. Enter All Security Trades: - Review verification of trade and interest calculations - Verify settlement through custodian statements - Maintain security ledger transaction reporting - Maintain tax lot holdings - Determine realized gains or losses on security trades - Provide broker commission information 8. Enter All Fund Share Transactions: - Periodically reconcile dividend payable amounts with the Funds' transfer agent - Process activity identified on transfer agent reports - Verify settlement through custodian statements - Reconcile to transfer agency report balances - Process and track capital stock gain/loss activity 9. Prepare Daily Trial Balance: - Post manual entries to general ledger - Post custodian bank activity - Require automated settled transactions between custody and activity records (prepare, clear and post) - Post shareholder and security transactions II-4 - Post and verify income and expense accruals and resolve differences - Prepare general ledger - Post corporate action activity 10. Review and Reconcile Custodian Statements: - Verify all posted interest, dividends, expenses, and shareholder and security payments/receipts, etc. when requested - Post all cash settlement activity to trial balance - Reconcile to ending cash balance accounts - Report to BACAP Distributors the status of past due items and failed trades with the custodian - Reconcile cash exception Income items, tax reclaims and past due income items with custody area 11. Preparation of Accounting Reports: - Price Variance Report - Trial Balance - Portfolio Valuation - NAV Calculation Report - Cash Availability - Change in NAV - Non-standard entries - Stale Price Report - Other such reports as may be reasonably requested by BACAP Distributors Monthly/Quarterly Services BNY shall provide the following services on a monthly or quarterly basis, within such timeframe as may be mutually agreed upon by BNY, the Trust and BACAP Distributors: 1. Submission of Monthly Accounting Reports as mutually agreed upon 2. Reconcile Asset Listing to Custodian Asset Listing 3. Provide Monthly Analysis and Reconciliation of Trial Balance Accounts 4. Prepare Documentation Supporting the Preparation of: - SEC yield reporting - Income by state reporting - Standard Industry Code Valuation Report (please provide BACAP Distributors's industry code classifications/is there a standard for all Funds) - Alternative Minimum Tax Income segregation schedule II-5 5. Provide Upon Request Broker Commission and Net Trade Reports Annual (and Semi-Annual) Accounting Services BNY shall provide the following services on an annual and semi-annual basis: 1. Supply auditors InvestOne reports supporting securities and shareholder transactions, income and expense accruals, etc. during the year in accordance with standard audit assistance requirements 2. Provide BACAP Distributors with information to assist BACAP Distributors in the preparation of NSAR filings Other Core Services BNY shall provide the following services: - Accrete discounts and amortize premiums to put and call events as directed by BACAP Distributors and in a manner acceptable under generally accepted accounting principles - Process principal repayments on mortgage backed securities - Update variable securities with current rates - Process corporate action events through a primary vender feed, and monitor results via Reuters, Bloomberg, or other available sources as the parties may agree - Perform automated portfolio pricing with a second vendor as requested by BACAP Distributors - Produce documents and respond to inquiries during account and SEC examinations Money Market Funds: Prepare daily mark to market reports and analysis in compliance with Rule 2a-7 including: - Calculating the daily portfolio weighted average maturity - Report portfolio diversification based on trade/security information provided by BACAP Distributors by: Country, State, Tier, Liquidity, Asset Backed Securities, Industry, Letter of Credit - Listing percentage of portfolio maturing in specified intervals (i.e., number of days) - Providing issuer and guarantor diversification exception reporting II-6 International Funds: BNY shall provide the following services: - Report in base and local currency - Processing of tax liability on foreign income subject to approval of BACAP Distributors - Daily variance analysis performed on FX rates for security position held - Produce automated bifurcation reporting in compliance with IRC Section 988 - Mark to market security receivables and payables on a daily basis - Determine portfolio exposure by country and currency In addition to the above, BNY will provide additional support as agreed upon from time to time (i.e., financial statement production). II-7 SCHEDULE III SERVICE LEVEL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SERVICE STANDARD - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Daily Cash Availability - 100% accuracy and delivery by 9:00 a.m. EST for Money Market Funds and 9:30 a.m. EST for all others - Compensation for univested cash at Nations Cash Reserves' Mill rate - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Calculation of daily NAVs - 100% accuracy by 5:00 p.m. EST including pricing, expense accruals, cash activity, manual entries, S/H activity. Delivery by 5:45 p.m. EST - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Review of daily NAVs - 100% review by 5:30 p.m. EST - Review of NAV components for reasonableness including analysis of the change in the NAV and the change in mill rates. - Review of price variance report - Review of manual proof - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. NASDAQ Reporting - 100% accuracy and communication by 5:45 p.m. EST - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Daily Pricing and Rate Report (DPRR) - 100% accuracy in nightly transmission of DPRRs - Money Market Funds-5:30 p.m. EST - All other Funds- 6:00 p.m. EST - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. FundStation Report (SubM) - 100% accuracy and nightly transmission by 7:00 p.m. EST - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Processing of trade tickets - 100% accuracy and processed by T+1 if received by the following cut-off times: - All Funds (except International) - 10:00 am (T+1) - International - 12:00 p.m. (T+1) - Same day settlements - 1:30 p.m. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
III-1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SERVICE STANDARD - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. Problem Resolution (general) - NAV impact analysis within 1 day - Clear and timely communication of 100% of issues - Ongoing Tracking - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Cash reconciliations - Performed daily and sent daily to BACAP Distributors (Money Market Funds) and sent weekly to BACAP Distributors (all other funds) - Issues communicated to BACAP Distributors same day - Outstanding items addressed within 1 business day - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Position Reconciliations - Performed daily and sent weekly to BACAP Distributors - Issues communicated to BACAP Distributors same day - Open issues addressed within 2 business days - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Tax reporting - Federal, state, tax returns - Tax provision package prepared within time parameters as set by - Tax provision packages including BACAP Distributors/Independent Sub-M and excise tax amounts/ tax personnel (PWC) distributions - Estimates of tax requirements - Identification of all book/tax prepared as required by BACAP differences Distributors for proper tax planning - Capital gain estimate preparations - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Statistical Reports - Filed within the time parameters as set forth by each statistical service - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. Expense accruals/payments - Payments made on the business day written instructions from an authorized signator received - Expense accruals made with 100% accuracy based upon written instructions from BACAP Distributors - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
III-2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SERVICE STANDARD - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. Management Reports - Provided to BACAP Distributors within 10 business days of month end - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. Year end tax reports - Provided to BACAP Distributors within the time frame agreed to - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16. Annual/Semi-Annual Reports - Provide Trial Balance within 5 business days after annual/semi-annual period - Provide additional financial statement support as agreed to - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17. Daily Reports - To be provided on the following day - Provide detailed portfolio valuation - Trial Balance - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18. Daily Cash Sweep - 100% accuracy and communication by 2:00 p.m. EST - AIM - Nuveen - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19. Post Dividends / Corporate Actions - 100% accuracy and posted on effective date - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20. Monthly Reconciliations - Complete reconciliations within 10 business days - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21. Reporting to Sub-Advisors - Provide nightly and other periodic reporting to Nations Funds Sub-Advisors - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22. Compliance - Provide compliance reports as requested by BACAP Distributors - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
III-3 SCHEDULE IV (ATTACHED) PORTFOLIO PRICING, FUND ACCOUNTING AND SUB-FUND ADMINISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE FOR NATIONSBANC MANAGED PORTFOLIOS EFFECTIVE 12/1/98 MONEY MARKET FUNDS 1 1/4 basis point per annum on the first $3 billion of each portfolio's average net assets; 1 basis point on the next $3 billion; 1/2 of one basis point on the next $4 billion; 1/4 of one basis point on the excess. DOMESTIC EQUITY 6 basis points per annum on the first $1 billion of each portfolio's average net assets; 4 basis points on the next $500 million; 2 basis points on the next $500 million; 1 basis point on the excess. DOMESTIC FIXED INCOME 5 basis points per annum on the first $1 billion of each portfolio's average net assets. 3 basis points on the next $500 million. 1 1/2 basis point on the next $500 million. 1/2 of one basis point on the excess. INTERNATIONAL FUNDS 7 basis points per annum on the first $1 billion of each portfolio's average net assets; 5 basis points on the next $500 million; 3 basis points on the next $500 million; 1 basis point on the excess. PORTFOLIO PRICING, FUND ACCOUNTING AND SUB-FUND ADMINISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE FOR NATIONSBANC MANAGED PORTFOLIOS EFFECTIVE 12/1/98 MULTIPLE CLASS CHARGES $500 per month, per portfolio, for each additional class in excess of nine (9) classes. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT/USAGE/SPECTRA REPORT WRITER There will be no charges for developing systems interfaces with the Bank or for on-going usage of any Bank systems related to fund accounting or administration services. ACCOUNTING OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES The cost of prices for securities exclusively held by Nations obtained from third party pricing vendors will be in addition to the above fees. ADMINISTRATION OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES These expenses are billed as they are incurred at cost. Out-of-pocket expenses traditionally include, but are not limited to, cost associated with attendance at Board Presentations, printing of shareholders reports, express mail charges, etc. BILLING CYCLE The above fees will be billed on a monthly basis. NATIONSBANC ADVISORS, INC. The Bank of New York Approved by: Approved by: /s/ Ira Rosner -------------- Name: Name: Ira Rosner Title: Title: Vice President Date: Date: May 7, 1999 NATIONSBANC MANAGED PORTFOLIOS FUND ACCOUNTING AND SUB ADMINISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE WHEN AGGREGATE ASSETS EXCEED $100 BILLION
FUND TYPE BASIS POINTS --------- ------------ MONEY MARKET First $2 billion 0.000100 Next $1 billion 0.000075 On excess (>$3.0 billion) 0.000025 DOMESTIC EQUITY First $500 million 0.000550 Next $500 million 0.000450 Next $500 million 0.000250 Next $500 million 0.000150 On excess (>$2.0 billion) 0.000050 DOMESTIC FIXED INCOME First $500 million 0.000450 Next $500 million 0.000350 Next $250 million 0.000225 Next $250 million 0.000100 On excess (>$1.5 billion) 0.000050 International First $500 million 0.00060 Next $500 million 0.00050 Next $250 million 0.00040 Next $250 million 0.00030 On excess (>$1.5 billion) 0.00005
PORTFOLIO PRICING, FUND ACCOUNTING AND SUB-FUND ADMINISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE FOR NATIONSBANC MANAGED PORTFOLIOS (MULTI MANAGERS) MULTI-MANAGERS $22,000 per annum for each multi-manager going to a single feeder. These fees will be in addition to the following fee schedule now in effect. For each new multi-manager account with assets less than $20 million, we will waive our fees for the first three months. MONEY MARKET FUNDS 1 1/4 basis point per annum on the first $3 billion of each portfolio's average net assets; 1 basis point on the next $3 billion; 1/2 of one basis point on the next $4 billion; 1/4 of one basis point on the excess. DOMESTIC EQUITY 6 basis points per annum on the first $1 billion of each portfolio's average net assets; 4 basis points on the next $500 million; 2 basis points on the next $500 million; 1 basis point on the excess. DOMESTIC FIXED INCOME 5 basis points per annum on the first $1 billion of each portfolio's average net assets. 3 basis points on the next $500 million. 1 1/2 basis point on the next $500 million. 1/2 of one basis point on the excess. INTERNATIONAL FUNDS 7 basis points per annum on the first $1 billion of each portfolio's average net assets; 5 basis points on the next $500 million; 3 basis points on the next $500 million; 1 basis point on the excess. PORTFOLIO PRICING, FUND ACCOUNTING AND SUB-FUND ADMINISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE FOR NATIONSBANC MANAGED PORTFOLIOS (MULTI MANAGERS) MULTIPLE CLASS CHARGES $500 per month, per portfolio, for each additional class in excess of nine (9) classes. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT/USAGE/SPECTRA REPORT WRITER There will be no charges for developing systems interfaces with the Bank or for on-going usage of any Bank systems related to fund accounting or administration services. ACCOUNTING OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES The cost of prices for securities exclusively held by Nations obtained from third party pricing vendors will be in addition to the above fees. ADMINISTRATION OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES These expenses are billed as they are incurred at cost. Out-of-pocket expenses traditionally include, but are not limited to, cost associated with attendance at Board Presentations, printing shareholders reports, express mail charges, etc. BILLING CYCLE The above fees will be billed on a monthly basis. NationsBanc Advisors, Inc. The Bank of New York Approved by: Approved by: /s/ Ira Rosner -------------- Name: Name: Ira Rosner Title: Title: Vice President Date: Date: May 7, 1999 PORTFOLIO PRICING, FUND ACCOUNTING AND FUND ADMINISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE FOR BACAP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC NATIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS 5 1/2 basis points per annum on the first $500 million of the portfolio's average net assets; 4 1/2 basis points on the next $500 million; 2 1/2 basis points on the next $500 million; 1 1/2 basis points on the next $500 million; 1/2 of one basis point on the excess. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT/USAGE/SPECTRA REPORT WRITER There will be no charges for developing systems interfaces with us or for on-going usage of any Bank systems related to fund accounting or administration services. ACCOUNTING OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES The cost of prices for securities exclusively held by the each fund obtained from third party pricing vendors will be in addition to the above fees. ADMINISTRATION OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES These expenses are billed as they are incurred at cost. Out-of-pocket expenses traditionally include, but are not limited to, cost associated with attendance at Board Presentations, printing shareholders reports, express mail charges, etc. BILLING CYCLE The above fees will be billed on a monthly basis. PORTFOLIO PRICING, FUND ACCOUNTING AND FUND ADMINISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE FOR BACAP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC NATIONS GLOBAL VALUE FUND INTERNATIONAL FUNDS 6 basis points per annum on the first $500 million of the portfolio's average net assets; 5 basis points on the next $500 million; 4 basis points on the next $250 million; 3 basis points on the next $250 million; 1/2 of one basis point on the excess. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT/USAGE/SPECTRA REPORT WRITER There will be no charges for developing systems interfaces with us or for on-going usage of any Bank systems related to fund accounting or administration services. ACCOUNTING OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES The cost of prices for securities exclusively held by the each fund obtained from third party pricing vendors will be in addition to the above fees. ADMINISTRATION OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES These expenses are billed as they are incurred at cost. Out-of-pocket expenses traditionally include, but are not limited to, cost associated with attendance at Board Presentations, printing shareholders reports, express mail charges, etc. BILLING CYCLE The above fees will be billed on a monthly basis. PORTFOLIO PRICING, FUND ACCOUNTING AND FUND ADMINISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE FOR BACAP DISTRIBUTORS, LLC NATIONS CLASSIC VALUE FUND DOMESTIC EQUITY 5 1/2 basis points per annum on the first $500 million of the portfolio's average net assets; 4 1/2 basis points on the next $500 million; 2 1/2 basis points on the next $500 million; 1 1/2 basis points on the next $500 million 1/2 of one basis point on the excess. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT/USAGE/SPECTRA REPORT WRITER There will be no charges for developing systems interfaces with us or for on-going usage of any Bank systems related to fund accounting or administration services. ACCOUNTING OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES The cost of prices for securities exclusively held by the each fund obtained from third party pricing vendors will be in addition to the above fees. ADMINISTRATION OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES These expenses are billed as they are incurred at cost. Out-of-pocket expenses traditionally include, but are not limited to, cost associated with attendance at Board Presentations, printing shareholders reports, express mail charges, etc. BILLING CYCLE The above fees will be billed on a monthly basis. SCHEDULE V
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V-1 EX-99.23(H)(14) 8 g84302aexv99w23xhyx14y.txt TRANSFER AGENCY & SERVICES AGREEMENT / PFPC AND NF TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICES AGREEMENT (With Facilities Management Arrangement) THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of this first day of June, 1995 between NATIONS FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation, NATIONS FUND TRUST, a Massachusetts business trust, THE CAPITOL MUTUAL FUNDS, a Massachusetts business trust, NATIONS FUND PORTFOLIOS, INC., a Maryland corporation, and each other investment company which may become a party hereto pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (individually a "Fund", and collectively, the "Funds"), each with its principal place of business at 111 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 and additional offices at 101 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255, and THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICES GROUP, INC. (the "Transfer Agent"), a Massachusetts corporation with principal offices at One Exchange Place, 53 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. WITNESSETH WHEREAS, each Fund desires to appoint the Transfer Agent as its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and agent in connection with certain other activities and the Transfer Agent desires to accept such appointment; WHEREAS, each Fund may authorize the issuance of Shares in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets ("Portfolio"); WHEREAS, each Fund and each Portfolio of a Fund subject to this Agreement, including any investment company or Portfolio as may be added to this Agreement pursuant to Section 17, shall be identified in the attached Schedule G; and WHEREAS, the Transfer Agent and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas) ("NationsBank") have entered into a Facilities Management Agreement ("Facilities Agreement") dated June 1, 1995 pursuant to which the Transfer Agent has established a servicing and processing center to provide transfer agent services on behalf of the Funds in Charlotte, North Carolina (the "Charlotte Facility"). NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter set forth, the Funds and the Transfer Agent agree as follows: Article 1 Definitions 1.1 Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings: (a) "Articles of Incorporation" shall mean the Articles of Incorporation, Declaration of Trust, or other similar organizational document as the case may be, of a Fund as the same may be amended from time to time. (b) "Authorized Person" of a Fund shall be deemed to include (i) any authorized officer of the Fund; (ii) the members of the Joint Operations Board (as hereinafter defined); or (iii) any person, whether or not such person is an officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized to give Oral Instructions or Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund as indicated in writing to the Transfer Agent from time to time. (c) "Board of Directors" of a Fund shall mean the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees of the Fund, as the case may be. (d) "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission. (e) "Custodian" of a Fund refers to any custodian or subcustodian of securities and other property which the Fund may from time to time deposit, or cause to be deposited or held under the name or account of such a custodian pursuant to a Custodian Agreement. (f) "Joint Operations Board" shall mean the joint board comprised of one senior representative from the Transfer Agent, one individual designated by the Funds jointly to represent their respective interests and the most senior Transfer Agent manager of the Charlotte Facility. (g) "1940 Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time. (h) "Oral Instructions" shall mean instructions, other than Written Instructions, actually received by the Transfer Agent from a person reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be an Authorized Person; (i) "Prospectus" of a Fund shall mean collectively the most recently dated Fund Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information, including any supplements thereto, if any, with respect to each Portfolio of the Fund which have become effective under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act. (j) "Shares" of a Fund refers collectively to such shares of capital stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, or class thereof, of the Fund as may be issued from time to time. (k) "Shareholder" shall mean a record owner of Shares. (l) "Written Instructions" shall mean a written communication signed by a person reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be an Authorized Person and actually received by the Transfer Agent. Written Instructions shall include manually executed originals and authorized electronic transmissions, including telefacsimile of a manually executed original or other process. 2 Article 2 Appointment of the Transfer Agent 2.1 Each Fund hereby appoints and constitutes the Transfer Agent as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for Shares of the Fund and the Transfer Agent hereby accepts such appointments and agrees to perform the duties hereinafter set forth. Article 3 Duties of the Transfer Agent 3.1 The Transfer Agent shall be responsible for: (a) Administering and performing the customary services of a transfer agent; agent in connection with dividend and distribution functions; and agent in connection with shareholder account and administrative functions in connection with the issuance, transfer and redemption or repurchase (including coordination with the Custodian) of Shares, as more fully described in the written schedule of Duties of the Transfer Agent annexed hereto as Schedule A and incorporated herein, and in accordance with the terms of each Fund's Prospectus, applicable law and the procedures established from time to time between the Transfer Agent and the Funds. (b) Recording the issuance of Shares and maintaining pursuant to Commission Rule 17Ad-10(e) a record of the total number of Shares which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by each Fund, and issued and outstanding. The Transfer Agent shall provide each Fund on a regular basis with the total number of Shares which are authorized and issued and outstanding and shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the legality or validity of the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund. (c) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, the Transfer Agent shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for: (i) the legality of the issuance or sale of any Shares or the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor; (ii) the legality of the redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor; (iii) the legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Board of Directors, or the legality of the issuance of any Shares in payment of any dividend; or (iv) the legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares. 3.2 In addition, each Fund shall verify the establishment of shares or share transactions for each State prior to activation on the Transfer Agent's system and thereafter monitor the daily activity of shares for each State based upon daily transactions recorded by the Transfer Agent and transmitted to the Fund or its designated agent. The responsibility of the Transfer Agent for a Fund's blue sky State registration status is solely limited to the initial establishment of shares or share transactions subject to blue sky compliance by the Fund and the reporting of such transactions to the Fund as provided above. 3 3.3 In addition to the duties set forth herein, the Transfer Agent shall perform such other duties and functions, and shall be paid such amounts therefor, as may from time to time be agreed upon in writing between the Funds and the Transfer Agent. Article 4 Duties of the Joint Operations Board 4.1 The Joint Operations Board will be responsible for the following with respect to the services to be performed by the Transfer Agent under this Agreement (the "Services"): (a) General oversight of the provision of Services by the Transfer Agent, including, but not limited to, the creation and quarterly review of quality standards governing the Services pursuant to Article 5 hereof, the establishment of strategic and/or operational goals with respect to the Services to be provided at the Charlotte Facility, and addressing such issues and concerns that may arise from time to time amongst the Funds and the Transfer Agent under this Agreement. (b) Review and approval of, from a technical feasibility standpoint, imaging and other new technologies proposed to be used by the Transfer Agent in performing the Services at the Charlotte facility. (c) Review and approval of the Charlotte Facility budget and expense statements, including those costs for which compensation is sought by the Transfer Agent pursuant to Article 8 hereof. (d) Review of those costs incurred by the Transfer Agent, other than in connection with the Charlotte Facility, for which compensation is sought by the Transfer Agent pursuant to Article 8 hereof. 4.2 With respect to matters described in Section 4.1 above, the decision of the Funds' representative on the Joint Operations Board shall control. 4.3 On a monthly basis, the Transfer Agent shall provide to the Joint Operations Board a statement of the internal and external costs incurred by the Transfer Agent in connection with the provision of Services for which the Transfer Agent will seek reimbursement under Article 8 hereof. Article 5 Quality Standards 5.1 The quality of service provided by the Transfer Agent hereunder shall be maintained at or above the levels set forth in Schedule B hereto. Such quality standards shall govern the Services provided by the Transfer Agent until a new set of quality standards is established pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof. 5.2 As soon as practicable after the first ninety (90) days of operation of the Charlotte Facility, the Joint Operations Board shall establish a new set of quality standards reasonably acceptable to the Funds and the Transfer Agent. 4 5.3 The Joint Operations Board shall review and update, if necessary, the quality standards on a semi-annual basis. 5.4 If, at any time during the term of this Agreement, 20% or more of the then-current quality standards (e.g., 2 or more out of 10 standards) are not met by the Transfer Agent during any month (as evidenced by monthly reports), the Funds shall promptly notify the Transfer Agent in writing of such failure and the details relating to such failure. If, any of the failed quality standards are not met by the Transfer Agent during the three month period commencing thirty (30) days after the Transfer Agent receives such notice, the Funds shall have the right to terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) days notice. 5.5 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Funds shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement based on the failure by the Transfer Agent to have satisfied a quality standard if such failure was caused directly by the negative vote of the Funds' representative on the Joint Operations Board with respect to a commercially reasonable funding request of the Transfer Agent for the Charlotte Facility. Article 6 Recordkeeping and Other Information 6.1 The Transfer Agent shall create and maintain all records required of it pursuant to its duties hereunder and as set forth in Schedule A in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including records required by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act. All records shall be available during regular business hours for inspection and use by the Funds. Where applicable, such records shall be maintained by the Transfer Agent for the periods and in the places required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. 6.2 To the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act, the Transfer Agent agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by the Transfer Agent relating to the Services are the property of the relevant Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such section, and will be surrendered promptly to such Fund on and in accordance with the Fund's request. 6.3 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of Shareholder records of a Fund, the Transfer Agent will endeavor to notify the Fund of such request and secure Written Instructions as to the handling of such request. The Transfer Agent reserves the right, upon prior notice to the Fund, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to comply with such request. 6.4 Upon reasonable notice by a Fund, the Transfer Agent shall make available during regular business hours such of its facilities and premises employed in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement for reasonable visitation by the Fund, or any person retained by the Fund as may be necessary for the Fund to evaluate the quality of the Services performed by the Transfer Agent pursuant hereto. 5 Article 7 Fund Instructions 7.1 The Transfer Agent will have no liability when acting for a Fund in accordance with Written or Oral Instructions believed to have been executed or orally communicated by an Authorized Person of the Fund and will not be held to have any notice of any change of authority of any person until receipt of a Written Instruction thereof from the Fund. The Transfer Agent will also have no liability when processing Share certificates for a Fund which it reasonably believes to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the Fund and the proper countersignature of the Transfer Agent. 7.2 The Transfer Agent may request Written Instructions from a Fund and may seek advice from legal counsel for the Fund with prior notice to the Fund, or its own legal counsel, with respect to any matter arising in connection with this Agreement, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with such Written Instructions or in accordance with the opinion of counsel for the Fund or for the Transfer Agent. Written Instructions requested by the Transfer Agent will be provided by the Fund within a reasonable period of time. 7.3 The Transfer Agent, its officers, agents or employees, shall accept Oral Instructions or Written Instructions given to them with respect to a Fund by any person representing or acting on behalf of the Fund only if said representative is an Authorized Person of the Fund. The Funds agree that all Oral Instructions shall be followed within one business day by confirming Written Instructions, and that the Funds' failure to so confirm shall not impair in any respect the Transfer Agent's right to reply on Oral Instructions. Article 8 Compensation 8.1 The Funds shall reimburse the Transfer Agent for all the Transfer Agent's "Costs" incurred in connection with the provision of Services as set forth in the written Schedule of Costs annexed hereto as Schedule C and incorporated herein and in addition the Funds shall compensate the Transfer Agent for the following amounts (the "Margin"); (a) During the first 36 months of the Initial Term (as defined below), an amount equal to 15% of such Costs during each month. (b) During the last 24 months of the Initial Term and during each Renewal Term (as defined below), an amount equal to 12.5% of such Costs during each month. 8.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the charges incurred by the Transfer Agent under the Facilities Agreement with NationsBank and such other expenses set forth in the written schedule of Non-Margin Expenses annexed hereto as Schedule D shall not be included as Costs in connection with the calculation of the Margin amounts set forth in Subsections 8.1(a) and (b). 6 8.3 In addition to the Costs and Margin described above, the Fund shall reimburse the Transfer Agent, and will be billed separately for, those out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent in the performance of its duties hereunder as specified in the written schedule of out-of-pocket expenses annexed hereto as Schedule E and incorporated herein. 8.4 The Funds agree to pay all fees and out-of-pocket expenses within thirty (30) days following the receipt of the respective invoice. The Funds shall not be obligated to pay amounts that are reasonably in dispute until such dispute is resolved. Article 9 Documents 9.1 In connection with the appointment of the Transfer Agent, each Fund shall, on or before the date this Agreement goes into effect, but in any case within a reasonable period of time for the Transfer Agent to prepare to perform its duties hereunder, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Transfer Agent the documents set forth in the written schedule of Fund Documents annexed hereto as Schedule F. Article 10 Transfer Agent System 10.1 The Transfer Agent shall retain title to and ownership of any and all data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and other related legal rights utilized by the Transfer Agent in connection with the services provided by the Transfer Agent to the Fund herein (the "Transfer Agent System"). 10.2 The Transfer Agent hereby grants to each Fund a limited license to the Transfer Agent System for the sole and limited purpose of having the Transfer Agent provide the services contemplated hereunder and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted otherwise and such license shall immediately terminate upon the termination of this Agreement. 10.3 The Transfer Agent agrees to provide the Funds with full access to the Transfer Agent System and all enhancements thereto to the same extent that such is made available to other Transfer Agent clients. 10.4 In the event the Funds desire the Transfer Agent to develop any enhancements for the Transfer Agent System, the parties shall agree on the staffing requirements which will be subject to the approval of the Joint Operations Board. 10.5 In the event the Funds request an enhancement to the Transfer Agent System which is estimated to require 5,000 programming hours or more ("Enhancement Project") and the Funds agree to assume the cost of such Enhancement Project, the Funds and the Transfer Agent shall agree in writing on any restrictions imposed on the Transfer Agent with respect to the use of such enhancement prior to commencement of the Enhancement Project. 7 10.6 Each Fund reserves the right to review and examine "imaging" and significant other technological developments to be implemented with the Transfer Agent System from a technical feasibility standpoint. Article 11 Representations and Warranties of the Transfer Agent 11.1 The Transfer Agent represents and warrants to each Fund that: (a) It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; (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 this Agreement; (d) It is duly registered with the appropriate regulatory agencies as a transfer agent and such registration will remain in effect for the duration of this Agreement; (e) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement. Article 12 Representations and Warranties of the Funds 12.1 Each Fund represents and warrants to the Transfer Agent that: (a) It is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized; (b) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into this Agreement; (c) All corporate proceedings required by said Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and applicable laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement; (d) A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is currently effective and will remain effective, and all appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for sale; (e) All outstanding Shares are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and that, when Shares are hereafter issued in accordance with the terms of the Fund's Articles of Incorporation and its Prospectus, such Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. 8 Article 13 Indemnification 13.1 The Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for and each Fund shall indemnify and hold the Transfer Agent harmless from and against any and all claims, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), losses, damages, charges, payments and liabilities of any sort or kind which may be asserted against the Transfer Agent or for which the Transfer Agent may be held to be liable (a "Claim") arising out of or attributable to any of the following: (a) Any actions of the Transfer Agent required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement for the Fund unless such Claim resulted from a negligent act or failure to act or bad faith by the Transfer Agent in the performance of its duties hereunder. (b) The Transfer Agent's reasonable reliance on, or reasonable use of information, data, records and documents (including but not limited to magnetic tapes, computer printouts, hard copies and microfilm copies) received by the Transfer Agent from the Fund, or any authorized third party acting on behalf of the Fund, including but not limited to the prior transfer agent for the Fund, in the performance of the Transfer Agent's duties and obligations hereunder. (c) The reliance on, or the implementation of, any Written or Oral Instructions or any other instructions or requests of the Fund which are deemed to be provided by an Authorized Person of the Fund. (d) The offer or sales of Shares by the Fund in violation of any requirement under the securities laws or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any state with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state. (e) The Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or any Claim which arises out of the Fund's negligence or misconduct or the breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund made herein. 13.2 In any case in which a Fund may be asked to indemnify or hold the Transfer Agent harmless, the Transfer Agent will notify the Fund promptly after identifying any situation which it believes presents or appears likely to present a claim for indemnification against the Fund although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Transfer Agent, unless the Fund is actually prejudiced thereby, and the Transfer Agent shall keep the Fund advised with respect to all developments concerning such situation. The Fund shall have the option to defend the Transfer Agent against any Claim which may be the subject of this indemnification, and, in the event that the Fund so elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Fund and satisfactory to the Transfer Agent, and thereupon the Fund shall take over complete defense of the Claim and the Transfer Agent shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in respect of such Claim. The Transfer Agent will not confess any Claim or make any compromise in 9 any case in which the Fund will be asked to provide indemnification, except with the Fund's prior written consent. The obligations of the parties hereto under this Article shall survive the termination of this Agreement, so long as the Transfer Agent and the Fund act in good faith and are not negligent in their actions. Article 14 Standard of Care 14.1 The Transfer Agent shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best efforts within commercially reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to the Funds unless said errors are caused by the Transfer Agent's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct or that of its employees. Article 15 Consequential Damages 15.1 In no event and under no circumstances shall either a Fund or the Transfer Agent be liable to another party for consequential or indirect loss of profits, reputation or business or any other special damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any act or failure to act hereunder. Article 16 Term and Termination 16.1 This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above and shall continue for a period of sixty (60) months (the "Initial Term"), unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically be renewed for successive terms of twenty-four (24) months ("Renewal Terms") each, unless terminated pursuant to this Agreement. 16.2 The Funds or the Transfer Agent may terminate this Agreement at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of any subsequent Renewal Term upon not less than nine (9) months prior written notice to the other parties. 16.3 Upon a minimum of nine (9) months prior written notice from the Boards of Directors of the Funds, the Funds may terminate this Agreement at the end of the thirty-sixth (36th) or forty-eighth (48th) month of the Initial Term. 16.4 The Funds shall have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of the Transfer Agent or the appointment of a receiver for the Transfer Agent, or with respect to any of its assets, or any change in the financial condition of the Transfer Agent which impedes the ability of the Transfer Agent to perform any of its obligations hereunder which is not cured by the Transfer Agent within thirty (30) days of such occurrence. The Funds shall have the right to seek to renegotiate this Agreement and, if such negotiations are not successful within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed ninety (90) days, to terminate this Agreement upon the transfer of ownership of a controlling interest in the Transfer Agent by or to any person other than a person who was an affiliate of the Transfer Agent or its parent company immediately before the transfer. 10 16.5 In the event that the total number of combined Shareholder accounts for the Funds and any other open-end investment companies affiliated with the Funds by reason of having a common investment adviser exceeds three times the 1994 Shareholder account base of 130,000 due to merger or acquisition activity involving the investment adviser or any affiliates of the adviser, the Funds shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon nine (9) months prior written notice to the Transfer Agent. As used in this Article 16, "affiliates of the adviser" shall mean (i) a direct or indirect owner of 50% or more of the outstanding common stock of the adviser (a "parent") or (ii) any company or association whose outstanding common stock is at least 50% owned, directly or indirectly, by the adviser or by a parent. 16.6 In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Funds pursuant to Section 5.4, all expenses associated with the movement of records and materials to a successor transfer agent will be borne by the Transfer Agent. In the event of a termination pursuant to any other sections, all expenses associated with conversion will be borne by the Funds. The Transfer Agent shall cooperate with any such conversion to a successor transfer agent and shall use its best efforts to mitigate the costs associated with such transfer. 16.7 If a party hereto is guilty of a material failure to perform its duties and obligations hereunder (a "Defaulting Party") the other party (the "Non-Defaulting Party") may give written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party, and if such material breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after such written notice is given, then the Non-Defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to the Defaulting Party. If the Transfer Agent is the Non-Defaulting Party, its termination of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other rights or remedies of the Transfer Agent with respect to services performed prior to such termination or rights of the Transfer Agent to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred prior to such termination. In all cases, termination by the Non-Defaulting Party shall not constitute a waiver by the Non-Defaulting Party of any other rights it might have under this Agreement or otherwise against the Defaulting Party. The Defaulting Party shall not be released from any liability with respect to such services performed prior to such termination. 16.8 In the event of termination of this Agreement by the Funds pursuant to Sections 16.3 or 16.5: (a) Prior to the effective date of the termination, the Funds shall reimburse the Transfer Agent for all unamortized costs incurred by the Transfer Agent in establishing the Charlotte Facility. (b) Prior to the effective date of the termination, the Funds shall assume any and all obligations that the Transfer Agent may have to third parties arising out of or in connection with the Transfer Agent's operations at the Charlotte Facility and that the Transfer Agent is not able to terminate prior to the effective date of the termination of this Agreement. 11 (c) Prior to the effective date of the termination, the Funds shall pay the Transfer Agent an amount equal to 80% of the cumulative Margin (as defined in Section 8.1) paid by the Funds to the Transfer Agent for the twelve months preceding the notice of termination, unless the Funds' investment adviser or any affiliate of the adviser has acquired an entity providing comparable transfer agency services to those provided under this Agreement. (d) The Funds shall reimburse the Transfer Agent for all reasonable expenses (other than accrued vacation, sick or other leave) incurred by the Transfer Agent in connection with the termination of the Transfer Agent's employees located at the Charlotte Facility, or, at the option of the Funds, the transfer of such employees to another entity providing services to the Funds. The Transfer Agent shall be obligated to seek to minimize any such expenses to the extent commercially practicable. (e) The Transfer Agent shall transfer to the Funds all physical assets located at the Charlotte Facility. Article 17 Additional Portfolios and Funds 17.1 In the event that a Fund establishes one or more Portfolios in addition to those identified initially on Schedule G, with respect to which the Fund desires to have the Transfer Agent render services as transfer agent under the terms hereof, the Fund shall so notify the Transfer Agent in writing, and if the Transfer Agent agrees in writing to provide such services (such agreement not to be withheld unreasonably), Schedule G shall be amended to include such additional Portfolios. 17.2 Subsequent to the effective date of this Agreement, one or more registered investment companies (a "New Fund") for which NationsBank or any of its affiliates acts as investment adviser may become a party to this Agreement upon execution of a written adoption agreement by such New Fund pursuant to which such New Fund agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement (an "Adoption Agreement"). Following the execution of an Adoption Agreement by a New Fund, such New Fund shall be deemed a Fund for all purposes of this Agreement and shall have all the rights, obligations and duties of a Fund under this Agreement. Article 18 Confidentiality 18.1 In connection with the services provided by the Transfer Agent hereunder, certain confidential and proprietary information regarding the Transfer Agent and the Fund may be disclosed to the other. In connection therewith, the parties agree as follows: (a) "Confidential Information" shall mean: (i) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finance, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, 12 sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Transfer Agent or the Fund, their respective parent corporation, their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies and the customers, clients and suppliers of any of the foregoing; (ii) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Transfer Agent or the Fund a competitive advantage over its competitors; and (iii) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, show-how and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable. (b) Confidential Information includes, without limitation, all documents, inventions, substances, engineering and laboratory notebooks, drawings, diagrams, specifications, bills of material, equipment, prototypes and models, and any other tangible manifestation of the foregoing which now exist or come into the control or possession of the party. 18.2 Except as expressly authorized by prior written consent of the disclosing party ("Discloser"), the party receiving Confidential Information ("Recipient") shall: (a) limit access to Discloser's Confidential Information to Recipient's employees and agent who have a need-to-know in connection with the subject matter thereof; (b) advise those employees and agents who have access to the Confidential Information of the proprietary nature thereof and of the obligations set forth in this Confidential Agreement; (c) take appropriate action by instruction or agreement with the employees and agents having access to Discloser's Confidential Information to fulfill Recipient's obligations under this Confidentiality Agreement; (d) safeguard all of Discloser's Confidential Information by using a reasonable degree of care, but not less than that degree of care used by Recipient in safeguarding its own similar confidential information or material; (e) use all of Discloser's Confidential Information solely for purposes for which the Confidential Information was conveyed; and (f) not disclose any of Discloser's Confidential Information, or information derived therefrom, to third parties. 13 18.3 Upon Discloser's request, Recipient shall surrender to Discloser all memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals, and other documents or materials (and all copies of same) relating to or containing Discloser's Confidential Information. When Recipient returns the materials, Recipient shall certify in writing that it has returned all materials containing or relating to the Confidential Information. 18.4 The obligations of confidentiality and restriction on use in this Article 18 shall not apply to any Confidential Information that Recipient proves: (a) Was in the public domain prior to the date of this Agreement or subsequently came into the public domain through no fault of Recipient; or (b) Was received by Recipient from a third party without Recipient's knowledge that the third party was not legally entitled to disclose such information; or (c) Was already in Recipient's possession prior to receipt from Discloser; or (d) Is required to be disclosed in a judicial or administrative proceeding after reasonable legal remedies for maintaining such information in confidence have been exhausted including, but not limited to, giving Discloser as much advance notice as practical of the possibility of disclosure to allow Discloser to take appropriate legal action to seek to prevent such disclosure; or (e) Is subsequently and independently developed by Recipient's employees, consultants or agents without reference to Confidential Information. 18.5 The Funds and the Transfer Agent agree that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy to an injured party for breach of this Article 18. Accordingly, in addition to all other remedies that a party may have, a party shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief against another party as a remedy for any breach of the obligations set forth in this Article 18. The parties agree to waive any requirement for a bond in connection with any such injunctive or other equitable relief. 18.6 The rights and obligations established by this Article 18 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Article 19 Force Majeure 19.1 In the event a party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God or by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including war, national emergencies, strikes, labor difficulties, insurrection, riots or the failure or unavailability of transportation or communication services or power supplies, such party shall not be liable for damages incurred by any other party resulting from such failure to perform. The above in no way relieves the Transfer Agent or the Funds of responsibility for exercising all backup and contingency plans available and in effect at 14 such time and does not affect any other remedies that a party may have under this Agreement. Article 20 Amendments 20.1 This Agreement may only be amended or modified by a written instrument executed by all parties except that Schedule A may be amended in the manner set forth in Section 17.1. Article 21 Subcontracting 21.1 Each Fund agrees that the Transfer Agent, in its discretion, may after notification to the Funds, subcontract for certain of the services to be provided by the Transfer Agent under this Agreement or the Schedules hereto; provided that the appointment of any such subcontractor shall not relieve the Transfer Agent of its responsibilities hereunder. Article 22 Arbitration 22.1 Any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or breach hereof, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in Charlotte, North Carolina in accordance with its applicable rules, except that the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure with respect to the discovery process shall apply. 22.2 The parties hereby agree that judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. 22.3 The parties acknowledge and agree that the performance of the obligations under this Agreement necessitates the use of instrumentalities of interstate commerce and, notwithstanding other general choice of law provisions in this Agreement, the parties agree that the Federal Arbitration Act shall govern and control with respect to the provisions of this Article 22. Article 23 Notice 23.1 Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by this Agreement to be given in writing to a party, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office set forth below or at such other place as such party may from time to time designate in writing. To either of the Funds: [Name of Applicable Fund] 111 Center Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Attention: Corporate Secretary 15 To the Transfer Agent: The Shareholder Services Group One Exchange Place 53 State Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109 Attention: President with a copy to: General Counsel (same address) Article 24 Successors 24.1 This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns, provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assigned to any person other than a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the assignor without the written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Article 25 Governing Law 25.1 This Agreement shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without reference to the choice of law provisions thereof. Subject to Article 22 hereof, each party hereto hereby (i) consents to the personal jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts courts over the parties hereto, hereby waiving any defense of lack of personal jurisdiction; and (ii) appoints the person to whom notices hereunder are to be sent as agent for service of process. Article 26 Counterparts 26.1 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument. Article 27 Captions 27.1 The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. Article 28 Use of Transfer Agent/Fund Name 28.1 The Funds shall not use the name of the Transfer Agent in any Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, Shareholders' report, sales literature or other material relating to the Fund in a manner not approved prior thereto in writing by the Transfer Agent; provided, that the Transfer Agent need only receive notice of all reasonable uses of its name which merely refer in accurate terms to its appointment hereunder or which are required by any government agency or applicable law or rule. 16 28.2 The Transfer Agent shall not use the name of a Fund or material relating to a Fund on any documents or forms for other than internal use in a manner not approved prior thereto in writing by such Fund; provided, that the Fund need only receive notice of all reasonable uses of its name which merely refer in accurate terms to the appointment of the Transfer Agent as transfer agent for the Fund or which are required by any government agency or applicable law or rule. Article 29 Relationship of Parties 29.1 The parties agree that they are independent contractors and not partners or co-venturers and nothing contained herein shall be interpreted or construed otherwise. 29.2 The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that each Fund has entered into this Agreement independently on behalf of itself and its Portfolios which are now or may hereafter be identified on Schedule G. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (i) each Fund individually shall have the rights and obligations of a Fund as set forth in this Agreement, (ii) any action by a Fund in violation of this Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of any other Fund under this Agreement, and (iii) the Transfer agent, in seeking to enforce any provisions of this Agreement with respect to a Portfolio, shall look solely to the assets and revenues of such Portfolio and that in no event shall the Transfer Agent in seeking to enforce such obligation have recourse to the independent assets or revenues of any other Portfolio. Article 30 Entire Agreement; Severability 30.1 This Agreement and the Schedules attached hereto constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto relating to the matters covered hereby and supersede any previous agreements. If any provision is held to be illegal, unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired thereby. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written. NATIONS FUND, INC. By: /s/ Richard H. Blank, Jr. ------------------------- Title: Secretary NATIONS FUND TRUST By: /s/ Richard H. Blank, Jr. ------------------------- Title: Secretary 17 THE CAPITOL MUTUAL FUNDS By: /s/ Richard H. Blank, Jr. ------------------------- Title: Secretary NATIONS FUND PORTFOLIOS, INC. By: /s/ Richard H. Blank, Jr. ------------------------- Title: Secretary THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICES GROUP, INC. By: /s/ (Illegible) ------------------------- Title: (Illegible) 18 Schedule A DUTIES OF THE TRANSFER AGENT 1. Shareholder Information. The Transfer Agent shall maintain a record of the number of Shares held by each Shareholder of record which shall include full registration information, including, but not limited to, name, address and taxpayer identification number and which shall indicate whether such Shares are held in certificated or uncertificated form. 2. Shareholder Services. The Transfer Agent shall respond as appropriate to all inquiries and communications from Shareholders relating to Shareholder accounts with respect to its duties hereunder and as may be from time to time mutually agreed upon between the Transfer Agent and the Funds. 3. Share Certificates. (a) At the expense of the appropriate Fund, each Fund shall supply the Transfer Agent with adequate supply of blank share certificates to meet the Transfer Agent's requirements therefor. Such Share certificates shall be properly signed by facsimile. Each Fund agrees that, notwithstanding the death, resignation, or removal of any officer of the Fund whose signature appears on such certificates, the Transfer Agent or its agent may continue to countersign certificates which bear such signatures until otherwise directed by Written Instructions. (b) The Transfer Agent shall issue replacement Share certificates in lieu of certificates which have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of properly executed affidavits and lost certificate bonds, in form satisfactory to the Transfer Agent, with the appropriate Fund and the Transfer Agent as obligees under the bond. (c) The Transfer Agent shall also maintain a record of each certificate issued, the number of Shares represented thereby and the Shareholder of record. With respect to Shares held in open accounts or in uncertificated form (i.e., no certificate being issued with respect thereto) the Transfer Agent shall maintain comparable records of the Shareholders thereof, including their names, addresses and taxpayer identification number. The Transfer Agent shall further maintain a stop transfer record on lost and/or replaced certificates. 4. Mailing Communications to Shareholders; Proxy Materials. The Transfer Agent will address and mail to Shareholders of the Funds, all reports to Shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy material for the Funds' meetings of Shareholders. In connection with meetings of Shareholders, the Transfer Agent will prepare Shareholder lists, mail and certify as to the mailing of proxy materials, process and tabulate returned proxy cards, report on proxies voted prior to meetings, act as inspector of election at meetings and certify Shares voted at meetings. 1 5. Sales of Shares (a) The Transfer Agent shall not be required to issue any Shares of a Fund where it has received a Written Instruction from the Fund or official notice from any appropriate authority that the sale of the Shares of the Fund has been suspended or discontinued. The existence of such Written Instructions or such official notice shall be conclusive evidence of the right of the Transfer Agent to rely on such Written Instructions or official notice. (b) In the event that any check or other order for the payment of money is returned unpaid for any reason, the Transfer Agent will endeavor to: (i) give prompt notice of such return to the Fund or its designee; (ii) place a stop transfer order against all Shares issued as a result of such check or order; and (iii) take such actions as the Transfer Agent may from time to time deem appropriate. 6. Transfer and Repurchase (a) The Transfer Agent shall process all requests to transfer or redeem Shares in accordance with the transfer or repurchase procedures set forth in the Funds' Prospectus. (b) The Transfer Agent will transfer or repurchase Shares upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions or otherwise pursuant to the Prospectus and Share certificates, if any, properly endorsed for transfer or redemption, accompanied by such documents as the Transfer Agent reasonably may deem necessary. (c) The Transfer Agent reserves the right to refuse to transfer or repurchase Shares until it is satisfied that the endorsement on the instructions is valid and genuine. The Transfer Agent also reserves the right to refuse to transfer or repurchase Shares until it is satisfied that the requested transfer or repurchase is legally authorized, and it shall incur no liability for the refusal, in good faith, to make transfers or repurchases which the Transfer Agent, in its good judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or until it is reasonably satisfied that there is no basis to any claims adverse to such transfer or repurchase. (d) When Shares are redeemed, the Transfer Agent shall, upon receipt of the instructions and documents in proper form, deliver to the Custodian and the appropriate Fund or its designee a notification setting forth the number of Shares to be redeemed. Such redeemed Shares shall be reflected on appropriate accounts maintained by the Transfer Agent reflecting outstanding Shares of the Fund and Shares attributed to individual accounts. (e) The Transfer Agent, upon receipt of the monies paid to it by the Custodian for the redemption of Shares, pay such monies as are received from the Custodian, all in accordance with the procedures described in the Written Instructions received by the Transfer Agent from the Funds. 2 (f) The Transfer Agent shall not process or effect any repurchase with respect to Shares of the Fund after receipt by the Transfer Agent or its agent of notification of the suspension of the determination of the net asset value of the Fund. 7. Dividends (a) Upon the declaration of each dividend and each capital gains distribution by the Board of Directors of a Fund with respect to Shares of the Fund, the Fund shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Transfer Agent Written Instructions setting forth the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the ex-dividend date, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which Shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per Share to the Shareholders of record as of that date, the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent on the payment date and whether such dividend or distribution is to be paid in Shares at net asset value. (b) On or before the payment date specified in such resolution of the Board of Directors, the Fund will pay to the Transfer Agent sufficient cash to make payment on such payment date to the Shareholders of record on the record date. (c) If, prior to the payment date, the Transfer Agent does not receive sufficient cash from the Fund to make total dividend and/or distribution payments to all Shareholders of the Fund of the record date, the Transfer Agent will, upon notifying the Fund, withhold payment to all Shareholders of record as of the record date until sufficient cash is provided to the Transfer Agent. 8. In addition to and neither in lieu nor in contravention of the services set forth above, the Transfer Agent shall: (i) perform all the customary services of a transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and agent of the dividend reinvestment and cash purchase plan as described herein consistent with those requirements in effect as at the date of this Agreement. The detailed definition, frequency, limitations and associated costs (if any) set out in the attached fee schedule, include but are not limited to: maintaining all Shareholder accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing proxies, tabulating proxies, mailing Shareholder reports to current Shareholders, withholding taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident alien accounts where applicable, preparing and filing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate forms required with respect to dividends and distributions by federal authorities for all Shareholders. 3 Schedule B Quality Standards (Effective October 2, 1995 as updated on September 25, 1995) For all funds, open-end and closed-end, serviced by TSSG, under the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement (with Facilities Management Arrangement) dated June 1, 1995, the following quality standards shall apply. This schedule shall replace the temporary quality standard Schedule B in the original agreement as referenced in Section 5.2. Financials: Subscriptions 98% Redemptions 98% Exchanges 98% Non-Financials: Maintenances 98% Transfers 98% Correspondence 98% Adjustments 98% Telephone Calls 98% New Accounts: New Account Set-ups 98%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Performance Standards - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Telephone Performance Standards ================================================================================ Average speed of answer 20 seconds or less - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Calls abandoned 2% of calls that wait 20 second or more - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service level* 80% - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 1 ------------------------- * Represents the percentage of calls answered within 20 seconds. Schedule B [List of Initial Quality Standards based on 1994 quarterly senior management reports] Nations Fund Financial Transactions Subscriptions 98% Redemptions 98% Exchanges 98% Non-Financials Maintenance 98% Transfers 98% New Accounts 98% % = minimum acceptable levels Closed End Funds Financials 98% Subscriptions 98% Redemptions 98% Exchanges 98% Non-Financials Certificate Processing 98% Maintenance 98% Transfers 98% New Accounts 98% % = minimum acceptable levels Capitol Funds Financials Subscriptions 98% Redemptions 98% Exchanges 98% Non-Financials Maintenance 98% Transfers 98%
1 New Accounts 98% % = minimum acceptable levels
2 Schedule C Schedule of Costs 1. For purposes of this Agreement, "Costs" shall mean all internal and external costs incurred by the Transfer Agent in connection with and properly allocated to the Services provided under the Agreement, including, but not limited to, the costs involved with the operation of the Charlotte Facility, those costs reasonably incurred by the Transfer Agent to achieve the quality standards imposed on it under the terms of this Agreement and the Transfer Agent's overhead, depreciation and amortization costs, excepting out-of-pocket expenses and such other costs agreed to in writing by the Transfer Agent and the Funds. 2. The Funds shall have the right to audit, at their own expense, the books and records of the Transfer Agent with respect to the Costs for which the Transfer Agent seeks reimbursement under Article 8 on an annual basis, or more frequently if the Funds have a reasonable basis to dispute any cost for which the Transfer Agent seeks reimbursement. 3. The Transfer Agent shall use its best efforts to minimize the costs incurred by it in connection with the provisions of services under this Agreement to the extent such action is commercially reasonable and consistent with the quality standards imposed under this Agreement. Schedule D Non-Margin Expenses - Facilities related expenses as incurred by the Transfer Agent under the Facilities Management Agreement between the Transfer Agent and NationsBank - Out-of-Pocket expenses - Sub-Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses - Any other expenses agreed to in writing by the Transfer Agent and the Funds Schedule E OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES The Funds shall reimburse the Transfer Agent monthly for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the provision of Services under this Agreement, including, but not limited to the following items: - Microfiche/microfilm production - Magnetic media tapes and freight - Printing costs, including certificates, envelopes, checks and stationery - Postage (bulk, pre-sort, ZIP+4, barcoding, first class) direct pass through to the Funds - Due diligence mailings - Telephone and telecommunication costs, including all lease, maintenance and line costs (excluding such telephone and telecommunications costs provided by NationsBank pursuant to the Facilities Agreement) - Ad hoc reports - Proxy solicitations, mailings and tabulations - Daily & Distribution advice mailings (including all periodic statements) - Shipping, Certified and Overnight mail and insurance - Year-end form production and mailings - Terminals, communication lines, printers and other equipment and any expenses incurred in connection with such terminals and lines - Duplicating services - Courier services - Incoming and outgoing wire charges - Federal Reserve charges for check clearance - Overtime, as approved by the Funds - Temporary staff, as approved by the Funds - Travel and entertainment, as approved by the Funds - Record retention, retrieval and destruction costs, including, but not limited to exit fees charged by third party record keeping vendors - Third party audit reviews - All conversion costs: including System start up costs - Insurance - Such other miscellaneous expenses reasonably incurred by the Transfer Agent in performing its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. - Systems Programming utilizing non-dedicated systems resources at $100 per hour The Funds agree that postage and mailing expenses will be paid on the day of or prior to mailing as agreed with the Transfer Agent. In addition, the Funds will promptly reimburse the Transfer Agent for any other unscheduled expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent whenever the Funds and the Transfer Agent mutually agree that such 1 expenses are not otherwise properly borne by the Transfer Agent as part of its duties and obligations under the Agreement. 2 Schedule F Fund Documents - - Certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund, as amended - - Certified copy of the By-laws of the Fund, as amended - - Copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement - - Specimens of the certificates for Shares of the Fund, if applicable, in the form approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund, with a certificate of the Secretary of the Fund as to such approval - - All account application forms and other documents relating to Shareholder accounts or to any plan, program or service offered by the Fund - - Certified list of Shareholders of the Fund with the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each Shareholder, and the number of Shares of the Fund held by each, certificate numbers and denominations (if any certificates have been issued), lists of any accounts against which stop transfer orders have been placed, together with the reasons therefore, and the number of Shares redeemed by the Fund. - - All notices issued by the Fund with respect to the Shares in accordance with and pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Fund or as required by law and shall perform such other specific duties as are set forth in the Articles of Incorporation including the giving of notice of any special or annual meetings of shareholders and any other notices required thereby. SCHEDULE G FUND PORTFOLIOS NATIONS FUNDS TRUST: 1. Corporate Bond Portfolio 2. High Income Portfolio 3. Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Portfolio 4. Nations Asset Allocation Fund 5. Nations Bond Fund 6. Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 7. Nations California Municipal Bond Fund 8. Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves 9. Nations Capital Growth Fund 10. Nations Cash Reserves 11. Nations Convertible Securities Fund 12. Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 13. Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund 14. Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 15. Nations Global Value Fund 16. Nations Government Reserves 17. Nations Government Securities Fund 18. Nations High Yield Bond Fund 19. Nations Intermediate Bond Fund 20. Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 21. Nations International Equity Fund 22. Nations International Value Fund 23. Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund 24. Nations LargeCap Index Fund 25. Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio 26. Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio 27. Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio 28. Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund 29. Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund 30. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund 31. Nations Marsico Growth Fund 32. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund 33. Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 34. Nations MidCap Growth Fund 35. Nations MidCap Index Fund 36. Nations MidCap Value Fund 37. Nations Money Market Reserves 38. Nations Municipal Income Fund 39. Nations Municipal Reserves 40. Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves 41. Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 42. Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund 43. Nations Short-Term Income Fund 44. Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 45. Nations SmallCap Index Fund 1 46. Nations SmallCap Value Fund 47. Nations Small Company Fund 48. Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 49. Nations Strategic Growth Fund 50. Nations Strategic Income Fund 51. Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves 52. Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 53. Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 54. Nations Treasury Reserves 55. Nations Value Fund 56. Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund NATIONS SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST (FORMERLY NATIONS ANNUITY TRUST): 1. Nations Asset Allocation Portfolio 2. Nations Capital Growth Portfolio 3. Nations High Yield Bond Portfolio 4. Nations International Value Portfolio 5. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Portfolio 6. Nations Marsico Growth Portfolio 7. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Portfolio 8. Nations Marsico 21st Century Portfolio 9. Nations MidCap Growth Portfolio 10. Nations Small Company Portfolio 11. Nations Value Portfolio CLOSED END FUNDS: 1. Nations Balanced Target Maturity Fund 2. Nations Government Income Term Trust 2003, Inc. 3. Nations Government Income Term Trust 2004, Inc. Last Amended: August 1, 2003 2 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the amended Schedule G to be executed by their officers designated below as of the 1st day of August, 2003. PFPC Inc. (indirect successor to The Shareholder Services Group, Inc.) By: /s/Mark Hoefel -------------- Mark Hoefel NATIONS FUNDS TRUST NATIONS SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST (formerly Nations Annuity Trust) NATIONS BALANCED TARGET MATURITY FUND, INC. NATIONS GOVERNMENT INCOME TERM TRUST 2003, INC. NATIONS GOVERNMENT INCOME TERM TRUST 2004, INC. By: /s/Robert B. Carroll -------------------- Robert B. Carroll Secretary 3 EX-99.23(H)(17) 9 g84302aexv99w23xhyx17y.txt SUB-TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT / PFPC & BOFA SUB-TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICES AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of this 11th day of September, 1995, is by and between THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICES GROUP, INC. ("TSSG", also referred to as the "Transfer Agent"), a Massachusetts corporation and principal offices at One Exchange Place, 53 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 and NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A. ("NationsBank"), organized under the laws of Texas and having its principal place of business at 1401 Elm Street, 11th Floor, Dallas, TX 75202. WITNESSETH WHEREAS, TSSG has been appointed transfer agent for those open-end registered investment companies identified on the attached Schedule A (individually the "Fund" and collectively the "Funds") pursuant to the terms of the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement (the "Transfer Agent Agreement(s)") with each such Fund; WHEREAS, the Funds are authorized to issue shares in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets ("Portfolio"). Each such Portfolio shall also be identified on Schedule A; WHEREAS, each Portfolio is authorized to issue multiple classes of shares including Trust A Shares and, in many cases, Trust B Shares (the "Trust Shares"); and WHEREAS, the Funds have authorized TSSG to subcontract with and appoint NationsBank as its agent to perform certain administrative and ministerial duties and obligations that the Transfer Agent has to the Funds with respect to the Trust Shares and NationsBank desires to accept such appointment; NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter set forth, TSSG and NationsBank agree as follows: Article 1 Definitions 1.1 Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings: (a) "Articles of Incorporation" shall mean the Articles of Incorporation, Declaration of Trust, or other similar organizational document as the case may be, of the Funds as the same may be amended from time to time; (b) "Authorized Person" shall be deemed to include (i) any authorized Officer of the Fund; or (ii) any person, whether or not such person is an Officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized to give Oral Instructions or Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund as indicated in writing to the Transfer Agent from time to time; (c) "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees of the Fund, as the case may be; (d) "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission; (e) "Custodian" refers to any custodian or subcustodian of securities and other property which the Fund may from time to time deposit, or cause to be deposited or held under the name or account of such a custodian pursuant to a Custodian Agreement; (f) "1940 Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time; (g) "Oral Instructions" shall mean instructions, other than Written Instructions, actually received by NationsBank from a person reasonably believed by NationsBank to be an Authorized Person; (h) "Prospectus" shall mean the most recently dated Fund Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information, including supplements thereto if any, which have become effective under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act; (i) "Shares" refers collectively to such Trust Shares of the Portfolios as may be issued from time to time; (j) "Shareholder" shall mean a record owner of Shares; and (k) "Written Instructions" shall mean a written communication signed by a person reasonably believed by NationsBank to be an Authorized Person and actually received by the Transfer Agent. Written Instructions shall include manually executed originals and authorized electronic transmissions, including telefacsimile of a manually executed original or other process. Article 2 Appointment of NationsBank 2.1 TSSG hereby appoints NationsBank as its subcontractor and agent to perform certain administrative and ministerial duties on behalf of the Funds, and NationsBank hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the duties hereinafter set forth. Article 3 Duties of NationsBank 3.1 NationsBank shall be responsible for administering and/or performing the customary services of a transfer agent; for performing the customary services of a service agent in connection with dividend and distribution functions; and for performing shareholder account and administrative agent functions in connection with the issuance, transfer and redemption or repurchase (including coordination with the Custodian) of Shares, as more fully described in the written Schedule of Duties of NationsBank annexed hereto as Schedule B and incorporated herein, and in accordance with the terms 2 of the Prospectus, applicable law and the procedures established from time to time between NationsBank and the Transfer Agent and/or the Funds. 3.2 Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, NationsBank and the Transfer Agent shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for: (i) the legality of the issuance or sale of any Shares or the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor; (ii) the legality of the redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor; (iii) the legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Board of Directors, or the legality of the issuance of any shares in payment of any dividend; or (iv) the legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares. It being understood that such shall be the responsibility of the Funds. 3.3 In addition, the Funds shall verify the establishment of transactions in Shares for each state on the system prior to activation and thereafter monitor the daily activity for each state. The responsibility of NationsBank for the Funds' blue sky state registration status is solely limited to the initial establishment of transactions in Shares subject to blue sky compliance by the Funds and the reporting of such transactions to the Funds as provided above. Article 4 Recordkeeping and Other Information 4.1 NationsBank shall create and maintain all records required of it pursuant to its duties hereunder and as set forth in Schedule B in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including records required by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act. All records shall be available during regular business hours for inspection and use by the Transfer Agent and the Funds. Where applicable, such records shall be maintained by NationsBank for the periods and in the places required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. 4.2 To the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act, NationsBank agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by NationsBank relating to the services to be performed by NationsBank hereunder are the property of the Funds and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such section, and will be surrendered promptly to the Funds on and in accordance with the Funds' request. 4.3 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of Shareholder records of the Funds, NationsBank will endeavor to notify the applicable Fund of such request and secure Written Instructions as to the handling of such request. NationsBank reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to comply with such request. 4.4 Upon reasonable notice by the applicable Fund, NationsBank shall make available during regular business hours such of its facilities and premises employed in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement for reasonable visitation by such Fund, or any person retained by the Fund as may be necessary for the Fund to evaluate the quality of the services performed by NationsBank pursuant hereto. 3 Article 5 Fund Instructions 5.1 NationsBank will have no liability when acting upon Written or Oral Instructions believed to have been executed or orally communicated by an Authorized Person and will not be held to have any notice of any change of authority of any person until it receives Written Instruction thereof from the Fund. NationsBank will also have no liability when processing Share certificates which it reasonably believes to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the Officers of the Fund and the proper countersignature of the Transfer Agent. 5.2 At any time, NationsBank may request Written Instructions from the Fund and may seek advice from legal counsel for the Funds, or its own legal counsel, with respect to any matter arising in connection with this Agreement, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with such Written Instructions or in accordance with the opinion of counsel for the Funds or for NationsBank. Written Instructions requested by NationsBank will be provided by the Fund within a reasonable period of time. 5.3 NationsBank, its Officers, agents or employees, shall accept Oral Instructions or Written Instructions given to them by any person representing or acting on behalf of a Fund only if said representative is an Authorized Person. The Fund agrees that all Oral Instructions shall be followed, within one business day, by confirming Written Instructions, and that the Fund's failure to so confirm shall not impair in any respect NationsBank's right to reply on Oral Instructions. Article 6 Compensation 6.1 Upon receipt of the appropriate payment from the Funds, the Transfer Agent will compensate NationsBank for the performance of its obligations hereunder in accordance with the fees set forth in the written Fee Schedule annexed hereto as Schedule C and incorporated herein. The Transfer Agent's responsibility under this Section 6.1 is conditioned upon receipt of such payment from the Funds. Article 7 Representations and Warranties of NationsBank 7.1 NationsBank represents and warrants to the Transfer Agent that: (a) it is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Texas; (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 this Agreement; 4 (d) it is duly registered with its appropriate regulatory agency as a transfer agent and such registration will remain in effect for the duration of this Agreement; (e) it has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement. Article 8 Representations and Warranties of the Transfer Agent 8.1 The Transfer Agent represents and warrants to NationsBank that: (a) it is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized; (b) it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws and the Transfer Agent Agreement to enter into this Agreement; (c) all corporate proceedings required by said Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and applicable laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement. Article 9 Indemnification 9.1 To, and only to, the extent the Transfer Agent is indemnified by the Funds pursuant to the terms of the Transfer Agent Agreements, NationsBank shall not be responsible for and the Transfer Agent shall indemnify and hold NationsBank harmless from and against any and all claims, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), losses, damages, charges, payments and liabilities of any sort or kind which may be asserted against NationsBank or for which NationsBank may be held to be liable (a "Claim") arising out of or attributable to any of the following: (a) Any actions of NationsBank required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement unless such Claim resulted from a negligent act or omission to act or bad faith by NationsBank in the performance of its duties hereunder. (b) NationsBank's reasonable reliance on, or reasonable use of information, data, records and documents (including but not limited to magnetic tapes, computer printouts, hard copies and microfilm copies) received by NationsBank from the Funds, or any authorized third party acting on behalf of the Funds, including but not limited to the Transfer Agent or any prior transfer agent for the Funds, in the performance of NationsBank's duties and obligations hereunder. (c) The reliance on, or the implementation of, any Written or Oral Instructions or any other instructions or requests which are provided by an Authorized Person of the Fund. 5 (d) The offer or sale of shares by the Fund in violation of any requirement under the securities laws or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered in such state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any state with the respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state. (e) The Transfer Agent's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or any Claim which arises out of this Agreement, or any Claim which arises out of the Transfer Agent's negligence or misconduct or the breach of which any representation or warranty of the Transfer Agent made herein. 9.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 9.1, the Transfer Agent shall be responsible for and indemnify and hold NationsBank harmless from and against any and all claims by third parties, including, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), losses, damages, charges, payments and liabilities of any sort or kind which may be asserted against NationsBank or for which NationsBank may be held to be liable arising out of or attributable to a negligent act or omission to act or bad faith by the Transfer Agent. 9.3 NationsBank shall indemnify and hold the Transfer Agent harmless from and against any and all claims, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), losses, damages, charges, payments and liabilities of any sort or kind which may be asserted against the Transfer Agent or for which the Transfer Agent may be held to be liable arising out of or attributable to any negligent act or failure to act or bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of NationsBank in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement. 9.4 In any case in which either party (the "Indemnifying Party") may be asked to indemnify or hold the other (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 the Indemnified Party 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 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. 9.5 The obligations of the parties hereto under this Article 9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. 6 Article 10 Standard of Care 10.1 NationsBank shall at all times, act in good faith and agrees to use its best efforts within commercially reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to the Transfer Agent unless said errors are caused by NationsBank's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct or that of its employees. Article 11 Consequential Damages 11.1 In no event and under no circumstances shall either party to this Agreement be liable to the other party for consequential or indirect loss of profits, reputation or business or any other special damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any act or failure to act hereunder. Article 12 Term and Termination 12.1 This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above and shall continue for a period of five (5) years (the "Initial Term"), unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically be renewed for successive terms of three (3) years ("Renewal Terms") each. 12.2 Either party may terminate this Agreement at the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Term upon not less than ninety (90) days, or more than one-hundred eighty (180) days, prior written notice to the other party. 12.3 In the event a termination notice is given by the Transfer Agent, all expenses associated with movement of records and materials and conversion thereof to the Transfer Agent or to a successor subcontractor, will be borne by the Transfer Agent. 12.4 If a party hereto is guilty of a material failure to perform its duties and obligations hereunder (a "Defaulting Party") the other party (the "Non-Defaulting Party") may give written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party, and if such material breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after such written notice is given, then the Non-Defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to the Defaulting Party. If NationsBank is the Non-Defaulting Party, its termination of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other rights or remedies of NationsBank with respect to services performed prior to such termination of rights of NationsBank to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. In all cases, termination by the Non-Defaulting Party shall not constitute a waiver by the Non-Defaulting Party of any other rights it might have under this Agreement or otherwise against the Defaulting Party. 12.5 Notwithstanding any provision of this Article 12 to the contrary, this Agreement shall terminate simultaneously with any termination of the Transfer Agent Agreement. 7 Article 13 Confidentiality 13.1 In connection with the services provided by NationsBank hereunder, certain confidential and proprietary information regarding NationsBank and the Transfer Agent may be disclosed to the other. In connection therewith, the parties agree as follows: (a) Confidential Information disclosed under this Agreement shall mean: (i) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finance, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of NationsBank, the Transfer Agent or the Funds, their respective parent corporations, their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies and the customers, clients and suppliers of any of the foregoing; (ii) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords NationsBank, the Transfer Agent or the Funds a competitive advantage over its competitors; and (iii) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, show-how and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable. (b) Confidential Information also includes, without limitation, all documents, inventions, substances, engineering and laboratory notebooks, drawings, diagrams, specifications, bills of material, equipment, prototypes and models, and any other tangible manifestation of the foregoing which now exist or come into the control or possession of the party. 13.2 Except as expressly authorized by prior written consent of the disclosing party ("Discloser"), the party receiving Confidential Information ("Recipient") shall: (a) limit access to Discloser's Confidential Information to Recipient's employees who have a need-to-know in connection with the subject matter thereof; (b) advise those employees who have access to the Confidential Information of the proprietary nature thereof and of the obligations set forth in this Confidentiality Agreement; 8 (c) take appropriate action by instruction or agreement with the employees having access to Discloser's Confidential Information to fulfill Recipient's obligations under this Confidentiality Agreement; (d) safeguard all of Discloser's Confidential Information by using a reasonable degree of care, but not less than that degree of care used by Recipient in safeguarding its own similar information or material; (e) use all of Discloser's Confidential Information solely for purposes that it was intended; (f) not disclose any of Discloser's Confidential Information to third parties. 13.3 Upon Discloser's request, Recipient shall surrender to Discloser all memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals, records, and other documents or materials (and all copies of same) relating to or containing Discloser's Confidential Information. When Recipient returns the materials, Recipient shall certify in writing that it has returned all materials containing or relating to the Confidential Information. 13.4 The obligations of confidentiality and restriction on use in this Article 13 shall not apply to any Confidential Information that Recipient proves: (a) Was in the public domain prior to the date of this Agreement or subsequently came into the public domain through no fault of Recipient; (b) Was lawfully received by Recipient from a third party free of any obligation of confidence to the third party; (c) Was already in Recipient's possession prior to receipt from Discloser; (d) Is required to be disclosed in a judicial or administrative proceeding after all reasonable legal remedies for maintaining such information in confidence have been exhausted including, but not limited to, giving Discloser as much advance notice as practical of the possibility of disclosure to allow Discloser to stop such disclosure or obtain a protective order concerning such disclosure; or (e) Is subsequently and independently developed by Recipient's employees, consultants or agents without reference to Confidential Information. 13.5 NationsBank and the Transfer Agent agree that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for breach of this Article 13. Accordingly, in addition to all other remedies that either party may have, a party shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief as a remedy for any breach of this Agreement. The parties agree to waive any requirement for a bond in connection with any such injunctive or other equitable relief. 9 Article 14 Force Majeure 14.1 In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, labor difficulties, mechanical breakdowns, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes. Article 15 Amendments 15.1 This Agreement may only be amended or modified by a written instrument executed by both parties. Article 16 Subcontracting 16.1 The Transfer Agent agrees that NationsBank may, in its discretion, subcontract for certain of the services described under this Agreement or the Schedules hereto; provided that the appointment of any such subcontractor shall not relieve NationsBank of its responsibilities hereunder. Article 17 Arbitration 17.1 Any Claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or breach hereof, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in Boston, Massachusetts in accordance with its applicable rules, except that the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure with respect to the discovery process shall apply. 17.2 The parties hereby agree that judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. 17.3 The parties acknowledge and agree that the performance of the obligations under this Agreement necessitates the use of instrumentalities of interstate commerce and, notwithstanding other general choice of law provisions in this Agreement, the parties agree that the Federal Arbitration Act shall govern and control with respect to the provisions of this Article 17. Article 18 Notice 18.1 Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by this Agreement to be given in writing to NationsBank or the Transfer Agent, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in writing. To the Transfer Agent: 10 The Shareholder Services Group, Inc. One Exchange Place 53 State Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109 Attention: President with a copy to TSSG's General Counsel To: NationsBank NationsBank NationsBank Plaza 101 S. Tryon Street, NC1-002-33-31 Charlotte, North Carolina 28255 Attention: Ted Johnson Article 19 Successors 19.1 This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns, provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assigned to any person other than a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the assignor without the written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Article 20 Governing Law 20.1 This Agreement shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without reference to the choice of law provisions thereof. Subject to Article 17, each party to this Agreement hereby (i) consents to the personal jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts courts over the parties hereto, hereby waiving any defense of lack of personal jurisdiction; and (ii) appoints the person to whom notices hereunder are to be sent as agent for service of process. Article 21 Counterparts 21.1 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument. Article 22 Captions 22.1 The captions included in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. 11 Article 23 Relationship of Parties 23.1 The parties agree that they are independent contractors and not partners or co-venturers and nothing contained herein shall be interpreted or construed otherwise. Article 24 Entire Agreement; Severability 24.1 This Agreement and the Schedules attached hereto constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto relating to the matters covered hereby and supersede any previous agreements. If any provision is held to be illegal, unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired thereby. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year written above. THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICES GROUP, INC. By: /s/ Jack P. Kurt -------------------------------------- Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A. By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson -------------------------------------- Title: Senior Vice President 12 SCHEDULE A FUND PORTFOLIOS NATIONS FUNDS TRUST 1. Cooperate Bond Portfolio 2. High Income Portfolio 3. Mortgage- and Asset Backed Portfolio 4. Nations Asset Allocation Fund 5. Nations Bond Fund 6. Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 7. Nations California Municipal Bond Fund 8. Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves 9. Nations Capital Growth Fund 10. Nations Cash Reserves 11. Nations Convertible Securities Fund 12. Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 13. Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund 14. Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 15. Nations Global Value Fund 16. Nations Government Reserves 17. Nations Government Securities Fund 18. Nations High Yield Bond Fund 19. Nations Intermediate Bond Fund 20. Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 21. Nations International Equity Fund 22. Nations International Value Fund 23. Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund 24. Nations LargeCap Index Fund 25. Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio 26. Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio 27. Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio 28. Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund 29. Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund 30. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund 31. Nations Marsico Growth Fund 32. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund 33. Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 34. Nations MidCap Growth Fund 35. Nations MidCap Index Fund 36. Nations MidCap Value Fund 37. Nations Money Market Reserves 38. Nations Municipal Income Fund 39. Nations Municipal Reserves 40. Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves 41. Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 42. Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund 13 43. Nations Short-Term Income Fund 44. Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 45. Nations SmallCap Index Fund 46. Nations SmallCap Value Fund 47. Nations Small Company Fund 48. Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 49. Nations Strategic Growth Fund 50. Nations Strategic Income Fund 51. Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves 52. Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 53. Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 54. Nations Treasury Reserves 55. Nations Value Fund 56. Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Last Amended: August 1, 2003 14 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the amended Schedule A to be executed by their officers designated below as of the 1st day of August, 2003. PFPC Inc. (indirect successor to The Shareholder Services Group, Inc.) By: /s/ Mark Hoefel -------------------------------- Mark Hoefel BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (indirect successor to NationsBank of Texas, N.A.) By: /s/ Edward D. Bedard --------------------------------- Edward D. Bedard Senior Vice President 15 Schedule B DUTIES OF NATIONSBANK 1. Shareholder Information. NationsBank shall maintain a record of the number of Shares held by each Shareholder of record which shall include name, address, and taxpayer identification number and which shall indicate whether such Shares are held in certificates or uncertificated form. 2. Shareholder Services. NationsBank shall respond as appropriate to all inquiries and communications from Shareholders relating to Shareholder accounts with respect to its duties hereunder and as may be from time to time mutually agreed upon between NationsBank and the Transfer Agent (or the Funds as the case maybe). 3. Share Certificates. (a) At the expense of the Funds, the Funds shall supply NationsBank with an adequate supply of blank share certificates to meet NationsBank's requirements therefor. Such Share certificates shall be properly signed by facsimile. Notwithstanding the death, resignation, or removal of any Officer of the Fund whose signature appears on such certificates, NationsBank or its agent may continue to countersign certificates which bear such signatures until otherwise directed by Written Instructions. (b) NationsBank shall issue replacement Share certificates in lieu of certificates which have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon receipt by NationsBank of properly executed affidavits and lost certificate bonds, in form satisfactory to NationsBank, with the applicable Fund and NationsBank as obligees under the bond. (c) NationsBank shall also maintain a record of each certificate issued, the number of Shares represented thereby and the Shareholder of record. With respect to Shares held in open accounts or uncertificated form (i.e., no certificate being issued with respect thereto) the Transfer Agent shall maintain comparable records of the Shareholders thereof, including their names, addresses and taxpayer identification numbers. NationsBank shall further maintain a stop transfer record on lost and/or replaced certificates. 4. Mailing Communications to Shareholders; Proxy Materials. NationsBank will address and mail to Shareholders of the Funds, all reports to Shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy material for the Funds' meetings of Shareholders. In connection with meetings of Shareholders, NationsBank will prepare Shareholder lists, mail and certify as to the mailing of proxy materials, process and tabulate returned proxy cards, report on proxies voted prior to meetings, act as inspector of election at meetings and certify Shares voted at meetings. 5. Sales of Shares. (a) NationsBank shall not be required to issue any Shares of the Funds where it has received a Written Instruction from the applicable Fund or official notice from any appropriate authority that the sale of the Shares of such Fund has been suspended or discontinued. The existence of such Written Instructions or such official notice shall be conclusive evidence of the right of NationsBank to rely on such Written Instructions or official notice. (b) In the event that any check or other order for the payment of money is returned unpaid for any reason, NationsBank will endeavor to: (i) give prompt notice of such return to the applicable Fund or its designee; (ii) place a stop transfer order against all Shares issued as a result of such check or order; and (iii) take such actions as NationsBank may from time to time deem appropriate. 6. Transfer and Repurchase. (a) NationsBank shall process all requests to transfer or redeem Shares in accordance with the transfer or repurchase procedures set forth in the applicable Fund's Prospectus. (b) NationsBank will transfer or repurchase Shares upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions or otherwise pursuant to the Prospectus and Share certificates, if any, properly endorsed for transfer or redemption, accompanied by such documents as NationsBank reasonably may deem necessary. (c) NationsBank reserves the right to refuse to transfer or repurchase Shares until it is satisfied that the endorsement on the instructions is valid and genuine. NationsBank also reserves the right to refuse to transfer or repurchase Shares until it is satisfied that the requested transfer or repurchase is legally authorized, and it shall incur no liability for the refusal, in good faith, to make transfers or repurchases which NationsBank, in its reasonable judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or until it is reasonably satisfied that there is no basis to any claims adverse to such transfer or repurchase. (d) When Shares are redeemed, NationsBank shall, upon receipt of the instructions and documents in proper form, deliver to the Custodian and the applicable Fund or its designee a notification setting forth the number of Shares to be redeemed. Such redeemed Shares shall be reflected on appropriate accounts maintained by NationsBank reflecting outstanding Shares of the applicable Fund and Shares attributed to individual accounts. (e) NationsBank shall, upon receipt of the monies paid to it by the Custodian for the redemption of Shares, pay such monies as are received from the Custodian, all in accordance with the procedures described in the Written Instructions received by NationsBank from the Funds. 2 (f) NationsBank shall not process or effect any repurchase with respect to Shares of any Fund after receipt by NationsBank or its agent of notification of the suspension of the determination of the net asset value of such Fund. 7. Dividends. (a) Upon the declaration of each dividend and each capital gains distribution by the Board of Directors of the Funds with respect to Shares of the Funds, the Funds shall furnish or cause to be furnished to NationsBank Written Instructions setting forth the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the ex-dividend date, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which Shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per Share to the Shareholders of record as of that date, the total amount payable to NationsBank on the payment date and whether such dividend or distribution is to be paid in Shares at net asset value. (b) On or before the payment date specified in such resolution of the Board of Directors, the applicable Fund will pay to NationsBank sufficient cash to make payment on such payment date to the Shareholders of record on the record date. (c) If, prior to the payment date, NationsBank does not receive sufficient cash from the applicable Fund to make total dividend and/or distribution payments to all Shareholders of record of such Fund as of the record date, NationsBank will, upon notifying such Fund, withhold payment to all Shareholders of record as of the record date until sufficient cash is provided to NationsBank. 8. Daily Activity. NationsBank will communicate via fax all "net" activity for the day to TSSG. TSSG shall update the transfer agent system and notify fund accounting of money movement based on such information. 9. In addition to and neither in lieu nor in contravention of the services set forth above, NationsBank shall: (i) perform all the customary services of a transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and agent of the dividend reinvestment and cash purchase plan as described herein consistent with those requirements in effect as of the date of this Agreement. The detailed definition, frequency, limitations and associated costs (if any) set out in the attached fee schedule, include but are not limited to: maintaining all Shareholder accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing proxies, tabulating proxies, mailing Shareholder reports to current Shareholders, withholding taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident alien accounts where applicable, preparing and filing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate forms required with respect to dividends and distributions by federal authorities for all Shareholders. 3 Schedule C Fee Schedule Upon receipt of the appropriate payment from the Funds, the Transfer Agent will compensate NationsBank for the performance of its obligations hereunder in accordance with a flat fee of $251,000 per year ($20,916.67 per month). EX-99.23(H)(20) 10 g84302aexv99w23xhyx20y.txt AM & RESTATED FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER AGREEMENT AMENDED AND RESTATED FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER AGREEMENT AGREEMENT made as of July 2, 2001 among Nations Fund Trust, Nations Fund, Inc., Nations Reserves, Nations Separate Account Trust, Nations Master Investment Trust and Nations Funds Trust on behalf of their respective mutual funds identified on the Appendix hereto (each, a "Fund"; collectively, the "Funds") and The Bank of New York ("BNY"). W I T N E S S E T H: WHEREAS, each Fund has appointed BNY as a Foreign Custody Manager under a Foreign Custody Manager Agreement dated December 1, 1997 as amended as of August 6, 1998 (the "Prior Agreement"); WHEREAS, each Fund and BNY desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement; WHEREAS, BNY desires to continue to serve as a Foreign Custody Manager and perform the duties set forth herein on the terms and condition contained herein; NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter contained in this Agreement, each Fund and BNY hereby agrees as follows: ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings: 1. "BOARD" shall mean the board of directors or board of trustees, as the case may be, of the relevant Fund. 2. "ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN" shall have the meaning provided in the Rule (as defined below). 3. "MONITORING SYSTEM" shall mean a system established by BNY to fulfill the Responsibilities (as defined below) specified in clause (b) of Section 1 of Article III of this Agreement. 4. "RESPONSIBILITIES" shall mean the responsibilities delegated to BNY as a Foreign Custody Manager with respect to each Specified Country (as defined below) and each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by BNY, as such responsibilities are more fully described in Article III of this Agreement. 5. "RULE" shall mean Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended on June 12, 2000. 6. "SPECIFIED COUNTRY" shall mean each country listed on Schedule I attached hereto, and each country, other than the United States, with respect to which an Authorized Person (as defined in one or more Custody Agreement(s) between the relevant Fund and BNY as custodian (each, a "Custody Agreement")) has given settlement instructions to BNY as custodian (the "Custodian") under the Custody Agreement. ARTICLE II. BNY AS A FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER 1. Each Fund, by authority of its Board, hereby delegates to BNY with respect to each Specified Country the Responsibilities. 2. BNY accepts the Board's delegation of Responsibilities with respect to each Specified Country and agrees in performing the Responsibilities as a Foreign Custody Manager to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of the Funds' Foreign Assets (as defined in the Rule) would exercise. 3. BNY shall provide to the Board at such times as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of the Fund's foreign custody arrangements written reports notifying the Board of the placement of assets of the Fund with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian within a Specified Country and of any material change in the arrangements (including, but not limited to, the contract governing such arrangements) with respect to assets of the Fund with any such Eligible Foreign Custodian and such additional information regarding such matters as and when the Board may reasonably request and containing such detail as the parties shall agree. ARTICLE III. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. (a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, BNY shall with respect to each Specified Country select an Eligible Foreign Custodian. In connection therewith, BNY shall: (i) determine that Foreign Assets of each Fund held by such Eligible Foreign Custodian will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market in which such Eligible Foreign Custodian operates, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such Foreign Assets, including, without limitation, those contained in Section (c)(1) of the Rule; (ii) determine that each Fund's foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian are governed by a written contract with the Custodian which will provide reasonable care for the Fund's Foreign Assets based on the standards specified in paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule; and (iii) determine that each contract with an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall include the provisions specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) through (F) of the Rule or, alternatively, in - 2 - lieu of any or all of such (c)(2)(i)(A) through (F) provisions, such other provisions as BNY determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for the Foreign Assets of each Fund as such specified provisions in their entirety. (b) In addition, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, BNY shall with respect to each Eligible Foreign Custodian (i) monitor pursuant to the Monitoring System (x) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets of the Funds with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule and (y) performance of the contract governing such arrangement under paragraph (c)(2) of the Rule; and (ii) advise the appropriate Fund(s) whenever an arrangement (including any material change in the contract governing such arrangement) described in preceding clause (b)(i) no longer meets the requirements of the Rule. 2. For purposes of clause (b)(i) of preceding Section 1 of this Article, BNY's determination of appropriateness shall not include, nor be deemed to include, any evaluation of Country Risks associated with investment in a particular country. For purposes hereof, "Country Risks" shall mean systemic risks of holding, assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, (a) an Eligible Foreign Custodian's use of any depositories that act as or operate a system for the central handling of securities or equivalent book-entries, or a transnational system for the central handling of securities or any equivalent book-entries in their respective countries of incorporation; (b) such country's financial infrastructure, (c) such country's prevailing custody and settlement practices, (d) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (e) regulation of the banking or securities industry, (f) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (g) market conditions which affect the orderly execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities. ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS 1. Each Fund hereby represents that: (a) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, and no statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding on the Fund prohibits the Fund's execution or performance of this Agreement; (b) this Agreement has been approved and ratified by the Board at a meeting duly called and at which a quorum was at all times present; and (c) the Board or its investment adviser or investment sub-adviser pursuant to delegated authority has considered the Country Risks associated with investment in each Specified Country and will have considered such risks prior to any settlement instructions being given to the Custodian with respect to any other Specified Country. 2. BNY hereby represents that: (a) BNY is duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, with full power to carry on its businesses as now conducted, and to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; (b) BNY is a U.S. Bank, as defined in Section (a)(7) of the Rule; (c) this Agreement has been - 3 - duly authorized, executed and delivered by BNY, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of BNY enforceable in accordance with its terms, and no statute, regulation, rule, order, judgment or contract binding on BNY prohibits BNY's execution or performance of this Agreement; and (d) BNY has established the Monitoring System. ARTICLE V. CONCERNING BNY 1. BNY shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys' and accountants' fees, sustained or incurred by, or asserted against, any Fund, except that BNY shall be liable for all such amounts to the extent the same arises out of the failure of BNY to exercise the care, prudence and diligence required by Section 2 of Article II hereof. In no event shall BNY be liable to any Fund, such Fund's Board, or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or for lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement. 2. Each Fund shall indemnify BNY and hold it harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys' and accountants' fees, sustained or incurred by, or asserted against, BNY by reason or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of BNY's performance hereunder, provided that the Fund shall not indemnify BNY to the extent any such costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arises out of BNY's failure to exercise the reasonable care, prudence and diligence required by Section 2 of Article II hereof. 3. For its services hereunder, each Fund agrees to pay to BNY such compensation and out-of-pocket expenses as shall be mutually agreed in writing, it being understood that the parties have no present intention that BNY receive any compensation or out-of-pocket expenses under this Agreement. 4. BNY shall have only such duties as are expressly set forth herein. In no event shall BNY be liable for any Country Risks associated with investments in a particular country. ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS 1. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between each Fund and BNY with respect to the matters covered hereby, and no provision in the Custody Agreement between the Fund and the Custodian shall affect the duties and obligations of BNY hereunder, nor shall any provision in this Agreement affect the duties or obligations of the Custodian under the Custody Agreement. 2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to BNY, shall be sufficiently given if received by it at its offices at 100 Church Street, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place as BNY may from time to time designate in writing. - 4 - 3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to a Fund shall be sufficiently given if received by it at its offices at Richard H. Blank, Jr., Corporate Secretary, The Nations Funds, 111 Center Street, Suite 300, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201, with a copy to Edward D. Bedard, Bank of America Advisors, LLC, One Bank of America Plaza, 101 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255, or at such other place as the Fund may from time to time designate in writing. 4. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other. 5. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. Each Fund and BNY hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. Each Fund hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each Fund and BNY each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. 6. The parties hereto agree that in performing hereunder, BNY is acting solely on behalf of the Funds and no contractual or service relationship shall be deemed to be established hereby between BNY and any other person. 7. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument. 8. As to any Fund this Agreement shall terminate simultaneously with the termination of the Custody Agreement between such Fund and the Custodian, and may otherwise be terminated by either party giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of such notice. - 5 - IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Fund on behalf of its mutual funds identified on the Appendix hereto and BNY have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written. NATIONS FUND TRUST By: /s/ A. Max Walker --------------------------- A. Max Walker President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees NATIONS FUND, INC. By: /s/ A. Max Walker --------------------------- A. Max Walker President and Chairman of the Board of Directors NATIONS RESERVES By: /s/ A. Max Walker --------------------------- A. Max Walker President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees NATIONS SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST By: /s/ A. Max Walker --------------------------- A. Max Walker President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees - 6 - NATIONS MASTER INVESTMENT TRUST By: /s/ A. Max Walker --------------------------- A. Max Walker President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees NATIONS FUNDS TRUST By: /s/ A. Max Walker --------------------------- A. Max Walker President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees THE BANK OF NEW YORK By: /s/ Ira Rosner --------------------------- Ira Rosner Vice President - 7 - APPENDIX NATIONS FUNDS TRUST 1. Corporate Bond Portfolio 2. High Income Portfolio 3. Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Portfolio 4. Nations Asset Allocation Fund 5. Nations Bond Fund 6. Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 7. Nations California Municipal Bond Fund 8. Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves 9. Nations Capital Growth Fund 10. Nations Cash Reserves 11. Nations Convertible Securities Fund 12. Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 13. Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund 14. Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 15. Nations Global Value Fund 16. Nations Government Reserves 17. Nations Government Securities Fund 18. Nations High Yield Bond Fund 19. Nations Intermediate Bond Fund 20. Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 21. Nations International Equity Fund 22. Nations International Value Fund 23. Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund 24. Nations LargeCap Index Fund 25. Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund 26. Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund 27. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund 28. Nations Marsico Growth Fund 29. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund 30. Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 31. Nations MidCap Growth Fund 32. Nations MidCap Index Fund 33. Nations MidCap Value Fund 34. Nations Money Market Reserves 35. Nations Municipal Income Fund 36. Nations Municipal Reserves 37. Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves 38. Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 39. Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund 40. Nations Short-Term Income Fund 41. Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 42. Nations SmallCap Index Fund 43. Nations SmallCap Value Fund 44. Nations Small Company Fund 45. Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 46. Nations Strategic Growth Fund 47. Nations Strategic Income Fund 48. Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves 49. Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 50. Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 51. Nations Treasury Reserves 52. Nations Value Fund 53. Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund NATIONS SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST (FORMERLY NATIONS ANNUITY TRUST) 1. Nations Asset Allocation Portfolio 2. Nations Capital Growth Portfolio 3. Nations High Yield Bond Portfolio 4. Nations International Value Portfolio 5. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Portfolio 6. Nations Marsico Growth Portfolio 7. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Portfolio 8. Nations Marsico 21st Century Portfolio 9. Nations MidCap Growth Portfolio 10. Nations Small Company Portfolio 11. Nations Value Portfolio NATIONS MASTER INVESTMENT TRUST 1. High Yield Portfolio 2. Nations High Yield Bond Master Portfolio 3. Nations Intermediate Bond Master Portfolio 4. Nations International Equity Master Portfolio 5. Nations International Value Master Portfolio 6. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Master Portfolio 7. Nations Marsico Growth Master Portfolio 8. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Master Portfolio 9. Nations Marsico 21st Century Master Portfolio 10. Nations SmallCap Value Master Portfolio 11. Nations Strategic Growth Master Portfolio Last amended: August 1, 2003 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the amended Appendix to be executed by their officers designated below as of the 1st day of August, 2003. NATIONS SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST NATIONS MASTER INVESTMENT TRUST NATIONS FUNDS TRUST By: /s/ Robert B. Carroll --------------------------- Robert B. Carroll Secretary THE BANK OF NEW YORK By: /s/ Ira Rosner --------------------------- Ira Rosner Vice President EX-99.23(M)(1) 11 g84302aexv99w23xmyx1y.txt SHAREHOLDER ADMIN PLAN - PRIMARY B SHARES NATIONS FUNDS TRUST SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN ("PLAN") FOR PRIMARY B SHARES Section 1. Each of the proper officers of Nations Funds Trust (the "Trust") is authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Trust, written agreements based substantially on the form attached hereto as Appendix A or any other form duly approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees ("Agreements") with broker/dealers, banks and other financial institutions that are dealers of record or holders of record or which have a servicing relationship with the beneficial owners of Primary B Shares ("Servicing Agents") in certain of the portfolios (each a "Fund") (as listed on Exhibit A) offering such shares provided that any material modifications of services listed in the Agreement shall be presented for approval or ratification by the Trustees at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting. Pursuant to such Agreements, Servicing Agents shall provide shareholder support services as set forth therein to their clients who beneficially own Primary B Shares of the Funds in consideration of a fee, computed monthly in the manner set forth in the applicable Fund's then current prospectus, at an annual rate of up to 0.60% of the average daily net asset value of the Primary B Shares beneficially owned by or attributable to such clients, provided that in no event may the portion of such fee that constitutes a "service fee," as that term is defined in Article III, Section 26(b)(9) of the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., exceed 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of such Primary B Shares of a Fund. Affiliates of the Trust's distributor, administrator, co-administrator and adviser are eligible to become Servicing Agents and to receive fees under this Plan. All expenses incurred by a Fund in connection with the Agreements and the implementation of this Plan shall be borne entirely by the holders of the Primary B Shares of the particular Fund involved. If more than one Fund is involved and these expenses are not directly attributable to Primary B Shares of a particular Fund, then the expenses may be allocated between or among the Primary B Shares of the Funds in a fair and equitable manner. Section 2. The Trust's administrator and/or co-administrator shall monitor the arrangements pertaining to the Trust's Agreements with Servicing Agents. The Trust's administrator and co-administrator shall not, however, be obligated by this Plan to recommend, and the Trust shall not be obligated to execute, any Agreement with any qualifying Servicing Agents. Section 3. So long as this Plan is in effect, the Trust's distributor shall provide to the Trust's Board of Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Section 4. Unless sooner terminated, this Plan shall continue in effect for a period of one year from its date of execution and shall continue thereafter for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons," as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"), of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any Agreement related to this Plan (the "Disinterested Trustees") cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan. Section 5. This Plan may be amended at any time with respect to any Fund by the Trust's Board of Trustees, provided that any material amendment of the terms of this Plan (including a material increase of the fee payable hereunder) shall become effective only upon the approvals set forth in Section 4. Section 6. This Plan is terminable at any time with respect to any Fund by vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees. Section 7. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Disinterested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of such Disinterested Trustees. Section 8. To the extent that any portion of the fees payable under the Agreements is deemed to be for services primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares, such fees are deemed approved and may be paid pursuant to the Plan and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Act, provided that the Agreements, to the extent they are deemed to relate to services primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares, are approved and otherwise treated in all respects as agreements related to the Plan. Section 9. The Trust will preserve copies of this Plan, Agreements, and any written reports regarding this Plan presented to the Board of Trustees for a period of not less than six years. 2 EXHIBIT A NATIONS FUNDS TRUST The term "Fund" used in the Plan shall refer to the following Funds of the Trust: Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund Approved: August 23, 2000 Last Amended: August 1, 2003 3 EX-99.23(M)(2) 12 g84302aexv99w23xmyx2y.txt SHAREHOLDER SERV & DISTRIB PLAN - INVESTOR A SHARE NATIONS FUNDS TRUST SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN INVESTOR A SHARES This Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plan (the "Plan") for the Investor A Shares of the series of Nations Funds Trust (the "Trust") listed on the schedule attached hereto (the "Funds"), has been adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust in conformance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). Section 1. Payments for Services. The Trust may compensate or reimburse its Distributor for any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Investor A Shares of the Trust's Funds or servicing agents for providing services under this Plan. Payments by the Trust under the Plan will be calculated daily and paid monthly at a rate or rates set from time to time by the Trust's Board of Trustees, provided that no rate set by the Board for any Fund may exceed, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the average daily net assets of a Fund's Investor A Shares. Section 2. Expenses Covered by Plan. (a) Distribution Expenses. The fees payable under Section 1 shall be used primarily to compensate or reimburse the Distributor for distribution services provided by it, and related expenses incurred, including payments by the Distributor to compensate or reimburse banks, broker/dealers or other financial institutions that have entered into a Sales Support Agreement (defined below) with the Distributor ("Selling Agents"), for sales support services provided, and related expenses incurred, by such Selling Agents. Payments under Section 1 may be made with respect to: (i) preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses, sales literature and advertising materials by the Distributor or, as applicable, Selling Agents, attributable to distribution or sales support activities, respectively; (ii) commissions, incentive compensation or other compensation to, and expenses of, account executives or other employees of the Distributor or Selling Agents, attributable to distribution or sales support activities, respectively; (iii) overhead and other office expenses of the Distributor or Selling Agents, attributable to distribution or sales support activities, respectively; (iv) opportunity costs relating to the foregoing (which may be calculated as a carrying charge on the Distributor's or Selling Agents' unreimbursed expenses incurred in connection with distribution or sales support activities, respectively); and (v) any other costs and expenses relating to distribution or sales support activities. The overhead and other office expenses referenced in this Section may include, without limitation: (i) the expenses of operating the Distributor's or Selling Agents' offices in connection with the sale of Fund shares, including lease costs, the salaries and employee benefit costs of administrative, operations and support personnel, utility costs, communication costs and the costs of stationery and supplies; (ii) the costs of client sales seminars and travel related to distribution and sales support activities; and (iii) other expenses relating to distribution and sales support activities. (b) Shareholder Servicing Expenses. The shareholder servicing activities for which compensation may be received under this Plan may include, among other things: (i) aggregating and processing purchase and redemption requests and transmitting promptly net purchase and 1 redemption orders to the Distributor or transfer agent; (ii) providing customers with a service that invests the assets of their accounts in Shares pursuant to specific or pre-authorized instructions; (iii) processing dividend and distribution payments; (iv) providing information periodically to customers showing their positions in Shares; (v) arranging for bank wires; (vi) responding to customers' inquiries concerning their investment in Shares; (vii) providing subaccounting with respect to Shares beneficially owned by customers or the information to the Trust necessary for subaccounting; (viii) if required by law, forwarding shareholder communications (such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual and semi-annual financial statements and dividend, distribution and tax notices) to customers; (ix) forwarding to customers proxy statements and proxies containing any proposals regarding the Shareholder Servicing Agreement; (x) general shareholder liaison services; and (xi) providing such other similar services as the Trust may reasonably request to the extent such firms are permitted to do so under applicable statutes, rules or regulations. Section 3. Nations Short-Term Income Fund and Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund -- Expenses under the Plan. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, with respect to Nations Short-Term Income Fund and Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund, payments under Section 1, above, shall not be made for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts as such terms are interpreted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Payments by these Funds for such services are made pursuant to a separate shareholder servicing plan. To the extent that either of these Funds make payments pursuant to this Plan and/or their separate shareholder servicing plan for Investor A Shares, the total of such payments may not exceed, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the average daily net assets of either such Fund's Investor A Shares. Section 4. Agreements. (a) Distribution and Sales Support Agreements. Any officer of the Trust is authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Trust, a written agreement with the Distributor in a form duly approved from time to time by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Such agreement shall authorize the Distributor to enter into written agreements with banks, broker/dealers and other financial institutions, based on such form(s) of sales support agreements as may be approved by the Board of Trustees from time to time. The Distributor also may enter into such agreements based on such additional forms of agreement as it deems appropriate, provided that the Distributor determines that the Trust's and the Funds' responsibility or liability to any person on account of any acts or statements of any such selling agent under any such sales support agreement do not exceed their responsibility or liability under the form(s) approved by the Board of Trustees, and provided further that the Distributor determines that the overall terms of any such sales support agreement are not materially less advantageous to the Trust than the overall terms of the form(s) approved by the Board of Trustees. (b) Shareholder Servicing Agreements. Any officer of the Trust is authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Trust, written agreements based substantially on the form attached hereto as Appendix C or any other form duly approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees ("Shareholder Servicing Agreements") with broker/dealers, banks and other financial institutions that are dealers of record or holders of record or which have a 2 servicing relationship ("Servicing Agents") with the beneficial owners of Investor A Shares of the Funds of the Trust. With respect to Investor A Shares, actual distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor (or sales support expenses incurred by Selling Agents) in a given year may exceed the sum of the fees received by the Distributor pursuant to this Plan and payments received by the Distributor pursuant to contingent deferred sales charges. Any such excess may be recovered by the Distributor, and retained by it or paid over to Selling Agents, as applicable, in future years as long as this Plan is in effect. If this Plan is terminated or not continued, the Trust shall not be obligated to pay the Distributor (or Selling Agents) for any expenses not previously reimbursed by the Trust or recovered through contingent deferred sales charges. To the extent any payments made by a Fund pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Agreement are deemed to be payments for the financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, such payments shall be deemed to have been approved pursuant to the Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Fund or class of shares shall make any payments under the Plan that exceed the maximum amounts payable under applicable Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Section 5. Reports of Distributor. So long as this Plan is in effect, the Distributor shall provide to the Trust's Officers and Board of Trustees, and the Trustees shall review at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended by it pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, or by Selling Agents pursuant to Sales Support Agreements, and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Section 6. Approval of Plan. This Plan will become effective immediately, as to any Fund's Investor A Shares, upon its approval by (a) a majority of the outstanding Investor A Shares of such Fund, and (b) a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with this Plan, pursuant to a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval of the Plan. Section 7. Continuance of Plan. The Plan shall continue in effect for so long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trust's Board of Trustees in the manner described in Section 6. Section 8. Amendments. This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees provided that (a) any amendment to increase materially the costs which a Fund's Investor A Shares may bear for distribution pursuant to this Plan shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Investor A Shares of such Fund, and (b) any material amendments of the terms of this Plan shall become effective only upon approval as provided in Section 6 hereof. 3 Section 9. Termination. This Plan is terminable, as to a Fund's Investor A Shares, without penalty at any time by (a) a vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with this Plan, or (b) a vote of a majority of the outstanding Investor A Shares of such Fund. Section 10. Limitation of Liability. The names "Nations Funds Trust" and "Trustees of Nations Funds Trust" refer respectively to the trust created and the Trustees, as Trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of Trust which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is at the principal office of the Trust. The obligations of "Nations Funds Trust" entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, officers, representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, Shareholders, officers, representatives or agents of the Trust personally, but bind only the Trust Property (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), and all persons dealing with a Fund's Investor A Shares of the Trust must look solely to the Trust property belonging to such Fund's Investor A Shares for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust. Section 11. Records. The Trust will preserve copies of this Plan, and any Agreements and written reports related to this Plan presented to the Board of Trustees for a period of not less than six years. Section 12. Miscellaneous. The captions in this Plan 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. 4 EXHIBIT A NATIONS FUNDS TRUST 1. Nations Asset Allocation Fund 2. Nations Bond Fund 3. Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 4. Nations California Municipal Bond Fund 5. Nations Capital Growth Fund 6. Nations Convertible Securities Fund 7. Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 8. Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund 9. Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 10. Nations Global Value Fund 11. Nations Government Securities Fund 12. Nations High Yield Bond Fund 13. Nations Intermediate Bond Fund 14. Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 15. Nations International Equity Fund 16. Nations International Value Fund 17. Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund 18. Nations LargeCap Index Fund 19. Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio 20. Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio 21. Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio 22. Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund 23. Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund 24. Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund 25. Nations Marsico Growth Fund 26. Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund 27. Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 28. Nations MidCap Growth Fund 29. Nations MidCap Index Fund 30. Nations MidCap Value Fund 31. Nations Municipal Income Fund 32. Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 33. Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund 34. Nations Short-Term Income Fund 35. Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 36. Nations SmallCap Index Fund 37. Nations SmallCap Value Fund 38. Nations Small Company Fund 39. Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 40. Nations Strategic Growth Fund 41. Nations Strategic Income Fund 42. Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 5 43. Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 44. Nations Value Fund 45. Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Approved: December 9, 1999 Last Amended: August 1, 2003 6 EX-99.23(O)(1) 13 g84302aexv99w23xoyx1y.txt RULE 18F-3 MULTI-CLASS PLAN NATIONS FUNDS TRUST RULE 18f-3 MULTI-CLASS PLAN I. INTRODUCTION. Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), the following sets forth the method for allocating fees and expenses among each class of shares in the investment portfolios of Nations Funds Trust (the "Trust"). In addition, this Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan (the "Plan") sets forth the maximum initial sales loads, contingent deferred sales charges, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees, conversion features, exchange privileges and other shareholder services, if any, applicable to a particular class of shares of the portfolios. The Plan also identifies expenses that may be allocated to a particular class of shares to the extent that they are actually incurred in a different amount by the class or relate to a different kind or degree of services provided to the class. The Trust is an open-end series investment company registered under the 1940 Act, the shares of which are registered on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 (Registration Nos. 333-89661 and 811-09645). The Trust elects to offer multiple classes of shares in its investment portfolios pursuant to the provisions of Rule 18f-3 and this Plan. The Trust currently consists of the following fifty-three separate investment portfolios: Nations MidCap Index Fund, Nations High Yield Bond Fund, Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund, Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund, Nations Global Value Fund, Nations Government Securities Fund, Nations Asset Allocation Fund, Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund, Nations Marsico Growth Fund, Nations MidCap Value Fund, Nations California Municipal Bond Fund, Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund, Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Capital Growth Fund, Nations Strategic Growth Fund, Nations Convertible Securities Fund, Nations Value Fund, Nations MidCap Growth Fund, Nations LargeCap Index Fund, Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund, Nations SmallCap Index Fund, Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund, Nations Municipal Income Fund, Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund, Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Short-Term Income Fund, Nations Strategic Income Fund, Nations Bond Fund, Nations Small Company Fund, Nations International Value Fund, Nations International Equity Fund, Nations Intermediate Bond Fund and Nations SmallCap Value Fund (the "Non-Money Market Funds") and Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio, Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio, Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio (the "LifeGoal Portfolios") and Nations Government Reserves, Nations Cash Reserves, Nations Treasury Reserves, Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves, Nations Municipal Reserves, Nations Money Market Reserves, Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves and Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves (the "Money Market Funds"). 1 The above-listed investment portfolios of the Trust (the "Funds") are authorized to issue the following classes of shares representing interests in the Funds: (i) Non-Money Market Funds (except Nations MidCap Index Fund, Nations SmallCap Index Fund, Nations LargeCap Index Fund, Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund, LifeGoal Portfolios, Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund, Nations Value Fund, Nations Small Company Fund, Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund, Nations Marsico Growth Fund, Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund, Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund, Nations Convertible Securities Fund, Nations Intermediate Bond Fund and Nations Government Securities Fund) -- Primary A Shares, Investor A Shares, Investor B Shares and Investor C Shares; (ii) Nations MidCap Index Fund, Nations SmallCap Index Fund and Nations LargeCap Index Fund-- Primary A Shares and Investor A Shares; (iii) Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core Fund -- Primary A Shares, Primary B Shares and Investor A Shares; (iv) LifeGoal Portfolios and Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund - Primary A Shares, Primary B Shares, Investor A Shares, Investor B Shares and Investor C Shares; (v) Nations Value Fund, Nations Small Company Fund, Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund, Nations Marsico Growth Fund, Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund, Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund, Nations Convertible Securities Fund, Nations Intermediate Bond Fund and Nations Government Securities Fund -- R Shares; (vi) Nations Government Reserves, Nations Treasury Reserves and Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves -- Capital Class Shares, Liquidity Class Shares, Adviser Class Shares, Market Class Shares, Daily Class Shares, Service Class Shares, Investor Class Shares, Trust Class Shares, Institutional Class Shares, Investor B Shares, Investor C Shares and Investor A Shares; (vii) Nations Municipal Reserves, Nations Money Market Reserves, Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves and Nations New York Tax-Exempt Reserves -- Capital Class Shares, Liquidity Class Shares, Adviser Class Shares, Market Class Shares, Daily Class Shares, Service Class Shares, Investor Class Shares, Trust Class Shares, Institutional Class Shares, Investor B Shares and Investor C Shares; and 2 (viii) Nations Cash Reserves -- Capital Class Shares, Liquidity Class Shares, Adviser Class Shares, Market Class Shares, Daily Class Shares, Service Class Shares, Investor Class Shares, Trust Class Shares, Institutional Class Shares, Investor B Shares, Investor C Shares, Investor A Shares and Marsico Shares. II. ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES. A. Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, the Trust shall allocate to each class of shares in a Fund (i) any fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with the distribution of such class of shares under a distribution plan adopted for such class of shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1, and (ii) any fees and expenses incurred by the Trust under a shareholder servicing plan in connection with the provision of shareholder services to the holders of such class of shares. B. In addition, pursuant to Rule 18f-3, the Trust may allocate the following fees and expenses, if any, to a particular class of shares in a single Fund: (i) transfer agent fees identified by the transfer agent as being attributable to such class of shares; (ii) printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder reports, prospectuses, reports and proxies to current shareholders of such class of shares or to regulatory agencies with respect to such class of shares; (iii) blue sky registration or qualification fees incurred by such class of shares; (iv) Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees incurred by such class of shares; (v) the expense of administrative personnel and services (including, but not limited to, those of a portfolio accountant, custodian or dividend paying agent charged with calculating net asset values or determining or paying dividends) as required to support the shareholders of such class of shares; (vi) litigation or other legal expenses relating solely to such class of shares; (vii) fees of the Trustees of the Trust incurred as a result of issues relating to such class of shares; (viii) independent accountants' fees relating solely to such class of shares; and 3 (ix) any other fees and expenses, not including advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the Fund's assets, relating to (as defined below) such class of shares. C. For all purposes under this Plan, fees and expenses "relating to" a class of shares are those fees and expenses that are actually incurred in a different amount by the class or that relate to a different kind or degree of services provided to the class. The proper officers of the Trust shall have the authority to determine whether any or all of the fees and expenses described in Section B of this Part II should be allocated to a particular class of shares. The Board of Trustees will monitor any such allocations to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Plan. D. Income and any expenses of Nations California Municipal Bond Fund, Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund, Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund, Nations Municipal Income Fund, Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund, Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Short-Term Income Fund, Nations Strategic Income Fund and Nations Bond Fund not allocated to a particular class of any such Fund pursuant to this Plan shall be allocated to each class of the Fund on the basis of the relative net assets (settled shares), as defined in Rule 18f-3, of that class in relation to the net assets of the Fund. Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of Nations California Municipal Bond Fund, Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund, Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund, Nations Municipal Income Fund, Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund, Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Short-Term Income Fund, Nations Strategic Income Fund and Nations Bond Fund shall be allocated to each class of the Fund on the basis of the relative net assets (settled shares), as defined in Rule 18f-3, of that class in relation to the net assets of the Fund. Income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, and any expenses of Nations MidCap Index Fund, Nations High Yield Bond Fund, Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund, Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund, Nations Global Value Fund, Nations Government Securities Fund, Nations Asset Allocation Fund, Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund, Nations Marsico Growth Fund, Nations MidCap Value Fund, Nations Capital Growth Fund, Nations Strategic Growth Fund, Nations Convertible Securities Fund, Nations Value Fund, Nations MidCap Growth Fund, Nations LargeCap Index Fund, Nations LargeCap Enhanced Core 4 Fund, Nations SmallCap Index Fund, Nations Small Company Fund, Nations International Value Fund, Nations International Equity Fund, Nations Intermediate Bond Fund, Nations SmallCap Value Fund, the LifeGoal Portfolios and the Money Market Funds not allocated to a particular class of any such Fund pursuant to this Plan shall be allocated to each class of the Fund on the basis of the relative net assets (settled shares), as defined in Rule 18f-3, of that class in relation to the net assets of the Fund. E. In certain cases, Banc of America Capital Management, LLC, Brandes Investment Partners, LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Bank of America, N.A., BACAP Distributors, LLC, PFPC Inc. or another service provider for a Fund may waive or reimburse all or a portion of the expenses of a specific class of shares of the Fund. The Board of Trustees will monitor any such waivers or reimbursements to ensure that they do not provide a means for cross-subsidization between classes. III. CLASS ARRANGEMENTS. The following summarizes the maximum front-end sales charges, contingent deferred sales charges, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees, conversion features, exchange privileges and other shareholder services, if any, applicable to each class of shares of the Trust. Additional details regarding such fees and services are set forth in the relevant Fund's (or Funds') current Prospectus(es) and Statement of Additional Information. A. CAPITAL CLASS SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: None 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: None 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Capital Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Capital Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. B. LIQUIDITY CLASS SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 5 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Liquidity Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may reimburse BACAP Distributors for certain expenses incurred by BACAP Distributors in connection with the distribution of Liquidity Class Shares. Such reimbursement payments may not exceed 0.30%, on an annual basis, of the average daily net assets of such shares. In addition, the Distribution Plan permits the Liquidity Class Shares of Nations Cash Reserves, Nations Government Reserves, Nations Municipal Reserves, Nations California Tax-Exempt Reserves, Nations Money Market Reserves and Nations Tax-Exempt Reserves to pay BACAP Distributors up to 0.30% and Nations Treasury Reserves to pay BACAP Distributors up to 0.35%, on an annual basis, of the average daily net assets of such shares which BACAP Distributors can use to compensate financial institutions that provide administrative and/or distribution services to the holders of Liquidity Class Shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Liquidity Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Liquidity Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Liquidity Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. C. ADVISER CLASS SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Shareholder Servicing/Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Adviser Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25%, on an annual basis, of the average daily net assets of such shares. The Adviser Class 6 Shareholder Servicing Plan provides that, to the extent any portion of the fees payable under the Plan is deemed to be primarily for distribution-related services, such fees are deemed approved pursuant to the Shareholder Servicing Plan and Rule 12b-1. 4. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Adviser Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 5. Other Shareholder Services. Adviser Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. D. MARKET CLASS SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Market Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.20% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Market Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Market Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Market Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. E. TRUST CLASS SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 7 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: None 4. Maximum Shareholder Administration Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Administration Plan, Trust Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder administration fees of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Trust Class Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Trust Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. F. INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: None 4. Maximum Shareholder Administration Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Administration Plan, Institutional Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder administration fees of up to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Institutional Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Institutional Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. G. INVESTOR CLASS SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 8 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Investor Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Investor Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Investor Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Investor Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. H. DAILY CLASS SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Daily Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.35% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Daily Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Daily Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 9 6. Other Shareholder Services: Daily Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. I. SERVICE CLASS SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Service Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Service Class Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Service Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Service Class Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. J. PRIMARY A SHARES -- ALL FUNDS. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: None 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: None 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Primary A Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 10 6. Other Shareholder Services: Primary A Shares of a Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. K. PRIMARY B SHARES-- LIFEGOAL PORTFOLIOS, NATIONS SHORT-INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT FUND AND NATIONS LARGECAP ENHANCED CORE FUND 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: None 4. Maximum Shareholder Administration Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Administration Plan, the Primary B Shares of the Funds each may pay shareholder administration fees of up to 0.60% of the average daily net assets of such shares, provided that in no event may the portion of such fee that constitutes a "service fee," as that term is defined in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., exceed 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of such Primary B Shares of a Fund. The Primary B Shareholder Administration Plan provides that, to the extent any portion of the fees payable under the Plan is deemed to be primarily for distribution-related services, such fees are deemed approved pursuant to the Shareholder Administration Plan and Rule 12b-1. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Primary B Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Primary B Shares of a Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. L. INVESTOR A SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Investor A Shares of each Money Market Fund 11 may pay distribution fees of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Investor A Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Investor A Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Investor A Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. M. INVESTOR A SHARES-- NATIONS MIDCAP INDEX FUND, NATIONS LARGECAP INDEX FUND, NATIONS SMALLCAP INDEX FUND AND NATIONS LARGECAP ENHANCED CORE FUND (THE "INDEX FUNDS") ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees: None 4. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Investor A Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 5. Other Shareholder Services: Investor A Shares of a Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. N. INVESTOR A SHARES-- LIFEGOAL PORTFOLIOS AND ALL NON-MONEY MARKET FUNDS OTHER THAN THE INDEX FUNDS. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: (a) Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund, Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund, Nations Global Value Fund, Nations Asset Allocation Fund, Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund, Nations Marsico Growth Fund, Nations LifeGoal Growth Portfolio, 12 Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio, Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio, Nations MidCap Value Fund, Nations Value Fund, Nations Capital Growth Fund, Nations MidCap Growth Fund, Nations Strategic Growth Fund, Nations Small Company Fund, Nations Convertible Securities Fund, Nations International Value Fund, Nations International Equity Fund and Nations SmallCap Value Fund: maximum of 5.75%. (b) Nations High Yield Bond Fund, Nations Government Securities Fund, Nations California Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Strategic Income Fund, Nations Municipal Income Fund and Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund: maximum of 4.75%. (c) Nations Intermediate Bond Fund, Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund, Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund, Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund and Nations Bond Fund: maximum of 3.25%. (d) Nations Short-Term Income Fund and Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund: maximum of 1.00% 2. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Investor A Shares of each Fund may pay a combined distribution and shareholder servicing fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 3. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Investor A Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 4. Other Shareholder Services: Investor A Shares of a Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 13 O. INVESTOR B SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or redemption proceeds): 5.00% if redeemed within one year of purchase, declining to 1.00% in the sixth year after purchase and eliminated thereafter. 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Investor B Shares of each Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Investor B Shares of each Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Maximum Shareholder Administration Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Administration Plan, Investor B Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder administration fees of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 6. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Investor B Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 7. Other Shareholder Services: Investor B Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. P. INVESTOR B SHARES-- LIFEGOAL PORTFOLIOS AND NON-MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or redemption proceeds): (a) Nations Marsico 21st Century Fund, Nations Marsico International Opportunities Fund, Nations Global Value Fund, Nations High Yield Bond Fund, Nations Government Securities Fund, Nations Asset Allocation Fund, Nations Marsico Focused Equities Fund, Nations Marsico Growth Fund, Nations LifeGoal Growth 14 Portfolio, Nations LifeGoal Balanced Growth Portfolio, Nations LifeGoal Income and Growth Portfolio, Nations MidCap Value Fund, Nations Value Fund, Nations Capital Growth Fund, Nations MidCap Growth Fund, Nations Strategic Growth Fund, Nations Small Company Fund, Nations Convertible Securities Fund, Nations International Value Fund, Nations International Equity Fund, Nations Strategic Income Fund, Nations Municipal Income Fund, Nations California Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Florida Municipal Bond Fund and Nations SmallCap Value Fund: 5.00% if redeemed within one year of purchase, declining to 1.00% in the sixth year after purchase and eliminated thereafter. (b) Nations Kansas Municipal Income Fund, Nations Intermediate Bond Fund, Nations California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Georgia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Maryland Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations North Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations South Carolina Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Tennessee Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Texas Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Nations Short-Intermediate Government Fund, Nations Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund and Nations Bond Fund: 3.00% if redeemed within one year of purchase, declining to 1.00% in the fourth year after purchase and eliminated thereafter. (c) Nations Short-Term Income Fund and Nations Short-Term Municipal Income Fund: None. 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Investor B Shares of each Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Investor B Shares of each Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Investor B Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 15 6. Other Shareholder Services: Investor B Shares of a Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. B. INVESTOR C SHARES -- MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or redemption proceeds): 1.00% if redeemed within one year of purchase and eliminated thereafter. 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Investor C Shares of each Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Investor C Shares of each Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Maximum Shareholder Administration Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Administration Plan, Investor C Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder administration fees of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 6. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Investor C Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. 7. Other Shareholder Services: Investor C Shares of a Money Market Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Money Market Fund. Q. INVESTOR C SHARES-- LIFEGOAL PORTFOLIOS AND NON-MONEY MARKET FUNDS ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or redemption proceeds): 1.00% if redeemed within one year of purchase and eliminated thereafter. 16 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1, Investor C Shares of each Fund may pay distribution fees of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Investor C Shares of each Fund may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Investor C Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 6. Other Shareholder Services: Investor C Shares of a Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. R. MARSICO SHARES -- NATIONS CASH RESERVES ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees: None 4. Maximum Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, Marsico Shares of Nations Cash Reserves may pay shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 5. Maximum Shareholder Administration Fees: Pursuant to a Shareholder Administration Plan, Marsico Shares of each Money Market Fund may pay shareholder administration fees of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of such shares. 6. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: Marsico Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 7. Other Shareholder Services: Marsico Shares of a Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 17 S. R SHARES -- NATIONS VALUE FUND, NATIONS SMALL COMPANY FUND, NATIONS MARSICO FOCUSED EQUITIES FUND, NATIONS MARSICO GROWTH FUND, NATIONS MARSICO 21ST CENTURY FUND, NATIONS MARSICO INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND, NATIONS CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND, NATIONS INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND AND NATIONS GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND ONLY. 1. Maximum Initial Sales Load: None 2. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None 3. Maximum Rule 12b-1 Distribution Fees/Shareholder Servicing Fees: 0.50% 4. Conversion Features/Exchange Privileges: R Shares of a Fund shall have such conversion features and exchange privileges, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. 5. Other Shareholder Services: R Shares of a Fund shall have such shareholder services, if any, as are determined by or ratified by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and described in the then-current prospectus for such shares of such Fund. IV. BOARD REVIEW. The Board of Trustees of the Trust shall review this Plan as frequently as it deems necessary. Prior to any material amendment(s) to this Plan, the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, shall find that the Plan, as proposed to be amended (including any proposed amendments to the method of allocating class and/or fund expenses), is in the best interests of each class of shares of the Fund individually and the Fund as a whole. In considering whether to approve any proposed amendment(s) to the Plan, the Trustees of the Trust shall request and evaluate such information as they consider reasonably necessary to evaluate the proposed amendment(s) to the Plan. Adopted: December 9, 1999 Last amended: August 1, 2003 18 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----