Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between the Registrant

EX-99.(K)(1) 9 d369633dex99k1.htm FUND ADMINISTRATION SERVICING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REGISTRANT Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between the Registrant

Exhibit (k)(1)

STONE RIDGE TRUST VIII

ADMINISTRATION SERVICING AGREEMENT

THIS FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the last date on the signature block, by and between STONE RIDGE TRUST VIII, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”) on behalf of its series, Stone Ridge Art Risk Premium Fund, (the “Fund”) and U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“USBFS”).

WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company and shares of the Fund are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act” and together with the 1940 Act, the “Acts”);

WHEREAS, USBFS is, among other things, in the business of providing fund administration services for the benefit of its customers; and

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain USBFS to provide fund administration services to the Fund.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

1.	Appointment of USBFS as Administrator

The Fund hereby appoints USBFS as administrator of the Fund on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and USBFS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The services and duties of USBFS shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against USBFS hereunder.

2.	Services and Duties of USBFS

USBFS shall provide the following administration services to the Fund:

General Fund Management:

(1)

Act as liaison among Fund service providers.

(2)

Supply:

Office facilities (which may be in USBFS’s, or an affiliate’s, or the Fund’s own offices).

Non-investment-related statistical and research data as requested.

(3)

Coordinate the Fund’s board of trustees’ (the “Board of Trustees” or the “Trustees”) communications, such as:

Prepare meeting agendas and resolutions, with the assistance of Fund counsel.

Prepare reports for the Board of Trustees based on financial and administrative data.

Assist with the selection of the independent auditor.

Secure and monitor fidelity bond and director and officer liability coverage, and make the necessary Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filings relating thereto.

Prepare minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees and Fund shareholders.

Recommend dividend declarations to the Board of Trustees and prepare and distribute to appropriate parties notices announcing declaration of dividends and other distributions to shareholders.

Attend Board of Trustees meetings and present materials for Trustees’ review at such meetings.

(4)

Audits:

For all Fund audits, prepare appropriate schedules and materials. Provide requested information to the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, and facilitate the audit process.

For SEC or other regulatory audits, provide requested information to the SEC, other regulatory agencies or the Trust to assist the audit process.

For all audits, provide office facilities, as needed.

(5)

Assist with overall operations of the Fund.

(6)

Pay Fund expenses upon written authorization from the Fund.

(7)

Keep the Fund’s governing documents, including its charter, bylaws and minute books, but only to the extent such documents are provided to USBFS by the Fund or its representatives for safe keeping.

Compliance:

(1)

Regulatory Compliance:

Monitor compliance with the 1940 Act requirements, including:

(i)

Asset and diversification tests.

(ii)

Total return and SEC yield calculations.

(iii) Maintenance of books and records pursuant to Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act.

(iv) Code of ethics requirements pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act for the disinterested Trustees.

Monitor Fund compliance with the policies and investment limitations as set forth in its prospectus (the “Prospectus”) and statement of additional information (the “SAI”).

Perform its duties hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably requested by the Fund in connection with: (i) any certification required of the Fund pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”) or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, and (ii) the operation of USBFS’s compliance program as it relates to the Fund, provided the same shall not be deemed to change USBFS’s standard of care as set forth herein.

In order to assist the Trust in satisfying the requirements of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Rule”), USBFS will provide the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer with reasonable access to USBFS’ fund records relating to the services provided by it under this Agreement, and will provide quarterly compliance reports and related certifications regarding any Material Compliance Matter (as defined in the Rule) involving USBFS that affect or could affect the Trust.

Monitor applicable regulatory and operational service issues, and update Board of Trustees periodically.

(2)

Blue Sky Compliance:

Prepare and file with the appropriate state securities authorities any and all required compliance filings relating to the qualification of the securities of the Fund so as to enable the Fund to make a continuous offering of its shares in all states and applicable U.S. territories.

Monitor status and maintain registrations in each state and applicable U.S. territories.

Provide updates regarding material developments in state securities regulation.

(3)

SEC Registration and Reporting:

Assist Fund counsel in annual update of the Registration Statement.

Prepare and file annual and semiannual shareholder reports, Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q filings and Rule 24f-2 notices. As requested by the Fund, prepare and file Form N-PX filings.

Coordinate the printing, filing and mailing of Prospectuses, SAIs, and shareholder reports, and amendments and supplements thereto.

File fidelity bond pursuant to Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act.

Monitor sales of Fund shares and ensure that such shares are properly registered or qualified, as applicable, with the SEC and the appropriate state authorities.

Assist Fund counsel in preparation of proxy statements and information statements, as requested by the Trust.

(4)

IRS Compliance:

Monitor the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), including without limitation, review of the following:

(i)

Diversification requirements on a quarterly basis.

(ii)

Qualifying income requirements.

(iii)

Distribution requirements.

Calculate required distributions (including annual excise distribution amounts) for the review and approval of Fund management and/or its independent registered public accounting firm.

Financial Reporting:

(1)

Provide financial data required by the Prospectus and SAI.

(2)

Prepare financial reports for officers, shareholders, tax authorities, performance reporting companies, the Board of Trustees, the SEC, and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

(3)

Supervise the Fund’s custodian and fund accountants in the maintenance of the Fund’s general ledger and in the preparation of the Fund’s financial statements, including oversight of expense accruals and payments, the determination of net asset value and the declaration and payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders.

(4)

Compute the yield, total return, expense ratio and portfolio turnover rate of the Fund.

(5)

Monitor expense accruals and make adjustments as necessary; notify the Fund’s management of adjustments expected to materially affect the Fund’s expense ratio.

(6)

Prepare financial statements, which include, without limitation, the following items:

Schedule of Investments.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Statement of Operations.

Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

Statement of Cash Flows (if applicable).

Financial Highlights.

Note to Financial Statements.

(7)

Pursuant to Rule 31a-1(b)(9) under the 1940 Act, prepare quarterly broker security transaction summaries.

Tax Reporting:

(1)

Prepare for the review of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and/or Fund management the Fund’s federal and state tax returns including without limitation, Form 1120 RIC, Form 8613 and applicable state returns including any necessary schedules. USBFS will prepare annual Fund federal and state income tax return filings as authorized by and based on the instructions received by Fund management and/or its independent accountant. USBFS will be the Electronic Return

Originator (ERO) for any electronically filed state and local tax returns and is responsible for timely mailing of any federal, state and local paper filed returns and providing the Fund with proof of certified mailing.

(2)

Provide the Fund’s management and independent accountant with tax reporting information pertaining to the Fund and available to USBFS as required in a timely manner.

(3)

Prepare Fund financial statement tax footnote disclosures for the review and approval of Fund Management and/or its independent accountant.

(4)

Prepare and file on behalf of Fund management Form 1099 NEC Forms for payments to disinterested Trustees and other qualifying service providers.

(5)

Monitor wash sale losses.

(6)

Calculate Qualified Dividend Income (“QDI”), Dividend Received Deduction (“DRD”), Interest Related Dividends (“IRD”) and US Government Designations, as applicable, for qualifying Fund shareholders.

Comprehensive Digital Services

(1)

Provide full access to the premium version of Diligent’s board portal, including compilation and distribution of all board materials by USBFS.

Light Digital Offering

(1)

Compile all board materials into a PDF stored on a OneDrive site to be accessed by the Trust’s board meeting participants.

3.	Selection of Services.

Comprehensive Digital Services. The selection of Comprehensive Digital Services shall be binding on the Trust for one year. Following any one-year period of Comprehensive Digital Services, the Trust may select (i) Comprehensive Digital Services for an additional one year period, (ii) the Light Digital Offering, or (iii) only the basic board services provided under the Agreement. Absent an affirmative selection, the prior year’s selection will continue automatically for successive one-year periods.

Light Digital Offering. The selection of the Light Digital Offering shall be binding on the Trust for one quarter. Following any quarter for which the Trust has selected the Light Digital Offering the Trust may select (i) Comprehensive

Digital Services, (ii) the Light Digital Offering for an additional quarter, or (iii) only the basic board services provided under the Agreement. Absent an affirmative selection, the prior quarter’s selection will continue automatically for successive one-quarter periods.

4.	Third-Party Digital Board Service Vendors

The Comprehensive Digital Services are reliant upon services provided by Diligent as a third-party vendor to USBFS, and if USBFS shall cease to have access to the Diligent services for any reason the obligations of the parties hereto with respect to the Comprehensive Digital Services shall immediately terminate without further liability.

The Trust agrees that it shall, and it shall cause its board meeting participants and other users to, comply with all laws, rules, and regulations, including, without limitation, any terms of use established by Diligent, applicable to the use of the services and the access to any Diligent portals or electronic sites.

The Trust agrees that USBFS shall not be responsible or liable for any actions or inactions of Diligent or any other third-party vendor in connection with the services contemplated by this Agreement, for any lack of access to any Diligent portal or other electronic site related to the services contemplated by this Agreement, or for any errors, data loss, or other cyber-security event by Diligent, at or through a Diligent maintained electronic site, or at any other third-party vendor in connection with the services contemplated by this Agreement.

USBFS MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR SUFFICIENCY OF ANY DATA OR OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH THE DILIGENT PORTALS, ANY DILIGENT ELECTRONIC SITE, OR OTHERWISE THROUGH THE COMPREHENSIVE DIGITAL SERVICES OR THE LIGHT DIGITAL OFFERING.

5.	License of Data; Warranty; Termination of Rights

USBFS has entered into agreements with various data service providers (each, a “Data Provider”), including, without limitation, MSCI index data services (“MSCI”), Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC (“S&P”), Morningstar, Broadridge, FTSE, and ICE to provide data services that may include, without limitation, index returns and pricing information (collectively, the “Data”) to facilitate the services provided by USBFS to each Fund. These Data Providers have required USBFS to include certain provisions regarding the use of the Data in this Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Data is being licensed, not sold, to the Fund. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that certain Data Providers may also require the Trust or one or more Funds to enter into an agreement directly with the Data Provider for the use of that Data Provider’s Data. The

provisions in Exhibit B shall not have any effect upon the standard of care and liability USBFS has set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.

The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless USBFS, its information providers, and any other third party involved in or related to the making or compiling of the Data, their affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, as incurred, arising in and any manner out of the Fund’s or any third party’s use of, or inability to use, the Data or any breach by the Fund of any provision contained in this Agreement regarding the Data. The immediately preceding sentence shall not have any effect upon the standard of care and liability of USBFS as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.

USBFS has entered into agreements with Bloomberg Finance L.P. (“Bloomberg”) to provide data (the “N-PORT Data”) for use in or in connection with the reporting requirements under the Rule, including preparation and filing of Form N-PORT. In connection with the provision of the N-PORT Data, Bloomberg requires certain provisions to be included in the Agreement.

The Trust agrees that it shall (a) comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to accessing and using the N-PORT Data, (b) not extract the N-PORT Data from the view-only portal, (c) not use the N-PORT Data for any purpose independent of complying with the requirements of Rule 30b1-9 (which prohibition shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, use in risk reporting or other systems or processes (e.g., systems or processes made available enterprise-wide for the Trust’s internal use)), (d) permit audits of its use of the N-PORT Data by Bloomberg, its affiliates or, at the Trust’s request, a mutually agreed upon third party auditor (provided that the costs of an audit by a third party shall be borne by the Trust), (e) exculpate Bloomberg, its affiliates and their respective suppliers from any liability or responsibility of any kind relating to the Trust’s receipt or use of the N-PORT Data (including expressly disclaiming all warranties). The Trust further agrees that Bloomberg shall be a third party beneficiary of the Agreement solely with respect to the foregoing provisions (a) – (e).

6.	Compensation

USBFS shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit A hereto (as amended from time to time by consent of both parties to this Agreement). USBFS shall also be reimbursed for such miscellaneous expenses set forth in Exhibit A as are reasonably incurred by USBFS in performing its duties hereunder. The Fund shall pay all such fees and reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of the billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute. The Fund shall notify USBFS in writing within 30 calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Fund is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Fund shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid. Notwithstanding

anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Fund to USBFS shall only be paid out of the assets and property of the Fund.

7.	Representations and Warranties

The Fund hereby represents and warrants to USBFS, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:

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;

This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and

It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.

USBFS hereby represents and warrants to the Fund, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:

This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by USBFS in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of USBFS, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and

there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.

8.	Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability

USBFS shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Neither USBFS nor any of its affiliates or suppliers shall be liable for any error of judgment; mistake of law; fraud or misconduct by the Trust, any Fund, the adviser or any other service provider to the Trust or a Fund, or any employee of the foregoing; or for any loss suffered by the Trust, a Fund, or any third party in connection with USBFS’ duties under this Agreement, including losses resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond USBFS’ reasonable control, except a loss arising out of or relating to USBFS’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than where such compliance would violate applicable law) or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if USBFS has exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless USBFS from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) that USBFS may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against USBFS by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to USBFS by any duly authorized officer of the Fund, as approved by the Board of Trustees, except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “USBFS” shall include USBFS’s directors, officers and employees.

USBFS shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) that the Fund may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against the Fund by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by USBFS as a result of USBFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of USBFS, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund” shall include the Fund’s directors, officers

and employees.

Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for consequential, special or punitive damages under any provision of this Agreement or any delay by reason of circumstances not reasonably foreseeable and beyond its reasonable control, including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, acts of God and any resulting power failure, insurrection, war, and riots.

In the event of a mechanical breakdown or failure of communication or power supplies beyond its control, USBFS shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues. USBFS shall as promptly as possible under the circumstances notify the Fund in the event of any service interruption that materially impacts USBFS’s services under this Agreement. USBFS will make every reasonable effort to restore any lost or damaged data and correct any errors resulting from such a breakdown at the expense of USBFS as soon as practicable. USBFS agrees that it shall, at all times, have reasonable business continuity and disaster recovery contingency plans with appropriate parties, making reasonable provision for emergency use of electrical data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. Representatives of the Fund shall be entitled to inspect USBFS’s premises and operating capabilities, books and records maintained on behalf of the Fund at any time during regular business hours of USBFS, upon reasonable notice to USBFS. Moreover, USBFS shall provide the Fund through the CCO Portal, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, copies of reports rendered by independent registered public accounting firms on the internal controls and procedures of USBFS relating to the services provided by USBFS under this Agreement.

Notwithstanding the above, USBFS reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative errors at its own expense. USBFS shall promptly notify the Fund upon discovery of any material administrative error, and shall consult with the Fund about the actions it intends to take to correct the error prior to taking such actions. A “material administrative error” means any error which the Fund’s management, including its Chief Compliance Officer, would reasonably need to know to oversee Fund compliance.

In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section 6 shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of

the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this Section 6. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.

The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 6 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.

If USBFS is acting in another capacity for the Fund pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve USBFS of any of its obligations in such other capacity.

In conjunction with the tax services provided to the Fund by USBFS hereunder, USBFS shall not be deemed to act as an income tax return preparer for any purpose including as such term is defined under Section 7701(a)(36) of the IRC, or any successor thereof. Any information provided by USBFS to the Fund for income tax reporting purposes with respect to any item of income, gain, loss, or credit will be performed solely in USBFS’s administrative capacity. USBFS shall not be required to determine, and shall not take any position with respect to whether, the reasonable belief standard described in Section 6694 of the IRC has been satisfied with respect to any income tax item. The Fund, and any appointees thereof, shall have the right to inspect the transaction summaries produced and aggregated by USBFS, and any supporting documents thereto, in connection with the tax reporting services provided to the Fund by USBFS. USBFS shall not be liable for the provision or omission of any tax advice with respect to any information provided by USBFS to the Fund. The tax information provided by USBFS shall be pertinent to the data and information made available to us, and is neither derived from nor construed as tax advice. The provisions in this subsection shall not have any effect upon the services USBFS is required to provide or the standard of care and liability USBFS has set forth in this Section 6 of this Agreement.

9.	Data Necessary to Perform Services

The Fund or its agent shall furnish to USBFS the data necessary to perform the services described herein at such times and in such form as mutually agreed upon.

10.

Proprietary and Confidential Information

USBFS agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund, all records and other information relative to the Fund and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Fund (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except: (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not

be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where USBFS may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply; (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, provided that to the extent permitted by law, USBFS shall provide the Fund prior notice to such disclosure; or (iii) when so requested by the Fund. Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of USBFS or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of USBFS prior to receipt thereof from the Fund or its agent, shall not be subject to this paragraph.

Further, USBFS will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Fund pursuant to Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, as may be modified from time to time. In this regard, USBFS shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to the Fund and its shareholders. In addition, USBFS has implemented and will maintain an effective information security program reasonably designed to protect information relating to Shareholders (such information, “Personal Information”), which program includes sufficient administrative, technical and physical safeguards and written policies and procedures reasonably designed to (a) insure the security and confidentiality of such Personal Information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such Personal Information, including identity theft; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to or use of such Personal Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Fund or any Shareholder (the “Information Security Program”). The Information Security Program complies and shall comply with reasonable information security practices within the industry. Upon written request from the Fund, USBFS shall provide a written description of its Information Security Program. USBFS shall promptly notify the Fund in writing of any breach of security, misuse or misappropriation of, or unauthorized access to, (in each case, whether actual or alleged) any information of the Fund (any or all of the foregoing referred to individually and collectively for purposes of this provision as a “Security Breach”). USBFS shall promptly investigate and remedy, and bear the cost of the measures (including notification to any affected parties), if any, to address any Security Breach. USBFS shall bear the cost of the Security Breach only if USBFS is determined to be responsible for such Security Breach. In addition to, and without limiting the foregoing, USBFS promptly cooperate with the Fund or any of their affiliates’ regulators at USBFS’s expense (only if USBFS is determined to be responsible for such Security Breach) to prevent, investigate, cease or mitigate any Security Breach, including but not limited to investigating, bringing claims or actions and giving information and testimony. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the obligations set forth in this paragraph shall survive termination of this Agreement.

The Trust agrees on behalf of itself and its trustees, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of USBFS, all non-public information relative to USBFS (including, without limitation, information regarding USBFS’ pricing, products, services, customers, suppliers, financial statements, processes, know-how, trade secrets, market opportunities, past, present or future research, development or business plans, affairs, operations,

systems, computer software in source code and object code form, documentation, techniques, procedures, designs, drawings, specifications, schematics, processes and/or intellectual property), and not to use such information for any purpose other than in connection with the services provided under this Agreement, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by USBFS, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Trust may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so requested by the USBFS. Information which has become known to the public through no wrongful act of the Trust or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of the Trust prior to receipt thereof from USBFS, shall not be subject to this paragraph.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Trust shall be permitted to disclose the identity of USBFS as a service provider, copies of this Agreement, and such other information as may be required in the Trust’s registration or offering documents, or as may otherwise be required by applicable law, rule, or regulation, and (ii) USBFS shall be permitted to include the name of the Trust in lists of representative clients in due diligence questionnaires, RFP responses, presentations, and other marketing and promotional purposes.

USBFS will provide the Trust with certain copies of third party audit reports (e.g., SSAE 16 or SOC 1) through access to USBFS’s CCO Portal to the extent such reports are available and related to services performed or made available by USBFS under this Agreement. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that such reports are confidential and that it will not disclose such reports except to its employees and service providers who have a need to know and have agreed to obligations of confidentiality applicable to such reports.

11.

Records

USBFS shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Fund, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. USBFS agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by USBFS relating to the services to be performed by USBFS hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Fund or its designee on and in accordance with its request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, USBFS may retain such copies of such records in such form as may be required to comply with any applicable law, rule, regulation, or order of any governmental, regulatory, or judicial authority of competent jurisdiction.

12.

Compliance with Laws

The Fund has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund, including but not limited to, compliance with the 1940 Act, the Code, the SOX Act, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its Prospectus and SAI. USBFS’s services hereunder shall not relieve the Fund of its responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of Trustees’ oversight responsibility with respect thereto. The foregoing shall not affect USBFS’ responsibilities for compliance and related matters delegated to USBFS by the Fund as expressly provided herein. USBFS shall comply with changes to all regulatory requirements affecting its services to the Fund and shall implement any necessary modifications to the services prior to the deadline imposed, or extensions authorized by, the regulatory or other governmental body having jurisdiction for such regulatory requirements. The Trust shall immediately notify USBFS if the investment strategy of any Fund materially changes that causes the Fund to file an amended prospectus with the SEC.

13.

Term of Agreement; Amendment

This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon giving 90 days prior written notice to the other party or such shorter period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by either party upon the breach of the other party of any material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of such breach to the breaching party. However, this cure period only applies to the first two such breaches of the same material term of this Agreement. The Trust may terminate this Agreement after the third such breach of the same material term of this Agreement. The foregoing shall not preclude the Trust from seeking any and all remedies available under this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by USBFS and the Fund, and authorized or approved by the Board of Trustees.

14.

Duties in the Event of Termination

In the event that, in connection with termination, a successor to any of USBFS’s duties or responsibilities hereunder is designated by the Fund by written notice to USBFS, USBFS will promptly, upon such termination and, except in the case of a material breach by USBFS, in which case all expenses should be borne by USBFS, at the expense of the Fund, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence, and other data established or maintained by USBFS under this Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Fund (if such form differs from the form in which USBFS has maintained the same, the Fund shall pay any reasonable expenses associated with transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from USBFS’s personnel in the establishment of books, records, and other data by such successor. If no such successor is designated, then such books, records and other data shall be returned to the Fund.

15.

Assignment

This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent of USBFS, or by USBFS without the written consent of the Fund accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

16.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of law principles. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the SEC thereunder.

17.

No Agency Relationship

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this Agreement.

18.

Services Not Exclusive

Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict USBFS from providing services to other parties that are similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder.

19.

Invalidity

Any provision of this Agreement that may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.

20.

Legal-Related Services

Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to appoint USBFS or any of its officers, directors or employees as the Trust attorneys, form attorney-client relationships or require the provision of legal advice. No work performed by employees of USBFS or its affiliates (whether relating to the preparation or filing of regulatory materials, compliance with applicable laws, rules, or regulations, or otherwise) shall constitute legal advice. The Trust acknowledges that employees of USBFS and its affiliates who are attorneys do

not represent the Trust and rely on outside counsel retained by the Trust to review all services provided by USBFS and to provide independent judgment on the Trust’s behalf. The Trust acknowledges that because no attorney-client relationship exists between the Trust and USBFS (or any employee of USBFS or its affiliates), any information provided may not be privileged and may be subject to compulsory disclosure.

21.

Notices

Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address set forth below:

Notice to USBFS shall be sent to:

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Attention: President

and notice to the Trust shall be sent to:

Stone Ridge Trust VIII

One Vanderbilt Avenue

65th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attention: Legal and Compliance Department

Email: LegalNotices@stoneridgeam.com

with a copy to:

Ropes & Gray LLP

Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02199

Attention: Elizabeth J. Reza

Phone: (617) 951-7000

Fax: (617) 951-7050

22.

No Third Party Rights

Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any third party (including, without limitation, shareholders of any Fund) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement, other than the limited third party rights of the Data Providers as expressly set forth herein.

23.

Multiple Originals

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

24.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with any exhibits, attachments, appendices or schedules expressly referenced herein, sets forth the sole and complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements relating thereto, whether written or oral, between the parties.

25.

Trust Limitations

This Agreement is executed by the Trust with respect to the Fund and the obligations hereunder are not binding on any of the trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually, but are binding only on the Fund and the assets and property of the Fund.

SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the last date below written.


STONE RIDGE TRUST VIII, on behalf of its series,
Stone Ridge Art Risk Premium Fund

By:		/s/ Lauren D. Macioce


Name:		Lauren D. Macioce
Title:		Secretary
Date:		2/24/2023



U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC

By:		/s/ Gregory Farley


Name:		Gregory Farley
Title:		Sr. Vice President
Date:		2/27/2023

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

REQUIRED PROVISIONS OF DATA SERVICES PROVIDERS

* The Fund shall use the Data solely for internal purposes and will not redistribute the Data in any form or manner to any third party, except as may otherwise be expressly agreed to by the Data Provider.

* The Fund will not use or permit anyone else to use the Data in connection with creating, managing, advising, writing, trading, marketing or promoting any securities or financial instruments or products, including, but not limited to, funds, synthetic or derivative securities (e.g., options, warrants, swaps, and futures), whether listed on an exchange or traded over the counter or on a private-placement basis or otherwise or to create any indices (custom or otherwise).

* The Fund shall treat the Data as proprietary to Data Provider. Further, the Fund shall acknowledge that Data Provider are the sole and exclusive owners of the Data and all trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights in or to the Data.

* The Fund will not (i) copy any component of the Data, (ii) alter, modify or adapt any component of the Data, including, but not limited to, translating, decompiling, disassembling, reverse engineering or creating derivative works, or (iii) make any component of the Data available to any other person or organization (including, without limitation, the Fund’s present and future parents, subsidiaries or affiliates) directly or indirectly, for any of the foregoing or for any other use, including, without limitation, by loan, rental, service bureau, external time sharing or similar arrangement.

* The Fund shall reproduce on all permitted copies of the Data all copyright, proprietary rights and restrictive legends appearing on the Data.

* The Fund shall assume the entire risk of using the Data and shall agree to hold the Data Providers harmless from any claims that may arise in connection with any use of the Data by the Fund.

* The Fund acknowledges that Data Providers may, in its sole and absolute discretion and at any time, terminate USBFS’s right to receive and/or use the Data.

* The Fund acknowledges and agrees that Data Providers are third party beneficiaries of the agreements between Data Providers sand USBFS with respect to the provision of the Data, entitled to enforce all provisions of such agreement relating to the Data.

* THE DATA IS PROVIDED TO THE FUND ON AN “AS IS” BASIS. USBFS, ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS, AND ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN OR RELATED TO THE MAKING OR COMPILING OF THE DATA MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE DATA (OR THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE USE

THEREOF). USBFS, ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS AND ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN OR RELATED TO THE MAKING OR COMPILING OF THE DATA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

* THE FUND ASSUMES THE ENTIRE RISK OF ANY USE THE FUND MAY MAKE OF THE DATA. IN NO EVENT SHALL USBFS, ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR ANY THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN OR RELATED TO THE MAKING OR COMPILING OF THE DATA, BE LIABLE TO THE FUND , OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY, FOR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE INABILITY OF THE FUND TO USE THE DATA, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, EVEN IF USBFS, ANY OF ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS, OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN OR RELATED TO THE MAKING OR COMPILING OF THE DATA HAS BEEN ADVISED OF OR OTHERWISE MIGHT HAVE ANTICIPATED THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.