EX-99.28.D.3 4 fp0052758_ex9928d3.htm

SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

Agreement made as of the 30th day of September, 2019 by and between Impax Asset Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Manager"), and Aperio Group, LLC (“Subadviser").

 

WHEREAS the Fund listed in Schedule A is a series of a Massachusetts business trust registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

 

WHEREAS Manager has entered into an investment management agreement (the "Management Agreement") with the Fund pursuant to which Manager provides investment advisory services to the Fund.

 

WHEREAS Manager and the Fund each desire to retain Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Fund, and Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1.Subadviser's Duties.

 

(a)Portfolio Management. Subject to supervision by Manager and the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board"), Subadviser shall manage the investment operations and the composition of that portion of assets of the Fund which is allocated to Subadviser from time to time by Manager (the “Assets”)(which portion may include any or all of the Fund's assets), including the purchase, retention, and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives, policies, restrictions, and sustainability criteria (as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus) and subject to the following understandings:

 

(i)Investment Decisions. Subadviser shall determine from time to time what
investments and securities will be purchased, retained, or sold with respect to the Assets, and what portion of such Assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash. Such determinations shall always be made in accordance with the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information ("SAI"), including the sustainability criteria of the Fund. Subadviser is prohibited from consulting with any other subadviser of the Fund concerning transactions of the Fund in securities or other assets, other than for purposes of complying with the conditions of Rule 12d3-1(a) or (b) under the 1940 Act.

 

(ii)Investment Limits. In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, Subadviser shall act in conformity with applicable limits and requirements, as amended from time to time, as set forth in the (A) Fund's Prospectus and SAI, including the sustainability criteria of the Fund; (B) instructions and directions of Manager and of the Board; (C) requirements of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as applicable to the Fund, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations; and (D) the procedures and standards set forth in, or established in accordance with, the Management Agreement to the extent communicated to Subadviser.

 

 

 

(iii)Portfolio Transactions.

 

(A)Trading. With respect to the securities and other investments to be purchased or sold for the Fund, Subadviser shall place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers, or futures commission merchants (including, but not limited to, broker-dealers that are affiliated with Manager or Subadviser) as may be selected by Subadviser; provided, however, that such orders shall be consistent with the brokerage policy set forth in the Fund's Prospectus and SAI, or approved by the Board; conform with federal securities laws; and be consistent with seeking best execution. Within the framework of this policy, Subadviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, consider all factors that it deems relevant, including but not limited to, the research provided by, and the financial responsibility of, brokers, dealers, or futures commission merchants who may effect, or be a party to, any such transaction or other transactions to which Subadviser's other clients may be a party.

 

(B)Aggregation of Trades. On occasions when Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security or futures contract to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of Subadviser, Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities or futures contracts to be sold or purchased in order to seek best execution. In such event, Subadviser will make allocation of the securities or futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in the manner Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients.

 

(iv)Records and Reports. Subadviser (A) shall maintain such books and records as are required based on the services provided by Subadviser pursuant to this Agreement under the 1940 Act and as are necessary for Manager to meet its record keeping obligations generally set forth under Section 31 and related rules thereunder, (B) shall render to the Board such periodic and special reports as the Board or Manager may reasonably request in writing, and (C) shall meet with any persons at the request of Manager or the Board for the purpose of reviewing Subadviser's performance under this Agreement at reasonable times and upon reasonable advance written notice.

 

(v)Transaction Reports. On each business day Subadviser shall provide to the Fund's custodian and the Fund’s administrator information relating to all transactions concerning the Fund's assets and shall provide Manager with such information upon Manager's request.

 

 

 

(b)Compliance Program and Ongoing Certification(s). As requested, Subadviser shall timely provide to Manager (i) information and commentary for the Fund's annual and semi-annual reports, in a format approved by Manager, and shall (A) certify that such information and commentary discuss the factors that materially affected the performance of the portion of the Fund allocated to Subadviser under this Agreement, including the relevant market conditions and the investment techniques and strategies used, and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the information and commentary not misleading, and (B) provide additional certifications related to Subadviser's management of the Fund in order to support the Fund's filings on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q, and the Fund's Principal Executive Officer's and Principal Financial Officer's certifications under Rule 30a-2 under the 1940 Act, thereon; (ii) a quarterly sub-certification with respect to compliance matters related to Subadviser and the Subadviser's management of the Fund, in a format reasonably requested by Manager, as it may be amended from time to time; and (iii) an annual certification from the Subadviser's Chief Compliance Officer, appointed under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"), or his or her designee, with respect to the design and operation of Subadviser's compliance program, in a format reasonably requested by Manager.

 

(c)Maintenance of Records. Subadviser shall timely furnish to Manager all information relating to Subadviser's services hereunder which are needed by Manager to maintain the books and records of the Fund required under the 1940 Act. Subadviser shall maintain for the Fund the records required by paragraphs (b)(5), (b)(6), (b)(7), (b)(9), (b)(10) and (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act and any additional records as agreed upon by Subadviser and Manager. Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund and Subadviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund's request; provided, however, that Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.

 

(d)Fidelity Bond and Code of Ethics. Subadviser will provide the Fund with reasonable evidence that, with respect to its activities on behalf of the Fund, Subadviser maintains (i) adequate fidelity bond insurance and (ii) an appropriate Code of Ethics and related reporting procedures.

 

(e)Confidentiality. Each party to this Agreement agrees to cooperate with the other party and with all appropriate governmental authorities having the requisite jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the SEC) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the Fund. Subject to the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall treat as confidential all information pertaining to the Fund and actions of the Fund, the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, and the Manager shall treat as confidential and use only in connection with the Fund all information furnished to the Fund and/or Manager by the Sub-Adviser, in connection with its duties under the Agreement; except that the aforesaid information need not be treated as confidential if required to be disclosed under applicable law; if generally available to the public through means other than by disclosure by the Sub-Adviser or the Manager, or if available from a source other than the Manager, Sub-Adviser or Fund.

 

 

 

2.Manager's Duties. Manager shall oversee and review Subadviser's performance of its duties under this Agreement. Manager shall also retain direct portfolio management responsibility with respect to any assets of the Fund that are not allocated by it to the portfolio management of Subadviser as provided in paragraph 1(a) hereof or to any other subadviser, including all determinations regarding eligibility for the Fund in accordance with the Manager’s sustainability criteria. Manager will periodically provide to Subadviser a list of the affiliates of Manager or the Fund (other than affiliates of Subadviser) to which investment restrictions apply, and will specifically identify in writing (a) all publicly traded companies in which the Fund may invest, in accordance with the sustainability criteria of the Fund, and (b) any affiliated brokers and any restrictions that apply to the use of those brokers by the Fund.

 

3.Documents Provided to Subadviser. Manager has delivered or will deliver to Subadviser current copies and supplements thereto of the Fund’s Prospectus and SAI, and will promptly deliver to it all future amendments and supplements, if any.

 

4.Compensation of Subadviser. Subadviser will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, which expenses shall not include brokerage fees or commissions in connection with the effectuation of securities transactions for the Fund. For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, Manager will pay to Subadviser, effective from the date of this Agreement, a fee which shall be accrued daily and paid monthly, on or before the last business day of the next succeeding calendar month, based on the Fund's assets allocated to Subadviser under this Agreement at the annual rates as a percentage of such average daily net assets set forth in the attached Schedule A, which Schedule may be modified from time to time upon mutual written agreement of the parties to reflect changes in annual rates, subject to any approvals required by the 1940 Act. For the purpose of determining fees payable to the Subadviser, the value of the Fund’s average daily assets allocated to Subadviser under this Agreement shall be computed at the times and in the manner specified in the Fund’s Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information as from time to time in effect. If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates before the end of any month, the fee for the period from the effective date to the end of the month or from the beginning of such month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion that such partial month bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination occurs.

 

 

 

5.Liability of Subadviser. Subadviser agrees to perform faithfully the services required to be rendered by Subadviser under this Agreement, but nothing herein contained shall make Subadviser or any of its officers, partners, or employees liable for any loss sustained by the Fund or its officers, directors, or shareholders, Manager, or any other person on account of the services which Subadviser may render or fail to render under this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing herein shall protect Subadviser against liability to the Fund or to any of its shareholders, to which Subadviser would otherwise be subject, by reason of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall protect Subadviser from any liabilities that it may have under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "1933 Act") or the 1940 Act. Subadviser does not warrant that the portion of the assets of the Fund managed by Subadviser will achieve any particular rate of return or that its performance will match that of any benchmark index or other standard or objective.

 

6.Representations of Subadviser. Subadviser represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)Subadviser (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (iv) has adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act from occurring, detect violations that have occurred, and correct promptly any violations that have occurred, and will provide promptly notice of any material violations relating to the Fund to Manager; (v) has met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency; (vi) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (vii) will promptly notify Manager of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.

 

(b)Subadviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and will provide Manager with a copy of the code of ethics. Within 60 days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, a duly authorized officer of Subadviser shall certify to Manager that Subadviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of Subadviser's code of ethics or, if such a violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation.

 

 

 

(c)Subadviser has provided Manager with a copy of its Form ADV, which as of the date of this Agreement is its Form ADV as most recently deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and promptly will furnish a copy of all amendments thereto to Manager.

 

(d)Subadviser agrees that neither it nor any of its affiliates will in any way refer directly or indirectly to its relationship with the Fund or Manager, or any of their respective affiliates in offering, marketing, or other promotional materials without the prior written consent of Manager, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

7.Representations of Manager. Manager represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)Manager (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) has met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (v) will promptly notify Subadviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify Manager from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.

 

(b)Manager agrees that neither it nor any of its affiliates will in any way refer directly or indirectly to its relationship with Subadviser, or any of its affiliates in offering, marketing, or other promotional materials without the prior written consent of Subadviser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

8.Liability and Indemnification.

 

(a)Except as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act or any other federal securities law, Subadviser, any of its affiliates, and any of the officers, partners, employees, consultants, or agents thereof shall not be liable for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or litigation (including legal and other expenses) incurred or suffered by the Fund, Manager, or any affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) or controlling persons thereof (as described in Section 15 of the 1933 Act) (collectively, "Fund and Manager Indemnitees") as a result of any error of judgment or mistake of law by Subadviser with respect to the Fund, except that nothing in this Agreement shall operate or purport to operate in any way to exculpate, waive, or limit the liability of Subadviser for, and Subadviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and Manager Indemnitees against, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which any of the Fund and Manager Indemnitees may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, or under any other statute, at common law, or otherwise arising out of or based on (i) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard, or gross negligence of Subadviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder; (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact regarding the Subadviser contained in the Prospectus and SAI, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Fund or the omission to state therein a material fact regarding the Subadviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon written information furnished to Manager or the Fund by the Subadviser Indemnitees (as defined below) for use therein; or (iii) any violation of federal or state statutes or regulations by Subadviser. It is further understood and agreed that Subadviser may rely upon information furnished to it by Manager that it reasonably believes to be accurate and reliable. The federal securities laws impose liabilities in certain circumstances on persons who act in good faith, and therefore nothing herein shall in any way constitute a waiver of limitation of any rights which Manager may have under any securities laws.

 

 

 

(b)Except as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act or any other federal securities law, Manager and the Fund shall not be liable for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or litigation (including legal and other expenses) incurred or suffered by Subadviser or any of its affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) or controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the 1933 Act) (collectively, "Subadviser Indemnitees") as a result of any error of judgment or mistake of law by Manager with respect to the Fund, except that nothing in this Agreement shall operate or purport to operate in any way to exculpate, waive, or limit the liability of Manager for, and Manager shall indemnify and hold harmless the Subadviser Indemnitees against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which any of the Subadviser Indemnitees may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, or under any other statute, at common law, or otherwise arising out of or based on (i) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard, or gross negligence of Manager in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder; (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus and SAI, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Fund or the omission to state therein a material fact known to Manager which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission concerned the Subadviser and was made in reliance upon written information furnished to Manager or the Fund by a Subadviser Indemnitee for use therein, or (iii) any violation of federal or state statutes or regulations by Manager or the Fund.

 

(c)After receipt by Manager or Subadviser, its affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, or agent of any of the foregoing, entitled to indemnification as stated in (a) or (b) above ("Indemnified Party") of notice of the commencement of any action, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any person obligated to provide indemnification under this section ("Indemnifying Party"), such Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement thereof as soon as practicable after the summons or other first written notification giving information about the nature of the claim that has been served upon the Indemnified Party; provided that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability under this section, except to the extent that such Indemnifying Party is damaged as a result of the failure to give such notice. The Indemnifying Party, upon the request of the Indemnified Party, shall retain counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party in the proceeding, and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (1) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, or (2) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party and representation by both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

 

 

 

9.Duration and Termination.

 

(a)Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date written above only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue automatically for successive periods of 12 months each, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by a vote of a majority of the Board members who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, and (ii) by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.

 

(b)Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund on 60 days' written notice to Subadviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by Manager (i) upon 60 days' written notice to Subadviser; (ii) upon material breach by Subadviser of any representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, if such breach has not been cured within 20 days after written notice of such breach; or (iii) immediately if, in the reasonable judgment of Manager, Subadviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including circumstances such as the insolvency of Subadviser or other circumstances that could adversely affect the Fund. Subadviser may terminate this Agreement at any time, without payment of any penalty, (1) upon 60 days' written notice to Manager; or (2) upon material breach by Manager of any representations and warranties set forth in the Agreement, if such breach has not been cured within 20 days after written notice of such breach. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement.

 

 

 

(c)In the event of termination of the Agreement, those paragraphs of the Agreement which govern conduct of the parties' future interactions with respect to the Subadviser having provided investment management services to the Fund for the duration of the Agreement, including, but not limited to, paragraphs 1(a)(iv)(A), 1(d), 1(e), 5, 8(a), 8(b), 8(c), 15, 16, 18, and 19, shall survive such termination of the Agreement.

 

10.Subadviser's Services Are Not Exclusive. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of Subadviser or any of its 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 a dissimilar nature, or limit or restrict Subadviser’s right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other mutual fund, corporation, firm, individual, or association.

 

11.References to Subadviser. During the term of this Agreement, Manager agrees to furnish to Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, sales literature, or other material prepared for distribution to sales personnel, shareholders of the Fund or the public, which refer to Subadviser or its clients in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use such material if Subadviser reasonably objects in writing ten business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed upon) after receipt thereof. Sales literature may be furnished to Subadviser hereunder by first-class or overnight mail, electronic or facsimile transmission, or hand delivery.

12.Notices. Any notice under this Agreement must be given in writing as provided below or to another address as either party may designate in writing to the other.

 

Subadviser:

 

Patrick Geddes, CEO

Aperio Group LLC

Three Harbor Drive, Suite 315

Sausalito, CA 94965

Tel: 415-339-4313

Fax: 415-339-4301

 

 

 

with a copy to:

 

Mark Nuti, CFO

Aperio Group LLC

Three Harbor Drive, Suite 315

Sausalito, CA 94965

Tel: 415-339-4295

Fax: 415-339-4301

 

Manager:

 

Joe Keefe, President

Impax Asset Management LLC

30 Penhallow Street, Suite 400

Portsmouth, NH 03801

Fax – 603-431-9175

 

with a copy to:

 

John Boese, CCO

Impax Asset Management LLC

30 Penhallow Street, Suite 400

Portsmouth, NH 03801

Fax – 603-431-9175

 

13.Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties in writing, subject to approval by the Board and the Fund's shareholders to the extent required by the 1940 Act.

 

14.Assignment. No assignment of this Agreement (as defined in the 1940 Act) shall be made by Subadviser without the prior written consent of the Fund and Manager. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assignment shall be deemed to result from any changes in the directors, officers, or employees of Manager or Subadviser except as may be provided to the contrary in the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

15.Governing Law. This Agreement, and, in the event of termination of the Agreement, those paragraphs that survive such termination of the Agreement under paragraph 9, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Hampshire without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof, or any applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the laws of the State of New Hampshire, or any of the provision of this Agreement, conflict with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.

 

 

 

16.Arbitration. The parties agree that the following steps will be used to settle any controversy or claim, including, but not limited to, errors and/or omissions arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof.

 

(a)Negotiation. The parties agree that they will attempt to resolve any controversy, claim, or dispute (“Dispute”) relating to this Agreement by prompt, good faith negotiations. Any Dispute which is not settled by the parties within thirty (30) days after written notice of a Dispute is given by one party to the other shall be referred to arbitration pursuant to Clause (b) below.

 

(b)Arbitration. Any dispute, claim or controversy, including but not limited to, errors and omissions arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement or any alleged breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity of this Agreement (including the determination of the scope or applicability of this Agreement to arbitrate), which is not resolved pursuant to Clause (a) above, shall be settled by arbitration in New York, New York, before a panel consisting of one individual, with knowledge of securities and investment matters. Such arbitration will be administered by JAMS, The Resolution Experts (“JAMS”) pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures. The award of the arbitration panel shall be final and binding, and judgment upon the award granted may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Damages that are inconsistent with any applicable agreement between the parties, that are punitive in nature, or that are not measured by the prevailing party’s actual damages, shall be unavailable in arbitration or any other forum. In no event, even if any other portion of these provisions is held to be invalid or unenforceable, shall the arbitration panel have power to make an award or impose a remedy that could not be made or imposed by a court deciding the matter in the same jurisdiction. The arbitrator will, in the award, allocate all of the costs of the arbitration, including the fees of the arbitrator and the reasonable attorneys’ fees of the prevailing party, against the party who did not prevail.

 

(c)The parties understand that this Agreement to arbitrate constitutes a waiver of the right to seek a judicial forum, including trial by jury, except where such waiver would be void under federal or state securities laws. The parties acknowledge that their respective consent to this arbitration provision is voluntary and that arbitration is final and binding on the parties.

 

 

 

17.Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

18.Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement and, in the event of termination of the Agreement, those paragraphs that survive such termination of the Agreement under paragraph 9, shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

19.Interpretation. Any questions of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision in the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the federal courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations, or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation, or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, or order.

 

20.Headings. The headings in this Agreement are intended solely as a convenience and are not intended to modify any other provision herein.

 

21.Relationship of the Parties. The relationship between the parties will be that of independent contractors. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be construed to imply a principal-agent relationship or joint relationship, and neither party will have the right to bind or create any obligation, express or implied, on behalf of the other party.

 

22.Authorization. Each of the parties represents and warrants that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action by such party and when so executed and delivered, this Agreement will be the valid and binding obligation of such party in accordance with its terms.

 

The remainder of this page is left intentionally blank

 

 

 

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.

 

Impax Asset Management LLC
     
By: /s/ Joseph F. Keefe  
     
Name: Joseph F. Keefe  
     
Title: President  
     
Aperio Group, LLC
     
By: /s/ Angela Osborne  
     
Name: Angela Osborne  
     
Title: COO  

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

to the

Subadvisory Agreement

between

Impax Asset Management LLC
and
Aperio Group, LLC

As of September 30, 2019

 

Pursuant to Paragraph 4, Adviser shall pay Sub-Adviser compensation at an annual rate applied to the Assets of each Fund named below, accrued daily and paid monthly, as follows:

 

Pax ESG Beta Quality Fund

 

-8 bps on first $225M of AUM, with a minimum annual compensation of $75,000, regardless of AUM;
-8.25 bps on next $150M ($225M - $375M);
-9 bps on next $125M ($375M - $500M);
-10.25 bps for AUM over $500M.

 

Pax ESG Beta Dividend Fund

 

-8 bps on first $150M of AUM, with a minimum annual compensation of $75,000, regardless of AUM;
-8.25 bps on next $225M ($150M - $375M);
-9 bps on next $125M ($375M - $500M);
-10.25 bps for AUM over $500M.

 

These rates apply to the average daily net assets that are subject to the Subadviser's investment discretion in the each of the above-named Funds.

 

Agreed and Accepted:

 

Impax Asset Management LLC   Aperio Group, LLC  
       
/s/ Joseph F. Keefe   /s/ Angela Osborne  
By:   By:  
       
Joseph F. Keefe   Angela Osborne  
Name:   Name:  
       
President   COO  
Title:   Title: