UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549 

 

FORM 8-A 

 

FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or (g) OF THE 

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

 

abrdn ETFs 


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

 

 

Delaware


(State of incorporation or organization)

See below 


(IRS Employer 

Identification No.) 

   

c/o abrdn ETFs 

712 Fifth Avenue – 49th Floor

New York, New York 10019


(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

10019


(Zip Code) 

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

 

Title of each 

class to be registered

Name of exchange on which each class is to be registered

I.R.S. Employer 

Identification Number 

abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF NYSE Arca 87-1231597

 

 

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c), check the following box.

 

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d), check the following box.  

 

Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates: 333-198170 

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.

 

  

 

 

Item 1. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered

 

Reference is made to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-198170 and 811-22986), as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) via EDGAR Accession No. 0001387131-21-008037 on August 3, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

 

Item 2. Exhibits

 

A. Certificate of Trust of Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs (formerly, ETFS Trust) (the “Registrant” or the “Trust”) dated January 9, 2014, as filed with the state of Delaware on January 10, 2014 (the “Certificate of Trust”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) of the Registrant’s Initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-198170 and 811-22986), as filed with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) via EDGAR Accession No. 0000930413-14-003692 on August 15, 2014.

 

B. Certificate of Amendment effective October 1, 2018 to the Registrant’s Certificate of Trust, as filed with the State of Delaware on September 19, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-198170 and 811-22986), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001387131-19-001623 on March 1, 2019.

 

C. Certificate of Amendment effective September 22, 2021 to the Registrant’s Certificate of Trust, as filed with the State of Delaware on September 2, 2021, is filed herewith.

 

D. Registrant’s Declaration of Trust dated January 9, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of the Registrant’s Initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-198170 and 811-22986), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000930413-14-003692 on August 15, 2014.

 

E. Amendment No. 1, dated September 12, 2018, to the Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-198170 and 811-22986), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001387131-19-001623 on March 1, 2019.

 

F. Amendment No. 2, dated August 27, 2021, to the Declaration of Trust is filed herewith. 

 

G. Certificate of Establishment and Designation of Series and Share Classes, dated September 19, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-198170 and 811-22986), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001387131-19-001623 on March 1, 2019.

 

H. Certificate of Establishment and Designation of Series and Share Classes, dated May 17, 2021, with respect to the establishment and designation of the Aberdeen Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF, is filed herewith.

 

I. Certificate of Establishment and Designation of Series and Share Classes, dated August 27, 2021, is filed herewith.

 

J. Registrant’s By-Laws adopted August 4, 2014, as amended and restated on September 22, 2021, are filed herewith. 

 

K. Form of Authorized Participant Agreement is filed herewith.


  

 

SIGNATURE 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 

  abrdn ETFs
   
   
   
Date:   September 22, 2021 By: /s/ Bev Hendry  
    Bev Hendry
    President

 

  


 

abrdn ETFs 8-A12B

Exhibit 99(c)

 

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 10:48 AM 09/02/2021

FILED 10:48 AM 09/02/2021

SR 20213151518 – File Number 5463698

 

STATE OF DELAWARE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF TRUST

 

Pursuant to Title 12, Section 3810(b) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, the undersigned Trust executed the following Certificate of Amendment:

 

 

1.Name of Statutory Trust: Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs

 

 

2.The Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Trust is hereby amended as follows:

 

The new name of the entity is: abrdn ETFs

[set forth amendment(s)]

 

3.(Please complete with either upon filing or it may be a future effective date that is within 90 days of the file date) This Certificate of Amendments shall be effective September 22, 2021.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate on the 2nd day of September, 2021 A.D.

 

 

 

By: /s/ Bev Hendry

Trustee

Name: Bev Hendry

Type or Print

 

  

 


 

abrdn ETFs 8-A12B

Exhibit 99(f)

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE

 

DECLARATION OF TRUST

 

OF

 

ABERDEEN STANDARD INVESTMENTS ETFs

 

This Amendment No. 2 dated August 27, 2021 (“Amendment No. 2”) to the DECLARATION OF TRUST of Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs (the “Trust”) dated January 9, 2014, which was amended effective as of October 1, 2018 (“Declaration of Trust”), is made by the Trustees hereunder:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the authority granted in Article VIII, Section 4 of the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees approved a change to the name of the Trust, effective September 22, 2021,

 

WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to amend the Declaration of Trust, in order to reflect the change in the name of the Trust as follows:

 

Current Name New Trust Name
Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs abrdn ETFs

 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Section 1 of the Declaration of Trust shall be restated in its entirety as follows, effective September 22, 2021:

 

Section 1Name. This trust shall be known as “abrdn ETFs” and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine.

 

[remainder of page intentionally blank]

 

 

  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Trustees have executed this Amendment No. 2 to the Declaration of Trust as of the 27th day of August 2021. This Amendment No. 2 to the Declaration of Trust may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Trustees:

 

 

 

/s/ John Sievwright    
Name: John Sievwright    

 

 

 

/s/ William M. Thomas    
Name: William M. Thomas    

 

 

 

/s/ Bev Hendry    
Name: Bev Hendry    

 

 

  

 


 

abrdn ETFs 8-A12B

Exhibit 99(i)

Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs

 

Certificate of Establishment and

Designation of Series and Share Classes

 

The undersigned, Secretary of Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs (the “Trust”), a multi-series Delaware statutory trust registered as a management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), does hereby certify that the following resolutions changing the names of the Trust and its Series as set forth below, were duly adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust on August 27, 2021, all in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and pursuant to Article III, Sections 1, 5 and 6 of the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, and that such resolutions are incorporated by reference into the Declaration of Trust in accordance with Article III thereof:

 

Approval of Name Change of the Trust

 

RESOLVED, that the name of the Trust, be, and it hereby is, changed from Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs to abrdn ETFs, such name change to become effective on September 22, 2021, and, it is

 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Trust be, and each of them hereby is, authorized to take all other actions as they deem necessary or appropriate, including the filing of an amendment to the Trust’s Certificate of Trust with the State of Delaware, to effect any actions required by the foregoing resolution.

 

Approval of Name Change of Each Series of the Trust

 

RESOLVED, that the name of each Fund set forth below (each, a “Fund”), each a separate series of the Trust, be, and it hereby is, changed as set forth below, such name change to become effective as of September 22, 2021:

 

Current Fund Name New Fund Name
Aberdeen Standard Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF
Aberdeen Standard Bloomberg All Commodity Longer Dated Strategy K-1 Free ETF abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Longer Dated Strategy K-1 Free ETF
Aberdeen Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF

 

; and, it is

 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Trust be, and each of them hereby is, authorized to take all other actions as they, in consultation with counsel, deem necessary or appropriate to effect any actions required by the foregoing resolution, including, as needed, the making of any changes in the disclosure regarding the name changes of the Trust and the Funds in the Trust’s registration statement, marketing materials, prospectus and statement of additional information, the amendment of the Trust’s by-laws and declaration of trust and any Trust or Fund agreements (including, investment advisory, sub-advisory and underwriting agreements) or other documents, the filing of such documents as may be necessary with the SEC, state regulators, or self-regulatory organizations or other appropriate authorities.

 

  

 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand as such officer of the Trust as of this 27th day of August 2021.

 

Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs

 

 

/s/ Megan Kennedy

Megan Kennedy

Secretary

 

  

 


 

abrdn ETFs 8-A12B

Exhibit 99(j)

By-Laws

of

 

abrdn ETFs

(formerly, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs and ETFS Trust)

 

as amended and restated on September 22, 2021

ARTICLE I

Fiscal Year and Offices

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust or any series thereof shall be established, re-established or changed from time to time by resolution of the Board. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be the taxable year of each series of the Trust.

Section 2. Delaware Office. The Board of Trustees shall establish a registered office in the State of Delaware and shall appoint as the Trust’s registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware, an individual resident of the State of Delaware or a Delaware corporation or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in the State of Delaware; in each case the business office of such registered agent for service of process shall be identical with the registered Delaware office of the Trust.

Section 3. Other Offices. The Board of Trustees may at any time establish other offices at any place or places where the Trust intends to do business.

ARTICLE II

Meetings of Shareholders

Section 1. Place of Meeting. Meetings of the Shareholders shall be held in such place as shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Trustees and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of Shareholders will not be held.

Section 3. Special Meetings. Special Meetings of the Shareholders may be called at any time by the Chairman, or President, or by a majority of the Board of Trustees, and shall be called by the Secretary upon written request of the holders of Shares entitled to cast not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting provided that:

 

  (a) Such request shall state the purposes of such meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on.

 

  (b) The Shareholders requesting such meeting shall have paid to the Trust the reasonable estimated cost of preparing and disseminating the notice thereof, which the Secretary shall determine and specify to such Shareholders. No special meeting need be called upon the request of Shareholders entitled to cast less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at such meeting to consider any matter which is substantially the same as a matter voted on at any meeting of the Shareholders held during the preceding twelve months.

Section 4. Notice. Not less than ten (10), nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of every shareholder meeting, the Secretary shall cause to be mailed or sent electronically to each Shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting at his address (as it appears on the records of the Trust at the time of mailing) notice stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a Special Meeting of Shareholders, shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice. Notice of adjournment of a Shareholders meeting to another time or place need not be given, if such time and place are announced at the meeting.

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Section 5. Record Date for Meetings. Subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees may fix in advance a date not more than ninety (90), nor less than ten (10) days, prior to the date of any meeting of the Shareholders as a record date for the determination of the Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at any meeting and any adjournment thereof.

Section 6. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) or in the Declaration of Trust, at any meeting of Shareholders, one-third of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at the meeting.

If, however, a quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the Shareholders, the holders of a majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

Section 7. Voting. Each Shareholder shall have one vote per whole Share (and a fractional vote for each fractional Share) held by such Shareholder on the record date set pursuant to Section 5 on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of Shareholders. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Votes may be made in person or by proxy.

At all meetings of the Shareholders, a quorum being present, all matters shall be decided by a majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy, unless the question is one for which by express provision of the laws of the State of Delaware, the 1940 Act, or the Declaration of Trust, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall control the decision of such question. The Shareholders present, in person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time if the vote required to approve or reject any matter is not obtained. At all meetings of Shareholders, unless the voting is conducted by inspectors, all questions relating to the qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by the Chairman of the meeting.

Section 8. Inspectors. At any meeting of the Shareholders, the Board of Trustees prior thereto may, or, if they have not so acted, the Chairman of the meeting may appoint one or more inspectors of election who shall first subscribe an oath of affirmation to execute faithfully the duties of inspectors at such election with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability, and shall after the election make a certificate of the result of the vote taken.

Section 9. Action Without Meeting. Any action to be taken by Shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice if Shareholders holding a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion thereof as shall be required by any express provision of the Declaration of Trust, by these By-Laws or by applicable law) and holding a majority (or such larger proportion as aforesaid) of the Shares of any Series (or Class) entitled to vote separately on the matter consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders.

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ARTICLE III

Trustees

Section 1. General Powers. The business of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Trustees, which may exercise all powers of the Trust, except such as are by statute, or the Declaration of Trust, or by these By-Laws conferred upon or reserved to the Shareholders.

Section 2. Elections. Provided a quorum is present, the Trustees shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes present in person or by proxy, except that any vacancy on the Board of Trustees may be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees, although less than a quorum, subject to the requirements of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.

Section 3. Place of Meeting. Meetings of the Board of Trustees, regular or special, may be held at any place as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

Section 4. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Trustees, one-third of the entire Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business provided that in no case may a quorum be less than two persons. The action of a majority of the Trustees present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Trustees unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by the 1940 Act, these By-Laws, or the Declaration of Trust. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of Trustees, the Trustees present there at may by a majority vote adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees may be held without additional notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Trustees provided that notice of any change in the time or place of such meetings shall be sent promptly to each Trustee not present at the meeting at which such change was made in the manner provided for notice of special meetings.

Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by the Chairman or President on one day’s notice to each Trustee; special meetings shall be called by the Chairman or President or Secretary in like manner and on like notice upon the written request of two Trustees.

Section 7. Telephone Meeting. Members of the Board of Trustees or a committee of the Board of Trustees may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time.

Section 8. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Trustees or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if a written or electronic consent to such action is signed by a majority of the members of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, and such consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as an action taken at a meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Section 9. Committees. The Board of Trustees may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board, appoint from among its members committees composed of two or more Trustees, and may delegate to such committees, in the intervals between meetings of the Board of Trustees, any or all of the powers of the Board of Trustees in the management of the business and affairs of the Trust.

Section 10. Action of Committees. In the absence of an appropriate resolution of the Board of Trustees, each committee may adopt such rules and regulations governing its proceedings, quorum and manner of acting as it shall deem proper and desirable, provided that the quorum shall not be less than two Trustees. The committees shall keep minutes of their proceedings and shall report the same to the Board of Trustees at the meeting next succeeding, and any action by the committee shall be subject to revision and alteration by the Board of Trustees, provided that no rights of third persons shall be affected by any such revision or alteration. In the absence of any member of such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a member of the Board of Trustees to act in the place of such absent member.

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Section 11. Chairman. The Chairman of the Board shall perform and execute such duties and administrative powers as the Board of Trustees shall from time to time prescribe.

Section 12. Compensation. Trustees may be compensated for service as a Trustee, as a member of a committee of Trustees, or as chairman of a committee by fixed periodic payments or by fees for attendance at meetings or by both. In addition, Trustees may be reimbursed for transportation and other expenses, all in such manner and amounts as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE IV

Notices

Section 1. Form. Notices to Shareholders and Trustees shall be delivered by any method legally permissible with respect to that type of notice. Such methods may include oral, written, electronic, or otherwise. Delivery of notice shall be made using the most current contact information for that Shareholder or Trustee appearing on the books of the Trust. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be mailed. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, notice to Trustees need not state the purpose of a regular or special meeting.

Section 2. Waiver. Whenever any notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of Shareholders, Trustees or a committee is required to be given under the provisions of the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing or sent electronically, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice and filed with the records of the meeting, whether before or after the holding thereof, or actual attendance at the meeting of Shareholders in person or by proxy, or at the meeting of Trustees or a committee in person, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice to such persons.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1. Executive Officers. The officers of the Trust shall be chosen by the Board of Trustees and include a President, Treasurer and Secretary. The Board of Trustees may, from time to time, elect or appoint one or more Vice-Presidents and such other executive officers as it may deem necessary. The same person may hold two or more offices, except that no person shall be both President and Vice President.

Section 2. Other Officers. The Board of Trustees shall appoint a Chief Compliance Officer and from time to time may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem advisable, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. The Board of Trustees from time to time may delegate to one or more officers or agents the power to appoint any such subordinate officers or agents and to prescribe their respective rights, terms of office, authorities and duties.

 

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Section 3. Compensation. The salaries or other compensation paid by the Trust, if any, of all officers and agents of the Trust shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees, except that the Board of Trustees may delegate to any person or group of persons the power to fix the salary or other compensation of any subordinate officers or agents appointed pursuant to Section 2 of this Article V.

Section 4. Tenure. The officers of the Trust shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees. Any officer or agent may be removed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees with or without cause. In addition, any officer or agent appointed pursuant to Section 2 may be removed, either with or without cause, by any officer upon whom such power of removal shall have been conferred by the Board of Trustees. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Trust by death, resignation, removal or otherwise shall be filled by the Board of Trustees, unless pursuant to Section 2 the power of appointment has been conferred by the Board of Trustees on any other officer.

Section 5. President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Trust. The President may call meetings of the Trustees and of any Committee thereof when he deems it necessary and, in the absence of the Chairman, shall preside at all meetings of the Shareholders. Subject to the control of the Trustees, the Chairman and any Committees of the Trustees, within their respective spheres, as provided by the Trustees, the President shall at all times exercise a general supervision and direction over the affairs of the Trust. The President shall have the power to employ attorneys and counsel for the Trust and to employ such subordinate officers, agents, secretaries, clerks and employees as he or she may find necessary to transact the business of the Trust. The President shall also have the power to grant, issue, execute or sign such powers of attorney, proxies or other documents as may be deemed advisable or necessary in furtherance of the interests of the Trust. The President shall have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him by the Trustees.

Section 6. Vice-President. The Vice-Presidents, in order of their seniority, shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Trustees or the President may from time to time prescribe. Any Vice President shall be authorized to sign documents on behalf of the Trust.

Section 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees and all meetings of the Shareholders and record all the proceedings thereof and shall perform like duties for any committee when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of meetings of the Shareholders and of the Board of Trustees, shall have charge of the records of the Trust and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees or the President, under whose supervision the Secretary shall be. The Secretary shall be authorized to sign documents on behalf of the Trust.

 

Section 8. Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretaries in order of their seniority, shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Trustees shall prescribe.

Section 9. Treasurer. The Treasurer, unless another officer has been so designated, shall be the Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller of the Trust. The Treasurer shall have general charge of the finances and books of account of the Trust. Except as otherwise provided by the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer shall have general supervision of the funds and property of the Trust and of the performance by the custodian of its duties with respect thereto. The Treasurer shall render to the Board of Trustees, whenever directed by the Board, an account of the financial condition of the Trust and of all her/his transactions as Treasurer. The Treasurer shall cause to be prepared annually a full and correct statement of the affairs of the Trust, including a balance sheet and a statement of operations for the preceding fiscal year. The Treasurer shall perform all of the acts incidental to the office of Treasurer, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall be authorized to sign documents on behalf of the Trust.

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Section 10. Assistant Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Trustees may from time to time prescribe.

Section 11. Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer shall be responsible for administering the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures as required by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act and may have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Trustees. The designation, compensation, and removal of the Chief Compliance Officer must be approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined by the 1940 Act. The Chief Compliance Officer shall be authorized to sign documents on behalf of the Trust.

Section 12. Resignations and Removals. Any officer may resign at any time by written instrument signed by him or her and delivered to the Chairman, the President or the Secretary or to a meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time. The Trustees may remove any officer with or without cause. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no officer resigning and no officer removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal.

Section 13. Vacancies in Offices. Any vacancy in any of the offices, whether by resignation, removal or otherwise, may be filled by the President. A vacancy in the office of Assistant Vice President may be filled by a Vice President; in the office of Assistant Secretary by the Secretary; or in the office of Assistant Treasurer by the Treasurer. Any appointment to fill any vacancy shall serve subject to ratification by the Board at its next regular meeting.

 

ARTICLE VI

Indemnification and Insurance

Section 1. Agents, Proceedings and Expenses. For the purpose of this Article, “agent” means any person who is or was a Trustee or officer of this Trust and any person who, while a Trustee or officer of this Trust, is or was serving at the request of this Trust as a trustee, director, officer, partner, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; “Trust” includes any domestic or foreign predecessor entity of this Trust in a merger, consolidation, or other transaction in which the predecessor’s existence ceased upon consummation of the transaction; “proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative; and “expenses” includes without limitation attorney’s fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this Article.

Section 2. Actions Other Than by Trust. This Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of this Trust) by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of this Trust, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such proceeding, if it is determined that person acted in good faith and reasonably believed: (a) in the case of conduct in his official capacity as an agent of the Trust, that his conduct was in the Trust’s best interests and (b) in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to the Trust’s best interests and (c) in the case of a criminal proceeding, that he had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct of that person was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement shall not of itself create a presumption that the person did not meet the requisite standard of conduct set forth in this Section. The termination of any proceeding by conviction, or a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption that the person did not meet the requisite standard of conduct set forth in this Section.

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Section 3. Actions by the Trust. This Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding by or in the right of this Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that that person is or was an agent of this Trust, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by that person in connection with the defense or settlement of that action if that person acted in good faith, in a manner that person believed to be in the best interests of this Trust and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.

Section 4. Exclusion of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, there shall be no right to indemnification for any liability arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or the reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the agent’s office with this Trust.

 

No indemnification shall be made under Section 2 or 3 of this Article:

 

  (a) In respect of any proceeding as to which that person shall have been adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by her/him, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken in the person’s official capacity; or

 

  (b) In respect of any proceeding as to which that person shall have been adjudged to be liable in the performance of that person’s duty to this Trust, unless and only to the extent that the court in which that action was brought shall determine upon application that in view of all the relevant circumstances of the case, that person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for the expenses which the court shall determine; however, in such case, indemnification with respect to any proceeding by or in the right of the Trust or in which liability shall have been adjudged by reason of the disabling conduct set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be limited to expenses; or

 

  (c) Of amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of a proceeding, with or without court approval, or of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding which is settled or otherwise disposed of without court approval, unless the required approval set forth in Section 6 of this Article is obtained.

Section 5. Successful Defense by Agent. To the extent that an agent of this Trust has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding referred to in Sections 2 or 3 of this Article before the court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith, provided that the Board of Trustees, including a majority who are disinterested, non-party trustees, also determines that based upon a review of the facts, the agent was not liable by reason of the disabling conduct referred to in Section 4 of this Article.

Section 6. Required Approval. Except as provided in Section 5 of this Article, any indemnification under this Article shall be made by this Trust only if authorized in the specific case on a determination that indemnification of the agent is proper in the circumstances because the agent has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 2 or 3 of this Article and is not prohibited from indemnification because of the disabling conduct set forth in Section 4 of this Article, by:

 

  (a) A majority vote of a quorum consisting of Trustees who are not parties to the proceeding and are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act);

 

  (b) A written opinion by an independent legal counsel; or

 

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  (c) A majority vote of the Shareholders; however, Shares held by agents who are parties to the proceeding may not be voted on the subject matter under this sub-section.

 

Section 7. Advance of Expenses. Expenses incurred in defending any proceeding may be advanced by this Trust before the final disposition of the proceeding if:

 

  (a) Receipt of a written affirmation by the agent of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under this Article and a written undertaking by or on behalf of the agent, such undertaking being an unlimited general obligation to repay the amount of the advance if it is ultimately determined that he has not met those requirements, and

 

  (b) A determination that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under this Article.

Determinations and authorizations of payments under this Section must be made in the manner specified in Section 6 of this Article for determining that the indemnification is permissible.

Section 8. Other Contractual Rights. Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any right to indemnification to which persons other than Trustees and officers of this Trust or any subsidiary hereof may be entitled by contract or otherwise.

Section 9. Limitations. No indemnification or advance shall be made under this Article, except as provided in Sections 5 or 6 in any circumstances where it appears:

 

  (a) That it would be inconsistent with a provision of the Declaration of Trust, a resolution of the Shareholders, or an agreement in effect at the time of accrual of the alleged cause of action asserted in the proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other amounts were paid which prohibits or otherwise limits indemnification; or

 

  (b) That it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed by a court in approving a settlement.

Section 10. Insurance. Upon and in the event of a determination by the Board of Trustees of this Trust to purchase such insurance, this Trust shall purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent or employee of this Trust against any liability asserted against or incurred by the agent or employee in such capacity or arising out of the agent’s or employee’s status as such to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Section 11. Fiduciaries of Employee Benefit Plan. This Article does not apply to any proceeding against any Trustee, investment manager or other fiduciary of an employee benefit plan in that person’s capacity as such, even though that person may also be an agent of this Trust as defined in Section 1 of this Article. Nothing contained in this Article shall limit any right to indemnification to which such a Trustee, investment manager, or other fiduciary may be entitled by contract or otherwise which shall be enforceable to the extent permitted by applicable law other than this Article.

 

ARTICLE VII

Shares of Beneficial Interest

Section 1. Certificates. No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise authorize.

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Section 2. Recording and Transfer of Shares. The Trust shall have the full power to participate in any program approved by the Board of Trustees providing for the recording and transfer of ownership of the Trust’s Shares by electronic or other means without the issuance of certificates. Transfers of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust shall be made on the books of the Trust by the holder of record thereof (in person or by his attorney thereunto duly authorized by a power of attorney duly executed in writing and filed with the Secretary of the Trust).

Section 3. Registered Shareholders. The Trust shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of Shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of Shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by applicable law or the Declaration of Trust.

ARTICLE VIII

General Provisions

Section 1. Custodianship. Except as otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Trustees, the Trust shall place and at all times maintain in the custody of a custodian (including any sub-custodian for the custodian) all funds, securities and similar investments owned by the Trust. Subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, the custodian may enter into arrangements with securities depositories, provided such arrangements comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All deeds, documents, transfers, contracts, agreements and other instruments requiring execution by the Trust shall be signed by a duly authorized officer of the Trust.

Section 3. Net Asset Value. The net asset value per Share shall be determined separately as to each class of the Trust’s Shares, by dividing the sum of the total market value of the class’s investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total outstanding Shares of such class, subject to the 1940 Act and any other applicable Federal securities law or rule or regulation currently in effect.

 

ARTICLE IX

Amendments to the By-Laws

 

These By-Laws may be restated and/or amended at any time, without the approval of the shareholders, by an instrument in writing signed by, or a resolution of, a majority of the then Board.

 

 

Adopted: August 4, 2014

Amended: October 1, 2018 and September 22, 2021

 

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abrdn ETFs 8-A12B

Exhibit 99(k)

AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

FOR

abrdn ETFs

 

This Authorized Participant Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and __________________________________ (the “Authorized Participant” or “AP”) and is subject to acceptance by State Street Bank & Trust Company (the “Transfer Agent”). The Transfer Agent serves as the transfer agent for the abrdn ETFs (the “Trust”). The Distributor, the Transfer Agent and the Authorized Participant acknowledge and agree that the Trust shall be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement, and shall receive the benefits contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent specified herein. The Distributor has been retained to provide services as principal underwriter of the Trust acting on an agency basis in connection with the sale and distribution of Creation Units (as defined below) of each series ofthe Trust (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) named on Annex I to this Agreement, as may be updated from time to time to add or remove Funds.

 

As specified in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information incorporated therein (collectively, the “Prospectus”) included as part of its registration statement, as amended, on Form N-1A (“Registration Statement”), the shares of any Fund (the “Shares”) offered thereby may be purchased or redeemed only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares referred to therein and herein as a “Creation Unit.” All references to “cash” shall refer to U.S. dollars (“USD”). The number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit of each Fund is set forth in the Prospectus. Creation Units of Shares may be purchased only by or through an Authorized Participant that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor. The Prospectus provides that Creation Units generally will be sold in exchange for an in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and an amount of cash computed as described in the Prospectus (the “Cash Component”), plus a purchase “Transaction Fee” as described in the Prospectus and/or disclosed by the Transfer Agent to the Authorized Participant subject to any limitation as prescribed in the Prospectus, delivered to the Trust by the Authorized Participant for its own account or acting on behalf of another party. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Creation Deposit,’ which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for Shares of any Fund of the Trust. References to the Prospectus are to the then-current Prospectus as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Prospectus.

 

This Agreement is intended to set forth certain premises and the procedures by which the Authorized Participant may purchase and/or redeem Creation Units of Shares (i) through the Continuous Net Settlement (“CNS”) clearing processes of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) as such processes have been enhanced to effect purchases and redemptions of Creation Units, such processes being referred to herein as the “CNS Clearing Process,” or (ii) outside the CNS Clearing Process (i.e., through the manual process of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) (the “DTC Process”). The procedures for processing an order to purchase Shares (each a “Purchase Order”) and an order to redeem Shares (each a “Redemption Order”) are described in the Trust’s Prospectus and in Annex II to this Agreement. All Purchase and Redemption Orders must be made pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus and Annex II hereto, as each may be amended by the Trust from time to time.

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The parties hereto in consideration of the premises and of the mutual

agreements contained herein agree as follows:

 

1. STATUS OF AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT; IRREVOCABLE PROXY.

 

(a) The Authorized Participant hereby represents, covenants and warrants that with respect to Purchase Orders or Redemption Orders of Creation Units of Shares of any Fund (i) through the CNS Clearing Process, it is a member of NSCC and an Authorized Participant in the CNS System of NSCC (as defined in the Fund’s Prospectus, a “Participating Party”), and/or (ii) outside the CNS Clearing Process, it is a DTC Participant (as defined in the Fund’s Prospectus, a “DTC Participant”). The Authorized Participant may place Purchase Orders or Redemption Orders for Creation Units either through the CNS Clearing Process or outside the CNS Clearing Process, subject to the procedures for purchase and redemption set forth in this Agreement, the Prospectus and Annex II hereto (“Execution of Orders”). Any change in the foregoing status of the Authorized Participant shall terminate this Agreement and the Authorized Participant shall give prompt written notice to the Distributor, the Trust and the Transfer Agent of such change.

 

(b) The Authorized Participant hereby represents and warrants that it, unless Section 1(c) is applicable, (i) is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), (ii) is qualified to act as a broker or dealer in the states or other jurisdictions where it transacts business, and (iii) is a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), and the Authorized Participant agrees that it will maintain such registrations, qualifications, and membership in good standing and in full force and effect throughout the term of this Agreement. The Authorized Participant is a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). The Authorized Participant agrees to comply with all applicable United States federal laws, the laws of the states or other jurisdictions concerned, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and with the Constitution, By-Laws and Conduct Rules of FINRA, and that it will not offer or sell Shares of any Fund of the Trust in any state or jurisdiction where they may not lawfully be offered and/or sold.

 

(c) If the Authorized Participant is offering or selling Shares of any Fund of the Trust in jurisdictions outside the several states, territories and possessions of the United States (“US”) and is not otherwise required to be registered, qualified, or a member of FINRA as set forth above, the Authorized Participant nevertheless agrees (i) to observe the applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which such offer and/or sale is made, (ii) to comply with the full disclosure requirements of the 1933 Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (iii) to conduct its business in accordance with the FINRA Rules.

 

(d) The Authorized Participant represents, covenants and warrants that it has established and presently maintains an anti-money laundering program (the “Program”) reasonably designed to prevent the Authorized Participant from being used as a conduit for money laundering or other illicit purposes or the financing of terrorist activities, and is in compliance with the Program and all anti-money laundering laws, regulations and rules now or hereafter in effect that are applicable to it, including, without limitation, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT ACT”).

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(e) The Authorized Participant understands and acknowledges that the method by which Creation Units of Shares will be created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. For example, because new Creation Units of Shares may be issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may be occurring. The Authorized Participant understands and acknowledges that some activities on its part, depending on the circumstances, may result in its being deemed a participant in a distribution in a manner which could render it a statutory underwriter and subject it to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the 1933 Act. The Authorized Participant should review the “Continuous Offering” section of the Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) and consult with its own counsel in connection with entering into this Agreement and placing an Order (defined below). The Authorized Participant also understands and acknowledges that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus.

 

(f) The Authorized Participant has the capability to send and receive communications via authenticated telecommunication facility to and from the Distributorand the Authorized Participant’s custodian. The Authorized Participant shall confirm such capability to the satisfaction of the Distributor and its custodian prior to placing its first Order with the Transfer Agent (whether it is a Purchase Order or a Redemption Order).

 

(g) Agent for Proxy. The Authorized Participant represents, covenants and warrants that, from time to time, it may be a Beneficial Owner or legal owner of Shares (as that term is defined in Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the 1934 Act). The Authorized Participant agrees to irrevocably appoint the Distributor as its agent and proxy with full authorization and power to vote (or abstain from voting) its beneficially or legally owned Shares which the Authorized Participant has not rehypothecated and which the Authorized Participant is or may be entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Fund held after the effective date of this Agreement, whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned meeting, or, if applicable, to give written consent with respect thereto. The Distributor shall vote (or abstain from voting) such Shares in accordance with Distributor’s proxy voting policies and procedures, with complete independence from and without any regard to any views, statements or interests of the Authorized Participant, its affiliates or any other person. The Authorized Participant acknowledges that the Distributor will not exercise discretion or otherwise provide advice or guidance to the Authorized Participant or any other party in connection with any vote (or abstention thereof). The Distributor may carry out its responsibilities hereunder through an agent, nominee, attorney or such other third party as it deems necessary or appropriate, to the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law.

 

For purposes of this Section 1(g), beneficially owned Shares shall not include those Shares for which the Authorized Participant is the record owner but which are held for the benefit of third parties or in customer or fiduciary accounts in the ordinary course of business, unless the Authorized Participant instructs the Distributor in writing otherwise. The Authorized Participant acknowledges that the Distributor will not exercise the voting rights applicable to such Shares unless the Authorized Participant instructs the Distributor in writing otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, it shall be the responsibility of the Authorized Participant to instruct the Distributor in writing as to which Shares will/will not be voted by the Distributor as agent and proxy pursuant to this Section. The Authorized Participant represents that it has all the necessary legal power and authority to vote, and to appoint an agent and proxy to vote, all such Shares as contemplated herein. The Authorized Participant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor from and against any loss, liability, cost or expense suffered or incurred by such Distributor resulting directly from losses, liabilities or expenses resulting from this Section 1(g) other than those arising from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Distributor.

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The Distributor, as proxy for the Authorized Participant hereunder: (i) is hereby given full power of substitution and revocation; (ii) may act through such agents, nominees, or attorneys as it may appoint from time to time; and (iii) may provide voting instructions to such agents, nominees, or substitute attorneys in any lawful manner deemed appropriate by it, including in writing, by telephone, facsimile, electronically (including through the internet) or otherwise. The powers of such agent and proxy shall include (without limiting its general powers hereunder) the power to receive and waive any notice of any meeting on behalf of the Authorized Participant. The Distributor may terminate this irrevocable proxy (i.e., Section 1(g)) after sixty (60) days written notice to the Authorized Participant and termination of this irrevocable proxy by itself shall not serve to terminate the Agreement.

 

2. EXECUTION OF PURCHASE ORDERS AND REDEMPTION ORDERS.

 

(a) All Purchase Orders or Redemption Orders shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus and the procedures described in Annex II hereto. Each party hereto agrees to comply with the provisions of such documents to the extent applicable to it. It is contemplated that the telephone lines used by the Transfer Agent will be recorded, and the Authorized Participant hereby consents to the recording of all calls with the Transfer Agent. The Trust reserves the right to issue additional or other procedures relating to the manner of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units and the Authorized Participant agrees to comply with such procedures as may be issued from time to time, including but not limited to the Cash Collateral Settlement Procedures that are referenced in Annex II hereto.

 

(b) The Authorized Participant acknowledges and agrees on behalf of itself and any party for which it is acting (whether as a customer or otherwise) that delivery of a Purchase Order or Redemption Order shall be irrevocable, provided that the Trust and the Distributor on behalf of the Trust reserves the right to reject any Purchase Order until the trade is released as described in Annex II hereto and any Redemption Order that is not in “proper form” as defined in the Prospectus.

 

(c) With respect to any Redemption Order, the Authorized Participant also acknowledges and agrees on behalf of itself and any party for which it is acting (whether as a customer or otherwise) to return to the Trust any dividend, distribution or other corporate action paid to it or to the party for which it is acting in respect of any Deposit Security that is transferred to the Authorized Participant or any party for which it is acting that, based on the valuation of such Deposit Security at the time of transfer, should have been paid to the Trust. With respect to any Redemption Order, the Authorized Participant also acknowledges and agrees on behalf of itself and any party for which it is acting (whether as a customer or otherwise) that the Trust is entitled to reduce the amount of money or other proceeds due to the Authorized Participant or any party for which it is acting by an amount equal to any dividend, distribution or other corporate action to be paid to it or to the party for which it is acting in respect of any Deposit Security that is transferred to the Authorized Participant or any party for which it is acting that, based on the valuation of such Deposit Security at the time of transfer, should be paid to the Fund. With respect to any Purchase Order, the Transfer Agent, on behalf of the Trust, acknowledges and agrees to return to the Authorized Participant or any party for which it is acting any dividend, distribution or other corporate action paid to the Trust in respect of any Deposit Security that is transferred to the Trust that, based on the valuation of such Deposit Security at the time of transfer, should have been paid to the Authorized Participant or any party for which it is acting.

4 

 

 

3. NSCC.

 

Solely with respect to Purchase Orders or Redemption Orders effected through the CNS Clearing Process, the Authorized Participant, as a Participating Party, hereby authorizes the Transfer Agent to transmit to the NSCC on behalf of the Authorized Participant such instructions, including amounts of the Deposit Securities and Cash Component as are necessary, consistent with the instructions issued by the Authorized Participant to the Transfer Agent. The Authorized Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of such instructions issued by the Transfer Agent and reported to NSCC as though such instructions were issued by the Authorized Participant directly to NSCC.

 

4. PROSPECTUS, MARKETING MATERIALS AND REPRESENTATIONS.

 

(a) The Distributor will provide to the Authorized Participant copies of the then current Prospectus and any printed supplemental information in reasonable quantities upon request. The Distributor represents, warrants and agrees that it will notify the Authorized Participant when a revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus for any Fund is available and deliver or otherwise make available to the Authorized Participant copies of such revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus at such time and in such numbers as to enable the Authorized Participant to comply with any obligation it may have to deliver such Prospectus to customers. The Distributor will make such revised, supplemented or amended Prospectus available to the Authorized Participant no later than its effective date. The Distributor shall be deemed to have complied with this Section 4 when the Authorized Participant has received such revised, supplemented or amended prospectus by email at [insert e-mail address], in printable form, with such number of hard copies as may be agreed from time to time by the parties promptly thereafter.

 

(b) The Distributor represents and warrants that (i) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained therein conforms in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) thereunder; (ii) the sale and distribution of the Shares as contemplated herein will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Trust, any Fund or the Distributor; and (iii) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issuance and sale of the Shares, except the registration under the 1933 Act of the Shares.

 

5 

 

(c) The Authorized Participant represents, warrants and agrees that it will not make any representations concerning Shares other than those contained in the Trust’s then current Prospectus or in any promotional materials or sales literature furnished to the Authorized Participant by the Distributor. The Authorized Participant agrees not to furnish or cause to be furnished to any person or display or publish any information or materials relating to Shares (including, without limitation, promotional materials and sales literature, advertisements, press releases, announcements, statements, posters, signs or other similar materials), except such information and materials as may be furnished to the Authorized Participant by the Distributor and such other information and materials as may be approved in writing by the Distributor. The Authorized Participant understands that neither the Trust nor any of its Funds will be advertised or marketed as an open-end investment company, (i.e., as a mutual fund), which offers redeemable securities, and that any advertising materials will prominently disclose that the Shares are not redeemable shares of the Trust. In addition, the Authorized Participant understands that any advertising material that addresses redemptions of Shares, including the Prospectus, will disclose that the owners of Shares may acquire Shares and tender Shares for redemption to the Trust in whole Creation Units only.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Authorized Participant may without the written approval of the Distributor prepare and circulate in the regular course of its business research reports that include information, opinions or recommendations relating to Shares (i) for public dissemination, provided that such research reports compare the relative merits and benefits of Shares with other products and are not used for purposes of marketing Shares and (ii) for internal use by the Authorized Participant.

 

5. TITLE TO SECURITIES; RESTRICTED SHARES.

 

The Authorized Participant represents on behalf of itself and any party for which it acts that upon delivery of a portfolio of Deposit Securities to the Custodian in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus, the Trust will acquire good and unencumbered title to such securities, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claims, including, without limitation, any restriction upon the sale or transfer of such securities imposed by (i) any agreement or arrangement entered into by the Authorized Participant or any party for which it is acting in connection with a Purchase Order or (ii) any provision of the 1933 Act and any regulations thereunder (except that portfolio securities of issuers other than U.S. issuers shall not be required to have been registered under the 1933 Act if exempt from such registration), or of the applicable laws or regulations of any other applicable jurisdiction and (iii) no such securities are “restricted securities” as such term is used in Rule 144(a)(3)(i) promulgated under the 1933 Act.

 

6. CASH COMPONENT AND FEES.

 

(a)       For Domestic Funds: The Authorized Participant hereby agrees that as between the Trust and itself or any party for which it acts in connection with a Purchase Order for any Domestic Fund, it will make available in same day funds for each purchase of Shares an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component and any other amounts of cash due to the Trust in connection with the purchase of any Creation Unit of Shares (including the purchase Transaction Fee for in-kind and cash purchases and the additional variable charge for cash purchases (when, in the sole discretion of the Trust, cash purchases are available or specified as described in the Prospectus)) (the “Cash Amount”) which shall be made through DTC to an account maintained by the Custodian and shall be provided in same day or immediately available funds on or before the settlement date in accordance with the Trust’s Prospectus and as described in Annex II hereto (“Contractual Settlement Date”). The Authorized Participant hereby agrees to ensure that the Cash Amount will be received by the Trust on or before the Contractual Settlement Date, and in the event payment of such Cash Amount has not been made by such Contractual Settlement Date, the Authorized Participant agrees on behalf of itself or any party for which it acts in connection with a Purchase Order to pay the full Cash Amount, plus interest, computed at such reasonable rate as may be specified by the Trust from time to time. The Authorized Participant may require its customer to enter into a written agreement with the Authorized Participant with respect to such matters.

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7. ROLE OF AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT.

 

(a) The Authorized Participant acknowledges and agrees that for all purposes of this Agreement, the Authorized Participant will be deemed to be an independent contractor, and will have no authority to act as agent for the Trust, any Fund, the Distributor or the Custodian, in any matter or in any respect. The Authorized Participant agrees to make itself and its employees available, upon request, during normal business hours to consult with the Trust, the Distributor, the Custodian, or the Authorized Participant’s custodian or their designees concerning the performance of the Authorized Participant’s responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

(b) In executing this Agreement, the Authorized Participant agrees in connection with any purchase or redemption transactions in which it acts for a customer or for any other Authorized Participant or indirect participant, or any other shareholder in an underlying shares account (“Beneficial Owner”), that it shall extend to any such party all of the rights, and shall be bound by all of the obligations, of a DTC Participant in addition to any obligations that it undertakes hereunder or in accordance with the Prospectus.

 

(c) The Authorized Participant agrees to maintain records of all sales of Shares made by or through it and to furnish copies of such records to the Trust or the Distributor upon the request of the Trust or the Distributor.

 

8. AUTHORIZED PERSONS OF THE AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT.

 

Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and from time to time thereafter as may be requested by the Trust or the Distributor, the Authorized Participant shall deliver to the Distributor and the Trust, with copies to the Transfer Agent at the address specified below, duly certified as appropriate by its Secretary or other duly authorized official, a certificate in a form approved by the Trust (see Annex III to this Agreement) setting forth the names and signatures of all persons authorized to give instructions relating to any activity contemplated hereby or any other notice, request or instruction on behalf of the Authorized Participant (each such person an “Authorized Person”). Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Distributor and the Trust as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until delivery to the Distributor and the Trust of a superseding certificate in a form approved by the Trust bearing a subsequent date. Upon the termination or revocation of authority of such Authorized Person by the Authorized Participant, the Authorized Participant shall give immediate written notice of such fact to the Distributor and the Trust and such notice shall be effective upon receipt by both the Distributor and the Trust. The Distributor shall issue to each Authorized Participant a unique personal identification number (“PIN”) by which such Authorized Participant shall be identified and instructions issued by the Authorized Participant hereunder shall be authenticated. The PIN shall be kept confidential and only provided to Authorized Persons. If after issuance, an Authorized Participant’s PIN is changed, the new PIN will become effective on a date mutually agreed upon by the Authorized Participant and the Distributor.

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9. REDEMPTION.

 

(a) The Authorized Participant understands and agrees that Redemption Orders may be submitted only on days that the US stock exchange where the Shares are principally listed (as specified in the Prospectus) (the “Listing Exchange”) is open for trading or business.

 

(b) The Authorized Participant represents, covenants and warrants that it will not attempt to place a Redemption Order unless it first ascertains that (a) it or the Authorized Participant Client, as the case may be, owns outright or will own (within the meaning of Rule 200 of Regulation SHO) as of the close of the business day on which the Redemption Order is placed, or has or will have full legal authority and legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares to be redeemed and receive the entire proceeds of the redemption as of the contractual settlement date, and (b) such Shares have not been loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement which would preclude the delivery of such Shares on the contractual settlement date in accordance with the Prospectus and on a “regular way” basis, or as otherwise required by the Trust. The Authorized Participant understands that Shares of any Fund may be redeemed only when one or more Creation Units of Shares are held in the account of a single Authorized Participant. In the event that the Distributor, Transfer Agent and/or the Trust believes that an Authorized Participant does not have the requisite number of Shares to be redeemed as a Creation Unit so as to meet its obligations as set forth in this Section 4(a), the Distributor, Transfer Agent and/or Trust may reject without liability the Authorized Participant’s Redemption Order.

 

10. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP.

 

(a) The Authorized Participant represents and warrants to the Distributor and the Trust that (based upon the number of outstanding Shares of each such Fund made publicly available by the Trust) it does not, and will not in the future, hold for the account of any single Beneficial Owner of Shares of the relevant Fund, eighty percent (80%) or more of the currently outstanding Shares of such relevant Fund, so as to cause the Fund to have a basis in the portfolio securities deposited with the Fund with respect to such Fund different from the market value of such portfolio securities on the date of such deposit, pursuant to section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Authorized Participant agrees that the confirmation relating to any order for one or more Creation Units of Shares of any Fund shall state as follows:

 

“Purchaser represents and warrants that, after giving effect to the purchase of Shares to which this confirmation relates, it will not hold 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of the relevant Fund of the Trust and that it will not treat such purchase as eligible for tax-free treatment under Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. If purchaser is a dealer, it agrees to deliver similar written confirmations to any person purchasing any of the Shares to which this confirmation relates from it.”

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(b) The Trust and its Transfer Agent and Distributor shall have the right to require information from the Authorized Participant regarding Shares’ ownership of each Fund, and to rely thereon to the extent necessary to make a determination regarding ownership of 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of any Fund by a Beneficial Owner as a condition to the acceptance of a deposit of Deposit Securities.

 

11. INDEMNIFICATION.

 

This Section 11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

(a) The Authorized Participant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor, the Trust, the Transfer Agent, their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (each an “AP Indemnified Party”) from and against any loss, liability, cost and expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such AP Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach by the Authorized Participant of any provision of this Agreement that relates to such Authorized Participant or any representation provided by it herein that is false or misleading in any material respect or omits material information necessary to make the statements contained herein complete; (ii) any failure on the part of the Authorized Participant to perform any of its obligations set forth in the Agreement; (iii) any failure by the Authorized Participant to comply with applicable laws, including rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations; (iv) actions of such AP Indemnified Party in reliance upon any instructions issued in accordance with Annex II, III or IV hereto (as each may be amended from time to time) reasonably believed by the Distributor and/or the Transfer Agent to be genuine and to have been given by the Authorized Participant, or (v)(1) any representation by the Authorized Participant, its employees or its agents or other representatives about the Shares, any AP Indemnified Party or the Trust that is not consistent with the Trust’s then-current Prospectus made in connection with the offer or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell Shares and (2) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any research reports, marketing material and sales literature described in Section 4 hereof or any alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to the extent that such statement or omission relates to the Shares, any AP Indemnified Party or the Trust, unless, in either case, such representation, statement or omission was made or included by the Authorized Participant at the written direction of the Trust or the Distributor or is based upon any omission or alleged omission by the Trust or the Distributor to state a material fact in connection with such representation, statement or omission necessary to make such representation, statement or omission not misleading. The Authorized Participant and the Distributor understand and agree that the Trust as a third party beneficiary to this Agreement is entitled and intends to proceed directly against the Authorized Participant in the event that the Authorized Participant fails to honor any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement that benefit the Trust.

 

9 

 

(b) The Distributor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Authorized Participant, its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (each a “Distributor Indemnified Party”) from and against any loss, liability, cost and expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such Distributor Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach by the Distributor of any provision of this Agreement that relates to the Distributor; (ii) any failure on the part of the Distributor to perform any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement; (iii) any failure by the Distributor to comply with applicable laws, including rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations as they relate to the Distributor’s role as distributor hereunder; (iv) actions of such Distributor Indemnified Party in reliance upon any instructions issued or representations made in accordance with Annex II, III and IV hereto (as each may be amended from time to time) reasonably believed by the Authorized Participant to be genuine and to have been given by the Distributor, or (v) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement of the Trust as originally filed with the SEC or in any amendment thereof, or in any prospectus or any statement of additional information, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in connection with the Authorized Participant’s acting in its capacity as an Authorized Participant.

 

(c) This Section 11 shall not apply to the extent any such losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses are incurred as a result or in connection with any gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the AP Indemnified Party or the Distributor Indemnified Party, as the case may be. The term “affiliate” in this Section 11 shall include, with respect to any person, entity or organization, any other person, entity or organization which directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person, entity or organization.

 

12. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

 

(a) The Distributor and the Transfer Agent undertake to perform such duties and only such duties as are expressly set forth herein, or expressly incorporated herein by reference, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Distributor or the Transfer Agent.

 

(b) In the absence of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part, neither the Distributor, nor the Transfer Agent, whether acting directly or through agents or attorneys as provided in paragraph (d) below, shall be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted or for any error of judgment made by any of them in the performance of their duties hereunder. Neither the Distributor nor the Transfer Agent shall be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith unless the party exercising such shall have been grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts necessary to make such judgment. In no event shall the Distributor or the Transfer Agent be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profit), even if such parties have been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action. In no event shall the Distributor or the Transfer Agent be liable for the acts or omissions of DTC, NSCC or any other securities depository or clearing corporation.

 

(c) Neither the Distributor nor the Transfer Agent shall be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of their obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; terrorism; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions.

10 

 

 

(d) The Distributor and the Transfer Agent may conclusively rely upon, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any communication authorized hereby and upon any written or oral instruction, notice, request, direction or consent reasonably believed by them to be genuine.

 

(e) Neither the Distributor nor the Transfer Agent shall be liable to the Authorized Participant or to any other person for any damages arising out of mistakes or errors in data provided to the Distributor or the Transfer Agent by a third party, or out of interruptions or delays of electronic means of communications with the Distributor or the Transfer Agent.

 

(f) The Transfer Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial liability in the performance of its duties hereunder, except as may be required as a result of its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

 

(g) Tax Liability. To the extent any payment of any transfer tax, sales or use tax, stamp tax, recording tax, value added tax or any other similar tax or government charge applicable to the creation or redemption of any Creation Unit of Shares of any Fund made pursuant to this Agreement is imposed, the Authorized Participant shall be responsible for the payment of such tax or government charge regardless of whether or not such tax or charge is imposed directly on the Authorized Participant. To the extent the Trust or the Distributor is required by law to pay any such tax or charge, the Authorized Participant agrees to promptly indemnify such party for any such payment, together with any applicable penalties, additions to tax or interest thereon.

 

13. INFORMATION ABOUT CREATION DEPOSITS.

 

The Authorized Participant understands that the number and names of the designated portfolio of Deposit Securities to be included in the current Creation Deposit for each Fund will be made available by NSCC on each day that the Listing Exchange is open for trading and will also be made available on each such day through the facilities of the NSCC.

 

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

 

The Authorized Participant acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus and represents that it has reviewed and understands such documents.

 

15. NOTICES.

 

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, all notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or by postage prepaid registered or certified United States first class mail, return receipt requested, or by telex, telegram or facsimile or similar means of same day delivery (with a confirming copy by mail). Unless otherwise notified in writing, all notices to the Trust shall be at the address or telephone, facsimile or telex numbers as follows:

 

11 

 

Attn:     712 Fifth Avenue - 49th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attn: Adam Rezak

 

All notices to the Authorized Participant, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent shall be directed to the address or telephone, facsimile or telex numbers indicated below the signature line of such party.

 

16. EFFECTIVENESS, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT.

 

(a) This Agreement shall become effective upon delivery to and execution by the Distributor. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by any party upon sixty (60) calendar days’ prior written notice to the other parties and may be terminated earlier by the Trust or the Distributor at any time in the event of a breach by the Authorized Participant of any provision of this Agreement or the procedures described or incorporated herein. This Agreement may be terminated immediately by a party at such time as the Trust, the Distributor or the Authorized Participant becomes insolvent or becomes the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding or winding up. This Agreement supersedes any prior such agreement between or among the parties.

 

(b) This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by all the parties; provided, however, that (i) if an amendment to the Agreement is required in order to conform the Agreement to applicable law (including, without limitation, a change to the exemptive relief and/or adoption or amendment of a rule on which the Trust relies to operate as an exchange-traded fund), then the Distributor shall provide the Authorized Participant and the Transfer Agent with prompt notice of such amendment, and the next Creation Unit created by the Authorized Participant shall be deemed to constitute the Authorized Participant’s acceptance of such amendment; and (ii) any Annex to this Agreement may be amended upon written notification to the Authorized Participant if the Authorized Participant does not object in writing to the amended Annex within five (5) days after its receipt.

 

17. GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable New York conflict of laws principles) as to all matters, including matters of validity, construction, effect, performance and remedies. Each party hereto irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and of any federal court located in the Borough of Manhattan in such State in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any action taken or omitted hereunder, and waives any claim of forum non conveniens and any objections as to laying of venue. Each party further waives personal service of any summons, complaint or other process and agrees that service thereof may be made by certified or registered mail directed to such party at such party’s address for purposes of notices hereunder. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

 

12 

 

18. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

19. ASSIGNMENT.

 

Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties, except that any entity into which a party hereto may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion, or consolidation to which such party hereunder shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the business of the party, shall be the successor of the party under this Agreement. The party resulting from any such merger, conversion, consolidation or succession shall notify the other parties hereto of the change. Any purported assignment in violation of the provisions hereof shall be null and void.

 

20. INTERPRETATION.

 

The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement of the parties and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

 

This Agreement, along with any other agreement or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

22. SEVERANCE.

 

If any provision of this Agreement is held by any court or any act, regulation, rule or decision of any other governmental or supra national body or authority or regulatory or self-regulatory organization to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, it shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable only to the extent so held and shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement and this Agreement will be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein, unless the Distributor determines in its discretion, after consulting with the Trust, that the provision of this Agreement that was held invalid, illegal or unenforceable does affect the validity, legality or enforceability of one or more other provisions of this Agreement, and that this Agreement should not be continued without the provision that was held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, and in that case, upon the Distributor’s notification of the Trust of such a determination, this Agreement shall immediately terminate and the Distributor will so notify the Authorized Participant immediately.

 

23. NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION.

 

The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party.

 

13 

 

24. SURVIVAL.

 

Section 11 (Indemnification) hereof shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

25. OTHER USAGES.

 

The following usages shall apply in interpreting this Agreement: (i) references to a governmental or quasigovernmental agency, authority or instrumentality shall also refer to a regulatory body that succeeds to the functions of such agency, authority or instrumentality; and (ii) “including” means “including, but not limited to.”

 

26. COUNTERPARTS.

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

14 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year written below.

 

DATED: ____________

 

 

ALPS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

 

BY:___________________________________

NAME:___________________________________

TITLE:________________________________

ADDRESS: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver CO 80203

EMAIL: APAgreementsMailbox@sscinc.com

 

 

[NAME OF AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT]

 

BY:___________________________________

NAME:___________________________________

TITLE:________________________________

ADDRESS:______________________________

TELEPHONE:____________________________

FACSIMILE:___________________________________

 

 

ACCEPTED BY: State Street Bank & Trust Company, AS TRANSFER AGENT

 

BY:__________________________________________

NAME:___________________________________

TITLE:_______________________________________

ADDRESS:_____________________________________

TELEPHONE:___________________________________

FACSIMILE:___________________________________

15 

 

 

ANNEX I

TO

AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

FOR abrdn ETFs

 

abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Longer Dated Strategy K-1 Free ETF BCD
abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF BCI
abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF BCIM

 

 

16 

 

ANNEX II

TO

AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

FOR abrdn ETFs

 

This Annex II to the Authorized Participant Agrement (the “Agreement”) supplements the Prospectus with respect to the procedures to be used by (i) the Transfer Agent and Distributor in processing orders for the purchase of Creation Units of the Fund (“Creation Orders”) and (ii) the Transfer Agent in processing orders redeeming Creation units of the Fund (“Redemption Orders,” and together with Creation Orders, “Orders”). Capitalized terms, unless otherwise defined in this Annex II, have the meanings attributed to them in the Authorized Participant Agreement or the Prospectus.

 

An Authorized Participant is required to have signed the Agreement. Upon acceptance by the Trust of the Agreement, the Transfer Agent or Distributor, as the case may be, will assign a personal identification number (“PIN”) to each Authorized Person authorized to act for the Authorized Participant. This will allow an Authorized Participant through its Authorized Person(s) to place an order with respect to Creation Units.

 

TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR PURCHASE OR REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS

 

1.Orders by Telephone.

 

a. Order Number. Call to Receive an Order Number. An Authorized Person for the Authorized Participant will call the telephone representative at the number listed on the Fund’s order form (“Order Form”) not later than the cut-off time for placing Orders with the Fund as set forth in the Order Form (the “Order Cut-Off Time”) to receive an Order Number. Non-standard Orders generally must be arranged with the Trust in advance of Order placement. The Order Form (as may be revised from time to time) is incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement.

 

Upon verifying the authenticity of the caller (as determined by the use of the appropriate PIN) and the terms of the Order, the telephone representative will issue a unique Order Number. All Orders with respect to the purchase or redemption of Creation Units are required to be in writing and accompanied by the designated Order Number. Incoming telephone calls are queued and will be handled in the sequence received. Calls placed before the Order Cut-Off Time will be processed even if the call is taken after this cut-off time. ACCORDINGLY, DO NOT HANG UP AND REDIAL. INCOMING CALLS THAT ARE ATTEMPTED LATER THAN THE Order Cut-Off Time WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

 

NOTE THAT THE TELEPHONE CALL IN WHICH THE ORDER NUMBER IS ISSUED INITIATES THE ORDER PROCESS BUT DOES NOT ALONE CONSTITUTE THE ORDER. AN ORDER IS ONLY COMPLETED AND PROCESSED UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS VIA THE ORDER FORM CONTAINING THE DESIGNATED ORDER NUMBER, AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS’ SIGNATURES AND TRANSMITTED BY FACSIMILE.

 

17 

 

b. Place the Order. An Order Number is only valid for a limited time. The Order Form for purchase or redemption of Creation Units must be sent by facsimile to the telephone representative within 20 minutes of the issuance of the Order Number. In the event that the Order Form is not received within such time period, the telephone representative will attempt to contact the Authorized Participant to request immediate transmission of the Order. Unless the Order Form is received by the telephone representative upon the earlier of (i) within 15 minutes of contact with the Authorized Participant or (ii) 45 minutes after the Order Cut-Off Time, the Order will be deemed invalid.

 

c. Await Receipt of Confirmation.

 

(i)Clearing Process. The Distributor (in the case of purchases) or the Transfer Agent (in the case of redemptions) shall issue a confirmation of Order acceptance within approximately 15 minutes of its receipt of an Order Form received in good form. In the event the Authorized Participant does not receive a timely confirmation from the Distributor or the Transfer Agent, it should contact the telephone representative at the business number indicated.

 

(ii)Outside the Clearing Process. In lieu of receiving a confirmation of Order acceptance, the DTC Participant will receive an acknowledgment of Order acceptance. The DTC Participant shall deliver on settlement date the Deposit Securities and/or cash (in the case of purchases) or the Creation Unit size aggregation of Shares on trade date plus one (in the case of redemptions) to the Trust through DTC. The Trust shall settle the transaction on the prescribed settlement date.

 

d. Ambiguous Instructions. In the event that an Order Form contains terms that differ from the information provided in the telephone call at the time of issuance of the Order Number, the telephone representative will attempt to contact the Authorized Participant to request confirmation of the terms of the Order. If an Authorized Person confirms the terms as they appear in the Order Form then the Order will be accepted and processed. If an Authorized Person contradicts its terms, the Order will be deemed invalid and a corrected Order Form must be received by the telephone representative not later than the earlier of (i) within 15 minutes of such contact with the Authorized Participant or (ii) 45 minutes after the Order Cut-Off Time. If the telephone representative is not able to contact an Authorized Person, then the Order shall be accepted and processed in accordance with the terms of the Order Form notwithstanding any inconsistency from the terms of the telephone information. In the event that an Order Form contains terms that are illegible, as determined in the sole discretion of the Transfer Agent or Distributor (in the case of a Creation Order) or the Transfer Agent (in the case of a Redemption Order), the Order will be deemed invalid and will not be processed. A telephone representative will attempt to contact the Authorized Participant to request retransmission of the Order Form, and a corrected Order Form must be received by the telephone representative not later than the earlier of (i) within 15 minutes of such contact with the Authorized Participant or (ii) 45 minutes after the Order Cut-Off Time.

 

18 

 

2.Election to Place Orders by Internet.

a. General. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, Orders may be submitted through the Internet (“Web Order Site” or “Fund Connect”), but must be done so in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Prospectus, the Web Order Site, the State Street Fund Connect Buy-Side User Agreement (which must be separately entered into by the Authorized Participant) (the “Fund Connect Agreement”) and the applicable Fund Connect User Guide (or any successor documents). To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent with any provision of any Fund Connect Agreement, the Fund Connect Agreement shall control with respect to State Street’s provision of the Web Order Site; provided, however, it is not the intention of the parties to otherwise modify the rights, duties and obligations of the parties under the Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise expressly modified or terminated in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Authorized Participant acknowledges that references to the applicable Fund Connect User Guide (or any successor documents) contained herein are for instructional purposes only, and such Fund Connect User Guide (or any successor documents) does not contain any additional representations, warranties or obligations by the Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or their respective agents.

 

b. Certain Acknowledgements. The Authorized Participant acknowledges and agrees (i) that the Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Distributor and their respective agents may elect to review any Order placed through the Web Order Site manually before it is executed and that such manual review may result in a delay in execution of such Order; (ii) that during periods of heavy market activity or other times, it may be difficult to place Orders via the Web Order Site and the Authorized Participant may place Orders as otherwise set forth in Attachment A; and (iii) that any transaction information, content, or data downloaded or otherwise obtained through the use of the Web Order Site are done at the Authorized Participant’s own discretion and risk.

 

EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN THE FUND CONNECT AGREEMENT AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE WEB ORDER SITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” “AS AVAILABLE” WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SPECIFICALLY, WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, ALL WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS, OTHER CONTRACTUAL TERMS, REPRESENTATIONS, INDEMNITIES AND GUARANTEES WITH RESPECT TO THE WEB ORDER SITE, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, ARISING BY LAW, CUSTOM, PRIOR ORAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENTS BY THE TRUST, THE TRANSFER AGENT, THE DISTRIBUTOR OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENTS, AFFILIATES, LICENSORS OR OTHERWISE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO AS TO TITLE, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, UNINTERRUPTED USE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, TIMELINESS, TRUTHFULNESS, SEQUENCE, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL TERMS ARISING FROM TRADE USAGE, COURSE OF DEALING OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE) ARE HEREBY OVERRIDDEN, EXCLUDED AND DISCLAIMED.

19 

 

 

c. Election to Terminate Placing Orders by Internet. The Authorized Participant may elect at any time to discontinue placing Orders through the Web Order Site without providing notice under the Agreement.

 

3.Acknowledgment Regarding Telephone and Internet Transactions. During periods of heavy market activity or other times, the Authorized Participant acknowledges it may be difficult to reach the Trust by telephone or to transact business over the Internet via the Web Order Site. Technological irregularities may also make the use of the Internet and Web Order Site slow or unavailable at times. The Trust may terminate the receipt of redemption or exchange Orders by telephone or the Internet at any time, in which case the Authorized Participant may redeem or exchange Shares by other means.

 

4.Purchase of Creation Units Without Receipt of Deposit Securities. Creation Units of the Fund may be purchased in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities, provided that the Authorized Participant deposits an initial deposit of cash with the Trust having a value greater than the net asset value of the Shares on the date the Order is placed in proper form. In addition to available Deposit Securities and cash that generally comprise a Creation Unit, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to 115% of the market value of any undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”). The Order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the Order is placed provided that the Order is placed in proper form prior to the Order Cut-Off Time on such date and cash in the appropriate amount is deposited with the Custodian by 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time or such other time as designated by the Custodian on the settlement date. If the Order is not placed in proper form by the Order Cut-Off Time or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on settlement date, then the Order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Trust for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain an amount of cash on deposit with the Trust at least equal to 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. In the event that additional cash is not paid, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities. The Authorized Participant will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Trust for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing any missing Deposit Securities and the value of the collateral. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the Creation Order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. The Trust shall charge and the Authorized Participant agrees to pay to the Trust the Transaction Fee and any additional fees prescribed in the Prospectus. The delivery of Creation Units of the Fund so created will occur no later than the prescribed settlement date following the day on which the Creation Order is deemed received by the Distributor.

20 

 

 

5.Redemption of Creation Units Without Receipt of Shares. Creation Units of the Fund may be redeemed in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the Creation Unit to be redeemed, provided that the Authorized Participant deposits an initial deposit of cash with the Trust having a value greater than the net asset value of the missing Shares on the date the Order is placed in proper form. Such cash must be deposited in an amount equal to 115% of the net asset value of any undelivered Shares (the “Cash Collateral”). The Order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the Order is placed provided that the Order is placed in proper form prior to the Order Cut-Off Time on such date and cash in the appropriate amount is deposited with the Custodian by 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time or such other time as designated by the Custodian on the settlement date. If the Order is not placed in proper form by the Order Cut-Off Time or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on settlement date, then the Order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Trust for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Shares to the extent necessary to maintain an amount of cash on deposit at least equal to 115% of the daily net asset value of the missing Shares. In the event that additional cash is not paid, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the missing Shares or acquire the Deposit Securities and Cash Amount underlying such Shares. The Authorized Participant will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Trust for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of acquiring such Shares, the Deposit Securities or Cash Amount and the value of the cash collateral. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Shares or Deposit Securities exceeds the net asset value of such Shares on the day the Creation Order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Cash Collateral once all of the missing Shares have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. The Trust shall charge and the Authorized Participant agrees to pay to the Trust the Transaction Fee and any additional fees prescribed in the Prospectus. The delivery of Shares of the Fund so redeemed will occur no later than the prescribed settlement date following the day on which the Redemption Order is deemed received by the Distributor.

 

 

21 

 

ANNEX II – PART A

TO

AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

FOR abrdn ETFs

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission/National Futures Association

Representation Form

 

___________________________ (“Authorized Participant”) hereby represents that as of the date set forth below, Authorized Participant [Please check only one]:

 

____is registered in the appropriate category with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and/or the National Futures Association (“NFA”).
CFTC Number:_____________ NFA Number:____________

 

____is exempted from registration pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (“CEA”), or the rules and regulations promulgated by the CFTC or NFA thereunder, excluded from applicable defined terms under the CEA or the rules and regulations promulgated by the CFTC or NFA thereunder, or has otherwise obtained no-action or exemptive relief from the CFTC or NFA [please specify the exemption reason]:

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

Signature: _____________________________________

 

Name: _____________________________________

 

Title: _____________________________________

 

Date: _____________________________________

 

 

22 

 

 

ANNEX III

TO

AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

FOR abrdn ETFs

 

The following are the names, titles, signatures, phone numbers, and email addresses of all persons (each, an “Authorized Person”) authorized to give instructions relating to any activity contemplated by the Authorized Participant Agreement for the abrdn ETFs (the “Agreement”) or any other notice, request or instruction on behalf of the Authorized Participant pursuant to the Agreement.

 

______________________,

Participant Name

_________________

NSCC #

 

 

NAME(1)

 

TITLE(1)

 

SIGNATURE(1)

TELEPHONE NUMBER(2) E-MAIL ADDRESS(2) USER LOCATION (Country)(2) PERMISSION(2)*

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

 

 

           

*Permissions:

RO- Read-Only (Allows users to see account information and run reports, but not place trades)

ET – Execute Trades (Allows user to place trades directly on to Fund Connect)

(1)Required information.
(2)Required information to use the Web Order Site.

 

Signed on behalf of the Authorized Participant:

 

 

By:                                                     

Name:                                                     

Title:                                                     

Date:                                                     

 

23