II. | Honest and Ethical Conduct |
a. | Honesty, Diligence and Professional Responsibility |
Covered Officers are expected to observe both the form and the spirit of the ethical principles contained in this Code. In particular, Covered Officers must perform their duties and responsibilities for the Funds:
| • | | with honesty, diligence, and a commitment to professional and ethical responsibility; |
| • | | carefully, thoroughly and in a timely manner; and |
| • | | in conformity with applicable professional and technical standards. |
b. | Ethical Handling of Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest |
A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Covered Officer’s private interest improperly interferes with the interests of, or his or her service to, the Funds. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his or her immediate family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position with the Funds.
Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between Covered Officers and the Funds and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”). For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Funds because of their status as “affiliated persons” of the Funds. The compliance programs and procedures of the Funds and the Funds’ investment adviser, SunAmerica Asset Management, LLC. (“SAAMCo”), are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace these programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside of the parameters of this Code.
Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts may arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between, the Funds and SAAMCo, of which the Covered Officers are also officers or employees. As a result, this Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Funds or for SAAMCo, or for both), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions that will have different effects on the Funds and SAAMCo. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between the Funds and SAAMCo and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Funds. Thus, if performed in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, such activities will be deemed to have been handled ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Boards that the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees of other investment companies advised by SAAMCo.
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