Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
This Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Agreement”) is made as of [July __, 2024] by Thrivent Series Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), a Minnesota corporation, on behalf of its series, Thrivent Global Stock Portfolio (the “Acquiring Portfolio”) and Thrivent Low Volatility Equity Portfolio (the “Target Portfolio”). Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is also party to the Agreement solely for purposes of Section 3.F.
Witnesseth:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Fund, on behalf of each of the Acquiring Portfolio and the Target Portfolio, has determined that entering into this Agreement whereby the Target Portfolio would transfer all of its assets and liabilities to the Acquiring Portfolio in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Portfolio, is in the best interests of the shareholders of their respective Fund; and
WHEREAS, the parties intend that this transaction qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Plan of Transaction.
A. Transfer of Assets. Upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Sections 7 and 8 hereof, the Target Portfolio will convey, transfer and deliver to the Acquiring Portfolio at the closing, provided for in Section 2 hereof, all of the existing assets of the Target Portfolio (including accrued interest to the Closing Date) (as defined below), free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims whatsoever (the assets so transferred collectively being referred to as the “Assets”).
B. Consideration. In consideration thereof, the Acquiring Portfolio agrees that the Acquiring Portfolio at the closing will deliver to the Target Portfolio, full and fractional shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Acquiring Portfolio having net asset values per share calculated as provided in Section 3(A) hereof, in an amount equal to the aggregate dollar value of the Assets determined pursuant to Section 3(A) hereof net of any liabilities of the Target Portfolio described in Section 3(E) hereof (the “Liabilities”) (collectively, the “Acquiring Portfolio Shares”). The calculation of full and fractional Acquiring Portfolio Shares to be exchanged shall be carried out to no less than two (2) decimal places. All Acquiring Portfolio Shares delivered to the Target Portfolio in exchange for such Assets shall be delivered at net asset value without sales load, commission or other transactional fees being imposed.
2. Closing of the Transaction.
A. Closing Date. The closing shall occur within thirty (30) business days after the later of the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and the final adjournment of the meeting of shareholders of the Target Portfolio at which this Agreement will be considered and approved, or such later date as soon as practicable thereafter, as the parties may mutually agree (the “Closing Date”). On the Closing Date, the Acquiring Portfolio shall deliver to the Target Portfolio the Acquiring Portfolio Shares in the amount determined pursuant to Section 1(B) hereof and the Target Portfolio thereafter shall, in order to effect the distribution of such shares to the Target Portfolio shareholders, instruct the Acquiring Portfolio to register the pro rata interest in the Acquiring Portfolio Shares (in full and fractional shares) of each of the holders of record of shares of the Target Portfolio in accordance with their holdings of shares of the Target Portfolio and shall provide as part of such instruction a complete and updated list of such holders (including addresses and taxpayer identification numbers), and the Acquiring Portfolio agrees promptly to comply with said instruction. The Acquiring Portfolio shall have no obligation to inquire as to the validity, propriety or correctness of such instruction, but shall assume that such instruction is valid, proper and correct.
3. Procedure for Reorganization.
A. Valuation. The value of the Assets of the Target Portfolio to be transferred by the Acquiring Portfolio shall be computed as of the Closing Date, in the manner set forth in the most recent Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Acquiring Portfolio (collectively, the “Acquiring Portfolio Prospectus”), copies of which have been delivered to the Target Portfolio.
B. Delivery of Portfolio Assets. The Assets shall be delivered to State Street Bank and Trust Company as Custodian for the Acquiring Portfolio or such other custodian as designated by the Acquiring Portfolio (collectively the “Custodian”) for the benefit of the Acquiring Portfolio, duly endorsed in proper form for transfer in such condition as to constitute a good delivery thereof, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims whatsoever, in accordance with the custom of brokers, and shall be accompanied by all necessary state stock transfer stamps, if any, the cost of which shall be borne by the Target Portfolio and the Acquiring Portfolio, in proportion to their respective declines in total operating expenses, if any.
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C. Failure to Deliver Securities. If the Target Portfolio is unable to make delivery pursuant to Section 3(B) hereof to the Custodian of any of the securities of the Target Portfolio for the reason that any such securities purchased by the Target Portfolio have not yet been delivered it by the Target Portfolio’s broker or brokers, then, in lieu of such delivery, the Target Portfolio shall deliver to the Custodian, with respect to said securities, executed copies of an agreement of assignment and due bills executed on behalf of such broker or brokers, together with such other documents as may be required by the Acquiring Portfolio or Custodian, including brokers’ confirmation slips.
D. Shareholder Accounts. The Acquiring Portfolio, in order to assist the Target Portfolio in the distribution of the Acquiring Portfolio Shares to the Target Portfolio shareholders after delivery of the Acquiring Portfolio Shares to the Target Portfolio, will establish pursuant to the request of the Target Portfolio an open account with the Acquiring Portfolio for each shareholder of the Target Portfolio and, upon request by the Target Portfolio, shall transfer to such accounts, the exact number of Acquiring Portfolio Shares then held by the Target Portfolio specified in the instruction provided pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
E. Liabilities. The Liabilities shall include all of the Target Portfolio’s liabilities, debts, obligations, and duties of whatever kind or nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, whether or not determinable at the Closing Date, and whether or not specifically referred to in this Agreement. The Target Portfolio will discharge all of its Liabilities prior to or on the Closing Date.
F. Expenses. In the event that the transactions contemplated herein are consummated, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (or an affiliate thereof) shall pay the expenses of the Reorganization, including the costs of the special meeting of shareholders of the Target Fund. In addition, as part of the Reorganization, the Target Fund will write off its remaining unamortized organizational expenses, if any, which shall be reimbursed by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (or an affiliate thereof). The Acquiring Fund shall bear expenses associated with the qualification of shares of the Acquiring Fund for sale in the various states. In addition, to the extent that any transition of Fund securities is required in connection with the Reorganization, the respective Fund may incur transaction expenses associated with the sale and purchase of Fund securities. In the event that the transactions contemplated herein are not consummated for any reason, then all reasonable outside expenses incurred to the date of termination of this Agreement shall be borne by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (or an affiliate thereof).
G. Dissolution. As soon as practicable after the Closing Date but in no event later than one year after the Closing Date, the Target Portfolio shall voluntarily dissolve and completely liquidate by taking, in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota and federal securities laws, all steps as shall be necessary and proper to effect a complete liquidation and dissolution of the Target Portfolio. Immediately after the Closing Date, the share transfer books relating to the Target Portfolio shall be closed and no transfer of shares shall thereafter be made on such books.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Target Portfolio.
The Target Portfolio hereby represents and warrants to the Acquiring Portfolio, which representations and warranties are true and correct on the date hereof, and agrees with the Acquiring Portfolio that:
A. Organization. The Fund is a corporation, with transferable shares, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in conformity with the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. The Target Portfolio is a separate series of the Fund duly organized in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund, as amended through the date hereof (the “Articles of Incorporation”). The Fund and the Target Portfolio are qualified to do business in all jurisdictions in which it is required to be so qualified, except jurisdictions in which the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the Target Portfolio. The Fund and the Target Portfolio have all material federal, state and local authorizations necessary to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted, except authorizations which the failure to so obtain would not have a material adverse effect on the Target Portfolio.
B. Registration. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company and such registration has not been revoked or rescinded. The Target Portfolio is in compliance in all material respects with the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to its activities. All of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Target Portfolio have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to pre-emptive or dissenters’ rights.
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C. Audited Financial Statements. The statement of assets and liabilities and the portfolio of investments and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets of the Target Portfolio audited as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, true and complete copies of which have been heretofore furnished to the Acquiring Portfolio, fairly represent the financial condition and the results of operations of the Target Portfolio as of and for their respective dates and periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved.
D. Unaudited Financial Statements. The Target Portfolio shall furnish to the Acquiring Portfolio within ten (10) business days after the Closing Date, an unaudited statement of assets and liabilities and the portfolio of investments and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets as of and for the interim period ending on the Closing Date; such financial statements will represent fairly the financial position and portfolio of investments and the results of the Target Portfolio’s operations as of, and for the periods ending on, the dates of such statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved and the results of its operations and changes in financial position for the period then ended; and such financial statements shall be certified by the Treasurer of the Target Portfolio as complying with the requirements hereof.
E. Contingent Liabilities. There are, and as of the Closing Date will be, no contingent liabilities of the Target Portfolio not discharged pursuant to Section 3(E), and there are no legal, administrative, or other proceedings pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against the Target Portfolio which would, if adversely determined, materially affect the Target Portfolio’s financial condition. All liabilities were incurred by the Target Portfolio in the ordinary course of its business.
F. Material Agreements. The Target Portfolio is in compliance with all material agreements, rules, laws, statutes, regulations and administrative orders affecting its operations or its assets; and except as referred to in the most recent Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Target Portfolio (collectively, the “Target Portfolio Prospectus”), there are no material agreements outstanding relating to the Target Portfolio to which the Target Portfolio is a party.
G. Statement of Earnings. As promptly as practicable, but in any case no later than 30 calendar days after the Closing Date, the Target Portfolio shall furnish the Acquiring Portfolio with a statement of the earnings and profits of the Target Portfolio within the meaning of the Code as of the Closing Date.
H. Tax Returns. At the date hereof and on the Closing Date, all federal and other material tax returns and reports of the Target Portfolio required by law to have been filed by such dates shall have been filed, and all federal and other taxes shown thereon shall have been paid so far as due, or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof, and to the best of the Target Portfolio’s knowledge no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to any such return.
I. Necessary Authority. The Fund on behalf of the Target Portfolio has the necessary power to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein have been duly authorized by the Board on behalf of the Target Portfolio, and except for obtaining approval of the Target Portfolio shareholders, no other corporate acts or proceedings by the Fund on behalf of the Target Portfolio are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Fund on behalf of the Target Portfolio and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Target Portfolio enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at equity or law).
J. No Violation, Consents and Approvals. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Fund on behalf of the Target Portfolio does not and will not (i) result in a material violation of any provision of the Fund’s or the Target Portfolio’s organizational documents, (ii) violate any statute, law, judgment, writ, decree, order, regulation or rule of any court or governmental authority applicable to the Target Portfolio, (iii) result in a material violation or breach of, or constitute a default under any material contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument or obligation to which the Target Portfolio is subject, or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Target Portfolio. Except as have been obtained, (i) no consent, approval, authorization, order or filing with or notice to any court or governmental authority or agency is required for the consummation by the Target Portfolio of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) no consent of or notice to any third party or entity is required for the consummation by the Target Portfolio of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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K. Absence of Changes. From the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date, there shall not have been:
| i. | any change in the business, results of operations, assets, or financial condition or the manner of conducting the business of the Target Portfolio, other than changes in the ordinary course of its business, or any pending or threatened litigation, which has had or may have a material adverse effect on such business, results of operations, assets, financial condition or manner of conducting business; |
| ii. | issued by the Target Portfolio any option to purchase or other right to acquire shares of the Target Portfolio to any person other than subscriptions to purchase shares at net asset value in accordance with terms in the Target Portfolio Prospectus; |
| iii. | any entering into, amendment or termination of any contract or agreement by the Target Portfolio, except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement; |
| iv. | any indebtedness incurred, other than in the ordinary course of business, by the Target Portfolio for borrowed money or any commitment to borrow money entered into by the Target Portfolio; |
| v. | any amendment of the Fund’s or the Target Portfolio’s organizational documents; or |
| vi. | any grant or imposition of any lien, claim, charge or encumbrance (other than encumbrances arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to covered options) upon any asset of the Target Portfolio other than a lien for taxes not yet due and payable. |
L. Title. On the Closing Date, the Target Portfolio will have good and marketable title to the Assets, free and clear of all liens, mortgages, pledges, encumbrances, charges, claims and equities whatsoever, other than a lien for taxes not yet due and payable, and full right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver such Assets; upon delivery of such Assets, the Acquiring Portfolio will receive good and marketable title to such Assets, free and clear of all liens, mortgages, pledges, encumbrances, charges, claims and equities whatsoever, other than a lien for taxes not yet due and payable.
M. Prospectus/Proxy Statement. The Registration Statement on Form N-14 of the Fund (the “Registration Statement”) and the Prospectus/Proxy Statement contained therein (the “Prospectus/Proxy Statement”), as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and at all times subsequent thereto up to and including the Closing Date, as amended or as supplemented if it shall have been amended or supplemented, conform and will conform as they relate to the Target Portfolio, in all material respects, to the applicable requirements of the applicable federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) thereunder, and do not and will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no representations or warranties in this Section 4(M) apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning the Acquiring Portfolio furnished to the Target Portfolio by the Acquiring Portfolio.
N. Tax Qualification. The Target Portfolio has qualified as a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code for each of its taxable years; and has satisfied the distribution requirements imposed by Section 852 of the Code for each of its taxable years.
5. Representations and Warranties of the Acquiring Portfolio.
The Acquiring Portfolio hereby represents and warrants to the Target Portfolio, which representations and warranties are true and correct on the date hereof, and agrees with the Target Portfolio that:
A. Organization. The Fund is duly formed and in good standing under the laws of the state of its organization and is duly authorized to transact business in the state of its organization. The Acquiring Portfolio is a separate series of the Fund duly organized in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. The Fund and the Acquiring are qualified to do business in all jurisdictions in which it is required to be so qualified, except jurisdictions in which the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the Acquiring Portfolio. The Fund and the Acquiring Portfolio have all material federal, state and local authorizations necessary to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business and the business thereof as now being conducted, except authorizations which the failure to so obtain would not have a material adverse effect on the Acquiring Portfolio.
B. Registration. The Fund is registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end management investment company and such registration has not been revoked or rescinded. The Acquiring Portfolio is in compliance in all material respects with the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to its activities. All of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquiring Portfolio have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to pre-emptive or dissenters’ rights.
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C. Audited Financial Statements. The statement of assets and liabilities and the portfolio of investments and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets of the Acquiring Portfolio audited as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, true and complete copies of which have been heretofore furnished to the Target Portfolio, fairly represent the financial condition and the results of operations of the Acquiring Portfolio as of and for their respective dates and periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved.
D. Unaudited Financial Statements. The Acquiring Portfolio shall furnish to the Target Portfolio within ten (10) business days after the Closing Date, an unaudited statement of assets and liabilities and the portfolio of investments and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets as of and for the interim period ending on the Closing Date; such financial statements will represent fairly the financial position and portfolio of investments and the results of its operations as of, and for the period ending on, the dates of such statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the period involved and the results of its operations and changes in financial position for the periods then ended; and such financial statements shall be certified by the Treasurer of the Acquiring Portfolio as complying with the requirements hereof.
E. Contingent Liabilities. There are, and as of the Closing Date will be, no contingent liabilities of the Acquiring Portfolio not disclosed in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 5(C) and 5(D) hereof which would materially affect the Acquiring Portfolio’s financial condition, and there are no legal, administrative, or other proceedings pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against the Acquiring Portfolio which would, if adversely determined, materially affect the Acquiring Portfolio’s financial condition. All liabilities were incurred by the Acquiring Portfolio in the ordinary course of its business.
F. Material Agreements. The Acquiring Portfolio is in compliance with all material agreements, rules, laws, statutes, regulations and administrative orders affecting its operations or its assets; and, except as referred to in the Acquiring Portfolio Prospectus there are no material agreements outstanding relating to the Acquiring Portfolio to which the Acquiring Portfolio is a party.
G. Tax Returns. At the date hereof and on the Closing Date, all federal and other material tax returns and reports of the Acquiring Portfolio required by law to have been filed by such dates shall have been filed, and all federal and other taxes shown thereon shall have been paid so far as due, or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof, and to the best of the Acquiring Portfolio’s knowledge no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to any such return.
H. Necessary Authority. The Fund on behalf of the Acquiring Portfolio has the necessary power to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein have been duly authorized by the Board on behalf of the Acquiring Portfolio, no other corporate acts or proceedings by the Acquiring Portfolio are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Fund on behalf of the Acquiring Portfolio and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring Portfolio enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, or by general principals of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at equity or law).
I. No Violation; Consents and Approvals. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Fund on behalf of the Acquiring Portfolio does not and will not (i) result in a material violation of any provision of Fund’s or the Acquiring Portfolio’s organizational documents, (ii) violate any statute, law, judgment, writ, decree, order, regulation or rule of any court or governmental authority applicable to the Acquiring Portfolio, (iii) result in a material violation or breach of, or constitute a default under any material contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument or obligation to which the Acquiring Portfolio is subject, or (iv) result in the creation or imposition or any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Acquiring Portfolio. Except as have been obtained, (i) no consent, approval, authorization, order or filing with or notice to any court or governmental authority or agency is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Portfolio of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) no consent of or notice to any third party or entity is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Portfolio of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
J. Absence of Proceedings. There are no legal, administrative or other proceedings pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against the Acquiring Portfolio which would materially affect its financial condition.
K. Acquiring Portfolio Shares: Registration. The Acquiring Portfolio Shares to be issued pursuant to Section 1 hereof will be duly registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and all applicable state securities laws.
L. Acquiring Portfolio Shares: Authorization. The Acquiring Portfolio Shares to be issued pursuant to Section 1 hereof have been duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, will not be subject to pre-emptive or dissenters’ rights and will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Acquiring Portfolio’s Prospectus furnished to the Target Portfolio.
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M. Absence of Changes. From the date hereof through the Closing Date, there shall not have been any change in the business, results of operations, assets or financial condition or the manner of conducting the business of the Acquiring Portfolio, other than changes in the ordinary course of its business, which has had a material adverse effect on such business, results of operations, assets, financial condition or manner of conducting business.
N. Registration Statement. The Registration Statement and the Prospectus/Proxy Statement as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and at all times subsequent thereto up to and including the Closing Date, as amended or as supplemented if they shall have been amended or supplemented, conforms and will conform, as they relate to the Acquiring Portfolio, in all material respects, to the applicable requirements of the applicable federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and do not and will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no representations or warranties in this Section 5 apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning the Target Portfolio furnished to the Acquiring Portfolio by the Target Portfolio.
O. Tax Qualification. The Acquiring Portfolio has qualified as a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code for each of its taxable years; and has satisfied the distribution requirements imposed by Section 852 of the Code for each of its taxable years.
6. Covenants.
During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the Closing Date, the Target Portfolio and Acquiring Portfolio agree as follows (except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement):
A. Other Actions. The Target Portfolio and Acquiring Portfolio shall operate only in the ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice. No party shall take any action that would, or reasonably would be expected to, result in any of its representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect.
B. Government Filings; Consents. The Fund shall file all reports required to be filed by the Target Portfolio and Acquiring Portfolio with the SEC between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date and the Target Portfolio and Acquiring Portfolio shall deliver to the other party copies of all such reports promptly after the same are filed. Except where prohibited by applicable statutes and regulations, each party shall promptly provide the other (or its counsel) with copies of all other filings made by such party with any state, local or federal government agency or entity in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the Target Portfolio and the Acquiring Portfolio shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain all consents, approvals and authorizations required in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to make all necessary filings with the appropriate federal and state officials.
C. Preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus/Proxy Statement. In connection with the Registration Statement and the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, each party hereto will cooperate with the other and furnish to the other the information relating to the Target Portfolio or Acquiring Portfolio, as the case may be, required by the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, to be set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus/Proxy Statement. The Target Portfolio shall promptly prepare the Prospectus/Proxy Statement and the Acquiring Portfolio shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC the Registration Statement, in which the Prospectus/Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus. In connection with the Registration Statement, insofar as it relates to the Target Portfolio and its affiliated persons, the Acquiring Portfolio shall only include such information as is approved by the Target Portfolio for use in the Registration Statement. The Acquiring Portfolio shall not amend or supplement any such information regarding the Target Portfolio and such affiliates without the prior written consent of the Target Portfolio which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Acquiring Portfolio shall promptly notify and provide the Target Portfolio with copies of all amendments or supplements filed with respect to the Registration Statement. The Acquiring Portfolio shall use all reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing. The Acquiring Portfolio shall also take any action (other than qualifying to do business in any jurisdiction in which it is now not so qualified) required to be taken under any applicable state securities laws in connection with the issuance of the Acquiring Portfolio Shares in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the Target Portfolio shall furnish all information concerning the Target Portfolio and the holders of the Target Portfolio’s shares as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action.
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D. Access to Information. During the period prior to the Closing Date, the Target Portfolio shall make available to the Acquiring Portfolio a copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document (the “Documents”) filed or received by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities laws (other than Documents which such party is not permitted to disclose under applicable law). During the period prior to the Closing Date, the Acquiring Portfolio shall make available to the Target Portfolio each Document pertaining to the transactions contemplated hereby filed or received by it during such period pursuant to federal or state securities laws (other than Documents which such party is not permitted to disclose under applicable law).
E. Shareholder Meetings. The Target Portfolio shall call a meeting of the Target Portfolio shareholders to be held as promptly as practicable for the purpose of voting upon the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, and shall furnish a copy of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement and proxy card to each shareholder of the Target Portfolio as of the record date for such meeting of shareholders. The Board shall recommend to the Target Portfolio shareholders approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, subject to fiduciary obligations under applicable law.
F. Portfolios. The Target Portfolio and Acquiring Portfolio covenant and agree to dispose of certain assets prior to the Closing Date, but only if and to the extent necessary, so that at Closing, when the Assets are added to the Acquiring Portfolio’s portfolio, the resulting portfolio will meet the Acquiring Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, as set forth in the Acquiring Portfolio’s Prospectus, a copy of which has been delivered to the Target Portfolio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein will require the Target Portfolio to dispose of any portion of the Assets if, in the reasonable judgment of the Target Portfolio’s Directors or investment adviser, such disposition would create more than an insignificant risk that the Reorganization would not be treated as a “reorganization” described in Section 368(a) of the Code.
G. Distribution of Shares. The Target Portfolio covenants that at closing it shall cause to be distributed the Acquiring Portfolio Shares in the proper pro rata amount for the benefit of Target Portfolio’s shareholders and that the Target Portfolio shall not continue to hold amounts of said shares so as to cause a violation of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. The Target Portfolio covenants to use all reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Acquiring Portfolio and the Acquiring Portfolio’s transfer agent in the distribution of said shares. The Target Portfolio covenants further that, pursuant to Section 3(G) hereof, it shall liquidate and dissolve as promptly as practicable after the Closing Date.
H. Brokers or Finders. Except as disclosed in writing to the other party prior to the date hereof, each of the Target Portfolio and the Acquiring Portfolio represents that no agent, broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other firm or person is or will be entitled to any broker’s or finder’s fee or any other commission or similar fee in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and each party shall hold the other harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities or obligations with respect to any such fees, commissions or expenses asserted by any person to be due or payable in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the basis of any act or statement alleged to have been made by such first party or its affiliate.
I. Additional Agreements. In case at any time after the Closing Date any further action is necessary or desirable in order to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the proper directors and officers of each party to this Agreement shall take all such necessary action.
J. Public Announcements. For a period of time from the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, the Target Portfolio and the Acquiring Portfolio will consult with each other before issuing any press releases or otherwise making any public statements with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein and shall not issue any press release or make any public statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required by law.
K. Tax Status of Reorganization. The intention of the parties is that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Neither the Acquiring Portfolio nor the Target Portfolio shall take any action, or cause any action to be taken (including, without limitation, the filing of any tax return) that is inconsistent with such treatment or results in the failure of the transaction to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. At or prior to the Closing Date, the Acquiring Portfolio and the Target Portfolio will take such action, or cause such action to be taken, as is reasonably necessary to enable Reed Smith LLP (“Reed Smith”), special counsel to the Acquiring Portfolio and the Target Portfolio, to render the tax opinion required herein (including, without limitation, each party’s execution of representations reasonably requested by Reed Smith).
L. Declaration of Dividend. At or immediately prior to the Closing Date, the Target Portfolio shall declare and pay to its stockholders a dividend or other distribution in an amount large enough so that it will have distributed substantially all (and in any event not less than 98%) of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and realized net capital gain, if any, for the current taxable year through the Closing Date.
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7. Conditions to Obligations of the Target Portfolio.
The obligations of the Target Portfolio hereunder with respect to the consummation of the Reorganization are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived in writing by the Target Portfolio:
A. Shareholder Approval. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have been approved by the affirmative vote of a “Majority of the Outstanding Voting Securities” (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation) of the Target Portfolio.
B. Representations, Warranties and Agreements. Each of the representations and warranties of the Acquiring Portfolio contained herein shall be true in all material respects as of the Closing Date, there shall have been no material adverse change in the financial condition, results of operations, business properties or assets of the Acquiring Portfolio as of the Closing Date, and the Target Portfolio shall have received a certificate of an authorized officer of the Acquiring Portfolio satisfactory in form and substance to the Target Portfolio so stating. The Acquiring Portfolio shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements, obligations and covenants required by this Agreement to be so performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.
C. Registration Statement Effective. The Registration Statement shall have become effective and no stop orders under the Securities Act pertaining thereto shall have been issued.
D. Regulatory Approval. All necessary approvals, registrations, and exemptions under federal and state securities laws shall have been obtained.
E. No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality. No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition (an “Injunction”) preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect, nor shall any proceeding by any state, local or federal government agency or entity seeking any of the foregoing be pending. There shall not have been any action taken or any statute, rule, regulation or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which makes the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal or which has a material adverse effect on business operations of the Acquiring Portfolio.
F. Tax Opinion. The Target Portfolio shall have obtained an opinion from Reed Smith, special counsel for the Target Portfolio, dated as of the Closing Date, addressed to the Target Portfolio, that the consummation of the transactions set forth in this Agreement comply with the requirements of a reorganization as described in Section 368(a) of the Code. Such opinion shall be based on customary assumptions and such representations as Reed Smith may reasonably request and the Target Portfolio and the Acquiring Portfolio will cooperate to make and certify the accuracy of such representations.
G. Officer Certificates. The Target Portfolio shall have received a certificate of an authorized officer of the Acquiring Portfolio, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 are true and correct on the Closing Date, together with certified copies of the resolutions adopted by the Board on behalf of the Acquiring Portfolio.
8. Conditions to Obligations of the Acquiring Portfolio.
The obligations of the Acquiring Portfolio hereunder with respect to the consummation of the Reorganization are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived in writing by the Acquiring Portfolio:
A. Representations, Warranties, and Agreements. Each of the representations and warranties of the Target Portfolio contained herein shall be true in all material respects as of the Closing Date, there shall have been no material adverse change in the financial condition, results of operations, business, properties or assets of the Target Portfolio as of the Closing Date, and the Acquiring Portfolio shall have received a certificate of an authorized officer of the Target Portfolio satisfactory in form and substance to the Acquiring Portfolio so stating. The Target Portfolio shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements, obligations and covenants required by this Agreement to be so performed or complied with by them on or prior to the Closing Date.
B. Registration Statement Effective. The Registration Statement shall have become effective and no stop orders under the Securities Act pertaining thereto shall have been issued.
C. Regulatory Approval. All necessary approvals, registrations, and exemptions under federal and state securities laws shall have been obtained.
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D. No Injunctions or Restrains; Illegality. No Injunction preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect, nor shall any proceeding by any state, local or federal government agency or entity seeking any of the foregoing be pending. There shall not have been any action taken, or any statute, rule, regulation or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which makes the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal.
E. Tax Opinion. The Acquiring Portfolio shall have obtained an opinion from Reed Smith, special counsel for the Acquiring Portfolio, dated as of the Closing Date, addressed to the Acquiring Portfolio, that the consummation of the transactions set forth in this Agreement comply with the requirements of a reorganization as described in Section 368(a) of the Code. Such opinion shall be based on customary assumptions and such representations as Reed Smith may reasonably request and the Target Portfolio and the Acquiring Portfolio will cooperate to make and certify the accuracy of such representations.
F. Shareholder List. The Target Portfolio shall have delivered to the Acquiring Portfolio an updated list of all shareholders of the Target Portfolio, as reported by the Target Portfolio’s transfer agent, as of one (1) business day prior to the Closing Date with each shareholder’s respective holdings in the Target Portfolio, taxpayer identification numbers, Form W9 and last known address.
G. Officer Certificates. The Acquiring Portfolio shall have received a certificate of an authorized officer of the Target Portfolio, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 hereof are true and correct on the Closing Date, together with certified copies of the resolutions adopted by the Board on behalf of the Target Portfolio and by Target Portfolio shareholders.
9. Amendment, Waiver and Termination.
A. The parties hereto may, by agreement in writing authorized by the Board on behalf of each of the Target Portfolio and the Acquiring Portfolio, amend this Agreement at any time before or after approval thereof by the shareholders of the Target Portfolio; provided, however, that after receipt of Target Portfolio shareholder approval, no amendment shall be made by the parties hereto which substantially changes the terms of Sections 1, 2 and 3 hereof without obtaining Target Portfolio’s shareholder approval thereof.
B. At any time prior to the Closing Date, either of the parties may by written instrument signed by it (i) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to it contained herein and (ii) waive compliance with any of the covenants or conditions made for its benefit contained herein. No delay on the part of either party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any such right, power or privilege, or any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.
C. This Agreement may be terminated, and the transactions contemplated herein may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date:
| i. | by the consent of the Board on behalf of each of the Target Portfolio and the Acquiring Portfolio; |
| ii. | by the Target Portfolio, if the Acquiring Portfolio breaches in any material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement; |
| iii. | by the Acquiring Portfolio, if the Target Portfolio breaches in any material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement; |
| iv. | by either the Target Portfolio or the Acquiring Portfolio, if the Closing has not occurred on or prior to December 31, 2024 (provided that the rights to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subsection (C)(iv) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any of its obligations under this Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the closing to occur on or before such date); |
| v. | by the Acquiring Portfolio in the event that: (a) all the conditions precedent to the Target Portfolio’s obligation to close, as set forth in Section 7 hereof, have been fully satisfied (or can be fully satisfied at the Closing); (b) the Acquiring Portfolio gives the Target Portfolio written assurance of its intent to close irrespective of the satisfaction or non-satisfaction of all conditions precedent to the Acquiring Portfolio’s obligation to close, as set forth in Section 8 hereof; and (c) the Target Portfolio then fails or refuses to close within the earlier of ten (10) business days or December 31, 2024; or |
| vi. | by the Target Portfolio in the event that: (a) all the conditions precedent to the Acquiring Portfolio’s obligation to close, as set forth in Section 8 hereof have been fully satisfied (or can be fully satisfied at the Closing); (b) the Target Portfolio gives the Acquiring Portfolio written assurance of its intent to close irrespective of the satisfaction or non-satisfaction of all the conditions precedent to the Target Portfolio’s obligation to close, as set forth in Section 7 hereof; and (c) the Acquiring Portfolio then fails or refuses to close within the earlier of ten (10) business days or December 31, 2024. |
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10. Remedies.
In the event of termination of this Agreement by either or both of the Target Portfolio and Acquiring Portfolio pursuant to Section 9(C) hereof, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given by the terminating party to the other party hereto, and this Agreement shall therefore terminate and become void and have no effect, and the transactions contemplated herein and thereby shall be abandoned, without further action by the parties hereto.
11. Survival of Warranties and Indemnification.
A. Survival. The representations and warranties included or provided for herein, or in the schedules or other instruments delivered or to be delivered pursuant hereto, shall survive the Closing Date for a three (3) year period except that any representation or warranty with respect to taxes shall survive for the expiration of the statutory period of limitations for assessments of tax deficiencies as the same may be extended from time to time by the taxpayer. The covenants and agreements included or provided for herein shall survive and be continuing obligations in accordance with their terms. The period for which a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement survives shall be referred to hereinafter as the “Survival Period.” Notwithstanding anything set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the right of the Acquiring Portfolio and the Target Portfolio to seek indemnity pursuant to this Agreement shall survive for a period of ninety (90) days beyond the expiration of the Survival Period of the representation, warranty, covenant or agreement upon which indemnity is sought. In no event shall the Acquiring Portfolio or the Target Portfolio be obligated to indemnify the other if indemnity is not sought within ninety (90) days of the expiration of the applicable Survival Period.
B. Indemnification. Each party (an “Indemnitor”) shall indemnify and hold the other and its directors, officers, agents and persons controlled by or controlling any of them (each an “Indemnified Party”) harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, claims, demands, judgments, settlements, deficiencies, taxes, assessments, charges, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense or disposition of any claim, action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which such Indemnified Party may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Indemnified Party may be or may have been threatened (collectively, the “Losses”) arising out of or related to any claim of a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made herein by the Indemnitor, provided, however, that no Indemnified Party shall be indemnified hereunder against any Losses arising directly from such Indemnified Party’s (i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Indemnified Party’s position.
C. Indemnification Procedure. The Indemnified Party shall use its best efforts to minimize any liabilities, damages, deficiencies, claims, judgments, assessments, costs and expenses in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder. The Indemnified Party shall give written notice to the Indemnitor within the earlier of ten (10) days of receipt of written notice to the Indemnified Party or thirty (30) days from discovery by the Indemnified Party of any matters which may give rise to a claim for indemnification or reimbursement under this Agreement. The failure to give such notice shall not affect the right of the Indemnified Party to indemnity hereunder unless such failure has materially and adversely affected the rights of the Indemnitor; provided that in any event such notice shall have been given prior to the expiration of the Survival Period. At any time after ten (10) days from the giving of such notice, the Indemnified Party may, at its option, resist, settle or otherwise compromise, or pay such claim unless it shall have received notice from the Indemnitor that the Indemnitor intends, at the Indemnitor’s sole cost and expense, to assume the defense of any such matter, in which case the Indemnified Party shall have the right, at no cost or expense to the Indemnitor, to participate in such defense. If the Indemnitor does not assume the defense of such matter, and in any event until the Indemnitor states in writing that it will assume the defense, the Indemnitor shall pay all costs of the Indemnified Party arising out of the defense until the defense is assumed; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall consult with the Indemnitor and obtain the Indemnitor’s prior written consent to any payment or settlement of any such claim. The Indemnitor shall keep the Indemnified Party fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense. If the Indemnitor does not assume the defense, the Indemnified Party shall keep Indemnitor apprised at all times as to the status of the defense. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the Indemnitor shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made.
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12. Survival.
The provisions set forth in Sections 10, 11 and 16 hereof shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any cause whatsoever.
13. Notices.
All notices hereunder shall be sufficiently given for all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered personally or sent by registered mail or certified mail, postage prepaid. Notice to the Target Portfolio shall be addressed to the Target Portfolio c/o Thrivent Series Fund, Inc., 901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2500, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3211, Attention: Chief Legal Officer, or at such other address as the Target Portfolio may designate by written notice to the Acquiring Portfolio. Notice to the Acquiring Portfolio shall be addressed to the Acquiring Portfolio c/o Thrivent Series Fund, Inc., 901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2500, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3211, Attention: Chief Legal Officer, or at such other address and to the attention of such other person as the Acquiring Portfolio may designate by written notice to the Target Portfolio. Any notice shall be deemed to have been served or given as of the date such notice is delivered personally or mailed.
14. Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.
15. Books and Records.
All books and records of the Target Portfolio, including all books and records required to be maintained under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder, shall be available to the Acquiring Portfolio from and after the Closing Date and shall be turned over to the Acquiring Portfolio as soon as practicable following the Closing Date.
16. General.
This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements between the parties (written or oral), is intended as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the Agreement between the parties and may not be amended, modified or changed, or terminated orally. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been executed by the Fund on behalf of the Target Portfolio and by the Fund on behalf of the Acquiring Portfolio and delivered to each of the parties hereto. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, and nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any other person any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota without regard to principles of conflicts or choice of law.
17. Limitation of Liability.
It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Fund hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Directors, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Fund personally, but shall bind only the property of the Fund, as provided in the Articles of Incorporation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Directors and signed by an authorized officer of the Fund, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Directors nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them personally, but shall bind only the property of the Fund as provided in the Articles of Incorporation. The obligations of any series of the Fund hereunder shall be the exclusive obligation of that series and the parties hereto can only look to the assets of that series to satisfy any debt or obligation incurred by that series hereunder.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
Thrivent Series Fund, Inc. on Behalf of its Series, Thrivent Global Stock Portfolio
Name: Michael W. Kremenak Title: President | ||
Attest:
Name: John D. Jackson Title: Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | ||
Thrivent Series Fund, Inc. on Behalf of its Series, Thrivent Low Volatility Equity Portfolio
Name: Michael W. Kremenak Title: President | ||
Attest:
Name: John D. Jackson Title: Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | ||
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (solely for purposes of Section 3.F.)
Name: David S. Royal Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer | ||
Attest:
Name: John D. Jackson Title: Senior Counsel | ||
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