A Pennsylvania Distribution Agreement is a legal contract that outlines the terms and conditions between the issuer of a fund and a distribution partner regarding the continuous offering of the fund's shares in Pennsylvania. This agreement is crucial for establishing a system for the sale and distribution of the fund's shares to investors within the state. Key terms that may be included in a Pennsylvania Distribution Agreement are: 1. Fund Issuer: This refers to the entity that has created and manages the fund and is seeking to engage a distribution partner for the sale of its shares in Pennsylvania. 2. Distribution Partner: This refers to the entity or individuals responsible for distributing the fund's shares to investors in Pennsylvania. The distribution partner may be a broker-dealer, registered investment advisor, or any other entity authorized to sell securities. 3. Continuous Offering: The agreement specifies that the fund's shares will be continuously available for purchase by investors in Pennsylvania. This means that the fund will not have a fixed offering period and can accept new investors at any time. 4. Sales and Marketing: The agreement may outline the distribution partner's responsibilities regarding the sales and marketing efforts for the fund's shares, including promotional activities, lead generation, and advertising compliance. 5. Compensation: The agreement states the compensation structure for the distribution partner, which can include sales commissions, trailing fees, or a percentage of the assets under management invested through their efforts. 6. Compliance: The agreement will address the compliance requirements for both the fund issuer and the distribution partner, ensuring that all applicable regulations, including those set forth by the Pennsylvania Securities Commission, are followed. Different types of Pennsylvania Distribution Agreements may include: 1. Exclusive Distribution Agreement: This type of agreement grants the distribution partner the exclusive right to distribute the fund's shares in Pennsylvania, prohibiting the fund issuer from engaging other distribution partners for the same market. 2. Non-Exclusive Distribution Agreement: This agreement allows the fund issuer to engage multiple distribution partners concurrently, giving them the flexibility to reach a wider investor base in Pennsylvania. 3. Limited Distribution Agreement: In this type of agreement, the distribution partner is only authorized to sell the fund's shares to specific types of investors or within certain geographic regions in Pennsylvania. This restriction may be based on investor qualifications or regulatory requirements. 4. Master Distribution Agreement: A master distribution agreement serves as a framework for future sub-agreements or amendments with specific distribution partners. This type of agreement streamlines the process of engaging new distribution partners while maintaining consistency in the terms and conditions. In conclusion, a Pennsylvania Distribution Agreement is a legally binding contract that establishes the framework for the continuous offering of a fund's shares in Pennsylvania. The agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of the fund issuer and distribution partner, sets compliance standards, and defines compensation structures. Different types of Pennsylvania Distribution Agreements include exclusive, non-exclusive, limited, and master agreements, each offering unique terms based on the needs and objectives of the fund issuer.