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Underwriter Agreement

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INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR UNDERWRITER AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into on the date last written below, by and between , (hereinafter "Employer"), and , an independent contractor (hereinafter "Underwriter");

WHEREAS, the Employer desires to retain the services of Underwriter, and Underwriter desires to render services to the Employer, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated:

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, do hereby promise and agree as follows:

SECTION 1 – SCOPE OF DUTIES TO BE PROVIDED

1.1 Term. Employer agrees to hire Underwriter, at will, for a term commencing on , 20 and continuing until terminated in accordance with Section 4 of this agreement.

1.2 Duties. Underwriter agrees to perform work for the Employer on the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement and agrees to devote all necessary time and attention (reasonable periods of illness excepted) to the performance of the duties specified in this agreement. Underwriter's duties shall include the following:

Underwriter further agrees that in all aspects of such work, Underwriter shall comply with the policies, standards, regulations of the Employer from time to time established, and shall perform the duties assigned faithfully, intelligently, to the best of his/her ability, and in the best interest of the Employer.

SECTION 2 – CONFIDENTIALITY

2.1 Confidentiality. Underwriter acknowledges and agrees that all financial and accounting records, lists of property owned by Employer, including amounts paid therefore, client and customer lists, and other Employer data and information related to its business (hereinafter collectively "Confidential Information") are valuable assets of the Employer. Except for disclosures required to be made to advance the business of the Employer and information which is a matter of public record, Underwriter shall not, during the term of this Agreement or after the termination of this Agreement, disclose any Confidential Information to any person or use any Confidential Information for the benefit of Underwriter or any other person, except with the prior written consent of the Employer.

Employer understands that certain Confidential Information may be required to be disclosed to certain individuals: directors, officers, employees, agents, or advisors (collectively, Representatives) of Underwriter. Underwriter shall maintain records of the persons to whom Confidential Information is distributed, will inform all such persons of the confidential nature of the information, will direct them to treat such information in accordance with this agreement, will exercise such precautions or measures as may be reasonable in the circumstances to prevent improper use of Confidential Information by them, and will be responsible for any breaches by them of the provisions of this agreement.

The term “confidential information” does not include information that is or becomes publicly available (other than through breach of this Agreement) or information that is or becomes available to Underwriter on a non-confidential basis, provided that the source of such information was not known by Underwriter (after such inquiry as would be reasonable in the circumstances) to be bound by a confidentiality agreement or other legal or contractual obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information.

In the event that Underwriter or any of Underwriter’s representatives, assigns, or agents are requested or required by law or legal process to disclose any of the Confidential Information, the party required to disclose such information shall provide Employer with prompt oral and written notice before making any disclosure.

In addition, Confidential Information may be disclosed to the extent required in the course of inspections or inquiries by federal or state regulatory agencies to whose jurisdiction Underwriter is subject and that have the legal right to inspect the files that contain the Confidential Information, and Underwriter will advise Employer promptly upon such disclosure.

2.2 Return of Documents. Underwriter acknowledges and agrees that all originals and copies of records, reports, documents, lists, plans, memoranda, notes and other documentation related to the business of the Employer or containing any Confidential Information shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Employer, and shall be returned to the Employer upon the termination of this Agreement or upon the written request of the Employer.

2.4 No Release. Underwriter agrees that the termination of this Agreement shall not release Underwriter from any obligations under Section 2.1 or 2.2.

SECTION 3 – COMPENSATION

3.1 Compensation. In consideration of all services to be rendered by Underwriter to the Employer, the Employer shall pay to said the amount of $ per hour week bi-weekly month year other .

3.2 Withholding; Other Benefits. Compensation paid pursuant to this Agreement shall not be subject to the customary withholding of income taxes and other employment taxes. Underwriter shall be solely responsible for reporting and paying any such taxes. The Employer shall not provide Underwriter with any coverage or participation in the Employer's accident and health insurance, life insurance, disability income insurance, medical expense reimbursement, wage continuation plans, or other fringe benefits provided to regular employees.

SECTION 4 - TERMINATION

4.1 Termination at Will. This Agreement may be terminated by the Employer immediately, at will, and in the sole discretion of Employer. Underwriter may terminate this Agreement upon days written notice to Employer. This Agreement also may be terminated at any time upon the mutual written agreement of the Employer and Underwriter.

SECTION 5 - INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS

5.1 Underwriter acknowledges that he/she is an independent contractor and is not an agent, partner, joint venturer nor employee of Employer. Underwriter shall have no authority to bind or otherwise obligate Employer in any manner nor shall Underwriter represent to anyone that it has a right to do so. Underwriter further agrees that in the event that the Employer suffers any loss or damage as a result of a violation of this provision Underwriter shall indemnify and hold harmless the Employer from any such loss or damage.

5.2 Assignment. The Underwriter shall not assign any of his/her rights under this agreement, or delegate the performance of any of his/her duties hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Employer.

SECTION 6 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF UNDERWRITER

6.1 Underwriter represents and warrants to the Employer that there is no employment contract or other contractual obligation to which Underwriter is subject that prevents Underwriter from entering into this Agreement or from performing fully Underwriter's duties under this Agreement.

6.2 Underwriter represents that he/she is licensed by the appropriate licensing agency for the profession and that he/she is in good standing with such agency.

SECTION 7 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

7.1 The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties. Any provision hereof which imposes upon Underwriter or Employer an obligation after termination or expiration of this Agreement shall survive termination or expiration hereof and be binding upon Underwriter or Employer.

7.2 No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed, or shall constitute, a waiver of any other provision, whether or not similar, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party making the waiver.

7.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of .

7.4 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to its subject matter and supersedes all prior contemporaneous agreements, representations and understandings of the parties. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties.

7.5 Severability. If any provision of these policies and regulations or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of these policies and regulations which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of these policies and regulations are severable. In lieu thereof there shall be added a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid and unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES, this the day of , 20 .

EMPLOYER

UNDERWRITER

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What an Underwriter Agreement Covers

An Underwriter Agreement is a contract between an issuer (or seller) and one or more underwriters that sets out the terms for underwriting a financial transaction, such as a securities offering or insurance placement. It allocates underwriting obligations, fees, pricing mechanics, representations and warranties, indemnities, and closing conditions. The agreement governs allocation of risk among parties, procedures for communications and allocations, and post-closing obligations. It is a negotiated, legally binding document used across financial services, insurance, and corporate finance to define rights and remedies if the offering does not proceed or if losses occur.

Why a Clear Underwriter Agreement Matters

A clear Underwriter Agreement defines duties, pricing, and liability at each stage of an offer, reducing disputes and enabling consistent transaction execution.

Why a Clear Underwriter Agreement Matters

Who Typically Drafts and Signs an Underwriter Agreement

Parties involved usually include the issuer, lead underwriter(s), syndicate members, legal counsel, and compliance officers.

  • Issuer representatives and corporate counsel who set offering terms and confirm corporate authority to enter the agreement.
  • Lead underwriters and syndicate members who accept allocation responsibilities, pricing exposure, and distribution obligations.
  • Compliance officers and outside counsel who review securities law implications, disclosure language, and indemnity mechanics.

Signatures are typically by authorized corporate officers or registered broker‑dealers with delegated signing authority; signatory authority should be documented.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Underwriter Agreement

A complete Underwriter Agreement groups commercial terms, legal protections, and operational procedures so parties understand price, liability, and closing mechanics.

Parties

Names, legal entity types, addresses, and signer authority for issuer, each underwriter, and any placement agents involved in the offering.

Offering Terms

Type and amount of securities or policies, pricing formula, allocation method, greenshoe or overallotment options, and settlement dates.

Underwriting Obligations

Firm commitment versus best efforts, syndicate responsibilities, underwriting spread, and conditions under which underwriters may terminate their obligations.

Representations & Warranties

Issuer representations about disclosure accuracy, capitalization, regulatory compliance, and solvency; underwriter representations about authority and qualifications.

Indemnities & Liability

Indemnification scope, loss allocation, limitations on damages, and procedures for defense and settlement of third‑party claims.

Closing Conditions

Regulatory approvals, absence of material adverse change, legal opinions, and deliverables required at closing and their timing.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete an Underwriter Agreement

Follow a consistent sequence to minimize errors and ensure required approvals are captured before signing.

  • 01
    Prepare Draft: Populate parties, offering terms, and key commercial clauses prior to legal review.
  • 02
    Legal Review: Have issuer and underwriter counsel review representations, indemnities, and regulatory language.
  • 03
    Regulatory Checks: Confirm registration, disclosure, or exemption requirements and collect necessary opinions.
  • 04
    Execute Agreement: Obtain authorized signatures and finalize closing deliverables per the agreement's schedule.

Typical Workflow for Issuance and Execution

A predictable flow from negotiation to closing helps coordinate underwriters, counsel, and regulators.

  • Negotiate Terms: Parties agree on price, spread, and syndicate structure before drafting final language.
  • Prepare Documents: Draft legal agreement and supporting schedules, disclosure documents, and legal opinions.
  • Compliance Review: Confirm regulatory filings, disclosures, and clearing or broker requirements are met.
  • Finalize Signatures: Execute by authorized signers and exchange closing deliverables per the contract.

Digital Workflow Settings to Configure Before Sending

Standardize routing and authentication to reduce signer friction and maintain an audit trail.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Set serial or parallel signing depending on required approvals.
Authentication Choose email link, SMS code, or KBA for higher-assurance transactions.
Conditional Fields Enable conditional exposure of fee or allocation fields based on selections.
Audit Trail Capture IP, timestamps, and action logs for every signer event.

Technical Requirements for eSigning and eDelivery

Confirm capabilities for file formats, authentication, and integrations before eSubmission.

  • File Types: Support for PDF and DOCX preserves agreement formatting and embedded signatures.
  • Authentication: Multi-factor or KBA may be needed for higher legal assurance or regulatory compliance.
  • Integrations: Connectors to CRM, document storage, and accounting systems streamline filing and recordkeeping.

Ensure the chosen platform maintains an immutable audit trail and supports local retention and export formats.

Essential Security and Compliance Features to Check

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit, AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Complete signer logs with IP and timestamps
Access Controls: Role-based permissions and SSO support
Regulatory Options: HIPAA BAA and 21 CFR Part 11 support
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 available
Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 AA compatibility

Consequences of Errors or Missing Information

Tax Penalties: Incorrect filings can trigger penalties
Regulatory Risk: Noncompliance may lead to enforcement actions
Contract Voidance: Material errors can affect enforceability
Financial Loss: Misallocated risk may create unexpected liabilities
Reputational Harm: Failed closings can damage market standing
Data Breach: Inadequate security increases exposure

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Agreement

  • Using inconsistent legal names across schedules and exhibits, which can complicate enforcement or filing.
  • Failing to set a clear effective date and payment schedule, creating uncertainty about when duties begin.
  • Omitting regulatory conditions or required legal opinions that are closing prerequisites under securities rules.
  • Relying on verbal agreements for allocation or fee adjustments not reflected in the signed document.

Selected eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

Compare starting prices and core capabilities for common eSignature vendors; signNow is listed first per vendor ordering guidelines.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Timing and Deadlines to Track in an Underwriting Transaction

Key dates and deadlines help ensure regulatory compliance, timely disclosures, and coordinated closings.

Effective Date:

Enter as MM/DD/YYYY; determines when obligations commence

Closing Date:

Set a firm date or conditional window for settlement and fund transfers

Filings:

Schedule securities filings and any required state notices before closing

Termination Window:

Note contractual cure periods and termination rights

Record Retention:

Preserve signed copies per retention timeline and regulatory rules

Frequently Asked Questions About Underwriter Agreements

Answers address common execution, enforceability, and electronic signing issues encountered during underwriting transactions.


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