CUSTODY AND RELATED SERVICES (a) Subject to the terms hereof, each Fund hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities received by it from time to time for the Fund's account. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize, subject to subsection (c) of this Section I, Depositories, Subcustodians, and, subject to subsection (d) of this Section 1, Foreign Depositories, to the extent possible in connection With its performance hereunder. Securities and cash held in a Depository or Foreign Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such entity .Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian's agreements with such Subcustodians. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold Securities in Foreign Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate. Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular Subcustodian agreement, Securities deposited with a Subcustodian, a Depositary or a Foreign Depository Will be held in a commingled account, in the name of Custodian, holding only Securities held by Custodian as Custodian for its customers. Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities and cash belonging to the Fund, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories, Foreign Depositories, or Subcustodians. Custodian shall, directly or indirectly, through Subcustodians, Depositories, or Foreign Depositories, endeavor, to the extent feasible, to hold Securities in the country or other jurisdiction in which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such Securities are to be presented for cancellation and/or payment and/or registration, or where such Securities are acquired. Custodian at any time may cease utilizing any Subcustodian and/or may replace a Subcustodian with a different Subcustodian (the “Replacement Subcustodian”). In the event Custodian selects a Replacement Subcustodian, Custodian shall not utilize such Replacement Subcustodian until after the Fund's foreign custody manager has determined that utilization of such Replacement Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the' 40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder.
(b) Unless Custodian has received a Certificate or Instructions to the contrary, Custodian shall hold Securities indirectly through a Subcustodian only if (i) the Securities are not subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors or operators, including a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or similar authority, except for a claim of payment for the safe custody or administration of Securities on behalf of a Fund by such Subcustodian, and (ii) beneficial ownership of the Securities is freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration.
(c) With respect to each Depository, Custodian (i) shall exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain Securities or financial assets deposited or held in such Depository, and (ii) will provide, promptly upon request by a Fund, such reports as are available concerning the internal accounting controls and financial strength of Custodian.
(d) With respect to each Foreign Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence (i) to provide the Fund with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository, and (ii) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Fund of any material change in such risks. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall be made on the basis of, and limited by, information gathered from Subcustodians or through publicly available information otherwise obtained by Custodian, and shall not include any evaluation of Country Risks. As used herein the term “Country Risks” shall mean with respect to any Foreign Depository: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it is organized, (b) such country's prevailing custody and settlement practices, (c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such country's regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions which affect the order execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities.
Transfer Agent Services The Transfer Agent will perform the following services: In accordance with the procedures established from time to time by agreement between the Fund and the Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent shall:
(a) issue and record the appropriate number of Shares as authorized and hold such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder account;
(b) effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon receipt of appropriate documentation;
(c) act as agent for Shareholders pursuant to dividend reinvestment plans, and other investment programs as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of the agreements relating thereto to which the Transfer Agent is or will be a party;
(d) issue replacement certificates for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of an open penalty surety bond satisfactory to it and holding it and the Fund harmless, absent notice to the Fund and the Transfer Agent that such certificates have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. The Transfer Agent, at its option, may issue replacement certificates in place of mutilated stock certificates upon presentation thereof without such indemnity. Further, the Transfer Agent may at its sole option accept indemnification from the Fund to issue replacement certificates for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed in lieu of an open penalty bond;
(e) prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Fund, provided good funds for said dividends or distributions are received by the Transfer Agent prior to the scheduled payable date for said dividends or distributions;
(f) issue replacement checks and place stop orders on original checks based on shareholder’s representation that a check was not received or was lost. Such stop orders and replacements will be deemed to have been made at the request of the Fund, and the Fund shall be responsible for all losses or claims resulting from such replacement; and
(g) Receive all payments made to the Fund or the Transfer Agent under any dividend reinvestment plan, direct stock purchase plan, and plans and make all payments required to be made under such plans, including all payments required to be made to the Fund.
Transfer Agency Services Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Fund, on behalf of itself and, where applicable, its Portfolios, hereby employs and appoints the Transfer Agent to act as, and the Transfer Agent agrees to act as, its transfer agent for each class of each Fund’s now or hereafter authorized and issued shares (“Shares”), dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent in connection with any dividend reinvestment, accumulation, open-account or similar plan provided to the shareholders of each Fund and of any Portfolios of a Fund (“Shareholders”) as set out in the currently effective prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (the “prospectus”) of each Fund as provided to the Transfer Agent by each Fund, including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program. In accordance with procedures established from time to time by agreement between the Transfer Agent and each of the Funds (the “Procedures”) and the Service Levels (defined below) to be established by the parties, in each case with such changes or deviations therefrom as have been (or may from time to time be) agreed upon in writing by the parties, the Transfer Agent agrees that it will perform the following services (all such services referred to herein as the “Services”):
(a) Establish each Shareholder’s account in the Fund on the Transfer Agent’s recordkeeping system and maintain such account for the benefit of such Shareholder in accordance with the Procedures;
(b) Receive for acceptance and process orders for the purchase of Shares, and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation thereof to the custodian of the assets of the Fund (the “Custodian”) and assist the Fund’s administrator with the calculation and payment of commissions and distribution and shareholder servicing fees to dealers related to such orders;
(c) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares and hold such Shares in book entry form in the appropriate Shareholder account;
(d) Receive for acceptance and process redemption requests and redemption directions and deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to the Custodian;
(e) In respect to items (b) through (d) above, the Transfer Agent may execute transactions directly with broker-dealers authorized by the Fund;
(f) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause to be paid over in the appropriate manner such monies as instructed by the redeeming Shareholders;
(g) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon receipt of appropriate instructions;
(h) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Fund or any Portfolio thereof, as the case may be;
(i) If applicable, issue replacement certificates for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of indemnification satisfactory to the Transfer Agent and protecting the Transfer Agent and the Fund, and the Transfer Agent at its option, may issue replacement certificates in place of mutilated stock certificates upon presentation thereof and without such indemnity;
(j) If applicable, issue replacement checks and place stop orders on original checks based on Shareholder’s representation that a check was not received or was lost. Such stop orders and replacements will be deemed to have been made at the request of the Fund, and, as between the Fund and the Transfer Agent, the Fund shall be responsible for all losses or claims resulting from such replacement;
(k) Maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and its Shareholders as to the foregoing;
(l) Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) a record of the total number of Shares of the Fund which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. The Transfer Agent shall also provide the Fund on a regular basis with the total number of Shares which are authorized and issued and outstanding but shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund;
(m) Accept any information, records, documents, data, certificates, transaction requests by machine readable input, facsimile, data entry and electronic instructions, including e-mail communications, which have been prepared, maintained or provided by the Fund or any other person or firm on behalf of the Fund or from broker-dealers of record or third-party administrators (“TPAs”) on behalf of individual Shareholders. With respect to transaction requests received in the foregoing manner, the Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for determining that the original source documentation is in good order, which includes compliance with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act, and it will be the responsibility of the Fund to require its broker-dealers or TPAs to retain such documentation. E-mail exchanges on routine matters may be made directly with the Fund’s contact at the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent will not act on any e-mail communications coming to it directly from Shareholders requesting transactions, including, but not limited to, monetary transactions, change of ownership, or beneficiary changes;
(n) Open, maintain and manage, as agent for the Fund, such bank accounts as the Transfer Agent shall deem necessary for the performance of its duties under this Agreement, including but not limited to, the processing of Share purchases and redemptions and the payment of Fund dividends and distributions. The Transfer Agent may maintain such accounts at State Street Bank and Trust Company;
(o) Receive correspondence pertaining to any former, existing or new Shareholder account, process such correspondence for proper recordkeeping and respond to Shareholder correspondence;
(p) Process any request from a Shareholder to change account registration, beneficiary, beneficiary information, transfer and rollovers in accordance with the Procedures.
Custody Services The Fund, on behalf of the Series, will open with Mellon one or more custody account(s) designated "Series" (such designated custody account(s) hereinafter referred to as "Series Account"). The Series Account will contain the appropriate designation in its title and will be operated subject to the terms of the Custodian Agreement between Mellon and the Fund.
Administration Services When a medical prescription drug is administered by infusion, the administration of the prescription drug may be covered separately from the prescription drug. See Infusion Therapy - Administration Services in the Summary of Medical Benefits for benefit limits and the amount you pay. Prescription drugs that are self-administered are not covered as a medical benefit but may be covered as a pharmacy benefit. Please see Pharmacy Prescription Drugs and Diabetic Equipment or Supplies – Pharmacy Benefits section above for additional information. For some medical prescription drugs, after the first administration, coverage may be limited to certain locations (for example, a designated outpatient or ambulatory service facility, physician’s office, or your home), provided the location is appropriate based on your medical status. For a list of medical prescription drugs that are subject to this Site of Care Program, visit our website. Preauthorization may be required to determine medical necessity as well as appropriate site of care. If we deny your request for preauthorization, or you disagree with our determination for the appropriate site of care, you can submit a medical appeal. See Appeals in Section 5 for information on how to file a medical appeal.
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 1. Coordinate the layout, printing and electronic delivery of publicly disseminated prospectuses and shareholder reports, make recommendations to improve their effectiveness or reduce expenses.
2. Perform internal audit examinations in accordance with a charter adopted by the Investment Company.
3. Monitor enterprise level risks associated with the services provided herein in accordance with a charter adopted by Investment Company.
4. Develop and recommend changes in the investment strategy and operation of the Investment Company that may be in the interest of its Shareholders.
5. Provide individuals reasonably acceptable to the Board for nomination, appointment, or election as the following officers of the Investment Company, who will be responsible for the management of certain of the Investment Company's affairs as specified in the Investment Company's charter documents and by-laws, subject to direction by the Board: (i) the president and principal executive officer, (ii) the treasurer and principal financial and accounting officer; (iii) the secretary, and (iv) such other officers as are mutually agreeable.
6. For each Fund that is not an ETF, monitor trading activity to help identify market timers and recommend policies to deter market timing.
7. For each Fund that is not an ETF, review potential intermediary clients and existing intermediary clients as appropriate to determine/monitor the client’s ability to adhere to the terms of any servicing agreement between the client and Investment Company.
8. For each Fund that is an ETF, review potential authorized participants and existing authorized participants as appropriate to determine/monitor the authorized participant’s ability to adhere to the terms of the authorized participant agreement between the authorized participant and the Fund’s distributor.
9. Review and recommend changes to the transfer agent’s policies and procedures to mitigate fraud, enhance shareholder services or reduce expenses.
10. Review and recommend changes to policies and procedures and operating processes designed to reduce Fund expenses.
11. Respond to all inquiries or other communications from shareholders and other parties, not otherwise provided by the Investment Company’s other service providers; if the inquiry is more properly responded to by another of the Investment Company’s service providers, referring the individual making the inquiry to the appropriate person.
12. Provide services and support, as requested by the Responsible Investing Office (“RIO”), in relation to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) investing by the Funds, which include monitoring compliance with its policies and procedures with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
13. Perform the following services for each Fund, as applicable, either itself or through its affiliate, Federated Shareholder Services company; (i) select and perform due diligence regarding proposed new owners of omnibus accounts as proposed recordkeeping agents for the Investment Company, (ii) enter into agreements as agent for the Investment Company, or any of them, substantially in the form most recently approved by the Board, with the registered owners of omnibus accounts for the provision of services necessary for the recordkeeping or sub-accounting of share positions held in underlying sub-accounts (“Recordkeeping Agreements”), together with such changes thereto as may be agreed to by FAS so long as such changes do not (a) increase the fees payable by the Investment Company under the Recordkeeping Agreements, (b) alter the indemnity obligations of the Investment Company owing to or from the Investment Company thereunder or (c) otherwise materially alter the obligations of the Investment Company under the Recordkeeping Agreements, (iii) agree, on behalf of the Investment Company, to make payments for services rendered under Recordkeeping Agreements out of the assets of the Investment Company in amounts not to exceed the amounts determined from time to time by the Board, and (iv) give instructions to the transfer agent of the Investment Company (the “Transfer Agent”), for and on behalf of the Investment Company as “Proper Instructions” of the Investment Company under and pursuant to the agreement for transfer agency services with the Transfer Agent, to perform the services of Company and/or the Investment Company under each such Recordkeeping Agreement, excepting only the indemnity obligations owning from the Investment Company or Company thereunder.
Administrative Services In addition to the portfolio management services specified above in section 2, you shall furnish at your expense for the use of the Fund such office space and facilities in the United States as the Fund may require for its reasonable needs, and you (or one or more of your affiliates designated by you) shall render to the Trust administrative services on behalf of the Fund necessary for operating as an open end investment company and not provided by persons not parties to this Agreement including, but not limited to, preparing reports to and meeting materials for the Trust's Board of Trustees and reports and notices to Fund shareholders; supervising, negotiating contractual arrangements with, to the extent appropriate, and monitoring the performance of, accounting agents, custodians, depositories, transfer agents and pricing agents, accountants, attorneys, printers, underwriters, brokers and dealers, insurers and other persons in any capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable to Fund operations; preparing and making filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and other regulatory and self-regulatory organizations, including, but not limited to, preliminary and definitive proxy materials, post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, semi-annual reports on Form N-SAR and notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the 1940 Act; overseeing the tabulation of proxies by the Fund's transfer agent; assisting in the preparation and filing of the Fund's federal, state and local tax returns; preparing and filing the Fund's federal excise tax return pursuant to Section 4982 of the Code; providing assistance with investor and public relations matters; monitoring the valuation of portfolio securities and the calculation of net asset value; monitoring the registration of Shares of the Fund under applicable federal and state securities laws; maintaining or causing to be maintained for the Fund all books, records and reports and any other information required under the 1940 Act, to the extent that such books, records and reports and other information are not maintained by the Fund's custodian or other agents of the Fund; assisting in establishing the accounting policies of the Fund; assisting in the resolution of accounting issues that may arise with respect to the Fund's operations and consulting with the Fund's independent accountants, legal counsel and the Fund's other agents as necessary in connection therewith; establishing and monitoring the Fund's operating expense budgets; reviewing the Fund's bills; processing the payment of bills that have been approved by an authorized person; assisting the Fund in determining the amount of dividends and distributions available to be paid by the Fund to its shareholders, preparing and arranging for the printing of dividend notices to shareholders, and providing the transfer and dividend paying agent, the custodian, and the accounting agent with such information as is required for such parties to effect the payment of dividends and distributions; and otherwise assisting the Trust as it may reasonably request in the conduct of the Fund's business, subject to the direction and control of the Trust's Board of Trustees. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to shift to you or to diminish the obligations of any agent of the Fund or any other person not a party to this Agreement which is obligated to provide services to the Fund.
Custodial Services The charges and expenses of the custodian appointed by the Trust for custodial services;
Brokerage Services The following additional tasks will be performed by Xxxxxx: 194 195 196
Custody and Accounting Services All expenses of the transfer, receipt, safekeeping, servicing and accounting for the cash, securities, and other property of the Corporation, for the benefit of the Fund, including all charges of depositories, custodians, and other agents, if any;
