Exhibit (8)(b) AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN CONTRACT Agreement made by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian") and State Street Growth Trust (the "Fund"). WHEREAS, the Custodian and the Fund are parties to a custodian contract...

                                                                 Exhibit (8)(b)

                        AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN CONTRACT


         Agreement made by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company (the
"Custodian") and State Street Growth Trust (the "Fund").

         WHEREAS, the Custodian and the Fund are parties to a custodian contract
dated March 5, 1990 (the "Custodian Contract") governing the terms and
conditions under which the Custodian maintains custody of the securities and
other assets of the Fund; and

         WHEREAS, the Custodian and the Fund desire to amend the terms and
conditions under which the Custodian maintains the Fund's securities and other
non-cash property in the custody of certain foreign sub-custodians in conformity
with the requirements of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended;

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained
herein, the Custodian and the Fund hereby amend the Custodian Contract by the
addition of the following terms and provisions;

         1. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary set forth in the
Custodian Contract, the Custodian may hold securities and other non-cash
property for all of its customers, including the Fund, with a foreign
sub-custodian in a single account that is identified as belonging to the
Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the
records of the Custodian with respect to securities and other non-cash property
of the Fund which are maintained in such account shall identify by book-entry
those securities and other non-cash property belonging to the Fund and (ii) the
Custodian shall require that securities and other non-cash property so held by
the foreign sub-custodian be held separately from any assets of the foreign
sub-custodian or of others.

         2. Except as specifically superseded or modified herein, the terms and
provisions of the Custodian Contract shall continue to apply with full force and
effect.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed as a sealed instrument in its name and behalf by its duly authorized
representative this 2nd day of November, 0000.



                                  XXXXX XXXXXX GROWTH TRUST
                                  (Currently State Street Research Growth Trust)


                                  By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
                                          -----------------------------------
                                  Title:  Treasurer




                                  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY


                                  By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Pandoro
                                          -----------------------------------
                                  Title:  Vice President