CUSTODY AGREEMENT
THIS
AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 1st
day of
January, 2006, by and between WEXFORD
TRUST,
a
Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), and U.S.
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
a
national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United
States of America with its principal place of business at Cincinnati, Ohio
(the
“Custodian”).
WHEREAS,
the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company, and is
authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with
each
such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and
other assets;
WHEREAS,
the Custodian is a bank having the qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(1)
of the 1940 Act;
WHEREAS,
the Trust desires to retain the Custodian to act as custodian of the cash and
securities of each series of the Trust listed on Exhibit
C
hereto
(as amended from time to time) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”);
and
WHEREAS,
the Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated to the Custodian the
responsibilities set forth in Rule 17f-5(c) under the 1940 Act and the Custodian
is willing to undertake the responsibilities and serve as the foreign custody
manager for the Company.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein
contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
Whenever
used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings
set forth below unless the context otherwise requires:
1.1 |
“Authorized
Person”
means any Officer or other person duly authorized by resolution of
the
Board of Trustees to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions
on
behalf of the Fund and named in Exhibit
A
hereto or in such resolutions of the Board of Trustees, certified
by an
Officer, as may be received by the Custodian from time to
time.
|
1.2 |
“Board
of Trustees”
shall mean the trustees from time to time serving under the Trust’s
declaration of trust, as amended from time to
time.
|
1.3 |
“Book-Entry
System”
shall mean a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart O of
Treasury Circular Xx. 000, 00 XXX 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFR Part
350, or
in such book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially
in
the form of such Subpart O.
|
1.4 |
“Business
Day”
shall mean any day recognized as a settlement day by The New York
Stock
Exchange, Inc., and any other day for which the Trust computes the
net
asset value of Shares of the Fund.
|
1.5 |
“Eligible
Securities Depository”
shall mean a system for the central handling of securities as that
term is
defined in Rule 17f-4 and 17f-7 under the 1940
Act.
|
1.6 |
“Fund
Custody Account”
shall mean any of the accounts in the name of the Trust, which is
provided
for in Section 3.2 below.
|
1.7 |
“IRS”
shall mean the Internal Revenue
Service.
|
1.8 |
“NASD”
shall mean The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
|
1.9 |
“Officer”
shall mean the Chairman, President, any Vice President, any Assistant
Vice
President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer,
or any
Assistant Treasurer of the Trust.
|
1.10 |
“Oral
Instructions”
shall mean instructions orally transmitted to and accepted by the
Custodian because such instructions are: (i) reasonably believed
by the
Custodian to have been given by any two Authorized Persons, (ii)
recorded
and kept among the records of the Custodian made in the ordinary
course of
business, and (iii) orally confirmed by the Custodian. The Trust
shall
cause all Oral Instructions to be confirmed by Written Instructions
prior
to the end of the next Business Day. If such Written Instructions
confirming Oral Instructions are not received by the Custodian prior
to a
transaction, it shall in no way affect the validity of the transaction
or
the authorization thereof by the Trust. If Oral Instructions vary
from the
Written Instructions that purport to confirm them, the Custodian
shall
notify the Trust of such variance but such Oral Instructions will
govern
unless the Custodian has not yet acted.
|
1.11 |
“Proper
Instructions”
shall mean Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
|
1.12 |
“SEC”
shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
|
1.13 |
“Securities”
shall include, without limitation, common and preferred stocks, bonds,
call options, put options, debentures, notes, bank certificates of
deposit, bankers' acceptances, mortgage-backed securities or other
obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments
or documents representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe
for the
same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests
therein,
or any similar property or assets that the Custodian or its agents
have
the facilities to clear and service.
|
1.14 |
“Securities
Depository”
shall mean The Depository Trust Company and any other clearing agency
registered with the SEC under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act
of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), which acts as a system for the
central handling of Securities where all Securities of any particular
class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are treated
as
fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without
physical delivery of the Securities.
|
2
1.15 |
“Shares”
shall mean, with respect to a Fund, the units of beneficial interest
issued by the Trust on account of the Fund.
|
1.16 |
“Sub-Custodian”
shall mean and include (i) any branch of a “U.S. bank,” as that term is
defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, and (ii) any “eligible foreign
custodian,” as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act,
having a contract with the Custodian which the Custodian has determined
will provide reasonable care of assets of the Fund based on the standards
specified in Section 3.3 below. Such contract shall be in writing
and
shall include provisions that provide: (i) for indemnification or
insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing) such
that the
Fund will be adequately protected against the risk of loss of assets
held
in accordance with such contract; (ii) that the Fund’s assets will not be
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of
any kind
in favor of the Sub-Custodian or its creditors except a claim of
payment
for their safe custody or administration, in the case of cash deposits,
liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Sub-Custodian arising
under
bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws; (iii) that beneficial ownership
for the Fund’s assets will be freely transferable without the payment of
money or value other than for safe custody or administration; (iv)
that
adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging
to
the Fund or as being held by a third party for the benefit of the
Fund;
(v) that the Fund’s independent public accountants will be given access to
those records or confirmation of the contents of those records; and
(vi)
that the Fund will receive periodic reports with respect to the
safekeeping of the Fund’s assets, including, but not limited to,
notification of any transfer to or from a Fund's account or a third
party
account containing assets held for the benefit of the Fund. Such
contract
may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in
(i)-(vi)
above, such other provisions that the Custodian determines will provide,
in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection
for
Fund assets as the specified provisions.
|
1.17 |
“Written
Instructions”
shall mean (i) written communications actually received by the Custodian
and signed by any an Authorized Person, (ii) communications by telex
or
any other such system from one or more persons reasonably believed
by the
Custodian to be Authorized Persons, or (iii) communications between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the use of
such
devices and the procedures for the use thereof shall have been approved
by
resolutions of the Board of Trustees, a copy of which, certified
by an
Officer, shall have been delivered to the Custodian.
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3
ARTICLE
II
APPOINTMENT
OF CUSTODIAN
2.1 |
Appointment.
The Trust hereby appoints the Custodian as custodian of all Securities
and
cash owned by or in the possession of the Fund at any time during
the
period of this Agreement, on the terms and conditions set forth in
this
Agreement, and the Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and
agrees to
perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The
services
and duties of the Custodian shall be confined to those matters expressly
set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be
asserted
against the Custodian hereunder.
|
2.2 |
Documents
to be Furnished.
The following documents, including any amendments thereto, will be
provided contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement to
the
Custodian by the Trust:
|
(a) |
A
copy of the Trust’s declaration of trust, certified by the
Secretary;
|
(b) |
A
copy of the Trust’s bylaws, certified by the
Secretary;
|
(c) |
A
copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust appointing
the Custodian, certified by the
Secretary;
|
(d) |
A
copy of the current prospectus of the Fund (the
“Prospectus”);
|
(e) |
A
certification of the Chairman or the President and the Secretary
of the
Trust setting forth the names and signatures of the current Officers
of
the Trust and other Authorized Persons;
and
|
(f) |
An
executed authorization required by the Shareholder Communications
Act of
1985, attached hereto as Exhibit
E.
|
2.3 |
Notice
of Appointment of Transfer Agent.
The Trust agrees to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment,
termination or change in appointment of any transfer agent of the
Fund.
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ARTICLE
III
CUSTODY
OF CASH AND SECURITIES
3.1 |
Segregation.
All Securities and non-cash property held by the Custodian for the
account
of the Fund (other than Securities maintained in a Securities Depository,
Eligible Securities Depository or Book-Entry System) shall be physically
segregated from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession
of the Custodian (including the Securities and non-cash property
of the
other series of the Trust) and shall be identified as subject to
this
Agreement.
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3.2 |
Fund
Custody Accounts.
As to each Fund, the Custodian shall open and maintain in its trust
department a custody account in the name of the Trust coupled with
the
name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order of the Custodian,
in
which the Custodian shall enter and carry all Securities, cash and
other
assets of such Fund which are delivered to
it.
|
4
3.3 |
Appointment
of Agents.
|
(a) |
In
its discretion, the Custodian may appoint one or more Sub-Custodians
to
establish and maintain arrangements with (i) Eligible Securities
Depositories or (ii) members of the Sub-Custodian’s network to hold
Securities and cash of the Fund and to carry out such other provisions
of
this Agreement as it may determine; provided, however, that the
appointment of any such agents and maintenance of any Securities
and cash
of the Fund shall be at the Custodian's expense and shall not relieve
the
Custodian of any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement.
The Custodian shall be liable for the actions of any Sub-Custodians
(regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a
Sub-Custodian, a member of its network or an Eligible Securities
Depository) appointed by it as if such actions had been done by the
Custodian.
|
(b) |
If,
after the initial approval of Sub-Custodians by the Board of Trustees
in
connection with this Agreement, the Custodian wishes to appoint other
Sub-Custodians to hold property of the Fund, it will so notify the
Trust
and provide it with information reasonably necessary to determine
any such
new Sub-Custodian's eligibility under Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act,
including a copy of the proposed agreement with such Sub-Custodian.
At the
meeting of the Board of Trustees next following receipt of such notice
and
information, the Trust shall give its written approval or disapproval
of
the proposed action.
|
(c) |
The
agreement between the Custodian and each Sub-Custodian acting hereunder
shall contain the required provisions set forth in Rule 17f-5(c)(2)
under
the 1940 Act.
|
(d) |
At
the end of each calendar quarter, the Custodian shall provide written
reports notifying the Board of Trustees of the placement of the Securities
and cash of the Fund with a Sub-Custodian and of any material changes
in
the Fund’s arrangements. Such reports shall include an analysis of the
custody risks associated with maintaining assets with any Eligible
Securities Depositories. The Custodian shall promptly take such steps
as
may be required to withdraw assets of the Fund from any Sub-Custodian
arrangement that has ceased to meet the requirements of Rule 17f-5
or Rule
17f-7 under the 1940 Act, as
applicable.
|
(e) |
With
respect to its responsibilities under this Section 3.3, the Custodian
hereby warrants to the Trust that it agrees to exercise reasonable
care,
prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for
the
safekeeping of property of the Fund. The Custodian further warrants
that
the Fund's assets will be subject to reasonable care if maintained
with a
Sub-Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping
of such assets, including, without limitation: (i) the Sub-Custodian's
practices, procedures, and internal controls for certificated securities
(if applicable), its method of keeping custodial records, and its
security
and data protection practices; (ii) whether the Sub-Custodian has
the
requisite financial strength to provide reasonable care for Fund
assets;
(iii) the Sub-Custodian's general reputation and standing and, in
the case
of a Securities Depository, the Securities Depository's operating
history
and number of participants; and (iv) whether the Fund will have
jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the
Sub-Custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any offices
of the
Sub-Custodian in the United States or the Sub-Custodian's consent
to
service of process in the United
States.
|
5
(f) |
The
Custodian shall establish a system or ensure that its Sub-Custodian
has
established a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining
the
Fund’s assets with a Sub-Custodian or members of a Sub-Custodian’s
network; (ii) the performance of the contract governing the Fund’s
arrangements with such Sub-Custodian or members of a Sub-Custodian’s
network; and (iii) the custody risks of maintaining assets with an
Eligible Securities Depository.
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(g) |
The
Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all
income
and other payments with respect to foreign Securities to which the
Fund
shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to
the
Trust. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect
such income, the Trust and Custodian shall consult as to the measurers
and
as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to
such
measures.
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3.4 |
Delivery
of Assets to Custodian.
The Trust shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian
all of
the Fund's Securities, cash and other investment assets, including
(i) all
payments of income, payments of principal and capital distributions
received by the Fund with respect to such Securities, cash or other
assets
owned by the Fund at any time during the period of this Agreement,
and
(ii) all cash received by the Fund for the issuance of Shares. The
Custodian shall not be responsible for such Securities, cash or other
assets until actually received by it.
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3.5 |
Securities
Depositories and Book-Entry Systems.
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain Securities of the Fund
in a
Securities Depository or in a Book-Entry System, subject to the following
provisions:
|
(a) |
The
Custodian, on an on-going basis, shall deposit in a Securities Depository
or Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for deposit therein
and shall
make use of such Securities Depository or Book-Entry System to the
extent
possible and practical in connection with its performance hereunder,
including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of
purchases
and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and
returns
of collateral consisting of
Securities.
|
6
(b) |
Securities
of the Fund kept in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository
shall be
kept in an account (“Depository Account”) of the Custodian in such
Book-Entry System or Securities Depository which includes only assets
held
by the Custodian as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers.
|
(c) |
The
records of the Custodian with respect to Securities of the Fund maintained
in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository shall, by book-entry,
identify such Securities as belonging to the
Fund.
|
(d) |
If
Securities purchased by the Fund are to be held in a Book-Entry System
or
Securities Depository, the Custodian shall pay for such Securities
upon
(i) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository
that such Securities have been transferred to the Depository Account,
and
(ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect
such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. If Securities
sold
by the Fund are held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository,
the
Custodian shall transfer such Securities upon (i) receipt of advice
from
the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that payment for such
Securities has been transferred to the Depository Account, and (ii)
the
making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
transfer and payment for the account of the
Fund.
|
(e) |
The
Custodian shall provide the Trust with copies of any report (obtained
by
the Custodian from a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository in
which
Securities of the Fund are kept) on the internal accounting controls
and
procedures for safeguarding Securities deposited in such Book-Entry
System
or Securities Depository.
|
(f) |
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Custodian shall be
liable
to the Trust for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from (i)
the use
of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository by reason of any
negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian or
any
Sub-Custodian, or (ii) failure of the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian
to
enforce effectively such rights as it may have against a Book-Entry
System
or Securities Depository. At its election, the Trust shall be subrogated
to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against
a
Book-Entry System or Securities Depository or any other person from
any
loss or damage to the Fund arising from the use of such Book-Entry
System
or Securities Depository, if and to the extent that the Fund has
not been
made whole for any such loss or
damage.
|
(g) |
With
respect to its responsibilities under this Section 3.5 and pursuant
to Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, the Custodian hereby warrants to
the Trust that it agrees to (i) exercise
due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging
its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain
such assets, (ii) provide, promptly upon request by the Trust, such
reports as are available concerning the Custodian’s internal accounting
controls and financial strength, and (iii) require any Sub-Custodian
to exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards
in
discharging its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter
maintain assets corresponding to the security entitlements of its
entitlement holders.
|
7
3.6 |
Disbursement
of Moneys from Fund Custody Account.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall disburse
moneys
from the Fund Custody Account but only in the following cases:
|
(a) |
For
the purchase of Securities for the Fund but only in accordance with
Section 4.1 of this Agreement and only (i) in the case of Securities
(other than options on Securities, futures contracts and options
on
futures contracts), against the delivery to the Custodian (or any
Sub-Custodian) of such Securities registered as provided in Section
3.9
below or in proper form for transfer, or if the purchase of such
Securities is effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section
3.5
above; (ii) in the case of options on Securities, against delivery
to the
Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of such receipts as are required
by the
customs prevailing among dealers in such options; (iii) in the case
of
futures contracts and options on futures contracts, against delivery
to
the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of evidence of title thereto
in favor
of the Fund or any nominee referred to in Section 3.9 below; and
(iv) in
the case of repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements entered into
between the Trust and a bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve
System or between the Trust and a primary dealer in U.S. Government
securities, against delivery of the purchased Securities either in
certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's account
at
a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository with such
Securities;
|
(b) |
In
connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender, as set forth
in
Section 3.7(f) below, of Securities owned by the
Fund;
|
(c) |
For
the payment of any dividends or capital gain distributions declared
by the
Fund;
|
(d) |
In
payment of the redemption price of Shares as provided in Section
5.1
below;
|
(e) |
For
the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund, including,
but not limited to, the following payments for the account of the
Fund:
interest; taxes; administration, investment advisory, accounting,
auditing, transfer agent, custodian, director and legal fees; and
other
operating expenses of the Fund; in all cases, whether or not such
expenses
are to be in whole or in part capitalized or treated as deferred
expenses;
|
8
(f) |
For
transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the
Trust, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934
Act and
a member of the NASD, relating to compliance with rules of the Options
Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange
(or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow
or
other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
|
(g) |
For
transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the
Trust, the Custodian and a futures commission merchant registered
under
the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules
of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or
any
similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits
in
connection with transactions by the
Fund;
|
(h) |
For
the funding of any uncertificated time deposit or other interest-bearing
account with any banking institution (including the Custodian), which
deposit or account has a term of one year or less;
and
|
(i) |
For
any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt, in addition to Proper
Instructions, of a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees,
certified by an Officer, specifying the amount and purpose of such
payment, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose,
and
naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be
made.
|
3.7 |
Delivery
of Securities from Fund Custody Account.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall release
and
deliver, or cause the Sub-Custodian to release and deliver, Securities
from the Fund Custody Account but only in the following cases:
|
(a) |
Upon
the sale of Securities for the account of the Fund but only against
receipt of payment therefor in cash, by certified or cashiers check
or
bank credit;
|
(b) |
In
the case of a sale effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.5
above;
|
(c) |
To
an offeror’s depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for Securities of the Fund; provided that, in any such case,
the
cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the
Custodian;
|
(d) |
To
the issuer thereof or its agent (i) for transfer into the name of
the
Fund, the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian, or any nominee or nominees
of
any of the foregoing, or (ii) for exchange for a different number
of
certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face
amount
or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities
are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
|
9
(e) |
To
the broker selling the Securities, for examination in accordance
with the
“street delivery” custom;
|
(f) |
For
exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the issuer of
such
Securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in
such
Securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement, including surrender
or
receipt of underlying Securities in connection with the issuance
or
cancellation of depository receipts; provided that, in any such case,
the
new Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
|
(g) |
Upon
receipt of payment therefor pursuant to any repurchase or reverse
repurchase agreement entered into by the
Fund;
|
(h) |
In
the case of warrants, rights or similar Securities, upon the exercise
thereof, provided that, in any such case, the new Securities and
cash, if
any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
|
(i) |
For
delivery in connection with any loans of Securities of the Fund,
but only
against receipt of such collateral as the Trust shall have specified
to
the Custodian in Proper
Instructions;
|
(j) |
For
delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the Trust, but only against receipt
by the
Custodian of the amounts borrowed;
|
(k) |
Pursuant
to any authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization of the
Trust;
|
(l) |
For
delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the
Trust, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934
Act and
a member of the NASD, relating to compliance with the rules of the
Options
Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange
(or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow
or
other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
|
(m) |
For
delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the
Trust, the Custodian and a futures commission merchant registered
under
the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules
of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or
any
similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits
in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
|
(n) |
For
any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt, in addition
to
Proper Instructions, of a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees,
certified by an Officer, specifying the Securities to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
declaring
such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person
or
persons to whom delivery of such Securities shall be made;
or
|
10
(o) |
To
brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination
or trade
execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any
such case
the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss
arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment
for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian’s own
negligence or willful misconduct.
|
3.8 |
Actions
Not Requiring Proper Instructions.
Unless otherwise instructed by the Trust, the Custodian shall with
respect
to all Securities held for the Fund:
|
(a) |
Subject
to Section 9.4 below, collect on a timely basis all income and other
payments to which the Fund is entitled either by law or pursuant
to custom
in the securities business;
|
(b) |
Present
for payment and, subject to Section 9.4 below, collect on a timely
basis
the amount payable upon all Securities which may mature or be called,
redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become
payable;
|
(c) |
Endorse
for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and other
negotiable instruments;
|
(d) |
Surrender
interim receipts or Securities in temporary form for Securities in
definitive form;
|
(e) |
Execute,
as custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership
under the federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations of any
other
taxing authority now or hereafter in effect, and prepare and submit
reports to the IRS and the Trust at such time, in such manner and
containing such information as is prescribed by the
IRS;
|
(f) |
Hold
for the Fund, either directly or, with respect to Securities held
therein,
through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, all rights
and
similar Securities issued with respect to Securities of the Fund;
and
|
(g) |
In
general, and except as otherwise directed in Proper Instructions,
attend
to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange,
substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with Securities
and
other assets of the Fund.
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3.9 |
Registration
and Transfer of Securities.
All Securities held for the Fund that are issued or issuable only
in
bearer form shall be held by the Custodian in that form, provided
that any
such Securities shall be held in a Book-Entry System if eligible
therefor.
All other Securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name
of
the Fund, the Custodian, a Sub-Custodian or any nominee thereof,
or in the
name of a Book-Entry System, Securities Depository or any nominee
of
either thereof. The records of the Custodian with respect to foreign
securities of the Fund that are maintained with a Sub-Custodian in
an
account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the
benefit
of its customers shall identify those securities as belonging to
the Fund.
The Trust shall furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments
to enable
the Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or
to
register in the name of any of the nominees referred to above or
in the
name of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, any Securities
registered in the name of the Fund.
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11
3.10 |
Records.
|
(a) |
The
Custodian shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect
to
Securities, cash or other property held for the Fund, including (i)
journals or other records of original entry containing an itemized
daily
record in detail of all receipts and deliveries of Securities and
all
receipts and disbursements of cash; (ii) ledgers (or other records)
reflecting (A) Securities in transfer, (B) Securities in physical
possession, (C) monies and Securities borrowed and monies and Securities
loaned (together with a record of the collateral therefor and
substitutions of such collateral), (D) dividends and interest received,
and (E) dividends receivable and interest receivable; and (iii) canceled
checks and bank records related thereto. The Custodian shall keep
such
other books and records of the Fund as the Trust shall reasonably
request,
or as may be required by the 1940 Act, including, but not limited
to,
Section 31 of the 1940 Act and Rule 31a-2 promulgated
thereunder.
|
(b) |
All
such books and records maintained by the Custodian shall (i) be maintained
in a form acceptable to the Trust and in compliance with the rules
and
regulations of the SEC, (ii) be the property of the Trust and at
all times
during the regular business hours of the Custodian be made available
upon
request for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or
agents of
the Trust and employees or agents of the SEC, and (iii) if required
to be
maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, be preserved for the
periods
prescribed in Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940
Act.
|
3.11 |
Fund
Reports by Custodian.
The Custodian shall furnish the Trust with a daily activity statement
and
a summary of all transfers to or from each Fund Custody Account on
the day
following such transfers. At least monthly, the Custodian shall furnish
the Trust with a detailed statement of the Securities and moneys
held by
the Custodian and the Sub-Custodians for the Fund under this Agreement.
|
3.12 |
Other
Reports by Custodian.
As the Trust may reasonably request from time to time, the Custodian
shall
provide the Trust with reports on the internal accounting controls
and
procedures for safeguarding Securities which are employed by the
Custodian
or any Sub-Custodian.
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3.13 |
Proxies
and Other Materials.
The Custodian shall cause all proxies relating to Securities which
are not
registered in the name of the Fund to be promptly executed by the
registered holder of such Securities, without indication of the manner
in
which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to
the
Trust such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such Securities. With respect to the foreign Securities,
the
Custodian will use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the
exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject to the laws,
regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country
where
such securities are issued. The Trust acknowledges that local conditions,
including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack
of
notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting
the
ability of the Trust to exercise shareholder
rights.
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12
3.14 |
Information
on Corporate Actions.
The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Trust all information
received
by the Custodian and pertaining to Securities being held by the Fund
with
respect to optional tender or exchange offers, calls for redemption
or
purchase, or expiration of rights as described in the Standards of
Service
Guide attached as Exhibit
B.
If the Trust desires to take action with respect to any tender offer,
exchange offer or other similar transaction, the Trust shall notify
the
Custodian at least five Business Days prior to the date on which
the
Custodian is to take such action. The Trust will provide or cause
to be
provided to the Custodian all relevant information for any Security
which
has unique put/option provisions at least five Business Days prior
to the
beginning date of the tender period.
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ARTICLE
IV
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND
4.1 |
Purchase
of Securities.
Promptly upon each purchase of Securities for the Fund, Written
Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (i)
the name
of the issuer or writer of such Securities, and the title or other
description thereof, (ii) the number of shares, principal amount
(and
accrued interest, if any) or other units purchased, (iii) the date
of
purchase and settlement, (iv) the purchase price per unit, (v) the
total
amount payable upon such purchase, and (vi) the name of the person
to whom
such amount is payable. The Custodian shall upon receipt of such
Securities purchased by the Fund pay out of the moneys held for the
account of the Fund the total amount specified in such Written
Instructions to the person named therein. The Custodian shall not
be under
any obligation to pay out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase
of
Securities for the Fund, if in the Fund Custody Account there is
insufficient cash available to the Fund for which such purchase was
made.
|
4.2 |
Liability
for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
In any and every case where payment for the purchase of Securities
for the
Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the Securities
purchased and in the absence of specified Written Instructions to
so pay
in advance, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for such
payment.
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13
4.3 |
Sale
of Securities.
Promptly upon each sale of Securities by the Fund, Written Instructions
shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (i) the name of the
issuer
or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description
thereof,
(ii) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest,
if
any), or other units sold, (iii) the date of sale and settlement,
(iv) the
sale price per unit, (v) the total amount payable upon such sale,
and (vi)
the person to whom such Securities are to be delivered. Upon receipt
of
the total amount payable to the Fund as specified in such Written
Instructions, the Custodian shall deliver such Securities to the
person
specified in such Written Instructions. Subject to the foregoing,
the
Custodian may accept payment in such form as shall be satisfactory
to it,
and may deliver Securities and arrange for payment in accordance
with the
customs prevailing among dealers in
Securities.
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4.4 |
Delivery
of Securities Sold.
Notwithstanding Section 4.3 above or any other provision of this
Agreement, the Custodian, when instructed to deliver Securities against
payment, shall be entitled, if in accordance with generally accepted
market practice, to deliver such Securities prior to actual receipt
of
final payment therefor. In any such case, the Fund shall bear the
risk
that final payment for such Securities may not be made or that such
Securities may be returned or otherwise held or disposed of by or
through
the person to whom they were delivered, and the Custodian shall have
no
liability for any for the
foregoing.
|
4.5 |
Payment
for Securities Sold.
In its sole discretion and from time to time, the Custodian may credit
the
Fund Custody Account, prior to actual receipt of final payment thereof,
with (i) proceeds from the sale of Securities which it has been instructed
to deliver against payment, (ii) proceeds from the redemption of
Securities or other assets of the Fund, and (iii) income from cash,
Securities or other assets of the Fund. Any such credit shall be
conditional upon actual receipt by Custodian of final payment and
may be
reversed if final payment is not actually received in full. The Custodian
may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, permit the Fund
to use
funds so credited to the Fund Custody Account in anticipation of
actual
receipt of final payment. Any such funds shall be repayable immediately
upon demand made by the Custodian at any time prior to the actual
receipt
of all final payments in anticipation of which funds were credited
to the
Fund Custody Account.
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4.6 |
Advances
by Custodian for Settlement.
The Custodian may, in its sole discretion and from time to time,
advance
funds to the Trust to facilitate the settlement of a Fund's transactions
in the Fund Custody Account. Any such advance shall be repayable
immediately upon demand made by
Custodian.
|
ARTICLE
V
REDEMPTION
OF FUND SHARES
5.1 |
Transfer
of Funds.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose in the relevant
Fund
Custody Account, and upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying
that
the funds are required to redeem Shares of the Fund, the Custodian
shall
wire each amount specified in such Proper Instructions to or through
such
bank or broker-dealer as the Trust may
designate.
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14
5.2 |
No
Duty Regarding Paying Banks.
Once the Custodian has wired amounts to a bank or broker-dealer pursuant
to Section 5.1 above, the Custodian shall not be under any obligation
to effect any further payment or distribution by such bank or
broker-dealer.
|
ARTICLE
VI
SEGREGATED
ACCOUNTS
Upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain
a
segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into which account
or accounts may be transferred cash and/or Securities, including Securities
maintained in a Depository Account:
(a) |
in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Trust, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
1934 Act
and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the
rules
of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
or any
registered contract market), or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection
with
transactions by the Fund;
|
(b) |
for
purposes of segregating cash or Securities in connection with securities
options purchased or written by the Fund or in connection with financial
futures contracts (or options thereon) purchased or sold by the
Fund;
|
(c) |
which
constitute collateral for loans of Securities made by the
Fund;
|
(d) |
for
purposes of compliance by the Fund with requirements under the 1940
Act
for the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment
companies in connection with reverse repurchase agreements and
when-issued, delayed delivery and firm commitment transactions;
and
|
(e) |
for
other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of, in addition
to
Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board
of
Trustees, certified by an Officer, setting forth the purpose or purposes
of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper
corporate purposes.
|
Each
segregated account established under this Article VI shall be established and
maintained for the Fund only. All Proper Instructions relating to a segregated
account shall specify the Fund.
15
ARTICLE
VII
COMPENSATION
OF CUSTODIAN
The
Custodian shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this
Agreement in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit
D
hereto
(as amended from time to time). The Custodian shall also be compensated for
such
out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., telecommunication charges, postage and delivery
charges, and reproduction charges) as are reasonably incurred by the Custodian
in performing its duties hereunder. The Trust shall pay all such fees and
reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of the billing
notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute. The
Trust
shall notify the Custodian in writing within 30 calendar days following receipt
of each invoice if the Trust is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Trust
shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the day on which
the
parties agree to the amount to be paid. With the exception of any fee or expense
the Trust is disputing in good faith as set forth above, unpaid invoices shall
accrue a finance charge of .5 % per month after the due date. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Trust to the Custodian shall
only
be paid out of the assets and property of the particular Fund involved.
ARTICLE
VIII
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
8.1 |
Representations
and Warranties of the Trust.
The Trust hereby represents and warrants to the Custodian, which
representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout
the term of this Agreement, that:
|
(a) |
It
is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction
of its
organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted,
to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder;
|
(b) |
This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Trust in
accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and
legally
binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its
terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
other
laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors
and secured parties; and
|
(c) |
It
is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects
with all
applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has
obtained
all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now
conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment
binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract
binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution
or
performance of this Agreement.
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8.2 |
Representations
and Warranties of the Custodian.
The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to the Trust, which
representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout
the term of this Agreement, that:
|
16
(a) |
It
is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction
of its
organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted,
to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder;
|
(b) |
This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Custodian in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes
a valid
and legally binding obligation of the Custodian, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights
and
remedies of creditors and secured parties;
and
|
(c) |
It
is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects
with all
applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has
obtained
all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now
conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment
binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract
binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution
or
performance of this Agreement.
|
ARTICLE
IX
CONCERNING
THE CUSTODIAN
9.1 |
Standard
of Care.
The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of
its
duties under this Agreement. The Custodian shall not be liable for
any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the
Trust
in connection with its duties under this Agreement, except a loss
arising
out of or relating to the Custodian’s (or a Sub-Custodian’s) refusal or
failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody
agreement) or from its (or a Sub-Custodian’s) bad faith, negligence or
willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement
(or any sub-custody agreement). The Custodian shall be entitled to
rely on
and may act upon advice of counsel on all matters, and shall be without
liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to
such
advice. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust of any action
taken
or omitted by the Custodian pursuant to advice of
counsel.
|
9.2 |
Actual
Collection Required.
The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the custodian
of, any cash belonging to the Fund or any money represented by a
check,
draft or other instrument for the payment of money, until the Custodian
or
its agents actually receive such cash or collect on such
instrument.
|
9.3 |
No
Responsibility for Title, etc.
So
long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received
or
delivered by it pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
9.4 |
Limitation
on Duty to Collect.
Custodian shall not be required to enforce collection, by legal means
or
otherwise, of any money or property due and payable with respect
to
Securities held for the Fund if such Securities are in default or
payment
is not made after due demand or
presentation.
|
17
9.5 |
Reliance
Upon Documents and Instructions.
The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate, notice
or
other instrument in writing received by it and reasonably believed
by it
to be genuine. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral
Instructions and any Written Instructions actually received by it
pursuant
to this Agreement.
|
9.6 |
Cooperation.
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information
to the
entity or entities appointed by the Trust to keep the books of account
of
the Fund and/or compute the value of the assets of the Fund. The
Custodian
shall take all such reasonable actions as the Trust may from time
to time
request to enable the Trust to obtain, from year to year, favorable
opinions from the Trust's independent accountants with respect to
the
Custodian's activities hereunder in connection with (i) the preparation
of
the Trust's reports on Form N-1A and Form N-SAR and any other reports
required by the SEC, and (ii) the fulfillment by the Trust of any
other
requirements of the SEC.
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ARTICLE
X
INDEMNIFICATION
10.1 |
Indemnification
by Trust.
The Trust shall indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian, any
Sub-Custodian and any nominee thereof (each, an “Indemnified Party” and
collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all
claims, demands, losses, expenses and liabilities of any and every
nature
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) that an Indemnified Party
may
sustain or incur or that may be asserted against an Indemnified Party
by
any person arising directly or indirectly (i) from the fact that
Securities are registered in the name of any such nominee, (ii) from
any
action taken or omitted to be taken by the Custodian or such Sub-Custodian
(a) at the request or direction of or in reliance on the advice of
the
Trust, or (b) upon Proper Instructions, or (iii) from the performance
of
its obligations under this Agreement or any sub-custody agreement,
provided that neither the Custodian nor any such Sub-Custodian shall
be
indemnified and held harmless from and against any such claim, demand,
loss, expense or liability arising out of or relating to its refusal
or
failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody
agreement), or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct
in the
performance of its duties under this Agreement (or any sub-custody
agreement). This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the
Trust,
its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this
Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the terms “Custodian” and
“Sub-Custodian” shall include their respective directors, officers and
employees.
|
10.2 |
Indemnification
by Custodian.
The Custodian shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust from and
against
any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of
any and
every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that the Trust may
sustain or incur or that may be asserted against the Trust by any
person
arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by an Indemnified
Party as a result of the Indemnified Party’s refusal or failure to comply
with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement),
or from
its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance
of its
duties under this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement). This
indemnity
shall be a continuing obligation of the Custodian, its successors
and
assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used
in
this paragraph, the term “Trust” shall include the Trust’s directors,
officers and employees.
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18
10.3 |
Security.
If the Custodian advances cash or Securities to the Fund for any
purpose,
either at the Trust's request or as otherwise contemplated in this
Agreement, or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee incurs,
in
connection with its performance under this Agreement, any claim,
demand,
loss, expense or liability (including reasonable attorneys' fees)
(except
such as may arise from its or its nominee's bad faith, negligence
or
willful misconduct), then, in any such event, any property at any
time
held for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor, and
should
the Fund fail promptly to repay or indemnify the Custodian, the Custodian
shall be entitled to utilize available cash of such Fund and to dispose
of
other assets of such Fund to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement
or indemnification.
|
10.4 |
Miscellaneous.
|
(a) |
Neither
party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for
consequential, special or punitive damages under any provision of
this
Agreement.
|
(b) |
The
indemnity provisions of this Article shall indefinitely survive the
termination and/or assignment of this
Agreement.
|
(c) |
In
order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article
shall
apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be
asked to
indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be
fully
and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation
in
question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use
all
reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any
situation
that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim
for
indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the
indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this
indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will
so
notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over
complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation
initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek
indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case
confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the
indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with
the
indemnitor’s prior written consent.
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19
ARTICLE
XI
FORCE
MAJEURE
Neither
the Custodian nor the Trust shall be liable for any failure or delay in
performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused,
directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control,
including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars;
civil or military disturbances; acts of terrorism; sabotage; strikes; epidemics;
riots; power failures; computer failure and any such circumstances beyond its
reasonable control as may cause interruption, loss or malfunction of utility,
transportation, computer (hardware or software) or telephone communication
service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority;
governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or
transportation; provided, however, that in the event of a failure or delay,
the
Custodian (i) shall not discriminate against the Fund in favor of any other
customer of the Custodian in making computer time and personnel available to
input or process the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii)
shall
use its best efforts to ameliorate the effects of any such failure or
delay.
ARTICLE
XII
PROPRIETARY
AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
The
Custodian agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees
to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust, all records
and other information relative to the Trust and prior, present, or potential
shareholders of the Trust (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use
such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of
its
responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification
to
and approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld and may not be withheld where the Custodian may be exposed to civil
or
criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to
divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so
requested by the Trust. Records and other information which have become known
to
the public through no wrongful act of the Custodian or any of its employees,
agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession
of
the Custodian prior to receipt thereof from the Trust or its agent, shall not
be
subject to this paragraph.
Further,
the Custodian will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Trust pursuant
to Title V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, as may be modified from time to time.
In this regard, the Custodian shall have in place and maintain physical,
electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the
security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access
to or use of, records and information relating to the Trust and its
shareholders.
ARTICLE
XIII
EFFECTIVE
PERIOD; TERMINATION
13.1 |
Effective
Period.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written
above
and will continue in effect for a period of one (1)
year.
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20
13.2 |
Termination.
Subsequent to the initial one-year term, this Agreement may be terminated
by either party upon giving 90 days prior written notice to the other
party or such shorter period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by
any
party upon the breach of the other party of any material term of
this
Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of
such
breach to the breaching party. In addition, the Trust may, at any
time,
immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment
of a
conservator or receiver for the Custodian by regulatory authorities
or
upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate
regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
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13.3 |
Appointment
of Successor Custodian.
If a successor custodian shall have been appointed by the Board of
Trustees, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of a notice of acceptance
by
the successor custodian, on such specified date of termination (i)
deliver
directly to the successor custodian all Securities (other than Securities
held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository) and cash then
owned
by the Fund and held by the Custodian as custodian, and (ii) transfer
any
Securities held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository to
an
account of or for the benefit of the Fund at the successor custodian,
provided that the Trust shall have paid to the Custodian all fees,
expenses and other amounts to the payment or reimbursement of which
it
shall then be entitled. In addition, the Custodian shall, at the
expense
of the Trust, transfer
to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence, and
other
data established or maintained by the Custodian under this Agreement
in a
form reasonably acceptable to the Trust (if such form differs from
the
form in which the Custodian has maintained the same, the Trust shall
pay
any expenses associated with transferring the data to such form),
and will
cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including
provision for assistance from the Custodian’s personnel in the
establishment of books, records, and other data by such successor.
Upon
such delivery and transfer, the Custodian shall be relieved of all
obligations under this Agreement.
|
13.4 |
Failure
to Appoint Successor Custodian.
If a successor custodian is not designated by the Trust on or before
the
date of termination of this Agreement, then the Custodian shall have
the
right to deliver to a bank or trust company of its own selection,
which
bank or trust company (i) is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, and (ii)
has aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits as shown on
its most
recent published report of not less than $25 million, all Securities,
cash
and other property held by Custodian under this Agreement and to
transfer
to an account of or for the Fund at such bank or trust company all
Securities of the Fund held in a Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository. Upon such delivery and transfer, such bank or trust company
shall be the successor custodian under this Agreement and the Custodian
shall be relieved of all obligations under this Agreement. In addition,
under these circumstances, all books, records and other data of the
Trust
shall be returned to the Trust.
|
21
ARTICLE
XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
14.1 |
Compliance
with Laws.
The Trust has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance
matters relating to the Fund, including but not limited to compliance
with
the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act of
2002, the USA Patriot Act of 2002 and the policies and limitations
of the
Fund relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its Prospectus
and statement of additional information. The Custodian’s services
hereunder shall not relieve the Trust of its responsibilities for
assuring
such compliance or the Board of Trustee’s oversight responsibility with
respect thereto.
|
14.2 |
Amendment.
This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except
by
written agreement executed by the Custodian and the Trust, and authorized
or approved by the Board of
Trustees.
|
14.3 |
Assignment.
This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto
and
their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that
this
Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust without the written
consent
of the Custodian, or by the Custodian without the written consent
of the
Trust accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Board of
Trustees.
|
14.4 |
Governing
Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the
laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to conflicts of law principles.
To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Ohio, or any
of the
provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the
1940
Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed
in a
manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the
SEC
thereunder.
|
14.5 |
No
Agency Relationship.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower
either
party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to
conduct
business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this
Agreement.
|
14.6 |
Services
Not Exclusive.
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the Custodian from
providing services to other parties that are similar or identical
to some
or all of the services provided
hereunder.
|
14.7 |
Invalidity.
Any
provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent
authority
to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to
such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof,
and
any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall
not
invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other
jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify
or
substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of
the
parties.
|
22
14.8 |
Notices.
Any
notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the
date
delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent
by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission
to
the other party’s address set forth
below:
|
Notice
to
the Custodian shall be sent to:
U.S.
Bank
National Association
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X. XX-XX-X0XX
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Mutual Fund Custody Services
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
and
notice to the Trust shall be sent to:
Xxxxxxxxxx
& Company, Inc.
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
14.9 |
Multiple
Originals.
This Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each
of which
when so executed shall be deemed an original, but such counterparts
shall
together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
|
14.10 |
No
Waiver.
No failure by either party hereto to exercise, and no delay by such
party
in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.
The
exercise by either party hereto of any right hereunder shall not
preclude
the exercise of any other right, and the remedies provided herein
are
cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided at law or in
equity.
|
14.11 |
References
to Custodian.
The Trust shall not circulate any printed matter which contains any
reference to Custodian without the prior written approval of Custodian,
excepting printed matter contained in the prospectus or statement
of
additional information for the Fund and such other printed matter
as
merely identifies Custodian as custodian for the Fund. The Trust
shall
submit printed matter requiring approval to Custodian in draft form,
allowing sufficient time for review by Custodian and its counsel
prior to
any deadline for printing.
|
23
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
by
a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date first
above
written.
WEXFORD
TRUST
|
U.S.
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
|
By:/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
|
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx XxXxx
|
Name
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx
XxXxx
|
Title:
President
|
Title:
Vice
President
|
24
EXHIBIT
A
AUTHORIZED
PERSONS
Set
forth
below are the names and specimen signatures of the persons authorized by the
Trust to administer the Fund Custody Accounts.
Authorized
Persons
|
Specimen
Signatures
|
|
President:
|
||
Secretary:
|
||
Treasurer:
|
||
Vice
President:
|
||
Other:
|
||
A-1
EXHIBIT
B
U.S.
Bank Institutional Custody Services
Standards
of Service Guide
U.S.
Bank, N.A. (“USBank”) is committed to providing superior quality service to all
customers and their agents at all times. We have compiled this guide as a tool
for our clients to determine our standards for the processing of security
settlements, payment collection, and capital change transactions. Deadlines
recited in this guide represent the times required for USBank to guarantee
processing. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in settlement at our
client's risk. In all cases, USBank will make every effort to complete all
processing on a timely basis.
USBank
is
a direct participant of the Depository Trust Company, a direct member of the
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and utilizes the Bank of New York as its
agent for ineligible and foreign securities.
For
corporate reorganizations, USBank utilizes SEI's Reorg Source, Financial
Information, Inc., XCITEK, DTC Important Notices, Capital Changes Daily (CCH)
and the Wall
Street Journal.
For
bond
calls and mandatory puts, USBank utilizes SEI's Bond Source, Xxxxx Information
Systems, Standard & Poor's Corporation, XCITEK, and DTC Important Notices.
USBank will not notify clients of optional put opportunities.
Any
securities delivered free to USBank or its agents must be received three (3)
business days prior to any payment or settlement in order for the USBank
standards of service to apply.
Should
you have any questions regarding the information contained in this guide, please
feel free to contact your account representative.
The
information contained in this Standards of Service Guide is subject to change.
Should any changes be made USBank will provide you with an updated copy of
its
Standards of Service Guide.
B-1
U.S.
Bank Trade Settlement Instructions
Transaction
Type
|
Delivery
Instructions
|
Depository
Trust Company (DTC)
DTC
eligible issues
|
DTC
Participant #2803 U.S. Bank N.A.
Agent
#: 93697
Institutional
# 93696 (or customer Institutional # if applicable)
Interested
Party: (customer ID number if applicable)
Agent
Internal Number: (your U.S. Bank Trust account number)
|
Federal
Reserve Bank , Cleveland, Ohio
Federal
Reserve Book Entry - eligible issues
|
For:
US Bank Ohio
ABA#:
000000000
Routing
Symbol: 1050 Trust
For
Account # (your U.S. Bank Trust account number)
|
Federal
Reserve Bank, Cleveland, Ohio
All
Fed-eligible issues delivered as collateral
for
repurchase agreements
|
For:
US Bank Ohio
ABA#:
000000000
Routing
Symbol: 1040 Special
For
Account # (your U. S. Bank Trust account number)
|
Bank
of New York
Depository
ineligible and physical issues:
|
Bank
of New York
One
Xxxx Xxxxxx- 0xx
Xxxxx/Xxxxxx A
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
For
account: U.S. Bank N.A. #117612
|
U.S.
Bank N.A.
DTC
ineligible issues settling in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin
|
U.S.
Bank Trust Services
XX
Xxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Securities Processing
|
Wire
Instructions
For
trade purposes only
|
ABA#
000000000 US Bank Ohio
BNF
US Bank Trust
AC
112950027
OBI
Attention: Settlements - (functions) i.e., pair off, repo,
tri-party
BBI
or OBI For further credit to account: (trust acct. #, contact name
&
phone number)
|
B-2
USBank
Payment Standards
Security
Type
|
Income
|
Principal
|
Equities
|
Payable
Date
|
|
Municipal
Bonds*
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
Corporate
Bonds*
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
Federal
Reserve Bank Book Entry*
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
PTC
GNMA's (P&I)
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
CMOs
*
|
||
DTC
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Bankers
Trust
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
SBA
Loan Certificates
|
When
Received
|
When
Received
|
Unit
Investment Trust Certificates*
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
Certificates
of Deposit*
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Limited
Partnerships
|
When
Received
|
When
Received
|
Foreign
Securities
|
When
Received
|
When
Received
|
*Variable
Rate Securities
|
||
Federal
Reserve Bank Book Entry
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
DTC
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Bankers
Trust
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
NOTE:
If
a
payable date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, payment will be made on the
immediately following business day.
B-3
USBank
Corporate Reorganization Standards
Type
of Action
|
Notification to
Client
|
Deadline
for Client Instructions
to
USBank
|
Transaction
Posting
|
|
Rights,
Warrants,
and
Optional Mergers
|
Later
of 10 business days prior to
expiration
or receipt of notice
|
5
business days prior to expiration
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Mandatory
Puts with
Option
to Retain
|
Later
of 10 business days prior to
expiration
or receipt of notice
|
5
business days prior to expiration
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Class
Actions
|
10
business days prior to expiration
date
|
5
business days prior to expiration
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Voluntary
Tenders,
Exchanges,
and
Conversions
|
Later
of 10 business days prior to
expiration
or receipt of notice
|
5
business days prior to expiration
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Mandatory
Puts, Defaults,
Liquidations,
Bankruptcies,
Stock
Splits, Mandatory
Exchanges
|
At
posting of funds or securities
received
|
None
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Full
and Partial Calls
|
Later
of 10 business days prior to
expiration
or receipt of notice
|
None
|
Upon
receipt
|
NOTE:
Fractional shares/par amounts resulting from any of the above will be
sold.
B-4
EXHIBIT
C
Fund
Names
Separate
Series of the Wexford Trust
Name
of Series
|
|
Xxxxxxxxxx
Fund
|
|
C-1
EXHIBIT
D
Fee
Schedule to the Custody Agreement -Wexford Trust
XXXXXXXXXX
FUND
DOMESTIC
CUSTODY SERVICES
FEE
SCHEDULE - effective 1/1/06
|
Annual
Fee Based Upon Market Value Per Fund*
1.00
basis point on the first $20 million of market value
.75 basis point on the next $50 million
.50 basis point on the next $930 million
.25 basis point on assets > than $1 billion
CCO
Fees $1,200 per annum
-
Portfolio
Transaction Fees
$
5.00 per disbursement (waived if U.S. Bancorp is
Administrator)
$
7.00 per US Bank repurchase agreement transaction
$
7.00 per book entry security (depository or Federal Reserve system)
and
non-US Bank
repurchase
agrmt
$25.00
per portfolio transaction processed through our New York custodian
definitive
security
(physical)
$
8.00 per principal paydown
$15.00
per option/future contract written, exercised or expired
$50.00
per Cedel/Euroclear transaction
$15.00
per mutual fund trade
$15.00
per Fed Wire
$15.00
per margin variation Fed wire
$
6.00 per short sale
$150.00
per segregated account per year
· A
transaction is a purchase/sale of a security, free receipt/free delivery,
maturity, tender or exchange.
· No
charge for the initial conversion free receipt.
· Overdrafts
- charged to the account at prime interest rate plus 2.
· Plus
out-of-pocket expenses, and extraordinary expenses based upon complexity,
including items such as shipping fees or transfer fees.
Fees
are billed monthly.
|
D-1
EXHIBIT
E
SHAREHOLDER
COMMUNICATIONS ACT AUTHORIZATION
WEXFORD
TRUST
The
Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 requires banks and trust companies to
make an effort to permit direct communication between a company which issues
securities and the shareholder who votes those securities.
Unless
you specifically require us to NOT release your name and address to requesting
companies, we are required by law to disclose your name and
address.
Your
“yes” or “no” to disclosure will apply to all securities U.S. Bank holds for you
now and in the future, unless you change your mind and notify us in writing.
______
YES
|
U.S.
Bank is authorized to provide the
Trust’s
name, address and security position
to
requesting companies whose stock is
owned
by the Trust.
|
|
______
NO
|
U.S.
Bank is NOT authorized to provide the
Trust’s
name, address and security position
to
requesting companies whose stock is
owned
by the Trust.
|
WEXFORD
TRUST
By:
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
Date:
6/27/2006
E-1