Exhibit (j)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
PROSPECT STREET HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It.................. 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund
Held by the Custodian.................................................. 2
2.1 Holding Securities............................................... 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities........................................... 2
2.3 Registration of securities....................................... 7
2.4 Bank Accounts.................................................... 8
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds.................................... 8
2.6 Collection of Income............................................. 9
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies........................................... 9
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased.................................. 12
2.9 Appointment of Agents............................................ 13
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System...................... 13
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System.......... 16
2.11 Segregated Account............................................... 18
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes.......................... 19
2.13 Proxies.......................................................... 19
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities............. 19
2.15 Proper Instructions.............................................. 20
2.16 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority...................... 21
2.17 Evidence of Authority............................................ 22
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of
Account and Calculation of Net Asset Value and
Net Income............................................................. 22
4. Records................................................................ 23
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant............................... 24
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants...................... 24
7. Compensation of Custodian.............................................. 24
8. Responsibility of Custodian............................................ 25
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment............................ 26
10. Successor Custodian.................................................... 28
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions................................. 29
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply............................................. 30
13. Shareholder Communications Election.................................... 30
14. Prior Contracts........................................................ 31
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Prospect Street High Income Portfolio Inc., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of Maryland, having its
principal place of business at Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
00000, hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of business at 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. The Fund agrees to
deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments
of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with
respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of capital stock,
$.01 par value, ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to
time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held
or received by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.15), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians,
but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Directors of the
Fund, and provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility
or liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any
sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian,
provided that any such Custodian shall be selected with reasonable care.
2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD
BY THE CUSTODIAN
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, including all
securities owned by the Fund, other than (a) securities which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 in a clearing agency which acts as
a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which
State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent
("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct
Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10A.
2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver
securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities
System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper
book entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions
when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following
cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into
by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees
of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any
agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into the name or
nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds,
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;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the
Fund, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a
receipt, for examination in accordance with "street
delivery" 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;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or
readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such
securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion
contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit
agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights
or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts
or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided
that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any,
are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made
by the Fund, but ONLY against receipt of adequate collateral
as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the
Fund, which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued
by the United States government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans
for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held
liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned
by the Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings
by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, -but
ONLY against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") and a member of The National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("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;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, 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; and
14) For any other proper corporate purpose, BUT ONLY upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified
copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
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.
2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Securities held by the Custodian (other
than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or
in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund,
UNLESS the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee
to be used in common with other registered investment companies having
the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee
name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the name or
nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All
securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the
terms of this Contract shall be in "street name" or other good
delivery form. If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain
securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best
efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities
and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant
corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls,
maturities, tender or exchange offers.
2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or
order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract,
and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions
hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund,
other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established
and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited
by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the
Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its
discretion deem necessary or desirable; PROVIDED, however, that every
such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or
trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or
trust company shall be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian
in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified
times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in
the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund which
are deposited into the Fund's account.
2.6 COLLECTION OF INCOME. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other
payments with respect to registered securities held hereunder to which
the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the
securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income
and other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date
of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or
its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the
Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all
coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they
become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held
hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant to the
provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the
Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection
therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or
data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the
timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Fund is
properly entitled.
2.7 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may
be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases
only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures contracts
or options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund
but only (a) against the delivery of such securities or
evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank,
banking firm or trust company doing business in the United
States or abroad which is qualified under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian and
has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this
purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or in the name
of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3
hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a
purchase effected through a Securities System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in
the case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10A;
(d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into
between the Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a
broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against
delivery of the securities either in certificate form or
through an entry crediting the Custodian's account at the
Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against
delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund of
securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase
such securities from the Fund or (e) for transfer to a time
deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or
foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a
confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank
pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in
Section 2.15;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
3) 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, management,
accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating
expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be
in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred
expenses;
4) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
5) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect
of securities sold short;
6) For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth the
purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring such
purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of securities for the account of
the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the
securities purchased in the absence of specific written instructions
from the Fund to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely
liable to the Fund for such securities to the same extent as if the
securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.9 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or
trust company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry
out such of the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from
time to time direct; PROVIDED, however, that the appointment of any
agent or sub-custodian pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall not relieve
the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a
securities depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain federal agencies,
collectively referred to herein as "Securities System" in accordance
with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in
the Securities System which shall not include any assets of
the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the
Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred
to the 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. The Custodian shall
transfer securities sold for the account of the Fund upon
(i) receipt of advice from the Securities System that
payment for such securities has been transferred to the
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. Copies of all advices from the
Securities System of transfers of securities for the account
of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for the
Fund by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its
request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities System
for the account of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report
obtained by the Custodian on the Securities System's
accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the
Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 9
hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding,
the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or
damage to the Fund resulting from use of the Securities
System by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or
misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any
of its or their employees or from failure of the Custodian
or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it
may have against the Securities System; at the election of
the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the
rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against
the Securities System or any other person which the
Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss or
damage if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made
whole for any such loss or damage.
2.10A FUND ASSETS HELD IN THE CUSTODIAN'S DIRECT PAPER SYSTEM The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in the Direct
Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper
System will be
2) effected in the absence of Proper Instructions; The
Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct
Paper System only if such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper
System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian
other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to
the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer of securities to the account of the Fund. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of payment
for the account of the Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Fund, in the form of
a written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next
business day following such transfer and shall furnish to
the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transaction in the Securities System for the account
of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its
system of internal accounting control as the Fund may
reasonably request from time to time.
2.11 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions 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
an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the
Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange 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, (ii) for purposes of
segregating cash or government securities in connection with options
purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts
or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the
purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or
releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the
maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies
and (iv) for other proper corporate purposes, BUT ONLY, in the case of
clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose or
purposes of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be
proper corporate purposes.
2.12 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other
payments with respect to securities of the Fund held by it and in
connection with transfers of securities.
2.13 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of
such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in
the name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and
shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.14 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND PORTFOLIO SECURITIES Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to
the Fund all written information (including, without limitation,
pendency of calls and maturities of securities and expirations of
rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put
options written by the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts
purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers
of the securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all
written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires
to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any
other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at
least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is
to take such action.
2.15 PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Proper Instructions as used throughout this
Article 2 means a writing signed or initialled by one or more person
or persons as the Board of Directors shall have from time to time
authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific transaction
or type of transaction involved, including a specific statement of the
purpose for which such action is requested. Oral instructions will be
considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes
them to have been given by a person authorized to give such
instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall
cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt
of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the
authorization by the Board of Directors of the Fund accompanied by a
detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of Directors,
Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the
Board of Directors and the Custodian are satisfied that such
procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets. For
purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include
instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party
agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with
Section 2.11.
2.16 ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
handling securities or other similar items relating to its
duties under this Contract not to exceed $1,000 per item,
PROVIDED that all such payments shall be accounted for to
the Fund on a monthly basis;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
transfer and other dealings with the securities and property
of the Fund except as otherwise directed by the Board of
Directors of the Fund.
2.17 EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY. The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon
any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other
instrument or paper believed by it to be genuine and to have been
properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian may
receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of
any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any
determination or of any action by the Board of Directors pursuant to
the Articles of Incorporation as described in such vote, and such vote
may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the
Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
3. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Directors of the Fund to keep
the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share of
the outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the
Fund, shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset
value per share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate weekly the
net income of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus
and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent weekly of the total amounts of
such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do
so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net
income among its various components. The calculations of the net asset value per
share and the weekly income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times
described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
4. RECORDS
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder.
All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during
the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly
authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's
request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and
held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for
such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian,
include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
5. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from
time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the
Fund's independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in
connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-2, and Form N-SAR or other
annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any
other requirements of such Commission.
6. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including
securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports, shall be
of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by
the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be
disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the
reports shall so state.
7. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the
Fund and the Custodian. Effective June 5, 1994 and for a period of two years
such compensation shall be as set forth on Schedule A annexed to the Registrar,
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement.
8. RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN
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 by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties,
including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a
three-party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the
exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract, but
shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any
action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence. It shall be
entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for
the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action
reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited
to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) or
in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any
taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with
the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct,
any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security
therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian
shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund assets to
the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
9. EFFECTIVE PERIOD TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may
be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED,
however that the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10 hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Hoard of Directors of the Fund has approved the initial use
of a particular Securities System and the receipt of an annual certificate of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors has reviewed
the use by the Fund of such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule
17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the
Custodian shall not act under Section 2.10A hereof in the absence of receipt of
an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board
of Directors has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System and the
receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that
the Board of Directors has reviewed the use by the Fund of the Direct Paper
System; PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate
this Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations,
or any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, and further provided, that
the Fund may at any time by action of its Board of Directors (i) substitute
another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described
above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event
of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the
Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the
direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian
such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall
likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
10. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Directors
of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor
custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for
transfer, all securities then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a
Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian
shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board
of Directors of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer
such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian
or certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors shall have been delivered
to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust
company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
properties held by the Custodian and all instruments held by the Custodian
relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Contract and to
transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the Fund's securities
held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be
the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Directors to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
11. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, PROVIDED that no such interpretive or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund. No interpretive or additional
provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an
amendment of this Contract.
12. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
13. SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which
hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers
of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no",
the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the
Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure
of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or
accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits
the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose
other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund
consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
14. PRIOR CONTRACTS
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of
the Fund's assets.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 6th day of June __, 1994.
ATTEST PROSPECT STREET HIGH INCOME
PORTFOLIO INC.
_____________________ By __________________________
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
_____________________ By __________________________
Executive Vice President
