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FORM OF
CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made as of ___________ by and between
_______________, a Maryland corporation/Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund") and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association
("PNC Bank"). The Fund is registered as an open-end investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
The Fund wishes to retain PNC Bank to provide custodian services and PNC
Bank wishes to furnish such services, either directly or through an
affiliate or affiliates, as more fully described herein. In consideration of
the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, the parties agree as
follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) "Authorized Person". The term "Authorized Person" shall mean any
officer of the Fund and any other person, who is duly authorized
by the Fund's Governing Board, to give Oral and Written Instructions on behalf
of the Fund. Such persons are listed in the Certificate attached hereto
as the Authorized Persons Appendix, as such Appendix may be amended in
writing by the Fund's Governing Board from time to time.
(b) "Book-Entry System". The term "Book-Entry System" means
Federal Reserve Treasury book-entry system for United States and federal
agency securities, its successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees
and any book-entry system maintained by an
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exchange registered with the SEC under the 1934 Act.
(c) "CFTC". The term "CFTC" shall mean the Commodities Futures
Trading Commission.
(d) "Governing Board". The term "Governing Board" shall mean the
Fund's Board of Directors if the Fund is a corporation or the Fund's Board of
Trustees if the Fund is a trust, or, where duly authorized, a competent
committee thereof.
(e) "Oral Instructions". The term "Oral Instructions" shall mean
oral instructions received by PNC Bank from an Authorized Person or from a
person reasonably believed by PNC Bank to be an Authorized Person.
(f) "SEC". The term "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(g) "Securities and Commodities Laws". The term "Securities and
Commodities Laws" shall mean the "1933 Act" which shall mean the Securities
Act of 1933, the "1934 Act" which shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the 1940 Act, and the "CEA" which shall mean the Commodities Exchange
Act, as amended.
(h) "Shares". The term "Shares" shall mean the shares of stock of
any series or class of the Fund, or, where appropriate, units of beneficial
interest in a trust where the Fund is organized as a Trust.
(i) "Property". The term "Property" shall mean:
(i) any and all securities and other investment
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items which the Fund may from time to time deposit, or cause to be deposited,
with PNC Bank or which PNC Bank may from time to time hold for the Fund;
(ii) all income in respect of any of such securities or other
investment items;
(iii) all proceeds of the sale of any of such securities or
investment items; and
(iv) all proceeds of the sale of securities issued by the
Fund, which are received by PNC Bank from time to time,
from or on behalf of the Fund.
(j) "Written Instructions". The term "Written Instructions" shall
mean written instructions signed by one Authorized Person and received by PNC
Bank. The instructions may be delivered by hand, mail, tested telegram,
cable, telex or facsimile sending device.
2. Appointment. The Fund hereby appoints PNC Bank to provide custodian
services to the Fund, and PNC Bank accepts such appointment and agrees to
furnish such services.
3. Delivery of Documents. The Fund has provided or, where applicable,
will provide PNC Bank with the following:
(a) certified or authenticated copies of the resolutions of the
Fund's Governing Board, approving the appointment of PNC Bank or its
affiliates to provide services;
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(b) a copy of the Fund's most recent effective registration
statement;
(c) a copy of the Fund's advisory agreement or agreements;
(d) a copy of the Fund's distribution agreement or agreements;
(e) a copy of the Fund's administration agreements if PNC Bank is
not providing the Fund with such services; (f) copies
of any shareholder servicing agreements made in respect of the Fund; and
(g) certified or authenticated copies of any and all amendments or
supplements to the foregoing.
4. Compliance with Government Rules and Regulations. PNC Bank
undertakes to comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities and
Commodities Laws and any laws, rules and regulations of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction with respect to all duties to be performed by
PNC Bank hereunder. Except as specifically set forth herein, PNC Bank assumes
no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund.
5. Instructions. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PNC Bank
shall act only upon Oral and Written Instructions. PNC Bank shall be entitled
to rely upon any Oral and Written Instructions it receives from an Authorized
Person (or from a person reasonably believed by PNC Bank to be an Authorized
Person) pursuant to this Agreement. PNC Bank may assume that any
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Oral or Written Instructions received hereunder are not in any way
inconsistent with the provisions of organizational documents or this Agreement
or of any vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's Governing Board or of
the Fund's shareholders.
The Fund agrees to forward to PNC Bank Written Instructions confirming
Oral Instructions so that PNC Bank receives the Written Instructions by the
close of business on the same day that such Oral Instructions are received.
The fact that such confirming Written Instructions are not received by PNC
Bank shall in no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the
transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions.
The Fund further agrees that PNC Bank shall incur no liability to the
Fund in acting upon Oral or Written Instructions provided such instructions
reasonably appear to have been received from an Authorized Person.
6. Right to Receive Advice.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PNC Bank is in doubt as to any action
it should or should not take, PNC Bank may request directions or advice,
including Oral or Written Instructions, from the Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PNC Bank shall be in doubt as to any
questions of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, PNC
Bank may request advice at its own cost from such counsel of its own choosing
(who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund's advisor or PNC Bank, at the
option of PNC Bank).
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(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between
directions, advice or Oral or Written Instructions PNC Bank receives from the
Fund, and the advice it receives from counsel, PNC Bank shall be entitled to
rely upon and follow the advice of counsel.
(d) Protection of PNC Bank. PNC Bank shall be protected in any
action it takes or does not take in reliance upon directions, advice or Oral
or Written Instructions it receives from the Fund or from counsel and which
PNC Bank believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those directions,
advice or Oral or Written Instructions.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed so as to impose an
obligation upon PNC Bank (i) to seek such directions, advice or Oral or
Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with such directions,
advice or Oral or Written Instructions unless, under the terms of other
provisions of this Agreement, the same is a condition of PNC Bank's properly
taking or not taking such action.
7. Records. The books and records pertaining to the Fund which are in
the possession of PNC Bank, shall be the property of the Fund. Such books and
records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other
applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. The Fund, or the Fund's
Authorized Persons, shall have access to such books and records at all time
during PNC Bank's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the
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Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by PNC Bank to
the Fund or to an Authorized Person of the Fund, at the Fund's expense.
8. Confidentiality. PNC Bank agrees to keep confidential all records of
the Fund and information relative to the Fund and its shareholders (past,
present and potential), unless the release of such records or information is
otherwise consented to, in writing, by the Fund. The Fund agrees that such
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where PNC
Bank may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings or when required
to divulge. The Fund further agrees that, should PNC Bank be required to
provide such information or records to duly constituted authorities (who may
institute civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply), PNC
Bank shall not be required to seek the Fund's consent prior to disclosing such
information.
9. Cooperation with Accountants. PNC Bank shall cooperate with the
Fund's independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable action in
the performance of its obligations under this Agreement to ensure that the
necessary information is made available to such accountants for the expression
of their opinion, as required by the Fund.
10. Disaster Recovery. PNC Bank shall enter into and shall maintain in
effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable
provision for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the
extent appropriate equipment is
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available. In the event of equipment failures, PNC Bank shall, at no
additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service
interruptions but shall have no liability with respect thereto.
11. Compensation. As compensation for custody services rendered by PNC
Bank during the term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to PNC Bank a fee or
fees as may be agreed to in writing from time to time by the Fund and PNC
Bank.
12. Indemnification. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless PNC
Bank and its nominees from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessment, claims
and liabilities (including, without limitation, liabilities arising under the
Securities and Commodities Laws and any state and foreign securities and blue
sky laws, and amendments thereto, and expenses, including (without limitation)
attorneys' fees and disbursements, arising directly or indirectly from any
action which PNC Bank takes or does not take (i) at the request or on the
direction of or in reliance on the advice of the Fund or (ii) upon Oral or
Written Instructions. Neither PNC Bank, nor any of its nominees, shall be
indemnified against any liability to the Fund or to its shareholders (or any
expenses incident to such liability) arising out of PNC Bank's own willful
misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties and
obligations under this Agreement.
13. Responsibility of PNC Bank. PNC Bank shall be under no duty to take
any action on behalf of the Fund except as
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specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically agreed to by PNC Bank,
in writing. PNC Bank shall be obligated to exercise care and diligence in the
performance of its duties hereunder, to act in good faith and to use its best
effort, within reasonable limits, in performing services provided for under
this Agreement. PNC Bank shall be responsible for its own negligent failure
to perform its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, PNC
Bank shall not be responsible for losses beyond its control, provided that PNC
Bank has acted in accordance with the standard of care set forth above; and
provided further that PNC Bank shall only be responsible for that portion of
losses or damages suffered by the Fund that are attributable to the negligence
of PNC Bank.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other
provision of this Agreement, PNC Bank, in connection with its duties under
this Agreement, shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into and
shall not be liable for (a) the validity or invalidity or authority or lack
thereof of any Oral or Written Instruction, notice or other instrument which
conforms to the applicable requirements of this Agreement, and which PNC Bank
reasonably believes to be genuine; or (b) delays or errors or loss of data
occurring by reason of circumstances beyond PNC Bank's control, including acts
of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties,
fire, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure
of the mails,
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transportation, communication or power supply.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, PNC Bank
shall have no liability to the Fund for any consequential, special or indirect
losses or damages which the Fund may incur or suffer by or as a consequence of
PNC Bank's performance of the services provided hereunder, whether or not the
likelihood of such losses or damages was known by PNC Bank.
14. Description of Services.
(a) Delivery of the Property. The Fund will deliver or arrange for
delivery to PNC Bank, all the property owned by the Fund, including cash
received as a result of the distribution of its Shares, during the period that
is set forth in this Agreement. PNC Bank will not be responsible for such
property until actual receipt.
(b) Receipt and Disbursement of Money. PNC Bank, acting upon
Written Instructions, shall open and maintain separate account(s) in the
Fund's name using all cash received from or for the account of the Fund,
subject to the terms of this Agreement. In addition, upon Written
Instructions, PNC Bank shall open separate custodial accounts for each
separate series, class or portfolio of the Fund and shall hold in such
account(s) all cash received from or for the accounts of the Fund specifically
designated to each separate series, class or portfolio. PNC Bank shall make
cash payments from or for the account of the Fund only for:
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(i) purchases of securities in the name of the Fund or PNC
Bank or PNC Bank's nominee as provided in sub-paragraph j
and for which PNC Bank has received a copy of the broker's
or dealer's confirmation or payee's invoice, as
appropriate;
(ii) purchase or redemption of Shares of the Fund delivered
to PNC Bank;
(iii) payment of, subject to Written Instructions, interest,
taxes, administration, accounting, distribution, advisory,
management fees or similar expenses which are to be borne
by the Fund;
(iv) payment to, subject to receipt of Written Instructions,
the Fund's transfer agent, as agent for the shareholders,
an amount equal to the amount of dividends and
distributions stated in the Written Instructions to be
distributed in cash by the transfer agent to shareholders,
or, in lieu of paying the Fund's transfer agent, PNC Bank
may arrange for the direct payment of cash dividends and
distributions to shareholders in accordance with
procedures mutually agreed upon from time to time by and
among the Fund, PNC Bank and
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the Fund's transfer agent;
(v) payments, upon receipt of Written Instructions, in
connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned or subscribed to by the Fund and held by
or delivered to PNC Bank;
(vi) payments of the amounts of dividends received with
respect to securities sold short; payments made to a
sub-custodian pursuant to provisions in sub-paragraph c of
this Paragraph; and
(viii) payments, upon Written Instructions made for other proper
Fund purposes. PNC Bank is hereby authorized to endorse
and collect all checks, drafts or other orders for the
payment of money received as custodian for the account of
the Fund.
(c) Receipt of Securities.
(i) PNC Bank shall hold all securities received by it for the
account of the Fund in a separate account that physically
segregates such securities from those of any other
persons, firms or corporations, except for securities held
in a Book-Entry System. All such securities shall be
held or disposed of
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only upon Written Instructions of the Fund pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. PNC Bank shall have no power or authority to assign, hypothecate,
pledge or otherwise dispose of any such securities or investment, except upon
the express terms of this Agreement and upon Written Instructions, accompanied
by a certified resolution of the Fund's Governing Board, authorizing the
transaction. In no case may any member of the Fund's Governing Board, or any
officer, employee or agent of the Fund withdraw any securities. At PNC Bank's
own expense and for its own convenience, PNC Bank may enter into sub-custodian
agreements with other banks or trust companies to perform duties described in
this sub-paragraph c. Such bank or trust company shall have an aggregate
capital, surplus and undivided profits, according to its last published
report, of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000), if it is a subsidiary or
affiliate of PNC Bank, or at least twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) if
such bank or trust company is not a subsidiary or affiliate of PNC Bank. In
addition, such
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bank or trust company must agree to comply with the relevant provisions of the
1940 Act and other applicable rules and regulations. PNC Bank shall remain
responsible for the performance of all of its duties as described in this
Agreement and shall hold the Fund harmless from PNC Bank's own (or any
sub-custodian chosen by PNC Bank under the terms of this sub-paragraph c) acts
or omissions, under the standards of care provided for herein.
(d) Transactions Requiring Instructions. Upon receipt of Oral or
Written Instructions and not otherwise, PNC Bank, directly or through the use
of the Book-Entry System, shall:
(i) deliver any securities held for the Fund against the
receipt of payment for the sale of such securities;
(ii) execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated
in such Oral or Written Instructions, proxies, consents,
authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the
authority of the Fund as owner of any securities may be
exercised;
(iii) deliver any securities to the issuer thereof, or its
agent, when such securities are
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called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to PNC Bank;
(iv) deliver any securities held for the Fund against receipt
of other securities or cash issued or paid in connection
with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, tender
offer, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any
corporation, or the exercise of any conversion privilege;
(v) deliver any securities held for the Fund to any
protective committee, reorganization committee or other
person in connection with the reorganization,
refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or
sale of assets of any corporation, and receive and hold
under the terms of this Agreement such certificates of
deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or
documents as may be issued to it to evidence such
delivery;
(vi) make such transfer or exchanges of the assets of the Fund
and take such other steps as shall be stated in said Oral
or Written Instructions to be for the purpose of
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effectuating a duly authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization of the Fund;
(vii) release securities belonging to the Fund to any bank or
trust company for the purpose of a pledge or hypothecation
to secure any loan incurred by the Fund; provided,
however, that securities shall be released only upon
payment to PNC Bank of the monies borrowed, except that in
cases where additional collateral is required to secure a
borrowing already made subject to proper prior
authorization, further securities may be released for that
purpose; and repay such loan upon redelivery to it of the
securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon
surrender of the note or notes evidencing the loan;
(viii) release and deliver securities owned by the Fund in
connection with any repurchase agreement entered into on
behalf of the Fund, but only on receipt of payment
therefor; and pay out moneys of the Fund in connection
with such repurchase agreements, but only upon the
delivery of the securities;
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(ix) release and deliver or exchange securities owned by the
Fund in connection with any conversion of such securities,
pursuant to their terms, into other securities;
(x) release and deliver securities owned by the Fund for the
purpose of redeeming in kind shares of the Fund upon
delivery thereof to PNC Bank; and
(xi) release and deliver or exchange securities owned by the
Fund for other corporate purposes. PNC Bank must also
receive a certified resolution describing the nature of
the corporate purpose and the name and address of the
person(s) to whom delivery shall be made when such action
is pursuant to sub-paragraph d above.
(e) Use of Book-Entry System. The Fund shall deliver to PNC Bank
certified resolutions of the Fund's Governing Board approving, authorizing and
instructing PNC Bank on a continuous and on-going basis, to deposit in the
Book-Entry System all securities belonging to the Fund eligible for deposit
therein and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of securities by the Fund,
and deliveries and returns of securities loaned, subject to repurchase
agreements or used as collateral in connection with borrowings.
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PNC Bank shall continue to perform such duties until it receives Written or
Oral Instructions authorizing contrary actions(s).
To administer the Book-Entry System properly, the following provisions
shall apply:
(i) With respect to securities of the Fund which are
maintained in the Book-Entry system, established pursuant
to this sub-paragraph e hereof, the records of PNC Bank
shall identify by Book-Entry or otherwise those securities
belonging to the Fund. PNC Bank shall furnish the Fund a
detailed statement of the Property held for the Fund under
this Agreement at least monthly and from time to time and
upon written request.
(ii) Securities and any cash of the Fund deposited in the
Book-Entry System will at all times be segregated from
any assets and cash controlled by PNC Bank in other than a
fiduciary or custodian capacity but may be commingled with
other assets held in such capacities. PNC Bank and its
sub-custodian, if any, will pay out money only upon
receipt of securities and will deliver securities only
upon the receipt of money.
(iii) All books and records maintained by PNC Bank
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which relate to the Fund's participation in the Book-Entry System will at all
times during PNC Bank's regular business hours be open to the inspection of
the Fund's duly authorized employees or agents, and the Fund will be furnished
with all information in respect of the services rendered to it as it may
require.
(iv) PNC Bank will provide the Fund with copies of any report
obtained by PNC Bank on the system of internal accounting
control of the Book-Entry System promptly after receipt of
such a report by PNC Bank. PNC Bank will also provide the
Fund with such reports on its own system of internal
control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to
time.
(f) Registration of Securities. All Securities held for the Fund
which are issued or issuable only in bearer form, except such securities held
in the Book-Entry System, shall be held by PNC Bank in bearer form; all other
securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name of the Fund; PNC
Bank; the Book-Entry System; a sub-custodian; or any duly appointed nominee(s)
of the Fund, PNC Bank, Book-Entry system or sub-custodian. The Fund reserves
the right to instruct PNC Bank as to the method of registration and
safekeeping of the securities of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to PNC
Bank appropriate instruments to
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enable PNC Bank to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register
its registered nominee or in the name of the Book-Entry System, any securities
which it may hold for the account of the Fund and which may from time to time
be registered in the name of the Fund. PNC Bank shall hold all such
securities which are not held in the Book-Entry System in a separate account
for the Fund in the name of the Fund physically segregated at all times from
those of any other person or persons.
(g) Voting and Other Action. Neither PNC Bank nor its nominee
shall vote any of the securities held pursuant to this Agreement by or for the
account of the Fund, except in accordance with Written Instructions. PNC
Bank, directly or through the use of the Book-Entry System, shall execute in
blank and promptly deliver all notice, proxies, and proxy soliciting materials
to the registered holder of such securities. If the registered holder is not
the Fund then Written or Oral Instructions must designate the person(s) who
owns such securities.
(h) Transactions Not Requiring Instructions. In the absence of
contrary Written Instructions, PNC Bank is authorized to take the following
actions:
(i) Collection of Income and Other Payments.
(A) collect and receive for the account of the Fund, all
income, dividends, distributions, coupons, option
premiums, other payments and similar items,
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included or to be included in the Property, and, in addition, promptly advise
the Fund of such receipt and credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's
custodian account;
(B) endorse and deposit for collection, in the name of
the Fund, checks, drafts, or other orders for the
payment of money;
(C) receive and hold for the account of the Fund all
securities received as a distribution on the Fund's
portfolio securities as a result of a stock dividend,
share split-up or reorganization, recapitalization,
readjustment or other rearrangement or distribution
of rights or similar securities issued with respect
to any portfolio securities belonging to the Fund
held by PNC Bank hereunder;
(D) present for payment and collect the amount payable
upon all securities which may mature or be called,
redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become payable on
the date such securities become payable; and
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(E) take any action which may be necessary and proper in
connection with the collection and receipt of such
income and other payments and the endorsement for
collection of checks, drafts, and other negotiable
instruments.
(ii) Miscellaneous Transactions.
(A) PNC Bank is authorized to deliver or cause to be
delivered Property against payment or other
consideration or written receipt therefor in the
following cases:
(1) for examination by a broker or dealer selling
for the account of the Fund in accordance with
street delivery custom;
(2) for the exchange of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities;
and
(3) for transfer of securities into the name of the
Fund or PNC Bank or nominee of either, or for
exchange of securities for a different number of
bonds,certificates, or other evidence,
representing the same aggregate face amount or
number of
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units bearing the same interest rate, maturity date and call provisions, if
any; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered
to PNC Bank.
(B) Unless and until PNC Bank receives Oral or Written
Instructions to the contrary, PNC Bank shall:
(1) pay all income items held by it which call for
payment upon presentation and hold the cash
received by it upon such payment for the account
of the Fund;
(2) collect interest and cash dividends received,
with notice to the Fund, to the Fund's account;
(3) hold for the account of the Fund all stock
dividends, rights and similar securities issued
with respect to any securities held by PNC Bank;
and
(4) execute as agent on behalf of the Fund
all necessary ownership certificates required by
the Internal Revenue Code or the Income Tax
Regulations of the United States
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Treasury Department or under the laws of any State now or hereafter in effect,
inserting the Fund's name, on such certificate as the owner of the securities
covered thereby, to the extent it may lawfully do so.
(i) Segregated Accounts.
(i) PNC Bank shall upon receipt of Written or Oral
Instructions establish and maintain segregated account(s)
on its records for and on behalf of the Fund. Such
account(s) may be used to transfer cash and securities,
including securities in the Book-Entry System:
(A) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the
procedures required by a securities or option
exchange, providing such procedures comply with the
1940 Act and any releases of the SEC relating to the
maintenance of segregated accounts by registered
investment companies; and
(B) Upon receipt of Written Instructions, for other
proper corporate purposes.
(ii) PNC Bank may enter into separate custodial agreements with
various futures commission
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merchants ("FCMs") that the Fund uses ("FCM Agreement"). Pursuant to an FCM
Agreement, the Fund's margin deposits in any transactions involving futures
contracts and options on futures contracts will be held by PNC Bank in
accounts ("FCM Account") subject to the disposition by the FCM involved in
such contracts and in accordance with the customer contract between FCM and
the Fund ("FCM Contract"), SEC rules and the rules of the applicable
commodities exchange. Such FCM Agreements shall only be entered into upon
receipt of Written Instructions from the Fund which state that:
(A) a customer agreement between the FCM and the Fund
has been entered into; and
(B) the Fund is in compliance with all the rules and
regulations of the CFTC. Transfers of initial margin
shall be made into a FCM Account only upon Written
Instructions; transfers of premium and variation
margin may be made into a FCM Account pursuant to
Oral Instructions.
Transfers of funds from a FCM Account to the FCM for
which PNC Bank holds such an
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account may only occur upon certification by the FCM to PNC Bank that pursuant
to the FCM Agreement and the FCM Contract, all conditions precedent to its
right to give PNC Bank such instructions have been satisfied.
(iii) PNC Bank shall arrange for the establishment of XXX
custodian accounts for such share- holders holding Shares
through XXX accounts, in accordance with the Fund's
prospectuses, the Internal Revenue Code (including
regulations), and with such other procedures as are
mutually agreed upon from time to time by and among the
Fund, PNC Bank and the Fund's transfer agent.
(j) Purchases of Securities. PNC Bank shall settle purchased
securities upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions from the Fund or its
investment advisor(s) that specify:
(i) the name of the issuer and the title of the securities,
including CUSIP number if applicable;
(ii) the number of shares or the principal amount purchased and
accrued interest, if any;
(iii) the date of purchase and settlement;
(iv) the purchase price per unit;
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(v) the total amount payable upon such purchase; and
(vi) the name of the person from whom or the broker through
whom the purchase was made. PNC Bank shall upon receipt of
securities purchased by or for the Fund pay out of the
moneys held for the account of the Fund the total amount
payable to the person from whom or the broker through whom
the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to
the total amount payable as set forth in such Oral or
Written Instructions.
(k) Sales of Securities. PNC Bank shall settle sold securities
upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions from the Fund that specify:
(i) the name of the issuer and the title of the security,
including CUSIP number if applicable;
(ii) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest, if any;
(iii) the date of trade, settlement and sale;
(iv) the sale price per unit;
(v) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale;
(vi) the name of the broker through whom or the
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person to whom the sale was made; and
(vii) the location to which the security must be delivered and
delivery deadline, if any. PNC Bank shall deliver the
securities upon receipt of the total amount payable to the
Fund upon such sale, provided that the total amount
payable is the same as was set forth in the Oral or
Written Instructions. Subject to the foregoing, PNC Bank
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.
(l) Reports.
(i) PNC Bank shall furnish the Fund the following reports:
(A) such periodic and special reports as the Fund may
reasonably request;
(B) a monthly statement summarizing all transactions and
entries for the account of the Fund, listing the
portfolio securities belonging to the Fund with the
adjusted average cost of each issue and the market
value at the end of such month, and stating the cash
account of
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the Fund including disbursement;
(C) the reports to be furnished to the Fund pursuant to
Rule 17f-4; and
(D) such other information as may be agreed upon from
time to time between the Fund and PNC Bank.
(ii) PNC Bank shall transmit promptly to the Fund any proxy
statement, proxy material, notice of a call or conversion
or similar communication received by it as custodian of
the Property. PNC Bank shall be under no other obligation
to inform the Fund as to such actions or events.
(m) Collections. All collections of monies or other property, in
respect, or which are to become part of the Property (but not the safekeeping
thereof upon receipt by PNC Bank) shall be at the sole risk of the Fund. If
payment is not received by PNC Bank within a reasonable time after proper
demands have been made, PNC Bank shall notify the Fund in writing, including
copies of all demand letters, any written responses, memoranda of all oral
responses and telephonic demands thereto, and await instructions from the
Fund. PNC Bank shall not be obliged to take legal action for collection
unless and until reasonably indemnified to its satisfaction. PNC Bank shall
also notify the Fund as soon as reasonably practicable whenever income due on
securities is not collected in due course.
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15. Duration and Termination. This Agreement shall continue until
terminated by the Fund or by PNC Bank on sixty (60) days' prior written notice
to the other party. In the event this Agreement is terminated (pending
appointment of a successor to PNC Bank or vote of the shareholders of the Fund
to dissolve or to function without a custodian of its cash, securities or
other property), PNC Bank shall not deliver cash, securities or other property
of the Fund to the Fund. It may deliver them to a bank or trust company of
PNC Bank's choice, having an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits,
as shown by its last published report, of not less than twenty million dollars
($20,000,000), as a custodian for the Fund to be held under terms similar to
those of this Agreement. PNC Bank shall not be required to make any such
delivery or payment until full payment shall have been made to PNC Bank of all
of its fees, compensation, costs and expenses. PNC Bank shall have a security
interest in and shall have a right of setoff against Property in the Fund's
possession as security for the payment of such fees, compensation, costs and
expenses.
16. Notices. All notices and other communications, including Written
Instructions, shall be in writing or by confirming telegram, cable, telex or
facsimile sending device. Notice shall be addressed (a) if to PNC Bank at PNC
Bank's address: Airport Business Center, International Court 2, 000 Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, marked for the attention of the Custodian
Services Department (or its successor) (b) if to the Fund, at the
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address of the Fund; or (c) if to neither of the foregoing, at such other
address as shall have been notified to the sender of any such notice or other
communication. If notice is sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex or
facsimile sending device, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately.
If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given
five days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by messenger, it shall
be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered.
17. Amendments. This Agreement, or any term hereof, may be changed or
waived only by a written amendment, signed by the party against whom
enforcement of such change or waiver is sought. 18. Delegation. PNC
Bank may assign its rights and delegate its duties hereunder to any
wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PNC Bank, National Association
or PNC Bank Corp., provided that (i) PNC Bank gives the Fund thirty (30) days
prior written notice; (ii) the delegate agrees with PNC Bank to comply with
all relevant provisions of the 1940 Act; and (iii) PNC Bank and such delegate
promptly provide such information as the Fund may request, and respond to such
questions as the Fund may ask, relative to the assignment, including (without
limitation) the capabilities of the delegate.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 20. Further
Actions. Each party agrees to perform such
32
further acts and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate
the purposes hereof.
21. Miscellaneous. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, provided that the
parties may embody in one or more separate documents their agreement, if any,
with respect to delegated duties and/or Oral Instructions. The captions in
this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way
define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their
construction or effect.
This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in Pennsylvania and
governed by Pennsylvania law, without regard to principles of conflicts of
law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement
shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their officers designated below on the day and year first above
written.
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: Title:
[NAME OF FUND]
By: Title:
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AUTHORIZED PERSONS APPENDIX
NAME (Type) SIGNATURE
