EXHIBIT 24.2.j
CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of October 1, 2003 by and between
SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY, a savings association supervised by the Office of
Thrift Supervision ("SEI Trust"), and SEI OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership (the "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a closed-end,
non-diversified management investment company under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain SEI Trust to provide
custodian services, and SEI Trust wishes to furnish custodian services, either
directly or through an affiliate or affiliates, as more fully described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
(a) "1933 ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(c) "AUTHORIZED PERSON" means any person authorized by appropriate
resolution of the Fund's Board of Directors to give Oral or
Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund. An Authorized
Person's scope of authority may be limited by setting forth
such limitation in a written document signed by both parties
hereto.
(d) "BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM" means the 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 exchange
registered with the SEC under the 1934 Act.
(e) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.
(f) "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means a change in ownership or control
(not including transactions between wholly-owned direct or
indirect subsidiaries of a common parent) of 25% or more of
the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock or
shares of beneficial interest of an entity or its parent(s).
(g) "ORAL INSTRUCTIONS" mean oral instructions received by SEI
Trust from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably
believed by SEI Trust to be an
Authorized Person. SEI Trust may, in its sole discretion in
each separate instance, consider and rely upon instructions it
receives from an Authorized Person via electronic mail as Oral
Instructions.
(h) "SEI TRUST" means SEI Private Trust Company or a subsidiary or
affiliate of SEI Private Trust Company.
(i) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(j) "SECURITIES LAWS" mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940
Act and the CEA.
(k) "SHARES" mean the limited partnership interests of the Fund
regardless of whether denominated as any series or class of
the Fund.
(l) "PROPERTY" means:
(i) any and all securities and other investment items
which the Fund may from time to time deposit, or
cause to be deposited, with SEI Trust or which SEI
Trust 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 SEI Trust from time to
time, from or on behalf of the Fund.
(m) "WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS" mean (i) written instructions delivered
by hand, mail or facsimile sending device and signed by two
Authorized Persons and received by SEI Trust or (ii) trade
instructions transmitted by means of an electronic transaction
reporting system which requires the use of a password or other
authorized identifier in order to gain access.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints SEI Trust to provide custodian
services to the Fund, and SEI Trust accepts such appointment and agrees to
furnish such services.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Fund has provided or, where applicable, will
provide SEI Trust with the following:
(a) at SEI Trust's request, certified or authenticated copies of
the resolutions of the Fund's Directors, approving the
appointment of SEI Trust or its affiliates to provide
services;
(b) a copy of the Fund's most recent effective registration
statement;
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(c) a copy of the Fund's advisory and sub-advisory agreements;
(d) a copy of the distribution/underwriting agreements with
respect to each class of Shares;
(e) a copy of the Fund's administration agreement;
(f) copies of any distribution and/or member servicing plans and
agreements made in respect of the Fund or a class thereof; and
(g) certified or authenticated copies of any and all amendments or
supplements to the foregoing.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
SEI Trust undertakes to comply with material applicable
requirements of the Securities Laws and material laws, rules and regulations of
governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect to the duties to be
performed by SEI Trust hereunder. Except as specifically set forth herein, SEI
Trust assumes no responsibility for compliance with such laws by the Fund or any
other entity.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, SEI Trust shall
act only upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
(b) SEI Trust shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instruction
or Written Instruction it receives from an Authorized Person
(or from a person reasonably believed by SEI Trust to be an
Authorized Person) pursuant to this Agreement. SEI Trust may
assume that any Oral Instructions or Written Instructions
received hereunder are not in any way inconsistent with the
provisions of organizational documents of the Fund or of any
vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's Managers or of
the Fund's members, unless and until SEI Trust receives
Written Instructions to the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to SEI Trust Written Instructions
confirming Oral Instructions (except where such Oral
Instructions are given by SEI Trust or its affiliates) so that
SEI Trust receives the Written Instructions by the close of
business on the same day that such Oral Instructions are
received by SEI Trust. The fact that such confirming Written
Instructions are not received by SEI Trust or differ from the
Oral Instructions shall in no way invalidate the transactions
or enforceability of the transactions authorized by the Oral
Instructions or SEI Trust's ability to rely upon such Oral
Instructions.
6. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
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(a) ADVICE OF THE FUND. If SEI Trust is in doubt as to any action
it should or should not take, SEI Trust may request directions
or advice, including Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions, from the Fund.
(b) ADVICE OF COUNSEL. If SEI Trust shall be in doubt as to any
question of law pertaining to any action it should or should
not take, SEI Trust may request advice from counsel of its own
choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund's
investment adviser or SEI Trust, at the option of SEI Trust),
and such cost shall be borne by the Fund.
(c) CONFLICTING ADVICE. In the event of a conflict between
directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions SEI Trust receives from the Fund, and the advice
it receives from counsel, SEI Trust shall be entitled to rely
upon and follow the advice of counsel.
(d) PROTECTION OF SEI TRUST. SEI Trust shall be indemnified by the
Fund and without liability for any action SEI Trust takes or
does not take in reliance upon directions or advice or Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions SEI Trust receives from
or on behalf of the Fund or from counsel and which SEI Trust
believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those
directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions. Nothing in this section shall be construed so as
to impose an obligation upon SEI Trust (i) to seek such
directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with such
directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions.
7. RECORDS; VISITS. The books and records pertaining to the Fund which are
in the possession or under the control of SEI Trust 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
and Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records at all times
during SEI Trust's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the
Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by SEI Trust to the
Fund or to an authorized representative of the Fund, at the Fund's expense.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY. Each party shall keep confidential any information
relating to the other party's business ("Confidential Information").
Confidential Information shall include (a) any data or information that is
competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public,
including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing
strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles,
customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance
results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Fund
or SEI Trust, their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies and the
customers, clients and suppliers of any of them; (b) any scientific or technical
information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is
commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords
the Fund or SEI Trust a competitive advantage over its
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competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation,
reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow
charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not
patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, information shall not be subject to such
confidentiality obligations if it: (a) is already known to the receiving party
at the first time it is obtained; (b) is or becomes publicly known or available
through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (c) is rightfully received from
a third party who, to the best of the receiving party's knowledge, is not under
a duty of confidentiality; (d) is released by the protected party to a third
party without restriction; (e) is required to be disclosed by the receiving
party pursuant to a requirement of a court order, subpoena, governmental or
regulatory agency or law (provided the receiving party will provide the other
party written notice of such requirement, to the extent such notice is
permitted); (f) is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action
asserted against the receiving party; or (g) has been or is independently
developed or obtained by the receiving party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, SEI
Trust (and each employee, representative, or other agent of SEI Trust) may
disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax
treatment and tax structure of the Fund and its investments and all materials of
any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to SEI
Trust relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.
9. COOPERATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS. SEI Trust shall cooperate with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable action to make any
requested information available to such accountants as reasonably requested by
the Fund.
10. SEI SYSTEM. SEI Trust shall retain title to and ownership of any and
all data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive
design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or
copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, patents, copyrights, trade secrets,
and other related legal rights utilized by SEI Trust in connection with the
services provided by SEI Trust to the Fund.
11. DISASTER RECOVERY. SEI Trust shall enter into and shall maintain in
effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable
provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the
extent appropriate equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures,
SEI Trust shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to
minimize service interruptions. SEI Trust shall have no liability with respect
to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure
provided such loss or interruption is not caused by SEI Trust's own willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or
obligations under this Agreement.
12. COMPENSATION. As compensation for the services rendered by SEI Trust
under this Agreement, the Fund will pay to SEI Trust a fee or fees as may be
agreed to in writing from time to time by the Fund and SEI Trust. The Fund
acknowledges that SEI Trust may receive float benefits in connection with
maintaining certain accounts required to provide services under this Agreement.
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13. INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SEI
Trust and its affiliates, including their respective officers, directors, agents
and employees, from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and
liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements
and liabilities arising under the Securities Laws and any state and foreign
securities and blue sky laws) arising directly or indirectly from any action or
omission to act which SEI Trust takes in connection with the provision of
services to the Fund. Neither SEI Trust, nor any of its affiliates, shall be
indemnified against any liability (or any expenses incident to such liability)
caused by SEI Trust's or its affiliates' own willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of SEI Trust's
activities under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive
termination of this Agreement.
14. RESPONSIBILITY OF SEI TRUST.
(a) SEI Trust shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder
on behalf of the Fund except as specifically set forth herein
or as may be specifically agreed to by SEI Trust and the Fund
in a written amendment hereto. SEI Trust shall be obligated to
exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties
hereunder and to act in good faith in performing services
provided for under this Agreement. SEI Trust shall be liable
only for any damages arising out of SEI Trust's failure to
perform its duties under this Agreement to the extent such
damages arise out of SEI Trust's willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties
under this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
(i) SEI Trust shall not be liable for losses, delays, failure,
errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or
indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable
control, including without limitation acts of god; action or
inaction of civil or military authority; public enemy; war;
terrorism; riot; fire; flood; sabotage; epidemics; labor
disputes; civil commotion; interruption, loss or malfunction
of utilities, transportation, computer or communications
capabilities; insurrection; elements of nature; or
non-performance by a third party; and (ii) SEI Trust shall not
be under any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall not
be liable for the validity or invalidity, authority or lack
thereof, or truthfulness or accuracy or lack thereof, of any
instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other
information which SEI Trust reasonably believes to be genuine.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
(i) neither SEI Trust nor its affiliates shall be liable for
any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages,
whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was
known by SEI Trust or its affiliates and (ii) SEI Trust's
cumulative liability to the Fund for all losses, claims,
suits, controversies, breaches or damages for any cause
whatsoever (including but not limited to those arising out of
or related to this Agreement) and regardless of the form of
action or legal theory shall not exceed the lesser of $100,000
or the fees received by SEI Trust for services provided
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hereunder during the 12 months immediately prior to the date
of such loss or damage.
(d) No party may assert a cause of action against SEI Trust or any
of its affiliates that allegedly occurred more than 12 months
immediately prior to the filing of the suit (or, if
applicable, commencement of arbitration proceedings) alleging
such cause of action.
(e) Each party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the
other party may become responsible.
The provisions of this Section 14 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
15. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES. SEI Trust shall perform the custodian services
set forth in Schedule A hereto. SEI Trust may sub-contract with third parties to
perform certain of the services to be performed by SEI Trust hereunder;
provided, however, that SEI Trust shall remain principally responsible to the
Fund for the acts and omissions of such other entities. In meeting its duties
hereunder, SEI Trust shall have the general authority to do all acts deemed in
SEI Trust's good faith belief to be necessary and proper to perform its
obligations under this Agreement.
16. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue until
terminated by the Fund or SEI Trust on sixty (60) days' prior written notice to
the other party. In the event this Agreement is terminated (pending appointment
of a successor to SEI Trust or vote of the members of the Fund to dissolve or to
function without a custodian of its cash, securities or other property), SEI
Trust shall not deliver the Fund's cash, securities or other property to the
Fund. It may deliver them to a bank or trust company of SEI Trust'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. SEI Trust shall not be required to make any delivery or payment of
assets upon termination until full payment shall have been made to SEI Trust of
all of its fees, compensation, costs and expenses (such expenses include,
without limitation, expenses associated with movement (or duplication) of
records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service provider, or
to a bank or trust company pending appointment of such successor, and all
trailing expenses incurred by SEI Trust). SEI Trust shall have a security
interest in and shall have a right of setoff against the Property as security
for the payment of such fees, compensation, costs and expenses.
17. NOTICES. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to SEI Trust at Xxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: General Counsel; (b) if to
the Fund, at Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, Attention:
General Counsel; or (c) if to neither of the foregoing, at such other address as
shall have been given by like notice to the sender of any such notice or other
communication by the other party. If notice is sent by confirming electronic,
hand 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
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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.
18. 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.
19. DELEGATION; ASSIGNMENT. SEI Trust may assign its rights and delegate
its duties hereunder to any affiliate of SEI Investments Company provided that
SEI Trust gives the Fund 30 days' prior written notice of such assignment or
delegation.
20. 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.
21. FURTHER ACTIONS. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.
22. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. 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.
(b) NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. Except as expressly provided
in this Agreement, SEI Trust hereby disclaims all
representations and warranties, express or implied, made to
the Fund or any other person, including, without limitation,
any warranties regarding quality, suitability,
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise
(irrespective of any course of dealing, custom or usage of
trade), of any services or any goods provided incidental to
services provided under this Agreement. SEI Trust disclaims
any warranty of title or non-infringement except as otherwise
set forth in this Agreement.
(c) NO CHANGES THAT MATERIALLY AFFECT OBLIGATIONS. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees
not to make any modifications to its registration statement or
adopt any policies which would affect materially the
obligations or responsibilities of SEI Trust hereunder without
the prior written approval of SEI Trust, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(d) CAPTIONS. 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.
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(e) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract
made in Pennsylvania and governed by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to principles of
conflicts of law.
(f) PARTIAL INVALIDITY. 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.
(g) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
(h) FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. The facsimile signature of any party to
this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding
execution hereof by such party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
By: _______________________
Title: ____________________
SEI OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND, L.P.
By: _______________________
Title: ____________________
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SCHEDULE A
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
SEI Trust shall provide the following list of services to the Fund:
1. DELIVERY OF THE PROPERTY. The Fund will deliver or arrange for delivery
to SEI Trust, all the Property owned by it, including cash received as
a result of the distribution of Shares, during the term of this
Agreement. SEI Trust will not be responsible for such property until
actual receipt.
2. RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENT OF MONEY. SEI Trust, acting upon Written
Instructions, shall open and maintain separate accounts in the Fund's
name using all cash received from or for the account of the Fund,
subject to the terms of this Agreement.
SEI Trust shall make cash payments from or for the accounts of the Fund
only for:
(a) purchases of securities in the name of the Fund, SEI Trust,
SEI Trust's nominee or a sub-custodian or nominee thereof as
provided in Section 9 and for which SEI Trust has received a
copy of the broker's or dealer's confirmation or payee's
invoice, as appropriate;
(b) purchase or redemption of Shares of the Fund delivered to SEI
Trust;
(c) 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;
(d) payment to, subject to receipt of Written Instructions, the
Fund's investor services agent, as agent for the members, of
an amount equal to the amount of dividends and distributions
stated in the Written Instructions to be distributed in cash
by the investor services agent to members, or, in lieu of
paying the Fund's investor services agent, SEI Trust may
arrange for the direct payment of cash dividends and
distributions to members in accordance with procedures
mutually agreed upon from time to time by and among the Fund,
SEI Trust and the Fund's investor services agent.
(e) 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 SEI
Trust;
(f) payments made to a sub-custodian pursuant to provisions in
sub-section (c) of this Section; and
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(g) other payments, upon Written Instructions.
SEI Trust is hereby authorized to endorse and collect all checks,
drafts or other orders for the payment of money received as custodian
for the accounts.
3. RECEIPT OF SECURITIES; SUB-CUSTODIANS.
(a) SEI Trust shall hold all securities received by it for the
accounts 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 only
upon Written Instructions of the Fund pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement. SEI Trust shall have no power or authority to
assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any such
securities, except upon the express terms of this Agreement or
upon Written Instructions authorizing the transaction. In no
case may any member of the Fund's Managers, or any officer,
employee or agent of the Fund withdraw any securities.
At SEI Trust's own expense and for its own convenience, SEI Trust may enter
into sub-custodian agreements with other banks or trust companies to
perform duties described in this Section 3 with respect to domestic assets.
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 SEI
Trust, or at least twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) if such bank or
trust company is not a subsidiary or affiliate of SEI Trust. In addition,
such bank or trust company must be qualified to act as custodian and agree
to comply with the relevant provisions of applicable rules and regulations.
Any such arrangement will not be entered into without prior written notice
to the Fund (or as otherwise provided in the 1940 Act).
In addition, SEI Trust may enter into arrangements with sub-custodians with
respect to services regarding foreign assets. Any such arrangement will be
entered into with prior written notice to the Fund (or as otherwise
provided in the 1940 Act).
SEI Trust shall remain responsible for the performance of all of its duties
as described in this Agreement and shall hold the Fund harmless from its
own acts or omissions, under the standards of care provided for herein, or
the acts and omissions of any sub-custodian chosen by SEI Trust under the
terms of this Section 3.
4. TRANSACTIONS REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS. Upon receipt of Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions and not otherwise, SEI Trust, directly or
through the use of the Book-Entry System, shall:
(a) deliver any securities held for the Fund against the receipt
of payment for the sale of such securities;
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(b) execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in
such Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, proxies,
consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby
the authority of the Fund as owner of any securities may be
exercised;
(c) deliver any securities to the issuer thereof, or its agent,
when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or
otherwise become payable at the option of the holder; provided
that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to
be delivered to SEI Trust;
(d) 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;
(e) 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;
(f) make such transfer or exchanges of the assets of the Fund and
take such other steps as shall be stated in said Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions to be for the purpose of
effectuating a duly authorized plan of liquidation,
reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of
the Fund;
(g) 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;
(h) release and deliver securities owned by the Fund for the
purpose of redeeming in kind shares of the Fund upon delivery
thereof to SEI Trust; and
(i) release and deliver or exchange securities owned by the Fund
for other purposes.
SEI Trust 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 Section 4(i).
5. USE OF BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM. SEI Trust is authorized and instructed, on a
continuous 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
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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. SEI Trust shall continue to perform such
duties until it receives Written Instructions or Oral Instructions
authorizing contrary actions.
SEI Trust shall administer the Book-Entry System as follows:
(a) With respect to securities of the Fund which are maintained in
the Book-Entry System, the records of SEI Trust shall identify
by Book-Entry or otherwise those securities belonging to the
Fund.
(b) Assets of the Fund deposited in the Book-Entry System will at
all times be segregated from any assets and cash controlled by
SEI Trust in other than a fiduciary or custodian capacity but
may be commingled with other assets held in such capacities.
SEI Trust will provide the Fund with such reports on its own system of
internal control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.
6. 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 SEI Trust in bearer form; all
other securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name of the
Fund, SEI Trust, the Book-Entry System, a sub-custodian, or any duly
appointed nominee of the Fund, SEI Trust, Book-Entry System or
sub-custodian. The Fund reserves the right to instruct SEI Trust as to
the method of registration and safekeeping of the securities of the
Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to SEI Trust appropriate instruments
to enable SEI Trust to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or
to register in the name of its nominee or in the name of the Book-Entry
System or in the name of another appropriate entity, any securities
which it may hold for the accounts and which may from time to time be
registered in the name of the Fund.
7. VOTING AND OTHER ACTION. Neither SEI Trust 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.
SEI Trust, directly or through the use of the Book-Entry System, shall
execute in blank and promptly deliver all notices, proxies and proxy
soliciting materials received by SEI Trust as custodian of the Property
to the registered holder of such securities. If the registered holder
is not the Fund, then Written Instructions or Oral Instructions must
designate the person who owns such securities.
8. TRANSACTIONS NOT REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS. In the absence of contrary
Written Instructions, SEI Trust is authorized to take the following
actions:
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(a) COLLECTION OF INCOME AND OTHER PAYMENTS.
(i) collect and receive for the account of the Fund, all
income, dividends, distributions, coupons, option
premiums, other payments and similar items, 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;
(ii) endorse and deposit for collection, in the name of
the Fund, checks, drafts, or other orders for the
payment of money;
(iii) receive and hold for the account of the Fund all
securities received as a distribution on the Fund's
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 securities belonging to the Fund and held by
SEI Trust hereunder;
(iv) present for payment and collect the amount payable
upon all securities which may mature or be, on a
mandatory basis, called, redeemed, or retired, or
otherwise become payable on the date such securities
become payable; and
(v) 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.
(b) MISCELLANEOUS TRANSACTIONS.
(i) SEI Trust is authorized to deliver or cause to be
delivered Property against payment or other
consideration or written receipt therefor in the
following cases:
(a) for examination by a broker or dealer
selling for the account of the Fund in
accordance with street delivery custom;
(b) for the exchange of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive
securities; and
(c) for transfer of securities into the name of
the Fund or SEI Trust or a sub-custodian or
a nominee of one of the foregoing, or for
exchange of securities for a different
number of bonds, certificates, or other
evidence, representing the same aggregate
face amount or number of units bearing the
same interest rate and having the same
maturity,
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provided that, in any such case, the new
securities are to be delivered to SEI Trust.
(ii) unless and until SEI Trust receives Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions to the contrary, SEI Trust
shall:
(a) 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;
(b) collect interest and cash dividends
received, with notice to the Fund, to the
account of the Fund;
(c) hold for the account of the Fund all stock
dividends, rights and similar securities
issued with respect to any securities held
by SEI Trust; and
(d) 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 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.
9. PURCHASES OF SECURITIES. SEI Trust shall settle purchased securities
upon receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions that specify:
(a) the name of the issuer and the title of the securities,
including CUSIP number if applicable;
(b) the number of shares or the principal amount purchased and
accrued interest, if any;
(c) the date of purchase and settlement;
(d) the purchase price per unit;
(e) the total amount payable upon such purchase;
(f) the name of the person from whom or the broker through whom
the purchase was made. SEI Trust 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 Instructions or Written
Instructions.
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10. SALES OF SECURITIES. SEI Trust shall settle sold securities upon
receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions that specify:
(a) the name of the issuer and the title of the security,
including CUSIP number if applicable;
(b) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest, if any;
(c) the date of trade and settlement;
(d) the sale price per unit;
(e) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale;
(f) the name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the
sale was made; and
(g) the location to which the security must be delivered and
delivery deadline, if any.
SEI Trust 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 Instructions or
Written Instructions. Notwithstanding the other provisions thereof, SEI
Trust 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.
11. REPORTS; PROXY MATERIALS.
(a) SEI Trust shall furnish to the Fund the following reports:
(1) such periodic and special reports as the Fund may
reasonably request;
(2) a monthly statement summarizing all transactions and
entries for the account of the Fund, listing each
portfolio security 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 the Fund including disbursements;
(3) the reports required to be furnished to the Fund
pursuant to Rule 17f-4 of the 1940 Act; and
(4) such other information as may be agreed upon from
time to time between the Fund and SEI Trust.
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(b) SEI Trust 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. SEI Trust shall be under no other obligation to
inform the Fund as to such actions or events. For
clarification, upon termination of this Agreement SEI Trust
shall have no responsibility to transmit such material or to
inform the Fund or any other person of such actions or events.
12. CREDITING OF ACCOUNTS. If SEI Trust in its sole discretion credits an
account with respect to (a) income, dividends, distributions, coupons,
option premiums, other payments or similar items on a contractual
payment date or otherwise in advance of SEI Trust's actual receipt of
the amount due, (b) the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of
assets on the contractual settlement date or otherwise in advance of
SEI Trust's actual receipt of the amount due or (c) provisional
crediting of any amounts due, and (i) SEI Trust is subsequently unable
to collect full and final payment for the amounts so credited within a
reasonable time period using reasonable efforts or (ii) pursuant to
standard industry practice, law or regulation SEI Trust is required to
repay to a third party such amounts so credited, or if any Property has
been incorrectly credited, SEI Trust shall have the absolute right in
its sole discretion without demand to reverse any such credit or
payment, to debit or deduct the amount of such credit or payment from
the Account, and to otherwise pursue recovery of any such amounts so
credited from the Fund. Nothing herein or otherwise shall require SEI
Trust to make any advances or to credit any amounts until SEI Trust's
actual receipt thereof. The Fund hereby grants a first priority
contractual possessory security interest in and a right of setoff
against the assets maintained in an account hereunder in the amount
necessary to secure the return and payment to SEI Trust of any advance
or credit made by SEI Trust (including charges related thereto) to such
account.
13. 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 SEI Trust) shall be at the sole risk of the
Fund. If payment is not received by SEI Trust within a reasonable time
after proper demands have been made, SEI Trust shall notify the Fund in
writing, including copies of all demand letters, any written responses
and memoranda of all oral responses and shall await instructions from
the Fund. SEI Trust shall not be obliged to take legal action for
collection unless and until reasonably indemnified to its satisfaction.
SEI Trust shall also notify the Fund as soon as reasonably practicable
whenever income due on securities is not collected in due course and
shall provide the Fund with periodic status reports of such income
collected after a reasonable time.
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SCHEDULE B
FEES
The Fund shall pay SEI Trust compensation at the annual rate of 0.01% of the net
assets of the Fund. Such compensation shall be calculated and accrued monthly,
and paid to SEI Trust quarterly, within 10 business days of quarter-end.
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