CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
BLACKROCK INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.1 Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.2 Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.3 Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems . . . . . . . . . 8
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. . . 10
2.11 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.13 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities . . . . 12
2.15 Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.16 Actions Permitted without Express Authority . . . . . . . . . 13
2.17 Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income . . . . . . . . . . 14
4. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants . . . . . . . . 15
7. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
8. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. Effective Period, Termination an Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
10. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
13. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Blackrock Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust
Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Maryland,
having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx
Xxxx 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, $0.01 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.
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 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 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 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 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 effected in the absence of Proper
Instructions;
(2) 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 initialed 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; provided that all such payments
shall be accounted for to the Fund:
(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 written notice to the
contrary. vote, and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect
until receipt by the Custodian of
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.
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 an 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 thirty (30) 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 Board 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 the procure the certified copy of the vote
referred to or of the Board of Directors to appoint a successor custodian,
the Custodian 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. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereto,
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
day of , 1992.
ATTEST BLACKROCK INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
__________________ By ___________________________________
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
___________________ By___________________________________
Assistant Secretary Senior Vice President
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Custodian Fee Schedule
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
BlackRock Income Trust
BlackRock High Income Fund
BlackRock Advantage Term Trust
BlackRock Target Term Trust
BlackRock FNMA Fund
BlackRock Insured Municipal Term Trust
BlackRock Investment Quality Term Trust
The BlackRock Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.
The BlackRock California Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.
BlackRock Strategic Term Trust
BlackRock 1998 Term Trust
BlackRock Municipal Target Term Trust
BlackRock Xxxxxxx MAC Fund
BlackRock North American Gov't Income Trust
The BFM Institutional Trust Inc.
The BlackRock 2001 Term Trust
The BlackRock New York Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.
The BlackRock Florida Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.
I. ADMINISTRATION
A. Custody Service - Maintain custody of fund assets. Settle
portfolio purchases and sales. Report buy and sell fails. Determine and
collect portfolio income. Make cash disbursements and report cash
transactions. Maintain investment ledgers, provide selected portfolio
transactions position and income reports.
The administration fees shown below are annual charges, billed
and payable monthly.
ANNUAL FEES
Fund Net Assets Annual Fees
First $500 Million 3.00 BP
Next $500 Million 1.75 BP
Next $1 Billion 1.30 BP
Excess 1.25 BP
These fees will take the total domestic assets of all the above
BFM portfolios into account.
B. Global Custody Service
Services provided include: Security and Cash Movements through
Subcustodian network, Foreign Communication, Foreign Exchange (local
currency settlements).
Annual Fees
-----------
Canada10 BP
II. FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICE
Maintain general ledger and capital stock accounts. Prepare
daily trial balance. Calculate net asset value weekly (daily for the BFM
Institutional Trust). Provide selected general ledger reports. Securities
yield or market value quotations will be provided to State Street by the
fund.
Annual Fees, Based on Fund Assets
---------------------------------
First $250M 15,000 per fund
Excess $250M - $750M 15,000 per fund
Excess $750M .25BP
III. PORTFOLIO TRADES For each line item processed
State Street Bank Repos $ 7.00
New York Physical Settlements $25.00
Maturity Collections $ 8.00
Fed Book Entry Settlements $12.00
Canadian Transactions $30.00
All Other Trades $16.00
IV. OPTIONS
Options charge for each option written or
closing contract, per issue, per broker $ 25.00
Option expiration charge, per issue, per broker $ 15.00
Option exercised charge, per issue, per broker $ 15.00
V. LENDING OF SECURITIES
Deliver loaned securities versus cash collateral $ 20.00
Deliver loaned securities versus securities collateral $ 30.00
Receive/deliver additional cash collateral $ 6.00
Substitutions of securities collateral $ 30.00
Deliver cash collateral versus receipt of loaned
securities $ 15.00
Deliver securities collateral versus receipt of
loaned securities $ 25.00
Loan Administration xxxx-to-market per day, per loan $ 3.00
VI. FUTURES
Transactions -- no security movement $ 10.00
VII. HOLDINGS CHARGE
For each issue maintained - monthly charge $ 5.00
VIII. PRINCIPAL REDUCTION PAYMENTS
Paydown on Government Securities, per paydown $ 8.00
IX. SPECIAL SERVICES
Fees for activities such as fund consolidations or
reorganization, extraordinary security shipments, the preparation of
special reports, daily fund pricing and quotes from sources other than BFM
will be subject to negotiation.
X. OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
A billing for the recovery of applicable out-of-pocket expenses
will be made as of the end of each month. Out-of-pocket expenses include,
but are not limited to the following:
Telephone
Wire Charges ($5.25 per wire in and $5.00 out)
Postage and Insurance
Courier Service
Duplicating
Legal Fees
Supplies Related to Fund Records
Rush Transfer -- $8.00 Each
Transfer Fees
Sub-custodian Charges
Price Waterhouse Audit Letter
Federal Reserve Fee for Return Check Items over $2,500 - $4.2S
GNMA Transfer - $15.00 Each
XI. This fee schedule will be effective September 1, 1991.
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL STATE STREET BANK & TRUST
MANAGEMENT
BY:___________________ BY:_______________________
TITLE:________________ TITLE:____________________
DATE: ________________ DATE: ____________________
