Exhibit (8)(a)
NORWEST ADVANTAGE FUNDS(R) CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
August 1, 1993,
Amended July 28, 1998
AGREEMENT, dated as of August 1, 1993 asnd amended onand restated as of
July 28[date], 1998, between Norwest Advantage Funds (the ""Trust""), a business
trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place
of business at Two Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 and Norwest Bank
Minnesota, N.A. (the ""Custodian"" or "Norwest Bank"), a banking association
organized under the laws of the United States of America with its principal
place of business at Xxxxx Xxxxxx xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000.
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the ""Act""), as an open-end management investment company and
is authorized to issue its shares of beneficial interest, no par value, in
separate series and classes;
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to appoint Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.,
custodian of its securities and cash and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. is willing
to act in such capacity upon the terms and conditions set forth below; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to a separate agreement between the Trust and
Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. (the ""Transfer Agency Agreement""), Norwest
Bank Minnesota, N.A. will perform the duties of transfer agent of the Trust
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
. Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings specified, insofar as the context will allow.
(a) Act: The term Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended from time to time.
(b) Board: The term Board shall mean the Board of Trustees of the
Trust.
(c) Book-Entry Account: The term Book-Entry Account shall mean an
account maintained by a Federal Reserve Bank in which Book-Entry Securities are
held.
(d) Book-Entry Securities: The term Book-Entry Securities shall mean
securities issued by the United States Treasury and United States Federal
agencies and instrumentalities that are maintained in the book-entry system
maintained by a Federal Reserve Bank.
(e) Custodian: The term Custodian shall mean Norwest Bank, Minnesota,
N.A., in its capacity as custodian under this Agreement.
(f) Foreign Securities: The term Foreign Securities shall mean
""Foreign Securities"" as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Act.
(g) Foreign Sub-Custodian: The term Foreign Sub-Custodian shall mean
""Eligible Foreign Sub-Custodian"" as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under
the Act.
(h) Fund Business Day: The term Fund Business Day shall mean a day that
is a business day for a Series as defined in the Series" prospectus.
(i) Oral Instructions: The term Oral Instructions shall mean an
authorization, instruction, approval, item or set of data, or information of any
kind transmitted to the Custodian in person or by telephone, vocal telegram or
other electronic means, by a person or persons reasonably believed in good faith
by the Custodian to be a person or persons authorized by a resolution of the
Board to give Oral Instructions on behalf of the Trust. Each Oral Instruction
shall specify whether it is applicable to the entire Trust or a specific Series
of the Trust.
(j) Securities: The term Securities shall mean bonds, debentures,
notes, stocks, shares, evidences of indebtedness, and other securities and
investments from time to time owned by the Trust.
(k) Securities Depository: The term Securities Depository shall mean a
system, domestic or foreign, for the central handling of securities in which all
securities of any particular class or series of any issuer deposited within the
system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping
entry without physical delivery of the securities and shall include any system
for the issuance of Book-Entry Securities.
(l) Series: The term Series shall mean the Series listed in Appendix A
or any series that the Trust shall subsequently establish provided, that the
Custodian may decline to act as custodian for any series subsequently
established
(m) Share Certificates: The term Share Certificates shall mean the
certificates for the Shares.
(n) Shareholders: The term Shareholders shall mean the registered
owners from time to time of the Shares, as reflected on the share registry
records of the Trust.
(o) Shares: The term Shares shall mean the issued and outstanding
shares of beneficial interest, no par value, of the Trust, including any
fractions thereof.
(p) Sub-Custodian: The term Sub-Custodian shall mean any person
selected by the Custodian under Section 20 hereof and in accordance with the
requirements of the Act to custody any or all of the Securities and cash of the
Trust, and shall include Foreign Sub-Custodians.
(q) Trust: The term Trust shall mean Norwest Advantage Funds.
(r) Written Instructions: The term Written Instructions shall mean an
authorization, instruction, approval, item or set of data, or information of any
kind transmitted to the Custodian in original writing containing original
signatures, or a copy of such document transmitted by telecopy, including
transmission of such signature, or other mechanical or documentary means, at the
request of a person or persons reasonably believed in good faith by the
Custodian to be a person or persons authorized by a resolution of the Board to
give Written Instructions on behalf of the Trust. Each Written Instruction shall
specify whether it is applicable to the entire Trust or a specific Series of the
Trust.
(s) 1934 Act: The term 1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended from time to time. --------
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT
. The Trust hereby appoints the Custodian as custodian of the
Securities and cash of each Series from time to time on deposit hereunder. The
Securities and cash of the Trust shall be and remain the sole property of the
Trust and the Custodian shall have only custody thereof. The Custodian shall
hold, earmark and physically segregate for the appropriate Series account of the
Trust all non-cash property, including all Securities that are not maintained
pursuant to Section 6 in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry Account. The
Custodian will collect from time to time the dividends and interest of the
Securities held by the Custodian.
The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank or trust account
or accounts in the name of the Trust, subject only to draft or order by the
Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, 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 Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a separate
bank account may be established by the Trust to be used as a xxxxx cash account
in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Act and the Custodian shall have not
duty or liability with regard to such account.
Upon receipt of Written Instructions, funds held by the Custodian for
the Trust may be deposited by the Custodian to its credit 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. Such funds shall be deposited by
the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
SECTION 3. DELIVERY OF BOARD RESOLUTIONS
. The Trust shall, as necessary, file with the Custodian a certified
copy of the operative resolution of the Board authorizing execution of Written
Instructions and the number of signatories required and setting forth authentic
signatures of all signatories authorized to sign on behalf of the Trust or any
Series thereof. Such resolution shall constitute conclusive evidence of the
authority of all signatories designated therein to act and shall be considered
in full force and effect, with the Custodian fully protected in acting in
reliance thereon, until the Custodian receives a certified copy of a replacement
resolution adding or deleting a person or persons authorized to give written
Instructions.
The Trust shall, as necessary, file with the Custodian a certified copy
of the operative resolution of the Board authorizing the transmittal of Oral
Instructions and specifying the person or persons authorized to give Oral
Instructions on behalf of the Trust or any Series. Such resolution shall
constitute conclusive evidence of the authority of the person or persons
designated therein to act and shall be considered in full force and effect, with
the Custodian fully protected in acting in reliance therein, until the Custodian
actually receives a certified copy of a replacement resolution adding or
deleting a person or persons authorized to give Oral Instructions. If the
officer certifying the resolution is authorized to give Oral Instructions, the
certification shall also be signed by a second officer of the Trust.
SECTION 4. INSTRUCTIONS
. For all purposes under this Agreement, the Custodian is authorized to
act upon receipt of the first of any Written or Oral Instruction it receives. If
the first Instruction is an Oral Instruction, the Trust shall deliver or have
delivered to the Custodian a confirmatory Written Instruction; and if the
Custodian receives an Instruction, whether Written or Oral, with respect to a
Securities transaction, the Trust shall cause the broker or dealer to send a
written confirmation of the transaction to the Custodian. The Custodian shall be
entitled to rely on the first Instruction received and, for any act or omission
undertaken in compliance therewith, shall be free of liability and fully
indemnified and held harmless by the Trust. The sole obligation of the Custodian
with respect to any confirmatory Written Instruction or broker or dealer written
confirmation shall be to make reasonable efforts to detect any discrepancy
between the original Instruction and such confirmation and to report such
discrepancy to the Trust. The Trust shall be responsible, at the Trust"s
expense, for taking any action, including any reprocessing, necessary to correct
any discrepancy or error, and to the extent such action requires the Custodian
to act, the Trust shall give the Custodian specific Written Instructions as to
the action required.
SECTION 5. DEPOSIT OF TRUST ASSETS
. The Trust will initially transfer and deposit or cause to be
transferred and deposited with the Custodian all of the Securities, other
property and cash owned by the Trust at the time this Agreement becomes
effective, provided that the Custodian shall have the right, in its sole
discretion, to refuse to accept any securities or other property that are not in
proper form for deposit or any reason. Such transfer and deposit shall be
evidenced by appropriate schedules duly executed by the Trust. The Trust may
deposit with the Custodian additional Securities of the Trust and dividends or
interest collected on such Securities as the same are acquired from time to
time.
The Trust will cause to be deposited with the Custodian from time to
time (i) the net proceeds of Securities sold, (ii) the applicable net asset
value of Shares sold, whether representing initial issue or any other securities
and (iii) cash as may be acquired. Deposits with respect to sales of Shares
shall be accompanied by Written or Oral Instructions stating the amount to be
deposited with the Custodian and registration instructions.
SECTION 6. DEPOSIT OF TRUST ASSETS WITH THIRD PARTIES
. The Trust hereby authorizes the Custodian to deposit assets of the
Trust as follows:
(a) With the Custodian or any other bank licensed and regularly
examined by the United States or any state thereof assets held in the Option
Account created pursuant to Section 13(b).
(b) In the Custodian"s or Sub-Custodian"s account(s) with any
Securities Depository as the Trust shall permit by Written or Oral Instruction.
(c) Book-Entry Securities belonging to the Trust in a Book-Entry
Account maintained for the Custodian.
So long as any deposit referred to in (b) or (c) above is maintained
for the Trust, the Custodian shall: (i) deposit the Securities in an account
that includes only assets held by the Custodian for customers; (ii) send the
Trust a confirmation (i.e., an advice of notice of transaction) of any transfers
of the Trust to or from the account; (iii) with respect to Securities of the
Trust transferred to the account, identify as belonging to the Trust a quantity
of securities in a fungible bulk of securities that are registered in the name
of the Custodian or its nominee, or credited to the Custodian"s account on the
books of a Securities Depository or the Custodian"s agent; (iv) promptly send to
the Trust all reports it receives from the appropriate Federal Reserve Bank or
Securities Depository on its respective system of internal accounting control;
and (v) send to the Trust such reports of the systems of internal accounting
control of the Custodian and its agents through which Securities are deposited
as are available and as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time.
The Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for any loss or damage to
the Trust resulting from the negligence (including failure to act), fault or
willful misconduct of the Custodian, its agents or employees in selecting a
Securities Depository or Book-Entry Account. The Custodian shall not waive any
rights it may have against a Securities Depository or Federal Reserve Bank. The
Trust may elect to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian against the
Securities Depository or Federal Reserve Bank or any other person with respect
to any claim that the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss or
damage, if and to the extent that the Trust has not been made whole for any such
loss or damage.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
. The Securities held by the Custodian, unless payable to bearer or
maintained in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry Account pursuant to Section
6, shall be registered in the name of the Custodian or in the name of its
nominee, or if directed by Written Instructions, in the name of the Trust or its
nominee. In the event that any Securities are registered in the name of the
Trust or its nominee, the Trust will endorse, or cause to be endorsed, to the
Custodian dividend and interest checks, or will issue appropriate orders to the
issuers of the Securities to pay dividends and interest to the Custodian.
Securities, excepting bearer securities, delivered from time to time to the
Custodian shall, in all cases, be in due form for transfer, or registered as
above provided.
SECTION 8. DISBURSEMENTS OF CASH
. The Custodian is hereby authorized and directed to disburse cash to
or from the Trust from time to time as follows:
(a) For the purchase of Securities by the Trust, upon receipt by the
Custodian of (i) Written or Oral Instructions specifying the Securities and
stating the purchase price and the name of the broker, investment banker or
other party to or upon whose order the purchase price is to be paid and (ii)
either the Securities so purchased, in due form for transfer or already
registered as provided in Section 7, or notification by a Securities Depository
or a Federal Reserve Bank that the Securities have been credited to the
Custodian"s account with the Securities Depository or Federal Reserve Bank.
(b) For transferring funds, including xxxx-to-the-market payments, in
connection with a repurchase agreement covering Securities that have been
received by the Custodian as provided in subsection (a) above, upon receipt by
the Custodian of (i) Written or Oral Instruction specifying the Securities, the
purchase price and the party to whom the purchase price is to be paid and (ii)
written agreement to repurchase the Securities from the Trust.
(c) For transferring funds to a duly-designated redemption paying agent
to redeem or repurchase Shares, upon receipt of (i) either Share Certificates in
due form for transfer, or proper processing of Shares for which no Share
Certificates are outstanding and (ii) Written or Oral Instructions stating the
applicable redemption price.
(d) For exercising warrants and rights received upon the Securities,
upon timely receipt of Written or Oral Instructions authorizing the exercise of
such warrants and rights and stating the consideration to be paid.
(e) For repaying, in whole or in part, any loan of the Trust, or
returning cash collateral for Securities loaned by the Trust, upon receipt of
Written or Oral Instructions directing payment and stating the Securities, if
any, to be received against payment.
(f) For paying over to a duly-designated dividend disbursing agent such
amounts as may be stated in Written or Oral Instructions as the Trust deems
appropriate to include in dividends or distributions declared on the Shares.
(g) For paying or reimbursing the Trust for other corporate
expenditures, upon receipt of Written or Oral Instructions stating that such
expenditures are or were authorized by resolution of the Board and specifying
the amount of payment, the purposes for which such payment is to be made, and
the person or persons to whom payment is to be made.
(h) For transferring funds to any Sub-Custodian, upon receipt of
Written or Oral Instructions and upon agreement by the Custodian.
(i) To advance or pay out accrued interest on bonds purchased,
dividends on stocks sold and similar items.
(j) To pay proper compensation and expenses of the Custodian.
(k) To pay, or provide the Trust with money to pay, taxes, upon receipt
of appropriate Written or Oral Instructions.
(l) To transfer funds to a separate checking account maintained by the
Trust.
(m) To pay interest, management or supervisory fees, administration,
dividend and transfer agency fees and costs, compensation of personnel and
operating expenses, including but not limited to fees for legal, accounting and
auditing services.
Before making any payments or disbursements, however, the Custodian
shall receive, and may conclusively rely upon, Written or Oral Instructions
requesting such payment or disbursement and stating that it is for one or more
or the purposes enumerated above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian
may disburse cash for other corporate purposes; provided, however, that such
disbursement maybe made only upon receipt of Written or Oral Instructions
stating that such disbursement was authorized by resolution of the Board.
SECTION 9. DELIVERY OF SECURITIES
. The Custodian is hereby authorized and directed to deliver Securities
of the Trust from time to time as follows:
(a) For completing sales of Securities sold by the Trust, upon receipt
of (i) Written or Oral Instructions specifying the Securities sold, the amount
to be received and the broker, investment banker or other party to or upon whose
order the Securities are to be delivered and (ii) the net proceeds of sale;
provided, however, that the Custodian may accept payment in connection with the
sale of Book-Entry Securities and Securities on deposit with a Securities
Depository by means of a credit in the appropriate amount to the account
described in Section 6(b) or (c) above.
(b) For exchanging Securities for other Securities (and cash, if
applicable), upon timely receipt of (i) Written or Oral Instructions stating the
Securities to be exchanged, cash to be received and the manner in which the
exchange is to be made and (ii) the other Securities (and cash, if applicable)
as specified in the Written or Oral Instructions.
(c) For exchanging or converting Securities pursuant to their terms or
pursuant to any plan of conversion, consolidation, recapitalization,
reorganization, re-adjustment or otherwise, upon timely receipt of (i) Written
or Oral Instructions authorizing such exchange or conversion and stating the
manner in which such exchange or conversion is to be made and (ii) the
Securities, certificates of deposit, interim receipts, and/or cash to be
received as specified in the Written or Oral Instructions.
(d) For presenting for payment Securities that have matured or have
been called for redemption;
(e) For delivering Securities upon redemption of Shares in kind, upon
receipt of (i) Share Certificates in due form for transfer, or proper processing
of Shares for which no Share Certificates are outstanding and (ii) appropriate
Written or Oral Instructions.
(f) For depositing with the lender Securities to be held as collateral
for a loan to the Trust or depositing with a borrower Securities to be loaned by
the Trust, (i) upon receipt of Written or Oral Instructions directing delivery
to the lender or borrower and suitable collateral, if Securities are loaned or
(ii) pursuant to the terms of a separate securities lending agreement.
(g) For complying with a repurchase agreement, upon receipt of Written
or Oral Instructions stating (i) the securities to be delivered and the payment
to be received and (ii) payment.
(h) For depositing with a depository agent in connection with a tender
or other similar offer to purchase Securities of the Trust, upon receipt of
Written or Oral Instructions.
(i) For depositing Securities with the issuer thereof, or its agents,
for the purpose of transferring such Securities into the name of the Trust, the
Custodian or any nominee of either in accordance with Section 7.
(j) For other proper corporate purposes; provided, that the Custodian
shall receive Written or Oral Instructions requesting such delivery.
(k) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian may, without Written
or Oral Instructions, surrender and exchange Securities for other Securities in
connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, or similar transaction in
which the owner of the Securities is not given an option; provided, however,
that the Custodian has no responsibility to effect any such exchange unless it
has received actual notice of the event permitting or requiring such exchange.
To facilitate any such exchange, the Custodian is authorized to surrender
against payment maturing obligations and obligations called for redemption and
to effectuate the exchange in accordance with customary practices and procedures
established in the market for exchanges.
SECTION 10. BORROWINGS
. The Trust will cause any person (including the Custodian) from which
it borrows money using Securities as collateral to deliver to the Custodian a
notice of undertaking in the form currently employed by the lender setting forth
the amount that the lender will loan to the Trust against delivery of a stated
amount of collateral. The Trust shall promptly deliver to the Custodian Written
or Oral Instructions for each loan, stating (i) the name of the lender, (ii) the
amount and terms of the loan, which terms may be specified by incorporating by
reference an attached promissory note or loan agreement duly endorsed by the
Trust, (iii) the time and date, if known, on which the loan will be consummated
(the ""borrowing date""), (iv) the date on which the loan becomes due and
payable, (v) the total amount payable to the Trust on the borrowing date, (vi)
the market value of Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan and
(vii) the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or principal
amount of the Securities to be delivered as collateral. The Custodian shall
deliver on the borrowing date such specified collateral and the executed
promissory note, if any, and receive from the lender the total amount of the
loan proceeds; provided, however, that no delivery of Securities shall occur if
the amount of loan proceeds does not conform to the amount set forth in the
Written or Oral Instructions, or if such Instruction do not contain the
requirements of (vii) above. The Custodian may, at the option of the lender,
keep such collateral in its possession; provided such collateral is subject to
all rights given the lender by any promissory note or loan agreement executed by
the Trust.
The Custodian shall deliver, from time to time, any Securities required
as additional collateral for any transaction described in this Section, upon
receipt of Written or Oral Instructions. The Trust shall cause all Securities
released from collateral status to be returned directly to the Custodian.
SECTION 11. INDEBTEDNESS TO CUSTODIAN
. If, in its sole discretion, the Custodian advances funds to the Trust
to pay for the purchase of Securities, to cover an overdraft of the Trust"s
account with the Custodian, or to pay any other indebtedness to the Custodian,
the Trust"s indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan by the Custodian to the
Trust, payable on demand and bearing interest at the rate then charged by the
Custodian for such loans; provided, however, that the Custodian shall give the
Trust notice of any such advance that exceeds five percent of the value of the
Securities and cash held by the Custodian at the time of the advance. The Trust
hereby agrees that the Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security
interest, to the extent of any such overdraft or indebtedness, in any property
then held by the Custodian or its agents for the benefit of the Trust, or in
which the Trust may have an interest. The Trust authorizes the Custodian, in its
sole discretion at any time, to charge any such overdraft or indebtedness,
together with interest due thereon, against any balance then credited to the
Trust on the Custodian"s books.
SECTION 12. SECURITIES LOANS
. The Custodian may from time to time lend securities of the Trust in
accordance with and pursuant to a separate securities lending agreement.
SECTION 13. OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS
. The Custodian"s responsibilities regarding option contracts will be
governed by the following sub-paragraphs:
(a) Options.
(i) Upon receipt of Written or Oral Instructions relating to the
purchase of an option or sale of a covered call option, the Custodian shall: (A)
receive and retain confirmations or other documents, if any, evidencing the
purchase or writing of the option; (B) if the transaction involves the sale of a
covered call option, deposit and maintain in a segregated account the Securities
(either physically or by book-entry in a Securities Depository) subject to the
covered call option written on behalf of the Series; and (C) pay, release and/or
transfer such securities, cash or other assets in accordance with any notices or
other communications evidencing the expiration, termination or exercise of such
options which are furnished to the Custodian by the Options Clearing Corporation
(the "OCC"), the Securities or Options Exchanges on which such options were
traded, or such other organization as may be responsible for handling such
option transactions.
(ii) Upon receipt of instructions relating to the sale of a naked
option (including stock index and commodity options), the Custodian, the Trust
and the broker-dealer shall enter into an agreement to comply with the rules of
the OCC or of any registered national securities exchange or similar
organizations(s). Pursuant to that agreement and any Written or Oral
Instructions, the Custodian shall: (A) receive and retain confirmations or other
documents, if any, evidencing the writing of the option; (B) deposit and
maintain in a segregated account Securities (either physically or by book-entry
in a Securities Depository cash and/or other assets; and (C) pay, release and/or
transfer such Securities, cash or other assets in accordance with any such
agreement and with any notices or other communications evidencing the
expiration, termination or exercise of such option which are furnished to the
Custodian by the OCC, the Securities or Options Exchanges on which such options
were traded, or such other organization as may be responsible for handling such
option transactions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for determining the
quality and quantity of assets held in any segregated account established in
compliance with applicable margin maintenance requirements and the performance
of other terms of any option contract.
(b) Futures Contracts. Upon receipt of Written or Oral Instructions,
the custodian shall enter into a futures margin procedural agreement among the
Fund, the Custodian and the designated futures commission merchant (a
"Procedural Agreement"). Under the Procedural Agreement the Custodian shall: (A)
receive and retain confirmations, if any, evidencing the purchase or sale of a
futures contract or an option on a futures contract by a Series; (B) deposit and
maintain in a segregated account cash, Securities and/or other assets designated
as initial, maintenance or variation "margin" deposits intended to secure the
Series' performance of its obligations under any futures contracts purchased or
sold, or any options on futures contracts written by the Series, in accordance
with the provisions of any Procedural Agreement designed to comply with the
provisions of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any commodity
exchange or contract market (such as the Chicago Board of Trade), or any similar
organization(s), regarding such margin deposits; and (C) release assets from
and/or transfer assets into such margin accounts only in accordance with any
such Procedural Agreements. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
determining the type and amount of assets held in the segregated account or paid
to the broker-dealer in compliance with applicable margin maintenance
requirements and the performance of any futures contract or option on a futures
contract in accordance with its terms.
(c) Segregated Accounts. Upon receipt of Written or Oral Instructions,
the Custodian shall establish and maintain on its books a segregated account or
accounts for and on behalf of the Series, into which account or accounts may be
transferred assets of each Series, including Securities maintained by the
Custodian in a Securities Depository, said account or accounts to be maintained
(i) for the purpose of compliance by the Series with the procedures required by
SEC Investment Company Act Release Number 10666 or any subsequent release or
releases relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered
investment companies or (ii) for such other purposes as may be set forth, from
time to time in Written or Oral Instructions. The Custodian shall not be
responsible for the determination of the type or amount of assets to be held in
any segregated account referred to in this paragraph.
SECTION 14. EXERCISE OF POWERS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES
. The Custodian assumes no duty, obligation or responsibility
whatsoever to exercise any voting or consent powers with respect to the
Securities held by it from time to time hereunder. The Trust or such persons as
it may designate shall have the right to vote, consent or otherwise act with
respect to Securities. The Custodian will exercise its best efforts (as defined
in Section 16) to furnish to the Trust in a timely manner all proxies or other
appropriate authorizations with respect to Securities registered in the name of
the Custodian or its nominee, so that the Trust or its designee may vote,
consent or otherwise act.
SECTION 15. COMPENSATION.
(a) The Trust agrees to pay to the Custodian compensation for its
services as set forth in Appendix ABB hereto, or as shall be set forth in
written amendments to Appendix ABB approved by the Trust and the Custodian from
time to time.
(b) The Trust shall pay all fees and expenses of any Sub-Custodian
approved by the Trust.
SECTION 16. CORPORATE ACTIVITY
. The Custodian will exercise its best efforts to forward to the Trust
in a timely manner all notices of shareholder meetings, proxy statements, annual
reports, conversion notices, call notices, or other notices or written materials
of any kind (excluding share certificates and dividend, principal and interest
payments) sent to the Custodian as registered owner of Securities. Best efforts
as used in this Agreement shall mean the efforts reasonably believed in good
faith by the Custodian to be adequate in the circumstances.
Upon receipt of warrants or rights issued in connection with the assets
of the Trust, the Custodian shall enter into its ledgers appropriate notations
indicating such receipt and shall notify the Trust of such receipt. However, the
Custodian shall have no obligation to take any other action with respect to such
warrants or rights, except as directed in Written or Oral Instructions.
Custodian shall take all reasonable actions, as agreed to by the Trust
and the Custodian, to assist the Trust in obtaining from year to year favorable
opinions from the Trust"s independent auditors with respect to the Custodian"s
activities hereunder.
SECTION 17. RECORDS
. The Custodian acknowledges and agrees that all books and records
maintained for the Trust in any capacity under this Agreement are the property
of the Trust and may be inspected by the Trust or any authorized regulatory
agency at any reasonable time. Upon request all such books and records will be
surrendered promptly to the Trust. The Custodian agrees to make available upon
request and to preserve for the periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2 of the Act any
records related to services provided under this Agreement and required to be
maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Act.
SECTION 18. LIABILITY
. The Custodian assumes only the usual duties and obligations normally
performed by custodians of open-end investment companies. The Custodian
specifically assumes no responsibility for the management, investment or
reinvestment of the Securities from time to time owned by the Trust, whether or
not on deposit hereunder. The Custodian assumes no duty, obligation or
responsibility whatsoever with respect to Securities not deposited with the
Custodian.
The Custodian may rely upon the advice of counsel, who may be counsel
for the Trust or for the Custodian, and upon statements of accountants, brokers
or other persons believed by the Custodian in good faith to be expert in the
matters upon which they are consulted. The Custodian shall not be liable for any
action taken in good faith reliance upon such advice or statements. The
Custodian shall not be liable for action taken in good faith in accordance with
any Written or Oral Instructions, request or advice of the Trust or its
officers, or information furnished by the Trust or its officers. The Custodian
shall not be liable for any non-negligent action taken in good faith and
reasonably believed by it to be within the powers conferred upon it by this
Agreement.
No liability of any kind, other than to the Trust, shall attach to the
Custodian by reason of its custody of the Securities and cash held by the
Custodian hereunder or otherwise as a result of its custodianship. In the event
that any claim shall be made against the Custodian, it shall have the right to
pay the claim and reimburse itself from the assets of the Trust; provided,
however, that no such reimbursement shall occur unless the Trust is notified of
the claim and is afforded an opportunity to contest or defend the claim, if it
so elects. The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold the Custodian harmless for any
loss, claim, damage or expense arising out of the custodian relationship under
this Agreement; provided such loss, claim, damage or expense is not the direct
result of the Custodian"s negligence or willful misconduct.
SECTION 19. TAXES
. The Custodian shall not be liable for any taxes, assessments or
governmental charges that may be levied or assessed upon the Securities held by
it hereunder, or upon the income therefrom. Upon Written or Oral Instruction,
the Custodian may pay any such tax, assessment or charge and reimburse itself
out of the monies of the Trust or the Securities held hereunder.
SECTION 20. SUB-CUSTODIANS.
(a) The Custodian may from time to time request appointment of one or
more Sub-Custodians. Upon receipt of Written or Oral Instructions authorizing
the use of a Sub-Custodian, the Custodian shall appoint one or more
Sub-Custodians or Foreign Sub-Custodians of Securities and cash owned by the
Trust from time to time.
(b) Custodian shall cause Foreign Securities and amounts of cash
reasonably required to effect Trust"s Foreign Securities transactions in the
Custodian Account to be held in such countries or other jurisdictions as Trust
shall direct in Written or Oral Instructions.
Custodian may hold Foreign Securities and cash in sub-custody accounts,
which shall be deemed part of the Custodian Account and which have been
established by Custodian or by a Sub-Custodian with those Foreign Sub-Custodians
as Trust shall approve in Written or Oral Instructions.
Each Foreign Sub-Custodian is authorized to hold Foreign Securities in
an account with any foreign Securities Depository as Trust shall approve in
Written or Oral Instructions.
The contractual agreement between the Custodian and any Foreign
Sub-Custodian must provide at a minimum that the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall
provide, obtain or use its best efforts to assist the Trust in obtaining
information responsive to the ""notes"" to Rule 17f-5 under the Act with respect
to (i) each country or jurisdiction where the Trust"s assets are proposed to be
maintained, are maintained or in the future may be maintained and (ii) each
Foreign Sub-Custodian which is proposed to hold, holds or in the future may hold
Foreign Securities or cash of the Trust. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
this Agreement, each Foreign Sub-Custodian"s undertaking to assist Trust in
obtaining such information shall neither increase the Foreign Sub-Custodian"s
duty of care nor reduce Trust"s responsibility to determine for itself the
prudence of entrusting its assets to any particular Foreign Sub-Custodian or
foreign Securities Depository.
The Custodian shall deposit Foreign Securities and cash of the Trust
with a Foreign Sub-Custodian only in an account of the Foreign Sub-Custodian
which holds only assets held by Custodian as custodian for its customers. In the
event that a Foreign Sub-Custodian is authorized to hold any of the Foreign
Securities placed in its care in a foreign Securities Depository, Custodian will
direct the Foreign Sub-Custodian to identify the Foreign Securities on the books
of the foreign Securities Depository as being held for the account of Custodian
as custodian for its customers.
(c) The Custodian shall have no liability to the Trust by reason of any
act or omission of any Sub-Custodian approved by the Trust, and the Trust shall
indemnify the Custodian and hold it harmless from and against any and all
actions, suits, claims, losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,
expenses and liabilities arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection
with the performance of any Sub-Custodian approved by the Trust. The Custodian
assigns to the Trust any and all claims for any losses, costs, expenses, or
damages that may be incurred by the Trust by reason of the negligence, gross
negligence or misconduct of any Sub-Custodian approved by the Trust, or by
reason of the failure of a Sub-Custodian approved by the Trust to perform in
accordance with any applicable agreement, including instructions of the
Custodian. The Custodian shall be under no obligation to prosecute or to defend
any action, suit or claim arising out of, or in connection with, the performance
of any Sub-Custodian approved by the Trust, if, in the opinion of the
Custodian"s counsel, such action will involve expense or liability to the
Custodian. The Trust shall, upon request, furnish the Custodian with
satisfactory indemnity against such expense or liability, and upon request of
the Custodian, the Trust shall assume the entire defense of any action, suit, or
claim subject to the foregoing indemnity.
With respect to each Sub-Custodian not approved by the Trust, which may
not be a Foreign Sub-Custodian, the Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for
any loss which shall occur as a result of the failure of the Sub-Custodian to
exercise reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of assets to the same
extent that the Custodian would be liable to the Trust if the Custodian were
holding such assets in its own premises. The Custodian shall be liable to the
Trust under this paragraph only to the extent of the Trust"s direct damages, to
be determined based on the market value of the assets which are subject to loss
and without reference to any special conditions or circumstances.
SECTION 21. EFFECTIVENESS, DURATION AND TERMINATION.
(a) This Agreement may be executed in more than one counterpart, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original, and shall become effective on the
date hereof. This Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of one year from
the date of its effectiveness and shall continue in effect for successive
twelve-month periods; provided that such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by the Board and by a majority of the Trustees who are not
parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party.
(b) This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon notice to the
other. The termination shall become effective at the time specified in the
notice but no earlier than sixty (60) days after the date of the notice. Upon
notice of termination, the Trust shall use its best efforts to obtain a
successor custodian. If a successor custodian is not appointed within ninety
(90) days after the date of the notice of termination, the Board shall, by
resolution, designate the Trust as its own custodian. Each successor custodian
shall be a person qualified to serve under the Act. Promptly following receipt
of written notice from the Trust of the appointment of a successor custodian and
receipt of Written or Oral Instructions, the Custodian shall deliver all
Securities and cash it then holds directly to the successor custodian and shall,
upon request of the Trust and the successor custodian and upon payment of the
Custodian"s reasonable charges and disbursements, (i) execute and deliver to the
successor custodian an instrument approved by the successor custodian"s counsel
transferring to the successor custodian all the rights, duties and obligations
of the Custodian, (ii) transfer to the successor custodian the originals or
copies of all books and records maintained by the Custodian hereunder and (iii)
cooperate with, and provide reasonable assistance to, the successor custodian in
the establishment of the books and records necessary to carry out the successor
custodian"s responsibilities hereunder. Upon delivery of the Securities and
other assets of the Trust and compliance with the other requirements of this
Section 21, the Custodian shall have no further duty or liability hereunder.
Every successor custodian appointed hereunder shall execute and deliver an
appropriate written acceptance of its appointment and shall thereupon become
vested with the rights, duties and obligations of the predecessor custodian.
SECTION 22. REQUIRED PERFORMANCE ON FUND BUSINESS DAYS
. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to or shall require
the Custodian, in any capacity hereunder, to perform any functions or duties on
any day other than a Fund Business Day. Functions or duties normally scheduled
to be performed on any day which is not a Fund Business Day shall be performed
on, and as of, the next Fund Business Day unless otherwise required by law.
SECTION 23. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement shall extend to and bind the parties hereto and
their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement
shall not be assignable by the Trust without the written consent of the
Custodian, or by the Custodian without the written consent of the Trust.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may assign this Agreement without
the consent of the other party so long as the assignee is an affiliate, parent
or subsidiary of the assigning party and the assignee of the Custodian is
qualified to serve as custodian under the Act.
(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Minnesota.
(c) The captions inserted herein are for convenience of reference and
shall not affect, in any way, the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
NORWEST ADVANTAGE FUNDS
By:__________________________
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
President
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
By:________________________
P. Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx
President
NORWEST ADVANTAGE FUNDS
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
July 28, 1998[date]
Appendix A
Series of the Trust
Funds of the Trust
Cash Investment Fund
Ready Cash Investment Fund
U.S. Government Fund
Treasury Fund
Treasury Plus Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares Municipal Money Market Fund,
Investor Shares Ready Cash Investment Fund Intermediate Government Income Fund
Diversified Bond Fund Stable Income Fund Income Fund Total Return Bond Fund
Limited Term Tax-Free Fund Limited Term Government Income Fund Tax-Free Income
Fund Colorado Tax-Free Fund Minnesota Intermediate Tax-Free Fund Minnesota
Tax-Free Fund Strategic Income Fund Moderate Balanced Fund Growth Balanced Fund
Aggressive Balanced-Equity Fund
Income Equity Fund
Index Fund
ValuGrowth Stock Fund
Diversified Equity Fund
Growth Equity Fund
Large Company Growth Fund
Diversified Small Cap Fund
Small Company Stock Fund
Small Company Growth Fund
Small Company Stock Fund
Small Cap Opportunities Fund
Contrarian Stock Fund
International Fund
Performa Strategic Value Bond Fund
Performa Disciplined Growth Fund
Performa Small Cap Value Fund
Performa Global Growth Fund
Norwest WealthBuilder II Growth Portfolio
Norwest WealthBuilder II Growth and Income Portfolio
Norwest WealthBuilder II Growth Balanced Portfolio
NORWEST ADVANTAGE FUNDS
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
July 28, 1998[date]
Appendix B
Fee Schedule
For its custodial services, Norwest Bank shall receive a fee with
respect to each series listed in Appendix A at the following annual rates [:
0.02% of the first $100 million of the Fund's average daily net assets, 0.015%
of the next $100 million of the Fund's average daily net assets and 0.01% of the
Fund's remaining average daily net assets.
Fees are ]
Provided that, no fee shall be payable hereunder with respect to a Fund
during any period in which the Fund invests all (or substantially all) of its
investment assets in a single registered, open-end management investment
company, or separate series thereof, in accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(E)
under the 1940 Act.
