CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
LORD ASSET MANAGEMENT TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By
It 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property
of the Fund Held by the Custodian in the United States 2
2.1 Holding Securities 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities 2
2.3 Registration of Securities 5
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 7
2.9 Appointment of Agents 7
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities System 8
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System 9
2.12 Segregated Account 10
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes 11
2.14 Proxies 11
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio
Securities 11
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside of the United States 11
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians 11
3.2 Assets to be Held 12
3.3 Foreign Securities Systems 12
3.4 Holding Securities 12
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions 12
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund 13
3.7 Reports by Custodian 13
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account 13
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians 13
3.10 Liability of Custodian 14
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities 14
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks 14
3.13 Tax Law 15
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions
of Shares of the Fund 15
5. Proper Instructions 16
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority 16
7. Evidence of Authority 17
8. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income 17
9. Records 17
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants 18
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants 18
12. Compensation of Xxxxxxxxx 00
00. Responsibility of Xxxxxxxxx 00
00. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment 20
15. Successor Custodian 21
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions 21
17. Additional Funds 22
18. Massachusetts Law to Apply 22
19. Prior Contracts 22
20. Shareholder Communications Election 22
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Lord Asset Management Trust, a business trust organized
and existing under the laws of Delaware, having its principal place of
busines at 000 Xxxxx XxXxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, 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:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with each
such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and
other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to initially offer shares in one series, the Xxxxxx
Xxxxx World Fund (such series together with all other series subsequently
established by the Fund and made subject to this Contract in accordance with
paragraph 17, being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, 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 the assets of the
Portfolios of the Fund, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio desires to be held in places within the United States
("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the
United States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions of the Fund's
Trust Instrument. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolio(s) agrees to deliver to
the Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of
income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with
respect to all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and
the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of
beneficial interest of the Fund representing interests in the Portfolios,
("Shares") as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not
be responsible for any property of a Portfolio held or received by the
Portfolio and not delivered to the Custodian. The Custodian shall use its
best efforts, consistent with Custodian's business and personnel needs, to
maintain consistency in staffing positions related to the servicing of, and
communication with, the Fund.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article 5), the
Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time
employ one or more sub-custodians, located in the United States but only in
accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), 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. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for
the Fund's foreign securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
Schedule A hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
Custodian in the United States
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by it in the
United States including all domestic securities owned by such Portfolio, 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 uthorized
by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a U.S. 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 (the "Direct Paper
System") pursuant to Section 2.11.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic
securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a U.S. 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 from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. 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 securities of the Portfolio;
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
prior to or simultaneously with the release of such securities;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the
Portfolio 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 prior to or simultaneously with the release of
such securities;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, 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 prior to or simultaneously with the
release of such securities;
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 prior to or simultaneously with
the release of such securities;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the
Portfolio, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon
from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, 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 Portfolio prior
to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf
of the Portfolio, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio of the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio
of the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer Agent")
for the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of
shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from
time to time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of
additional information of the Fund, related to the Portfolio
("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for
repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of
the Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities of
the Portfolio 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. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively
to the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio 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 United States in the name of each Portfolio of the
Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the
terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to
the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the
Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio 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 a Portfolio 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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be
approved by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees 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 on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon
the receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, make
federal funds available to such Portfolio 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 such Portfolio which are deposited into the Portfolio'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 domestic securities held hereunder to which each Portfolio
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 domestic 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 such Portfolio'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 each Portfolio 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 Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when
deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of a
Portfolio in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts for the account of the Portfolio 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
Portfolio 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 U.S. 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 2.11; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into
between the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio of
securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the
agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio
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 Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by
the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Portfolio as set
forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Portfolio,
including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the
Portfolio: 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;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Portfolio declared
pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities
sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in addition to
Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, a certified
copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees 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 domestic securities for the account of a Portfolio is
made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in the
absence of specific written instructions from the Fund on behalf of such
Portfolio 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 U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio 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 "U.S. 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 Portfolio in a U.S. Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the U.S. 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 Portfolio
which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by book-
entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of the
Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. 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 Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer
securities sold for the account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of
advice from the U.S. 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 Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the U.S. Securities
System of transfers of securities for the account of the Portfolio shall
identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the Custodian
and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the Custodian
shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio in the form of a written
advice or notice and shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
U.S. Securities System for the account of the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the Portfolio with any report
obtained by the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities
deposited in the U.S. Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
the initial or annual certificate, as the case may be, required by Article
14 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the Custodian
shall be liable to the Fund for the benefit of the Portfolio for any loss or
damage to the Portfolio resulting from use of the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 Portfolio has not been made whole for any such
loss or damage.
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio 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 from the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio
which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by book-entry
those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of the
Portfolio 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
Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account
of the Portfolio 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
Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio confirmation
of each transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio, 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 on behalf of the Portfolio
copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the
U.S. Securities System for the account of the Portfolio;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio with any
report on its system of internal accounting control as the Fund may
reasonably request from time to time.
2.12 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio establish and
maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such
Portfolio, 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 on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio, (ii) for purposes of segregating
cash or government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or
written by the Portfolio or commodity futures contracts or options thereon
purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the
Portfolio 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
from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees 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.
2.13 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 domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with
transfers of securities.
2.14 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic 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
Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the
Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating
to such securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. Subject to the provisions
of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund for each
Portfolio all written information (including, without limitation, pendency of
calls and maturities of domestic securities and expirations of rights in
connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options written by
the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts
purchased or sold by the Portfolio) received by the Custodian from issuers of
the securities being held for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange
offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio desires to take action with
respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction,
the Portfolio shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to
the date on which the Custodian is to take such action.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside of
the United States
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Portfolio's
securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the foreign
banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated on Schedule
A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", as
defined in Section 5 of this Contract, together with a certified resolution of
the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Custodian and the Fund may agree to amend
Schedule A hereto from time to time to designate additional foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease the
employment of any one or more such sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the
Portfolio's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such
amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably necessary to
effect the Portfolio's foreign securities transactions. The Custodian shall
identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the foreign securities of the
Fund held by each foreign sub-custodian.
3.3 Foreign Securities Systems. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Portfolios shall be
maintained in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a
book-entry system for the central handling of securities located outside the
United States (each a "Foreign Securities System") only through arrangements
implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as sub-custodians
pursuant to the terms hereof (Foreign Securities Systems and U.S. Securities
Systems are collectively referred to herein as the "Securities Systems"). Each
Foreign Securities System will be an "eligible foreign custodian" as defined in
paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Where
possible, such arrangements shall include entry into agreements containing the
provisions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof.
3.4 Holding Securities. The Custodian may hold securities and other non-cash
property for all of its customers, including the Fund, with a foreign sub-
custodian in a single account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian
for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the
Custodian with respect to securities and other non-cash property of the Fund
which are maintained in such account shall identify by book-entry those
securities and other non-cash property belonging to the Fund and (ii) the
Custodian shall require that securities and other non-cash property so held by
the foreign sub-custodian be held separately from any assets of the foreign sub-
custodian or of others.
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a foreign
banking institution shall provide that: (a) the assets of each Portfolio will
not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any
kind in favor of the foreign banking institution or its creditors or agent,
except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration; (b)
beneficial ownership for the assets of each Portfolio will be freely
transferable without the payment of money or value other than for custody or
administration; (c) adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets
as belonging to each applicable Portfolio; (d) officers of or auditors employed
by, or other representatives of the Custodian, including the independent public
accountants for the Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the
foreign banking institution relating to its actions under its agreement with the
Custodian; and (e) assets of the Portfolios held by the foreign sub-custodian
will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the Fund,
the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the independent
accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and records of any
foreign banking institution employed as a foreign sub-custodian insofar as such
books and records relate to the performance of such foreign banking institution
under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.7 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time to
time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities and other
assets of the Portfolio(s) held by foreign sub-custodians, including but not
limited to an identification of entities having possession of the Portfolio(s)
securities and other assets and advices or notifications of any transfers of
securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking
institution for the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio indicating,
as to securities acquired for a Portfolio, the identity of the entity having
physical possession of such securities.
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. (a) Except as otherwise provided
in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8, the provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of
this Contract shall apply, mutatis mutandis to the foreign securities of the
Fund held outside the United States by foreign sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary, settlement
and payment for securities received for the account of each applicable
Portfolio and delivery of securities maintained for the account of each
applicable Portfolio may be effected in accordance with the customary
established securities trading or securities processing practices and
procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the transaction occurs,
including, without limitation, delivering securities to the purchaser
thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer)
against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such
securities from such purchaser or dealer.
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian may be
maintained in the name of such entity's nominee to the same extent as set
forth in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the Fund agrees to hold any such
nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such
securities.
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to which the
Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign sub-custodian shall
require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its
duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian and the Fund from and
against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in
connection with the institution's performance of such obligations. At the
election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian with respect to any claims against a foreign banking institution as a
consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and
to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage,
cost, expense, liability or claim.
3.10 Liability of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or
omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as set forth with
respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract and, regardless of whether
assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign banking institution, a foreign
securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph
3.13 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation,
currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism or any loss where the sub-
custodian has otherwise exercised reasonable care. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3.10, in delegating custody duties to
State Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved of any
responsibility to the Fund for any loss due to such delegation, except such loss
as may result from (a) political risk (including, but not limited to, exchange
control restrictions, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization,
insurrection, civil strife or armed hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding
a bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London Ltd. not caused by political
risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident or other losses under circumstances
where the Custodian and State Street London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually to the
Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign sub-
custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be similar in kind
and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection with the initial approval
of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian will promptly inform the Fund in
the event that the Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the
financial condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any loss of the assets of the
Fund or in the case of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive
order from the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such foreign
sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its
shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the
equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200
million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted U.S.
accounting principles).
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
Contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody of the
Portfolios assets are maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution
which is a "bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of
1940 meeting the qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The
appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be governed by paragraph
1 of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for each Portfolio of the Fund in the United Kingdom shall be
maintained in an interest bearing account established for the Fund with the
Custodian's London branch, which account shall be subject to the direction
of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
3.13 Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian
of the Fund by the tax law of the United States of America or any state or
political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the Fund to
notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as
custodian of the Fund by the tax law of jurisdictions other than those mentioned
in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes,
assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental
reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law
shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim
for exemption or refund under the tax law of jurisdictions for which the Fund
has provided such information.
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the
Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the appropriate
Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or
sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely
notification to the Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent
of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Fund's Trust Instrument and any applicable votes of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to
holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for
redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or
repurchase of Shares of a Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the
redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks
drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished
by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in
accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from
time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.
5. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing signed or
initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board of Trustees 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 Trustees of the Fund
accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of
Trustees, Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate
safeguards for the Portfolios' 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 2.12.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the Fund on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
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 on behalf of the
Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund.
7. 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
Trustees 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 Trustees pursuant to the Fund's Trust Instrument as described
in such vote, and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect until
receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
8. 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 Trustees of the Fund to keep the
books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per share
of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to do so
by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of account
and/or compute such net asset value per share. If so directed, the Custodian
shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as described in the
Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio and shall advise
the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily 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
daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times described from
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such
Portfolio.
9. Records
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio 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 each Portfolio 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.
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio 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-1A,
and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission
and with respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios 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.
12. 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 on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
13. 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. The Custodian will be
responsible for and will reimburse the Fund and any Portfolio thereof for any
loss, liability, claim or expense arising out of the negligence or willful
misconduct of the Custodian, any agent of the Custodian or any employee of the
Custodian or any agent, and, to the extent that the Custodian is liable
therefor under Section 1 of this Agreement, any sub-custodian or agent or
employee thereof. The Custodian 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.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct
or the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, or any
employee of any such entity the Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund
for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by; (i)
events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or any
sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the
foregoing, including, without limitation, nationalization or expropriation,
imposition of currency controls or restrictions, the interruption, suspension or
restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market, power or
other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or
communications disruptions, acts of war or terrorism, riots, revolutions, work
stoppages, natural disasters or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the
Fund or the Investment Advisor in their instructions to the Custodian provided
such instructions have been in accordance with this Contract; (iii) the
insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any delay or
failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other commercially
prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian's sub-custodian
or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection
with securities sold; (v) any delay or failure of any company, corporation, or
other body in charge or registering or transferring securities in the name of
the Custodian, the Fund, the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees or agents or
agents or any consequential losses arising out of such delay or failure to
transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights
and other accretions or benefits; (vi) delays or inability to perform its duties
due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular
security or Securities System; and (vii) any provision of any present or future
law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state
thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court
of competent jurisdiction.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign banking
institution to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians
generally in this Contract.
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 requests that the Custodian or its agents advance cash or
securities for any purpose for the benefit of a Portfolio, including but not
limited to securities settlements, the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or
contracts for foreign exchange, 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 that
are properly attributable to the Fund or a Portfolio, except such as may arise
from its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or
willful misconduct, the property held for the account of the applicable
Portfolio shall be security therefor, but only to the extent of such advance,
tax, charge, expense, assessment, claim or liability. Custodian promptly shall
make a claim for reimbursement from the Fund and should the Fund fail to repay
the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available
cash and to dispose of the applicable Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary
to obtain reimbursement.
In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or
consequential damages.
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in
full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended
at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to
the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than thirty (30)
days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however that the
Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio 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 Trustees of the Fund has approved the
initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio, as required by
Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the
Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.11 hereof in
the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use of
the Direct Paper System by such Portfolio ; 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 Declaration of
Trust, and further provided, that the Fund on behalf of one or more of the
Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board of Trustees (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 on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio 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.
15. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the Portfolios shall
be appointed by the Board of Trustees 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 of each applicable
Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the
successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio 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 Trustees 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 Trustees 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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer
to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such
Portfolio held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company
shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the Fund
on behalf of each of the Portfolios, 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 Declaration of Trust 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.
17. Additional Funds
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in addition
to Xxxxxx Xxxxx World Fund with respect to which it desires to have the
Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so
notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to
provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
18. 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.
19. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the Custodian
relating to the custody of the Fund's assets.
20. Shareholder Communications Election
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no",
the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the
Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure
of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or
accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits
the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose
other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund
consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and
share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name, address,
and share positions.
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 16th day of January, 1996.
ATTEST LORD ASSET MANAGEMENT TRUST
By
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By
Executive Vice President
Schedule A
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
have been approved by the Board of Trustees of Lord Asset Management Trust for
use as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets:
(Insert banks and securities depositories)
Certified:
Fund's Authorized Officer
Date: Janaury 16, 1996
