EXHIBIT 5
Custodian Agreement
-------------------
This Agreement between The BlackRock High Yield Trust, a business trust
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "FUND"), and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the
"CUSTODIAN"),
Witnesseth: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
-----------------------------------------------------
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets,
including securities which the Fund 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"). The Fund agrees to deliver to
the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to
all securities owned by it from time to time, and the cash consideration
received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the
Fund ("SHARES") as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall
not be responsible for any property of the Fund held or received by the Fund and
not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "PROPER INSTRUCTIONS" (as such term is defined in Section 5
hereof), the Custodian shall 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 (the "BOARD"), 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 the foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories designated in Schedules A and B hereto but only in
accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4.
Section 2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
-----------------------------------------------------------------
By the Custodian in the United States
-------------------------------------
Section 2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically
------------------
segregate for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in
the United States including all domestic securities owned by the Fund, other
than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 in a clearing
agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system
authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (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 2.9.
Section 2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and
----------------------
deliver domestic securities owned by the Fund 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, which may be continuing instructions when deemed
appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and receipt
of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the
Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the
Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or
into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Section 1; or for exchange for a different
number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such
--------
case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, to the
broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in
accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided that in any such
case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving
payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian's
own negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the
securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions
for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any
deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities
and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender
thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities
or the surrender of interim
2
receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided
that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the
Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon
--- ----
from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the
form of cash or obligations issued by the United States government,
its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in connection with any
loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of
the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for
the delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of
such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against receipt of
--- ----
amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "EXCHANGE ACT") and a member of
The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of
any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the
rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") and/or any
contract market, or any similar organization or organizations,
regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the
Fund; and
14) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
--- ----
Instructions from the Fund specifying the securities of the Fund to be
delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be
made, declaring such purpose to be a proper trust purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be
made.
Section 2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the
--------------------------
Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the
------
Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common
with other registered investment companies having the same investment adviser as
the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed
pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of
the Fund under the terms of this Agreement shall be in "street name" or
3
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.
Section 2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a
-------------
separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund,
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 Fund,
other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used in
accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 ACT"). Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited by
it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or in
such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary
or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be
--------
qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or
trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company
shall be approved by vote of a majority of the Board. 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 2.5 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 the Fund
shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities
business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with
respect to bearer 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 the Fund's custodian account. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for
payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when
they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held
hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions
of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will
have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide
the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in
arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the
Fund is properly entitled.
Section 2.6 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper
----------------------
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following
cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts
or options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only
(a) against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to
such options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to the
Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business
in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the 1940 Act
to act as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its
agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof
or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a
4
purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with
the conditions set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the case of a
purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.9; (d) in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into between the Fund and the Custodian, or another
bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against
delivery of the securities either in certificate form or through an
entry crediting the Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank
with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt
evidencing purchase by the Fund of securities owned by the Custodian
along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to
repurchase such securities from the Fund or (e) for transfer to a time
deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign;
such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from
a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions
from the Fund as defined herein;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the account of
the Fund: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and
legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such
expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred
expenses;
4) For the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
5) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
6) For any other proper trust purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
--- ----
Instructions from the Fund 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 trust purpose, and naming the
person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
Section 2.7 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 1940 Act to act as a
custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 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.
Section 2.8 Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems. The
-------------------------------------------------
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a clearing
agency registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") under Section 17A of the Exchange Act , 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
5
SYSTEM" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and SEC rules and
regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a U.S. Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an account of
the Custodian in the U.S. Securities System (the "U.S. SECURITIES
SYSTEM ACCOUNT") which account shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the Fund
which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities System
that such securities have been transferred to the U.S. Securities
System Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the
Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities System
that payment for such securities has been transferred to the U.S.
Securities System Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the
account of the Fund. Copies of all advices from the U.S. Securities
System of transfers of securities for the account of the Fund shall
identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be
provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the Custodian shall
furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from the account
of the Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transactions in the U.S. Securities System for the account of
the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund 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) [Reserved];
6) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the
Fund 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 Fund has not
been made whole for any such loss or damage.
6
Section 2.9 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System.
-------------------------------------------------------
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System will
be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in the Direct Paper
System Account, which account shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the Fund
which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian
to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to the account of
the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of payment for the
account of the Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a written advice or
notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day following such
transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the Direct Paper System
for the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its system of
internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from
time to time.
Section 2.10 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of
------------------
Proper Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for
and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred
cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the
Custodian pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions
of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission
merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange (or the CFTC or any registered contract market), or
of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of
segregating cash or government securities in connection with options purchased,
sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon
purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes
7
of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company Act
Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release SEC, or interpretive opinion of the
staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by
registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper purposes, but only, in
--- ----
the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of Proper Instructions the purpose or
purposes of such segregated account and declaring such purpose(s) to be a proper
trust purpose.
Section 2.11 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 the Fund held by it and in connection
with transfers of securities.
Section 2.12 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 Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication
of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver
to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such securities.
Section 2.13 Communications Relating to Fund Securities. Subject to the
------------------------------------------
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all
written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and
maturities of domestic securities and expirations of rights in connection
therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund
and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund) received by
the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Fund. With
respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to
the Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or his agents)
making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take action with
respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction,
the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to the
date on which the Custodian is to take such action.
Section 3. The Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund
----------------------------------------------------
Section 3.1 Definitions. The following capitalized terms shall have the
-----------
indicated meanings:
Capitalized terms in this Article 3 shall have the following meanings:
"COUNTRY RISK" means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of
holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to,
such country's political environment; economic and financial infrastructure
(including any Mandatory Securities Depositories operating in the country);
prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices; and laws and
regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in
custody in that country.
8
"ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule
17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as
defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an
Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate
action of the SEC), or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5)
of the 0000 Xxx) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of
the 1940 Act, except that the term does not include Mandatory Securities
Depositories.
"FOREIGN ASSETS" means any of the Fund's investments (including foreign
currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such
cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's
transactions in such investments.
"FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(2) of Rule
17f-5.
"MANDATORY SECURITIES DEPOSITORY" means a foreign securities depository or
clearing agency that, either as a legal or practical matter, must be used if the
Fund determines to place Foreign Assets in a country outside the United States
(i) because required by law or regulation; (ii) because securities cannot be
withdrawn from such foreign securities depository or clearing agency; or (iii)
because maintaining or effecting trades in securities outside the foreign
securities depository or clearing agency is not consistent with prevailing or
developing custodial or market practices.
Section 3.2 Delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. The
------------------------------------------------------
Fund, by resolution adopted by the Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian,
subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this
Section 3 with respect to Foreign Assets held outside the United States, and the
Custodian hereby accepts such delegation, as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund
Section 3.3 Countries Covered. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be
-----------------
responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only
with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country
listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended
from time to time by the Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager.
The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign
Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the Fund's
assets, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to
time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. Mandatory
Securities Depositories are listed on Schedule B to this Contract, which
Schedule B may be amended from time to time by the Foreign Custody Manager. The
Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedules A and B in
accordance with Section 3.7 hereof.
Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to
open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in a country listed on
Schedule A, and the fulfillment by the Fund of the applicable account opening
requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to
have been delegated by the Board responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with
respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation.
9
Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody
Manager to close the account of the Fund with the Eligible Foreign Custodian
selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation
by the Board to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall
be deemed to have been withdrawn and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be
the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with respect to that country.
The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated
responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the
Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period as to which the parties agree in
writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have
no further responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to
the country as to which the Custodian's acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.
Section 3.4 Scope of Delegated Responsibilities.
-----------------------------------
3.4.1. Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodians. Subject to the
----------------------------------------
provisions of this Section 3, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain
the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from
time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody
Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian,
the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be
subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in
the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign
Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such
assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).
3.4.2. Contracts With Eligible Foreign Custodians. The Foreign Custody
------------------------------------------
Manager shall determine that the contract (or the rules or established practices
or procedures in the case of an Eligible Foreign Custodian that is a foreign
securities depository or clearing agency) governing the foreign custody
arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).
3.4.3. Monitoring. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager
----------
maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to
monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such
Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody
arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible
Foreign Custodian (or the rules or established practices and procedures in the
case of an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager
which is a foreign securities depository or clearing agency that is not a
Mandatory Securities Depository). In the event the Foreign Custody Manager
determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it
has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify
the Board in accordance with Section 3.7 hereunder.
10
Section 3.5 Guidelines for the Exercise of Delegated Authority. For
--------------------------------------------------
purposes of this Section 3, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and
determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining
the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Fund, and the Board shall be deemed to be monitoring on a
continuing basis such Country Risk to the extent that the Board considers
necessary or appropriate. The Fund and the Custodian each expressly acknowledge
that the Foreign Custody Manager shall not be delegated any responsibilities
under this Section 3 with respect to Mandatory Securities Depositories.
Section 3.6 Standard of Care as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund. In
-------------------------------------------------------
performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager
agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person
having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment
companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.
Section 3.7 Reporting Requirements. The Foreign Custody Manager shall
----------------------
report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian
and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian
by providing to the Board amended Schedules A or B at the end of the calendar
quarter in which an amendment to either Schedule has occurred. The Foreign
Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any other
material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Fund described in
this Section 3 after the occurrence of the material change.
Section 3.8 Representations with Respect to Rule 17f-5. The Foreign
------------------------------------------
Custody Manager represents to the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in
section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. The Fund represents to the Custodian that the
Board has determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the
Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement
to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.
Section 3.9 Effective Date and Termination of the Custodian as Foreign
----------------------------------------------------------
Custody Manager. The Board's delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody
---------------
Manager of the Fund shall be effective as of the date of execution of this
Agreement and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without
penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating
party. Termination will become effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the
non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.3 hereof
shall govern the delegation to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Fund with respect to designated countries.
Section 4. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Outside of the United States
----------------------------
Section 4.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms in this Section 4 shall have
-----------
the following meanings:
11
"FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEM" means either a clearing agency or a securities
depository listed on Schedule A hereto or a Mandatory Securities Depository
listed on Schedule B hereto.
"FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIAN" means a foreign banking institution serving as an
Eligible Foreign Custodian.
Section 4.2 Holding Securities.__The Custodian shall identify on its
------------------
books as belonging to the Fund the foreign securities held by each Foreign Sub-
Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign
securities for all of its customers, including the Fund, with any Foreign Sub-
Custodian in an 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 foreign securities of the Fund which are maintained in
such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Fund and (ii),
to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is
maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign
Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian
or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.
Section 4.3 Foreign Securities Systems. Foreign securities shall be
--------------------------
maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country only through
arrangements implemented by the Foreign Sub-Custodian in such country pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement.
Section 4.4 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account.
---------------------------------------
4.4.1. Delivery of Foreign Securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-
------------------------------
Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Fund held by such
Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed
appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
(i) upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Fund in accordance
with commercially reasonable market practice in the country where
such foreign securities are held or traded, including, without
limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving later
payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a Foreign
Securities System in accordance with the rules governing the
operation of the Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign
securities;
(iii) to the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for foreign securities of the Fund;
(iv) to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
(v) to the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of
the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian
or of any nominee of the
12
Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a
different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence
representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;
(vi) to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination
or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that
--------
in any such case the Foreign Sub-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 Foreign Sub-Custodian's own negligence
or willful misconduct;
(vii) 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;
(viii) in the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign 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;
(ix) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund;
(x) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(xi) in connection with the lending of foreign securities; and
(xii) for any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
--- ----
Instructions specifying the foreign securities to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper trust purpose, and naming the
person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
4.4.2. Payment of Fund Monies.
----------------------
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when
deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the
respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to
pay out, monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
(i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Fund, unless
otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money
to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such
seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving
13
later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a
purchase effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance
with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign Securities
System;
(ii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign
securities of the Fund;
(iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Fund, including
but not limited to the following payments: interest, taxes,
investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this
Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating
expenses;
(iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange
contracts for the Fund, including transactions executed with or
through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub-Custodians;
(v) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(vii) in connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities;
and
(viii) for any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
--- ----
Instructions 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 trust purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
4.4.3. Market Conditions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement
-----------------
to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the
account of the Fund and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of
the Fund may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities
trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which
the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets
to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser
or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign
Assets from such purchaser or dealer.
The Custodian shall provide to the Board the information with respect to
custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a
Foreign Sub-Custodian, including without limitation information relating to
Foreign Securities Systems, described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times
set forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to
time, provided that no such revision shall result in the Board being provided
with substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.
Section 4.5 Registration of Foreign Securities. The foreign securities
----------------------------------
maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer
securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of the
Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian
14
or in the name of any nominee of the foregoing, and the Fund agrees to hold any
such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign
securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to
accept securities on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Agreement unless
the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in
accordance with reasonable market practice.
Section 4.6 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
-------------
belonging to the Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies)
deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or
market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the
Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts opened and maintained outside the
United States on behalf of the Fund with a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall be
subject only to draft or order by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian,
acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from
or for the account of the Fund.
Section 4.7 Collection of Income. The Custodian shall use reasonable
--------------------
commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the
Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled and shall
credit such income, as collected, to the Fund. In the event that extraordinary
measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall
consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the
Custodian relating to such measures.
Section 4.8 Shareholder Rights. With respect to the foreign securities
------------------
held pursuant to this Agreement, the Custodian will use reasonable commercial
efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights,
subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist
in the country where such securities are issued. The Fund acknowledges that
local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations,
lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the
ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.
Section 4.9 Communications Relating to Foreign Securities. The
---------------------------------------------
Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information (including,
without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith) received by the Custodian via the
Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the
account of the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian
shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information so received by the
Custodian from issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is
sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer.
The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender,
exchange or other right or power in connection with foreign securities or other
property of the Fund at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the
respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign
securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with
regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur
at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take
action to exercise such right or power.
15
Section 4.10 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians and Foreign Securities
----------------------------------------------------------
Systems. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs as a Foreign
-------
Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian
to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties and, to the extent
possible, to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian from and against any
loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in connection
with the Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of such obligations. At the Fund's
election, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian
with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian 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.
Section 4.11 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 or of 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 countries 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 countries for which
the Fund has provided such information.
Section 4.12 Conflict. If the Custodian is delegated the responsibilities
--------
of Foreign Custody Manager pursuant to the terms of Section 3 hereof, in the
event of any conflict between the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 hereof, the
provisions of Section 3 shall prevail.
Section 5. Proper Instructions
-------------------
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Agreement means a writing
signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board 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. Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Fund
and the Custodian agree to security procedures, including but not limited to,
the security procedures selected by the Fund in the Funds Transfer Addendum
attached hereto. 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
2.10.
16
Section 6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
-------------------------------------------
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this
Agreement, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to
--------
the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and
other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with
the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
dealings with the securities and property of the Fund except as
otherwise directed by the Board.
Section 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 copy of a resolution of the Board of the Fund
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund (a "Certified
Resolution") as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in
accordance with such resolution or (b) of any determination or of any action by
the Board as described in such resolution, and such resolution may be considered
as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to
the contrary.
Section 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 to keep the books of account of the
Fund and/or compute the net asset value per Share of the outstanding Shares or,
if directed in writing to do so by the Fund, shall itself keep such books of
account and/or compute such net asset value per Share. If so directed, the
Custodian shall also calculate weekly the net income of the Fund as described in
the Prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent weekly of the
total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of
the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division
of such net income among its various components. The calculations of the net
asset value per Share and the weekly income of the Fund shall be made at the
time or times described from time to time in the Prospectus.
17
Section 9. Records
-------
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the 1940 Act, 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 SEC. The Custodian shall, at
the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the
Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund
and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the
Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
Section 10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
----------------------------------------
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-2, and Form N-SAR or other annual
reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.
Section 11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
-------------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including
securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or a Foreign
Securities System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this
Agreement; 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.
Section 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 and
the Custodian.
Section 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 Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to
be genuine
18
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 Agreement, but shall be kept
indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any action taken
or omitted by it in good faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely
on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all
matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice. The Custodian shall be without liability to the
Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by
anything which is (A) part of Country Risk (as defined in Section 3 hereof),
including without limitation nationalization, expropriation, currency
restrictions, or acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism, or (B) part of the
"prevailing country risk" of the Fund, as such term is used in SEC Release Nos.
IC-22658; IS-1080 (May 12, 1997) or as such term or other similar terms are now
or in the future interpreted by the SEC or by the staff of the Division of
Investment Management thereof.
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,
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, 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, 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 Agreement; (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 of registering or transferring securities in the name of
the Custodian, the Fund, the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees 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
Sub-Custodian (as defined in Section 4 hereof) to the same extent as set forth
with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.
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
19
liability of some other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the
Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an
amount and form satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents,
to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to
securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) or in
the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any
taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with
the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its
nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct,
any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security
therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian
shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund's assets
to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
Section 14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
-------------------------------------------
This Agreement 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 sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided,
--------
however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Agreement in
contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision
of the Fund's Declaration of Trust, and further provided, that the Fund may at
any time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for
the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii)
immediately terminate this Agreement 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 Agreement, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
Section 15. Successor Custodian
-------------------
If a successor custodian for the Fund shall be appointed by the Board, the
Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the
office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
securities then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the
successor custodian all of the securities held in a Securities System. If no
such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like
manner, upon receipt of a copy of a Certified Resolution, deliver at the office
of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in
accordance with such resolution. In the event that no written order designating
a successor custodian or copy of a Certified Resolution 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
20
to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the 1940
Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, of its own
selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all
securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian and all instruments
held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under
this Agreement, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of
the Fund's securities held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or
trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.
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 Resolution 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 Agreement relating to the duties
and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
--------------------------------------
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and
the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. 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 Fund's Declaration of Trust. No interpretive or additional provisions made
as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Agreement.
Section 17. Massachusetts Law to Apply
--------------------------
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Section 18. Prior Agreements
----------------
This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
Agreements between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
Section 19. Notices.
-------
Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder
may be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein
during normal business hours
21
or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or telecopy to the
parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by
any party from time to time.
To the Fund: BlackRock High Yield Trust
000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
0xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
To the Custodian: State Street Bank and Trust Company
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx/XXX0X
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been
served in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business
days after posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and,
in the case of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal
business hours it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after
delivery when normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or
telecopy on the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice
was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive
evidence of posting.
Section 20. Reproduction of Documents
-------------------------
This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, attachments and
amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm,
micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto
all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the
original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the
original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a
party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or
further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in
evidence.
Section 22. Data Access Services Addendum
-----------------------------
The Custodian and the Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Data
Access Services Addendum attached hereto.
22
Section 23. Shareholder Communications Election
-----------------------------------
SEC 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.
Section 24. Disclaimer of Liability
-----------------------
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the
parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, as provided in Section _______ of the
Declaration of Trust, this Agreement is executed by the Trustees and/or officers
of the Trust, not individually but as such Trustees and/or officers of the
Trust, and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the Trustees or
Shareholders individually but bind only the estate of the Trust.
23
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 *[date].
BlackRock High Yield Trust Fund signature attested to By:
By: ________________________ By: ____________________________
Name: ________________________ Name: ____________________________
Title: ________________________ Title: *[secretary/ass't secretary]
----------------------------
State Street Bank and Trust Company Signature attested to By:
By: ________________________ By: ____________________________
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------------ ----------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President Title: Associate Counsel
------------------------ ----------------------------
24
FUNDS TRANSFER ADDENDUM
State Street
OPERATING GUIDELINES
--------------------
1. OBLIGATION OF THE SENDER: State Street is authorized to promptly debit
Client's (as named below) account(s) upon the receipt of a payment order in
compliance with the selected Security Procedure chosen for funds transfer and in
the amount of money that State Street has been instructed to transfer. State
Street shall execute payment orders in compliance with the Security Procedure
and with the Client's instructions on the execution date provided that such
payment order is received by the customary deadline for processing such a
request, unless the payment order specifies a later time. All payment orders
and communications received after this time will be deemed to have been received
on the next business day.
2. SECURITY PROCEDURE: The Client acknowledges that the Security Procedure it
has designated on the Selection Form was selected by the Client from Security
Procedures offered by State Street. The Client shall restrict access to
confidential information relating to the Security Procedure to authorized
persons as communicated in writing to State Street. The Client must notify
State Street immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may
have obtained access to such information or of any change in the Client's
authorized personnel. State Street shall verify the authenticity of all
instructions according to the Security Procedure.
3. ACCOUNT NUMBERS: State Street shall process all payment orders on the basis
of the account number contained in the payment order. In the event of a
discrepancy between any name indicated on the payment order and the account
number, the account number shall take precedence and govern.
4. REJECTION: State Street reserves the right to decline to process or delay
the processing of a payment order which (a) is in excess of the collected
balance in the account to be charged at the time of State Street's receipt of
such payment order; (b) if initiating such payment order would cause State
Street, in State Street's sole judgment, to exceed any volume, aggregate dollar,
network, time, credit or similar limits upon wire transfers which are applicable
to State Street; or (c) if State Street, in good faith, is unable to satisfy
itself that the transaction has been properly authorized.
5. CANCELLATION OR AMENDMENT: State Street shall use reasonable efforts to act
on all authorized requests to cancel or amend payment orders received in
compliance with the Security Procedure provided that such requests are received
in a timely manner affording State Street reasonable opportunity to act.
However, State Street assumes no liability if the request for amendment or
cancellation cannot be satisfied.
6. ERRORS: State Street shall assume no responsibility for failure to detect
any erroneous payment order provided that State Street complies with the payment
order instructions as received and State Street complies with the Security
Procedure. The Security Procedure is established for the purpose of
authenticating payment orders only and not for the detection of errors in
payment orders.
7. INTEREST AND LIABILITY LIMITS: State Street shall assume no responsibility
for lost interest with respect to the refundable amount of any unauthorized
payment order, unless State Street is notified of the unauthorized payment order
within thirty (30) days of notification by State Street of the acceptance of
such payment order. In no event shall State Street be liable for special,
indirect or consequential damages, even if advised of the possibility of such
damages and even for failure to execute a payment order.
8. AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE ("ACH") CREDIT ENTRIES/PROVISIONAL PAYMENTS: When
a Client initiates or receives ACH credit and debit entries pursuant to these
Guidelines and the rules of the National Automated Clearing House Association
and the New England Clearing House Association, State Street will act as an
Originating Depository Financial Institution and/or Receiving Depository
Institution, as the case may be, with respect to such entries. Credits given by
State Street with respect to an ACH credit entry are provisional until State
Street receives final settlement for such entry from the Federal Reserve Bank.
If State Street does not receive such final settlement, the Client agrees that
State Street shall receive a refund of the amount credited to the Client in
connection with such entry, and the party making payment to the Client via such
entry shall not be deemed to have paid the amount of the entry.
9. CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS: Confirmation of State Street's execution of
payment orders shall ordinarily be provided within 24 hours notice which may be
delivered through State Street's proprietary information systems, such as, but
not limited to Horizon and GlobalQuest(R), or by facsimile or callback. The
Client must report any objections to the execution of a payment order within 30
days.
FUNDS TRANSFER ADDENDUM
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
0
XXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
Xxxxx Street
SECURITY PROCEDURE(S) SELECTION FORM
------------------------------------
Please select one or more of the funds transfer security procedures indicated
below.
[_] SWIFT
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a
cooperative society owned and operated by member financial institutions that
provides telecommunication services for its membership. Participation is limited
to securities brokers and dealers, clearing and depository institutions,
recognized exchanges for securities, and investment management institutions.
SWIFT provides a number of security features through encryption and
authentication to protect against unauthorized access, loss or wrong delivery of
messages, transmission errors, loss of confidentiality and fraudulent changes to
messages. SWIFT is considered to be one of the most secure and efficient
networks for the delivery of funds transfer instructions.
Selection of this security procedure would be most appropriate for existing
SWIFT members.
[_] STANDING INSTRUCTIONS
Standing Instructions may be used where funds are transferred to a broker on the
Client's established list of brokers with which it engages in foreign exchange
transactions. Only the date, the currency and the currency amount are variable.
In order to establish this procedure, State Street will send to the Client a
list of the brokers that State Street has determined are used by the Client.
The Client will confirm the list in writing, and State Street will verify the
written confirmation by telephone. Standing Instructions will be subject to a
mutually agreed upon limit. If the payment order exceeds the established limit,
the Standing Instruction will be confirmed by telephone prior to execution.
[_] REMOTE BATCH TRANSMISSION
Wire transfer instructions are delivered via Computer-to-Computer (CPU-CPU) data
communications between the Client and State Street. Security procedures include
encryption and or the use of a test key by those individuals authorized as
Automated Batch Verifiers.
Clients selecting this option should have an existing facility for completing
CPU-CPU transmissions. This delivery mechanism is typically used for high-volume
business.
[_] GLOBAL HORIZON INTERCHANGESM FUNDS TRANSFER SERVICE
Global Horizon Interchange Funds Transfer Service (FTS) is a State Street
proprietary microcomputer-based wire initiation system. FTS enables Clients to
electronically transmit authenticated Fedwire, CHIPS or internal book transfer
instructions to State Street.
This delivery mechanism is most appropriate for Clients with a low-to-medium
number of transactions (5-75 per day), allowing Clients to enter, batch, and
review wire transfer instructions on their PC prior to release to State Street.
[_] TELEPHONE CONFIRMATION (CALLBACK)
Telephone confirmation will be used to verify all non-repetitive funds transfer
instructions received via untested facsimile or phone. This procedure requires
Clients to designate individuals as authorized initiators and authorized
verifiers. State Street will verify that the instruction contains the signature
of an authorized person and prior to execution, will contact someone other than
the originator at the Client's location to authenticate the instruction.
Selection of this alternative is appropriate for Clients who do not have the
capability to use other security procedures.
[_] REPETITIVE WIRES
For situations where funds are transferred periodically (minimum of one
instruction per calendar quarter) from an existing authorized account to the
same payee (destination bank and account number) and only the date and currency
amount are variable, a repetitive wire may be implemented. Repetitive wires
will be subject to a mutually agreed upon limit. If the payment order exceeds
the established limit, the instruction will be confirmed by telephone prior to
execution. Telephone confirmation is used to establish this process. Repetitive
wire instructions must be reconfirmed annually.
This alternative is recommended whenever funds are frequently transferred
between the same two accounts.
3
FUNDS TRANSFER ADDENDUM
State Street
[_] TRANSFERS INITIATED BY FACSIMILE
The Client faxes wire transfer instructions directly to State Street Mutual Fund
Services. Standard security procedure requires the use of a random number test
key for all transfers. Every six months the Client receives test key logs from
State Street. The test key contains alpha-numeric characters, which the Client
puts on each document faxed to State Street. This procedure ensures all wire
instructions received via fax are authorized by the Client.
We provide this option for Clients who wish to batch wire instructions and
transmit these as a group to State Street Mutual Fund Services once or several
times a day.
[_] AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE (ACH)
State Street receives an automated transmission or a magnetic tape from a Client
for the initiation of payment (credit) or collection (debit) transactions
through the ACH network. The transactions contained on each transmission or
tape must be authenticated by the Client. Clients using ACH must select one or
more of the following delivery options:
[_] GLOBAL HORIZON INTERCHANGE AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE SERVICE
Transactions are created on a microcomputer, assembled into batches and
delivered to State Street via fully authenticated electronic transmissions in
standard NACHA formats.
[_] Transmission from Client PC to State Street Mainframe with Telephone
Callback
[_] Transmission from Client Mainframe to State Street Mainframe with Telephone
Callback
[_] Transmission from DST Systems to State Street Mainframe with Encryption
[_] Magnetic Tape Delivered to State Street with Telephone Callback
State Street is hereby instructed to accept funds transfer instructions only via
the delivery methods and security procedures indicated. The selected delivery
methods and security procedure(s) will be effective __________________ for
payment orders initiated by our organization.
KEY CONTACT INFORMATION
Whom shall we contact to implement your selection(s)?
CLIENT OPERATIONS CONTACT ALTERNATE CONTACT
_______________________________ _________________________________
Name Name
_______________________________ _________________________________
Address Address
_______________________________ _________________________________
City/State/Zip Code City/State/Zip Code
4
FUNDS TRANSFER ADDENDUM
State Street
_______________________________ _________________________________
Telephone Number Telephone Number
_______________________________ _________________________________
Facsimile Number Facsimile Number
_______________________________
SWIFT Number
_______________________________
Telex Number
5
FUNDS TRANSFER ADDENDUM
State Street
INSTRUCTION(S)
--------------
TELEPHONE CONFIRMATION
----------------------
FUND BlackRock High Yield Trust
--------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISER BlackRock Advisors, Inc.
------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT MANAGER BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
------------------------------------------------
AUTHORIZED INITIATORS
Please Type or Print
Please provide a listing of Fund officers or other individuals are currently
authorized to initiate wire transfer instructions to State Street:
NAME TITLE (Specify whether position SPECIMEN SIGNATURE
is with Fund, Investment Adviser
or Investment Manager)
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
AUTHORIZED VERIFIERS
Please Type or Print
Please provide a listing of Fund officers of other individuals who will be
CALLED BACK to verify the initiation of repetitive wires of $10 million or more
and all non repetitive wire instructions:
NAME CALLBACK PHONE NUMBER DOLLAR LIMITATION (IF ANY)
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________
6
DATA ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
----------------------------------------------------
AGREEMENT between BlackRock High Yield Trust (the "Customer") and State
Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street").
PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, State Street has been appointed as custodian of certain assets of
the Customer pursuant to a certain Custodian Agreement (the "Custodian
Agreement") dated as of *________________, 199__;
WHEREAS, State Street has developed and utilizes proprietary accounting and
other systems, including State Street's proprietary Multicurrency HORIZONSM
Accounting System, in its role as custodian of the Customer, and maintains
certain Customer-related data ("Customer Data") in databases under the control
and ownership of State Street (the "Data Access Services"); and
WHEREAS, State Street makes available to the Customer certain Data Access
Services solely for the benefit of the Customer, and intends to provide
additional services, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties
agree as follows:
1. SYSTEM AND DATA ACCESS SERVICES
(a) System. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, State
------
Street hereby agrees to provide the Customer with access to State Street's
Multicurrency HORIZONSM Accounting System and the other information systems
(collectively, the "System") as described in Attachment A, on a remote basis for
the purpose of obtaining reports and information, solely on computer hardware,
system software and telecommunication links as listed in Attachment B (the
"Designated Configuration") of the Customer, or certain third parties approved
by State Street that serve as investment advisors or investment managers or in
other service capacities to the Customer such as the Customer's independent
auditors (each, an "Investment Advisor"), solely with respect to the Customer,
or on any designated substitute or back-up equipment configuration with State
Street's written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
(b) Data Access Services. State Street agrees to make available to the
--------------------
Customer the Data Access Services subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and data access operating standards and procedures as may be issued by
State Street from time to time. The ability of the Customer to originate
electronic instructions to State Street on behalf of the Customer in order to
(i) effect the transfer or movement of cash or securities held under custody by
State Street or (ii) transmit accounting or other information (such transactions
are referred to herein as "Client Originated Electronic Financial
Instructions"), and (iii) access data for the purpose of reporting and analysis,
shall be deemed to be Data Access Services for purposes of this Agreement.
(c) Additional Services. State Street may from time to time agree to make
-------------------
available to the Customer additional Systems that are not described in the
attachments to this Agreement. In the absence of any other written agreement
concerning such additional systems, the term "System" shall include, and this
Agreement shall govern, the Customer's access to and use of any additional
System made available by State Street and/or accessed by the Customer.
2. NO USE OF THIRD PARTY SYSTEMS-LEVEL SOFTWARE
State Street and the Customer acknowledge that in connection with the Data
Access Services provided under this Agreement, the Customer will have access,
through the Data Access Services, to Customer Data and to functions of State
Street's proprietary systems; provided, however that in no event will the
Customer have direct access to any third party systems-level software that
retrieves data for, stores data from, or otherwise supports the System.
3. LIMITATION ON SCOPE OF USE
a. Designated Equipment; Designated Location. The System and the Data Access
-----------------------------------------
Services shall be used and accessed solely on and through the Designated
Configuration at the offices of the Customer or the Investment Advisor located
in New York, New York ("Designated Location").
b. Designated Configuration; Trained Personnel. State Street shall be
-------------------------------------------
responsible for supplying, installing and maintaining the Designated
Configuration at the Designated Location. State Street and the Customer agree
that each will engage or retain the services of trained personnel to enable both
parties to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement. State
Street agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the System so
that it remains serviceable, provided, however, that State Street does not
guarantee or assure uninterrupted remote access use of the System.
c. Scope of Use. The Customer will use the System and the Data Access Services
------------
only for the processing of securities transactions, the keeping of books of
account for the Customer and accessing data for purposes of reporting and
analysis. The Customer shall not, and shall cause its employees and agents not
to (i) permit any third party to use the System or the Data Access Services,
(ii) sell, rent, license or otherwise use the System or the Data Access Services
in the operation of a service bureau or for any purpose other than as expressly
authorized under this Agreement, (iii) use the System or the Data Access
Services for any fund, trust or other investment vehicle without the prior
written consent of State Street, (iv) allow access to the System or the Data
Access Services through terminals or any other computer or telecommunications
facilities located outside the Designated Locations, (v) allow or cause any
information (other than portfolio holdings, valuations of portfolio holdings,
and other information reasonably necessary for the management or distribution of
the assets of the Customer) transmitted from State Street's databases, including
data from third party sources, available through use of the System or the Data
Access Services to be redistributed or retransmitted to another computer,
terminal or other device for other than use for or on behalf of the Customer or
(vi) modify the System in any way, including without limitation, developing any
software for or attaching any devices or computer programs to any equipment,
system, software or database which forms a part of or is resident on the
Designated Configuration.
d. Other Locations. Except in the event of an emergency or of a planned System
---------------
shutdown, the Customer's access to services performed by the System or to Data
Access Services at the Designated Location may be transferred to a different
location only upon the prior written consent of State Street. In the event of
an emergency or System shutdown, the Customer may use any back-up site included
in the Designated Configuration or any other back-up site agreed to by State
Street, which agreement will not be unreasonably withheld. The Customer may
secure from State Street the right to access the System or the Data Access
Services through computer and telecommunications facilities or devices complying
with the Designated Configuration at additional locations only upon the prior
written consent of State Street and on terms to be mutually agreed upon by the
parties.
e. Title. Title and all ownership and proprietary rights to the System,
-----
including any enhancements or modifications thereto, whether or not made by
State Street, are and shall remain with State Street.
f. No Modification. Without the prior written consent of State Street, the
---------------
Customer shall not modify, enhance or otherwise create derivative works based
upon the System, nor shall the Customer reverse engineer, decompile or otherwise
attempt to secure the source code for all or any part of the System.
g. Security Procedures. The Customer shall comply with data access operating
-------------------
standards and procedures and with user identification or other password control
requirements and other security procedures as may be issued from time to time by
State Street for use of the System on a remote basis and to access the Data
Access Services. The Customer shall have access only to the Customer Data and
authorized transactions agreed upon from time to time by State Street and, upon
notice from State Street, the Customer shall discontinue remote use of the
System and access to Data Access Services for any security reasons cited by
State Street; provided, that, in such event, State Street shall, for a period
not less than 180 days (or such other shorter period specified by the Customer)
after such discontinuance, assume responsibility to provide accounting services
under the terms of the Custodian Agreement.
h. Inspections. State Street shall have the right to inspect the use of the
-----------
System and the Data Access Services
2
by the Customer and the Investment Advisor to ensure compliance with this
Agreement. The on-site inspections shall be upon prior written notice to the
Customer and the Investment Advisor and at reasonably convenient times and
frequencies so as not to result in an unreasonable disruption of the Customer's
or the Investment Advisor's business.
4. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
a. Proprietary Information. The Customer acknowledges and State Street
-----------------------
represents that the System and the databases, computer programs, screen formats,
report formats, interactive design techniques, documentation and other
information made available to the Customer by State Street as part of the Data
Access Services and through the use of the System constitute copyrighted, trade
secret, or other proprietary information of substantial value to State Street.
Any and all such information provided by State Street to the Customer shall be
deemed proprietary and confidential information of State Street (hereinafter
"Proprietary Information"). The Customer agrees that it will hold such
Proprietary Information in the strictest confidence and secure and protect it in
a manner consistent with its own procedures for the protection of its own
confidential information and to take appropriate action by instruction or
agreement with its employees who are permitted access to the Proprietary
Information to satisfy its obligations hereunder. The Customer further
acknowledges that State Street shall not be required to provide the Investment
Advisor with access to the System unless it has first received from the
Investment Advisor an undertaking with respect to State Street's Proprietary
Information in the form of Attachment C to this Agreement. The Customer shall
use all commercially reasonable efforts to assist State Street in identifying
and preventing any unauthorized use, copying or disclosure of the Proprietary
Information or any portions thereof or any of the logic, formats or designs
contained therein.
b. Cooperation. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Customer shall advise
-----------
State Street immediately in the event the Customer learns or has reason to
believe that any person to whom the Customer has given access to the Proprietary
Information, or any portion thereof, has violated or intends to violate the
terms of this Agreement, and the Customer will, at its expense, co-operate with
State Street in seeking injunctive or other equitable relief in the name of the
Customer or State Street against any such person.
c. Injunctive Relief. The Customer acknowledges that the disclosure of any
-----------------
Proprietary Information, or of any information which at law or equity ought to
remain confidential, will immediately give rise to continuing irreparable injury
to State Street inadequately compensable in damages at law. In addition, State
Street shall be entitled to obtain immediate injunctive relief against the
breach or threatened breach of any of the foregoing undertakings, in addition to
any other legal remedies which may be available.
d. Survival. The provisions of this Section 4 shall survive the termination of
--------
this Agreement.
5. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY
a. Limitation on Amount and Time for Bringing Action. The Customer agrees that
-------------------------------------------------
any liability of State Street to the Customer or any third party arising out of
State Street's provision of Data Access Services or the System under this
Agreement shall be limited to the amount of custody fees paid by the Customer
for the preceding 24 months. In no event shall State Street be liable to the
Customer or any other party for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential
damages even if advised of the possibility of such damages. No action,
regardless of form, arising out of this Agreement may be brought by the Customer
more than two years after the Customer has knowledge that the cause of action
has arisen.
b. Limited Warranties. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
------------------
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE BY STATE STREET.
c. Third-Party Data. Organizations from which State Street may obtain certain
----------------
data included in the System or the Data Access Services are solely responsible
for the contents of such data, and State Street shall have no liability for
claims arising out of the contents of such third-party data, including, but not
limited to, the accuracy thereof.
d. Regulatory Requirements. As between State Street and the Customer, the
-----------------------
Customer shall be solely
3
responsible for the accuracy of any accounting statements or reports produced
using the Data Access Services and the System and the conformity thereof with
any requirements of law.
e. Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable for any costs or damages due
-------------
to delay or nonperformance under this Agreement arising out of any cause or
event beyond such party's control, including without limitation, cessation of
services hereunder or any damages resulting therefrom to the other party, or the
Customer as a result of work stoppage, power or other mechanical failure,
computer virus, natural disaster, governmental action, or communication
disruption.
6. INDEMNIFICATION
The Customer agrees to indemnify and hold State Street harmless from any loss,
damage or expense including reasonable attorney's fees, (a "loss") suffered by
State Street arising from (i) the negligence or willful misconduct in the use by
the Customer of the Data Access Services or the System, including any loss
incurred by State Street resulting from a security breach at the Designated
Location or committed by the Customer's employees or agents or the Investment
Advisor and (ii) any loss resulting from incorrect Client Originated Electronic
Financial Instructions. State Street shall be entitled to rely on the validity
and authenticity of Client Originated Electronic Financial Instructions without
undertaking any further inquiry as long as such instruction is undertaken in
conformity with security procedures established by State Street from time to
time.
7. FEES
Fees and charges for the use of the System and the Data Access Services and
related payment terms shall be as set forth in the Custody Fee Schedule in
effect from time to time between the parties (the "Fee Schedule"). Any tariffs,
duties or taxes imposed or levied by any government or governmental agency by
reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, federal, state and local taxes, use, value added and personal
property taxes (other than income, franchise or similar taxes which may be
imposed or assessed against State Street) shall be borne by the Customer. Any
claimed exemption from such tariffs, duties or taxes shall be supported by
proper documentary evidence delivered to State Street.
8. TRAINING, IMPLEMENTATION AND CONVERSION
a. Training. State Street agrees to provide training, at a designated State
--------
Street training facility or at the Designated Location, to the Customer's
personnel in connection with the use of the System on the Designated
Configuration. The Customer agrees that it will set aside, during regular
business hours or at other times agreed upon by both parties, sufficient time to
enable all operators of the System and the Data Access Services, designated by
the Customer, to receive the training offered by State Street pursuant to this
Agreement.
b. Installation and Conversion. State Street shall be responsible for the
---------------------------
technical installation and conversion ("Installation and Conversion") of the
Designated Configuration. The Customer shall have the following
responsibilities in connection with Installation and Conversion of the System:
(i) The Customer shall be solely responsible for the timely acquisition and
maintenance of the hardware and software that attach to the Designated
Configuration in order to use the Data Access Services at the Designated
Location.
(ii) State Street and the Customer each agree that they will assign qualified
personnel to actively participate during the Installation and Conversion
phase of the System implementation to enable both parties to perform their
respective obligations under this Agreement.
9. SUPPORT
During the term of this Agreement, State Street agrees to provide the
support services set out in Attachment D to this Agreement.
4
10. TERM OF AGREEMENT
a. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective on the date of its
-----------------
execution by State Street and shall remain in full force and effect until
terminated as herein provided.
b. Termination of Agreement. Either party may terminate this Agreement (i)
------------------------
for any reason by giving the other party at least one-hundred and eighty days'
prior written notice in the case of notice of termination by State Street to the
Customer or thirty days' notice in the case of notice from the Customer to State
Street of termination; or (ii) immediately for failure of the other party to
comply with any material term and condition of the Agreement by giving the other
party written notice of termination. In the event the Customer shall cease
doing business, shall become subject to proceedings under the bankruptcy laws
(other than a petition for reorganization or similar proceeding) or shall be
adjudicated bankrupt, this Agreement and the rights granted hereunder shall, at
the option of State Street, immediately terminate with notice to the Customer.
This Agreement shall in any event terminate as to any Customer within 90 days
after the termination of the Custodian Agreement applicable to such Customer.
c. Termination of the Right to Use. Upon termination of this Agreement for any
-------------------------------
reason, any right to use the System and access to the Data Access Services shall
terminate and the Customer shall immediately cease use of the System and the
Data Access Services. Immediately upon termination of this Agreement for any
reason, the Customer shall return to State Street all copies of documentation
and other Proprietary Information in its possession; provided, however, that in
the event that either party terminates this Agreement or the Custodian Agreement
for any reason other than the Customer's breach, State Street shall provide the
Data Access Services for a period of time and at a price to be agreed upon by
the parties.
11. MISCELLANEOUS
a. Assignment; Successors. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of
----------------------
the Customer and State Street hereunder shall not be assigned by either party
without the prior written consent of the other party, except that State Street
may assign this Agreement to a successor of all or a substantial portion of its
business, or to a party controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
State Street.
b. Survival. All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability and
--------
limits thereon, and confidentiality and/or protection of proprietary rights and
trade secrets shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
c. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the attachments hereto constitute the
----------------
entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the Data Access
Services and the use of the System and supersedes any and all prior or
contemporaneous representations or agreements, whether oral or written, between
the parties as such may relate to the Data Access Services or the System, and
cannot be modified or altered except in a writing duly executed by the parties.
This Agreement is not intended to supersede or modify the duties and liabilities
of the parties hereto under the Custodian Agreement or any other agreement
between the parties hereto except to the extent that any such agreement
specifically refers to the Data Access Services or the System. No single waiver
of any right hereunder shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver.
d. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be
------------
held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired.
e. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed in
-------------
accordance with the internal laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts without
regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
5
ATTACHMENT A
Multicurrency HORIZONS(SM) Accounting System
System Product Description
--------------------------
I. The Multicurrency HORIZONS(SM) Accounting System is designed to provide lot
level portfolio and general ledger accounting for SEC and ERISA type
requirements and includes the following services: 1) recording of general ledger
entries; 2) calculation of daily income and expense; 3) reconciliation of daily
activity with the trial balance, and 4) appropriate automated feeding mechanisms
to (i) domestic and international settlement systems, (ii) daily, weekly and
monthly evaluation services, (iii) portfolio performance and analytic services,
(iv) customer's internal computing systems and (v) various State Street provided
information services products.
6
ATTACHMENT B
*DESIGNATED CONFIGURATION
7
ATTACHMENT C
UNDERTAKING
The Undersigned understands that in the course of its employment as
Investment Advisor to BlackRock High Yield Trust (the "Customer") it will have
access to State Street Bank and Trust Company's ("State Street") Multicurrency
HORIZONS(SM) Accounting System and other information systems (collectively, the
"System").
The Undersigned acknowledges that the System and the databases, computer
programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques,
documentation and other information made available to the Undersigned by State
Street as part of the Data Access Services provided to the Customer and through
the use of the System constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary
information of substantial value to State Street. Any and all such information
provided by State Street to the Undersigned shall be deemed proprietary and
confidential information of State Street (hereinafter "Proprietary
Information"). The Undersigned agrees that it will hold such Proprietary
Information in confidence and secure and protect it in a manner consistent with
its own procedures for the protection of its own confidential information and to
take appropriate action by instruction or agreement with its employees who are
permitted access to the Proprietary Information to satisfy its obligations
hereunder.
The Undersigned will not attempt to intercept data, gain access to data in
transmission, or attempt entry into any system or files for which it is not
authorized. It will not intentionally adversely affect the integrity of the
System through the introduction of unauthorized code or data, or through
unauthorized deletion.
Upon notice by State Street for any reason, any right to use the System and
access to the Data Access Services shall terminate and the Undersigned shall
immediately cease use of the System and the Data Access Services. Immediately
upon notice by State Street for any reason, the Undersigned shall return to
State Street all copies of documentation and other Proprietary Information in
its possession.
BLACKROCK ADVISORS, INC.
By:_____________________________________
Title:__________________________________
Date:___________________________________
8
UNDERTAKING
The Undersigned understands that in the course of its employment as
Investment Manager of BlackRock High Yield Fund (the "Customer") it will have
access to State Street Bank and Trust Company's ("State Street") Multicurrency
HORIZONS(SM) Accounting System and other information systems (collectively, the
"System").
The Undersigned acknowledges that the System and the databases, computer
programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques,
documentation and other information made available to the Undersigned by State
Street as part of the Data Access Services provided to the Customer and through
the use of the System constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary
information of substantial value to State Street. Any and all such information
provided by State Street to the Undersigned shall be deemed proprietary and
confidential information of State Street (hereinafter "Proprietary
Information"). The Undersigned agrees that it will hold such Proprietary
Information in confidence and secure and protect it in a manner consistent with
its own procedures for the protection of its own confidential information and to
take appropriate action by instruction or agreement with its employees who are
permitted access to the Proprietary Information to satisfy its obligations
hereunder.
The Undersigned will not attempt to intercept data, gain access to data in
transmission, or attempt entry into any system or files for which it is not
authorized. It will not intentionally adversely affect the integrity of the
System through the introduction of unauthorized code or data, or through
unauthorized deletion.
Upon notice by State Street for any reason, any right to use the System and
access to the Data Access Services shall terminate and the Undersigned shall
immediately cease use of the System and the Data Access Services. Immediately
upon notice by State Street for any reason, the Undersigned shall return to
State Street all copies of documentation and other Proprietary Information in
its possession.
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:_________________________________________
Title:______________________________________
Date:_______________________________________
9
UNDERTAKING
The Undersigned understands that in the course of its employment as
Independent Auditor of BlackRock High Yield Fund (the "Customer") it will have
access to State Street Bank and Trust Company's ("State Street") Multicurrency
HORIZONSM Accounting System and other information systems (collectively, the
"System").
The Undersigned acknowledges that the System and the databases, computer
programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques,
documentation and other information made available to the Undersigned by State
Street as part of the Data Access Services provided to the Customer and through
the use of the System constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary
information of substantial value to State Street. Any and all such information
provided by State Street to the Undersigned shall be deemed proprietary and
confidential information of State Street (hereinafter "Proprietary
Information"). The Undersigned agrees that it will hold such Proprietary
Information in confidence and secure and protect it in a manner consistent with
its own procedures for the protection of its own confidential information and to
take appropriate action by instruction or agreement with its employees who are
permitted access to the Proprietary Information to satisfy its obligations
hereunder.
The Undersigned will not attempt to intercept data, gain access to data in
transmission, or attempt entry into any system or files for which it is not
authorized. It will not intentionally adversely affect the integrity of the
System through the introduction of unauthorized code or data, or through
unauthorized deletion.
Upon notice by State Street for any reason, any right to use the System and
access to the Data Access Services shall terminate and the Undersigned shall
immediately cease use of the System and the Data Access Services. Immediately
upon notice by State Street for any reason, the Undersigned shall return to
State Street all copies of documentation and other Proprietary Information in
its possession.
DELOITTE AND TOUCHE LLP
By:_____________________________________
Title:__________________________________
Date:___________________________________
10
ATTACHMENT D
SUPPORT
During the term of this Agreement, State Street agrees to provide the
following on-going support services:
a. Telephone Support. The Customer Designated Persons may contact State
-----------------
Street's Multicurrency HORIZONSM Help Desk and Customer Assistance Center
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Eastern time) on all business days for
the purpose of obtaining answers to questions about the use of the System, or to
report apparent problems with the System. From time to time, the Customer shall
provide to State Street a list of persons, not to exceed five in number, who
shall be permitted to contact State Street for assistance (such persons being
referred to as "the Customer Designated Persons").
b. Technical Support. State Street will provide technical support to
-----------------
assist the Customer in using the System and the Data Access Services. The total
amount of technical support provided by State Street shall not exceed 10
resource days per year. State Street shall provide such additional technical
support as is expressly set forth in the fee schedule in effect from time to
time between the parties (the "Fee Schedule"). Technical support, including
during installation and testing, is subject to the fees and other terms set
forth in the Fee Schedule.
c. Maintenance Support. State Street shall use commercially reasonable
-------------------
efforts to correct system functions that do not work according to the System
Product Description as set forth on Attachment A in priority order in the next
scheduled delivery release or otherwise as soon as is practicable.
d. System Enhancements. State Street will provide to the Customer any
-------------------
enhancements to the System developed by State Street and made a part of the
System; provided that, sixty (60) days prior to installing any such enhancement,
State Street shall notify the Customer and shall offer the Customer reasonable
training on the enhancement. Charges for system enhancements shall be as
provided in the Fee Schedule. State Street retains the right to charge for
related systems or products that may be developed and separately made available
for use other than through the System.
e. Custom Modifications. In the event the Customer desires custom
--------------------
modifications in connection with its use of the System, the Customer shall make
a written request to State Street providing specifications for the desired
modification. Any custom modifications may be undertaken by State Street in its
sole discretion in accordance with the Fee Schedule.
f. Limitation on Support. State Street shall have no obligation to
---------------------
support the Customer's use of the System: (i) for use on any computer
equipment or telecommunication facilities which does not conform to the
Designated Configuration or (ii) in the event the Customer has modified the
System in breach of this Agreement.
00
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLobal CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Argentina Citibank, N.A. --
Australia Westpac Banking Corporation --
Austria Erste Bank der Oesterreichischen --
Sparkassen AG
Bahrain British Bank of the Middle East --
(as delegate of The Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
Bangladesh Standard Chartered Bank --
Belgium Generale de Banque --
Bermuda The Bank of Bermuda Limited --
Bolivia Banco Boliviano Americano S.A. --
Botswana Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited --
Brazil Citibank, N.A. --
Bulgaria ING Bank N.V. --
Canada Canada Trustco Mortgage Company --
Chile Citibank, N.A. --
People's Republic The Hongkong and Shanghai --
of China Banking Corporation Limited,
Shanghai and Shenzhen branches
STATE STREET SCHEDULE A
GLobal CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A. --
Sociedad Fiduciaria
Costa Rica Banco BCT S.A. --
Croatia Privredna Banka Zagreb d.d --
Cyprus Barclays Bank Plc. --
Cyprus Offshore Banking Unit
Czech Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchodni --
Banka, A.S.
Denmark Den Danske Bank --
Ecuador Citibank, N.A. --
Egypt National Bank of Egypt --
Estonia Hansabank --
Finland Xxxxxx Bank Limited --
France Banque Paribas --
Germany Dresdner Bank AG --
Ghana Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited --
Greece National Bank of Greece S.A. The Bank of Greece,
System for Monitoring Transactions in
Securities in Book-Entry Form
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank --
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLobal CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Hungary Citibank Budapest Rt. --
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLobal CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Iceland Icebank Ltd.
India Deutsche Bank AG --
The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited
Indonesia Standard Chartered Bank --
Ireland Bank of Ireland --
Israel Bank Hapoalim B.M. --
Italy Banque Paribas --
Ivory Coast Societe Generale de Banques --
en Cote d'Ivoire
Jamaica Scotiabank Jamaica Trust and Merchant --
Bank Ltd.
Japan The Daiwa Bank, Limited Japan Securities Depository
Center
The Fuji Bank, Limited
Jordan British Bank of the Middle East --
(as delegate of The Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited --
Republic of Korea The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited
Latvia JSC Hansabank-Latvija --
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLobal CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Lebanon British Bank of the Middle East
(as delegate of The Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
Lithuania Vilniaus Bankas AB --
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank --
Malaysia Berhad
Mauritius The Hongkong and Shanghai --
Banking Corporation Limited
Mexico Citibank Mexico, S.A. --
Morocco Banque Commerciale du Maroc --
Namibia (via) Standard Bank of South Africa --
The Netherlands MeesPierson N.V. --
New Zealand ANZ Banking Group --
(New Zealand) Limited
Norway Christiania Bank og --
Kreditkasse
Oman British Bank of the Middle East --
(as delegate of The Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
Pakistan Deutsche Bank AG --
Peru Citibank, N.A. --
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLobal CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Philippines Standard Chartered Bank --
Poland Citibank (Poland) S.A. --
Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A.
Portugal Banco Comercial Portugues --
Romania ING Bank N.V. --
Russia Credit Suisse First Boston AO, Moscow --
(as delegate of Credit Suisse
First Boston, Zurich)
Singapore The Development Bank --
of Singapore Limited
Slovak Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchodna --
Banka, A.S.
Slovenia Bank Austria d.d. --
South Africa Standard Bank of South Africa Limited --
Spain Banco Santander, S.A. --
Sri Lanka The Hongkong and Shanghai --
Banking Corporation Limited
Swaziland Standard Bank Swaziland Limited --
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken --
Switzerland UBS AG --
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLobal CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Taiwan - R.O.C. Central Trust of China --
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank --
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLobal CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Trinidad & Tobago Republic Bank Limited --
Tunisia Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie --
Turkey Citibank, N.A. --
Ottoman Bank
Ukraine ING Bank, Ukraine --
United Kingdom State Street Bank and Trust Company, --
London Branch
Uruguay Citibank, N.A. --
Venezuela Citibank, N.A. --
Zambia Barclays Bank of Zambia Limited --
Zimbabwe Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Limited --
Euroclear (The Euroclear System)/State Street London Limited
Cedel, S.A. (Cedel Bank, societe anonyme)/State Street London Limited
INTERSETTLE (for EASDAQ Securities)
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Argentina Caja de Valores S.A.
Australia Austraclear Limited
Reserve Bank Information and
Transfer System
Austria Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG
(Wertpapiersammelbank Division)
Belgium Caisse Interprofessionnelle de Depot et
de Virement de Titres S.A.
Banque Nationale de Belgique
Brazil Companhia Brasileira de Liquidacao e
Custodia (CBLC)
Bolsa de Valores de Rio de Janeiro
All SSB clients presently use CBLC
Central de Custodia e de Liquidacao Financeira
de Titulos
Bulgaria Central Depository AD
Bulgarian National Bank
Canada The Canadian Depository
for Securities Limited
People's Republic Shanghai Securities Central Clearing and
of China Registration Corporation
Shenzhen Securities Central Clearing
Co., Ltd.
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a 1 matter of market practice.
STATE STREET SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Costa Rica Central de Valores S.A. (CEVAL)
Croatia Ministry of Finance
National Bank of Croatia
Czech Republic Stredisko cennych papiru
Czech National Bank
Denmark Vaerdipapircentralen (the Danish
Securities Center)
Egypt Misr Company for Clearing, Settlement,
and Central Depository
Estonia Eesti Vaartpaberite Keskdepositoorium
Finland The Finnish Central Securities
Depository
France Societe Interprofessionnelle
pour la Compensation des
Valeurs Mobilieres (SICOVAM)
Germany Deutsche Borse Clearing AG
Greece The Central Securities Depository
(Apothetirion Titlon AE)
Hong Kong The Central Clearing and
Settlement System
Central Money Markets Unit
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a 2 matter of market practice.
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Hungary The Central Depository and Clearing
House (Budapest) Ltd. (KELER)
[Mandatory for Gov't Bonds only;
SSB does not use for other securities]
India The National Securities Depository Limited
Indonesia Bank Indonesia
Ireland Central Bank of Ireland
Securities Settlement Office
Israel The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing
House Ltd.
Bank of Israel
Italy Monte Titoli S.p.A.
Banca d'Italia
Jamaica The Jamaican Central Securities Depository
Japan Bank of Japan Net System
Kenya Central Bank of Kenya
Republic of Korea Korea Securities Depository Corporation
Latvia The Latvian Central Depository
Lebanon The Custodian and Clearing Center of
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a 3 matter of market practice.
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Financial Instruments for Lebanon
and the Middle East (MIDCLEAR) X.X.X.
The Central Bank of Lebanon
Lithuania The Central Securities Depository of Lithuania
Malaysia The Malaysian Central Depository Sdn. Bhd.
Bank Negara Malaysia,
Malaysia (cont.) Scripless Securities Trading and Safekeeping
System
Mauritius The Central Depository & Settlement
Co. Ltd.
Mexico S.D. INDEVAL, S.A. de C.V.
(Instituto para el Deposito de
Valores)
Morocco Maroclear
The Netherlands Nederlands Centraal Instituut voor
Giraal Effectenverkeer B.V. (NECIGEF)
De Nederlandsche Bank N.V.
New Zealand New Zealand Central Securities
Depository Limited
Norway Verdipapirsentralen (the Norwegian
Registry of Securities)
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a 4 matter of market practice.
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Oman Muscat Securities Market
Pakistan Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited
Peru Caja de Valores y Liquidaciones S.A.
(CAVALI)
Philippines The Philippines Central Depository, Inc.
The Registry of Scripless Securities
(XXXX) of the Bureau of the Treasury
Poland The National Depository of Securities
(Krajowy Depozyt Papierow Wartos'ciowych)
Central Treasury Bills Registrar
Portugal Central de Valores Mobiliarios (Central)
Romania National Securities Clearing, Settlement and
Depository Co.
Bucharest Stock Exchange Registry Division
Singapore The Central Depository (Pte)
Limited
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Slovak Republic Stredisko Cennych Papierov
National Bank of Slovakia
Slovenia Klirinsko Depotna Xxxxxx x.x.
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a 5 matter of market practice.
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
South Africa The Central Depository Limited
Spain Servicio de Compensacion y
Liquidacion de Valores, S.A.
Banco de Espana,
Central de Anotaciones en Cuenta
Sri Lanka Central Depository System
(Pvt) Limited
Sweden Vardepapperscentralen AB
(the Swedish Central Securities Depository)
Switzerland Schweizerische Effekten - Giro AG
Taiwan - R.O.C. The Taiwan Securities Central
Depository Co., Ltd.
Thailand Thailand Securities Depository
Company Limited
Tunisia Societe Tunisienne Interprofessionelle de
Compensation et de Depot de
Valeurs Mobilieres
Central Bank of Tunisia
Tunisian Treasury
Turkey Takas ve Saklama Bankasi A.S.
(TAKASBANK)
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a 6 matter of market practice.
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Central Bank of Turkey
Ukraine The National Bank of Ukraine
United Kingdom The Bank of England,
The Central Gilts Office and
The Central Moneymarkets Office
Uruguay Central Bank of Uruguay
Venezuela Central Bank of Venezuela
Zambia Lusaka Central Depository Limited
Bank of Zambia
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a 7 matter of market practice.
7
SCHEDULE C
MARKET INFORMATION
PUBLICATION/TYPE OF INFORMATION BRIEF DESCRIPTION
------------------------------- -----------------
(FREQUENCY)
The Guide to Custody in World Markets An overview of safekeeping and
-------------------------------------
(annually) settlement practices and procedures
in each market in which State
Street Bank and Trust Company
offers custodial services.
Global Custody Network Review Information relating to the operating
----------------------------- history and structure of depositories
(annually) and subcustodians located in the
markets in which State Street Bank and
Trust Company offers custodial
services, including transnational
depositories.
Global Legal Survey With respect to each market in
-------------------
(annually) which State Street Bank and Trust
Company offers custodial services,
opinions relating to whether local law
restricts (i) access of a fund's
independent public accountants to books
and records of a Foreign Sub-Custodian
or Foreign Securities System, (ii) the
Fund's ability to recover in the event
of bankruptcy or insolvency of a
Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign
Securities System, (iii) the Fund's
ability to recover in the event of a
loss by a Foreign Sub-Custodian or
Foreign Securities System, and (iv) the
ability of a foreign investor to
convert cash and cash equivalents to
U.S. dollars.
Subcustodian Agreements Copies of the subcustodian
-----------------------
(annually) contracts State Street Bank and Trust
Company has entered into with each
subcustodian in the markets in which
State Street Bank and Trust Company
offers subcustody services to its US
mutual fund clients.
Network Bulletins (weekly): Developments of interest to investors
in the markets in which State Street
Bank and Trust Company offers custodial
services.
Foreign Custody Advisories (as
necessary): With respect to markets in which State
Street Bank and Trust Company offers
custodial services which exhibit
special custody risks, developments
which may impact State Street's ability
to deliver expected levels of service.
