EXHIBIT 8(a)(2)
AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Amendment to the Custodian Contract is made as of September 9, 1998 by
and between AIM Special Opportunities Funds (the "Fund") and State Street Bank
and Trust Company (the "Custodian"). Capitalized terms used in this Amendment
without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in
the Custodian Contract referred to below.
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian entered into a Custodian Contract dated
as of June 26, 1998 (as amended and in effect from time to time, the
"Contract"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities
and other assets, and the Fund has made AIM Small Cap Opportunities Fund subject
to the Contract (each such series, together with all other series subsequently
established by the Fund and made subject to the Contract in accordance with the
terms thereof, shall be referred to as a "Portfolio", and, collectively, the
"Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend certain provisions of
the Contract to reflect revisions to Rule 17f-5 ("Rule 17f-5") promulgated under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend and restate certain
other provisions of the Contract relating to the terms and conditions of the
custody of assets of each of the Portfolios held outside of the United States.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants
and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereby agree to amend the
Contract, pursuant to the terms thereof, as follows:
I. Article 3 of the Contract is hereby deleted, and Articles 4 through 17 of
the Contract are hereby amended, as of the effective date of this
Amendment, by renumbering same as Articles 5 though 18, respectively.
II. New Articles 3 and 4 of the Contract are hereby added, as of the effective
date of this Amendment, as set forth below.
3. THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
3.1. DEFINITIONS.
Capitalized terms in this Article 3 of the Contract 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; laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and
recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country; and factors
comprising the "prevailing country risk", including the effects of foreign law
on the safekeeping of Portfolio assets, the likelihood of expropriation,
nationalization, freezing, or confiscation of a Portfolio's assets and any
reasonably foreseeable difficulties in repatriating a Portfolio's assets.
"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 Portfolio's investments (including foreign
currencies) far which the primary market is outside the United States, currency
contracts that are settled outside the United States and such cash and cash
equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolio'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.
3.2. DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
The Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board of Trustees (the "Board"), hereby
delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the
responsibilities set forth in this Article 3 with respect to Foreign Assets held
outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation, as
Foreign Custody Manager of each Portfolio.
3.3. COUNTRIES COVERED.
The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for perfoming the delegated
responsibilities defined below only with respect to (a) the countries listed on
Schedule A hereto as approved by the Board, which list of Board-approved
countries may be amended from time to time by the Fund with the agreement of the
Foreign Custody Manager, and (b) the custody arrangements set forth on such
Schedule A. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible
Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the
assets of each Portfolio, 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 of this Article 3.
Upon the receipt by 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 account opening requirements for such
country (if any), the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been
appointed by the Board as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country
and to have accepted the delegation. Execution of this Amendment by the Fund
shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place or
maintain Foreign Assets, in each Board-approved country listed on Schedule A in
which the Custodian has previously placed or currently maintains Foreign Assets
pursuant to the terms of the Contract. Following the receipt of Proper
Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of a
Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 a Portfolio with respect
to the country as to which the Custodian s acceptance of delegation is
withdrawn.
3.4. SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES.
3.4.1. SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS.
Subject to the provisions of this Article 3, the Foreign Custody Manager may
place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign
Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed as
"approved" on Schedule A, as such Schedule is amended from time to time.
In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place
or maintain the 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 maintain 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).
The Foreign Custody Manager shall provide the Board with information at least
annually as to the factors used in such monitoring system. In the event the
Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an
Eligible Foreign Custodian that it has selected are no longer appropriate, the
Foreign Custody Manager shall promptly transfer the Fund's Foreign Assets to
another Eligible Foreign Custodian in the market and shall notify the Board in
accordance with Section 3.7 hereunder.
3.5. GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
For purposes of this Article 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 a Portfolio, 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.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary, the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolios and the Custodian expressly acknowledge and agree that
the Foreign Custody Manager shall not be delegated any responsibilities under
this Article 3 with respect to Mandatory Securities Depositories, and that the
determination by or on behalf of the Board to place the Foreign Assets in a
particular country shall be deemed to include the determination to place such
Foreign Assets eligible for any Mandatory Securities Depository with such
Mandatory Securities Depository, whether the Mandatory Securities Depository
exists at the time the Foreign Assets are acquired, or after the acquisition
thereof.
3.6. STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF A PORTFOLIO.
In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager
shall 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.
3.7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
The Foreign Custody Manager shall report at least quarterly on the Foreign
Assets held with each Eligible Foreign Custodian and in connection therewith if
applicable, provide 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 will make written reports notifying the Board of any
other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios
described in this Article 3 promptly after the occurrence of the material
change.
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 Contract to the Custodian as the
Foreign Custody Manager of each Portfolio.
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 a
Portfolio shall be effective as of the date hereof 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 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.
3.10 FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS.
If at any time prior to termination of this Amendment the Custodian as a matter
of standard business practice, accepts delegation as Foreign Custody Manager for
its U.S. mutual fund clients on terms materially different than set forth in
this Amendment, the Custodian hereby agrees to negotiate with the fund in good
faith with respect thereto.
4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE PORTFOLIOS HELD
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
4.1 DEFINITIONS.
Terms used in this Article 4 and not defined below shall have the meanings
ascribed them in the Contract or in this Amendment:
"Foreign Securities System" means either a clearing agency or a securities
depository which is listed on Schedule A hereto or a Mandatory Securities
Depository.
"Foreign Sub-Custodian" means a foreign banking institution serving as an
Eligible Foreign Custodian.
4.2. HOLDING SECURITIES.
The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios 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 Portfolios, 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 Portfolios which are
maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the
Portfolios 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.
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 Contract.
4.4. TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
4.4.1. DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS.
The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign
securities of a Portfolio 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 sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in accordance
with reasonable market practice in the country where such Foreign
Assets 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 Portfolio;
(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 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 reasonable market practices
in the country where such securities are held or traded;
PROVIDED that in any such case the 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 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 borrowing by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Portfolio;
(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 corporate purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions, a copy of a resolution of the
Board or of an Executive Committee of the Board so authorized by
the Board, signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by its
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the resolution was duly
adopted and is in full force and effect (a "Certified Resolution"),
specifying the Foreign Assets to be delivered, setting forth the
purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring such
purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom delivery of such Foreign Assets shall be made.
4.4.2. PAYMENT OF PORTFOLIO 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, moneys of a Portfolio in the following cases only:
(i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio, unless
otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, in accordance with
reasonable market settlement practice in the country where such
foreign securities are held or traded, including, without
limitation: (A) delivering money to the seller thereof or to a
dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against
expectation of receiving 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 Portfolio;
(iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio
including but not limited to the following payments: interest,
taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under
this Contract, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating
expenses;
(iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange
contracts for the Portfolio, 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, in addition
to Proper Instructions, a Certified Resolution specifying the
amount of such payment, setting forth the purpose for which such
payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is
to be made.
4.4.3. MARKET CONDITIONS; MARKET INFORMATION.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary, settlement and
payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of a Portfolio and delivery
of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of a Portfolio 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 generally accepted by Institutional Clients, including, without
limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer
therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) against a receipt with the
expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such
purchaser or dealer. For purposes of this Contract, "Institutional Clients"
means U.S. registered investment companies or major U.S. based commercial banks,
insurance companies, pension funds or substantially similar institutions which,
as a part of their ordinary business operations, purchase or sell securities and
make use of global custody services.
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 and,
provided further, that the Custodian shall in any event provide to the Board and
to A I M Advisors, Inc. annually the following information and opinions with
respect to the Board-approved countries listed on Schedule A:
(i) legal opinions relating to whether local law restricts with respect
to U.S. registered mutual funds (a) access of a fund's independent
public accountants to books and records of a Foreign Sub-Custodian
or Foreign Securities System, (b) a fund's ability to recover in
the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or
Foreign Securities System, (c) a fund's ability to recover in the
event of a loss by a Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities
System, and (d) the ability of a foreign investor to convert cash
and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars;
(ii) summary of information regarding Foreign Securities Systems; and
(iii) country profile information containing market practice for (a)
delivery versus payment, (b) settlement method, (c) currency
restrictions, (d) buy-in practices, (e) foreign ownership limits,
and (f) unique market arrangements.
4.5. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES.
The foreign securities maintained in the custody of a Foreign Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund
(on behalf of the applicable Portfolio) or in the name of the Custodian or in
the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian 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, except to the
extent that the Fund incurs loss or damage due to failure of such nominee to
meet its standard of care as set forth in the Contract. The Custodian or a
Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf
of the Fund (on behalf of the applicable Portfolio) under the terms of this
Contract unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are
delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.
4.6. BANK ACCOUNTS.
The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to a Portfolio 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 a Portfolio 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 Contract to hold cash received by or from
or for the account of the Portfolio.
4.7. COLLECTION OF INCOME.
The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all dividends,
income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to
which a Portfolio shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected,
to the Portfolio. In the event the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian must use
measures beyond those which are customary in a particular country to collect
such payments, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and
as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian attendant thereto.
4.8. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS.
With respect to the foreign securities held under this Article 4, the Custodian
will use commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate the exercise by the Fund
on behalf of the Portfolios of voting and other shareholder rights, subject
always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may obtain 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.
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 a Portfolio. 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. Subject to the standard of care to which the Custodian is held
under this Contract, 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 Portfolio 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 two New York business days prior to the date on
which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power.
4.10. LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS AND FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS.
Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian
shall, to the extent possible consistent with prevailing market practice,
require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance
of its duties and 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 such Foreign
Sub-Custodian's performance of such obligations. At the election of the
Fund, the Fund 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 and any applicable Portfolio has not been
made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
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
Portfolios by the tax law of the United States or of any state or political
subdivision thereof. With respect to jurisdictions other than the United
States, the sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to the tax law
of any such jurisdiction shall be to use reasonable efforts to (a) notify the
Fund of the obligations imposed on the Fund with respect to the Portfolios or
the Custodian as custodian of such Portfolios by the tax law of such
jurisdictions, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes,
assessment or other governmental charges, certifications and government
reporting and (b) perform such ministerial steps as are required to collect
any tax refund, to ascertain the appropriate rate of tax withholding and to
provide such documents as may be required to enable each Fund to receive
appropriate tax treatment under applicable tax laws and any applicable treaty
provisions. The Custodian, in performance of its duties under this Section,
shall be entitled to treat each Fund as a Delaware business trust which is a
"registered investment company" under the laws of the United States, and it
shall be the duty of each Fund to inform the Custodian of any change in the
organization, domicile or, to the extent within the knowledge of the Fund,
other relevant facts concerning tax treatment of the Fund and further to
inform the Custodian if the Fund is or becomes the beneficiary of any special
ruling or treatment not applicable to the general nationality and category of
entity of which the Fund is a part under general laws and treaty provisions.
The Custodian shall be entitled to rely on any information supplied by the
Fund. The Custodian may engage reasonable professional advisors disclosed to
the Fund by the Custodian, which may include attorneys, accountants or
financial institutions in the regular business of investment administration
and may rely upon advice received therefrom.
4.12. LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct or
the negligence or willful misconduct of a Sub-Custodian, the Custodian shall be
without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by Country Risk (as such term is defined in Article 3
hereof), regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian or a Foreign Securities Depository, the Custodian shall be without
liability for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or
terrorism, or any other similar loss beyond the reasonable control of the
Custodian or the Sub-Custodian.
The Custodian shall be liable to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions
of any Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as such Foreign Sub-Custodian
shall be liable to the Custodian.
4.13 USE OF TERM "FUND"; ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
All references in this Article 4 or in Article 3 of this Agreement to "Fund"
shall mean the Fund, or a Portfolio of the Fund, as the context requires or as
applicable.
The Custodian shall maintain separate and distinct records for each Portfolio
and the assets allocated solely with such Portfolio shall be held and accounted
for separately from the assets of the Fund associated solely with any other
Portfolio. The debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted
for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Portfolio shall be
enforceable against the assets of such Portfolio only, and not against the
assets of the Fund generally or the assets of any other Portfolio.
III. Except as specifically superseded or modified herein, the terms and
provisions of the Contract shall continue to apply with full force and effect.
In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Contract prior to this
Amendment and this Amendment, the terms of this Amendment shall prevail. If the
Custodian is delegated the responsibilities of Foreign Custody Manager pursuant
to the terms of Article 3 hereof, in the event of any conflict between the
provisions of Articles 3 and 4 hereof, the provisions of Article 3 shall
prevail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the
date first above written.
WITNESSED BY: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Associate Counsel ----------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President
WITNESSED BY: AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS
/s/ P. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
------------------------------
Name: P. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Assistant Secretary ----------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
STATE STREET 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
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A. --
Sociedad Fiduciaria
8/13/98 0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
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 --
Hungary Citibank Budapest Rt. --
Iceland Icebank Ltd. --
8/13/98 0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
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 --
Lebanon British Bank of the Middle East --
(as delegate of The Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
8/13/98
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
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. --
Philippines Standard Chartered Bank --
Poland Citibank (Poland) S.A. --
Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A.
Portugal Banco Comercial Portugues --
8/13/98
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
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 Banka Creditanstalt 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 --
Taiwan - R.O.C. Central Trust of China --
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank --
Trinidad & Tobago Republic Bank Limited --
Tunisia Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie --
8/13/98
0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE A
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
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)
6
8/13/98
STATE STREET SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDITORY 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
Banco Central do Brasil,
Sistema Especial de Liquidacao de
Custodia
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 matter of market practice.
1
8/13/98
STATE STREET SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
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
Hungary The Central Depository and Clearing
House (Budapest) Ltd. (KELER)
[MANDATORY FOR GOV'T BONDS ONLY;
SSB DOES NOT USE FOR OTHER SECURITIES]
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
2
8/13/98
STATE STREET SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
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
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.
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
3
8/13/98
STATE STREET SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
Bank Negara Malaysia,
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
(pending publication of enabling legislation
in the Moroccan government Gazette)
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)
Oman Muscat Securities Market
Pakistan Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited
Peru Caja de Valores y Liquidaciones S.A.
(CAVALI)
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
4
8/13/98
STATE STREET SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
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 Wartosciowych)
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.
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
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
5
8/13/98
STATE STREET SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
(Pvt) Limited
Sweden Vardepapperscentralen AB
(the Swedish Central Securities Depository)
Switzerland Schweizerische Effekten - Giro AG
INTERSETTLE
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)
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
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a matter
of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
8/13/98 0
XXXXX XXXXXX SCHEDULE B
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
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 matter of market practice.
8/13/98 7
SCHEDULE C
MARKET INFORMATION
PUBLICATION/TYPE OF INFORMATION BRIEF DESCRIPTION
(FREQUENCY)
THE GUIDE TO CUSTODY IN WORLD MARKETS An overview of safekeeping and settlement practices and
(annually) 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
(annually) depositories 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 which State Street Bank and
(annually) 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 contracts State Street Bank and
(annually) 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.
