CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This contract between Clipper Fund, Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of California, having its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank
and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, having its
principal place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter called the "Custodian".
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian
of its assets pursuant to the provisions of the Articles
of Incorporation. The Fund agrees to deliver to the
Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all
payments of income, payments of principal or capital
distributions received by it with respect to all
securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the
cash consideration received by it for such new or
treasury shares of capital stock, $_No_par value,
("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from
time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible
for any property of the Fund held or received by the
Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of
Section 2.16), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or
more sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an applicable
vote by the Board of Directors of the Fund, and provided that the
Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or liability
to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any sub-
custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the
Custodian.
1. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund
Held By the Custodian
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of the Fund all non-cash property,
including all securities owned by the Fund, other than
securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.12 in a
clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a
book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury, collectively referred to herein as "Securities
System".
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and
deliver securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a
Securities System account of the Custodian 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 Securities
System, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender
or other similar offers for portfolio securities of
the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such
securities are called, redeemed, retired or
otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be
delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer
into the name of the Fund or into the name of any
nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the
name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.11 or into the name or
nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed
pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange for a
different number of bonds, certificates or other
evidence representing the same aggregate face
amount or number of units; provided that, in any
such case, the new securities are to be delivered
to the Custodian;
7) To the broker selling the same for examination in
accordance with the "street delivery" custom;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of
merger, consolidation, recapitalization,
reorganization or readjustment of the securities of
the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to
provisions for conversion contained in such
securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities
and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar
securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise
of such warrants, rights or similar securities or
the surrender of interim receipts or temporary
securities for definitive securities; provided
that, in any such case, the new securities and
cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of
securities made by the Fund; but only against
receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon from
time to time by the Custodian and the Fund, which
may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by
the United States government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, except that in connection with
any loans for which collateral is to be credited to
the Custodian's account in the book-entry system
authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
the Custodian will not be held liable or
responsible for the delivery of securities owned by
the Fund, prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any
borrowings by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets
by the Fund, but only against receipt of amounts
borrowed;
12) Upon receipt of instruments from the transfer agent
("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to
such Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in
connection with distributions in kind, as may be
described from time to time in the Fund's currently
effective prospectus, in satisfaction of requests
by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;
and
13) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only
upon receipt of, in addition to Proper
Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, specifying the securities to be
delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such
delivery is to be made, declaring such purposes to
be proper corporate purposes, and naming the person
or persons to whom delivery of such securities
shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of
the Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any
nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned
exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has authorized in writing
the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other
registered investment companies having the same investment adviser
as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to section 2.11 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-
custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities
accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the terms of
this Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery form.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a
separate bank account or accounts in the name of the Fund,
subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall hold in
such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof,
all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund,
other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account
established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian
for 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 Investment Company Act of 1940
and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be
deposited with each such bank or trust company shall be
approved by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of
the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in
its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Payments of Shares. The Custodian shall receive from the
distributor for the Fund's Shares or from the Transfer Agent of
the Fund and deposit into the Fund's account such payments as are
received for Shares of the Fund issued or sold from time to time
by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to
the Fund and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments
for Shares of the Fund.
2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual
agreement between the Fund and the Custodian, the Custodian
shall, upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
1) invest in such instruments as may be set forth in
such instructions on the same day as received all
federal funds after a time agreed upon between the
Custodian and the Fund; and
2) make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified
times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the
Custodian in the amount of checks received in payment for
Shares of the Fund which are deposited into the Fund's account.
2.7 Collection of Income. The Custodian shall collect on a
timely basis all income and other payments with respect to
registered securities held hereunder to which the Fund shall be
entitled by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business,
and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to bearer securities if, on the date of payment by
the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or agent
thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's
custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all
coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when
they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities
held hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant
to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility
of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in
connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such
information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in
arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income
to which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.8 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate
by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of the
Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities for the account of
the Funds but only (a) against the delivery of such
securities to the Custodian (or any bank, banking
firm or trust company doing business in the United
States or abroad which is qualified under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act
as a custodian and has been designated by the
Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered
in the name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee
of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof
or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of
a purchase effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section
2.12 hereof or (c) in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into between the Fund and the
Custodian, or another bank, (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;
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 redemption or repurchase of Shares issued
by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) 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;
5) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant
to the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying
the amount of such payment, setting forth the purpose for which
such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a
proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such
payment is to be made.
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased. In any and every case where payment for purchase of
securities for the account of the Fund is made by the Custodian in
advance of receipt of the securities in the absence of specified
written instructions from the Fund to so pay in advance, the
Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such
securities to the same extent as if the securities had been
received by the Custodian, except that in the case of purchase
agreements entered into by the Fund with a bank which is a member
of the Federal Reserve System, the Custodian may transfer funds to
the account of such bank prior to the receipt of written evidence
that the securities subject to such repurchase agreement have been
transferred by book-entry into segregated non-proprietary account
of the custodian maintained with the Federal Reserve Bank of
Boston or of the safe-keeping receipt, provided that such
securities have in fact been so transferred by book entry.
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the
Fund. From such funds as may be available for the purpose but
subject to the limitations of the Articles of Incorporation and
any applicable votes of the Board of Directors of the Fund
pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for
payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer
Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In
connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the
Fund, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions
from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with
the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian
shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares,
which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the holder of
Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such
procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to
time between the Fund and the Custodian.
2.11 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or
times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any
other bank or trust company which is itself qualified under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian,
as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Article 2
as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however,
that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian
of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, which acts as a securities depository, or in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and
certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve
Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the
Custodian in the Securities System which shall not
include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise
for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to
securities of the Fund which are maintained in a
Securities System shall identify by book-entry
those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased
for the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of
advice from the Securities System that such
securities have been transferred to the Account,
and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of
the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer
for the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall
transfer securities sold for the account of the
Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities
System that payment for such securities has been
transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of
an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect
such transfer and payment for the account of the
Fund. Copies of all advice from the Securities
System of transfers of securities for the account
of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained
for the Fund by the Custodian and be provided to
the Fund at its request. Upon request, the
custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of
each transfer to or from the account of the Fund in
the form of a written advice or notice and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
Securities System for the account of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any
report obtained by the Custodian on the Securities
System's accounting system, internal accounting
control and procedures for safeguarding securities
deposited in the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or
annual certificate, as the case may be, required by
Article 9 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding,
the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage
to the Fund resulting from use of the Securities System by
reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the
Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their
employees or from failure of the Custodian or any such agent to
enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the
Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with
respect to any claim against the Securities System or any other
person which the custodian may have as a consequence of any such
loss or damage if and to the extent that the Fund has not been
made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all
federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of
income or other payments with respect to securities of the Fund
held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.
2.14 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities
held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered
holder of such securities, if the securities are registered
otherwise than in the name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund,
all proxies, without indication of the manner in which such
proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund
such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. The
Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written
information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and
maturities of securities and expirations of rights in connection
therewith) received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund
all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of
the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the
party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the
Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer,
exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall
notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to the
date on which the Custodian is to take such action.
2.16 Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout
this Article 2 means a writing signed or initialed by one or more
person or persons as the Board of Directors shall have from time
to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the
specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a
specific statement of the purpose for which such action is
requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper
Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have
been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with
respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral
instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the
authorization by the Board of Directors of the Fund accompanied by
a detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of
Directors, Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided
that the Board of Directors and the Custodian are satisfied that
such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets.
2.17 Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The Custodian
may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor
expenses of handling securities or other similar
items relating to its duties under this Contract,
provided that all such payments shall be accounted
for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for
securities in definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund,
checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments;
and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of
the Fund except as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors
of the Fund.
2.18 Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in
acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent,
certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of
the Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a certified
copy of a vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund as
conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act
in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or
of any action by the Board of Directors pursuant to the
Articles of Incorporation as described in such vote, and such
vote may be considered as in full force and effect until
receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income.
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary
information to the entity or entities appointed by the Board of
Directors of the Fund to keep the books of account of the Fund
and/or compute the net asset value per share of the outstanding
shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the
Fund, shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such
net asset value per share. If so directed, the Custodian shall
also calculate daily the net income of the Fund as described in
the Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall advise the
Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net
income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to
do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the
division of such net income among its various components. The
calculations of the net asset value per share and the daily income
of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from time
to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
4. Records
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating
to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such
manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to
Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder,
applicable federal and state tax laws and any other law or
administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to the
Fund. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and
shall at all times during the regular business hours of the
Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers,
employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the
Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities
owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when
requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall
be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include
certificate numbers in such tabulations.
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund
may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year
favorable opinions from the Fund's independent accountants with
respect to its activities hereunder in connection with the
preparation of the Fund's Form N-1, and Form N-1R or other annual
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect
to any other requirements of such Commission.
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the
Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent public
accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control
and procedures for safeguarding securities, including securities
deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to
the services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such
reports, which 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, shall so state.
7. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation
for its services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from
time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.
8. Responsibility of Custodian
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of
reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the
title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of
title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this
Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party
or parties. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract,
but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to
the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith
without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act
upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all
matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably
taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the responsibility of the Custodian with respect to
redemptions effected by check shall be in accordance with a
separate Agreement entered into between the Custodian and the
Fund.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with
respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money
or which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in
the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund being liable for
the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form,
the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take
such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount
and form satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or
securities for any purpose or in the event that the Custodian or
its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with
the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to
act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the
account of the Fund shall be security therefor and should the Fund
fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be
entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
This contract shall become effective as of its execution,
shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as
hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual
agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by either
party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage
prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not
sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or
mailing; provided, however that the Custodian shall not act under
Section 2.12 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the
Board of Directors of the Fund have approved the initial use of a
particular Securities System and the receipt of an annual
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the
Board of Directors have reviewed the use by the Fund of such
Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; provided further,
however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Contract
in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations,
or any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, and further
provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board of
Directors (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the
Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or
(ii) immediately terminate the Contract in the event of the
appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the
Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event
at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of
competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the
Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the date of such
termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its
costs, expenses and disbursements.
10. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of
Directors of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination,
deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian,
duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities then
held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the
successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a
Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the
Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy
of a vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund, deliver at the
office of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and
other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor
custodian or certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors
shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date
when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian
shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which
is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection,
having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000,
all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian
and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all
other property held by it under this Contract and to transfer to
an account of such successor custodian all of the Fund's
securities held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank
or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under
this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties
remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of
termination hereof owing to failure of the Fund to procure the
certified copy of vote referred to or of the Board of Directors to
appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to
fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other
properties and the provisions of this Contract relating to the
duties and obligations of the custodian shall remain in full force
and effect.
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the
Custodian and the Fund may from time to time agree on such
provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of
this Contract as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the
general tenor of this Contract. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in writing signed by both parties
and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or
additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or
state regulations or any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation of the Fund. No interpretive or additional
provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be
deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
13. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date
hereof, all prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian
relating to the custody of the Fund's assets.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument
to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 24th
day of March, 1984.
ATTEST
/s/ /s/
By
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Chairman and President
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ By /s/
Ahall XX Xxxxxxx
Assistant Secretary Vice President
