WCT Funds Page 1 September 1, 1997
Exhibit 8
FORM OF
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
WCT FUNDS
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
and
FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It................1
2. Duties of the Custodian With Respect to Property of the
Funds Held by the Custodian....................................2
2.1 Holding Securities..............................................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities..........................................2
2.3 Registration of Securities......................................5
2.4 Bank Accounts...................................................6
2.5 Payments for Shares.............................................7
2.6 Availability of Federal Funds...................................7
2.7 Collection of Income............................................7
2.8 Payment of Fund Moneys..........................................8
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased............................................9
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of a
Fund..........................................................9
2.11 Appointment of Agents...........................................10
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System.....................10
2.13 Segregated Account..............................................12
2.14 Joint Repurchase Agreements.....................................13
2.15 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes.........................13
2.16 Proxies 13
2.17 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities............13
2.18 Proper Instructions.............................................14
2.19 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority.....................14
2.20 Evidence of Authority...........................................15
2.21 Notice to Trust by Custodian Regarding Cash Movement............15
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income........................15
4. Records 16
5. Opinion of Funds' Independent Public Accountants/Auditors............16
6. Reports to Trust by Independent Public Accountants/Auditors..........17
7. Compensation of Custodian............................................17
8. Responsibility of Custodian..........................................17
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment..........................19
10. Successor Custodian..................................................20
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions...............................21
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply...........................................22
13. Notices..............................................................22
14. Counterparts 22
15. Limitations of Liability.............................................22
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between WCT FUNDS, (the "Trust"), which is a Massachusetts
business trust, on behalf of the portfolios (hereinafter collectively called the
"Funds" and individually referred to as a "Fund") of the Trust, having its
principal place of business at Federated Investors Tower, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, 15222-3779, 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", and FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY, a Delaware business trust company,
having its principal place of business at Federated Investors Tower, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, 00000-0000, hereinafter called ("Company").
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 Trust hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets
of each of the Funds of the Trust. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, the securities and other assets of each of the Funds
shall be segregated from the assets of each of the other Funds and from
all other persons and entities. The Trust will deliver to the Custodian
all securities and cash owned by the Funds and all payments of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by them with
respect to all securities owned by the Funds from time to time, and the
cash consideration received by them for shares ("Shares") of beneficial
interest/capital stock of the Funds as may be issued or sold from time
to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the
Funds held or received by the Funds and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.18), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more
sub-custodians upon the terms specified in the Proper Instructions,
provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility
or liability to the Trust or any of the Funds on account of any actions
or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such
sub-custodian has to the Custodian.
2. Duties of the Custodian With Respect to Property of the Funds
Held by the Custodian
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of each Fund all non-cash property,
including all securities owned by each 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", or securities which are subject to a joint repurchase
agreement with affiliated funds pursuant to Section 2.14. The
Custodian shall maintain records of all receipts, deliveries and
locations of such securities, together with a current inventory
thereof, and shall conduct periodic physical inspections of
certificates representing stocks, bonds and other securities
held by it under this Contract in such manner as the Custodian
shall determine from time to time to be advisable in order to
verify the accuracy of such inventory. With respect to
securities held by any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.11
hereof, and with respect to securities held by any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Section 1 hereof, the Custodian may rely
upon certificates from such agent as to the holdings of such
agent and from such sub-custodian as to the holdings of such
sub-custodian, it being understood that such reliance in no way
relieves the Custodian of its responsibilities under this
Contract. The Custodian will promptly report to the Trust the
results of such inspections, indicating any shortages or
discrepancies uncovered thereby, and take appropriate action to
remedy any such shortages or discrepancies.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
securities owned by a 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 a 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 Trust;
(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 a Fund, in accordance
with the provisions of Section 2.17 hereof;
(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 a 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
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 a
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 failure to act in
accordance with the standard of reasonable care or any
higher standard of care imposed upon the Custodian by any
applicable law or regulation if such above-stated standard
of reasonable care were not part of this Contract;
(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 portfolio
securities of a Fund, but only against receipt of adequate
collateral in the form of (a) cash, in an amount specified
by the Trust, (b) certificated securities of a description
specified by the Trust, 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, or
(c) securities of a description specified by the Trust,
transferred through a Securities System in accordance with
Section 2.12 hereof;
(11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings
requiring a pledge of assets by a Fund, but only against
receipt of amounts borrowed, except that in cases where
additional collateral is required to secure a borrowing
already made, further securities may be released for the
purpose;
(12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Trust or a Fund, the Custodian and a
broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, (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 for a Fund;
(13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Trust or a 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 and/or any Contract
Market, or any similar organization or organizations,
regarding account deposits in connection with transaction
for a Fund;
(14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for a Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the
holders of shares in connection with distributions in kind, in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption; and
(15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Executive Committee
of the Trust on behalf of a Fund signed by an officer of
the Trust and certified by its 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 purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery
of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name
of a particular 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 Trust has
authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in
common with other registered investment companies affiliated
with 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 Section 1. All
securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of a 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 each 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 each Fund, other than cash maintained in a
joint repurchase account with other affiliated funds pursuant to
Section 2.14 of this Contract or by a particular 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 a 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 of Trustees/Directors ("Board") of the
Trust. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its
capacity as Custodian for the Fund and shall be withdrawable by
the Custodian only in that capacity. If requested by the Trust,
the Custodian shall furnish the Trust, not later than twenty
(20) days after the last business day of each month, an internal
reconciliation of the closing balance as of that day in all
accounts described in this section to the balance shown on the
daily cash report for that day rendered to the Trust.
2.5 Payments for Shares. The Custodian shall make such arrangements
with the Transfer Agent of each Fund, as will enable the
Custodian to receive the cash consideration due to each Fund and
will deposit into each Fund's account such payments as are
received from the Transfer Agent. The Custodian will provide
timely notification to the Trust and the Transfer Agent of any
receipt by it of payments for Shares of the respective Fund.
2.6 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the
Trust and the Custodian, the Custodian shall make federal funds
available to the Funds as of specified times agreed upon from
time to time by the Trust and the Custodian in the amount of
checks, clearing house funds, and other non-federal funds
received in payment for Shares of the Funds which are deposited
into the Funds' accounts.
2.7 Collection of Income.
(1) The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income
and other payments with respect to registered securities
held hereunder to which each 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 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 each 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. The collection of income due
the Funds on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions
of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the
Trust. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility
in connection therewith, other than to provide the Trust
with such information or data as may be necessary to
assist the Trust in arranging for the timely delivery to
the Custodian of the income to which each Fund is properly
entitled.
(2) The Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust whenever income due
on securities is not collected in due course and will provide the
Trust with monthly reports of the status of past due income
unless the parties otherwise agree.
2.8 Payment of Fund Moneys. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall pay out moneys of each Fund
---------------------- in the following cases only:
(1) Upon the purchase of securities, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts for the account of a Fund but
only (a) against the delivery of such securities, or
evidence of title to 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 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
Trust and any other party, (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 for the account of 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 a Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
(3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares of a Fund issued by
the Trust as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
(4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by a
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 on Shares of a Fund declared
pursuant to the governing documents of the Trust;
(6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
(7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Executive Committee of the Trust on
behalf of a Fund signed by an officer of the Trust 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 a Fund is made by the Custodian in
advance of receipt of the securities purchased, in the absence
of specific written instructions from the Trust to so pay in
advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund
for such securities to the same extent as if the securities had
been received by the Custodian.
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of a Fund.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose of
repurchasing or redeeming Shares of a Fund, but subject to the
limitations of the Declaration of Trust/Articles of
Incorporation and any applicable votes of the Board of the Trust
pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for
payment to holders of shares of such Fund who have delivered to
the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of
their shares including without limitation through bank drafts,
automated clearinghouse facilities, or by other means. In
connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the
Funds, 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.
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 1940
Act and any applicable state law or regulation, 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.
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Funds in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("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 "Securities
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 each 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
Funds which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify
by book-entry those securities belonging to each Fund;
(3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of each 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 a 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 advices from the Securities System of transfers of
securities for the account of a Fund shall identify the
Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be
provided to the Trust at its request. Upon request, the
Custodian shall furnish the Trust confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of a Fund in the form of a
written advice or notice and shall furnish to the Trust
copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transactions in the Securities System for the account of a
Fund.
(4) The Custodian shall provide the Trust 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 certificate,
required by Section 9 hereof;
(6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding,
the Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for any loss or
damage to a 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 Trust, 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 a Fund has not been made
whole for any such loss or damage.
(7) The authorization contained in this Section 2.12 shall not
relieve the Custodian from using reasonable care and diligence in
making use of any Securities System. 2.13 Segregated Account. The
Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions establish and
maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each
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 2.12 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of
any agreement among the Trust, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or
any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity
Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
or any registered contract market), or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions for a Fund, (ii)
for purpose of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with options purchased, sold or written for a Fund or
commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold
for a Fund, (iii) for the purpose of compliance by the Trust or
a Fund with the procedures required by any release or releases
of the SEC relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by
registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper
corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy
of a resolution of the Board or of the Executive Committee
signed by an officer of the Trust and certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes
of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be
proper corporate purposes.
2.14 Joint Repurchase Agreements. Upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall deposit and/or maintain any
assets of a Fund and any affiliated funds which are subject to
joint repurchase transactions in an account established solely
for such transactions for the Fund and its affiliated funds. For
purposes of this Section 2.14, "affiliated funds" shall include
all investment companies and their portfolios for which
subsidiaries or affiliates of Federated Investors serve as
investment advisers, distributors or administrators in
accordance with applicable exemptive orders from the SEC. The
requirements of segregation set forth in Section 2.1 shall be
deemed to be waived with respect to such assets.
2.15 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 a Fund held by it and in connection
with transfers of securities.
2.16 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 a Fund or a nominee of a Fund, all
proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies
are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Trust such
proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating
to such securities.
2.17 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. The
Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Trust all written
information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls
and maturities of 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 Trust 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 Trust desires to
take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or
any other similar transaction, the Trust shall notify the
Custodian in writing at least three business days prior to the
date on which the Custodian is to take such action. However, the
Custodian shall nevertheless exercise its best efforts to take
such action in the event that notification is received three
business days or less prior to the date on which action is
required.
2.18 Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout this
Section 2 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. Oral instructions
will be deemed to be Proper Instructions if (a) the Custodian
reasonably believes them to have been given by a person
previously authorized in Proper Instructions to give such
instructions with respect to the transaction involved, and (b)
the Trust promptly causes such 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 the
Trust accompanied by a detailed description of procedures
approved by the Board, Proper Instructions may include
communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or
electronic devices provided that the Board and the Custodian are
satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for a
Fund's assets.
2.19 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority. The Custodian may in
its discretion, without express authority from the Trust:
-------------------------------------------
(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 Trust in such form that it may be allocated
to the affected Fund;
(2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
(3) endorse for collection, in the name of a 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 each Fund
except as otherwise directed by the Trust.
2.20 Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in
acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent,
certificate or other instrument or paper reasonably believed by
it to be genuine and to have been properly executed on behalf of
a Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of
a vote of the Board of the Trust as conclusive evidence (a) of
the authority of any person to act in accordance with such vote
or (b) of any determination of or any action by the Board
pursuant to the Declaration of Trust/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.
2.21 Notice to Trust by Custodian Regarding Cash Movement. The
Custodian will provide timely notification to the Trust of any
receipt of cash, income or payments to the Trust and the release
---------------------------------------------------- of cash or
payment by the Trust.
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 the Trust to keep the
books of account of each Fund and/or compute the net asset value per
share of the outstanding Shares of each Fund or, if directed in writing
to do so by the Trust, 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 a Fund as described in the
Fund's currently effective prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information ("Prospectus") and shall advise the Trust and the Transfer
Agent daily of the total amounts of such net income and, if instructed
in writing by an officer of the Trust 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 a 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 Trust and the Funds under the 1940 Act,
with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and
31a-2 thereunder, and specifically including identified cost records
used for tax purposes. All such records shall be the property of the
Trust 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 Trust and employees and agents of the SEC. In the
event of termination of this Contract, the Custodian will deliver all
such records to the Trust, to a successor Custodian, or to such other
person as the Trust may direct. The Custodian shall supply daily to the
Trust a tabulation of securities owned by a Fund and held by the
Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Trust and for such
compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Trust and the
Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
5. Opinion of Funds' Independent Public Accountants/Auditors.
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Trust may from
time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions
from each Fund's independent public accountants/auditors with respect
to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the
Fund's registration statement, periodic reports, or any other reports
to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements of such
Commission.
6. Reports to Trust by Independent Public Accountants/Auditors.
The Custodian shall provide the Trust, at such times as the Trust may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public
accountants/auditors for each Fund on the accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures
contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities
deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the
services provided by the Custodian for the Fund under this Contract;
such reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as
may reasonably be required by the Trust, 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.
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
Company and the Custodian.
8. Responsibility of Custodian.
The Custodian shall be held to a standard of reasonable care in
carrying out the provisions of this Contract; provided, however, that
the Custodian shall be held to any higher standard of care which would
be imposed upon the Custodian by any applicable law or regulation if
such above stated standard of reasonable care was not part of this
Contract. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Trust) on all matters,
and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice, provided that such action is not in
violation of applicable federal or state laws or regulations, and is in
good faith and without negligence. Subject to the limitations set forth
in Section 15 hereof, the Custodian shall be kept indemnified by the
Trust but only from the assets of the Fund involved in the issue at
hand and be without liability for any action taken or thing done by it
in carrying out the terms and provisions of this Contract in accordance
with the above standards.
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section
8 shall apply, however, it is understood that if in any case the Trust
may be asked to indemnify or save the Custodian harmless, the Trust
shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning
the situation in question, and it is further understood that the
Custodian will use all reasonable care to identify and notify the Trust
promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears likely to
present the probability of such a claim for indemnification. The Trust
shall have the option to defend the Custodian against any claim which
may be the subject of this indemnification, and in the event that the
Trust so elects it will so notify the Custodian and thereupon the Trust
shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the Custodian shall
in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which
it shall seek indemnification under this Section. The Custodian shall
in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in
which the Trust will be asked to indemnify the Custodian except with
the Trust's prior written consent.
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 Trust.
If the Trust requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action
may, in the reasonable opinion of the Custodian, result in the
Custodian or its nominee assigned to a Fund being liable for the
payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, the
Custodian may request the Trust, as a prerequisite to requiring the
Custodian to take such action, to provide indemnity to the Custodian in
an amount and form satisfactory to the Custodian.
Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 15 hereof, the Trust
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and its nominee
from and against all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and
liabilities (including counsel fees) (referred to herein as authorized
charges) incurred or assessed against it or its nominee in connection
with the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from it
or its nominee's own failure to act in accordance with the standard of
reasonable care or any higher standard of care which would be imposed
upon the Custodian by any applicable law or regulation if such
above-stated standard of reasonable care were not part of this
Contract. To secure any authorized charges and any advances of cash or
securities made by the Custodian to or for the benefit of a Fund for
any purpose which results in the Fund incurring an overdraft at the end
of any business day or for extraordinary or emergency purposes during
any business day, the Trust hereby grants to the Custodian a security
interest in and pledges to the Custodian securities held for the Fund
by the Custodian, in an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the Fund's
gross assets, the specific securities to be designated in writing from
time to time by the Trust or the Fund's investment adviser. Should the
Trust fail to make such designation, or should it instruct the
Custodian to make advances exceeding the percentage amount set forth
above and should the Custodian do so, the Trust hereby agrees that the
Custodian shall have a security interest in all securities or other
property purchased for a Fund with the advances by the Custodian, which
securities or property shall be deemed to be pledged to the Custodian,
and the written instructions of the Trust instructing their purchase
shall be considered the requisite description and designation of the
property so pledged for purposes of the requirements of the Uniform
Commercial Code. Should the Trust fail to cause a Fund to repay
promptly any authorized charges or advances of cash or securities,
subject to the provision of the second paragraph of this Section 8
regarding indemnification, the Custodian shall be entitled to use
available cash and to dispose of pledged securities and property as is
necessary to repay any such advances.
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 sixty (60) 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 the Trust has approved the initial use of a particular
Securities System as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the 1940
Act; provided further, however, that the Trust shall not amend or
terminate this Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or
state regulations, or any provision of the Declaration of
Trust/Articles of Incorporation, and further provided, that the Trust
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 Contract in the event
of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by
the appropriate banking regulatory agency 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 Trust 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 the Trust,
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 for each Fund
and shall transfer to separate accounts of the successor custodian all
of each 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 the Trust, 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 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 1940 Act, 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 $100,000,000, 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 for each Fund and to transfer to separate accounts of
such successor custodian all of each 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 Trust to procure the certified copy of the vote
referred to or of the Board 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 Trust may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive
of or in addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their
joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Contract.
Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing
signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no
such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any
applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of the
Declaration of Trust/Articles of Incorporation. 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. Notices.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Notices and other
writings delivered or mailed postage prepaid to the Trust at Federated
Investors Tower, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-3779, or to the
Custodian at address for SSBT only: 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, or to such other address as the Trust or the
Custodian may hereafter specify, shall be deemed to have been properly
delivered or given hereunder to the respective address.
14. Counterparts.
This Contract may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
15. Limitations of Liability.
The Custodian is expressly put on notice of the limitation of liability
as set forth in Article XI of the Declaration of Trust of those Trusts
which are business trusts and agrees that the obligations and
liabilities assumed by the Trust and any Fund pursuant to this
Contract, including, without limitation, any obligation or liability to
indemnify the Custodian pursuant to Section 8 hereof, shall be limited
in any case to the relevant Fund and its assets and that the Custodian
shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the
shareholders of the relevant Fund, from any other Fund or its
shareholders or from the Trustees, Officers, employees or agents of the
Trust, or any of them. In addition, in connection with the discharge
and satisfaction of any claim made by the Custodian against the Trust,
for whatever reasons, involving more than one Fund, the Trust shall
have the exclusive right to determine the appropriate allocations of
liability for any such claim between or among the Funds.
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 effective as of the 1st day of September, 1997.
ATTEST: WCT FUNDS
By
ATTEST: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
By
ATTEST: FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY
By
EXHIBIT 1
CONTRACT
DATE FUND NAMES
September 1, 1997 WCT Funds
WCT Equity Fund
STATE STREET
DOMESTIC CUSTODY
FEE SCHEDULE
I. Custody Services
Maintain custody of fund assets. Settle portfolio purchases and sales.
Report buy and sell fails. Determine and collect portfolio income. Make
cash disbursements and report cash transactions. Monitor corporate
actions.
ANNUAL FEES
ASSET
Per Fund .25 Basis Points
Wire Fees $3.00 per wire
Settlements:
oEach DTC Transaction $5.00
oEach Federal Reserve Book Entry Transaction $3.75
oEach Repo Transaction (All Repo) $3.75
oEach Physical Transaction (NY/Boston, Private Placement) 15.00
oEach Option Written/Exercised/Expired 18.75
Each Book Entry Muni (Sub-custody) Transaction 15.00
oGovernment Paydowns $5.00
oMaturity Collections $8.00
oPTC Transactions $6.00
II. Special Services
Fees for activities of a non-recurring nature such as fund consolidation
or reorganization, extraordinary security shipments and the preparation of
special reports will be subject to negotiation.
III. Balance Credit
Municipal Funds
A balance credit equal to 75% of the average demand deposit account balance
in the custodian account for the month billed times the 30 day T-Bill Rate
on the last Monday of the month billed, will be applied against the month's
custodian xxxx.
Transfer Agent A balance credit equal to 100% of the average balance in the
transfer agent demand deposit accounts, less the reserve requirement and
applicable related expenses, times 75% of the 30 average Fed Funds Rate.
IV. Payment
The above fees will be charged against the funds' custodian checking
account thirty (30) days after the invoice is mailed to the funds' offices.
V. Term of Contract
The parties agree that this fee schedule shall become effective
September 1, 1997.
WCT FUNDS STATE STREET BANK
BY: BY:
TITLE: TITLE:
DATE: DATE:
