Exhibit (j)
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT dated as of this 26th day of March, 1997, by and
between The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation (the
"Custodian"), and ContiFinancial STRYPES Trust (such trust and the trustees
thereof acting in their capacity as such being referred to herein as the
"Trust"), a business trust organized pursuant to the Business Trust Act of the
State of Delaware (Chapter 38, Title 12, of the Delaware Code, 12 Del.C.
(Sections 3801 et seq.)), under and by virtue of an Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement, dated as of March 26, 1997 (the "Trust Agreement").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Trust is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Investment Company Act"), formed to purchase and hold certain zero-coupon
U.S. Government securities (the "U.S. Treasury Securities"), to enter into
and hold a forward purchase contract (the "Contract") with The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as agent and custodian for and on behalf of the Trust, and
Continental Grain Company, a majority stockholder of ContiFinancial
Corporation, and to issue Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for
Stock(ServiceMark) (the "STRYPES") in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to engage the services of the Custodian to
perform certain custodial duties for the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Custodian is willing to assume such duties, on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall
have the respective meanings specified in the Trust Agreement.
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(SM) Service xxxx of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Inc.
2. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; TRANSFER OF ASSETS. The Trust hereby
constitutes and appoints the Custodian, and the Custodian accepts such
appointment, as agent of the Trust and as custodian of all of the property,
including but not limited to, the Contract, the U.S. Treasury Securities, the
Temporary Investments, any cash and any other property at any time owned or held
by the Trust (collectively, the "Assets"). The Trust hereby deposits the Assets
with the Custodian and the Custodian hereby accepts such into its custody, and
the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian all of the Assets, including all
monies, securities and other property received by the Trust at any time during
the period of this Agreement, subject to the following terms and conditions.
The Custodian hereby agrees that it shall hold the Assets in a segregated
custody account, separate and distinct from all other accounts, in accordance
with Section 17(f) of, and in such manner as shall constitute the segregation
and holding in trust within the meaning of, the Investment Company Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder. The Trust authorizes the Custodian, for any
Assets held hereunder, to use the services of any United States securities
depository permitted to perform such services for registered investment
companies and their custodians under Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act
and which has been approved by the Trust, including but not limited to, The
Depository Trust Company and the Federal Reserve Book Entry System. The
Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to inspect, review or examine any
Assets to determine that they are genuine, enforceable, or appropriate for the
represented purpose or that they are other than what they purport to be on their
face.
3. ASSET DISPOSITION; EXAMINATIONS. The Custodian shall have no power or
authority to assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of the Assets,
except pursuant to a written direction in accordance with paragraph 4 below and
then only for the account of the Trust. The Assets shall be subject to no lien
or charge of any kind in favor of the Custodian for itself or for any other
Person claiming through the Custodian. The Custodian shall permit actual
examination of the Assets by the Trust's independent public accountant at the
end of each annual and semi-annual fiscal period of the Trust and at least one
other time during the fiscal year of the Trust chosen by such independent public
accountant and shall permit the inspection of the Assets by the Commission
through its employees or agents during the normal business hours of the
Custodian upon reasonable request.
4. AUTHORIZED ACTIONS. The Custodian shall take such reasonable actions
with respect to the Assets as directed in writing by the Trust or by any officer
of the Administrator duly authorized by the Trustees to give written
instructions on behalf of the Trust and named in such certified resolutions of
the Trustees, as may be received by the Custodian from time to time.
5. CUSTODIAN'S ACTIONS TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH. In connection with the
performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Custodian shall have no
duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth herein or in the
Trust Agreement or as may subsequently be agreed in writing by the parties
hereto and shall be under no liability to the Trust or any Holder for any action
taken in good faith in reliance on any paper, order,
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certification, list, demand, request, consent, affidavit, notice, opinion,
direction, endorsement, assignment, resolution, draft or other document, prima
facie properly executed, or for the disposition of the Assets pursuant to the
Trust Agreement or in respect of any action taken or suffered under the Trust
Agreement in good faith, in accordance with an opinion of counsel or at the
direction of the Trust pursuant hereto; provided that this provision shall not
protect the Custodian against any liability to which it would otherwise be
subject by reason of its willful misfeasance or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties, or its reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties hereunder.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Custodian shall
under no circumstances be liable for any punitive, exemplary, indirect or
consequential damages.
6. TRUST AGREEMENT VALIDITY. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
the validity or sufficiency of the Trust Agreement or the due execution thereof,
or for the form, character, genuineness, sufficiency, value or validity of any
of the Assets and the Custodian shall in no event assume or incur any liability,
duty or obligation to any Holder or to the Trust, other than as expressly
provided for herein. The Custodian shall not be responsible for or in respect
of the validity of any signature by or on behalf of the Trust.
7. LITIGATION OBLIGATIONS, COSTS AND INDEMNITY. The Custodian shall not
be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action which in
its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless it shall be furnished
with such reasonable security and indemnity against such expense or liability as
it may require, and any reasonable pecuniary costs of the Custodian from such
actions shall be expenses which are reimbursable pursuant to paragraph 13
hereof.
8. TAXES; TRUST EXPENSES. In no event shall the Custodian be personally
liable for any taxes or other governmental charges imposed upon or in respect of
the Assets or upon the monies, securities or other properties included therein.
The Custodian shall be reimbursed and indemnified by the Trust for all such
taxes and charges, for any tax or charge imposed against the Trust and for any
reasonable expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, interest, penalties and
additions to tax which the Custodian may sustain or incur with respect to such
taxes or charges.
9. CUSTODIAN RESIGNATION, SUCCESSION. (a) The Custodian may resign by
executing an instrument in writing resigning as Custodian and delivering the
same to the Trust, not less than 60 days before the date specified in such
instrument when, subject to clause (b) of this paragraph 9, such resignation is
to take effect. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Trust shall use
its reasonable efforts promptly to appoint a successor Custodian in the manner
and meeting the qualifications provided in the Trust Agreement, by written
instrument or instruments delivered to the resigning Custodian and the successor
Custodian.
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(b) In case no successor Custodian shall have been appointed within 30
days after notice of resignation has been received by the Trust, the resigning
Custodian may forthwith apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Custodian. Such court may thereupon, after such
notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribed, appoint a successor
Custodian.
10. CUSTODIAN REMOVAL. The Trust may remove the Custodian upon 60 days
prior written notice to the Custodian and appoint a successor Custodian. In
case at any time the Custodian shall not meet the requirements set forth in the
Trust Agreement or shall become incapable of acting or if a court having
jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the
Custodian in an involuntary case, or the Custodian shall commence a voluntary
case, under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, or any receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator (or similar official) for the Custodian or for any substantial part
of its property shall be appointed, or the Custodian shall make any general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall generally fail to pay its
debts as they become due, the Trust may remove the Custodian immediately and
appoint a successor Custodian. The termination of the Administration Agreement
or the Paying Agent Agreement shall cause the removal of the Custodian
simultaneously therewith.
11. TRANSFERS TO SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN. Upon the request of any successor
Custodian, the Custodian hereunder shall, upon payment of all amounts due it,
execute and deliver an instrument acknowledged by it transferring to such
successor Custodian all the rights and powers of the resigning Custodian; and
the resigning Custodian shall transfer, deliver and pay over to the successor
Custodian the Assets at the time held by it hereunder, if any, together with all
necessary instruments of transfer and assignment or other documents properly
executed necessary to effect such transfer and such of the records or copies
thereof maintained by the resigning Custodian in the administration hereof as
may be requested by the successor Custodian, and shall thereupon be discharged
from all duties and responsibilities hereunder. Any resignation or removal of
the Custodian shall become effective upon such acceptance of appointment by the
successor Custodian. The indemnification of the resigning Custodian provided
for hereunder shall survive any resignation, discharge or removal of the
Custodian hereunder.
12. CUSTODIAN MERGER, CONSOLIDATION. Any corporation into which the
Custodian may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or
any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which
the Custodian shall be a party, shall be the successor Custodian hereunder and
under the Trust Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper,
instrument or further act to be done on the part of the parties hereto, provided
that such corporation meets the requirements set forth in the Trust Agreement.
13. COMPENSATION; EXPENSES. The Custodian shall receive compensation for
performing the usual, ordinary, normal and recurring services under this
Custodian
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Agreement and, with the prior written approval of the Trust, reimbursement for
any and all reasonable expenses and disbursements incurred hereunder, as
provided in Section 3.1 of the Administration Agreement.
14. SECTION 17(f) QUALIFICATION. The Custodian hereby represents that it
is qualified to act as a custodian under Section 17(f) of the Investment Company
Act.
15. INDEMNIFICATION. The Trust shall indemnify and hold the Custodian
harmless from and against any loss, damages, liability or claim incurred by
reason of any inaccuracy in information furnished to the Custodian by the Trust,
or any act or omission in the course of, connected with or arising out of any
services to be rendered hereunder, and any reasonable cost or expense (including
the reasonable costs of investigation, preparation for and defense of legal
and/or administrative proceedings related to a claim against it and reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred in connection with any such loss,
damages, liability or claim, provided that the Custodian shall not be
indemnified and held harmless from and against any such loss, damages,
liability, claim or reasonable cost or expense arising from its willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or
its reckless disregard of its duties and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, it is understood that (i) the Trust shall not, in respect of the
legal expenses of the Custodian in connection with any proceeding or related
proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) and (ii) the
Trust shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without
the written consent of the Trust, but if settled with such consent or if there
be a final judgment for the third party claimant, the Trust agrees to indemnify
the Custodian from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment. Neither the Federal Reserve Book Entry System nor The
Depository Trust Company shall be deemed to be agents of the Custodian.
16. RIGHTS OF SET-OFF; BANKER'S LIEN. The Custodian hereby waives all
rights of set-off or banker's lien it may have with respect to the Assets held
by it as Custodian hereunder.
17. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of the
dissolution of the Trust or the appointment of a successor Custodian.
18. CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to
agreements made and to be performed wholly within such State.
19. NOTICES. All notices and other communications given by any party
under this Agreement shall be directed as follows (or to such other address for
a particular party as shall be specified by such party in a like notice given
pursuant to this Section 19):
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The Trust: ContiFinancial STRYPES Trust
c/o Puglisi & Associates
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
The Custodian: The Chase Manhattan Bank
000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Structured Products Group, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices and other
communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given if either (i) personally delivered (including delivery by
courier service or by Federal Express or any other nationally recognized
overnight delivery service for next day delivery) to the offices set forth
above, in which case they shall be deemed received on the first Business Day by
which delivery shall have been made to said offices, (ii) transmitted by any
standard form of telecommunication to the offices set forth above, in which case
they shall be deemed received on the first Business Day by which a standard
confirmation that such transmission occurred is received by the transmitting
party (unless such confirmation states that such transmission occurred after
5:00 P.M. on such first Business Day, in which case delivery shall be deemed to
have been received on the immediately succeeding Business Day), or (iii) sent by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested to the offices set forth
above, in which case they shall be deemed received when receipted for unless
acknowledgment of receipt is refused (in which case delivery shall be deemed to
have been received on the first Business Day on which such acknowledgment is
refused).
20. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Nothing herein, express or implied,
shall give to any Person, other than the Trust, the Custodian and their
respective successors and assigns, any benefit of any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim hereunder.
21. AMENDMENTS; TRUST AGREEMENT CHANGES; WAIVER. This Agreement shall not
be deemed or construed to be modified, amended, rescinded, cancelled or waived,
in whole or in part, except by a written instrument signed by a duly authorized
representative of the party to be charged. The Trust shall notify the Custodian
of any change in the Trust Agreement prior to the effective date of any such
change. Failure of either party hereto to exercise any right or remedy
hereunder in the event of a breach hereof by the other party shall not
constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to any subsequent
breach.
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22. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
CONTIFINANCIAL STRYPES TRUST
By__________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx,
as Managing Trustee
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
By__________________________
Name:
Title:
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