EXHIBIT 8
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ GROWTH FUND, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be
Held By It......................................................... 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held by the Custodian in the United States................ 2
2.1 Holding Securities.......................................... 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities...................................... 3
2.3 Registration of Securities.................................. 7
2.4 Bank Accounts............................................... 8
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds............................... 9
2.6 Collection of Income........................................ 9
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies...................................... 10
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased............................. 13
2.9 Appointment of Agents....................................... 13
2.10 Deposit of Securities in Securities System.................. 14
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System................................................ 17
2.11 Segregated Account.......................................... 18
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes..................... 20
2.13 Proxies..................................................... 20
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund
Portfolio Securities........................................ 20
2.15 Reports to Fund by Independent Public
Accountants................................................. 21
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of
the Fund Held Outside of the United States........................ 22
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians....................... 22
3.2 Assets to be Held........................................... 22
3.3 Foreign securities Depositories............................. 23
3.4 Segregation of Securities................................... 23
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions................ 23
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund............... 24
3.7 Reports by Custodian........................................ 24
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account..................... 25
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians......................... 26
3.10 Liability of Custodian...................................... 26
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances.................................. 27
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities................................. 28
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks...................................... 29
3.14 Tax Law..................................................... 29
4. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales
of Shares of the Fund............................................. 30
5. Proper Instructions............................................... 31
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority....................... 32
7. Evidence of Authority.............................................. 32
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of
Account and Calculations of Net Asset Value and
Net Income......................................................... 33
9. Records............................................................ 33
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant........................... 34
11. Compensation of Custodian.......................................... 34
12. Responsibility of Custodian........................................ 34
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment........................ 36
14. Successor Custodian................................................ 38
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions............................. 39
16. Massachusetts Law to Apply......................................... 40
17. Prior Contracts.................................................... 40
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
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This Contract between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Growth Fund, Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of Maryland, having its principal place of
business at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Center, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, hereinafter
called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts
trust company, having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, 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,
including securities it desires to be held in places within the United States
("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the United
States ("foreign securities") 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, $.001 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 Article 5),
the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians located
in the United States, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the
Board of 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. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's
securities and other assets the foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories designated in Schedule "A" hereto but only in
accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the
Custodian in the United States
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in the
United States, including all domestic securities owned by the Fund, other
than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 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" and (b) commercial paper of an
issuer for which State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and
paying agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10A.
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2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic
securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities
System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book-
entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed
appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of section 2.10 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
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the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the
name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section
2.9 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) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided
that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility
or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such
securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except
as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment
of the securities of the issuer
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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
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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) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
and a member of The National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange, or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to
compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any similar
organization or organizations,
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regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions 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 and statement of additional information
("prospectus"), 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 Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by the
Secretary of 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. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be
registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of any nominee of the
Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned
exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has authorized in writing the
appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other registered
investment companies having the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in
the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 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. If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain
securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts
only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to notify
the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions
including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or
exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund, subject
only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of
this 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 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund and
the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, 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.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
with respect to United States registered securities held hereunder to which
the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the
securities business, and shall
collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to
United States 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 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 United States
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.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts
or options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only
(a) against the delivery of such securities, or evidence of title to
such
options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts, to
the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing
business in the United States or abroad which is qualified under
the 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 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case
of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10A; (d) in the case
of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund and the
Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member
of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in
certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's
account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii)
against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund
of securities owned by the Custodian along with
written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase
such securities from the Fund or (e) for transfer to a time
deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or
foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a
confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to
Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined in Article 5;
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 Article 4 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 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 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.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased. Except
as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and every case
where payment for purchase of domestic securities for the account of the
Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
purchased in the absence of specific 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.
2.9 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.
2.10 Deposit of Securities in Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain domestic 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 domestic 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 domestic 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 domestic 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 domestic
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 advices from the Securities System of transfers of domestic
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
domestic 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 13 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.
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in the Direct
Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System
will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System which
shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets
held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
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4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to
the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on
the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt
of payment for the account of the Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a
written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next business
day following such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies
of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction in
the Securities System for the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its
system of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably
request from time to time;
2.11 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions
establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf
of the Fund, into
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which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities,
including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to
Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with
the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange (or the 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 by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or
government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written
by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or
sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the
procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any
subsequent release or releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission
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 of Directors or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the
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Fund 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.
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to domestic securities of the Fund held by it and in connection
with transfers of such securities.
2.13 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of
the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to
the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such securities.
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund all written information (including, without limitation, pendency of
calls and maturities of domestic securities and expirations of rights in
connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options
written by the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold
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by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of the domestic
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 domestic
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.
2.15 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures
contracts, including domestic securities deposited and/or maintained in a
Securities System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under
this Contract; such reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient
detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable
assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such
examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so
state.
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3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the
Fund Held Outside of the United States
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians
The Fund hereby authorizes and instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-
custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets maintained outside
the United States the foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories designated on Schedule A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians").
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", as defined in Section 5 of this
Contract, together with a certified resolution of the Fund's Board of
Directors, the Custodian and the Fund may agree to amend Schedule A hereto
from time to time to designate additional foreign banking institutions and
foreign securities depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease the
employment of any one or more such sub-custodians for maintaining custody
of the Fund's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a)
"foreign securities", as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in
such amounts as the Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably
necessary to effect the Fund's foreign securities transactions.
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3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Fund shall be
maintained in foreign securities depositories only through arrangements
implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as sub-custodians
pursuant to the terms hereof. Where possible, such arrangements shall
include entry into agreements containing the provisions set forth in
Section 3.5 hereof.
3.4 Segregation of Securities
The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the
foreign securities of the Fund held by each foreign sub-custodian. Each
agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a foreign banking
institution shall require that such institution establish a custody account
for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund and physically segregate in that
account, securities and other assets of the Fund, and, in the event that
such institution deposits the Fund's securities in a foreign securities
depository, that it shall identify on its books as belonging to the
Custodian, as agent for the Fund, the securities so deposited.
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a foreign
banking institution shall be substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit 1 hereto and shall provide that: (a) the Fund's assets will not be
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien
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or claim of any kind in favor of the foreign banking institution or its
creditors or agent, except a claim of payment for their safe custody or
administration; (b) beneficial ownership of the Fund's assets will be
freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for
custody or administration; (c) adequate records will be maintained
identifying the assets as belonging to the Fund; (d) officers of or
auditors employed by, or other representatives of the Custodian, including
to the extent permitted under applicable law the independent public
accountants for the Fund, will be given access to the books and records of
the foreign banking institution relating to its actions under its agreement
with the Custodian; and (e) assets of the Fund held by the foreign sub-
custodian will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its
agents.
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the Fund,
the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the independent
accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and records of
any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign sub-custodian insofar
as such books and records relate to the performance of such foreign banking
institution under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.7 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time to
time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities and
other assets
-24-
of the Fund held by foreign sub-custodians, including but not limited to an
identification of entities having possession of the Fund's securities and
other assets and advices or notifications of any transfers of securities to
or from each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking institution
for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities
acquired for the Fund, the identity of the entity having physical
possession of such securities.
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8, the
provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, mutatis
mutandis to the foreign securities of the Fund held outside the United
States by foreign sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of the Fund
and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund may be
effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or
securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or
market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation,
delivering securities to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or
an agent for such purchaser or dealer) against a receipt with the
expectation of receiving later payment for such securities from such
purchaser or dealer.
-25-
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian may be
maintained in the name of such entity's nominee to the same extent as set
forth in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the Fund agrees to hold any such
nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such
securities.
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to which the
Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign sub-custodian
shall require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the
performance of its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the
Custodian and the Fund from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the institution's
performance of such obligations. At the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to
any claims against a foreign banking institution as a consequence of any
such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent
that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim.
3.10 Liability of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or
omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as set forth
with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract and, regardless
of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign banking
institution, a foreign
-26-
securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by
paragraph 3.13 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization,
expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism or any
loss where the sub-custodian has otherwise exercised reasonable care.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3.10, in
delegating custody duties to State Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall
not be relieved of any responsibility to the Fund for any loss due to such
delegation, except such loss as may result from (a) political risk
(including, but not limited to, exchange control restrictions,
confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, insurrection, civil strife or
armed hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding a bankruptcy or
insolvency of State Street London Ltd. not caused by political risk) due to
Acts of God, nuclear incident or other losses under circumstances where the
Custodian and State Street London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance
cash or securities for any purpose including the purchase or sale of
foreign exchange or of contracts for foreign exchange, 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
-27-
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.
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually to the
Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign sub-
custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information shall be similar
in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection with the
initial approval of this Contract. In addition, the Custodian will
promptly inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian learns of a
material adverse change in the financial condition of a foreign sub-
custodian or any material loss of the assets of the Fund or in the case
of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive order from
the Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such foreign sub-
custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its
shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the
equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below
$200 million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted
U.S. accounting principles).
-28-
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Contract, the provisions of
this Article 3 shall not apply where the custody of the Fund assets are
maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a "bank"
as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
meeting the qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The
appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be governed by
paragraph 1 of this Contract.
(b) Cash held for the Fund in the United Kingdom shall be maintained in
an interest bearing account established for the Fund with the Custodian's
London branch, which account shall be subject to the direction of the
Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
3.14 Tax Law
The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any-
obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as
custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States of America or
any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the
responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations
imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax
law of jurisdictions other than those mentioned in the above sentence,
including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or
other governmental charges, certifications and governmental
-29-
reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax
law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to
any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of jurisdictions for
which the Fund has provided such information.
4. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales 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.
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.
-30-
5. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or initialled 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. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include
instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement
which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.11.
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
-31-
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.
7. Evidence of Authority
---------------------
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by
it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund.
The Custodian may receive and accept a 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.
-32-
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income
-------------------------------------------------
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Board 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.
9. 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-l and 31a-2 thereunder.
All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during
the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly
authorized officers, employees or agents
-33-
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.
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other
requirements of such commission.
11. 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.
12. 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
-34-
or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the
terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held
to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this
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 or
misconduct; provided, however, that the Custodian uses reasonable care to
provide prompt notice to the Fund of the circumstances and all pertinent facts
of which the Custodian has knowledge giving rise to the claim for
indemnification. The Fund, using counsel of its choice, shall have the option to
defend the Custodian against any claim which may be the subject of this
indemnification and upon the exercise of such option the Custodian shall not be
entitled to indemnification for further legal expenses in connection therewith.
The Custodian shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise or
settlement in any case in which the Fund shall be asked to indemnify the
Custodian, except with the prior written consent of the Fund. The Custodian
shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be
counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any
action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in
-35-
the custody of a foreign banking institution, a foreign securities depository or
a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph 3.11 hereof, the Custodian
shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
resulting from, or caused by, the direction of or authorization by the Fund to
maintain custody or any securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign country
including, but not limited to, losses resulting from nationalization,
expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism.
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, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents,
to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to
securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) or in
the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any
taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with
the performance of this 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
-36-
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.
13. 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 2.10 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 has 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 has 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 and that the Custodian shall not act under
Section 2.10A hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors has approved the
initial use of the Direct Paper System and the receipt of an annual certificate
of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors has
reviewed the use by the Fund of
-37-
the Direct Paper System; 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
this 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.
14. 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
-38-
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 the 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.
-39-
15. 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 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 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
-40-
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 3rd day of January, 1992.
ATTEST ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ GROWTH FUND, INC.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇. By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------ ---------------------
Chairman
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.
------------------------ -------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Vice President
-41-
Schedule A
----------
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories have been approved by the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Growth Fund, Inc. for use as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other
assets:
(Insert banks and securities depositories)
Certified:
__________________________________
Fund's Authorized Officer
Date: ____________________________
-42-
EXHIBIT I
---------
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
-------------------
TO:
Gentlemen:
The undersigned ("State Street") hereby requests that you (the "Bank")
establish a custody account and a cash account for each State Street client
whose account is identified to this Agreement. Each such custody or cash account
as applicable will be referred to herein as the "Account" and will be subject to
the following terms and conditions:
1. The Bank shall hold as agent for State Street and shall physically
segregate in the Account such cash, bullion, coin, stocks, shares, bonds,
debentures, notes and other securities and other property which Is delivered to
the Bank for that State Street Account (the "Property").
2. (a) Without the prior approval of State Street it will not deposit
securities in any securities depository or utilize a clearing agency,
incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United
States, unless such depository or clearing house operates the central system for
handling of securities or equivalent book-entries in that country or operates a
transnational system for the central handling of securities or equivalent book-
entries.
(b) When Securities hold for an Account are deposited in a securities
depository or clearing agency by the Bank, the Bank shall identify on its books
as belonging to State Street as agent for such Account, the Securities so
deposited.
The Bank represents that either:
3. (a) It currently has stockholders' equity in excess of $200 million (US
dollars or the equivalent of US dollars computed in accordance with generally
accepted US accounting principles) and will promptly inform State Street in the
event that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its stockholders'
equity will decline below $200 million, or in any event, at such time as its
stockholders' equity in fact declines below $200 million; or
(b) It is the subject of an exemptive order issued by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission, which such order permits State Street to
employ the Bank as a subcustodian, notwithstanding the fact that the Bank's
stockholders' equity is currently below $200 million or may in the future
decline below $200 million due to currency fluctuation.
4. Upon the written instructions of State Street as permitted by Section 8,
the Bank is authorized to pay out cash from the Account and to sell, assign,
transfer, deliver or exchange, or to purchase for the Account,
-43-
any and a11 stocks, shares, bonds, debentures, notes and other securities
("Securities"), bullion, coin and other property, but only as provided in such
written instructions. The Bank shall not be held liable for any act or omission
to act on instructions given or purported to be given should there be any error
in such instructions.
5. Unless the Bank receives written instructions of State Street to the
contrary, the Bank is authorized:
a. To promptly receive and collect all income and principal with respect to
the Property and to credit cash receipts to the Account;
b. To promptly exchange Securities where the exchange is purely ministerial
(including, without limitation, the exchange of temporary Securities for
those in definitive form and the exchange of warrants, or other
documents of entitlement to Securities, for the Securities themselves);
c. To promptly surrender Securities at maturity or when called for
redemption upon receiving payment therefor;
d. Whenever notification of a rights entitlement or a fractional interest
resulting from a rights issue, stock dividend or stock split is
received for the Account and such rights entitlement or fractional
interest bears an expiration date, the Bank will endeavor to obtain
State Street's instructions, but should these not be received in time
for the Bank to take timely action, the Bank is authorized to sell such
rights entitlement or fractional interest and to credit the Account;
e. To hold registered in the name of the nominee of the Bank or its agents
such Securities as are ordinarily held in registered form;
f. To execute in State Street's name for the Account, whenever the Bank
deems it appropriate, such ownership and other certificates as may be
required to obtain the payment of income from the Property; and
g. To pay or cause to be paid from the Account any and all taxes and
levies in the nature of taxes imposed on such assets by any
governmental authority, and shall use reasonable efforts to promptly
reclaim any foreign withholding tax relating to the Account.
6. If the Bank shall receive any proxies, notices, reports, or other
communications relative to any of the Securities of the Account in connection
with tender offers; reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, or similar events
which may have an impact upon the issuer thereof, the Bank shall promptly
transmit any such communication to State Street by means as will permit State
Street to take timely action with respect thereto.
7. The Bank is authorized in its discretion to appoint brokers and agents
in connection with the Bank's handling of transactions relating to the Property
provided that any such appointment shall not relieve the Bank of any of its
responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
-44-
8. Written instructions shall include (i) instructions in writing signed by
such persons as are designated in writing by State Street (ii) telex or tested
telex instructions of State Street, (iii) other forms of instruction in computer
readable form as shall be customarily utilized for the transmission of like
information and (iv) such other forms of communication as from time to time
shall be agreed upon by State Street and the Bank.
9. The Bank shall supply periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping
of assets held by it under this Agreement. The content of such reports shall
include but not be limited to any transfer to or from any Account held by the
Bank hereunder and such other information as State Street may reasonably
request.
10. In addition to its obligations under Section 2 hereof, the Bank shall
maintain such other records as may be necessary to identify the assets hereunder
as belonging to each State Street client identified to this Agreement from time
to time.
11. The Bank agrees that its books and records relating to its actions
under this Agreement shall be opened to the physical, on-premises inspection and
audit at reasonable times by officers of, auditors employed by or other
representatives of State Street (including to the extent permitted under
law the independent public accountants for any entity whose Property is being
held hereunder) and shall be retained for such period as shall be agreed by
State Street and the Bank.
12. The Bank shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
and expenses as custodian under this Agreement, as agreed upon from time to time
by the Bank and State Street.
13. The Bank shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its
duties as are set forth or contemplated herein or contained in instructions
given to the Bank which are not contrary to this Agreement, and shall maintain
adequate insurance and agrees to indemnify and hold State Street and each
Account from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
arising out of or in connection with the Bank's performance of its obligations
hereunder.
14. The Bank agrees that (i) the Property is not subject to any right,
charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Bank or any
of its agents or its creditors except a claim of payment for their safe custody
and administration and (ii) the beneficial ownership of the Property shall be
freely transferable without the payment of money or other value other than for
safe custody or administration.
15. This Agreement may be terminated by the Bank or State Street by at
least 60 days' written notice to the other, sent by registered mail or express
courier. The Bank, upon the date this Agreement terminates pursuant to notice
which has been given In a timely fashion, shall deliver the Property in
accordance with written instructions of State Street specifying the name(s) of
the person(s) to whom the Property shall be delivered.
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16. The Bank and State Street shall each use its best efforts to maintain
the confidentiality of the Property in each Account, subject, however, to the
provisions of any laws requiring the disclosure of the Property.
17. The Bank agrees to follow such Operating Requirements as State Street
may require from time to time. A copy of the current State Street Operating
Requirements is attached as an exhibit to this Agreement.
18. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all notices with respect
to matters contemplated by this Agreement shall be deemed duly given when
received in writing or by tested telex by the Bank or State Street at their
respective addresses set forth below, or at such other address as specified in
each case in a notice similarly given:
To State Street: Global Custody Services Division
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
To the Bank:
19. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of _____________.
Please acknowledge your agreement to the foregoing by executing a copy of
this letter.
Very truly yours,
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
By ________________________
Agreed to by:
By _______________________
Date _____________________
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