Exhibit 8(a)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Xxxxxxx Variable Life Investment Fund (the "Fund"), a
Massachusetts business trust created under a Declaration of Trust dated March
15, 1985 as the same may be amended from time to time, (the "Declaration of
Trust") and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"),
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
I. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It; Application of
Contract
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the Custodian of its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the
Fund. 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 beneficial interest, without par value, ("Shares") of all
series whenever created (each a "Portfolio") 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.
The Custodian may from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians, but
only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Trustees 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 Fund may from time to time employ a special custodian in connection
with certain repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, with the terms of
such employment to be governed by a special custodian agreement between the Fund
and the special custodian. However, the Fund agrees not to employ any such
special custodian until the Fund and the Custodian have entered into a master
repurchase agreement or other agreement which sets forth the terms governing the
relationship, including the method of transfer of securities and cash, between
the Custodian and such special custodian.
State Street acknowledges that additional Portfolios may be established and
that Portfolios may be terminated, from time to time by action of the Trustees
of the Fund. If the context requires and unless otherwise specifically provided
herein, the term "Fund" as used in this Contract shall mean in addition each
subsequently created separate Portfolio.
II. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held by the
Custodian
A. Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate in a
separate account for the Fund all non-
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cash property of the Fund, including all securities owned by the Fund,
except that securities which are maintained pursuant to Section L of
Article II hereof 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 Systems",
shall be identified as belonging to the Fund.
B. Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver securities
owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities Systems account
of the Custodian only upon receipt of proper instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in
the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section L 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 other-
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wise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or
other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the Issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name
of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the
Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section K of Article II hereof or into the name or
nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article I
hereof; or for exchange for a different number of bonds,
certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate
face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case,
the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian);
7) To the broker selling the same for examination in accordance with
the "street delivery" custom; provided that the Custodian shall
adopt such procedures, as the Fund from time to time shall
approve, to ensure their prompt return to the Custodian by the
broker in the event the broker elects not to accept them;
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
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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, for 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 may deliver securities prior to the credit of such
collateral, provided that the Custodian shall
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promptly notify the Fund if such collateral is not credited;
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, regarding account deposits in connection with
transactions by the Fund;
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14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the Fund
(the "Transfer Agent") for delivery to the Transfer Agent or to
holders of shares in connection with distributions in kind, as
may be described from time to time in the Fund's currently
effective prospectus, in satisfaction of requests by holders of
Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt
of, in addition to proper instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes, and
naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities
shall be made.
C. Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian (other than
bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which
nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has
authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common
with other registered
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investment companies having the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in
the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section K of
Article II hereof or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian or
special custodian appointed pursuant to Article I hereof. All securities
accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this
Contract shall be in "street" or other good delivery form.
D. Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or
order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract,
and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions
hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund,
other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and
used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended. 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, as amended, 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 major-
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ity of the Trustees 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.
E. Payments for Shares. The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of
the Fund's Shares or from the Transfer Agent 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.
F. Investment and Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement
between the Fund and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the
receipt of proper instructions, which may be continuing instructions
when deemed appropriate by the parties,
1) invest in such instruments as may be set forth in such
instructions on the same day as received all federal funds
received after a time agreed upon between the Custodian and the
Fund; and
2) make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified times
agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in
the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund
which are deposited into the Fund's account.
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G. Collection of Income. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to registered securities held
hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled 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
agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's
custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income
items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect
interest when due on securities held hereunder.
Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of
Section B (10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will
have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith except as set forth
in the preceding paragraph, 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 .
H. 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 the Fund in the following cases only:
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1) Upon the purchase of securities, 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 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, or is permitted by a rule under such Act, to act as a
custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for
this purpose) or sub-custodian or special custodian registered in the
name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred
to in Section C of Article II 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 L of Article II
hereof or (c) 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 the NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities
either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the
Custodian's, sub-custodian's or special custodian's account at the
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Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of
the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund of securities owned by the
Custodian or other bank along with written evidence of the agreement
by the Custodian or other bank to repurchase such securities from the
Fund;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Fund as set forth in Section B of Article II hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as set
forth in Section J of Article II 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 the payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purposes, but only upon receipt of, in addition
to proper instructions, a
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certified copy of a resolution of the Trustees 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.
I. Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased. In any
and every case where payment for purchase of securities for the account of
the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
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, except that in the case of repurchase agreements entered
into by the Fund with a bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve
System, the Custodian may transfer funds to the account of such bank prior
to the receipt of written evidence that the securities subject to such
repurchase agreement have been transferred by book-entry into a segregated
non-proprietary account of the Custodian maintained with the Federal
Reserve Bank of Boston or of the safe-keeping receipt, provided that such
securities have in fact been so transferred by book-entry.
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J. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund. From such
funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the limitations of
the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Trustees of the
Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions
from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of
Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or
repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase
of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a
commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection
with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian
shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which
checks have been furnished by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when
presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls
as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the
Custodian.
K. 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 II as the Custodian
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may from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of
any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its responsibilities or
liabilities hereunder.
L. Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository,
or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury and certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities Systems" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board
and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, and
subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System
which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for
customers.
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify
by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund.
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3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
that such securities have been transferred to the Account, and
(ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund.
The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
that payment for such securities has been transferred to the
Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of
the Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System of
transfers of securities for the account of the Fund shall
identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian
and be provided to the Fund at its request. 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 on the next business day.
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4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in the Securities System.
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article IX 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 any
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.
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M. Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of proper
instructions, which may be standing instructions, establish and maintain a
segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the 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 L
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
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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 Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an
officer of the 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.
N. Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to securities of the Fund held by it and in connection with
transfers of securities.
0. Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of
the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to
the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices
relating to such securities.
P. Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. The Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund all written information (including, without
limitation, pendency of
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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 Fund all written information received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought
and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If
the Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange
offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian
at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to
take such action.
Q. Proper Instructions. "Proper instructions" as used throughout this Article
II means a writing signed or initialled by one or more person or persons as
the Trustees 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 in-
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structions to be confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Trustees
of the Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by
the Trustees, "proper instructions" may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the
Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford
adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets.
R. Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under
this contract, provided that all such payments shall be accounted
for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and
other dealings with the securities and property of the Fund
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except as otherwise directed by the Trustees of the Fund.
S. 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 Trustees 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 Trustees pursuant to the
Declaration of Trust 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.
III. Duties of Custodian with Respect to 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 Trustees 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. The Custodian shall also upon request calculate the net income of the
Fund and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall
advise the
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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 income of
the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from time to time in the
Fund's currently effective prospectus.
IV. 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, as amended,
with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2
thereunder, applicable federal and state tax laws and any other law or
administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to the Fund. All such
records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the
regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly
authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's
request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and
held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for
such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian,
include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
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V. 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-l, and Form N-lR or other annual
reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other
requirements of such Commission.
VI. 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
securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports, which
shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be
required by the Fund, to provide reasonable assurance that any material
inadequacies would be disclosed, shall state in detail material inadequacies
disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, shall so
state.
VII. 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.
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VIII. Responsibility of Custodian
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of
any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to
be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties. The Custodian shall
be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of
this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability
to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without
negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel
(who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability
for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the responsibility of the Custodian with respect
to redemptions effected by check shall be in accordance with a separate
Agreement entered into between the Custodian and the Fund.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the
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Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an
amount and form satisfactory to it.
IX. 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 L of Article II hereof in the absence of
receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Trustees of the Fund have approved the initial use of a particular
Securities System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary that the Trustees have reviewed the use by the Fund of
such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended; provided further, however, that the
Fund shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any
applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Declaration of
Trust or the Fund's By-Laws, and further provided, that the Fund may at any time
by action of its Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the
Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii)
immediately
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terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a conservator or
receiver for the Custodian by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
Commissioner of Banks for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 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.
X. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Trustees 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.
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 Trustees of the
Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian 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 Trustees 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,
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which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
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.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian
under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of vote referred to or of the
Trustees 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.
XI. Special Provisions Concerning Repurchase Agreements.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, upon receipt of
proper instructions, which may be standing instructions, in connection with
repurchase agreements, the Custodian shall transmit, prior to receipt on behalf
of the Fund of any securities or other property, funds from the Fund's custodian
account to a special custodian approved by the
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Trustees of the Fund, which funds shall be used to pay for securities to be
purchased by the Fund subject to the Fund's obligation to sell and the seller's
obligation to repurchase such securities. In such a case, the securities shall
be held in the custody of the special custodian.
XII. 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 Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws 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.
XIII. Trustees
All references to actions of or by Trustees herein shall require action by
such Trustees acting as a board or formally constituted group and not
individually.
XIV. Massachusetts Law to Apply
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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The name "Xxxxxxx Variable Life Investment Fund" is the designation of the
Trustees for the time being under a Declaration of Trust dated March 15, 1985
and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the
Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the Trustees,
officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations
entered into on behalf of the Fund
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 ___ day of _____, 1985.
SEAL XXXXXXX VARIABLE LIFE
INVESTMENT FUND
By
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President
SEAL STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
By
------------------------------------
Its
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