Exhibit (j)
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of
August 1, 2004 by and between PFPC TRUST COMPANY, a limited purpose trust company incorporated under the laws of Delaware
(“PFPC Trust”), and MOUNT YALE OPPORTUNITY FUND, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Fund”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is
registered as an closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to
retain PFPC Trust to provide custodian services, and PFPC Trust wishes to furnish custodian services, either directly or through
an affiliate or affiliates, as more fully described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. |
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Definitions. As Used in This Agreement: |
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(a) |
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“1933
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
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(b) |
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“1934
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
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(c) |
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“Authorized
Person” means any officer of the Fund and any other person authorized by the
Fund to give Oral or Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund. An Authorized Person’s
scope of authority may be limited by setting forth such limitation in a written document
signed by both parties hereto. |
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(d) |
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“Book-Entry
System” means the Federal Reserve Treasury book-entry system for |
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United States and federal agency securities, its successor or
successors, and its nominee or nominees and any book-entry system registered with the SEC under the 1934 Act. |
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(e) |
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“CEA” means the Commodities Exchange Act, as
amended. |
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(f) |
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“Change of Control” means a change in
ownership or control (not including transactions between wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiaries of a common parent) of 25%
or more of the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock or shares of beneficial interest of an entity or its parent(s).
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(g) |
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“Interests” mean the limited liability company interests of the Fund. |
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(h) |
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“Oral Instructions” mean oral instructions
received by PFPC Trust from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC Trust to be an Authorized Person.
PFPC Trust may, in its sole discretion in each separate instance, consider and rely upon instructions it receives from an
Authorized Person via electronic mail as Oral Instructions. |
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(i) |
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“PFPC Trust” means PFPC Trust Company or a subsidiary or affiliate of PFPC Trust Company. |
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(j) |
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“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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(k) |
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“Securities Laws” mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and the CEA. |
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(i) |
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any and all securities and other investment items which the Fund
may from time to time deposit, or cause to be deposited, with PFPC Trust or which PFPC Trust may from time to time hold for the
Fund; |
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(ii) |
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all income in respect of any of such securities or other
investment items; |
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(iii) |
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all proceeds of the sale of any of such securities or investment
items; and |
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(iv) |
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all proceeds of the sale of securities issued by the Fund, which
are received by PFPC Trust from time to time, from or on behalf of the Fund. |
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(m) |
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“Written Instructions” mean (i) written
instructions signed by two Authorized Persons (or persons reasonably believed by PFPC Trust to be Authorized Persons) and received
by PFPC Trust or (ii) trade instructions transmitted by means of an electronic transaction reporting system which requires the use
of a password or other authorized identifier in order to gain access. The instructions may be delivered electronically or by hand,
mail or facsimile sending device. |
2. |
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Appointment. The Fund hereby
appoints PFPC Trust to provide custodian services to the Fund as set forth herein and PFPC Trust accepts such appointment and
agrees to furnish such services. |
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PFPC Trust undertakes to comply with material applicable
requirements of the Securities Laws and material laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction with
respect to the duties to be performed by PFPC Trust hereunder. Except as specifically set forth herein, PFPC Trust assumes no
responsibility for such compliance by the Fund or any other entity. |
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(a) |
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Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC Trust shall act
only upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. |
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(b) |
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PFPC Trust shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instruction or
Written Instruction it receives pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC Trust may assume that any Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions received hereunder are not in any |
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way inconsistent with the provisions of organizational documents
of the Fund or of any vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund’s Board of Managers or of the Fund’s interest holders,
unless and until PFPC Trust receives Written Instructions to the contrary. |
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(c) |
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The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Trust Written Instructions
confirming Oral Instructions (except where such Oral Instructions are given by PFPC Trust or its affiliates) so that PFPC Trust
receives the Written Instructions by the close of business on the same day that such Oral Instructions are received. The fact that
such confirming Written Instructions are not received by PFPC Trust or differ from the Oral Instructions shall in no way
invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions or PFPC Trust’s ability
to rely upon such Oral Instructions. |
5. |
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Right to Receive Advice. |
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(a) |
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Advice of the Fund. If PFPC Trust is in
doubt as to any action it should or should not take, PFPC Trust may request directions or advice, including Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions, from the Fund. |
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(b) |
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Advice of Counsel. If PFPC Trust shall be
in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, PFPC Trust may request advice from
counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser or PFPC Trust, at the option of
PFPC Trust). |
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(c) |
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Conflicting Advice. In the event of a
conflict between directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC Trust receives from the Fund, and the
advice it receives from counsel, PFPC Trust shall be entitled to rely upon and |
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follow the advice of counsel. |
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(d) |
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Protection of PFPC Trust. PFPC Trust shall
be indemnified by the Fund and without liability for any action PFPC Trust takes or does not take in reliance upon directions or
advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC Trust receives from or on behalf of the Fund or from counsel and which
PFPC Trust believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to impose an obligation upon PFPC Trust (i) to seek such directions or advice or
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with such directions or advice or Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions. |
6. |
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Records;Visits. The books and
records pertaining to the Fund, which are in the possession or under the control of PFPC Trust, shall be the property of the Fund.
Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules
and regulations. The Fund and Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records at all times during PFPC Trust’s
normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by PFPC
Trust to the Fund or to an authorized representative of the Fund, at the Fund’s expense. |
7. |
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Confidentiality. Each party shall
keep confidential any information relating to the other party’s business (“Confidential Information”). Confidential
Information shall include (a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the
public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer
relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, |
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sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results
relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Fund or PFPC Trust, their respective subsidiaries and
affiliated companies and the customers, clients and suppliers of any of them; (b) any scientific or technical information, design,
process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords
the Fund or PFPC Trust a competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation,
reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and
trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, information shall not be subject to such confidentiality obligations if: (a) it is already known to the receiving party
at the time it is obtained; (b) it is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (c)
it is rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving party’s knowledge, is not under a duty of
confidentiality; (d) it is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (e) it is requested or required
to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency request or law
(provided the receiving party will provide the other party written notice of the same, to the extent such notice is permitted);
(f) release of such information by PFPC Trust is necessary or desirable in connection with the provision of services under this
Agreement; (g) it is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; or (h) it has
been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party. |
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8. |
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Cooperation with Accountants. PFPC
Trust shall cooperate with the Fund’s independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable action to make any
requested information available to such accountants as reasonably requested by the Fund. |
9. |
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PFPC System. PFPC Trust shall
retain title to and ownership of any and all data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design
techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, patents,
copyrights, trade secrets, and other related legal rights utilized by PFPC Trust in connection with the services provided by PFPC
Trust to the Fund. |
10. |
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Disaster Recovery. PFPC Trust shall
enter into and shall maintain in effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for emergency
use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures,
PFPC Trust shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. PFPC Trust shall
have no liability with respect to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure provided such loss or
interruption is not caused by PFPC Trust’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
duties or obligations under this Agreement. |
11. |
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Compensation. As compensation for
custody services rendered by PFPC Trust during the term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to PFPC Trust a fee or fees as may be
agreed to in writing from time to time by the Fund and PFPC Trust. The Fund acknowledges that PFPC Trust may receive float
benefits in connection with maintaining certain accounts required to provide services under this Agreement. |
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12. |
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Indemnification. The Fund agrees to
indemnify, defend and hold harmless PFPC Trust and its affiliates, including their respective officers, directors, agents and
employees from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’
fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under the Securities Laws and any state and foreign securities and blue sky laws)
arising directly or indirectly from any action or omission to act which PFPC Trust takes in connection with the provision of
services to the Fund. Neither PFPC Trust, nor any of its affiliates, shall be indemnified against any liability (or any expenses
incident to such liability) caused by PFPC Trust’s or its affiliates’ own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or
reckless disregard in the performance of PFPC Trust’s activities under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 12
shall survive termination of this Agreement. |
13. |
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Responsibility of PFPC Trust. |
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(a) |
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PFPC Trust shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder on
behalf of the Fund except as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically agreed to by PFPC Trust and the Fund in a
written amendment hereto. PFPC Trust shall be obligated to exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties hereunder
and to act in good faith in performing services provided for under this Agreement. PFPC Trust shall be liable only for any damages
arising out of PFPC Trust’s failure to perform its duties under this Agreement and only to the extent such damages arise out
of PFPC Trust’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
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(b) |
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Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i)
PFPC Trust shall not be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data |
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occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond
its reasonable control, including without limitation acts of God; action or inaction of civil or military authority; public enemy;
war; terrorism; riot; fire; flood; sabotage; epidemics; labor disputes; civil commotion; interruption, loss or malfunction of
utilities, transportation, computer or communications capabilities; insurrection; elements of nature; or non-performance by a
third party; and (ii) PFPC Trust shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall not be liable for the
validity or invalidity, authority or lack thereof, or truthfulness or accuracy or lack thereof, of any instruction, direction,
notice, instrument or other information which PFPC Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. |
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(c) |
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Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither PFPC Trust nor its affiliates shall be liable for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages whether or not
the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by PFPC Trust or its affiliates and (ii) PFPC Trust’s cumulative liability
to the Fund for all losses, claims, suits, controversies, breaches or damages for any cause whatsoever (including but not limited
to those arising out of or related to this Agreement) and regardless of the form of action or legal theory shall not exceed the
lesser of $100,000 or the fees received by PFPC Trust for services provided hereunder during the 12 months immediately prior to
the date of such loss or damage. |
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(d) |
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Each party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the
other party may become responsible. |
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(e) |
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Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (other than as |
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specifically provided in Section 14(h)(ii)(B)(4) and Section
14(h)(iii)(A) of this Agreement), the Fund shall be responsible for all filings, tax returns and reports on any transactions
undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, or in respect of the Property or any collections undertaken pursuant to this Agreement,
which may be requested by any relevant authority. In addition, the Fund shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes and
similar items (including without limitation penalties and interest related thereto). |
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(f) |
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The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive termination of this Agreement. |
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(g) |
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Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, PFPC
Trust shall have no liability either for any error or omission of any of its predecessors as servicer on behalf of the Fund or for
any failure to discover any such error or omission. |
14. |
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Description of Services. |
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(a) |
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Delivery of the Property. The Fund will
deliver or arrange for delivery to PFPC Trust, all the Property owned by the Fund, including cash received as a result of the
distribution of Interests, during the term of this Agreement. PFPC Trust will not be responsible for any assets until actual
receipt. |
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(b) |
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Receipt and Disbursement of Money. PFPC
Trust, acting upon Written Instructions, shall open and maintain a separate account for the Fund (the “Account”) and
shall maintain in the Account all cash and other assets received from or for the Fund specifically designated to the Account.
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PFPC Trust shall make cash payments from or for the Account only
for: |
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(i) |
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purchases
of securities in the name of the Fund, PFPC Trust, PFPC Trust’s |
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nominee or a sub-custodian or nominee thereof as provided in
sub-section (j) and for which PFPC Trust has received a copy of the broker’s or dealer’s confirmation or payee’s
invoice, as appropriate; |
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(ii) |
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purchase or redemption of Interests of the Fund delivered to PFPC
Trust; |
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(iii) |
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payment of, subject to Written Instructions, interest, taxes
(provided that tax which PFPC Trust considers is required to be deducted or withheld “at source” will be governed by
Section 14(h)(iii)(B) of this Agreement), administration, accounting, distribution, advisory and management fees which are to be
borne by the Fund; |
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(iv) |
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payments, upon receipt of Written Instructions, in connection with
the conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned or subscribed to by the Fund and held by or delivered to PFPC Trust;
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(v) |
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payments of the amounts of dividends received with respect to
securities sold short; |
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(vi) |
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payments to PFPC Trust for its services hereunder; |
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(vii) |
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payments to a sub-custodian pursuant to provisions in sub-section
(c) of this Section; and |
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(viii) |
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other payments, upon Written Instructions. |
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PFPC Trust is hereby authorized to endorse and collect all checks,
drafts or other orders for the payment of money received as custodian for the Account. |
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(c) |
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Receipt of Securities; Subcustodians. |
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(i) |
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PFPC Trust shall hold all securities received by it for the
Account in a separate account that physically segregates such securities from those of any other persons, firms or corporations,
except for securities held in a Book-Entry System or through a sub-custodian or depository. All such securities shall be held or
disposed of only upon Written Instructions or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. PFPC Trust shall have no power or
authority to assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any such securities or investment, except upon the express terms
of this Agreement or upon Written Instructions authorizing the transaction. In no case may any member of the Fund’s Board of
Managers, or any officer, employee or agent of the Fund withdraw any securities. |
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At PFPC Trust’s own expense and for its own convenience, PFPC
Trust may enter into sub-custodian agreements with other banks or trust |
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companies to perform duties described in this sub-section (c) with
respect to domestic assets. Such bank or trust company shall have aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, according to
its last published report, of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000), if it is a subsidiary or affiliate of PFPC Trust, or at
least twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) if such bank or trust company is not a subsidiary or affiliate of PFPC Trust. In
addition, such bank or trust company must be qualified to act as custodian and agree to comply with the relevant provisions of
applicable rules and regulations. Any such arrangement will not be entered into without prior written notice to the Fund (or as
otherwise provided in the 1940 Act). |
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In addition, PFPC Trust may enter into arrangements with
sub-custodians with respect to services regarding foreign assets. Any such arrangement will not be entered into without prior
written notice to the Fund (or as otherwise provided in the 1940 Act). |
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PFPC Trust shall remain responsible for the acts and omissions of
any sub-custodian chosen by PFPC Trust under the terms of this sub-section (c) to the same extent that PFPC Trust is responsible
for its own acts and omissions under this Agreement. |
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(d) |
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Transactions Requiring Instructions. Upon
receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions and not otherwise, PFPC Trust shall: |
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(i) |
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deliver any securities held for the Fund against the receipt of
payment for the sale of such securities or otherwise in accordance with standard market practice; |
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(ii) |
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execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the authority of
the Fund as owner of any securities may be exercised; |
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(iii) |
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deliver any securities to the issuer thereof, or its agent, when
such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable at the option of the holder; provided that, in any such
case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to PFPC Trust; |
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(iv) |
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deliver any securities held for the Fund against receipt of other
securities or cash issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, tender offer, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of any conversion privilege; |
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(v) |
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deliver any securities held for the Fund to any protective
committee, reorganization committee or other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation,
recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation, and receive and hold under the terms of this Agreement such certificates of
deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery; |
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(vi) |
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make such transfer or exchanges of the assets of the Fund and take
such other steps as shall be stated in said Oral Instructions or Written Instructions to be for the purpose of effectuating a duly
authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Fund; |
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(vii) |
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release securities belonging to the Fund to any bank or trust
company for the purpose of a pledge or hypothecation to secure any loan incurred by the Fund; provided, however, that securities
shall be released only upon payment to PFPC Trust of the monies borrowed, except that in cases where additional collateral is
required to secure a borrowing already made subject to proper prior authorization, further securities may be released for that
purpose; and repay such loan upon redelivery to it of the securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon surrender of the
note or notes evidencing the loan; |
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(viii) |
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release and deliver securities owned by the Fund in connection
with any repurchase agreement entered into by the Fund, but only on receipt of payment therefor; and pay out monies of the Fund in
connection with such repurchase agreements, but only upon the delivery of the securities; |
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(ix) |
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release and deliver or exchange securities owned by the Fund in
connection with any conversion of such securities, pursuant to their terms, into other securities; |
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(x) |
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release and deliver securities to a broker in connection with the
broker’s custody of margin collateral relating to futures and options transactions; |
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(xi) |
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release and deliver securities owned by the Fund for the purpose
of redeeming in kind interests of the Fund upon delivery thereof to PFPC Trust; and |
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(xii) |
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release and deliver or exchange securities owned by the Fund for
other purposes. |
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PFPC Trust must also receive a certified resolution describing the
nature of the corporate purpose and the name and address of the person(s) to whom delivery shall be made when such action is
pursuant to |
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(e) |
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Use of Book-Entry System or Other
Depository. PFPC Trust will deposit in Book-Entry Systems and other depositories all securities belonging to
the Fund eligible for deposit therein and will utilize Book-Entry Systems and other depositories to the extent possible in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of securities by the Fund, and deliveries and returns of securities loaned,
subject to repurchase agreements or used as collateral in connection with borrowings. PFPC Trust shall continue to perform such
duties until it receives Written Instructions or Oral Instructions authorizing contrary actions. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, PFPC Trust’s use of a Book-Entry System shall comply with the requirements of Rule 17f-4 under the
1940 Act. |
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PFPC Trust shall administer a Book-Entry System or other
depository as follows: |
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(i) |
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With respect to securities of the Fund which are maintained in a
Book-Entry System or another depository, the records of PFPC Trust shall identify by book-entry or otherwise those securities as
belonging to the Fund. |
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(ii) |
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Assets of the Fund deposited in a Book-Entry System or another
depository will (to the extent consistent with applicable law and standard practice) at all times be segregated from any assets
and cash controlled by PFPC Trust in other than a fiduciary or custodian capacity but may be commingled with other assets held in
such capacities. |
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PFPC Trust will provide the Fund with such reports on its own
system of internal control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time. |
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(f) |
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Registration of Securities. All
securities held for the Fund which are issued or issuable only in bearer form, except such securities maintained in the Book-Entry
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System
or in another depository, shall be held by PFPC Trust in bearer form; all other
securities maintained for the Fund may be registered in the name of the Fund, PFPC Trust,
a Book-Entry System, another depository, a sub-custodian, or any duly appointed nominee
of the Fund, PFPC Trust, Book-Entry System, depository or sub-custodian. The Fund
reserves the right to instruct PFPC Trust as to the method of registration and
safekeeping of the securities of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to PFPC Trust
appropriate instruments to enable PFPC Trust to maintain or deliver in proper form for
transfer, or to register in the name of its nominee or in the name of the Book-Entry
System or in the name of another appropriate entity, any securities which it may maintain
for the Account. With respect to uncertificated securities which are registered in the
name of the Fund (or a nominee thereof), PFPC Trust will reflect such securities on its
records based upon the holdings information provided to it by the issuer of such
securities, but notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary PFPC Trust
shall not be obligated to safekeep such securities or to perform other duties with
respect to such securities other than to make payment for the purchase of such securities
upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions, accept in sale proceeds received by PFPC
Trust upon the sale of such securities of which PFPC Trust is informed pursuant to Oral
or Written Instructions, and accept in other distributions received by PFPC Trust with
respect to such securities or reflect on its records any reinvested distributions with
respect to such securities of which it is informed by the issuer of the securities. |
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(g) |
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Voting and Other Action. Neither PFPC
Trust nor its nominee shall vote any of the securities held pursuant to this Agreement by or for the account of the Fund, except
in accordance with Written Instructions. PFPC Trust, directly or through the use of another entity, shall execute in blank and
promptly deliver all notices, proxies and proxy soliciting materials received by PFPC Trust as custodian of the Property to the
registered holder of such securities. If the registered holder is not the Fund, then Written Instructions or Oral Instructions
must designate the person who owns such securities. |
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(h) |
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Transactions Not Requiring
Instructions. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement requiring instructions in order to take a particular
action, in the absence of a contrary Written Instruction, PFPC Trust is authorized to take the following actions without the need
for instructions: |
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(i) |
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Collection of Income and Other Payments. |
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(A) |
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collect and receive for the account of the Fund, all income,
dividends, distributions, coupons, option premiums, other payments and similar items, included or to be included in the Property,
and, in addition, promptly advise the Fund of such receipt and credit such income to the Fund’s custodian account;
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(B) |
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endorse and deposit for collection, in the name of the Fund,
checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money; |
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(C) |
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receive and hold for the account of the Fund all securities
received as a distribution on the Fund’s securities as a result of a stock dividend, share split-up or reorganization,
recapitalization, readjustment or other rearrangement or distribution of rights or similar securities issued with respect to any
securities belonging to the Fund and held by PFPC Trust hereunder; |
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(D) |
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present for payment and collect the amount payable upon all
securities which may mature or be called, redeemed, retired or |
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otherwise become payable (on a mandatory basis) on the date such
securities become payable; and |
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(E) |
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take any action which may be necessary and proper in connection
with the collection and receipt of such income and other payments and the endorsement for collection of checks, drafts, and other
negotiable instruments. |
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(ii) |
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Miscellaneous Transactions. |
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(A) |
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PFPC Trust is authorized to deliver or cause to be delivered
Property against payment or other consideration or written receipt therefor in the following cases: |
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(1) |
for examination by a broker or dealer selling for the account of
the Fund in accordance with street delivery custom; |
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(2) |
for the exchange of interim receipts or temporary securities for
definitive securities; and |
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(3) |
for transfer of securities into the name of the Fund or PFPC Trust
or a sub-custodian or a nominee of one of the foregoing, or for exchange of securities for a different number of bonds,
certificates, or other evidence, representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units bearing the same interest rate,
maturity date and call provisions, if any; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to PFPC Trust.
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(1) |
pay all income items held by it which call for payment upon
presentation and hold the cash received by it upon such payment for the account of the Fund; |
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(2) |
collect interest and cash dividends received, with notice to the
Fund, to the account of the Fund; |
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(3) |
hold for the account of the Fund all stock dividends, rights and
similar securities issued with respect to any securities held by PFPC Trust; and |
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(4) |
subject to receipt of such documentation and information as PFPC
Trust may request, execute as agent on behalf of the |
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Fund
all necessary ownership certificates required by a national governmental taxing authority
or under the laws of any U.S. state now or hereafter in effect, inserting the Fund’s
name, on behalf of the Fund, on such certificate as the owner of the securities covered
thereby, to the extent it may lawfully do so. |
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(A) |
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subject to receipt of such documentation and information as PFPC
Trust may request, PFPC Trust will, in such jurisdictions as PFPC Trust may agree from time to time, seek to reclaim or obtain a
reduction with respect to any withholdings or other taxes relating to assets maintained hereunder (provided that PFPC Trust will
not be liable for failure to obtain any particular relief in a particular jurisdiction); and |
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(B) |
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PFPC Trust is authorized to deduct or withhold any sum in respect
of tax which PFPC Trust considers is required to be deducted or withheld “at source” by any relevant law or practice.
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(i) |
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PFPC Trust shall upon receipt of Written Instructions or Oral
Instructions establish and maintain segregated accounts on its records for and on behalf of the Fund. Such accounts may be used to
transfer cash and securities, including securities in a Book-Entry System or other depository: |
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(A) |
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for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures
required by a securities or option exchange, providing such procedures comply with the 1940 Act and any releases of the SEC
relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies; and |
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(B) |
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upon receipt of Written Instructions, for other purposes.
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(ii) |
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PFPC Trust shall arrange for the establishment of XXX custodian
accounts for such interest holders holding Interests through XXX accounts, in accordance with the Fund’s prospectuses, the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (including regulations promulgated thereunder), and with such other procedures as are
mutually agreed upon from time to time by and among the Fund, PFPC Trust and the Fund’s transfer agent. |
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(j) |
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Purchases of Securities. PFPC Trust shall
settle purchased securities upon receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions that specify: |
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(i) |
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the name of the issuer and the title of the securities, including
CUSIP number if applicable; |
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(ii) |
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the number of shares or the principal amount purchased and accrued
interest, if any; |
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(iii) |
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the date of purchase and settlement; |
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(iv) |
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the purchase price per unit; |
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(v) |
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the total amount payable upon such purchase; and |
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(vi) |
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the name of the person from whom or the broker through whom the
purchase was made. PFPC Trust shall upon receipt of securities purchased by or for the Fund (or otherwise in accordance with
standard market practice) pay out of the monies held for the account of the Fund the total amount payable to the person from whom
or the broker through whom the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. |
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(k) |
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Sales of Securities. PFPC Trust shall
settle sold securities upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions that specify: |
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(i) |
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the name of the issuer and the title of the security, including
CUSIP number if applicable; |
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(ii) |
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the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest, if any; |
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(iii) |
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the date of trade and settlement; |
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(iv) |
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the sale price per unit; |
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(v) |
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the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; |
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(vi) |
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the name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale
was made; and |
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(vii) |
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the location to which the security must be delivered and delivery
deadline, if any. |
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PFPC Trust shall deliver the securities upon receipt of the total
amount payable to the Fund upon such sale, provided that the total amount payable is the same as was set forth in the Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, PFPC Trust may accept payment in
such form as is consistent with standard industry practice and may deliver securities and arrange for payment in accordance with
the customs prevailing among dealers in securities. |
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(l) |
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Reports; Proxy Materials. |
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(i) |
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PFPC Trust shall furnish to the Fund the following reports:
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(A) |
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such periodic and special reports as the Fund may reasonably
request; |
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(B) |
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a monthly statement summarizing all transactions and entries for
the account of the Fund, listing each portfolio security belonging to the Fund (with the corresponding security identification
number) held at the end of such month and stating the cash balance of the Fund at the end of such month. |
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(C) |
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the reports required to be furnished to the Fund pursuant to Rule
17f-4 of the 1940 Act; and |
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(D) |
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such other information as may be agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund and PFPC Trust. |
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(ii) |
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PFPC Trust shall transmit promptly to the Fund any proxy
statement, proxy material, notice of a call or conversion or similar communication received by it as custodian of the Property.
PFPC Trust shall be under no other obligation to inform the Fund as to such actions or events. For clarification, upon termination
of this Agreement PFPC Trust shall have no responsibility to transmit such material or to inform the Fund or any other person of
such actions or events. |
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(m) |
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Crediting of Accounts. PFPC Trust may in
its sole discretion credit the Account with respect to income, dividends, distributions, coupons, option premiums, other payments
or similar items prior to PFPC Trust’s actual receipt thereof, and in addition PFPC Trust may in its sole discretion credit
or debit the assets in the Account on a contractual settlement date with respect to any sale, exchange or purchase applicable to
the Account; provided that nothing herein or otherwise shall require PFPC Trust to make any advances or to credit any amounts
until PFPC Trust’s actual receipt thereof. If PFPC Trust credits the Account with respect to (a) income, dividends,
distributions, coupons, option premiums, other payments or similar items on a contractual payment date or otherwise in advance of
PFPC Trust’s actual receipt of the amount due, (b) the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of assets on the contractual
settlement date or otherwise in advance of PFPC Trust’s actual receipt of the amount due or (c) provisional crediting of any
amounts due, and (i) PFPC Trust is subsequently unable to collect full and final payment for the amounts so credited within a
reasonable time period using reasonable efforts or (ii) pursuant to standard industry practice, law or regulation PFPC Trust is
required to repay to a third party such amounts so credited, or if any Property has been incorrectly credited, PFPC Trust shall
have the absolute right in its sole discretion without demand to reverse any such credit or payment, to debit or deduct the amount
of such credit or payment from the Account, and to otherwise pursue recovery of any such amounts so credited from the Fund. The
Fund hereby grants a first priority contractual possessory security interest in and a right of setoff against the assets
maintained in the Account |
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hereunder in the amount necessary to secure the return and payment
to PFPC Trust of any advance or credit made by PFPC Trust (including charges related thereto) to the Account. |
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(n) |
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Collections. All collections of monies or
other property in respect, or which are to become part, of the Property (but not the safekeeping thereof upon receipt by PFPC
Trust) shall be at the sole risk of the Fund. If payment is not received by PFPC Trust within a reasonable time after proper
demands have been made, PFPC Trust shall notify the Fund in writing, including copies of all demand letters, any written responses
and memoranda of all oral responses and shall await instructions from the Fund. PFPC Trust shall not be obliged to take legal
action for collection unless and until reasonably indemnified to its satisfaction. PFPC Trust shall also notify the Fund as soon
as reasonably practicable whenever income due on securities is not collected in due course and shall provide the Fund with
periodic status reports of such income collected after a reasonable time. |
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(o) |
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Foreign Exchange. PFPC Trust and/or
sub-custodians may enter into or arrange foreign exchange transactions (at such rates as they may consider appropriate) in order
to facilitate transactions under this Agreement, and such entities and/or their affiliates may receive compensation in connection
with such foreign exchange transactions. |
15. |
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Duration and Termination. This
Agreement shall continue until terminated by the Fund or PFPC Trust on sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other
party. In the event this Agreement is terminated (pending appointment of a successor to PFPC Trust or vote of the interest holders
of the Fund to dissolve or to function without a custodian of |
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its cash, securities or other property), PFPC Trust shall not
deliver cash, securities or other property to the Fund. It may deliver them to a bank or trust company of PFPC Trust’s
choice, having aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than twenty
million dollars ($20,000,000), as a custodian for the Fund to be held under terms similar to those of this Agreement. PFPC Trust
shall not be required to make any delivery or payment of assets upon termination until full payment shall have been made to PFPC
Trust of all of its fees, compensation, costs and expenses (including without limitation fees and expenses associated with
deconversion or conversion to another service provider and other trailing expenses incurred by PFPC Trust). PFPC Trust shall have
a first priority contractual possessory security interest in and shall have a right of setoff against the Property as security for
the payment of such fees, compensation, costs and expenses. |
16. |
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Change of Control. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, in the event of an agreement to enter into a transaction that would result in a Change of
Control of the Fund’s adviser or sponsor, the Fund’s ability to terminate the Agreement pursuant to Section 15 will be
suspended from the time of such agreement until two years after the Change of Control. |
17. |
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Notices. Notices shall be addressed
(a) if to PFPC Trust at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Xxx Xxxxxxxx;
(b) if to the Fund, at Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxx, XX 00000; or (c) if to neither of the
foregoing, at such other address as shall have been given by like notice to the sender of any such notice or other communication
by the other party. If notice is sent by confirming electronic delivery, hand or facsimile sending device, it shall be deemed to
have been given immediately. If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to |
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have been given five days after it has been mailed. If notice is
sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered. |
18. |
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Amendments. This Agreement, or any
term hereof, may be changed or waived only by a written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement of such change or
waiver is sought. |
19. |
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Delegation; Assignment. PFPC Trust
may assign its rights and delegate its duties hereunder to any affiliate of PFPC Trust or of The PNC Financial Services Group,
Inc., provided that PFPC Trust gives the Fund 30 days’ prior written notice of such assignment or delegation. |
20. |
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Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one
and the same instrument. |
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(a) |
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Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies
the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the
subject matter hereof, provided that the parties may embody in one or more separate documents their agreement, if any, with
respect to delegated duties. |
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(b) |
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No Representations or Warranties. Except
as expressly provided in this Agreement, PFPC Trust hereby disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, made
to the Fund or any other person, including, without limitation, any warranties regarding quality, suitability, merchantability,
fitness for |
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a particular purpose or otherwise (irrespective of any course of
dealing, custom or usage of trade), of any services or any goods provided incidental to services provided under this Agreement.
PFPC Trust disclaims any warranty of title or non-infringement except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. |
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(c) |
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No Changes that Materially Affect
Obligations. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees not to make any
modifications to its registration statement or adopt any policies which would affect materially the obligations or
responsibilities of PFPC Trust hereunder without the prior written approval of PFPC Trust, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed. |
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(d) |
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Captions. The captions in this Agreement
are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect
their construction or effect. |
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(e) |
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Information. The Fund will provide such
information and documentation as PFPC Trust may reasonably request in connection with services provided by PFPC Trust to the Fund.
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(f) |
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Governing Law. This Agreement shall be
deemed to be a contract made in Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
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(g) |
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Partial Invalidity. If any provision of
this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement
shall not be affected thereby. |
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(h) |
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Successors and Assigns. This Agreement
shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
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(i) |
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Facsimile Signatures. The facsimile
signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party. |
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(j) |
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Customer Identification Program Notice. To
help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, U.S. Federal law requires each financial
institution to obtain, verify, and record certain information that identifies each person who initially opens an account with that
financial institution on or after October 1, 2003. Consistent with this requirement, PFPC Trust may request (or may have already
requested) the Fund’s name, address and taxpayer identification number or other government-issued identification number, and,
if such party is a natural person, that party’s date of birth. PFPC Trust may also ask (and may have already asked) for
additional identifying information, and PFPC Trust may take steps (and may have already taken steps) to verify the authenticity
and accuracy of these data elements. |
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the
day and year first above written.
27