CUSTODY AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT made the ______ day of ____________ , 19__, by and between
INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY, a trust company chartered under the laws of
the state of Missouri, having its trust office located at 000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 ("Custodian"), and TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION, a
Maryland corporation, having its principal office and place of business at Xxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 ("Fund").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Fund desires to appoint Investors Fiduciary Trust Company as
Custodian and Recordkeeper of the securities and monies of Fund and its now
existing and future established portfolios (individually referred to herein as
Portfolio); and
WHEREAS, Investors Fiduciary Trust Company is willing to accept such
appointment;
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises contained
herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, mutually covenant and
agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN. Fund hereby constitutes and appoints Custodian as
custodian of the Fund which is to include:
A. Appointment as custodian of the securities and monies at any time owned
by each Portfolio of the Fund; and
B. Appointment as agent to perform certain accounting and recordkeeping
functions required of a duly registered investment company in
compliance with applicable provisions of federal, state, and local
laws, rules and regulations including, as may be required:
1. Providing information necessary for Fund and each Portfolio to file
required financial reports; maintaining and preserving required
books, accounts and records as the basis for such reports; and
performing
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certain daily functions in connection with such accounts and
records, and
2. Calculating daily net asset value of each Portfolio of the Fund,
and
3. Acting as liaison with independent auditors.
2. DELIVERY OF CORPORATE DOCUMENTS. Fund has delivered or will deliver to
Custodian prior to the effective date of this Agreement, copies of the
following documents and all amendments or supplements thereto, properly
certified or authenticated:
A. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Fund appointing Custodian as
custodian hereunder and approving the form of this Agreement; and
B. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Fund designating certain
persons to give instructions on behalf of Fund to Custodian and
authorizing Custodian to rely upon such instructions.
3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CUSTODIAN.
A. Delivery of Assets
Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to Custodian on the
effective date of this Agreement, or as soon thereafter as practicable,
and from time to time thereafter, all portfolio securities acquired by
it and monies then owned by it (except as permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940) or from time to time coming into its possession
during the time this Agreement shall continue in effect. Custodian
shall have no responsibility or liability whatsoever for or on account
of securities or monies not so delivered. All securities so delivered
to Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the
name of Fund or its nominee, or of a nominee of Custodian, or shall be
properly endorsed and in form for transfer satisfactory to Custodian.
B. Delivery of Accounts and Records
Fund shall turn over to Custodian all of the Fund's relevant accounts
and records previously maintained by it. Custodian shall be entitled to
rely conclusively on the completeness and correctness of the accounts
and records turned over to it by Fund, and Fund shall indemnify and
hold Custodian harmless of and from any and all expenses, damages and
losses whatsoever arising out of or in connection with any error,
omission, inaccuracy or other deficiency of such accounts and records
or in the failure of Fund to provide any portion of
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such or to provide any information needed by the Custodian
knowledgeably to perform its function hereunder.
C. Delivery of Assets to Third Parties
Custodian will receive delivery of and keep safely the assets of Fund
delivered to it from time to time and the assets of each Portfolio
segregated in a separate account. Custodian will not deliver, assign,
pledge or hypothecate any such assets to any person except as permitted
by the provisions of this Agreement or any agreement executed by it
according to the terms of section 3.S. of this Agreement. Upon delivery
of any such assets to a subcustodian pursuant to Section 3.S. of this
agreement, Custodian will create and maintain records identifying those
assets which have been delivered to the subcustodian as belonging to
the applicable Portfolio of the Fund. The Custodian is responsible for
the safekeeping of the securities and monies of Fund only until they
have been transmitted to and received by other persons as permitted
under the terms of this Agreement, except for securities and monies
transmitted to United Missouri Bank of Kansas City, N.A. (UMBKC),
United Missouri Trust Company of New York (UMBTC), First National Bank
of Chicago (FNBC) for which Custodian remains responsible. Custodian
shall also be responsible for the monies and securities of Fund(s) held
by eligible foreign subcustodians to the extent the domestic custodian
with which the Custodian contracts is responsible to Custodian.
Custodian may participate directly or indirectly through a subcustodian
in the Depository Trust Company, Treasury/Federal Reserve Book Entry
System, Participant Trust Company or other depository approved by the
Fund (as such entities are defined at 17 CFR Section 270.17f-4(b)).
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D. Registration of Securities
Custodian will hold stocks and other registerable portfolio securities
of Fund registered in the name of Fund or its nominee or in the name of
any nominee of Custodian for whose fidelity and liability Custodian
will be fully responsible, or in street certificate form, so-called,
with or without any indication of fiduciary capacity. Unless otherwise
instructed, Custodian will register all such portfolio securities in
the name of its authorized nominee, as defined in the Internal Revenue
Code and any Regulations of the Treasury Department issued thereunder
or in any provision of any subsequent Federal tax law exempting such
transaction from liability for stock transfer taxes. All securities,
and the ownership thereof by a Portfolio of the Fund, which are held by
Custodian hereunder, however, shall at all times be identifiable on the
records of the Custodian. The Fund agrees to hold Custodian and its
nominee harmless for any liability as a record holder of securities
held in custody.
E. Exchange of Securities
Upon receipt of instructions as defined herein in Section 4.A,
Custodian will exchange, or cause to be exchanged, portfolio securities
held by it for the account of the applicable Portfolio of the Fund for
other securities or cash issued or paid in connection with any
reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up of
shares, change of par value, conversion or otherwise, and will deposit
any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization
or protective plan. Without instructions, Custodian is authorized to
exchange securities held by it in temporary form for securities in
definitive form, to effect an exchange of shares when the par value of
the stock is changed, and, upon receiving payment therefor, to
surrender bonds or other securities held by it at maturity or when
advised of an earlier mandatory call for redemption, except that
Custodian shall receive instructions prior to surrendering any
convertible security. Pursuant to this paragraph, the Custodian will
inform the Fund of such corporate actions and capital changes when it
is informed of them through the publications it subscribes to.
F. Purchases of Investments of the Fund
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Fund will, on each business day on which a purchase of securities shall
be made by it, deliver to Custodian instructions which shall specify
with respect to each such purchase:
1. The name of the Portfolio making such purchase;
2. The name of the issuer and description of the security;
3. The number of shares or the principal amount purchased, and accrued
interest, if any;
4. The trade date;
5. The settlement date;
6. The purchase price per unit and the brokerage commission, taxes and
other expenses payable in connection with the purchase;
7. The total amount payable upon such purchase; and
8. The name of the person from whom or the broker or dealer through
whom the purchase was made.
In accordance with such instructions, Custodian will pay for out of
monies held for the account of such named Portfolio, but only insofar
as monies are available therein for such purpose, and receive the
portfolio securities so purchased by such named Portfolio, except that
Custodian may in its sole discretion advance funds to the Fund which
may result in an overdraft because the monies held by the Custodian on
behalf of the Fund are insufficient to pay the total amount payable
upon such purchase. Such payment will be made only upon receipt by
Custodian of the securities so purchased in form for transfer
satisfactory to Custodian. Custodian agrees to promptly inform Fund of
any failures by sellers to make proper deliveries of securities
purchased by the Fund.
G. Sales and Deliveries of Investments of the Fund - Other than Options
and Futures
Fund will, on each business day on which a sale of investment
securities of Fund has been made, deliver to Custodian instructions
specifying with respect to each such sale:
1. The name of the Portfolio making such sale;
2. The name of the issuer and description of the securities;
3. The number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued interest,
if any;
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4. The date on which the securities sold were purchased or other
information identifying the securities sold and to be delivered;
5. The trade date;
6. The settlement date;
7. The sale price per unit and the brokerage commission, taxes or
other expenses payable in connection with such sale;
8. The total amount to be received by Fund upon such sale; and
9. The name and address of the broker or dealer through whom or person
to whom the sale was made.
In accordance with such instructions, Custodian will deliver or cause
to be delivered the securities thus designated as sold for the account
of such Portfolio to the broker or other person specified in the
instructions relating to such sale, such delivery to be made only upon
receipt of payment therefor in such form as is satisfactory to
Custodian, with the understanding that Custodian may deliver or cause
to be delivered securities for payment in accordance with the customs
prevailing among dealers in securities. Custodian agrees to promptly
inform Fund of any failures of purchasers to make proper payment for
securities sold by Fund.
H. Purchases or Sales of Security Options, Options on Indices and Security
Index Futures Contracts
Fund will, on each business day on which a purchase or sale of the
following options and/or futures shall be made by it, deliver to
Custodian instructions which shall specify with respect to each such
purchase or sale
1. The name of the Portfolio making such purchase or sale;
2. Security Options
a. The underlying security;
b. The price at which purchased or sold;
c. The expiration date;
d. The number of contracts;
e. The exercise price;
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f. Whether the transaction is an opening, exercising, expiring or
closing transaction;
g. Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
h. Whether the option is written or purchased;
i. Market on which option traded;
j. Name and address of the broker or dealer through whom the sale or
purchase was made.
3. Options on Indices
a. The index;
b. The price at which purchased or sold;
c. The exercise price;
d. The premium;
e. The multiple;
f. The expiration date;
g. Whether the transaction is an opening, exercising, expiring or
closing transaction;
h. Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
i. Whether the option is written or purchased;
j. The name and address of the broker or dealer through whom the
sale or purchase was made, or other applicable settlement
instructions.
4. Security Index Futures Contracts
a. The last trading date specified in the contract and, when
available, the closing level, thereof;
b. The index level on the date the contract is entered into;
c. The multiple;
d. Any margin requirements;
e. The need for a segregated margin account (in addition to
instructions, and if not already in the possession of Custodian,
Fund shall deliver a substantially complete and executed
custodial safekeeping account and
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procedural agreement which shall be incorporated by reference
into this Custody Agreement); and
f. The name and address of the futures commission merchant through
whom the sale or purchase was made, or other applicable
settlement instructions.
5. Option on Index Future Contracts
a. The underlying index futures contract;
b. The premium;
c. The expiration date;
d. The number of options;
e. The exercise price;
f. Whether the transaction involves an opening, exercising, expiring
or closing transaction;
g. Whether the transaction involves a put or call;
h. Whether the option is written or purchased; and
i. The market on which the option is traded.
I. Securities Pledged or Loaned
If specifically allowed for in the prospectus of the applicable
Portfolio of the Fund:
1. Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian will release or cause to be
released securities held in custody to the pledgee designated in
such instructions by way of pledge or hypothecation to secure any
loan incurred by a Portfolio of the Fund; provided, however, that
the securities shall be released only upon payment to Custodian of
the monies borrowed, except that in cases where additional
collateral is required to secure a borrowing already made, further
securities may be released or caused to be released for that purpose
upon receipt of instructions. Upon receipt of instructions,
Custodian will pay, but only from funds available for such purpose,
any such loan upon redelivery to it of the securities pledged or
hypothecated therefor and upon surrender of the note or notes
evidencing such loan.
2. Upon receipt of instructions, Custodian will release securities held
in custody to the borrower designated in such instructions;
provided, however, that the securities
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will be released only upon deposit with Custodian of full cash
collateral as specified in such instructions, and that Fund will
retain the right to any dividends, interest or distribution on such
loaned securities. Upon receipt of instructions and the loaned
securities, Custodian will release the cash collateral to the
borrower.
J. Routine Matters
Custodian will, in general, attend to all routine and mechanical
matters in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
transfer, or other dealings with securities or other property of Fund
except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement or directed from
time to time by the Board of Directors of Fund.
K. Deposit Account
Custodian will open and maintain a special purpose deposit account(s)
in the name of Custodian on behalf of each Portfolio (Accounts),
subject only to draft or order by Custodian upon receipt of
instructions. All monies received by Custodian from or for the account
of a Portfolio shall be deposited in said Accounts. Barring events not
in the control of the Custodian such as strikes, lockouts or labor
disputes, riots, war or equipment or transmission failure or damage,
fire, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster, action or inaction
of governmental authority or other causes beyond its control, at 9:00
a.m., Kansas City time, on the second business day after deposit of any
check into Fund's Account, Custodian agrees to make Fed Funds available
to the appropriate Portfolio of the Fund in the amount of the check.
Deposits made by Federal Reserve wire will be available to the Fund
immediately and ACH wires will be available to the Fund on the next
business day. Income earned on the portfolio securities will be
credited to the applicable Portfolio of the Fund based on the schedule
attached as Exhibit A, except that income earned on portfolio
securities held by domestic subcustodians other than UMBKC, UMBTC, Bank
of New York (previously Irving Trust Company and hereinafter referred
to as BONY) and Xxxxxx Guaranty and Trust Company (MGT) will be
credited when received. The Custodian will be entitled to reverse any
credited amounts where credits have been made and monies are not
finally collected. If monies are collected after such reversal, the
Custodian will credit the applicable Portfolio in that amount.
Custodian may open and maintain an Account in
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such other banks or trust companies as may be designated by it and by
properly authorized resolution of the Board of Directors of Fund, such
Account, however, to be in the name of Custodian on behalf of the
applicable portfolio of the Fund and subject only to its draft or
order.
L. Income and other Payments to Fund
Custodian will:
1. Collect, claim and receive and deposit for the Account of each
Portfolio of the Fund all income and other payments which become due
and payable on or after the effective date of this Agreement with
respect to the securities deposited under this Agreement, and credit
the account of the applicable Portfolio of the Fund in accordance
with the schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A, except that income
earned on portfolio securities held by domestic subcustodians other
than UMBKC, UMBTC, BONY, and MGT will be credited when received.
Income from foreign securities and assets held by eligible foreign
subcustodians shall be credited by Custodian upon receipt of income
from the domestic subcustodian contracting with the foreign eligible
subcustodians. If, for any reason, the Fund is credited with income
that is not subsequently collected, Custodian may reverse that
credited amount;
2. Execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all
federal, state and local tax purposes in connection with the
collection of bond and note coupons; and
3. Take such other action as may be necessary or proper in connection
with:
a. the collection, receipt and deposit of such income and other
payments, including but not limited to the presentation for
payment of:
1. all coupons and other income items requiring presentation; and
2. all other securities which may mature or be called, redeemed,
retired or otherwise become payable and regarding which the
Custodian has actual knowledge, or notice of which is
contained in publications of the type to which a custodian for
investment companies normally subscribes for such purpose; and
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b. the endorsement for collection, in the name of the applicable
Portfolio of the Fund, of all checks, drafts or other
negotiable instruments.
Custodian, however, will not be required to institute suit or take
other extraordinary action to enforce collection except upon receipt of
instructions and upon being indemnified to its satisfaction against the
costs and expenses of such suit or other actions. Custodian will
receive, claim and collect all stock dividends, rights and other
similar items and will deal with the same pursuant to instructions.
Unless prior instructions have been received to the contrary, Custodian
will, without further instructions, sell any rights held for the
account of Fund on the last trade date prior to the date of expiration
of such rights.
M. Payment of Dividends and other Distributions
On the declaration of any dividend or other distribution on the shares
of Capital Stock of any Portfolio ("Portfolio Shares") by the Board of
Directors of Fund, Fund shall deliver to Custodian instructions with
respect thereto, including a copy of the Resolution of said Board of
Directors certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Fund
wherein there shall be set forth the record date as of which
shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution
shall be determined, the date of payment of such dividend or
distribution, and the amount payable per share on such dividend or
distribution. Except if the ex-dividend date and the reinvestment date
of any dividend are the same, in which case funds shall remain in the
Custody Account, on the date specified in such Resolution for the
payment of such dividend or other distribution, Custodian will pay out
of the monies held for the account of the applicable Portfolio of the
Fund, insofar as the same shall be available for such purposes, and
wire to the account of the Dividend Disbursing Agent for Fund, such
amount as may be necessary to pay the amount per share payable in cash
on Portfolio Shares issued and outstanding on the record date
established by such Resolution.
N. Shares of Fund Purchased by Fund
Whenever any Portfolio Shares are repurchased or redeemed by Fund, Fund
or its agent shall advise Custodian of the aggregate dollar amount to
be paid for such shares and shall confirm such advice in writing. Upon
receipt of such advice, Custodian shall charge such aggregate dollar
amount to the Account of Portfolio and either deposit the same in the
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account maintained for the purpose of paying for the repurchase or
redemption of Portfolio Shares or deliver the same in accordance with
such advice.
Custodian shall not have any duty or responsibility to determine that
Fund Shares have been removed from the proper shareholder account or
accounts or that the proper number of such shares have been canceled
and removed from the shareholder records.
O. Shares of Fund Purchased from Fund
Whenever Portfolio Shares are purchased from Fund, Fund will deposit or
cause to be deposited with Custodian the amount received for such
shares. Custodian shall not have any duty or responsibility to
determine that Portfolio Shares purchased from Fund have been added to
the proper shareholder account or accounts or that the proper number of
such shares have been added to the shareholder records.
P. Proxies and Notices
Custodian will promptly deliver or mail or have delivered or mailed to
Fund all proxies properly signed, all notices of meetings, all proxy
statements and other notices, requests or announcements affecting or
relating to securities held by Custodian for Fund and will, upon
receipt of instructions, execute and deliver or cause its nominee to
execute and deliver or mail or have delivered or mailed such proxies or
other authorizations as may be required. Except as provided by this
Agreement or pursuant to instructions hereafter received by Custodian,
neither it nor its nominee will exercise any power inherent in any such
securities, including any power to vote the same, or execute any proxy,
power of attorney, or other similar instrument voting any of such
securities, or give any consent, approval or waiver with respect
thereto, or take any other similar action.
Q. Disbursements
Custodian will pay or cause to be paid insofar as funds are available
for the purpose, bills, statements and other obligations of Fund
(including but not limited to obligations in connection with the
conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by Fund, interest
charges, dividend disbursements, taxes, management fees, custodian
fees, legal fees, auditors' fees, transfer agents' fees, brokerage
commissions, compensation to personnel, and other operating expenses of
Fund) pursuant to instructions of Fund setting
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forth the name of the person to whom payment is to be made, the amount
of the payment, and the purpose of the payment.
R. Daily Statement of Accounts
Custodian will, within a reasonable time, render to Fund as of the
close of business on each day, a detailed statement of the amounts
received or paid and of securities received or delivered for the
account of Fund during said day. Custodian will, from time to time,
upon request by Fund, render a detailed statement of the securities and
monies held for Fund under this Agreement, and Custodian will maintain
such books and records as are necessary to enable it to do so and will
permit such persons as are authorized by Fund including Fund's
independent public accountants, access to such records or confirmation
of the contents of such records; and if demanded, will permit federal
and state regulatory agencies to examine the securities, books and
records. Upon the written instructions of Fund or as demanded by
federal or state regulatory agencies, Custodian will instruct any
subcustodian to give such persons as are authorized by Fund including
Fund's independent public accountants, access to such records or
confirmation of the contents of such records; and if demanded, to
permit federal and state regulatory agencies to examine the books,
records and securities held by subcustodian which relate to Fund. Fund
will be entitled to receive reports produced by the Custodian's
portfolio accounting system, including without limitation, those listed
on Exhibit C hereof.
S. Appointment of Subcustodians
1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, all of or
any of the monies or securities of Fund may be held in Custodian's
own custody or in the custody of one or more other banks or trust
companies selected by Custodian and approved by the Fund's Board of
Directors. Any such subcustodian must have the qualifications
required for custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended. The subcustodian may participate directly or indirectly in
the Depository Trust Company, Treasury/Federal Reserve Book Entry
System, Participant Trust Company or other depository approved by
the Fund (as such entities are defined at 17 CFR Sec. 270.17f-4(b)).
The appointment of UMBKC or
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any other subcustodian, depository or clearing agency used by the
Custodian and approved by the Fund will not relieve Custodian of any
of its obligations hereunder except as provided in Section 3.C
hereof. The Custodian will comply with Section 17f-4 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as to depositories and
clearing agencies used by Custodian and approved the Fund. The
Custodian will not be entitled to reimbursement by Fund for any fees
or expenses of any subcustodian, depository or clearing agency.
2. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, Fund's
foreign securities (as defined in Rule 17f-5(c)(1) under the
Investment Company Act of 1940) and Fund's cash or cash equivalents,
in amounts reasonably necessary to effect Fund's foreign securities
transactions, may be held in the custody of one or more banks or
trust companies acting as subcustodians, according to Section 3.S.1;
and thereafter, pursuant to a written contract or contracts as
approved by Fund's Board of Directors, may be transferred to an
account maintained by such subcustodian with an eligible foreign
custodian, as defined in Rule 17f-5(c)(2), provided that any such
arrangement involving a foreign custodian shall be in accordance
with the provisions of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 as that Rule may be amended from time to time.
T. Accounts and Records
Custodian, with the direction and as interpreted by the Fund, Fund's
accountants and/or other tax advisors, will prepare and maintain as
complete, accurate and current all accounts and records required to be
maintained by Fund under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ("Code") as
amended and under the general Rules and Regulations under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Rules") as amended, and as agreed upon
between the parties and will preserve said records in the manner and
for the periods prescribed in said Code and Rules, or for such longer
period as is agreed upon by the parties.
Custodian relies upon Fund to furnish, in writing, accurate and timely
information to complete Fund's records and perform daily calculation of
the Fund's net asset value, as provided in Section 3.W. below.
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Custodian shall incur no liability and Fund shall indemnify and hold
harmless Custodian from and against any liability arising from any
failure of Fund to furnish such information in a timely and accurate
manner, even if Fund subsequently provides accurate but untimely
information. It shall be the responsibility of Fund to furnish
Custodian with the declaration, record and payment dates and amounts of
any dividends or income and any other special actions required
concerning each of its securities when such information is not readily
available from generally accepted securities industry services or
publications.
U. Accounts and Records Property of Fund
Custodian acknowledges that all of the accounts and records maintained
by Custodian pursuant to this Agreement are the property of Fund, and
will be made available to Fund for inspection or reproduction within a
reasonable period of time, upon demand. Custodian will assist Fund's
independent auditors, or upon approval of Fund, or upon demand, any
regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Fund or Custodian, in any
requested review of Fund's accounts and records but shall be reimbursed
for all expenses and employee time invested in any such review outside
of routine and normal periodic reviews. Upon receipt from Fund of the
necessary information, Custodian will supply necessary data for Fund's
completion of any necessary tax returns, questionnaires, periodic
reports to Shareholders and such other reports and information requests
as Fund and Custodian shall agree upon from time to time.
V. Adoption of Procedures
Custodian and Fund may from time to time adopt procedures as they agree
upon, and Custodian may conclusively assume that no procedure approved
by Fund, or directed by Fund, conflicts with or violates any
requirements of its prospectus, "Articles of Incorporation", Bylaws, or
any rule or regulation of any regulatory body or governmental agency.
Fund will be responsible to notify Custodian of any changes in
statutes, regulations, rules or policies which might necessitate
changes in Custodian's responsibilities or procedures.
W. Calculation of Net Asset Value
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Custodian will calculate Fund's net asset value, in accordance with
Fund's prospectus, once daily. Custodian will prepare and maintain a
daily evaluation of securities for which market quotations are
available by the use of outside services normally used and contracted
for this purpose; all other securities will be evaluated in accordance
with Fund's instructions. Custodian will have no responsibility for the
accuracy of the prices quoted by these outside services or for the
information supplied by Fund or upon instructions.
X. Overdrafts
If Custodian shall in its sole discretion advance funds to the account
of the Fund which results in an overdraft because the monies held by
Custodian on behalf of the Fund are insufficient to pay the total
amount payable upon a purchase of securities as specified in Fund's
instructions or for some other reason, the amount of the overdraft
shall be payable by the Fund to Custodian upon demand and shall bear an
interest rate determined by Custodian from the date advanced until the
date of payment. Custodian shall have a lien on the assets of the Fund
in the amount of any outstanding overdraft.
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4. INSTRUCTIONS.
A. The term "instructions", as used herein, means written or facsimile
instructions or advice to Custodian from two designated representatives
of Fund. Certified copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of
Fund naming two or more designated representatives to give instructions
in the name and on behalf of Fund, may be received and accepted from
time to time by Custodian as conclusive evidence of the authority of
any two designated representatives to act for Fund and may be
considered to be in full force and effect (and Custodian will be fully
protected in acting in reliance thereon) until receipt by Custodian of
notice to the contrary. Unless the resolution delegating authority to
any person to give instructions specifically requires that the approval
of anyone else will first have been obtained, Custodian will be under
no obligation to inquire into the right of the person giving such
instructions to do so. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions
of this Section 4. no authorizations or instructions received by
Custodian from Fund, will be deemed to authorize or permit any
director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of Fund to withdraw any
of the securities or similar investments of Fund upon the mere receipt
of such authorization or instructions from such director, trustee,
officer, employee or agent.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Custodian, upon
receipt (and acknowledgement if required at the discretion of
Custodian) of the instructions of any two designated representatives of
Fund, will undertake to deliver for Fund's account monies, (provided
such monies are on hand or available) in connection with Fund's
transactions and to wire transfer such monies to such broker, dealer,
subcustodian, bank or other agent specified in such instructions.
B. If oral instructions are permitted pursuant to Section 4.A. hereunder,
no later than the next business day immediately following such oral
instruction the Fund will send Custodian written confirmation of such
oral instruction. At Custodian's sole discretion, Custodian may record
on tape, or otherwise, any oral instruction whether given in person or
via telephone, each such recording identifying the parties, the date
and the time of the beginning and ending of such oral instruction.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN.
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A. Custodian shall hold harmless and indemnify Fund from and against any
loss or liability arising out of Custodian's failure to comply with the
terms of this Agreement or arising out of Custodian's negligence or bad
faith. Custodian may request and obtain the advice and opinion of
counsel for Fund, or of its own counsel with respect to questions or
matters of law, and it shall be without liability to Fund for any
action taken or omitted by it in good faith, in conformity with such
advice or opinion. If Custodian reasonably believes that it could not
prudently act according to the instructions of the Fund or the Fund's
counsel, it may in its discretion, with notice to the Fund, not act
according to such instructions.
B. Custodian may rely upon the advice of Fund and upon statements of
Fund's public accountants and other persons believed by it in good
faith, to be expert in matters upon which they are consulted, and
Custodian shall not be liable for any actions taken, in good faith,
upon such statements.
C. If Fund requires Custodian in any capacity to take, with respect to any
securities, any action which involves the payment of money by it, or
which in Custodian's opinion might make it or its nominee liable for
payment of monies or in any other way, Custodian, upon notice to Fund
given prior to such actions, shall be and be kept indemnified by Fund
in an amount and form satisfactory to Custodian against any liability
on account of such action.
D. Custodian shall be protected in acting as custodian hereunder upon any
instructions, advice, notice, request, consent, certificate or other
instrument or paper reasonably appearing to it to be genuine and to
have been properly executed and shall, unless otherwise specifically
provided herein, be entitled to receive as conclusive proof of any fact
or matter required to be ascertained from Fund hereunder, a certificate
signed by the Fund's President, or other officer specifically
authorized for such purpose.
E. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be
under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable
for:
1. The validity of the issue of any securities purchased by or for
Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof or evidence of ownership
required by Fund to be received by Custodian, or the propriety of
the decision to purchase or amount paid therefor;
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2. The legality of the sale of any securities by or for Fund, or the
propriety of the amount for which the same are sold;
3. The legality of the issue or sale of any shares of the Capital Stock
of Fund, or the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor;
4. The legality of the repurchase or redemption of any Fund Shares, or
the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor; or
5. The legality of the declaration of any dividend by Fund, or the
legality of the issue of any Fund Shares in payment of any stock
dividend.
F. Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be Custodian of,
any money represented by any check, draft, wire transfer, clearing
house funds, uncollected funds, or instrument for the payment of money
received by it on behalf of Fund, until Custodian actually receives
such money, provided only that it shall advise Fund promptly if it
fails to receive any such money in the ordinary course of business, and
use its best efforts and cooperate with Fund toward the end that such
money shall be received.
G. Custodian shall not be responsible for loss occasioned by the acts,
neglects, defaults or insolvency of any broker, bank, trust company, or
any other person with whom Custodian may deal in the absence of
negligence, or bad faith on the part of Custodian, except as provided
in Section 3.S.1 hereof.
H. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Custodian may, and
with respect to any foreign subcustodian appointed under Section 3.S.2.
must, provide Fund for its approval, agreements with banks or trust
companies which will act as subcustodians for Fund pursuant to Section
3.S of this Agreement.
6. COMPENSATION. Fund will pay to Custodian such compensation as is stated in
the Fee Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B which may be changed from
time to time as agreed to in writing by Custodian and Fund. Custodian may
charge such compensation against monies held by it for the account of Fund.
Custodian will also be entitled, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections
5.C. or 5.D. hereof, to charge against any monies held by it for the
account of Fund the amount of any loss, damage, liability, advance, or
expense for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the
provisions of this Agreement including fees or expenses due to Custodian
for other services
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provided to the Fund by the Custodian. Custodian will not be entitled to
reimbursement by Fund for any loss or expenses of any subcustodian.
7. TERMINATION. Either party to this Agreement may terminate the same by
notice in writing, delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party
hereto and received not less than ninety (90) days prior to the date upon
which such termination will take effect. If the Custodian terminates this
Agreement, the Fund may extend the effective date of the termination ninety
(90) days by written request to the Custodian thirty (30) days prior to the
end of the initial ninety (90) days notice period unless the Custodian in
good faith could not perform the duties hereunder. Upon termination of this
Agreement, Fund will pay to Custodian such compensation for its
reimbursable disbursements, costs and expenses paid or incurred to such
date and Fund will use its best efforts to obtain a successor custodian.
Unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of "Capital
Stock" of Fund vote to have the securities, funds and other properties held
under this Agreement delivered and paid over to some other person, firm or
corporation specified in the vote, having not less the Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000) aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by
its last published report, and meeting such other qualifications for
custodian as set forth in the Bylaws of Fund, the Board of Directors of
Fund will, forthwith upon giving or receiving notice of termination of this
Agreement, appoint as successor custodian a bank or trust company having
such qualifications. Custodian will, upon termination of this Agreement,
deliver to the successor custodian so specified or appointed, at
Custodian's office, all securities then held by Custodian hereunder, duly
endorsed and in form for transfer, all funds and other properties of Fund
deposited with or held by Custodian hereunder, or will co-operate in
effecting changes in book-entries at the Depository Trust Company or in the
Treasury/Federal Reserve Book-Entry System pursuant to 31 CFR Sec. 306.118.
In the event no such vote has been adopted by the stockholders of Fund and
no written order designating a successor custodian has been delivered to
Custodian on or before the date when such termination becomes effective,
then Custodian will deliver the securities, funds and properties of Fund to
a bank or trust company at the selection of Custodian and meeting the
qualifications for custodian, if any, set forth in the Bylaws of Fund and
having not less that Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) aggregate capital,
surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report. Upon
either such delivery to a successor custodian, Custodian will have no
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further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement. Thereafter such
bank or trust company will be the successor custodian under this Agreement
and will be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services. In the
event that no such successor custodian can be found, Fund will submit to
its shareholders, before permitting delivery of the cash and securities
owned by Fund to anyone other than a successor custodian, the question of
whether Fund will be liquidated or function without a custodian.
Notwithstanding the foregoing requirement as to delivery upon termination
of this Agreement, Custodian may make any other delivery of the securities,
funds and property of Fund which is permitted by the Investment Company Act
of 1940, Fund's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws then in effect or
apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor custodian.
8. NOTICES. Notices, requests, instructions and other writings received by
Fund at Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 such other
address as Fund may have designated to Custodian in writing, will be deemed
to have been properly given to Fund hereunder; and notices, requests,
instructions and other writings received by Custodian at its offices at 000
Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, or to such other address as
it may have designated to Fund in writing, will be deemed to have been
properly given to Custodian hereunder.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
A. This Agreement is executed and delivered in the State of Missouri and
shall be governed by the laws of said state.
B. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the respective successor
and assigns of the parties hereto.
C. No provisions of the Agreement may be amended or modified, in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed
by both parties hereto.
D. 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.
E. This Agreement shall become effective at the close of business on the
_____ day of ______________ , 19__ .
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F. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
G. If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is by the courts held
to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the
remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and not be
affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be
construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the
particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
H. Custodian will not release the identity of Fund to an issuer which
requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications
Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between
such issuer and Fund unless the Fund directs the Custodian otherwise.
I. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without prior
written consent of the other party.
J. If any provision of the Agreement, either in its present form or as
amended from time to time, limits, qualifies, or conflicts with the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, such statutes, rules and regulations shall be
deemed to control and supersede such provision without nullifying or
terminating the remainder of the provisions of this Agreement.
22
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their duly respective authorized officers.
INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
By:
-------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
Senior Vice President
ATTEST:
---------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Assistant Secretary
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
By:
------------------------------
Title:
---------------------------
ATTEST:
---------------------------
Secretary
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