CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 25, 2003 by and between PFPC TRUST
COMPANY, a limited purpose trust company incorporated under the laws of Delaware
("PFPC Trust"), and FIRST TRUST/FOUR CORNERS SENIOR FLOATING RATE INCOME FUND, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a 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. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS AGREEMENT:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c) "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.
(d) "Book-Entry System" means the Federal Reserve Treasury book-entry
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system for 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.
(e) "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.
(f) "PFPC Trust" means PFPC Trust Company or a subsidiary or affiliate
of PFPC Trust Company.
(g) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(h) "Securities Laws" mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act.
(i) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest of any series or
class of the Fund.
(j) "Property" means:
(i) 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;
(ii) all income in respect of any of such securities or other
investment items;
(iii) all proceeds of the sale of any of such securities or
investment items; and
(iv) 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.
(k) "Written Instructions" mean (i) written instructions signed by two
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
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authorized identifier in order to gain access. The instructions may
be delivered electronically or by hand, mail or facsimile sending
device.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC Trust to provide custodian
services to the Fund and PFPC Trust accepts such appointment and agrees to
furnish such services.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Fund has provided or, where applicable, will
provide PFPC Trust with the following:
(a) at PFPC Trust's request, certified or authenticated copies of the
resolutions of the Fund's board of directors, approving the
appointment of PFPC Trust or its affiliates to provide services;
(b) a copy of the Fund's most recent effective registration statement;
(c) a copy of the Fund's advisory agreements;
(d) a copy of the distribution/underwriting agreement with respect to
each class of Shares;
(e) a copy of the Fund's administration agreement;
(f) copies of any distribution and/or shareholder servicing plans and
agreements made in respect of the Fund; and
(g) certified or authenticated copies of any and all amendments or
supplements to the foregoing.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
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.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
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(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC Trust shall act
only upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC Trust shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instruction or
Written Instruction it receives from an Authorized Person (or from a
person reasonably believed by PFPC Trust to be an Authorized Person)
pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC Trust may assume that any Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions received hereunder are not in
any way inconsistent with the provisions of organizational documents
of the Fund or of any vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's
board of directors or of the Fund's shareholders, unless and until
PFPC Trust receives Written Instructions to the contrary.
(c) 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.
6. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
(a) 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.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PFPC Trust shall be in doubt as to any
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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).
(c) 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 follow the advice of
counsel.
(d) 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.
7. RECORDS; VISITS.
(a) 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,
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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.
(b) PFPC Trust shall keep the following records:
(i) all books and records as are customarily maintained by the
custodian for a registered investment company.
8. 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, 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
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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 required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a
requirement of a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency
or law (provided the receiving party will provide the other party written
notice of such requirement, to the extent such notice is permitted); (f)
it is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted
against the receiving party; or (g) it has been or is independently
developed or obtained by the receiving party.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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, negligence or
reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement.
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12. 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.
13. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) 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, reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under the
Securities Laws and any state and foreign securities and blue sky
laws) ("Claims") 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 13 shall
survive termination of this Agreement.
(b) Indemnification of the Fund. PFPC agrees to defend, indemnify and
hold the Fund and its officers, directors and employees harmless
from any and all Claims arising directly or indirectly from the
negligence, bad faith or willful misfeasance of PFPC in the
performance of its duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
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the Fund shall not be indemnified against any Claim caused by the
Fund's or the Fund's other service providers' willful misfeasance,
bad faith or negligence.
(c) Indemnification Procedure.
(i) Notice of the Action. A party that seeks indemnification under
this Agreement must promptly give the other party notice of
any legal action; provided, however, that a delay in notice
does not relieve an indemnifying party of any liability to an
indemnified party, except to the extent the indemnifying party
shows that the delay prejudiced the defense of the action.
(ii) Participating in or Assuming the Defense. The indemnifying
party may participate in the defense at any time or it may
assume the defense by giving notice to the other party. After
assuming the defense, the indemnifying party:
(1) must select an attorney that is satisfactory to the other
party;
(2) is not liable to the other party for any later attorney's
fees or for any other later expenses that the other party
incurs, except for reasonable investigation costs;
(3) must not compromise or settle the action without the other
party's consent (but the other party must not unreasonably
withhold its consent); and
(4) is not liable for any compromise or settlement made
without its consent.
(iii) Failing to Assume the Defense. If the indemnifying party fails
to participate in or assume the defense within 15 days after
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receiving notice of the action, the indemnifying party is
bound by any determination made in the action or by any
compromise or settlement made by the other party.
14. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC TRUST.
(a) 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 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.
(b) 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 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) 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.
(d) Each party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other
party may become responsible.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (other
than as specifically provided in Section 15(h)(ii)(B)(4) and Section
15(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).
(f) The provisions of this Section 14 shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
15. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
(a) 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 Shares,
during the term of this Agreement. PFPC Trust will not be
responsible for such property until actual receipt.
(b) Receipt and Disbursement of Money. PFPC Trust, acting upon Written
Instructions, shall open and maintain separate accounts in the
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Fund's name using all cash received from or for the account of the
Fund, subject to the terms of this Agreement. PFPC Trust shall make
cash payments from or for the Account of the Fund only for:
(i) purchases of securities in the name of the Fund, PFPC Trust,
PFPC Trust's 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;
(ii) purchase or redemption of Shares of the Fund delivered to
PFPC Trust;
(iii) 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 15(h)(iii)(B) of this Agreement), administration,
accounting, distribution, advisory, license and management
fees which are to be borne by the Fund;
(iv) payment to, subject to receipt of Written Instructions, the
Fund's transfer agent, as agent for the shareholders, of an
amount equal to the amount of dividends and distributions
stated in the Written Instructions to be distributed in cash
by the transfer agent to shareholders, or, in lieu of paying
the Fund's transfer agent, PFPC Trust may arrange for the
direct payment of cash dividends and distributions to
shareholders in accordance with procedures mutually agreed
upon from time to time by and among the Fund, PFPC Trust and
the Fund's transfer agent;
(v) 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;
(vi) payments of the amounts of dividends received with respect
to securities sold short;
(vii) payments to PFPC Trust for its services hereunder;
(viii) payments to a sub-custodian pursuant to provisions in
sub-section (c) of this Section; and
(ix) other payments, upon Written Instructions.
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) Receipt of Securities; Subcustodians.
(i) 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 of the Fund 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
directors, or any officer, employee or agent of the Fund
withdraw any securities.
At PFPC Trust's own expense and for its own convenience, PFPC
Trust may enter into sub-custodian agreements with other banks
or trust companies to perform duties described in this
sub-section (c) with respect to domestic assets. Such bank or
trust company shall have an 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).
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).
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.
(d) Transactions Requiring Instructions. Upon receipt of Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions and not otherwise, PFPC Trust
shall:
(i) deliver any securities held for the Fund against the receipt
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of payment for the sale of such securities or otherwise in
accordance with standard market practice;
(ii) 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;
(iii) 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;
(iv) 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;
(v) 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;
(vi) 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;
(vii) 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;
(viii) 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) 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;
(x) release and deliver securities to a broker in connection
with the broker's custody of margin collateral relating to
futures and options transactions;
(xi) release and deliver securities owned by the Fund for the
purpose of redeeming in kind shares of the Fund upon
delivery thereof to PFPC Trust; and
(xii) release and deliver or exchange securities owned by the Fund
for other purposes.
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 sub-paragraph d(xii).
(e) Use of Book-Entry System or Other Depository. PFPC Trust is
authorized and instructed, on a continuous basis, to deposit in
Book-Entry Systems and other depositories all securities belonging
to the Fund eligible for deposit therein and to 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.
PFPC Trust shall administer a Book-Entry System or other depository as
follows:
(i) With respect to securities of the Fund which are maintained
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in a Book-Entry System or another depository, the records of
PFPC Trust shall identify by book-entry or otherwise those
securities belonging to the Fund.
(ii) 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.
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.
(f) Registration of Securities. All Securities held for the Fund which
are issued or issuable only in bearer form, except such securities
held in the Book-Entry System or in another depository, shall be
held by PFPC Trust in bearer form; all other securities held 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 hold 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 hold for the
Account.
(g) 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,
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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.
(h) Transactions Not Requiring Instructions. In the absence of contrary
Written Instructions, PFPC Trust is authorized to take the following
actions:
(i) Collection of Income and Other Payments.
(A) 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;
(B) endorse and deposit for collection, in the name of the
Fund, checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of
money;
(C) 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;
(D) present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
all securities which may mature or be called, redeemed,
retired or otherwise become payable (on a mandatory
basis) on the date such securities become payable; and
(E) 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.
(ii) Miscellaneous Transactions.
(A) 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;
(2) for the exchange of interim receipts or temporary
securities for definitive securities; and
(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.
(B) unless and until PFPC Trust receives Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions to the contrary, PFPC Trust
shall:
(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;
(2) collect interest and cash dividends received, with
notice to the Fund, to the account of the Fund;
(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
(4) subject to receipt of such documentation and
information as PFPC Trust may request, execute as
agent on behalf of the 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 such certificate as
the owner of the securities covered thereby, to
the extent it may lawfully do so.
(iii) Other Matters.
(A) 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
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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
(B) 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.
(i) Segregated Accounts.
(i) 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:
(A) 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
(B) upon receipt of Written Instructions, for other
purposes.
(ii) PFPC Trust shall arrange for the establishment of XXX
custodian accounts for such shareholders holding Shares
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.
(j) Purchases of Securities. PFPC Trust shall settle purchased
securities upon receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions
that specify:
(i) the name of the issuer and the title of the securities,
including CUSIP number if applicable;
(ii) the number of shares or the principal amount purchased and
accrued interest, if any;
(iii) the date of purchase and settlement;
(iv) the purchase price per unit;
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(v) the total amount payable upon such purchase; and
(vi) 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.
(k) Sales of Securities. PFPC Trust shall settle sold securities upon
receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions that specify:
(i) the name of the issuer and the title of the security,
including CUSIP number if applicable;
(ii) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest, if any;
(iii) the date of trade and settlement;
(iv) the sale price per unit;
(v) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale;
(vi) the name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the
sale was made; and
(vii) the location to which the security must be delivered and
delivery deadline, if any.
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 the other provisions thereof, 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.
(l) Reports; Proxy Materials.
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(i) PFPC Trust shall furnish to the Fund the following reports:
(A) such periodic and special reports as the Fund may
reasonably request;
(B) 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.
(C) the reports required to be furnished to the Fund
pursuant to Rule 17f-4 of the 1940 Act; and
(D) such other information as may be agreed upon from time
to time between the Fund and PFPC Trust.
(ii) 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.
(m) Crediting of Accounts. PFPC Trust may in its sole discretion credit
an 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 an 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
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any amounts until PFPC Trust's actual receipt thereof. If PFPC Trust
in its sole discretion credits an 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 an Account
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 such Account.
(n) 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
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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.
(o) 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.
16. DURATION AND TERMINATION.
(a) This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above
and shall continue until June 12, 2008 (the "Initial Term").
(b) Upon the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall
automatically renew for successive terms of one (1) year ("Renewal
Terms") each, unless the Fund or PFPC provides written notice to the
other of its intent not to renew. Such notice must be received not
less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial
Term or the then current Renewal Term.
(c) If a party hereto is guilty of a material failure to perform its
duties and obligations hereunder (a "Defaulting Party") the other
party (the "Non-Defaulting Party") may give written notice thereof
to the Defaulting Party, and if such material breach shall not have
-23-
been remedied within thirty (30) days after such written notice is
given, then the Non-Defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement by
giving thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to the
Defaulting Party. In all cases, termination by the Non-Defaulting
Party shall not constitute a waiver by the Non-Defaulting Party of
any other rights it might have under this Agreement or otherwise
against the Defaulting Party.
In the event this Agreement is terminated (pending appointment of a
successor to PFPC Trust or vote of the shareholders of the Fund to
dissolve or to function without a custodian of its cash, securities
or other property), PFPC Trust shall not deliver cash, securities or
other property of the Fund to the Fund. It may deliver them to a
bank or trust company of PFPC Trust's choice, having an 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 (such expenses include, without
limitation, expenses associated with movement (or duplication) of
records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service
provider, or to a bank or trust company pending appointment of such
successor, and all trailing expenses incurred by PFPC Trust). PFPC
Trust shall have a 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.
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17. 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 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx, XX 00000,
Attention: W. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx; 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, 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 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. 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. 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. 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.
21. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) 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,
-25-
provided that the parties may embody in one or more separate
documents their agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties.
(b) 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 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.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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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(f) 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.
(g) 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.
(h) Facsimile Signatures. The facsimile signature of any party to this
Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by
such party.
(i) The Fund and PFPC Trust agree that the obligations of the Fund under
the Agreement shall not be binding upon any of the directors,
shareholders, nominees, officers, employees or agents, whether past,
present or future, of the Fund individually, but are binding only
upon the assets and property of the Fund (or applicable series
thereof), as provided in the Declaration of Trust. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the directors of
the Fund, and signed by an authorized officer of the Fund, acting as
such, and neither such authorization by such directors nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been
made by any of them or any shareholder of the Fund individually or
to impose any liability on any of them or any shareholder of the
Fund personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the
Fund (or applicable series thereof), as provided in the Articles of
Incorporation or Declaration of Trust.
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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.
PFPC TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx III
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
FIRST TRUST/FOUR CORNERS SENIOR FLOATING
RATE INCOME FUND
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------------------------
Title: President
