CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of June 5, 1998 between BANKERS TRUST COMPANY (the
"Custodian") and NORTH AMERICAN FUND, INC. (the "Customer").
WHEREAS, the Customer desires to appoint the Custodian as custodian on
behalf of the Customer under the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, and the Custodian has agreed to so act as custodian.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian. The Customer hereby employs the Custodian
as custodian of all assets of the Customer which are delivered to and accepted
by the Custodian or any Subcustodian (as that term is defined in Section 4)
("Property") pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein. For purposes
of this Agreement, "delivery" of Property shall include the acquisition of a
security entitlement (as that term is defined in the New York Uniform Commercial
Code ("UCC")) with respect thereto. Without limitation, such Property shall
include stocks and other equity interests of every type, evidences of
indebtedness, other instruments representing same or rights or obligations to
receive, purchase, deliver or sell same and other non-cash investment property
of the Customer ("Securities") and cash from any source and in any currency
("Cash"), provided that the Custodian shall have the right, in its sole
discretion, to refuse to accept as Property any property of a Customer that the
Custodian considers not to be appropriate or in proper form for deposit for any
reason. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Customer
held or received by the Customer or others and not delivered to the Custodian or
any Subcustodian.
2. Maintenance of Property at Custodian and Subcustodian Locations.
Pursuant to Instructions, the Customer shall direct the Custodian to (a) settle
Securities transactions and maintain cash in the country or other jurisdiction
in which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such
Securities are to be presented for payment or where such Securities are acquired
and (b) maintain Cash and Cash equivalents in such countries in amounts
reasonably necessary to effect the Customer's transactions in such Securities.
Instructions to settle Securities transactions in any country shall be deemed to
authorize the holding of such Property in that country.
3. Custody Account. The Custodian agrees to establish and maintain a
custody account or accounts on its books in the name of the Customer (the
"Account") for any and all Property received and accepted by the Custodian or
any Subcustodian for the account of the Customer. The Customer acknowledges its
responsibility as a principal for all of its obligations to the Custodian
arising under or in connection with this Agreement, warrants its authority to
deposit in the Account any Property received therefor by the Custodian or a
Subcustodian and to give, and authorize others to give, instructions relative
thereto. The Custodian may deliver securities of the same class in place of
those deposited in the Account.
The Custodian shall hold, keep safe and protect as custodian for
Account, on behalf of the Customer, all Property in such Account and, to the
extent such Property constitutes financial assets for purposes of the New York
UCC, shall maintain those financial assets in such Account as security
transactions, involving the
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Property shall be executed or settled solely in accordance with Instructions,
except that until the Custodian receives Instructions to the contrary, the
Custodian will:
(a) collect all interest and dividends and all other income and
payments, whether paid in cash or in kind, on the Property, as the same become
payable and credit the same to the Account;
(b) present for payment all Securities held in the Account which are
called, redeemed or retired or otherwise become payable and all coupons and
other income items which call for payment upon presentation to the extent that
the Custodian or Subcustodian is actually aware of such opportunities and hold
the cash received in the Account pursuant to this Agreement;
(c) (i) exchange Securities where the exchange is purely ministerial
(including, without limitation, the exchange of temporary securities for those
in definitive form and the exchange of warrants, or other documents of
entitlement to securities, for the Securities themselves) and (ii) when
notification of a tender or exchange offer (other than ministerial exchanges
described in (i) above) is received for the Account, endeavor to receive
Instructions, provided that if such Instructions are not received in time for
the Custodian to take timely action, no action shall be taken with respect
thereto;
(d) whenever notification of a rights entitlement or a fractional
interest resulting from a rights issue, stock dividend or stock split is
received for the Account and such rights entitlement or fractional interest
bears an expiration date, if after endeavoring to obtain Instructions such
Instructions are not received in time for the Custodian to take timely action or
if actual notice of such actions was received too late to seek Instructions,
sell in the discretion of the Custodian (which sale the Customer hereby
authorizes the Custodian to make) such rights entitlement or fractional interest
and credit the Account with the net proceeds of such sale;
(e) execute in the Customer's name for the Account, whenever the
Custodian deems it appropriate, such ownership and other certificates as may be
required to obtain the payment of income from the Property in the Account;
(f) pay for the Account, any and all taxes and levies in the nature of
taxes imposed on interest, dividends or other similar income on the Property in
the Account by any governmental authority. In the event there is insufficient
Cash available in the Account to pay such taxes and levies, the Custodian shall
notify the Customer of the amount of the shortfall and the Customer, at its
option, may deposit additional Cash in the Account or take steps to have
sufficient Cash available. The Customer agrees, when and if requested by the
Custodian and required in connection with the payment of any such taxes to
cooperate with the Custodian in furnishing information, executing documents or
otherwise; and
(g) appoint brokers and agents for any of the ministerial transactions
involving the Securities described in (a) - (f), including, without limitation,
affiliates of the Custodian or any Subcustodian.
4. Subcustodians and Securities Systems. The Customer authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to maintain the Property in the Account directly in one
of its U.S. branches or indirectly through custody accounts which have been
established by the Custodian with the following other securities intermediaries:
(a) one of its U.S. branches or another U.S. bank or trust company or branch
thereof located in the U.S. which is itself qualified under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), to act as
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custodian (individually, a "U.S. Subcustodian"), or a U.S. securities depository
or clearing agency or system in which the Custodian or a U.S. Subcustodian
participates (individually, a "U.S. Securities System") or (b) one of its
non-U.S. branches or majority-owned non-U.S. subsidiaries, a non-U.S. branch or
majority-owned subsidiary of a U.S. bank or a non-U.S. bank or trust company,
acting as custodian (individually, a "non-U.S. Subcustodian"; U.S. Subcustodians
and non-U.S. Subcustodians, collectively, "Subcustodians"), or a non-U.S.
depository or clearing agency or system in which the Custodian or any
Subcustodian participates (individually, a "non-U.S. Securities System"; U.S.
Securities System and non-U.S. Securities System, collectively, "Securities
System"), provided that in each case in which a U.S. Subcustodian or U.S.
Securities System is employed, each such Subcustodian or Securities System shall
have been approved by Instructions; provided further that in each case in which
a non-U.S. Subcustodian or non-U.S. Securities System is employed, (a) such
Subcustodian or Securities System either is (i) a "qualified U.S. bank" as
defined by Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act ("Rule 17f-5") or (ii) an "eligible
foreign custodian" within the meaning of Rule 17f-5 or such Subcustodian or
Securities System is the subject of an order granted by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") exempting such agent or the subcustody arrangements
thereto from all or part of the provisions of Rule 17f-5 and (b) the agreement
between the Custodian and such non-U.S. Subcustodian has been approved by
Instructions; it being understood that the Custodian shall have no liability or
responsibility for determining whether the approval of any Subcustodian or
Securities System has been proper under the 1940 Act or any rule or regulation
thereunder.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian agrees to cease the
employment of any Subcustodian or Securities System with respect to the
Customer, and if desirable and practicable, appoint a replacement subcustodian
or securities system in accordance with the provisions of this Section. In
addition, the Custodian may, at any time in its discretion, upon written
notification to the Customer, terminate the employment of any Subcustodian or
Securities System.
Upon request of the Customer, the Custodian shall deliver to the
Customer annually a certificate stating: (a) the identity of each non-U.S.
Subcustodian and non-U.S. Securities System then acting on behalf of the
Custodian and the name and address of the governmental agency or other
regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such non-U.S Subcustodian and
non-U.S. Securities System; (b) the countries in which each non-U.S.
Subcustodian or non-U.S. Securities System is located; and (c) so long as Rule
17f-5 requires the Customer's Board of Directors to directly approve its foreign
custody arrangements, such other information relating to such non-U.S.
Subcustodians and non-U.S. Securities Systems as may reasonably be requested by
the Customer to ensure compliance with Rule 17f-5. So long as Rule 17f-5
requires the Customer's Board of Directors to directly approve its foreign
custody arrangements, the Custodian also shall furnish annually to the Customer
information concerning such non-U.S. Subcustodians and non-U.S. Securities
Systems similar in kind and scope as that furnished to the Customer in
connection with the initial approval of this Agreement. Custodian agrees to
promptly notify the Customer if, in the normal course of its custodial
activities, the Custodian has reason to believe that any non-U.S. Subcustodian
or non-U.S. Securities System has ceased to be a qualified U.S. bank or an
eligible foreign custodian each within the meaning of Rule 17f-5 or has ceased
to be subject to an exemptive order from the SEC.
5. Use of Subcustodian. With respect to Property in the Account which
is maintained by the Custodian through a Subcustodian employed pursuant to
Section 4:
(a) The Custodian will identify on its books as belonging to the
Customer, any Property maintained through such Subcustodian.
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(b) Any Property in the Account held by a Subcustodian will be subject
only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
(c) Property deposited with a Subcustodian will be maintained in an
account holding only assets for customers of the Custodian.
(d) Any agreement the Custodian shall enter into with a Subcustodian
with respect to maintaining Property shall require that (i) the Account will be
adequately indemnified or its losses adequately insured; (ii) the Securities so
maintained will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or
claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors except a claim
for payment in accordance with such agreement for their safe custody or
administration and expenses related thereto, (iii) beneficial ownership of such
Securities will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value
other than for safe custody or administration and expenses related thereto; and
(iv) adequate records will be maintained identifying the Property maintained
pursuant to such agreement as belonging to the Custodian, on behalf of its
customers and (v) to the extent permitted by applicable law, officers of or
auditors employed by, or other representatives of or designated by, the
Custodian, including the independent public accountants of or designated by, the
Customer be given access to the books and records of such Subcustodian relating
to its actions under its agreement pertaining to any Property held by it
thereunder or confirmation of or pertinent information contained in such books
and records be furnished to such persons designated by the Custodian.
6. Use of Securities System. With respect to Property in the Account
which is maintained by the Custodian or any Subcustodian through a Securities
System employed pursuant to Section 4:
(a) The Custodian shall, and the Subcustodian shall be required by its
agreement with the Custodian to, identify on its books such Property as being
maintained for the account of the Custodian or Subcustodian for its customers.
(b) Any Property maintained through a Securities System for the account
of the Custodian or a Subcustodian will be subject only to the instructions of
the Custodian or such Subcustodian, as the case may be.
(c) Property deposited with a Securities System will be maintained in
an account holding only assets for customers of the Custodian or Subcustodian,
as the case may be, unless precluded by applicable law, rule, or regulation.
(d) The Custodian shall provide the Customer with any report obtained
by the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the
Securities System.
7. Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its sole
discretion appoint (or remove) any other U.S. bank or trust company which is
itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as custodian, as its agent to carry
out such of the provisions of this Agreement as the Custodian may from time to
time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not
relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
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8. Records, Ownership of Property, Statements, Opinions of Independent
Certified Public Accountants.
(a)The ownership of the Property whether maintained directly by the
Custodian or indirectly through a Subcustodian or a Securities System as
authorized herein, shall be clearly recorded on the Custodian's books as
belonging to the Account and not for the Custodian's own interest. The Custodian
shall keep accurate and detailed accounts of all investments, receipts,
disbursements and other transactions for the Account. All accounts, books and
records of the Custodian relating thereto shall be open to inspection and audit
at all reasonable times during normal business hours by any person designated by
the Customer. All such accounts shall be maintained and preserved in the form
reasonably requested by the Customer. The Custodian will supply to the Customer
from time to time, as mutually agreed upon, a statement in respect to any
Property in the Account maintained by the Custodian or by a Subcustodian. In the
absence of the filing in writing with the Custodian by the Customer of
exceptions or objections to any such statement within sixty (60) days of the
mailing thereof, the Customer shall be deemed to have approved such statement
and in such case or upon written approval of the Customer of any such statement,
such statement shall be presumed to be for all purposes correct with respect to
all information set forth therein.
(b) The Custodian shall take all reasonable action as the Customer may
request to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Customer's
independent certified public accountants with respect to the Custodian's
activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Customer's Form
N-1A and the Customer's Form N-SAR or other periodic reports to the SEC and with
respect to any other requirements of the SEC.
(c) At the request of the Customer, the Custodian shall deliver to the
Customer a written report prepared by the Custodian's independent certified
public accountants with respect to the services provided by the Custodian under
this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Custodian's accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding Property,
including Property deposited and/or maintained in a securities system or with a
Subcustodian. Such report shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail
as may reasonably be required by the Customer and as may reasonably be obtained
by the Custodian.
(d) The Customer may elect to participate in any of the electronic
on-line service and communications systems offered by the Custodian which can
provide the Customer, on a daily basis, with the ability to view on-line or to
print on a hard copy various reports of Account activity and of Property being
held in the Account. To the extent that such service shall include market values
of Securities in the Account, the Customer hereby acknowledges that the
Custodian now obtains and may in the future obtain information on such values
from outside sources that the Custodian considers to be reliable and the
Customer agrees that the Custodian (i) does not verify or represent or warrant
either the reliability of such service nor the accuracy or completeness of any
such information furnished or obtained by or through such service and (ii) shall
be without liability in selecting and utilizing such service or furnishing any
information derived therefrom.
9. Holding of Securities, Nominees, etc. Securities in the Account
which are maintained by the Custodian or any Subcustodian may be held directly
by such entity in the name of the Customer or in bearer form or maintained in
the Custodian's or Subcustodian's name, or in the name of the Custodian's or
Subcustodian's nominee. Securities that are maintained through a Subcustodian or
which are eligible for deposit in a Securities System as provided above may be
maintained with the Subcustodian or the Securities
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System in an account for the Custodian's or Subcustodian's customers, unless
prohibited by law, rule, or regulation. The Custodian or Subcustodian, as the
case may be, may combine certificates representing Securities held in the
Account with certificates of the same issue held by it as fiduciary or as a
custodian. In the event that any Securities in the name of the Custodian or its
nominee or held by a Subcustodian and registered in the name of such
Subcustodian or its nominee are called for partial redemption by the issuer of
such Security, the Custodian may, subject to the rules or regulations pertaining
to allocation of any Securities System in which such Securities have been
deposited, allot, or cause to be allotted, the called portion of the respective
beneficial holders of such class of Security in any manner the Custodian deems
to be fair and equitable. Securities maintained with a Securities System shall
be maintained subject to the rules of that Securities System governing the
rights and obligations among the Securities System and its participants.
10. Proxies, etc. With respect to any proxies, notices, reports or
other communications relative to any of the Securities in the Account, the
Custodian shall perform such services and only such services relative thereto as
are (i) set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement, (ii) described in Exhibit A
attached hereto (as such service therein described may be in effect from time to
time) (the "Proxy Service") or (iii) as may otherwise be agreed upon between the
Custodian and the Customer. The liability and responsibility of the Custodian in
connection with the Proxy Service referred to in (ii) of the immediately
preceding sentence and in connection with any additional services which the
Custodian and the Customer may agree upon as provided in (iii) of the
immediately preceding sentence shall be as set forth in the description of the
Proxy Service and as may be agreed upon by the Custodian and the Customer in
connection with the furnishing of any such additional service and shall not be
affected by any other term of this Agreement. Neither the Custodian nor its
nominees or agents shall vote upon or in respect of any of the Securities in the
Account, execute any form of proxy to vote thereon, or give any consent or take
any action (except as provided in Section 3) with respect thereto except upon
the receipt of Instructions relative thereto.
11. Segregated Account. To assist the Customer in complying with the
requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the
Custodian shall, upon receipt of Instructions, establish and maintain a
segregated account or accounts on its books for and on behalf of the Customer.
12. Settlement Procedures. Securities will be transferred, exchanged or
delivered by the Custodian or a Subcustodian upon receipt by the Custodian of
Instructions which include all information required by the Custodian. Settlement
and payment for Securities received for the Account and delivery of Securities
out of the Account may be effected in accordance with the customary or
established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures
in the jurisdiction or market in which the transaction occurs, including,
without limitation, delivering Securities to the purchaser thereof or to a
dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) against a receipt
with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Securities from such
purchaser or dealer, as such practices and procedures may be modified or
supplemented in accordance with the standard operating procedures of the
Custodian in effect from time to time for that jurisdiction or market. The
Custodian shall not be liable for any loss which results from effecting
transactions in accordance with the customary or established securities trading
or securities processing practices and procedures in the applicable jurisdiction
or market.
Notwithstanding that the Custodian may settle purchases and sales
against, or credit income to, the Account, on a contractual basis, as outlined
in the applicable Service Standards as defined below and provided to the
Customer by the Custodian, the Custodian may, at its sole option, reverse such
credits or
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debits to the Account in the event that the transaction does not settle, or the
income is not received in a timely manner, and the Customer agrees to hold the
Custodian harmless from any losses which may result therefrom.
The applicable Service Standards shall be defined as the Global Guide,
the Policies and Standards Manual, and any other documents issued by the
Custodian from time to time specifying the procedures for communicating with the
Customer, the terms of any additional services to be provided to the Customer,
and such other matters as may be agreed between the Customer and the Custodian
from time to time.
13. Conditional Credits.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Custodian shall not be required to comply with any Instructions to settle the
purchase of any securities for the Account, unless there are sufficient
immediately available funds in the relevant currency in the Account, provided
that, if, after all expenses, debits and withdrawals of Cash in the relevant
currency ("Debits") applicable to the Account have been made and if after all
Conditional Credits, as defined below, applicable to the Account have been made
final entries as set forth in (c) below, the amount of immediately available
funds in the relevant currency in such Account is at least equal to the
aggregate purchase price of all Securities for which the Custodian has received
Instructions to settle on that date ("Settlement Date"), the Custodian, upon
settlement, shall credit the Securities to the Account by making a final entry
on its books and records.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if after all Debits applicable to
the Account have been made, there remains outstanding any Conditional Credit (as
defined below) applicable to the Account or the amount of immediately available
funds in a given currency in such Account are less than the aggregate purchase
price in such currency of all securities for which the Custodian has received
Instructions to settle on the Settlement Date, the Custodian, upon settlement,
may provisionally credit the Securities to the Account by making a conditional
entry on its books and records ("Conditional Credit"), pending receipt of
sufficient immediately available funds in the relevant currency in the Account.
(c) If, within a reasonable time after the posting of a Conditional
Credit and after all Debits applicable to the Account have been made,
immediately available funds in the relevant currency at least equal to the
aggregate purchase price in such currency of all securities subject to a
Conditional Credit on a Settlement Date are deposited into the Account, the
Custodian shall make the Conditional Credit a final entry on its books and
records. In such case, the Customer shall be liable to the Custodian only for
late charges at a rate which the Custodian customarily charges for similar
extensions of credit.
(d) If (i) within a reasonable time from the posting of a Conditional
Credit, immediately available funds at least equal to the resultant Debit on a
Settlement Date are not on deposit in the Account, or (ii) any Proceeding shall
occur, the Custodian may sell such of the Securities subject to the Conditional
Credit as it selects in its sole discretion and shall apply the net proceeds of
such sale to cover such Debit, including related late charges, and any remaining
proceeds shall be credited to the Account. If such proceeds are insufficient to
satisfy such debt in full, the Customer shall continue to be liable to the
Custodian for any shortfall. The Custodian shall make the Conditional Credit a
final entry on its books as to the Securities not required to be sold to satisfy
such Debit. Pending payment in full by the Customer of the purchase price for
Securities subject to a Conditional Credit, and the Custodian's making a
Conditional Credit a final entry on its books, and unless consented to by the
Custodian, the Customer shall have no right to give further
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Instructions in respect of Securities subject to a Conditional Credit. The
Custodian shall have the sole discretion to determine which Securities shall be
deemed to have been paid for by the Customer out of funds available in the
Account. Any such Conditional Credit may be reversed (and any corresponding
Debit shall be canceled) by the Custodian unless and until the Custodian makes a
final entry on its books crediting such Securities to the Account. The term
"Proceeding" shall mean any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, reorganization
or similar proceeding relating to the Customer, whether voluntary or
involuntary.
(e) The Customer agrees that it will not intentionally use the Account
to facilitate the purchase of securities without sufficient funds in the Account
(which funds shall not include the expected proceeds of the sale of the
purchased securities).
14. Permitted Transactions. The Customer agrees that it will cause
transactions to be made pursuant to this Agreement only upon Instructions in
accordance Section 15 and only for the purposes listed below.
(a) In connection with the purchase or sale of Securities at prices as
confirmed by Instructions.
(b) When Securities are called, redeemed or retired, or otherwise
become payable.
(c) In exchange for or upon conversion into other securities alone or
other securities and cash pursuant to any plan or merger, consolidation,
reorganization, recapitalization or readjustment.
(d) Upon conversion of Securities pursuant to their terms into other
securities.
(e) Upon exercise of subscription, purchase or other similar rights
represented by Securities.
(f) For the payment of interest, taxes, management or supervisory fees,
distributions or operating expenses.
(g) In connection with any borrowings by the Customer requiring a
pledge of Securities, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed or in order
to satisfy requirements for additional or substitute collateral.
(h) In connection with any loans, but only against receipt of
collateral as specified in Instructions which shall reflect any restrictions
applicable to the Customer.
(i) For the purpose of redeeming shares of the capital stock of the
Customer against delivery of the shares to be redeemed to the Custodian, a
Subcustodian or the Customer's transfer agent.
(j) For the purpose of redeeming in kind shares of the Customer against
delivery of the shares to be redeemed to the Custodian, a Subcustodian or the
Customer's transfer agent.
(k) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Customer, the Portfolio's investment advisor and a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., relating to compliance with
the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation, the Commodities Futures Trading
Commission or of any registered
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national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Customer.
(l) For release of Securities to designated brokers under covered call
options, provided, however, that such Securities shall be released only upon
payment to the Custodian of monies for the premium due and a receipt for the
Securities which are to be held in escrow. Upon exercise of the option, or at
expiration, the Custodian will receive the Securities previously deposited from
broker. The Custodian will act strictly in accordance with Instructions in the
delivery of Securities to be held in escrow and will have no responsibility or
liability for any such Securities which are not returned promptly when due other
than to make proper request for such return.
(m) For spot or forward foreign exchange transactions to facilitate
security trading or receipt of income from Securities related transactions.
(n) Upon the termination of this Agreement as set forth in Section 21.
(o) For other proper purposes.
The Customer agrees that the Custodian shall have no obligation to
verify the purpose for which a transaction is being effected.
15. Instructions. The term "Instructions" means instructions from the
Customer in respect of any of the Custodian's duties hereunder which have been
received by the Custodian in accordance with Section 22 below (i) in writing
(including, without limitation, facsimile transmission) or by tested telex
signed or given by such one or more person or persons as the Customer shall have
from time to time authorized in writing to give the particular class of
Instructions in question and whose name and (if applicable) signature and office
address have been filed with the Custodian, or (ii) which have been transmitted
electronically through an electronic on-line service and communications system
offered by the Custodian or other electronic instruction system acceptable to
the Custodian, or (iii) a telephonic or oral communication by one or more
persons as the Customer shall have from time to time authorized to give the
particular class of Instructions in question and whose name has been filed with
the Custodian; or (iv) upon receipt of such other form of instructions as the
Customer may from time to time authorize in writing and which the Custodian has
agreed in writing to accept. Instructions in the form of oral communications
shall be confirmed by the Customer by tested telex or writing in the manner set
forth in clause (i) above, but the lack of such confirmation shall in no way
affect any action taken by the Custodian in reliance upon such oral instructions
prior to the Custodian's receipt of such confirmation. Instructions may relate
to specific transactions or to types or classes of transactions, and may be in
the form of standing instructions.
The Custodian shall have the right to assume in the absence of notice
to the contrary from the Customer that any person whose name is on file with the
Custodian pursuant to this Section has been authorized by the Customer to give
the Instructions in question and that such authorization has not been revoked.
The Custodian may act upon and conclusively rely on, without any liability to
the Customer or any other person or entity for any losses resulting therefrom,
any Instructions reasonably believed by it to be furnished by the proper person
or persons as provided above.
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16. Standard of Care. The Custodian shall be responsible for the
performance of only such duties as are set forth herein or contained in
Instructions given to the Custodian which are not contrary to the provisions of
this Agreement. The Custodian will use reasonable care with respect to the
safekeeping of Property in the Account and, except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, in carrying out its obligations under this Agreement. So long
as and to the extent that it has exercised reasonable care, the Custodian shall
not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any Property or
other property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon, and may
conclusively rely on, without liability for any loss resulting therefrom, any
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by
it to be genuine and to be signed or furnished by the proper party or parties,
including, without limitation, Instructions, and shall be indemnified by the
Customer for any losses, damages, costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, the fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Custodian and
arising out of action taken or omitted with reasonable care by the Custodian
hereunder or under any Instructions. The Custodian shall be liable to the
Customer for any act or omission to act of any Subcustodian to the same extent
as if the Custodian committed such act itself. With respect to a Securities
System, the Custodian shall only be responsible or liable for losses arising
from employment of such Securities System caused by the Custodian's own failure
to exercise reasonable care. In the event of any loss to the Customer by reason
of the failure of the Custodian or a Subcustodian to utilize reasonable care,
the Custodian shall be liable to the Customer to the extent of the Customer's
actual damages at the time such loss was discovered without reference to any
special conditions or circumstances. In no event shall the Custodian be liable
for any consequential or special damages. The Custodian shall be entitled to
rely, and may act, on advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Customer) on
all matters and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice.
In the event the Customer subscribes to an electronic on-line service
and communications system offered by the Custodian, the Customer shall be fully
responsible for the security of the Customer's connecting terminal, access
thereto and the proper and authorized use thereof and the initiation and
application of continuing effective safeguards with respect thereto and agree to
defend and indemnify the Custodian and hold the Custodian harmless from and
against any and all losses, damages, costs and expenses (including the fees and
expenses of counsel) incurred by the Custodian as a result of any improper or
unauthorized use of such terminal by the Customer or by any others.
All collections of funds or other property paid or distributed in
respect of Securities in the Account, including funds involved in third-party
foreign exchange transactions, shall be made at the risk of the Customer.
Subject to the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall have no
liability for any loss occasioned by delay in the actual receipt of notice by
the Custodian or by a Subcustodian of any payment, redemption or other
transaction regarding Securities in the Account in respect of which the
Custodian has agreed to take action as provided in Section 3 hereof. The
Custodian shall not be liable for any loss resulting from, or caused by, or
resulting from acts of governmental authorities (whether de jure or de facto),
including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, and the
imposition of currency restrictions; devaluations of or fluctuations in the
value of currencies; changes in laws and regulations applicable to the banking
or securities industry; market conditions that prevent the orderly execution of
securities transactions or affect the value of Property; acts of war, terrorism,
insurrection or revolution; strikes or work stoppages; the inability of a local
clearing and settlement system to settle transactions for reasons beyond the
control of the Custodian or hurricane, cyclone, earthquake, volcanic eruption,
nuclear fusion, fission or radioactivity,
- 10 -
or other acts of God.
The Custodian shall have no liability in respect of any loss, damage or
expense suffered by the Customer, insofar as such loss, damage or expense arises
from the performance of the Custodian's duties hereunder by reason of the
Custodian's reliance upon records that were maintained for the Customer by
entities other than the Custodian prior to the Custodian's employment under this
Agreement.
The provisions of this Section shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
17. Investment Limitations and Legal or Contractual Restrictions or
Regulations. The Custodian shall not be liable to the Customer and the Customer
agrees to indemnify the Custodian and its nominees, for any loss, damage or
expense suffered or incurred by the Custodian or its nominees arising out of any
violation of any investment restriction or other restriction or limitation
applicable to the Customer pursuant to any contract or any law or regulation.
The provisions of this Section shall survive termination of this Agreement.
18. Fees and Expenses. The Customer agrees to pay to the Custodian such
compensation for its services pursuant to this Agreement as may be mutually
agreed upon in writing from time to time and the Custodian's reasonable
out-of-pocket or incidental expenses in connection with the performance of this
Agreement, including (but without limitation) legal fees as described herein
and/or deemed necessary in the judgment of the Custodian to keep safe or protect
the Property in the Account. The initial fee schedule is attached hereto as
Exhibit B. Such fees will not be abated by, nor shall the Custodian be required
to account for, any profits or commissions received by the Custodian in
connection with its provision of custody services under this Agreement. The
Customer hereby agrees to hold the Custodian harmless from any liability or loss
resulting from any taxes or other governmental charges, and any expense related
thereto, which may be imposed, or assessed with respect to any Property in the
Account and also agrees to hold the Custodian, its Subcustodians, and their
respective nominees harmless from any liability as a record holder of Property
in the Account. The Custodian is authorized to charge the Account for such items
and the Custodian shall have a lien on the Property in the Account for any
amount payable to the Custodian under this Agreement, including but not limited
to amounts payable pursuant to Section 13 and pursuant to indemnities granted by
the Customer under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section shall survive
the termination of this Agreement.
19. Tax Reclaims. With respect to withholding taxes deducted and which
may be deducted from any income received from any Property in the Account, the
Custodian shall perform such services with respect thereto as are described in
Exhibit C attached hereto and shall in connection therewith be subject to the
standard of care set forth in such Exhibit C. Such standard of care shall not be
affected by any other term of this Agreement.
20. Amendment, Modifications, etc. No provision of this Agreement may
be amended, modified or waived except in a writing signed by the parties hereto.
No waiver of any provision hereto shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless it
is so designated. No failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising
any power or right under this Agreement operates as a waiver, nor does any
single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right.
- 11 -
21. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Customer or
the Custodian by ninety (90) days' written notice to the other; provided that
notice by the Customer shall specify the names of the persons to whom the
Custodian shall deliver the Securities in the Account and to whom the Cash in
the Account shall be paid. If notice of termination is given by the Custodian,
the Customer shall, within ninety (90) days following the giving of such notice,
deliver to the Custodian a written notice specifying the names of the persons to
whom the Custodian shall deliver the Securities in the Account and to whom the
Cash in the Account shall be paid. In either case, the Custodian will deliver
such Property to the persons so specified, after deducting therefrom any amounts
which the Custodian determines to be owed to it hereunder. In addition, the
Custodian may in its discretion withhold from such delivery such Property as may
be necessary to settle transactions pending at the time of such delivery. The
Customer grants to the Custodian a lien and right of setoff against the Account
and all Property held therein from time to time in the full amount of the
foregoing obligations. If within ninety (90) days following the giving of a
notice of termination by the Custodian, the Custodian does not receive from the
Customer a written notice specifying the names of the persons to whom the
Custodian shall deliver the Securities in the Account and to whom the Cash in
the Account shall be paid, the Custodian, at its election, may deliver such
Securities and pay such Cash to a bank or trust company doing business in the
State of New York to be held and disposed of pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement, or may continue to hold such Securities and Cash until a written
notice as aforesaid is delivered to the Custodian, provided that the Custodian's
obligations shall be limited to safekeeping.
22. Notices. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all
requests, demands or other communications between the parties or notices in
connection herewith (a) shall be in writing, hand delivered or sent by
registered mail, telex or facsimile addressed to such other address as shall
have been furnished by the receiving party pursuant to the provisions hereof and
(b) shall be deemed effective when received, or, in the case of a telex, when
sent to the proper number and acknowledged by a proper answerback.
23. Security for Payment. To secure payment of all obligations due
hereunder, the Customer hereby grants to the Custodian a continuing security
interest in and right of setoff against the Account and all Property held
therein from time to time in the full amount of such obligations. Should the
Customer fail to pay promptly any amounts owed hereunder, the Custodian shall be
entitled to use available Cash in the Account, and to dispose of Securities in
the Account as is necessary. In any such case and without limiting the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be entitled to take such other actions or
exercise such other options, powers and rights as the Custodian now or hereafter
has as a secured creditor under the New York UCC or any other applicable law.
24. Representations and Warranties.
(a) The Customer hereby represents and warrants to the Custodian that:
(i) the employment of the Custodian and the allocation of
fees, expenses and other charges to the Account as herein provided, is not
prohibited by law or any governing documents or contracts to which it is
subject;
(ii) the terms of this Agreement do not violate any obligation
by which it is bound, whether arising by contract, operation of law or
otherwise;
- 12 -
(iii) this Agreement has been duly authorized by appropriate
action and when executed and delivered will be binding upon it in accordance
with its terms; and
(iv) it will deliver to the Custodian a duly executed
Secretary's Certificate in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto or such other
evidence of such authorization as the Custodian may reasonably require, whether
by way of a certified resolution or otherwise.
(b) The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to the Customer that:
(i) the terms of this Agreement do not violate any obligation
by which it is bound, whether arising by contract, operation of law or
otherwise;
(ii) this Agreement has been duly authorized by appropriate
action and when executed and delivered will be binding upon it in accordance
with its terms;
(iii) it will deliver to the Customer such evidence of such
authorization as the Customer may reasonably require, whether by way of a
certified resolution or otherwise; and
(iv) Custodian is qualified as a custodian under Section 26(a)
of the 1940 Act and warrants that it will remain so qualified or upon ceasing to
be so qualified shall promptly notify the Customer in writing.
25. Governing Law and Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be
governed by the law of the State of New York and shall not be assignable by
either party, but shall bind the successors in interest of the Customer and the
Custodian.
26. Publicity. Customer shall furnish to Custodian in accordance with
Section 22 above, prior to any distribution thereof, copies of any material
prepared for distribution to any persons who are not parties hereto that refer
in any way to the Custodian. Customer shall not distribute or permit the
distribution of such materials if Custodian reasonably objects in writing within
ten (10) business days of receipt thereof (or such other time as may be mutually
agreed) after receipt thereof. The provisions of this Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
27. Submission to Jurisdiction. Any suit, action or proceeding arising
out of this Agreement may be instituted in any State or Federal court sitting in
the City of Xxx Xxxx, Xxxxx xx Xxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx of America, and the
Customer irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court
in any such suit, action or proceeding and waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying
of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court and any
claim that such suit, action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient forum.
28. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall
become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by
each of the parties hereto.
29. Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that each shall treat
confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information
provided by each party to the other regarding its business
- 13 -
and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be
used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services
pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this
Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent
of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any
information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes
publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is
required or requested to be disclosed by any bank or other regulatory examiner
of the Custodian, Customer, or any Subcustodian, any auditor of the parties
hereto, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or
regulation. The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
30. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to
be invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
31. Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with any Exhibits
attached hereto, contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to
the subject matter hereof and supersedes any oral statements and prior writings
with respect thereto.
32. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs hereof are included for
convenience of reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.
33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall
become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by
each of the parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused its duly authorized
signatories to execute this Agreement as of the date first written above.
NORTH AMERICAN FUND, INC.
By: /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------
Name: Xxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Secretary
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
--------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
- 14 -
EXHIBIT A
To Custodian Agreement dated as of June 5, 1998 between Bankers Trust
Company and North American Fund, Inc.
PROXY SERVICE
The following is a description of the Proxy Service referred to in
Section 10 of the above referred to Custodian Agreement. Terms used herein as
defined terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them therein unless otherwise
defined below.
The Custodian provides a service, described below, for the transmission
of corporate communications in connection with shareholder meetings relating to
Securities held in the countries specified in the applicable Service Standards.
For the United States and Canada, the term "corporate communications" means the
proxy statements or meeting agenda, proxy cards, annual reports and any other
meeting materials received by the Custodian. For countries other than the United
States and Canada, the term "corporate communications" means the meeting agenda
only and does not include any meeting circulars, proxy statements or any other
corporate communications furnished by the issuer in connection with such
meeting. Non-meeting related corporate communications are not included in the
transmission service to be provided by the Custodian except upon request as
provided below.
The Custodian's process for transmitting and translating meeting
agendas will be as follows:
1) If the meeting agenda is not provided by the issuer in the English
language, and if the language of such agenda is in the official language of the
country in which the related security is held, the Custodian will as soon as
practicable after receipt of the original meeting agenda by a Subcustodian
provide an English translation prepared by that Subcustodian.
2) If an English translation of the meeting agenda is furnished, the
local language agenda will not be furnished unless requested.
Translations will be free translations and neither the Custodian nor
any Subcustodian will be liable or held responsible for the accuracy thereof or
any direct or indirect consequences arising therefrom, including without
limitation arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken based thereon.
If requested, the Custodian will, on a reasonable efforts basis,
endeavor to obtain any additional corporate communication such as annual or
interim reports, proxy statements, meeting circulars, or local language agendas,
and provide them in the form obtained.
Timing in the voting process is important and, in that regard, upon
receipt by the Custodian of notice from a Subcustodian, the Custodian will
provide a notice to the Customer indicating the deadline for receipt of its
instructions to enable the voting process to take place effectively and
efficiently. As voting procedures will vary from market to market, attention to
any required procedures will be very important. Upon timely receipt of voting
instructions, the Custodian will promptly forward such instructions to the
applicable Subcustodian. If voting instructions are not timely received, the
Custodian shall have no liability or obligation to take any action.
For Securities held in markets other than those set forth in the first
paragraph, the Custodian will not furnish the material described above or seek
voting instructions. However, if requested to exercise voting rights at a
specific meeting, the Custodian will endeavor to do so on a reasonable efforts
basis without any assurance that such rights will be so exercised at such
meeting.
If the Custodian or any Subcustodian incurs extraordinary expenses in
exercising voting rights related to any Securities pursuant to appropriate
instructions or direction (e.g., by way of illustration only and not by way of
limitation, physical presence is required at a meeting and/or travel expenses
are incurred), such expenses will be reimbursed out of the Account unless other
arrangements have been made for such reimbursement.
It is the intent of the Custodian to expand the Proxy Service to
include jurisdictions which are not currently included as set forth in the
applicable Service Standards. The Custodian will notify the Customer as to the
inclusion of additional countries or deletion of existing countries after their
inclusion or deletion and this Exhibit A will be deemed to be automatically
amended to include or delete such countries as the case may be.
EXHIBIT B
To Custodian Agreement dated as of June 5, 1998 between Bankers Trust
Company and North American Fund, Inc.
BANKERS TRUST CUSTODY FEE SCHEDULE
FOR
BT ALEX. XXXXX MUTUAL FUNDS
(FLAG INVESTORS FUNDS AND ISI FUNDS)
Effective October 1, 1997
CUSTODY FEES
1. DOMESTIC SAFEKEEPING FEES
ANNUAL ASSET FEE (BY FUND-EXCEPT CASH RESERVE)
Market Value Basis Point
$0 - $100 million 1.00
Over $100 million 0.75
ANNUAL ASSET FEE (CASH RESERVE FUND)
Market Value Basis Point
$0 - $1 billion 1.00
$1 billion - $3 billion 0.75
Over $3 billion 0.50
2. DOMESTIC TRANSACTION FEES
TRANSACTION TYPE $USD
AUTOMATED DEPOSITORY: DTC/PTC/FED 10.00
MANUAL DEPOSITORY: DTC/PTC/ FED 15.00
PHYSICAL AUTOMATED 15.00
PHYSICAL MANUAL 20.00
P&I PAYMENTS 5.00
REDEMPTIONS 10.00
REORGANIZATIONS Included in safekeeping charge
============================== ===========================================
3. GLOBAL SAFEKEEPING AND ASSET FEES
Annual Receive and
Asset Fee Deliver
Transactions
Country
Argentina 35 Basis $100
Points
Australia 3 Basis Points $50
Austria 5 Basis Points $75
Bangladesh 40 Basis $150
Points
Belgium 4 Basis Points $60
Botswana 50 Basis $150
Points
Brazil 30 Basis $70
Points
Canada 2 Basis Points $20
Cedel/Euroclear 3 Basis Points $20
Chile 30 Basis $80
Points
China 30 Basis $75
Points
Columbia 35 Basis $100
Points
Czech Republic 20 Basis $70
Points
Denmark 4 Basis Points $50
Ecuador 45 Basis $100
Points
Egypt 45 Basis $80
Points
Finland 10 Basis $75
Points
France 5 Basis Points $50
Germany 3 Basis Points $30
Ghana 50 Basis $150
Points
Greece 35 Basis $120
Points
Hong Kong 5 Basis Points $30
Hungary 45 Basis $150
Points
India (Physical) 60 Basis $200
Points
India (Dematerialized) 25 Basis $140
Points
Indonesia 8 Basis Points $35
Ireland 5 Basis Points $50
Israel 40 Basis $50
Points
Italy 3 Basis Points $50
Japan 3 Basis Points $35
Jordan 30 Basis $100
Points
Kenya 50 Basis $150
Points
Luxembourg 4 Basis Points $60
Malaysia 7 Basis Points $50
Mauritius 50 Basis $140
Points
Mexico 5 Basis Points $30
Morocco 30 Basis $130
Points
Xxxxxxxxxxx 0 Xxxxx Xxxxxx $45
New Zealand 4 Basis Points $50
Norway 5 Basis Points $50
Pakistan 30 Basis $150
Points
Xxxx 00 Basis $100
Points
Philippines 8 Basis Points $30
Poland 45 Basis $100
Points
Portugal 4 Basis Points $75
Russia 50 Basis $300
Points
Singapore 7 Basis Points $50
Xxxxxxxx 00 Basis $100
Points
South Africa 5 Basis Points $30
South Korea 15 Basis $50
Points
Spain 6 Basis Points $50
Sri Lanka 12 Basis $60
Points
Sweden 4 Basis Points $50
Switzerland 3 Basis Points $50
Taiwan 15 Basis $100
Points
Thailand 7 Basis Points $100
Tunisia 45 Basis $50
Points
Turkey 15 Basis $50
Points
United Kingdom 2 Basis Points $15
Venezuela 35 Basis $100
Points
Zambia 50 Basis $150
Points
Zimbabwe 50 Basis $150
Points
4. DDA RELATED CHARGES
Cash Connector Services $25 per month per account
(MTC, MTD, EBR, BTC Reporting)
Statement Rendition (CDS) Services
Account Maintenance $50 per month per account
Debit Postings $0.35 per posting
Credit Postings $0.35 per posting
Money Transfer Charges*
Outgoing Payments $6.00
Incoming Payments No Charge
Book to Book Transfers No Charge
*Above Money Transfer Charges assume electronic instruction via bank-provided
software. Manual instructions received via facsimile, etc. will incur a charge
of $25 per transaction.
Overdraft Rate: Prime + 1.00%
NOTES
o Market Values will be provided by the Fund Accountant at month-end
to determine monthly assets for billing purposes.
o A manual transaction is an instruction that is received in writing, i.e.
facsimile
o The standard Global Custody Service includes: asset safekeeping, trade
settlement, income collection, corporate action processing including proxy
voting and tax reclaims where appropriate.
o Third party FX transactions and other cash movements with no associated
security transaction (e.g. free payments/receipts) are charged at $10 per
U.S. wire and $25 per non-U.S. wire. No fee is levied for FX transactions
executed with Bankers Trust.
o Fees are billed monthly in arrears.
This Exhibit B shall be amended upon delivery by the Custodian of a new Exhibit
B to the Customer and acceptance thereof by the Customer and shall be effective
as of the date of acceptance by the Customer or a date agreed upon between the
Custodian and the Customer.
EXHIBIT C
To Custodian Agreement dated as of June 5, 1998 between Bankers Trust
Company and North American Fund, Inc.
TAX RECLAIMS
Pursuant to Section 18 of the above referred to Custodian Agreement, the
Custodian shall perform the following services with respect to withholding taxes
imposed or which may be imposed on income from Property in the Account in the
countries specified in the applicable Service Standards. Terms used herein as
defined terms shall unless otherwise defined have the meanings ascribed to them
in the above referred to Custodian Agreement.
When withholding tax has been deducted with respect to income from any
Property in an Account, the Custodian will actively pursue on a reasonable
efforts basis the reclaim process, provided that the Custodian shall not be
required to institute any legal or administrative proceeding against any
Subcustodian or other person. The Custodian will provide fully detailed
advices/vouchers to support reclaims submitted to the local authorities by the
Custodian or its designee. In all cases of withholding, the Custodian will
provide full details to the Customer. If exemption from withholding at the
source can be obtained in the future, the Custodian will notify the Customer and
advise what documentation, if any, is required to obtain the exemption. Upon
receipt of such documentation from the Customer, the Custodian will file for
exemption on the Customer's behalf and notify the Customer when it has been
obtained.
In connection with providing the foregoing service, the Custodian shall be
entitled to apply categorical treatment of the Customer according to the
Customer's nationality, the particulars of its organization and other relevant
details that shall be supplied by the Customer. It shall be the duty of the
Customer to inform the Custodian of any change in the organization, domicile or
other relevant fact concerning tax treatment of the Customer and further to
inform the Custodian if the Customer is or becomes the beneficiary of any
special ruling or treatment not applicable to the general nationality and
category or entity of which the Customer is a part under general laws and treaty
provisions. The Custodian may rely on any such information provided by the
Customer.
In connection with providing the foregoing service, the Custodian may also
rely on professional tax services published by a major international accounting
firm and/or advice received from a Subcustodian in the jurisdictions in
question. In addition, the Custodian may seek the advice of counsel or other
professional tax advisers in such jurisdictions. The Custodian is entitled to
rely, and may act, on information set forth in such services and on advice
received from a Subcustodian, counsel or other professional tax advisers and
shall be without liability to the Customer for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to information contained in such services or such advice.
EXHIBIT D
[Name of Entity]
Certificate of the Secretary
I, _____________________ [Name of Secretary], hereby certify that
I am the Secretary of [Name of Entity], a ______________________[type of entity]
organized under the laws of ________________________[jurisdiction] (the
"Customer"), and as such I am duly authorized to, and do hereby, certify that:
1. Good Standing. The Customer's organizational documents, and
all amendments thereto, have been filed with the appropriate governmental
officials of _____________________[jurisdiction], the Customer continues to be
in existence and is in good standing, and no action has been taken to repeal
such organizational documents, the same being in full force and effect on the
date hereof.
2. Organizational Documents. The Customer's [name of
organizational documents - i.e., Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, etc.] have
been duly adopted and no action has been taken to repeal such [name of
organizational documents], the same being in full force and effect.
3. Resolutions. Resolutions have been duly adopted on behalf of
the Customer, which resolutions (i) have not in any way been revoked or
rescinded, (ii) have been in full force and effect since their adoption, to and
including the date hereof, and are now in full force and effect, and (iii) are
the only corporate proceedings of the Customer now in force relating to or
affecting the matters referred to therein, including, without limitation,
confirming that the Customer is duly authorized to appoint Bankers Trust Company
as Custodian of assets delivered to it by the Customer and enter into a certain
custody agreement with Bankers Trust Company (the "Agreement") setting forth the
terms and conditions of such appointment, and that certain designated officers,
including those identified in paragraph 4 of this Certificate, are authorized to
(a) execute said Agreement in such form as the officers executing the same have
approved, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by their execution and
delivery thereof, and (b) execute any instructions in connection with the
Agreement, in conformity with the requirements of the Customer's [name of
organizational documents], and other pertinent documents to which the Customer
may be bound.
4. Incumbency. The following named individuals are duly elected
(or appointed), qualified and acting officers of the Customer holding those
offices set forth opposite their respective names as of the date hereof, each
having full authority, acting individually, to bind the Customer, as a legal
matter, with respect to all matters pertaining to the Agreement, and to execute
and deliver said Agreement on behalf of the Customer, and the signatures set
forth opposite the respective names and titles of said officers are their true,
authentic signatures:
Name Title Signature
---- ----- ---------
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ____ day of
_______________[Date], 1997.
By: __________________________________
Name: __________________________________
Title: Secretary
I, __________________________[Name of Confirming Officer],
__________________[Title] of the Customer, hereby certify that on this ___ day
of _______________[Date], 19__, _____________________[NAME OF SECRETARY] is the
duly elected Secretary of the Customer and that the signature above is his/her
genuine signature.
By: _________________________________
Name: _________________________________
Title: _________________________________
EXHIBIT E
CASH MANAGEMENT ADDENDUM (this "Addendum") to the CUSTODIAN
AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") between BANKERS TRUST COMPANY (the "Custodian") and
NORTH AMERICAN FUND, INC. (the "Customer").
WHEREAS, the Custodian will provide cash management services to
the Customer, and the Custodian and the Customer desire to confirm their
understanding with respect to such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Custodian and the Customer agree as follows:
1. Until the Custodian receives Instructions to the contrary, the
Custodian will hold all Cash received for the Account in deposit accounts
maintained with Subcustodians for the benefit of the Custodian's clients, will
credit to the Account interest on such Cash at rates and times the Custodian
shall from time to time determine and will receive compensation therefor out of
any amounts paid by Subcustodians in respect of such Cash.
2. To the extent the Custodian may from time to time inform the
Customer with respect to one or more currencies, the Custodian will sweep Cash
in such currencies to deposit accounts maintained with one or more Subcustodians
until the Custodian notifies the Customer otherwise or receives Instructions to
the contrary.
3. The Customer acknowledges that it has received and reviewed
the current policies of the Custodian regarding cash management services, which
are attached to this Addendum.
4. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Addendum are
used with the respective meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Addendum has been executed as of the
date of the Agreement.
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------
NORTH AMERICAN FUND, INC.
By: /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------
Global Custody Cash Management Program
In the Global Custody cash management program, currencies on
which Bankers Trust pays interest are divided into two categories: (1)
currencies on which we pay interest based on a market benchmark rate for
overnight deposits, and (2) currencies on which we pay interest based on a rate
paid by the London branch of Bankers Trust Company or the local subcustodian.
Currencies on which we pay interest based on a market
benchmark rate for overnight deposits (which we call "Benchmark Rate
Currencies"):
o For each of these currencies, the interest rate we pay is based on a
specific market benchmark (such as Effective Fed Funds) and is calculated
by taking an average of the benchmark rate and subtracting a spread. (See
Schedule A)
o Currently, the only Benchmark Rate Currency is the U.S. Dollar. Over time
we will be considering additional currencies to include in this category.
o Operationally, most balances in Benchmark Rate Currencies are swept
overnight into deposits at the London branch of Bankers Trust Company.
Where you have selected a short-term investment fund, your U.S. Dollar
balances in the U.S. will be swept overnight in accordance with your
instructions.
Currencies on which we pay interest based on a rate paid by
the London branch of Bankers Trust Company or the local subcustodian (which we
call "Base Rate Currencies"):
o For each of these currencies, the interest rate we pay is based on the rate
paid by the London branch or the local subcustodian on overnight deposits
in the currency. In either case, interest is calculated by using the
overnight rate (which will be the actual overnight, a weekly average, or
monthly average rate, depending on the currency) and subtracting a spread.
(See Schedule A)
o Currencies that are part of the sweep program will earn interest based on
the base rate, which will be the higher of the rate offered by the London
branch of Bankers Trust Company or the local subcustodian.
o Currencies that are not part of the sweep program will generally earn
interest based on the rate paid by the local subcustodian. We may at times
be able to sweep certain currency balances into deposits of Bankers Trust
Company's London branch in order to be able to earn a higher rate for you.
On those days, any such currency will be treated as part of the sweep
program, and you will earn interest on all of your balances in that
currency at the higher rate for that day.
o Currently, there are 39 Base Rate Currencies, 21 of which are included in
our sweep program to the London branch.
o Operationally, most balances in Base Rate Currencies that are part of our
sweep program are swept overnight into deposits at the London branch, while
balances in Base Rate Currencies that are not part of our sweep program
remain with the local subcustodian.
For each currency on which we pay interest:
o We will notify you periodically in writing of changes in spreads and
updates to the cash management program. These program updates also will be
available through Global Custody Flash Notices.
o You earn interest at the calculated rate on your entire contractual balance
without any action on your part and without any minimum balance
requirements. This is the case regardless of whether we are able to invest
your balances at or near the applicable benchmark or base rate and
regardless of whether your contractual balance may exceed your actual
balance.
o Our program generally requires that overnight balances in each currency
remain with (or are swept to) a subcustodian we designate for that
currency. Nevertheless, we pay our stated rate of interest on any balances
that, because of transactions in your account, are held overnight with an
alternate subcustodian if we receive interest on that currency from that
subcustodian. If the alternate subcustodian does not pay interest, however,
these balances are excluded from our program.
o The minimum rate paid is 0.50%, except for the Japanese Yen (for which it
is 0.05%) and the Singapore Dollar (for which it is 0.25%). Please note
that this is also subject to change as appropriate for any currency.
o You will have continuous access through Globe*View, BTWorld, or Globe*Link
or other agreed electronic on-line system to the interest rate earned
during the previous "rate averaging period". Because we may use weekly or
monthly average rates to calculate the interest you earn, we do not know
the actual interest rate until the weekly or monthly period is completed.
o For swept currencies, from time to time we may not be able to sweep the
full amount of your balances to the London branch because of operational
constraints or because your balance on a contractual basis temporarily
exceeds your actual balance. You will, however, always receive credit for
interest based on your entire contractual balance. To the extent you would
have earned a lower rate on balances not swept, we will make up the
difference. To the extent that actual balances are higher than
contractually posted balances due to purchase fails or otherwise, we will
retain the interest earned as compensation.
o The effective rate we pay on overnight balances will generally differ from
the effective rate we receive (whether from the London branch or the local
subcustodian). Any difference between the effective rate we receive and the
effective rate we pay (which may be positive or negative, but is generally
positive) is kept by us and covers our fee for running the cash management
program and the related costs we absorb.
Obviously, there will be currencies on which we will not pay
interest because of local regulations, insufficient scale, or other reasons.
However, we hope to identify additional currencies where we can begin paying
interest and we will announce those to you as soon as practical.
Although currently most cash balances in our overnight sweep
program are swept into deposits at the London branch of Bankers Trust Company,
we reserve the right to utilize other branches or affiliates for the overnight
sweep program.
As you know, overdrafts are not permitted in the normal course
of business in any currency. Should they occur in any currency, your account
will be charged a fee to settle transactions in advance of
receipt of funds. If the overdraft is not promptly cured (and in any event upon
the expiration of 30 days) after the investment manager has been notified of the
outstanding overdraft, the account's home currency will be used to cure the
overdraft and the associated foreign exchange will be done by Bankers Trust at
market rates. (Other currencies may be utilized to the extent the home currency
is insufficient.) Investment managers that have not cured overdrafts within such
period will be deemed to have directed such foreign exchange transaction.
Accounts subject to ERISA will be deemed to have engaged in the transaction
under the authority of the class exemptions available to qualified professional
asset managers and in-house investment managers. To the extent that the
overdraft is less than the U.S. dollar equivalent of $50,000, Bankers Trust's
foreign exchange desk will bundle the transaction with other small amounts for
other clients.
Schedule A
New Cash Management Program - Global Custody
Overnight Uninvested Cash Balances
(* - Denotes currencies in sweep program)
Currencies Rates
---------- -----
Argentine Peso Base Rate less 100
Australian Dollar* Base Rate less 130
Austrian Xxxxxxxxx* Base Rate less 000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx* Base Rate less 225
British Pound Sterling* Base Rate less 165
Canadian Dollar* Base Rate less 150
Czech Koruna Base Rate less 75
Danish Krone* Base Rate less 100
Deutsche Xxxx* Base Rate less 150
Dutch Guilder* Base Rate less 175
European Currency Unit* Base Rate less 125
Finnish Markka* Base Rate less 000
Xxxxxx Xxxxx* Base Rate less 110
Greek Drachma Base Rate less 75
Hong Kong Dollar* Base Rate less 225
Hungarian Forint Base Rate less 75
Indonesian Rupiah Base Rate less 100
Irish Punt* Base Rate less 100
Israeli Shekel Base Rate less 75
Italian Lira* Base Rate less 125
Japanese Yen Base Rate less 75
Jordanian Dinar Base Rate less 150
Korean Won Base Rate less 75
Malaysian Ringgit Base Rate less 150
Mexican Peso Base Rate less 150
New Taiwan Dollar Base Rate less 75
New Zealand Dollar* Base Rate less 100
Norwegian Krone* Base Rate less 150
Philippine Peso Base Rate less 100
Polish Zloty Base Rate less 150
Portuguese Escudo* Base Rate less 000
Xxxxxxxxx Dollar Base Rate less 000
Xxxxxx Koruna Base Rate less 100
South African Rand* Base Rate less 200
Spanish Peseta* Base Rate less 200
Swedish Krona* Base Rate less 200
Swiss Franc* Base Rate less 100
Thai Baht Base Rate less 150
Turkish Lira Base Rate less 75
U.S. Dollar* Effective Fed Funds less 100(1)
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to adjust the base rates and
benchmark rates used and the spreads charged at any time and for any reason. We
will notify you periodically in writing of changes in spreads and updates to the
cash management program. These program updates also will be available through
Global Custody Flash Notices.
(1) Not applicable if U.S. Dollars are swept to a short-term investment fund.
