CUSTODY AGREEMENT
THIS
AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 15th
day of
August, 2005, by and between Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx & Co. Incorporated,
a
Wisconsin corporation (the “Advisor”), Baird
Funds, Inc.,
a
Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”), and
U.S.
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
a
national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United
States of America with its principal place of business at Cincinnati, Ohio
(the
“Custodian”).
WHEREAS,
the Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company, and is
authorized to issue shares of common stock in separate series, with each such
series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other
assets;
WHEREAS,
the Custodian is a bank having the qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(1)
of the 1940 Act;
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to retain the Custodian to act as custodian of the cash
and
securities of each series of the Company listed on Exhibit
C
hereto
(as amended from time to time) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”);
and
WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of the Company have delegated to the Custodian the
responsibilities set forth in Rule 17f-5(c) under the 1940 Act and the Custodian
is willing to undertake the responsibilities and serve as the foreign custody
manager for the Company.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein
contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
Whenever
used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings
set forth below unless the context otherwise requires:
1.1 |
“Authorized
Person”
means any Officer or other person duly authorized by resolution of
the
Board of Directors to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions
on
behalf of the Fund and named in Exhibit
A
hereto or in such resolutions of the Board of Directors, certified
by an
Officer, as may be received by the Custodian from time to
time.
|
1.2 |
“Board
of Directors”
shall mean the directors of the Company from time to time serving
under
the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation and By-laws and applicable corporate law,
as
amended from time to time.
|
1.3 |
“Book-Entry
System”
shall mean a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart O of
Treasury Circular Xx. 000, 00 XXX 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFR Part
350, or
in such book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially
in
the form of such Subpart O.
|
1.4 |
“Business
Day”
shall mean any day recognized as a settlement day by The New York
Stock
Exchange, Inc., and any other day for which the Company
computes the net asset value of Shares of the Fund.
|
1.5 |
“Eligible
Securities Depository”
shall mean a system for the central handling of securities as defined
in
Rule 17f-4 under the Act that meets the requirements of Rule 17f-7
under
the 1940 Act.
|
1.6 |
“Fund
Custody Account”
shall mean any of the accounts in the name of the Company,
which is provided for in Section 3.2 below.
|
1.7 |
“IRS”
shall mean the Internal Revenue
Service.
|
1.8 |
“NASD”
shall mean The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
|
1.9 |
“Officer”
shall mean the President, any Senior Vice President, any Vice President,
the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, or any Assistant
Treasurer of the Company.
|
1.10 |
“Oral
Instructions”
shall mean instructions orally transmitted to and accepted by the
Custodian because such instructions are: (i) reasonably believed
by the
Custodian to have been given by any two Authorized Persons, (ii)
recorded
and kept among the records of the Custodian made in the ordinary
course of
business, and (iii) orally confirmed by the Custodian. The Company
shall cause all Oral Instructions to be confirmed by Written Instructions
prior to the end of the next Business Day. If such Written Instructions
confirming Oral Instructions are not received by the Custodian prior
to a
transaction, it shall in no way affect the validity of the transaction
or
the authorization thereof by the Company.
If Oral Instructions vary from the Written Instructions that purport
to
confirm them, the Custodian shall notify the Company
of
such variance but such Oral Instructions will govern unless the Custodian
has not yet acted.
|
1.11 |
“Proper
Instructions”
shall mean Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.
|
1.12 |
“SEC”
shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
|
1.13 |
“Securities”
shall include, without limitation, common and preferred stocks, bonds,
call options, put options, debentures, notes, bank certificates of
deposit, bankers' acceptances, mortgage-backed securities or other
obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments
or documents representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe
for the
same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests
therein,
or any similar property or assets that the Custodian or its agents
have
the facilities to clear and service.
|
2
1.14 |
“Securities
Depository”
shall mean The Depository Trust Company and any other clearing agency
registered with the SEC under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act
of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), which acts as a system for the
central handling of Securities where all Securities of any particular
class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are treated
as
fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without
physical delivery of the Securities.
|
1.15 |
“Shares”
shall mean, with respect to a Fund, the shares of common stock issued
by
the Company
on
account of the Fund.
|
1.16 |
“Sub-Custodian”
shall mean and include (i) any branch of a “U.S. bank,” as that term is
defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, and (ii) any “eligible foreign
custodian,” as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act,
having a contract with the Custodian which the Custodian has determined
will provide reasonable care of assets of the Fund based on the standards
specified in Section 3.3 below. Such contract shall be in writing
and
shall include provisions that provide: (i) for indemnification or
insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing) such
that the
Fund will be adequately protected against the risk of loss of assets
held
in accordance with such contract; (ii) that the Fund’s assets will not be
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of
any kind
in favor of the Sub-Custodian or its creditors except a claim of
payment
for their safe custody or administration, in the case of cash deposits,
liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Sub-Custodian arising
under
bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws; (iii) that beneficial ownership
for the Fund’s assets will be freely transferable without the payment of
money or value other than for safe custody or administration; (iv)
that
adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging
to
the Fund or as being held by a third party for the benefit of the
Fund;
(v) that the Fund’s independent public accountants will be given access to
those records or confirmation of the contents of those records; and
(vi)
that the Fund will receive periodic reports with respect to the
safekeeping of the Fund’s assets, including, but not limited to,
notification of any transfer to or from a Fund's account or a third
party
account containing assets held for the benefit of the Fund. Such
contract
may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in
(i)-(vi)
above, such other provisions that the Custodian determines will provide,
in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection
for
Fund assets as the specified provisions.
|
1.17 |
“Written
Instructions”
shall mean (i) written communications actually received by the Custodian
and signed by any two Authorized Persons, (ii) communications by
telex or
any other such system from one or more persons reasonably believed
by the
Custodian to be Authorized Persons, or (iii) communications between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the use of
such
devices and the procedures for the use thereof shall have been approved
by
resolutions of the Board of Directors, a copy of which, certified
by an
Officer, shall have been delivered to the Custodian.
|
3
ARTICLE
II
APPOINTMENT
OF CUSTODIAN
2.1 |
Appointment.
The Company hereby appoints the Custodian as custodian of all Securities
and cash owned by or in the possession of each Fund at any time during
the
period of this Agreement, on the terms and conditions set forth in
this
Agreement, and the Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and
agrees to
perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The
services
and duties of the Custodian shall be confined to those matters expressly
set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be
asserted
against the Custodian hereunder.
|
2.2 |
Documents
to be Furnished.
The following documents, including any amendments thereto, have been
provided to the Custodian by the Company:
|
(a) |
A
copy of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, certified by the
Secretary;
|
(b) |
A
copy of the Company’s
bylaws, certified by the Secretary;
|
(c) |
A
copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company appointing
the Custodian, certified by the
Secretary;
|
(d) |
A
copy of the current prospectus of the Fund (the
“Prospectus”);
|
(e) |
A
certification of the Chairman or the President and the Secretary
of the
Company
setting forth the names and signatures of the current Officers of
the
Company
and other Authorized Persons; and
|
(f) |
An
executed authorization required by the Shareholder Communications
Act of
1985, attached hereto as Exhibit
E.
|
2.3 |
Notice
of Appointment of Transfer Agent.
The Company
agrees to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment, termination
or change in appointment of any transfer agent of the Fund.
|
ARTICLE
III
CUSTODY
OF CASH AND SECURITIES
3.1 |
Segregation.
All Securities and non-cash property held by the Custodian for the
account
of the Fund (other than Securities maintained in a Securities Depository,
Eligible Securities Depository or Book-Entry System) shall be physically
segregated from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession
of the Custodian (including the Securities and non-cash property
of the
other series of the Company) and shall be identified as subject to
this
Agreement.
|
3.2 |
Fund
Custody Accounts.
As to each Fund, the Custodian shall open and maintain in its trust
department a custody account in the name of the Company coupled with
the
name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order of the Custodian,
in
which the Custodian shall enter and carry all Securities, cash and
other
assets of such Fund which are delivered to
it.
|
4
3.3 |
Appointment
of Agents.
|
(a) |
In
its discretion, with regard to foreign Securities owned by a Fund,
the
Custodian may appoint one or more Sub-Custodians to establish and
maintain
arrangements with (i) Eligible Securities Depositories or (ii) members
of
the Sub-Custodian’s network to hold Securities and cash of the Fund and to
carry out such other provisions of this Agreement as it may determine;
provided, however, that the appointment of any such agents and maintenance
of any Securities and cash of the Fund shall be at the Custodian's
expense
and shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its obligations or
liabilities under this Agreement. The Custodian shall be liable for
the
actions of any Sub-Custodians (regardless of whether assets are maintained
in the custody of a Sub-Custodian, a member of its network or an
Eligible
Securities Depository) appointed by it as if such actions had been
done by
the Custodian.
|
(b) |
If,
after the initial approval of Sub-Custodians by the Board of Directors
in
connection with this Agreement, the Custodian wishes to appoint other
Sub-Custodians to hold property of a Fund, it will so notify the
Company
and provide it with information reasonably necessary to determine
any such
new Sub-Custodian's eligibility under Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act,
including a copy of the proposed agreement with such Sub-Custodian.
At the
meeting of the Board of Directors next following receipt of such
notice
and information, the Company
shall give its written approval or disapproval of the proposed
action.
|
(c) |
The
agreement between the Custodian and each Sub-Custodian acting hereunder
shall contain the required provisions set forth in Rule 17f-5(c)(2)
under
the 1940 Act.
|
(d) |
At
the end of each calendar quarter, the Custodian shall provide written
reports notifying the Board of Directors of the placement of the
Securities and cash of a Fund with a Sub-Custodian and of any material
changes in the Fund’s arrangements. Such reports shall include an analysis
of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with any
Eligible
Securities Depositories. The Custodian shall promptly take such steps
as
may be required to withdraw assets of the Fund from any Sub-Custodian
arrangement that has ceased to meet the requirements of Rule 17f-5
or Rule
17f-7 under the 1940 Act, as
applicable.
|
(e) |
With
respect to its responsibilities to a Fund under this Section 3.3,
the
Custodian hereby warrants to the Company
that it agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence
such as
a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of property of
the
Fund. The Custodian further warrants that the Fund's assets will
be
subject to reasonable care if maintained with a Sub-Custodian, after
considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets,
including, without limitation: (i) the Sub-Custodian's practices,
procedures, and internal controls for certificated securities (if
applicable), its method of keeping custodial records, and its security
and
data protection practices; (ii) whether the Sub-Custodian has the
requisite financial strength to provide reasonable care for Fund
assets;
(iii) the Sub-Custodian's general reputation and standing and, in
the case
of a Securities Depository, the Securities Depository's operating
history
and number of participants; and (iv) whether the Fund will have
jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the
Sub-Custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any offices
of the
Sub-Custodian in the United States or the Sub-Custodian's consent
to
service of process in the United
States.
|
5
(f) |
The
Custodian shall ensure that its Sub-Custodian has established a system
to
monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Fund’s assets with a
Sub-Custodian or members of a Sub-Custodian’s network; (ii) the
performance of the contract governing the Fund’s arrangements with such
Sub-Custodian or members of a Sub-Custodian’s network; and (iii) the
custody risks of maintaining assets with an Eligible Securities
Depository.
|
(g) |
The
Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all
income
and other payments with respect to foreign Securities to which the
Fund
shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to
the
Company.
In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect
such
income, the Company
and Custodian shall consult as to the measurers and as to the compensation
and expenses of the Custodian relating to such
measures.
|
3.4 |
Delivery
of Assets to Custodian.
The Company
shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian all of
the
Fund's Securities, cash and other investment assets, including (i)
all
payments of income, payments of principal and capital distributions
received by the Fund with respect to such Securities, cash or other
assets
owned by the Fund at any time during the period of this Agreement,
and
(ii) all cash received by the Fund for the issuance of Shares. The
Custodian shall not be responsible for such Securities, cash or other
assets until actually received by it.
|
3.5 |
Securities
Depositories and Book-Entry Systems.
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain Securities of the Fund
in a
Securities Depository or in a Book-Entry System, subject to the following
provisions:
|
(a) |
The
Custodian, on an on-going basis, shall deposit in a Securities Depository
or Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for deposit therein
and shall
make use of such Securities Depository or Book-Entry System to the
extent
possible and practical in connection with its performance hereunder,
including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of
purchases
and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and
returns
of collateral consisting of
Securities.
|
6
(b) |
Securities
of the Fund kept in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository
shall be
kept in an account (“Depository Account”) of the Custodian in such
Book-Entry System or Securities Depository which includes only assets
held
by the Custodian as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers.
|
(c) |
The
records of the Custodian with respect to Securities of the Fund maintained
in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository shall, by book-entry,
identify such Securities as belonging to the
Fund.
|
(d) |
If
Securities purchased by the Fund are to be held in a Book-Entry System
or
Securities Depository, the Custodian shall pay for such Securities
upon
(i) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository
that such Securities have been transferred to the Depository Account,
and
(ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect
such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. If Securities
sold
by the Fund are held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository,
the
Custodian shall transfer such Securities upon (i) receipt of advice
from
the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that payment for such
Securities has been transferred to the Depository Account, and (ii)
the
making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
transfer and payment for the account of the
Fund.
|
(e) |
The
Custodian shall provide the Company
with copies of any report (obtained by the Custodian from a Book-Entry
System or Securities Depository in which Securities of the Fund are
kept)
on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding
Securities deposited in such Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository.
|
(f) |
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Custodian shall be
liable
to the Company
for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from (i) the use of
a
Book-Entry System or Securities Depository by reason of any negligence
or
willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian,
or
(ii) failure of the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian to enforce effectively
such rights as it may have against a Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository. At its election, the Company
shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to
any
claim against a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository or any
other
person from any loss or damage to the Fund arising from the use of
such
Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, if and to the extent
that the
Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or
damage.
|
(g) |
With
respect to its responsibilities under this Section 3.5 and pursuant
to Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, the Custodian hereby warrants to
the Company
that it agrees to (i) exercise
due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging
its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain
such assets, (ii) provide, promptly upon request by the Company, such
reports as are available concerning the Custodian’s internal accounting
controls and financial strength, and (iii) require any Sub-Custodian
to exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards
in
discharging its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter
maintain assets corresponding to the security entitlements of its
entitlement holders.
|
7
3.6 |
Disbursement
of Moneys from Fund Custody Account.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions as to each Fund, the Custodian
shall
disburse moneys from the relevant Fund Custody Account but only in
the
following cases:
|
(a) |
For
the purchase of Securities for the Fund but only in accordance with
Section 4.1 of this Agreement and only (i) in the case of Securities
(other than options on Securities, futures contracts and options
on
futures contracts), against the delivery to the Custodian (or any
Sub-Custodian) of such Securities registered as provided in Section
3.9
below or in proper form for transfer, or if the purchase of such
Securities is effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section
3.5
above; (ii) in the case of options on Securities, against delivery
to the
Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of such receipts as are required
by the
customs prevailing among dealers in such options; (iii) in the case
of
futures contracts and options on futures contracts, against delivery
to
the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of evidence of title thereto
in favor
of the Fund or any nominee referred to in Section 3.9 below; and
(iv) in
the case of repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements entered into
between the Company and a bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve
System or between the Company and a primary dealer in U.S. Government
securities, against delivery of the purchased Securities either in
certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's account
at
a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository with such
Securities;
|
(b) |
In
connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender, as set forth
in
Section 3.7(f) below, of Securities owned by the
Fund;
|
(c) |
For
the payment of any dividends or capital gain distributions declared
by the
Fund;
|
(d) |
In
payment of the redemption price of Shares as provided in Section
5.1
below;
|
(e) |
For
the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund, including,
but not limited to, the following payments for the account of the
Fund:
interest; taxes; administration, investment advisory, accounting,
auditing, transfer agent, custodian, director and legal fees; and
other
operating expenses of the Fund; in all cases, whether or not such
expenses
are to be in whole or in part capitalized or treated as deferred
expenses;
|
8
(f) |
For
transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the
Company,
the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and
a
member of the NASD, relating to compliance with rules of the Options
Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange
(or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow
or
other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
|
(g) |
For
transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the
Company,
the Custodian and a futures commission merchant registered under
the
Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of
the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or
any
similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits
in
connection with transactions by the
Fund;
|
(h) |
For
the funding of any uncertificated time deposit or other interest-bearing
account with any banking institution (including the Custodian), which
deposit or account has a term of one year or less;
and
|
(i) |
For
any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt, in addition to Proper
Instructions, of a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees,
certified by an Officer, specifying the amount and purpose of such
payment, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose,
and
naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be
made.
|
3.7 |
Delivery
of Securities from Fund Custody Account.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions as to each Fund, the Custodian
shall
release and deliver, or cause the Sub-Custodian to release and deliver,
Securities from the relevant Fund Custody Account but only in the
following cases:
|
(a) |
Upon
the sale of Securities for the account of the Fund but only against
receipt of payment therefor in cash, by certified or cashiers check
or
bank credit;
|
(b) |
In
the case of a sale effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.5
above;
|
(c) |
To
an offeror’s depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for Securities of the Fund; provided that, in any such case,
the
cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the
Custodian;
|
(d) |
To
the issuer thereof or its agent (i) for transfer into the name of
the
Fund, the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian, or any nominee or nominees
of
any of the foregoing, or (ii) for exchange for a different number
of
certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face
amount
or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities
are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
|
9
(e) |
To
the broker selling the Securities, for examination in accordance
with the
“street delivery” custom;
|
(f) |
For
exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the issuer of
such
Securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in
such
Securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement, including surrender
or
receipt of underlying Securities in connection with the issuance
or
cancellation of depository receipts; provided that, in any such case,
the
new Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
|
(g) |
Upon
receipt of payment therefor pursuant to any repurchase or reverse
repurchase agreement entered into by the
Fund;
|
(h) |
In
the case of warrants, rights or similar Securities, upon the exercise
thereof, provided that, in any such case, the new Securities and
cash, if
any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
|
(i) |
For
delivery in connection with any loans of Securities of the Fund,
but only
against receipt of such collateral as the Company
shall have specified to the Custodian in Proper
Instructions;
|
(j) |
For
delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the Company,
but only against receipt by the Custodian of the amounts
borrowed;
|
(k) |
Pursuant
to any authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization of the Company;
|
(l) |
For
delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the
Company,
the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and
a
member of the NASD, relating to compliance with the rules of the
Options
Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange
(or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow
or
other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
|
(m) |
For
delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the
Company,
the Custodian and a futures commission merchant registered under
the
Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of
the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or
any
similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits
in
connection with transactions by the Fund;
|
(n) |
For
any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt, in addition
to
Proper Instructions, of a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors,
certified by an Officer, specifying the Securities to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
declaring
such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person
or
persons to whom delivery of such Securities shall be made;
or
|
10
(o) |
To
brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination
or trade
execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any
such case
the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss
arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment
for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian’s own
negligence or willful misconduct.
|
3.8 |
Actions
Not Requiring Proper Instructions.
Unless otherwise instructed by the Company,
the Custodian shall with respect to all Securities held for each
Fund:
|
(a) |
Subject
to Section 9.4 below, collect on a timely basis all income and other
payments to which the Fund is entitled either by law or pursuant
to custom
in the securities business;
|
(b) |
Present
for payment and, subject to Section 9.4 below, collect on a timely
basis
the amount payable upon all Securities which may mature or be called,
redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become
payable;
|
(c) |
Endorse
for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and other
negotiable instruments;
|
(d) |
Surrender
interim receipts or Securities in temporary form for Securities in
definitive form;
|
(e) |
Execute,
as custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership
under the federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations of any
other
taxing authority now or hereafter in effect, and prepare and submit
reports to the IRS and the Company at such time, in such manner and
containing such information as is prescribed by the
IRS;
|
(f) |
Hold
for the Fund, either directly or, with respect to Securities held
therein,
through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, all rights
and
similar Securities issued with respect to Securities of the Fund;
and
|
(g) |
In
general, and except as otherwise directed in Proper Instructions,
attend
to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange,
substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with Securities
and
other assets of the Fund.
|
3.9 |
Registration
and Transfer of Securities.
All Securities held for a Fund that are issued or issuable only in
bearer
form shall be held by the Custodian in that form, provided that any
such
Securities shall be held in a Book-Entry System if eligible therefor.
All
other Securities held for a Fund may be registered in the name of
the
Fund, the Custodian, a Sub-Custodian or any nominee thereof, or in
the
name of a Book-Entry System, Securities Depository or any nominee
of
either thereof. The records of the Custodian with respect to foreign
securities of the Fund that are maintained with a Sub-Custodian in
an
account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the
benefit
of its customers shall identify those securities as belonging to
the Fund.
The Company
shall furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable
the
Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register
in the name of any of the nominees referred to above or in the name
of a
Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, any Securities registered
in
the name of the Fund.
|
11
3.10 |
Records.
|
(a) |
The
Custodian shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect
to
Securities, cash or other property held for the Fund, including (i)
journals or other records of original entry containing an itemized
daily
record in detail of all receipts and deliveries of Securities and
all
receipts and disbursements of cash; (ii) ledgers (or other records)
reflecting (A) Securities in transfer, (B) Securities in physical
possession, (C) monies and Securities borrowed and monies and Securities
loaned (together with a record of the collateral therefor and
substitutions of such collateral), (D) dividends and interest received,
and (E) dividends receivable and interest receivable; and (iii) canceled
checks and bank records related thereto. The Custodian shall keep
such
other books and records of each Fund as the Company shall reasonably
request, or as may be required by the 1940 Act, including, but not
limited
to, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and Rules 31a-l and 31a-2 promulgated
thereunder.
|
(b) |
All
such books and records maintained by the Custodian shall (i) be maintained
in a form acceptable to the Company
and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, (ii)
be the
property of the Company
and at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian
be
made available upon request for inspection by duly authorized officers,
employees or agents of the Company
and employees or agents of the SEC, and (iii) if required to be maintained
by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, be preserved for the periods prescribed
in Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940
Act.
|
3.11 |
Fund
Reports by Custodian.
The Custodian shall furnish the Company
with a daily activity statement and a summary of all transfers to
or from
each Fund Custody Account on the day following such transfers. At
least
monthly, the Custodian shall furnish the Company
with a detailed statement of the Securities and moneys held by the
Custodian and the Sub-Custodians for the Fund under this Agreement.
|
3.12 |
Other
Reports by Custodian.
As the Company
may reasonably request from time to time, the Custodian shall provide
the
Company
with reports on the internal accounting controls and procedures for
safeguarding Securities which are employed by the Custodian or any
Sub-Custodian.
|
12
3.13 |
Proxies
and Other Materials.
The Custodian shall cause all proxies relating to Securities which
are not
registered in the name of a Fund to be promptly executed by the registered
holder of such Securities, without indication of the manner in which
such
proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Company
such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating
to
such Securities. With respect to the foreign Securities, the Custodian
will use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise
of
voting and other shareholder rights, subject to the laws, regulations
and
practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities
are issued. The Company
acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation,
onerous
procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have
the
effect of severely limiting the ability of the Company
to
exercise shareholder rights.
|
3.14 |
Information
on Corporate Actions.
The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Company
all information received by the Custodian and pertaining to Securities
being held by the Fund with respect to optional tender or exchange
offers,
calls for redemption or purchase, or expiration of rights as described
in
the Standards of Service Guide attached as Exhibit
B.
If the Company
desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange
offer or
other similar transaction, the Company
shall notify the Custodian at least three Business Days prior to
the date
on which the Custodian is to take such action. The Company
will provide or cause to be provided to the Custodian all relevant
information for any Security which has unique put/option provisions
at
least three Business Days prior to the beginning date of the tender
period.
|
ARTICLE
IV
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUNDS
4.1 |
Purchase
of Securities.
Promptly upon each purchase of Securities for a Fund, Written Instructions
shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (i) the name of the
issuer
or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description
thereof,
(ii) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest,
if any)
or other units purchased, (iii) the date of purchase and settlement,
(iv)
the purchase price per unit, (v) the total amount payable upon such
purchase, and (vi) the name of the person to whom such amount is
payable.
The Custodian shall upon receipt of such Securities purchased by
a Fund
pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund the total
amount
specified in such Written Instructions to the person named therein.
The
Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out moneys to
cover the
cost of a purchase of Securities for a Fund, if in the Fund Custody
Account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund for which
such
purchase was made.
|
4.2 |
Liability
for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
In any and every case where payment for the purchase of Securities
for a
Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the Securities
purchased and in the absence of specified Written Instructions to
so pay
in advance, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for such
payment.
|
13
4.3 |
Sale
of Securities.
Promptly upon each sale of Securities by a Fund, Written Instructions
shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (i) the name of the
issuer
or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description
thereof,
(ii) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest,
if
any), or other units sold, (iii) the date of sale and settlement,
(iv) the
sale price per unit, (v) the total amount payable upon such sale,
and (vi)
the person to whom such Securities are to be delivered. Upon receipt
of
the total amount payable to a Fund as specified in such Written
Instructions, the Custodian shall deliver such Securities to the
person
specified in such Written Instructions. Subject to the foregoing,
the
Custodian may accept payment in such form as shall be satisfactory
to it,
and may deliver Securities and arrange for payment in accordance
with the
customs prevailing among dealers in
Securities.
|
4.4 |
Delivery
of Securities Sold.
Notwithstanding Section 4.3 above or any other provision of this
Agreement, the Custodian, when instructed to deliver Securities against
payment with respect to a Fund, shall be entitled, if in accordance
with
generally accepted market practice, to deliver such Securities prior
to
actual receipt of final payment therefor. In any such case, the Fund
shall
bear the risk that final payment for such Securities may not be made
or
that such Securities may be returned or otherwise held or disposed
of by
or through the person to whom they were delivered, and the Custodian
shall
have no liability for any for the
foregoing.
|
4.5 |
Payment
for Securities Sold.
In its sole discretion and from time to time, the Custodian may credit
the
relevant Fund Custody Account, prior to actual receipt of final payment
thereof, with (i) proceeds from the sale of Securities which it has
been
instructed to deliver against payment, (ii) proceeds from the redemption
of Securities or other assets of the Fund, and (iii) income from
cash,
Securities or other assets of the Fund. Any such credit shall be
conditional upon actual receipt by Custodian of final payment and
may be
reversed if final payment is not actually received in full. The Custodian
may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, permit a Fund
to use
funds so credited to the Fund Custody Account in anticipation of
actual
receipt of final payment. Any such funds shall be repayable immediately
upon demand made by the Custodian at any time prior to the actual
receipt
of all final payments in anticipation of which funds were credited
to the
Fund Custody Account.
|
4.6 |
Advances
by Custodian for Settlement.
The Custodian may, in its sole discretion and from time to time,
advance
funds to the Company
to
facilitate the settlement of a Fund's transactions in the Fund Custody
Account. Any such advance shall be repayable immediately upon demand
made
by Custodian.
|
ARTICLE
V
REDEMPTION
OF FUND SHARES
5.1 |
Transfer
of Funds.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose in the relevant
Fund
Custody Account, and upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying
that
the funds are required to redeem Shares of the Fund, the Custodian
shall
wire each amount specified in such Proper Instructions to or through
such
bank or broker-dealer as the Company may
designate.
|
14
5.2 |
No
Duty Regarding Paying Banks.
Once the Custodian has wired amounts to a bank or broker-dealer pursuant
to Section 5.1 above, the Custodian shall not be under any obligation
to effect any further payment or distribution by such bank or
broker-dealer.
|
ARTICLE
VI
SEGREGATED
ACCOUNTS
Upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain
a
segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each Fund, into which
account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or Securities, including
Securities maintained in a Depository Account:
(a) |
in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Company, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
1934
Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance
with
the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization
or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection
with
transactions by the Fund;
|
(b) |
for
purposes of segregating cash or Securities in connection with securities
options purchased or written by the Fund or in connection with financial
futures contracts (or options thereon) purchased or sold by the
Fund;
|
(c) |
which
constitute collateral for loans of Securities made by the
Fund;
|
(d) |
for
purposes of compliance by the Fund with requirements under the 1940
Act
for the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment
companies in connection with reverse repurchase agreements and
when-issued, delayed delivery and firm commitment transactions;
and
|
(e) |
for
other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of, in addition
to
Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board
of
Trustees, certified by an Officer, setting forth the purpose or purposes
of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper
corporate purposes.
|
Each
segregated account established under this Article VI shall be established and
maintained for the Fund only. All Proper Instructions relating to a segregated
account shall specify the Fund.
15
ARTICLE
VII
COMPENSATION
OF CUSTODIAN
The
Custodian shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this
Agreement in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit
D
hereto
(as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto).
The Custodian shall also be compensated for such out-of-pocket expenses (e.g.,
telecommunication charges, postage and delivery charges, and reproduction
charges) as are reasonably incurred by the Custodian in performing its duties
hereunder. The Company or the Advisor (as the case may be) shall pay all such
fees and reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of
the
billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute.
The Company or the Advisor (as the case may be) shall notify the Custodian
in
writing within 30 calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Company
is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Company or the Advisor (as the
case
may be) shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the day
on
which the parties agree to the amount to be paid. With the exception of any
fee
or expense the Company or the Advisor (as the case may be) is disputing in
good
faith as set forth above, unpaid invoices shall accrue a finance charge of
1½%
per month after the due date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, amounts
owed by the Company or the Advisor (as the case may be) to the Custodian shall
only be paid out of the assets and property of the particular Fund involved.
ARTICLE
VIII
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
8.1 |
Representations
and Warranties of the Company.
The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Custodian, which
representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout
the term of this Agreement, that:
|
(a) |
It
is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction
of its
organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted,
to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder;
|
(b) |
This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company
in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance
with
its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies
of
creditors and secured parties; and
|
(c) |
It
is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects
with all
applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has
obtained
all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now
conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment
binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract
binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution
or
performance of this Agreement.
|
16
8.2 |
Representations
and Warranties of the Custodian.
The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to the Company, which
representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout
the term of this Agreement, that:
|
(a) |
It
is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction
of its
organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted,
to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder;
|
(b) |
It
is a bank having the qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(1)
of the
1940 Act.
|
(c) |
This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Custodian in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes
a valid
and legally binding obligation of the Custodian, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights
and
remedies of creditors and secured parties;
and
|
(d) |
It
is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects
with all
applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has
obtained
all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now
conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment
binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract
binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution
or
performance of this Agreement.
|
ARTICLE
IX
CONCERNING
THE CUSTODIAN
9.1 |
Standard
of Care.
The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care and otherwise act in
accordance with industry standards in the performance of its duties
under
this Agreement. The Custodian shall not be liable for any error of
judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company
in
connection with its duties under this Agreement, except a loss arising
out
of or relating to the Custodian’s (or a Sub-Custodian’s) refusal or
failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody
agreement) or applicable law or from its (or a Sub-Custodian’s) bad faith,
negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties
under
this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement). The Custodian shall
be
entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel on all matters,
and
shall promptly notify the Company of any action taken or omitted
by the
Custodian pursuant to advice of
counsel.
|
9.2 |
Actual
Collection Required.
The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the custodian
of, any cash belonging to a Fund or any money represented by a check,
draft or other instrument for the payment of money, until the Custodian
or
its agents actually receive such cash or collect on such
instrument.
|
17
9.3 |
No
Responsibility for Title, etc.
So
long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received
or
delivered by it pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
9.4 |
Limitation
on Duty to Collect.
Custodian shall not be required to enforce collection, by legal means
or
otherwise, of any money or property due and payable with respect
to
Securities held for a Fund if such Securities are in default or payment
is
not made after due demand or
presentation.
|
9.5 |
Reliance
Upon Documents and Instructions.
The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate, notice
or
other instrument in writing received by it and reasonably believed
by it
to be genuine. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral
Instructions and any Written Instructions actually received by it
pursuant
to this Agreement.
|
9.6 |
Cooperation.
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Company
to
keep the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the value of
the
assets of the Fund. The Custodian shall take all such reasonable
actions
as the Company
may from time to time request to enable the Company
to
obtain, from year to year, favorable opinions from the Company's
independent accountants with respect to the Custodian's activities
hereunder in connection with (i) the preparation of the Company
's
registration statements on Form N-1A and reports on Forms N-CSR and
N-SAR
and any other reports required by the SEC, and (ii) the fulfillment
by the
Company
of
any other requirements of the SEC.
|
ARTICLE
X
INDEMNIFICATION
10.1 |
Indemnification
by Company.
The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian, any
Sub-Custodian and any nominee thereof (each, an “Indemnified Party” and
collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all
claims, demands, losses, expenses and liabilities of any and every
nature
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) that an Indemnified Party
may
sustain or incur or that may be asserted against an Indemnified Party
by
any person arising directly or indirectly (i) from the fact that
Securities are registered in the name of any such nominee, (ii) from
any
action taken or omitted to be taken by the Custodian or such Sub-Custodian
(a) at the request or direction of or in reliance on the advice of
the
Company, or (b) upon Proper Instructions, or (iii) from the performance
of
its obligations under this Agreement or any sub-custody agreement,
provided that neither the Custodian nor any such Sub-Custodian shall
be
indemnified and held harmless from and against any such claim, demand,
loss, expense or liability arising out of or relating to its refusal
or
failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody
agreement) or applicable law, or from its bad faith, negligence or
willful
misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement
(or any
sub-custody agreement). This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation
of
the Company, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination
of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the terms “Custodian” and
“Sub-Custodian” shall include their respective directors, officers and
employees.
|
18
10.2 |
Indemnification
by Custodian.
The Custodian shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and the Advisor from and against any and all claims, demands, losses,
expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable
attorneys’ fees) that the Company or the Advisor may sustain or incur or
that may be asserted against the Company
or
the Advisor by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted
to be
taken by an Indemnified Party as a result of the Indemnified Party’s
refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or
any
sub-custody agreement) or applicable law, or from its bad faith,
negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties
under
this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement). This indemnity shall
be a
continuing obligation of the Custodian, its successors and assigns,
notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this
paragraph, the term “Company”
or the Advisor shall include the Company’s
or Advisor’s directors, officers and
employees.
|
10.3 |
Security.
If the Custodian advances cash or Securities to a Fund for any purpose,
either at the Company
's
request or as otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, or in the
event
that the Custodian or its nominee incurs, in connection with its
performance under this Agreement, any claim, demand, loss, expense
or
liability (including reasonable attorneys' fees) (except such as
may arise
from its or its nominee's bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct),
then, in any such event, any property at any time held for the account
of
the Fund shall be security therefor, and should the Fund fail promptly
to
repay or indemnify the Custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled
to
utilize available cash of such Fund and to dispose of other assets
of such
Fund to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement or
indemnification.
|
10.4 |
Miscellaneous.
|
(a) |
Neither
party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for
consequential, special or punitive damages under any provision of
this
Agreement.
|
(b) |
The
indemnity provisions of this Article shall indefinitely survive the
termination and/or assignment of this
Agreement.
|
(c) |
In
order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article
shall
apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be
asked to
indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be
fully
and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation
in
question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use
all
reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any
situation
that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim
for
indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the
indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this
indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will
so
notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over
complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation
initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek
indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case
confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the
indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with
the
indemnitor’s prior written consent.
|
19
ARTICLE
XI
FORCE
MAJEURE
Neither
the Custodian nor the Company shall be liable for any failure or delay in
performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused,
directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control,
including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars;
civil or military disturbances; acts of terrorism; sabotage; strikes; epidemics;
riots; power failures; computer failure and any such circumstances beyond its
reasonable control as may cause interruption, loss or malfunction of utility,
transportation, computer (hardware or software) or telephone communication
service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority;
governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or
transportation; provided, however, that in the event of a failure or delay,
the
Custodian (i) shall not discriminate against the Fund in favor of any other
customer of the Custodian in making computer time and personnel available to
input or process the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii)
shall
use its best efforts to ameliorate the effects of any such failure or
delay.
ARTICLE
XII
PROPRIETARY
AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
The
Custodian agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees
to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Company, all
records and other information relative to the Company and prior, present, or
potential shareholders of the Company (and clients of said shareholders), and
not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the
performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after
prior
notification to and approval in writing by the Company, which approval shall
not
be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Custodian may be
exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii)
when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities,
or
(iii) when so requested by the Company. Records and other information which
have
become known to the public through no wrongful act of the Custodian or any
of
its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already
in
the possession of the Custodian prior to receipt thereof from the Company or
its
agent, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
Further,
the Custodian will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Company
pursuant to Title V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, as may be modified from
time
to time. In this regard, the Custodian shall have in place and maintain
physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect
the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized
access to or use of, records and information relating to the Company and its
shareholders.
20
ARTICLE
XIII
EFFECTIVE
PERIOD; TERMINATION
13.1 |
Effective
Period.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written
above
and will continue in effect for a period of three (3)
years.
|
13.2 |
Termination.
Subsequent to the initial three-year term, this Agreement may be
terminated by either party upon giving 90 days prior written notice
to the
other party or such shorter period as is mutually agreed upon by
the
parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated
by
the Company at any time upon giving 90 days prior written notice
to
Custodian, or by
any party upon the breach of the other party of any material term
of this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the standard of care set
forth
in Section 9.1 hereof), if such breach is not cured within 15 days
of
notice of such breach to the breaching party. In addition, the
Company
may, at any time, immediately terminate this Agreement in the event
of the
appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by regulatory
authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction
of an
appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
|
13.3 |
Appointment
of Successor Custodian.
If a successor custodian shall have been appointed by the Board of
Directors, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of a notice of acceptance
by
the successor custodian, on such specified date of termination (i)
deliver
directly to the successor custodian all Securities (other than Securities
held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository) and cash then
owned
by the Fund and held by the Custodian as custodian, and (ii) transfer
any
Securities held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository to
an
account of or for the benefit of the Fund at the successor custodian,
provided that the Company
shall have paid to the Custodian all fees, expenses and other amounts
to
the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.
In
addition, the Custodian shall, at the expense of the Company,
transfer
to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence, and
other
data established or maintained by the Custodian under this Agreement
in a
form reasonably acceptable to the Company (if such form differs from
the
form in which the Custodian has maintained the same, the Company
shall pay
any expenses associated with transferring the data to such form),
and will
cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including
provision for assistance from the Custodian’s personnel in the
establishment of books, records, and other data by such successor.
Upon
such delivery and transfer, the Custodian shall be relieved of all
obligations under this Agreement.
|
21
13.4 |
Failure
to Appoint Successor Custodian.
If a successor custodian is not designated by the Company on or before
the
date of termination of this Agreement, then the Custodian shall have
the
right to deliver to a bank or trust company of its own selection,
which
bank or trust company (i) is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, and (ii)
has aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits as shown on
its most
recent published report of not less than $25 million, all Securities,
cash
and other property held by Custodian under this Agreement and to
transfer
to an account of or for the Fund at such bank or trust company all
Securities of the Fund held in a Book-Entry System or Securities
Depository. Upon such delivery and transfer, such bank or trust company
shall be the successor custodian under this Agreement and the Custodian
shall be relieved of all obligations under this Agreement. In addition,
under these circumstances, all books, records and other data of the
Company shall be returned to the
Company.
|
ARTICLE
XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
14.1 |
Compliance
with Laws.
The Company has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance
matters relating to the Funds, including but not limited to compliance
with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act of 2002, the USA PATRIOT Act and the policies and limitations
of the
Fund relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its Prospectus
and statement of additional information. The Custodian’s services
hereunder shall not relieve the Company of its responsibilities for
assuring such compliance or the Board of Trustee’s oversight
responsibility with respect
thereto.
|
14.2 |
Amendment.
This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except
by
written agreement executed by the Custodian, the Advisor and the
Company,
and authorized or approved by the Board of
Directors.
|
14.3 |
Assignment.
This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto
and
their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that
this
Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company without the written
consent of the Custodian, or by the Custodian without the written
consent
of the Advisor and the Company accompanied by the authorization or
approval of the Board of Directors.
|
14.4 |
Governing
Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the
laws of the State of Wisconsin, without regard to conflicts of law
principles. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of
Wisconsin, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable
provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing
herein
shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or
any rule
or order of the SEC thereunder.
|
14.5 |
No
Agency Relationship.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower
either
party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to
conduct
business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this
Agreement.
|
22
14.6 |
Services
Not Exclusive.
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the Custodian from
providing services to other parties that are similar or identical
to some
or all of the services provided
hereunder.
|
14.7 |
Invalidity.
Any
provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent
authority
to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to
such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof,
and
any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall
not
invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other
jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify
or
substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of
the
parties.
|
14.8 |
Notices.
Any
notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the
date
delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent
by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission
to
the other party’s address set forth
below:
|
Notice
to
the Custodian shall be sent to:
U.S.
Bank
National Association
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X. XX-XX-X0XX
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Mutual Fund Custody Services
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
and
notice to the Company
shall be
sent to:
Baird
Funds, Inc.
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn:
General Counsel
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
14.9 |
Multiple
Originals.
This Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each
of which
when so executed shall be deemed an original, but such counterparts
shall
together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
|
14.10 |
No
Waiver.
No failure by either party hereto to exercise, and no delay by such
party
in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.
The
exercise by either party hereto of any right hereunder shall not
preclude
the exercise of any other right, and the remedies provided herein
are
cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided at law or in
equity.
|
23
14.11 |
References
to Custodian.
The Company
shall not circulate any printed matter which contains any reference
to
Custodian without the prior written approval of Custodian, excepting
printed matter contained in the prospectus or statement of additional
information for the Fund and such other printed matter as merely
identifies Custodian as custodian for the Fund and its address. The
Company
shall submit printed matter requiring approval to Custodian in draft
form,
allowing sufficient time for review by Custodian and its counsel
prior to
any deadline for printing.
|
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
by
a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date first
above
written.
BAIRD FUNDS, INC. | U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION |
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx | By: /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Name: Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx | Name: Xxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Title: President | Title: Senior Vice President |
XXXXXX X. XXXXX & CO. INCORPORATED |
By: /s/ J. Xxxx Xxxxxx |
Name: J. Xxxx Xxxxxx |
Title: Managing Director |
24
EXHIBIT
A
AUTHORIZED
PERSONS
Set
forth
below are the names and specimen signatures of the persons authorized by the
Company
to
administer the Fund Custody Accounts.
Authorized
Persons
|
Specimen
Signatures
|
|
President:
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Treasurer:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx | |
Senior
Vice President: J. Xxxx Xxxxxx
|
/s/ J. Xxxx Xxxxxx | |
Vice
President: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Vice
President: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Vice
President: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
Secretary:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Xxxx
X. Xxxx
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx | |
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx | |
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |
M.
Xxxxxx xxXxxxxx
|
/s/ M. Xxxxxx xxXxxxxx | |
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx |
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
A-1
Xxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
A-2
EXHIBIT
B
U.S.
Bank Institutional Custody Services
Standards
of Service Guide
U.S.
Bank, N.A. (“U.S. Bank”) is committed to providing superior quality service to
all customers and their agents at all times. We have compiled this guide as
a
tool for our clients to determine our standards for the processing of security
settlements, payment collection, and capital change transactions. Deadlines
recited in this guide represent the times required for U.S. Bank to guarantee
processing. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in settlement at our
client's risk. In all cases, U.S. Bank will make every effort to complete all
processing on a timely basis.
U.S.
Bank
is a direct participant of the Depository Trust Company, a direct member of
the
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and utilizes the Bank of New York as its
agent for ineligible and foreign securities.
For
corporate reorganizations, U.S. Bank utilizes SEI's Reorg Source, Financial
Information, Inc., XCITEK, DTC Important Notices, Capital Changes Daily (CCH)
and the Wall
Street Journal.
For
bond
calls and mandatory puts, U.S. Bank utilizes SEI's Bond Source, Xxxxx
Information Systems, Standard & Poor's Corporation, XCITEK, and DTC
Important Notices. U.S. Bank will not notify clients of optional put
opportunities.
Any
securities delivered free to U.S. Bank or its agents must be received three
(3)
business days prior to any payment or settlement in order for the U.S. Bank
standards of service to apply.
Should
you have any questions regarding the information contained in this guide, please
feel free to contact your account representative.
The
information contained in this Standards of Service Guide is subject to change.
Should any changes be made U.S. Bank will provide you with an updated copy
of
its Standards of Service Guide.
B-1
U.S.
Bank Security Settlement Standards
Transaction
Type
|
Instructions
Deadlines*
|
Delivery
Instructions
|
DTC
|
1:30
P.M. on Settlement Date
|
DTC
Participant #0000
Xxxxx
Xxxx XX 00000
Institutional
#________________
For
Account #____________
|
Federal
Reserve Book Entry
|
12:30
P.M. on Settlement Date
|
Federal
Reserve Bank of Cleveland
for
U.S. Bank, N.A. ABA# 000000000
CINTI/1050
For
Account #_____________
|
Federal
Reserve Book Entry (Repurchase Agreement Collateral Only)
|
1:00
P.M. on Settlement Date
|
Federal
Reserve Bank of Cleveland
for U.S.
Bank, N.A. ABA# 000000000
CINTI/1040
For
Account #_____________
|
PTC
Securities
(GNMA
Book Entry)
|
12:00
P.M. on Settlement Date
|
PTC
For Account BYORK
U.S.
Bank / 117612
|
Physical
Securities
|
9:30
A.M. EST on Settlement Date
(for
Deliveries, by 4:00 P.M. on Settlement Date minus 1)
|
Bank
of New York
One
Wall Street- 3rd
Floor - Window A
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
For
account of U.S. Bank / Cust #117612
Attn:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
CEDEL/EURO-CLEAR
|
11:00
A.M. on Settlement Date minus 2
|
Cedel
a/c 55021
FFC:
a/c 387000
U.S. Bank
/Global Omnibus
Euroclear
a/c 97816
FFC:
a/c 387000
U.S. Bank/Global
Omnibus
|
Cash
Wire Transfer
|
3:00
P.M.
|
U.S. Bank,
X.X. Xxxxx/Trust ABA# 000000000
Credit
Account #112950027
Account
of U.S. Bank Trust Services
Further
Credit to ___________
Account
# _______________
|
*
All
times listed are Eastern Standard Time.
B-2
U.S.
Bank Payment Standards
Security
Type
|
Income
|
Principal
|
Equities
|
Payable
Date
|
|
Municipal
Bonds*
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
Corporate
Bonds*
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
Federal
Reserve Bank Book Entry*
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
PTC
GNMA's (P&I)
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
CMOs
*
|
||
DTC
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Bankers
Trust
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
SBA
Loan Certificates
|
When
Received
|
When
Received
|
Unit
Investment Trust Certificates*
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
Certificates
of Deposit*
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Limited
Partnerships
|
When
Received
|
When
Received
|
Foreign
Securities
|
When
Received
|
When
Received
|
*Variable
Rate Securities
|
||
Federal
Reserve Bank Book Entry
|
Payable
Date
|
Payable
Date
|
DTC
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Bankers
Trust
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
Payable
Date + 1
|
NOTE:
If
a
payable date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, payment will be made on the
immediately following business day.
B-3
U.S.
Bank Corporate Reorganization Standards
Type
of Action
|
Notification to
Client
|
Deadline
for Client Instructions
to
US Bank
|
Transaction
Posting
|
|
Rights,
Warrants,
and
Optional Mergers
|
Later
of 10 business days prior to expiration or receipt of
notice
|
5
business days prior to expiration
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Mandatory
Puts with
Option
to Retain
|
Later
of 10 business days prior to expiration or receipt of
notice
|
5
business days prior to expiration
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Class
Actions
|
10
business days prior to expiration date
|
5
business days prior to expiration
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Voluntary
Tenders,
Exchanges,
and
Conversions
|
Later
of 10 business days prior to expiration or receipt of
notice
|
5
business days prior to expiration
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Mandatory
Puts, Defaults, Liquidations, Bankruptcies, Stock Splits, Mandatory
Exchanges
|
At
posting of funds or securities received
|
None
|
Upon
receipt
|
|
Full
and Partial Calls
|
Later
of 10 business days prior to expiration or receipt of
notice
|
None
|
Upon
receipt
|
NOTE:
Fractional shares/par amounts resulting from any of the above will be
sold.
B-4
EXHIBIT
C
Fund
Names
Separate
Series of Funds
Advisor:
Xxxxx
Intermediate Bond Fund
Xxxxx
Core Plus Bond Fund
Xxxxx
Aggregate Bond Fund
Xxxxx
Short-Term Bond Fund
Xxxxx
Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
Company:
Baird
LargeCap Fund
Xxxxx
MidCap Fund
Baird
SmallCap Fund
C-1
EXHIBIT
E
SHAREHOLDER
COMMUNICATIONS ACT AUTHORIZATION
The
Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 requires banks and trust companies to
make an effort to permit direct communication between a company which issues
securities and the shareholder who votes those securities.
Unless
you specifically require us to NOT release your name and address to requesting
companies, we are required by law to disclose your name and
address.
Your
“yes” or “no” to disclosure will apply to all securities U.S. Bank holds for you
now and in the future, unless you change your mind and notify us in writing.
______
YES
|
U.S.
Bank is authorized to provide the Company’s name, address and security
position to requesting companies whose stock is owned by the Company.
|
|
X NO
|
U.S.
Bank is NOT authorized to provide the Company’s name, address and security
position to requesting companies whose stock is owned by the Company.
|
BAIRD
FUNDS, INC.
By:
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Title:
President
E-1