Exhibit No. 7
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
Between
PAINEWEBBER TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUND
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By It . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held by the
Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 Holding Securities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.3 Registration of Securities.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.4 Bank Accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.5 Payments for Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds.. . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.7 Collection of Income.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.8 Payment of Fund Moneys.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.11
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund. . . .11
2.11 Appointment of Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System. . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2.13 Segregated Account.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
2.15 Proxies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
2.16 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities.. . . . . . . .16
2.17 Proper Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
2.18 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . .17
2.19 Evidence of Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
4. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Certified Public Accountants. . . . . . . .19
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Certified Public Accountants . . . . . . .19
7. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
8. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
10. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
12. Additional Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
13. Massachusetts Law to Apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
14. Prior Contracts; Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
15. Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
16. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
17. Limitation of Liability of the Trustees and Shareholders. . . . . . . . .25
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Xxxxx Xxxxxx Tax-Exempt Income Fund, a Massachusetts
business trust organized and existing under the laws of Massachusetts, having
its principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx
Xxxx 00000, hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, a Massachusetts company, having its principal place of business at 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter called the
"Custodian",
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest each
share representing interests in a portfolio of securities and other assets of
the Fund; and
NOW THEREFOR: in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets
pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust. The Fund agrees to
deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments
of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with
respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial
interest ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time. The
Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held or received
by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section 2.17),
the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians, but
only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Trustees of the Fund, and
provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or
liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any sub-
custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian.
2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY THE
CUSTODIAN
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
the account of the Fund all non-cash property, including all securities
owned by the Fund, other than securities which are maintained pursuant to
Section 2.12 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or
in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
collectively referred to herein as "Securities System".
2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver securities
owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities System account
of the Custodian only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in
the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
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3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided
that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be
delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name
of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the
Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.11 or into the name or nominee name of any
sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange
for a different number of bonds, 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;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
examination in accordance with "street delivery" 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
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except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or
willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment
of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant
to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or
pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such
case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to
the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in
any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by
the Fund, BUT ONLY against receipt of adequate collateral as
agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund,
which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the
United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities,
except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is
to be credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the
Custodian
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will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of
securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of such
collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, BUT ONLY against
receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and a
member of The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("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;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund, 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;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to
the holders of shares
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in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described
from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus
and statement of additional information ("prospectus"), in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, 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.
2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Securities held by the Custodian (other than
bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which
nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, UNLESS the Fund has
authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common
with other registered investment companies having the same investment
adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed
pursuant to Section 2.11 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-
custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Contract shall be
in "street name" or other good delivery form.
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2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order
by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall
hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all
cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other than cash
maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used in accordance
with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by
the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited by it to its credit as
Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or in such other banks
or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable;
PROVIDED, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified
to act as a custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that
each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each
such bank or trust company shall be approved by vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in
its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only
in that capacity.
2.5 PAYMENTS FOR SHARES. The Custodian shall receive from the distributor
for the Fund's Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit
into the Fund's account such payments as are received for Shares of the
Fund issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will
provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer Agent of any
receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
2.6 INVESTMENT AND AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS. Upon mutual agreement
between the Fund and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt
of Proper Instructions,
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1) invest in such instruments as may be set forth in such
instructions on the same day as received all federal funds
received after a time agreed upon between the Custodian and the
Fund; and
2) make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified times
agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in
the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of the Fund
which are deposited into the Fund's account.
2.7 COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to registered securities held
hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to
custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date
of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its
agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's
custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income
items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect
interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on
securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be
the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with
such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in
arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which
the Fund is properly entitled.
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2.8 PAYMENT OF FUND MONEYS. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall pay out moneys of the Fund in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only
(a) against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title
to such options, futures contracts or options on futures
contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust
company doing business in the United States or abroad which is
qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
to act as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as
its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or
in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section
2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a
purchase effected through a Securities System, in accordance with
the conditions set forth in Section 2.12 hereof; or (c) in the
case of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund and
the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a
member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in
certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's
account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities
(notwithstanding that the written agreement to repurchase will be
received subsequently) or (ii) against delivery of the receipt
evidencing purchase by the Fund of securities owned by the
Custodian along with written
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evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such
securities from the Fund;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as
set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) 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, management, accounting,
transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund
whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part
capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution
of the Trustees or of the Executive Committee of the Fund signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment,
setting forth the purpose for which such payment is to be made,
declaring such
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purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons
to whom such payment is to be made.
2.9 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED.
In any and every case where payment for purchase of securities for the
account of the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the
securities purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from
the Fund to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to
the Fund for such securities to the same extent as if the securities had
been received by the Custodian.
2.10 PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES OF THE FUND. From such
funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the limitations of
the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Trustees of the
Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions
from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of
Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or
repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or
repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt
of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a
commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection
with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian
shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which
checks have been furnished by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when
presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls
as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the
Custodian.
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2.11 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the
provisions of this Article 2 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.
2.12 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN SECURITIES SYSTEM. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository,
or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury and certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and
Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, and
subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System
which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
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2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify
by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
that such securities have been transferred to the 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.
The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
that payment for such securities has been transferred to the
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. Copies of all advices from the Securities System of
transfers of securities for the account of the Fund shall
identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian
and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice
or notice and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
Securities System for the account of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting
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control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in
the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 9 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
the Fund resulting from use of the Securities System by reason of
any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any
of its agents or of any of its or their employees or from failure
of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such
rights as it may have against the Securities System; at the
election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to
the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against the
Securities System or any other person which the Custodian may
have as a consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the
extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or
damage.
2.13 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for
and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an
account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the
Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange 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
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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, (ii) for
purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with
options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures
contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the
purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or
releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the
maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies and
(iv) for other proper corporate purposes, BUT ONLY, in the case of clause
(iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified
copy of a resolution of the Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated
account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.14 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to securities of the Fund held by it and in connection with
transfers of securities.
2.15 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of
the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall
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promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials
and all notices relating to such securities.
2.16 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund all written information (including, without
limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of securities and expirations
of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put
options written by the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts
purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of
the securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all
written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or his
agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take
action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other
similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three
business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such
action.
2.17 PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article
2 means a writing signed or initialled by one or more person or persons as
the Trustees shall have from time to time authorized. Each such writing
shall set forth the specific transaction or type of transaction involved,
including a specific statement of the purpose for which such action is
requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if
the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person
authorized to give such instructions with respect to the transaction
involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in
writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or
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an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Trustees of the Fund
accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by the
Trustees, Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly
between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the
Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford
adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets.
2.18 ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under
this Contract, PROVIDED that all such payments shall be accounted
for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and
other dealings with the securities and property of the Fund
except as otherwise directed by the Trustees of the Fund.
2.19 EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY. The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon
any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other
instrument or paper believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly
executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian
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may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Trustees of the
Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in
accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of any action by
the Trustees pursuant to the Declaration of Trust as described in such
vote, and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect until
receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
3. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND CALCULATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME.
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Trustees of the Fund to keep the books of
account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per Share of the
outstanding Shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund,
shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per
Share. Unless otherwise directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the
net income of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus
and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of
such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do
so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net
income among its various components. The calculations of the net asset value
per Share and the daily income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times
described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
4. RECORDS
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the
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Investment Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof
and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder, applicable federal and state tax laws and
any other law or administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to
the Fund. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all
times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection
by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and
agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the
Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the
Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund
and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the
Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
5. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent certified public accountants with respect to its activities
hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, and Form
N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with
respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
6. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent certified public accountants on
the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts,
including securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System,
relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such
reports, shall be of
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sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the
Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be
disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the
reports shall so state.
7. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the
Fund and the Custodian.
8. RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN
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 by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties.
The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out
the provisions of this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be
without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such
advice.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of
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money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to
requiring the Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the
Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any
purpose or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be
assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be
security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the
Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of Fund
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
9. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue
in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be
amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED,
however that the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.12 hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Trustees of the Fund has approved the initial use of a
particular Securities System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Trustees has reviewed the use by
the Fund of such Securities System, as
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required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this
Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any
provision of the Declaration of Trust, and further provided, that the Fund may
at any time by action of its Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust
company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian,
or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a
conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or
upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory
agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements as
contemplated by this Contract.
10. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Trustees of the Fund,
the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at
the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all
securities then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the
successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in
like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Trustees of the
Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds
and other properties in accordance with such vote.
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In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Trustees shall have been delivered to the
Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective,
then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company,
which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, doing
business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an aggregate
capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report,
of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by
the Custodian and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all
other property held by it under this Contract and to transfer to an account of
such successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in any Securities
System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the
Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled
to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian
retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the
provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
11. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this
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Contract as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of
this Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a
writing signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, PROVIDED that no
such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable
federal or state regulations or any provision of the Declaration of Trust of the
Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the
preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
12. ADDITIONAL FUNDS
13. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
14. PRIOR CONTRACTS; ASSIGNMENT
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets. This Contract may not be assigned by the Custodian except as
expressly provided for in Section 10 hereof, without the prior written consent
of the Fund.
15. HEADINGS
The Headings of the Sections of this Contract are inserted for reference
and convenience only, and shall not affect the construction of this Contract.
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16. NOTICES
All notices and communications, including Proper Instructions
(collectively referred to as "Notice" or "Notices" in this paragraph), hereunder
shall be in writing or by confirming telegram, cable or telex. Notices shall be
addressed (a) if to the Custodian at its address, 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, marked for the attention of the Insurance/Broker Dealer
Services Division, (b) if to the Fund, at the address of the Fund, or (c) if to
neither of the foregoing, at such other address as shall have been notified to
the sender of any such Notice.
17. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF THE TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS
A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the
Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that
this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as Trustees
and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are not binding
upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding
only upon the assets and property of the Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 1st day of April, 1987.
ATTEST XXXXX XXXXXX TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUND
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx By /s/ Xxxxxx X. X'Xxxxxxx
--------------------------- --------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ By /s/
--------------------------- --------------------------------
Assistant Secretary Vice President
