EXHIBIT J
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
BGT SUBSIDIARY, INC.
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.1 Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.2 Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.3 Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.6 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems . . . . . . . . . 6
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System . . . . 7
2.12 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.14 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.16 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants . . . . . . . 9
3. Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4. Actions Permitted without Express Authority . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5. Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
6. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income . . . . . . . . 10
7. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
8. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
9. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
10. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
11. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . 12
12. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
13. Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
14. Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
15. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
16. Shareholder Communications Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between BGT Subsidiary, Inc., a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of Maryland, having its principal place of
business at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, hereinafter called
the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust
company, having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH: That 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 Articles of Incorporation. 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 capital stock, $ par value, ("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
3), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more
sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board
of Directors 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 (a) securities which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 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" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which
State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent
("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct
Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.11.
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 or in the Custodian's Direct Paper
book entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account") 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;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for 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 2.9 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 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 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 (the "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) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee signed by an officer and certified by the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities of the Fund 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 2.9 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. If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian
to maintain securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize
its best efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such
securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of
relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of
calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
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
Board of Directors 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 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, 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.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, 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.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which
may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
the Custodian shall pay out monies 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 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case
of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.11; (d) 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 or (ii)
against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund
of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence
of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities
from the Fund or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of
the Fund in any bank; such transfer may be effected prior to
receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable
bank pursuant to Proper Instructions as defined in Section 3;
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 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;
4) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
5) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
6) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution
of the Board of Directors 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 purpose to be a proper purpose, and
naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, 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.
2.9 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.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. 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;
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 control and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial certificate
required by Article 12 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.
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in
the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following
provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System
will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System which
shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets
held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to
the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on
the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt
of payment for the account of the Fund;
5) 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, of Direct Paper on the next business
day following such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies
of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transaction in
the Securities System for the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its
system of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably
request from time to time.
2.12 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 2.10 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 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 Board of Directors 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.
2.13 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 such securities.
2.14 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 promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Fund Securities. Subject to the provisions
of Section 2.3, 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.
2.16 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants. The Custodian
shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably
require, with reports by independent 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 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.
3. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or
initialled by one or more person or persons as the Board of Directors 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 an Assistant Secretary as to the
authorization by the Board of Directors of the Fund accompanied by a
detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of Directors,
Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
Directors and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford
adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets. For purposes of this Section,
Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian
pursuant to any three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset
account in accordance with Section 2.12.
4. 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 Board of Directors of the
Fund.
5. 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 may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote
of the Board of Directors 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 Board of Directors pursuant to the
Articles of Incorporation 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.
6. 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 Board of Directors 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. If so directed, the Custodian
shall also calculate weekly the net income of the Fund as described in the
Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the
Transfer Agent weekly 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 weekly income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described
from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
7. 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 Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2
thereunder. 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.
8. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
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 accountants with respect to its activities hereunder
in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-2, and Form N-SAR
or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with
respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
9. 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.
10. 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, including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant
to the terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. 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 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, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not
limited to securities settlements and assumed settlement) 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 the Fund's assets to the extent necessary to obtain
reimbursement.
11. 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 thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or
mailing; provided, however that the Custodian shall not act under Section
2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors of the Fund
has approved the initial use of a particular Securities System, as required
by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that
the Custodian shall not act under Section 2.11 hereof in the absence of
receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Directors has approved the initial use of the
Direct Paper System; 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 Articles of Incorporation,
and further provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board
of Directors (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.
12. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Directors
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
Board of Directors of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and
transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with
such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian
or certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors 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 Board of Directors 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.
13. 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 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 Articles of Incorporation 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.
14. Massachusetts Law to Apply
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
15. Prior Contracts
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.
16. Shareholder Communications Election
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which
hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by
issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial
owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial
owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order
to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether
it authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share
position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this
information to requesting companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian "yes"
or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by
the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information
for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established
by the Fund. For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting
company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose other than
corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents
or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
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 30th day of October, 1998.
ATTEST BGT SUBSIDIARY INC.
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx
____________________ ______________________________
Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Treasurer
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
_____________________ ________________________________
Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Executive Vice President
