Exhibit 99.B9
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
between
THE BLACKSTONE GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
(a Massachusetts business trust)
and
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of the Agent 1
Article 2 Fees and Expenses 5
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of the Agent 5
Article 4 Representations of Warranties of the Fund 6
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification 7
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and the Agent 10
Article 7 Termination of Agreement 12
Article 8 Assignment 12
Article 9 Affiliations 13
Article 10 Amendment 14
Article 11 Applicable Law 14
Article 12 Miscellaneous 14
Article 13 Merger of Agreement 16
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of this 30th day of August, 1991 by and between
THE BLACKSTONE GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST, a Massachusetts business trust, having
its principal office and place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the Fund), and PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC., a New Jersey
corporation, having its principal office and place of business at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the Agent or PMFS).
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint PMFS as its transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent in connection with
certain other activities, and PMFS desires to accept such appointment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of PMFS
1.01 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints PMFS to act as, and PMFS agrees
to act as, the transfer agent for the authorized and issued shares of beneficial
interest of each series of the Fund, $.01 par value (Shares), dividend
disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent in connection with any
accumulation, open-account or similar plans provided to the shareholders of the
Fund or any series thereof (Shareholders) and set out in the currently effective
prospectus and statement of additional
information (prospectus) of the Fund, including without limitation any periodic
investment plan or periodic withdrawal program.
1.02 PMFS agrees that it will perform the following
services:
(a) In accordance with procedures established from time to time by
agreement between the Fund and PMFS, PMFS shall:
(i) Receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares, and
promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation therefor to the Custodian
of the Fund authorized pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund
(the Custodian);
(ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of
Shares and hold such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder account;
(iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and redemption
directions and deliver the appropriate documentation therefor to the Custodian;
(iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid to it
by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause to be paid
over in the appropriate manner such monies as instructed by the redeeming
Shareholders;
(v) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon
receipt of appropriate instructions;
(vi) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions
declared by the Fund;
(vii) Calculate any sales charges payable by a Shareholder on
purchases and/or redemptions of Shares of the Fund as such
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charges may be reflected in the prospectus;
(viii) Maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and its
Shareholders as to the foregoing; and
(ix) Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain pursuant
to Rule l7Ad-l0(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (1934 Act) a record
of the total number of Shares of the Fund which are authorized, based upon data
provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. When recording the
issuance of Shares, PMFS shall have no obligation to take cognizance of any Blue
Sky laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be
the sole responsibility of the Fund.
(b) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth in the
above paragraph (a), PMFS shall: (i) perform all of the customary services of a
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant, shareholder
servicing agent in connection with accumulation, open-account or similar plans
(including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic
withdrawal program), including but not limited to, maintaining all Shareholder
accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing proxies, receiving and
tabulating proxies, mailing Shareholder reports and prospectuses to current
Shareholders, withholding taxes on non-resident alien accounts, preparing and
filing appropriate forms required with respect to dividends and distributions by
federal tax authorities for all Shareholders, preparing and mailing confirmation
forms and statements of account to Shareholders for all purchases and
redemptions of Shares and other confirmable
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transactions in Shareholder accounts, preparing and mailing activity statements
for Shareholders and providing Shareholder account information and (ii) provide
a system which will enable the Fund to monitor the total number of Shares sold
in each State or other jurisdiction.
(c) In addition, the Fund shall (i) identify to PMFS in writing those
transactions and assets to be treated as exempt from Blue Sky reporting for each
State and (ii) verify the establishment of transactions for each State on the
system prior to activation and thereafter monitor the daily activity for each
State. The responsibility of PMFS for the Fund's registration status under the
Blue Sky or securities laws of any State or other jurisdiction is solely limited
to the initial establishment of transactions subject to Blue Sky compliance by
the Fund and the reporting of such transactions to the Fund as provided above
and as agreed from time to time by the Fund and PMFS.
PMFS may also provide such additional services and functions not
specifically described herein as may be mutually agreed between PMFS and the
Fund and set forth in Schedule B hereto.
Procedures applicable to certain of these services may be established
from time to time by agreement between the Fund and PMFS.
Article 2 Fees and Expenses
2.01 For performance by PMFS pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund
agrees to pay PMFS an annual maintenance fee for each
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Shareholder account and certain transactional fees as set out in the fee
schedule attached hereto as Schedule A. Such fees and out-of-pocket expenses and
advances identified under Section 2.02 below may be changed from time to time
subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund and PMFS.
2.02 In addition to the fees paid under Section 2.01 above, the
Fund agrees to reimburse PMFS for out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by
PMFS for the items set out in Schedule A attached hereto. In addition, any other
expenses incurred by PMFS at the request or with the consent of the Fund will be
reimbursed by the Fund.
2.03 The Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses
within a reasonable period of tine following the mailing of the respective
billing notice. Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Fund reports and
other mailings to all Shareholder accounts shall be advanced to PMFS by the Fund
upon request prior to the mailing date of such materials.
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of PMFS
PMFS represents and warrants to the Fund that:
3.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of New Jersey and it is duly qualified to carry on its
business in New Jersey.
3.02 It is and will remain registered with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a Transfer Agent
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pursuant to the requirements of Section 17A of the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇.
3.03 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and
By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.04 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.05 It has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under
this Agreement.
Article 4 Representations and Warranties of the Fund
The Fund represents and warrants to PMFS that:
4.01 It is a business trust duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of Massachusetts.
4.02 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration
of Trust and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.03 All proceedings required by said Declaration of Trust and
By-Laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this
Agreement.
4.04 It is an investment company registered with the SEC under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
4.05 A registration statement under the Securities Act of ▇▇▇▇
(▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate
state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with
respect to all Shares of
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the Fund being offered for sale.
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification
5.01 PMFS shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall
indemnify and hold PMFS harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages,
costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or
attributable to:
(a) All actions of PMFS or its agents or subcontractors required to be
taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in good
faith and without negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) The Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, or which arise out of the Fund's lack of good faith, negligence or
willful misconduct or which arise out of the breach of any representation or
warranty of the Fund hereunder.
(c) The reliance on or use by PMFS or its agents or subcontractors of
information, records and documents which (i) are received by PMFS or its agents
or subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf of the Fund, and (ii) have
been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund or any other person or firm on
behalf of the Fund.
(d) The reliance on, or the carrying out by PMFS or its agents or
subcontractors of, any instructions or requests of the Fund.
(e) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under
the federal securities laws or regulations or the
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securities or Blue Sky laws of any State or other jurisdiction that such Shares
be registered in such State or other jurisdiction or in violation of any stop
order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or any State or
other jurisdiction with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such
State or other jurisdiction.
5.02 PMFS shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and against
any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses
and liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure or
omission to act by PMFS as a result of PMFS' lack of good faith, negligence or
willful misconduct.
5.03 At any time PMFS may apply to any officer of the Fund for
instructions, and may consult with legal counsel, with respect to any matter
arising in connection with the services to be performed by PMFS under this
Agreement, and PMFS and its agents or subcontractors shall not be liable and
shall be indemnified by the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in
reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. PMFS, its
agents and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon any
paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Fund, reasonably believed to
be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any
instruction, information, data, records or documents provided to PMFS or its
agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or
other similar means authorized by the Fund, and shall not be held
8
to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of
written notice thereof from the Fund. PMFS, its agents and subcontractors shall
also be protected and indemnified in recognizing stock certificates which are
reasonably believed to bear the proper manual or facsimile signature of the
officers of the Fund, and the proper countersignature of any former transfer
agent or registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
5.04 In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations
under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or
transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes
reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the
other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from
such causes.
5.05 Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other
party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any
act or failure to act hereunder.
5.06 In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this
Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may
be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall
promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other
party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party
who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the
party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim. The party seeking
indemnification shall in no case confess
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any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be
required to indemnify it except with the other party's prior written consent.
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and PMFS
6.01 The Fund shall promptly furnish to PMFS the following:
(a) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund authorizing the appointment of PMFS and the execution and delivery of this
Agreement;
(b) A certified copy of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the
Fund and all amendments thereto;
(c) The current registration statements and any amendments and
supplements thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to the requirements of the 1933
Act and the 1940 Act;
(d) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in the form
approved by the Board of Trustees, with a certificate of the Secretary of the
Fund as to such approval;
(e) All account application forms or other documents relating to
Shareholder accounts and/or relating to any plan program or service offered or
to be offered by the Fund; and
(f) Such other certificates, documents or opinions as the Agent deems
to be appropriate or necessary for the proper performance of its duties.
6.02 PMFS hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and
procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of stock
certificates, check forms and facsimile
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signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or use, and for
keeping account of, such certificates, forms and devices.
6.03 PMFS shall prepare and keep records relating to the services to
be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable. To the
extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the Rules and Regulations
thereunder, PMFS agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by PMFS
relating to the services to be performed by PMFS hereunder are the property of
the Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with
such Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, and
will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with its request.
6.04 PMFS and the Fund agree that all books, records, information and
data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or
received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall
remain confidential and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person
except as may be required by law or with the prior consent of PMFS and the Fund.
6.05 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the
Shareholder records of the Fund, PMFS will endeavor to notify the Fund and to
secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Fund as to such
inspection. PMFS reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records
to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable
for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
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Article 7 Termination of Agreement
7.01 This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon one hundred
twenty (120) days written notice to the other.
7.02 Should the Fund exercise its right to terminate, all
out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and other
materials will be borne by the Fund. Additionally, PMFS reserves the right to
charge for any other reasonable fees and expenses associated with such
termination.
Article 8 Assignment
8.01 Except as provided in Section 8.03 below, neither this
Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either
party without the written consent of the other party.
8.02 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
8.03 PMFS may, in its sole discretion and without further consent
by the Fund, subcontract, in whole or in part, for the performance of its
obligations and duties hereunder with any person or entity including but not
limited to: (i) Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities), a
registered broker-dealer, (ii) The Prudential Insurance Company of America
(Prudential), (iii) Pruco Securities Corporation, a registered broker-dealer,
(iv) any Prudential Securities or Prudential
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subsidiary or affiliate duly registered as a broker-dealer and/or a transfer
agent pursuant to the 1934 Act or (vi) any other Prudential Securities or
Prudential affiliate or subsidiary; provided, however, that PMFS shall be as
fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any agent or
subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions.
Article 9 Affiliations
9.01 PMFS may now or hereafter, without the consent of or notice
to the Fund, function as Transfer Agent and/or Shareholder Servicing Agent for
any other investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act,
including without limitation any investment company whose adviser,
administrator, sponsor or principal underwriter is or may become affiliated with
Prudential-Bache and/or Prudential or any of its or their direct or indirect
subsidiaries or affiliates.
9.02 It is understood and agreed that the trustees, officers,
employees, agents and Shareholders of the Fund, and the trustees, officers,
employees, agents and shareholders of the Fund's investment adviser and/or
distributor, are or may be interested in the Agent as directors, officers,
employees, agents, shareholders or otherwise, and that the directors, officers,
employees, agents or shareholders of the Agent may be interested in the Fund as
Trustees, officers, employees, agents, Shareholders or otherwise, or in the
investment adviser and/or distributor as officers, directors, employees, agents,
shareholders or otherwise.
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Article 10 Amendment
10.01 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written
agreement executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of
the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
Article 11 Applicable Law
11.01 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions
thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New
Jersey.
Article 12 Miscellaneous
12.01 In the event of an alleged loss or destruction of any Share
certificate, no new certificate shall be issued in lieu thereof, unless there
shall first be furnished to PMFS an affidavit of loss or non-receipt by the
holder of Shares with respect to which a certificate has been lost or destroyed,
supported by an appropriate bond satisfactory to PMFS and the Fund issued by a
surety company satisfactory to PMFS, except that PMFS may accept an affidavit of
loss and indemnity agreement executed by the registered holder (or legal
representative) without surety in such form as PMFS deems appropriate
indemnifying PMFS and the Fund for the issuance of a replacement certificate, in
cases where the alleged loss is in the amount of $1000 or less.
12.02 In the event that any check or other order for
payment of money on the account of any Shareholder or new investor
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is returned unpaid for any reason, PMFS will (a) give prompt notification to the
Fund's distributor (Distributor) of such non-payment; and (b) take such other
action, including imposition of a reasonable processing or handling fee, as PMFS
may, in its sole discretion, deem appropriate or as the Fund and the Distributor
may instruct PMFS.
12.03 Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given in writing to the Fund or to PMFS shall be
sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office
set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in
writing.
To the Fund:
The Blackstone Government Income Trust
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: President
To PMFS:
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: President
Article 13 Merger of Agreement
13.01 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject
matter hereof whether oral or written.
Article 14 Liabilities of the Fund.
The name "The Blackstone Government Income Trust" is the
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designation of the Trustees under a Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 1991, as
amended on July 17, 1991, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely
to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund
as neither the Trustees, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal
liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed in their names and on their behalf under their seals by and through
their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
THE BLACKSTONE GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
BY: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
ATTEST: President
/s/ [Illegible]
-----------------------------
PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
BY: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
ATTEST: Chairman
/s/ [Illegible]
-----------------------------
Schedule A
Prudential Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
Fee Schedule
Fee Information for Services as
Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent
and Shareholder Servicing Agent
THE BLACKSTONE GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
General - Fees are based on an annual per shareholder account charge for
account maintenance plus out-of-pocket expenses. The effective period of
this fee schedule is August 30, 1991 through December 31, 1991 and shall
continue thereafter from year to year, unless otherwise amended.
Annual Maintenance Charges - The annual maintenance charge includes the
processing of all transactions and correspondence. The fee is billable on a
monthly basis at the rate of 1/12 of the annual fee. A charge is made for
an account in the month that an account opens or closes.
Basic Annual Per Account Fee $13.00
New Account Set-up Fee for Manually $ 2.00
Established Accounts
Monthly Inactive Account Fee $ .20
Out-of-Pocket Expenses - Out-of-pocket expenses include but are not
limited to: postage, stationery and printing, allocable communication
costs, microfilm, microfiche, and expenses incurred at the specific
direction of the Fund.
Payment - An invoice will be presented to the Fund on a monthly basis
assessing the Fund the appropriate fee and out-of-pocket expenses.
THE BLACKSTONE GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
NAME: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NAME: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
TITLE: President TITLE: Chairman
DATE: ________________________ DATE: ________________________
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