CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
SAFECO TAX-EXEMPT BOND TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Trust/Series
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 Trust Held by the Custodian ......................................2
2.1 Holding Securities.................................................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities.............................................2
2.3 Registration of Securities.........................................3
2.4 Bank Accounts......................................................4
2.5 Payments for Shares................................................4
2.6 Collection of Income...............................................4
2.7 Payment of Trust Monies............................................4
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased....................................5
2.9 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions
of Shares of the Trust.............................................6
2.10 Appointment of Agents..............................................6
2.11 Deposit of Trust Assets in Securities System.......................6
2.12 Trust Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System.......................................................7
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes............................8
2.14 Proxies............................................................8
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio
Securities.........................................................8
2.16 Proper Instructions................................................9
2.17 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority........................9
2.18 Evidence of Authority..............................................9
3. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of
Account and Calculation of Net Asset Value and
Net Income..............................................................10
4. Records.................................................................10
5. Reports to Trust by Independent Public Accountants......................10
6. Compensation of Custodian...............................................10
7. Responsibility of Custodian..............................................10
8. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment.............................11
9. Successor Custodian.....................................................12
10. Interpretive and Additional Provisions..................................12
11. Additional Funds........................................................13
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply..............................................13
13. Custodian Representation................................................13
14. Limitation of Liability.................................................13
15. Miscellaneous...........................................................13
16. Shareholder Communications..............................................14
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust , a business trust
organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, having its principal place of
business at XXXXXX Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 hereinafter called the
"Trust", 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:
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities
and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Trust currently offers shares in five series, the
Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund, Insured Municipal Bond Fund, Municipal
Bond Fund, California Tax-Free Income Fund and Washington State Municipal Bond
Fund (such series together with all other series subsequently established by the
Trust and made subject to this Contract in accordance with paragraph 11, being
herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, 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 Trust hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of
the Portfolios of the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Instrument
of the Trust and the Trust's Bylaws. The Trust on behalf of the Portfolio(s)
agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios,
and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions
received by it with respect to all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from
time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury
shares of capital stock of the Trust representing interests in the Portfolios,
("Shares") as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not
be responsible for any property of a Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio
and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.16), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to
time employ one or more sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an
applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Trust on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio(s). The Custodian covenants with the Trust that each
agreement whereby the Custodian employs any such sub-custodian shall provide
that the sub-custodian will be liable to the Custodian for losses and
liabilities caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the sub-custodian.
The Trust, on behalf of the Portfolio(s), agrees that, so long as the Custodian
has complied with its obligation set forth in the preceding sentence, the
Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Trust on
account of any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed by it on
behalf of the Trust than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian.
2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE TRUST HELD BY THE
CUSTODIAN
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, including all
securities owned by such Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.11 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 2.12.
2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver
securities owned by a Portfolio 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 from the Trust on behalf of the applicable Portfolio,
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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for securities of the Portfolio;
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 Portfolio 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 2.10 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 Portfolio, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination
in accordance with "street
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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) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for the Trust, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the
holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be
described from time to time in the currently effective prospectus and
statement of additional information of the Trust, related to the
Portfolio ("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of
Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
11) For any other proper Trust purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees signed by an officer of the Trust and certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities of the
Portfolio to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such
delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper Trust
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 Portfolio or in
the name of any nominee of the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio or of any
nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to
the Portfolio. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the
Portfolio under the terms of this Contract shall be in "street name" or
other good delivery form. If, however, the Trust directs the Custodian to
maintain securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best
efforts only to timely collect income due the Trust on such securities and
to notify the Trust 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 each Portfolio of the Trust, subject
only order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract,
and shall hold in such account or accounts,
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subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the
account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a
bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Trusts held by the Custodian for a
Portfolio 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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by
vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. 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 Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Trust and deposit into the
account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received for
Shares of that Portfolio issued or sold from time to time by the Trust.
The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Trust on behalf of
each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of
payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
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 each
Portfolio 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 such
Portfolio'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.
2.7 PAYMENT OF TRUST MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Trust on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall
pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts for the account of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 2.11 hereof; (c) in the
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case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12; (d) in the case of
repurchase agreements entered into between the Trust on behalf of the
Portfolio 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
Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such
securities from the Portfolio or (e) for transfer to a time deposit
account of the Trust in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such
transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a
broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions
from the Trust as defined in Section 2.16;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Portfolio as
set forth in Section 2.9 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for
the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management,
accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of
the Trust 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 or capital gain distributions on
Shares of the Portfolio declared pursuant to the governing documents
of the Trust;
6) For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in addition
to Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust
signed by an officer of the Trust 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 a
Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the Trust
on behalf of such Portfolio to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be
absolutely liable to the Trust for such securities to the same extent as
if the securities had been received by the Custodian.
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2.9 PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES OF THE TRUST. From such
funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the limitations
of the Trust Instrument and Trust's Bylaws and any applicable votes of the
Board of Trustees of the Trust 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.
2.10 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may with the approval of an officer
of the Trust 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.
Neither the Custodian nor the subcustodian shall be entitled to
reimbursement by the Trust or any Portfolios for any fees or expenses of
any agent.
2.11 DEPOSIT OF TRUST ASSETS IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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
Portfolio which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify
by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Portfolio 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 Portfolio. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of the
Portfolio 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 Portfolio.
Copies of all advices from the Securities System of transfers of
securities for the account of the Portfolio shall identify the
Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the Custodian and be
provided to the Trust at its request. Upon request, the
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Custodian shall furnish the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio
in the form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to the
Trust on behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities System for the
account of the Portfolio.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Trust for the Portfolio 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 from the Trust on behalf of the
Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case may be,
required by Article 8 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for the benefit of the
Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio 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 Trust, 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 Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss
or damage.
2.12 TRUST ASSETS HELD IN THE CUSTODIAN'S DIRECT PAPER SYSTEM. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio 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 from the Trust on
behalf of the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio 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
Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Portfolio 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 Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Portfolio upon the making of an entry
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on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt
of payment for the account of the Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Portfolio, 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 Trust on behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the Securities System for
the account of the Portfolio;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio with
any report on its system of internal accounting control as the Trust
may reasonably request from time to time.
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 each Portfolio held by it and in connection with
transfers of 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 Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall
promptly deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.15 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Trust for each Portfolio 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 Trust on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity
of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Portfolio) received by the
Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio.
With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit
promptly to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio desires to take action with respect to any tender
offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Portfolio
shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to the date
on which the Custodian is to take such action.
2.16 PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article
2 means a writing signed by two persons as the Board of 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
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them to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions
with respect to the transaction involved. The Trust shall cause all oral
instructions to be confirmed in writing. The Custodian shall confirm all
oral instructions with an officer of the Trust if written instructions are
not received within a week after the instructions are given. Upon receipt
of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the
authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Trust accompanied by a
detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of Trustees,
Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford
adequate safeguards for the Portfolios' assets.
2.17 ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Trust on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio:
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 approved by an
officer of the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio except as
otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
2.18 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 Trust. The Custodian may receive and
accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust 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 Trustees pursuant to the Trust Bylaws 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 Board of Trustees of the Trust to keep the
books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per share
of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio.
4. RECORDS
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The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all
records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such
manner as will meet the obligations of the Trust 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 Trust 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 Trust and
employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian
shall, at the Trust's request, supply the Trust with a tabulation of securities
owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to
do so by the Trust and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the
Trust and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
5. REPORTS TO TRUST BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the Trust, on behalf of each of the Portfolios
at such times as the Trust 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 Trust 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.
6. 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
Trust on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
7. 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 Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith without negligence, misfeasance, or misconduct of the Custodian or any of
its subcustodians or agents, or any of the Custodian's or any agent's employees
in the performance of the Custodian's duties under this agreement. It shall be
entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for
the Trust) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action
reasonably taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to such advice.
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If the Trust on behalf of a Portfolio 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 Trust or the Portfolio being liable for the payment
of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Trust on behalf of the
Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action,
shall agree to indemnify the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it.
If the Trust requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited
to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement)
for the benefit of a Portfolio, any property at any time held for the account of
the applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should the Trust fail to
repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize
available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary
to obtain reimbursement.
8. 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 with respect to a Portfolio 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 Trustees of the Trust has
approved the initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio, as
required by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and
that the Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.12
hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use
of the Direct Paper System by such Portfolio; PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that
the Trust shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any
applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Trust Bylaws,
and further provided, that the Trust on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios
may at any time by action of its Board of 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 Trust on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio 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.
9. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for the Trust, of one or more of the Portfolios
shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, 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 cash,
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securities and any earned income associated with those securities (as received)
of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio
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 Trustees
of the Trust, 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 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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer
to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such
Portfolio 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 Trust to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of 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.
10. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Trust on behalf of each of the Portfolios, 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 Trust Instrument or the Trust's
Bylaws. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the
preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
11. ADDITIONAL FUNDS
In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to the Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund, Insured Municipal Bond
Fund, Municipal Bond Fund, California Tax-Free Income Fund and Washington State
Municipal Bond Fund with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian
render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall
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so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to
provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
12. 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.
13. CUSTODIAN REPRESENTATION
The Custodian represents that it does meet, and will continue to meet at
all times that this Contract is in effect, the requirements of the rules and
regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended.
14. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
The Custodian is hereby expressly put on notice of (i) the limitation of
shareholder, officer and trustee liability as set forth in the Trust Instrument
of the Trust and (ii) of the provisions in the Trust Instrument permitting the
establishment of separate Series and limiting the liability of each Series to
obligations of that Series. The Custodian hereby agrees that obligations
assumed by the Trust pursuant to this Contract are in all cases assumed on
behalf of a particular Series and each such obligation shall be limited in all
cases to that Series and its assets. The Custodian agrees that it shall not
seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any individual
shareholder of the Trust nor from the officers or trustees or any individual
officer or trustee of the Trust.
15. MISCELLANEOUS
This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however,
that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust without the written the
written consent of the Custodian or by the Custodian without the written consent
of the Trust. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect. This Agreement may be executed
in counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
16. SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
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 Trust to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Trust's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose stock the Trust own. If the Trust tells the Custodian "no", the
Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies.
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If the Trust tells the Custodian "yes" or do not check either "yes" or "no"
below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Trust as consenting to
disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Trust or any
funds or accounts established by the Trust. For the Trust's
protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Trust's
name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please
indicate below whether the Trust consents or objects by checking one of the
alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Trust's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [X] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Trust's name,
address, and share positions.
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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 31st day of March , 1997.
ATTEST SAFECO TAX-EXEMPT BOND TRUST
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx By /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------- -----------------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx By /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------------- -----------------------------------------
Executive Vice President
