CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of November 13, 1995, between PEOPLES INDEX FUND,
INC., D/B/A DREYFUS S&P 500 INDEX FUND, a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Maryland (the "Fund"), having its principal office and
place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, and BOSTON
SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST COMPANY (the "Custodian"), a Massachusetts trust
company with its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
W I T N E S S E T H:
That for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set
forth, the Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Whenever used in this Agreement or in any Schedules to this Agreement,
the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires,
shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Affiliated Person" shall have the meaning of the term within
Section 2(a)3 of the 1940 Act.
(b) "Authorized Person" shall mean those persons duly authorized by
the Board of Directors of the Fund to give Oral Instructions and
Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund and listed in the
certification annexed hereto as Appendix A or such other certification
as may be received by the Custodian from time to time.
(c) "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-
entry system for United States and federal agency Securities, its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees, in which the
Custodian is hereby specifically authorized and instructed on a
continuous and on-going basis to deposit all Securities eligible for
deposit therein, and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent
possible in connection with its performance hereunder.
(d) "Business Day" shall mean each day on which the Fund is required
to determine its net asset value, and any other day on which the
Securities and Exchange Commission may require the Fund to be open for
business.
(e) "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction or other
instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be
given to the Custodian, which is actually received by the Custodian and
signed on behalf of the Fund by any two Authorized Persons or any two
officers thereof.
(f) "Articles of Incorporation" shall mean the Articles of
Incorporation of the Fund dated January 23, 1989 as the same may be
amended from time to time.
(g) "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"),
a clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 17(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, its successor or successors and its nominee or nominees, in
which the Custodian is hereby specifically authorized and instructed on
a continuous and on-going basis to deposit all Securities eligible for
deposit therein, and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent
possible in connection with its performance hereunder. The term
"Depository" shall further mean and include any other person to be
named in a Certificate authorized to act as a depository under the 1940
Act, its successor or successors and its nominee or nominees.
(h) "Money Market Security" shall be deemed to include, without
limitation, debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to interest and
principal by the government of the United States or agencies or
instrumentalities thereof ("U.S. government securities"), commercial
paper, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and short-
term corporate obligations, where the purchase or sale of such
securities normally requires settlement in federal funds on the same
day as such purchase or sale, and repurchase and reverse repurchase
agreements with respect to any of the foregoing types of securities and
bank time deposits.
(i) "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually
received by the Custodian from a person reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
(j) "Prospectus" shall mean the Fund's current prospectus and
statement of additional information relating to the registration of the
Fund's Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(k) "Shares" shall mean all or any part of each class of Common Stock
of the Fund listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix B, as
it may be amended from time to time, which from time to time are
authorized and/or issued by the Fund.
(l) "Security" or "Securities" shall be deemed to include bonds,
debentures, notes, stocks, shares, evidences of indebtedness, and other
securities, commodities interests and investments from time to time
owned by the Fund.
(m) "Transfer Agent" shall mean the person which performs the
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing
agent functions for the Fund.
(n) "Written Instructions" shall mean a written communication actually
received by the Custodian from a person reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be an Authorized Person by any system, including, without
limitation, electronic transmissions, facsimile and telex, whereby the
receiver of such communication is able to verify by codes or otherwise
with a reasonable degree of certainty the authenticity of the sender of
such communication.
(o) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940, and
the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time.
2. Appointment of Custodian.
(a) The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as
custodian of all the Securities and monies at the time owned by or in
the possession of the Fund during the period of this Agreement.
(b) The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and
agrees to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.
3. Compensation.
(a) The Fund will compensate the Custodian for its services rendered
under this Agreement in accordance with the fees set forth in the Fee
Schedule annexed hereto as Schedule A and incorporated herein. Such
Fee Schedule does not include out-of-pocket disbursements of the
Custodian for which the Custodian shall be entitled to ▇▇▇▇ separately.
Out-of-pocket disbursements shall consist of the items specified in the
Schedule of Out-of-pocket charges annexed hereto as Schedule B and
incorporated herein, which schedule may be modified by the Custodian
upon not less than thirty days prior written notice to the Fund.
(b) Any compensation agreed to hereunder may be adjusted from time to
time by attaching to Schedule A of this Agreement a revised Fee
Schedule, dated and signed by an Authorized Officer or authorized
representative of each party hereto.
(c) The Custodian will ▇▇▇▇ the Fund as soon as practicable after the
end of each calendar month, and said ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will be detailed in
accordance with Schedule A, as amended from time to time. The Fund
will promptly pay to the Custodian the amount of such billing. The
Custodian may charge against any monies held on behalf of the Fund
pursuant to this Agreement such compensation and disbursements incurred
by the Custodian in the performance of its duties pursuant to this
Agreement. The Custodian shall also be entitled to charge against any
money held on behalf of the Fund pursuant to this Agreement the amount
of any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred with respect to the
Fund, including counsel fees, for which it shall be entitled to
reimbursement under the provisions of this Agreement.
4. Custody of Cash and Securities.
(a) Receipt and Holding of Assets.
The Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian or its
permitted Sub-Custodians all Securities and monies owned by it at any
time during the period of this Agreement. The Custodian will not be
responsible for such Securities and monies until actually received by
it. The Fund shall instruct the Custodian from time to time in its
sole discretion, by means of Written Instructions, or, in connection
with the purchase or sale of Money Market Securities, by means of Oral
Instructions confirmed in writing in accordance with Section 11(h)
hereof or Written Instructions, as to the manner in which and in what
amounts Securities and monies are to be deposited on behalf of the Fund
in the Book-Entry System or the Depository. Securities and monies of
the Fund deposited in the Book-Entry System or the Depository will be
represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian
for customers, including but not limited to accounts for which the
Custodian acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity.
(b) Accounts and Disbursements. The Custodian shall establish and
maintain a separate account for the Fund and shall credit to the
separate account all monies received by it for the account of such Fund
and shall disburse the same only:
1. In payment for Securities purchased for the Fund, as
provided in Section 5 hereof;
2. In payment of dividends or distributions with respect to
the Shares, as provided in Section 7 hereof;
3. In payment of original issue or other taxes with respect
to the Shares, as provided in Section 8 hereof;
4. In payment for Shares which have been redeemed by the
Fund, as provided in Section 8 hereof;
5. Pursuant to a Certificate setting forth the name and
address of the person to whom the payment is to be made, the
amount to be paid and the purpose for which payment is to be made,
provided that in the event of disbursements pursuant to this Sub-
section 4(b)(5), the Fund shall indemnify and hold the Custodian
harmless from any claims or losses arising out of such
disbursements in reliance on such Certificate; or
6. In payment of fees and in reimbursement of the expenses
and liabilities of the Custodian attributable to the Fund, as
provided in Sections 3 and 11(i).
(c) Confirmation and Statements. Promptly after the close of business
on each day, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with confirmations
and a summary of all transfers to or from the account of the Fund
during said day. Where securities purchased by the Fund are in a
fungible bulk of securities registered in the name of the Custodian (or
its nominee) or shown on the Custodian's account on the books of the
Depository or the Book-Entry System, the Custodian shall by book entry
or otherwise identify the quantity of those securities belonging to the
Fund. At least monthly, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a
detailed statement of the Securities and monies held for the Fund under
this Agreement.
(d) Registration of Securities and Physical Separation. All
Securities held for the Fund which are issued or issuable only in
bearer form, except such Securities as are held in the Book-Entry
System, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all other
Securities held for the Fund may be registered in the name of the Fund,
in the name of the Custodian, in the name of any duly appointed
registered nominee of the Custodian as the Custodian may from time to
time determine, or in the name of the Book-Entry System or the
Depository or their successor or successors, or their nominee or
nominees. The Fund reserves the right to instruct the Custodian as to
the method of registration and safekeeping of the Securities. The Fund
agrees to furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable
the Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to
register in the name of its registered nominee or in the name of the
Book-Entry System or the Depository, any Securities which it may hold
for the account of the Fund and which may from time to time be
registered in the name of the Fund. The Custodian shall hold all such
Securities specifically allocated to the Fund which are not held in the
Book-Entry System or the Depository in a separate account for the Fund
in the name of the Fund physically segregated at all times from those
of any other person or persons.
(e) Segregated Accounts. Upon receipt of a Certificate the Custodian
will establish segregated accounts on behalf of the Fund to hold liquid
or other assets as it shall be directed by a Certificate and shall
increase or decrease the assets in such segregated accounts only as it
shall be directed by subsequent Certificate.
(f) Collection of Income and Other Matters Affecting Securities.
Unless otherwise instructed to the contrary by a Certificate, the
Custodian by itself, or through the use of the Book-Entry System or the
Depository with respect to Securities therein deposited, shall with
respect to all Securities held for the Fund in accordance with this
Agreement:
1. Collect all income due or payable;
2. Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
all Securities which may mature or be called, redeemed, retired or
otherwise become payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Custodian only shall have such responsibility to the Fund for
Securities which are called if either (i) the Custodian received a
written notice of such call; or (ii) notice of such call appears
in one or more of the publications listed in Appendix C annexed
hereto, which may be amended at any time by the Custodian upon
five (5) Business Days prior notification to the Fund;
3. Surrender Securities in temporary form for definitive
Securities;
4. Execute any necessary declarations or certificates of
ownership under the Federal income tax laws or the laws or
regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in
effect; and
5. Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or the
Depository with respect to Securities therein deposited, for the
account of the Fund all rights and similar Securities issued with
respect to any Securities held by the Custodian hereunder for the
Fund.
(g) Delivery of Securities and Evidence of Authority. Upon receipt of
a Certificate, the Custodian, directly or through the use of the Book-
Entry System or the Depository, shall:
1. Execute and deliver or cause to be executed and
delivered to such persons as may be designated in such
Certificate, proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other
instruments whereby the authority of the Fund as owner of any
Securities may be exercised;
2. Deliver or cause to be delivered any Securities held for
the Fund in exchange for other Securities or cash issued or paid
in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or
the exercise of any conversion privilege;
3. Deliver or cause to be delivered any Securities held for
the Fund to any protective committee, reorganization committee or
other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization or sale of assets of any
corporation, and receive and hold under the terms of this
Agreement in the separate account for the Fund such certificates
of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as
may be issued to it to evidence such delivery;
4. Make or cause to be made such transfers or exchanges of
the assets specifically allocated to the separate account of the
Fund and take such other steps as shall be stated in a Certificate
to be for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized plan of
liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of the Fund;
5. Deliver Securities upon the receipt of payment in
connection with any repurchase agreement related to such
Securities entered into by the Fund;
6. Deliver Securities owned by the Fund to the issuer
thereof or its agent when such Securities are called or otherwise
become payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian
shall have no responsibility for monitoring or ascertaining any
call, redemption or retirement dates with respect to put bonds
which are owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian or its
nominees. Nor shall the Custodian have any responsibility or
liability to the Fund for any loss by the Fund for any missed
payments or other defaults resulting therefrom; unless the
Custodian received timely notification from the Fund specifying
the time, place and manner for the presentment of any such put
bond owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian or its nominee.
The Custodian shall not be responsible and assumes no liability to
the Fund for the accuracy or completeness of any notification the
Custodian may furnish to the Fund with respect to put bonds
7. Deliver Securities 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 U.S.
government securities or a letter of credit;
8. Deliver Securities for delivery as security in
connection with any borrowings by the Fund requiring a pledge of
Fund assets, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
9. Deliver Securities upon receipt of a Certificate from
the Fund for delivery to the Transfer Agent or to the holders of
Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be
described from time to time in the Fund's Prospectus, in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption;
10. Deliver Securities as collateral in connection with
short sales by the Fund of common stock for which the Fund owns
the stock or owns preferred stocks or debt securities convertible
or exchangeable, without payment or further consideration, into
shares of the common stock sold short;
11. Deliver Securities for any purpose expressly permitted
by and in accordance with procedures described in the Fund's
Prospectus; and
12. Deliver Securities for any other proper business
purpose, but only upon receipt of, in addition to Written
Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors signed by an Authorized Person and certified by the
Secretary of the Fund, specifying the Securities to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper business purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom delivery of such Securities shall be
made.
(h) Endorsement and Collection of Checks, Etc. The Custodian is
hereby authorized to endorse and collect all checks, drafts or other
orders for the payment of money received by the Custodian for the
account of the Fund.
5. Purchase and Sale of Investments of the Fund.
(a) Promptly after each purchase of Securities for the Fund, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate; and
(ii) with respect to each purchase of Money Market Securities, either a
Written Instruction or Oral Instruction, in either case specifying with
respect to each purchase: (1) the name of the issuer and the title of
the Securities; (2) the number of shares or the principal amount
purchased and accrued interest, if any; (3) the date of purchase and
settlement; (4) the purchase price per unit; (5) the total amount
payable upon such purchase; (6) the name of the person from whom or the
broker through whom the purchase was made, if any; and (7) whether or
not such purchase is to be settled through the Book-Entry System or the
Depository. The Custodian shall receive the Securities purchased by or
for the Fund and upon receipt of Securities shall pay out of the monies
held for the account of the Fund the total amount payable upon such
purchase, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable
as set forth in such Certificate, Written or Oral Instruction.
(b) Promptly after each sale of Securities of the Fund, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of Securities
which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with
respect to each sale of Money Market Securities, either Written
Instruction or Oral Instructions, in either case specifying with
respect to such sale: (1) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Securities; (2) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and
accrued interest, if any; (3) the date of sale; (4) the sale price per
unit; (5) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; (6) the
name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was
made; and (7) whether or not such sale is to be settled through the
Book-Entry System or the Depository. The Custodian shall deliver or
cause to be delivered the Securities to the broker or other person
designated by the Fund upon receipt of the total amount payable to the
Fund upon such sale, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable to the Fund as set forth in such Certificate, Written or
Oral Instruction. Subject to the foregoing, the Custodian may accept
payment in such form as shall be satisfactory to it, and may deliver
Securities and arrange for payment in accordance with the customs
prevailing among dealers in Securities.
6. Lending of Securities.
If the Fund is permitted by the terms of the Articles of
Incorporation and as disclosed in its Prospectus to lend securities,
within 24 hours after each loan of Securities, the Fund shall deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such
loan: (a) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities; (b)
the number of shares or the principal amount loaned; (c) the date of
loan and delivery; (d) the total amount to be delivered to the
Custodian, and specifically allocated against the loan of the
Securities, including the amount of cash collateral and the premium, if
any, separately identified; and (e) the name of the broker, dealer or
financial institution to which the loan was made.
Promptly after each termination of a loan of Securities, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
each such loan termination and return of Securities: (a) the name of
the issuer and the title of the Securities to be returned; (b) the
number of shares or the principal amount to be returned; (c) the date
of termination; (d) the total amount to be delivered by the Custodian
(including the cash collateral for such Securities minus any offsetting
credits as described in said Certificate); and (e) the name of the
broker, dealer or financial institution from which the Securities will
be returned. The Custodian shall receive all Securities returned from
the broker, dealer or financial institution to which such Securities
were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall pay the total amount payable
upon such return of Securities as set forth in the Certificate.
Securities returned to the Custodian shall be held as they were prior
to such loan.
7. Payment of Dividends or Distributions.
(a) The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a Certificate specifying
the date of payment of any dividend or distribution, and the total
amount payable to the Transfer Agent on the payment date.
(b) Upon the payment date specified in such Certificate, the Custodian
shall pay out the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent of the
Fund.
8. Sale and Redemption of Shares of the Fund.
(a) Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, or whenever any shares
are redeemed, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Custodian a Written Instruction from the Transfer Agent duly
specifying:
1. The net amount of money to be received by the Custodian,
where the sale of such Shares exceeds redemption; and
2. The net amount of money to be paid for such Shares, where
redemptions exceed purchases.
The Custodian understands and agrees that Written Instructions may
be furnished subsequent to the purchase of Shares and that the
information contained therein will be derived from the sales of Shares
as reported to the Fund by the Transfer Agent.
(b) Upon receipt of money from the Transfer Agent, the Custodian shall
credit such money to the separate account of the Fund.
(c) Upon issuance of any Shares in accordance with the foregoing
provisions of this Section 8, the Custodian shall pay all original
issue or other taxes required to be paid in connection with such
issuance upon the receipt of a Written Instruction specifying the
amount to be paid.
(d) Upon receipt from the Transfer Agent of Written Instructions
setting forth the net amount of money to be paid for Shares received by
the Transfer Agent for redemption, the Custodian shall make payment to
the Transfer Agent of such net amount.
9. Indebtedness.
(a) The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by any bank
(excluding the Custodian) from which the Fund borrows money for
investment or for temporary administrative or emergency purposes using
Securities as collateral for such borrowings, a notice or undertaking
in the form currently employed by any such bank setting forth the
amount which such bank will loan to the Fund against delivery of a
stated amount of collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate stating with respect to each such borrowing:
(1) the name of the bank; (2) the amount and terms of the borrowing,
which may be set forth by incorporating by reference an attached
promissory note, duly endorsed by the Fund, or other loan agreement;
(3) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered
into (the "borrowing date"); (4) the date on which the loan becomes due
and payable; (5) the total amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing
date; (6) the market value of Securities to be delivered as collateral
for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the
number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities;
and (7) a statement that such loan is in conformance with the 1940 Act
and the Fund's Prospectus.
(b) Upon receipt of the Certificate referred to in subparagraph (a)
above, the Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date the specified
collateral and the executed promissory note, if any, against delivery
by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided
that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the
Certificate. The Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank,
keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be
subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any
promissory note or loan agreement. The Custodian shall deliver as
additional collateral in the manner directed by the Fund from time to
time such Securities as may be specified in the Certificate to
collateralize further any transaction described in this Section 9. The
Fund shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be
returned directly to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall receive
from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it.
In the event that the Fund fails to specify in the Certificate all of
the information required by this Section 9, the Custodian shall not be
under any obligation to deliver any Securities. Collateral returned to
the Custodian shall be held hereunder as it was prior to being used as
collateral.
10. Persons Having Access to Assets of the Fund.
(a) No trustee or agent of the Fund, and no officer, director,
employee or agent of the Fund's investment adviser, of any sub-
investment adviser of the Fund, or of the Fund's administrator, shall
have physical access to the assets of the Fund held by the Custodian or
be authorized or permitted to withdraw any investments of the Fund, nor
shall the Custodian deliver any assets of the Fund to any such person.
No officer, director, employee or agent of the Custodian who holds any
similar position with the Fund's investment adviser, with any sub-
investment adviser of the Fund or with the Fund's administrator shall
have access to the assets of the Fund.
(b) Nothing in this Section 10 shall prohibit any duly authorized
officer, employee or agent of the Fund, or any duly authorized officer,
director, employee or agent of the investment adviser, of any sub-
investment adviser of the Fund or of the Fund's administrator, from
giving Oral Instructions or Written Instructions to the Custodian or
executing a Certificate so long as it does not result in delivery of or
access to assets of the Fund prohibited by paragraph (a) of this
Section 10.
11. Concerning the Custodian.
(a) Standard of Conduct. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, neither the Custodian nor its nominee shall be liable for
any loss or damage, including counsel fees, resulting from its action
or omission to act or otherwise, except for any such loss or damage
arising out of the negligence, misfeasance or willful misconduct of the
Custodian or any of its employees, Sub-Custodians or agents. The
Custodian may, with respect to questions of law, apply for and obtain
the advice and opinion of counsel to the Fund or of its own counsel, at
the expense of the Fund, and shall be fully protected with respect to
anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such
advice or opinion. The Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for
any loss or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or
the Depository, except to the extent such loss or damage arises by
reason of any negligence, misfeasance or willful misconduct on the part
of the Custodian or any of its employees or agents.
(b) Limit of Duties. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to
inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
1. The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by
the Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof, or the propriety
of the amount paid therefor;
2. The legality of the sale of any Securities by the Fund
or the propriety of the amount for which the same are sold;
3. The legality of the issue or sale of any Shares, or the
sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor;
4. The legality of the redemption of any Shares, or the
propriety of the amount to be paid therefor;
5. The legality of the declaration or payment of any
distribution of the Fund;
6. The legality of any borrowing for temporary or emergency
administrative purposes.
(c) No Liability Until Receipt. The Custodian shall not be liable
for, or considered to be the Custodian of, any money, whether or not
represented by any check, draft, or other instrument for the payment of
money, received by it on behalf of the Fund until the Custodian
actually receives and collects such money directly or by the final
crediting of the account representing the Fund's interest in the Book-
Entry System or the Depository.
(d) Amounts Due from Transfer Agent. The Custodian shall not be under
any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of any
amount due to the Fund from the Transfer Agent nor to take any action
to effect payment or distribution by the Transfer Agent of any amount
paid by the Custodian to the Transfer Agent in accordance with this
Agreement.
(e) Collection Where Payment Refused. The Custodian shall not be
under any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of any
amount, if the Securities upon which such amount is payable are in
default, or if payment is refused after due demand or presentation,
unless and until (a) it shall be directed to take such action by a
Certificate and (b) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of
reimbursement of its costs and expenses in connection with any such
action.
(f) Appointment of Agents and Sub-Custodians. The Custodian may
appoint one or more banking institutions, including but not limited to
banking institutions located in foreign countries, to act as Depository
or Depositories or as Sub-Custodian or as Sub-Custodians of Securities
and monies at any time owned by the Fund. The Custodian shall use
reasonable care in selecting a Depository and/or Sub-Custodian located
in a country other than the United States ("Foreign Sub-Custodian"),
which selection shall be in accordance with the requirements of Rule
17f-5 under the 1940 Act, and shall oversee the maintenance of any
Securities or monies of the Fund by any Foreign Sub-Custodian. In
addition, the Custodian shall hold the Fund harmless from, and
indemnify the Fund against, any loss, action, claim, demand, expense
and proceeding, including counsel fees, that occurs as a result of the
failure of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or Depository to exercise
reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of Securities and
monies of the Fund. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing,
however, the Custodian shall not be liable for any losses resulting
from the general risk of investing or holding Securities and monies in
a particular country, including, but not limited to, losses resulting
from nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, revaluation,
confiscation, seizure, cancellation, destruction or similar action by
any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment,
promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental
authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, taxes, levies or
other charges affecting the Fund's property; or acts of war, terrorism,
insurrection or revolution; or any other similar act or event beyond
the Custodian's control.
(g) No Duty to Ascertain Authority. The Custodian shall not be under
any duty or obligation to ascertain whether any Securities at any time
delivered to or held by it for the Fund are such as may properly be
held by the Fund under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation
and the Prospectus.
(h) Reliance on Certificates and Instructions. The Custodian shall be
entitled to rely upon any Certificate, notice or other instrument in
writing received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be genuine and to be signed by an officer or Authorized
Person of the Fund. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any
Written Instructions or Oral Instructions actually received by the
Custodian pursuant to the applicable Sections of this Agreement and
reasonably believed by the Custodian to be genuine and to be given by
an Authorized Person. The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian
Written Instructions from an Authorized Person confirming such Oral
Instructions in such manner so that such Written Instructions are
received by the Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telex or
otherwise, by the close of business on the same day that such Oral
Instructions are given to the Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact
that such confirming instructions are not received by the Custodian
shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions or
enforceability of the transactions hereby authorized by the Fund. The
Fund agrees that the Custodian shall incur no liability to the Fund in
acting upon Oral Instructions given to the Custodian hereunder
concerning such transactions provided such instructions reasonably
appear to have been received from a duly Authorized Person.
(i) Overdraft Facility and Security for Payment. In the event that the
Custodian is directed by Written Instruction (or Oral Instructions
confirmed in writing in accordance with Section 11(h) hereof) to make
any payment or transfer of monies on behalf of the Fund for which there
would be, at the close of business on the date of such payment or
transfer, insufficient monies held by the Custodian on behalf of the
Fund, the Custodian may, in its sole discretion, provide an overdraft
(an "Overdraft") to the Fund in an amount sufficient to allow the
completion of such payment or transfer. Any Overdraft provided
hereunder: (a) shall be payable on the next Business Day, unless
otherwise agreed by the Fund and the Custodian; and (b) shall accrue
interest from the date of the Overdraft to the date of payment in full
by the Fund at a rate agreed upon in writing, from time to time, by the
Custodian and the Fund. The Custodian and the Fund acknowledge that
the purpose of such Overdraft is to temporarily finance the purchase of
Securities for prompt delivery in accordance with the terms hereof, to
meet unanticipated or unusual redemption, to allow the settlement of
foreign exchange contracts or to meet other emergency expenses not
reasonably foreseeable by the Fund. The Custodian shall promptly
notify the Fund in writing (an "Overdraft Notice") of any Overdraft by
facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the Fund and the
Custodian may agree in writing. To secure payment of any Overdraft,
the Fund hereby grants to the Custodian a continuing security interest
in and right of setoff against the Securities and cash in the Fund's
account from time to time in the full amount of such Overdraft. Should
the Fund fail to pay promptly any amounts owed hereunder, the Custodian
shall be entitled to use available cash in the Fund's account and to
liquidate Securities in the account as is necessary to meet the Fund's
obligations under the Overdraft. In any such case, and without
limiting the foregoing, the Custodian shall be entitled to take such
other actions(s) or exercise such other options, powers and rights as
the Custodian now or hereafter has as a secured creditor under the
Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code or any other applicable law.
(j) Inspection of Books and Records. The books and records of the
Custodian shall be open to inspection and audit at reasonable times by
officers and auditors employed by the Fund and by the appropriate
employees of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Book-
Entry System or the Depository and with such reports on its own systems
of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from
time to time.
12. Term and Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective on the date first set forth
above (the "Effective Date") and shall continue in effect thereafter
until such time as this Agreement may be terminated in accordance with
the provisions hereof.
(b) Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by
giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of
such termination, which shall be not less than 60 days after the date
of receipt of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the
Fund, it shall be accompanied by a certified vote of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, electing to terminate this Agreement and
designating a successor custodian or custodians, which shall be a
person qualified to so act under the 1940 Act.
In the event such notice is given by the Custodian, the Fund
shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to the Custodian a
certified vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund, designating a
successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation
by the Fund, the Custodian may designate a successor custodian, which
shall be a person qualified to so act under the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. If the Fund
fails to designate a successor custodian, the Fund shall upon the date
specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the
delivery by the Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities held
in the Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and
monies then owned by the Fund, be deemed to be its own custodian and
the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and
responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with
respect to Securities held in the Book-Entry System which cannot be
delivered to the Fund.
(c) Upon the date set forth in such notice under paragraph (b) of this
Section 12, this Agreement shall terminate to the extent specified in
such notice, and the Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of
acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to
the successor custodian all Securities and monies then held by the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund, after deducting all fees, expenses and
other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then
be entitled.
13. Limitation of Liability.
The Fund and the Custodian agree that the obligations of the Fund
under this Agreement shall not be binding upon any of the Directors,
shareholders, nominees, officers, employees or agents, whether past,
present or future, of the Fund, individually, but are binding only upon
the assets and property of the Fund, as provided in the Articles of
Incorporation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been
authorized by the Directors of the Fund, and signed by an authorized
officer of the Fund, acting as such, and neither such authorization by
such Directors nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be
deemed to have been made by any of them or any shareholder of the Fund
individually or to impose any liability on any of them or any
shareholder of the Fund personally, but shall bind only the assets and
property of the Fund as provided in the Articles of Incorporation.
14. Miscellaneous.
(a) Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a certification signed by the
Secretary of the Fund setting forth the names and the signatures of the
present Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new certification in similar form in the event that any
such present Authorized Person ceases to be such an Authorized Person
or in the event that other or additional Authorized Persons are elected
or appointed. Until such new certification shall be received, the
Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under the provisions of
this Agreement upon Oral Instructions or signatures of the present
Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered certification.
(b) Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a certification signed by the
Secretary of the Fund setting forth the names and the signatures of the
present officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new certification in similar form in the event any such
present officer ceases to be an officer of the Fund or in the event
that other or additional officers are elected or appointed. Until such
new certification shall be received, the Custodian shall be fully
protected in acting under the provisions of this Agreement upon the
signature of an officer as set forth in the last delivered
certification.
(c) Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required
by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, shall be sufficiently
given if addressed to the Custodian and mailed or delivered to it at
its offices at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ or at such
other place as the Custodian may from time to time designate in
writing.
(d) Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required
by this Agreement to be given to the Fund, shall be sufficiently given
if addressed to the Fund and mailed or delivered to it at its offices
at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ or at such other place as
the Fund may from time to time designate in writing.
(e) This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except
by a written agreement executed by both parties with the same formality
as this Agreement, (i) authorized, or ratified and approved by a vote
of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not "interested
persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), or (ii) authorized,
or ratified and approved by such other procedures as may be permitted
or required by the 1940 Act.
(f) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the
parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided,
however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund
without the written consent of the Custodian, or by the Custodian
without the written consent of the Fund authorized or approved by a
vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund. Nothing in this Agreement
shall give or be construed to give or confer upon any third party any
rights hereunder.
(g) The Fund represents that a copy of the Articles of Incorporation
is on file with the Secretary of the State of Maryland.
(h) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(i) The captions of the 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.
(j) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts
shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
to be executed by their respective representatives duly authorized as of
the day and year first above written.
PEOPLES INDEX FUND, INC.,
D/B/A DREYFUS S&P 500 INDEX FUND
By:
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
BOSTON SAFE DEPOSIT ANDTRUST COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
APPENDIX A
I, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Assistant Secretary, of Peoples Index Fund,
Inc., d/b/a Dreyfus S&P 500 Index Fund, a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Maryland (the "Fund"), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals have been duly authorized as Authorized
Persons to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the
Fund and the specimen signatures set forth opposite their respective names
are their true and correct signatures:
Name Signature
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ___________________________
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ___________________________
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ___________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ___________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ___________________________
Assistant Secretary
Dated:
APPENDIX B
PEOPLES INDEX FUND, INC.
D/B/A DREYFUS S&P 500 INDEX FUND
I, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
Peoples Index Fund, Inc., d/b/a Dreyfus S&P 500 Index Fund, a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (the
"Fund"), do hereby certify that the only series of shares of the Fund
issued and/or authorized by the Fund as of the date of this Custody
Agreement are shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value.
SCHEDULE A
BOSTON SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST COMPANY
CUSTODY FEE SCHEDULE
Please refer to correspondence from the Fund to Mellon Equity
Associates, Inc., dated November 13, 1995 regarding fees.
SCHEDULE B
The Fund will pay to the Custodian as soon as possible after the
end of each month all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with the assets of the Fund.
APPENDIX C
The following are designated publications for purposes of Section 4(f)2:
The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal