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EXHIBIT (8)(b)
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 9th day of July, 1996, between The Sessions
Group, an Ohio business trust organized and existing under the laws of the State
of Ohio, having its principal office and place of business at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx,
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000 (hereinafter called the "Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business, having its principal
office and place of business at 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
(hereinafter called the "Custodian").
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:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases,
unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
1. "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.
2. "Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded option with respect to
Securities other than Stock Index Options, Futures Contracts, and Futures
Contract Options entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the
exercise price, as specified therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the
specified underlying Securities.
3. "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 Officers, and the term Certificate shall also include
instructions by the Fund to the Custodian communicated by a Terminal Link.
4. "Clearing Member" shall mean a registered broker-dealer which is a
clearing member under the rules of O.C.C. and a member of a national securities
exchange qualified to act as a custodian for an investment company, or any
broker-dealer reasonably believed by the Custodian to be such a clearing member.
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5. "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated account so denominated
which is specifically allocated to a Series and pledged to the Custodian as
security for, and in consideration of, the Custodian's issuance of (a) any Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document described in paragraph 8 of Article
V herein, or (b) any receipt described in Article V or VIII herein.
6. "Covered Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded option entitling
the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as specified
therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying Securities
(excluding Futures Contracts) which are owned by the writer thereof and subject
to appropriate restrictions.
7. "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees. The term "Depository" shall
further mean and include any other person authorized to act as a depository
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, its successor or successors and its
nominee or nominees, specifically identified in a certified copy of a resolution
of the Fund's Board of Trustees specifically approving deposits therein by the
Custodian.
8. "Financial Futures Contract" shall mean the firm commitment to buy
or sell fixed income securities including, without limitation, U.S. Treasury
Bills, U.S. Treasury Notes, U.S. Treasury Bonds, domestic bank certificates of
deposit, and Eurodollar certificates of deposit, during a specified month at an
agreed upon price.
9. "Futures Contract" shall mean a Financial Futures Contract and/or
Stock Index Futures Contracts.
10. "Futures Contract Option" shall mean an option with respect to a Futures
Contract.
11. "Margin Account" shall mean a segregated account in the name of a
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant, or a Clearing Member, or in the
name of the Fund for the benefit of a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant, or Clearing Member, or otherwise, in accordance with an agreement
between the Fund, the Custodian and a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or a Clearing Member (a "Margin Account Agreement"), separate and
distinct from the custody account, in which certain Securities and/or money of
the Fund shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time in connection with
such transactions as the Fund may from time to time determine. Securities held
in the Book-Entry System or the Depository shall be deemed to have been
deposited in, or withdrawn from, a Margin Account upon the Custodian's effecting
an appropriate entry in its books and records.
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12. "Money Market Security" shall be deemed to include, without
limitation, certain Reverse Repurchase Agreements, debt obligations issued or
guaranteed as to interest and principal by the government of the United States
or agencies or instrumentalities thereof, any tax, bond or revenue anticipation
note issued by any state or municipal government or public authority, commercial
paper, certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements
with respect to the same and bank time deposits, where the purchase and sale of
such securities normally requires settlement in federal funds on the same day as
such purchase or sale.
13. "O.C.C." shall mean the Options Clearing Corporation, a clearing
agency registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, its
successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees.
14. "Officers" shall be deemed to include the President, any Vice
President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, any Assistant Secretary, any Assistant
Treasurer, and any other person or persons, whether or not any such other person
is an officer of the Fund, duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
to execute any Certificate, instruction, notice or other instrument on behalf of
the Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix A or such
other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to time.
15. "Option" shall mean a Call Option, Covered Call Option, Stock Index
Option and/or a Put Option.
16. "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually
received by the Custodian from an Officer or from a person reasonably believed
by the Custodian to be an Officer.
17. "Put Option" shall mean an exchange traded option with respect to
Securities other than Stock Index Options, Futures Contracts, and Futures
Contract Options entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and tender of the
specified underlying Securities, to sell such Securities to the writer thereof
for the exercise price.
18. "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to
which the Fund sells Securities and agrees to repurchase such Securities at a
described or specified date and price.
19. "Security" shall be deemed to include, without limitation, Money
Market Securities, Call Options, Put Options, Stock Index Options, Stock Index
Futures Contracts, Stock Index Futures Contract Options, Financial Futures
Contracts, Financial Futures Contract Options, Reverse Repurchase Agreements,
common stocks and other securities having characteristics similar to
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common stocks, preferred stocks, debt obligations issued by state or municipal
governments and by public authorities, (including, without limitation, general
obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial bonds and industrial development
bonds), bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any
certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to
receive, purchase, sell or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing
any other rights or interest therein, or any property or assets.
20. "Senior Security Account" shall mean an account maintained and
specifically allocated to a Series under the terms of this Agreement as a
segregated account, by recordation or otherwise, within the custody account in
which certain Securities and/or other assets of the Fund specifically allocated
to such Series shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time in accordance
with Certificates received by the Custodian in connection with such transactions
as the Fund may from time to time determine.
21. "Series" shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Fund as
described from time to time in the current and effective prospectus for the Fund
and listed on Appendix B hereto as amended from time to time.
22. "Shares" shall mean the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund,
each of which is, in the case of a Fund having Series, allocated to a particular
Series.
23. "Stock Index Futures Contract" shall mean a bilateral agreement
pursuant to which the parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of
cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the value
of a particular stock index at the close of the last business day of the
contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck.
24. "Stock Index Option" shall mean an exchange traded option entitling
the holder, upon timely exercise, to receive an amount of cash determined by
reference to the difference between the exercise price and the value of the
index on the date of exercise.
25. "Terminal Link" shall mean an electronic data transmission link
between the Fund, an Intermediary (as hereinafter defined), and the Custodian
requiring in connection with each use of the Terminal Link by or on behalf of
the Fund use of an authorization code provided by the Custodian and at least two
access codes established by the Fund. As used herein the term "Intermediary"
shall mean a third party that maintains a transmission line to the Custodian and
has been selected by the Fund to receive electronic data transmissions from the
Custodian or the Fund and forward the same to the Fund or the Custodian,
respectively.
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ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
1. The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian
of the Securities and moneys at any time owned by a Series during the period of
this Agreement.
2. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and
agrees to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES
1. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and in
Article VIII, the Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian
all Securities and all moneys owned by a Series, at any time during the period
of this Agreement, and shall specify with respect to such Securities and money
the Series to which the same are specifically allocated. The Custodian shall
segregate, keep and maintain the assets of the Series separate and apart. The
Custodian will not be responsible for any Securities and moneys not actually
received by it. The Custodian will be entitled to reverse any credits made on
the Fund's behalf where such credits have been previously made and moneys are
not finally collected. The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certified
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a
continuous and ongoing basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System all Securities
eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are
specifically allocated and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent
possible in connection with its performance hereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities,
loans of Securities and deliveries and returns of Securities collateral. Prior
to a deposit of Securities specifically allocated to a Series in the Depository,
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certified resolution of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, approving,
authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and ongoing basis
until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate actually received by the
Custodian to deposit in the Depository all Securities specifically allocated to
such Series eligible for deposit therein, and to utilize the Depository to the
extent possible with respect to such Securities in connection with its
performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with
settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and
deliveries and returns of Securities collateral. Securities and moneys deposited
in either the Book-Entry System or the Depository
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will be represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian
for customers, including, but not limited to, accounts in which the Custodian
acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity and will be specifically
allocated on the Custodian's books to the separate account for the applicable
Series. Prior to the Custodian's accepting, utilizing and acting with respect to
Clearing Member confirmations for Options and transactions in Options for a
Series as provided in this Agreement, the Custodian shall have received a
certified resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees, substantially in the form
of Exhibit C hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a
continuous and ongoing basis, until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate
actually received by the Custodian, to accept, utilize and act in accordance
with such confirmations as provided in this Agreement with respect to such
Series.
2. The Custodian shall establish and maintain separate accounts, in the
name of each Series, and shall credit to the separate account for each Series
all moneys received by it for the account of the Fund with respect to such
Series. Money credited to a separate account for a Series shall be disbursed by
the Custodian only:
(a) As hereinafter provided;
(b) Pursuant to Certificates setting forth the name and
address of the person to whom the payment is to be made, the Series account from
which payment is to be made and the purpose for which payment is to be made; or
(c) In payment of the fees and in reimbursement of the
expenses and liabilities of the Custodian attributable to such Series.
3. Promptly after the close of business on each day, the Custodian
shall furnish the Fund with confirmations and a summary, on a per Series basis,
of all transfers to or from the account of the Fund for a Series, either
hereunder or with any co-custodian or sub-custodian appointed in accordance with
this Agreement during said day. Where Securities are transferred to the account
of the Fund for a Series, the Custodian shall also by book-entry or otherwise
identify as belonging to such Series a quantity of Securities 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 Book-Entry System or the
Depository. At least monthly and from time to time, the Custodian shall furnish
the Fund with a detailed statement, on a per Series basis, of the Securities and
moneys held by the Custodian for the Fund.
4. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and in
Article VIII, all Securities held by the Custodian hereunder, which are issued
or issuable only in bearer form, except
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such Securities as are held in the Book-Entry System, shall be held by the
Custodian in that form; all other Securities held hereunder may be registered in
the name of the Fund, 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 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 hereunder 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 a
Series which are not held in the Book-Entry System or in the Depository in a
separate account in the name of such Series physically segregated at all times
from those of any other person or persons.
5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and 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
held hereunder and therein deposited, shall promptly and diligently with respect
to all Securities held for the Fund hereunder in accordance with preceding
paragraph 4:
(a) Collect all income due or payable;
(b) Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
such Securities which are called, but only if either (i) the Custodian receives
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 without the prior notification or consent
of the Fund;
(c) Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
all Securities which mature;
(d) Surrender Securities in temporary form for definitive
Securities;
(e) Execute, as custodian, 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
(f) Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or the
Depository with respect to Securities therein deposited, for the account of a
Series, all rights and similar securities issued with respect to any Securities
held by the Custodian for such Series hereunder.
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6. Upon receipt of a Certificate and not otherwise, the Custodian,
directly or through the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository, shall:
(a) Execute and deliver 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 held by the
Custodian hereunder for the Series specified in such Certificate may be
exercised;
(b) Deliver any Securities held by the Custodian hereunder for
the Series specified in such Certificate 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 and receive and hold hereunder
specifically allocated to such Series any cash or other Securities received in
exchange;
(c) Deliver any Securities held by the Custodian hereunder for
the Series specified in such Certificate to any protective committee,
reorganization committee or other person in connection with the reorganization,
refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets of any
corporation, and receive and hold hereunder specifically allocated to such
Series such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or
documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery;
(d) Make such transfers or exchanges of the assets of the
Series specified in such Certificate, and take such other steps as shall be
stated in such Certificate to be for the purpose of effectuating any duly
authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of the Fund; and
(e) Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
Securities not described in preceding paragraph 5(b) of this Article which may
be called as specified in the Certificate.
7. Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained herein, the
Custodian shall not be required to obtain possession of any instrument or
certificate representing any Futures Contract, any Option, or any Futures
Contract Option until after it shall have determined, or shall have received a
Certificate from the Fund stating, that any such instruments or certificates are
available. The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such a Certificate no later
than the business day preceding the availability of any such instrument or
certificate. Prior to such availability, the Custodian shall comply with Section
17(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, in connection with the
purchase, sale, settlement, closing out or writing of Futures Contracts,
Options,
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or Futures Contract Options by making payments or deliveries specified in
Certificates received by the Custodian in connection with any such purchase,
sale, writing, settlement or closing out upon its receipt from a broker, dealer,
or futures commission merchant of a statement or confirmation reasonably
believed by the Custodian to be in the form customarily used by brokers,
dealers, or future commission merchants with respect to such Futures Contracts,
Options, or Futures Contract Options, as the case may be, confirming that such
Security is held by such broker, dealer or futures commission merchant, in
book-entry form or otherwise, in the name of the Custodian (or any nominee of
the Custodian) as custodian for the Fund, provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, payments to or deliveries from the Margin Account
and payments with respect to Securities to which a Margin Account relates, shall
be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement. Whenever any such instruments or certificates are available, the
Custodian shall, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the
contrary, make payment for any Futures Contract, Option, or Futures Contract
Option for which such instruments or such certificates are available only
against the delivery to the Custodian of such instrument or such certificate,
and deliver any Futures Contract, Option or Futures Contract Option for which
such instruments or such certificates are available only against receipt by the
Custodian of payment therefor. Any such instrument or certificate delivered to
the Custodian shall be held by the Custodian hereunder in accordance with, and
subject to, the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND
OTHER THAN OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS
1. Promptly after each purchase of Securities by the Fund, other than a
purchase of an Option, a Futures Contract, or a Futures Contract Option, 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, a Certificate or Oral
Instructions, specifying with respect to each such purchase: (a) the Series to
which such Securities are to be specifically allocated; (b) the name of the
issuer and the title of the Securities; (c) the number of shares or the
principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any; (d) the date of
purchase and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f) the total amount
payable upon such purchase; (g) the name of the person from whom or the broker
through whom the purchase was made, and the name of the clearing broker, if any;
and (h) the name of the broker to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of Securities purchased by or for the Fund, pay to the
broker
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specified in the Certificate out of the moneys held for the account of such
Series the total amount payable upon such purchase, provided that the same
conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate or Oral
Instructions.
2. Promptly after each sale of Securities by the Fund, other than a
sale of any Option, Futures Contract, Futures Contract Option, or any Reverse
Repurchase Agreement, 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, a Certificate or
Oral Instructions, specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) the Series to
which such Securities were specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer
and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or principal amount
sold, and accrued interest, if any; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale price per
unit; (f) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; (g) the name of
the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made, and the name of
the clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker to whom the
Securities are to be delivered. The Custodian shall deliver the Securities
specifically allocated to such Series to the broker specified in the Certificate
against payment upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Fund upon such
sale, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth
in such Certificate or Oral Instructions.
ARTICLE V
OPTIONS
1. Promptly after the purchase of any Option by the Fund, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each
Option purchased: (a) the Series to which such Option is specifically allocated;
(b) the type of Option (put or call); (c) the name of the issuer and the title
and number of shares subject to such Option or, in the case of a Stock Index
Option, the stock index to which such Option relates and the number of Stock
Index Options purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f)
the dates of purchase and settlement; (g) the total amount payable by the Fund
in connection with such purchase; (h) the name of the Clearing Member through
whom such Option was purchased; and (i) the name of the broker to whom payment
is to be made. The Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a Clearing Member's
statement confirming the purchase of such Option held by such Clearing Member
for the account of the Custodian (or any duly appointed and registered nominee
of the Custodian) as custodian for the Fund, out of moneys held for the account
of the Series to which such Option is to be specifically allocated, the total
amount payable upon such purchase to the Clearing Member through whom the
purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable
as set forth in such Certificate.
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2. Promptly after the sale of any Option purchased by the Fund pursuant
to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) the Series to which such Option
was specifically allocated; (b) the type of Option (put or call); (c) the name
of the issuer and the title and number of shares subject to such Option or, in
the case of a Stock Index Option, the stock index to which such Option relates
and the number of Stock Index Options sold; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale
price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; and (h) the name of the Clearing Member through whom the sale was
made. The Custodian shall consent to the delivery of the Option sold by the
Clearing Member which previously supplied the confirmation described in
preceding paragraph 1 of this Article with respect to such Option against
payment to the Custodian of the total amount payable to the Fund, provided that
the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Call Option purchased
by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Call Option: (a) the
Series to which such Call Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the
issuer and the title and number of shares subject to the Call Option; (c) the
expiration date; (d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price
per share; (f) the total amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise; and
(g) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Call Option was exercised.
The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the Securities underlying the Call Option
which was exercised, pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Call Option was specifically allocated the total amount payable to
the Clearing Member through whom the Call Option was exercised, provided that
the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
4. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put Option purchased
by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a) the
Series to which such Put Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the
issuer and the title and number of shares subject to the Put Option; (c) the
expiration date; (d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price
per share; (f) the total amount to be paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and
(g) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Put Option was exercised.
The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the amount payable upon the exercise of the
Put Option, deliver or direct the Depository to deliver the Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, provided the same conforms to the amount
payable to the Fund as set forth in such Certificate.
5. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Stock Index Option
purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the
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Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
such Stock Index Option: (a) the Series to which such Stock Index Option was
specifically allocated; (b) the type of Stock Index Option (put or call); (c)
the number of Options being exercised; (d) the stock index to which such Option
relates; (e) the expiration date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the total amount
to be received by the Fund in connection with such exercise; and (h) the
Clearing Member from whom such payment is to be received.
6. Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Covered Call Option: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for which
the Covered Call Option was written and which underlie the same; (c) the
expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the
Fund; (f) the date such Covered Call Option was written; and (g) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received. The Custodian shall
deliver or cause to be delivered, in exchange for receipt of the premium
specified in the Certificate with respect to such Covered Call Option, such
receipts as are required in accordance with the customs prevailing among
Clearing Members dealing in Covered Call Options and shall impose, or direct the
Depository to impose, upon the underlying Securities specified in the
Certificate specifically allocated to such Series such restrictions as may be
required by such receipts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian has the
right, upon prior written notification to the Fund, at any time to refuse to
issue any receipts for Securities in the possession of the Custodian and not
deposited with the Depository underlying a Covered Call Option.
7. Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund and described in
the preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate instructing the Custodian to deliver, or
to direct the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject to such Covered Call
Option and specifying: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares subject
to the Covered Call Option; (c) the Clearing Member to whom the underlying
Securities are to be delivered; and (d) the total amount payable to the Fund
upon such delivery. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts
delivered pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Article, the Custodian shall deliver,
or direct the Depository to deliver, the underlying Securities as specified in
the Certificate against payment of the amount to be received as set forth in
such Certificate.
8. Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put
Option: (a) the Series for which such Put Option was written; (b) the name of
the issuer and the title and number of shares for which the Put Option is
written and which
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underlie the same; (c) the expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the
premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date such Put Option is written; (g)
the name of the Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received and
to whom a Put Option guarantee letter is to be delivered; (h) the amount of
cash, and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated
to such Series to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series;
and (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited into the Collateral Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, after making the deposits into the Collateral
Account specified in the Certificate, issue a Put Option guarantee letter
substantially in the form utilized by the Custodian on the date hereof, and
deliver the same to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate against
receipt of the premium specified in said Certificate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to issue any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document if it is unable to make any of the
representations contained therein.
9. Whenever a Put Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Put Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and title and number of shares subject to
the Put Option; (c) the Clearing Member from whom the underlying Securities are
to be received; (d) the total amount payable by the Fund upon such delivery; (e)
the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account for such
Series and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
specifically allocated to such Series, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior
Security Account. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document issued by the Custodian in connection with
such Put Option, the Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account
of the Series to which such Put Option was specifically allocated the total
amount payable to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate as set forth
in such Certificate against delivery of such Securities, and shall make the
withdrawals specified in such Certificate.
10. Whenever the Fund writes a Stock Index Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Stock Index Option: (a) the Series for which such Stock Index Option was
written; (b) whether such Stock Index Option is a put or a call; (c) the number
of options written; (d) the stock index to which such Option relates; (e) the
expiration date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the Clearing Member through whom
such Option was written; (h) the premium to be received by the Fund; (i) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series; (j) the
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amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited in the Collateral Account for such
Series; and (k) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if
any, specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in a Margin Account,
and the name in which such account is to be or has been established. The
Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate, make
the deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account specified in the
Certificate, and either (1) deliver such receipts, if any, which the Custodian
has specifically agreed to issue, which are in accordance with the customs
prevailing among Clearing Members in Stock Index Options and make the deposits
into the Collateral Account specified in the Certificate, or (2) make the
deposits into the Margin Account specified in the Certificate.
11. Whenever a Stock Index Option written by the Fund and described in
the preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Stock
Index Option: (a) the Series for which such Stock Index Option was written; (b)
such information as may be necessary to identify the Stock Index Option being
exercised; (c) the Clearing Member through whom such Stock Index Option is being
exercised; (d) the total amount payable upon such exercise, and whether such
amount is to be paid by or to the Fund; (e) the amount of cash and/or amount and
kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Margin Account; and (f) the
amount of cash and/or amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn
from the Senior Security Account for such Series; and the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral
Account for such Series. Upon the return and/or cancellation of the receipt, if
any, delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph of this Article, the
Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Stock Index Option was specifically allocated to the Clearing Member
specified in the Certificate the total amount payable, if any, as specified
therein.
12. Whenever the Fund purchases any Option identical to a previously
written Option described in paragraphs 6, 8 or 10 of this Article in a
transaction expressly designated as a "Closing Purchase Transaction" in order to
liquidate its position as a writer of an Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to the Option being
purchased: (a) that the transaction is a Closing Purchase Transaction; (b) the
Series for which the Option was written; (c) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares subject to the Option, or, in the case of a Stock
Index Option, the stock index to which such Option relates and the number of
Options held; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by the Fund;
(f) the expiration date; (g) the type of Option (put or call); (h) the date of
such purchase; (i) the name of the Clearing Member to whom the premium is to be
paid; and (j) the amount of cash and/or the
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amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral
Account, a specified Margin Account, or the Senior Security Account for such
Series. Upon the Custodian's payment of the premium and the return and/or
cancellation of any receipt issued pursuant to paragraphs 6, 8 or 10 of this
Article with respect to the Option being liquidated through the Closing Purchase
Transaction, the Custodian shall remove, or direct the Depository to remove, the
previously imposed restrictions on the Securities underlying the Call Option.
13. Upon the expiration, exercise or consummation of a Closing Purchase
Transaction with respect to any Option purchased or written by the Fund and
described in this Article, the Custodian shall delete such Option from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III herein,
and upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts issued by the Custodian,
shall make such withdrawals from the Collateral Account, and the Margin Account
and/or the Senior Security Account as may be specified in a Certificate received
in connection with such expiration, exercise, or consummation.
ARTICLE VI
FUTURES CONTRACTS
1. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Futures Contract, (or with respect to any number of identical Futures
Contract(s)): (a) the Series for which the Futures Contract is being entered;
(b) the category of Futures Contract (the name of the underlying stock index or
financial instrument); (c) the number of identical Futures Contracts entered
into; (d) the delivery or settlement date of the Futures Contract(s); (e) the
date the Futures Contract(s) was (were) entered into and the maturity date; (f)
whether the Fund is buying (going long) or selling (going short) on such Futures
Contract(s); (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if
any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series; (h) the
name of the broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant through whom the
Futures Contract was entered into; and (i) the amount of fee or commission, if
any, to be paid and the name of the broker, dealer, or futures commission
merchant to whom such amount is to be paid. The Custodian shall make the
deposits, if any, to the Margin Account in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement. The Custodian shall make payment out
of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or commission, if
any, specified in the Certificate and deposit in the Senior Security Account for
such Series the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities
specified in said Certificate.
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2. (a) Any variation margin payment or similar payment required to be
made by the Fund to a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant with
respect to an outstanding Futures Contract, shall be made by the Custodian in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
(b) Any variation margin payment or similar payment from a broker,
dealer, or futures commission merchant to the Fund with respect to an
outstanding Futures Contract, shall be received and dealt with by the Custodian
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder is
retained by the Fund until delivery or settlement is made on such Futures
Contract, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a)
the Futures Contract and the Series to which the same relates; (b) with respect
to a Stock Index Futures Contract, the total cash settlement amount to be paid
or received, and with respect to a Financial Futures Contract, the Securities
and/or amount of cash to be delivered or received; (c) the broker, dealer, or
futures commission merchant to or from whom payment or delivery is to be made or
received; and (d) the amount of cash and/or Securities to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series. The custodian shall make the payment or
delivery specified in the Certificate, and delete such Futures Contract from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III herein.
4. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract to offset a
Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the items of information required in a
Certificate described in paragraph 1 of this Article, and (b) the Futures
Contract being offset. The Custodian shall make payment out of the money
specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or commission, if any,
specified in the Certificate and delete the Futures Contract being offset from
the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III
herein, and make such withdrawals from the Senior Security Account for such
Series as may be specified in such Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be
made from the Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS
1. Promptly after the purchase of any Futures Contract Option by the
Fund, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying
with respect to such Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series to which such
Option is specifically
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allocated; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type
of Futures Contract and such other information as may be necessary to identify
the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option purchased; (d) the
expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the dates of purchase and
settlement; (g) the amount of premium to be paid by the Fund upon such purchase;
(h) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom such
option was purchased; and (i) the name of the broker, or futures commission
merchant, to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian shall pay out of the
moneys specifically allocated to such Series, the total amount to be paid upon
such purchase to the broker or futures commissions merchant through whom the
purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the amount set forth in
such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the sale of any Futures Contract Option purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) Series to
which such Futures Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the type of
Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract and such
other information as may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale
price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; and (h) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through
whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to the cancellation of the
Futures Contract Option being closed against payment to the Custodian of the
total amount payable to the Fund, provided the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 1 is exercised by the Fund, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures
Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract
Option (put or call) being exercised; (c) the type of Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of exercise; (e) the name
of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract
Option is exercised; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund; (g)
the amount, if any, to be received by the Fund; and (h) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security
Account for such Series. The Custodian shall make, out of the moneys and
Securities specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
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4. Whenever the Fund writes a Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series for which such Futures Contract Option
was written; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type
of Futures Contract and such other information as may be necessary to identify
the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the expiration
date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the premium to be received by the Fund; (g)
the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the premium
is to be received; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in the
Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities specifically allocated to
such Series the deposits into the Senior Security Account, if any, as specified
in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall
be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Margin Account Agreement.
5. Whenever a Futures Contract Option written by the Fund which is a
call is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures Contract Option was
specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised;
(c) the type of Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the
name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures
Contract Option was exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the
Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund
upon such exercise; and (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in such Certificate make the payments, if any, and the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
6. Whenever a Futures Contract Option which is written by the Fund and
which is a put is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised; (c) the type of
Futures Contract underlying such Futures Contract Option; (d) the name of the
broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures Contract Option
is exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the Fund upon such
exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund upon such
exercise; and (g) the amount and kind of Securities and/or cash to be withdrawn
from or deposited in, the Senior Security Account for such Series, if any. The
Custodian
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shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund, if any,
specified in the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities specifically
allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the deposits, if any, into
the Senior Security Account as specified in the Certificate. The deposits to
and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if any, shall be made by the
Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
7. Whenever the Fund purchases any Futures Contract Option identical to
a previously written Futures Contract Option described in this Article in order
to liquidate its position as a writer of such Futures Contract Option, the Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
the Futures Contract Option being purchased: (a) the Series to which such Option
is specifically allocated; (b) that the transaction is a closing transaction;
(c) the type of Futures Contract and such other information as may be necessary
to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Option Contract; (d) the
exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by the Fund; (f) the expiration date;
(g) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant to whom the premium is
to be paid; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall effect the withdrawals from the Senior Security Account
specified in the Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be made from the
Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
8. Upon the expiration, exercise, or consummation of a closing
transaction with respect to, any Futures Contract Option written or purchased by
the Fund and described in this Article, the Custodian shall (a) delete such
Futures Contract Option from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 3 of Article III herein and, (b) make such withdrawals from and/or in
the case of an exercise such deposits into the Senior Security Account as may be
specified in a Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin
Account, if any, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
9. Futures Contracts acquired by the Fund through the exercise of a
Futures Contract Option described in this Article shall be subject to Article VI
hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after any short sales by any Series of the Fund,
the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
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specifying: (a) the Series for which such short sale was made; (b) the name of
the issuer and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or principal
amount sold, and accrued interest or dividends, if any; (d) the dates of the
sale and settlement; (e) the sale price per unit; (f) the total amount credited
to the Fund upon such sale, if any, (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, which are to be deposited in a Margin Account and
the name in which such Margin Account has been or is to be established; (h) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited
in a Senior Security Account, and (i) the name of the broker through whom such
short sale was made. The Custodian shall upon its receipt of a statement from
such broker confirming such sale and that the total amount credited to the Fund
upon such sale, if any, as specified in the Certificate is held by such broker
for the account of the Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian
of the Fund, issue a receipt or make the deposits into the Margin Account and
the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate.
2. In connection with the closing-out of any short sale, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each
such closing out: (a) the Series for which such transaction is being made; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares
or the principal amount, and accrued interest or dividends, if any, required to
effect such closing-out to be delivered to the broker; (d) the dates of
closing-out and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f) the net total
amount payable to the Fund upon such closing-out; (g) the net total amount
payable to the broker upon such closing-out; (h) the amount of cash and the
amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn, if any, from the Margin Account;
(i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be
withdrawn from the Senior Security Account; and (j) the name of the broker
through whom the Fund is effecting such closing-out. The Custodian shall, upon
receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such closing-out, and
the return and/or cancellation of the receipts, if any, issued by the Custodian
with respect to the short sale being closed-out, pay out of the moneys held for
the account of the Fund to the broker the net total amount payable to the
broker, and make the withdrawals from the Margin Account and the Senior Security
Account, as the same are specified in the Certificate.
ARTICLE IX
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
1. Promptly after the Fund enters a Reverse Repurchase Agreement with
respect to Securities and money held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate, or in the event such Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is
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a Money Market Security, a Certificate or Oral Instructions specifying: (a) the
Series for which the Reverse Repurchase Agreement is entered; (b) the total
amount payable to the Fund in connection with such Reverse Repurchase Agreement
and specifically allocated to such Series; (c) the broker or dealer through or
with whom the Reverse Repurchase Agreement is entered; (d) the amount and kind
of Securities to be delivered by the Fund to such broker or dealer; (e) the date
of such Reverse Repurchase Agreement; and (f) the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to
be deposited in a Senior Security Account for such Series in connection with
such Reverse Repurchase Agreement. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the
total amount payable to the Fund specified in the Certificate or Oral
Instructions make the delivery to the broker or dealer, and the deposits, if
any, to the Senior Security Account, specified in such Certificate or Oral
Instructions.
2. Upon the termination of a Reverse Repurchase Agreement described in
preceding paragraph 1 of this Article, the Fund shall promptly deliver a
Certificate or, in the event such Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market
Security, a Certificate or Oral Instructions to the Custodian specifying: (a)
the Reverse Repurchase Agreement being terminated and the Series for which same
was entered; (b) the total amount payable by the Fund in connection with such
termination; (c) the amount and kind of Securities to be received by the Fund
and specifically allocated to such Series in connection with such termination;
(d) the date of termination; (e) the name of the broker or dealer with or
through whom the Reverse Repurchase Agreement is to be terminated; and (f) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn from the
Senior Securities Account for such Series. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of
the amount and kind of Securities to be received by the Fund specified in the
Certificate or Oral Instructions, make the payment to the broker or dealer, and
the withdrawals, if any, from the Senior Security Account, specified in such
Certificate or Oral Instructions.
ARTICLE X
LOAN OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND
1. Promptly after each loan of portfolio Securities specifically
allocated to a Series held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver or
cause to be delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
each such loan: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities, (c) the
number of shares or the principal amount loaned, (d) the date of loan and
delivery, (e) the total amount to be delivered to the Custodian against the loan
of the Securities, including the amount of cash collateral and the premium, if
any, separately identified,
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and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or financial institution to which the
loan was made. The Custodian shall deliver the Securities thus designated to the
broker, dealer or financial institution to which the loan was made upon receipt
of the total amount designated as to be delivered against the loan of
Securities. The Custodian may accept payment in connection with a delivery
otherwise than through the Book-Entry System or Depository only in the form of a
certified or bank cashier's check payable to the order of the Fund or the
Custodian drawn on New York Clearing House funds and may deliver Securities in
accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in securities.
2. Promptly after each termination of the loan of Securities by the
Fund, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each such loan termination and return of
Securities: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities to be
returned, (c) the number of shares or the principal amount to be returned, (d)
the date of termination, (e) 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 (f) 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, out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund, the total amount
payable upon such return of Securities as set forth in the Certificate.
ARTICLE XI
CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SENIOR SECURITY
ACCOUNTS, AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS
1. The Custodian shall, from time to time, make such deposits to, or
withdrawals from, a Senior Security Account as specified in a Certificate
received by the Custodian. Such Certificate shall specify the Series for which
such deposit or withdrawal is to be made and the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities specifically allocated to such Series to be
deposited in, or withdrawn from, such Senior Security Account for such Series.
In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the
name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount
of any particular Securities to be deposited by the Custodian into, or withdrawn
from, a Senior Securities Account, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to
make any such deposit or withdrawal and shall so notify the Fund.
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2. The Custodian shall make deliveries or payments from a Margin
Account to the broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member in
whose name, or for whose benefit, the account was established as specified in
the Margin Account Agreement.
3. Amounts received by the Custodian as payments or distributions with
respect to Securities deposited in any Margin Account shall be dealt with in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. The Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest in
and to any property at any time held by the Custodian in any Collateral Account
described herein. In accordance with applicable law the Custodian may enforce
its lien and realize on any such property whenever the Custodian has made
payment or delivery pursuant to any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document or any receipt issued hereunder by the Custodian. In the event the
Custodian should realize on any such property net proceeds which are less than
the Custodian's obligations under any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document or any receipt, such deficiency shall be a debt owed the Custodian by
the Fund within the scope of Article XIV herein.
5. On each business day the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a
statement with respect to each Margin Account in which money or Securities are
held specifying as of the close of business on the previous business day: (a)
the name of the Margin Account; (b) the amount and kind of Securities held
therein; and (c) the amount of money held therein. The Custodian shall make
available upon request to any broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant
specified in the name of a Margin Account a copy of the statement furnished the
Fund with respect to such Margin Account.
6. Promptly after the close of business on each business day in which
cash and/or Securities are maintained in a Collateral Account for any Series,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a statement with respect to such
Collateral Account specifying the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities held therein. No later than the close of business next succeeding the
delivery to the Fund of such statement, the Fund shall furnish to the Custodian
a Certificate specifying the then market value of the Securities described in
such statement. In the event such then market value is indicated to be less than
the Custodian's obligation with respect to any outstanding Put Option guarantee
letter or similar document, the Fund shall promptly specify in a Certificate the
additional cash and/or Securities to be deposited in such Collateral Account to
eliminate such deficiency.
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ARTICLE XII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution of
the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary, the Clerk, any
Assistant Secretary or any Assistant Clerk, either (i) setting forth with
respect to the Series specified therein the date of the declaration of a
dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of
which shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable
per Share of such Series to the shareholders of record as of that date and the
total amount payable to the Dividend Agent and any sub-dividend agent or
co-dividend agent of the Fund on the payment date, or (ii) authorizing with
respect to the Series specified therein the declaration of dividends and
distributions on a daily basis and authorizing the Custodian to rely on Oral
Instructions or a Certificate setting forth the date of the declaration of such
dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of
which shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable
per Share of such Series to the shareholders of record as of that date and the
total amount payable to the Dividend Agent on the payment date.
2. Upon the payment date specified in such resolution, Oral
Instructions or Certificate, as the case may be, the Custodian shall pay out-of
the moneys held for the account of each Series the total amount payable to the
Dividend Agent and any sub-dividend agent or co-dividend agent of the Fund with
respect to such Series.
ARTICLE XIII
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, it shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate duly specifying:
(a) The Series, the number of Shares sold, trade date,
and price; and
(b) The amount of money to be received by the Custodian for
the sale of such Shares and specifically allocated to the separate account in
the name of such Series.
2. Upon receipt of such money from the Transfer Agent, the Custodian
shall credit such money to the separate account in the name of the Series for
which such money was received.
3. Upon issuance of any Shares of any Series described in the foregoing
provisions of this Article, the Custodian shall pay, out
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of the money held for the account of such Series, all original issue or other
taxes required to be paid by the Fund in connection with such issuance upon the
receipt of a Certificate specifying the amount to be paid.
4. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires the
Custodian to make payment out of the money held by the Custodian hereunder in
connection with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying:
(a) The number and Series of Shares redeemed; and
(b) The amount to be paid for such Shares.
5. Upon receipt from the Transfer Agent of an advice setting forth the
Series and number of Shares received by the Transfer Agent for redemption and
that such Shares are in good form for redemption, the Custodian shall make
payment to the Transfer Agent out of the moneys held in the separate account in
the name of the Series the total amount specified in the Certificate issued
pursuant to the foregoing paragraph 4 of this Article.
6. Notwithstanding the above provisions regarding the redemption of any
Shares, whenever any Shares are redeemed pursuant to any check redemption
privilege which may from time to time be offered by the Fund, the Custodian,
unless otherwise instructed by a Certificate, shall, upon receipt of an advice
from the Fund or its agent setting forth that the redemption is in good form for
redemption in accordance with the check redemption procedure, honor the check
presented as part of such check redemption privilege out of the moneys held in
the separate account of the Series of the Shares being redeemed.
ARTICLE XIV
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If the Custodian, should in its sole discretion advance funds on
behalf of any Series which results in an overdraft because the moneys held by
the Custodian in the separate account for such Series shall be insufficient to
pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series, as set forth in a Certificate or Oral Instructions, or
which results in an overdraft in the separate account of such Series for some
other reason, or if the Fund is indebted to The Bank of New York under the
Fund's Cash Management and Related Services Agreement (except a borrowing for
investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral
pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of
this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made
by the Custodian to the Fund for such Series payable on
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demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum (based
on a 360-day year for the actual number of days involved) equal to 1/2% over
Custodian's prime commercial lending rate in effect from time to time, such rate
to be adjusted on the effective date of any change in such prime commercial
lending rate but in no event to be less than 6% per annum. In addition, the Fund
hereby agrees that the Custodian shall have a continuing and enforceable lien
and security interest in and to any property specifically allocated to such
Series at any time held by it for the benefit of such Series or in which the
Series may have an interest which is then in the Custodian's possession or
control or in possession or control of any third party acting in the Custodian's
behalf, having at the time such overdraft or indebtedness is incurred a fair
market value equal to 150% of such overdraft or indebtedness. The Fund
authorizes the Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such
overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance
of account standing to such Series' credit on the Custodian's books. In
addition, the Fund hereby covenants that on each Business Day on which either it
intends to enter a Reverse Repurchase Agreement and/or otherwise borrow from a
third party, or which next succeeds a Business Day on which at the close of
business the Fund had outstanding a Reverse Repurchase Agreement or such a
borrowing, it shall prior to 9 a.m., New York City time, advise the Custodian,
in writing, of each such borrowing, shall specify the Series to which the same
relates, and shall not incur any indebtedness not so specified other than from
the Custodian.
2. The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by any bank
(including, if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement, the Custodian)
from which it borrows money for investment or for temporary or emergency
purposes using Securities held by the Custodian hereunder 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 specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a)
the Series to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) 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, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered
into, (e) the date on which the loan becomes due and payable, (f) the total
amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date, (g) 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 (h) a statement specifying whether such loan is for
investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is
in conformance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Fund's
prospectus. The Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a
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Certificate 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 such Securities as additional collateral
as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction
described in this paragraph. 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 a Certificate the Series, the
name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of
any particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by the Custodian, the
Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.
ARTICLE XV
TERMINAL LINK
1. At no time and under no circumstances shall the Fund be obligated to
have or utilize the Terminal Link, and the provisions of this Article shall
apply if, but only if, the Fund in its sole and absolute discretion elects to
utilize the Terminal Link to transmit Certificates to the Custodian.
2. The Terminal Link shall be utilized by the Fund only for the purpose
of the Fund providing Certificates to the Custodian with respect to transactions
involving Securities or for the transfer of money to be applied to the payment
of dividends, distributions or redemptions of Fund Shares, and shall be utilized
by the Custodian only for the purpose of providing notices to the Fund. Such use
shall commence only after the Fund shall have delivered to the Custodian a
Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D and shall have established
access codes and safekeeping procedures to safeguard and protect the
confidentiality and availability of such access codes and shall have reviewed
the safekeeping procedures established by the Intermediary to assure that
transmissions inputted by the Fund, and only such transmissions, are forwarded
by the Intermediary to the Custodian without any alteration or omission. Each
use of the Terminal Link by the Fund shall constitute a representation and
warranty that the Terminal Link is being used only for the purposes permitted
hereby, that at least two Officers have each utilized an access code, that such
safekeeping procedures have been established by the Fund, that the Intermediary
has safekeeping procedures reviewed by the Fund to assure that all transmissions
inputted by the Fund, and only such
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transmissions, are forwarded by the Intermediary to the Custodian without any
alteration or omission by the Intermediary, and that such use does not
contravene the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the rules or
regulations thereunder.
3. The Fund shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense all
equipment and services, including, but not limited to communications services,
necessary for it to utilize the Terminal Link, and the Custodian shall not be
responsible for the reliability or availability of any such equipment or
services.
4. The Fund acknowledges that any data bases made available as part of,
or through the Terminal Link and any proprietary data, software, processes,
information and documentation (other than any such which are or become part of
the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public)
(collectively, the "Information"), are the exclusive and confidential property
of the Custodian. The Fund shall, and shall cause others to which it discloses
the Information, including, without limitation the Intermediary, to keep the
Information confidential by using the same care and discretion it uses with
respect to its own confidential property and trade secrets, and shall neither
make nor permit any disclosure without the express prior written consent of the
Custodian.
5. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Fund shall
return to the Custodian any and all copies of the Information which are in the
Fund's possession or under its control, or which the Fund distributed to third
parties, including, without limitation, the Intermediary. The provisions of this
Article shall not affect the copyright status of any of the Information which
may be copyrighted and shall apply to all Information whether or not
copyrighted.
6. The Custodian reserves the right to modify the Terminal Link from
time to time without notice to the Fund or the Intermediary except that the
Custodian shall give the Fund notice not less than 75 days in advance of any
modification which would materially adversely affect the Fund's operation, and
the Fund agrees that neither the Fund nor the Intermediary shall modify or
attempt to modify the Terminal Link without the Custodian's prior written
consent. The Fund acknowledges that any software or procedures provided the Fund
or the Intermediary as part of the Terminal Link are the property of the
Custodian and, accordingly, the Fund agrees that any modifications to the
Terminal Link, whether by the Fund, the Intermediary or by the Custodian and
whether with or without the Custodian's consent, shall become the property of
the Custodian.
7. Neither the Custodian nor any manufacturers and suppliers it
utilizes or the Fund or the Intermediary utilizes in connection
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with the Terminal Link makes any warranties or representations, express or
implied, in fact or in law, including but not limited to warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
8. The Fund will cause its Officers and employees to treat the
authorization codes and the access codes applicable to Terminal Link with
extreme care, and irrevocably authorizes the Custodian to act in accordance with
and rely on Certificates received by it through the Terminal Link. The Fund
acknowledges that it is its responsibility to assure that only its Officers and
authorized persons of the Intermediary use the Terminal Link on its behalf, and
that a Custodian shall not be responsible nor liable for use of the Terminal
Link on the Fund's behalf by persons other than such persons or Officers, or by
only a single Officer, nor for any alteration, omission, or failure to promptly
forward by the Intermediary.
9. The Custodian shall have no liability for any losses, damages,
injuries, claims, costs or expenses arising out of or in connection with any
hardware or software failure or malfunction of the Terminal Link, unless first,
such failure or malfunction is the direct result of the negligence of the
Custodian, and, second the Fund has both (a) complied with the provisions of
Section 11 of this Article, and (b) mitigated its damages by using either
Certificates delivered otherwise than through the Terminal Link or, where
appropriate, Oral Instructions. If the Custodian is liable for any such failure
or malfunction incident, its liability shall be limited to direct money damages
not exceeding $25,000.
10. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in no event shall
the Custodian or any manufacturer or supplier of its computer equipment,
software or services relating to the Terminal Link be responsible for any
special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which the Fund or the
Intermediary may incur or experience by reason of its use of the Terminal Link
even if the Custodian or any manufacturer or supplier has been advised of the
possibility of such damages, nor with respect to the use of the Terminal Link
shall the Custodian or any such manufacturer or supplier be liable for acts of
God, or with respect to the following to the extent beyond such person's
reasonable control: machine or computer breakdown or malfunction, interruption
or malfunction of communication facilities, labor difficulties or any other
similar or dissimilar cause.
11. The Fund shall notify the Custodian of any errors, omissions or
interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link as promptly
as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours after the earliest of (i)
discovery thereof, (ii) the Business Day on which discovery should have occurred
through the exercise of reasonable care and (iii) in the case of any error, the
date of actual receipt of the earliest notice which reflects such error, it
being agreed that discovery and receipt of notice may only occur on a business
day. The Custodian shall promptly advise
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the Fund or the Intermediary whenever the Custodian learns of any errors,
omissions or interruption in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link.
12. The Custodian shall acknowledge to the Fund or to the Intermediary,
by use of the Terminal Link, receipt of each Certificate the Custodian receives
through the Terminal Link, and in the absence of such acknowledgment, the
Custodian shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with such
Certificate and the Fund may not claim that such Certificate was received by the
Custodian. Such verification, which may occur after the Custodian has acted upon
such Certificate, shall be accomplished on the same day on which such
Certificate is received.
ARTICLE XVI
DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY
OF ANY SERIES HELD OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES
1. The Custodian is authorized and instructed to employ, as
sub-custodian for each Series' Foreign Securities (as such term is defined in
paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended) and other assets, the foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories and clearing agencies designated on Schedule I hereto
("Foreign Sub-Custodians") to carry out their respective responsibilities in
accordance with the terms of the sub-custodian agreement between each such
Foreign Sub-Custodian and the Custodian, copies of which have been previously
delivered to the Fund and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged (each such
agreement, a "Foreign Sub-Custodian Agreement"). Upon receipt of a Certificate,
together with a certified resolution substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit E of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Fund may designate any additional
foreign sub-custodian with which the Custodian has an agreement for such entity
to act as the Custodian's agent, as its sub-custodian and any such additional
foreign sub-custodian shall be deemed added to Schedule I. Upon receipt of a
Certificate from the Fund, the Custodian shall cease the employment of any one
or more Foreign Sub-Custodians for maintaining custody of the Fund's assets and
such Foreign Sub-Custodian shall be deemed deleted from Schedule I.
2. Each Foreign Sub-Custodian Agreement shall be substantially in the
form previously delivered to the Fund and will not be amended in a way that
materially adversely affects the Fund without the Fund's prior written consent.
3. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to each
Series of the Fund the Foreign Securities of such Series held by each Foreign
Sub-Custodian. At the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be
subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims by the Fund
or any Series against a
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Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim sustained or incurred by the Fund or any Series if and to the
extent that the Fund or such Series has not been made whole for any such loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
4. Upon request of the Fund, the Custodian will, consistent with the
terms of the applicable Foreign Sub-Custodian Agreement, use reasonable efforts
to arrange for the independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to
the books and records of any Foreign Sub-Custodian insofar as such books and
records relate to the performance of such Foreign Sub-Custodian under its
agreement with the Custodian on behalf of the Fund.
5. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time to time, as mutually
agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities and other assets of each
Series held by Foreign Sub-Custodians, including but not limited to, an
identification of entities having possession of each Series' Foreign Securities
and other assets, and advices or notifications of any transfers of Foreign
Securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a Foreign
Sub-Custodian for the Custodian on behalf of the Series.
6. The Custodian shall furnish annually to the Fund, as mutually agreed
upon, information concerning the Foreign Sub-Custodians employed by the
Custodian. Such information shall be similar in kind and scope to that furnished
to the Fund in connection with the Fund's initial approval of such Foreign
Sub-Custodians and, in any event, shall include information pertaining to (i)
the Foreign Custodians' financial strength, general reputation and standing in
the countries in which they are located and their ability to provide the
custodial services required, and (ii) whether the Foreign Sub-Custodians would
provide a level of safeguards for safekeeping and custody of securities not
materially different from those prevailing in the United States. The Custodian
shall monitor the general operating performance of each Foreign Sub-Custodian.
The Custodian agrees that it will use reasonable care in monitoring compliance
by each Foreign Sub-Custodian with the terms of the relevant Foreign
Sub-Custodian Agreement and that if it learns of any breach of such Foreign
Sub-Custodian Agreement believed by the Custodian to have a material adverse
effect on the Fund or any Series it will promptly notify the Fund of such
breach. The Custodian also agrees to use reasonable and diligent efforts to
enforce its rights under the relevant Foreign Sub-Custodian Agreement.
7. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all notices,
reports or other written information received pertaining to the Fund's Foreign
Securities, including without limitation, notices of corporate action, proxies
and proxy solicitation materials.
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8. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of any Series and
delivery of securities maintained for the account of such Series may be effected
in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities
processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the
transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery of securities to the
purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or
dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for
such securities from such purchaser or dealer.
9. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the
contrary, with respect to any losses or damages arising out of or relating to
any actions or omissions of any Foreign Sub-Custodian the sole responsibility
and liability of the Custodian shall be to take appropriate action at the Fund's
expense to recover such loss or damage from the Foreign Sub-Custodian. It is
expressly understood and agreed that the Custodian's sole responsibility and
liability shall be limited to amounts so recovered from the Foreign
Sub-Custodian.
ARTICLE XVII
CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
1. Except as hereinafter provided, or as provided in Article XVI
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, either hereunder or under any Margin Account Agreement, except for
any such loss or damage arising out of its own negligence or willful misconduct.
In no event shall the Custodian be liable to the Fund or any third party for
special, indirect or consequential damages or lost profits or loss of business,
arising under or in connection with this Agreement, even if previously informed
of the possibility of such damages and regardless of the form of action. The
Custodian may, with respect to questions of law arising hereunder or under any
Margin Account Agreement, 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 be liable to the
Fund for any loss or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or
any Depository arising by reason of any negligence or willful misconduct on the
part of the Custodian or any of its employees or agents.
2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian
shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
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(a) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased,
sold, or written by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchase, sale or
writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;
(b) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or
the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;
(c) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend
by the Fund;
(d) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund using Securities
as collateral;
(e) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor
shall the Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash
collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer, or financial institution or held
by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities of the Fund
is adequate collateral for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a
result of such loan. The Custodian specifically, but not by way of limitation,
shall not be under any duty or obligation periodically to check or notify the
Fund that the amount of such cash collateral held by it for the Fund is
sufficient collateral for the Fund, but such duty or obligation shall be the
sole responsibility of the Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no
duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to
which portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent pursuant to Article XIV of this
Agreement makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to
or for the account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the
termination of such loan, provided, however, that the Custodian shall promptly
notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and
received when due; or
(f) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or
Securities held in any Margin Account, Senior Security Account or Collateral
Account in connection with transactions by the Fund. In addition, the Custodian
shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer, futures
commission merchant or Clearing Member makes payment to the Fund of any
variation margin payment or similar payment which the Fund may be entitled to
receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing
Member, to see that any payment received by the Custodian from any broker,
dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member is the amount the Fund is
entitled to receive, or to notify the Fund of the Custodian's receipt or
non-receipt of any such payment.
3. 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
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receives and collects such money directly or by the final crediting of the
account representing the Fund's interest at the Book-Entry System or the
Depository.
4. The Custodian shall have no responsibility and shall not be liable
for ascertaining or acting upon any calls, conversions, exchange offers,
tenders, interest rate changes or similar matters relating to Securities held in
the Depository, unless the Custodian shall have actually received timely notice
from the Depository. In no event shall the Custodian have any responsibility or
liability for the failure of the Depository to collect, or for the late
collection or late crediting by the Depository of any amount payable upon
Securities deposited in the Depository which may mature or be redeemed, retired,
called or otherwise become payable. However, upon receipt of a Certificate from
the Fund of an overdue amount on Securities held in the Depository the Custodian
shall make a claim against the Depository on behalf of the Fund, except that the
Custodian shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend
any action, suit or proceeding in respect to any Securities held by the
Depository which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless
indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability be furnished as
often as may be required.
5. 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 of the Fund nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by
the Transfer Agent of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to the
Transfer Agent of the Fund in accordance with this Agreement.
6. 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 (i) it shall be directed to take such action by a
Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of reimbursement of
its costs and expenses in connection with any such action.
7. The Custodian may in addition to the employment of Foreign
Sub-Custodians pursuant to Article XVI appoint one or more banking institutions
as Depository or Depositories, as Sub-Custodian or Sub-Custodians, or as
Co-Custodian or Co-Custodians including, but not limited to, banking
institutions located in foreign countries, of Securities and moneys at any time
owned by a Series, upon such terms and conditions as may be approved in a
Certificate or contained in an agreement executed by the Custodian, the Fund and
the appointed institution.
8. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation (a) to
ascertain whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by
any Foreign Sub-Custodian, for the account of the Fund and specifically
allocated to a Series are such as
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properly may be held by the Fund or such Series under the provisions of its then
current prospectus, or (b) to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund,
whether or not involving the Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be
engaged in by the Fund.
9. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Fund agrees to
pay to the Custodian all out-of-pocket expenses and such compensation as may be
agreed upon from time to time between the Custodian and the Fund. The Custodian
may charge such compensation and any expenses with respect to a Series incurred
by the Custodian in the performance of its duties pursuant to such agreement
against any money specifically allocated to such Series. Unless and until the
Fund instructs the Custodian by a Certificate to apportion any loss, damage,
liability or expense among the Series in a specified manner, the Custodian shall
also be entitled to charge against any money held by it for the account of a
Series such Series' pro rata share (based on such Series net asset value at the
time of the charge to the aggregate net asset value of all Series at that time)
of the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel fees,
for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of this
Agreement. The expenses for which the Custodian shall be entitled to
reimbursement hereunder shall include, but are not limited to, the expenses of
sub-custodians and foreign branches of the Custodian incurred in settling
outside of New York City transactions involving the purchase and sale of
Securities of the Fund.
10. 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 a Certificate. The Custodian shall be entitled
to rely upon any Oral Instructions actually received by the Custodian
hereinabove provided for. The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian a
Certificate or facsimile thereof confirming such Oral Instructions in such
manner so that such Certificate or facsimile thereof is received by the
Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telecopier or other similar device, or
otherwise, by the close of business of 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, or that contrary instructions are 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 an
Officer.
11. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any instrument,
instruction or notice received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be given in accordance with the terms and conditions of any Margin
Account Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall be
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under no duty to inquire into, and shall not be liable for, the accuracy of any
statements or representations contained in any such instrument or other notice
including, without limitation, any specification of any amount to be paid to a
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member.
12. The books and records pertaining to the Fund which are in the
possession of the Custodian shall be the property of the Fund. Such books and
records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable securities laws and rules and
regulations. The Fund, or the Fund's authorized representatives, shall have
access to such books and records during the Custodian's normal business hours.
Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records
shall be provided by the Custodian to the Fund or the Fund's authorized
representative, and the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian its expenses of
providing such copies. Upon reasonable request of the Fund, the Custodian shall
provide in hard copy or on micro-film, whichever the Custodian elects, any
records included in any such delivery which are maintained by the Custodian on a
computer disc, or are similarly maintained, and the Fund shall reimburse the
Custodian for its expenses of providing such hard copy or micro-film.
13. 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, the Depository or O.C.C., and with such reports on its own systems of
internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to
time.
14. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian against and save the
Custodian harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever,
including attorney's fees, howsoever arising or incurred because of or in
connection with this Agreement, including the Custodian's payment or non-payment
of checks pursuant to paragraph 6 of Article XIII as part of any check
redemption privilege program of the Fund, except for any such liability, claim,
loss and demand arising out of the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct.
15. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, those contained in Article XVI the Custodian may deliver and
receive Securities, and receipts with respect to such Securities, and arrange
for payments to be made and received by the Custodian in accordance with the
customs prevailing from time to time among brokers or dealers in such
Securities. When the Custodian is instructed to deliver Securities against
payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment therefor may not be
completed simultaneously. The Fund assumes all responsibility and liability for
all credit risks involved in connection with the Custodian's delivery of
Securities pursuant to instructions of the Fund, which responsibility and
liability shall
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37
continue until final payment in full has been received by the
Custodian.
16. The Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever
except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this
Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement
against the Custodian.
ARTICLE XVIII
TERMINATION
1. 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 ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such
notice. In the event such notice is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied
by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the
Secretary, the Clerk, any Assistant Secretary or any Assistant Clerk, electing
to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians,
each of which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000
aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. In the event such notice is
given by the Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the termination date,
deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, certified by the Secretary, the Clerk, any Assistant Secretary or any
Assistant Clerk, 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 bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000
aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in
such notice this Agreement shall terminate, 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 moneys then owned by the
Series and held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other
amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or the
Custodian in accordance with the preceding paragraph, 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 moneys then owned
by the Series 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 to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance
with this Agreement.
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38
ARTICLE XIX
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a Certificate signed by two of the
present Officers of the Fund under its corporate seal, setting forth the names
and the signatures of the present Officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to
furnish to the Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event that 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
Certificate 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 Officers as set forth in the last delivered Certificate.
2. 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 00
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or at such other place as the
Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
3. 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 office at the address for the
Fund first above written, or at such other place as the Fund may from time to
time designate in writing.
4. 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 and approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
5. 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 resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
6. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof.
Each party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court
situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising
hereunder and hereby waives its right to trial by jury.
7. 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.
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39
The Sessions Group is a business trust organized under Chapter 1746,
Ohio Revised Code and under a Declaration of Trust, to which reference is hereby
made and a copy of which is on file at the office of the Secretary of State of
Ohio as required by law, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed or
hereafter filed. The obligations of "The Sessions Group" entered into in the
name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, officers, employees or agents
are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any
of the Trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders of the Fund
personally, but bind only the assets of the Fund, as set forth in Section
1746.13(A), Ohio Revised Code, and all persons dealing with any of the Series of
the Fund must look solely to the assets of the Fund belonging to such Series for
the enforcement of any claims against the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized and their
respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above
written.
THE SESSIONS GROUP
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------
[SEAL]
Attest:
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Grunston
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Grunston
Title: Vice President
[SEAL]
Attest:
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxx
------------------------------
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40
APPENDIX A
I, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, President and I, Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Secretary,of
The Sessions Group, an Ohio business trust (the "Fund"), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals serve in the following positions with the
Fund and each has been duly elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund to each such position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, and the signatures set forth opposite their
respective names are their true and correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx President /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Secretary /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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41
April __, 0000
XXXXXXXX X
To Custody Agreement dated October 9, 1996
Between The Sessions Group and
The Bank of New York
SERIES
NAME OF FUND DATE
The KeyPremier Prime Money Market Fund July 9, 1996
and The KeyPremier Pennsylvania Municipal
Bond Fund
The KeyPremier Established Growth Fund October 30, 1996
and The KeyPremier Intermediate Term
Income Fund
The KeyPremier Aggressive Growth Fund January 29, 1997
The KeyPremier U.S. Treasury Obligations June 30, 1997
Money Market Fund and The KeyPremier
Limited Duration Government Securities
Fund
The KeyPremier Emerging Growth Fund April __, 1998
THE SESSIONS GROUP
By
-------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, President
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By Xxxxxxx X. Grunston
-------------------------------------
Vice President
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APPENDIX C
I, Xxx Xxxxxx, a Vice President with THE BANK OF NEW YORK do hereby
designate the following publications:
The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
XX Xxxxxx Municipal Bond Service
London Financial Times
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal
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43
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, hereby certifies that he or she is
the duly elected and acting President of The Session Group, an Ohio business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on May 16,
1996, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolution has
not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to
a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as
of July 9, 1996, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed
on a continuous and ongoing basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System,
as defined in the Custody Agreement, all securities eligible for
deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are
specifically allocated, and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the
extent possible in connection with its performance thereunder,
including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of
purchases and sales of securities, loans of securities, and deliveries
and returns of securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of The
Sessions Group, as of the 9th day of July, 1996.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------------
[SEAL]
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44
EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, hereby certifies that he or she is
the duly elected and acting President of The Sessions Group, an Ohio business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on May 16,
1996, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolution has
not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to
a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as
of July 9, 1996 (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed
on a continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it receives a
Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, to the contrary to
deposit in the Depository, as defined in the Custody Agreement, all
securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the Series to
which the same are specifically allocated, and to utilize the
Depository to the extent possible in connection with its performance
thereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with
settlements of purchases and sales of securities, loans of securities,
and deliveries and returns of securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of The
Sessions Group, as of the 9th day of July, 1996.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------------
[SEAL]
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45
EXHIBIT B-1
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, hereby certifies that he or she is
the duly elected and acting President of The Sessions Group, an Ohio business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on May 16,
1996, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolution has
not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to
a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as
of July 9, 1996 (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed
on a continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it receives a
Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, to the contrary to
deposit in the Participants Trust Company as Depository, as defined in
the Custody Agreement, all securities eligible for deposit therein,
regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically allocated,
and to utilize the Participants Trust Company to the extent possible in
connection with its performance thereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of
securities, loans of securities, and deliveries and returns of
securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of The
Sessions Group, as of the 9th day of July, 1996.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------------
[SEAL]
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46
EXHIBIT C
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, hereby certifies that he or she is
the duly elected and acting of The Sessions Group, an Ohio business trust (the
"Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was adopted by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on May 16, 1996, at which a
quorum was at all times present and that such resolution has not been modified
or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to
a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as
of July 9, 1996, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed
on a continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it receives a
Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, to the contrary, to
accept, utilize and act with respect to Clearing Member confirmations
for Options and transaction in options, regardless of the Series to
which the same are specifically allocated, as such terms are defined in
the Custody Agreement, as provided in the Custody Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of The
Sessions Group, as of the 9th day of July, 1996.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------------
[SEAL]
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47
EXHIBIT D
The undersigned, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, hereby certifies that he or she is
the duly elected and acting President of The Sessions Group, an Ohio business
trust (the "Fund"), further certifies that the following resolutions were
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on May 16,
1996, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolutions have
not been modified or rescinded and are in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to
the Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated
as of July 9, 1996 (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and
instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis to act in accordance with,
and to rely on Certificates (as defined in the Custody Agreement) given
by the Fund to the Custodian by a Terminal Link (as defined in the
Custody Agreement).
RESOLVED, that the Fund shall establish access codes and grant
use of such access codes only to Officers of the Fund as defined in the
Custody Agreement, shall establish internal safekeeping procedures to
safeguard and protect the confidentiality and availability of such
access codes, shall limit its use of the Terminal Link to those
purposes permitted by the Custody Agreement, shall require at least two
such officers to utilize their respective access codes in connection
with each such Certificate, shall review the safekeeping procedures of
the Intermediary to assure that all transmissions inputted by the Fund,
and only such transmissions, are forwarded by the omission by the
Intermediary, and shall use the Terminal Link only in a manner that
does not contravene the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or
the rules and regulations thereunder.
RESOLVED, that Officers of the Fund shall, following the
establishment of such access codes and such internal safekeeping
procedures, advise the Custodian that the same have been established by
delivering a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, and the
Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon such advice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of The
Sessions Group, as of the 9th day of July, 1996.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------------
[SEAL]
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48
EXHIBIT E
The undersigned, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, hereby certifies that he or she is
the duly elected and acting President of The Sessions Group, an Ohio business
trust (the "Fund"), further certifies that the following resolutions were
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on May 16,
1996, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolutions have
not been modified or rescinded and are in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that the maintenance of the Fund's assets in each
country listed in Schedule I hereto be, and hereby is, approved by the
Board of Trustees as consistent with the best interests of the Fund and
its shareholders; and further
RESOLVED, that the maintenance of the Fund's assets with the
foreign branches of The Bank of New York (the "Bank") listed in
Schedule I located in the countries specified therein, and with the
foreign sub-custodians and depositories listed in Schedule I located in
the countries specified therein be, and hereby is, approved by the
Board of Trustees as consistent with the best interest of the Fund and
its shareholders; and further
RESOLVED, that the Sub-Custodian Agreements presented to this
meeting between the Bank and each of the foreign sub-custodians and
depositories listed in Schedule I providing for the maintenance of the
Fund's assets with the applicable entity, be and hereby are, approved
by the Board of Trustees as consistent with the best interests of the
Fund and its shareholders; and further
RESOLVED, that the appropriate officers of the Fund are hereby
authorized to place assets of the Fund with the aforementioned foreign
branches and foreign sub-custodians and depositories as hereinabove
provided; and further
RESOLVED, that the appropriate officers of the Fund, or any of
them, are authorized to do any and all other acts, in the name of the
Fund and on its behalf, as they, or any of them, may determine to be
necessary or desirable and proper in connection with or in furtherance
of the foregoing resolutions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and the seal of The Sessions
Group, as of the 9th day of July, 1996.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------------
[SEAL]
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49
Dated: April __, 1998
EXHIBIT F
TO THE CUSTODY AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE SESSIONS GROUP AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK
JULY 9, 1996, AS AMENDED APRIL __, 1998
AUTHORIZED PERSONS
for the following portfolios:
The KeyPremier Prime Money Market Fund
The KeyPremier Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund
The KeyPremier Established Growth Fund
The KeyPremier Intermediate Term Income Fund
The KeyPremier Aggressive Growth Fund
The KeyPremier U.S. Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund
The KeyPremier Limited Duration Government Securities Fund
The KeyPremier Emerging Growth Fund
Cash Movement of Shareholder Activity
(excluding Fund shareholder checks)
Officers of The Group
---------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx President
J. Xxxxx Xxxxx Vice President
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx Vice President
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx Secretary
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx Assistant Secretary
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