Exhibit (j)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
And
BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It.........1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the
Fund Held By the Custodian....................................2
2.1 Holding Securities......................................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities..................................2
2.3 Registration of Securities..............................7
2.4 Bank Accounts...........................................8
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds...........................8
2.6 Collection of Income....................................9
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies.................................10
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased..............................................12
2.9 Appointment of Agents..................................13
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems...........13
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System16
2.11 Segregated Account.....................................17
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes................19
2.13 Proxies................................................19
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities...19
2.15 Proper Instructions....................................20
2.16 Actions Permitted without Express Authority............21
2.17 Evidence of Authority..................................22
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income............22
4. Records......................................................23
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant.....................24
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants............24
7. Compensation of Custodian....................................25
8. Responsibility of Custodian..................................25
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment..................26
10. Successor Custodian..........................................28
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions ......................29
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply...................................30
13. Prior Contracts .............................................30
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between BlackRock Municipal Income Trust, a
Delaware business trust organized and existing under the laws of Delaware,
having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000, hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and
Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of
business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter
called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its
assets pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of
Trust. The Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash
owned by it, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital
distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by the
Fund from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such
new or treasury shares of capital stock, $0.001 par value, ("Shares") of
the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall
not be responsible for any property of the Fund held or received by the
Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of
Section 2.15), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more
sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, and provided that the Custodian shall have no more
or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions
or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian
has to the Custodian.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the
Fund Held By the Custodian
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, including all
securities owned by the Fund, other than (a) securities which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 in a clearing agency which acts
as a securities depository or in a book- entry system authorized by
the U.S. Department of the Treasury, collectively referred to herein
as "Securities System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for
which State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying
agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities
System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper
book entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions
when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following
cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement related to such securities entered
into by the Fund;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities
System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10
hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities
are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or
other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into
the name of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or
nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee
name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or
into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange for a
different number of bonds, certificates or
other evidence representing the same aggregate face
amount or number of units; provided that, in any such
case, the new securities are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the
Fund, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a
receipt, for examination in accordance with "street
delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the
Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for
any loss arising from the delivery of such securities
prior to receiving payment for such securities except as
may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of
merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization
or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such
securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion
contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit
agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities,
the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants,
rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim
receipts or temporary securities for definitive
securities; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities
made by the Fund, but only against receipt of adequate
collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the
Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the form of cash
or obligations issued by the United States government,
its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in
connection with any loans for which collateral is to be
credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for
the delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior to the
receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any
borrowings by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by
the Fund, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a
broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of The
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD"), relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange, or of any similar
organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures
Commission Merchant registered under the Commodity
Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any
Contract Market, or any similar organization or
organizations, regarding account deposits in connection
with transactions by the Fund; and
14) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees
or of the Executive Committee signed by an officer of the
Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, specifying the securities to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to
be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian (other
than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund
or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund,
unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a
nominee to be used in common with other registered investment
companies having the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in the
name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9
or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed
pursuant to Article 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on
behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Contract shall be in
"street name" or other good delivery form. If, however, the Fund
directs the Custodian to maintain securities in "street name", the
Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to timely collect
income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a
best efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions including,
without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange
offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or
order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract,
and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions
hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund,
other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established
and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be
deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department
of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may
in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however,
that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a
custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such
bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such
bank or trust company shall be approved by vote of a majority of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited by the
Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by
the Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
Instructions, make federal funds available to the Fund as of
specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the
Custodian in the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of
the Fund which are deposited into the Fund's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other
payments with respect to registered securities held hereunder to
which the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom
in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on
the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the
Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as
collected, to the Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present
for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation
as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned
pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the
responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the
Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the
Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the
income to which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which
may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the
parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the
following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account
of the Fund but only (a) against the delivery of such
securities or evidence of title to such options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts to the
Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company
doing business in the United States or abroad which is
qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, to act as a custodian and has been designated by
the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered
in the name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee of
the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in
proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase
effected through a Securities System, in accordance with
the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in
the case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System,
in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section
2.10A; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered
into between the Fund and the Custodian, or another bank,
or a broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against
delivery of the securities either in certificate form or
through an entry crediting the Custodian's account at the
Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against
delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund
of securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase
such securities from the Fund or (e) for transfer to a
time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether
domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior
to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the
applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the
Fund as defined in Section 2.15;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
3) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by
the Fund, including but not limited to the following
payments for the account of the Fund: interest, taxes,
management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees,
and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such
expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or
treated as deferred expenses;
4) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
5) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
6) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive
Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of the Fund
and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth the
purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring
such purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the
person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of securities for the account
of the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the
securities purchased in the absence of specific written instructions
from the Fund to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely
liable to the Fund for such securities to the same extent as if the
securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or
trust company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry
out such of the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may
from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of
any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or
liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a
securities depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain federal agencies,
collectively referred to herein as "Securities System" in accordance
with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the
following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in
the Securities System which shall not include any assets
of the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities
of the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging
to the Fund;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been
transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an
entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account
of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that payment for such securities has
been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of
an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
transfer and payment for the account of the Fund. Copies
of all advices from the Securities System of transfers of
securities for the account of the Fund shall identify the
Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be
provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Fund in the form
of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to the
Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transactions in the Securities System for the
account of the Fund.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report
obtained by the Custodian on the Securities System's
accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the
Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 9
hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract
notwithstanding, the Custodian shall be liable to the
Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from
use of the Securities System by reason of any negligence,
misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its
agents or of any of its or their employees or from
failure of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce
effectively such rights as it may have against the
Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall
be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian with respect to any claim against the
Securities System or any other person which the Custodian
may have as a consequence of any such loss or damage if
and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole
for any such loss or damage.
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the
Fund in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the
following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper
System will be effected in the absence of Proper
Instructions;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct
Paper System only if such securities are represented in an
account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper
System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities
of the Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper
System shall identify by book-entry those securities
belonging to the Fund;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer of securities to the account of the Fund. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of
the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of
payment for the account of the Fund;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Fund, in the form
of a written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the
next business day following such transfer and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transaction in the Securities
System for the account of the Fund;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on
its system of internal accounting control as the Fund may
reasonably request from time to time.
2.11 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts
for and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained
in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i)
in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund,
the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act
and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any
registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission or any registered contract market), or of any
similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for
purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection
with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity
futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund,
(iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures
required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any
subsequent release or releases of the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by
registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate
purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated
account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other
payments with respect to securities of the Fund held by it and in
connection with transfers of securities.
2.13 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of
such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in
the name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and
shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to
the Fund all written information (including, without limitation,
pendency of calls and maturities of securities and expirations of
rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and
put options written by the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts
purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers
of the securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund
all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires
to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or
any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at
least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is
to take such action.
2.15 Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout this
Article 2 means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person
or persons as the Board of Trustees shall have from time to time
authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific
transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
statement of the purpose for which such action is requested. Oral
instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian
reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to
give such instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The
Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing.
Upon receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures approved by
the Board of Trustees, Proper Instructions may include communications
effected directly between electro- mechanical or electronic devices
provided that the Board of Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied
that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's
assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall
include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any
three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in
accordance with Section 2.11.
2.16 Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
handling securities or other similar items relating to
its duties under this Contract, provided that all such
payments shall be accounted for to the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution,
purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities
and property of the Fund except as otherwise directed by
the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
2.17 Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in acting
upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other
instrument or paper believed by it to be genuine and to have been
properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian may
receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of
any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any
determination or of any action by the Board of Trustees pursuant to
the Agreement and Declaration of Trust as described in such vote, and
such vote may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt
by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information
to the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to
keep the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value
per share of the outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing
to do so by the Fund, shall itself keep such books of account and/or
compute such net asset value per share. If so directed, the Custodian shall
also calculate weekly the net income of the Fund as described in the Fund's
currently effective prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer
Agent weekly of the total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in
writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent
periodically of the division of such net income among its various
components. The calculations of the net asset value per share and the
weekly income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus.
4. Records
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as will meet
the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 3la-1 and 3la-2
thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at
all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for
inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and
employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation
of securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when
requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed
upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in
such tabulations.
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from
time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from
the Fund's independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder
in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-2, and Form N-SAR
or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with
respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures
contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities
System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this
Contract; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient
detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable
assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such
examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so
state.
7. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund and the Custodian.
8. Responsibility of Custodian
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in
acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument
reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper
party or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant
to the terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. The Custodian
shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the
provisions of this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be
without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and
shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted
pursuant to such advice.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may,
in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee
assigned to the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring
liability of some other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the
Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in
an amount and form satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for
any purpose or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur
or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or
liabilities in connection with the performance of this Contract, except
such as may arise from its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent
failure to act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the
account of the Fund shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to
repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize
available cash and to dispose of the Fund assets to the extent necessary to
obtain reimbursement.
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided,
may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and
may be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or
mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect
not sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or
mailing; provide, however that the Custodian shall not act under Section
2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Fund
has approved the initial use of a particular Securities System and the
receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund of such
Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian shall not
act under Section 2.10A hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Trustees has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System and the
receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund of the Direct
Paper System; provided further, however, that the Fund shall not amend or
terminate this Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state
regulations, or any provision of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
and further provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board
of Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian
by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately
terminate this Contract in the event of the appointment of a conservator or
receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the
happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory
agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
10. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees
of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such
successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in
the form for transfer, all securities then held by it hereunder and shall
transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's
securities held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian
shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and
transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with
such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian
or certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees shall have been
delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination
shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver
to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own
selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all
securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property
held by it under this Contract and to transfer to an account of such
successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in any Securities
System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of
the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in
the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing
to failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred
to or of the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the
Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during
such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds
and other properties and the provisions of this Contract relating to the
duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and
effect.
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or
in addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint
opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Contract. Any such
interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both
parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or
additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or state
regulations or any provision of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of
the Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions .made as provided in the
preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
13. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody
of the Fund's assets.
