Exhibit 23(g)(1)
FORM OF CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
THE GABELLI UTILITIES FUND
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.1 Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.2 Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.3 Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5 Payments for Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6 Availability of Federal Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.7 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.8 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of
the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.11 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.12 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems . . . . 9
2.13 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.14 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.15 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . 12
2.16 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.17 Communications Relating to
Fund Portfolio Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.18 Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.19 Actions Permitted without Express Authority . . . . 13
2.20 Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income . . . . . . . . 14
4. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant . . . . . . . . . . 15
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants . . . . . . 15
7. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
8. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . 16
10. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . 18
12. Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
13. Prior Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between The Gabelli Utilities Fund, a business trust
organized and existing under the laws of having its principal place of
business at Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx, XX 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 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 beneficial interest ("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
2.17), 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 2.12 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 a
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 2.12A.
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 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 2.12 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 2.11 or into the name or
nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article l; 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;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent
("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such
Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in connection
with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to
time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus and
statement of additional information ("prospectus"), in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase
or redemption; and
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 2.11 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 Payments for Shares. The Custodian shall receive from the
distributor for the Fund's Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund
and deposit into the Fund's account such payments as are received for
Shares of the Fund issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The
Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer
Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
2.6 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.
2.7 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.
2.8 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 2.12 hereof; (c) in
the case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12A;
(d) n 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 2.17;
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 redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the
Fund as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) 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;
5) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the
governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect
of securities sold short;
7) 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.
2.9 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.
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the
Fund. From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to
the limitations of the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon
receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for
payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a
request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with
the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian is
authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire
funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming
shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of
the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a
holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the
holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such
procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund and the Custodian.
2.11 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.
2.12 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.
2.13 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 dally 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;
2.14 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 2.12 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 purpose 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.
2.15 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.
2.16 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.
2.17 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.
2.18 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 2.13.
2.19 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.
2.20 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 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 daily the net income of the Fund as described in the
Fund's currently effective prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the
Transfer Agent daily 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 daily 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 31a-1 and 31a-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-lA, 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the responsibility
of the Custodian with respect to redemptions effected by check shall be in
accordance with a separate Agreement entered into between the Custodian and
the Fund.
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 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; provided, however that the Custodian shall not act under Section
.12 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 2.12A 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 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 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative
and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the day of 1999.
ATTEST THE GABELLI UTILITIES FUND
_______________________ By:___________________________
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
________________________ By:__________________________________
Assistant Secretary Vice President
