Exhibit 8(a)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
XXXXXXX PATHWAY SERIES
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 ....................................2
2.1 Holding Securities ....................................................2
2.2 Delivery of Securities ................................................2
2.3 Registration of Securities ............................................4
2.4 Bank Accounts .........................................................5
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds .........................................5
2.6 Collection of Income ..................................................5
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies ................................................5
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased ..................................................7
2.9 Appointment of Agents .................................................7
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System ...........................7
2.10A Deposit of Fund Assets with Xxxxxxx Service Corporation ...............8
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
Paper System ..........................................................9
2.12 Segregated Account ...................................................10
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes ..............................11
2.14 Proxies ..............................................................11
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio
Securities ...........................................................11
3 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales
of Shares of the Fund................................................11
4. Proper Instructions ..................................................12
5. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority ..........................12
6. Evidence of Authority ................................................13
7. Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account
and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income ....................13
8. Records ..............................................................13
9. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants ............................14
10. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants ....................14
11. Compensation of Custodian ............................................14
12. Responsibility of Custodian ..........................................14
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment ..........................15
14. Successor Custodian ..................................................16
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions ...............................16
16. Additional Funds .....................................................17
17. Massachusetts Law to Apply ...........................................17
18. Prior Contracts ......................................................17
19. Shareholder Communications Election ..................................17
20. Limitation of Liability ..............................................18
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Xxxxxxx Pathway Series, a business trust organized
and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its
principal place of business at Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities
and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to initially offer shares in four series, the
Conservative Portfolio, Balanced Portfolio, Growth Portfolio and International
Portfolio (such series together with all other series subsequently established
by the Fund and made subject to this Contract in accordance with paragraph 17,
being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of the
Portfolios of the Fund pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust.
The Fund on behalf of the Portfolio(s) agrees to deliver to the Custodian all
securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of
principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities
owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash consideration received
by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the Fund
representing interests in the Portfolios, ("Shares") as may be issued or sold
from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a
Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered to the Custodian.
With respect to uncertificated shares of the Xxxxxxx group of mutual funds as
defined in Rule I la-3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the
"Xxxxxxx Mutual Funds") the holding of confirmation statements that identify the
shares as being recorded in the Custodian's name on behalf of the Portfolios
will be deemed custody for purposes hereof.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article 4),
the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time
employ one or more sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an applicable
vote by the Board of Trustees of the Fund on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio(s), 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 each Portfolio all non-cash property, including all securities
owned by such Portfolio, 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"; (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 2.11; and (c) uncertificated
shares of the Xxxxxxx family of mutual funds owned by the Fund which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.10A in an account with Xxxxxxx Service
Corporation ("SSC") as transfer agent for the Xxxxxxx funds.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver securities
owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian, in a Securities System account of
the Custodian, in the Custodian's Direct Paper book entry system account
("Direct Paper System Account") or in an account at SSC only upon receipt of
Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which
may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only
in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2. 10 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the
Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the
Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian
or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.9 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
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aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such
case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to
the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination
in accordance with "street 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
Portfolio, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed
upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, 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 Portfolio prior to the receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund
on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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
Portfolio of the Fund;
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13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio of 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 currently effective prospectus and
statement of additional information of the Fund, related to the
Portfolio ("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of
Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio, 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 of the Portfolio to be delivered, setting
forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring
such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person
or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
16) In the case of a sale processed through Xxxxxxx Service Corporation
for shares of the Xxxxxxx Mutual Funds ("Xxxxxxx Fund Shares"), in
accordance with Section 2.1OA hereof,
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian (other than
bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in
the name of any nominee of the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any
nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the
Portfolio, 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio 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.
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2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the name of each Portfolio 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
Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank account
established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be
deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the
Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its
discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such
bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company and
the funds, to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of
the Board of Trustees of the 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 on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the Custodian shall,
upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of a
Portfolio, make federal funds available to such Portfolio 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 such Portfolio which are
deposited into the Portfolio'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 each
Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the
securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and
other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date of payment
by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent
thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to such Portfolio's
custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income
items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect
interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio
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 Portfolio is properly entitled. 2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon
receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the
following cases only:
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Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts for the account of the Portfolio but only (a)
against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such
options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian
(or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United
States or abroad which is qualified under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, to act as a custodian and has been designated by the
Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the
Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in
Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a
purchase effected through a Securities System, in accordance with the
conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase
of Xxxxxxx Fund Shares, in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Section 2.10A hereof-, (d) in the case of a purchase involving the Direct
Paper System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.11;
(e) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank, or a
broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the
securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the
Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or
(ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio
of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the
agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio
or (f) 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 Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Portfolio as
set forth in Article 4 hereof,
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Portfolio,
including but not limited to the following payments for the account of
the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent
and legal fees, and operating expenses of the 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 on Shares of the Portfolio declared
pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
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7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in addition to
Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 a Portfolio is
made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in
the absence of specific written instructions from the Fund on behalf of
such Portfolio 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. SSC shall not
be deemed an agent or subcustodian of the Custodian for purposes of this
Section 2.9 or any other provision of this Agreement.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository,
or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury and certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and
Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, and
subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in a Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System which shall not
include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Portfolio which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify
by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
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3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
that such securities have been transferred to the Account, and (ii)
the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
payment and transfer for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Portfolio upon
(i) receipt of advice from the Securities System that payment for such
securities has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of
an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
payment for the account of the Portfolio. Copies of all advices from
the Securities System of transfers of securities for the account of
the Portfolio shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the
Portfolio by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its request.
Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Portfolio in the form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish
to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities System for
the account of the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the Portfolio with any report
obtained by the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in the Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case may be,
required by Article 14 hereof,
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for the benefit of the Portfolio
for any loss or damage to the Portfolio resulting from use of the
Securities System by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or
misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or
their employees or from failure of the Custodian or any such agent to
enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the Securities
System; at the election of the 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 Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss or
damage.
2.10A Deposit of Fund Assets with Xxxxxxx Service Corporation. Xxxxxxx Fund
Shares shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account maintained with
SSC as transfer agent for the funds. SSC shall be deemed to be acting as
if it is a "depositary" for purposes of Rule l7f-4 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940. The Fund hereby directs the Custodian to deposit
and/or maintain such securities with SSC, subject to the following
provisions:
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1) The Custodian shall keep Xxxxxxx Fund Shares owned by a Portfolio with
SSC provided that such securities are maintained in an account in the
books and records of SSC in the name of the Custodian as custodian for
the Portfolio.
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to Xxxxxxx Fund Shares which
are maintained with SSC shall identify by book-entry those Xxxxxxx
Fund Shares belonging to the Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for Xxxxxxx Fund Shares purchased for the
account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Portfolio's investment adviser that such securities have been
purchased and will be transferred to the account of the Custodian, on
behalf of the Portfolio, on the books and records of SSC, and (ii) the
making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
payment and transfer for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian
shall receive confirmation from SSC of the purchase of such securities
and the transfer of such securities to the Custodian's account with
SSC only after such payment is made. The Custodian shall transfer
Xxxxxxx Fund Shares redeemed for the account of a Portfolio (i) upon
receipt of an advice from the Portfolio's investment adviser that such
securities have been redeemed and that payment for such securities
will be transferred to the Custodian and (ii) the making of an entry
on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment
for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian will receive
confirmation from SSC of the redemption of such securities and payment
therefor only after such securities are redeemed. Copies of all
advices from the Portfolio's investment adviser of purchases and sales
of Xxxxxxx Fund Shares for the account of the Portfolio shall identify
the Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the Custodian, and
be provided to the investment adviser at its request;
4) The Custodian shall be not be liable to the Fund or any Portfolio for
any loss or damage to the Fund or any Portfolio resulting from
maintenance of Xxxxxxx Fund Shares with SSC except for losses
resulting directly from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of
the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their
employees.
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System, The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in the Direct Paper
System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System will
be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions from the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the
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Direct Paper System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian
other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to the
account of the Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold
for the account of the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of
payment for the account of the Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio,
in the form of a written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next
business day following such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting
each day's transaction in the Securities System for the account of the
Portfolio;
6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio with
any report on its system of internal accounting control as the Fund
may reasonably request from time to time.
2.12 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio establish and maintain
a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Portfolio,
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 on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio, (ii) for
purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with
options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity futures
contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for
the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio 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
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corporate purposes, but 2&, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt
of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio, 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.
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with
transfers of securities.
2.14 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of
the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without
indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall
promptly deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. Subject to the provisions
of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund for each
Portfolio all written information (including, without limitation, pendency
of calls and maturities of securities and expirations of rights in
connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options
written by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures
contracts purchased or sold by the Portfolio) received by the Custodian
from issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio. With respect
to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of
the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Portfolio desires
to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any
other similar transaction, the Portfolio shall notify the Custodian at
least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to
take such action.
3. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales 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 a Portfolio, 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
11
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.
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the
Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the appropriate
Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or
sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely
notification to the Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent
of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
4. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used herein 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 Portfolios'
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 2.12.
5. Actions Permitted without Express Authority
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this
Contract, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to
the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with
the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
dealings with the securities and
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property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund.
6. 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.
7. 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 each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per share
of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to do so
by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio as described in the
Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio 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 Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to
investments maintained with SSC, SSC is the sole source of information on the
number of shares of a fund held by it on behalf of a Portfolio and that the
Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by SSC to the
Custodian in performing its duties under this Contract, including without
limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 7 and in Section 8 hereof-,
provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile
information as to purchases and sales of Xxxxxxx Fund Shares contained in trade
instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly
any discrepancies to SSC. The calculations of the net asset value per share and
the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times described
from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such
Portfolio.
8. Records
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all
records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such
manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 3 1 a- 1 and
3 1 a-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
13
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 each Portfolio
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.
9. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund on behalf of
each applicable Portfolio 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-IA, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
10. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios
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.
11. 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 on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
12. 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
14
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 on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian to take any
action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or
which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or
its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment
of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, 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, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents,
to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to
securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) for
the benefit of a Portfolio 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
applicable Portfolio 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 such Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary
to obtain reimbursement.
13. Effective Period- Termination and Amendment
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in
full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended
at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to
the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than thirty (30)
days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however that the
Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2. 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 by such Portfolio, as required by
Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the
Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.11 hereof in
the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use of
the Direct Paper System by such Portfolio; provided further, however, that the
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 on behalf of one or more of the
Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board of Trustees (i) substitute
another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described
above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event
of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the
Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the
direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction.
15
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the
date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its
costs, expenses and disbursements.
14. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian for the Fund or one or more of the Portfolios
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 of each
applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account
of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in
a Securities System or at SSC.
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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer
to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such
Portfolio held in any Securities System or at SSC 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.
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and the
Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such
provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Contract as
may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this
Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing
signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, 12rovided that no such
interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or
state regulations or any provision of the Declaration of Trust
16
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.
16. Additional Funds
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to the Conservative Portfolio, Balanced Portfolio, Growth Portfolio and
International Portfolio with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian
render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the
Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such
services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
17. 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.
18. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the Custodian
relating to the custody of the Fund's assets.
19. Shareholder Communications Election
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no",
the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the
Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure
of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any Funds or
accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits
the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose
other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund
consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES[ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and
share positions.
17
NO[ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name, address,
and share positions.
20. Limitation of Liability
The Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust, and references in
this Contract to the Fund mean and refer to the Trustees from time to time
serving under its Declaration of Trust on file with the Secretary of State of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as the same may be amended from time to time,
pursuant to which the Fund conducts its business. It is expressly agreed that
the obligations of the Fund hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the
Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Fund, as
provided in said Declaration of Trust. Moreover, if the Fund has more than one
series or Portfolio, no series or Portfolio of the Fund other than the series or
Portfolio on whose behalf a specified transaction shall have been undertaken
shall be responsible for the obligations of the Fund, and persons engaging in
transactions with the Fund shall look only to the assets of that series or
Portfolio to satisfy those obligations. The execution and delivery of this
Contract has been authorized by the Trustees and signed by an authorized officer
of the Fund, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor
such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by
any of them but shall bind only the trust property of the Fund as provided in
such Declaration of Trust.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 15th day of November, 1996.
ATTEST XXXXXXX PATHWAY SERIES
By
/s/Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx By/s/Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
--------------------- -----------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx By/s/Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
-------------------- -------------------
Executive Vice President
