EXHIBIT (j)
FORM OF MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made as of August ___, 2003, between EACH REGISTERED
INVESTMENT COMPANY IDENTIFIED ON APPENDIX A HERETO (each such registered
investment company, and each registered investment company made subject to this
Agreement in accordance with Section 18 below, referred to as the "FUND"), and
STATE STREET BANK and TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (the
"CUSTODIAN"),
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Funds are registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940 and each Fund has appointed the Custodian to act as its custodian;
WHEREAS, each Fund may or may not be authorized to issue shares of
common stock or shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with each such
series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other
assets;
WHEREAS, each Fund so authorized so intends that this Agreement be
applicable to each of its series set forth on Appendix A hereto (such series
together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and made
subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 18 below, shall be referred
to as the "PORTFOLIO(s)");
WHEREAS, each Fund not so authorized intends that this Agreement be
applicable to it and all references herein to one or more "Portfolio(s)" shall
be deemed to refer to such Fund(s); and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
Each Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets of the
Portfolios, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio, desires to be held in places within the United States ("DOMESTIC
SECURITIES") and securities it desires to be held outside the United States
("FOREIGN SECURITIES"). Each Fund, on behalf of its Portfolio(s), 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 such
Portfolios with respect to all securities owned by it from time to time, and the
cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury share of beneficial
interest of each Fund representing interests in its 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 Fund and not delivered to
the Custodian. With respect to uncertificated shares (the "UNDERLYING SHARES")
of registered investment companies (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the
"UNDERLYING PORTFOLIOS"), 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" (as such term is defined in Section 6
hereof), the Custodian shall, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), from
time to time employ one or more
sub-custodians located in the United States, but only in accordance with an
applicable vote by the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees of the
applicable Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio (as appropriate, and in
each case, the "BOARD"). The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for each
Fund's foreign securities, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, the foreign
banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedules
A and B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions of
Sections 3 and 4. The Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or
liability to any Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any
sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY
THE CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by
it in the United States, including all domestic securities owned by such
Portfolio other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.9
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 (each, a "U.S.
SECURITIES SYSTEM") and (b) the Underlying Shares owned by each Fund which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.14 in an account with State Street Bank and
Trust Company or such other entity which may from time to time act as a transfer
agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is
provided with Proper Instructions (the "Underlying Transfer Agent").
SECTION 2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and
deliver domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a
U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in an account at the
Underlying Transfer Agent, 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 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 U.S. Securities
System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.9
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 2.8 or into the name
or
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nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Section 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds,
certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate
face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such
case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the
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 in connection with any loans of securities made
by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio to a third-party lending
agent, or the lending agent's custodian, in accordance with
Proper Instructions (which may not provide for the receipt by
the Custodian of collateral therefor) agreed upon from time to
time by the Custodian and the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
12) For the payment of initial or variation margin in connection
with trading in futures and options on futures contracts;
13) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by
the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets
by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio, but only against
receipt of amounts borrowed;
14) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, the Custodian
and a broker-dealer registered under the
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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 on behalf of a Portfolio;
15) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among a Fund on behalf of a 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 ("CFTC")
and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or
organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with
transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;
16) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the
Fund (the "TRANSFER AGENT") 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
(the "PROSPECTUS"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of
Shares for repurchase or redemption;
17) In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying
Transfer Agent of Underlying Shares, in accordance with
Section 2.14 hereof; and
18) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio specifying the securities of the Portfolio to be
delivered and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of
such securities shall be made.
SECTION 2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic 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 a 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 advisor as the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of
any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.8 or in the name or nominee name of
any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by
the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall
be in "street name" or other good delivery form. If, however, a 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.
SECTION 2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a
separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each
Portfolio of each Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, 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
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established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 ACT"). Monies 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
1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company and the monies to be deposited
with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each Portfolio be
approved by vote of a majority of the Board. Such monies shall be deposited by
the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
SECTION 2.5 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 domestic 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 domestic 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) and (11) shall be the
responsibility of the applicable 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.
SECTION 2.6 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 a Portfolio in the following
cases only:
1) 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 1940 Act
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
U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set
forth in Section 2.9 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase of
Underlying Shares, in accordance with the conditions set forth
in Section 2.14 hereof; (d) in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into between the applicable Fund on behalf
of a 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 (e) for transfer to a
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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
herein;
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 as set forth
in Section 5 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 declared pursuant
to the Fund's articles of incorporation or organization and
by-laws or agreement or declaration of trust, as applicable,
and Prospectus (collectively, "GOVERNING DOCUMENTS");
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
7) In connection with a lending or borrowing transaction between
a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio and an investment company
advised by Deutsche Asset Management, Inc., or its applicable
affiliates;
8) In connection with a cash sweep arrangement;
9) For the payment of initial or variation margin in connection
with trading in futures and options on futures contracts;
10) For the payment of cash to one or more Repo Custodians
appointed by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, as applicable,
and communicated to the Custodian by Proper Instructions,
including Schedule D (as may be amended from time to time)
attached to this Agreement, duly executed by an authorized
officer of the Fund, for the purpose of engaging in repurchase
agreement transactions, which payment may be made without
contemporaneous receipt by the Custodian of assets in exchange
therefor, and upon which delivery to such Repo Custodian in
accordance with Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of
a Portfolio, the Custodian shall have no further
responsibility or obligation to the Fund as a custodian for
such Portfolio with respect to the cash so delivered in a Free
Trade, provided that, in preparing reports of monies received
or paid out of the Portfolio or of assets comprising the
Portfolio, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon
information received from time to time from the Repo Custodian
and shall not be responsible for the accuracy or completeness
of such information included in the Custodian's reports until
such assets are received by the Custodian; and
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11) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio
specifying the amount of such payment and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
SECTION 2.7 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased. Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Agreement, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of domestic 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.
SECTION 2.8 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 1940 Act to act as a
custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 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. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall not be deemed an
agent or subcustodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Section 2.8 or any
other provision of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.9 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S.
Securities System subject to the following provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of a Portfolio in a U.S.
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account of the Custodian in the U.S.
Securities System, which account 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 U.S. Securities System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the
Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall maintain securities of a Portfolio in a
U.S. Securities System in compliance with the requirements of
Rule 17f-4 of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained
by the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities deposited in the U.S. Securities
System;
5) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement 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 U.S. 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
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enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the
U.S. 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 U.S. 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.
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SECTION 2.10 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of
Proper Instructions 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 2.9 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among a Fund on behalf of itself or its Portfolios, 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 CFTC or any registered
contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding
escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund or
Portfolio, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with swaps arrangements entered into by a Fund on behalf of itself or
its Portfolios, options purchased, sold or written by a Fund on behalf of itself
or its Portfolio(s), or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased
or sold by a Fund on behalf of itself or its Portfolios, (iii) for the purposes
of compliance by a Fund or a Portfolio with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), or interpretative opinion of the
staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by
registered investment companies, (iv) for the purpose of segregating securities
or other assets of the Fund on behalf of itself or its Portfolios in connection
with a borrowing transaction between a Fund as borrower and an investment
company advised by Deutsche Asset Management, Inc., or its applicable
affiliates; and (v) for any other purpose upon receipt of Proper Instructions.
SECTION 2.11 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 domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in
connection with transfers of securities.
SECTION 2.12 PROXIES. Except with respect to Portfolio property
purchased pursuant to Section 2.6 (10), the Custodian shall, with respect to the
domestic 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 Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials
and all notices relating to such securities.
SECTION 2.13 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND SECURITIES. Except with
respect to Portfolio property purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(10), and subject
to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information (including, without
limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of domestic securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call
and put options written by the Fund on behalf of itself or its Portfolios and
the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund on behalf of
itself or its Portfolios) received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities being held for the Fund or Portfolio. With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund
all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities
whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its agents) making the
tender or exchange offer. If a Fund desires to take action with respect to any
tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar
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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.
SECTION 2.14 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRANSFER AGENT.
Underlying Shares shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account or accounts
maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent. The Underlying Transfer Agent
shall be deemed to be acting as if it is a securities depository for purposes of
Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act. Each Fund hereby directs the Custodian to deposit
and/or maintain such securities with the Underlying Transfer Agent, subject to
the following provisions:
1) The Custodian shall keep Underlying Shares owned by a
Portfolio with the Underlying Transfer Agent provided that
such securities are maintained in an account or accounts on
the books and records of the Underlying Transfer Agent in the
name of the Custodian as custodian for the Portfolio;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to Underlying Shares
which are maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent shall
identify by book-entry those Underlying Shares belonging to
each Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for Underlying Shares purchased for
the account of a Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Portfolio's investment adviser that such Underlying Shares
have been purchased and will be transferred to the account of
the Custodian, on behalf of the Portfolio, on the books and
records of the Underlying Transfer Agent, 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 the Underlying
Transfer Agent of the purchase of such securities and the
transfer of such securities to the Custodian's account with
the Underlying Transfer Agent only after such payment is made.
The Custodian shall transfer Underlying 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 the Underlying Transfer Agent 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
Underlying Shares for the account of the Portfolio shall
identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the
Custodian, and be provided to the Portfolio's investment
adviser at its request; and
4) The Custodian shall be not be liable to any Fund or any
Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Fund or any Portfolio
resulting from maintenance of Underlying Shares with
Underlying Transfer Agent 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.
SECTION 2.15 AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS Upon agreement between the
Fund on behalf of itself or its Portfolios and the Custodian, the Custodian
shall, upon the receipt of Proper
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Instructions from the Fund or Portfolio, make federal funds available to the
Fund or Portfolio as of
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specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund or Portfolio and the
Custodian in the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of such Fund or
Portfolio which are deposited into the Fund's or Portfolio's account.
SECTION 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO RULES 17F-5 AND 17F-7
SECTION 3.1. DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
following capitalized terms shall have the indicated meanings:
"Country Risk" means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of
holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to,
such country's political environment, economic and financial infrastructure
(including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country),
prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and
regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in
custody in that country.
"Eligible Foreign Custodian" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule
17f-5, including a majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank
(as defined in Section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the
requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by
other appropriate action of the SEC), or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined
in Section 2(a)(5) of the 0000 Xxx) meeting the requirements of a custodian
under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible
Securities Depository.
"Eligible Securities Depository" has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of
Rule 17f-7.
"Foreign Assets" means any of the Fund's investments (including foreign
currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such
cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's
transactions in such investments.
"Foreign Custody Manager" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule
17f-5.
"Rule 17f-5" means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
"Rule 17f-7" means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
SECTION 3.2. THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
3.2.1 DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
Each Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the
Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth
in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets held outside the United
States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody
Manager for each Fund and each Portfolio, as applicable.
3.2.2 COUNTRIES COVERED. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be
responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only
with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country
listed on the appropriate Schedule A to this Agreement ("SCHEDULE A, which list
of countries may be amended from time to time by any
12
Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody
Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the assets of each Fund, and each Schedule A
of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time by agreement
between the Fund and the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager
will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5
hereof.
Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open
an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on a
Schedule A, and the fulfillment by each Fund, on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio(s), of the applicable account opening requirements for such country,
the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by such
Fund's Board on behalf of such Portfolio(s) responsibility as Foreign Custody
Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation.
Execution of this Agreement by each Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper
Instruction to open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each
country listed on Schedule A in which the Custodian has previously placed or
currently maintains Foreign Assets pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.
Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody
Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with the Eligible Foreign Custodian
selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation
by the Board on behalf of such Portfolio to the Custodian as Foreign Custody
Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn, the Custodian
shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager for such Portfolio
with respect to that country.
In the event that the Foreign Custody Manager determines that no Eligible
Foreign Custodian in the designated market satisfies the requirements of Rule
17f-5, the Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated
responsibilities with respect to such designated country upon written notice to
the Fund. Sixty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in
writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have
no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund
with respect to the country as to which the Custodian's acceptance of delegation
is withdrawn.
3.2.3 SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Subject to the
provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and
maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian
selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as
amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as
Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible
Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign
Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to
custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that
Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the
safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified
in Rule 17f-5(c)(1), as amended from time to time.
(b) CONTRACTS WITH ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. The Foreign
Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody
arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).
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(c) MONITORING. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager
maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the
Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to
monitor: (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such
Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) performance of the contract governing the
custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the
Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines
that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected
are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in
accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.
3.2.4 GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY. For
purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board, directly or by delegation to its duly
authorized investment adviser or investment manager, shall be deemed to have
considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing
and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is
serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.
3.2.5 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. At least annually and more
frequently as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the
circumstances, the Foreign Custody Manager shall provide the Board with written
reports specifying placement of the Portfolios' Foreign Assets with each
Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager and shall
promptly report to the Board, or its duly authorized investment adviser or
manager, as to any material change to such foreign custody arrangement.
3.2.6 STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF THE FUND.
In performing the responsibilities delegated to it hereunder, the Foreign
Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such
as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of foreign assets of
management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.
3.2.7 REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RULE 17F-5. The Foreign
Custody Manager represents to each Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in
section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to the Custodian that its
Board has determined that it is reasonable for such Board to rely on the
Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement
to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.
3.2.8 EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE CUSTODIAN AS
FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER. The Board's delegation to the Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Portfolios shall be effective as of the date hereof and
shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written
notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will
become effective sixty (60) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of
such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation
to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios
with respect to designated countries.
SECTION 3.3 ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.
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3.3.1 ANALYSIS AND MONITORING. The Custodian shall (a) provide
each Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) with
an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the
Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto, in accordance
with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a
continuing basis, and promptly notify such Fund (or its duly-authorized
investment manager or investment advisor) of any material change in such risks,
in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.
3.3.2 STANDARD OF CARE. The Custodian agrees to exercise
reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in
Section 3.3.1.
SECTION 4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND
HELD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 4.1 DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the
following capitalized terms shall have the indicated meanings:
"FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEM" means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on
Schedule B hereto.
"FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIAN" means a foreign banking institution serving as an
Eligible Foreign Custodian.
SECTION 4.2. HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its
books as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities held by each Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign
securities for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Foreign
Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for
the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the
Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Portfolios which are
maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the
Portfolios and (ii) to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which
the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held
by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign
Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.
SECTION 4.3. FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Foreign securities shall be
maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through
arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as
applicable, in such country.
SECTION 4.4. TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
4.4.1. DELIVERY OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Custodian or a
Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the
Portfolios held by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign
Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may
be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in
the following cases:
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(i) upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in
accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the
country where such foreign securities are held or traded,
including, without limitation: (A) delivery against
expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of
a sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in
accordance with the rules governing the operation of the
Foreign Securities System;
(ii) to the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for foreign securities of the Portfolio;
(iii) to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign
securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable;
(iv) to the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such
Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number
of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units;
(v) to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for
examination or trade execution in accordance with market
custom; provided that in any such case the Foreign
Sub-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 Foreign Sub-Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct;
(vi) 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;
(vii) in the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign 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;
(viii) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a
Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by
the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;
(ix) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(x) For delivery in connection with any loans of foreign
securities made by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, but only
against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon from
time to time by the Custodian and such Fund on behalf of a
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
16
Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the
delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the
receipt of such collateral;
(xi) For delivery in connection with any loans of foreign
securities made by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio to a third
party lending agent, or the lending agent's custodian, in
accordance with Proper Instructions (which may not provide for
the receipt by the Custodian of collateral therefor) agreed
upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund on behalf
of such Portfolio; and
(xii) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the foreign securities to be delivered
and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such
securities shall be made.
4.4.2. PAYMENT OF PORTFOLIO MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of
a Portfolio in the following cases only:
(i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio,
unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A)
delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor
(or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of
receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in
the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities
System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation
of such Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of
foreign securities of the Portfolio;
(iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio,
including but not limited to the following payments: interest,
taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees
under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other
operating expenses;
(iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign
exchange contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions
executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign
Sub-Custodians;
(v) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(vi) for payment of part or all of the dividends received in
respect of securities sold short;
(vii) in connection with a lending or borrowing transaction between
a Portfolio and an investment company advised by Deutsche
Asset Management, Inc., or its applicable affiliates;
17
(viii) for delivery in connection with any loans of foreign
securities made by a Portfolio, but only against receipt of
adequate collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the
Custodian and such 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 such Portfolio prior to the receipt of such
collateral;
(ix) For delivery in connection with any loans of foreign
securities made by a Portfolio to a third party lending agent,
or the lending agent's custodian, in accordance with Proper
Instructions (which may not provide for the receipt by the
Custodian of collateral therefor) agreed upon from time to
time by the Custodian and such Portfolio; and
(x) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the amount of such payment and naming
the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
4.4.3. MARKET CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets
received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets
maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with
the customary established securities trading or processing practices and
procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including,
without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a
dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation
of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or
dealer.
The Custodian shall provide to each Board the information with respect to
custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a
Foreign Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set
forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time,
provided that no such revision shall result in a Board or its duly-authorized
designee being provided with substantively less information than had been
previously provided hereunder.
SECTION 4.5. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The foreign securities
maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer
securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in
the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the
name of any nominee of the foregoing, and, provided that a nominee does not act
negligently, the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio agrees to hold any
such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign
securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to
accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement
unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered
are in accordance with reasonable market practice.
SECTION 4.6 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to the applicable Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign
currencies) deposited with
18
the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice
does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a
bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United
States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign Sub-Custodian in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement. All accounts referred to in this Section shall
be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such
Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold
cash received by or from or for the account of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on
the books of the Custodian (including its branches, subsidiaries and
affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts
established under, and subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
SECTION 4.7. COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the
Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled and
shall credit such income, as collected, to the applicable Portfolio. In the
event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund
and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation
and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.
SECTION 4.8 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. With respect to the foreign securities
held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian will use reasonable commercial
efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights,
subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist
in the country where such securities are issued. Each Fund acknowledges that
local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations,
lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the
ability of such Fund to exercise shareholder rights.
SECTION 4.9. COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES. The
Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information
with respect to materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign
Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account
of the Portfolios (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and
maturities of foreign securities and expirations of rights in connection
therewith). With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to
materials so received by the Custodian from issuers of the foreign securities
whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the
tender or exchange offer. Absent negligence on the part of the Custodian, the
Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange
or other right or power in connection with foreign securities or other property
of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the
respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual possession or control of such
foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper
Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both
(i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which the
Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power.
SECTION 4.10. LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement
pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall require
the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its
duties, and, to the extent possible, to indemnify and hold harmless the
Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
arising out of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of
such obligations. At a Fund's election, the Portfolios shall be entitled to be
subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a
Foreign Sub-Custodian as a
19
consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and
to the extent that the Portfolios has not been made whole for any such loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
SECTION 4.11 TAX LAW. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or
liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on any Fund, the
Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of the
United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the
responsibility of each Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed
on such Fund with respect to those Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of
the Portfolios by the tax law of countries other than those mentioned in the
above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes,
assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental
reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law
shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim
for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which such Fund has
provided such information.
SECTION 4.12. ACCESS OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE FUND. Upon
request of any Fund, the Custodian will use reasonable efforts to arrange for
the independent accountants of such Fund to be afforded access to the books and
records of any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign sub-custodian
insofar as such books and records relate to the performance of such foreign
banking institution under its contract with the Custodian.
SECTION 5. PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the
Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such
payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by
the applicable Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to such Fund
on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of
payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose, 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, 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, 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.
SECTION 6. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS
"PROPER INSTRUCTIONS", which may also be standing instructions, as used
throughout this Agreement shall mean instructions received by the Custodian from
a Fund or from a Fund's investment manager or subadviser, as duly authorized by
the applicable Board of such Fund. Such instructions may be in writing signed by
the authorized person or persons or may be in a tested communication or in a
communication utilizing access codes effected between electro-mechanical or
electronic devices or may be by such other means and utilizing such intermediary
systems and utilities as may be agreed to from time to time by the Custodian and
the person giving such
20
instructions, provided that each Fund has followed any security procedures
agreed to from time to time by the applicable Fund and the Custodian, including,
but not limited to, the security procedures selected by such Fund in the Funds
Transfer Addendum to this Agreement. 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. Each Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed promptly
in writing. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include
instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement
which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.10 of
this Agreement. Each Fund or such Fund's investment manager shall cause its duly
authorized officer to certify to the Custodian in writing the names and specimen
signatures of persons authorized to give Proper Instructions. The Custodian
shall be entitled to rely upon the identity and authority of such persons until
it receives notice from the applicable Fund to the contrary.
SECTION 7. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
applicable 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 Agreement, 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 property
of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the
applicable Board.
SECTION 8. 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 applicable
Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a copy of a resolution of the Board,
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of any Fund ("CERTIFIED
RESOLUTION"), as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act
in accordance with such resolution or (b) of any determination or of any action
by the applicable Board as described in such resolution, and such resolution may
be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of
written notice to the contrary.
SECTION 9. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME
21
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the applicable Board to keep the books of
account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per Share of the
outstanding Shares or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund on behalf of
such Portfolio(s), 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 each applicable Portfolio as described in the Prospectus
and shall advise such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent daily of the total
amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the
Fund on behalf of such Portfolio to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent
periodically of the division of such net income among its various components.
Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained
with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent 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 the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its
duties under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the duties set forth
in this Section 9 and in Section 10 hereof; provided, however, that the
Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales
of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received
by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying
Transfer Agent. 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 Prospectus.
SECTION 10. RECORDS
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its activities
and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations
of each Fund under the 1940 Act, 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 such Fund and employees and agents of the SEC. 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.
SECTION 11. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as a Fund with respect to a
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-1A, and Form
N-SAR or other annual reports to the SEC and with respect to any other
requirements thereof.
SECTION 12. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the applicable Fund, on behalf of each of the
Portfolios, at such times as such 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 U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities System (either system, a
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"SECURITIES SYSTEM") relating to the services provided by the Custodian under
this Agreement; 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.
SECTION 13. 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 each Fund, on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio, and the Custodian.
SECTION 14. 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 Agreement 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 Agreement, but shall be kept
indemnified by and shall be without liability to any Fund for any action taken
or omitted by it in good faith without negligence, including, without
limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. It shall be
entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for a
Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably
taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. The Custodian shall be without
liability to any Fund or Portfolio for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by anything which is part of Country Risk (as defined
in Section 3 hereof), including without limitation nationalization,
expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war, revolution, riots or
terrorism.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence, willful misconduct, or
the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian
shall be without liability to any Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by: (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable
control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent
or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the
interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any
securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or
interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages,
natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; or (ii) the insolvency of or
acts or omissions by a Securities System. In the event such event or
circumstances directly affect the performance of the Custodian's obligations
under this Agreement, the Custodian will take reasonable steps to minimize
service interruptions arising from such event or circumstances.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian (as defined in Section 4 of this Agreement) to the same extent as
set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in the Agreement and,
regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian or a Foreign Securities System, the Custodian shall not be liable
for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from
nationalization, expropriation,
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currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism, or any other loss where the
Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.
If a 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, such 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 any Fund or any of its applicable Portfolios 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) 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 Agreement,
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 such Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio shall be
security therefor and should the Portfolio fail to repay the Custodian promptly,
the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the
Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
SECTION 15. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Agreement shall become effective as of its execution and, unless terminated
earlier as provided within this section, shall continue in full force and effect
for two years ("Initial Term"). After the Initial Term, and upon annual Board
approval, this Agreement shall remain in effect for subsequent one-year term(s)
("Subsequent Term"). This Agreement 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 sixty (60) days after the date
of such delivery or mailing; provided, however, that a Fund shall not amend or
terminate this Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or state
regulations, or any provision of such Fund's Governing Documents, and further
provided, that any Fund on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any
time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the
Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii)
immediately terminate this Agreement 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.
Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund or
Portfolio shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with
respect to any other Fund or Portfolio.
Upon termination of the Agreement, the applicable 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.
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SECTION 16. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for one or more Portfolios shall be appointed by the
applicable Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination and receipt of Proper
Instructions, 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 the Underlying Transfer Agent.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like
manner, upon receipt of a Certified Resolution, deliver at the office of the
Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance
with such resolution.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
Certified Resolution 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 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, 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 Agreement 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
the Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be
the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.
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 any Fund to procure the Certified Resolution 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 Agreement relating to the duties
and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 17. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF FUND
As expressly permitted, limited or prohibited by relevant state or federal law,
it is understood and expressly stipulated that no member of the Board, officers,
agents or shareholders of any Fund shall be personally liable under the
Agreement. It is understood and acknowledged that all persons dealing with any
Fund must look solely to the property of that Fund for the enforcement of any
claims against such Fund, as the trustees, officers, agents or shareholders will
not assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of such
Fund.
SECTION 18. ADDITIONAL FUNDS
In the event that any registered investment company in addition to those listed
on Appendix A to this Agreement desires to have the Custodian render services as
custodian under the terms of this Agreement, it shall so notify the Custodian in
writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such
registered investment company shall become a Fund hereunder and be bound by all
terms and conditions and provisions of this Agreement.
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SECTION 19. ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIOS
In the event that any Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in addition
to those set forth on Appendix A to this Agreement and the Fund desires to have
the Custodian render services to such series as custodian under the terms of
this Agreement, 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 under this Agreement.
SECTION 20. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and each Fund
on behalf of the Portfolios may from time to time agree on such provisions
interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in
their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. 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 any Fund's Governing Documents. No interpretive
or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be
deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
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SECTION 21. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under
and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 22. PRIOR AGREEMENTS
This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
Agreements between each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, as applicable,
and the Custodian relating to the custody of such Fund's assets.
SECTION 23. NOTICES.
Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may
be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during
normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or
telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as
may be notified by any party from time to time.
To the Funds: XXXXXXX INVESTMENT FUNDS
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx - 00-000
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Secretary and
Vice President
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
To the Custodian: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx - XXX/0X
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served
in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after
posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case
of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours
it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when
normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or telecopy on
the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was
properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence
of posting.
SECTION 24. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, attachments and amendments
hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm,
micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto
all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the
original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether
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or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was
made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement,
facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be
admissible in evidence.
SECTION 25. REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM
The Custodian and each Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access
Services Addendum attached hereto.
SECTION 26. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, all of which shall constitute but
one and the same instrument.
SECTION 27. SEVERABILITY
Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such
a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision
of this Agreement shall be deemed prohibited or invalid under such applicable
law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
invalidity, and such prohibition or invalidity shall not invalidate the
remainder of such provision or the other provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 28. SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION
SEC 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 each Fund to
indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide such Fund's name,
address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund
owns. If a Fund tells the Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this
information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does
not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule to
treat a 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 a 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 each 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.
NO [X] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
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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 date written on page one of this
Agreement.
EACH REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY FUND SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:
IDENTIFIED ON APPENDIX A ATTACHED
:
By: ____________________________ By: ___________________________
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Secretary Title: Counsel
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:
By: ____________________________ By: ___________________________
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Executive Vice President Title: Counsel
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