EXHIBIT 99.8(a)
December 17, 1990
The Exchange Fund of Boston, Inc. xxxxxx adopts and agrees to become a party
to the attached Master Custodian Agreement between the Xxxxx Xxxxx Group of
Funds and Investors Bank & Trust Company.
THE EXCHANGE FUND OF BOSTON, INC.
By /S/ XXXXXX X. XXXX
-------------------------------
President
Accepted and agreed to:
INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By: /S/ XXXXX X. XXXXX
---------------------------------
Title: Vice President
MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
between
XXXXX XXXXX GROUP OF FUNDS
and
INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Definitions.............................................................1-2
2. Employment of Custodian and Property to be held by it...................2-3
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to
Property of the Fund......................................................3
A. Safekeeping and Holding of Property...................................3
B. Delivery of Securities..............................................3-6
C. Registration of Securities............................................6
D. Bank Accounts.........................................................6
E. Payments for Shares of the Fund.......................................6
F. Investment and Availability of Federal Funds..........................6
G. Collections...........................................................7
H. Payment of Fund Moneys..............................................8-9
I. Liability for Payment in Advance of
Receipt of Securities Purchased.......................................9
J. Payments for Repurchases of Redemptions
of Shares of the Fund..............................................9-10
K. Appointment of Agents by the Custodian...............................10
L. Deposit of Fund Portfolio Securities in Securities Systems........10-11
M. Deposit of Fund Commercial Paper in an Approved Book-Entry
System for Commercial Paper.......................................12-13
X. Xxxxxxxxxx Account................................................13-14
O. Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes..............................14
P. Proxies..............................................................14
Q. Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities.................14
R. Exercise of Rights; Tender Offers................................14-15
-i-
S. Depository Receipts..................................................15
T. Interest Bearing Call or Time Deposits...............................15
U. Options, Futures Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions......15-17
V. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority..........................17
4. Duties of Bank with Respect to Books of Account and
Calculations of Net Asset Value..........................................17
5. Records and Miscellaneous Duties.........................................18
6. Opinion of Fund`s Independent Public Accountants.........................18
7. Compensation and Expenses of Bank........................................18
8. Responsibility of Bank................................................18-19
9. Persons Having Access to Assets of the Fund..............................19
10. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment; Successor Custodian.........20
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions...................................20
12. Notices..................................................................21
13. Massachusetts Law to Apply...............................................21
14. Adoption of the Agreement by the Fund....................................21
-ii-
MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made between each investment company advised by Xxxxx
Xxxxx Management which has adopted this Agreement in the manner provided herein
and Investors Bank & Trust Company (hereinafter called "Bank", "Custodian" and
"Agent"), a trust company established under the laws of Massachusetts with a
principal place of business in Boston, Massachusetts.
Whereas, each such investment company is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and has appointed the Bank to act as Custodian of
its property and to perform certain duties as its Agent, as more fully
hereinafter set forth; and
Whereas, the Bank is willing and able to act as each such investment
company's Custodian and Agent, subject to and in accordance with the provisions
hereof;
Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, each such investment company and the
Bank agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases,
unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Fund" shall mean the investment company which has adopted this
Agreement. If the Fund is a Massachusetts business trust, it may in the future
establish and designate other separate and distinct series of shares, each of
which may be called a "portfolio"; in such case, the term "Fund" shall also
refer to each such separate series or portfolio.
(b) "Board" shall mean the board of directors/trustees/managing general
partners/director general partners of the Fund, as the case may be.
(c) "The Depository Trust Company", 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 and which has been
specifically approved as a securities depository for the Fund by the Board.
(d) "Participants Trust Company", 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 and which has been
specifically approved as a securities depository for the Fund by the Board.
(e) "Approved Clearing Agency" shall mean any other domestic 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 BUT
ONLY if the Custodian has received a certified copy of a vote of the Board
approving such clearing agency as a securities depository for the Fund.
(f) "Federal Book-Entry System" shall mean the book-entry system
referred to in Rule 17f-4(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 for United
States and federal agency securities (i.e., as provided in Subpart O of Treasury
Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306, Subpart B of 31 CFR Part 350, and the book-entry
regulations of federal agencies substantially in the form of Subpart O).
-1-
(g) "Approved Foreign Securities Depository" shall mean a foreign
securities depository or clearing agency referred to in Rule 17f-4 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 for foreign securities BUT ONLY if the Custodian
has received a certified copy of a vote of the Board approving such depository
or clearing agency as a foreign securities depository for the Fund.
(h) "Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper" shall mean a
system maintained by the Custodian or by a subcustodian employed pursuant to
Section 2 hereof for the holding of commercial paper in book-entry form BUT ONLY
if the Custodian has received a certified copy of a vote of the Board approving
the participation by the Fund in such system.
(i) The Custodian shall be deemed to have received "proper
instructions" in respect of any of the matters referred to in this Agreement
upon receipt of written or facsimile instructions signed by such one or more
person or persons as the Board shall have from time to time authorized to give
the particular class of instructions in question. Electronic instructions for
the purchase and sale of securities which are transmitted by Xxxxx Xxxxx
Management to the Custodian through the Xxxxx Xxxxx equity trading system and
the Xxxxx Xxxxx fixed income trading system shall be deemed to be proper
instructions; the Fund shall cause all such instructions to be confirmed in
writing. Different persons may be authorized to give instructions for different
purposes. A certified copy of a vote of the Board may be received and accepted
by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the authority of any such person to
act and may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt of written
notice to the contrary. Such instructions may be general or specific in terms
and, where appropriate, may be standing instructions. Unless the vote delegating
authority to any person or persons to give a particular class of instructions
specifically requires that the approval of any person, persons or committee
shall first have been obtained before the Custodian may act on instructions of
that class, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to question the right of
the person or persons giving such instructions in so doing. 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. The Fund authorizes the Custodian to tape record any and
all telephonic or other oral instructions given to the Custodian. Upon receipt
of a certificate signed by two officers of the Fund as to the authorization by
the President and the Treasurer of the Fund accompanied by a detailed
description of the communication procedures approved by the President and the
Treasurer of the Fund, "proper instructions" may also include communications
effected directly between electromechanical or electronic devices provided that
the President and Treasurer of the Fund and the Custodian are satisfied that
such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Fund's assets. In performing
its duties generally, and more particularly in connection with the purchase,
sale and exchange of securities made by or for the Fund, the Custodian may take
cognizance of the provisions of the governing documents and registration
statement of the Fund as the same may from time to time be in effect (and votes,
resolutions or proceedings of the shareholders or the Board), but, nevertheless,
except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Custodian may assume unless
and until notified in writing to the contrary that so-called proper instructions
received by it are not in conflict with or in any way contrary to any provisions
of such governing documents and registration statement, or votes, resolutions or
proceedings of the shareholders or the Board.
2. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby appoints and employs the Bank as its Custodian and
Agent in accordance with and subject to the provisions hereof, and the Bank
hereby accepts such appointment and employment. The Fund agrees to deliver to
the Custodian all securities, participation interests, cash and other assets
owned by it, and all payments of income, payments of principal and capital
distributions and adjustments received by it with respect to all securities and
participation interests owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash
-2-
cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares
("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian
shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held by the Fund and not
delivered by the Fund to the Custodian. The Fund will also deliver to the Bank
from time to time copies of its currently effective charter (or declaration of
trust or partnership agreement, as the case may be), by-laws, prospectus,
statement of additional information and distribution agreement with its
principal underwriter, together with such resolutions, votes and other
proceedings of the Fund as may be necessary for or convenient to the Bank in the
performance of its duties hereunder.
The Custodian may from time to time employ one or more subcustodians to
perform such acts and services upon such terms and conditions as shall be
approved from time to time by the Board of Directors. Any such subcustodian so
employed by the Custodian shall be deemed to be the agent of the Custodian, and
the Custodian shall remain primarily responsible for the securities,
participation interests, moneys and other property of the Fund held by such
subcustodian. Any foreign subcustodian shall be a bank or trust company which is
an eligible foreign custodian within the meaning of Rule 17f-5 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and the foreign custody arrangements shall be
approved by the Board of Directors and shall be in accordance with and subject
to the provisions of said Rule. For the purposes of this Agreement, any property
of the Fund held by any such subcustodian (domestic or foreign) shall be deemed
to be held by the Custodian under the terms of this Agreement.
3. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND
A. SAFEKEEPING AND HOLDING OF PROPERTY The Custodian shall keep safely
all property of the Fund and on behalf of the Fund shall from time
to time receive delivery of Fund property for safekeeping. The
Custodian shall hold, earmark and segregate on its books and records
for the account of the Fund all property of the Fund, including all
securities, participation interests and other assets of the Fund (1)
physically held by the Custodian, (2) held by any subcustodian
referred to in Section 2 hereof or by any agent referred to in
Paragraph K hereof,(3) held by or maintained in The Depository Trust
Company or in Participants Trust Company or in an Approved Clearing
Agency or in the Federal Book-Entry System or in an Approved Foreign
Securities Depository, each of which from time to time is referred
to herein as a "Securities System", and (4) held by the Custodian
or by any subcustodian referred to in Section 2 hereof and
maintained in any Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper.
B. DELIVERY OF SECURITIES The Custodian shall release and deliver
securities or participation interests owned by the Fund held (or
deemed to be held) by the Custodian or maintained in a Securities
System account or in an Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial
Paper account only upon receipt of proper instructions, which may
be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities or participation interests for
the account of the Fund, BUT ONLY against receipt of payment
therefor; if delivery is made in Boston or New York City,
payment therefor shall be made in accordance with generally
accepted clearing house procedures or by use of Federal
Reserve Wire System procedures; if delivery is made
elsewhere payment therefor shall be in accordance with the
then current "street delivery" custom or in accordance with
such procedures agreed to in writing from time to time by
the parties hereto; if the sale is effected through a
Securities System, delivery and payment therefor shall be
-3-
made in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph L
hereof; if the sale of commercial paper is to be effected
through an Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper,
delivery and payment therefor shall be made in accordance
with the provisions of Paragraph M hereof; if the securities
are to be sold outside the United States, delivery may be
made in accordance with procedures agreed to in writing from
time to time by the parties hereto; for the purposes of this
subparagraph, the term "sale" shall include the disposition
of a portfolio security (i) upon the exercise of an option
written by the Fund and (ii) upon the failure by the Fund to
make a successful bid with respect to a portfolio security,
the continued holding of which is contingent upon the making
of such a bid;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement or reverse repurchase agreement
relating to such securities and entered into by the Fund;
3) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
4) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities or
participation interests 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 or any subcustodian employed pursuant to Section 2
hereof;
5) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Fund or into the name of any nominee of the
Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Paragraph K hereof or into the name or
nominee name of any subcustodian employed pursuant to
Section 2 hereof; 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 or participation interests
are to be delivered to the Custodian or any subcustodian
employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof;
6) To the broker selling the same for examination in accordance
with the "street delivery" custom; PROVIDED that the
Custodian shall adopt such procedures as the Fund from time
to time shall approve to ensure their prompt return to the
Custodian by the broker in the event the broker elects not
to accept them;
7) 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 of 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 or any subcustodian
employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof;
-4-
8) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in connection with 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 or any subcustodian employed pursuant to Section 2
hereof;
9) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made
by the Fund (such loans to be made pursuant to the terms of
the Fund's current registration statement), BUT ONLY against
receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon from time to
time by the Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the form
of cash or obligations issued by the United States
government, its agencies or instrumentalities; except that
in connection with any securities 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
Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or
responsible for the delivery of securities loaned by the
Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;
10) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings
by the Fund requiring a pledge or hypothecation of assets by
the Fund (if then permitted under circumstances described in
the current registration statement of the Fund), provided,
that the securities shall be released only upon payment to
the Custodian of the monies borrowed, except that in cases
where additional collateral is required to secure a
borrowing already made, further securities may be released
for that purpose; upon receipt of proper instructions, the
Custodian may pay any such loan upon redelivery to it of the
securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon
surrender of the note or notes evidencing the loan;
11) When required for delivery in connection with any redemption
or repurchase of Shares of the Fund in accordance with the
provisions of Paragraph J hereof;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement between the Custodian (or a subcustodian employed
pursuant to Section 2 hereof) and a broker-dealer registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, if necessary,
the Fund, relating to compliance with the rules of The
Options Clearing Corporation or of any registered national
securities exchange, or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding deposit or escrow or other
arrangements in connection with options transactions by the
Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian (or a subcustodian
employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof), and a futures
commissions merchant, relating to compliance with the rules
of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or of any
contract market or commodities exchange or similar
organization, regarding futures margin account deposits or
payments in connection with futures transactions by the
Fund;
-5-
14) For any other proper corporate purpose, BUT ONLY upon
receipt of, in addition to proper instructions, a certified
copy of a vote of the Board specifying the securities to be
delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery
is to be made, declaring such purpose to be proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery
of such securities shall be made.
C. REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES Securities held by the
Custodian (other than bearer securities) for the account of
the Fund shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in
the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the
Custodian, or in the name or nominee name of any agent
appointed pursuant to Paragraph K hereof, or in the name or
nominee name of any subcustodian employed pursuant to
Section 2 hereof, or in the name or nominee name of The
Depository Trust Company or Participants Trust Company or
Approved Clearing Agency or Federal Book-Entry System or
Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper; provided,
that securities are held in an account of the Custodian or
of such agent or of such subcustodian containing only assets
of the Fund or only assets held by the Custodian or such
agent or such subcustodian as a custodian or subcustodian or
in a fiduciary capacity for customers. All certificates for
securities accepted by the Custodian or any such agent or
subcustodian on behalf of the Fund shall be in "street" or
other good delivery form or shall be returned to the selling
broker or dealer who shall be advised of the reason thereof.
D. BANK ACCOUNTS The Custodian shall open and maintain a
separate bank account or accounts in the name of the
Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian
acting in 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 Fund other than cash maintained by
the Fund in a bank account established and used in
accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund
may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in
the Banking Department of the Custodian or in such
other banks or trust companies as the Custodian may in
its discretion deem necessary or desirable; PROVIDED,
however, that every such bank or trust company shall be
qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust
company and the funds to be deposited with each such
bank or trust company shall be approved in writing by
two officers of the Fund. Such funds shall be deposited
by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall
be subject to withdrawal only by the Custodian in that
capacity.
E. PAYMENT FOR SHARES OF THE FUND The Custodian shall make
appropriate arrangements with the Transfer Agent and the
principal underwriter of the Fund to enable the Custodian to
make certain it promptly receives the cash or other
consideration due to the Fund for such new or treasury Shares
as may be issued or sold from time to time by the Fund, in
accordance with the governing documents and offering
prospectus and statement of additional information of the
Fund. The Custodian will provide prompt notification to the
Fund of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
-6-
F. INVESTMENT AND AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS Upon agreement
between the Fund and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon
the receipt of proper instructions, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
1) invest in such securities and instruments as
may be set forth in such instructions on the
same day as received all federal funds
received after a time agreed upon between
the Custodian and the Fund; and
2) make federal funds available to the Fund as
of specified times agreed upon from time to
time by the Fund and the Custodian in the
amount of checks received in payment for
Shares of the Fund which are deposited into
the Fund's account.
G. COLLECTIONS The Custodian shall promptly collect all income
and other payments with respect to registered securities held
hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled either by law or
pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall
promptly collect 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 agent thereof and
shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund's
custodian account.
The Custodian shall do all things necessary and proper in
connection with such prompt collections and, without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall
1) Present for payment all coupons and other income items
requiring presentations;
2) Present for payment all securities which may mature or
be called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable;
3) Endorse and deposit for collection, in the name of the
Fund, checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments;
4) Credit income from securities maintained in a
Securities System or in an Approved Book-Entry System
for Commercial Paper at the time funds become available
to the Custodian; in the case of securities maintained
in The Depository Trust Company funds shall be deemed
available to the Fund not later than the opening of
business on the first business day after receipt of
such funds by the Custodian.
The Custodian shall notify the Fund as soon as reasonably
practicable whenever income due on any security is not
promptly collected. In any case in which the Custodian does
not receive any due and unpaid income after it has made demand
for the same, it shall immediately so notify the Fund in
writing, enclosing copies of any demand letter, any written
response thereto, and memoranda of all oral responses thereto
and to telephonic demands, and await instructions from the
Fund; the Custodian shall in no case have any liability for
any nonpayment of such income provided the Custodian meets the
standard of care set forth in Section 8 hereof. The Custodian
shall not be obligated to take legal action for collection
unless and until reasonably indemnified to its satisfaction.
-7-
The Custodian shall also receive and collect all stock
dividends, rights and other items of like nature, and deal
with the same pursuant to proper instructions relative
thereto.
H. PAYMENT OF FUND MONEYS Upon receipt of proper instructions,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate
by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out moneys of the Fund
in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, participation
interests, options, futures contracts, forward
contracts and options on futures contracts purchased
for the account of the Fund but only (a) against the
receipt of
(i) such securities registered as provided in
Paragraph C hereof or in proper form for
transfer or
(ii) detailed instructions signed by an officer
officer of the Fund regarding the participation
interests to be purchased or
(iii) written confirmation of the purchase by
the Fund of the options, futures contracts,
forward contracts or options on futures
contracts
by the Custodian (or by a subcustodian employed pursuant to
Section 2 hereof or by a clearing corporation of a national
securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member or by any
bank, banking institution or trust company doing business in the
United States or abroad which is qualified under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 to act as a custodian and which has been
designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose or by
the agent specifically designated in such instructions as
representing the purchasers of a new issue of privately placed
securities); (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a
Securities System, upon receipt of the securities by the
Securities System in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Paragraph L hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase of commercial
paper effected through an Approved Book-Entry System for
Commercial Paper, upon receipt of the paper by the Custodian or
subcustodian in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Paragraph M hereof; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements
entered into between the Fund and another bank or a
broker-dealer, against receipt by the Custodian of the securities
underlying the repurchase agreement either in certificate form or
through an entry crediting the Custodian's segregated,
non-proprietary account at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
with such securities along with written evidence of the agreement
by the bank or broker-dealer to repurchase such securities from
the Fund; or (e) with respect to securities purchased outside of
the United States, in accordance with written procedures agreed
to from time to time in writing by the parties hereto;
2) When required in connection with the conversion,
exchange or surrender of securities owned by the Fund
as set forth in Paragraph B hereof;
-8-
3) When required for the redemption or repurchase of
Shares of the Fund in accordance with the provisions of
Paragraph J hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by
the Fund, including but not limited to the following
payments for the account of the Fund: advisory fees,
distribution plan payments, interest, taxes, management
compensation and expenses, accounting, transfer agent
and legal fees, and other 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 or other distributions
to holders of Shares declared or authorized by the
Board; and
6) For any other proper corporate purpose, BUT ONLY upon
receipt of, in addition to proper instructions, a
certified copy of a vote of the Board, 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 corporate purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom such payment is to be
made.
I. LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES
PURCHASED In any and every case where payment for purchase
of securities for the account of the Fund is made by the
Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased
in the absence of specific written instructions signed by
two officers of the Fund to so pay in advance, the Custodian
shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities
to the same extent as if the securities had been received by
the Custodian; EXCEPT that in the case of a repurchase
agreement entered into by the Fund with a bank which is a
member of the Federal Reserve System, the Custodian may
transfer funds to the account of such bank prior to the
receipt of (i) the securities in certificate form subject to
such repurchase agreement or (ii) written evidence that the
securities subject to such repurchase agreement have been
transferred by book-entry into a segregated non-proprietary
account of the Custodian maintained with the Federal Reserve
Bank of Boston or (iii) the safekeeping receipt, PROVIDED
that such securities have in fact been so transfered by
book-entry and the written repurchase agreement is received
by the Custodian in due course; AND EXCEPT that if the
securities are to be purchased outside the United States,
payment may be made in accordance with procedures agreed to
in writing from time to time by the parties hereto.
J. PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES OF THE FUND
From such funds as may be available for the purpose, but
subject to any applicable votes of the Board and the current
redemption and repurchase procedures of the Fund, the
Custodian shall, upon receipt of written instructions from
the Fund or from the Fund's transfer agent or from the
principal underwriter, make funds and/or portfolio
securities available for payment to holders of Shares who
have caused their Shares to be redeemed or repurchased by
the Fund or for the Fund`s account by its transfer agent or
principal underwriter.
-9-
The Custodian may maintain a special checking account upon
which special checks may be drawn by shareholders of the
Fund holding Shares for which certificates have not been
issued. Such checking account and such special checks shall
be subject to such rules and regulations as the Custodian
and the Fund may from time to time adopt. The Custodian or
or the Fund may suspend or terminate use of such checking
account or such special checks (either generally or for one or
more shareholders) at any time. The Custodian and the Fund
shall notify the other immediately of any such suspension or
termination.
K. APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS BY THE CUSTODIAN The Custodian may at
any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any
time remove) any other bank or trust company (PROVIDED such
bank or trust company is itself qualified under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 to act as a custodian or is
itself an eligible foreign custodian within the meaning of
Rule 17f-5 under said Act) as the agent of the Custodian to
carry out such of the duties and functions of the Custodian
described in this Section 3 as the Custodian may from time
to time direct; PROVIDED, however, that the appointment of
any such agent shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its
responsibilities or liabilities hereunder, and as between
the Fund and the Custodian the Custodian shall be fully
responsible for the acts and omissions of any such agent.
For the purposes of this Agreement, any property of the Fund
held by any such agent shall be deemed to be held by the
Custodian hereunder.
L. DEPOSIT OF FUND PORTFOLIO SECURITIES IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned
by the Fund
(1) in The Depository Trust Company;
(2) in Participants Trust Company;
(3) in any other Approved Clearing Agency;
(4) in the Federal Book-Entry System; or
(5) in an Approved Foreign Securities Depository
in each case only in accordance with applicable Federal
Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations, and at all times subject to the following
provisions:
(a) The Custodian may (either directly or through one
or more subcustodians employed pursuant to Section 2 keep
securities of the Fund in a Securities System provided that
such securities are maintained in a non-proprietary account
("Account") of the Custodian or such subcustodian in the
Securities System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian or such subcustodian or any other person other than
assets held by the Custodian or such subcustodian as a
fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for its customers.
-10-
(b) The records of the Custodian with respect to
securities of the Fund which are maintained in a Securities
System shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging
to the Fund, and the Custodian shall be fully and completely
responsible for maintaining a recordkeeping system capable of
accurately and currently stating the Fund's holdings
maintained in each such Securities System.
(c) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased
in book-entry form for the account of the Fund only upon (i)
receipt of notice or advice from the Securities System that
such securities have been transferred to the Account, and (ii)
the making of any entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund.
The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account
of the Fund only upon (i) receipt of notice or advice from the
Securities System that payment for such securities has been
transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on
the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all notices or
advices from the Securities System of transfers of securities
for the account of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be
maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be promptly
provided to the Fund at its request. The Custodian shall
promptly send to the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or
from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice
or notice of each such transaction, and shall furnish to the
Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transactions in the Securities System for the account of the
Fund on the next business day.
(d) The Custodian shall promptly send to the Fund any
report or other communication received or obtained by the
Custodian relating to the Securities System's accounting
system, system of internal accounting controls or procedures
for safeguarding securities deposited in the Securities
System; the Custodian shall promptly send to the Fund any
report or other communication relating to the Custodian's
internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding
securities deposited in any Securities System; and the
Custodian shall ensure that any agent appointed pursuant to
Paragraph K hereof or any subcustodian employed pursuant to
Section 2 hereof shall promptly send to the Fund and to the
Custodian any report or other communication relating to such
agent's or subcustodian's internal accounting controls and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in any
Securities System. The Custodian's books and records relating
to the Fund's participation in each Securities System will at
all times during regular business hours be open to the
inspection of the Fund's authorized officers, employees or
agents.
(e) The Custodian shall not act under this Paragraph
L in the absence of receipt of a certificate of an officer of
the Fund that the Board has approved the use of a particular
Securities System; the Custodian shall also obtain appropriate
assurance from the officers of the Fund that the Board has
annually reviewed the continued use by the Fund of each
Securities System, and the Fund shall promptly notify the
Custodian if the use of a Securities System is to be
discontinued; at the request of the Fund, the Custodian will
terminate the use of any such Securities System as promptly as
practicable.
-11-
(f) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement
notwithstanding, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for
any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from use of the
Securities System by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or
misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or
subcustodians or of any of its or their employees or from any
failure of the Custodian or any such agent or subcustodian to
enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the
Securities System or any other person; at the election of the
Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of
the Custodian with respect to any claim against the Securities
System or any other person which the Custodian may have as a
consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent
that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or
damage.
M. DEPOSIT OF FUND COMMERCIAL PAPER IN AN APPROVED BOOK-ENTRY
SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL PAPER Upon receipt of proper
instructions with respect to each issue of direct issue
commercial paper purchased by the Fund, the Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain direct issue commercial paper owned by
the Fund in any Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial
Paper, in each case only in accordance with applicable
Securities and Exchange Commission rules, regulations, and
no-action correspondence, and at all times subject to the
following provisions:
(a) The Custodian may (either directly or through one
or more subcustodians employed pursuant to Section 2) keep
commercial paper of the Fund in an Approved Book-Entry System
for Commercial Paper, provided that such paper is issued in
book entry form by the Custodian or subcustodian on behalf of
an issuer with which the Custodian or subcustodian has entered
into a book-entry agreement and provided further that such
paper is maintained in a non-proprietary account ("Account")
of the Custodian or such subcustodian in an Approved
Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper which shall not include
any assets of the Custodian or such subcustodian or any other
person other than assets held by the Custodian or such
subcustodian as a fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for its
customers.
(b) The records of the Custodian with respect to
commercial paper of the Fund which is maintained in an
Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper shall identify
by book-entry each specific issue of commercial paper
purchased by the Fund which is included in the System and
shall at all times during regular business hours be open for
inspection by authorized officers, employees or agents of the
Fund. The Custodian shall be fully and completely responsible
for maintaining a recordkeeping system capable of accurately
and currently stating the Fund's holdings of commercial paper
maintained in each such System.
(c) The Custodian shall pay for commercial paper
purchased in book-entry form for the account of the Fund only
upon contemporaneous (i) receipt of notice or advice from the
issuer that such paper has been issued, sold and transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records
of the Custodian to reflect such purchase, payment and
transfer for the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall
transfer such commercial paper which is sold or cancel such
commercial paper which is redeemed for the account of the Fund
only upon contemporaneous (i) receipt of notice or advice that
payment for such paper has been transferred to the Account,
-12-
and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer or redemption and payment
for the account of the Fund. Copies of all notices, advices
and confirmations of transfers of commercial paper for the
account of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for
the Fund by the Custodian and be promptly provided to the Fund
at its request. The Custodian shall promptly send to the Fund
confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
Fund in the form of a written advice or notice of each such
transaction, and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
System for the account of the Fund on the next business day.
(d) The Custodian shall promptly send to the Fund any
report or other communication received or obtained by the
Custodian relating to each System's accounting system, system
of internal accounting controls or procedures for safeguarding
commercial paper deposited in the System; the Custodian shall
promptly send to the Fund any report or other communication
relating to the Custodian's internal accounting controls and
procedures for safeguarding commercial paper deposited in
any Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper; and the
Custodian shall ensure that any agent appointed pursuant to
Paragraph K hereof or any subcustodian employed pursuant to
Section 2 hereof shall promptly send to the Fund and to the
Custodian any report or other communication relating to
such agent's or subcustodian's internal accounting controls
and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in any
Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper.
(e) The Custodian shall not act under this Paragraph
M in the absence of receipt of a certificate of an officer of
the Fund that the Board has approved the use of a particular
Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper; the Custodian
shall also obtain appropriate assurance from the officers of
the Fund that the Board has annually reviewed the continued
use by the Fund of each Approved Book-Entry System for
Commercial Paper, and the Fund shall promptly notify the
Custodian if the use of an Approved Book-Entry System for
Commercial Paper is to be discontinued; at the request of the
Fund, the Custodian will terminate the use of any such System
as promptly as practicable.
(f) The Custodian (or subcustodian, if the Approved
Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper is maintained by the
subcustodian) shall issue physical commercial paper or
promissory notes whenever requested to do so by the Fund or in
the event of an electronic system failure which impedes
issuance, transfer or custody of direct issue commercial paper
by book-entry.
(g) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement
notwithstanding, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for
any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from use of any
Approved Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper by reason of
any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or
any of its agents or subcustodians or of any of its or their
employees or from any failure of the Custodian or any such
agent or subcustodian to enforce effectively such rights as it
may have against the System, the issuer of the commercial
paper or any other person; 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 System, the
issuer of the commercial paper or any other person which the
Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss or damage
if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for
any such loss or damage.
-13-
N. SEGREGATED ACCOUNT The Custodian shall upon receipt of
proper instructions establish and maintain a segregated
account or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into
which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or
securities, including securities maintained in an account by
the Custodian pursuant to Paragraph L hereof, (i) in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the
Fund, the Custodian and any registered broker-dealer (or any
futures commission merchant), relating to compliance with
the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any
registered national securities exchange (or of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission or of any contract market or
commodities exchange), or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or deposit or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund,
(ii) for purposes of segregating cash or U.S. Government
securities in connection with options purchased, sold or
written by the Fund or futures contracts or options thereon
purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of
compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent
release or releases of the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated
accounts by registered investment companies and (iv)
for other proper purposes, BUT ONLY, in the case of
clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to proper
instructions, a certificate signed by two officers of
the Fund, setting forth the purpose such segregated
account and declaring such purpose to be a proper
purpose.
O. OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES The Custodian shall
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for
all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt
of income or other payments with respect to securities of the
Fund held by it and in connection with transfers of
securities.
P. PROXIES The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities
held by it hereunder, cause to be promptly delivered to the
Fund all forms of proxies and all notices of meetings and
any other notices or announcements or other written
information affecting or relating to the securities, and
upon receipt of proper instructions shall execute and
deliver or cause its nominee to execute and deliver such
proxies or other authorizations as may be required. Neither
the Custodian nor its nominee shall vote upon any of the
securities or execute any proxy to vote thereon or give any
consent or take any other action with respect thereto
(except as otherwise herein provided) unless ordered to do
so by proper instructions.
Q. COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND PORTFOLIO SECURITIES The
Custodian shall deliver promptly to the Fund all written
information (including, without limitation, pendency of call
and maturities of securities and participation interests and
expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of
exercise of call and put options written by the Fund and the
maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund)
received by the Custodian from issuers and other persons
relating to the securities and participation interests being
held for the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange
-14-
offers, the Custodian shall deliver promptly to the Fund all
written information received by the Custodian from issuers
and other persons relating to the securities and
participation interests whose tender or exchange is sought
and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or
exchange offer.
R. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; TENDER OFFERS In the case of tender
offers, similar offers to purchase or exercise rights
(including, without limitation, pendency of calls and
maturities of securities and participation interests and
expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of
exercise of call and put options and the maturity of futures
contracts) affecting or relating to securities and
participation interests held by the Custodian under this
Agreement, the Custodian shall have responsibility for
promptly notifying the Fund of all such offers in accordance
with the standard of reasonable care set forth in Section 8
hereof. For all such offers for which the Custodian is
responsible as provided in this Paragraph R, the Fund shall
have responsibility for providing the Custodian with all
necessary instructions in timely fashion. Upon receipt of
proper instructions, the Custodian shall timely deliver to
the issuer or trustee thereof, or to the agent of either,
warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities for the
purpose of being exercised or sold upon proper receipt
therefor and upon receipt of assurances satisfactory to the
Custodian that the new securities and cash, if any, acquired
by such action are to be delivered to the Custodian or any
subcustodian employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof. Upon
receipt of proper instructions, the Custodian shall timely
deposit securities upon invitations for tenders of
securities upon proper receipt therefor and upon receipt of
assurances satisfactory to the Custodian that the
consideration to be paid or delivered or the tendered
securities are to be returned to the Custodian or
subcustodian employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, the Custodian shall take all necessary action,
unless otherwise directed to the contrary by proper
instructions, to comply with the terms of all mandatory or
compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions, or
similar rights of security ownership, and shall thereafter
promptly notify the Fund in writing of such action.
S. DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS The Custodian shall, upon receipt of
proper instructions, surrender or cause to be surrendered
foreign securities to the depository used by an issuer of
American Depository Receipts or International Depository
Receipts (hereinafter collectively referred to as "ADRs")
for such securities, against a written receipt therefor
adequately describing such securities and written evidence
satisfactory to the Custodian that the depository has
acknowledged receipt of instructions to issue with respect
to such securities ADRs in the name of a nominee of the
Custodian or in the name or nominee name of any subcustodian
employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof, for delivery to the
Custodian or such subcustodian at such place as the
-15-
Custodian or such subcustodian may from time to time
designate. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of proper
instructions, surrender ADRs to the issuer thereof against a
written receipt therefor adequately describing the ADRs
surrendered and written evidence satisfactory to the
Custodian that the issuer of the ADRs has acknowledged
receipt of instructions to cause its depository to deliver
the securities underlying such ADRs to the Custodian or to a
subcustodian employed pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
T. INTEREST BEARING CALL OR TIME DEPOSITS The Custodian shall,
upon receipt of proper instructions, place interest bearing
fixed term and call deposits with the banking department of
such banking institution (other than the Custodian) and in
such amounts as the Fund may designate. Deposits may be
denominated in U.S. Dollars or other currencies. The
Custodian shall include in its records with respect to the
assets of the Fund appropriate notation as to the amount and
currency of each such deposit, the accepting banking
institution and other appropriate details and shall retain
such forms of advice or receipt evidencing the deposit, if
any, as may be forwarded to the Custodian by the banking
institution. Such deposits shall be deemed portfolio
securities of the applicable Fund for the purposes of this
Agreement, and the Custodian shall be responsible for the
collection of income from such accounts and the transmission
of cash to and from such accounts.
U. OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
1. OPTIONS. The Custodians shall, upon receipt of
proper instructions and in accordance with the
provisions of any agreement between the Custodian,
any registered broker-dealer and, if necessary, the
Fund, relating to compliance with the rules of the
Options Clearing Corporation or of any registered
national securities exchange or similar organization
or organizations, receive and retain confirmations or
other documents, if any, evidencing the purchase or
writing of an option on a security or securities
index or other financial instrument or index by the
Fund; deposit and maintain in a segregated account
for each Fund separately, either physically or by
book-entry in a Securities System, securities subject
to a covered call option written by the Fund; and
release and/or transfer such securities or other
assets only in accordance with a notice or other
communication evidencing the expiration, termination
or exercise of such covered option furnished by the
Options Clearing Corporation, the securities or
options exchange on which such covered option is
traded or such other organization as may be
responsible for handling such options transactions.
The Custodian and the broker-dealer shall be
responsible for the sufficiency of assets held in
each Fund's segregated account in compliance with
applicable margin maintenance requirements.
-16-
2. FUTURES CONTRACTS The Custodian shall, upon
receipt of proper instructions, receive and retain
confirmations and other documents, if any, evidencing
the purchase or sale of a futures contract or an
option on a futures contract by the Fund; deposit and
maintain in a segregated account, for the benefit of
any futures commission merchant, assets designated by
the Fund as initial, maintenance or variation
"margin" deposits (including mark-to-market payments)
intended to secure the Fund's performance of its
obligations under any futures contracts purchased or
sold or any options on futures contracts written by
Fund, in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement or agreements among the Fund, the Custodian
and such futures commission merchant, designed to
comply with the rules of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission and/or of any contract market or
commodities exchange or similar organization
regarding such margin deposits or payments; and
release and/or transfer assets in such margin
accounts only in accordance with any such agreements
or rules. The Custodian and the futures commission
merchant shall be responsible for the sufficiency of
assets held in the segregated account in compliance
with the applicable margin maintenance and
mark-to-market payment requirements.
3. FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS The Custodian shall,
pursuant to proper instructions, enter into or cause
a subcustodian to enter into foreign exchange
contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign
currencies for spot and future delivery on behalf and
for the account of the Fund. Such transactions may be
undertaken by the Custodian or subcustodian with such
banking or financial institutions or other currency
brokers, as set forth in proper instructions. Foreign
exchange contracts and options shall be deemed to be
portfolio securities of the Fund; and accordingly,
the responsibility of the Custodian therefor shall be
the same as and no greater than the Custodian's
responsibility in respect of other portfolio
securities of the Fund. The Custodian shall be
responsible for the transmittal to and receipt of
cash from the currency broker or banking or financial
institution with which the contract or option is
made, the maintenance of proper records with respect
to the transaction and the maintenance of any
segregated account required in connection with the
transaction. The Custodian shall have no duty with
respect to the selection of the currency brokers or
banking or financial institutions with which the Fund
deals or for their failure to comply with the terms
of any contract or option. Without limiting the
foregoing, it is agreed that upon receipt of proper
instructions and insofar as funds are made available
to the Custodian for the purpose, the Custodian may
(if determined necessary by the Custodian to
consummate a particular transaction on behalf and for
the account of the Fund) make free outgoing payments
of cash in the form of U.S. dollars or foreign
currency before receiving confirmation of a foreign
exchange contract or confirmation that the
countervalue currency completing the foreign exchange
-17-
contact has been delivered or received. The
Custodian shall not be responsible for any costs and
interest charges which may be incurred by the Fund
or the Custodian as a result of the failure or
delay of third parties to deliver foreign exchange;
provided that the Custodian shall nevertheless
be held to the standard of care set forth in, and
shall be liable to the Fund in accordance with,
the provisions of Section 8.
V. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY The Custodian
may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
handling securities or other similar items relating to
its duties under this Agreement, PROVIDED, that all
such payments shall be accounted for by the Custodian
to the Treasurer of the Fund;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all nondiscretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution,
purchase, transfer and other dealings with the
securities and property of the Fund except as otherwise
directed by the Fund.
4. DUTIES OF BANK WITH RESPECT TO BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND CALCULATIONS
OF NET ASSET VALUE
The Bank shall as Agent (or as Custodian, as the case may be) keep such
books of account (including records showing the adjusted tax costs of the Fund's
portfolio securities) and render as at the close of business on each day a
detailed statement of the amounts received or paid out and of securities
received or delivered for the account of the Fund during said day and such other
statements, including a daily trial balance and inventory of the Fund's
portfolio securities; and shall furnish such other financial information and
data as from time to time requested by the Treasurer or any executive officer of
the Fund; and shall compute and determine, as of the close of business of the
New York Stock Exchange, or at such other time or times as the Board may
determine, the net asset value of a Share in the Fund, such computation and
determination to be made in accordance with the governing documents of the Fund
and the votes and instructions of the Board at the time in force and applicable,
and promptly notify the Fund and its investment adviser and such other persons
as the Fund may request of the result of such computation and determination. In
computing the net asset value the Custodian may rely upon security quotations
received by telephone or otherwise from sources or pricing services designated
by the Fund by proper instructions, and may further rely upon information
furnished to it by any authorized officer of the Fund relative (a) to
liabilities of the Fund not appearing on its books of account, (b) to the
existence, status and proper treatment of any reserve or reserves, (c) to any
procedures established by the Board regarding the valuation of portfolio
securities, and (d) to the value to be assigned to any bond, note, debenture,
Treasury bill, repurchase agreement, subscription right, security, participation
interests or other asset or property for which market quotations are not readily
available.
-18-
5. RECORDS AND MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES
The Bank shall create, maintain and preserve all records relating to
its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet
the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder,
applicable federal and state tax laws and any other law or administrative rules
or procedures which may be applicable to the Fund. All books of account and
records maintained by the Bank in connection with the performance of its duties
under this Agreement shall be the property of the Fund, shall at all times
during the regular business hours of the Bank be open for inspection by
authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund, and in the event of
termination of this Agreement shall be delivered to the Fund or to such other
person or persons as shall be designated by the Fund. Disposition of any account
or record after any required period of preservation shall be only in accordance
with specific instructions received from the Fund. The Bank shall assist
generally in the preparation of reports to shareholders, to the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including Forms N-SAR and N-1Q, to state "blue sky"
authorities and to others, audits of accounts, and other ministerial matters of
like nature; and, upon request, shall furnish the Fund's auditors with an
attested inventory of securities held with appropriate information as to
securities in transit or in the process of purchase or sale and with such other
information as said auditors may from time to time request. The Custodian shall
also maintain records of all receipts, deliveries and locations of such
securities, together with a current inventory thereof, and shall conduct
periodic verifications (including sampling counts at the Custodian) of
certificates representing bonds and other securities for which it is responsible
under this Agreement in such manner as the Custodian shall determine from time
to time to be advisable in order to verify the accuracy of such inventory. The
Bank shall not disclose or use any books or records it has prepared or
maintained by reason of this Agreement in any manner except as expressly
authorized herein or directed by the Fund, and the Bank shall keep confidential
any information obtained by reason of this Agreement.
6. OPINION OF FUND'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from
time to time request, to enable the Fund to obtain from year to year favorable
opinions from the Fund's independent public accountants with respect to its
activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's
registration statement and Form N-SAR or other periodic reports to the
Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to any other requirements of
such Commission.
7. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF BANK
The Bank shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
as Custodian and Agent, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and
the Bank. The Bank shall be entitled to receive from the Fund on demand
reimbursement for its cash disbursements, expenses and charges, including
counsel fees, in connection with its duties as Custodian and Agent hereunder,
but excluding salaries and usual overhead expenses.
8. RESPONSIBILITY OF BANK
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Bank as Custodian and Agent 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.
-19-
The Bank as Custodian and Agent 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.
The Bank as Custodian and Agent shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement but shall be
liable only for its own negligent or bad faith acts or failures to act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this paragraph is intended
to nor shall it be construed to modify the standards of care and responsibility
set forth in Section 2 hereof with respect to subcustodians and in subparagraph
f of Paragraph L of Section 3 hereof with respect to Securities Systems and in
subparagraph g of Paragraph M of Section 3 hereof with respect to an Approved
Book-Entry System for Commercial Paper.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution to the same extent as set forth with respect to
subcustodians generally in Section 2 hereof, provided that, regardless of
whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign banking institution, a
foreign securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank, the Custodian shall
not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting
from, or caused by, the direction of or authorization by the Fund to maintain
custody of any securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign county including, but
not limited to, losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency
restrictions, acts of war, civil war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution,
military or usurped powers, nuclear fission, fusion or radiation, earthquake,
storm or other disturbance of nature or acts of God.
If the Fund requires the Bank in any capacity to take any action with
respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which
action may, in the opinion of the Bank, result in the Bank or its nominee
assigned to the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring
liability of some other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the
Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an
amount and form satisfactory to it.
9. PERSONS HAVING ACCESS TO ASSETS OF THE FUND
(i) No trustee, director, general partner, officer, employee or agent
of the Fund shall have physical access to the assets of the Fund held by the
Custodian or be authorized or permitted to withdraw any investments of the Fund,
nor shall the Custodian deliver any assets of the Fund to any such person. No
officer or director, employee or agent of the Custodian who holds any similar
position with the Fund or the investment adviser of the Fund shall have access
to the assets of the Fund.
(ii) Access to assets of the Fund held hereunder shall only be
available to duly authorized officers, employees, representatives or agents of
the Custodian or other persons or entities for whose actions the Custodian shall
be responsible to the extent permitted hereunder, or to the Fund's independent
public accountants in connection with their auditing duties performed on behalf
of the Fund.
(iii) Nothing in this Section 9 shall prohibit any officer, employee or
agent of the Fund or of the investment adviser of the Fund from giving
instructions to the Custodian or executing a certificate so long as it does not
result in delivery of or access to assets of the Fund prohibited by paragraph
(i) of this Section 9.
-20-
10. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT; SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
This Agreement 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 sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED, that
the Fund 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 Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or by the Banking Commissioner of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an
appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Upon
termination of the Agreement, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such
compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise
reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
Unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares of the Fund
vote to have the securities, funds and other properties held hereunder delivered
and paid over to some other bank or trust company, specified in the vote, having
not less than $2,000,000 of aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, and meeting such other qualifications for
custodians set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Board shall,
forthwith, upon giving or receiving notice of termination of this Agreement,
appoint as successor custodian, a bank or trust company having such
qualifications. The Bank, as Custodian, Agent or otherwise, shall, upon
termination of the Agreement, deliver to such successor custodian, all
securities then held hereunder and all funds or other properties of the Fund
deposited with or held by the Bank hereunder and all books of account and
records kept by the Bank pursuant to this Agreement, and all documents held by
the Bank relative thereto. In the event that no such vote has been adopted by
the shareholders and that no written order designating a successor custodian
shall have been delivered to the Bank on or before the date when such
termination shall become effective, then the Bank shall not deliver the
securities, funds and other properties of the Fund to the Fund but shall have
the right to deliver to a bank or trust company 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
$2,000,000, all funds, securities and properties of the Fund held by or
deposited with the Bank, and all books of account and records kept by the Bank
pursuant to this Agreement, and all documents held by the Bank relative thereto.
Thereafter such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian
under this Agreement.
11. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and
the Fund 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
the governing instruments of the Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions
made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of
this Agreement.
-21-
12. NOTICES
Notices and other writings delivered or mailed postage prepaid to the
Fund addressed to 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, or to such
other address as the Fund may have designated to the Bank, in writing, or to
Investors Bank & Trust Company, 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000,
shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given hereunder to the
respective addressees.
13. MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
If the Fund is a Massachusetts business trust, the Custodian expressly
acknowledges the provision in the Fund's declaration of Trust limiting the
personal liability of the trustees and shareholders of the Fund; and the
Custodian agrees that it shall have recourse only to the assets of the Fund for
the payment of claims or obligations as between the Custodian and the Fund
arising out of this Agreement, and the Custodian shall not seek satisfaction of
any such claim or obligation from the trustees or shareholders of the Fund.
14. ADOPTION OF THE AGREEMENT BY THE FUND
The Fund represents that its Board has approved this Agreement and has
duly authorized the Fund to adopt this Agreement, such adoption to be evidenced
by a letter agreement between the Fund and the Bank reflecting such adoption,
which letter agreement shall be dated and signed by a duly authorized officer of
the Fund and duly authorized officer of the Bank. This Agreement shall be deemed
to be duly executed and delivered by each of the parties in its name and behalf
by its duly authorized officer as of the date of such letter agreement, and this
Agreement shall be deemed to supersede and terminate, as of the date of such
letter agreement, all prior agreements between the Fund and the Bank relating to
the custody of the Fund's assets.
* * * * *
-22-
