AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Amendment to the Custodian Contract is made as of February 1, 2001
by and between Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc. (formerly, Quasar Associates, Inc.)
(the "Fund") and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian").
Capitalized terms used in this Amendment without definition shall have the
respective meanings given to such terms in the Custodian Contract referred to
below.
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian entered into a Custodian Contract
dated as of November 13, 1986 (as amended and in effect from time to time, the
"Contract");
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend certain provisions
of the Contract to reflect revisions to Rule 17f-5 ("Rule 17f-5") and the
adoption of Rule 17f-7 ("Rule 17f-7") promulgated under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend and restate certain
other provisions of the Contract relating to the custody of assets of the Fund
held outside of the United States.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereby agree to
amend the Contract, pursuant to the terms thereof, as follows:
I. The amendment to the Contract, relating to maintenance of the Fund's
assets in the custody of certain foreign sub-custodians, dated July 19,
1996 is hereby deleted.
II. Article 3 of the Contract is hereby deleted, and Articles 4 through 17
of the Contract are hereby renumbered, as of the effective date of this
Amendment, as Articles 5 through 19, respectively.
III. New Articles 3 and 4 of the Contract are hereby added, as of the
effective date of this Amendment, as set forth below.
3. Provisions Relating to Rules 17f-5 and 17f-7
3.1. Definitions. Capitalized terms in this Amendment shall have the
following 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 or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as
defined in 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (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.
3.2. The Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager.
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3.2.1 Delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. The Fund,
by resolution adopted by its Board of Directors (the "Board"), hereby delegates
to the Custodian, in accordance with 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 of the Fund.
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 Schedule A to this Contract, which list of countries may be amended
from time to time by the 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 Fund's
assets, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to
time in the sole discretion of 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
Schedule A, and the fulfillment by the Fund of the applicable account opening
requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to
have been delegated by the Board responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with
respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this
Amendment by the 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 Contract. Following the receipt of
Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account
of the Fund with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody
Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board to the Custodian as
Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn
and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager of
the Fund with respect to that country.
The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated
responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the
Fund. Sixty (60) 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).
(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).
(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 in accordance with Rule 17f-5(c)(3), (i) the appropriateness
of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii)
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. In
such event where the Foreign Custody Manager has selected an alternative
Eligible Foreign Custodian in accordance with Section 3.2.3(a) herein, the
Foreign Custody Manager will arrange the transfer of the affected Foreign Assets
to such Eligible Foreign Custodian as soon as reasonably practicable.
3.2.4 Guidelines for the Exercise of Delegated Authority. For purposes
of this Article 3, the Foreign Custody Manager shall have no responsibility for
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 Fund.
3.2.5 Reporting Requirements. The Foreign Custody Manager shall report
the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the
placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by
providing to the Board and upon Proper Instructions to the Fund's investment
adviser an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an
amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make
written reports notifying the Board and upon Proper Instructions the Fund's
investment adviser of any other material change in the foreign custody
arrangements of the Fund described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of
the material change.
3.2.6 Standard of Care as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund. In
performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager
agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person
having responsibility for the safekeeping of 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 the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section
(a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. The Fund represents to the Custodian that the Board has
determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the Custodian to
perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Contract to the
Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.
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 Fund 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 Fund with
respect to designated countries.
3.3 Eligible Securities Depositories.
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3.3.1 Analysis and Monitoring. The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund
(or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) with a list of
Eligible Securities Depositories on Schedule B hereto, as amended from time to
time by the Custodian and 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 the Fund (or its
duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) of any material change
in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7. The risk
analysis provided by the Custodian may include consideration of the following,
as deemed appropriate and relevant by the Custodian: a depository's expertise
and market reputation, the quality of its services, its financial strength
(including the level of settlement guarantee funds, collateral requirements,
lines of credit, or insurance as compared with participants' daily settlement
obligations), any insurance or indemnification arrangements, the extent and
quality of regulation and independent examination of the depository, its
standing in published ratings, its internal controls and other procedures for
safeguarding investments, and any related legal protections.
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.
4. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Fund Property Held Outside the
United States.
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4.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms in this Article 4 shall have the
following 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.
4.2. Holding Securities. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging
to the Fund 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 Fund, 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 Fund which are maintained in such account shall identify those
securities as belonging to the Fund 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.
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.
4.4. Transactions in Foreign Custody Account.
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4.4.1. Delivery of Foreign Assets. The Custodian or a Foreign
Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Fund 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:
(i) upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Fund 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) in connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign
securities;
(iii) to the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for foreign securities of the Fund;
(iv) to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign
securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable;
(v) 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;
(vi) 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;
(vii) 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;
(viii) 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;
(ix) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by
the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund;
(x) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(xi) in connection with the lending of foreign securities; 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 Fund 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 the Fund in the
following cases only:
(i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Fund, 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 Fund;
(iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments: interest,
taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees
under this Contract, legal fees, accounting fees, and other
operating expenses;
(iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign
exchange contracts for the Fund, 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 the borrowing or lending of foreign
securities; and
(viii) for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions specifying the amount of such payment setting
forth the purpose of such payment, declaring such purpose to
be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom such payment is to be made.
4.4.3. Market Conditions. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Contract to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for
the account of the Fund and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the
account of the Fund 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 that have been generally accepted by
Institutional Clients, 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.
For purposes of this Contract, the term "Institutional Clients" means U.S.
registered investment companies or major U.S. commercial banks, insurance
companies, pension funds or substantially similar institutions which as part of
their ordinary business operations purchase or sell securities and make use of
global custody services. The Custodian shall provide to the 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 the
Board being provided with substantively less information than had been
previously provided hereunder.
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 Fund 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 the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any
liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities except to the extent
the Fund incurs loss or damage due to the failure of such nominee to meet its
standard of care set forth in the relevant contract. The Custodian or a Foreign
Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of the Fund
under the terms of this Contract unless the form of such securities and the
manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market
practice.
4.6 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the
Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with 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 the Fund with a Foreign Sub-Custodian. 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 Fund. 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.
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 Fund shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as
collected, to the Fund. 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.
4.8 Shareholder Rights. With respect to the foreign securities held pursuant to
this Article 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. The 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 the Fund
to exercise shareholder rights.
4.9. Communications Relating to Foreign Securities. The Custodian shall transmit
promptly to the 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 Fund (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 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. Subject to the standard of
care to which the Custodian is held hereunder, 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 Fund at any time
held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is
in actual possession 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.
4.10. Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to which the
Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent possible, require
the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its
duties, and 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 the
election of the Fund, the Fund shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights
of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a
consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and
to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage,
cost, expense, liability or claim.
4.11 Tax Law. Except to the extent that imposition of any tax liability arises
from the Custodian's failure to perform in accordance with the terms of this
section 4.11, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund, or the Custodian as custodian
of the Fund, by the tax law of the United States or of any state or political
subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the Fund to notify the
Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Fund, or the Custodian as custodian
of the Fund, by the tax law of countries other than the United States, 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 the Fund has provided such
information.
4.12. Liability of Custodian. Except as may arise from the Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct, or the negligence or willful misconduct of a
Sub-Custodian, the Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund for any
loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by anything which is
part of Country Risk.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians
generally in the Contract 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, currency restrictions, or
acts of war or terrorism or any loss where the sub-custodian has otherwise
exercised reasonable care. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
paragraph 4.12, (i) in delegating custody duties to State Street London Ltd.,
the Custodian shall not be relieved of any responsibility to the Fund for any
loss due to such delegation, except such loss as may result from (a) political
risk (including, but not limited to, exchange control restrictions,
confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, insurrection, civil strife or
armed hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding a bankruptcy or insolvency of
State Street London Ltd. not caused by political risk) due to Acts of God,
nuclear incident or other losses under circumstances where the Custodian and
State Street London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care; and (ii) the delegation
by State Street Bank and Trust Company to its affiliate, State Street Trust
Company Canada, of sub-custody duties in Canada shall not relieve State Street
Bank and Trust Company of any responsibility for any loss due to the delegation
to State Street Trust Company Canada, except (a) such loss as may result from
political risk (e.g., exchange control restrictions, confiscation,
expropriation, nationalization, insurrection, civil strife or armed hostilities)
and (b) other losses (excluding losses resulting from a bankruptcy or insolvency
of State Street Trust Company Canada not caused by political risk) under
circumstances where State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Trust
Company Canada have exercised reasonable care (including, without limitation,
Acts of God, nuclear incident and the like).
IV. Except as specifically superseded or modified herein, the terms and
provisions of the Contract shall continue to apply with full force and
effect. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Contract
prior to this Amendment and this Amendment, the terms of this Amendment
shall prevail. If the Custodian is delegated the responsibilities of
Foreign Custody Manager pursuant to the terms of Article 3 hereof, in
the event of any conflict between the provisions of Articles 3 and 4
hereof, the provisions of Article 3 shall prevail.
V. Each party represents to the other that the execution and delivery of
this Amendment has been duly authorized.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the
date first above written.
WITNESSED BY: STATE STREET BANK and TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
--------------------------- -----------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
VP and Assoc. Counsel Title: Vice Chairman and Chief Operating
Officer
WITNESSED BY: ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND, INC.
/s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------- By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
*[name] Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx ------------------------------------
[title] Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
Title: Secretary
SCHEDULE A
STATE STREET
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS
Country Subcustodian
Argentina Citibank, N.A.
Australia Westpac Banking Corporation
Austria Erste Bank der Osterreichischen Sparkassen AG
Bahrain HSBC Bank Middle East (as delegate of The
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited)
Bangladesh Standard Chartered Bank
Belgium Fortis Bank nv-sa
Bermuda The Bank of Bermuda Limited
Bolivia Citibank, N. A.
Botswana Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited
Brazil Citibank, N.A.
Bulgaria ING Bank N.V.
Canada State Street Trust Company Canada
Chile BankBoston, N.A.
People's Republic of China The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited,
Shanghai and Shenzhen branches
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A. Sociedad Fiduciaria
Costa Rica Banco BCT S.A.
Croatia Privredna Banka Zagreb d.d
Cyprus The Cyprus Popular Bank Ltd.
Czech Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka, A.S.
Denmark Danske Bank A/S
Ecuador Citibank, N.A.
Egypt Egyptian British Bank S.A.E. (as delegate of The
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited)
Estonia Hansabank
Finland Xxxxxx Bank Plc.
France BNP Paribas, S.A.
Germany Dresdner Bank AG
Ghana Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited
Greece National Bank of Greece S.A.
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank
Hungary Citibank Rt.
Iceland Icebank Ltd.
India Deutsche Bank AG
The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited
Indonesia Standard Chartered Bank
Ireland Bank of Ireland
Israel Bank Hapoalim B.M.
Italy BNP Paribas, Italian Branch
Ivory Coast Societe Genersle de Banques en Cote d'Ivoire
Jamaica Scotiabank Jamaica Trust and Merchant Bank Ltd.
Japan The Fuji Bank, Limited
The Sumitomo Bank, Limited
Jordan HSBC Bank Middle East(as delegate of The Hongkong
and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
Kazakhstan HSBC Bank Kazakhstan
Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited
Republic of Korea The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited
Latvia A/s Hansabanka
Lebanon HSBC Bank Middle East (as delegate of The
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited)
Lithuania Vilniaus Bankas AB
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad
Mauritius The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited
Mexico Citibank Mexico, S.A.
Morocco Banque Commerciale du Maroc
Namibia Standard Bank Namibia Limited
Netherlands Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V.
New Zealand ANZ Banking Group (New Zealand) Limited
Nigeria Stanbic Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited
Norway Christiania Bank og Kreditkasse ASA
Oman HSBC Bank Middle East (as delegate of The
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited)
Pakistan Deutsche Bank AG
Palestine HSBC Bank Middle East (as delegate of The
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited)
Panama BankBoston, N.A.
Peru Citibank, N.A.
Philippines Standard Chartered Bank
Poland Citibank (Poland) S.A.
Portugal Banco Comercial Portugues
Qatar HSBC Bank Middle East(as delegate of The Hongkong
and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
Romania ING Bank N.V.
Russia Credit Suisse First Boston AO - Moscow
(as delegate of Credit Suisse First Boston -
Zurich)
Singapore The Development Bank of Singapore Limited
Solvak Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka, A.S.
Solvenia Bank Austria Creditanstalt d.d. - Ljubljana
South Africa Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Spain Banco Santander Central Hispano S.A.
Sri Lanka The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited
Swaziland Standard Bank Swaziland Limited
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken
Switzerland UBS AG
Taiwan - R.O.C. Central Trust of China
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank
Trinidad & Tobago Republic Bank Limited
Tunisia Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie
Turkey Citibank, N.A.
Ukraine ING Bank Ukraine
United Kingdom State Street Bank and Trust Company, London
Branch
Uruguay BankBoston, N.A.
Venezuela Citibank, N.A.
Vietnam The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited
Zambia Barclays Bank of Zambia Limited
Zimbabwe Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Limited
SCHEDULE B
STATE STREET
GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS
Country Depositories
Argentina Caja de Valores S.A.
Australia Austraclear Limited
Reserve Bank Information and Transfer System
Austria Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG
(Wertpapiersammelbank Division)
Belgium Caisse Interprofessionnelle de Depots et
de Virements de Titres, S.A.
Banque Nationale de Belgique
Brazil Companhia Brasileira de Liquidacao e Custodia
Sistema Especial de Liquidacao e de Custodia (SELIC)
Central de Custodia e de Liquidacao Financeira de
Titulos Privados (CETIP)
Bulgaria Central Depository AD
Bulgarian National Bank
Canada Canadian Depository for Securities Limited
Chile Deposito Central de Valores S.A.
People's Republic Shanghai Securities Central Clearing & Registration
of China Corporation
Shenzhen Securities Central Clearing Co., Ltd.
Colombia Deposito Centralizado de Valores
Costa Rica Central de Valores S.A.
Croatia Ministry of Finance
National Bank of Croatia
Sredisnja Depozitarna Agencija d.d.
Czech Republic Stredisko cennych papiru
Czech National Bank
Denmark Vaerdipapircentralen (Danish Securities Center)
Egypt Misr for Clearing, Settlement, and Depository
Estonia Eesti Vaartpaberite Keskdepositoorium
Finland Finnish Central Securities Depository
France Societe Interprofessionnelle pour la Compensation des
Valeurs Mobilieres
Germany Clearstream Banking AG, Frankfurt
Greece Bank of Greece,
System for Monitoring Transactions in Securities in
Book-Entry Form
Apothetirion Titlon AE - Central Securities Depository
Hong Kong Central Clearing and Settlement System
Central Moneymarkets Unit
Hungary Kozponti Elszamolohaz es Ertektar
(Budapest) Rt. (KELER)
India National Securities Depository Limited
Central Depository Services India Limited
Reserve Bank of India
Indonesia Bank Indonesia
PT Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia
Israel Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing House Ltd. (TASE
Clearinghouse)
Italy Monte Titoli S.p.A.
Ivory Coast Depositaire Central - Banque de Reglement
Jamaica Jamaica Central Securities Depository
Japan Japan Securities Depository Center (JASDEC) Bank of Japan
Net System
Kazakhstan Central Depository of Securities
Kenya Central Bank of Kenya
Republic of Korea Korea Securities Depository
Latvia Latvian Central Depository
Lebanon Custodian and Clearing Center of Financial Instruments for
Lebanon and the Middle East (Midclear) X.X.X.
Banque du Liban
Lithuania Central Securities Depository of Lithuania
Malaysia Malaysian Central Depository Sdn. Bhd.
Bank Negara Malaysia,
Scripless Securities Trading and Safekeeping System
Mauritius Central Depository and Settlement Co. Ltd.
Bank of Mauritius
Mexico S.D. 1NDEVAL (Instituto para el Deposito de Valores)
Morocco Maroclear
Netherlands Nederlands Centraal Instituut voor Giraal Effectenverkeer
B.V. (NECIGEF)
New Zealand New Zealand Central Securities Depository Limited
Nigeria Central Securities Clearing System Limited
Norway Verdipapirsentralen (Norwegian Central Securities
Depository)
Oman Muscat Depository & Securities Registration Company, SAOC
Pakistan Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited
State Bank of Pakistan
Palestine Clearing Depository and Settlement, a department of the
Palestine Stock Exchange
Peru Caja de Valores y Liquidaciones, Institucion de
Compensacion y Liquidacion de Valores S.A
Philippines Philippine Central Depository, Inc.
Registry of Scripless Securities (XXXX) of the Bureau of
Treasury
Poland National Depository of Securities
(Krajowy Depozyt Papierow Wartosciowych SA)
Central Treasury Bills Registrar
Portugal Central de Valores Mobiliarios
Qatar Central Clearing and Registration (CCR), a department of
the Doha Securities Market
Romania National Securities Clearing, Settlement and Depository
Company
Bucharest Stock Exchange Registry Division
National Bank of Romania
Singapore Central Depository (Pte) Limited
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Solvak Republic Stredisko cennych papierov
National Bank of Slovakia
Solvenia Klirinsko Depotna Xxxxxx x.x.
South Africa Central Depository Limited
Share Transactions Totally Electronic (STRATE) Ltd.
Spain Servicio de Compensacion y
Liquidacion de Valores, S.A.
Banco de Espaana, Central de Anotaciones en Cuenta
Sri Lanka Central Depository System (Pvt) Limited
Sweden Vardepapperscentralen VPC AB (Swedish Central Securities
Depository)
Switzerland SegaIntersettle AG (SIS)
Taiwan-R.O.C. Taiwan Securities Central Depository Co., Ltd.
Thailand Thailand Securities Depository Company Limited
Tunisia Societe Tunisienne Interprofessionelle pour la
Compensation et de Depots des Valeurs Mobilieres
Turkey Takas ye Saklama Bankasi A.S. (TAKASBANK)
Central Bank of Turkey
Ukraine National Bank of Ukraine
United Kingdom Central Gilts Office and Central Moneymarkets Office
Venezuela Banco Central de Venezuela
Zambia XxXX Central Shares Depository Limited
Bank of Zambia
TRANSNATIONAL
Euroclear
Clearstream Banking AG
SCHEDULE C
MARKET INFORMATION
Publication/Type of Information Brief Description
(Frequency)
The Guide to Custody in World Markets An overview of safekeeping and
(annually) settlement practices and procedures
in each market in which State Street
Bank and Trust Company offers
custodial services.
Global Custody Network Review Information relating to the
(annually) operating history and structure
of depositories and subcustodians
located in the markets in which
State Street Bank and Trust Company
offers custodial services, including
transnational depositories.
Global Legal Survey With respect to each market in which
(annually) State Street Bank and Trust Company
offers custodial services, opinions
relating to whether local law
restricts (i) access of a fund's
independent public accountants to
books and records of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities
System, (ii) the Fund's ability to
recover in the event of bankruptcy
or insolvency of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities
System, (iii) the Fund's ability to
recover in the event of a loss by a
Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign
Securities System, and (iv) the
ability of a foreign investor to
convert cash and cash equivalents to
U.S. dollars.
Subcustodian Agreements Copies of the subcustodian contracts
(annually) State Street Bank and Trust Company
has entered into with each
subcustodian in the markets in which
State Street Bank and Trust Company
offers subcustody services to its US
mutual fund clients.
Network Bulletins (weekly): Developments of interest to
investors in the markets in which
State Street Bank and Trust Company
offers custodial services.
Foreign Custody Advisors (as necessary): With respect to markets in which
State Street Bank and Trust Company
offers custodial services which
exhibit special custody risks,
developments which may impact State
Street's ability to deliver expected
levels of service.
