EXHIBIT (viii)(3)
FORM OF
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
Between
EACH OF THE PARTIES INDICATED ON APPENDIX A
and
INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
C-13
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It..................................................-1-
2. Duties to the Custodian with Respect to Property of The Fund Held By the
Custodian in the United States........................................................................-2-
2.1 Holding Securities............................................................................-2-
2.2 Delivery of Securities........................................................................-2-
2.3 Registration of Securities....................................................................-5-
2.4 Bank Accounts.................................................................................-5-
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds.................................................................-6-
2.6 Collection of Income..........................................................................-6-
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies........................................................................-7-
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased...........................-8-
2.9 Appointment of Agents.........................................................................-9-
2.10 Deposit of Securities in Securities Systems...................................................-9-
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System......................................-10-
2.11 Segregated Account...........................................................................-11-
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes......................................................-12-
2.13 Proxies......................................................................................-12-
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities.........................................-13-
2.15 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants............................................-13-
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside
of the United States..................................................................................-14-
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians........................................................-14-
3.2 Assets to be Held............................................................................-14-
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories..............................................................-14-
3.4 Segregation of Securities....................................................................-15-
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions.................................................-15-
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund................................................-16-
3.7 Reports by Custodian.........................................................................-16-
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account......................................................-16-
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians..........................................................-17-
3.10 Liability of Custodian.......................................................................-17-
3.11 Reimbursements for Advances..................................................................-18-
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities..................................................................-19-
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks.......................................................................-19-
-i-
C-14
4. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales of Shares of the Fund...............................-20-
5. Proper Instructions...................................................................................-20-
6. Actions Permitted without Express Authority...........................................................-21-
7. Evidence of Authority.................................................................................-22-
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of Net Asset
Value and Net Income..................................................................................-22-
9. Records...............................................................................................-23-
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant..............................................................-23-
11. Compensation of Custodian.............................................................................-24-
12. Responsibility of Custodian...........................................................................-24-
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment...........................................................-26-
14. Successor Custodian...................................................................................-27-
15. Interpretative and Additional Provisions..............................................................-29-
16. Massachusetts Law to Apply............................................................................-29-
17. Prior Agreements......................................................................................-29-
18. The Parties...........................................................................................-29-
19. Limitation of Liability...............................................................................-30-
-ii-
C-15
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This Agreement between Investors Fiduciary Trust Company, a Missouri trust
company, having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx
Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, hereinafter called the "Custodian," and each Fund listed
on Appendix A which evidences its agreement to be bound hereby by executing a
copy of this Agreement (each such Fund individually hereinafter referred to as
the "Fund").
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets,
including securities it desires to be held in places within the United States
("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the United
States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation/ Declaration of Trust. The Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian
all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments of income, payments of
principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities
owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it
for such new or treasury shares of capital stock ("Shares") of the Fund as may
be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
any property of the Fund held or received by the Fund and not delivered to the
Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article 5),
the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians located
in the United States, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the
Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund,
C-16
and provided that the Custodian shall have the same responsibility or liability
to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so
employed as any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian, provided that the
custodian agreement with any such domestic sub-custodian shall impose on such
sub-custodian responsibilities and liabilities similar in nature and scope to
those imposed by this Agreement with respect to the functions to be performed by
such sub-custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's
securities and other assets the foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories designated in Schedule A hereto but only in accordance
with the provisions of Article 3.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of The Fund Held By the
Custodian in the United States.
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in the
United States, including all domestic securities owned by the Fund, other than
(a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 in a clearing
agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system
authorized by the U.S. Department of Treasury, (collectively referred to herein
as "Securities System") and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which the
Custodian or its affiliate, State Street Bank and Trust Company, acts as issuing
and paying agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities
System account of the
-2-
C-17
Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book-entry system account ("Direct
Paper System") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following
cases:
(1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and receipt
of payment therefor;
(2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;
(3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof;
(4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for portfolio securities of the Fund;
(5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the
Custodian;
(6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the
Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or
into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
Section 2.9 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange for a different
number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such
case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
(7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, to the
broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in
accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided that in any such
case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving
payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian's
own negligence or willful misconduct;
(8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the
securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions
for
-3-
C-18
conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit
agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and
cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
(9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender
thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities
or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for
definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
(10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the
Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon
from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the
form of cash or obligations issued by the United States government,
its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in connection with any
loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of
the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for
the delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of
such collateral;
(11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against receipt of
amounts borrowed;
(12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of
The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of
any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
(13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among
the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures Commission Merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the
rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract
Market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding
account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund;
(14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the
holders of shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be
described from
-4-
C-19
time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus
("prospectus") and/or statement of additional information in
satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption; and
(15) For any other proper business purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of
the Board of Directors/Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper business purpose, and naming the
person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in
the name of any nominees of the Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which
nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has
authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with
other registered investment companies having the same investment adviser as the
Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section
2.9 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under
the terms of this Agreement shall be in "street name" or other good delivery
form. If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in
"street name," the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts to timely collect
income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts
basis of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of
calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund, subject only
to draft or order by the
-5-
C-20
Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such
account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it
from or for the account of the Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a
bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian for the Fund may be
deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the
Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion
deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust
company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the funds be approved
by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund. Such funds
shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be
withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions,
make federal funds available to the Fund as of specified times agreed upon from
time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount of checks received in
payment for Shares of the Fund which are deposited into the Fund's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with
respect to registered securities held hereunder to which the Fund shall be
entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and
shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to
bearer securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are
held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as
-6-
C-21
collected, to the Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons
and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and
shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due the
Fund on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall
be the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such
information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the
timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Fund is properly
entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may
be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian
shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
(1) Upon the purchase of securities held domestically, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund
but only: (a) against the delivery of such securities, or evidence of
title to such options, futures contracts or options on futures
contracts, to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust
company doing business in the United States or abroad which is
qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act
as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent
for this purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of
a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in
proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected
through a Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set
forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase involving
the Direct Paper System, in accordance with the conditions set forth
in Section 2.10A; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered
into between the Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a
broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the
securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting
the Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such
securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase
by the Fund of securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such
securities
-7-
C-22
from the Fund; or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of the
Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be
effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the
applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as
defined in Article 5;
(2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities
owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
(3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund as set
forth in Article 4 hereof;
(4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund,
including but not limited to the following payments for the account of
the Fund: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and
legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such
expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred
expenses;
(5) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to the governing
documents of the Fund;
(6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
securities sold short;
(7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in addition to
Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of Board of
Directors/Trustees or of the Executive Committee of the Fund signed by
an officer of the Fund and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth the
purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose
to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such
payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Agreement, in any and every case
where payment for purchase of securities for the account of the Fund is made by
the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in the absence
of specific written instructions from the Fund
-8-
C-23
to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for
such securities to the same extent as if the securities had been received by the
Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company
which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this
Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that
the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its
responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Securities in Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit
and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in a clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository, or in
the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and
certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as "Securities System"
in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
(1) The Custodian may keep domestic securities of the Fund in a Securities
System provided that such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System which shall not
include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
(2) The records of the Custodian with respect to domestic securities of
the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
(3) The Custodian shall pay for domestic securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities
System that such securities have been transferred to the Account, and
(ii)
-9-
C-24
the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall
transfer domestic securities sold for the account of the Fund upon (i)
receipt of advice from the Securities System that payment for such
securities has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of
an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advices from the
Securities System of transfers of domestic securities for the account
of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the
Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or
notice and shall furnish promptly to the Fund copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
Securities System for the account of the Fund;
(4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities
deposited in the Securities System;
(5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual certificate,
as the case may be, required by Article 13 hereof;
(6) 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 of any of its or their employees or from failure of the
Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it
may have against the Securities System; at the election of the Fund,
it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian
with respect to any claim against the Securities System or any other
person which the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss
or damage if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole
for any such loss or damage.
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in the Direct
Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:
-10-
C-25
(1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System will
be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
(2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct Paper
System only if such securities are represented in an account
("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System which shall
not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
(3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the Fund
which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
(4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian
to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to the account of
the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account
of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt of payment for the
account of the Fund;
(5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to
or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a written advice or
notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day following such
transfer and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the Direct Paper System
for the account of the Fund;
(6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its system of
internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from
time to time.
2.11 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on
behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash
and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the
Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions
of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered
under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission
-11-
C-26
merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any
registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or other liquid assets in connection
with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures
contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the
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 corporate
purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to
Proper Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors/Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an officer of the
Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the
purpose or purposes of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be
proper corporate purposes.
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax
purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to
domestic securities of the Fund held by it and in connection with transfers of
such securities.
2.13 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities
held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the
Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all
-12-
C-27
proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted,
and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all
written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and
maturities of securities held domestically and expirations of rights in
connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options written by
the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund)
received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the
Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit
promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian from
issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party
(or his agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take
action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar
transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three business days
prior to the date of which the Custodian is to take such action.
2.15 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants. The Custodian shall
provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports
by independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting
control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and
options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained
in a Securities System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under
this Agreement; such reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient
detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable
assurance
-13-
C-28
that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if
there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside
of the United States
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes and
instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities
and other assets maintained outside the United States the foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories designated on Schedule A hereto
("foreign sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions," as defined in
Section 5 of this Agreement, together with a certified resolution of the Fund's
Board of Directors/Trustees, the Custodian and the Fund may agree to amend
Schedule A hereto from time to time to designate additional foreign banking
institutions and foreign securities depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease the
employment of any one or more such sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the
Fund's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to: (a) "foreign
securities," as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the
Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably necessary to effect the
Fund's foreign securities transactions.
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon
in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Fund shall be maintained
in foreign securities depositories only through arrangements implemented by the
foreign banking
-14-
C-29
institutions serving as sub-custodians pursuant to the terms hereof. Where
possible, such arrangements shall include entry into agreements containing the
provisions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof.
3.4 Segregation of Securities. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to the Fund, the foreign securities of the Fund held by each foreign
sub-custodian. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a foreign
banking institution shall require that such institution establish a custody
account for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund and physically segregate in that
account, securities and other assets of the Fund, and, in the event that such
institution deposits the Fund's securities in a foreign securities depository,
that it shall identify on its books as belonging to the Custodian, as agent for
the Fund, the securities so deposited.
3.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall provide that: (a) the Fund's assets will not
be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in
favor of the foreign banking institution or its creditors or agent, except a
claim of payment for their safe custody or administration; (b) beneficial
ownership of the Fund's assets will be freely transferable without the payment
of money or value other than for custody or administration; (c) adequate records
will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to the Fund; (d) officers
of or auditors employed by, or other representatives of the Custodian, including
to the extent permitted under applicable law the independent public accountants
for the Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the foreign
banking institution relating to its actions under its agreement
-15-
C-30
with the Custodian; and (e) assets of the Fund held by the foreign sub-custodian
will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the
Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the independent
accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and records of any
foreign banking institution employed as a foreign sub-custodian insofar as such
books and records relate to the performance of such foreign banking institution
under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.7 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time
to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities and
other assets of the Fund held by foreign sub-custodians, including but not
limited to an identification of entities having possession of the Fund's
securities and other assets and advices or notifications of any transfers of
securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking
institution for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities
acquired for the Fund, the identity of the entity having physical possession of
such securities.
3.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8,
the provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Agreement shall apply, in
their entirety to the foreign securities of the Fund held outside the
United States by foreign sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of the Fund
and delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund may be
effected in accordance with the
-16-
C-31
customary established securities trading or securities processing practices
and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the transaction
occurs, including, without limitation, delivering securities to the
purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefore (or an agent for such purchaser
or dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later
payment for such securities from such purchaser or dealer.
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian
may be maintained in the name of such entity's nominee to the same extent
as set forth in Section 2.3 of this Agreement, and the Fund agrees to hold
any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such
securities.
3.9 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to which
the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign sub-custodian
shall require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the performance of
its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian and each Fund from
and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of
or in connection with the institution's performance of such obligations. At the
election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian with respect to any claims against a foreign banking institution 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.
3.10 Liability of Custodian. 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 sub-custodians generally in this Agreement and, 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 as
-17-
C-32
contemplated by paragraph 3.13 hereof, 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 3.10, 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.
3.11 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose including the purchase or sale of
foreign exchange or of contracts for foreign exchange, or in the event that the
Custodian or its nominees shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance
of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee's own
negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any property
at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor and
should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be
entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund assets to the
extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
3.12 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually to
the Fund, during the month of June (or such other date as mutually agreed upon
by
-18-
C-33
the parties hereto), information concerning the foreign sub-custodians employed
by the Custodian. Such information shall be similar in kind and scope to that
furnished to the Fund in connection with the initial approval of this Agreement.
In addition, the Custodian will promptly inform the Fund in the event that the
Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the financial condition of a
foreign sub-custodian or any material loss of the assets of the Fund or in the
case of any foreign sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive order from the
Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such foreign sub-custodian
that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its shareholders equity
will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof) or that
its shareholders equity has declined below $200 million (in each case computed
in accordance with generally accepted U.S. accounting principles).
3.13 Branches of U.S. Banks
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the provisions of
Article 3 shall not apply where the custody of the Fund assets are
maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a "bank"
as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 meeting
the qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The appointment
of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be governed by paragraph 1 of
this Agreement.
(b) Cash held for the Fund in the United Kingdom shall be maintained
in an interest bearing account established for the Fund with State Street
London Ltd., an affiliate of the Custodian, which account shall be subject
to the direction of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
-19-
C-34
4. Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions and Sales of Shares of the Fund.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Articles of Incorporation/Declaration of Trust and any
applicable votes of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund pursuant
thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer
Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered
to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In
connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the
Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to
wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming
shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the
Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of
Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the holder of Shares,
when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls
as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the
Custodian.
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Fund's Shares or
from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the Fund's account such
payments as are received for Shares of the Fund issued or sold from time to time
by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund and the
Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.
5. Proper Instructions.
Proper Instructions as used herein means a writing signed or initialled by
one or more person or persons as the officers of the Fund shall have from time
to time authorized. Each
-20-
C-35
such writing shall set forth the specific transaction or type of transaction
involved, including a specific statement of the purpose for which such action is
requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the
Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to
give such instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall
cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. It is understood and
agreed that the Board of Directors/Trustees has authorized the investment
manager (the "Manager") of the Fund, to deliver proper instructions with respect
to all matters for which proper instructions are required by this Article 5. The
Custodian may rely upon the certificate of an officer of the Manager, with
respect to the person or persons authorized on behalf of the Manager, to sign,
initial or give proper instructions for the purpose of this Article 5. Proper
Instructions may include communications effected directly between
electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Fund and the
Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the
Fund's assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include
instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement
which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.11.
6. 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 to the
Fund;
(2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
(3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts
and other negotiable instruments; and
-21-
C-36
(4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
dealings with the securities and property of the Fund except as otherwise
directed by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund.
7. Evidence of Authority
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The
Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of
any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of
any action by the Board of Directors/ Trustees pursuant to the Articles of
Incorporation/Declaration of Trust as described in such vote, and such vote may
be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of
written notice to the contrary.
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of
Net Asset Value and Net Income.
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund to
keep the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net asset value per
share of the outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed in writing to do so
by the Fund, shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net
asset value per share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily
the net income of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective
prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total
amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an office of the
Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of
such net income among its various components. The
-22-
C-37
calculations of the net asset value per share and the daily income of the Fund
shall be made at the time or times described from time to time in the Fund's
currently effective prospectus.
9. Records
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its
activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder.
All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during
the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly
authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's
request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and
held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for
such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian,
include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund may from time
to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection
with the preparation of the Fund's annual disclosure statement, Form N-SAR or
other periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with
respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
11. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and
the Custodian.
-23-
C-38
12. Responsibility of Custodian
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of
any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to
be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any
futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party
futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement but shall be
kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to
rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on
all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States and, 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 as contemplated by paragraph 3.13 hereof, 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 or any securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign country
including, but not limited to, losses resulting from nationalization,
expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism.
-24-
C-39
If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to
the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some
other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such
action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any
purpose or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be
assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be
security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the
Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement provided, however that,
prior to disposing of Fund assets hereunder, the Custodian shall give the Fund
notice of its intention to dispose of assets identifying such assets and the
Fund shall have one business day from receipt of such notice to notify the
Custodian if the Fund wishes the Custodian to dispose of Fund assets of equal
value other than those identified in such notice.
13. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
This Agreement shall become effective as of May 19, 1997, 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
-25-
C-40
writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such
termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days after the date of
such delivery or mailing; provided, however that the Custodian shall not act
under Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors/Trustees of
the Fund has approved the initial use of a particular Securities System and the
receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that
the Board of Directors/Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund of such
Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian shall not act under
Section 2.10A hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors/Trustees has
approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System and the receipt of an annual
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Directors/Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund of the Direct Paper System;
provided further, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this
Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or
any provision of the Articles of Incorporation/Declaration of Trust, and
further, provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board of
Directors/Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the
Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii)
immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a
conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or
upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory
agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
-26-
C-41
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.
14. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver
to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in
the form for transfer, all securities then held by it hereunder and shall
transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the Fund's securities
held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in
like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and
transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such
vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors/Trustees shall have been
delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall
become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank
or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, doing business in New York, New York, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
properties held by the Custodian and all instruments held by the Custodian
relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Agreement and to
transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the Fund's
-27-
C-42
securities held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company
shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Directors/Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian
shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as
the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties
and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of
the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
15. Interpretative 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 interpretative or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Articles of Incorporation/ Declaration of Trust of the Fund. No
interpretative or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding
sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
16. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of the State of New York, without regard to
its conflicts of law rules.
-00-
X-00
00. Prior Agreements
This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the
Fund's assets.
18. The Parties
All references herein to the "Fund" are to each of the Funds listed on
Appendix A individually, as if this Agreement were between such individual Fund
and the Custodian. With respect to any Fund listed on Appendix A which is
organized as a Massachusetts Business Trust, references to Board of Directors
and Articles of Incorporation shall be deemed a reference to Board of
Directors/Trustees and Articles of Incorporation/Declaration of Trust
respectively and reference to shares of capital stock shall be deemed a
reference to shares of beneficial interest.
19. Limitation of Liability
Each Fund listed on Appendix A that is referenced as a Massachusetts
Business Trust is the designation of the Directors/Trustees under a Articles of
Incorporation/Declaration of Trust, dated (see Appendix A) and all persons
dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for the
enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the Directors/Trustees,
officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations
entered into on behalf of the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the dates set forth on Appendix A.
-29-
C-44
ATTEST INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
By
----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Assistant Secretary
ATTEST EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON APPENDIX A
By
----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Assistant Secretary
-30-
C-45
Schedule A
Global Custody Network
-00-
X-00
Xxxxxxxx A
----------
FUNDS THAT ARE PARTY
TO CUSTODY AGREEMENT
The Prudential Series Fund, Inc.
(except the Global Portfolio)
Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc.
-32-
C-47
