EXHIBIT (8)
MONARCH FUNDS
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Contract made the 23rd day of October, 1992, as amended this 1st day of
September, 1995, between Monarch Funds, a business trust organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 0
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, hereinafter called the Fund, and Imperial
Trust Company, a California trust company, having its principal place of
business at 000 X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000,
hereinafter called the Custodian.
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series,
with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of
securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund offers shares in three series: Cash Fund, Government
Cash Fund and Treasury Cash Fund (such series together with all other series
subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Contract in
accordance with Section 12, being herein referred to as the "Portfolios");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of
the Portfolios of the Fund pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Instrument.
The Fund on behalf of the Portfolios agrees to deliver to the Custodian all
securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of
principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities
owned by the Portfolios from time to time, and the cash consideration received
by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the Fund
representing interests in the Portfolios, ("Shares") as may be issued or sold
from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a
Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered to the Custodian.
The Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to use Imperial Bank and The
Bank of New York as subcustodians, the use of Imperial Bank being limited to
custodianship of cash. In addition, the Custodian may, at any time and from time
to time, appoint any other bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") meeting the requirements of a custodian under
Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act
on behalf of one or more Portfolios as a subcustodian for the purposes of
holding cash, securities and other assets of the Portfolios and performing other
functions of the Custodian; provided that the Custodian sends written
notification to the Fund on or before the
day upon which such other subcustodian is first employed. The Custodian shall be
liable for the actions or omissions of any subcustodian to the same extent as if
such action or omission were performed by the Custodian itself.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF
THE FUND HELD BY TO CUSTODIAN
2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, including all
securities owned by such Portfolio, other than securities which are
maintained pursuant to Section 2.12 in a clearing agency which acts as
a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities Systems."
2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver
securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a
Securities System account of the Custodian only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the
parties, and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio
and receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the
Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or
nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of
any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.11 or into the name
or nominee name of any subcustodian appointed pursuant to
Section l; 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 day
upon which such other subcustodian is first employed. The
Custodian shall be liable for the actions or omissions of any
subcustodian to the same extent as if such action or omission
were performed by the Custodian itself.
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the
Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a
receipt, for examination in accordance with "street delivery"
custom;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or
readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such
securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained
in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash,
if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that,
in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to
be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made
by the Portfolio, but only against receipt of adequate
collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian
and the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, which may be in the
form of cash or obligations issued by the United States
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in
connection with any loans for which collateral is to be
credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry system
authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the
Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the
delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the
receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by
the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of
assets by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, but only
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent
("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer
Agent or to the holders of shares in connection with
distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time
in the currently effective prospectus and statement of
additional information of the Fund, related to the Portfolio
("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of
Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
13) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt
of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf
of the applicable Portfolio, a writing signed by an officer of
the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, specifying the securities of the Portfolio to be
delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery
is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of
such securities shall be made.
2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Securities held by the Custodian (other
than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian, or in the name or nominee
name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.11 or in the name or
nominee name of any subcustodian appointed pursuant to Section 1,
unless specifically directed by Proper Instructions to hold such
registered securities in so-called street name; provided that, in any
event, all such securities and other assets shall be held in an account
of the Custodian containing only assets of a Portfolio, or only assets
held by a Custodian as a fiduciary or custodian for customers, and
provided further, that the records of the Custodian shall indicate at
all times the Portfolio or other customer for which such securities and
other assets are held in such account and their respective interests
therein.
2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
account or other accounts in the name of Custodian, as custodian of
each Portfolio, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such account
or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it
from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by
the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with
Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Cash held hereunder shall be deemed to
be a special deposit. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may
be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking Department
of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in
its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that
every such bank or trust company shall be appointed in accordance with
and subject to the terms of Section 1 hereof.
2 5 PAYMENTS FOR SHARES. The Custodian shall receive from the distributor
for the Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into
the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received
for Shares of that Portfolio issued or sold form time to time by the
Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund on
behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by
it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
2.6 AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS. Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the Custodian
shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf
of a Portfolio, make federal funds available to such Portfolio as of
specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the
Custodian in the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of
such Portfolio which are deposited into the Portfolio's account.
2.7 COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to registered securities held
hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or
pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a
timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer
securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities
are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such
income, as collected, to such Portfolio's custodian account. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach
and
present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest
when due on securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on
securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 10) shall
be the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund
with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund
in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to
which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.8 PAYMENT OF MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian
shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities, for the account of the
Portfolio but only (a) against the delivery of such securities
to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company
doing business in the United States which is qualified under
the 1940 Act to act as a custodian and has been designed by
the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the
name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the
Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form
for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a
Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set forth
in Section 2.12 hereof; (c) in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into between the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank, or a
broker-dealer which is a member of the NASD, (i) against
delivery of the securities either in certificate form or
through an entry crediting the Custodian's account at the
Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against
delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio
of securities owned by the Custodian along with written
evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such
securities from the Portfolio or (d) for transfer to a time
deposit account of the Fund in any domestic bank; 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 Section 2.17;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the
Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments
for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management,
accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating
expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in
whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Portfolio
declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect
of securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, a writing 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.
2.9 LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED.
Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
every case where payment for purchase of securities for the account of
a Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the
securities purchased in the absence of specific written instructions
from the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio to so pay in advance, the
Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities to
the same extent as if the securities had been received by the
Custodian.
2.10 PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES OF THE FUND. From
such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Trust Instrument and any applicable votes of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund (the "Board")pursuant thereto, the
Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent,
make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have
delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase
of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of
Shares of a Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a
commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection
with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian
shall honor checks drawn 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.
2.11 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
company which is itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a
custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this
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.
2.12 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities
owned by a Portfolio in a clearing
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a
securities depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain federal agencies,
collectively referred to herein as "Securities Systems" in accordance
with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following
provisions:
1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the
Securities System which shall not include any assets of the
Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Portfolio which are maintained in a Securities System shall
identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the
Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records
of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the
account of the Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer
securities sold for the account of the Portfolio upon (i)
receipt of advice from the Securities System that payment for
such securities has been transferred to the Account, and (ii)
the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the
Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the Securities System of
transfers of securities for the account of the Portfolio shall
identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the
Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon
request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the account
of the Portfolio in the form of a written advice or notice and
shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio copies of
daily transaction sheets reflecting each days transactions in
the Securities System for the account of the Portfolio.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the Portfolio with
any report obtained by the Custodian on the Securities Systems
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures
for safeguarding securities deposited in the Securities
System;
5) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for the benefit of the
Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio resulting
from use of the Securities System by reason of any negligence,
misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its
agents or of any of its or their employees or from failure of
the Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such
rights as it may have against the Securities System; at the
election
of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the
rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against
the Securities System or any other person which the
Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss or
damage if and to the extent that the Portfolio has not been
made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.13 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for an on
behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be
transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in
an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof, (i) for
the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures
required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent
release or releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating
to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment
companies and (ii) for other proper corporate purposes, but only, in
the case of clause (ii), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a
writing 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.
2.14 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other
payments with respect to securities of each Portfolio held by it and in
connection with transfers of securities.
2.15 PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of
such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the
name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies are to
be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all
proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.16 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund for each Portfolio all written
information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and
maturities of securities and expirations of rights in connection
therewith) received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities
being held for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange
offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Portfolio all
written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
his agents) making the tender or exchange offer.
2.17 PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Proper Instructions as used throughout this
Article 2 means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person or
persons as the Board shall have from time to time authorized. Each such
writing shall set forth the specific transaction or type of transaction
involved, including a specific statement of the purpose for which such
action is requested. Oral instructions will be considered Proper
Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been
given by a person authorized to give
such instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The Fund
shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. Upon
receipt of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as
to the authorization by the Board, Proper Instructions may include
communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or
electronic devices provided that the Board and the Custodian are
satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the
Portfolios' assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions
shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any
three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in
accordance with Section 2.13. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in the Contract, no person authorized by the Board as
described in the preceding paragraph, Trustee, officer, employee or
agent of the Fund shall have physical access to the assets of any
Portfolio held by the Custodian nor shall the Custodian deliver any
assets of a Portfolio for delivery to an account of such person;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 2.17 shall prohibit
the Fund's independent certified public accountants from examining or
reviewing the assets of the Portfolio's held by the Custodian.
2.18 ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Fund on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
handling securities or other similar items relating to its
duties under this Contract, provided that all such payments
shall be accounted for to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
transfer and other dealings with the securities and property
of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the Board.
2.19 EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY. The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon
any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other
instrument or paper reasonably 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 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 pursuant to the Trust Instrument 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.
SECTION 3. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF
ACCOUNT
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Board who keep the books of account of
each Portfolio.
SECTION 4. RECORDS
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain
all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in
such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the 1940 Act with
particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 3la-1 and 3la-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 and agents of the Fund and employees and agents
of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the Fund's
request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio
and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for
such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian,
include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
SECTION 5. OPINION OF FUNDS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund on behalf
of each applicable Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year
to year favorable opinions from the Fund's independent accountants with respect
to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Funds Form
N-lA, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
SECTION 6. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each of the
Portfolios at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports by
independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting
control and procedures for safeguarding securities, including securities
deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the services
provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports, shall be of
sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the
Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be
disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the
reports shall so state.
SECTION 7. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
SECTION 8. RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties.
The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out
the provisions of this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be
without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon
advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such
advice.
If the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian to take any
action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or
which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or
its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment
of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action,
shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to
it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for
any purpose for the benefit of a Portfolio or in the event that the Custodian or
its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses,
assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this
Contract, except such as may arise from its or its nominees own negligent
action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, the Custodian promptly
shall notify the Fund of the existence of any such advances, their amount and
the Portfolio to which the advance applies. Such advances shall be payable on
demand, on the first business day following the Fund's receipt of notice of such
demand.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may
be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, that
the Fund on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at time by action of the
Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving
notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) terminate this Contract
immediately or at such later time as the Fund may designate in the event the
Fund determines that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that the Custodian
is insolvent or that the financial condition of the Custodian is deteriorating
in any material respect.
Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund on behalf of each applicable
Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the
date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its
costs, expenses and disbursements.
SECTION 10. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for the Fund or of one or more of the
Portfolios shall be appointed by the Board, the Custodian shall, upon
termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian
all property of the Fund then held by it hereunder and, in the case of
securities, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of each
applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account
of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in
a Securities System. The Custodian shall take all reasonable steps to assist in
the transfer of the assets of the applicable Portfolios to the successor
custodian.
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, 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 shall
have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination
shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a
bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the 1940 Act, doing
business in New York City, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital,
surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not
less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the
Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the
Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Contract
on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer to an account of such
successor custodian all the securities of each such Portfolio held in any
Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor
of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to
fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian retains
possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of
this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall
remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 11. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on
such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this
Contract as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of
this Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a
writing signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no
such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable
federal or state regulations or any provision of the Trust Instrument of the
Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding
sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
SECTION 12. ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIOS
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to the Portfolios with respect to which it desires to have the
Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so
notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to
provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
SECTION 13. CALIFORNIA LAW TO APPLY
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of State of California.
SECTION 14. PRIOR CONTRACTS
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the
Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund's assets.
SECTION 15. MISCELLANEOUS
15.1 The Custodian agrees to treat all records and other information
relative to the Fund and its prior, present or potential Shareholders
confidentially and the Custodian on behalf of itself and its employees
agrees to keep confidential all such information, except after prior
notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld. The preceding notwithstanding, in
the event legal process is served upon the Custodian requiring certain
disclosure, the Custodian may divulge such information. In such event,
the Custodian shall, if legally permissible, advise the Fund of its
receipt of such legal process.
15.2 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Contract, the parties agree
that the assets and liabilities of each Portfolio of the Fund are
separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other
Portfolio and that no Portfolio shall be liable or shall be charged for
any debt, obligation or liability or any other Portfolio, whether
arising under the Contract or otherwise.
15.3 The provisions of this Section 15, Section s7, 8, 13 and 16, and
Section 2.19, and any other rights or obligations incurred or accrued
by any party hereto prior to termination of this Contract shall survive
any termination of this Contract.
SECTION 16. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF THE TRUSTEES AND
SHAREHOLDERS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENT
A copy of the Trust Instrument of the Fund is on file with the
Secretary of the Fund. The parties agree that neither the Shareholders,
Trustees, officers, employees nor any agent of the
Fund shall be liable hereunder and that the parties to this Contract other than
the Fund shall look solely to the Fund property for the performance of this
Contract or payment of any claim under this Contract.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Contract to be
duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
ATTEST MONARCH FUNDS
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx By /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------ -----------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Secretary President
ATTEST IMPERIAL TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxx By /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
------------------------ -----------------------
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Senior Vice President President
MONARCH FUNDS CUSTODIAN CONTRACT FEE ARRANGEMENT
October 23, 1992
As Amended September 1, 1995
WHEREAS, Monarch Funds, a business trust organized under the laws of
the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 00 Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, X.X. 00000 (the "Fund") and Imperial Trust Company, a California trust
company, having its principal place of business at 000 X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx
000, Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 (the "Custodian") have entered into a
Custodian Contract dated the 23rd day of October, 1992, as amended the 1st day
of September, 1995 (the "Contract"); and
WHEREAS, Section 7 of the Contract provides that the Custodian shall be
entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as Custodian,
as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund on behalf of each portfolio of
the Fund and the Custodian;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the services to be provided by the
Custodian under the Contract, the Fund and the Custodian agree that the Fund
shall pay the Custodian, with respect to Cash Fund, Government Cash Fund and
Treasury Cash Fund (each a "Portfolio"), a fee of 0.025% of the average annual
daily net assets of each Portfolio. Such fees shall be accrued by the Fund daily
and payable monthly in arrears on the first day of the next month; provided,
however, that no fee shall be payable hereunder with respect to a Portfolio
during any period in which the Portfolio invests all (or substantially all) of
its investment assets in a registered, open-end management investment company,
or separate series thereof, in accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(E) under the
Act.
ATTEST MONARCH FUNDS
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx By /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------ -----------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Secretary President
ATTEST IMPERIAL TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxx By /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
----------------------- -----------------------
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Senior Vice President President
