Form of Custodian Agreement] Custodian Agreement
Exhibit
j
[Form of
Custodian Agreement]
This Agreement, dated as of August
19, 2010, is between Oxford Lane
Capital Corp. a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
Maryland (the “Fund”),
and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the
“Custodian”).
Witnesseth: that 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 its assets, including
securities which the Fund 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”). 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 it from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for
such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the Fund (“Shares”)
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. With respect to uncertificated shares
(the “Underlying
Shares”) of registered “investment companies” (as defined in Section
3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time (the
“1940
Act”)), whether in the same “group of investment companies” (as defined
in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the 0000 Xxx) or otherwise, including pursuant to
Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the
“Underlying
Portfolios”) the holding of confirmation statements that identify the
shares as being recorded in the Custodian’s name on behalf of the Fund will be
deemed custody for purposes hereof.
Upon
receipt of “Proper
Instructions” (as such term is defined in Section 6 hereof), 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 of the Fund (the “Board”).
The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for the Fund’s foreign securities the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
Schedules A and B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions
of Sections 3 and 4. The Custodian shall have no more or less
responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions
of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the
Custodian.
Section
2. Duties of the Custodian with
Respect to Property of the Fund Held By the Custodian in the United
States.
Section 2.1 Holding
Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
for the account of 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 2.8 in a clearing agency
which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by
the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a “U.S. Securities
System”) and (b) Underlying Shares owned by the Fund which are maintained
pursuant to Section 2.13 hereof in an account with State Street Bank and Trust
Company or such other entity which may from time to time act as a transfer agent
for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is
provided with Proper Instructions (each, an “Underlying
Transfer Agent”).
Section 2.2 Delivery
of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian, in a U.S.
Securities System account of the Custodian, or in an account at the Underlying
Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the
following cases:
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1)
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Upon
sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and receipt of payment
therefor;
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2)
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Upon
the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related
to such securities entered into by the
Fund;
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3)
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In
the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8
hereof;
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4)
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To
the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for
securities of the Fund;
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5)
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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;
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6)
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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 2.7 or
into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Section 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates
or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of
units; provided that,
in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
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7)
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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;
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8)
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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;
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9)
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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;
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10)
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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;
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11)
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For
delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against
receipt of amounts borrowed;
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12)
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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 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority,
Inc. (“FINRA”,
formerly known as The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.),
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;
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13)
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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 (“CFTC”)
and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations,
regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the
Fund;
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14)
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Upon
receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the Fund (the “Transfer
Agent”) for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of
Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from
time to time in the Fund’s currently effective prospectus and statement of
additional information (the “Prospectus”),
in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or
redemption;
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15)
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For
delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or
options on futures contracts entered into by the
Fund;
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16)
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In
the case of a sale processed through the Underlying Transfer Agent of
Underlying Shares, in accordance with Section 2.13 hereof;
and
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17)
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For
any other purpose, but only upon
receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the securities of the Fund to be
delivered and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such
securities shall be made.
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Section 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 nominee 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 advisor as the
Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section
2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the
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 only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to
notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions
including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange
offers.
Section 2.4 Bank
Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate
bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund, subject
only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions
hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other than
cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used in accordance
with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Monies 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 1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company and the monies to be
deposited with each such bank or trust company shall be approved by vote of a
majority of the Board. Such monies shall be deposited by the
Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the
Custodian only in that capacity.
Section 2.5 Collection
of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with
respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder to which 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 domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such
securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such
income, as collected, to 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.
Section 2.6 Payment
of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may
be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian
shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
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1)
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Upon
the purchase of domestic securities, 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 1940 Act to act as a custodian and has
been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered
in the name of the 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 U.S. Securities System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the
case of a purchase of Underlying Shares, in accordance with the conditions
set forth in Section 2.13 hereof; (d) repurchase agreements entered into
between the Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer
which is a member of FINRA, (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 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 herein;
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2)
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In
connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by
the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2
hereof;
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3)
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For
the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued as set forth in Section 5
hereof;
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4)
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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;
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5)
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For
the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant to the governing
documents of the Fund;
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6)
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For
payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities sold
short;
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7)
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For
delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or
options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund;
and
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8)
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For
any other purpose, but only upon
receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the amount of such payment and
naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be
made.
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Section 2.7 Appointment
of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company
which is itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as its agent
to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 2 as the Custodian may from
time to time direct; provided, however,
that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its
responsibilities or liabilities hereunder. The Underlying Transfer
Agent shall not be deemed an agent or sub-custodian of the Custodian for
purposes of this Section 2.7 or any other provision of this
Agreement.
Section 2.8 Deposit
of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a U.S. Securities System
in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 of the 1940 Act, as amended from
time to time.
Section 2.9 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 2.8 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 FINRA (or any futures commission merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the
rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange (or the CFTC or any registered contract market), or of any
similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash
or government securities 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 of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), or
interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of
segregated accounts by registered investment companies, and (iv) for any other
purpose upon receipt of Proper Instructions.
Section 2.10 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
securities.
Section 2.11 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 proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies
are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy
soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.
Section 2.12 Communications
Relating to Fund 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
domestic securities 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 its agents) making the
tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any
untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection
with domestic securities or other property of the Fund at any time held by it
unless (i) the Custodian is in actual possession of such domestic securities or
property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the
exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three
business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to
exercise such right or power. The Custodian shall also transmit
promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian regarding
any class action or other litigation in connection with securities or other
assets issued in the United States and then held, or previously held, during the
term of this Agreement by the Custodian for the account of the Fund, including,
but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. For avoidance of
doubt, upon and after the effective date of any termination of this Agreement,
the Custodian shall have no responsibility to so transmit any information under
this Section 2.12.
Section 2.13 Deposit
of Fund Assets with the Underlying Transfer Agent. Underlying
Shares beneficially owned by the Fund shall be deposited and/or maintained in an
account or accounts maintained with an Underlying Transfer Agent and the
Custodian’s only responsibilities with respect thereto shall be limited to the
following:
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1)
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Upon
receipt of a confirmation or statement from an Underlying Transfer Agent
that such Underlying Transfer Agent is holding or maintaining Underlying
Shares in the name of the Custodian (or a nominee of the Custodian) for
the benefit of the Fund, the Custodian shall identify by book-entry that
such Underlying Shares are being held by it as custodian for the benefit
of the Fund.
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2)
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In
respect of the purchase of Underlying Shares for the account of the Fund,
upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall pay out monies of
the Fund as so directed, and record such payment from the account of the
Fund on the Custodian’s books and
records.
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3)
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In
respect of the sale or redemption of Underlying Shares for the account of
the Fund, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall
transfer such Underlying Shares as so directed, record such transfer from
the account of the Fund on the Custodian’s books and records and, upon the
Custodian’s receipt of the proceeds therefor, record such payment for the
account of the Fund on the Custodian’s books and
records.
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The
Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the
Fund resulting from the maintenance of Underlying Shares with an
Underlying Transfer Agent except for losses resulting directly from the
fraud, negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian or any of its
agents or of any of its or their
employees.
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Section
3. Provisions
Relating to Rules 17f-5 and 17f-7.
Section 3.1. Definitions. As
used throughout this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
indicated meanings:
“Country
Risk” means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding
Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, such
country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure
(including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country),
prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and
regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in
custody in that country.
“Eligible
Foreign Custodian” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5,
including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in
Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an Eligible
Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate
action of the SEC, or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5)
of the 0000 Xxx) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of
the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities
Depository.
“Eligible
Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule
17f-7.
“Foreign
Assets” means any of the Fund’s investments (including foreign currencies) for
which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash
equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund’s transactions in
such investments.
“Foreign
Custody Manager” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule
17f-5.
“Rule
17f-5” means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
“Rule
17f-7” means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
Section 3.2. The Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager.
3.2.1 Delegation
to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. The Fund, by
resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to
Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2
with respect to Foreign Assets held outside the United States, and the Custodian
hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager of the
Fund.
3.2.2 Countries
Covered. The
Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated
responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody
arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which
list of countries may be amended from time to time by the Fund with the
agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager
shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager to maintain the Fund’s assets, which list of Eligible Foreign
Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the
Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide
amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5
hereof.
Upon the
receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account
or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A, and
the fulfillment by the Fund of the applicable account opening requirements for
such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated
by the Board responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that
country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by the
Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place
or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A in which the
Custodian has previously placed or currently maintains Foreign Assets pursuant
to the terms of the Agreement. Following the receipt of Proper
Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of the
Fund with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager
in a designated country, the delegation by the Board to the Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the
Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund
with respect to that country.
The
Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated
responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the
Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree
in writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall
have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the
Fund with respect to the country as to which the Custodian’s acceptance of
delegation is withdrawn.
3.2.3 Scope of Delegated
Responsibilities:
(a) Selection
of Eligible Foreign Custodians. Subject to the
provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and
maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian
selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as
amended from time to time. In performing its delegated
responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets
with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine
that the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the
standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets
will be held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors
relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the
factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).
(b) Contracts
With Eligible Foreign Custodians. The Foreign Custody
Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody
arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).
(c) Monitoring. In
each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with an
Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign
Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of
maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the
contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody
Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign
Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible
Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody
Manager shall notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5
hereunder.
3.2.4 Guidelines
for the Exercise of Delegated Authority. For purposes of this
Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and determined to
accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign
Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody
Manager of the Fund.
3.2.5 Reporting
Requirements. The Foreign Custody
Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible
Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible
Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of
the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The
Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any
other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Fund described
in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.
3.2.6 Standard
of Care as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund. In performing the
responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager agrees to exercise
reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility
for the safekeeping of assets of management investment companies registered
under the 1940 Act would exercise.
3.2.7 Representations
with Respect to Rule 17f-5. The Foreign Custody
Manager represents to the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section
(a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. The Fund represents to the Custodian that the
Board has determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the
Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement
to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.
3.2.8 Effective
Date and Termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. The Board’s delegation
to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund shall be effective as of
the date hereof and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without
penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating
party. Termination will become effective thirty (30) days after
receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions
of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of the
Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with respect to designated
countries.
Section 3.3 Eligible
Securities Depositories.
3.3.1 Analysis
and Monitoring. The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund (or its duly-authorized
investment manager or investment advisor) with an analysis of the custody risks
associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set
forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule
17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis, and promptly notify the
Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) of any
material change in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule
17f-7.
3.3.2 Standard
of Care. The
Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in
performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1.
Section 4. Duties
of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside the United
States.
Section 4.1 Definitions. As
used throughout this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
indicated meanings:
“Foreign
Securities System” means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B
hereto.
“Foreign
Sub-Custodian” means a foreign banking institution serving as an Eligible
Foreign Custodian.
Section 4.2. Holding
Securities. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to the Fund the foreign securities held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian
or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign
securities for all of its customers, including the Fund, with any Foreign
Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for
the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the
Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Fund which are maintained in
such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Fund and (ii),
to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is
maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign
Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian
or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.
Section 4.3. Foreign
Securities Systems. Foreign securities shall be maintained in
a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through arrangements
implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as applicable, in such
country.
Section 4.4. Transactions
in Foreign Custody Account.
4.4.1. Delivery
of Foreign Assets. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian
shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Fund held by the Custodian
or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only
upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when
deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
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(i)
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upon
the sale of such foreign securities for the Fund in accordance with
commercially reasonable market practice in the country where such foreign
securities are held or traded, including, without limitation: (A) delivery
against expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of a
sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the
rules governing the operation of the Foreign Securities
System;
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(ii)
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in
connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign
securities;
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(iii)
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to
the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for
foreign securities of the Fund;
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(iv)
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to
the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are called,
redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable;
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(v)
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to
the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the
Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or of any
nominee of the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange
for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence
representing the same aggregate face amount or number of
units;
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(vi)
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to
brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination or trade
execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any such case
the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for
any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving
payment for such securities except as may arise from the Foreign
Sub-Custodian’s own negligence or willful
misconduct;
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(vii)
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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;
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(viii)
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in
the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign securities, the surrender
thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or
the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive
securities;
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(ix)
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for
delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the Fund
requiring a pledge of assets by the
Fund;
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(x)
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for
delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or
options on futures contracts entered into by the
Fund;
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(xi)
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in
connection with the lending of foreign securities;
and
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(xii)
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for
any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying
the foreign securities to be delivered and naming the person or persons to
whom delivery of such securities shall be
made.
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4.4.2. Payment
of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may
be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian
shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective
Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of the Fund in the following cases
only:
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(i)
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upon
the purchase of foreign securities for the Fund, unless otherwise directed
by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money to the seller thereof or
to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against
expectation of receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B)
in the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities System, in
accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign
Securities System;
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(ii)
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in
connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign
securities of the Fund;
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(iii)
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for
the payment of any expense or liability of the Fund, including but not
limited to the following payments: interest, taxes, investment
advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this Agreement, legal
fees, accounting fees, and other operating
expenses;
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(iv)
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for
the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange contracts for
the Fund, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian or
its Foreign Sub-Custodians;
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(v)
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for
delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or
options on futures contracts entered into by the
Fund;
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(vi)
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for
payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of securities
sold short;
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(vii)
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in
connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities;
and
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(viii)
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for
any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying
the amount of such payment and naming the person or persons to whom such
payment is to be made.
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4.4.3. Market
Conditions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to
the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account
of the Fund and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the
Fund may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities
trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which
the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets
to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser
or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign
Assets from such purchaser or dealer.
The
Custodian shall provide to the Board the information with respect to custody and
settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign
Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on
such Schedule. The
Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided that no such
revision shall result in the Board being provided with substantively less
information than had been previously provided hereunder.
Section 4.5. Registration
of Foreign Securities. The foreign securities maintained in
the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be
registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of the Custodian or in the
name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the
foregoing, and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any
liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a
Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of
the Fund under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities
and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable
market practice.
Section 4.6. Bank
Accounts. The Custodian shall identify on its books as
belonging to the Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies)
deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to
maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the
books of the Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and
maintained outside the United States on behalf of the Fund with a Foreign
Sub-Custodian. All accounts referred to in this Section shall be
subject only to draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign
Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash
received by or from or for the account of the Fund. Cash maintained
on the books of the Custodian (including its branches, subsidiaries and
affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts
established under, and subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
Section 4.7. Collection
of Income. The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign
Assets held hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled and shall credit such
income, as collected, to the Fund. In the event that extraordinary
measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall
consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the
Custodian relating to such measures.
Section 4.8. Shareholder
Rights. With
respect to the foreign securities held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian
will use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and
other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical
constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are
issued. The Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack
of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors
may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of the Fund to exercise
shareholder rights.
Section 4.9. Communications
Relating to Foreign Securities. The Custodian shall
transmit promptly to the Fund written information with respect to materials
received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the
foreign securities being held for the account of the Fund (including, without
limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to
tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund
written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from
issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the
party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The
Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange
or other right or power in connection with foreign securities or other property
of the Fund at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective
Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or
property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the
exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three
business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to
exercise such right or power. The Custodian shall also transmit
promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian via the
Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the
account of the Fund regarding any class action or other litigation in connection
with foreign securities or other assets issued outside the United States and
then held, or previously held, during the term of this Agreement by the
Custodian for the account of the Fund, including, but not limited to, opt-out
notices and proof-of-claim forms. For avoidance of doubt, upon and after the
effective date of any termination of this Agreement, the Custodian shall have no
responsibility to so transmit any information under this Section
4.9.
Section 4.10. Liability
of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to which
the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent possible,
require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance
of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian from and
against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in
connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian’s performance of such
obligations. At the Fund’s election, it shall be entitled to be
subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a
Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole
for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
Section 4.11. Tax
Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability
for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as
custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States or of any state or
political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the
Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Fund or the
Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of countries other than those
mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and
other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and
governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with
regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund
with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries
for which the Fund has provided such information.
Section 4.12. Liability
of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or
omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with
respect to sub-custodians generally in the Agreement and, regardless of whether
assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a Foreign
Securities System, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation,
currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism, or any other loss where the
Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.
Section
5. Payments
for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares.
The
Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the Transfer
Agent and deposit into the Fund’s such payments as are received for Shares
thereof 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.
From such
funds as may be available for the purpose, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to
holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for
redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or
repurchase of Shares, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions
from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated
by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption or
repurchase of Shares, the Custodian 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.
Section
6. Proper
Instructions.
Proper
Instructions, which may also be standing instructions, as used throughout this
Agreement, shall mean instructions received by the Custodian from the Fund, the
Fund’s investment manager, or a person or entity duly authorized by either of
them. Such instructions may be in writing signed by the authorized
person or persons or may be in a tested communication or in a communication
utilizing access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices
or may be by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and
utilities as may be agreed to from time to time by the Custodian and the person
or entity giving such instructions, provided that the Fund has followed any
security procedures agreed to from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian,
including, but not limited to, the security procedures selected by the Fund in
the Funds Transfer Addendum to this Agreement, the terms of which are hereby
agreed to. 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. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall
include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement which requires
a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.10 of this
Agreement. The Fund or the Fund’s investment manager shall cause its
duly authorized officer to certify to the Custodian in writing the names and
specimen signatures of persons authorized to give Proper
Instructions. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the
identity and authority of such persons until it receives notice from the Fund to
the contrary.
Section
7. Actions
Permitted without Express Authority.
The
Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
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1)
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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;
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2)
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surrender
securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
form;
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3)
|
endorse
for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and other
negotiable instruments; and
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4)
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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.
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Section
8. Evidence
of Authority.
The
Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request,
consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be genuine
and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The
Custodian may receive and accept a copy of a resolution of the Board, certified
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund (“Certified
Resolution”), as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person
to act in accordance with such resolution or
(b) of
any determination or of any action by the Board as described in such resolution,
and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt
by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
Section
9. Duties
of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of Net Asset
Value and Net Income.
The
Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or
entities appointed by the Board to keep the books of account of the Fund and/or
compute the net asset value per Share of the outstanding Shares 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
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 officer of the
Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of
such net income among its various components. The Fund acknowledges
and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying
Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information
on the number of shares of a fund held by it on behalf of the Fund and that the
Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by the
Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its duties under this
Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 9
and in Section 10 hereof; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be
obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales of Underlying
Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received by the
Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer
Agent. The calculations of the net asset value per Share and the
daily income of the Fund shall be made at the time or times described from time
to time in the Prospectus.
Section
10. Records.
The
Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its activities and
obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of
the Fund under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and
Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the
property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of
the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or
agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian
shall, at the Fund’s request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities
owned by 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.
Section
11. 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 Form N-2 or other annual reports to the SEC
and with respect to any other requirements thereof.
Section
12. Reports
to Fund by Independent Public Accountants.
The
Custodian shall provide the 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 U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities
System (either, 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 that
any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there
are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
Section
13. Compensation
of Custodian.
The
Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and
expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the
Custodian.
Section
14. Responsibility
of Custodian.
So long
as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, the
Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any
property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant
to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice, request,
consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine
and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any futures
commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or
options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of
reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, but shall be
kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence, including, without
limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. It
shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be
counsel for 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 without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim
or expense resulting from or caused by anything that is part of Country Risk (as
defined in Section 3 hereof), including without limitation nationalization,
expropriation, currency restrictions, insolvency of a Foreign Sub-Custodian,
acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism.
Except as
may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct or the
negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian
shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable
control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent
or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the
interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any
securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or
interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages,
natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or
its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor in their
instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance
with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a
Securities System; (iv) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or
intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing
system to deliver to the Custodian’s sub-custodian or agent securities purchased
or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (v) any
delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of
registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, the Fund,
the Custodian’s sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses
arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including
non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits;
(vi) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market
infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and
(vii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the
United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or
political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent
jurisdiction. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions
of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to
sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.
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, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, to advance
cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to securities
settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement), or in the event
that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance
of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own
negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, or if the Fund
fails to compensate the Custodian pursuant to Section 13 hereof, 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’s assets to the extent
necessary to obtain reimbursement.
In no
event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or consequential
damages.
Section
15. Effective
Period, Termination and Amendment.
This
Agreement shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in full
force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended at any
time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by either
party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the
other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days
after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, 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 Fund’s
Articles of Incorporation or other governing documents, and further provided,
that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank
or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the
Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the
appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the 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.
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.
The
provisions of Sections 4.11, 13 and 14 of this Agreement shall survive
termination of this Agreement for any reason.
Section
16. Successor
Custodian.
If a
successor custodian for the Fund shall be appointed by the Board, 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 of the
Fund then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor
custodian all of the securities of the Fund held in a Securities System or at
the Underlying Transfer Agent.
If no
such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like
manner, upon receipt of a Certified Resolution, deliver at the office of the
Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance
with such resolution.
In the
event that no written order designating a successor custodian or Certified
Resolution shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when
such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right
to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the 1940
Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, of its own
selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and
undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less
than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the
Custodian hereunder and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto
and all other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of the Fund,
and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the Fund’s
securities held in any Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer
Agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor
of the Custodian under this Agreement.
In the
event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the possession of
the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of the Fund
to procure the Certified Resolution to appoint a successor custodian, the
Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such
period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other
properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and
obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
Section
17. Interpretive
and Additional Provisions.
In
connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and the Fund may
from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the
provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with
the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties
and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such
interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or
state regulations or any provision of the Fund’s Articles of
Incorporation. No interpretive or additional provisions made as
provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Agreement.
Section
18. Massachusetts
Law to Apply.
This
Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in
accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Section
19. Prior
Agreements.
This
Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior Agreements
between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund’s
assets.
Section
20. Notices.
Any
notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may be
delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during
normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or
telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as
may be notified by any party from time to time.
To
the Fund:
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0
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
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Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
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Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Chief Financial Officer
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Telephone:
000-000-0000
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Telecopy:
000-000-0000
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To
the Custodian:
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State
Street Bank and Trust Company
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0000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
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Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Telephone:
000-000-0000
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Telecopy:
000-000-0000
|
Such
notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served in
the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after
posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case
of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours
it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when
normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or telecopy on
the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice
was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive
evidence of posting.
Section
21. Confidentiality.
The
parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially all information
provided by each party to the other party regarding its business and
operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto
shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering or
receiving services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in
carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third
party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (i)
that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly
available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is
independently derived by any party hereto without the use of any information
provided by the other party hereto in connection with this Agreement, (ii) that
is required in any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit,
examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other similar process, or
by operation of law or regulation, or (iii) where the party seeking to disclose
has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the Custodian and its affiliates may report and
use nonpublic portfolio holdings information of its clients, including a Fund,
on an aggregated basis with all or substantially all other client information
and without specific reference to any Fund.
Section
22. Reproduction of
Documents.
This
Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, attachments and amendments
hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm,
micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The
parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in
evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding,
whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction
was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement,
facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be
admissible in evidence.
Section
23. Remote
Access Services Addendum.
The
Custodian and the Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access
Services Addendum attached hereto.
Section
24. Severability.
If any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful
or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
Section
25. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one
and the same Agreement.
Section
26. Regulation
GG.
The Fund hereby represents and warrants
that it does not engage in an “Internet gambling business,” as such term is
defined in Section 233.2(r) of Federal Reserve Regulation GG (12 CFR 233)
(“Regulation
GG”). The Fund
hereby covenants and agrees that it shall not engage in an Internet gambling
business. In accordance with Regulation GG, the Fund is hereby
notified that “restricted transactions,” as such term is defined in Section
233.2(y) of Regulation GG, are prohibited in any dealings with the Custodian
pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise between or among any party
hereto.
Section
27. Data
Privacy.
The
Custodian will implement and maintain a written information security program
that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal
information of the Fund’s shareholders, employees, directors and/or officers
that the Custodian receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses
in connection with the provision of services hereunder. For these
purposes, “personal information” shall mean (i) an individual’s name (first
initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number
plus (a) social
security number, (b) drivers license number, (c) state identification card
number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number or (f)
personal identification number or password that would permit access to a
person’s account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a
person to log onto or access an individual’s account. Notwithstanding the
foregoing “personal information” shall not include information that is lawfully
obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local
government records lawfully made available to the general public.
Section
28. Shareholder
Communications Election.
SEC Rule
14b-2 requires banks which hold securities for the account of customers to
respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and
holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank
unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this
information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs
the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund’s
name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the
Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian “no”, the Custodian will
not provide this information to requesting companies. If the Fund
tells the Custodian “yes” or does not check either “yes” or “no” below, the
Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure
of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or
accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund’s protection, the Rule
prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund’s name and address for any
purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below
whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives
below.
YES o The
Custodian is authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share
positions.
NO x The
Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share
positions.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
In
Witness Whereof, each of
the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and behalf by
its duly authorized representative under seal as of the date first
above-written.
By:
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Name: Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
|
||
Title: Chief Financial
Officer
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STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
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By:
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Name: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
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Title: Executive
Vice President
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