DOMESTIC CUSTODY AGREEMENT BETWEEN AMBASSADOR FUNDS and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Exhibit (g)(2)
BETWEEN
AMBASSADOR FUNDS
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Intention of the Parties; Definitions
1
1.1. Intention of the Parties
1
1.2. Definitions
1
2. What Bank is Required to Do.
4
2.1. Set Up Accounts.
4
2.2. Cash Account.
4
2.3. Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name.
4
2.4. Settlement of Trades
5
2.5. Contractual Settlement Date Accounting.
5
2.6. Actual Settlement Date Accounting
7
2.7. Income Collection (Autocreditâ).
7
2.8. Certain Ministerial Acts.
7
2.9. Corporate Actions.
8
2.10. Proxies.
8
2.11. Statements and Information Available On-Line.
9
2.12. Access to Bank’s Records
10
2.13. Tax Relief Services
10
3. Instructions.
10
3.1. Acting on Instructions; Unclear Instructions
10
3.2. Confirmation of Oral Instructions/Security Devices
11
3.3. Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice
11
3.4. Cut-off Times
11
4. Fees, Expenses and Other Amounts Owing to Bank.
11
4.1. Fees and Expenses
11
4.2. Overdrafts
11
4.3. Bank’s Right Over Securities; Set-off.
12
5. Securities Depositories and Other Agents.
12
5.1. Use of Securities Depositories.
12
5.2. Use of Agents.
12
6. Additional Provisions Relating to Customer.
13
6.1. Representations of Customer and Bank.
13
6.2. Customer to Provide Certain Information to Bank
13
6.3. Customer is Liable to Bank Even if it is Acting for Another Person
14
7. When Bank is liable to Customer.
14
7.1. Standard of Care; Liability.
14
7.2. Force Majeure
15
7.3. Bank May Consult With Counsel
15
7.4. Bank Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result
15
8. Taxation.
15
8.1. Tax Obligations.
15
8.2. Tax Relief Services With Respect to American Depository Receipts.
16
9. Effective Date; Termination
17
10. Miscellaneous.
17
10.1. Notices
17
10.2. Successors and Assigns
17
10.3. Interpretation
17
10.4. Entire Agreement
18
10.5. Insurance
18
10.6. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
18
10.7. Severability; Waiver; and Survival.
18
10.8. Counterparts
19
10.9. No Third Party Beneficiaries
19
10.10. Security Holding Disclosure
19
i
THIS AGREEMENT is made on June __, 2006 (but is effective as provided in Section 9), between JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (“Bank”), 0 Xxxxx XxxxxXxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000; and AMABASSADOR FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust, on behalf of those separate investment series designated on Schedule A (the “Customer”), c/o Fund Services Group LLC, 0000-X Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
1.
Intention of the Parties; Definitions
1.1.
Intention of the Parties
(a)
This Agreement sets out the terms governing custodial, settlement and certain other associated services offered by Bank to Customer. Bank will be responsible for the performance of only those Securities custody duties that are set forth in this Agreement. Customer acknowledges that Bank is not providing any legal, tax or investment advice in connection with the services hereunder.
(b)
It is the intention of the parties that the services offered by Bank under this Agreement with respect to the custody of Securities and related settlement services will be limited to Securities that are issued in the United States (“U.S.”) by an issuer that is organized under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof, or that are both traded in the U.S. and that are eligible for deposit in a U.S. Securities Depository.
1.2.
Definitions. As used herein, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated.
“Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
“Affiliate” means an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, Bank.
“Applicable Law” means any statute, whether national, state or local, applicable in the United States or any other country, the rules of the treaty establishing the European Community, any other law, rule, regulation or interpretation of any governmental entity, any applicable common law, and any decree, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, or writ of any governmental entity.
“Authorized Person” means any person who has been designated by written notice from Customer (or by any agent designated by Customer, including, without limitation, an investment manager) to act on behalf of Customer hereunder. Such persons will continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as Bank receives Instructions from Customer (or its agent) that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person.
“Bank Indemnitees” means Bank, and its nominees, directors, officers, employees and agents.
“Cash Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(ii) of this Agreement.
“Corporate Action” means any subscription right, bonus issue, stock repurchase plan, redemption, exchange, tender offer, or similar matter with respect to a Financial Asset in the Securities Account that require discretionary action by the holder, but does not include proxy solicitations.
“Entitlement Holder” means the person named on the records of a Securities Intermediary as the person having a Securities Entitlement against the Securities Intermediary.
“Financial Asset” means a Security and refers, as the context requires, either to the asset itself or to the means by which a person’s claim to it is evidenced, including a Security, a security certificate, or a Securities Entitlement. “Financial Asset” does not include cash.
“Instructions” means instructions which: (i) contain all necessary information required by Bank to enable Bank to carry out the Instructions; (ii) are received by Bank in writing or via Bank’s electronic instruction system, SWIFT, telephone, tested telex, facsimile or such other methods as are for the time being agreed by Customer (or an Authorized Person) and Bank; and (iii) Bank believes in good faith have been given by an Authorized Person or are transmitted with proper testing or authentication pursuant to terms and conditions which Bank may specify.
“Liabilities” means any liabilities, losses, claims, costs, damages, penalties, fines, obligations, or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ or experts’ fees and disbursements).
“Securities” means stocks, bonds, rights, warrants and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments, whether issued in certificated or uncertificated form, that are commonly traded or dealt in on securities exchanges or financial markets. “Securities” also means other obligations of an issuer, or shares, participations and interests in an issuer recognized in the country in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment and any other property as may be acceptable to Bank for the Securities Account.
“Securities Account” means each Securities custody account on Bank’s records to which Financial Assets are or may be credited pursuant hereto.
“Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.
“Securities Entitlement” means the rights and property interests of an Entitlement Holder with respect to a Financial Asset as set forth in Part 5 of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York, as the same may be amended from time to time.
“Securities Intermediary” means Bank, a Securities Depository, and any other financial institution which in the ordinary course of business maintains Securities custody accounts for others and acts in that capacity.
All terms in the singular will have the same meaning in the plural unless the context otherwise provides and visa versa.
2.
What Bank is Required to Do.
2.1.
Set Up Accounts.
(a)
Bank will establish and maintain the following accounts (“Accounts”):
(i)
a Securities Account in the name of Customer for Financial Assets, which may be received by or on behalf of Bank for the account of Customer, including as an Entitlement Holder; and
(ii)
an account in the name of Customer (“Cash Account”) for any and all cash received by or on behalf of Bank for the account of Customer.
(b)
At the request of Customer, additional Accounts may be opened in the future, which will be subject to the terms of this Agreement.
2.2.
Cash Account.
(a)
Except as otherwise provided in Instructions acceptable to Bank, all cash held in the Cash Account by Bank will be deposited during the period it is credited to the Accounts in one or more deposit accounts at Bank.
(b)
Whenever Customer instructs Bank to do so, Bank will arrange for the automatic investment of cash in the Cash Account in mutual funds (including, without limitation, the JPMorgan Money Market Funds and any other mutual fund with respect to which Bank or an Affiliate of Bank serves as an investment adviser, administrator, shareholder servicing agent, and/or custodian or subcustodian and regardless of whether or not Bank or its Affiliate receives any fees for services rendered to any such mutual fund in addition to the fees received by Bank pursuant to this Agreement, all of which such fees Bank is specifically authorized to retain) which Bank makes available for such purposes and which Customer selects through instructions to Bank. Furthermore, in this regard, Bank is directed automatically to arrange for the redemption of such mutual fund shares as may be necessary to avoid any potential overdraft hereunder that Bank perceives based upon the information available to Bank at the time of such redemption or withdrawal. Customer agrees that it will read the prospectus for any mutual fund prior to investing and acknowledges that investments in mutual fund shares are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and are not obligations of or guaranteed by Bank. Customer further acknowledges that certain services for which Bank is paid fees by mutual funds in which the Customer invests may overlap with the services Bank provides under this Agreement.
(c)
With Bank’s consent, Customer may use as the Cash Account a separate demand deposit account established by Customer at Bank which is electronically linked to the Securities Account.
2.3.
Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name.
(a)
Bank will identify in its records that Financial Assets credited to Customer’s Securities Account belong to Customer (except as otherwise may be agreed by Bank and Customer).
(b)
Bank is authorized, in its discretion:
(i)
to hold in bearer form, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in bearer form or are delivered to Bank in bearer form;
(ii)
to hold Securities in or deposit Securities with any Securities Depository, settlement system or dematerialized book entry or similar systems; and
(iii)
and to register in the name of Customer, Bank, a Securities Depository, or their respective nominees, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in registered form.
(c)
Bank is authorized, when directed to do so by Customer, to hold Financial Assets at third parties and to register Financial Assets in broker “street name” or in the name of other third parties (or their nominees). Notwithstanding Section 7.1, Bank shall have no liability for any loss of Financial Assets or other damages resulting from holding or registering Financial Assets as so directed by Customer. Customer authorizes Bank to hold Financial Assets in omnibus accounts and will accept delivery of Financial Assets of the same class and denomination as those with Bank.
2.4.
Settlement of Trades. When Bank receives an Instruction directing settlement of a transaction in Financial Assets that includes all information required by Bank, Bank will use reasonable care to effect such settlement as instructed. Settlement of transactions in Financial Assets will be conducted in accordance with prevailing standards of the market in which the transaction occurs. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the risk of loss will be Customer’s whenever Bank delivers Financial Assets or payment in accordance with applicable market practice in advance of receipt or settlement of the expected consideration. In the case of the failure of Customer’s counterparty (or other appropriate party) to deliver the expected consideration as agreed, Bank will contact the counterparty to seek settlement, but Bank will not be obligated to institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action.
2.5.
Contractual Settlement Date Accounting.
(a)
Should Customer request to have Bank’s Contractual Settlement Date Accounting Service, Bank will effect book entries on a “contractual settlement date accounting” basis as described below with respect to the settlement of trades in those markets where Bank generally offers contractual settlement date accounting and will notify Customer of those markets from time to time.
(i)
Sales: On the settlement date for a sale, Bank will credit the Cash Account with the proceeds of the sale and transfer the relevant Financial Assets to an account at Bank pending settlement of the trade where not already delivered.
(ii)
Purchases: On the settlement date for the purchase (or earlier, if market practice requires delivery of the purchase price before the settlement date), Bank will debit the Cash Account for the settlement amount and credit a separate account at Bank. Bank then will post the Securities Account as awaiting receipt of the expected Financial Assets. Customer will not be entitled to the Financial Assets that are awaiting receipt until Bank actually receives them.
Bank reserves the right to restrict in good faith the availability of contractual settlement date accounting for credit or operational reasons.
(b)
Bank may (in its absolute discretion) upon oral or written notification to Customer reverse any debit or credit made pursuant to Section 2.5(a) prior to a transaction’s actual settlement, and Customer will be responsible for any costs or liabilities resulting from such reversal. Customer acknowledges that the procedures described in this sub-section are of an administrative nature, and Bank does not undertake to make loans and/or Financial Assets available to Customer.
2.6.
Actual Settlement Date Accounting. With respect to any sale or purchase transaction that is not posted to the Account on the contractual settlement date as referred to in Section 2.5, Bank will post the transaction on the date on which the cash or Financial Assets received as consideration for the transaction is actually received by Bank.
2.7.
Income Collection (Autocreditâ).
(a)
Bank will credit the Cash Account with income and redemption proceeds on Financial Assets in accordance with the times notified by Bank from time to time on or after the anticipated payment date, net of any taxes that are withheld by Bank or any third party. Where no time is specified for a particular market, income and redemption proceeds from Financial Assets will be credited only after actual receipt and reconciliation. Bank may reverse such credits upon oral or written notification to Customer that Bank believes that the corresponding payment will not be received by Bank within a reasonable period or such credit was incorrect.
(b)
Bank will make good faith efforts in its discretion to contact appropriate parties to collect unpaid interest, dividends or redemption proceeds, but Bank will not be obliged to file any formal notice of default, institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action.
2.8.
Certain Ministerial Acts.
(a)
Until Bank receives Instructions to the contrary, Bank will:
(i)
present all Financial Assets for which Bank has received notice of a call for redemption or that have otherwise matured, and all income and interest coupons and other income items that call for payment upon presentation;
(ii)
execute in the name of Customer such certificates as may be required to obtain payment in respect of Financial Assets; and
(iii)
exchange interim or temporary documents of title held in the Securities Account for definitive documents of title.
(b)
Bank may provide information concerning the Accounts to Securities Depositories, counterparties, issuers of Financial Assets, governmental entities, securities exchanges, self-regulatory entities, and similar entities to the extent required by Applicable Law or as may be required in the ordinary course by market practice or otherwise in order to provide the services contemplated by this Agreement.
2.9.
Corporate Actions.
(a)
Bank will notify Customer of any Corporate Action of which information is either (i) received by it to the extent that Bank’s central corporate actions department has actual knowledge of the Corporate Action in time to notify its customers in a timely manner; or (ii) published via a formal notice in publications and reporting services routinely used by Bank for this purpose in time for Bank to notify its customers in a timely manner. Bank also will use its reasonable efforts to notify Customer of any class action litigation for which information is actually received by Bank’s central corporate actions department but shall not be liable for any Liabilities arising out of Bank’s failure to identify Customer’s interest in any class action litigation. Bank does not commit, however, to provide information concerning Corporate Actions or class action litigation relating to Financial Assets being held at Customer’s request in a name not subject to the control of Bank.
(b)
If an Authorized Person fails to provide Bank with timely Instructions with respect to any Corporate Action or class action, neither Bank nor its nominees will take any action in relation to that Corporate Action or class action, except as otherwise agreed in writing by Bank and Customer or as may be set forth by Bank as a default action in the notification it provides under Section 2.9(a) with respect to that Corporate Action or class action.
(c)
Bank may sell or otherwise dispose of fractional interests in Financial Assets arising out of a Corporate Action or class action and, to the extent necessary to protect Customer’s interest in that Corporate Action or class action, credit the Cash Account with the proceeds of the sale or disposition. If some, but not all, of an outstanding class of Financial Asset is called for redemption, Bank may allot the amount redeemed among the respective beneficial holders of such class of Financial Asset in any manner Bank deems to be fair and equitable.
(d)
Notices of Corporate Actions and class actions dispatched to Customer may have been obtained from sources which Bank does not control and may have been translated or summarized. Although Bank believes such sources to be reliable, Bank has no duty to verify the information contained in such notices nor the faithfulness of any translation or summary and therefore does not guarantee its accuracy, completeness or timeliness, and shall not be liable to Customer for any loss that may result from relying on such notice.
2.10.
Proxies.
(a)
Subject to and upon the terms of this sub-section, Bank will provide Customer with information which it receives on matters to be voted upon at meetings of holders of Financial Assets (“Notifications”), and Bank will act in accordance with Customer’s Instructions in relation to such Notifications. If information is received by Bank at its proxy voting department too late to permit timely voting by Customer, Bank’s only obligation will be to provide, so far as reasonably practicable, a Notification (or summary information concerning a Notification) on an “information only” basis.
(b)
Bank will act upon Instructions to vote on matters referred to in a Notification, provided Instructions are received by Bank at its proxy voting department by the deadline referred to in the relevant Notification. If Instructions are not received in a timely manner, Bank will not be obligated to provide further notice to Customer and shall not be obliged to vote. It is Customer’s obligation to monitor the agreed means of providing Notifications to determine if new Notifications have been received.
(c)
Customer acknowledges that the provision of proxy voting services may be precluded or restricted under a variety of circumstances. These circumstances include, but are not limited to:
(i)
the Financial Assets being on loan or out for registration;
(ii)
the pendency of conversion or another Corporate Action;
(iii)
Financial Assets being held at Customer’s request in a name not subject to the control of Bank;
(iv)
Financial Assets being held in a margin or collateral account at Bank or another bank or broker, or otherwise in a manner which affects voting; and
(v)
local market regulations or practices, or restrictions by the issuer.
(d)
Notwithstanding the fact that Bank may act in a fiduciary capacity with respect to Customer under other agreements, in performing proxy voting services Bank will be acting solely as the agent of Customer, and will not exercise any discretion with regard to such proxy voting services or vote any proxy except when directed by an Authorized Person.
2.11.
Statements and Information Available On-Line.
(a)
Bank will send, or make available on-line, to Customer at times mutually agreed upon, a formal statement of account in Bank’s standard format for each Account maintained by Customer with Bank, identifying the Financial Assets and cash held in each Account (each such statement a “Statement of Account”). Additionally, Bank will send (or make available on-line) to Customer an advice or notification of any transfers of cash or Financial Assets with respect to each Account. Bank will not be liable with respect to any matter set forth in those portions of any Statement of Account or any such advice or notification (or reasonably implied therefrom) to which Customer has not given Bank a written exception or objection within sixty (60) days of receipt of the Statement of Account, provided such matter is not the result of Bank’s willful misconduct or bad faith. References in this Agreement to Statements of Account include Statements of Account in electronic form.
(b)
Prices and other information obtained from third parties which may be contained in any Statement of Account or other statement sent to Customer have been obtained from sources Bank believes to be reliable. Bank does not, however, make any representation as to the accuracy of such information or that the prices specified necessarily reflect the proceeds that would be received on a disposal of the relevant Financial Assets.
(c)
Customer acknowledges that, except for Statements of Account or as otherwise expressly agreed by Bank, records and reports available to it on-line may not be accurate due to mis-postings, delays in updating Account records, and other causes. Bank will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of the inaccuracy of any such records or reports accessed on-line.
2.12.
Access to Bank’s Records. Bank will allow Customer’s independent public accountants such reasonable access to the records of Bank relating to Financial Assets as is required in connection with their examination of books and records pertaining to Customer’s affairs.
2.13.
Tax Relief Services. Bank will provide tax relief services as provided in Section 8.2.
3.
Instructions.
3.1.
Acting on Instructions; Unclear Instructions
(a)
Customer authorizes Bank to accept and act upon any Instructions received by it without inquiry. Customer will indemnify the Bank Indemnitees against, and hold each of them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Bank Indemnitees as a result of any action or omission taken in accordance with any Instructions or other directions upon which Bank is authorized to rely under the terms of this Agreement.
(b)
Unless otherwise expressly provided, all Instructions will continue in full force and effect until canceled or superseded.
(c)
Bank may (in its sole discretion and without affecting any part of this Section 3.1) seek clarification or confirmation of an Instruction from an Authorized Person and may decline to act upon an Instruction if it does not receive clarification or confirmation satisfactory to it. Bank will not be liable for any loss arising from any delay while it seeks such clarification or confirmation.
(d)
In executing or paying a payment order Bank may rely upon the identifying number (e.g. Fedwire routing number or account) of any party as instructed in the payment order. Customer assumes full responsibility for any inconsistency between the name and identifying number of any party in payment orders issued to Bank in Customer’s name.
3.2.
Confirmation of Oral Instructions/Security Devices. Any Instructions delivered to Bank by telephone will promptly thereafter be confirmed in writing by an Authorized Person. Each confirmation is to be clearly marked “Confirmation”. Bank will not be liable for having followed such Instructions notwithstanding the failure of an Authorized Person to send such confirmation in writing or the failure of such confirmation to conform to the telephone Instructions received. Either party may record any of their telephonic communications. Customer will comply with any security procedures reasonably required by Bank from time to time with respect to verification of Instructions. Customer will be responsible for safeguarding any test keys, identification codes or other security devices that Bank will make available to Customer or any Authorized Person.
3.3.
Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice. Bank need not act upon Instructions which it reasonably believes to be contrary to law, regulation or market practice and Bank will be under no duty to investigate whether any Instructions comply with Applicable Law or market practice.
3.4.
Cut-off Times. Bank has established cut-off times for receipt of some categories of Instruction, which will be made available to Customer. If Bank receives an Instruction after its established cut-off time, Bank will attempt to act upon the Instruction on the day requested if Bank deems it practicable to do so or otherwise as soon as practicable on the next business day.
4.
Fees, Expenses and Other Amounts Owing to Bank.
4.1.
Fees and Expenses. Customer will pay Bank for its services hereunder the fees set forth in Schedule A hereto or such other amounts as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time, together with Bank’s reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including, but not limited to, legal fees and tax or related fees incidental to processing by governmental authorities, issuers, or their agents. Customer authorizes Bank to deduct amounts owing to it from the Cash Account, for any such fees or expenses from time to time in arrears. Bank may increase such fees by not less than thirty (30) days’ notice in writing to Customer. Without prejudice to Bank’s other rights, Bank reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts from the due date until actual payment at such rate as Bank may reasonably determine.
4.2.
Overdrafts. Customer will have sufficient immediately available funds each day in the Cash Account (without regard to any Cash Account investments) to pay for the settlement of all Financial Assets delivered against payment to Customer and credited to the Securities Account. If a debit to the Cash Account results (or will result) in a debit balance, then Bank may, in its discretion, (i) advance an amount equal to the overdraft, (ii) refuse to settle in whole or in part the transaction causing such debit balance, or (iii) if any such transaction is posted to the Securities Account, reverse any such posting. If Bank elects to make such an advance, the advance will be deemed a loan to Customer, payable on demand, bearing interest at the applicable rate charged by Bank from time to time, for such overdrafts, from the date of such advance to the date of payment (both after as well as before judgment) and otherwise on the terms on which Bank makes similar overdrafts available from time to time. No prior action or course of dealing on Bank’s part with respect to the settlement of transactions on Customer’s behalf will be asserted by Customer against Bank for Bank’s refusal to make advances to the Cash Account or to settle any transaction for which Customer does not have sufficient available funds in the Cash Account.
4.3.
Bank’s Right Over Securities; Set-off.
(a)
Customer grants Bank a security interest in and a lien on the Financial Assets held in the Securities Account as security for any and all amounts which are now or become owing to Bank under any provision of this Agreement, whether or not matured or contingent (“Indebtedness”).
(b)
Without prejudice to Bank’s rights under Applicable Law, Bank may set off against any Indebtedness any amount standing to the credit of any of Customer’s accounts (whether deposit or otherwise) with any Bank branch or office or with any Affiliate of Bank. For this purpose, Bank shall be entitled to accelerate the maturity of any fixed term deposits.
5.
Securities Depositories and Other Agents.
5.1.
Use of Securities Depositories.
(a)
Bank may deposit Financial Assets with, and hold Financial Assets in, any Securities Depository, settlement system, dematerialized book entry system or similar system (together a “Securities Depository”) on such terms as such systems customarily operate and Customer will provide Bank with such documentation or acknowledgements that Bank may require to hold the Financial Assets in such systems.
(b)
Bank will not be liable for any act or omission by (or the insolvency of) any Securities Depository. In the event Customer incurs a loss due to the negligence, willful misconduct, or insolvency of a Securities Depository, Bank will make good faith efforts, in its discretion, to seek recovery from the Securities Depository, but Bank will not be obligated to institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action.
5.2.
Use of Agents.
(a)
Bank may provide certain services under this Agreement through third parties which may be Affiliates. Bank will not be responsible for any loss as a result of a failure by any broker or any other third party that it selects and retains using reasonable care to provide ancillary services that it may not customarily provide itself, including, without limitation, delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, Corporate Actions and class action litigation. Nevertheless, Bank will be liable for the performance of any such broker selected by Bank that is an Affiliate to the same extent as Bank would have been liable if it performed such services itself.
(b)
In the case of the sale under Section 2.9(c) of a fractional interest (or in other cases where Customer has requested Bank to arrange for execution of a trade) Bank will place trades with a broker which is an Affiliate to the extent that Bank has established a program for such trading with such Affiliate. An affiliated broker may charge its customary commission (or retain its customary spread) with respect to any such transaction.
6.
Additional Provisions Relating to Customer.
6.1.
Representations of Customer and Bank.
(a)
Customer represents and warrants that (i) it has full authority and power, and has obtained all necessary authorizations and consents, to deposit and control the Financial Assets and cash in the Accounts, to use Bank as its custodian in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to borrow money or otherwise incur indebtedness as contemplated by this Agreement, to pledge Financial Assets as contemplated by Section 4.3; (ii) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by Bank, this Agreement is Customer’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms and it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement; (iii) it has not relied on any oral or written representation made by Bank or any person on its behalf, and acknowledges that this Agreement sets out to the fullest extent the duties of Bank and (iv) it is a resident of the United States and shall notify Bank of any changes in residency.
(b)
Bank represents and warrants that (i) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by Customer, this Agreement is Bank’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms and (ii) it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement.
(c)
Bank may rely upon the above or the certification of such other facts as may be required to administer Bank’s obligations hereunder. Customer shall indemnify Bank against all losses, liability, claims, or demands arising directly or indirectly from any such certifications.
6.2.
Customer to Provide Certain Information to Bank. Upon request, Customer will promptly provide to Bank such information about itself and its financial status as Bank may reasonably request, including Customer’s organizational documents and its current audited and unaudited financial statements.
6.3.
Customer is Liable to Bank Even if it is Acting for Another Person. If Customer is acting as an agent for a disclosed or undisclosed principal in respect of any transaction, cash, or Financial Asset, Bank nevertheless will treat Customer as its principal for all purposes under this Agreement. In this regard, Customer will be liable to Bank as a principal in respect of any transactions relating to the Account. The foregoing will not affect any rights Bank might have against Customer’s principal.
7.
When Bank is liable to Customer.
7.1.
Standard of Care; Liability.
(a)
Bank will use reasonable care in performing its obligations under this Agreement. Bank will not be in violation of this Agreement with respect to any matter as to which it has satisfied its obligation of reasonable care.
(b)
Bank will be liable for Customer’s direct damages to the extent they result from Bank’s negligence or willful misconduct in performing its duties as set out in this Agreement. Nevertheless, under no circumstances will Bank be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including, without limitation, lost profits) of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought, with respect to the Accounts, Bank’s performance hereunder or Bank’s role as custodian.
(c)
Customer will indemnify the Bank Indemnitees against, and hold them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of the Bank Indemnitees in connection with or arising out of (i) Bank’s performance under this Agreement, provided the Bank Indemnitees have not acted with negligence or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct in connection with the Liabilities in question or (ii) any Bank Indemnitee’s status as a holder of record of Customer’s Financial Assets.
(d)
Without limiting Subsections 7.1(a), (b) or (c), Bank will have no duty or responsibility to: (i) question Instructions or make any suggestions to Customer or an Authorized Person regarding such Instructions; (ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments or the retention of Financial Assets; (iii) advise Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any default in the payment of principal or income of any security other than as provided in Section 2.7(b) of this Agreement; (iv) evaluate or report to Customer or an Authorized Person regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent or other party to which Bank is instructed to deliver Financial Assets or cash; or (v) review or reconcile trade confirmations received from brokers (and Customer or its Authorized Persons issuing Instructions will bear any responsibility to review such confirmations against Instructions issued to and Statements of Account issued by Bank).
7.2.
Force Majeure. Bank will maintain and update from time to time business continuation and disaster recovery procedures with respect to its custody business that it determines from time to time meet reasonable commercial standards. Bank will have no liability, however, for any damage, loss, expense or liability of any nature that Customer may suffer or incur, caused by an act of God, fire, flood, civil or labor disturbance, war, terrorism, act of any governmental authority or other act or threat of any authority (de jure or de facto), legal constraint, fraud or forgery, malfunction of equipment or software (except where such malfunction is primarily attributable to Bank’s negligence in maintaining the equipment or software), failure of or the effect of rules or operations of any external funds transfer system, inability to obtain or interruption of external communications facilities, or any cause beyond the reasonable control of Bank (including without limitation, the non-availability of appropriate foreign exchange).
7.3.
Bank May Consult With Counsel. Bank will be entitled to rely on, and may act upon the advice of professional advisers in relation to matters of law, regulation or market practice (which may be the professional advisers of Customer), and will not be liable to Customer for any action taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
7.4.
Bank Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result. Customer acknowledges that Bank or its Affiliates may have a material interest in transactions entered into by Customer with respect to the Accounts or that circumstances are such that Bank may have a potential conflict of duty or interest. For example, Bank or its Affiliates may act as a market maker in the Financial Assets to which Instructions relate, provide brokerage services to other customers, act as financial adviser to the issuer of such Financial Assets, act in the same transaction as agent for more than one customer, have a material interest in the issue of the Financial Assets; or earn profits from any of these activities. Customer further acknowledges that Bank or its Affiliates may be in possession of information tending to show that the Instructions received may not be in the best interests of Customer but that Bank is not under any duty to disclose any such information.
8.
Taxation.
8.1.
Tax Obligations.
(a)
Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to deduct from any cash received or credited to the Cash Account any taxes or levies required by any revenue or governmental authority for whatever reason in respect of Customer’s Accounts.
(b)
Customer will provide to Bank such certifications, documentation, and information as it may require in connection with taxation, and warrants that, when given, this information is true and correct in every respect, not misleading in any way, and contains all material information. Customer undertakes to notify Bank immediately if any information requires updating or correcting. Bank shall not be liable for any taxes, penalties, interest or additions to tax, payable or paid that result from (i) the inaccurate completion of documents by Customer or any third party; (ii) the provision to Bank or a third party of inaccurate or misleading information by Customer or any third party; (iii) the withholding of material information by Customer or any third party; or (iv) any delay by any revenue authority or any other cause beyond Bank’s control.
(c)
If Bank does not receive appropriate certifications, documentation and information then, as and when appropriate and required, additional tax shall be deducted from all income received in respect of the Financial Assets issued (including, but not limited to, United States non-resident alien tax and/or backup withholding tax.
(d)
Customer will be responsible in all events for the timely payment of all taxes relating to the Financial Assets in the Securities Account. Customer will indemnify and hold Bank harmless from and against any and all liabilities, penalties, interest or additions to tax with respect to or resulting from, any delay in, or failure by, Bank (i) to pay, withhold or report any U.S. federal, state or local taxes or foreign taxes imposed on, or (ii) to report interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Cash Account, regardless of the reason for such delay or failure; provided however, that Customer will not be liable to Bank for any penalty or additions to tax due solely as a result of Bank’s negligent acts or omissions with respect to paying or withholding tax or reporting interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Cash Account.
8.2.
Tax Relief Services With Respect to American Depository Receipts.
(a)
Subject to the provisions of this Section, Bank will apply for a reduction of withholding tax and any refund of any tax paid or tax credits in respect of income payments on Financial Assets comprising American depository receipts credited to the Securities Account that Bank believes may be available. To defray expenses pertaining to nominal tax claims, Bank may from time-to-time set minimum thresholds as to a de minimus value of tax relief claims or reduction of withholding which it will pursue in respect of income payments under this Section 8.2.
(b)
The provision of a tax relief service by Bank is conditional upon Bank receiving from Customer (i) a declaration of its identity and place of residence and (ii) certain other documentation (pro forma copies of which are available from Bank), prior to the receipt of Financial Assets comprising American depository receipts in the Account or the payment of income.
(c)
Bank will perform tax relief services only with respect to taxation levied by the revenue authorities of the countries advised to Customer from time to time and Bank may, by notification in writing, in its absolute discretion, supplement or amend the countries in which the tax relief services are offered. Other than as expressly provided in this Section 8.2, Bank will have no responsibility with regard to Customer’s tax position or status in any jurisdiction.
(d)
Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to disclose any information requested by any revenue authority or any governmental entity in relation to the processing of any tax relief claim.
9.
Effective Date; Termination. This Agreement shall become effective on the date that the registration statement relating to the Customer’s series known as the “Michigan Investment Trust, Government Money Market Series” becomes effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Thereafter, this Agreement shall become effective to additional series of the Customer at such time as Schedule A is amended by the parties. Either party may terminate this Agreement on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other party. If Customer gives notice of termination, it must provide full details of the persons to whom Bank must deliver Financial Assets and cash. If Bank gives notice of termination, then Customer must, within sixty (60) days, notify Bank of details of its new custodian, failing which Bank may elect (at any time after the sixty day notice period) either to retain the Financial Assets and cash until such details are given, continuing to charge fees due (in which case Bank’s sole obligation will be for the safekeeping of the Financial Assets and cash), or deliver the Financial Assets and cash to Customer. Bank will in any event be entitled to deduct any amounts owing to it prior to delivery of the Financial Assets and cash (and, accordingly, Bank will be entitled to sell Financial Assets and apply the sale proceeds in satisfaction of amounts owing to it). Customer will reimburse Bank promptly for all out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in delivering Financial Assets upon termination. Termination will not affect any of the liabilities either party owes to the other arising under this Agreement prior to such termination.
10.
Miscellaneous.
10.1.
Notices. Notices (other than Instructions) will be served by registered mail or hand delivery to the address of the respective parties as set out on the first page of this Agreement, unless notice of a new address is given to the other party in writing. Notice will not be deemed to be given unless it has been received.
10.2.
Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will be binding on each of the parties’ successors and assigns, but the parties agree that neither party can assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
10.3.
Interpretation. Headings are for convenience only and are not intended to affect interpretation. References to sections are to sections of this Agreement and references to sub-sections and paragraphs are to sub-sections of the sections and paragraphs of the sub-sections in which they appear.
10.4.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Schedules, Exhibits, and the Rider (and any separate agreement which Bank and Customer may enter into with respect to any Cash Account), sets out the entire Agreement between the parties in connection with the subject matter, and this Agreement supersedes any other agreement, statement, or representation relating to custody, whether oral or written. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties.
10.5.
Insurance. Bank will not be required to maintain any insurance coverage for the benefit of Customer.
10.6.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction. This Agreement will be construed, regulated, and administered under the laws of the United States or State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York’s principles regarding conflict of laws, except that the foregoing shall not reduce any statutory right to choose New York law or forum. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York will have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any lawsuit or other judicial proceeding relating to or arising from this Agreement. If that court lacks federal subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County will have sole and exclusive jurisdiction. Either of these courts will have proper venue for any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding, and the parties waive any objection to venue or their convenience as a forum. The parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any of the courts specified and to accept service of process to vest personal jurisdiction over them in any of these courts. The parties further hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any right to a trial by jury with respect to any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding arising or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. To the extent that in any jurisdiction Customer may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, Customer shall not claim, and it hereby irrevocably waives, such immunity.
10.7.
Severability; Waiver; and Survival.
(a)
If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired.
(b)
Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision of this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced.
(c)
Bank’s rights, protections, and remedies under this Agreement shall survive its termination.
10.8.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts each of which will be deemed to be an original and together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
10.9.
No Third Party Beneficiaries. A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right to enforce any term o the Agreement.
10.10.
Security Holding Disclosure. With respect to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 under The Shareholder Communications Act, regarding disclosure of beneficial owners to issuers of Securities, Bank is instructed not to disclose the name, address or Security positions of Customer in response to shareholder communications requests regarding the Account.
10.11
U.S.A. Patriot Act Disclosure
Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT ACT”) requires Bank to implement reasonable procedures to verify the identity of any person that opens a new account with Bank. Accordingly, Customer acknowledges that Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and Bank’s identity verification procedures require Bank to obtain certain information (“Identifying information”) from Customer or on some occasions from third parties regarding Customer. Customer agrees to provide Bank with and consents to Bank obtaining from third parties any such identifying information required as a condition of opening an account with or using any service provided by Bank
AMBASSADOR FUNDS
/S/ XXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
By:_______________________________________
Title: President
Date:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
/S/ XXXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
By:_______________________________________
Title: Vice President
Date: Nov 6, 2006
1
SCHEDULE A
FUNDS FOR WHICH SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED EFFECTIVE DATE
Michigan Investment Trust, Government Money Market Series ________________
FEE SCHEDULE
Product | Fee |
Minimum Fee Per fund Market Value Fees per Fund First $200 million Next $300 million Next $500 million Over $1 billion U.S. Market Transaction Charges Book Entry Physical Movements Repurchase Agreements Options Fed Wire/CHIPS Cash Movement Voluntary Corporate Actions Mandatory Corporate Action “Blue Sheet” memo items Cancel and Correct Paydowns – Book Entry Paydowns - Physical Paydowns – Private Placement Redemptions – Book Entry Redemptions – Physical Short Term Redemptions – Physical Long Term Private Placement re-registrations Income Collections – Physical | Annual Fee $20,000 Annual Fee 1.00 bp 0.75 bp 0.50 bp 0.25 bp Per Transaction $5.00 $50.00 $10.00 $30.00 $5.00 $30.00 $16.00 $10.00 $15.00 $7.00 $20.00 $60.00 $9.00 $12.00 $25.00 $100.00 $10.00 |
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DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
WORLDWIDE SECURITIES SERVICES
END-OF-DAY SWEEP SERVICE
11.
INTO
JPMORGANMONEY MARKET
MUTUAL FUNDS
As a current or new subscriber to the Worldwide Securities Services “end-of-day” sweep service, it is important that you understand how the Worldwide Securities Services end-of-day sweep service is operated.
At the end of each business day, collected account balances in subscriber custody accounts will be withdrawn automatically and credited to a Worldwide Securities Services omnibus cash account pending investment in the shares of the JPMorgan mutual fund selected by each subscriber. Further, Worldwide Securities Services will arrange for the redemption of so many of those JPMorgan shares previously purchased for subscriber accounts as may be necessary to cover any potential overdrafts to the custody accounts based upon information available to Worldwide Securities Services at the time of such redemption.
JPMorgan fund share purchase and sale orders for all Worldwide Securities Services sweep subscribers will be aggregated after the close of business into the Worldwide Securities Services omnibus share account maintained for each JPMorgan fund and reallocated accordingly, among the various sweep subscriber accounts. On those business days when the aggregate fund share purchases exceeds aggregate fund share redemptions for a particular JPMorgan fund, Worldwide Securities Services will place an order with JPMorgan for additional fund shares representing the net difference. On those business days, however, when the aggregate fund share redemptions exceed the aggregate fund share purchases, Worldwide Securities Services will redeem fund shares representing the net difference and use the proceeds to cover debit balances in subscriber accounts.
On the next business day, purchase and redemption orders will be initiated with the relevant JPMorgan funds covering the net balances of all custody account credits and debits as of the prior business day. Those custody accounts with debit balances, requiring redemption of JPMorgan shares, will receive provisionally from Worldwide Securities Services same-day credit for the redemption of such shares.
For those custody accounts purchasing shares, Worldwide Securities Services will accrue dividend earnings on the JPMorgan shares purchased as of the day funds are withdrawn from the custody account. However, for those custody accounts redeeming shares Worldwide Securities Services will retain the previous days dividend earnings on the JPMorgan shares so redeemed.
JPMorgan share purchases will be reflected on monthly custody account statements as having been made on the date the funds were withdrawn for investment by Worldwide Securities Services. Similarly, JPMorgan share redemptions will be reflected on monthly custody account statements as having been made the date Worldwide Securities Services debited the custody accounts for the payments that prompted the redemption. The records of the transfer agent for each JPMorgan fund, however, will not reflect the net purchase or redemption of JPMorgan shares in the Worldwide Securities Services omnibus share accounts until the next business day. Accordingly, notwithstanding that subscriber may receive same day dividend earnings on any given business day funds are withdrawn from the subscriber’s custody account for investment, such funds may be deemed to be uninvested in the shares of the selected JPMorgan fund investment until the following business day, and therefore subscriber may be at risk in the event of a JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. insolvency or an interruption of operations of one or more of the JPMorgan funds.
If JPMorgan, as a result of the same-day credit of funds for the redemption of JPMorgan shares, is entitled, under the terms of the custody agreement (or otherwise), to a security interest in the JPMorgan shares which are being redeemed, JPMorgan waives its security interest in such JPMorgan shares, but retains any and all rights to the proceeds it receives from JPMorgan or its agent, upon the redemption of the JPMorgan shares.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT:
____________________________________
(Subscriber Name)
BY:_________________________________
DATE:_______________________________
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SWEEP TO MONEY MARKET MUTUAL FUND SERVICE (“SWEEP SERVICE”)
GENERAL DISCLOSURE
1.
In connection with receiving a service for the sweeping of deposits to a JPMorgan Funds money market mutual fund (“Sweep Service”) the entity or person receiving the Sweep Service (the “Customer”) acknowledges that it has received and reviewed the prospectus (“Prospectus”) for each money market mutual fund (each a “Fund”, collectively the “Funds”) with respect to the class of shares the Customer is purchasing in the Fund. The Prospectus sets forth fees and expenses applicable to the Customer’s purchase of shares of the Fund (“Shares”). The Customer also acknowledges that it is relying solely on the representations contained in the relevant Prospectus and that JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or JPMorgan Institutional Investments, Inc., as applicable, (“JPMorgan”) has not provided any investment, tax or accounting advice, nor has it made any recommendation with respect to the Customer’s purchase of Shares.
2.
The Customer has directed JPMorgan as its agent to invest in the Fund(s) identified in the Agreement for Sweep Services or other similar agreement between the parties. Pursuant to Customer’s direction, JPMorgan as agent for the Customer, has invested funds of the Customer in a particular share class based on one or more of a number of criteria, including, but not limited to: operational services and share holder servicing provided in connection with the Sweep Service, convenience of the Sweep Service, the Customer’s overall relationship with JPMorgan or the Treasury and Securities Services Division of JPMorgan, expected duration of the Sweep Service relationship, regional competitive environment, client fee preferences, amount of balances invested, and other fees charged in connection with the Sweep Service. JPMorgan, on a periodic basis, will re-evaluate whether the Customer’s funds should be invested in a different share class or should continue in the current share class. JPMorgan is authorized to invest Customer's deposits in such different share class.
3.
JPMorgan and its affiliates provide services for the Funds and may receive compensation calculated as a percentage of the distribution fees and the shareholder servicing fees disclosed in the Prospectus and such compensation may vary for different share classes. The compensation that JPMorgan receives from the Fund or its Shareholder Servicing Agent is distinct from the explicit fees JPMorgan charges for trust, agency, escrow, custody or cash management services (either related or unrelated to the Sweep Service).
4.
JPMorgan or its affiliates may receive compensation from the Funds or other JPMorgan affiliates for services they provide as investment advisor, custodian and administrator, distributor and shareholder servicing agent as described in the Prospectus.
5.
INVESTMENTS IN THE FUNDS ARE NOT BANK DEPOSITS, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY JPMORGAN. FUND SHARES ARE NOT ISSUED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC, THE UNITED STATE GOVERNMENT OR ANY STATE GOVERNMENT, OR ANY AGENCY OR UNIT THEREOF. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY MONEY MARKET MUTUAL FUND WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE. INVESTMENTS IN MUTUAL FUNDS INVOLVE RISK, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL. THE CUSTOMER HAS MADE ITS OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT ASSESSMENT AS TO THE SUITABILITY AND APPROPRIATENESS OF THE SWEEP SERVICE AND THE INVESTMENTS IN THE FUND FOR ITS OWN NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS, AND ASSUMES ALL RISK OF LOSS RESULTING FROM ANY DECISION IT MAKES TO PURCHASE, EXCHANGE OR SELL SHARES OF THE FUND, OR TO AUTHORIZE THE SAME ON ITS BEHALF.
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