CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
CENTRAL ASSET FUND, INC.
and
COMERICA BANK
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between Central Asset Fund, Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of Maryland, having its principal
place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇,
hereinafter called the "Fund", and Comerica Bank, a Michigan banking
corporation, having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, hereinafter called the "Custodian",
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It
The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its
assets pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. The
Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by
it, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital
distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by the
Fund from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such
new or treasury shares of capital stock ("Shares") of the Fund as may be
issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible
for any property of the Fund held or received by the Fund and not delivered
to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of
Section 2.15), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more
sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board
of Directors of the Fund, and provided that 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.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By
the Custodian
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of the Fund all non-cash property,
including all securities owned by the Fund, other than (a)
securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 in a
clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a
book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury, collectively referred to herein as "Securities
System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which
Comerica Incorporated acts as issuing and paying agent
("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the
Direct Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to Section
2.10A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and
deliver securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian or
in a Securities System account of the Custodian or in the
Custodian's Direct Paper book entry system account ("Direct
Paper 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:
(1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the
Fund and receipt of payment therefor;
(2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement related to such securities entered
into by the Fund;
(3) In the case of a sale effected through a Securities
System, in accordance with the provisions of Section
2.10 hereof;
(4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or
other similar offers for portfolio securities of the
Fund;
(5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities
are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or
other consideration is to be delivered to the
Custodian;
(6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into
the name of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or
nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee
name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or
into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange for a
different number of bonds, certificates or other
evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or
number of units; provided that, in any such case, the
new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
(7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the
Fund, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a
receipt, for examination in accordance with "street
delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the
Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for
any loss arising from the delivery of such securities
prior to receiving payment for such securities except
as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or
willful misconduct;
(8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of
merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization
or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such
securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion
contained in such securities, or pursuant to any
deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the
new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to
the Custodian;
(9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities,
the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants,
rights or similar securities or the surrender of
interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive
securities; provided that, in any such case, the new
securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the
Custodian;
(10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities
made by the Fund, but only against receipt of adequate
collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the
Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the form of
cash or obligations issued by the United States
government, its agencies or instrumentalities, except
that in connection with any loans for which collateral
is to be credited to the Custodian's account in the
book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of
the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or
responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the
Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;
(11) For delivery as security in connection with any
borrowings by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by
the Fund, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
(12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-
dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of The National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options
Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange, or of any similar organization or
organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements
in connection with transactions by the Fund;
(13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian, and a Futures
Commission Merchant registered under the Commodity
Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any
Contract Market, or any similar organization or
organizations, regarding account deposits in connection
with transactions by the Fund; and
(14) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors or of the Executive Committee signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities to be
delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such
delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a
proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or
persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be
made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian
(other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name
of the 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 adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name
of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the name
or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to
Article 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf
of the Fund under the terms of this Contract 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.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a
separate bank account or accounts in the name of the Fund,
subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant to the terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such
account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all
cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other
than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established
and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 ("Investment Company Act"). Funds held by
the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited by it to its
credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian
or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its
discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however,
that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to
act as a custodian under the Investment Company Act and that
each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited
with each such bank or trust company shall be approved by vote
of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund. Such
funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as
Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in
that capacity.
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between
the Fund and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the
receipt of Proper Instructions, make federal funds available
to the Fund as of specified times agreed upon from time to
time by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount of checks
received in payment for Shares of the Fund which are deposited
into the Fund's account.
2.6 Collection of Income. Subject to the provisions of Section
2.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income
and other payments with respect to registered securities held
hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled either by law or
pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall
collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with
respect to bearer securities if, on the date of payment by the
issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent
thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the
Fund's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for
payment all coupons and other income items requiring
presentation as and when they become due and shall collect
interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due
the Fund on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.2(10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The
Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection
therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such
information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in
arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the
income to which the Fund is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate
by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund
in the following cases only:
(1) Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the
account of the Fund but only (a) against the delivery
of such securities or evidence of title to such
options, futures contracts or options on futures
contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm
or trust company doing business in the United States or
abroad which is qualified under the Investment Company
Act, as amended, to act as a custodian and has been
designated by the Custodian as its agent for this
purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in
Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b)
in the case of a purchase effected through a Securities
System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase
involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance with
the conditions set forth in Section 2.10A; (d) in the
case of repurchase agreements entered into between the
Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-
dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery
of the securities either in certificate form or through
an entry crediting the Custodian's account at the
Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii)
against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by
the Fund of securities owned by the Custodian along
with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian
to repurchase such securities from the Fund; or (e) for
transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any
bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be
effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a
broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper
Instructions from the Fund as defined in Section 2.15;
(2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section
2.2 hereof;
(3) For the 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;
(4) For the payment of any dividends declared pursuant to
the governing documents of the Fund;
(5) For payment of the amount of dividends received in
respect of securities sold short; or
(6) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of,
in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified copy of
a resolution of the Board of Directors or of the
Executive Committee of the Fund signed by an officer of
the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment,
setting forth the purpose for which such payment is to
be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper purpose,
and naming the person or persons to whom such payment
is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased. Except as specifically stated otherwise in this
Contract, in any and every case where payment for purchase of
securities for the account of the Fund is made by the
Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in
the absence of specific written instructions from the Fund to
so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to
the Fund for such securities to the same extent as if the
securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times
in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any
other bank or trust company which is itself qualified under
the Investment Company Act, as amended, to act as a custodian,
as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this
Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct;
provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not
relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities
hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian
may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 17A of the Exchange Act, which acts
as a securities depository, or in the book-entry system
authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain
federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal
Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and
regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
(1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian
in the Securities System which shall not include any
assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
(2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities
of the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging
to the Fund;
(3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for
the account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from
the Securities System that such securities have been
transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an
entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that payment for such securities has
been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of
an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect
such transfer and payment for the account of the Fund.
Copies of all advices from the Securities System of
transfers of securities for the account of the Fund
shall identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by
the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its
request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the
Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from the
account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or
notice and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily
transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions
in the Securities System for the account of the Fund;
(4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report
obtained by the Custodian on the Securities System's
accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the
Securities System;
(5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual
certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 9
hereof; and
(6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract
notwithstanding, the Custodian shall be liable to the
Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from
use of the Securities System by reason of any
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian
or any of its agents or of any of its or their
employees or from failure of the Custodian or any such
agent to enforce effectively such rights as it may have
against the Securities System; at the election of the
Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the
rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim
against the Securities System or any other person which
the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such
loss or damage if and to the extent that the Fund has
not been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.10 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the
Fund in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to
the following provisions:
(1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct
Paper System will be effected in the absence of Proper
Instructions;
(2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the
Direct Paper System only if such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian
in the Direct Paper System which shall not include any
assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
(3) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities
of the Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper
System shall identify by book-entry those securities
belonging to the Fund;
(4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for
the account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on
the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment
and transfer of securities to the account of the Fund.
The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the
account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
receipt of payment for the account of the Fund;
(5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of
each transfer to or from the account of the Fund, in
the form of a written advice or notice, of Direct Paper
on the next business day following such transfer and
shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction
sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the
Securities System for the account of the Fund; and
(6) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on
its system of internal accounting control as the Fund
may reasonably request from time to time.
2.11 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of
Proper Instructions establish and maintain a segregated
account or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into which
account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities,
including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian
pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance with the
provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and
a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member
of the NASD (or any Futures Commission Merchant registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with
the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any
registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission or any registered Contract Market),
or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding
escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions
by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or
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 or releases of the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts
by registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper
corporate purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions, a certified
copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting
forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and
declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for
all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt
of income or other payments with respect to securities of the
Fund held by it and in connection with transfers of
securities.
2.13 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities
held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the
registered holder of such securities, if the securities are
registered otherwise than in the name of the 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.
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities. Subject
to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit
promptly to the Fund all written information (including,
without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of
securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith
and notices of exercise of call and put options written by the
Fund and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold
by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Fund all written information received by the Custodian from
issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought
and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or
exchange offer. If the Fund desires to take action with
respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other
similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at
least three business days prior to the date on which the
Custodian is to take such action.
2.15 Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout
this Article 2 means a writing signed or initialled by one or
more person or persons as the Board of Directors shall have
from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set
forth the specific transaction or type of transaction
involved, including a specific statement of the purpose for
which such action is requested. Oral instructions will be
considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably
believes them to have been given by a person authorized to
give such instructions with respect to the transaction
involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be
confirmed in writing. Upon receipt of a certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by
the Board of Directors of the Fund accompanied by a detailed
description of procedures approved by the Board of Directors,
Proper Instructions may include communications effected
directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices
provided that the Board of Directors and the Custodian are
satisfied that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for
the Fund's assets. For purposes of this Section, Proper
Instructions shall include instructions received by the
Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement which requires
a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.11.
2.16 Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The Custodian
may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund:
(1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
handling securities or other similar items relating to
its duties under this Contract, provided that all such
payments shall be accounted for to the Fund;
(2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities
in definitive form;
(3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund,
checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
(4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
connection with the sale, exchange, substitution,
purchase, transfer and other dealings with the
securities and property of the Fund except as otherwise
directed by the Board of Directors of the Fund.
2.17 Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in
acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent,
certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of
the Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a certified
copy of a vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund as
conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act
in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of
any action by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Articles
of Incorporation as described in such vote, and such vote may
be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the
Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary
information to the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Directors
of the Fund to keep the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the net
asset value per share of the outstanding shares of the Fund or, if directed
in writing to do so by the Fund, shall itself keep such books of account
and/or compute such net asset value per share. If so directed, the
Custodian shall also calculate weekly the net income of the Fund as
described in the Fund's currently effective private placement memorandum
and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent weekly 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 calculations
of the net asset value per share and the weekly income of the Fund shall be
made at the time or times described from time to time in the Fund's
currently effective private placement memorandum.
4. Records
The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating
to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as
will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company 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 Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation
of securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when
requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed
upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in
such tabulations.
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund
may from time to time request, to furnish such information with respect to
its activities hereunder as the Fund's independent accountant may request
in connection with the accountant's verification of the Fund's securities
and similar investments as required by Rule 17f-2 under the Investment
Company Act, 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 periodic financial reports
required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or other
filings, and with respect to any other requirements of such Commission.
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the
Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants
on the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for
safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures
contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities
System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this
Contract; such reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient
detail as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable
assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such
examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so
state.
7. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for
its services and expenses as Custodian in an amount as detailed in Schedule
A, attached hereto, which may be amended from time to time with the written
consent of the parties hereto. The Custodian may charge such compensation
and any expenses incurred by the Custodian in the performance of its duties
pursuant to such agreement against any money held on behalf of the Fund.
8. Responsibility of Custodian
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of
reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title,
validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto
received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be
held harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or
other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed
by the proper party or parties, 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 Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and
shall be without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by
it in good faith without negligence. It shall be entitled to rely on and
may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all
matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice.
If the Fund 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 settlements) or in the event that the Custodian or
its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses,
assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of
this Contract, except such as may arise from its or its nominee's own
negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any
property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security
therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the
Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the
Fund assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement. The Fund will
use reasonable efforts to avoid cash overdrafts in its account and will
provide offsetting balances with respect to any cash overdrafts that may
occur from time to time.
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment
This Contract shall become effective as of its execution,
shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter
provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties
hereto and may be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing
delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such termination
to take effect not sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of such
delivery or mailing; provided, however that the Custodian shall not act
under Section 2.10 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Directors of the Fund has approved the initial use of a particular
Securities System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Directors has reviewed the use
by the Fund of such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule
17f-4 under the Investment Company Act, as amended, and that the Custodian
shall not act under Section 2.10A hereof in the absence of receipt of an
initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the
Board of Directors has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System
and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Directors has reviewed the use by the Fund of
the Direct Paper System; provided further, however, that the Fund shall not
amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any applicable federal
or state regulations, or any provision of the Articles of Incorporation and
further provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board of
Directors (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by
giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately
terminate this Contract 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 Contract, 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.
10. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian shall be appointed by the Board of
Directors of the Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to
such successor custodian at the office of such successor custodian, duly
endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities then held by it
hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all
of the Fund's securities held in a Securities System.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the
Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote
of the Board of Directors of the Fund, deliver at the office of the
Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in
accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor
custodian or certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors shall have
been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination
shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver
to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment
Company Act, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus,
and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less
than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the
Custodian and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and
all other property held by it under this Contract and to transfer to an
account of such successor custodian all of the Fund's securities held in
any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the
successor of the Custodian under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties
remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination
hereof owing to failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the
vote referred to or of the Board of Directors to appoint a successor
custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its
services during such period as the Custodian retains possession of such
securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Contract
relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in
full force and effect.
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the
Custodian and the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions
interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in
their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Contract.
Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed
by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such
interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable
federal or state regulations or any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation of the Fund. No interpretive or additional provisions made
as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of
this Contract.
12. New York Law to Apply
This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with laws of the State of New York without reference to choice of law
principles thereof and in accordance with the Investment Company Act. In
the case of any conflict the Investment Company Act shall control.
13. Prior Contract
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date
hereof, all prior contracts between the Fund and the Custodian relating to
the custody of the Fund's assets.
14. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in
counterparts, and if executed in more than one counterpart, the separate
instruments shall constitute one agreement.
15. Shareholder Communications
Securities and Exchange Commission 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.
The Fund hereby instructs the Custodian to not disclose any such
information to issuers who so request.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this
instrument to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized
representative as of the 24th day of March, 1998.
CENTRAL ASSET FUND, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Assistant Secretary
COMERICA BANK
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: First Vice President
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be
Held by It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to
Property of the Fund Held By the Custodian . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3 Registration of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.4 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.6 Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of
Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.9 Appointment of Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems . . . . . 18
2.10A Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.11 Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.12 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . . . . . . . 26
2.13 Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2.14 Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities . 26
2.15 Proper Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.16 Actions Permitted without Express Authority . . . . . 29
2.17 Evidence of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income . . . . . . . . 31
4. Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
5. Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant . . . . . . . . . . . 32
6. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants . . . . . . 33
7. Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
8. Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
9. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment . . . . . . . . . 36
10. Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
11. Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
12. New York Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
13. Prior Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
14. Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
15. Shareholder Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Schedule A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Schedule A
Custodian will be paid a combined fee for its services under
this contract and its services under the Administration Agreement, dated
March 19, 1998, between itself and the Fund as set forth in Schedule III to
such Administration Agreement.
