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EXHIBIT(g)
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Between
SERIES TRUST
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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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 in the United States................................................. 2
2.1 Holding Securities........................................................ 2
2.2 Delivery of Securities.................................................... 2
2.3 Registration of Securities................................................ 5
2.4 Bank Accounts............................................................. 5
2.5 Availability of Federal Funds............................................. 5
2.6 Collection of Income...................................................... 6
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies.................................................... 6
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased....... 7
2.9 Appointment of Agents..................................................... 8
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System............................... 8
2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System...................10
2.12 Segregated Account........................................................10
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes...................................11
2.14 Proxies...................................................................11
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities...........................11
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held Outside of
the United States..............................................................12
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians.....................................12
3.2 Assets to be Held.........................................................12
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories...........................................12
3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions..............................12
3.5 Access of Independent Public Accountants of the Fund......................13
3.6 Reports by Custodian......................................................13
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account...................................13
3.8 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians.......................................14
3.9 Liability of Custodian....................................................14
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances................................................14
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities...............................................15
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks....................................................15
3.13 Tax Law...................................................................15
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund.........16
5. Proper Instructions............................................................16
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority....................................17
7. Evidence of Authority..........................................................17
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8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of Net
Asset Value and Net Income............................................................18
9. Records ..............................................................................18
10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Public Accountants .....................................18
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants ....................................19
12. Compensation of Custodian ............................................................19
13. Responsibility of Custodian ..........................................................19
14. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment ..........................................20
15. Successor Custodian ..................................................................21
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions ...............................................22
17. Additional Funds .....................................................................22
18. Massachusetts Law to Apply ...........................................................23
19. Prior Contracts ......................................................................23
20. Shareholder Communications Election ..................................................23
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CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Contract between WNL Series Trust, a business trust organized and
existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000,
hereinafter called the "Fund", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company, having its principal place of business at 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 00000, hereinafter called the
"Custodian";
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series,
with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of
securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to initially offer shares in eight series,
the American Capital Emerging Growth Portfolio, the BEA Growth and income
Portfolio, the CS First Boston International Equity Portfolio, the BlackRock
Managed Bond Portfolio, the Quest for Value Asset Allocation Portfolio, the
Salomon Brothers U.S. Government Securities Portfolio, the Global Advisors
Growth Equity Portfolio and the Global Advisors Money Market Portfolio (such
series together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and
made subject to this Contract in accordance with paragraph 17, being herein
referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");
NOW THEREFORE, 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 the assets of
the Portfolios of the Fund, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of
the applicable Portfolio desires to be held in places within the United States
("domestic securities") and securities it desires to be held outside the United
States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of
Trust. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolio(s) agrees to deliver to the Custodian
all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments
of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all
securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund representing interests in the Portfolios, ("Shares") as may
be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
any property of a
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Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered to the custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article
5), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to
time employ one or more sub-custodians, located in the United States but only in
accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Fund on
behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), 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. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian
for the Fund's foreign securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
Schedule A hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.
2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
by the Custodian in the United States
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically
segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property,
to be held by it in the United States including all domestic
securities owned by such Portfolio, 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 State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as
issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited
and/or maintained in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian
pursuant to Section 2.11.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver
domestic securities owned by a Portfolio 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 from the
Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the
Portfolio and receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any
repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into
by the Portfolio;
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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 securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or
nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name
of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 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
Portfolio, 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 Portfolio, but only against receipt of
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adequate collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the
Custodian and the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, which may
be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the United
States government, its agencies or instrumentalities, except
that in connection with any loans for which collateral is to
be credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the
delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the
receipt of such collateral;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings
by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of
assets by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, but only
against receipt of amounts borrowed;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio of the Fund;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio of the Fund;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent
("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such
Transfer Agent or to the holders of shares in connection
with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to
time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of
additional information of the Fund, related to the Portfolio
("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of
Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon
receipt of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, a certified
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copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the
Executive Committee signed by an officer of the Fund and
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
specifying the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be
made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery
of such securities shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the
Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in
the name of the Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian
which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio,
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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio 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 United States in the name of each
Portfolio 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
Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank
account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940. Funds held by the Custodian
for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian
in the Banking Department of the Custodian or in such other banks
or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or
desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust
company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust
company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust
company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved
by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. Such
funds shall be deposited by the
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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 on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the
Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the
Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, make federal funds available to
such Portfolio as of specified times agreed upon from time to time
by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount of checks received in
payment for Shares of such Portfolio which are deposited into the
Portfolio's account.
2.6 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 domestic securities held
hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law
or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall
collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with
respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment
by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its
agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to such
Portfolio's custodian account. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment
all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and
when they become due and shall collect interest when due on
securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on securities
loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the
responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the
Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist
the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of
the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.7 Payment of Fund Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from
the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be
continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties,
the Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following
cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of
the Portfolio but only (a) against the delivery of such
securities or evidence of title to such options, futures
contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian
(or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business
in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a
custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its
agent for this
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purpose) registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the
name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section
2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case
of a purchase effected through a Securities System, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10
hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase involving the Direct
Paper System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in
Section 2.11; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements
entered into between the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and
the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is
a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities
either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the
Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such
securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt
evidencing purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by
the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement
by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the
Portfolio or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of
the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such
transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation
from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper
Instructions from the Fund as defined in Article 5;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section
2.2 hereof;
3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the
Portfolio as set forth in Article 4 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following
payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes,
management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and
operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses
are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as
deferred expenses;
5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Portfolio
declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect
of securities sold short;
7) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees or of the Executive Committee of the Fund signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified
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by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the
amount of such payment, setting forth the purpose for which
such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a
proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom
such payment is to be made.
2.8 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities
Purchased. Except as specifically stated otherwise in this
Contract, in any and every case where payment for purchase of
domestic securities for the account of a Portfolio is made by the
Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in the
absence of specific written instructions from the Fund on behalf
of such Portfolio to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be
absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities to the same
extent as if the securities had been received by the Custodian.
2.9 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in
its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank
or trust company which is itself qualified under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its
agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Article 2 as the
Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that
the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of
its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.
2.10 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, which acts as a securities depository, or in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and
certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
"Securities 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 Portfolio in a
Securities System provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in
the Securities System which shall not include any assets of
the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,
custodian or otherwise for customers;
2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of
the Portfolio which are maintained in a Securities System
shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to
the Portfolio;
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3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian
shall transfer securities sold for the account of the
Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities
System that payment for such securities has been transferred
to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
payment for the account of the Portfolio. Copies of all
advices from the Securities System of transfers of
securities for the account of the Portfolio shall identify
the Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the
Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon
request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the
account of the Portfolio in the form of a written advice or
notice and shall furnish to the Fund an behalf of the
Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transactions in the Securities System for the account
of the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund for the Portfolio with
any report obtained by the Custodian on the Securities
System's accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the
Securities System;
5) The Custodian shall have received from the Fund on behalf of
the Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case
may be, required by Article 14 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding,
the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for the benefit of
the Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio
resulting from use of the Securities System by reason of any
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or
any of its agents or of any of its or their employees or
from failure of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce
effectively such rights as it may have against the
Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian
with respect to any claim against the Securities System or
any other person which the Custodian may have as a
consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent
that the Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss
or damage.
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2.11 Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a
Portfolio 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 from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct Paper
System shall identify by book-entry those securities
belonging to the Portfolio;
4) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio. The
Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of
the Portfolio 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 Portfolio;
5) The Custodian shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the
account of the Portfolio, in the form of a written advice or
notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day following
such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transaction in the Securities System for the account
of the Portfolio;
6) The custodian shall provide the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio with any report on its system of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from
time to time.
2.12 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
Instructions from the Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio
establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on
behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts
may be transferred cash and/or securities, including securities
maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.10
hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Fund on behalf of the
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Portfolio, 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
Portfolio, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government
securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written
by the Portfolio or commodity futures contracts or options thereon
purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for the purposes of
compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent
release or releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission
relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered
investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate purposes,
but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the
Board of Trustees or of the Executive Committee signed by an
officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such
segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper
corporate purposes.
2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all
federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of
income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of
each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of
securities.
2.14 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic
securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the
registered holder of such securities, if the securities are
registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a
nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly
deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting
materials and all notices relating to such securities.
2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly
to the Fund for each Portfolio all written information (including,
without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of domestic
securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith and
notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund on
behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts
purchased or sold by the
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Portfolio) received by the Custodian from issuers of the
securities being held for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or
exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian from
issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and
from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange
offer. If the Portfolio desires to take action with respect to any
tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the
Portfolio shall notify the Custodian at least three business days
prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action.
3. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
Outside of the United States
3.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Fund hereby authorizes
and instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the
Portfolio's securities and other assets maintained outside the
United States the foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories designated on Schedule A hereto ("foreign
sub-custodians"). Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions", as
defined in Section 5 of this contract, together with a certified
resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Custodian and the
Fund may agree to amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to
designate additional foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories to act as sub-custodian. Upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, the Fund may instruct the Custodian to cease
the employment of any one or more such sub-custodians for
maintaining custody of the Portfolio's assets.
3.2 Assets to be Held. The custodian shall limit the securities and
other assets maintained in the custody of the foreign
sub-custodians to; (a) "foreign securities", as defined in
paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the
Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably necessary to
effect the Portfolio's foreign securities transactions. The
Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund,
the foreign securities of the Fund held by each foreign
sub-custodian.
3.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be
agreed upon in writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of
the Portfolios shall be maintained in foreign securities
depositories only through arrangements implemented by the foreign
banking institutions serving as sub-custodians pursuant to the
terms hereof. Where possible, such arrangements shall include
entry into agreements containing the provisions set forth in
Section 3.4 hereof.
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3.4 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with
a foreign banking institution shall provide that: (a) the assets
of each Portfolio will not be subject to any right, charge,
security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the
foreign banking institution or its creditors or agent, except a
claim of payment for their safe custody or administration; (b)
beneficial ownership for the assets of each Portfolio will be
freely transferable without the payment of money or value other
than for custody or administration; (c) adequate records will be
maintained identifying the assets as belonging to each applicable
Portfolio; (d) officers of or auditors employed by, or other
representatives of the Custodian, including to the extent
permitted under applicable law the independent public accountants
for the Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the
foreign banking institution relating to its actions under its
agreement with the Custodian; and (e) assets of the Portfolios
held by the foreign sub-custodian will be subject only to the
instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
3.5 Access of Independent Public Accountants of the Fund. Upon request
of the Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange
for the independent public accountants of the Fund to be afforded
access to the books and records of any foreign banking institution
employed as a foreign sub-custodian insofar as such books and
records relate to the performance of such foreign banking
institution under its agreement with the Custodian.
3.6 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Fund from
time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of
the securities and other assets of the Portfolio(s) held by
foreign sub-custodians, including but not limited to an
identification of entities having possession of the Portfolio(s)
securities and other assets and advices or notifications of any
transfers of securities to or from each custodial account
maintained by a foreign banking institution for the Custodian on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio indicating, as to securities
acquired for a Portfolio, the identity of the entity having
physical possession of such securities.
3.7 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. (a) Except as otherwise
provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.7, the provision of
Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, mutatis
mutandis to the foreign securities of the Fund held outside the
United states by foreign sub-custodians.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the
contrary, settlement and payment for securities received for the
account of each applicable Portfolio and delivery of securities
maintained for the account of each applicable
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Portfolio may be effected in accordance with the customary
established securities trading or securities processing practices
and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the
transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering
securities to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an
agent for such purchaser or dealer) against a receipt with the
expectation of receiving later payment for such securities from
such purchaser or dealer.
(c) Securities maintained in the custody of a foreign
sub-custodian may be maintained in the name of such entity's
nominee to the same extent as set forth in Section 2.3 of this
Contract, and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless
from any liability as a holder of record of such securities.
3.8 Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to
which the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a
foreign sub-custodian shall require the institution to exercise
reasonable care in the performance of its duties and to indemnify,
and hold harmless, the Custodian and the Fund from and against any
loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or
in connection with the institution's performance of such
obligations. At the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to
be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any
claims against a foreign banking institution as a consequence of
any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to
the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such
loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
3.9 Liability of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts
or omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent
as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this
Contract and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the
custody of a foreign banking institution, a foreign securities
depository or a branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph
3.12 hereof, the custodian shall not be liable for any loss,
damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of
war or terrorism or any loss where the sub-custodian has otherwise
exercised reasonable care. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph 3.9, in delegating custody duties to
State Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved of
any responsibility to the Fund for any loss due to such
delegation, except such loss as may result from (a) political risk
(including, but not limited to, exchange control restrictions,
confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, insurrection, civil
strife or armed hostilities) or (b) other losses (excluding a
bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street London Ltd. not caused by
political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear incident or other
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losses under circumstances where the Custodian and State Street
London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.
3.10 Reimbursement for Advances. If the Fund requires the Custodian to
advance cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of a
Portfolio including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of
contracts for foreign exchange, 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 applicable Portfolio 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 such Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary to
obtain reimbursement.
3.11 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually
to the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the
foreign sub-custodians employed by the Custodian. Such information
shall be similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund
in connection with the initial approval of this Contract. In
addition, the Custodian will promptly inform the Fund in the event
that the Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the
financial condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any material
loss of the assets of the Fund or in the case of any foreign
sub-custodian not the subject of an exemptive order from the
Securities and Exchange Commission is notified by such foreign
sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood
that its shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million
(U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders'
equity has declined below $200 million (in each case computed in
accordance with generally accepted U.S. accounting principles).
3.12 Branches of U.S. Banks. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody
of the Portfolios assets are maintained in a foreign branch of a
banking institution which is a "bank" as defined by Section
2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 meeting the
qualification set forth in Section 26(a) of said Act. The
appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall be
governed by paragraph 1 of this Contract.
(b) cash held for each Portfolio of the Fund in the United Kingdom
shall be maintained in an interest bearing account established for
the Fund with the Custodian's London branch, which account shall
be subject to the direction of the Custodian, State Street London
Ltd. or both.
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3.13 Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability
for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the
Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United
States of America or any state or political subdivision thereof.
It shall be the responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian
of the obligations imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as
custodian of the Fund by the tax law of jurisdictions other than
those mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility
for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The sole
responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall
be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to
any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of
jurisdictions for which the Fund has provided such information.
4. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the
Fund
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from
the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the appropriate
Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or
sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely
notification to the Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent
of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the Declaration of Trust and any applicable votes of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to
holders of shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for
redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or
repurchase of Shares of a Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of
instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption
or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on
the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the
Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with
such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time
between the Fund and the Custodian.
5. Proper Instructions
Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing
signed or initialled by one or more person or persons as
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the Board of Trustees 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 Trustees of the fund accompanied by a detailed description of
procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, Proper Instructions may include
communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic
devices provided that the Board of Trustees and the Custodian, are satisfied
that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for the Portfolios' assets. For
purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions
received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement which requires a
segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.12.
6. Actions Permitted Without Express Authority
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
securities or other similar items relating to its duties under
this Contract, provided that all such payments shall be accounted
for to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;
2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
definitive form;
3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and
other dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio
except as otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
7. Evidence of Authority
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by
it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund.
The Custodian may
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receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in
accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or of any action by the
Board of Trustees pursuant to the Declaration of Trust as described in such
vote, and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt
by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
8. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to keep
the books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per
share of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio or, if directed in writing to
do so by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of
account and/or compute such net asset value per share. If so directed, the
Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as
described in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related to such Portfolio
and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of
such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do
so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net
income among its various components. The calculations of the net asset value per
share and the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times
described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective prospectus related
to such Portfolio.
9. Records
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain
all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in
such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules
31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund
and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be
open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund
and employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Custodian shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of
securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when
requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon
between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such
tabulations.
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10. Opinion of Fund's Independent Public Accountants
The custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund on behalf
of each applicable Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year
to year favorable opinions from the Fund's independent public accountants with
respect to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the
Fund's Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Securities and
Exchange Commission and with respect to any other requirements of such
Commission.
11. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
The Custodian shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each of the
Portfolios at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports by
independent public accountants an 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.
12. Compensation of Custodian
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the
Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
13. 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
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counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any
action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 to the
same extent as set forth in Article 1 hereof with respect to sub-custodians
located in the United States (except as specifically provided in Article 3.9)
and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a foreign
banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a branch of a U.S. bank
as contemplated by paragraph 3.12 hereof, the Custodian shall not be liable for
any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from, or caused
by, the direction of or authorization by the Fund to maintain custody or any
securities or cash of the Fund in a foreign country including, but not limited
to, losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions,
or acts of war or terrorism.
If the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian to take any
action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or
which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or
its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment
of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund on behalf of the
Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action,
shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to
it.
If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited
to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement)
for the benefit of a Portfolio including the purchase or sale of foreign
exchange or of contracts for foreign exchange 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 applicable Portfolio 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 such Portfolio's assets to
the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
14. 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
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party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the
other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days
after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however that the custodian
shall not with respect to a Portfolio 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 Trustees of the Fund has approved the initial use of
a particular Securities System by such Portfolio, as required by Rule 17f-4
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian
shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.11 hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use of the Direct
Paper System by such Portfolio; 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 Declaration of Trust, and further
provided, that the Fund on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any
time by action of its Board of Trustees (i) substitute another bank or trust
company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian,
or (ii) immediately terminate this 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 on behalf of each
applicable, Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due
as of the date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian
for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
15. Successor Custodian
If a successor custodian for the Fund, of one or more of the Portfolios
shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the Custodian shall,
upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the
Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of each
applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account
of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in
a Securities System.
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
Trustees of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees
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shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such
termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to
deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its
own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all
securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto
and all other property held by it under this Contract on behalf of each
applicable Portfolio and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian
all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System.
Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian
under this Contract.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on
such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this
Contract as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of
this Contract. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a
writing signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no
such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable
federal or state regulations or any provision of the Declaration of Trust 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.
17. Additional Funds
In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to the American Capital Emerging Growth Portfolio, the BEA Growth and
Income Portfolio, the CS First Boston international Equity Portfolio, the
BlackRock Managed Bond Portfolio, the Quest for Value Asset Allocation
Portfolio, the Salomon Brothers U.S. Government Securities Portfolio, the Global
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Advisors Growth Equity Portfolio and the Global Advisors Money Market Portfolio
with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render services as
custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing,
and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of
Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
18. Massachusetts Law to Apply
This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
19. Prior Contracts
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the
Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund's assets.
20. Shareholder Communications Election
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. In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian "no",
the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If the
Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the
Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure
of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or
accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits
the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose
other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund
consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name,
address, and share positions.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the day of April, 1995.
ATTEST WNL SERIES TRUST
/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] By /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
-------------------------- ----------------------------------
ATTEST STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] By /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
-------------------------- ----------------------------------
Executive Vice President
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Schedule A
The following foreign banking institutions and foreign securities
depositories have been approved by the Board of Trustees of WNL Series Trust for
use as sub-custodians for the Fund's securities and other assets:
(Insert banks and securities depositories)
Certified:
------------------------------------
Fund's Authorized Officer
Date:
-------------------------------
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AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
Agreement made by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company (the
"Custodian") and WNL Series Trust (the "Fund").
WHEREAS, the Custodian and the Fund are parties to a Custodian
Agreement dated April , 1995 (the "Custodian Agreement") governing the terms
and conditions under which the Custodian maintains custody of the securities and
other assets of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Custodian and the Fund desire to amend the terms and
conditions under which the Custodian maintains the Fund's securities and other
non-cash property in the custody of certain foreign sub-custodians in conformity
with the requirements of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained
herein, the Custodian and the Fund hereby amend the Custodian Agreement by the
addition of the following terms and provisions:
1. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary set forth in the
Custodian Agreement, the Custodian may hold securities and other non-cash
property for all of its customers, including the Fund, with a foreign
sub-custodian in a single account that is identified as belonging to the
Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the
records of the Custodian with respect to securities and other non-cash property
of the Fund which are maintained in such account shall identify by book-entry
those securities and other non-cash property belonging to the Fund and (ii) the
Custodian shall require that securities and other non-cash property so held by
the foreign sub-custodian be held separately from any assets of the foreign
sub-custodian or of others.
2. Except as specifically superseded or modified herein, the terms and
provisions of the Custodian Agreement shall continue to apply with full force
and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed as a sealed instrument in its name and behalf by its duly
authorized representative this 13th day of December 1995.
WNL SERIES TRUST
By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXXXX
-------------------------------
Title: Vice President
----------------------------
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
-------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
----------------------------
