EXHIBIT NO. 99.B8
FORM OF
CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Custodian Contract between MFS Variable Insurance Trust, a
business trust organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, hereinafter called the "Trust", 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 Trust 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 Trust currently offers shares in five series, MFS Bond
Series, MFS Growth With Income Series, MFS High Income Series, MFS Limited
Maturity Series and MFS Value Series (the "Current Series") (the Current Series
together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made
subject to this Contract in accordance with paragraph 16, being herein referred
to as the "Portfolios");
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It.
The Trust hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets
of the Portfolios of the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Declaration of
Trust. The Trust agrees, on behalf of the Portfolios, agrees to deliver to the
Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to
all securities owned by the Portfolios from time to time, and the cash
consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial
interest of the Trust representing interests in the Portfolios ("Shares") as may
be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for
any property of a Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered
to the Custodian.
Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section
2.17), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to
time employ one or more sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an
applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Trust on behalf of the
applicable Portfolio(s), and provided that the Custodian shall have no more or
less responsibility or liability to the Trust on account of any actions or
omissions of any subcustodian so employed than any such subcustodian has to the
Custodian.
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2. Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Trust Held By the
Custodian.
2.1 Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, including all securities
owned by such Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant
to Section 2.12 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in
a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a
"U.S. 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 2.12A.
2.2 Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver securities
owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a U.S. 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 Trust on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following
cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio and
receipt of payment therefor;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any
such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name
of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or
into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.11 or
into the name or nominee name of any 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;
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8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the
securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for
conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities
or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive
securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if
any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by
the Portfolio, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon
from time to time by the Custodian and the Trust 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 Trust on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Trust
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 Trust 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 Trust;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Trust 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 Trust;
14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
Agent") for the Trust, 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
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and statement of additional information of the Trust 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 Trust 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 Trust and certified by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose for which
such delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate
purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities
shall be made.
2.3 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian (other than
bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the
name of any nominee of the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of
the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio,
unless the Trust 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 2.11 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.
2.4 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account
or accounts (the "Portfolio's Account or Accounts") in the name of each
Portfolio of the Trust, 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 Trust. 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 Payments for Shares. The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for
the Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Trust and deposit into the
Portfolio's Account such payments as are received for Shares of that Portfolio
issued or sold from time to time by the Trust. The Custodian will provide timely
notification to the Trust on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer
Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
2.6 Investment and Availability of Federal Funds. Upon mutual agreement between
the Trust on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian, the
Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions from the Trust on
behalf of a Portfolio, 1) invest in such instruments as may be
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set forth in such instruments as may be set forth in such instructions on the
same day as received all federal funds received after a time agreed upon the
Custodian and the Trust; and 2) make federal funds available to such Portfolio
as of specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Trust and the
Custodian in the amount of checks received in payment for Shares of such
Portfolio which are deposited into the Portfolio's account.
2.7 Collection of Income. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all
income and other payments with respect to registered securities held hereunder
to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in
the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and
other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date of payment by
the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and
shall credit such income, as collected, to such Portfolio's custodian account.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and
present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as
and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held
hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the
provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Trust. The
Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other
than to provide the Trust with such information or data as may be necessary to
assist the Trust in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the
income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
2.8 Payment of Trust Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Trust
on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when
deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of a
Portfolio in the following cases only:
1) Upon the purchase of securities for the account of the Portfolio
but only (a) against the delivery of such securities to the Custodian (or any
bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States 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 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 U.S. Securities
System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12 hereof; or
(c) in the case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance
with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12A; or (d) in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into between the Trust 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;
2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
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3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the
Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof;
4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for the account
of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and
legal fees, and operating expenses of the Trust 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 Trust;
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 Trust on behalf of the Portfolio, a
certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees or of the Executive
Committee of the Trust signed by an officer of the Trust and certified by its
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose for which such
payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming
the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
2.9 Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased. In any
and every case where payment for purchase of securities for the account of a
Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities
purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the Trust on
behalf of such Portfolio to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely
liable to the Trust for such securities to the same extent as if the securities
had been received by the Custodian except that in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into by the Trust on behalf of a Portfolio with a bank which
is a member of the Federal Reserve System, the Custodian may transfer funds to
the account of such bank prior to the receipt of written evidence that the
securities subject to such repurchase agreement have been transferred by
book-entry into a segregated non-proprietary account of the Custodian maintained
with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston or of the safekeeping receipt, provided
that such securities have in fact been so transferred by book-entry.
2.10 Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Trust. 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
Trust 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 a Portfolio, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian
by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Trust to the
holder of Shares, when
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presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls as
are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Trust and the Custodian.
2.11 Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its
discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company
which is itself qualified under the 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.
2.12 Deposit of Trust Assets in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S. 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 U.S.
Securities System provided that such securities are represented in an account
("Custodian's Account") of the Custodian in the U.S. 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 U.S. Securities System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities System that
such securities have been transferred to the Custodian's 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 U.S. Securities System that payment for such securities has been transferred
to the Custodian's 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 U.S. 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 Trust at
its request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the Trust 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
Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions
in the U.S. Securities System for the account of the Portfolio.
4) The Custodian shall provide the Trust for the Portfolio with any
report obtained by the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting
system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities
deposited in the U.S. Securities System;
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5) The Custodian shall have received from the Trust on behalf of the
Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case may be, required by
Article 9 hereof;
6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for the benefit of the Portfolio for any
loss or damage to the Portfolio resulting from use of a U.S. 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 such U.S. Securities System; at the election of the Trust, it shall be
entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any
claim against the U.S. 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 Trust has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.
2.12A Trust 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 Trust 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 Trust 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 Trust 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 Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
with any report on its system of internal accounting control as the Trust may
reasonably request from time to time.
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2.13 Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions
from the Trust 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 2.12
hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Trust
on behalf of the 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
Trust, (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 Trust 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 Trust and certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of
such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate
purposes.
2.14 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax
purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to
securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of
securities.
2.15 Proxies. The Custodian shall, with respect to the securities held
hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such
securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the
Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, 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.
2.16 Communications Relating to Trust Portfolio Securities.
The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Trust for each Portfolio 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 Trust on behalf of
the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the
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
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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 Portfolios Held
Outside of the United States.
3A. Duties of Custodian with Respect to the State Street Portfolios.
The provisions of this Article 3A shall apply to the duties of the
Custodian as they relate to the foreign securities of any Portfolio employing
the State Street Global Custody Network pursuant to Section 16 of this Agreement
(a "State Street Portfolio").
3A.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians. The State Street Portfolios hereby
authorize and instruct the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the
Portfolios' securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
resolutions approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and delivered to
State Street ("foreign sub-custodians"). Subject to receipt of "Proper
Instructions", as defined in Section 5 of this Contract, together with a
certified resolution of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees, the Custodian and a
State Street Portfolio may from time to time agree to designate additional
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories to act as
sub-custodian. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, a State Street Portfolio may
instruct the Custodian to cease the employment of any one or more such
sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the Portfolio's assets.
3A.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 State Street Portfolio may determine to be reasonably necessary
to effect the Portfolio's foreign securities transactions. The Custodian shall
identify on its books as belonging to each State Street Portfolio, the foreign
securities of the State Street Portfolio held by each foreign sub-custodian.
3A.3 Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
writing by the Custodian and a State Street Portfolio, assets of the State
Street Portfolios shall be maintained in a clearing agency which acts as a
securities depository or in a book-entry system for the central handling of
securities located outside of the United States (each a "Foreign Securities
System") only through arrangements implemented by the foreign banking
institutions serving as sub-custodians pursuant to the terms hereof. (Foreign
Securities Systems and U.S. Securities Systems are collectively referred to
herein as "Securities Systems"). Where possible, such arrangements shall include
entry into agreements containing the provisions set forth in Section 3A.5
hereof.
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3A.4 Holding Securities. The Custodian may hold securities and other non-cash
property for all of its customers, including the State Street Portfolios, 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 State Street Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall
identify by book-entry those securities and other non-cash property belonging to
each State Street Portfolio 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.
3A.5 Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a foreign
banking institution shall provide that: (a) the assets of the State Street
Portfolios 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 of the assets of each State Street 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 State Street 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 State Street Portfolios, 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 State Street Portfolios held by the foreign
sub-custodian will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its
agents.
3A.6 Access of Independent Accountants of the State Street Portfolios. Upon
request of the State Street Portfolios, the Custodian will use its best efforts
to arrange for the independent accountants of the State Street Portfolios 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.
3A.7 Reports by Custodian. The Custodian will supply to the State Street
Portfolios from time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of
the securities and other assets of the State Street Portfolios held by foreign
sub-custodians, including but not limited to an identification of entities
having possession of the State Street Portfolios 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 State Street State Street Portfolio indicating, as
to securities acquired for a State Street Portfolio, the identity of the entity
having physical possession of such securities.
3A.8 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. (a) Except as otherwise provided
in paragraph (b) of this Section 3A.8, the provision of Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of
this Contract shall apply, mutatis mutandis to the foreign securities of the
State Street Portfolios held outside the United States by foreign
sub-custodians.
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(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of each
applicable State Street Portfolio and delivery of securities maintained for the
account of each applicable State Street 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 State Street Portfolios agree to
hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such
securities.
3A.9 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 State Street
Portfolios 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 a State Street Portfolio, 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 State Street
Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim.
3A.10 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
3A.13 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 3A.10, in delegating custody duties to
State Street London Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved of any
responsibility to a State Street Portfolio 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 losses
under circumstances where the Custodian and State Street London Ltd. have
exercised reasonable care.
3A.11 Reimbursement for Advances. If a State Street Portfolio requires the
Custodian to advance cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of such
State Street 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,
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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 State Street Portfolio shall be security
therefor and should the State Street Portfolio fail to repay the Custodian
promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to
dispose of such State Street Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary to
obtain reimbursement.
3A.12 Monitoring Responsibilities. The Custodian shall furnish annually to the
State Street Portfolios, 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 State Street Portfolios in
connection with the initial approval of this Contract. In addition, the
Custodian will promptly inform the State Street Portfolios 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 State Street
Portfolios 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).
3A.13 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 State
Street Portfolio's 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 State Street Portfolio in the United Kingdom
shall be maintained in an interest bearing account established for the State
Street Portfolio with the Custodian's London branch, which account shall be
subject to the direction of the Custodian, State Street London Ltd. or both.
3A.14 Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any
obligations now or hereafter imposed on the State Street Portfolios or the
Custodian as custodian of the State Street Portfolios by the tax law of the
United States of America or any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall
be the responsibility of the State Street Portfolios to notify the Custodian of
the obligations imposed on the State Street Portfolios or the Custodian as
custodian of the State Street Portfolio 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 State Street Portfolios with respect to any claim for exemption or
refund under the tax law of jurisdictions for which the State Street Portfolios
have provided such information.
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3B. Duties of the Custodian with respect to the Chase Portfolios.
The provisions of this Article 3B shall apply to the duties of the
Custodian as they relate to the foreign securities of each Current Series and
any other Portfolio employing the Chase Global Custody Network pursuant to
Section 16 of this Agreement (a "Chase Portfolio").
3B.1 Appointment of Chase as Subcustodian. The Custodian is authorized and
instructed by the Chase Portfolios to employ Chase Manhattan Bank N.A. ("Chase")
as subcustodian for the Chase Portfolios' foreign securities including cash
incidental to transactions in such securities) on the terms and conditions set
forth in the Subcustody Contract between the Custodian and Chase which is
attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Subcustody Contract"). The Custodian
acknowledges that it has entered into the Subcustody Contract and hereby agrees
to provide such services to the Chase Portfolios and in accordance with such
Subcustody Contract as necessary for foreign custody services to be provided
pursuant thereto.
3B.2 Standard of Care; Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Contract, the Custodian shall not be liable to the Chase Portfolios for any
loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in connection
with the maintenance or custody of the Chase Portfolios' foreign securities by
Chase or by any other banking institution or securities depository employed
pursuant to the terms of the Subcustody Contract, except that the Custodian
shall be liable for any such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim directly
resulting from the failure of the Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the
performance of tits duties hereunder. At the election of a Chase Portfolio, such
Chase Portfolio shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the
Custodian under the Subcustody Contract with respect to any claim arising
hereunder against Chase or any other banking institution or securities
depository employed by Chase if and to the extent that such Chase Portfolio has
not been made whole therefor.
3B.3 Portfolio's Responsibility for Rules and Regulations. As between the
Custodian and the Chase Portfolios, the Chase Portfolios shall be solely
responsible to assure that the maintenance of foreign securities and cash
pursuant to the terms of the Subcustody Contract comply with all applicable
rules, regulations, interpretations and orders of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the Custodian assumes no responsibility and makes no
representations as to such compliance.
4. Proper Instructions. Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract
means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as 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 Trust 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 Trust accompanied by a detailed description of
procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, Proper Instructions may include
communications effected directly between
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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.
5. Actions Permitted without Express Authority. The Custodian may in its
discretion, without express authority from the Trust 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 Trust 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 Trust.
6. 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 Trust. The Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of
the Board of Trustees of the Trust 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.
7. 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 Trust 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 Trust 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 Trust's currently effective prospectus related to such
Portfolio and shall advise the Trust and the Transfer Agent daily of the total
amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the
Trust 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 Trust's currently effective
prospectus related to such Portfolio.
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8. 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 Trust under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules
31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder, applicable federal and state tax laws and any other
law or administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to the Trust.
All such records shall be the property of the Trust 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 Trust and employees and
agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall, at the
Trust's request, supply the Trust with a tabulation of securities owned by the
Trust and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Trust
and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Trust and the
Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.
9. Opinion of Trust's Independent Accountant.
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Trust on behalf
of each applicable Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year
to year favorable opinions from the Trust's independent accountants with respect
to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Trust'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.
10. Reports to Trust by Independent Public Accountants.
The Custodian shall provide the Trust, on behalf of each of the
Portfolios at such times as the Trust 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 Trust 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.
11. 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
Trust on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
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12. Responsibility of Custodian.
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties.
The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out
the provisions of this Contract and shall be indemnified by the Trust for any
action taken or omitted by it in the proper execution of instructions from the
Trust. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel for
the Trust on all matters and shall be without liability for any action
reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the responsibility of the Custodian with respect to redemptions
effected by check shall be in accordance with a separate Agreement entered into
between the Custodian and the Trust.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct, the Custodian shall be without liability to the Portfolio for any
loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by; (i) events or
circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or any
sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the
foregoing, including, without limitation, nationalization or expropriation,
imposition of currency controls or restrictions, the interruption, suspension or
restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market, power or
other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or
communications disruptions, acts of war or terrorism, riots, revolutions, work
stoppages, natural disasters or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the
Portfolio or the Investment Advisor in their instructions to the Custodian;
(iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any
delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other
commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian's
sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made
in connection with securities sold; (v) any delay or failure of any company,
corporation, or other body in charge or registering or transferring securities
in the name of the Custodian, the Portfolio, the Custodian's sub-custodians,
nominees or agents or agents or any consequential losses arising out of such
delay or failure to transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus,
dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (vi) delays or inability
to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect
to any particular security or Securities System; and (vii) any provision of any
present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or
any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of
any court of competent jurisdiction. In no event shall the Custodian be liable
for indirect, special or consequential damages.
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.
The Trust on behalf of a Portfolio agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Custodian and its nominee from and against all taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including counsel fees) incurred
or assessed against it or its nominee in connection with the
17
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.
The Custodian is authorized to charge any account of the applicable
Portfolio for such item and its fees. To secure any such authorized charges and
any advances of cash or securities made by the Custodian to or for the benefit
of a Portfolio for any purpose which results in the Portfolio incurring an
overdraft at the end of any business day or for extraordinary or emergency
purposes during any business day, the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio hereby
grants to the Custodian a security interest in and pledges to the Custodian
securities held for it by the Custodian, in an amount not to exceed five percent
of the applicable Portfolio's gross assets, the specific securities to be
designated in writing from time to time by the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
or its investment adviser (the "Pledged Securities"). Should the Trust on behalf
of the Portfolio fail to repay promptly any advances of cash or securities, the
Custodian shall be entitled to use available cash and to dispose of the Pledged
Securities as is necessary to repay any such advances.
13. 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 with respect to a Portfolio act under
Section 2.12 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Trust have
approved the initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio and
the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such Portfolio of such
Securities System, as required in each case 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 2.12A 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 and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by such
Portfolio of the Direct Paper System; provided further, however, (a) that the
Trust 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 (b) that the Trust 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 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 Trust 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.
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14. Successor Custodian.
If a successor custodian for the assets, of one or more of the
Portfolios shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, 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 Trust, 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 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, 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 Trust 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.
15. Interpretive and Additional Provisions.
In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Trust 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
Trust. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the
preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Contract.
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16. Additional Portfolios.
In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to the initial series 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, specifying whether such additional Portfolio
will employ the State Street Global Custody Network (thereby becoming a State
Street Portfolio subject to Article 3A hereunder) or the Chase Global Custody
Network (thereby becoming a "Chase Portfolio" subject to Article 3B hereunder)
or any other global custody network agreed upon by the parties (in which event
the Portfolio will be subject to Article 3B hereunder) and if the Custodian
agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a
Portfolio hereunder.
17. 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.
18. Trust Disclaimer.
A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the
Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Custodian acknowledges
that the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not binding upon
any of the Trust's trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders
individually, but are binding solely upon the assets and property of the Trust
in accordance with its proportionate interest hereunder. If this instrument is
executed by the Trust on behalf of one or more series of the Trust, Custodian
further acknowledges that the assets and liabilities of each series of the Trust
are separate and distinct and that the obligations of or arising out of this
instrument are binding solely upon the assets or property of the series on whose
behalf the Trust has executed this instrument. If the Trust has executed this
instrument on behalf of more than one series of the Trust, Custodian also agrees
that the obligations of each series hereunder shall be several and not joint, in
accordance with its proportionate interest hereunder, and Custodian agrees not
to proceed against any series for the obligations of another series.
19. Prior Contracts.
This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, the
existing custodian contract between the Trust on behalf of each of the
Portfolios and the Custodian. Any reference to the custodian contract between
the Trust and the Custodian in documents executed prior to the date hereof shall
be deemed to refer to this Contract.
20. 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
20
owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to
comply with the rule, the Custodian needs for the Trust to indicate whether the
Trust, on behalf of the Portfolios, authorizes the Custodian to provide the
Trust's name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose stock
the Trust owns. If the Trust tells the Custodian "no", the Custodian will not
provide this information to requesting companies. If the Trust tells the
Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is
required by the rule to treat the Trust as consenting to disclosure of this
information for all securities owned by any Portfolios of the Trust. For the
Trust's protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the
Trust's name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications.
Please indicate below whether the Trust consents or objects by checking one of
the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Trust's name,
address, and share positions.
NO [ ] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Trust'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 15th day of July , 1997.
Attest: MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
_________________________________ By _________________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
Attest: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
_________________________________ By _________________________________
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President
